LOCAL NEWS
Some local inanity manufacturer has come out with a list of clichés that we shouldn't use, and say the use of them tunes people out. "Using these terms in daily business is about as professional as wearing a novelty tie or having a wacky ringtone on your phone", he says (instantly, my world starts crashing down, at least I don't wear my ties much any more). Now I am worried about everything I say, just in case a phrase might be a cliché. How does one tell when something has been said often enough to qualify? Sod it, you be the judge, I can't be bothered, it makes no sense (see what I mean?).
Dogs have been spotted peeing on trays of bread left outside dairies early in the morning. Moves are afoot to clamp down on this practice. Bread is legally required to be left in a lockable cabinet 45cm off the ground. It doesn't mention waterproof, and I am sure some large dogs can pee that high. I'm just glad our bread comes from the supermarket.
The ACC (state run accident insurance) is clamping down on treatments it will pay for, and nasal irrigation is the first to go. Rumour has it that next on the list are macramé therapy and exorcism by Bollinger.
MP and (briefly) former Deputy Leader of the National Party, Nick Smith, was found guilty of contempt of court this week (it's more of a technicality, he was doing something righteous for a constituent, just not legal). Speculation has run high about him stepping down and forcing a bye-election, but now Labour says it is not required (they don't want to take a hammering in the polls). Funny, up until now, the pressure has always been on why they won't step down, now it is "irresponsible" to step down. Wish someone would make up their minds.
Ruth Dyson had to apologise for calling a fellow MP a "tart" under her breath at a select committee hearing that was recording (oops). Then the apology was not accepted. Wonder what she called her when she heard that.
Jonah Lomu reckons a friend has offered him a kidney and he'll play rugby again. He would be completely mad, even with a new kidney, you have to wonder the risks of rupturing it or something during a game.
A woman was found on Saturday in a park, dead, with a knife in her throat. Police think the knife had something to do with her death, but know little else (mostly because their manpower is all busy appearing in court themselves, there's been no results in any of these accusations so far so their reputation continues to wallow).
WORLD NEWS
They lit the Olympic Torch in Athens today to begin it's months of journey before it gets to the Olympic Stadium in, well, Athens. The traffic must be really bad there. Seriously though, they are taking it on a tour of the world, not sure how they carry it on a plane when a plastic knife isn't allowed I can't see how a flame would be. Ignoring that, what point is there in the thing being carried from Athens to Athens via Melbourne and Dog's Leg, Wisconsin?
Britney Spears has been voted the World's sexiest woman by a panel of judges (who were all tone deaf, deaf, low IQ, and of dubious taste). I think I should start publicising my version of some of these sort of things with absolutely no credibility or scientific basis.
The Israeli hit on that guy in the wheelchair doesn't seem to have sparked much retribution. The UN couldn't get the bus ticket wet enough for a slap on the wrist. I guess at least this opens up the possibility of being allowed to assassinate the people responsible for reality TV.
REAL SPORT
Hannah had some practice games on Saturday, I foolishly said we'd go somewhere of her choice for dinner if she scored. She scored the first goal in the first game (the only goal until the third game, they were short games). It was good, the girls had a good run, and didn't want to stop.
First proper game of the season this coming weekend for both Rory and Hannah. I am worried that Rory's team is under-prepared but that's not my responsibility (Rory said they want me back as coach, that's nice, can't come back though).
SPORT
Well, I snuck off work on Monday to go see the last day of the test. Peter and I watched as the Black Caps worked their way through the end of the batting before lunch, had a stroll around the pitch at the break, then took photos as Stephen Fleming scored 31 runs off about seven scoring shots (the single was to retain the strike). It was nice to be there for such an occasion, Cairns got his 200th wicket as well.
We've got two days to survive to draw the third test. After Black Caps only got 300 odd, the South Africans again looked dangerous but collapse for 319. We are about 100 ahead with only five wickets in hand. Styris and Cairns at the wicket, they need to be steady. The wicket could be breaking up but it doesn't look good for a series win.
The Blues had a surprise draw with the Hurricanes, the Crusaders beat the Highlanders, the Chiefs beat the Waratahs.
Birmingham handed Leeds an old-fashioned 4-1 whupping, Chelsea did a similar thing to Wolverhampton 5-2. Funny, Leeds scored first and lost, Wolverhampton came back to 2-1 up before caving. Arsenal drew with Man Utd 1-1.
France beat England to do the grand slam in the six nations, England aren't looking so flash with two losses in it.
The Warriors lost their third straight game and are the only un-victorious team left in the comp.
Ian Thorpe (the Thorpedo) failed to qualify for an event at Athens, even though he is the current world champ, Olympic champ, record holder, and so forth. The prat is a white coat who called the false start is enjoying his 15 minutes of patheticness.
MY SAD LIFE
Funny little story. I had to respond to a letter to PC World from a prisoner at Paremoremo Prison this week. It said he was in jail, but not where, but the address suggested it was Paremoremo. I wanted to fax him the answer and rang the prison. Getting someone to confirm that he was there was an absolute mission. Eventually, I managed to convince them that they could confirm that the PO Box I gave them was them, and they could confirm that they had a fax, and what the number was. They didn't have to confirm the person existed or was currently staying with them. I don't know if they thought I was planning a mass breakout or what but can't see a solution to a tricky Excel problem being any sort of use as a coded instruction for where to leave the key or what time to start the fire to distract the wardens.
Big week for Rory and busy for me on Tuesday. Monday he had his first drum lesson, Tuesday I took him to go rent a single drum (they come with a rubber pad that deadens it for practice, which is handy). Then, fought the traffic home from Newmarket (it's across town to us and no route is easy). Then, the business broker came to our place to meet with Gavin with a counter-offer on the shop. We went through that, then I took Rory to water polo practice (which he also started this week). On the way there, he wondered if he could rest on the bottom of the pool, I said I thought it would be two metres deep so that would be tricky. It wasn't, it was five metres deep (really tricky). He had to get some Speedos and he wasn't keen about that. While he practiced I did some soccer playing trading with another coordinator. Was talking with a Mum there who's kids do lots of after school things and I wondered how much does it cost, and what would happen to traffic in the afternoons if all these kids weren't dancing, drumming, poloing, and soccering every night of the damn week half way across town? I bet it would be considerably quieter on the roads. Then, on the way home, I broke the switch for the interior light in my car, had to remove a hot lightbulb to turn it off (used Rory's wet towel and a pen). Then, talked to Ross about the offer document, and when I got home talked to Gavin about it. Didn't really finish until ten.
The thing with Gavin continues, counter offer and counter counter offer. I've lost count of the counters. It's a mating dance, isn't it, except everyone keeps their trousers on (at least I hope they do).
