LOCAL NEWS
Monday all hell broke loose with a young girl (dubbed "Pumpkin" because she was wearing the brand) abandoned by her Father in Southern Cross train station in Melbourne, that the Australian news services took great delight in describing as a "New Zealander". He left Melbourne for the US. During the week we got more information and it developed further. He was a Chinese immigrant, the mother (still living, if living was the right word, in New Zealand somewhere) was missing. It then turned out an older daughter from a previous marriage was also missing and there was a documentary on the man about that which seemed quite bizarre. Then they found the elder daughter, alive. By the end of Wednesday they had found the mother of the three year old, not alive. It wasn't really a surprise. We'd heard that the man had visited the police and picked up his passport and a sword, which wasn't a good sign. We got more news every day, three pages in the paper every day.
Meat processing company Affco was slapped with a bill for one million dollars for a workplace injury. The injury occurred when an employee was sitting in a mate's car at lunch time, the mate was mongrel mob, and the employee got shot in a drive-by by black power people (could be the other way around, I forget). So somehow employers appear to need to ensure their staff don't talk to dodgy friends when on a break and need to have bullet proof fences around their car parks.
We are now allowed to have armed air marshals on our aircraft. Great. Now I feel secure.
Things got nasty in New Plymouth over the weekend with a pedestrian killed and a stabbing, both involving boy racers (let's be honest, ALL boys with cars are boy racers).
Weird news that air quality around schools near busy roads. Can't say I would have every expected that, but one child care centre isn't allowed to open.
A world record was set, swimming 224 metres under water, in West Wave, but using a mono-flipper.
Small earthquake near Haast this morning, we are going there soon.
Some guy predicted a headline for the Christchurch press, sealed it in an envelope five days prior. It wasn't completely correct but it was right subject, stated in different way.
Dodgy ubercop Rickards has now been charged with ten employment offences, he's been suspended on full pay for three years.
WORLD NEWS
GW Bush announced the death of Nelson Mandela, who refused to cooperate by being dead. What a legend. Comedy show writers must tear their hair out, this guy makes them all look like crap.
A disease called bluetongue has hit in UK which kills cows and sheep.
A New Zealand boy fell from a fourth floor hostel window in London, and a New Zealand man was beaten to death in Nairobi.
Marcel Marceau has died, aged 84. He had no last words.
REAL SPORT
On Tuesday, Hannah was called aside at the Coerver training (this is an academy style thing they run for keen players). She was asked to join up to an invitation only elite group. As you can imagine the attitude towards soccer took something of an improvement. Not sure she can manage it logistically, because the time is likely to conflict with school polo, but she was pretty happy.
First game for the U16 Nationals was against Northsport B, expected to be a pretty easy game but they made hard work of it, winning 10-5. Rory got a reasonable amount of game time and played a lot better than many of them.
Second game, against Maranui (Wellington) they won 17-1, Rory got himself a goal. Third game was against Waikato, who were depleted because two of their players can't play on Sunday, so they had no subs.
SPORT
The cricket 20/20 world cup seems to be far more interesting than the rugby world cup but I am not really keeping track. The Black Caps beat England on Wednesday and basically made the semi-finals. Then they lost to South Africa and basically didn't make the semi-finals, awaiting result of South Africa v India. India won so they made the semis, then got knocked out.
The rugby world cup continued but so what? All Blacks dressed the same as Scotland and won 40-0. Stupid.
Man Utd beat Chelsea 2-0.
Manly will play Melbourne Storm in the grand final.
Golfer Michael Campbell came fourth in British Masters.
MY SAD LIFE
Well, the pool was open again this week. Haven't been able to swim for about two weeks or so. Made up for it by swimming three nights in a row.
Hannah and I picked up Penny and the boys from airport on Wednesday night. We saw them a bit over a couple of days before we all went to Christchurch for the tournament.
Hannah went to a party on Friday night, which didn't go well. We got a call saying she was at home and going to Georgia's. We picked her up from there and found out someone had been smoking cigars. Hannah and four friends were very uncomfortable with this and left. 13 year olds smoking cigars does seem a little odd, but we were quite surprised at how serious the girls took it.
