4 September 2006

I can't think a single thing to put in this bit - 04/09/06

Father's Day. Love the presents they suggest in advertisements. A security floodlight with sensor, perhaps? A ream of A4 paper (if he was into origami, I suppose). How about a Westinghouse top load washing machine? Or a lawnmower perhaps? Nothing like a gift that keeps on taking, is there. Retailers are idiots.

LOCAL NEWS

A circus performer disappeared after her performance at Cirque Rocks to avoid returning home.

An armless man that was found to be speeding has had the dangerous driving charge dropped because he has provided proof that he can, in fact, drive safely with his feet.

We are still hearing about this 17 year old that died in the back of a paddy wagon. He sounds like a pretty difficult kid, could be Darwinian evolution at work here.

Dodgy MP Taito Philip Field has been stood down pending a police investigation. Seems he believes traditional Samoan payments to people that help you are okay and not considered bribes. Tricky one here, he could accept them then donate them to a worthy cause I suppose. Anyway, he didn't. This has started a debate on "koha" which is the Maori name for gratuities. Not sure of the Maori name for gratuitous gouging of the punters.

The population has had their say in a poll which says 81% disapprove of the Labour Party over spending in the election campaign. National is in front in the popularity stakes, not entirely sure that is a good thing.

Customs found a ton of P in picture frames this week. I just don't get why people have to take drugs, you never hear about people who have solved all their problems by taking drugs or became a world leader in their field and they owe it all to the drugs they take, you know what I mean?

A woman lost her footing above a cliff between Piha and Karekare and they think she died (they can't get to her until this morning). A was a 43 year old Australian woman.

A strike of supermarket workers that restock shelves has started causing issues for our largest supermarket chain, a week and a half in to it, supplies are pretty low.

Bob Clarkson, the MP that dethroned Winston in Tauranga, has come out with more dubious statements about his view of the world. The man spoke poorly to a few journalists who obviously thought there would be food and drink. He appears to be a confused old man, without any public speaking skill, who has a mistaken view of his own intelligence. Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.

IS HELEN CLARK IS A SITH LORD?

I am beginning to think I am wrong about Helen Clark. She isn't undead. With the latest news, she seems to be developing an innate disregard for the rules (about four issues out there that suggest this to be true). It has to be said that her government's views on changing the law to make illegal acts legal, downplaying fraud, and flouting other laws (like the one against speeding) all seem remarkably similar to the end of the grand republic and the rise of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars. If she takes us to war against an imaginary foe and breeds a clone army, I shall start worrying. In the mean time, I think she should be known as "Darth Helen ".

WORLD NEWS

They've captured a number 2 of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Who was really only number 3 but they killed off a guy that was number 1 a while ago. Not sure that it makes any difference.

Poor old British PM Tony Blair seems to be under pressure to let go of the reins. He was once immensely popular but the wheel appears to have turned quite a lot. I suppose it happens to most of them, eventually.

REAL SPORT

Hannah's mixed team won 5-3 against Liston on Friday night. They needed a win. Hannah did not score any goals but was solid in defence, I think the goals were scored only when she was off (we were 3-0 up end of 2nd quarter, I subbed her off in third and that's when it started).

On Sunday I took Hannah and her soccer and water polo team mate to see the final of the women's knockout soccer cup. The Western Springs team had made the final for the first time ever, and the team included a number of players we know (Penny Chapman came to some training sessions with our girls a couple of years ago, Hannah Valentine and Poppy Binning were in a team I coached six years ago, Rosie White was in their 14th grade tournament team, and Rory's school water polo team last year). It was 0-0 at half time, but turned to custard in the second half with Lynn Avon winning 3-0).

Hannah is in the first team for U12s for the coming water polo tournament. She says she would rather be in one of the other teams but I am not completely convinced.

Rory's school team played on Sunday night in their final playoff against Lynfield. He was knackered because he had club training for an hour straight before the game. They lost 2-4. Rory scored both goals and for some reason then went into goal for the last quarter and made about five saves, and kept a clean sheet (although didn't manage to score from goal this time).

SPORT

The All Blacks lost their final Tri-Nations match versus Sth Africa 20-21. Their first loss of the year.

Andre Agassi has bowed out of professional tennis after 21 years. He has been a colourful character in the tennis world. The Las Vegan started very young, about 15 years old. (Las Vegan? Sounds like a Spanish vegetarian).

The Knights (formerly the Football Kingz) won their match on the weekend 1-0. They have probably scored more points in two games than the whole of last season. They are third on the table.

Hamish Carter won silver in the World Triathlon Champs, he retires now (I think).

The Warriors lost their last game of the season. Not sure if the removal of the -4 penalty would have got them into the playoffs.

MY SAD LIFE

Father's Day lasted about an hour on Sunday, for me. Got breakfast in bed, and that was about it. Was pretty busy after that, going to soccer game then water polo training and game later (with Paul and Matt & Kristy popping in, in between).

We picked up the new Xbox 360 on Monday night. Rory is happy. The lads all came round on Tuesday night and worked on their playstation tan, again. Wednesday night he dug holes to earn money at a friends house. Thursday he bought the game that motivated the Xbox purchase, called Oblivion. This is somewhat appropriate because he is oblivious to the rest of the world while he is playing it.

Hannah had no dancing this week, life seemed so much easier to manage, and I hardly ever take her to dancing.

Roger, I saw Kevin Barry on Friday. He is still at Nokia, so is Lex. I mentioned you are a Daddy and a half. He asked if your wife was a Singaporean, then he said they can be quite stroppy. I said "Shin isn't stroppy, she's REALLY stroppy". (just kidding, Shin, well maybe a little).

Both Hannah and Rory are home sick today, not sure I am feeling very well either. It is Diana's fault, she was sick first.

It is Matt Tucker's Third birthday on Wednesday.

Friday was September 1st, first day of spring although the equinox isn't for a couple of weeks (where daylight and darkness are equal, think it is the equinox). Also the 8th anniversary of the passing of my paternal grandmother. Seems a very long time ago now.

Oh well, that's another week.
Rob
PS I think I have forgotten to have breakfast, I can't be well.
PPS I have brushed my teeth, though.
PPPS So if I go have breakfast do I brush them again?

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