Had a busy weekend. First Hannah's soccer, then we went to lunch to celebrate the goal. Then the Goodins came for a takeaway dinner. The next morning I had the whole family at the flea market by 7:30am. Diana hasn't been for years. Hannah found some bracelets and I bought some tape for putting up nets. Then Hannah made pancakes and we went back to the Domain so she could climb in the tree she really liked a couple of weeks back. They stayed up it for a good half hour. We wandered around a bit and then had the pancakes. Last time we were there, Rory asked "did you used to be faster than me, Dad" (what did he mean USED to?). We had a race this time and I beat him (but only just, I can tell it's going to happen soon). We were home by about 1pm and completely stuffed.
Amongst the rest of the weekend, I had some trials with someone who had said they would manage/coach on of the 12th grade teams, then decided they didn't like the way soccer was organised in New Zealand. I accepted his resignation, then after two calls from him on Saturday night, he decided he would do it. Sheesh.
Koos can't seem to cope with being 39 and can't reply to his emails. Charles appears to be still struggling with being 40 and can't reply to his either. Rude buggers.
My business partner of eleven years, Peter Smith, hits 40 this coming Saturday. The next in a long line of people leaving the 30-39 category in telephone surveys. He is having a small celebration, which is most uncharacteristic of him (usually does nothing).
Two more weeks until the end of term and a nice Easter weekend. Diana continues to consider whether she wants to teach next term.
22 March 2004
Think, before you shoot, before you vote - 22/03/04
We've done our daylight saving so we are now closer to everyone else in the world by one hour.
An interesting week where an attempted assassination could have helped a president and a bombing changed a government.
LOCAL NEWS
New political polls suggest Labour is still behind National, and Mr Brash is only 6% behind Helen.
Apparently Rachel Hunter has posed for Playboy. But it's okay, it's in the name of art. I wonder what name they would use if Helen Clark got posed for Playboy. It takes all my willpower to not scratch out my eyes, I can't believe I even suggested it. I apologise. Send complaints to Diana.
While there was revelations about a plane crash in Queensland where the New Zealand pilot was thought to be on drugs and talking on a cellphone and landing on an unplanned basis, a classic fighter jet belonging to the Warbirds group landed in a similar fashion in the water off Thames, killing both occupants. One was an Olympic Sailing gold medallist at LA.
The trial of a lady for euthenasing her mother continued this week. Some of the evidence is quite contradictory and the case doesn't seem particularly clear cut. It sounds a lot like it was bordering on pre-emptive euthanasia, or over-enthusiastic euthanasia (ie murder). Whilst I don't have any problems with euthanasia in principle, I suspect you shouldn't do it when someone has a sore throat.
McDonalds are continuing to reinvent themselves here with salads and non-poisonous food, I assume it has happened overseas already. Their market share must have really been suffering. You can now get a Big McSalad with low-fat mayo, and so on. Never tried it, never liked their burgers so not sure why I would ever eat their salads.
WORLD NEWS
The Taiwanese President suffered a setback when he was shot in the stomach the day before the election. He survived - physically and politically although only just.
The Government in Spain changed in reaction to the bombing in Madrid and could be an example of terrorism getting the outcome it wanted from killing people. It was a kneejerk reaction of the voting public to the bombing, blaming the policies of the incumbent. This has interesting connotations.
There is news that Osama's second in command came to New Zealand and Norway to learn English. Funny, I never thought of Norway as an English speaking country (sometimes I wonder about New Zealand too).
REAL SPORT
Hannah's trial went pretty well, she's going to have a practice game next Saturday if we can manage it.
SPORT
Man Utd won, but so did Arsenal who need to not lose one more game to set a record for most games undefeated.
The Warriors lost their second game, after losing their first. Bad start to the season for them.
The cricket test has moved one way then the other in favour of each side. South Africa were looking dangerous at about 228 for 2 at the end of the first day, even though they scored very slowly in the last session. Then they were all out for less than 300 (things looked good) and we looked fragile at 16/2 (things looked bad). Then Styris got 170, Oram 90 and Cairns over a 100 and we got 598 (things looked good). Then first ball of the second South African innings we got Graeme Smith (things looked good), but then no wickets went for the rest of the day and the two Jacques were scoring at will(things looked bad). Then Craig McMillan got Kallis and the rot set in and they were still 22 runs behind our first innings score with six wickets down (things looked good). Today is the last day, we could win it.
I am not sure what happened with the Super 12, the Blues had a bye. Crusaders beat Chiefs, Highlanders beat Cats (I think), Brumbies beat someone in SA to go top of the table. Hurricanes lost narrowly to the Sharks.
CRICKET STATISTICS
Chris Cairns needs one more wicket to have 3000 runs and 200 test wickets. Jacques Kallis needed a century (was out for about 71) to equal Bradman's record of a century in six consecutive tests. Bowler Chris Martin now has nine consecutive scores of 0 (including a couple of not outs). If New Zealand win, this will be our first test win against South Africa in Auckland, in New Zealand, in a test ending on a Monday, in a test in March, and a test when one of the umpires has a silly name. They really get too carried away. We should stick to the basics, cricket statistics are the realm of the extreme trainspotter and they should not geek it up so much. I think it is mostly a tactic to give the commentators something interesting to talk about (I think they got the bit about it being interesting completely wrong).
MY SAD LIFE
Bit of a funny old week. No Diana or Hannah until Wednesday, and Peter Smith (my business partner) was away most of the week in Melbourne.
Diana had to contend with a bed wetter and then a bed vomiter in the cabin. They kids worked very hard, and they both came home very tired on Wednesday. Hannah had a great time. I couldn't get out there to visit, too busy. Diana took quite a few photos. Rory and I failed in attempting to use the same plates and clothing for three days.
Rory's cat, Pandora, was so convinced on Monday that my lunch was interesting that she ate some bits of mushroom that I gave her. Ollie came and slept in his little happy sleepy place in my office, but I was in so I could see where it was, not a lot of space, but he likes it. Pandora has started making a game of getting her to come inside, and she was out until after dark on Saturday. It is becoming a problem, we need to get them used to using the inbound cat-door.
The kittens combative antics have made me wonder if I should video them in front a blue-screen and do a short film entitled "the Catrix". They are bib-bab bibbly bonkers. They don't need wires and harnesses, they fly through the air anyway. Film it fast and slow it down and it would be much better than many fight sequences in movies. Every move involves some completely new and bizarre concept that is immediately forgotten.
Rory and I were disappointed when we discovered that Battlefield Vietnam didn't arrive until Thursday. We were hoping we could play it while the girls were away. We haven't played it much, but it's quite good.
