28 March 2005

Supposed Stem Cell Success and News Wars at 7pm - 28/03/05

LOCAL NEWS

We were peppered with reports on the progress of the motor neurone lady and the stem cell operation. She had the operation, she woke up, she smiled, she stopped dribbling, she ate food. Then it went quiet for a couple of days. She started talking but I couldn't understand her. The whole thing was a bit weird.

John Campbell's new show broke a story about people buying real NZ drivers licenses without passing the practical test. Not only was it enabling people to get a valid license for $400 but it must have had some implications for people getting a dodgy ID. An ex-traffic officer was the first to be arrested. Ratings of the three competing shows continue to be news all week, with Holmes the third place at a dismal 3.5% or thereabouts.

A so-called prominent person had their name and occupation suppressed and when he was bailed got thumped by someone who obviously knew what he was up to. The man had been charged with molesting a child under 12 years old. He got thumped sort of one and a half times, and whinged pathetically on the footage, which blurred his face but you could hear how wimpy he was. Very interesting situation, the assaulter was later charged with assault and the court took a dim view of people dishing out bush justice when they disagree with the court's decisions.

An escapee from custody hid in a ceiling above a toilet which collapsed onto a woman who was using it. She was largely unhurt and he was subsequently caught.

We had our first rally for transgender rights. Not entirely sure what they want, but they do cause some issue at the pool changing rooms.

The samurai guy was found guilty, despite having tried to prove he was not due to insanity. Given that excessive alcohol is not an excuse for killing people whilst driving, taking P is not a valid defence for squirting people with an Uzi. This was the guy that looked bonkers on the first day, eyes darting everywhere, but he ran out of steam and they slowed down a lot.

Auckland City Council appear to have decided that the answer to our traffic problems is not improving public transport, but to prevent people from bringing their 4wds into the city. They will prevent this by making car parking spaces smaller. I am not sure what they expect people with large cars like Falcons and Commodores to do, but consider that this will also have an impact on people with medium sized cars who are crap at parking. I suspect this idea was sponsored by the association of panel beaters.

Easter Road Toll not good, with some clown boy racer starting the tally killing himself and three mates in Pukekohe.

WORLD NEWS

The rampage in Redlake, Minnesota where nine died got plenty of coverage. Hard to do it if you don't have a gun. Haven't heard of it happening with an electric breadknife, I am sure. He was supposedly a neo-nazi, but that has probably as much to do with it as which football team he supported. Why does this never seem to happen outside the US?

Terri Shiavo continues to be a household name, as does her feeding tube. I wouldn't want my life covered in such detail as that.

The Pope is still with us.

REAL SPORT

Massive disappointment when water polo practice didn't start this week. Worse still, it doesn't start this week either.

First soccer matches are next weekend. Hannah's team beat a 12th grade team 1-0 in a friendly.

SPORT

The cricket has three days to go.

England beat N. Ireland 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier. Czech Republic beat Finland 4-3. Poland won 8-0 over Azerbaijan. Greece beat Georgia 3-1.

I am not sure what happened in Super 12. Blues had a bye so I didn't really pay attention. The Brumbies lost, which was a surprise.

MY SAD LIFE

I forgot a couple of important things last week:
- it was Koos's 40th birthday on Thursday, but I did email him.
- Diana traipsed halfway across Auckland to redeem a $50 meat voucher from her prize and they wouldn't take it. She then talked to them last Monday about it (and nothing has happened since).
- I got a parking ticket outside Allan's house for parking on the footpath (it is the best way to ensure you don't get hit, the road is pretty narrow)
- I forgot to say hello to Friede, Diana's cousin who lives near Dargaville who now gets this.

Diana's car blew a radiator hose on Thursday night, which meant we were down to one car the whole long weekend. This became a real pain in the neck as we needed to do different things at the same time. Mostly Diana seemed to be picking me up, which was becoming tedious for her. That was the third thing involving pipes, after the dishwasher and an incident with the washing machine.

It's funny how hard it is to get information out of the kids. I walked Hannah home from school when she got back from camp, and got a little out of her but not much. But later, at the pool, she would mention something else almost every time she stopped at the end of the pool for a rest.

Saw lots of people who get this email over the weekend:
- Brett is back here for a bit from Perth, has handed in his thesis, and is having a break. Went to the pub with him and Allan for lunch in Devonport.
- Jono popped in, over from Sydney for the weekend.
- Friede popped in with Nicky and Doug (who is up for a holiday from Wellington).
- Didn't actually see Charles, but he is here and may see him tomorrow.

Rory, let me know how things are going in Adelaide. Cecilia was asking after you the other day and I couldn't tell her a thing.

Meanwhile, our Rory's life continues to go very well. He led his class to win the class softball championship this week, hitting two home runs from two turns at bat, which also got three others home. His form teacher was rapt because it is the first time his class has won a class championship, and it was especially sweet because the "brainy class" don't often win sports things. We also found out he is going on to the next level of swim champs this coming Wednesday. On Thursday they played the teachers, and lost, but Rory go two more home runs. That is four from four in two games (they only have time for two innings). Hard to do a lot better than that, although it is a tactical error to put your home run hitter up first, you should really load the bases before they bat.

I took Rory and Nanny to the last session of the first day of the cricket. Nanny loves her cricket and we got to see Warne, Gillespie, and McGrath bowl and saw Fleming get his 50 and then go out.

I posted my first negative feedback on eBay this week (haven't posted negative on trademe, probably should have). Instantly got the revenge attack negative from the clown I was having problems with. It was expected. Gavin is going a bit funny on trademe, bought some women's clothing, he reckons it was for Robyn but I am not convinced.

We went bowling with Gavin on Sunday night, then had a game of mini-golf. Hannah was struggling with the bowling but this alley had bumpers that would come up only for selected players which was quite cool. Rory got two strikes in a row then missed with the next two shots. I didn't get a strike or a spare but still just beat Rory in a dismal game. Gavin got a turkey (three strikes in a row).

No comments: