Well, action packed weekend. Todd Blackadder named last night as the next All Black captain. Also known as "the Toddfather", the captain of the Crusaders helped them to win the Super 12 final on Saturday night, their third in a row, their third away final. The threepeat. The triple crown. Was a tight match, the Brumbies didn't get in front until about ten minutes to go, then Crusaders got back in front 20-19 and hung on for dear life. They worked very hard in defence, forced the Brumbies backwards at every phase, but were running out of steam in the second half.
The new all black squad includes two Auckland players, Craig Dowd and Doug Howlett (a winger). Two North Harbour players, Troy Flavell and Ron Cribb. Four Wellington backs (Cullen, Umaga, Lomu, Ieremia), nobody from Waikato at all, eight from Otago (too many), and ten from Canterbury.
Other news all over the place.
Murder suicide near Napier, with two kids left sleeping.
No teachers in NZ were shot in the face by a pupil.
Some Maori support the Fiji coup.
Helen Clark starting to lose her popularity tag quite well, especially after not having a baby recently. Shipley is considering that as an option to get a boost in the polls.
Warriors lose, how that is news I don't know.
Petrol prices rising all over the place.
Exchange rate crashes to point where you sods would be mad to send money home unless you intend to come home to spend it.
All Whites lose 1-0 in South Africa, not a bad result.
England draws 1-1 with Brazil after Brazil beat well known footballing nation Wales 3-0. Wales had some issues with the Welshness of a few players. They tried to convince FIFA that one boyo's grandfather was welsh (the grandfather was Pele).
Well, Fiji, eh? Phoooaww. Not going now, not sure where we are going but not Fiji. Main decision for me was running out of time to find an alternative. Shootings over weekend didn't make me regret the call. Utterly ridiculous, replacing parliament with non-democratically elected people. I would think the Indians are going to start getting mighty pissed off sooner or later. NZ says don't go. Fiji Tourism says "everything fine, Bula, come visit". Like hell. A policeman was basically assassinated last night and the TV station destroyed. Welcome to Fiji, Bosnia of the South Pacific.
Big news that John Hawkesby has bought into a vineyard. Really? Slow news day. We also got coverage of Liz and Hugh's breakup about three days in a row. Good grief.
A couple and baby got killed when a bus ran into them. I would say the driver of the car wasn't being careful, was an intersection near Otorhonga on the main drag. A bloody local who feels that through traffic doesn't count. Well that bus bloody counted. Two kids survived.
The Minister of Corrections wanted conjugal visits for prisoners and children to stay until five years old. Well, what a prize prick. I suspect it was brought up to divert attention from something else. Fell short of supplying working girls for those who didn't have someone to visit.
Two ten year old girls who were swapped at birth in Timaru both want to stay with the same parenets, and the Cildren's Commissioner says they have a right to choose. Pity for the woman who raised the wrong kid for eight years and now has none.
Vitriol continues over Coutts and Butterworth leaving Team NZ. Becoming something of a standing joke.
Friday morning was the Juniors cross country. As some of you already know, Hannah was the first girl home in all of the year ones, which is about five classes full. Given that there are more girls than boys as well, not a bad effort. She came 6th or 7th overall, no other girl was near her, she blitzed them. I got some shots of her in action and her website has been updated (hannahclarke.8m.com) with a couple of shots. Was a very happy girl. Saturday she got some new clothes including a bonus shoulder bag for her efforts and she were them as much as she could.
The Orcas lost 2-0 to Central Smit (dumb name) on Saturday, very unlucky, two very dribbly goals and we missed a couple including one that Rory should have got that was just cleared. Didn't see the 11th graders, had to go to Macdonalds with the Orcas after their game (do it once a season). Still no rain cancelling play.
On Saturday we commenced work on the climbing wall, which was completed yesterday. The kids can now climb up about 2.5 metres into the air up a sheet of tanalised plywood with bits of four by two bolted on. Hannah was all over it, thought it would be just for Rory for while. Rory climbed it this morning before school, said he could see the Harbour Bridge from the top. I made them both help me, pass me tools, Rory put in some of the bolts, drilled some holes, they both sat on pieces of wood, tested it as we went with each handhold. They both got scraps and nailed and drilled them. Rory tried to cut a piece of old four by two with his toy saw, he managed to scratch it. Was stuffed at the end of the day, did all the woodcutting with a handsaw. The whole swing frame structure that we used is now considerably stronger with the bracing that has been added.
Saw baby Thomas twice during the week. He visited on Wednesday when the kids were asleep, then we babysat him Saturday night but he was asleep practically the whole time. Kids were very pissed off, but the climbing wall distracted them. By the way, Kath is pregnant but I wasn't allowed to tell, until now. About 19 weeks gone I think. She has been very rash lately and quith scratchy. Some sort of hormone reaction, not enjoying it at all. I pointed out that there was a leper colony in the Solomons where she would fit right in.
And good news this morning, Fiji lost to Argentina in the quarter finals in Paris in the sevens and NZ won 60 something to 10 against South Africa in the final so we won the world sevens championship (needed to win with Fiji beaten in semi at best). An excellent result, it looked like the only way they could win was if the NZ team threw a game to beat Fiji early on themselves. Glad they didn't cheat, but suspect they lost some key players to the Pac Rim tournament and perhaps their morale was low with the coup. Sevens stalwart Eric Rush was out with injury.
Got a Palm V last week, been playing with it, getting there slowly. typing on keyboard is faster than character recognition by about 33%. Will use on my travels (it was free).
Finally got the network going in the house so Diana can print and email without harassing me (been like that since we moved the computer out of the bedroom). Bought a crimper and did it myself (twice, wrong way around the first time).
Well, a busy week I suppose. No prizes won, but Hannah won her race.