I got a letter this week saying if an Author's book has 50 copies in circulation in public libraries they can get a grant from the Arts Council as compensation. So I checked Auckland, they have four copies and three are out, North Shore has two copies and they are both out, and Waitakere City has none and they are an uncultured bunch of westies and what do they know anyway.
I started building a small kitty playground out of cardboard boxes. Then I got a call about soccer that took ages, and in the interim the kids took over and had a great time. Rory tried to construct a kitty elevator and Hannah did a drawbridge. Hannah kept going for the longest. The kittens enjoy fooling around on it, but the kids had a good time too. I won't let Kathryn see it, not after the trauma surrounding the scratching post.
Rory got a five for his project, or should I say Diana and I got a five. I think the cheesy presentation gimmicks are cheap but everyone does it so you have to. I wonder if the score has as much to do with actual content as it does with look.
Rory starts drums today and practices for water polo soon. I wonder if there is too much going on in his life. Hannah already has commitments three days and week and is about to be four, Rory will have five days committed once water polo games start. Are we making them do too much? Time will tell.
Gavin should hear about the offer he made for the shop today or tomorrow, we shall see what happens.
Happy birthday to Koos, on Wednesday. Enjoy the last year of your thirties, and don't feel bad about it being your fortieth year.
Charles, please confirm you still exist. Rory has been writing a story for school about the trip to Glinks, which we will send you when it is done.
An interesting week where an attempted assassination could have helped a president and a bombing changed a government.
LOCAL NEWS
New political polls suggest Labour is still behind National, and Mr Brash is only 6% behind Helen.
Apparently Rachel Hunter has posed for Playboy. But it's okay, it's in the name of art. I wonder what name they would use if Helen Clark got posed for Playboy. It takes all my willpower to not scratch out my eyes, I can't believe I even suggested it. I apologise. Send complaints to Diana.
While there was revelations about a plane crash in Queensland where the New Zealand pilot was thought to be on drugs and talking on a cellphone and landing on an unplanned basis, a classic fighter jet belonging to the Warbirds group landed in a similar fashion in the water off Thames, killing both occupants. One was an Olympic Sailing gold medallist at LA.
The trial of a lady for euthenasing her mother continued this week. Some of the evidence is quite contradictory and the case doesn't seem particularly clear cut. It sounds a lot like it was bordering on pre-emptive euthanasia, or over-enthusiastic euthanasia (ie murder). Whilst I don't have any problems with euthanasia in principle, I suspect you shouldn't do it when someone has a sore throat.
McDonalds are continuing to reinvent themselves here with salads and non-poisonous food, I assume it has happened overseas already. Their market share must have really been suffering. You can now get a Big McSalad with low-fat mayo, and so on. Never tried it, never liked their burgers so not sure why I would ever eat their salads.
WORLD NEWS
The Taiwanese President suffered a setback when he was shot in the stomach the day before the election. He survived - physically and politically although only just.
The Government in Spain changed in reaction to the bombing in Madrid and could be an example of terrorism getting the outcome it wanted from killing people. It was a kneejerk reaction of the voting public to the bombing, blaming the policies of the incumbent. This has interesting connotations.
There is news that Osama's second in command came to New Zealand and Norway to learn English. Funny, I never thought of Norway as an English speaking country (sometimes I wonder about New Zealand too).
REAL SPORT
Hannah's trial went pretty well, she's going to have a practice game next Saturday if we can manage it.
SPORT
Man Utd won, but so did Arsenal who need to not lose one more game to set a record for most games undefeated.
The Warriors lost their second game, after losing their first. Bad start to the season for them.
The cricket test has moved one way then the other in favour of each side. South Africa were looking dangerous at about 228 for 2 at the end of the first day, even though they scored very slowly in the last session. Then they were all out for less than 300 (things looked good) and we looked fragile at 16/2 (things looked bad). Then Styris got 170, Oram 90 and Cairns over a 100 and we got 598 (things looked good). Then first ball of the second South African innings we got Graeme Smith (things looked good), but then no wickets went for the rest of the day and the two Jacques were scoring at will(things looked bad). Then Craig McMillan got Kallis and the rot set in and they were still 22 runs behind our first innings score with six wickets down (things looked good). Today is the last day, we could win it.
I am not sure what happened with the Super 12, the Blues had a bye. Crusaders beat Chiefs, Highlanders beat Cats (I think), Brumbies beat someone in SA to go top of the table. Hurricanes lost narrowly to the Sharks.
CRICKET STATISTICS
Chris Cairns needs one more wicket to have 3000 runs and 200 test wickets. Jacques Kallis needed a century (was out for about 71) to equal Bradman's record of a century in six consecutive tests. Bowler Chris Martin now has nine consecutive scores of 0 (including a couple of not outs). If New Zealand win, this will be our first test win against South Africa in Auckland, in New Zealand, in a test ending on a Monday, in a test in March, and a test when one of the umpires has a silly name. They really get too carried away. We should stick to the basics, cricket statistics are the realm of the extreme trainspotter and they should not geek it up so much. I think it is mostly a tactic to give the commentators something interesting to talk about (I think they got the bit about it being interesting completely wrong).
MY SAD LIFE
Bit of a funny old week. No Diana or Hannah until Wednesday, and Peter Smith (my business partner) was away most of the week in Melbourne.
Diana had to contend with a bed wetter and then a bed vomiter in the cabin. They kids worked very hard, and they both came home very tired on Wednesday. Hannah had a great time. I couldn't get out there to visit, too busy. Diana took quite a few photos. Rory and I failed in attempting to use the same plates and clothing for three days.
Rory's cat, Pandora, was so convinced on Monday that my lunch was interesting that she ate some bits of mushroom that I gave her. Ollie came and slept in his little happy sleepy place in my office, but I was in so I could see where it was, not a lot of space, but he likes it. Pandora has started making a game of getting her to come inside, and she was out until after dark on Saturday. It is becoming a problem, we need to get them used to using the inbound cat-door.
The kittens combative antics have made me wonder if I should video them in front a blue-screen and do a short film entitled "the Catrix". They are bib-bab bibbly bonkers. They don't need wires and harnesses, they fly through the air anyway. Film it fast and slow it down and it would be much better than many fight sequences in movies. Every move involves some completely new and bizarre concept that is immediately forgotten.
Rory and I were disappointed when we discovered that Battlefield Vietnam didn't arrive until Thursday. We were hoping we could play it while the girls were away. We haven't played it much, but it's quite good.
I got a letter this week saying if an Author's book has 50 copies in circulation in public libraries they can get a grant from the Arts Council as compensation. So I checked Auckland, they have four copies and three are out, North Shore has two copies and they are both out, and Waitakere City has none and they are an uncultured bunch of westies and what do they know anyway.