Was a long day on Saturday, left for airport around 7:45, got to motel at 12, couldn't get in to room until 1:30. Watched three water polo games at QEII, which is huge, took some photos. Made it back to motel for a while, then drove half way to airport, returned to supermarket, then off to airport to collect Diana and Hannah at 10:15pm.
I have taken quite a few photos of the water polo, Diana reckons I have taken enough.
We should have a semi final tonight and hopefully a final tomorrow afternoon.
24 September 2007
17 September 2007
Retardism in NZ politicians, Australian Naval Officers don't want to be able to see their navels, and we become a two teenager household - 17/09/07
LOCAL NEWS
A third 15 yo girl died following that crash last week in which two passed on rather faster.
A youth was arrested over the killing last Saturday night, he seems to have been convicted by evidence on his Bebo page. Not entirely sure why fellow youths could not impart information to police but it was okay to accuse them on the internet, but I supposed it was effective.
The SIS director made a press statement, an usual event in itself (it was first time) and announced that Ahmed Zaoui was no longer considered a risk and is now to be treated like a refugee. Apparently he's just told them something, which the SIS cannot reveal, which has made all the difference (why he didn't mention it until now, I don't know). In an exclusive, I can quote you that conversation:
SIS MAN: Ahmed, how much do you hate Osama Bin Laden?
Ahmed: A LOT.
SIS MAN: (looks around furtively, checks the curtains are drawn) All right, you're in.
Bit of home grown reality radio this week. A suicidal woman rang a local talkback show and they tracked her down on air and got her to a hospital.
The theme for the weekend was murders, with two dying from two separate shootings and one from a stabbing. Busy day on Saturday. We also had a teen shot in the head twice with a slug gun. This particular teen was quoted as saying the robber was lucky he didn't die (but surely not as lucky as the victim).
A National MP wrote to the associate minister of health enquiring as to what he was doing about the harmful drug dihydrogen monoxide. She had been told people get addicted and often die if they don't consume a steady amount of it, and that it is colourless and odourless. It is, of course, water. What a fool. Jacqui Dean is now a legendarily silly person.
Subsequently, we had articles about concerns for the intelligence of MPs. Not surprising really.
Clint Rickards, tarnished Auckland uber-cop, got a new company car. He's been suspended on full pay for three years. Not bad, eh?
WORLD NEWS
Revelations today that the Australian Defence Force have paid for breast enlargements for two officers. Wouldn't be so bad if they were women, I suppose.
Air crash in Phuket seemed a little nasty, 88 dead, so some unexpected vacancies in nearby hotels.
Meanwhile former rally champ Colin McRae died in helicopter crash.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played in goal for the Marlins, they lost about 5-8. Then she played for Sharks against Rangeview, a tough team, and it was 3-3 end of third quarter, but they reorganised and dominated the fourth quarter scoring five unanswered goals and winning 8-3. Hannah scored a beauty.
Rory played in U18B team on Saturday, I think the lost 6-8, Rory scored two goals.
Sunday Rory's U16A team was in regional playoffs. They beat Tauranga 6-4, Rory scored no goals but did his bit. In the final they played Northsport and lost 6-7. It was very tight game, Rory didn't get a lot of pool time, but a couple of talented guys really lost their cool and blew it.
SPORT
Race car driver Scott Dixon was leading into the last lap of a race that would have given him the series title in the Indy Car series but ran out of gas. Seems a little short sighted to me.
Roger Federer has now won US Tennis Open four times in a row.
Auckland beat lowly Tasman 49-7
Meanwhile the Rugby World Cup has been underwhelming people all over the world. And poor old England lost 0-36 to South Africa. What a shocker. Meanwhile the All Black B team beat Portugal 108-13. Tonga beat Samoa which was a surprise.
The Warriors lost again, tossers.
Man Utd scraped a 1-0 win over Everton, Arsenal beat Spurs 3-1, Sunderland beat Reading 2-1, Chelsea had 0-0 draw.
