Well, I suppose the big news is that election day is the 27th of November. Those of you interested may be able to vote, not sure how many of you will bother. It seems that 18-39 year olds are a bit apathetic about the whole thing. Given the performances over the last three years it is not very surprising. Our parliament had more defections than Russia during the cold war. Mind you, it is full of defectives so hardly a great shock. Wish someone would stand up and say "hey, if we all vote for Labour (or whoever) then we can keep mad Jim and wacky Winston out of the show".
News late last week that growth for the last quarter was so low it was actually shrinkage. Perhaps the economy had spent too much time in a cold swimming pool. This sort of news does not help those with a rather shakey grasp of what remains of power. Realistically there is little doubt that the Nats are going to be leading the opposition at best come November 28th. Just want to avoid the nightmare scenario which would include Winston holding the balance of power whilst desperately trying to balance his ego in the other hand.
So, we have about nine weeks of full-on election coverage, as compared to pseudo election coverage for the last couple of years. Can hardly wait. Already I see billboards everywhere telling me that Donna Awatere can ACT, and Jim hasn't lost touch with those poor people who work for a living.
I will not mention Timor, except that I have half a mind (some would say less than that) to complain to the broadcasting standards authority about coverage of it. We get hanged people and dismembered bodies on the TV, and they talk about it on radio bulletins. Not much fun trying to explain it to Hannah or Rory, have to try and turn the radio off. They could just be descriptive, you know the sort of thing "more evidence of atrocities found" and so forth. Not "We have found 2000 body parts in a well, won't know how many dead are in there until we have pieced them all together". Can't they just shut up, and count the fingers and divide by ten?
Some woman who reckons she hasn't eaten for five years is causing some sort of trouble, not sure how she relates to NZ, but she lives on light. Name must be Daisy I suppose, has a greenish pallor I shoudn't wonder. Written some books and inspired a whole bunch of anorexics.
Squabble over sport between TVNZ and Sky continues, pathetic really. We have coped without Sky for more than a week now. We did without Playstation for a week too, that was probably harder.
Another Waikato rugby player died, James Sweetman, in a car accident. After Aaron Hopa dying last year, all other James Sweetman's are changing their names just in case.
Didn't catch the AFL final, no idea who won. Watched a chunk of the NRL Grand Final, which was a good game. Melbourne were well behind at half time, 14-0 or thereabouts. They snuck in at the death to win 20-18 after a penalty try which I don't think anyone in St George/Illawarra could whinge about. It was very most likely going to be a try until a St George player tried to rip the guys head off. It is Melbournes second season in the NRL and they have already got some major silverware (or is it bronze). Two NZ players are in the Melbourne team, Tawera Nikau and Stephen Kearney. Missed the dying minutes of the game for the first episode of Futurama, the new cartoon from Matt Groening. Should be fun.
Netball World Championship is well underway. NZ beat Sth Africa 68-39 or thereabouts. Wasted Canada 80-12 and creamed a few others. Not a very even competition. Australia is the big threat, they just beat England by about 5 goals, and had a big scrap with Jamaica who are pretty good. Jamaica had someone sin-binned in that game.
The AB's left for the World Cup which starts in about a week or so. Auckland beat Waikato, Counties beat Northland, Harbour beat Taranaki, Canterbury beat Otago, and Wellington beat Southland 61-3. Auckland well clear on top, with Canterbury and Waikato next. Then Wellington, Harbour, and Otago all in fourth equal place.
I hear the yanks won the Ryder Cup (Golf) this morning. Devlin said it must be the yanks because a bunch of Barbie lookalikes ran onto the green. Apparently all the American players except one have partners with long blonde hair (one is Willie Nelson, but otherwise they are female).
The Football Kingz (I hate the z) have their first match, NZ's first professional game of soccer, on Friday night. I may not be going. I have a dinner to go to. Hmph.
I finally succumbed to pressure from Peter Smith (my business partner, a diehard Liverpool supporter), after his harassing of Rory twice during the week, and bought myself a Manchester United shirt. Rory picked it out for me. Didn't want the away strip. We are now scum.