I started building a small kitty playground out of cardboard boxes. Then I got a call about soccer that took ages, and in the interim the kids took over and had a great time. Rory tried to construct a kitty elevator and Hannah did a drawbridge. Hannah kept going for the longest. The kittens enjoy fooling around on it, but the kids had a good time too. I won't let Kathryn see it, not after the trauma surrounding the scratching post.
Rory got a five for his project, or should I say Diana and I got a five. I think the cheesy presentation gimmicks are cheap but everyone does it so you have to. I wonder if the score has as much to do with actual content as it does with look.
Rory starts drums today and practices for water polo soon. I wonder if there is too much going on in his life. Hannah already has commitments three days and week and is about to be four, Rory will have five days committed once water polo games start. Are we making them do too much? Time will tell.
Gavin should hear about the offer he made for the shop today or tomorrow, we shall see what happens.
Happy birthday to Koos, on Wednesday. Enjoy the last year of your thirties, and don't feel bad about it being your fortieth year.
Charles, please confirm you still exist. Rory has been writing a story for school about the trip to Glinks, which we will send you when it is done.
15 March 2004
Avoid Spain for a sunny holiday -15/03/04
LOCAL NEWS
It wasn't as if the reputation of the police force wasn't already in tatters, but anyway some of New Zealand's finest decided to confess to "inhaling" on the Holmes show and lying about it in court afterward. The way things are going, one wonders if we wouldn't be better off throwing all cops in the slammer and letting all those in prison who claim to have been set up go free.
Shock! Horror! Major investigation by the Building Research Association (BRANZ) into the misuse of heavily tanalised timber inside housing as a result of the kneejerk reaction from the leaky building thing using untreated timber. Apparently, the most dangerous use of H5 timber is in cat scratching poles, supposedly the users can present to their vet suffering from toxic shock syndrome but is often confused with the symptoms of feline enteritis. This only happens where the pole isn't thoroughly covered in carpet, so I don't have to worry (so there, Ross).
A 62 year old Canterbury man was jailed for 15 years for beating a friend to death after pleading guilty. No reason was given for the beating but the gossip is that the friend cheered for Auckland during the NPC final.
A four year old boy died in the housefire at a baby sitters house, they reckon he was hiding from the flames.
It was the round the bays run yesterday, we did not go. We never do. Helen Clark was there to remind them all that staying healthy prevents you from looking like her.
WORLD NEWS
The ten bombs in trains in Madrid were pretty nasty. The New Zealand men's hockey team were in Madrid for a tournament and had a game the morning they went off. They beat South Africa to qualify for the Olympics. Al Qaeda's supposed involvement creates more doubt, fear, and loathing.
The guy that gets people to pose naked in bulk for stupid photos you never see after the pathetic voyeuristic piece on the news did one of HIV positive nudies in Paris. Yawn.
A nasty little murder near San Francisco, with nine dead children of the perpetrator Marcus Wesson. There are rumours that he is the father of some of the children that he is also the grandfather of (think about it, would have saved on presents, I suppose). He gave himself up, which is pretty cowardly after giving his kids no opportunity for escape.
There is talk of a Lord of the Rings musical. I can't think of anything worse. Well, I hate musicals regardless. The very idea of people breaking into song as they go about their daily lives just turns me off. The Lord of the Rings was of marginal value as it was, without people singing and dancing. I hope they come to their senses.
REAL SPORT
Rory had two trials this week. It has become clear how much he has grown in that time. He is faster and taller. He is making noises about wanting to go in goal again, and actually showed promise in a session he spent in goal at the end of the second trial. He wanted to go show another goalie how to do a few things to be a better goalie, which was nice.
Hannah has her trial on Wednesday, sort of a mini-trial.
Have spent most of the week organising trials and bribing people to be coaches.
OTHER SPORT
The first test against South Africa faded into a dull draw. I don't think there was anything about it worth mentioning, except that they lost no time due to rain. No wonder the Americans can't believe a game can take five days and have no winner.
The Blues lost, the Hurricanes won, Highlanders lost. Chiefs and Crusaders had a bye. Blues are now tenth on the table and have lost three from four and have a bye next week.
I don't remember much other sport, except for ignoring a 1-4 lost to Man City by Man Utd. The FA Cup is all that is left in the season, except Euro in June, of course.
MY SAD LIFE
Wednesday was a killer. Went to see a client at 11:30 and had everything sorted by about 1pm, including spotting an impending problem. Then the geek from their office in Melbourne wanted to restart the server and it never came back up. Spent over five hours on a call with two Microserfs in US and in the end reinstalled the sodding thing. Got home just before eleven. After Tuesday night on the phone with soccer-related matters until about 10pm, it was a big day. I tried to take it easier on Thursday but had to cut a lump of wood for the dreaded project and had another soccer trial.
I did another radio spot on Sunday with Alice, although not confirmed yet I think I will be doing a monthly thing. It went fine, as usual.
Ollie, the wunder-kitten, disappeared on us on Saturday. We called for hours, Hannah waited on the lawn for ages just in case, and even went and knocked on neighbours doors. Four hours later, the little sod wanted to be let out of my office. Little bugger, I called for him in there three times. I don't know how he managed to hide in there, it's so tidy and all.
The project from hell was finally finished on Thursday night, in amongst soccer trials and so forth (including a talk about "growing up" at school on the Thursday night). It was nice to get it out of the house. We await the score, which is in two parts, one for the student and one for the parents. Actually, I think it was quite well done, with three stories from people Rory knows about war (Jim next door, Elsie, and Ross's grandfather's story of the lucky bullet). It looked good and was interesting as well. I have a theory, that nobody reads the content (kids in the class, I mean) and you could include instructions to open a flap for a free chocolate fish and nobody would get one.
Hannah and Diana are off to Camp Adair for two nights. Rory and I are pretty busy, have a packed program planned of not eating vegetables and wearing the same clothing for three days.....
Gavin's investigations and work continue on the purchase of a shop. We did an unofficial stocktake on Saturday and the quoted figure is quite a way off what we got. Ross thinks it's a bad idea, he went over the agreement and some issues with Gavin on Sunday. He is currently unemployed, starts a new job on Monday but not sure what to do about it.
Today will be a quiet day, with nobody around until Rory gets home.
It wasn't as if the reputation of the police force wasn't already in tatters, but anyway some of New Zealand's finest decided to confess to "inhaling" on the Holmes show and lying about it in court afterward. The way things are going, one wonders if we wouldn't be better off throwing all cops in the slammer and letting all those in prison who claim to have been set up go free.
Shock! Horror! Major investigation by the Building Research Association (BRANZ) into the misuse of heavily tanalised timber inside housing as a result of the kneejerk reaction from the leaky building thing using untreated timber. Apparently, the most dangerous use of H5 timber is in cat scratching poles, supposedly the users can present to their vet suffering from toxic shock syndrome but is often confused with the symptoms of feline enteritis. This only happens where the pole isn't thoroughly covered in carpet, so I don't have to worry (so there, Ross).