New Zealand Women's Hockey qualified for Beijing after beating Australia 1-0. Don’t think the men did, not sure.
MY SAD LIFE
Peter Evans exclaimed that he did not believe the Koos sighting and wanted proof. Heidi was brave enough to add yet another recipient to this email despite legislation that now potentially protects the sanity of the innocent.
Rory had his science exam Wednesday, I will let you know how it went if we ever get told anything.
On Thursday Hannah got a letter telling her she was in a team for a mini-tournament/trial for soccer. She said she would go, so I told them she would, then she changed her mind. Got a little delicate but in the end she went, and I think had a very fun time. It only took about three hours, she played very well. We know she cannot take part in the tournament in December but at least she could see how she stacked up against others and it keeps her options open in future. She went, under sufference, and enjoyed herself despite everything.
The show was Wednesday and Thursday night. I was not exactly keen to see "High School Musical" (an exceedingly gay disney musical movie), but decided that I really should attend a little bit late in the piece and I am glad I did (had to do some arrangements for transport and training to become available, but managed it). Hannah played four parts in the show, had a few lines. She did well, they all did. My nice low-light lens could handle it without flash and I got a very cool shot of the leads at the end.
We managed to see the Goodins between dropping Hannah off and picking her up from Wednesday show. They are off to Europe for work/holiday.
Friday was the birthday. Was a pretty busy day with water polo and things but had time for seafood chowder for dinner. I think Hannah generally had a pretty good weekend, all things considered. She disappeared Sunday to St Lukes with Josie and Millie. The party won't be until next term.
Diana finally had two days off work this week. Theoretically she works three full days (a change to the five half days to accommodate someone who has now resigned) but she has not managed to work only three days for a long time.
We are going to the South Island from this coming weekend. Rory goes Friday. We go Saturday. Under 16 Nationals first then a tour around the country a bit.
A third 15 yo girl died following that crash last week in which two passed on rather faster.
A youth was arrested over the killing last Saturday night, he seems to have been convicted by evidence on his Bebo page. Not entirely sure why fellow youths could not impart information to police but it was okay to accuse them on the internet, but I supposed it was effective.
The SIS director made a press statement, an usual event in itself (it was first time) and announced that Ahmed Zaoui was no longer considered a risk and is now to be treated like a refugee. Apparently he's just told them something, which the SIS cannot reveal, which has made all the difference (why he didn't mention it until now, I don't know). In an exclusive, I can quote you that conversation:
SIS MAN: Ahmed, how much do you hate Osama Bin Laden?
Ahmed: A LOT.
SIS MAN: (looks around furtively, checks the curtains are drawn) All right, you're in.
Bit of home grown reality radio this week. A suicidal woman rang a local talkback show and they tracked her down on air and got her to a hospital.
The theme for the weekend was murders, with two dying from two separate shootings and one from a stabbing. Busy day on Saturday. We also had a teen shot in the head twice with a slug gun. This particular teen was quoted as saying the robber was lucky he didn't die (but surely not as lucky as the victim).
A National MP wrote to the associate minister of health enquiring as to what he was doing about the harmful drug dihydrogen monoxide. She had been told people get addicted and often die if they don't consume a steady amount of it, and that it is colourless and odourless. It is, of course, water. What a fool. Jacqui Dean is now a legendarily silly person.
Subsequently, we had articles about concerns for the intelligence of MPs. Not surprising really.
Clint Rickards, tarnished Auckland uber-cop, got a new company car. He's been suspended on full pay for three years. Not bad, eh?
WORLD NEWS
Revelations today that the Australian Defence Force have paid for breast enlargements for two officers. Wouldn't be so bad if they were women, I suppose.
Air crash in Phuket seemed a little nasty, 88 dead, so some unexpected vacancies in nearby hotels.
Meanwhile former rally champ Colin McRae died in helicopter crash.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played in goal for the Marlins, they lost about 5-8. Then she played for Sharks against Rangeview, a tough team, and it was 3-3 end of third quarter, but they reorganised and dominated the fourth quarter scoring five unanswered goals and winning 8-3. Hannah scored a beauty.