Rory came in on Wednesday to help fill a jumbo bin, in preparation for moving the office home. We are ahead of schedule on that front. Paul Chambers came too. We've filled one 3 metre bin and painted the sleepout. Spent Saturday running cables under the house with Rory. Ran three - ethernet, phone, and security for a PIR - all at once, before we gibbed the laundry. We now have it mostly gibbed and the new linen cupboard door is on. Symon spent most of the weekend working on it. Think he achieved most when I wasn't there. I got distracted in the afternoon at a birthday party, a joint one with Adam from the Soccer team and Quinn, from the Tigers (he's a Newcastle supporter). It was at the kindy, with a rather unsubtle Star Wars theme. There were six Orcas there, plus a few others I knew. Me and Mick did very badly in the three legged race (Mick is Quinn's Dad, described by Quinn at Rory's party as a boozer and a pig, really nice guy in reality).
Rory and I rode down to Western Springs yesterday morning, another beautiful day, and met up with the girlies. Diana got majorly pissed off with what I have known for ages were inadequate trainer wheels on Hannahs bike. Anyway, I took them off and gave Hannah a little push, and she rode about thirty metres in a straight line on her own. YIPPEE!! Starting off is a bit of a problem, she needs to work on that, but she can ride her bike properly now. She was a very tired but happy girl.
Snuck off from work about 10am on Friday and went to a picnic at Coyle Park with a few other families. I played cricket, soccer, frisbee, mega-howler, forceback, even let some of the other kids play. I took a few down to the beach and we checked out rock pools. What was supposed to be morning tea lasted about five hours. Gary Lane spotted his wife's car and stopped with his fire engine. The kids all got in, and Matthew and Brittany (his kids) gained heaps of kudos. Was a good way to spend a Friday, completely stuffed afterward.
After Rossco got full of ear infection, he gave it to baby Thomas (now a seasoned air traveller after his weekend in Sydney). So now Ross has guilt as well as a sore ear. We seem to know heaps of people who have had ear infections. Maybe some GM activist has been using germ warfare in the factory that makes cotton buds.
Happy birthday Hayden, I hear you turned 18 on Saturday.
Kids are on holiday for another week, Hannah can't wait to get back to school. They have heaps of birthday parties to go to, so entertaining them won't be hard.
20 September 1999
A funny old week really - 20/09/99
The news was fully of Apec, Timor, and Bill early in the week.
Forgot a classic joke, Bill was going to play golf with Sean Fitzpatrick:
"Now, Jenny, that's not what I meant when I asked you to tee me up with a hooker"
Timor continued to entertain, Thursday night Tank Commander Shipley decided to send a thousand-odd NZ troops to their possible deaths. Remarkably, all parties supported the move.
Ansett has been copping flak big time with their pilots in a scrap over conditions. They are arguing about conditions and have been cancelling flights all over the place. People who have supported the airline are starting to stop doing so, it will cost them dearly in the long run I think.
Troops left NZ and Australia over the weekend. Stories mostly seem to suggest the rebels are going to have a go at the Aussies, as the "big brother" next door I suppose. The NZ force will possibly guard a telephone box or similar sized area.
Pam Corkery has done a book on life inside the Alliance. Jim Anderton has been painted a bit of a despot. Not sure what the book is trying to achieve, can't say I will buy it.
A family of dorks attacked the tree on what is now called Half a Dead Tree Hill. The spirits told them to, not sure if it was Jack Daniels or Johnny Walker.
Spotty the sperm whale was found dead near Kaikoura, someone hacked a chunk of his jaw bone, but probably after he died.
A bit of action on Friday night, a man holed up with a woman in South Auckland, didn't hear how that ended. Someone was murdered outside a hostel in Wigram, haven't found that person yet.
Melbourne and Illawarra/St George through to NRL Grand Final. NZ player Steve Kearney will be cited for a careless high tackle and be suspended just long enough to miss a test or two I bet (plays for Melbourne now).
Didn't spot much of the NPC, Sky no longer comes to our house as of Thursday. Northland upset things by beating Canterbury (now two wins in one season). Otago was thumped by Auckland, North Harbour beat Southland, Waikato only just beat off a shield challenge from Wellington, Taranaki whipped Counties. I think there is about two weeks to go until the World Cup. Oh, and 102 days until the new millenium.
Using a cellphone in your car may be bad while driving, but last week some guy got out of his car to get better reception on state highway 2 and was killed by a truck. So, stay in your car.
