Notes from an absentee parent and husband - 21/05/07

LOCAL NEWS

The murderer of Lois Dear, primary teacher, was given life this week.

The budget was delivered surprise-free, nothing really interesting in it.

The starter at a street race died when it all went wrong, a teenage boy died. I thought girls in short skirts did the start?

David Bain was freed and spent the week with lots of firsts. First swim, first new jumper, first press conference as a free man, first first for the day, etc. I am so glad I didn't see it all on TV. Meanwhile the cops are considering whether there is any new evidence that could support charging him again.

At a rest home, a nurse was ticking a box every half hour for three days after a resident had died and been taken away. Interesting controls, perhaps they were expecting her to return.

A van loaded with 15 teenagers rolled, none was critically hurt. The scene as the crawled out was reminiscent of a zombie movie.

From the "adding insult to injury" department, a man was assaulted outside a Havelock North bar, then a taxi ran him over as he lay in the street and killed him.

WORLD NEWS

A woman in Brisbane was shot with a shotgun while holding a toddler, the toddler was hit but not critically. Was she using it as a human shield?

Baby Catherine was gripping the imagination of Melbourne, a baby abandoned on Mother's Day. Lots of childless couples wanted to adopt her.

Meanwhile Maddy McCann is still missing in Portugal. The parents are complete chumps, yes they are not enjoying them selves, but they were pretty stupid leaving the kid in the room alone.

On Sunday, there was great anticipation of the arrival of David Hicks, suspected Australian terrorist. They got experts to tell them how long a plane took to fly from Tahiti to Adelaide and all sorts of bollocks.

Tony Blair is stepping down, and has made his last visit as PM to soldiers in Iraq, meanwhile Prince Harry isn't going to be the first ginga prince in combat.

REAL SPORT

Interzone soccer went reasonably well, they came third, losing to the winner 0-1 against the run of play. Hannah slotted a penalty in one game.

Rory's Senior team lost their semi-final 4-6. Rory got one maybe two.

Hannah's polo team had their first game, against St Mary's, and won 24-1. The intermediate team is not quite as capable as their high school teams.

I wasn't allowed to find out the soccer score until Hannah told me (reminding me of the old "how do you keep an idiot in suspense" joke). Hannah and friend Miranda Whalley played two games of soccer, one for 13th grade and the second for their real team. The first game they lost 1-6 although it was 0-5 in first half and second half was much better. Second game they lost 2-3, Hannah scored both goals and got player of the day. She seemed very happy.

In the playoff for 3rd/4th, the Seniors lost 4-9 to come 4th, Rory got two goals.

SPORT

Nobody cared about the Super 14 final seeing it was an all South Africa thing. The Bulls beat the Sharks 20-19. I hate the Sharks so good job.

Man Utd lost 0-1 to Chelsea in extra time in the FA Cup final.

Team New Zealand is doing okay in Louis-Vuitton semi finals, up 4-2 while Oracle lost to Luna Rossa 1-5 and is out, which is very surprising.

The Silver Ferns lost to England then thumped them in a second game. Not sure if they are playing Australia again but doesn't look great for the world cup.

Speaking of the world cup, the lack of a New Zealand team in the Super 14 final has got everyone running for cover over the rugby world cup.

MY SAD LIFE

Didn't see a lot of the family this week (and none of the real sport), as Paul and I decided to go to Melbourne last Monday, left early last Tuesday. We go home tomorrow.

So I spent the week seeing the sights in Melbourne with Paul. Went down to see lots of the coast past Geelong to the Twelve Apostles (there are eight of them) via Torquay and other places. Long day on the bus, nearly 13 hours. Saw heaps though and took a few photos (like nearly 400).

We have also been to the museum, botanical gardens, and all sorts. Charles ran away to New Zealand to avoid us. Brett stepped into the breech. I will spare you the gory details. We walked a lot. We caught lots of trains. We took lots of photos. We ate lunch in the same food court a lot.

Hannah had a sleepover, with the two Mirandas on Saturday night. Diana says that they were considerably more subdued on Saturday night than Sunday morning.

Diana met with Priya's parents on Sunday, an interesting discussion. I think it was about their concern about Priya being distracted from her studies. She was sprung the other night having left the premises to visit Rory (against his advice, he says). She is very grounded. Will be interesting to see how the happy couple handle it.

Jono, sorry I didn't reply to your email. It arrived the day we got to Melbourne and I got sidetracked. Will try to read it proper and reply, hope you had fun at Java One or whatever it was. I am not sure what you mean by premium rate numbers - you mean the short 4 digit ones?

Helen, I did email you. Probably should have tried a phone as well, but was not very organised. I did try though.