Rory played in U18B team on Saturday, I think the lost 6-8, Rory scored two goals.
Sunday Rory's U16A team was in regional playoffs. They beat Tauranga 6-4, Rory scored no goals but did his bit. In the final they played Northsport and lost 6-7. It was very tight game, Rory didn't get a lot of pool time, but a couple of talented guys really lost their cool and blew it.
SPORT
Race car driver Scott Dixon was leading into the last lap of a race that would have given him the series title in the Indy Car series but ran out of gas. Seems a little short sighted to me.
Roger Federer has now won US Tennis Open four times in a row.
Auckland beat lowly Tasman 49-7
Meanwhile the Rugby World Cup has been underwhelming people all over the world. And poor old England lost 0-36 to South Africa. What a shocker. Meanwhile the All Black B team beat Portugal 108-13. Tonga beat Samoa which was a surprise.
The Warriors lost again, tossers.
Man Utd scraped a 1-0 win over Everton, Arsenal beat Spurs 3-1, Sunderland beat Reading 2-1, Chelsea had 0-0 draw.
New Zealand Women's Hockey qualified for Beijing after beating Australia 1-0. Don’t think the men did, not sure.
MY SAD LIFE
Peter Evans exclaimed that he did not believe the Koos sighting and wanted proof. Heidi was brave enough to add yet another recipient to this email despite legislation that now potentially protects the sanity of the innocent.
Rory had his science exam Wednesday, I will let you know how it went if we ever get told anything.
On Thursday Hannah got a letter telling her she was in a team for a mini-tournament/trial for soccer. She said she would go, so I told them she would, then she changed her mind. Got a little delicate but in the end she went, and I think had a very fun time. It only took about three hours, she played very well. We know she cannot take part in the tournament in December but at least she could see how she stacked up against others and it keeps her options open in future. She went, under sufference, and enjoyed herself despite everything.
The show was Wednesday and Thursday night. I was not exactly keen to see "High School Musical" (an exceedingly gay disney musical movie), but decided that I really should attend a little bit late in the piece and I am glad I did (had to do some arrangements for transport and training to become available, but managed it). Hannah played four parts in the show, had a few lines. She did well, they all did. My nice low-light lens could handle it without flash and I got a very cool shot of the leads at the end.
We managed to see the Goodins between dropping Hannah off and picking her up from Wednesday show. They are off to Europe for work/holiday.
Friday was the birthday. Was a pretty busy day with water polo and things but had time for seafood chowder for dinner. I think Hannah generally had a pretty good weekend, all things considered. She disappeared Sunday to St Lukes with Josie and Millie. The party won't be until next term.
Diana finally had two days off work this week. Theoretically she works three full days (a change to the five half days to accommodate someone who has now resigned) but she has not managed to work only three days for a long time.
We are going to the South Island from this coming weekend. Rory goes Friday. We go Saturday. Under 16 Nationals first then a tour around the country a bit.
10 September 2007
APEC madness in Sydney, general madness on New Zealand roads, news cancelled due to lack of interest - 10/09/07
I apologise for a lack of depth in some areas, my favoured news website has cancelled much of it's meaningful content because of the rugby.
LOCAL NEWS
Some knob end crashed a speedboat into a sandbank, and then his girlfriend left him there. Pretty funny.
New anti-spam laws came into effect in New Zealand this week, which has meant I have been getting lots of spam from people asking me to opt in to things I have been trying to stop for years.
Magpies are attacking people in Christchurch, it's nesting season. They don't know what to do. It's dead simple if you ask me.
A 17 year old male died in a fight at a party in Herne Bay. Hannah was at a party not far away that night, although they were finished about two hours before the incident was still a little close to home.
Lots of chaos on roads, a child died when a minivan went down a bank in Hawkes Bay, two teenage girls died in south island when their car hit a power pole. A paraplegic Christchurch City Councillor was wiped out on his bicycle by a car in Christchurch and killed.