Netball World Champs starts this week in Christchurch. With that, the rugby WC, the Under 17 soccer, the Football Kingz have their first game Oct 1, the America's Cup challenger series starts in October, the sports people are going to be knackered.
Big news late last week, after a little tiff between Sky and TVNZ over the Rugby World Cup, TV3 will show rugby, cricket, and league from December 1st. TVNZ said this will free up about $30mil to spend on locally made programs. I suspect their sports coverage is now going to heavily lean towards competitive face painting, rythmic gymnastics, and gaelic football.
We (me, Rory, his friend Ryan, Allan, Paul, and Paul's friend Donatello or something) went to see the Chatham Cup Final at North Harbour stadium on Saturday night. Dunedin Techical who lost the game the week before (and the final last year), played Waitakere City who beat Central United early on to get to the final. Dunedin Tech won 4-0, was 2-0 at half time. Still some hope for Waitakere until the score hit 3-0, then it was mostly all over. Waitakere supporters were what I would term "particularly vocal" except for a few minutes after each goal.
Diana went to see "Waking Ned Divine" with Jackie while we were soccering.
The big week continued for us, with Hannah having her leaving at kindy, which I attended for a while. Then it was off to school on Wednesday, I came along for a little while for that too. She had a pretty happy few days. Rory kept an eye on her, she got hit in the head with a ball once and Rory took charge. Fooled around with her on Friday morning at school as well. Now she is on holiday for two weeks for her second term begins.
Saturday was party day, Hannah was so excited about that. We had eight or nine little girls running around the place, plus Guy and Rory. Bluebelle entertained them, Rory supplied heckles from the back, and Bluebelle handled him pretty well (used him for the finger chopping off trick). Girls were all pretty well behaved. Some are already at school and many are about to start. We had tears once, and that was all, so not too bad all things considered. We are seriously thinking of sending Rory somewhere else for next year's party. We could just lock him in a cupboard I suppose.
Sunday was mostly quiet, rain came. Diana and I rearranged the sleepout in preparation for the shift from the office, which is not due to complete until 31 October. Will be busy until then between that and building (none this weekend).
No news on Thomas, Charles, as he is on holiday in Australia. Forgot they were away, rang the house, Sue answered, I got dead confused. They were all tired after the huge party they had on Saturday night and the carpet cleaners will still trying to get a couple of stains out (oh, by the way, some local carpet cleaners had to try to remove a loo bloo stain on Air Force One last week, talk about your fifteen minutes of fame - "famous bits of carpet around bogs I have cleaned" is the new book coming out).
Forgot a classic joke, Bill was going to play golf with Sean Fitzpatrick:
"Now, Jenny, that's not what I meant when I asked you to tee me up with a hooker"
Timor continued to entertain, Thursday night Tank Commander Shipley decided to send a thousand-odd NZ troops to their possible deaths. Remarkably, all parties supported the move.
Ansett has been copping flak big time with their pilots in a scrap over conditions. They are arguing about conditions and have been cancelling flights all over the place. People who have supported the airline are starting to stop doing so, it will cost them dearly in the long run I think.
Troops left NZ and Australia over the weekend. Stories mostly seem to suggest the rebels are going to have a go at the Aussies, as the "big brother" next door I suppose. The NZ force will possibly guard a telephone box or similar sized area.
Pam Corkery has done a book on life inside the Alliance. Jim Anderton has been painted a bit of a despot. Not sure what the book is trying to achieve, can't say I will buy it.
A family of dorks attacked the tree on what is now called Half a Dead Tree Hill. The spirits told them to, not sure if it was Jack Daniels or Johnny Walker.
Spotty the sperm whale was found dead near Kaikoura, someone hacked a chunk of his jaw bone, but probably after he died.
A bit of action on Friday night, a man holed up with a woman in South Auckland, didn't hear how that ended. Someone was murdered outside a hostel in Wigram, haven't found that person yet.
Melbourne and Illawarra/St George through to NRL Grand Final. NZ player Steve Kearney will be cited for a careless high tackle and be suspended just long enough to miss a test or two I bet (plays for Melbourne now).
Didn't spot much of the NPC, Sky no longer comes to our house as of Thursday. Northland upset things by beating Canterbury (now two wins in one season). Otago was thumped by Auckland, North Harbour beat Southland, Waikato only just beat off a shield challenge from Wellington, Taranaki whipped Counties. I think there is about two weeks to go until the World Cup. Oh, and 102 days until the new millenium.
