LOCAL NEWS
A female German backpacker was found dead in a Taranaki National Park. Not good for New Zealand's image. No wonder Namibia and Ecuador rate higher than New Zealand for tourists.
Cabinet Minister Jim Anderton was walking with his wife when they rescued a homeless man who was bleeding profusely from a cut in his arm. They applied a tourniquet and called emergency services. The man recovered. Shame he didn't do that a couple of days before the election, he might have got more votes.
Keith Locke, a Green Party candidate for the much-contested Epsom seat, vowed he would walk the streets of Newmarket if Rodney Hyde won. It was probably the best thing anyone did for Rodney, because the statement made the news big time. However, the people of Epsom must be considered to be of dubious taste if they felt that it was worth getting Rodney to make Keith expose himself. Over the weekend he walked the streets very semi-naked. Was wearing a g-string, a body painted suit, and a big smile.
Shocking news for Pisceans in the Herald on Friday, their prediction was omitted from the horoscope. Twenty confused and directionless Pisceans rang them for guidance.
Apparently 4 million people visited the New Zealand stand at the World Expo in Japan. I didn't even know it was on, it closed over the weekend. I didn't even know they still did World Expos. Funny, they used to make big fuss of them, but haven't heard anything for years.
The announcement of the final vote count is this coming Saturday at 2pm, so election coverage is ramping up again already this morning, it's been directionless and quiet for the last few days.
WORLD NEWS
We got blow by blow (sorry) coverage of the next hurricane heading towards the southern US. I heard someone called Rita being told that they knew why the hurricane was named after her on Thursday, which was interesting (obviously everyone had heard about it). Damage was not as bad as feared, but New Orleans got wet again.
Navy killer dolphins have escaped because of the hurricane. They are armed with some sort of tranquilliser darts. It's nearly as cool as the sharks with lasers on Austin Powers.
Model Kate Moss was in the news a lot because she has been caught taking cocaine. Interesting concept.
Scientists in Australia have found that sheep are smarter than they thought. Not sure why they want more intelligent wool and meat, but they want to breed smarter ones.
There was a survey released this week that said that Australians like New Zealanders. Many saw this as surprising. I think the statement was missing a word. It was actually "Australians like BEATING New Zealanders".
REAL SPORT
No games to speak of this week or the next two.
Rory went and trained with the Western Springs College teams on Thursday. They are low on numbers and resorting to kids that are going to go there to help out. I ended up coaching them for a while, which was bizarre. He won't be able to play for them every week, because it may clash with the Intermediate League. He knows a couple of people in the two teams.
SPORT
Wellington narrowly lost to Canterbury in a shield challenge 14-15. Northland lost to Auckland 53-7 (they have lost something like 27 games in a row). Otago beat Taranaki, Southland beat BOP, North Harbour beat Waikato who aren't doing well.
The Presidents Cup in golf is pretty tight with one day to play. Michael Campbell is playing.
Wests are into the grand final, as are the North Queensland Cowboys (who downed the Eels 29-0).
The Swans won the AFL final.
Home advantage paid off when New Zealanders won the World Mountain Running titles in Wellington over the weekend.
Sunderland beat Middlesbrough 2-0, Chelsea beat Villa 2-1, Liverpool drew 2-2 with the Brummies, Man Utd lost 1-2 to Blackburn at Old Trafford.
The New Zealand team came third in the first A1 race.
MY SAD LIFE
A funny sort of week. Been in considerable pain, the left side of my mouth. Didn't think it was teeth but eventually decided it must be so went to the Dentist on Saturday. It wasn't teeth. Was the cheapest visit to the dentist for a while, $60 including drugs. Was much happier afterward, despite nothing being done by the dentist. The pain is considerably less now.
We brought home the 2D Rory on Thursday, from the show. It's big. The eyes aren't even the thumb on the left hand is on the wrong side. It's still pretty cool.
Rory spent Saturday working as an extra on a TV commercial. It was boring but he made $100. He then went to a friends house afterward. The house seemed very quiet that day.
Hannah got honours for her tap dance exam, she was happy. She got two new pairs of shoes, too, she was very happy.
It was Scott's birthday on Sunday. Wedding plans appear to be under control.
Saw Allan on Sunday, for first time in ages. He said Brett is coming back to live in Auckland from Perth. He also said he was in Melbourne at the moment. Allan has been working in Sydney a lot lately.
I went for a bike ride with Hannah on Sunday and we saw this man who was a little strange, to say the least. Hannah remembered him from a trip to the domain about a year ago. Nobody seemed to be keeping an eye on him, he was sort of quoting "Hansel and Gretal". Hannah was pretty worried about him, but I think he is
harmless enough.
