Well, mega frost on the back lawn on Thursday, first real one of the season. Shortest day has been and gone, so at least the days are going to start lengthening. The cold is starting to arrive, the high on Saturday for Auckland was 9 degrees, I think.
Welcome to Penny, my sister, who is now connected, although I am not sure how well or how often.
Shipley managed to fit both feet in her mouth the other day when she went on the offensive about Jon Hawkesby's possible payout from TVNZ. The whole golden handshake thing seems to be way out of hand. Seems the best way of getting ahead is to work in a top position in a government organisation.
Tank Commander Spice (JS) is spending considerable amounts of time with foot in gob. She must be getting a taste for shoe leather. They called for her resignation again, ho hum. I have reached the conclusion that I think National will need a new leader into the election if they are to win. She has done nothing for two years other than get in trouble. She's tough, but she's stupid. Should be in the All Black front row.
Three teenage girls attacked a 20-year old mother and her young daughters in their home in Levin. The attack lastest 12 hours, the oldest was 16.
A convicted rapist escaped Paremoremo last week, and was recaptured over the weekend, was lready on preventative detention.
Auckland City Council has decided to sell it's shares in the Airport and use the money for Britomart (dead clever, that is) and fixing the drainage.
They announced that GPS readings are out by up to 200 metres in Australia and New Zealand. Can't say it bothers me that much.
In a move that I morally am very uncertain about, a pissed off ACC customer stabbed and killed an ACC case worker in Henderson on Thursday. After getting nothing out of them and being screwed around when I crippled my calf muscle, I hate the ACC and all they stand for. With the new approach in July, we still have to pay ACC for a backlog of claims and we (the company) have never had a claim. My personal claim was never paid so I feel like pulling the same sort of stunt with them. "Oh, we seem to have lost your documentation" when they want us to pay them, or perhaps the classic "Your file has been closed". Feel sorry for the woman killed, as the anger is probably more deservingly directed further up the chain.
Eight people decided they didn't want to see the All Blacks play South Africa in a fortnight at Carisbrook and died on the roads instead. Excellent weekend for emergency services, glad I stayed home.
Rugby had some moments over the weekend. They spent all week saying the French really lift themselves for tests against NZ, then they got thumped 54-7. They scored a soft try just after half time when the pulled a good move, but in the first half they had heaps of possession and did nothing with it, 30-0 was halftime score. Good game though, Umaga got three, Wilson one or two, Cullen one, Marshall two I think. Jonah wasn't even in the reserves. Last game before Adidas takes over, who also sponsor Jonah.
Didn't see the Australia England centenary game, Australia won. Who would believe that the Warriors could win two in a row! But they did. Balmain must suck. The new captain, Jason Simons, has made a big difference. Interesting to see who will be in charge when Ridge finally returns.
The really big news was Wales beating South Africa 29-19, which confirms Graham Henry's position and 2ic to God in Wales. Compare that to last year's game when Wales was beaten in Pretoria 96-13.
In Origin III, it was a draw, so Queensland win. Bit slack but there you go.
In the third netball test, the Silver Ferns beat the South Africans by about 18 goals, less than the other two games but still a good win. They better not relax, before the last champs they beat them by 18 goals and then lost to them in the World Champs semi I think.
Radio Sport raved about the last test at Athletic Park all week, and the bloody "Legendary All Black Team" was announced on Friday. Wankers. These people seem to think they are contributing to the world by making up a team that never played together. I think what they need is a PlayStation game that lets them do exactly that then they can just shut up.
Devlin (on Radio Sport) made a classic comment the other morning. It was announced that the under-17 World Soccer Champs held here in November is having 20 games broadcast live in 80 countries. Then he says "And research just to hand from the Ministry of Tourism tells us not one person in those 80 countries is a potential tourist". Did I mention previously they weren't willing to assist with funding of the tournament, and yet felt APEC was going to be a winner with tourists? I can't believe why anyone in their right mind would want to visit Auckland whilst a bunch of bureaucrats were playing with themselves and with half the motorway system shut down for their benefit. Don't come to Auckland the second weekend in September, trust me. I even don't want to be here. We are thinking of telling our customers we are reachable by phone only.
Kids are now on holiday, going to try to take a long weekend with them this weekend. Should happen with luck.
Toys are muddling along, got some cool new samples last week, including one that almost needs an R rating. I love toys, just have to convince other people to buy some. Sold about 25 Lara's to Lucozade the other day. And am going to try to get exclusive on Star Trek product for NZ this week with the blessing from the guy who handles Paramount Studios interests in NZ.
In the really important sport, the Orcas got a game on Saturday morning, played on Mangere Mountain, really nice spot actually. We won 2-0, the other team had their moments but never really worked together. Had one really big scary kid but he couldn't do it on his own. The lads are really starting to pull together (They were shockers at practice). Rory had a reasonable game, did some good work. We are having a practice game against the Tigers this Thursday, they were the only team to beat us last season and we meet them in about a fortnight for a real match. This is the big one. Not that there is any pressure or anything. Elsie is knitting a scarf in the club colours for Rory, but I want it.