A 62 year old Canterbury man was jailed for 15 years for beating a friend to death after pleading guilty. No reason was given for the beating but the gossip is that the friend cheered for Auckland during the NPC final.
A four year old boy died in the housefire at a baby sitters house, they reckon he was hiding from the flames.
It was the round the bays run yesterday, we did not go. We never do. Helen Clark was there to remind them all that staying healthy prevents you from looking like her.
WORLD NEWS
The ten bombs in trains in Madrid were pretty nasty. The New Zealand men's hockey team were in Madrid for a tournament and had a game the morning they went off. They beat South Africa to qualify for the Olympics. Al Qaeda's supposed involvement creates more doubt, fear, and loathing.
The guy that gets people to pose naked in bulk for stupid photos you never see after the pathetic voyeuristic piece on the news did one of HIV positive nudies in Paris. Yawn.
A nasty little murder near San Francisco, with nine dead children of the perpetrator Marcus Wesson. There are rumours that he is the father of some of the children that he is also the grandfather of (think about it, would have saved on presents, I suppose). He gave himself up, which is pretty cowardly after giving his kids no opportunity for escape.
There is talk of a Lord of the Rings musical. I can't think of anything worse. Well, I hate musicals regardless. The very idea of people breaking into song as they go about their daily lives just turns me off. The Lord of the Rings was of marginal value as it was, without people singing and dancing. I hope they come to their senses.
REAL SPORT
Rory had two trials this week. It has become clear how much he has grown in that time. He is faster and taller. He is making noises about wanting to go in goal again, and actually showed promise in a session he spent in goal at the end of the second trial. He wanted to go show another goalie how to do a few things to be a better goalie, which was nice.
Hannah has her trial on Wednesday, sort of a mini-trial.
Have spent most of the week organising trials and bribing people to be coaches.
OTHER SPORT
The first test against South Africa faded into a dull draw. I don't think there was anything about it worth mentioning, except that they lost no time due to rain. No wonder the Americans can't believe a game can take five days and have no winner.
The Blues lost, the Hurricanes won, Highlanders lost. Chiefs and Crusaders had a bye. Blues are now tenth on the table and have lost three from four and have a bye next week.
I don't remember much other sport, except for ignoring a 1-4 lost to Man City by Man Utd. The FA Cup is all that is left in the season, except Euro in June, of course.
MY SAD LIFE
Wednesday was a killer. Went to see a client at 11:30 and had everything sorted by about 1pm, including spotting an impending problem. Then the geek from their office in Melbourne wanted to restart the server and it never came back up. Spent over five hours on a call with two Microserfs in US and in the end reinstalled the sodding thing. Got home just before eleven. After Tuesday night on the phone with soccer-related matters until about 10pm, it was a big day. I tried to take it easier on Thursday but had to cut a lump of wood for the dreaded project and had another soccer trial.
I did another radio spot on Sunday with Alice, although not confirmed yet I think I will be doing a monthly thing. It went fine, as usual.
Ollie, the wunder-kitten, disappeared on us on Saturday. We called for hours, Hannah waited on the lawn for ages just in case, and even went and knocked on neighbours doors. Four hours later, the little sod wanted to be let out of my office. Little bugger, I called for him in there three times. I don't know how he managed to hide in there, it's so tidy and all.
The project from hell was finally finished on Thursday night, in amongst soccer trials and so forth (including a talk about "growing up" at school on the Thursday night). It was nice to get it out of the house. We await the score, which is in two parts, one for the student and one for the parents. Actually, I think it was quite well done, with three stories from people Rory knows about war (Jim next door, Elsie, and Ross's grandfather's story of the lucky bullet). It looked good and was interesting as well. I have a theory, that nobody reads the content (kids in the class, I mean) and you could include instructions to open a flap for a free chocolate fish and nobody would get one.
Hannah and Diana are off to Camp Adair for two nights. Rory and I are pretty busy, have a packed program planned of not eating vegetables and wearing the same clothing for three days.....
Gavin's investigations and work continue on the purchase of a shop. We did an unofficial stocktake on Saturday and the quoted figure is quite a way off what we got. Ross thinks it's a bad idea, he went over the agreement and some issues with Gavin on Sunday. He is currently unemployed, starts a new job on Monday but not sure what to do about it.
Today will be a quiet day, with nobody around until Rory gets home.
8 March 2004
I suppose I have to say something about the Oscars - 08/03/04
Welcome firstly to Marc, another Stuttgart resident, who is yet another person that has to delete this email from his inbox every week.
LOCAL NEWS
Well, as you can imagine, there was absolutely no news in New Zealand on Monday, other than the Oscars. Poor old Keisha Castle-Hughes didn't win, but I didn't think she would. I should have put money on Charlize Theron winning, I knew she would. Meanwhile, The Return Of The King scored 11 from 11 awards so the news on Monday night was nothing but. If I was the prime minister, I would have released all the bad news I had and come clean on every scandal I could that day as it just wouldn't have made the news. Billy Crystal said at one point "It's official, there is nobody left in New Zealand to thank."
Warren Berryman, a guy that my Dad used to work with, that I knew reasonably well, died this week. He was a journalist, published the Independent for a good ten years or more. He was a pretty gravelly kind of guy, not known for subtlety.
The government have listed towns that are poor employment zones and/or with a lack of public transport and people on the dole can't go live there to ensure they aren't offered work. People already living in these locations aren't required to move out, they are allowed to move there if they have a job offer or the ability to commute to work elsewhere. Can't quite decide whether this is a good thing or completely fascist. Some towns are very unhappy about being on the list.
The break-up of David Tua and his manager and trainer became big news with details of the money leakage and likely defalcations that were going on. Do they figure boxers have their brains addled by boxing that they can't figure out they've been diddled?
The big disappearing gun on north head is being restored and test fired this weekend. It was installed because they thought Russians were planning an invasion in the late 1880s (seems nobody told Russia about the plan).
Some 61 cars have been broken into in Taupo in recent weeks, police have told people to leave someone with their car when they park it. I suspect it is the work of one deranged person (or someone who owns a glass company). Perhaps they might consider catching them?
WORLD NEWS
John Kerry will challenge the might of the intellectually challenged GW.
I have stopped talking about Iraq because it just isn't good. The wall in Israel also seems like a really bad idea.
Martha Stewart was found guilty. Sometimes celebrities think they are bigger than the law. She has discovered she is not. I wish a few more did.
