As I write this, the Silver Ferns are clawing their way back against England in the netball, down heaps at end of the first quarter but working hard.
LOCAL NEWS
The story on the two girls dead from the party continued this week, with funerals and memorials and others still in hospital. Parental paranoia about parties is growing. There were 800 people at this part, 300 thought to be in the actual house. Quite an achievement, and hardly surprising things got out of hand.
Then, over the weekend, there was a convoy of 100 cars past the party house in their memory. This seemed like quite a sick irony given that it was a car that killed them. Shouldn't they have walked?
Attention turned yet again from dogs to trucks on Monday, when two people were inhumed by a truck near Maramarua.
Three climbers fell in Mt Aspiring National Park, one died, one hobbled off for help, and therefore saved the third.
The Privy Council delivered their view of the David Bain case (he was convicted of the murder of four members of his family, there has been doubt for 13 years about whether Robin Bain, the father, did it and popped himself, which seems exceedingly unlikely, given David was not home at the time. One also assumes logic isn't a strength in these situations). Anyway, huge fuss about the decision, now the question comes as to whether a retrial is required.
A seven year old girl is in hospital after being hit in the head with a slug pellet. I was always told they were pretty harmless and eyes were about all that were vulnerable. That appears to be quite untrue from recent events. Perhaps slug guns are more powerful than they used to be.
Our current police commissioner held a party where they showed an exceedingly dodgy film at a rugby fundraising event in the 80s, and is now in trouble for doing so. He reckons he didn't put it on, someone else did, and he didn't see it. I am not at all sure what to make of this. Are we going too far the other way in terms of sensitivity to dodgy behaviour?
A poll is out today with National Leader John Key just ahead of Herr Helen.
WORLD NEWS
GW thought the QE II had been around since 1776, which was kind of funny.
Samoa's Head of State for 45 years, some guy by the name of Malietoa Tanumafili II, has died aged 94. To be honest, I didn't even know who their head of state was, let alone whether he was president, prime minister, or whatever. Odd seeing we heard so much about the King of Tonga.
REAL SPORT
Rory had his first game as a water polo coach on Friday, the Ponsonby Marlins against Bruce McLaren. Hannah semi-played, scored a goal, played in goal, final score a respectable 4-8 loss (they didn't really want to win, it is grading). It was first polo game ever for many in the team.
Finally Hannah's soccer team had a game that I thought they should win. Three Kings had lost 1-2 to a team we drew 0-0 with so a win seemed possible, despite them having scored more goals that we had (by that one goal). We spent a lot of time in their half of the field in the first half, although did not score until very late in it. A 1-0 lead at half-time was useful but I was nervous a lapse to lose us the advantage. We scored two more goals in the second half, and conceded none, despite it being up hill, giving us a healthy 3-0 win. Once we were 2-0 up I asked Hannah to hang back in defence a bit. After the game I checked the table and found that we were 2nd from bottom and Three Kings were bottom, so it really was a game we needed to in. We have played one less game because we had a bye before another team was moved into our league. This is only grading, but a win and a draw should be enough to get us up near the middle (the team we lost to is top of the table).
Sunday afternoon sport was a major logistical nightmare. Three games at two pools about 25 minutes apart (the middle game being at the different pool). We needed paper and plans. We had two cars, two pools, about eight passengers, three games, and we had to get everyone to the right place at the right time. I am pretty sure there is a branch of mathematics just for this sort of stuff.
Rory's senior team lost to Glendowie 2-5. The junior girls didn't have an opposition to play so they played two quarters against themselves then played Albany Junior College for three quarters (their opposition didn't show up either). Finally the junior boys played Auckland Grammar B, we should have won, but lost 4-5. Many of our players were asleep, it is only grading but it was an unnecessary loss.
SPORT
Still can't say the Louis Vuitton sailing has captured anyone's imagination, but a big win to Team New Zealand against Oracle on Thursday morning was probably something that most people noticed. Until then it was "they've lost a few races, haven't they?".
Not surprisingly, both the Crusaders and Blues lost the semi-finals in South Africa. I shall avoid the Sports radio for a few days. An all South African Super 14 final, a first, I think.
Last weekend of the premiership and Man Utd lost 0-1 to lowly West Ham, Liverpool drew 2-2 with Charlton, Chelsea drew 1-1 with Everton, lots of other draws. Sheffield United are relegated, as are Charlton and Watford. Man Utd still won, by about six points I think. First time for couple of years after Chelsea's domination (they did come second).
And the Silver Ferns did lose, by five goals.
MY SAD LIFE
Not a real busy week, so managed to sneak off with Paul out towards Mission Bay and things for a bit. Weather was nice. Went to Musick Point for the first time ever.
Thursday night I went to the "posh" LMNP dinner. All the Carriers were represented, plus the Telecommunications Commissioner and even the Minister showed up for a drink and a brief speech. I had to wear a suit, first time other than wedding or funeral for a couple of years. I didn't really want to go, but I went. It was okay, I suppose.
I decided on Sunday that I miss playing tennis. I know I am old and unfit and everything but I have always enjoyed it and I want to play it again. Even golden oldie style without scrums.
Diana was pretty annoyed at Rory this week after he gave her a newsletter which informed us of a meeting about NCEA (the school qualification system) the day after it occurred. She has since asked about twenty other parents and only one got the newsletter in time. Many didn't think the school did newsletters. Interesting, sounds like teenagers are as unreliable as their reputation.
I am continuing to laboriously load up the blog when I have spare time. Got over 150 entries on there now, probably at least that many more to go. I really don't think my emails are suited for blogging, they are far too long. Mind you, I am not sure they are suitable for anything. Some of it makes interesting reading for me, suspect it rarely does for anyone else. In many ways I wish I wrote more ten years ago, some of it was very focused on local news and sport and sod all else.
It is Mum's birthday today, now a pensioner with a year's experience. We had lunch with her out at Pinesong yesterday.
I am not sure the avocado warrants it's own section, but it has about four leaves and is about 10 cm in height. Another is trying to sprout.
THINGS IN CARS PART 1
On the way to soccer, I had Hannah, Holly, and Millie in the car. Hannah and Holly were talking about how their grandmothers both live in Pinesong and come to lots of their sport. They concluded that Pinesong must be an awful place and they will use any excuse to leave. Was pretty funny.
THINGS IN CARS PART 2
Sunday night, I had Rory, Priya, and Marcella in the car from EGGS to Sacred Heart and back home. They had a lovely time, although Marcella and I turned up the iPod and avoided looking in the back (let's just say they weren't exactly sitting on opposite sides of the car, more than that I do not wish to consider on soooo many levels). I change the rear vision mirror so I didn't see anything I didn't want to see. We stopped on St Johns Road and got some food, and they lurked around waiting and just enjoying themselves. They weren't very focused at the game, but Rory said he enjoyed the trip.
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