Julie and Marissa arrive on Thursday, I think. No news of Jana yet, visa has not shown up.
Had Gavin and Koos over on Saturday night. Was meant to be sort of a last chance blokes night out. Except we didn't go out. Alcohol was consumed, not excessively.
I am off to San Francisco end of next week to visit Paul. Roger was there last week. He gets a lot of visitors.
The kids are veging in front of cathode ray tubes, might have to yell at them to go get breakfast. Diana is working only two days each week for the holidays.
Oh well, better go do yelling.
26 September 2005
19 September 2005
A mini-9/11 (almost), Cambo wins the World Matchplay, Hannah turns 11 - 19/09/05
Weather has been awful. Really hasn't been any for about three weeks. We have plenty now. Wet, windy, cold, snow down south. It felt like first day of summer last Monday. Today feels like middle of winter. I am seriously thinking about cancelling today and returning to bed.
LOCAL NEWS
Bizarre incident on election night. A flying instructor took a light plane and threatened to crash it into the sky tower in the city. Any chance of winning his love back was severely reduced from this action, and then he ditched the plane in the water off Mission Bay. He was hurt, but not seriously. The news services were very disappointed. Such an even would be heavily covered on any night other than election night. Police said they couldn't do anything about it while he was in the air, not sure what they want, perhaps some fighter planes or anti-aircraft weapons? They called it a 9/11 style attack, well perhaps vaguely in the style, but I am not sure a four person plane would have the same impact as a jumbo jet (pardon the pun).
A young child died of her injuries, police trying to figure out who did the damage. It will be family or stepfather, would put money on it.
A man closed half of Tauranga on Thursday, which was a good thing with some of the electoral happenings in Tauranga. He was barricaded in a motel with a bomb. It wasn't a bomb. The police put their lives at risk for another looney. They don't get paid enough, even with fake bombs they are still real loonies.
We had bizarre controversy about one candidate, who Winston dished the dirt on and then promptly the people of Tauranga voted Winston out in favour of the guy who reportedly talked a lot about his left testicle. Winston has been MP for Tauranga for 21 years, so that was a slap in the face for him.
The election was inconclusive, at best, with Labour ahead by one seat on election night but nearly 10% of the votes were specials that will take two weeks to finalise. The minor parties all suffered, Act, Greens, New Zealand First, United all shrank in size. The Greens could be out depending on the specials. The coalition mating dance commences prematurely, as nobody knows how many dance cards they have yet.
Election stuff reached fever pitch. One wonders why the media don't ask the really important questions. It's all a show, and the taxpayer funds it. Is freedom solely based on being subjected to election coverage? A TV interviewer called Helen Clark "Caretaker Prime Minister" this morning, she didn't look too impressed.
Again, we have to wait until October 1 for special votes. The system seems unnecessarily long-winded, but feeds the families of the commentators I suppose.
WORLD NEWS
We got no coverage of the UN convention on the millennium development goals or whatever they are called. World leaders from everywhere but New Zealand attended (they were busy with election).
REAL SPORT
Water polo Friday night included the big game, Ponsonby Red versus Waitakere Invitational 1. They had been waiting for this for the whole season. It was tight in the first quarter, was 2-2. Then it blew out in the 2nd quarter and they got a 5-2 lead. Ponsonby never caught up and final score was 6-2. This is first loss for Ponsonby Red, but it was against the hand picked club team.
Hannah's team , Waitak 2, was playing a pretty good team, they are having a tough time. Final score was 2-7 to St Marys 1.
We stayed and watched Gold, my hobby team, they won 9-2, which was an excellent result for them. They have won about three or four in a row now.
SPORT
New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell has stumbled his way through the World Match Play Championship to win a cheque for one million pounds.
The Aucks lost to Taranaki, 19-40. Canterbury defended the shield and beat Waikato. North Harbour thumped BOP 41-8, Wellington beat Southland 53-12, Otago never really let Northland into the game with a 41-3 win.
Man Utd drew 0-0 with Liverpool. Newcastle won their first game of the season 3-0 over Blackburn. Chelsea beat Charlton 2-0. Arsenal play Everton tonight.
There was a fatal accident in the WRC event in England. A co-driver died when they hit a tree, by the name of Michael Park.
MY SAD LIFE
It is last week of the term this week. One term left for the kids at their current schools.