29 May 2000
22 May 2000
Well, Friday was busy, I'll give you that - 22/05/00
You're heard me complain about slow news days, well Friday was quite the opposite. Two major stories breaking at the same time, well major for NZ. Another coup in Fiji, 13 years after the last one (remember, Paul? The hotel project was canned). The other news, Brad Butterworth and Russell Coutts leaving Team NZ and going to a Swiss syndicate. Major betrayal, defection, call it what you like.
It's not often I have to watch the telly for news, but that was Friday night. Shame, I had to go out. It was the Under 23 Olympic Soccer game against South Africa. Realistically, we didn't have a chance. We scored in about the 14th minute and went 1-0 up. Then they came back and scored twice, then a third time but for us, 2-2 by half time and stayed that way most of the match. Quinton Fortune scored the second goal, plays for Manchester United, Rory was very pleased. They managed to sneak a third just before full time, about 87th minute. Final score 3-2 and a very credible result although qualification is almost impossible now. Have to win in South Africa, and score three goals or more. Was wondering, with the away goal rule, does SA get double for the own-goal as well?
Not sure where I stand on the Team NZ thing. They have been vilified by some, one commentator said that they better get enough money to start a life in another country because they won't be able to live here. That is a little bit strong. There is a deep sense of betrayal from many quarters but Chris Dixon got dumped when they didn't want him. Not sure why that was okay and this isn't. Anyway, Team NZ battening down the hatches and speculation rife as to who else will leave. A Swiss syndicate. I wonder if NZ will support them in the challenger series, I suspect not.
Some weird news out there.
St Stephens, the maori boys school near the Bombay hills, had an "incident" where a pupil was injured by another with an iron bar in the head. Called bullying, but clearly the attack was retaliation for a bit of thieving. Whilst I don't condone the iron bar, a lump of four by two would have done just as well, I don't believe it should be called bullying. I think it could well be the bullied seeking revenge. There were 23 pupils punished in Feb for another "incident" (23? In one incident? come on, that's a bloody big incident. 23 people is a riot or a small war). Calls have been made for the school to close, others have called for iron bars to be better fastened.
A guy sailing to Japan to save the whales was hit by a whale and knackered his rudder. Shaken by the incident, his views have changed somewhat and he is now spotting on the bow of the Hoki Koki Maru for the Nippon Whale Research and Fish Fillet Corporation.
The other Rory at Pt Chevalier Primary was in the local paper because he couldn't afford the $3 to watch some dork blowing a didgereedoo (sp?). Big sob story, had to have the day off school the next day. Little bastard spends all his pocket money on vandal pens and spray paint. There were more than a hundred who didn't go and frankly I think I would rather my two spent their three dollars on Pokemon cards. They can watch a few natives blowing their tooters any time on the Discovery Channel. With $3 times 400 kids the guy made $1200 for an hour or so. That's more than most abbo's make in a month. Slow news day in the Harbour News.
Impact of the Fiji coup still being established. We go to Fiji in about a month, so that could be interesting. Not so much a coup as a hostage drama with a few riots and some looting. They will have to get it sorted reasonably quickly.
A man in a wheelchair was attacked by a woman with a knife then chased down the road for about 500m. Police were particularly slow to respond.
Jeff Wilson announced his semi-retirement from rugby after the Highlanders lost to the Crusaders on Saturday. The Brumbies won, so Crusaders versus Brumbies in ACT for Super 12 final. He wasn't playing well and I don't think it is a bad thing. NZ rugby is not in good shape though.
The Kings Road mincers beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, a dour 1-0 bore that I didn't watch.
Rory and Billy played for the Panthers on Sunday in a tournament in New Lynn. They won one game, lost the other two in pool play. Then they went on to the plate round, won their quarter final and lost in the semi. They were knackered but did reasonably well. I was stuffed, too, it was a very long day. The Bats also played but lost in first round of plate, after two losses and a draw in the round robin.
The Warrior beat the Bulldogs, don't know the score, don't care. League is mostly dull.
Didn't have much time for anything other than football over the weekend. Watched eight games in all. The Orcas beat the Bats 3-0 on Saturday morning, again didn't look like conceding a goal. They are starting to come together with the new rules. Harry stood on a nail in bare feet on Tuesday, only scored one goal Saturday. Nothing stops him.
Paul Chambers lost the match I went to see, 3-1 I think. That was his club game, he plays two on a Saturday. I took Hannah with me, everyone else was busy - Diana went to see Angela's Ashes, Rory went to a friends house. Couldn't see the 11th graders play as they were playing right after the Orcas finished and they were in Ellerslie while we were at home. It was good spending time with just Hannah, she sat on my shoulders for a while watching the game, constant chatter from above. I got her some beads for her hair yesterday afternoon and we put some in, quite easy because it comes with a doofer for threading them on. She will be looking like a pale Venus Williams today at school.
We had eleven sheets of tin replaced on the roof on Monday after the leakage last week. The fireplace was removed as well. Have some bricks to thump some time soon.
Hopefully will start getting my little trip organised this week. Diana won a prize this week for losing more weight than anyone else over 12 weeks at the gym. Kathryn reckons the other entrants must have all been anorexic already as some blobby should have be able to lose more than Diana's entire body weight in 12 weeks. Haven't seen the Goodins but it was the house of sickness last week so we thought it best to avoid them.
It's not often I have to watch the telly for news, but that was Friday night. Shame, I had to go out. It was the Under 23 Olympic Soccer game against South Africa. Realistically, we didn't have a chance. We scored in about the 14th minute and went 1-0 up. Then they came back and scored twice, then a third time but for us, 2-2 by half time and stayed that way most of the match. Quinton Fortune scored the second goal, plays for Manchester United, Rory was very pleased. They managed to sneak a third just before full time, about 87th minute. Final score 3-2 and a very credible result although qualification is almost impossible now. Have to win in South Africa, and score three goals or more. Was wondering, with the away goal rule, does SA get double for the own-goal as well?