Didn't go see Paul play and he scored his first two goals of the season in a 7-2 win. They were playing at Marcellin, which we just about drove past on the way to pick up Elsie (which is why we couldn't stop).
Diana had her birthday, we did lunch with Hannah and she has been using her new stereo (little thing for the bedroom, and no, we don't have a copy of Bolero in case you were wondering). She has a price list to do for Stanley Tools, so spends quite a lot of time on the computer, in the bedroom, and now can listen to music. She is a bit sensitive about the age thing, saw and ad on telly mentioning better rates for over 35 and I said "ooh look" meaning both of us (eventually) and she got thingy.
Birthday party season well on top of us, Hannah went to Max's party midweek, then Rory went to Tylers, then Hannah went to Emmalenes over the weekend. Ryans and Bens coming in the next week or so.
We purchased about 40 small pokemon at the Takapuna market yesterday, plus some pokemon clothing (Pokemon, short for Pocket Monsters, is the most popular thing with kids at the moment). Should have scratched that itch for a while. Later, the Warehouse were selling All Blacks (Action Man with a different head) for $10 each or three for $20 so I bought some. Turns out they are fully articulated for for less than $8 each a bargain. Now Rory has Action Men that not only don't look like Action Man, but they are quick up the wing as well (they only did Michael Jones, Cullen, and Wilson). We only unwrapped one at this stage. Emmalenes party was at Lollipop Land so Rory came with Jared and so he had a pretty good day, all things considered. He is going to Circus School today with Harry.
28 June 1999
21 June 1999
One week to school holidays - 21/06/99
Heard bugger all real news lately, mostly sports.
Alamein Kopu held a meeting for her party and nobody came. Well, actually about 30 people, mostly journalists and a few people who wanted a free scone and a cup of tea. She felt the meeting numbers were considerably higher as all her whanau attended in spirit. Her ancestors were also present, and heaps of mana. They seem to think they will get every Maori woman voting for them. We'll see.
The Ben and Olivia trial started last week. They are going to call about 500 witnesses, I am not kidding. Will be longest, most costly trial in living memory. The fathers of the two missing/dead people were on the stand first, telling us what good kids they were (they were in their late teens). We have had discussion on the length of Olivia's fingernails, Bens university results, you name it. This is going to be much much worse than when they were looking for them. I think I am going to have to turn on the news about ten minutes late for the next eight months.
Was a fuss the previous week over an HIV kid biting other kids at Bayfield School in Herne Bay, Pt Chevalier School expects some people to move their kids as a result. They reckon about 20 kids are out there with HIV in NZ.
The Kosovo thing doesn't get any better, now the Albanians are harassing the Serbs. Somehow this doesn't feel like a solution. Either way seems to involve refugees leaving.
An eight year old was found with marijuana in his pockets when visiting someone in prison. No idea whether it was for personal use or supply. A Pokemon was confiscated as well.
One child died and another was seriously burnt after playing with matches in a car.
The pool people were fined a total of $20,000 for the kid who drowned in the pool of the house they were renting. They had arranged for someone to fence it, work had not started. The parents are now suing Auckland City Council. I still think the mother should be more than partially responsible. The kindergarten next door had signs everywhere about the pool. I am sure that it is a guilt thing on her part, but would they have had someone to sue if the kid wandered onto the road?
Mike Moore is still stuffing around with the WTO thing.
More public servants leaving with golden handshakes, this time someone from the qualifications authority. I don't know if it is a new practice or if they are just looking at it more.
A Doctor replaced the wrong hip at the new Ascot Hospital next to Ellerslie Racecourse, in the news everywhere. Happens all the time. Usually while the patient is concsious, they write "not this leg, not this leg" or whatever, on the one which doesn't require attention. Must have lost their felt-tip pen.
Build up to the cricket semi-final was a bit much. Couldn't bring myself to stay up to watch it, much. In the end we lost convincingly, but we got 241 first, and then couldn't get anyone out, the had about 13 balls to spare, so wasn't that easy for them, but first wicket fell at about 194. Some bastard Paki had a sign saying "Deja Vu '92", the prick. And it was. Anyway, they did good considering expectations. I was a wreck after that loss in 1992, not this time. It was also the day that my dog's pustule exploded on me and I spent the evening in the vet worrying about him and being all sad about the cricket. Bloody vet's, they always said don't worry about it when I asked. Wasn't them that got covered in pus. Not that I am bitter or anything.
Peter, my business partner, was admitted to hospital the night of the semi, he would have stayed up and watched it but instead couldn't from his hospital bed. Poor bugger, mind you we lost so it wasn't so bad.