Using a cellphone in your car may be bad while driving, but last week some guy got out of his car to get better reception on state highway 2 and was killed by a truck. So, stay in your car.
Netball World Champs starts this week in Christchurch. With that, the rugby WC, the Under 17 soccer, the Football Kingz have their first game Oct 1, the America's Cup challenger series starts in October, the sports people are going to be knackered.
Big news late last week, after a little tiff between Sky and TVNZ over the Rugby World Cup, TV3 will show rugby, cricket, and league from December 1st. TVNZ said this will free up about $30mil to spend on locally made programs. I suspect their sports coverage is now going to heavily lean towards competitive face painting, rythmic gymnastics, and gaelic football.
We (me, Rory, his friend Ryan, Allan, Paul, and Paul's friend Donatello or something) went to see the Chatham Cup Final at North Harbour stadium on Saturday night. Dunedin Techical who lost the game the week before (and the final last year), played Waitakere City who beat Central United early on to get to the final. Dunedin Tech won 4-0, was 2-0 at half time. Still some hope for Waitakere until the score hit 3-0, then it was mostly all over. Waitakere supporters were what I would term "particularly vocal" except for a few minutes after each goal.
Diana went to see "Waking Ned Divine" with Jackie while we were soccering.
The big week continued for us, with Hannah having her leaving at kindy, which I attended for a while. Then it was off to school on Wednesday, I came along for a little while for that too. She had a pretty happy few days. Rory kept an eye on her, she got hit in the head with a ball once and Rory took charge. Fooled around with her on Friday morning at school as well. Now she is on holiday for two weeks for her second term begins.
Saturday was party day, Hannah was so excited about that. We had eight or nine little girls running around the place, plus Guy and Rory. Bluebelle entertained them, Rory supplied heckles from the back, and Bluebelle handled him pretty well (used him for the finger chopping off trick). Girls were all pretty well behaved. Some are already at school and many are about to start. We had tears once, and that was all, so not too bad all things considered. We are seriously thinking of sending Rory somewhere else for next year's party. We could just lock him in a cupboard I suppose.
Sunday was mostly quiet, rain came. Diana and I rearranged the sleepout in preparation for the shift from the office, which is not due to complete until 31 October. Will be busy until then between that and building (none this weekend).
No news on Thomas, Charles, as he is on holiday in Australia. Forgot they were away, rang the house, Sue answered, I got dead confused. They were all tired after the huge party they had on Saturday night and the carpet cleaners will still trying to get a couple of stains out (oh, by the way, some local carpet cleaners had to try to remove a loo bloo stain on Air Force One last week, talk about your fifteen minutes of fame - "famous bits of carpet around bogs I have cleaned" is the new book coming out).
14 September 1999
Hannah is now five and finding it hard to contain herself -14/09/99
Sorry about lateness. Yesterday was a pseudo mental health day while APEC was on.
Well, what an action packed week or so.
APEC dominated news, especially with Indonesians being here including Jose Ramos Porta or whatever his name is (been on telly more than the newsreaders lately). So we were thoroughly thumped between those two, all week and weekend.
I assume you know about all the horrible shit that is going down in East Timor.
Was terribly inconsiderate for the Ben & Olivia trial to conclude during the week, with the verdict on Saturday (the day Bill Clinton arrived). Scott Watson was found guilty. Once that came out, we found out what a true creep he really is. Now he is appealing (legally, I mean, he isn't particularly appealing to me, in case you are worried). I think they need good reason before an appeal should be called, repeating a 500 witness process seems stupid to me.
So many other things happened, I am going to forget most of it.
There was rugby, Auckland lost to Canterbury due to a last minute drop goal and a try that was disallowed that was really a try (calls for the video ref continue, being trialled in Australia). Waikato modestly beat Southland, Wellington beat Taranaki, Harbour beat Northland, so Otago must have beaten Counties. Didn't watch much of it. Story during the week that Josh and Todd Blackadder are going to play in Japan, seems like crap mostly.
The Roosters lost, sorry Craig, but they blew it. Melbourne are in the semis, as are St George. Manly and Norths are going to merge, probably.