Not sure where I stand on the Team NZ thing. They have been vilified by some, one commentator said that they better get enough money to start a life in another country because they won't be able to live here. That is a little bit strong. There is a deep sense of betrayal from many quarters but Chris Dixon got dumped when they didn't want him. Not sure why that was okay and this isn't. Anyway, Team NZ battening down the hatches and speculation rife as to who else will leave. A Swiss syndicate. I wonder if NZ will support them in the challenger series, I suspect not.
Some weird news out there.
St Stephens, the maori boys school near the Bombay hills, had an "incident" where a pupil was injured by another with an iron bar in the head. Called bullying, but clearly the attack was retaliation for a bit of thieving. Whilst I don't condone the iron bar, a lump of four by two would have done just as well, I don't believe it should be called bullying. I think it could well be the bullied seeking revenge. There were 23 pupils punished in Feb for another "incident" (23? In one incident? come on, that's a bloody big incident. 23 people is a riot or a small war). Calls have been made for the school to close, others have called for iron bars to be better fastened.
A guy sailing to Japan to save the whales was hit by a whale and knackered his rudder. Shaken by the incident, his views have changed somewhat and he is now spotting on the bow of the Hoki Koki Maru for the Nippon Whale Research and Fish Fillet Corporation.
The other Rory at Pt Chevalier Primary was in the local paper because he couldn't afford the $3 to watch some dork blowing a didgereedoo (sp?). Big sob story, had to have the day off school the next day. Little bastard spends all his pocket money on vandal pens and spray paint. There were more than a hundred who didn't go and frankly I think I would rather my two spent their three dollars on Pokemon cards. They can watch a few natives blowing their tooters any time on the Discovery Channel. With $3 times 400 kids the guy made $1200 for an hour or so. That's more than most abbo's make in a month. Slow news day in the Harbour News.
Impact of the Fiji coup still being established. We go to Fiji in about a month, so that could be interesting. Not so much a coup as a hostage drama with a few riots and some looting. They will have to get it sorted reasonably quickly.
A man in a wheelchair was attacked by a woman with a knife then chased down the road for about 500m. Police were particularly slow to respond.
Jeff Wilson announced his semi-retirement from rugby after the Highlanders lost to the Crusaders on Saturday. The Brumbies won, so Crusaders versus Brumbies in ACT for Super 12 final. He wasn't playing well and I don't think it is a bad thing. NZ rugby is not in good shape though.
The Kings Road mincers beat Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, a dour 1-0 bore that I didn't watch.
Rory and Billy played for the Panthers on Sunday in a tournament in New Lynn. They won one game, lost the other two in pool play. Then they went on to the plate round, won their quarter final and lost in the semi. They were knackered but did reasonably well. I was stuffed, too, it was a very long day. The Bats also played but lost in first round of plate, after two losses and a draw in the round robin.
The Warrior beat the Bulldogs, don't know the score, don't care. League is mostly dull.
Didn't have much time for anything other than football over the weekend. Watched eight games in all. The Orcas beat the Bats 3-0 on Saturday morning, again didn't look like conceding a goal. They are starting to come together with the new rules. Harry stood on a nail in bare feet on Tuesday, only scored one goal Saturday. Nothing stops him.
Paul Chambers lost the match I went to see, 3-1 I think. That was his club game, he plays two on a Saturday. I took Hannah with me, everyone else was busy - Diana went to see Angela's Ashes, Rory went to a friends house. Couldn't see the 11th graders play as they were playing right after the Orcas finished and they were in Ellerslie while we were at home. It was good spending time with just Hannah, she sat on my shoulders for a while watching the game, constant chatter from above. I got her some beads for her hair yesterday afternoon and we put some in, quite easy because it comes with a doofer for threading them on. She will be looking like a pale Venus Williams today at school.
We had eleven sheets of tin replaced on the roof on Monday after the leakage last week. The fireplace was removed as well. Have some bricks to thump some time soon.
Hopefully will start getting my little trip organised this week. Diana won a prize this week for losing more weight than anyone else over 12 weeks at the gym. Kathryn reckons the other entrants must have all been anorexic already as some blobby should have be able to lose more than Diana's entire body weight in 12 weeks. Haven't seen the Goodins but it was the house of sickness last week so we thought it best to avoid them.
15 May 2000
Happy Mothers Day and I WON !!!! - 15/05/00
Well, better start with the important bit. As many of you already know, I did win the House of Football video competition with my sad video, so I am off to Rotterdam for the final of Euro 2000. Am going to take Paul Chambers (Allan & Jackie's son) with me. Diana quite happy not to go, doesn't like football, would rather go to Italy and Greece, and someone has to mind the kids (Elsie will be on the Gold Coast). The final of Euro 2000 is 2nd July, which is Paul's birthday. He is nuts about soccer. Would love to take Rory but it is too much and too scary for a seven year old (a stadium filled with 50,000 screaming fans). Rory is okay with not going and wants a technic destroyer droid. Hannahs wants a dutch barbie, means Ken only pays for half of everything. Diana wants diamonds. Yeah, right. They might all get bus timetables and suspicious cookie.
No idea of what route I am going, but if I go via Singapore, might say hi to Roger, or if we go other way might be able to pop in to you, Paul.
Thursday night was very stressful, mostly knew I was in the final about Tuesday, thought there were three or four finalists, only two as it turned out. They tossed a sodding coin, I love heads now. I was wearing the Newcastle shirt that I won on House of Football a while back (Ross says there must only be three people who watch the show). This is now my lucky shirt. I was pretty rapt, I set out to do an award winning video and it did win an award. Paul is pretty rapt too, told him if I won I would take him the night before and he was trying to convince himself that it wouldn't win. Half a mind to not take him because he didn't believe in me.
So far, Sky hasn't cost anything with the prizes I have won. Will try to keep it up.
Anyway, Mothers Day. Hmmmmmm.
Mitre 10 were promoting a power drill for the butch mother.
K'Rd sex shops were offering strap-ons for the kinky mother.
Hugh Wrights were discounting suits for the cross-dressing mother.
The Caci clinic was offering a package, a liposuction and wrinkle removal voucher, plus police protection and a one way ticket to South America for the gift giver (sensible I thought).
Some stores were selling Easter eggs for those who were running a bit late.
Diana got some stuff. We went out to lunch with Granny as it was her birthday as well.
Looks promising on the mouse prevention front, now we just have the neighbours kitten to deal with but Mum seems to have run out of chloroform (don't ask, you don't want to know).
Earlier in the week, details were released of the police officer who shot the window smasher. He was part maori so all the racist shit went out the window. He was an experienced officer, and it sounds like he was backed against a glass shop front and had little choice. Fact is, if the guy had stayed home he wouldn't be dead. Sorry, uncharitable but there you are.
Scott Watson, convicted for murdering Ben & Olivia, had his appeal turned down. A book on the thing was then released immediately.
An Auckland man got his genitals caught in a belt sander. Fireman were called in to free him. One firefighter said "I felt a bit of a prick, actually". The man was unharmed, the belt sander will have counselling. One news reader was fitted for a truss after rupturing himself trying to suppress laughter whilst reading the story.
A 12yo schoolboy got his bag stuck in the door of a bendy-bus and was dragged under the wheels and killed. Police are investigating as they think someone deliberately held onto his bag. Firefighters were not required.
Police in Christchurch and Dunedin have run out of the stickers that say nobody under 25 should be driving, these are stuck on cars to prevent theft. Amazing, parents tell these kids that stealing cars isn't nice, but it doesn't work. Then a sticker stops them. Maybe if they were given a stamp on their hand for every car they don't steal? Anyway, they are talking about doing it in Auckland but they need sponsorship to pay for the stickers. I assume an insurance company would do it.
They seem to think the honeymoon is over for the government. Didn't ever start if you ask me. At least now they are starting to piss off normal people, not just people like me. Helen Clark must have changed her brand of embalming fluid.
Burton Shipley was on radio over weekend, had to choose three songs. "Fat Bottomed Girls" was one of them. Not sure if Tank Commander Spice would be happy about that. A laugh, though.
Not a good weekend for rugby. Every NZ side lost, a first this year and possibly in Super 12 history. ACT plays the Cats, Crusaders versus Highlanders in semis. Highlanders are pathetic. ACT might win I think (the final, I mean). Only two games this weekend and no football.
I think FIFA should seriously consider suing anyone who uses the term "football" that isn't to do with soccer. Rugby and League both have other names and don't need to use the football word. In any case, it is more like handball in both games. I think I will send a letter to Sepp Blatter.
The Warriors actually won. The new Manly-North team must be crap. On a weekend where we can't win a single rugby game, that won't hurt them.
The Orcas won 1-0 at Walker park. Rory did well, other team never looked like scoring. 11th grade drew 2-2 after being 1-0 down within a minute and clawing their way to a 2-1 lead before letting the ball into the net in the dying minutes. Other team was second on the table.
Wimbledon lost 2-0 to Southampton, and are out of the premier league. Bradford beat Liverpool 1-0, so Liverpool don't manage to play in the champions league next year. Liverpool haven't scored a goal in about five games. Leeds sneak in courtesy of a 0-0 draw with West Ham. ManU beat Aston Villa 1-0, Chelsea 4-0 over Darby County, Middlesborough beat Everton 2-0, Newcastle beat Arsenal 4-2. That's it for the season, FA Cup final about all that is left.
No more until August. By the way, NZ has dropped to 107 in the latest Fifa world rankings. Brazil still 1. Czech Rep is 2.
NZ Under 23 team plays South Africa this Friday night for Olympic qualifying. Will be nearly impossible, Quinton Fortune, who plays for Manchester United, is in the team, plus others who play in Europe. Wish we were playing Zimbabwe or Sierra Leone. Half the players would have legs missing.
Weather has been mostly crap, finally starting to fall to pieces. We had water coming in through ceiling in kitchen and my office Thursday night. Getting four new sheets of tin on the roof (after the crap ones have been painted and everything) today.
Showed the kids how to make pom-poms. Their reaction to finished product - "Looks just like a koosh ball!". Who'd have thought. Bought Episode 1 on video yesterday, Rory pretty happy with that, been talking about it for a while. Took the kids for a bike ride, 3km we went (my bike has a thingie on it that Diana gave me, sound like Yoda, I do). Couple of things on the wall, I put up. A heater for the linen cupboard (yes, they actually make them and people buy them) and a toilet brush (all glamour in my weekends, innit). Now the floors in the bathroom/laundry are completely in, we have lots of things to put up, attach, reinstate, etc.
Anyway, will try to sort out my travel this week. Nothing to look forward to at all. Hannah goes on trip to Museum today. Diana has a thing with the Warriors for work tomorrow.
No idea of what route I am going, but if I go via Singapore, might say hi to Roger, or if we go other way might be able to pop in to you, Paul.
Thursday night was very stressful, mostly knew I was in the final about Tuesday, thought there were three or four finalists, only two as it turned out. They tossed a sodding coin, I love heads now. I was wearing the Newcastle shirt that I won on House of Football a while back (Ross says there must only be three people who watch the show). This is now my lucky shirt. I was pretty rapt, I set out to do an award winning video and it did win an award. Paul is pretty rapt too, told him if I won I would take him the night before and he was trying to convince himself that it wouldn't win. Half a mind to not take him because he didn't believe in me.