Watching the semi-final between Aust and SA was a killer. The game resulted in a tie after Klusener did his best then with three balls left got Alan Donald run-out. That meant Australia went through to the final then Pakistan folded like a house of cards. All out for about 133, a target reached by the Australians in the first ball of the 21st over. Australia are World Champions, but NZ was the only team that beat them so we can hold our heads up a little but.
The RRRrugby was interesting. All Blacks first real game, against Manu Samoa (Otago versus South Auckland). Can't remember the score, was about 71-13 or something. Wilson got four tries, Umaga played really well and got two, think Cullen got one, Jonah one, Norm Maxwell (who I hate) had a really good game and got one.
The SAf's beat major rugby nation Italy 101-0. Some say it was a one-sided affair, well duh! Australia beat Ireland but were down at half time.
NZ A team played France and beat them about 40-24 or thereabouts. Quite a good game, the AB's play France next weekend.
The All Whites drew 2 all with Thailand and lost in a penalty shootout, then 0-0 against Poland and lost in a penalty shootout.
The Silver Ferns thumped the SAf's by 39 points then 43 in two tests, knew it was likely after the NZA team beat them. Poor Irene Van Dyk, and in a week they announce the release of Netball Barbie. Devlin was fantasising for days.
Also, the Warriors beat the Canterbury Bulldogs by 30-10! Amazing, they have about 12 points, one third of which they got for having two byes.
We had no real soccer this weekend, ground nazi's wouldn't allow it. Rory and I went to see Paul Chambers and the Avondale College 2nd XI. They played Lynfield and won 3-0. Should have scored about three more, they blew heaps of chances, mind you the other team cocked up two sitters as well.
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim. Did you know DeForest Kelly died the other day? The real McCoy. Sad. He was 78, quite a lot older than the others.
Nanny returned from the Gold Coast on Thursday with gifts, including a Darth Maul lightsabre filled with lollies and a poster of all 150 Pokemon. She had a ball, she couldn't stop talking about it. Good on her, she is going to go again next year.
I took the day off on Friday to take Hannah on a kindy trip, may be her last so I did the decent thing. I am a little scared at how much Hannah stands out in the crowd. She was first to answer a question at the Museum, sitting amongst the whole kindy. No trace of shyness to be seen anywhere, and I didn't have to look for her, just listen. Hopefully she won't lose it too quickly (well, perhaps not ALL of it). She is kind of scary. Still wants to be a Dr Mummy Spice Girl.
I managed to liberate a couple of coffees at the coffee shop on the trip back to the bus, Craig Hanham needed one after spending the night before with some French rugby supporters.
On the way back, the bendy bus clipped a car on Newton Road, Hannah had been given a lift with the Thommies, so she didn't get to see it. Car lost bumper and bonnet, driver was okay, all the kids were okay. A constant stream of kids to the back of the bus to see the damage to the car was quite funny, as was the parents who brought them to see, whether they wanted to or not.
I called Diana and she let the parents know who were waiting for their kids at the kindy wondering where they were. She came and rescued me, Craig Hanham with George and Harry (who took the morning off school to come along) and Peter and Connor (Koos, Conner is Christine's son, Peter is her ex-husband). We went down to my office so the kids could ablute and got picked up from there.
Such a nice day that I hung around home then went with Diana to help in the computer class. Rory was very happy to see me, and very pleased that I dropped him off and picked him up.
Went to see Episode I again on Saturday, with Hannah and Diana this time. Then Diana dug out a copy of Episodes IV and V we have and that got watched. Also got bitten by the Pokemon bug, set up the game for Rory on Friday afternoon and ended up playing it most of the weekend in spare moments (me and Rory). I know all about some of the Pokemon now, like Rattata, Pidgey, Bellsprout, Charmeleon, Geodude, Gravelar and others - there are 150 in all. Sort of an adventure game, using a virtual gameboy on the PC. Graphics are crap, sound is crap, don't know why we do it.
We mucked about at home Sunday morning and Diana made bacon and eggs for breakfast, something of a treat really. Didn't have it until about 9:30 or something unheard of for us.
Visited Thomas on Sunday afternoon, I think he really wants to crawl or walk, can't decide which. It will be soon I am sure. Diana went shopping for her birthday present with Kath, didn't find anything. Happy birthday for Wednesday my darling. She is going to see Notting Hill with Kindy on the big day so buggered if I know what to do that day. Any suggestions, please reply. Also, any ideas what to get a bored middle aged (35) housewife for a present, please reply. Ross got a leaf-blower and a ladder so I am thinking an electric toothbrush and a new mop. Any ideas for an excuse for putting this in the email, please reply. Anyone charitable enough to plead for clemency on my behalf, send your message straight to Diana.