REAL SPORT
This week I reluctantly agreed to be 12th grade coordinator so that there is one and we can get moving. There is a trial this Tuesday. Got Rory some new boots. I also agreed to coach Hannah's team, but not Rory's. Cannot be done with their games likely to be at similar times now. I will have to have a good backup on match day to see Rory's whole game sometimes. Hannah will have trials sometime, she will be in a girl's team, her first year on full-sized pitches.
SPORT
Some fake journalist snuck into the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix press conference, and asked Juan Mantoya something like this: "Juan, one wonders if you want to be number one in formula one, you would be one happy Juan if you won race one." and so on, it was quite a lot longer. Silly, but clever too.
The Black Caps won the final ODI and took the series 5-1, which moved them up to number 4 on the ODI rankings.
Man Utd beat Fulham in the FA Cup 2-1, Arsenal beat Portsmouth 5-0 or something. Not sure about the next round but could be Man Utd Arsenal final. Sunderland is through, neither Milwall or Tranmere could find the back of the net and they will re-play.
The New Zealand teams had better luck in the Super 12 this week, the Chiefs are the best New Zealand team after beating the Blues.
Cameron Brown won his fourth consecutive Ironman in Taupo this weekend. They didn't mention if his car was okay.
Italy beat Scotland and Ireland beat England in the six nations rugby. First loss for the Poms in 22 matches.
MY SAD LIFE
Gavin's Mum fractured a rib in a car accident early in the week, but she's okay. He didn't mention how the car was.
Forgot to mention Kathryn's comment when they visited last weekend, when she saw the cat scratching pole I made. "We've got a spare proper one in the cupboard if you want it." she said callously, shooting my confidence in my scratching pole construction abilities down in flames. Naturally, I politely declined the offer, given that we already have a proper one that is H5 treated and likely to survive a nuclear war.
Ollie the kitten steadily improved all week. They now chase each other around and beat each other up something shocking. They have been slowly exploring outside world, which they find to be hugely entertaining. They were absolutely bonkers on Sunday and just wouldn't come inside, even though they must have been knackered. They have started climbing the fences, Pandora got onto the shed (Amber's old haunt) and they both got up the archway and sat in the bird's nest.
On Tuesday, the bridge was blocked due to a moronic truck driver. I stayed and audioed in to my meeting for the morning and went over for the afternoon session. As I rang off, I said "that should give me time to get out of my dressing gown and drive over". (The irony of this will not be lost on some of you who have known me a long time.) At least I didn't say "put my trousers on".
Had a bit of a day on Thursday. After an interminable audio meeting, I had to answer the door. I went around the side and there were two Jehovah's Witnesses (who hadn't actually seen Jehovah personally, always a disappointment to me). I knew one, said hello. Then I spotted the front door was open. Asked them if it was open when they arrived and they said it was but they hadn't gone in. I said that's not what I meant, have you seen any small kittens wandering around. They said no, and I was able to convince them that I was pretty busy looking for lost kittens. They were in the house, so that was okay. Then I had a psychotic session of calling people, missing calls, hanging up on them accidentally, returning calls and being told they were in meetings when they just called me, and missing other calls. At the end of that I called Diana on her mobile and asked would she be home soon, said I needed a lie down and could she make me a coffee.
Koos is alive, he emailed me to prove it. Well, I think it was him, it could have been someone pretending to be him. He said he cut his finger, needed stitches, but not as bad as Ad did.
Roger/Shin - how's the foetus? Must be large bump by now.
My Telecommunications code is now being released for public comment, about bloody time.
I pre-ordered the new Battlefield Vietnam, only about 7 sleeps until it arrives.
Diana and Hannah were worried when I asked to borrow Hannah's clear nail polish. It's to protect my nail that I hit with a hammer on New Year's day, it's starting to break up a bit around the trailing edge of the injury and the polish should stop it coming apart.
We spent most of the weekend standing over Rory making him do his sodding school project. I don't know about him, but I am not sure me and Diana can handle the pressure. It's due on Friday. We finished the effort at about 9:30 last night making an unusual container for maths.
LOCAL NEWS
Well, as you can imagine, there was absolutely no news in New Zealand on Monday, other than the Oscars. Poor old Keisha Castle-Hughes didn't win, but I didn't think she would. I should have put money on Charlize Theron winning, I knew she would. Meanwhile, The Return Of The King scored 11 from 11 awards so the news on Monday night was nothing but. If I was the prime minister, I would have released all the bad news I had and come clean on every scandal I could that day as it just wouldn't have made the news. Billy Crystal said at one point "It's official, there is nobody left in New Zealand to thank."
Warren Berryman, a guy that my Dad used to work with, that I knew reasonably well, died this week. He was a journalist, published the Independent for a good ten years or more. He was a pretty gravelly kind of guy, not known for subtlety.
The government have listed towns that are poor employment zones and/or with a lack of public transport and people on the dole can't go live there to ensure they aren't offered work. People already living in these locations aren't required to move out, they are allowed to move there if they have a job offer or the ability to commute to work elsewhere. Can't quite decide whether this is a good thing or completely fascist. Some towns are very unhappy about being on the list.
The break-up of David Tua and his manager and trainer became big news with details of the money leakage and likely defalcations that were going on. Do they figure boxers have their brains addled by boxing that they can't figure out they've been diddled?
The big disappearing gun on north head is being restored and test fired this weekend. It was installed because they thought Russians were planning an invasion in the late 1880s (seems nobody told Russia about the plan).
Some 61 cars have been broken into in Taupo in recent weeks, police have told people to leave someone with their car when they park it. I suspect it is the work of one deranged person (or someone who owns a glass company). Perhaps they might consider catching them?
WORLD NEWS
John Kerry will challenge the might of the intellectually challenged GW.
I have stopped talking about Iraq because it just isn't good. The wall in Israel also seems like a really bad idea.
Martha Stewart was found guilty. Sometimes celebrities think they are bigger than the law. She has discovered she is not. I wish a few more did.
REAL SPORT
This week I reluctantly agreed to be 12th grade coordinator so that there is one and we can get moving. There is a trial this Tuesday. Got Rory some new boots. I also agreed to coach Hannah's team, but not Rory's. Cannot be done with their games likely to be at similar times now. I will have to have a good backup on match day to see Rory's whole game sometimes. Hannah will have trials sometime, she will be in a girl's team, her first year on full-sized pitches.
SPORT
Some fake journalist snuck into the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix press conference, and asked Juan Mantoya something like this: "Juan, one wonders if you want to be number one in formula one, you would be one happy Juan if you won race one." and so on, it was quite a lot longer. Silly, but clever too.
The Black Caps won the final ODI and took the series 5-1, which moved them up to number 4 on the ODI rankings.
Man Utd beat Fulham in the FA Cup 2-1, Arsenal beat Portsmouth 5-0 or something. Not sure about the next round but could be Man Utd Arsenal final. Sunderland is through, neither Milwall or Tranmere could find the back of the net and they will re-play.
