Welcome to Rory Hughes, residing in Adelaide. I have known Rory since before our Rory was born, and although little Rory wasn't strictly named after big Rory, he was part of the inspiration for the name via a friend of Diana's. Only thing is that I am wondering how soon we have to swap titles, as little Rory is five foot six and gaining fast.
LOCAL NEWS
The dreaded seabed and foreshore legislation has been pushed through parliament this week. I try to insulate you from it all, to be honest I am not sure of many of the details. It seems many Maori feel they should own the whole coastline, which isn't going to happen.
The republic debate has come up again, but again seems like it will take years before action. I really don't understand why it is an issue at all.
Huge news late in the week coming from our courts. Firstly, Donna Awatere Huata was found to have no justification for staying in Parliament after being expelled by ACT. Secondly, on the same day, the father of a (basically brain dead) five month old girl was acquitted of murder. This was a strange case. He had admitted suffocating her, and so I don't really understand how he could be not guilty. The girl was diagnosed as having the brain development of a 14 week old foetus (which qualified her to run for Parliament) but her outlook was not good and would have been better of if she had not survived. It creates all sorts of issues about disabled people, however, and a number of other ethical conundrums. Many groups were not happy with the verdict.
An NZ woman was in the paper this week, because she has been breastfeeding a puppy. Yuck.
Another NZ woman was attacked by a jaguar in South Africa whilst filming a natural history documentary, she should be okay.
WORLD NEWS
The shooting of a wounded man in Fallujah was not good PR for the US. However, stories of guys popping out of doorways with video cameras three times then popping out with a missile on their shoulder suggests they aren't fighting too clean themselves. It is not something the US are going to get out of gracefully.
Margaret Hussan seems to have been killed by kidnappers who haven't got much of a sense of discretion or appropriateness. What a mess.
The test scramjet was way cool, hitting nearly Mach 10 and going about 11,000 kilometres an hour. A plane with those engines would get you from Auckland to LA in about eight hours (one hour flying, one sitting on the runway, one hour standing in queues at each end of the flight, four hours waiting around pointlessly in airports).
REAL SPORT
(sorry it is so long today)
Rory's U14C team played their own club's U14B team on Monday night. The boys were expecting to lose, although the coaches weren't so sure. They got an early lead, 5-1 at the end of the 1st quarter, but were pegged back to 9-9 by the end of the 3rd. In the fourth, U14C powered ahead and won 12-9, a very good result and their first win. Rory asked Henry (who changed from C to B) if he was still happy he moved, which was not very nice but pretty appropriate. Rory scored one goal. They play a Sacred Heart team tonight.
Friday it was announced at school that Rory (& David) won a petanque competition (they called themselves "balls of steel". Rory didn't seem to know there had been one.
Friday was also the big night of finals for the Western Intermediate Water Polo League. Team 3 played first in the playoff for third and fourth, we came early to support them, they were up against an under strength Glen Eden side, and won 7-3. Team 2 then played for the Div 2 final against St Dominics. It was close, I have to tell you that, but they won 3-2 (Rory scored one, and set up a second). The score went 1-0, 1-1, 1-2, 2-2, 3-2, it was damn close. The kids were absolutely stoked that they won.
We all stuck around for the prize giving, which meant we got to see Team 1 play off in the final, too. They clung on at 2-2, but then drifted and lost 6-3, I think. So final results for Ponsonby were a 1st and 3rd in Div 2, and a 2nd in Div 1.
At the prizegiving, after handing out the trophies to the two winning teams, they gave out a few personal awards, and Rory was given Most Valuable Player for the whole of 2nd Division! He was pretty stoked, got a medal for his efforts. Matty from Team 1 got Most Promising in Div 1. If there was any doubt about it before, it was eliminated that night, Rory's preferred sport is definitely Water Polo.
He has a game tonight and a tournament over four days for school starting on Thursday.
SPORT
The first test between NZ and Australia started on Thursday. There was a general feeling it was always going to be tough (with our best three bowlers out with injury). There were lots of comments about whether it would last five days. It didn't. The fourth day wasn't pretty.
The Silver Ferns won the second netball test. They lost the third 51-53 and therefore the series 1-2.
The All Blacks played Wales and won 26-25, poor Wales haven't beaten the All Blacks in 51 years. France lost to Argentina, we play them next weekend.
Man Uted beat Charlton 2-0, Arsenal drew 1-1 with West Brom. Liverpool lost 0-2 to Middlesborough, Newcastle beat Crystal Palace 2-0.
The Kiwis lost to Great Britain, again.
MY SAD LIFE
Hannah has a special role in her dance show, in the "We're in the Money" number. Very excited about it.
Pandora got shut in a kitchen cupboard. We wondered why Ollie was sitting, staring at a cupboard, then we heard a noise from within.
Then Ollie went missing on Saturday night, didn't show up for breakfast on Sunday (very unusual, loves his food). No sign of him by Sunday night. We were worried but tried to play it down because Hannah was worried and we didn't want her to be. My theory was he could be stuck in the garage next door, because they were out all day on Sunday. The kids went next door and asked, but the neighbours didn't actually open the garage to check. This morning, still no sign, and when I went to get the paper about 6am, Pandora seemed to be looking for him. Diana went and checked the boot of my car, and came inside disappointed. Just then, I heard a squeak, I sent Diana back out and he was at the back door just before 7am. The garage door next door was open, which suggests I may have been correct. He was hungry but not sure whether to cuddle Hannah or eat. His collar is missing, but that doesn't matter. Hannah is very happy, Diana and I are greatly relieved.
We had lunch with Scott, Sarah, and Judy on Sunday. It's Judy's birthday today (happy birthday).
The swimming continues. Hannah did fifty lengths on Wednesday, Rory did eighty. I did my highest on Sunday with 62 (over 1500m). Been trying to improve Rory's diving (he can't dive for nuts), it is improving.
Rory had to write a personal account for school, due to be handed in this week. He chose to do it on Ross Cole, who died a year ago tomorrow. It was very sad. A lot has happened in that year. The homework is starting to peter out as we get closer to the end of the year.
The winners of the architecture/maths thing at school were supposed to be announced last Friday, but they weren't. Rory thinks he has a shot at a mention.
You still have time to post me a birthday present if you are quick.
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