I am sending this a day early because we are off to a water polo tournament today and might not get a chance to finish it tomorrow.
LOCAL NEWS
A man unsuccessfully tried to recycle his legs in a recycling centre. His new legs will be made of recyclable material.
A chemically impaired woman drove 10km on the North Western motorway, the wrong way, at 1:40am, before she managed to hit someone and kill herself. I am sorry, but I do not believe anyone could be made that stupid by being slightly over the limit. You would have to be so sozzled that I would think opening a car door would be highly improbable.
The AA made a pathetic call on behalf of motorists for explanation of why petrol is rising. If they don't know they shouldn't be allowed to drive a car.
A crash into a pole tore a car in half in Invercargill, the occupants survived but one lost a leg. The back half went 10 metres beyond the front half.
DNA evidence has exonerated a man, two years after being convicted of rape. I wonder how he gets his two years back.
Two men died when a home made aircraft crashed at Whenuapai. They were pretty experienced but I am not sure I would trust home made.
Supposedly one in ten New Zealanders is considering moving to Australia. Not sure how seriously they are thinking about it. Shame we can't choose them.
WORLD NEWS
Mugabe is still clinging to power. Hillary is still thinking she can get the democrat nomination. Were they separated at birth?
Meanwhile the Olympic torch continues to run away from Tibetan protestors. We didn't get to see it in New Zealand. We had one New Zealander hold it in Canberra (to light a cigarette, I think) and that was it.
REAL SPORT
No real sport of consequence this week. Plenty this coming week with polo tournament, starting tonight.
SPORT
Champs League semi finals both ended in a draw. Liverpool Chelsea 1-1, Man Utd Barcelona 0-0.
Chelsea beat Man Utd 2-1 at Stamford bridge, Liverpool drew with the Brummies, Sunderland beat Middlesbrough 3-2.
The Blues lost to the Crusaders so they won't make the finals. Hurricanes won, not sure about the rest.
MY SAD LIFE
Well, on Friday, Rory actually shaved. The bearded homeless person look has gone. Diana paid him the $20. Not very impressed.
Diana and I went walking on Wednesday. We came across to guys wearing tinfoil shorts and nothing else. They handed us each a protein drink and said they were promoting the new American Gladiators show. Then they asked me to biff a big Swiss ball at one of them. Just as I was about to hurl it, I said "what that, over there?". He turned. I threw. He got hit. It was pretty funny. We used to do that with the kids in soccer but this guy was like 25. Hired for his brawn, not brains, I guess.
The kids didn't exactly have an achievement oriented week. One day Rory slipped and put on pants.
Diana baby sat the twins for Sarah on Thursday while she was at physio. Her first solo. She handled it well, dunno why Sarah would think it is hard going (just kidding, Sarah). They are eleven weeks old on Tuesday.
Judy is off on a cruise around Tahiti or somewhere. It might not be Tahiti, but if I say "or somewhere" then you know it's a pacific island. Ross and Kath didn't actually go to Tahiti, but it was somewhere like Tahiti (well, it had an i in it, at least).
On Anzac Day, Friday, we went to the local parade. Our neighbour Jim didn't march this year, he went straight to the RSA (didn't want to be riding with the fossils).
Don't really feel like much happened this week. Perhaps that is a good thing.
21 April 2008
Acts of God take centre stage, carnage everywhere except the roads - 21/04/2008
LOCAL NEWS
Twelve high school kids were washed away in a swollen Mangetepopo river on Tuesday, near the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Tongariro National Park. It was not good. By the next morning the bodies of six students and a teacher were found. While the word tragedy seems more than appropriate, it's over-use makes it less so. The kids were from the Elim Christian School in Howick. God was clearly not on their side this week. Of course we then had the media frenzy. A press conference at 7:15am by the headmaster, who handled things pretty well, was then fired with questions like "how has this impacted your school community". He managed to restrain himself and not say "How the hell should I know, we've only known for the last 12 hours, they found the last two bodies two hours ago, and most people haven't heard yet that's why we're having a press conference."