Netball World Champs start in CHCH this weekend, 27 teams, a billion games. Should give the media something to think about.
Agassi was lucky at the US open, didn't think Serena Williams would win, but she beat Hingis. She looks like a bloke from behind, must be caterpillar fungus or something. The two sisters won the women's doubles. Talk of Mr Williams mating with Mrs Hingis to produce super-tennis player.
Rory played some tennis with me and Ross on Sunday, Ross beat me 6-4, our first game for a while. I stuck a piece of wood in my foot on Saturday evening to slow myself down, it worked. Wasn't too bad, but couldn't stand up for the rest of the day. Foot mostly better now. Rory is quite keen on the tennis so I will encourage it when I can, as long as Hannah stays out of his range.
Man U scored one goal against Liverpool, but won 3-2 as Liverpool scored two against Liverpool as well. Peter not too happy.
Worked on the house Friday, Saturday, and pathetically in Sunday. Been burning down the house in the fireplace to get rid of the wood. Made a picture frame out of some of it yesterday, also put the wood bits on my wood vice, put up another shelf in Rory's room (had to after removing so many at the back door, was just feeling a bit funny.
We have some gib up in the new laundry, with the cat-door now fitted, and cats are using it.
Last night, I wet myself at about 12:30am, knocked my water over (practically full), straight onto my pillows and the bed. Slept on a very damp towel the rest of the night, but still slept well so must have been tired.
Kids had yesterday off due to APEC. Went to see Tarzan with Rory yesterday, Hannah was off at a friends place. She rang up and said "Hello, it's Hannah here. Can I please speak to Emaline, Corrine?" Sounded sooooo cute.
Gavin lent us Tekken 2, Diana doesn't really approve, and Hannah is the best player so far. Rory started martial arts lessons on Thursday night, going for about ten weeks.
Traffic turned out to be mostly okay, despite APEC, because most people stayed away. Random motorway closures today for various dignitaries (complete gits). Motorcades just drive through traffic lights without stopping, could be fun. Some army driver caused a five car prang early last week and was taken off driving duties. And now we have the cute little electronic signs on the motorway to inform us of what is happening, cool huh?
Massive present opening this morning. Furby was DOA, so getting replacement today. Opened front door this morning to find a present from Penny and Craig (what timing). Things from Mum arrived yesterday. Rory bought Hannah a soccer outfit for Barbie. Wanted me to carry it to the checkout so he didn't look like a dork.
Hannah doing the kindy leaving today, then school tomorrow. Met her teacher last week, and went to kindy with her for last time on Friday, also took her home.
Well, that about sums it up, better go do some quick work before I go to kindy.
Well, what an action packed week or so.
APEC dominated news, especially with Indonesians being here including Jose Ramos Porta or whatever his name is (been on telly more than the newsreaders lately). So we were thoroughly thumped between those two, all week and weekend.
I assume you know about all the horrible shit that is going down in East Timor.
Was terribly inconsiderate for the Ben & Olivia trial to conclude during the week, with the verdict on Saturday (the day Bill Clinton arrived). Scott Watson was found guilty. Once that came out, we found out what a true creep he really is. Now he is appealing (legally, I mean, he isn't particularly appealing to me, in case you are worried). I think they need good reason before an appeal should be called, repeating a 500 witness process seems stupid to me.
So many other things happened, I am going to forget most of it.
There was rugby, Auckland lost to Canterbury due to a last minute drop goal and a try that was disallowed that was really a try (calls for the video ref continue, being trialled in Australia). Waikato modestly beat Southland, Wellington beat Taranaki, Harbour beat Northland, so Otago must have beaten Counties. Didn't watch much of it. Story during the week that Josh and Todd Blackadder are going to play in Japan, seems like crap mostly.
The Roosters lost, sorry Craig, but they blew it. Melbourne are in the semis, as are St George. Manly and Norths are going to merge, probably.
Netball World Champs start in CHCH this weekend, 27 teams, a billion games. Should give the media something to think about.
Agassi was lucky at the US open, didn't think Serena Williams would win, but she beat Hingis. She looks like a bloke from behind, must be caterpillar fungus or something. The two sisters won the women's doubles. Talk of Mr Williams mating with Mrs Hingis to produce super-tennis player.