Alamein Kopu held a meeting for her party and nobody came. Well, actually about 30 people, mostly journalists and a few people who wanted a free scone and a cup of tea. She felt the meeting numbers were considerably higher as all her whanau attended in spirit. Her ancestors were also present, and heaps of mana. They seem to think they will get every Maori woman voting for them. We'll see.
The Ben and Olivia trial started last week. They are going to call about 500 witnesses, I am not kidding. Will be longest, most costly trial in living memory. The fathers of the two missing/dead people were on the stand first, telling us what good kids they were (they were in their late teens). We have had discussion on the length of Olivia's fingernails, Bens university results, you name it. This is going to be much much worse than when they were looking for them. I think I am going to have to turn on the news about ten minutes late for the next eight months.
Was a fuss the previous week over an HIV kid biting other kids at Bayfield School in Herne Bay, Pt Chevalier School expects some people to move their kids as a result. They reckon about 20 kids are out there with HIV in NZ.
The Kosovo thing doesn't get any better, now the Albanians are harassing the Serbs. Somehow this doesn't feel like a solution. Either way seems to involve refugees leaving.
An eight year old was found with marijuana in his pockets when visiting someone in prison. No idea whether it was for personal use or supply. A Pokemon was confiscated as well.
One child died and another was seriously burnt after playing with matches in a car.
The pool people were fined a total of $20,000 for the kid who drowned in the pool of the house they were renting. They had arranged for someone to fence it, work had not started. The parents are now suing Auckland City Council. I still think the mother should be more than partially responsible. The kindergarten next door had signs everywhere about the pool. I am sure that it is a guilt thing on her part, but would they have had someone to sue if the kid wandered onto the road?
Mike Moore is still stuffing around with the WTO thing.
More public servants leaving with golden handshakes, this time someone from the qualifications authority. I don't know if it is a new practice or if they are just looking at it more.
A Doctor replaced the wrong hip at the new Ascot Hospital next to Ellerslie Racecourse, in the news everywhere. Happens all the time. Usually while the patient is concsious, they write "not this leg, not this leg" or whatever, on the one which doesn't require attention. Must have lost their felt-tip pen.
Build up to the cricket semi-final was a bit much. Couldn't bring myself to stay up to watch it, much. In the end we lost convincingly, but we got 241 first, and then couldn't get anyone out, the had about 13 balls to spare, so wasn't that easy for them, but first wicket fell at about 194. Some bastard Paki had a sign saying "Deja Vu '92", the prick. And it was. Anyway, they did good considering expectations. I was a wreck after that loss in 1992, not this time. It was also the day that my dog's pustule exploded on me and I spent the evening in the vet worrying about him and being all sad about the cricket. Bloody vet's, they always said don't worry about it when I asked. Wasn't them that got covered in pus. Not that I am bitter or anything.
Peter, my business partner, was admitted to hospital the night of the semi, he would have stayed up and watched it but instead couldn't from his hospital bed. Poor bugger, mind you we lost so it wasn't so bad.
Watching the semi-final between Aust and SA was a killer. The game resulted in a tie after Klusener did his best then with three balls left got Alan Donald run-out. That meant Australia went through to the final then Pakistan folded like a house of cards. All out for about 133, a target reached by the Australians in the first ball of the 21st over. Australia are World Champions, but NZ was the only team that beat them so we can hold our heads up a little but.
The RRRrugby was interesting. All Blacks first real game, against Manu Samoa (Otago versus South Auckland). Can't remember the score, was about 71-13 or something. Wilson got four tries, Umaga played really well and got two, think Cullen got one, Jonah one, Norm Maxwell (who I hate) had a really good game and got one.
The SAf's beat major rugby nation Italy 101-0. Some say it was a one-sided affair, well duh! Australia beat Ireland but were down at half time.
NZ A team played France and beat them about 40-24 or thereabouts. Quite a good game, the AB's play France next weekend.
The All Whites drew 2 all with Thailand and lost in a penalty shootout, then 0-0 against Poland and lost in a penalty shootout.
The Silver Ferns thumped the SAf's by 39 points then 43 in two tests, knew it was likely after the NZA team beat them. Poor Irene Van Dyk, and in a week they announce the release of Netball Barbie. Devlin was fantasising for days.
Also, the Warriors beat the Canterbury Bulldogs by 30-10! Amazing, they have about 12 points, one third of which they got for having two byes.
We had no real soccer this weekend, ground nazi's wouldn't allow it. Rory and I went to see Paul Chambers and the Avondale College 2nd XI. They played Lynfield and won 3-0. Should have scored about three more, they blew heaps of chances, mind you the other team cocked up two sitters as well.
It's worse than that, he's dead, Jim. Did you know DeForest Kelly died the other day? The real McCoy. Sad. He was 78, quite a lot older than the others.
Nanny returned from the Gold Coast on Thursday with gifts, including a Darth Maul lightsabre filled with lollies and a poster of all 150 Pokemon. She had a ball, she couldn't stop talking about it. Good on her, she is going to go again next year.
