A few things happened a little close to home for my liking this week.
LOCAL NEWS
The big power cut last Monday stayed news for a few days. Took until the evening for everyone to get power back. Rory arrived home from school with three associates. They thought they would play on the xBox, but we didn't have power either. They resorted to plugging in an iPod into some speakers that didn't need power, while they played games on their cellphones and the PSP. Funny really, we’ve gone past relying heavily on electrical appliances and moved on to relying on self-powered appliances. They were getting a bit noisy so I suggested that they go to the dairy and buy something. They weren't interested. Then I pointed out that with the freezers off they may be selling ice cream cheap - and they disappeared fast (ice cream wasn't cheap, but it got them moving).
Meanwhile down in Canterbury, the snow was cutting power off to lots of people, some are still without power a week later.
Bit of drama at Rory's school on Friday, two girls were approached separately by a man who threatened one with being shot (although not sure if there was actually a gun in his pocket, if you know what I mean).
A former pole dancer has been in the news regularly all week. She "streaked" at the rugby, in a bikini. She finally sold that on trademe for $4000. Meanwhile a former boyfriend whinged about how he bought the bikini for her, and her boobs, and plenty more besides. By the end of the week she had been fined $330 for her efforts. The whole thing is a bit odd when you consider the TV media don't show the streakers on the TV and yet everyone then promotes the bikini on an auction for a week afterwards. The rugby union are not impressed.
New Zealand is to change to digital television, early to mid next year. People will have to buy set-top boxes but there won't be any other charge.
A pair of baby twin boys have died over the weekend, resulting from some domestic violence. Not measurably more tragic than any other similar incident but newsworthy because they are twins.
Not in Pt Chevalier, but not far away, some idiot fell from the Bond St bridge over the motorway on Saturday night after the rugby (it is very close to Eden Park). He was cured of idiocy, permanently, when a car hit him.
News this week that rugby and league are the most dangerous professions, in terms of ACC injuries. I actually think that they should not be covered by ACC for professional sport, they should insure privately to pay for all the knee and shoulder reconstructions and things. Logging and forestry was third, after the rugbys, and horse racing. Optometry is considered the safest industry. Not sure how things like lawyering and accounting are higher risk than optometry, but there you go.
WORLD NEWS
The world seems to have been a quiet place. Al Qaeda have a new boss in Iraq, not sure that is really news.
In a bit of luck, a goatherd in Sofia, Bulgaria, sheltered under a different tree from his goats. Lightning struck the other tree, and killed all the goats. He had barbecued goat for dinner, but is out of a job (not much need to herd dead goats, but perhaps Helen Clark could do that when she retires as PM).
We've had lots of reports on the whaling commission meeting. Sounds like Japan are doing a good job of recruiting more votes. It isn't right how that works. They donate a couple of million to a country like Tuvalu and it is enough to buy votes. Hardly democracy in action if three countries want it and a bunch of countries a bought to help out. (Still, not completely sure why whaling should be completely banned, I don't really enjoy watching the scenes on the TV but not sure why a sea going mammal deserves different treatment from land based ones that we eat).
Bill Gates retiring from Microsoft is interesting. He has been the face of the evil empire for a very long time. I first heard of Microsoft in about 1982.
REAL SPORT
Hannah's water polo B team played the team that her A team beat 8-6 the week before (Rangeview). Hannah shut down the number 3 who could shoot from anywhere. He said to her "didn't I play you last week?". They lost, 2-9. It didn't help that they only had six players to start with. In the A team game, they were playing the Ponsonby C team, but the C team made them work for it. Final score was 11-0. Hannah scored two goals.
It was pretty wet on and off during the week, but somehow Hannah's soccer game was not cancelled. We trekked up to Stanmore Bay Reserve, and it was raining big time. It eased just before kick off, but they played in pretty muddy conditions. The other team scored from a goal mouth tussle where we failed to clear the ball and the goalie forgot to keep her feet together (wasn't pretty). We equalised in a similar situation, with a pass from Hannah. In the second half they worked very hard and our team had the best attacking chances. About eight minutes from the end, a free kick from Hannah put Georgia in the clear and she made sure of her shot at goal. Then, Hannah decided to defend the lead and dropped back from striker to defence. It was close but they held them out to win 2-1 over a team that they lost to 1-2 about two months ago. Great result for the first game of the championship. Sander (Koos's Dad) thought it was offside, but nobody else did.
Rory's school team played on Sunday night. It was bizarre. The opposition team, from Kaipara College, were short one player. They got very aggro and did some weird things, despite the fact that they were actually winning. Then they got a player sent off for the rest of the game, which would allow another sub but they had none, so the game stopped. Western Springs won by default, despite the fact that they were behind. The other team were awful, very aggressive, didn't have a clue about the rules. Didn't help that the ref was fairly new and not keen to stamp his authority on the game.
SPORT
Continue to enjoy the World Cup. I won't bore you with the detail. England isn't doing that well, but they look to be through to the next round. Germany is too, as is Argentina. The Australian win over Japan was very big news. We have about eight teams decided for the final 16, including most of the expected names. The kids have watched quite a bit, they both seem genuinely interested in it, that is quite cool.
US Open is on, Michael Campbell defending his title, not much chance of that. Neither him or Tiger made the cut.
All Blacks beat Ireland more convincingly in Auckland, 27-17, never were behind on the scoreboard this time.
MY SAD LIFE
Well, I was pretty sad for 24 hours over Thursday and Friday. It all went horribly wrong, although not major things, just lots of little things. My shoe broke at soccer practice. Then I slipped on the grass and pulled multiple muscles in my right leg, quite sore but not enough to see doctor or anything. So then I couldn't walk very well. Getting up out of chairs became tricky. Toilets, too (won't go there). Then I kicked the metal thing in the driveway, that has been there for like nine years, with the bare foot on my sore leg. Then I gave myself the worst cut shaving that I think I have ever had. There was something else too. It was pathetic. I should have stayed in bed Friday, really.
We've had a procession of sick people in the family this week. First Diana, then Rory, now Hannah. Just a cold, but Rory was off school on Thursday and Hannah is staying home today. We all blame Ross for bringing it upon us.
Went to see the barber on Thursday morning. It was his first day back, asked if he'd been sick. He hadn't, he'd been beaten and stabbed by a customer on Monday and been in hospital for a couple of days. I asked if his assailant was now considered a worse customer than Rory. He wasn't sure. Poor bugger, the guy didn't even pay for his haircut. The guy was apprehended by police and charge with GBH and attempted murder. We both wondered if there was a cure for Rory's allergy to combs.
After the soccer on Saturday, we went up the hill to visit the Broekhuizens, Pam, Sander, and Sjaan. Koos, Marissa, and Sander came down and watched the game first. Was nice to see everyone. We watched the weather come and go, it was very changeable. I like their new couches.
The Goodins are off to Kuala Lumpur and Thailand with Barry and family on Friday. We managed to visit them briefly on Sunday, Pippy the dog has grown a fair bit although she had the visit to the vet this week. The Goodins are no longer on the neighbourhood babysitting list after a friend of Katy fell off Thomas's top bunk and broke her arm on Saturday night.
Heard from Linda, who is surviving the snows in Christchurch.
Again, it felt like quite a busy weekend. Sunday was spent largely away from home between 10am and about 5:30. Would be nice to have a quieter weekend.
It is Diana's birthday this Friday. Since reaching the age of 29, she has started counting backwards. This week she turns minus 4. Just kidding, dear.
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