Rory played some tennis with me and Ross on Sunday, Ross beat me 6-4, our first game for a while. I stuck a piece of wood in my foot on Saturday evening to slow myself down, it worked. Wasn't too bad, but couldn't stand up for the rest of the day. Foot mostly better now. Rory is quite keen on the tennis so I will encourage it when I can, as long as Hannah stays out of his range.
Man U scored one goal against Liverpool, but won 3-2 as Liverpool scored two against Liverpool as well. Peter not too happy.
Worked on the house Friday, Saturday, and pathetically in Sunday. Been burning down the house in the fireplace to get rid of the wood. Made a picture frame out of some of it yesterday, also put the wood bits on my wood vice, put up another shelf in Rory's room (had to after removing so many at the back door, was just feeling a bit funny.
We have some gib up in the new laundry, with the cat-door now fitted, and cats are using it.
Last night, I wet myself at about 12:30am, knocked my water over (practically full), straight onto my pillows and the bed. Slept on a very damp towel the rest of the night, but still slept well so must have been tired.
Kids had yesterday off due to APEC. Went to see Tarzan with Rory yesterday, Hannah was off at a friends place. She rang up and said "Hello, it's Hannah here. Can I please speak to Emaline, Corrine?" Sounded sooooo cute.
Gavin lent us Tekken 2, Diana doesn't really approve, and Hannah is the best player so far. Rory started martial arts lessons on Thursday night, going for about ten weeks.
Traffic turned out to be mostly okay, despite APEC, because most people stayed away. Random motorway closures today for various dignitaries (complete gits). Motorcades just drive through traffic lights without stopping, could be fun. Some army driver caused a five car prang early last week and was taken off driving duties. And now we have the cute little electronic signs on the motorway to inform us of what is happening, cool huh?
Massive present opening this morning. Furby was DOA, so getting replacement today. Opened front door this morning to find a present from Penny and Craig (what timing). Things from Mum arrived yesterday. Rory bought Hannah a soccer outfit for Barbie. Wanted me to carry it to the checkout so he didn't look like a dork.
Hannah doing the kindy leaving today, then school tomorrow. Met her teacher last week, and went to kindy with her for last time on Friday, also took her home.
Well, that about sums it up, better go do some quick work before I go to kindy.
6 September 1999
More Power! Power tool heaven - 06/09/99
Hard to know where to start really.
We got mains pressure and gas hot water in the house on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I got thrown across the shower cubicle as I tried to adjust the direction of the shower head, dropped the soap (and I was ALONE) and knocked the thing onto cold and was blasted with cold water to add insult to injury. For the rest of the week I showered in my wetsuit with a bullet-proof vest and my lifejacket, with the soap on a piece of string.
Two dead blokes in Henderson on Tuesday turned out to be a house owner who fell victim to his new flatmate (a recently discharged -against medical advice- psychopath). The owner was axed and then the psycho gassed himself in a car. Not a gay murder suicide as first thought by some of the more cynical members of the community (not me, honest). Second murder by a psycho in Henderson in a couple of months (the guy who did the ACC woman was also a looney tune).
Little fusses about APEC all week, god please let it finish. One week until APEC, so the mail might be late next week. Police have been searching sewers, roof's, wheelie bins, used fag packets, you name it. Choppers overhead so often it is boring.
A chicken processing factory keeps getting faxes from US security people, been somewhat entertaining.
News also today that more gas is good, so men world over can feel less guilt about farting. However, they are also supposed to use the stairs more and lose the remote control to increase their exercise.
In sport, the Warriors definitely did not play. Sydney City lost (wallies), Melbourne lost, Brisbane lost, Newcastle Knights lost, so Sydney City get to stay for the next round (Brisbane and Newcastle are out).
Northland won their first game since 1997, beating Wellington. Canterbury beat Counties 82-22, with a few records set during the match. Auckland beat Southland 35-7, Taranaki lost in a ranfurly shield game to Waikato who continue to hold it. Otago only just beat North Harbour who were unlucky to lose with a penalty at the death, a game with three penalty tries awarded (a record).
Horse Trials in Burleigh. Mark Todd was innocent, coming 1st and 3rd. Imagine in motorsport if Mikka Hakkinen could do that. Anyway, Blythe's Taits horse was guilty of breaking Bylthe's leg and another rider was killed - the fourth in recent months. Equestrian is more dangerous than competition scrabble now.