Meanwhile, police did nothing to enhance our confidence in them by telling us that the death of a man who was run over on a rural road (he was lying down on it) was "a tragedy that could have been avoided". No. Really?
Ridiculous fuss this week over the Corrections Minister letting a suspended prison officer play in the ridiculously unimportant public servant rugby world cup in France. Who cares?
WORLD NEWS
Hilarious scuffle in Australia during APEC when a tv comedy show sent three cars in a mini motorcade through all the security right up to GWs hotel, only for a guy dressed like Osama to come out of the car. Sydney has been shut down for the duration, been chaotic.
Adventurer Steve Fosset went MIA in a fancy high altitude aircraft. It does not look good.
REAL SPORT
Hannah went to U16 girls training to work with Ianeta ('neta for short), who is New Zealand U15 goalie. She was very nice, I know her reasonably well from U14 Nationals last year.
The Piranhas won 12-2 over St Marys 2. Hannah played in goal again for the Marlins (the team Rory coaches) and they had close 7-5 win.
Rory's B team beat Tauranga 10-1. Rory did not score, which is unusual, but probably a good thing for the team.
Rory has 16A playoffs this coming weekend on Sunday, in Auckland thankfully.
SPORT
The Frogs weren't too happy in the opening games against the Argies, losing 12-17. The All Blacks beat a team. It's thoroughly stupid at this point, with too many knob-end teams. Meanwhile the press wax lyrical about meaningless results and it's all just total bollocks.
Canterbury defended the shield on Friday night, Auckland beat Northland by a relatively narrow margin, 33-25. Waikato scraped past Tasman 25-23.
The Warriors lost in their first semi-final narrowly to the Parramatta Eels but they get a second go against Townsville.
MY SAD LIFE
I saw Koos this week, he popped in at lunchtime on Wednesday. During the day does seem to be the only option to see people unless they hang around at a pool.I am sure most people think we are just being rude.
I took Rory and two others (Maddie from Hannah's soccer team, and Ella who I had never met) to Ponsonby Intermediate to adjudicate at a debate for Rory's old teacher. I sat in on the debate because there was sod all else to do. They did well, apart from Rory's phone vibrating twice. They gave good feedback to everyone in each team.
It was Matt's fourth birthday on Thursday. I didn't forget, honest. I just didn't quite manage to call.
Hannah did not go to the Auckland rep soccer trial, because it is for tournament same date as polo Nationals so there was no point. Bit disappointing, but makes sense I guess. She went to a rehearsal for the show instead, which is on this week. Her tap exam was on Saturday, so dancing workload is dropping right off now.
On Saturday, Rory and I went to Tauranga for a game of water polo for the U16B team, that he really shouldn't be playing for any more. There was the bare seven players, which is why he was required. It was a pretty long day, six and a half hours on the road, not real impressed but you do what you have to.
The driving lessons continue, he drove on the motorway for the first time on Sunday. I now see an additional application for adult continence products.
ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION
I am supposed to have asked you for permission to keep sending this. I did. You just forgot I did and you said you wanted to keep getting it. If you don't remember you may need to consult a physician.
LOCAL NEWS
Some knob end crashed a speedboat into a sandbank, and then his girlfriend left him there. Pretty funny.
New anti-spam laws came into effect in New Zealand this week, which has meant I have been getting lots of spam from people asking me to opt in to things I have been trying to stop for years.
Magpies are attacking people in Christchurch, it's nesting season. They don't know what to do. It's dead simple if you ask me.
A 17 year old male died in a fight at a party in Herne Bay. Hannah was at a party not far away that night, although they were finished about two hours before the incident was still a little close to home.
Lots of chaos on roads, a child died when a minivan went down a bank in Hawkes Bay, two teenage girls died in south island when their car hit a power pole. A paraplegic Christchurch City Councillor was wiped out on his bicycle by a car in Christchurch and killed.
Meanwhile, police did nothing to enhance our confidence in them by telling us that the death of a man who was run over on a rural road (he was lying down on it) was "a tragedy that could have been avoided". No. Really?