Well, we had the birthday, which went well. We had dinner on Wednesday night. She opened the package from Australia the day before (because Rory opened his the day before). The birthday party consisted of seven girls going to the movies and then dinner afterwards on Saturday night. I took three in my car with Rory. They were very, very chatty. Rory was not enjoying it at all. He threatened them with ejection if they didn't stop talking (they didn't). I think it nearly put him off girls completely. Am seriously considering taking Hannah on a few road trips with Rory's friends to put her off boys.
Hannah now has a dress sorted for the impending wedding, Diana says she looks very grown-up in it.
Diana and I walked down to the school and cast our votes. There was a queue.
Magic the cat has arrived, and is actually only 11 (not 12) but really wants to go outside. Diana says get a collar and lead and take him for walkies.
Theoretically both Koos and Gavin have their other halves arriving this coming weekend. It will be a big weekend for both of them. I was kind of hoping to organise a "last night of freedom" night with them both, but I am not sure it will happen.
Finally listed some stuff on trademe that Rory wants to sell. We've had the photos taken since December. Not good. At least some things will be sold and we will have more space.
Our life is returning to something like normal. Busy August and early September are now complete. However, we booked some things in the diary this morning. We have Armageddon late October, a water polo tournament the following weekend, another water polo tournament first week of December.
Rory has interschool volleyball tomorrow, hope the weather is better by then.
LOCAL NEWS
Bizarre incident on election night. A flying instructor took a light plane and threatened to crash it into the sky tower in the city. Any chance of winning his love back was severely reduced from this action, and then he ditched the plane in the water off Mission Bay. He was hurt, but not seriously. The news services were very disappointed. Such an even would be heavily covered on any night other than election night. Police said they couldn't do anything about it while he was in the air, not sure what they want, perhaps some fighter planes or anti-aircraft weapons? They called it a 9/11 style attack, well perhaps vaguely in the style, but I am not sure a four person plane would have the same impact as a jumbo jet (pardon the pun).
A young child died of her injuries, police trying to figure out who did the damage. It will be family or stepfather, would put money on it.
A man closed half of Tauranga on Thursday, which was a good thing with some of the electoral happenings in Tauranga. He was barricaded in a motel with a bomb. It wasn't a bomb. The police put their lives at risk for another looney. They don't get paid enough, even with fake bombs they are still real loonies.
We had bizarre controversy about one candidate, who Winston dished the dirt on and then promptly the people of Tauranga voted Winston out in favour of the guy who reportedly talked a lot about his left testicle. Winston has been MP for Tauranga for 21 years, so that was a slap in the face for him.
The election was inconclusive, at best, with Labour ahead by one seat on election night but nearly 10% of the votes were specials that will take two weeks to finalise. The minor parties all suffered, Act, Greens, New Zealand First, United all shrank in size. The Greens could be out depending on the specials. The coalition mating dance commences prematurely, as nobody knows how many dance cards they have yet.
Election stuff reached fever pitch. One wonders why the media don't ask the really important questions. It's all a show, and the taxpayer funds it. Is freedom solely based on being subjected to election coverage? A TV interviewer called Helen Clark "Caretaker Prime Minister" this morning, she didn't look too impressed.
Again, we have to wait until October 1 for special votes. The system seems unnecessarily long-winded, but feeds the families of the commentators I suppose.
WORLD NEWS
We got no coverage of the UN convention on the millennium development goals or whatever they are called. World leaders from everywhere but New Zealand attended (they were busy with election).
REAL SPORT
Water polo Friday night included the big game, Ponsonby Red versus Waitakere Invitational 1. They had been waiting for this for the whole season. It was tight in the first quarter, was 2-2. Then it blew out in the 2nd quarter and they got a 5-2 lead. Ponsonby never caught up and final score was 6-2. This is first loss for Ponsonby Red, but it was against the hand picked club team.
Hannah's team , Waitak 2, was playing a pretty good team, they are having a tough time. Final score was 2-7 to St Marys 1.
We stayed and watched Gold, my hobby team, they won 9-2, which was an excellent result for them. They have won about three or four in a row now.
SPORT
New Zealand golfer Michael Campbell has stumbled his way through the World Match Play Championship to win a cheque for one million pounds.
The Aucks lost to Taranaki, 19-40. Canterbury defended the shield and beat Waikato. North Harbour thumped BOP 41-8, Wellington beat Southland 53-12, Otago never really let Northland into the game with a 41-3 win.
Man Utd drew 0-0 with Liverpool. Newcastle won their first game of the season 3-0 over Blackburn. Chelsea beat Charlton 2-0. Arsenal play Everton tonight.
There was a fatal accident in the WRC event in England. A co-driver died when they hit a tree, by the name of Michael Park.