So far, Sky hasn't cost anything with the prizes I have won. Will try to keep it up.
Anyway, Mothers Day. Hmmmmmm.
Mitre 10 were promoting a power drill for the butch mother.
K'Rd sex shops were offering strap-ons for the kinky mother.
Hugh Wrights were discounting suits for the cross-dressing mother.
The Caci clinic was offering a package, a liposuction and wrinkle removal voucher, plus police protection and a one way ticket to South America for the gift giver (sensible I thought).
Some stores were selling Easter eggs for those who were running a bit late.
Diana got some stuff. We went out to lunch with Granny as it was her birthday as well.
Looks promising on the mouse prevention front, now we just have the neighbours kitten to deal with but Mum seems to have run out of chloroform (don't ask, you don't want to know).
Earlier in the week, details were released of the police officer who shot the window smasher. He was part maori so all the racist shit went out the window. He was an experienced officer, and it sounds like he was backed against a glass shop front and had little choice. Fact is, if the guy had stayed home he wouldn't be dead. Sorry, uncharitable but there you are.
Scott Watson, convicted for murdering Ben & Olivia, had his appeal turned down. A book on the thing was then released immediately.
An Auckland man got his genitals caught in a belt sander. Fireman were called in to free him. One firefighter said "I felt a bit of a prick, actually". The man was unharmed, the belt sander will have counselling. One news reader was fitted for a truss after rupturing himself trying to suppress laughter whilst reading the story.
A 12yo schoolboy got his bag stuck in the door of a bendy-bus and was dragged under the wheels and killed. Police are investigating as they think someone deliberately held onto his bag. Firefighters were not required.
Police in Christchurch and Dunedin have run out of the stickers that say nobody under 25 should be driving, these are stuck on cars to prevent theft. Amazing, parents tell these kids that stealing cars isn't nice, but it doesn't work. Then a sticker stops them. Maybe if they were given a stamp on their hand for every car they don't steal? Anyway, they are talking about doing it in Auckland but they need sponsorship to pay for the stickers. I assume an insurance company would do it.
They seem to think the honeymoon is over for the government. Didn't ever start if you ask me. At least now they are starting to piss off normal people, not just people like me. Helen Clark must have changed her brand of embalming fluid.
Burton Shipley was on radio over weekend, had to choose three songs. "Fat Bottomed Girls" was one of them. Not sure if Tank Commander Spice would be happy about that. A laugh, though.
Not a good weekend for rugby. Every NZ side lost, a first this year and possibly in Super 12 history. ACT plays the Cats, Crusaders versus Highlanders in semis. Highlanders are pathetic. ACT might win I think (the final, I mean). Only two games this weekend and no football.
I think FIFA should seriously consider suing anyone who uses the term "football" that isn't to do with soccer. Rugby and League both have other names and don't need to use the football word. In any case, it is more like handball in both games. I think I will send a letter to Sepp Blatter.
The Warriors actually won. The new Manly-North team must be crap. On a weekend where we can't win a single rugby game, that won't hurt them.
The Orcas won 1-0 at Walker park. Rory did well, other team never looked like scoring. 11th grade drew 2-2 after being 1-0 down within a minute and clawing their way to a 2-1 lead before letting the ball into the net in the dying minutes. Other team was second on the table.
Wimbledon lost 2-0 to Southampton, and are out of the premier league. Bradford beat Liverpool 1-0, so Liverpool don't manage to play in the champions league next year. Liverpool haven't scored a goal in about five games. Leeds sneak in courtesy of a 0-0 draw with West Ham. ManU beat Aston Villa 1-0, Chelsea 4-0 over Darby County, Middlesborough beat Everton 2-0, Newcastle beat Arsenal 4-2. That's it for the season, FA Cup final about all that is left.
No more until August. By the way, NZ has dropped to 107 in the latest Fifa world rankings. Brazil still 1. Czech Rep is 2.
NZ Under 23 team plays South Africa this Friday night for Olympic qualifying. Will be nearly impossible, Quinton Fortune, who plays for Manchester United, is in the team, plus others who play in Europe. Wish we were playing Zimbabwe or Sierra Leone. Half the players would have legs missing.
Weather has been mostly crap, finally starting to fall to pieces. We had water coming in through ceiling in kitchen and my office Thursday night. Getting four new sheets of tin on the roof (after the crap ones have been painted and everything) today.
Showed the kids how to make pom-poms. Their reaction to finished product - "Looks just like a koosh ball!". Who'd have thought. Bought Episode 1 on video yesterday, Rory pretty happy with that, been talking about it for a while. Took the kids for a bike ride, 3km we went (my bike has a thingie on it that Diana gave me, sound like Yoda, I do). Couple of things on the wall, I put up. A heater for the linen cupboard (yes, they actually make them and people buy them) and a toilet brush (all glamour in my weekends, innit). Now the floors in the bathroom/laundry are completely in, we have lots of things to put up, attach, reinstate, etc.
Anyway, will try to sort out my travel this week. Nothing to look forward to at all. Hannah goes on trip to Museum today. Diana has a thing with the Warriors for work tomorrow.
8 May 2000
Nobody Loves Me and That's Not Fair - 08/05/00
After the attack of the love bug virus on Friday, which Jono warned me of (thanks Jono), I want to say how disappointed I am that nobody sent it to me. Some chaos here, was at a client where their London office was still eliminating the thing at 3pm our time, long day for them. Some people got 300 copies of the virus. Vodafone's mail server ran out of space.
The Waitara shooting continues to get debated in the news. Then a policeman was stabbed a couple of days later, to help their case.
The two Mt Eden escapers were caught.
Bill Gates is supposedly funding an America's Cup Challenge that is trying to lure Team NZ people away with big dollars.
Duck hunting season began on Saturday.