Ridiculous fuss this week over the Corrections Minister letting a suspended prison officer play in the ridiculously unimportant public servant rugby world cup in France. Who cares?
WORLD NEWS
Hilarious scuffle in Australia during APEC when a tv comedy show sent three cars in a mini motorcade through all the security right up to GWs hotel, only for a guy dressed like Osama to come out of the car. Sydney has been shut down for the duration, been chaotic.
Adventurer Steve Fosset went MIA in a fancy high altitude aircraft. It does not look good.
REAL SPORT
Hannah went to U16 girls training to work with Ianeta ('neta for short), who is New Zealand U15 goalie. She was very nice, I know her reasonably well from U14 Nationals last year.
The Piranhas won 12-2 over St Marys 2. Hannah played in goal again for the Marlins (the team Rory coaches) and they had close 7-5 win.
Rory's B team beat Tauranga 10-1. Rory did not score, which is unusual, but probably a good thing for the team.
Rory has 16A playoffs this coming weekend on Sunday, in Auckland thankfully.
SPORT
The Frogs weren't too happy in the opening games against the Argies, losing 12-17. The All Blacks beat a team. It's thoroughly stupid at this point, with too many knob-end teams. Meanwhile the press wax lyrical about meaningless results and it's all just total bollocks.
Canterbury defended the shield on Friday night, Auckland beat Northland by a relatively narrow margin, 33-25. Waikato scraped past Tasman 25-23.
The Warriors lost in their first semi-final narrowly to the Parramatta Eels but they get a second go against Townsville.
MY SAD LIFE
I saw Koos this week, he popped in at lunchtime on Wednesday. During the day does seem to be the only option to see people unless they hang around at a pool.I am sure most people think we are just being rude.
I took Rory and two others (Maddie from Hannah's soccer team, and Ella who I had never met) to Ponsonby Intermediate to adjudicate at a debate for Rory's old teacher. I sat in on the debate because there was sod all else to do. They did well, apart from Rory's phone vibrating twice. They gave good feedback to everyone in each team.
It was Matt's fourth birthday on Thursday. I didn't forget, honest. I just didn't quite manage to call.
Hannah did not go to the Auckland rep soccer trial, because it is for tournament same date as polo Nationals so there was no point. Bit disappointing, but makes sense I guess. She went to a rehearsal for the show instead, which is on this week. Her tap exam was on Saturday, so dancing workload is dropping right off now.
On Saturday, Rory and I went to Tauranga for a game of water polo for the U16B team, that he really shouldn't be playing for any more. There was the bare seven players, which is why he was required. It was a pretty long day, six and a half hours on the road, not real impressed but you do what you have to.
The driving lessons continue, he drove on the motorway for the first time on Sunday. I now see an additional application for adult continence products.
ANTI-SPAM LEGISLATION
I am supposed to have asked you for permission to keep sending this. I did. You just forgot I did and you said you wanted to keep getting it. If you don't remember you may need to consult a physician.
3 September 2007
Boozy students, dance exam hell, and naughty league legends - 03/09/07
I think a lot of what has happened this week slipped past me, I've been busy.
LOCAL NEWS
Father of the decade, Chris Kahui, accused of the manslaughter of his twin sons, has breached bail conditions three times and will now await his trial in jail. The man is clearly an utter fool, regardless of what else he might be.
We seem to be having a run of finance companies fail, lost count of how many. However, the downstream impact is that nobody wants to invest with these guys so the ones remaining have no money to lend and are more at risk. Not great.
Bit of a fuss over night vision goggles used by air rescue services that look like they may have been stolen from US military.
The guy made it out of the cave, took less time than they thought and he was only 2.2km into the system. He will be fine.
School kids in Wellington have been popping to a student bar for a beer at lunch time. I suppose it depends how many beers as to how bad this is.
A fight erupted in a soccer match between New Brighton and Chinese United, sounds like it got well out of hand, one player broke his ankle during the game. Eek.
WORLD NEWS
The Greek tragedy continued, although it's gone quiet so it must be sorted now.