I took the day off on Friday to take Hannah on a kindy trip, may be her last so I did the decent thing. I am a little scared at how much Hannah stands out in the crowd. She was first to answer a question at the Museum, sitting amongst the whole kindy. No trace of shyness to be seen anywhere, and I didn't have to look for her, just listen. Hopefully she won't lose it too quickly (well, perhaps not ALL of it). She is kind of scary. Still wants to be a Dr Mummy Spice Girl.
I managed to liberate a couple of coffees at the coffee shop on the trip back to the bus, Craig Hanham needed one after spending the night before with some French rugby supporters.
On the way back, the bendy bus clipped a car on Newton Road, Hannah had been given a lift with the Thommies, so she didn't get to see it. Car lost bumper and bonnet, driver was okay, all the kids were okay. A constant stream of kids to the back of the bus to see the damage to the car was quite funny, as was the parents who brought them to see, whether they wanted to or not.
I called Diana and she let the parents know who were waiting for their kids at the kindy wondering where they were. She came and rescued me, Craig Hanham with George and Harry (who took the morning off school to come along) and Peter and Connor (Koos, Conner is Christine's son, Peter is her ex-husband). We went down to my office so the kids could ablute and got picked up from there.
Such a nice day that I hung around home then went with Diana to help in the computer class. Rory was very happy to see me, and very pleased that I dropped him off and picked him up.
Went to see Episode I again on Saturday, with Hannah and Diana this time. Then Diana dug out a copy of Episodes IV and V we have and that got watched. Also got bitten by the Pokemon bug, set up the game for Rory on Friday afternoon and ended up playing it most of the weekend in spare moments (me and Rory). I know all about some of the Pokemon now, like Rattata, Pidgey, Bellsprout, Charmeleon, Geodude, Gravelar and others - there are 150 in all. Sort of an adventure game, using a virtual gameboy on the PC. Graphics are crap, sound is crap, don't know why we do it.
We mucked about at home Sunday morning and Diana made bacon and eggs for breakfast, something of a treat really. Didn't have it until about 9:30 or something unheard of for us.
Visited Thomas on Sunday afternoon, I think he really wants to crawl or walk, can't decide which. It will be soon I am sure. Diana went shopping for her birthday present with Kath, didn't find anything. Happy birthday for Wednesday my darling. She is going to see Notting Hill with Kindy on the big day so buggered if I know what to do that day. Any suggestions, please reply. Also, any ideas what to get a bored middle aged (35) housewife for a present, please reply. Ross got a leaf-blower and a ladder so I am thinking an electric toothbrush and a new mop. Any ideas for an excuse for putting this in the email, please reply. Anyone charitable enough to plead for clemency on my behalf, send your message straight to Diana.
14 June 1999
We saw Episode 1 on the first day in NZ - 14/06/99
I got real lucky and scored a pair of tickets from Hewlett-Packard so Rory and I went to see Episode I. It started about 7:00pm and he was fading in parts, but we both enjoyed it. Really pleased that I could get him in to it on the first day, he spent the next day telling everyone he knew that he had seen it, and some complete strangers. It is a good movie, not necessarily the best of all time or anything, but a good movie nevertheless. The first movie Samuel L Jackson appears in where he doesn't say motherf**ker or kill someone.
He (Rory) wants to see it again. Talk about a packed program on Thursday. Soccer from 5-6, parent teacher interview at 6, then home to get changed (removed boots while talking to the teacher) and at the theatre and seated by about 6:40. Phew.
I reckon I might be taking my grandchildren to Episode VII - it is about 21 years since I first saw Episode IV. George Lucas could die before then, so he may have to hurry up. I hear Episode II is not due out until 2002.
We lost convincingly to the SAfs on Wed night/Thurs morning, which severely reduced our chances of making the semi's.
England keeps drawing with other teams in the Euro Soccer qualifying, which is pretty pathetic.
Woman with two dead kids in her boot was charged with murder.
Another woman, charged with stabbing someone during the week, was discharged from some sort of psychiatric care a few hours beforehand. Duh! Release them into the community - good thinking. Then they stab people they know rather than psychiatric nurses, reduces ACC costs.
A crim that escaped from Paremoremo a few years ago, someone said six but it can't be that long, was found in a Wellington night club, so his little holiday was all over. I think one that escaped at the time is still on the run, or on the dance floor.
Speaking of ACC, we go private at the end of the month, major hassle. Still have to pay ACC something for outstanding liability - good one, we have never had a claim, why should we care? Wankers never paid me a cent when I was off work with my leg a couple of years ago.
Some dorkish woman reckons we need signs on swings at playgrounds warning they are dangerous, after her 14 month old fell out of a baby swing and broke her leg. If this happens, you will see playgrounds dotted with signs like this:
Warning - grass slippery when wet!
