Cricket was cancelled on Saturday, which was good in a way because I didn't want to get rained on. Have a cough again.
The euphoria of Monday's good sporting news wore off a little when the Black Caps lost the final game convincingly. Some news about match fixing went on beforehand. Dubious umpiring decisions were definitely playing a part with three wickets we lost. Apparently they have never won a one day series overseas (don't do it too often at home either).
Tuesday night was last big game for Under 17 All Whites. Nobody expected them to win, after losing to the two other teams that had both drawn with Poland, it didn't look good. Nil-all at half time, better than many expected, but we had the wind with us in the second half. Then we got a goal, and soon afterward another. 2-0 up with about 20 minutes to go. We held on to the lead although Poland got a goal in the last minute before extra time. I think they are a pretty boring team, Poland. None of the European sides made it to the quarter finals, with Spain, Poland, and Germany all failing. Australia won the pool of death, with Brazil (2nd) and Mali as well as Germany in it. Ghana were the only African side left. Paraguay, Uruguay, Mexico, Brazil, USA, and Qatar making up the eight. Although we didn't qualify, we weren't the worst team. Mali scored no goals, but conceded only one, the best team to not qualify in some ways.
Took Rory and Hannah to the Poland game, they enjoyed it. Hannah sat next to what she called the cheerleaders, they were Under-17 groupies if you ask me. We sat right next to the tunnel, the NZ goalie high-fived Rory and Hannah on the way out for the second half. We did some penalty shootouts at the practice pitch on the way home, and Rory was practicing bicycle kicks on Wednesday night. Hannah has now been to three soccer matches.
Barbara Kendall won the board sailing thing, no real shock there.
The poms lost to the scots 1-0, but qualified for Euro 2000 on the away goal rule. Aussie blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 in the second game against Brazil. MUFC beat Derby 2-1.
Took Rory with Harry to the Quarter, Mexico up 1-0, then missed a penalty, then lost 3-2 to USA. Ghana won, Australia won, Brazil won. Brazil play Ghana here on Wednesday. I really hope the Aussies don't win this World Cup.
Latest poll on Friday puts Labour into a reasonably convincing lead with 37%, with Greens and Alliance they could govern without Winston. A result that doesn't require NZ First is probably the most basic need. Can't say I am looking forward to that prospect. The Greens had some controversy mid-week as a link to eco-terrorist sites was exposed. Shipley and other members of government had their contact numbers listed on another website. If you do something on the web, it is news. Live farts will get coverage soon. But seriously, the Greens seem to be getting close to getting 5% on their own, which given they were part of the Alliance last time is a great way for the Alliance to up it's impact. I don't think I want to see Jim Anderton as even Deputy PM but he comes across better than "The Return of the un-Living Helen" who does excellent boring lop-sided corpse impressions. I know physical appearance and how she sounds shouldn't make a difference but even Tank Commander Spice has more appeal as a leader. NZ will appear to the world like a country of in-bred undead with her fronting things.
I think now the way is clear, I am going to have to vote for a corpse to eliminate the need for Winston, and perhaps minimise the lunacy of Jim.
BY THE WAY - YOU EX-PATS
You can actually vote by contacting the local NZ embassy. They are taking votes now. Your contribution may make a difference, give it a go this week. Lots of people didn't know they could do that - tell every NZer you know. Save us poor bastards still here from Winston (and maybe Jim but I won't hold my breath).
Come next Monday, I should have some results for you, Saturday is the big day.
Massive flooding around Otago, with record levels around the Clutha, Alexandra, Queenstown, you name it. No Japanese tourists were killed on the jetboats because they didn't go anywhere. Some stone on lake Wanaka commemorating the great flood of 1878 nearly floated away. Started to normalise by Thursday night. I talked to a guy from Wanaka on Friday, his house was on higher ground, enjoyed the show mostly.
No worries about lake levels for power around there now. (mind you, before the water levels had dropped we were getting news of whinging farmers in Otago who needed water - pretty bad taste if you ask me).
Didn't see much of Havoc, don't think any self-abuse was involved.
Bad luck story of the week - some guy from the ACT (a state in Aus, not the party) was stuck in a snow cave for four days during the bad weather. Finally rescued to find mum and dad here for him, then on Friday afternoon they pranged the rental and dad was killed, mum and the son went to hospital with reasonably nasty injuries. What a bummer. Knowing their luck they are lucky they weren't flying to Egypt.
Speaking of Egypt Air, sounds like another suicidal pilot like that crash in Indonesia where the co-pilot was a kiwi (why they would let a flightless bird control an aircraft I don't know). Next time I fly I think I want to see a full psyciatric examination of the pilots before I get on the plane. Only problem is I have less faith in psychiatrists than would make me comfortable. Maybe three assessments. Committing suicide is one thing, taking 250 people along for the ride is a little excessive in my opinion, and certainly more than a trifle selfish.
Claire Elder had her funeral on Tuesday. Lots of Jack's political colleagues were there (Labour, National, and other MPs and ex-MPs), no news coverage of it. Nice that so close to the election the PM and other "luminaries" were willing to show their respect without the lure of a photo opportunity. Bunter Hunt was there. I guess the public rivalry takes a back seat sometimes. Some of these people were mates with Jack at university. Jackie said there was sod all room for Claire's friends and half of them had to sit in a neighbouring room watching on the video. Edward helped carry her casket, didn't seem to aware of what was happening.
Went to a Clare family barbie yesterday. The kids played very well together. Amy is so cute. Jared gets on well with Rory and Hannah. Braden and Rory seem to get on but Jared seems to come between them. Thomas will be able to fool around with everyone within a year or so. I am sure he said "go" when I was pulling him around in a bucket. We kicked a soccer ball around, I built a sand castle with the tower for a princess with Hannah, on a rock, which survived until the tide reached peak. Kev's friend Rob does some pretty impressive low-impact tackles on the kids, he was a goalie in a previous life. Saw Kath's Nana (Mum - she reminds me of Dell, we get on like a house on fire), first time for a while, she's in pretty good form. Is a bit of a shame she lives so far from them all but she comes up for a good while now and then.
We saw Paul Grant on Friday night, kids scored a few pressies, including some Toy Story 2 items. Hannah did Paul a little card that is cute. We watched a DVD movie on his laptop connected to the TV. He brought heaps of disks with him. Good to see him again, although now he is nearly in Singapore with Roger for ten days (should see all of Singapore twice in that time). At least this means Roger has someone he can beat at squash for a while, and the pregnant finn will be unable to win in another ten days.
Hannah spent all weeking whining about a dress she saw. I pity the man she marries. He better have a gold card.
22/22/99
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