The siamese twins born early in the week died on Friday. They never had a heck of a lot of a chance.
The Warriors managed to lose 54-0 to St George. Another record. Good thing this is their comeback season. Come back to tiddly winks.
The Blues lost to the Cats, bummer, Canterbury beat the Waratahs, not by a lot. The Highlanders beat the Bulls, ACT only just beat the Reds in the end, by 6 points, were whipping them in first half. Chiefs beat the Sharks. Hurricanes and Stormers don't appear to have played.
I can't tell you how MU did, I haven't watched the game yet. Leceister beat Bradford 3-0, Liverpool had an exciting 0-0 draw with Southampton. Sunderland beat West Ham 1-0. The Arse beat Chelsea 2-1.
The Kingz won their last game of the season away against Parramatta Power. Excellent result, 2-1, with Silva scoring and Lee Jones, the guy who was really nice to Rory and Hannah.
My sad video went in to the competition on Friday, long shot to win a trip to Rotterdam for Euro 2000. Not sure if they have results this week. Koos, could meet you there.
In real sport, the Orcas had a 3-3 draw, very tense game. 11th graders lost 4-1 to Three Kings.
We had a mouse attack during the week, so Saturday afternoon we attempted to fill every orifice in the kitchen cupboards. There were a few holes where wiring and pipes had been installed. It took ages, but along with blocking holes we have installed some fatal food. Fingers crossed.
Saw Ross & Kath together for first time since before Doug died. We went out to dinner with them, I think a first since Thomas was born. Didn't get up to much mischief, we got back to their place by about 9:30.
Rory and Jared climbed up the soccer goal and collapsed it. I was not happy, made Rory ring Ross (he made it for him, originally) and explain what he had done. Then Sunday we went to Placemakers and bought some steel plates we could nail on and I gave Rory the bill. He asked me how old I was when I got my first bill. We managed to partially repair it before we ran out of time and weather. I was pretty pissed off about it, was considering removal of a limb as punishment but sort of got over it a bit by Sunday. Rory suggested we build a climbing wall so it doesn't happen again, not a bad idea really.
Rained like buggery all afternoon and evening yesterday, which was a bummer after Saturday which was like a spring day. We went and had lunch with Helen Anderson (Koos), turns out she also applied for the job at Lynfield (which Diana got), bit of a laugh. Sjaan came too, so we saw your actual photos of Sri Lanka. Then we went to mum's for dinner and I tried to get her modem going, but no real joy. Came home and watched Planet of the Apes on sky with Rory. Still a good movie after 32 years (made in 1968).
Hope someone loves you all, stay away from viruses.
The Waitara shooting continues to get debated in the news. Then a policeman was stabbed a couple of days later, to help their case.
The two Mt Eden escapers were caught.
Bill Gates is supposedly funding an America's Cup Challenge that is trying to lure Team NZ people away with big dollars.
Duck hunting season began on Saturday.
The siamese twins born early in the week died on Friday. They never had a heck of a lot of a chance.
The Warriors managed to lose 54-0 to St George. Another record. Good thing this is their comeback season. Come back to tiddly winks.
The Blues lost to the Cats, bummer, Canterbury beat the Waratahs, not by a lot. The Highlanders beat the Bulls, ACT only just beat the Reds in the end, by 6 points, were whipping them in first half. Chiefs beat the Sharks. Hurricanes and Stormers don't appear to have played.
I can't tell you how MU did, I haven't watched the game yet. Leceister beat Bradford 3-0, Liverpool had an exciting 0-0 draw with Southampton. Sunderland beat West Ham 1-0. The Arse beat Chelsea 2-1.
The Kingz won their last game of the season away against Parramatta Power. Excellent result, 2-1, with Silva scoring and Lee Jones, the guy who was really nice to Rory and Hannah.
My sad video went in to the competition on Friday, long shot to win a trip to Rotterdam for Euro 2000. Not sure if they have results this week. Koos, could meet you there.
In real sport, the Orcas had a 3-3 draw, very tense game. 11th graders lost 4-1 to Three Kings.
We had a mouse attack during the week, so Saturday afternoon we attempted to fill every orifice in the kitchen cupboards. There were a few holes where wiring and pipes had been installed. It took ages, but along with blocking holes we have installed some fatal food. Fingers crossed.
Saw Ross & Kath together for first time since before Doug died. We went out to dinner with them, I think a first since Thomas was born. Didn't get up to much mischief, we got back to their place by about 9:30.
Rory and Jared climbed up the soccer goal and collapsed it. I was not happy, made Rory ring Ross (he made it for him, originally) and explain what he had done. Then Sunday we went to Placemakers and bought some steel plates we could nail on and I gave Rory the bill. He asked me how old I was when I got my first bill. We managed to partially repair it before we ran out of time and weather. I was pretty pissed off about it, was considering removal of a limb as punishment but sort of got over it a bit by Sunday. Rory suggested we build a climbing wall so it doesn't happen again, not a bad idea really.
Rained like buggery all afternoon and evening yesterday, which was a bummer after Saturday which was like a spring day. We went and had lunch with Helen Anderson (Koos), turns out she also applied for the job at Lynfield (which Diana got), bit of a laugh. Sjaan came too, so we saw your actual photos of Sri Lanka. Then we went to mum's for dinner and I tried to get her modem going, but no real joy. Came home and watched Planet of the Apes on sky with Rory. Still a good movie after 32 years (made in 1968).
Hope someone loves you all, stay away from viruses.
1 May 2000
A soccer extravaganza and the police are worried - 01/05/00
The funeral for Ross's dad was on Thursday. Ross said the church was packed, which is kind of nice. Life should return to almost normal for the Goodin's this week.