Attention - slide works on gravity and heavy people may go faster
Beware - if you walk backwards across this carpark with your eyes shut you may get hit by a car, or possibly bump into something. Please emit a loud beeping sound to warn others if you do so.
Warning - don't yell "nigger" in this playground - signed Otara City Council
I mean come on! This is so pathetic. As bad as that case about the kid that drowned in a pool when unsupervised. Haven't heard what happened on that yet.
Some decision last week about NZ children of Christmas Island nuclear test victims and Agent Orange sufferers that they aren't suffering due to their Father's exposure. However, they decided there is a moral obligation to help them.
The Beligian Dioxin scare reached down here. All bottles of Belgian Dioxin have been removed from shelves. Local Dioxin manufacturers are doing very well. Now they are selling it in a squeezable bottle with a handy pourer.
The Kosovo war seems to be sorting itself out, thank god. Got a little bit hairy for a while with the Russki's, could have been Berlin all over again.
Locally, Telecom are trying to charge for local calls when used for internet, bastards. Comes about a week after offering a flat rate for Xtra, their ISP. Complete bastards.
Approval was given for dead men's sperm to be used for their wives to have babies in NZ late last week. Christians don't like it, the whole lack of family angle mainly. Seems kind of strange that it is okay for a single woman to be inseminated with sperm from a complete stranger who may be dead or alive, and yet a widow couldn't do so. They have to have written consent from the donor before they become dead. Post-death consent is yet to be approved.
The Toys are going okay, gross sales now very close to half the cost of the first shipment. Halfway to the first target I suppose.
Sport was a little dreary over the weekend, except for the Orcas game. We played at Ellerslie at 8:30, on the weekend Diana was away in Tauranga (more on that later), so I had to get the two person team ready on my own, quickly and be out the door by 8:00am. Was tough, but we did it. The lads did very well, Rory had a good game, a few good runs and great support of others with the ball. Joseph had tonsilitis, but played anyway, true commitment these lads. We won 4-0, but the last goal was awesome. Harry threw in the ball near the enemy goal, Logan chipped it towards the goal and Liam popped it in, three people, bing, bang, boom, classic movement, very quick, everyone was stunned, including the other seven in the team. Joseph got two goals, Ryan one, thought he had broken his wrist in a tackle at one point, and Liam got player of the day (hung around the enemy goal the whole game, so it had to happen - the goal I mean, although a pass from Ryan to Liam was dead on the goal so Liam let it go, so he was discerning). They really are starting to act like a cohesive team. Next year they start to play positions, if they keep playing.
The All Blacks played NZA on Friday night, not exactly riveting, bit like kissing your grandmother, not a real test. They won, but the NZA team could have come close if they had a bit more luck. SA beat Italy, and Australia beat Ireland no real surprises there. Wales beat Argentina to win the series, well done. France played Western Samoa in Apia, at one point Samoa was down to 13 men, so they lost although it was 22-22 with about four minutes to go and France ended up about 37-22. We play Manu Samoa next Friday night I think. South Island versus South Auckland.
The women's hockey team beat South Korea 1-0 then lost to the Netherlands 2-1 in a tournament in Australia. They need to come 5th out of 6 to qualify for the Olympics.
The Warriors must have lost, they played a team that wasn't made up entirely of blind paraplegics with the 'flu. Talks of them and Wests joining forces as merger fever strikes the NRL. I think the Roosters won (Sydney City), they scored two tries in about four minutes at the start of the game, now top of the table.
Nearly forgot the cricket. We beat the Indians and made the semi-finals, bit lucky but we are there. Watched the last half hour or so in the morning, twice. South Africa thumped Zimbabwe, so we ended up on the same points as them but with a better run-rate, put us third with one game left between Aust and SAf. Australia beat South Africa to squeak in at the last minute. We play Pakistan and Australia play South Africa again. Interestingly, all three of the teams from our half of the super six came through, and only one from the other pool (SAF). That was the pool the poms couldn't qualify in, doesn't sound good for English cricket but gives us hope for the tour of England that starts after the World Cup finishes. After our two losses in a row to Pakistan in 1992, this is crunch/payback time against them. Imzamam Al Haq is still in their team, he knackered us in those other two games. A couple of players are in our team that played them then, not many. Harris and Larsen, maybe Cairns. Can't say I am very optimistic, but you never know. They have done well already, considering we get beaten by the Ilford Girls 3rd XI.
Well, spent the weekend as a solo dad. Diana went off to Tauranga for a wine/rain soaked weekend with three other supposedly oppressed Pt Chev Mums, Helena Thompson, Jan Lewis, and Leslie Mitchell. Chaos at the Thommies on Friday night, with ten kids racing around. I took my two home early as Ruby splashed turps all over Hannah before she got to the Thommies and I wanted to get it out of her hair and off her skin sooner rather than later. Didn't bother her much, guess she got used to the smell.