MY SAD LIFE
It is last week of the term this week. One term left for the kids at their current schools.
Well, we had the birthday, which went well. We had dinner on Wednesday night. She opened the package from Australia the day before (because Rory opened his the day before). The birthday party consisted of seven girls going to the movies and then dinner afterwards on Saturday night. I took three in my car with Rory. They were very, very chatty. Rory was not enjoying it at all. He threatened them with ejection if they didn't stop talking (they didn't). I think it nearly put him off girls completely. Am seriously considering taking Hannah on a few road trips with Rory's friends to put her off boys.
Hannah now has a dress sorted for the impending wedding, Diana says she looks very grown-up in it.
Diana and I walked down to the school and cast our votes. There was a queue.
Magic the cat has arrived, and is actually only 11 (not 12) but really wants to go outside. Diana says get a collar and lead and take him for walkies.
Theoretically both Koos and Gavin have their other halves arriving this coming weekend. It will be a big weekend for both of them. I was kind of hoping to organise a "last night of freedom" night with them both, but I am not sure it will happen.
Finally listed some stuff on trademe that Rory wants to sell. We've had the photos taken since December. Not good. At least some things will be sold and we will have more space.
Our life is returning to something like normal. Busy August and early September are now complete. However, we booked some things in the diary this morning. We have Armageddon late October, a water polo tournament the following weekend, another water polo tournament first week of December.
Rory has interschool volleyball tomorrow, hope the weather is better by then.
12 September 2005
A funny old week, really - 12/09/05
Today is our anniversary of 9/11, as it happened on the 12th in New Zealand. Is it three years or four?
LOCAL NEWS
Petrol continues to rise in price. It is beginning to really hurt some people. Can't see how inflation isn't going to begin to rise as a reaction.
The election coverage is beyond saturation, we have polls about the polls every day. I have invented a new voting system, where you have a positive vote for the party you like and a negative vote for the scariest party that you don't think should be allowed anywhere near parliament. The negatives should be added against the positives to produce winners. Some parties will have overall negative votes, but that is fine.
The election is this coming Saturday. About time, too.
Some attacking pamphlets proved to be from the Exclusive Brethren, Don denied all knowledge then admitted it, then got into hot water over it. Seems a lot of fuss over nothing to me, as anyone can say what they think and I can't see a pamphlet changing peoples votes dramatically.
A homeless man was arrested for tossing debris on the motorway from a bridge, and there has been another hammer attack on a truck driver. Remember when school arson was fashionable?
A case in court at the moment is over someone selling chicken thighs that were actually frogs legs. I guess when you receive a product you didn't order you have to be careful what you call it when it is food.
Bit of a fuss this week in the city when someone was brandishing a pistol (an air gun). Turned out to be Mark Lyon, a property developer who has fuddled his head on drugs who has been in trouble on an ongoing basis.
WORLD NEWS
The death of Bob Denver, Gilligan, got quite a bit of coverage. He was 70.
New Orleans continues to be in the news. Some people seem to be very unco-operative with authorities trying to evacuate people so that they can clean up appropriately. The flood waters sound like they are very toxic and some predictions are that it could take ten years to get New Orleans back to normal. I suspect that it will take considerably less time for it to be functioning on some basis. Imagine what is happening in terms of the City paying workers but would businesses and home owners be paying city taxes? I suspect many would not be. There will be lots of flow on economic impacts for the place.
The Japanese PM Koizumi has stormed back in to power in Japan.
REAL SPORT
Rory's team beat Rangeview Black 11-2. It was about 4-0 at the end of the first quarter. Hannah's team were playing second on table, and lost 2-9. Blue team lost 11-0 to Bruce McLaren 1.
Lots of kids from Rory's team came to a club trial on Sunday morning, which was good. Rory will enjoy having a few more familiar faces around.
SPORT
Andre Agassi made a big comeback in the US Open tennis after being down two sets.
Not looking good for Australia in the Ashes. They seemed to be catching England's first innings total but weather is making it slow progress and with only one day left England have a small lead and nine wickets in hand. Australia has run out of time, it would take a miracle for them to win from here. A draw will mean England get the Ashes for the first time in about sixteen years or so.
Auckland beat Waikato 40-30, Canterbury beat Northland (but everyone does), Wellington beat BOP, North Harbour blew a lead over Otago, and Southland beat Taranaki (and are looking better than most).
Hamish Carter came fourth in Triathlon World Champs. This qualifies him for Commonwealth Games but he wasn't happy as he has never won the World Champs.