Well, in case you were thinking this week isn't very important, it is Fine Awareness week this week here in Auckland. And Tommy the ticket says "Pay your fine on time, or it's cost will multiply by nine" (well, ten actually, but you lose the rhyming effect). Good grief. Next we'll have "Sad Arse Local Body Politician Awareness Week". Are you aware of your fines?
Nearly 200 guns were stolen from a Wellington gun shop this week. Police are concerned that they will fall into the wrong hands. Huh? So let me get this straight. People who STEAL two hundred GUNS might NOT already BE the wrong hands?
2pm Friday afternoon, two men escaped over the wall at Mt Eden Prison. Bit of a bugger really, I was right there about 3/4 of an hour earlier, would have been fun to watch. One is accused of murder. They used a rope of sheets and blankets, and staged a fight to distract guards. They didn't need to, the guards were all watching the Colditz movie at the time, anyway, looking for tips. Police fear they may now be armed. Well, let's face it, there are two hundred for sale somewhere.
Six people went splat in a plane on the way home from an air show on Monday or Tuesday, people driving along nearby got an unplanned air show. One boy was alive but died en route to hospital. Whole bunch of doctors and nurses were driving past, which was lucky but not lucky enough. Pilot was a dork, by the sound of it, flying through Lindis (sp?) pass with low cloud. Easter toll was relatively okay, with sod all happening after the first day or so. Roads were pretty busy the last two days of the weekend. Police wanted people who saw the accident to get counselling.
Some controversy late last week about three men found guilty of rape, then the victim making a statement that it was consensual, then making another statement that the last one was under duress (not Durex). Sounds bizarre, either way, but it gives Holmes something to do I suppose, now that everyone knows about him getting a new car. Speaking of crap in the news, Peter Blakes house is regularly in the news, no idea why.
Police shot and killed a 23yo unemployed moron that was smashing windows around Waitara, near New Plymouth, yesterday. His Mum seemed pretty pissed off, but one wonders why he was rampaging around the place with a baseball bat. He did not have a gun (the only criminal in the lower half of the north island without one after the robbery).
A trainee microlight pilot had his instructor faint and die on him, mid-flight. Poor bastard had to land it on his own, with a body at the controls. Made it, with a perfect landing.
A child has got amoebic meningitis, the first reported instance in about 20 years. It's the version you get from hot pools when water goes up your nose.
The Kingz played their last home game on Saturday for the season. They won 2-1, were up 2-0 played reasonably well. Rufer has signed for another year.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's move to MU is all off. They were going to pay 19m pound for him, but he wouldn't agree to letting them look at his doubtful knee, due to insistence from their insurance company. He returned to Holland and then blew the knee at training and is out for a year. Rory is relieved as either Cole or Solskjaer would have gone and they are his favourite two players.
In real soccer, the Orcas had their grudge match against the Tigers on Saturday, the only team they lost to in their first season. They lost against them this season too. The score was 2-0. Rory played well, though, and it was 0-0 at half time. Their third loss of their career.
Famous 2-0 losses were the theme as Liverpool went down to Chelsea in a surprise result. Newcastle beat the Cov 2-0, in others ManU beat Watford 3-2, Sunderland drew 1 all with Villa, West Ham lost to Middlesborough 1-0 who looked good against MU. Arsenal now level with Liverpool, game in hand, Manchester United 19 points in clear.
Sunday was the tournament, the Orcas were bolstered by Quinn (from the Tigers, but a mate of theirs) and Sam from the Bats and a relative stranger. They won their first game 2-0, which was a relief. Then they won their next game 2-0. Then people started talking about semi-finals. The third game was tougher, a 0-0 draw, then another 0-0 draw in the fourth. They qualified second in their pool, without conceding a goal. Rory and Quinn were the goalies, alternating a half each. In the semi, it was a lot tougher, Rory stayed in goal the whole game. We were down 3-0, wasn't looking good, then they got themselves together and scored twice, 3-2 and people were counting corners, then they just ran out of steam and the final score was 6-2. That team went on to win in the final. The biggest news in the semi was that Jared scored a goal, his first ever for the Orcas. Now he knows he can do it. It was funny, but each game a different player would either have an off game or play out of their skin. You see it happen with proper soccer and you think they have an off day, but these guys were having an off 20 minutes. I was really happy with their effort, many of the teams were rep teams picked out of all the teams in the club. They learnt a lot, and I was especially proud of Rory, that last game was pretty tough and he did stop a few, but the other players were pretty good.
The Crusaders gave the Bulls a thumping in a 100 point game, 75 to 27. Bulls got a couple of late tries. Hurricanes played 20 minutes of the second half with 13 men (that's down two players for those who don't know), and the rest of the second half with 14. They still managed to hang on to be NSW 27-20. Jonah was red carded for two pathetic offences, the captain was off for ten, and one of the loose forwards. One player in the sin bin for ten is worth 11 points I heard, well the Waratahs should have scored about forty points in the second half on that basis. They didn't, clearly. Weird, given that they beat the brumbies. The had a complete shocker. ACT beat the Chiefs, no surprises there. Cats beat the Reds, surprising. The Stormers beat the Highlanders. The Highlanders are pathetic. The Blues won 30-19 over the Sharks, now they play the Cats next.
The Warriors lost over the weekend, can't remember who to, they lost 30-4 or something.
Lomu has a two week ban now, after the Waratahs game. Hurricanes are in trouble. They have also lost Umaga and Slater through parental leave.
Hannah lost her first tooth on Friday, much excitement and dismay, because she really did LOSE it. Diana found it and the tooth fairy obliged. Hannah and Rory start gymnastics today, and she can still spell it backwards. Her reading is going forward rapidly at the moment.
Sod all happening otherwise, weekend utterly dominated by soccer. We have lino down in the bathroom now, so it is practically finished at long last.