In politics, Shipley, with a horrendous case of athletes tongue, managed to get the boss of Lotto to resign after divulging he earned over $400,000 pa (second highest paid govt employee). National are down heaps and I am beginning to seriously consider voting Labour just to keep Winston out and minimise Jim's influence.
News this morning that Labour has leaped to 43.8%, Alliance has slumped to 5%. National on 35.7, NZ First surged to 5.5% (what did I tell you a while back, typical). News also that the Alliance, Act and United (like they count for anything) will not leap into be with NZ First. That offers some hope, I suppose. The Nats issued their list over the weekend and a number of dorks are not on it at all, after feeling a little miffed at being somewhere in the 120's. Murray McCully (former Tourism screw up) and Ian Revell (the dork with the car parking problem a while back) are both now officially "listless", perhaps they need to take vitamins.
The Ben & Olivia trial goes into summing up this week I think. Some progress on the Kirsty Bentley murder last new year, but not an arrest. Sentencing for the four people that killed Angela thingy with neglect, one person still has name suppression, like to know why.
The independence vote in East Timor proceeded, heaps of violence and bloodshed. An NZ policeman rescued a couple of others with a coffee table (this is fair dinkum). They were being pelted with rocks and stuff, and he used the furniture as a shield. It is rumoured he broke off a couple of the legs and chased the mob with them. Heralded as something of a hero, he was mentioned by US Person Madeleine Allbright so he must famous. Now we will have copycat heroism with other items. "Family rescued by youth with tallboy" is likely. Angry mobs will probably start brandishing furniture polish or little boxes with borer or termites. Oh, the vote was overwhelmingly for independence by the way.
Personally, it was a full-on weekend. Had the Smiths over on Friday night. Is looking like me and Peter might start working from home, save a bucketful in rent. Might be kind of nice too.
Then, Saturday, I assisted Symon in the removal of bits around the old back door and we now have a floor, and weatherboards and a new window. Will make that bit heaps bigger. He even let me use some of his tools (nail gun and the Ramset!). Sent Rory under the house to help out at one stage, wasn't keen but didn't want to come out. Thoroughly stuffed on Saturday night, but successfully defended my Father's Day sticky date pudding from all comers. Thomas came over and brought his parents with him. He is increasingly mobile and understands quite a lot now. "No" means go faster before it goes away.
Sunday was Father's Day, which begun with a short lie-in, then had to empty the former outside cupboard for work that day, then prepare for returning soccer gear. Last soccer games on Sunday, beat the Bats 3-0, hat-trick for Harry. Rory played well and Joseph was awesome in defence, they pushed us pretty hard. Then had a picnic at Coyle Park and the kids beat the parents 5-4 with some vary dubious decisions all round. The parents had three goalies at once. Diana scored the first goal for the parents, and Rory the first for the Orcas. Was a good match. So, completely and utterly stuffed and am at work for a rest.
We (Rory and I) also finished Ape Escape on the PlayStation over the weekend. We took some marbles to school on Friday morning and built a tower that you roll marbles down that was taller than me. A marble took over a minute to complete the journey from top to bottom. It was a lot of fun, was a bit late for work that day.
Anyway, lots of things to do in the house during the week in preparation for the weekends construction. Hope everyone is happy.
We got mains pressure and gas hot water in the house on Tuesday. Wednesday morning I got thrown across the shower cubicle as I tried to adjust the direction of the shower head, dropped the soap (and I was ALONE) and knocked the thing onto cold and was blasted with cold water to add insult to injury. For the rest of the week I showered in my wetsuit with a bullet-proof vest and my lifejacket, with the soap on a piece of string.
Two dead blokes in Henderson on Tuesday turned out to be a house owner who fell victim to his new flatmate (a recently discharged -against medical advice- psychopath). The owner was axed and then the psycho gassed himself in a car. Not a gay murder suicide as first thought by some of the more cynical members of the community (not me, honest). Second murder by a psycho in Henderson in a couple of months (the guy who did the ACC woman was also a looney tune).
Little fusses about APEC all week, god please let it finish. One week until APEC, so the mail might be late next week. Police have been searching sewers, roof's, wheelie bins, used fag packets, you name it. Choppers overhead so often it is boring.
A chicken processing factory keeps getting faxes from US security people, been somewhat entertaining.