Man Utd had 1-1 draw with Man City. Arsenal lost to Middlesbrough 1-2, which helps, but Chelsea beat Sunderland 2-0. Liverpool and Newcastle both drew their games.
MY SAD LIFE
Went to see and listen to author Eion Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl books among others. He was very entertaining. Rory got a book signed. He asked Rory how old he was, Rory replied that he had just turned thirteen. "Good God, man. You look twenty five." was his response (in an Irish accent). Rory has not removed the sideburns he grew for Bugsy Malone. Nobody touches the burns.
Much quieter weekend this weekend, thankfully.
We went to visit the Bambis. B2 is still, officially, B2. She is five months old. Lisa calls her Katie but there is considerable discussion on the matter. We tried the pick the random name thing, but they refused to call her Wayne. Sasha isn't talking much, yet. Bambi has been off getting a pyromaniac license. I am not sure the world is a safer place. His final test involved a sixteen inch diameter star shell, which failed to explode in the air. It returned to earth, landed in the water about thirty feet from him, then made the water boil when it went off. There were no reports of dead fish floating around, but it was dark. Because it didn't go off properly, the cost of the $500 firework was refunded.
I went to the soccer prize giving on Friday night. I think I have decided I will go to no more. They are stupid. Half the players don't show up, some that do go and collect awards looking like they have been mugged on the way there. I saw Billy Walker at the prize giving, he came over and said hello. He doesn't seem to have changed much. Neither of the kids could go, as they were playing water polo, so I missed two of the three games (another reason I wasn't happy with it). I think each team should have it's own thing with the whole team present. Being able to give players recognition they deserve is best done with the players they know in their team. Moan finished for the moment.
Hannah turns eleven on Wednesday. The party is on Saturday It is mostly going to be at the movies so the house won't be noisy.
Rory got distinction in the writing exam, a good result, he did quite badly in it last year. Makes up for performance in computer one this year.
Koos has shifted into his new house, and is trying to figure out ways of keeping a recovering cat from venturing too far. Magic, 12, has had a knee operation and is in transit to New Zealand from England.
Allan is still working in Sydney. We saw Emma on Tuesday night at the pool. She went over with Jacqui to do some shopping.
Saw the Goodins on Sunday. Rory was very pleased with his birthday present (we haven't really seen them properly since his birthday, which surprised me). It is unusual for him to be happy with clothes but the sweatshirt is one where the zip goes all the way to the top of the hood, which he thinks is way cool.
Sophie the killer beagle has now taken up fishing. She had to fight off a few seagulls for it. Don't ask. It defies belief.
LOCAL NEWS
Petrol continues to rise in price. It is beginning to really hurt some people. Can't see how inflation isn't going to begin to rise as a reaction.
The election coverage is beyond saturation, we have polls about the polls every day. I have invented a new voting system, where you have a positive vote for the party you like and a negative vote for the scariest party that you don't think should be allowed anywhere near parliament. The negatives should be added against the positives to produce winners. Some parties will have overall negative votes, but that is fine.
The election is this coming Saturday. About time, too.
Some attacking pamphlets proved to be from the Exclusive Brethren, Don denied all knowledge then admitted it, then got into hot water over it. Seems a lot of fuss over nothing to me, as anyone can say what they think and I can't see a pamphlet changing peoples votes dramatically.
A homeless man was arrested for tossing debris on the motorway from a bridge, and there has been another hammer attack on a truck driver. Remember when school arson was fashionable?
A case in court at the moment is over someone selling chicken thighs that were actually frogs legs. I guess when you receive a product you didn't order you have to be careful what you call it when it is food.
Bit of a fuss this week in the city when someone was brandishing a pistol (an air gun). Turned out to be Mark Lyon, a property developer who has fuddled his head on drugs who has been in trouble on an ongoing basis.
WORLD NEWS
The death of Bob Denver, Gilligan, got quite a bit of coverage. He was 70.
New Orleans continues to be in the news. Some people seem to be very unco-operative with authorities trying to evacuate people so that they can clean up appropriately. The flood waters sound like they are very toxic and some predictions are that it could take ten years to get New Orleans back to normal. I suspect that it will take considerably less time for it to be functioning on some basis. Imagine what is happening in terms of the City paying workers but would businesses and home owners be paying city taxes? I suspect many would not be. There will be lots of flow on economic impacts for the place.
The Japanese PM Koizumi has stormed back in to power in Japan.
REAL SPORT
Rory's team beat Rangeview Black 11-2. It was about 4-0 at the end of the first quarter. Hannah's team were playing second on table, and lost 2-9. Blue team lost 11-0 to Bruce McLaren 1.