For the rest of the week we were treated to examples of how invasive and morally bankrupt the media can be as they exploited every possible opportunity and angle to cover the story.
A man was killed by lightning while horse-riding near Dargaville. The horse was also killed.
All reports on the Kahui case were deeply disturbing as character assassination occurred between the father and the mother, amid woeful delivery from the defence lawyer who wouldn't last five minutes on Boston Legal. As the week wore on you couldn't help but realise what a total pair of scumbags the two parents were, although basically the whole week involved them character assassinating each other they both had plenty of dirt to dish (she was "trying" P the week before they died, is one example). We came to the realisation that the twin boys were probably better off dying young than becoming long term destructive forces to society. Some background on the mother for you, Macsyna King, she has had six kids, to about five different men, and all the surviving ones live with their fathers. And you need a dog license, eh?
A 2yo in Hastings died when he pulled a fireguard over onto himself. Nasty, horrible when safety measures go bad.
They finally found a body in the Waimakiriri River on Thursday. It was expected to be the missing girl, and was eventually confirmed, but after losing seven on Tuesday, coverage of one dead in a river seemed almost petty.
Confirming my ever-popular "bigger bastard theory" (which originated while kayaking but is useful on the road, it goes like this: no matter whether you have the right of way or not, if the other guy is the bigger bastard, give way rather than end up being a red hood ornament.) an 87 year old on a mobility scooter learned a terminal lesson when they took on a light truck near Mt Maunganui. The way I think is this, if the big guy hasn't seen you, your day is going to be ruined a lot more than his.
A toddler that presented with inexplicable head injuries in Manukau died on Friday. His parents are facing firearms and P charges this week. Nothing changes, eh?
Latest polls have National ahead in most areas.
The young doctors are threatening a 48 hour strike tomorrow. We are trying to avoid injury. The DHB came out saying they weren't giving them a higher percentage increase than everyone else, but if they are underpaid comparatively how will they redress the balance?
WORLD NEWS
Julie told me about a woman who was also twice widowed. Her first husband killed himself. Her second husband was the recipient of her first husband's heart, and a few years later he also killed himself. I am assuming the heart isn't being recycled again, the whole thing is quite Edgar Allan Poe-esque. It happened a little while ago now, but it seemed topical.
There was news from Reuters that Neanderthals spoke like new zealanders. I wonder if they knew about jandals and buzzy bees?
REAL SPORT
Only had Hannah's soccer game this weekend. They lost 1-2, but were so much better than the other team, they just struggled with the small field which was a three quarter pitch.
Hannah has been picked in the A netball team at school. God knows how she will fit it in, and there are some grumpy club players who didn't make the A team. Seems quite contentious but the trials took ages.
SPORT
New Zealand cricketer Brendan McCullum scored 158 not out in a 20/20 game in India, highest ever score in a 20/20 match.
Man Utd drew 1-1 with Blackburn, Liverpool beat Fulham 2-0, the Arse beat Reading 2-0. Newcastle beat Sunderland 2-0, Villa thumped the Brummies 5-1.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders (didn't see that coming) 18-5, Highlanders and Hurricanes lost, Blues had a bye.
MY SAD LIFE
The "river tragedy" this week reminds me of what happened when I was in 7th form. Koos was there, as was Jono's sister Steph. We were taking depth readings in the river for a rate of flow exercise for Applied Maths, a practical application of the Trapezium Rule. Some of us were nipple-deep in water at times in a slowly angrying river. We were meant to be spending the night out there under flysheets, so we had sleeping bags and things with us. The weather wasn't good, it slowly got worse, and when the teacher realised maybe we needed to get out it was probably later than it should have been. Steph was suffering from hyperthermia and as we trudged out of the bush we came across a bunch of army cooks who had cooked up a big feed in the middle of nowhere for nobody in particular and we all got shelter and food. I may be wrong but I think they even transported some of us back to our bus. We were exceedingly lucky, Steph in particular.
Hannah did a face plant on the bottom of the pool on Tuesday, she was mucking around. Wasn't happy but she will live.
Rory impressed everyone with his brilliance this week. Went back to school Thursday night to get his media book, that was actually sitting on the coffee table. Nice. He did ace an algebra test, so perhaps his brain cells were fatigued.