Well, in case you were thinking this week isn't very important, it is Fine Awareness week this week here in Auckland. And Tommy the ticket says "Pay your fine on time, or it's cost will multiply by nine" (well, ten actually, but you lose the rhyming effect). Good grief. Next we'll have "Sad Arse Local Body Politician Awareness Week". Are you aware of your fines?
Nearly 200 guns were stolen from a Wellington gun shop this week. Police are concerned that they will fall into the wrong hands. Huh? So let me get this straight. People who STEAL two hundred GUNS might NOT already BE the wrong hands?
2pm Friday afternoon, two men escaped over the wall at Mt Eden Prison. Bit of a bugger really, I was right there about 3/4 of an hour earlier, would have been fun to watch. One is accused of murder. They used a rope of sheets and blankets, and staged a fight to distract guards. They didn't need to, the guards were all watching the Colditz movie at the time, anyway, looking for tips. Police fear they may now be armed. Well, let's face it, there are two hundred for sale somewhere.
Six people went splat in a plane on the way home from an air show on Monday or Tuesday, people driving along nearby got an unplanned air show. One boy was alive but died en route to hospital. Whole bunch of doctors and nurses were driving past, which was lucky but not lucky enough. Pilot was a dork, by the sound of it, flying through Lindis (sp?) pass with low cloud. Easter toll was relatively okay, with sod all happening after the first day or so. Roads were pretty busy the last two days of the weekend. Police wanted people who saw the accident to get counselling.
Some controversy late last week about three men found guilty of rape, then the victim making a statement that it was consensual, then making another statement that the last one was under duress (not Durex). Sounds bizarre, either way, but it gives Holmes something to do I suppose, now that everyone knows about him getting a new car. Speaking of crap in the news, Peter Blakes house is regularly in the news, no idea why.
Police shot and killed a 23yo unemployed moron that was smashing windows around Waitara, near New Plymouth, yesterday. His Mum seemed pretty pissed off, but one wonders why he was rampaging around the place with a baseball bat. He did not have a gun (the only criminal in the lower half of the north island without one after the robbery).
A trainee microlight pilot had his instructor faint and die on him, mid-flight. Poor bastard had to land it on his own, with a body at the controls. Made it, with a perfect landing.
A child has got amoebic meningitis, the first reported instance in about 20 years. It's the version you get from hot pools when water goes up your nose.
The Kingz played their last home game on Saturday for the season. They won 2-1, were up 2-0 played reasonably well. Rufer has signed for another year.
Ruud van Nistelrooy's move to MU is all off. They were going to pay 19m pound for him, but he wouldn't agree to letting them look at his doubtful knee, due to insistence from their insurance company. He returned to Holland and then blew the knee at training and is out for a year. Rory is relieved as either Cole or Solskjaer would have gone and they are his favourite two players.
In real soccer, the Orcas had their grudge match against the Tigers on Saturday, the only team they lost to in their first season. They lost against them this season too. The score was 2-0. Rory played well, though, and it was 0-0 at half time. Their third loss of their career.
Famous 2-0 losses were the theme as Liverpool went down to Chelsea in a surprise result. Newcastle beat the Cov 2-0, in others ManU beat Watford 3-2, Sunderland drew 1 all with Villa, West Ham lost to Middlesborough 1-0 who looked good against MU. Arsenal now level with Liverpool, game in hand, Manchester United 19 points in clear.
Sunday was the tournament, the Orcas were bolstered by Quinn (from the Tigers, but a mate of theirs) and Sam from the Bats and a relative stranger. They won their first game 2-0, which was a relief. Then they won their next game 2-0. Then people started talking about semi-finals. The third game was tougher, a 0-0 draw, then another 0-0 draw in the fourth. They qualified second in their pool, without conceding a goal. Rory and Quinn were the goalies, alternating a half each. In the semi, it was a lot tougher, Rory stayed in goal the whole game. We were down 3-0, wasn't looking good, then they got themselves together and scored twice, 3-2 and people were counting corners, then they just ran out of steam and the final score was 6-2. That team went on to win in the final. The biggest news in the semi was that Jared scored a goal, his first ever for the Orcas. Now he knows he can do it. It was funny, but each game a different player would either have an off game or play out of their skin. You see it happen with proper soccer and you think they have an off day, but these guys were having an off 20 minutes. I was really happy with their effort, many of the teams were rep teams picked out of all the teams in the club. They learnt a lot, and I was especially proud of Rory, that last game was pretty tough and he did stop a few, but the other players were pretty good.
The Crusaders gave the Bulls a thumping in a 100 point game, 75 to 27. Bulls got a couple of late tries. Hurricanes played 20 minutes of the second half with 13 men (that's down two players for those who don't know), and the rest of the second half with 14. They still managed to hang on to be NSW 27-20. Jonah was red carded for two pathetic offences, the captain was off for ten, and one of the loose forwards. One player in the sin bin for ten is worth 11 points I heard, well the Waratahs should have scored about forty points in the second half on that basis. They didn't, clearly. Weird, given that they beat the brumbies. The had a complete shocker. ACT beat the Chiefs, no surprises there. Cats beat the Reds, surprising. The Stormers beat the Highlanders. The Highlanders are pathetic. The Blues won 30-19 over the Sharks, now they play the Cats next.
The Warriors lost over the weekend, can't remember who to, they lost 30-4 or something.
Lomu has a two week ban now, after the Waratahs game. Hurricanes are in trouble. They have also lost Umaga and Slater through parental leave.
Hannah lost her first tooth on Friday, much excitement and dismay, because she really did LOSE it. Diana found it and the tooth fairy obliged. Hannah and Rory start gymnastics today, and she can still spell it backwards. Her reading is going forward rapidly at the moment.
Sod all happening otherwise, weekend utterly dominated by soccer. We have lino down in the bathroom now, so it is practically finished at long last.
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