Lots of kids from Rory's team came to a club trial on Sunday morning, which was good. Rory will enjoy having a few more familiar faces around.
SPORT
Andre Agassi made a big comeback in the US Open tennis after being down two sets.
Not looking good for Australia in the Ashes. They seemed to be catching England's first innings total but weather is making it slow progress and with only one day left England have a small lead and nine wickets in hand. Australia has run out of time, it would take a miracle for them to win from here. A draw will mean England get the Ashes for the first time in about sixteen years or so.
Auckland beat Waikato 40-30, Canterbury beat Northland (but everyone does), Wellington beat BOP, North Harbour blew a lead over Otago, and Southland beat Taranaki (and are looking better than most).
Hamish Carter came fourth in Triathlon World Champs. This qualifies him for Commonwealth Games but he wasn't happy as he has never won the World Champs.
Man Utd had 1-1 draw with Man City. Arsenal lost to Middlesbrough 1-2, which helps, but Chelsea beat Sunderland 2-0. Liverpool and Newcastle both drew their games.
MY SAD LIFE
Went to see and listen to author Eion Colfer, author of Artemis Fowl books among others. He was very entertaining. Rory got a book signed. He asked Rory how old he was, Rory replied that he had just turned thirteen. "Good God, man. You look twenty five." was his response (in an Irish accent). Rory has not removed the sideburns he grew for Bugsy Malone. Nobody touches the burns.
Much quieter weekend this weekend, thankfully.
We went to visit the Bambis. B2 is still, officially, B2. She is five months old. Lisa calls her Katie but there is considerable discussion on the matter. We tried the pick the random name thing, but they refused to call her Wayne. Sasha isn't talking much, yet. Bambi has been off getting a pyromaniac license. I am not sure the world is a safer place. His final test involved a sixteen inch diameter star shell, which failed to explode in the air. It returned to earth, landed in the water about thirty feet from him, then made the water boil when it went off. There were no reports of dead fish floating around, but it was dark. Because it didn't go off properly, the cost of the $500 firework was refunded.
I went to the soccer prize giving on Friday night. I think I have decided I will go to no more. They are stupid. Half the players don't show up, some that do go and collect awards looking like they have been mugged on the way there. I saw Billy Walker at the prize giving, he came over and said hello. He doesn't seem to have changed much. Neither of the kids could go, as they were playing water polo, so I missed two of the three games (another reason I wasn't happy with it). I think each team should have it's own thing with the whole team present. Being able to give players recognition they deserve is best done with the players they know in their team. Moan finished for the moment.
Hannah turns eleven on Wednesday. The party is on Saturday It is mostly going to be at the movies so the house won't be noisy.
Rory got distinction in the writing exam, a good result, he did quite badly in it last year. Makes up for performance in computer one this year.
Koos has shifted into his new house, and is trying to figure out ways of keeping a recovering cat from venturing too far. Magic, 12, has had a knee operation and is in transit to New Zealand from England.
Allan is still working in Sydney. We saw Emma on Tuesday night at the pool. She went over with Jacqui to do some shopping.
Saw the Goodins on Sunday. Rory was very pleased with his birthday present (we haven't really seen them properly since his birthday, which surprised me). It is unusual for him to be happy with clothes but the sweatshirt is one where the zip goes all the way to the top of the hood, which he thinks is way cool.
Sophie the killer beagle has now taken up fishing. She had to fight off a few seagulls for it. Don't ask. It defies belief.
5 September 2005
And then the rain came down and buggered it all up - 05/09/05
LOCAL NEWS
The hammer attack guy turned out to be lying about being a relative of a sporting person. He just shared a surname with Sione Lauaki (an All Black) but was not related at all. He should be charged with lying to the court as well. He reckoned it was all the truck drivers fault, as you would expect.
A man died when he fell from an internal bridge at the cinema complex where someone died a few years back doing the same thing. This one was caught on video and it appears it was not accidental, if you know what I mean. Must have been disquieting for the people eating their dinner in the foodcourt below, when he landed next to them.
We suffered from the usual gamut of stories on New Zealanders in New Orleans running away, staying and helping, heroically saving a stranger's cat, and so forth.
The polls continue to come thick and fast, it is less than two weeks to election day.
A 13 year old boy exploring an abandoned clifftop house in the Wairarapa stepped out the back door and fell 20 metres to rocks below. He had minor injuries, and will now be more careful.
Petrol price rises continue, it is hurting worldwide, I am sure. Everything that happens seems to push the price up. The typhoons in US, mass deaths in Iraq, pope gets a new hat, everything.