Andrew Johns was found with one ecstasy tablet and has now confessed to using drugs for ten years. Doesn't sound like they were performance enhancing though.
The APEC meeting is happening in Sydney, it seems quite bizarre with some exceedingly onerous security measures.
Equine flu continues to be an issue in Australia.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played for the composite team on Friday night in goal and helped them to a win, 6-4 over my Ponsonby Piranhas. Hannah then played in goal for Rory's team, the Marlins, but Rory was lame and not there.
Rory played another U18 game, against Northsport A, they lost 1-12 but that was expected, was a better score than I thought.
On Sunday Rory played for 16A against Rotorua in the morning and they won 15-1. He then played for 16B in the afternoon against Northsport and they won 10-4.
SPORT
Mahe Drysdale won gold for third time in rowing world champs in single sculls. The Swindell twins got silver. New Zealand rowers got three golds and two silvers.
Taranaki squeaked a 22-20 win over Northland, Canterbury removed the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato 33-20, BOP scored their first win over Tasman. Auckland beat Hawke's Bay 38-11.
The rally of New Zealand was on over the weekend but really didn't hit the radar. Some foreign guy won.
The Warriors beat the Panthers 24-20 earning a home semi in the playoffs.
Liverpool beat Derby 6-0 (very big score), Fulham drew 3-3 with Spurs, Man Utd managed a feeble 1-0 win over Sunderland. Villa beat Chelsea 2-0, big news.
The rugby world cups starts this week. I can't say I have been looking forward to it.
MY SAD LIFE
Forgot to mention the Granny Bread incident at water polo a week ago. Mum came to watch the polo, and brought a loaf of her home made bread, called Granny Bread by the kids. The first reaction from me, Rory, and Diana (all separately) was "keep Chase away from it" (she really likes it). Rory absconded with it and used it to motivate his intermediate polo team during their game, a game in which they were a goal down before they came back to win 4-1. Who needs lollies and junk food when you can bribe kids with fresh wholemeal bread?
The U14A Girls team was announced for club polo, Hannah is in the team as the goalie, she is pleased. I think the time for deciding which activity comes first is upon us.
This week, the focus was on dancing, Hannah had her jazz exam on Sunday and three other preparatory things on Saturday. She wasn't too happy about the exam beforehand, in fact quite the opposite, but she seemed exceedingly happy afterwards on Sunday, not sure if it was because it went well or because it was over. She has a tap dancing exam next weekend. She's not so worried about that one.
The Berocca tablet did not completely dissolve, and interestingly (well, it is interesting in my world) it would not dissolve when put into a glass of water. It was like the outside had formed a protective layer by partially dissolving.
Diana worked out this morning that we had ten things to have people at this weekend, between polo and dancing (and one party for Hannah). Ten. Is that all? Rory has a game in Tauranga this Saturday.
Rory has done more driving this week. Diana didn't handle a session with him at all well, and Rory suggested to her that the warranty on the seat belt might be under threat if she continued to twist it quite that hard as she clung to it. I took him about three times. He drove to training on Monday night at MAGS (about three ks away), we took a spin around side streets around us (and Rory stopped in the middle of the road to look at a parked Maserati, as you do), and another trip to Unitech to practice parking and things. He's getting there.
Organisation for Hannah's birthday, now less than two weeks away, is woeful. There is none. Ideas have been flying around but no date has been set.
Father's Day wasn't really much of a day, although Diana did make me breakfast before we left for the pool at 8:30am on Sunday morning. Didn't see Hannah until about 11:30.
There should be more, but that will have to do for now.
LOCAL NEWS
Father of the decade, Chris Kahui, accused of the manslaughter of his twin sons, has breached bail conditions three times and will now await his trial in jail. The man is clearly an utter fool, regardless of what else he might be.
We seem to be having a run of finance companies fail, lost count of how many. However, the downstream impact is that nobody wants to invest with these guys so the ones remaining have no money to lend and are more at risk. Not great.
Bit of a fuss over night vision goggles used by air rescue services that look like they may have been stolen from US military.
