Hard to know where to start really - 07/09/98

Well, last Monday night, actually early Tuesday morning, my grandmother died. The first day of spring was her last day on this earth. Sorry, I won't get too corny, but was kind of a big event. Her mother only died about four years ago, so it wasn't really expected until the last six months or so. My grandfather handled it pretty well, all things considered.
I took Hannah down there on Tuesday, and she cheered him up a bit. My father disowned me and cast aspersions on my mother which really made my day. He behaved himself at the funeral, and what he said during the service was largely crap. I now know that there will never be any sort of reconciliation between myself and him and that I have done the best thing for both me and the kids.
So, after taking Monday off sick and bereavement leave on Tuesday, I had to work my arse off for two days before the funeral. Had a presentation on the internet to do for the Employers Association, which went well on Thursday evening.
Friday was the funeral, with Mum and Penny over here for it. Was good to see them, and the kids enjoyed seeing them. Hannah is beginning to wonder if John (Mum's hubby) really does exist. At least they both got to drink water without fear (Sydney is having more problems). Met my cousin Evan for the first time in about 20 years. He has a five month old boy called Jimmy who I didn't really want to give back. Was very cute, I remember Rory at that age and they are heaps of fun (and they sleep a lot, and don't want a turn on the Playstation).
We went to the end of season do for Soccer on Saturday for the Orcas. Ross played in the parents team, and the parents nearly did too well. Soccer was the winner on the day, and apart from about four injuries to the boys (two were wounded by their own parents) there weren't any tears. The boys had a great time, fooling around on the playground afterward at Coyle Park down the end of Pt Chevalier. It was good that Penny and Mum got to see Rory and the team play. I was given a little fluffy Orca and a card and a bottle of Champagne. The Orca is on my key ring and will be for a while. I was really tickled that they did that.
After that, Rory went to a birthday party for friend James. When he was little, just talking, and I told Rory I loved him, he used to say "Love you bigger, Dad". At the party, when I picked him up, he wanted a spare Cheetor that Hames was given. I said no, and there was some disagreement on the matter. At one point he said quietly "Love you smaller, Dad." The little shit. I held him upside down and asked if he wanted me to get the other boys to tickle him. He got over it, but it was kind of a nasty thing to say.
Ross and Kath came for dinner on Saturday and I kicked Ross' butt on Gran Turismo (which I got on about Wednesday). It was good to spend some time with them, with the excitement building for the arrival of their son in about six weeks. I really am going to have to go shopping soon.
Sunday was Father's day and I got a radio for use in the shower, it seems to be stuck on Radio Sport (shame really). We went for breakfast at the Atomic Cafe which is sort of a Mothers Day/Fathers Day tradition. Then we went to Purewa Cemetary for Mum to say goodbye to Natalie, a baby she lost after I was born. She was never given the chance even to see her when she was born, so it was good for her to finally do it. Penny did some flowers for her to leave there, and some for Hannah too.
We then went to see Pop with everyone before we took Mum to the airport and said goodbye to Penny. Three trips to Te Kauwhata in six days. And I think my car just knows which way to go. After the huge week he had we all felt it was good to make sure he didn't feel too lonely that day. Searching for missing jewellery and stuff was giving me a very yuck feeling.
Kids demanded I had a bath with them last night, and I had to wash Hannahs hair with her new Barbie Shampoo. Not much room for all three of us in the bath, and I was bloody cold I have to say.
I think I will tell you all what I want you to have and maybe give it to you before it is too late. I want to be buried with my parachute action man, buzz lightyear, my Star Trek Phaser and Communicator, Gran Turismo, a dual shock controller, my lego technic supercar, my tennis racket, a photo of Cindy Crawford (it was a dream I had a couple of weeks ago, no idea where it came from), my wife (alive or dead - it doesn't matter), some photos of my kids and maybe grandchildren. I want to be set adrift in my kayak, and then set on fire. Should be room for the stuff in the two compartments. Just strap Diana to the pointy end - I want earplugs if she is still alive. I intend to do a video for my funeral and anyone who says I was nice or other crap will be forcibly ejected from the room by four big ugly bouncers with cattle prods, and electronic bullshit detectors. Stay tuned for any changes.
All in all, a pretty emotionally draining week, probably more than one would prefer generally. At least I completed the Zerg scenarios in StarCraft and am now onto the Protoss.
Still water in some places there shouldn't be water down near Meremere.
Finally fixed the tuning on the video for Sky after taping half of Merlin in Black and White with no sound. Taped Harriet the Spy for the kids on Saturday night before I remembered. Doh!
Got a call from Carrie Battenberg about computer stuff last week. She was pretty cheerful. Suppose we should make an effort to catch up with them now that they live in Auckland again.
Some kid used a lawnmower to make his hand resemble sliced ham, but they sewed him back together. The government is limping along. The economy is responding to the joy that Asia and Russia are bringing us. A Scottish tourist electrocuted himself on an electric train. Sex workers are worried about the impact of Viagra, although parlour owners are probably planning on sending the pill to customers in need of a boost.
Didn't see any sport over the weekend at all. I heard that Southland were wiped out in a Ranfurly Shield challenge by Waikato 95-7 or something. Sad. Auckland played Canterbury at home and were embarassed in front of the home crowd losing 50-17. Wellington beat Taranaki and Harbour beat Northland who are now bottom dwellers with Auckland not much better. Otago beat Counties.
The East Coast haven't lost a game so far in Division Three, they haven't won a game for about ten years previously.
In ARL the Sydney City Roosters were losing 15-0 at half time but beat Newcastle (I think) by 25-15 or something. All the tries were scored at the same end of the field. I'd be pissed off if I was sitting at the other end of the ground.
Simon Crafar is till just behind Troy Corser in the superbikes championship (half a point).
Apologies for a bit of a long one this week, but this epistle is sometimes for my benefit as much as anyone with the stamina to read it. Especially this week as so many of you are in it or aware of the events anyway.
Be happy and let's hope nobody dies this week.