Two children are missing after a car went into lake Te Anau. Doesn't look good for them, water is pretty cold and they are only five and seven.
WORLD NEWS
The most talked about hurricane in ages, Katrina, smacked Louisiana on Monday night our time. They evacuated a million people. At first, it seemed to be a non-event. We had people reporting from New Orleans immediately afterward and it didn't seem so bad. Then the water came and it turned very nasty. The scale of the disaster is very large. A city loses power, water, and sewage and you seem to lose civilisation very quickly. Suddenly iPods and camera phones become less useful than a bottle of water and a roll of toilet paper (and in many cases a loaded gun). They are saying it could be nine months before people return to live.
Although I didn't see them, I have heard from multiple sources that two similar photos, one of a black man with a box of food and one of a white man doing the same were labelled "a looter escaping with his booty" and "a man get much needed supplies". Interesting.
Tonga is going back to work today after a strike lasting six weeks.
For some inexplicable reason, Melbourne organised for 2100 people to simultaneously perform the haka, well A haka. There is more than one.
REAL SPORT
No real sport to report at all this week. Underwater hockey tournament meant no water polo. Water polo resumes this weekend.
SPORT
Well, the All Blacks won the rugby on Saturday, just, beating the Wallabies 34-24 I think. That wins them the tri-nations trophy and is the first year that they haven't lost at least one game to them in about six or eight years.
New Zealand lost to India in a one day match. Not sure when the final is.
New Zealand won four gold medals in the rowing world champs in Japan. That would have been really big news if the All Blacks weren't playing.
In NPC rugby, Wellington thumped Waikato, Canterbury just beat Taranaki 13-11, Southland upset Otago 28-22, North Harbour thumped neighbours Northland 56-17, Auckland beat Bay of Plenty 47-27. Auckland is top of the table but they haven't played to tough teams yet.
World Cup qualifying games so no premiership this weekend, England beat Wales 1-0.
The final Ashes test starts this week, should be very interesting.
MY SAD LIFE
The show was this week. Bugsy Malone, in all it's slightly edited and I'm-not-sure-the-story-hangs-together glory. We all went to see it on Thursday night, the Goodins came, the Batenburgs sat in front of us, there were tons of people we knew in the audience (and on the stage). Our seats weren't that good, but we got the idea. They all did a pretty good job. The solo singing wasn't too flash, but I have to begrudgingly admit that Greta did a good job at the end (she played Dandy Dans girlfriend, and is in the 12th grade girls team and pretty snobby, she wore sunglasses and a handbag during a training game once, drove her coach nuts this season). The set didn't collapse, and looked pretty good. Rory did a very good job, looking suave with his moustache as Dandy Dan. I got mentioned in the program for my efforts with the set, which surprised me to be honest. Rory wants to get the cutout of him that was used in the show, not sure if he will swing it.
Diana and I went to see the show again on Friday, we sat with a couple of teachers we know. We saw a lot more, and got splurged by the cast as they left the theatre. We dropped Rory off, went for brunch, then came back to watch it. Took Rory home afterwards. He was pretty knackered, it had been a long week, five shows plus rehearsals.
Friday night we had two soccer end of season things. Rory and Diana went bowling, Hannah and I went to a barbecue. Some of the girls decided to go swimming in an unheated pool, which was insane. They weren't in for long.
On Father's Day, I got breakfast in bed, which was very nice. Later we went for a walk around Western Springs lake, as was half of Auckland, it was still very nice. Then we cruised at home, Koos popped in, and then we went to water polo training for an hour and a half (Hannah and I swam while Rory training).
Gavin continues to work on the bathroom.
Allan has visited home and is back to Australia for another two weeks for work.
Billy Walker starts school at Ponsonby Intermediate today.
I think it is Matt Tucker's birthday tomorrow. His second.
Hannah has a tap exam (dance, not plumbing) tomorrow.
It was really nice having a low-key weekend without masses of activities. Didn't really achieve a lot, but that was the intention, I suppose. This Friday is going to be hectic with three water polo games and soccer prizegiving.
The hammer attack guy turned out to be lying about being a relative of a sporting person. He just shared a surname with Sione Lauaki (an All Black) but was not related at all. He should be charged with lying to the court as well. He reckoned it was all the truck drivers fault, as you would expect.
A man died when he fell from an internal bridge at the cinema complex where someone died a few years back doing the same thing. This one was caught on video and it appears it was not accidental, if you know what I mean. Must have been disquieting for the people eating their dinner in the foodcourt below, when he landed next to them.