Quiet night with pizza at home in front of the telly on Friday, then mad scramble for soccer in the morning. Then we came home and Jared and Harry came over to play, Hannah had a party to go to (Henri, son of the roof painter, Mum), so I figured it was a good thing to do. After dropping off Hannah, we went to Rocket Park and mostly played soccer games. Bumped into Brian and Cathy and their three kids (don't know his last name, friends of Joanne and Wendy and Richard).
Another Pt Chev mother, Megan I think, saw me while I was looking for wool in the Goldmine and took pity (maybe it was the "Diana's left me and I don't know how to knit and it's cold and the kids have got nothing to wear" and the tears that did it) - Hannah wanted to do some knitting after Jackie popped in on Friday night and did some "threading" as Hannah called it. I spent a chunk of the weekend on looking for information on how to French knit - took about half an hour on the web to find out what it was called. Anyway, Megan dropped off some wool for me. After about three versions, I had a suitable device, and figuring out the how was the problem. Got there in the end with some advice from Kath, but still took some figuring. Mind bogglingly simple if you know what to do. The Mark IV proved to be the best, an improvement after we had got started. Spent a fair bit of time in the garage making these things. Anyway, Hannah was into it in a big way on Sunday and by today we had two long skinny knitted things. She is going to kindy today with one tied in her hair. Diana said the last thing she expected was to come home to find me and Hannah knitting, but said it was good that I did something like that after Star Wars the other day with Rory.
Went to Macdonalds for the obligatory breakfast yesterday, went swimming at Henderson, and that was just about it. Diana was happy to get home to an alcohol free environment. They certainly contributed to a local wine and latte shortage in Tauranga over the weekend.
He (Rory) wants to see it again. Talk about a packed program on Thursday. Soccer from 5-6, parent teacher interview at 6, then home to get changed (removed boots while talking to the teacher) and at the theatre and seated by about 6:40. Phew.
I reckon I might be taking my grandchildren to Episode VII - it is about 21 years since I first saw Episode IV. George Lucas could die before then, so he may have to hurry up. I hear Episode II is not due out until 2002.
We lost convincingly to the SAfs on Wed night/Thurs morning, which severely reduced our chances of making the semi's.
England keeps drawing with other teams in the Euro Soccer qualifying, which is pretty pathetic.
Woman with two dead kids in her boot was charged with murder.
Another woman, charged with stabbing someone during the week, was discharged from some sort of psychiatric care a few hours beforehand. Duh! Release them into the community - good thinking. Then they stab people they know rather than psychiatric nurses, reduces ACC costs.
A crim that escaped from Paremoremo a few years ago, someone said six but it can't be that long, was found in a Wellington night club, so his little holiday was all over. I think one that escaped at the time is still on the run, or on the dance floor.
Speaking of ACC, we go private at the end of the month, major hassle. Still have to pay ACC something for outstanding liability - good one, we have never had a claim, why should we care? Wankers never paid me a cent when I was off work with my leg a couple of years ago.
Some dorkish woman reckons we need signs on swings at playgrounds warning they are dangerous, after her 14 month old fell out of a baby swing and broke her leg. If this happens, you will see playgrounds dotted with signs like this:
Warning - grass slippery when wet!
Attention - slide works on gravity and heavy people may go faster
Beware - if you walk backwards across this carpark with your eyes shut you may get hit by a car, or possibly bump into something. Please emit a loud beeping sound to warn others if you do so.
Warning - don't yell "nigger" in this playground - signed Otara City Council
I mean come on! This is so pathetic. As bad as that case about the kid that drowned in a pool when unsupervised. Haven't heard what happened on that yet.
Some decision last week about NZ children of Christmas Island nuclear test victims and Agent Orange sufferers that they aren't suffering due to their Father's exposure. However, they decided there is a moral obligation to help them.
The Beligian Dioxin scare reached down here. All bottles of Belgian Dioxin have been removed from shelves. Local Dioxin manufacturers are doing very well. Now they are selling it in a squeezable bottle with a handy pourer.
The Kosovo war seems to be sorting itself out, thank god. Got a little bit hairy for a while with the Russki's, could have been Berlin all over again.
Locally, Telecom are trying to charge for local calls when used for internet, bastards. Comes about a week after offering a flat rate for Xtra, their ISP. Complete bastards.
Approval was given for dead men's sperm to be used for their wives to have babies in NZ late last week. Christians don't like it, the whole lack of family angle mainly. Seems kind of strange that it is okay for a single woman to be inseminated with sperm from a complete stranger who may be dead or alive, and yet a widow couldn't do so. They have to have written consent from the donor before they become dead. Post-death consent is yet to be approved.
The Toys are going okay, gross sales now very close to half the cost of the first shipment. Halfway to the first target I suppose.