The New Zealand teams had better luck in the Super 12 this week, the Chiefs are the best New Zealand team after beating the Blues.
Cameron Brown won his fourth consecutive Ironman in Taupo this weekend. They didn't mention if his car was okay.
Italy beat Scotland and Ireland beat England in the six nations rugby. First loss for the Poms in 22 matches.
MY SAD LIFE
Gavin's Mum fractured a rib in a car accident early in the week, but she's okay. He didn't mention how the car was.
Forgot to mention Kathryn's comment when they visited last weekend, when she saw the cat scratching pole I made. "We've got a spare proper one in the cupboard if you want it." she said callously, shooting my confidence in my scratching pole construction abilities down in flames. Naturally, I politely declined the offer, given that we already have a proper one that is H5 treated and likely to survive a nuclear war.
Ollie the kitten steadily improved all week. They now chase each other around and beat each other up something shocking. They have been slowly exploring outside world, which they find to be hugely entertaining. They were absolutely bonkers on Sunday and just wouldn't come inside, even though they must have been knackered. They have started climbing the fences, Pandora got onto the shed (Amber's old haunt) and they both got up the archway and sat in the bird's nest.
On Tuesday, the bridge was blocked due to a moronic truck driver. I stayed and audioed in to my meeting for the morning and went over for the afternoon session. As I rang off, I said "that should give me time to get out of my dressing gown and drive over". (The irony of this will not be lost on some of you who have known me a long time.) At least I didn't say "put my trousers on".
Had a bit of a day on Thursday. After an interminable audio meeting, I had to answer the door. I went around the side and there were two Jehovah's Witnesses (who hadn't actually seen Jehovah personally, always a disappointment to me). I knew one, said hello. Then I spotted the front door was open. Asked them if it was open when they arrived and they said it was but they hadn't gone in. I said that's not what I meant, have you seen any small kittens wandering around. They said no, and I was able to convince them that I was pretty busy looking for lost kittens. They were in the house, so that was okay. Then I had a psychotic session of calling people, missing calls, hanging up on them accidentally, returning calls and being told they were in meetings when they just called me, and missing other calls. At the end of that I called Diana on her mobile and asked would she be home soon, said I needed a lie down and could she make me a coffee.
Koos is alive, he emailed me to prove it. Well, I think it was him, it could have been someone pretending to be him. He said he cut his finger, needed stitches, but not as bad as Ad did.
Roger/Shin - how's the foetus? Must be large bump by now.
My Telecommunications code is now being released for public comment, about bloody time.
I pre-ordered the new Battlefield Vietnam, only about 7 sleeps until it arrives.
Diana and Hannah were worried when I asked to borrow Hannah's clear nail polish. It's to protect my nail that I hit with a hammer on New Year's day, it's starting to break up a bit around the trailing edge of the injury and the polish should stop it coming apart.
We spent most of the weekend standing over Rory making him do his sodding school project. I don't know about him, but I am not sure me and Diana can handle the pressure. It's due on Friday. We finished the effort at about 9:30 last night making an unusual container for maths.
1 March 2004
Well, a week is a bloody long time for a kitten - 01/03/04
NEWS
The Oscars are today, the excitement in New Zealand is tedious. I have a serious amount of doubt about whether the Academy Awards are meaningful of anything, and wonder why people who live in a high-profile world need even more recognition for what they do. Nevertheless, there are some New Zealanders in the running, and I wish them luck I suppose (not that they would care either way). A couple of my clients are closing the offices at 2pm to watch it.
Labour has been going in circles, after doing a humongous number of u-turns on policy this week in an attempt to recover their popularity. News has been full of it, and quite repetitive.
Rain and wind has been hammering us in the northern north island the last few days. We just about have water lillies growing in puddles. There has been flooding, the Tongariro river burst it's banks in Turangi, over a 1000 homes lost power in Howick, trees down everywhere. Nasty. They're still getting over the last one in the southern North Island, I don't think they go it so bad this weekend.
The thing with the police has gone quiet, but a judge has been accused of something now, from a couple of years ago. Not sure if it is credible. I don't know if it is people seeking publicity or what. It doesn't seem related to seeking justice.
Reactions to the polls and possible racial tensions are in the news but that is mostly bollocks. There are no racial tensions as such on an interpersonal level, the tension is more between idiots that don't care what colour people's skin is.
WORLD NEWS
It's big Tuesday in the presidential primaries, but John Kerry looks like he'll do the business.
SPORT
The Black Caps won again mid-week, taking them to a 3-1 lead. They have never beaten South Africa in an sort of series (ODI or tests). Their fifth game was on Saturday in Auckland but was postponed to Sunday and shortened to 33 overs because of weather. The South Africans needed 31 off the last over, scored one run off one ball, needed 30 from five balls. Got another single. That meant they could not win, barring extras. So Kyle Mills bowled a no-ball which was hit for six - giving them seven runs and still four balls to go - all of a sudden, they could do it. They got two sixes in the next two balls. Down to 11 runs off two balls. The next ball was worth a couple, so he had to just bowl straight and properly and he did. Killer final over, still could have lost on the second to last ball. They have now won their first series against the South Africans and they did it without too much assistance from the weather (if the game on Sunday had been cancelled they would have had an unbeatable lead of 3-1 with one game left). They are winning the series 4-1 now with one game left.
Man United blew a 1-0 lead to salvage a disappointing 1-1 draw at Fulham. The cat enjoyed the game, though (Pandora) - she tried to hit the ball and the players for about fifteen minutes. Arsenal beat Charlton so Man United are knackered this season. This morning Leeds drew with Liverpool, who are having a shite season. Newcastle drew with Portsmouth.
The Blues came from behind to win against the Crusaders at Jade Stadium on Friday night. Not sure what else happened in the Super 12, but the Blues were the only team to get a win so it isn't going well.
MY SAD LIFE
Been a hell of a week for one of our kittens. By Wednesday it became clear that Ollie was ill. He went to the vet Thursday and then stayed there Friday night, feline enteritis probably and very, very, unwell. Lost 10% of his bodyweight in 24 hours. But Saturday we got the call and it was okay to pick him up. We weren't confident we were going to see him again on Friday night. On Sunday he was eating well and much happier, he hadn't purred for a couple of days. Diana has worked really hard on looking after him, and the rest of us have helped out. It was close to the worst of when the kids were sick (even when Rory had the coughing thing and couldn't keep food down when he was about three).
The kittens made their first forays into the outside world on Sunday, Ollie handled it quite well, Pandora goes quite scatty. I got her down from one tree and she was generally hard to get hold of to return inside.