The guy made it out of the cave, took less time than they thought and he was only 2.2km into the system. He will be fine.
School kids in Wellington have been popping to a student bar for a beer at lunch time. I suppose it depends how many beers as to how bad this is.
A fight erupted in a soccer match between New Brighton and Chinese United, sounds like it got well out of hand, one player broke his ankle during the game. Eek.
WORLD NEWS
The Greek tragedy continued, although it's gone quiet so it must be sorted now.
Andrew Johns was found with one ecstasy tablet and has now confessed to using drugs for ten years. Doesn't sound like they were performance enhancing though.
The APEC meeting is happening in Sydney, it seems quite bizarre with some exceedingly onerous security measures.
Equine flu continues to be an issue in Australia.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played for the composite team on Friday night in goal and helped them to a win, 6-4 over my Ponsonby Piranhas. Hannah then played in goal for Rory's team, the Marlins, but Rory was lame and not there.
Rory played another U18 game, against Northsport A, they lost 1-12 but that was expected, was a better score than I thought.
On Sunday Rory played for 16A against Rotorua in the morning and they won 15-1. He then played for 16B in the afternoon against Northsport and they won 10-4.
SPORT
Mahe Drysdale won gold for third time in rowing world champs in single sculls. The Swindell twins got silver. New Zealand rowers got three golds and two silvers.
Taranaki squeaked a 22-20 win over Northland, Canterbury removed the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato 33-20, BOP scored their first win over Tasman. Auckland beat Hawke's Bay 38-11.
The rally of New Zealand was on over the weekend but really didn't hit the radar. Some foreign guy won.
The Warriors beat the Panthers 24-20 earning a home semi in the playoffs.
Liverpool beat Derby 6-0 (very big score), Fulham drew 3-3 with Spurs, Man Utd managed a feeble 1-0 win over Sunderland. Villa beat Chelsea 2-0, big news.
The rugby world cups starts this week. I can't say I have been looking forward to it.
MY SAD LIFE
Forgot to mention the Granny Bread incident at water polo a week ago. Mum came to watch the polo, and brought a loaf of her home made bread, called Granny Bread by the kids. The first reaction from me, Rory, and Diana (all separately) was "keep Chase away from it" (she really likes it). Rory absconded with it and used it to motivate his intermediate polo team during their game, a game in which they were a goal down before they came back to win 4-1. Who needs lollies and junk food when you can bribe kids with fresh wholemeal bread?
The U14A Girls team was announced for club polo, Hannah is in the team as the goalie, she is pleased. I think the time for deciding which activity comes first is upon us.
This week, the focus was on dancing, Hannah had her jazz exam on Sunday and three other preparatory things on Saturday. She wasn't too happy about the exam beforehand, in fact quite the opposite, but she seemed exceedingly happy afterwards on Sunday, not sure if it was because it went well or because it was over. She has a tap dancing exam next weekend. She's not so worried about that one.
The Berocca tablet did not completely dissolve, and interestingly (well, it is interesting in my world) it would not dissolve when put into a glass of water. It was like the outside had formed a protective layer by partially dissolving.
Diana worked out this morning that we had ten things to have people at this weekend, between polo and dancing (and one party for Hannah). Ten. Is that all? Rory has a game in Tauranga this Saturday.
Rory has done more driving this week. Diana didn't handle a session with him at all well, and Rory suggested to her that the warranty on the seat belt might be under threat if she continued to twist it quite that hard as she clung to it. I took him about three times. He drove to training on Monday night at MAGS (about three ks away), we took a spin around side streets around us (and Rory stopped in the middle of the road to look at a parked Maserati, as you do), and another trip to Unitech to practice parking and things. He's getting there.
Organisation for Hannah's birthday, now less than two weeks away, is woeful. There is none. Ideas have been flying around but no date has been set.
Father's Day wasn't really much of a day, although Diana did make me breakfast before we left for the pool at 8:30am on Sunday morning. Didn't see Hannah until about 11:30.
There should be more, but that will have to do for now.
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