News also today that more gas is good, so men world over can feel less guilt about farting. However, they are also supposed to use the stairs more and lose the remote control to increase their exercise.
In sport, the Warriors definitely did not play. Sydney City lost (wallies), Melbourne lost, Brisbane lost, Newcastle Knights lost, so Sydney City get to stay for the next round (Brisbane and Newcastle are out).
Northland won their first game since 1997, beating Wellington. Canterbury beat Counties 82-22, with a few records set during the match. Auckland beat Southland 35-7, Taranaki lost in a ranfurly shield game to Waikato who continue to hold it. Otago only just beat North Harbour who were unlucky to lose with a penalty at the death, a game with three penalty tries awarded (a record).
Horse Trials in Burleigh. Mark Todd was innocent, coming 1st and 3rd. Imagine in motorsport if Mikka Hakkinen could do that. Anyway, Blythe's Taits horse was guilty of breaking Bylthe's leg and another rider was killed - the fourth in recent months. Equestrian is more dangerous than competition scrabble now.
In politics, Shipley, with a horrendous case of athletes tongue, managed to get the boss of Lotto to resign after divulging he earned over $400,000 pa (second highest paid govt employee). National are down heaps and I am beginning to seriously consider voting Labour just to keep Winston out and minimise Jim's influence.
News this morning that Labour has leaped to 43.8%, Alliance has slumped to 5%. National on 35.7, NZ First surged to 5.5% (what did I tell you a while back, typical). News also that the Alliance, Act and United (like they count for anything) will not leap into be with NZ First. That offers some hope, I suppose. The Nats issued their list over the weekend and a number of dorks are not on it at all, after feeling a little miffed at being somewhere in the 120's. Murray McCully (former Tourism screw up) and Ian Revell (the dork with the car parking problem a while back) are both now officially "listless", perhaps they need to take vitamins.
The Ben & Olivia trial goes into summing up this week I think. Some progress on the Kirsty Bentley murder last new year, but not an arrest. Sentencing for the four people that killed Angela thingy with neglect, one person still has name suppression, like to know why.
The independence vote in East Timor proceeded, heaps of violence and bloodshed. An NZ policeman rescued a couple of others with a coffee table (this is fair dinkum). They were being pelted with rocks and stuff, and he used the furniture as a shield. It is rumoured he broke off a couple of the legs and chased the mob with them. Heralded as something of a hero, he was mentioned by US Person Madeleine Allbright so he must famous. Now we will have copycat heroism with other items. "Family rescued by youth with tallboy" is likely. Angry mobs will probably start brandishing furniture polish or little boxes with borer or termites. Oh, the vote was overwhelmingly for independence by the way.
Personally, it was a full-on weekend. Had the Smiths over on Friday night. Is looking like me and Peter might start working from home, save a bucketful in rent. Might be kind of nice too.
Then, Saturday, I assisted Symon in the removal of bits around the old back door and we now have a floor, and weatherboards and a new window. Will make that bit heaps bigger. He even let me use some of his tools (nail gun and the Ramset!). Sent Rory under the house to help out at one stage, wasn't keen but didn't want to come out. Thoroughly stuffed on Saturday night, but successfully defended my Father's Day sticky date pudding from all comers. Thomas came over and brought his parents with him. He is increasingly mobile and understands quite a lot now. "No" means go faster before it goes away.
Sunday was Father's Day, which begun with a short lie-in, then had to empty the former outside cupboard for work that day, then prepare for returning soccer gear. Last soccer games on Sunday, beat the Bats 3-0, hat-trick for Harry. Rory played well and Joseph was awesome in defence, they pushed us pretty hard. Then had a picnic at Coyle Park and the kids beat the parents 5-4 with some vary dubious decisions all round. The parents had three goalies at once. Diana scored the first goal for the parents, and Rory the first for the Orcas. Was a good match. So, completely and utterly stuffed and am at work for a rest.
We (Rory and I) also finished Ape Escape on the PlayStation over the weekend. We took some marbles to school on Friday morning and built a tower that you roll marbles down that was taller than me. A marble took over a minute to complete the journey from top to bottom. It was a lot of fun, was a bit late for work that day.
Anyway, lots of things to do in the house during the week in preparation for the weekends construction. Hope everyone is happy.
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