Again, hello from the future (ghost music) to all those the opposite side of the planet. We are holidaying in exotic Pukehina until Friday, pretty sure we won't have internet access.
LOCAL NEWS
We have been starved of local news, it all centred around the NZ angle on the Tsunami thing (likewise in other countries). Things like the holiday road toll and the road toll for the year seemed pretty petty in comparison.
The usual New Years honours thing happened. I know a guy made either an officer or a member of the order of New Zealand.
Paul Holmes flipped his biplane, but escaped before the fuel could catch fire. He hurt his knee and broke a fingernail (not joking, he really did break a fingernail). He's had a few prangs in light aircraft.
Helen Clark came home from her holiday early. Is there no end to the damage the Tsunami can cause?
WORLDS NEWS
I don't want to sound insensitive but I have some problems with the extent of the reporting about the Tsunami. Firstly, it was the entire front page of the paper for five or six days (and a good three or four pages at the front). Second, why do tin-pot countries like New Zealand need to send their own news crews to the place. Surely the accomodation, food, and other resources they will take could be better used by aid workers or the victims? One talking head needs probably three others in support (sound, camera, producer). TVNZ had two crews up there, TV3 may have sent some too. Adding to that, the Sri Lankan cricket team eventually decided to go home because of it. Again, aren't they better off keeping away and not using resources there? Also, it might be nice for survivors to have some cricket to watch.
When I mentioned the Tsunami in Indonesia, I had forgotten that Brett was in Bali, although I don't think he was in any danger.
SPORT
The Poms just missed out winning their 9th straight test, bad light robbed them of 15 overs on the 5th day when the South Africans only had two wickets left.
The Aussies beat the Pakis again (no surprise) to win five test series in one calendar year.
Man Utd won 1-0 midweek against Villa, all the leaders won, I think (exept Everton). The Arse beat Newcastle 1-0.
MY SAD LIFE
Hannah got Singstar for Christmas (a karaoke thing for PS2) and Sunday night was a scary night of off-tune song. Hannah was kicking butt on "Video Killed the Radio Star" then she made me do the female bit and I got the high score (it wasn't pretty, trust me).
Been swimming a fair bit in the last week. Can't do that while we are away (not in a pool, anyway). When bribed, both kids did good times in the pool. Hannah shaved about 1.5 seconds off her best to do a length in 23.87 seconds. Rory couldn't crack 17 seconds, which isn't very good for him, but I got him to race against another water polo player who we see practicing in the pool and he did 15.42 seconds (his target is 15).
Haven’t really achieved very much this week, spent a couple of days geeking with the lads, and did a bit of work. Veged out one day and watched a couple of movies when I had a sore knee and the weather was rubbish.
My friend Barbara was recovering nicely but things turned to crap on Christmas Day. She appeared to have had a stroke but they think it is something different with similar impact. They didn't say growths in her brain but possibly lesions or blockages. She's suffering from some classic signs of a stroke, droopy mouth, weakness in right hand, couldn't see out of right eye, but she can't figure out how to answer her cellphone which makes communication difficult.
Rory got bad news from school, his form teacher is leaving and he isn't very keen on his new form teacher.
Penny has her birthday on Monday, the ripe old age of 37. Tania gets married next Saturday (I hate weddings).
I have made no progress on resolutions. Maybe they will come later.
I hope 2005 is a good year for you all.
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