Sport was a little dreary over the weekend, except for the Orcas game. We played at Ellerslie at 8:30, on the weekend Diana was away in Tauranga (more on that later), so I had to get the two person team ready on my own, quickly and be out the door by 8:00am. Was tough, but we did it. The lads did very well, Rory had a good game, a few good runs and great support of others with the ball. Joseph had tonsilitis, but played anyway, true commitment these lads. We won 4-0, but the last goal was awesome. Harry threw in the ball near the enemy goal, Logan chipped it towards the goal and Liam popped it in, three people, bing, bang, boom, classic movement, very quick, everyone was stunned, including the other seven in the team. Joseph got two goals, Ryan one, thought he had broken his wrist in a tackle at one point, and Liam got player of the day (hung around the enemy goal the whole game, so it had to happen - the goal I mean, although a pass from Ryan to Liam was dead on the goal so Liam let it go, so he was discerning). They really are starting to act like a cohesive team. Next year they start to play positions, if they keep playing.
The All Blacks played NZA on Friday night, not exactly riveting, bit like kissing your grandmother, not a real test. They won, but the NZA team could have come close if they had a bit more luck. SA beat Italy, and Australia beat Ireland no real surprises there. Wales beat Argentina to win the series, well done. France played Western Samoa in Apia, at one point Samoa was down to 13 men, so they lost although it was 22-22 with about four minutes to go and France ended up about 37-22. We play Manu Samoa next Friday night I think. South Island versus South Auckland.
The women's hockey team beat South Korea 1-0 then lost to the Netherlands 2-1 in a tournament in Australia. They need to come 5th out of 6 to qualify for the Olympics.
The Warriors must have lost, they played a team that wasn't made up entirely of blind paraplegics with the 'flu. Talks of them and Wests joining forces as merger fever strikes the NRL. I think the Roosters won (Sydney City), they scored two tries in about four minutes at the start of the game, now top of the table.
Nearly forgot the cricket. We beat the Indians and made the semi-finals, bit lucky but we are there. Watched the last half hour or so in the morning, twice. South Africa thumped Zimbabwe, so we ended up on the same points as them but with a better run-rate, put us third with one game left between Aust and SAf. Australia beat South Africa to squeak in at the last minute. We play Pakistan and Australia play South Africa again. Interestingly, all three of the teams from our half of the super six came through, and only one from the other pool (SAF). That was the pool the poms couldn't qualify in, doesn't sound good for English cricket but gives us hope for the tour of England that starts after the World Cup finishes. After our two losses in a row to Pakistan in 1992, this is crunch/payback time against them. Imzamam Al Haq is still in their team, he knackered us in those other two games. A couple of players are in our team that played them then, not many. Harris and Larsen, maybe Cairns. Can't say I am very optimistic, but you never know. They have done well already, considering we get beaten by the Ilford Girls 3rd XI.
Well, spent the weekend as a solo dad. Diana went off to Tauranga for a wine/rain soaked weekend with three other supposedly oppressed Pt Chev Mums, Helena Thompson, Jan Lewis, and Leslie Mitchell. Chaos at the Thommies on Friday night, with ten kids racing around. I took my two home early as Ruby splashed turps all over Hannah before she got to the Thommies and I wanted to get it out of her hair and off her skin sooner rather than later. Didn't bother her much, guess she got used to the smell.
Quiet night with pizza at home in front of the telly on Friday, then mad scramble for soccer in the morning. Then we came home and Jared and Harry came over to play, Hannah had a party to go to (Henri, son of the roof painter, Mum), so I figured it was a good thing to do. After dropping off Hannah, we went to Rocket Park and mostly played soccer games. Bumped into Brian and Cathy and their three kids (don't know his last name, friends of Joanne and Wendy and Richard).
Another Pt Chev mother, Megan I think, saw me while I was looking for wool in the Goldmine and took pity (maybe it was the "Diana's left me and I don't know how to knit and it's cold and the kids have got nothing to wear" and the tears that did it) - Hannah wanted to do some knitting after Jackie popped in on Friday night and did some "threading" as Hannah called it. I spent a chunk of the weekend on looking for information on how to French knit - took about half an hour on the web to find out what it was called. Anyway, Megan dropped off some wool for me. After about three versions, I had a suitable device, and figuring out the how was the problem. Got there in the end with some advice from Kath, but still took some figuring. Mind bogglingly simple if you know what to do. The Mark IV proved to be the best, an improvement after we had got started. Spent a fair bit of time in the garage making these things. Anyway, Hannah was into it in a big way on Sunday and by today we had two long skinny knitted things. She is going to kindy today with one tied in her hair. Diana said the last thing she expected was to come home to find me and Hannah knitting, but said it was good that I did something like that after Star Wars the other day with Rory.
Went to Macdonalds for the obligatory breakfast yesterday, went swimming at Henderson, and that was just about it. Diana was happy to get home to an alcohol free environment. They certainly contributed to a local wine and latte shortage in Tauranga over the weekend.
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