We suffered from the usual gamut of stories on New Zealanders in New Orleans running away, staying and helping, heroically saving a stranger's cat, and so forth.
The polls continue to come thick and fast, it is less than two weeks to election day.
A 13 year old boy exploring an abandoned clifftop house in the Wairarapa stepped out the back door and fell 20 metres to rocks below. He had minor injuries, and will now be more careful.
Petrol price rises continue, it is hurting worldwide, I am sure. Everything that happens seems to push the price up. The typhoons in US, mass deaths in Iraq, pope gets a new hat, everything.
Two children are missing after a car went into lake Te Anau. Doesn't look good for them, water is pretty cold and they are only five and seven.
WORLD NEWS
The most talked about hurricane in ages, Katrina, smacked Louisiana on Monday night our time. They evacuated a million people. At first, it seemed to be a non-event. We had people reporting from New Orleans immediately afterward and it didn't seem so bad. Then the water came and it turned very nasty. The scale of the disaster is very large. A city loses power, water, and sewage and you seem to lose civilisation very quickly. Suddenly iPods and camera phones become less useful than a bottle of water and a roll of toilet paper (and in many cases a loaded gun). They are saying it could be nine months before people return to live.
Although I didn't see them, I have heard from multiple sources that two similar photos, one of a black man with a box of food and one of a white man doing the same were labelled "a looter escaping with his booty" and "a man get much needed supplies". Interesting.
Tonga is going back to work today after a strike lasting six weeks.
For some inexplicable reason, Melbourne organised for 2100 people to simultaneously perform the haka, well A haka. There is more than one.
REAL SPORT
No real sport to report at all this week. Underwater hockey tournament meant no water polo. Water polo resumes this weekend.
SPORT
Well, the All Blacks won the rugby on Saturday, just, beating the Wallabies 34-24 I think. That wins them the tri-nations trophy and is the first year that they haven't lost at least one game to them in about six or eight years.
New Zealand lost to India in a one day match. Not sure when the final is.
New Zealand won four gold medals in the rowing world champs in Japan. That would have been really big news if the All Blacks weren't playing.
In NPC rugby, Wellington thumped Waikato, Canterbury just beat Taranaki 13-11, Southland upset Otago 28-22, North Harbour thumped neighbours Northland 56-17, Auckland beat Bay of Plenty 47-27. Auckland is top of the table but they haven't played to tough teams yet.
World Cup qualifying games so no premiership this weekend, England beat Wales 1-0.
The final Ashes test starts this week, should be very interesting.
MY SAD LIFE
The show was this week. Bugsy Malone, in all it's slightly edited and I'm-not-sure-the-story-hangs-together glory. We all went to see it on Thursday night, the Goodins came, the Batenburgs sat in front of us, there were tons of people we knew in the audience (and on the stage). Our seats weren't that good, but we got the idea. They all did a pretty good job. The solo singing wasn't too flash, but I have to begrudgingly admit that Greta did a good job at the end (she played Dandy Dans girlfriend, and is in the 12th grade girls team and pretty snobby, she wore sunglasses and a handbag during a training game once, drove her coach nuts this season). The set didn't collapse, and looked pretty good. Rory did a very good job, looking suave with his moustache as Dandy Dan. I got mentioned in the program for my efforts with the set, which surprised me to be honest. Rory wants to get the cutout of him that was used in the show, not sure if he will swing it.
Diana and I went to see the show again on Friday, we sat with a couple of teachers we know. We saw a lot more, and got splurged by the cast as they left the theatre. We dropped Rory off, went for brunch, then came back to watch it. Took Rory home afterwards. He was pretty knackered, it had been a long week, five shows plus rehearsals.
Friday night we had two soccer end of season things. Rory and Diana went bowling, Hannah and I went to a barbecue. Some of the girls decided to go swimming in an unheated pool, which was insane. They weren't in for long.
On Father's Day, I got breakfast in bed, which was very nice. Later we went for a walk around Western Springs lake, as was half of Auckland, it was still very nice. Then we cruised at home, Koos popped in, and then we went to water polo training for an hour and a half (Hannah and I swam while Rory training).
Gavin continues to work on the bathroom.
Allan has visited home and is back to Australia for another two weeks for work.
Billy Walker starts school at Ponsonby Intermediate today.
I think it is Matt Tucker's birthday tomorrow. His second.
Hannah has a tap exam (dance, not plumbing) tomorrow.
It was really nice having a low-key weekend without masses of activities. Didn't really achieve a lot, but that was the intention, I suppose. This Friday is going to be hectic with three water polo games and soccer prizegiving.
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