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.
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