Gavin has been looking at buying or starting a gaming-style store. He's been doing research in the last couple of weeks and a decision might happen this week. Been picking Ross and Kath's collective brains, doing numbers in Excel, looking at all sorts of things.
Still no sign of Koos.
My friend Matt returned from Orlando, Florida, with a small package for me - a life-size rubber head of an alien from Bad Taste, Peter Jackson's first film. It's way cool. I will try to build a head for it to go on. Diana won't wear it to bed, don't know why. We got to see Ivanka's VW Beetle, it's a revolting pale lime green colour (it's a colour used in a lot of art-deco stuff, note I am not using "gay colours" if you use words like revolting in describing a colour it's okay.
Rory finally got a chance to have a crack at a hundred timestable questions at school and completed it in 2:16, not a bad time. It's about as good as he has done at home.
Saw the Goodins over the weekend for the first time since Penny went home, we've all been busy I guess. The kids have noticeably grown, Catie's sentences are getting longer and more prescriptive. They had a bath at our place because their hot water turned off in the storm (ripple switches react wrongly, happened to Gavin last weekend). Thomas brought over this weird stuff that you make dinosaur skeletons out of (they went to the dinosaur exhibition at Te Papa last weekend).
Hannah went shopping for clothes with a friend on Saturday, returned with some funky blue hipsters and toe-socks. She's already started the "let's go to the mall" thing.
Rory and I braved diabolical weather on Saturday night and went to see Timeline together. A good movie, I read Paul's copy of the book. Not true to the book but well done, nevertheless. It was nice to do something with him, I feel like I've hardly seen the kids lately.
Off for a quick walk with Diana now, if she can get organised....
The Oscars are today, the excitement in New Zealand is tedious. I have a serious amount of doubt about whether the Academy Awards are meaningful of anything, and wonder why people who live in a high-profile world need even more recognition for what they do. Nevertheless, there are some New Zealanders in the running, and I wish them luck I suppose (not that they would care either way). A couple of my clients are closing the offices at 2pm to watch it.
Labour has been going in circles, after doing a humongous number of u-turns on policy this week in an attempt to recover their popularity. News has been full of it, and quite repetitive.
Rain and wind has been hammering us in the northern north island the last few days. We just about have water lillies growing in puddles. There has been flooding, the Tongariro river burst it's banks in Turangi, over a 1000 homes lost power in Howick, trees down everywhere. Nasty. They're still getting over the last one in the southern North Island, I don't think they go it so bad this weekend.
The thing with the police has gone quiet, but a judge has been accused of something now, from a couple of years ago. Not sure if it is credible. I don't know if it is people seeking publicity or what. It doesn't seem related to seeking justice.
Reactions to the polls and possible racial tensions are in the news but that is mostly bollocks. There are no racial tensions as such on an interpersonal level, the tension is more between idiots that don't care what colour people's skin is.
WORLD NEWS
It's big Tuesday in the presidential primaries, but John Kerry looks like he'll do the business.
SPORT
The Black Caps won again mid-week, taking them to a 3-1 lead. They have never beaten South Africa in an sort of series (ODI or tests). Their fifth game was on Saturday in Auckland but was postponed to Sunday and shortened to 33 overs because of weather. The South Africans needed 31 off the last over, scored one run off one ball, needed 30 from five balls. Got another single. That meant they could not win, barring extras. So Kyle Mills bowled a no-ball which was hit for six - giving them seven runs and still four balls to go - all of a sudden, they could do it. They got two sixes in the next two balls. Down to 11 runs off two balls. The next ball was worth a couple, so he had to just bowl straight and properly and he did. Killer final over, still could have lost on the second to last ball. They have now won their first series against the South Africans and they did it without too much assistance from the weather (if the game on Sunday had been cancelled they would have had an unbeatable lead of 3-1 with one game left). They are winning the series 4-1 now with one game left.
Man United blew a 1-0 lead to salvage a disappointing 1-1 draw at Fulham. The cat enjoyed the game, though (Pandora) - she tried to hit the ball and the players for about fifteen minutes. Arsenal beat Charlton so Man United are knackered this season. This morning Leeds drew with Liverpool, who are having a shite season. Newcastle drew with Portsmouth.
The Blues came from behind to win against the Crusaders at Jade Stadium on Friday night. Not sure what else happened in the Super 12, but the Blues were the only team to get a win so it isn't going well.
MY SAD LIFE
Been a hell of a week for one of our kittens. By Wednesday it became clear that Ollie was ill. He went to the vet Thursday and then stayed there Friday night, feline enteritis probably and very, very, unwell. Lost 10% of his bodyweight in 24 hours. But Saturday we got the call and it was okay to pick him up. We weren't confident we were going to see him again on Friday night. On Sunday he was eating well and much happier, he hadn't purred for a couple of days. Diana has worked really hard on looking after him, and the rest of us have helped out. It was close to the worst of when the kids were sick (even when Rory had the coughing thing and couldn't keep food down when he was about three).
The kittens made their first forays into the outside world on Sunday, Ollie handled it quite well, Pandora goes quite scatty. I got her down from one tree and she was generally hard to get hold of to return inside.
Gavin has been looking at buying or starting a gaming-style store. He's been doing research in the last couple of weeks and a decision might happen this week. Been picking Ross and Kath's collective brains, doing numbers in Excel, looking at all sorts of things.
Still no sign of Koos.
My friend Matt returned from Orlando, Florida, with a small package for me - a life-size rubber head of an alien from Bad Taste, Peter Jackson's first film. It's way cool. I will try to build a head for it to go on. Diana won't wear it to bed, don't know why. We got to see Ivanka's VW Beetle, it's a revolting pale lime green colour (it's a colour used in a lot of art-deco stuff, note I am not using "gay colours" if you use words like revolting in describing a colour it's okay.
Rory finally got a chance to have a crack at a hundred timestable questions at school and completed it in 2:16, not a bad time. It's about as good as he has done at home.
Saw the Goodins over the weekend for the first time since Penny went home, we've all been busy I guess. The kids have noticeably grown, Catie's sentences are getting longer and more prescriptive. They had a bath at our place because their hot water turned off in the storm (ripple switches react wrongly, happened to Gavin last weekend). Thomas brought over this weird stuff that you make dinosaur skeletons out of (they went to the dinosaur exhibition at Te Papa last weekend).
Hannah went shopping for clothes with a friend on Saturday, returned with some funky blue hipsters and toe-socks. She's already started the "let's go to the mall" thing.
Rory and I braved diabolical weather on Saturday night and went to see Timeline together. A good movie, I read Paul's copy of the book. Not true to the book but well done, nevertheless. It was nice to do something with him, I feel like I've hardly seen the kids lately.
Off for a quick walk with Diana now, if she can get organised....
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