Both kids disappeared Saturday night so we had a peaceful house and went out for breakfast. They stayed at Maddie's house. Not the same Maddie. There are too many Middies.
Sasha Bamberger turned five yesterday. She has only been called Sasha for 4 years and 43 weeks.
It would have been my father's 70th birthday on Thursday. It is Rory Hughes' birthday today, but haven't actually heard from him in ages.
Koos ran away from home for the day, yesterday. Something about a party and lots of 14 year old girls. I don't blame him. We went to Takapuna Beach with the Goodins, Pippy, and Koos, and no kids. There was an ocean swim going on there, some man died but we didn't notice. The dead guy didn't warrant a mention on the TV news this morning, but a dog that did the swim was given plenty of coverage.
OH, AND IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING
No Berocca incidents this week. I know you probably weren't wondering.
Twelve high school kids were washed away in a swollen Mangetepopo river on Tuesday, near the Outdoor Pursuits Centre in Tongariro National Park. It was not good. By the next morning the bodies of six students and a teacher were found. While the word tragedy seems more than appropriate, it's over-use makes it less so. The kids were from the Elim Christian School in Howick. God was clearly not on their side this week. Of course we then had the media frenzy. A press conference at 7:15am by the headmaster, who handled things pretty well, was then fired with questions like "how has this impacted your school community". He managed to restrain himself and not say "How the hell should I know, we've only known for the last 12 hours, they found the last two bodies two hours ago, and most people haven't heard yet that's why we're having a press conference."
For the rest of the week we were treated to examples of how invasive and morally bankrupt the media can be as they exploited every possible opportunity and angle to cover the story.
A man was killed by lightning while horse-riding near Dargaville. The horse was also killed.
All reports on the Kahui case were deeply disturbing as character assassination occurred between the father and the mother, amid woeful delivery from the defence lawyer who wouldn't last five minutes on Boston Legal. As the week wore on you couldn't help but realise what a total pair of scumbags the two parents were, although basically the whole week involved them character assassinating each other they both had plenty of dirt to dish (she was "trying" P the week before they died, is one example). We came to the realisation that the twin boys were probably better off dying young than becoming long term destructive forces to society. Some background on the mother for you, Macsyna King, she has had six kids, to about five different men, and all the surviving ones live with their fathers. And you need a dog license, eh?
A 2yo in Hastings died when he pulled a fireguard over onto himself. Nasty, horrible when safety measures go bad.
They finally found a body in the Waimakiriri River on Thursday. It was expected to be the missing girl, and was eventually confirmed, but after losing seven on Tuesday, coverage of one dead in a river seemed almost petty.
Confirming my ever-popular "bigger bastard theory" (which originated while kayaking but is useful on the road, it goes like this: no matter whether you have the right of way or not, if the other guy is the bigger bastard, give way rather than end up being a red hood ornament.) an 87 year old on a mobility scooter learned a terminal lesson when they took on a light truck near Mt Maunganui. The way I think is this, if the big guy hasn't seen you, your day is going to be ruined a lot more than his.
A toddler that presented with inexplicable head injuries in Manukau died on Friday. His parents are facing firearms and P charges this week. Nothing changes, eh?
Latest polls have National ahead in most areas.
The young doctors are threatening a 48 hour strike tomorrow. We are trying to avoid injury. The DHB came out saying they weren't giving them a higher percentage increase than everyone else, but if they are underpaid comparatively how will they redress the balance?
WORLD NEWS
Julie told me about a woman who was also twice widowed. Her first husband killed himself. Her second husband was the recipient of her first husband's heart, and a few years later he also killed himself. I am assuming the heart isn't being recycled again, the whole thing is quite Edgar Allan Poe-esque. It happened a little while ago now, but it seemed topical.
There was news from Reuters that Neanderthals spoke like new zealanders. I wonder if they knew about jandals and buzzy bees?
REAL SPORT
Only had Hannah's soccer game this weekend. They lost 1-2, but were so much better than the other team, they just struggled with the small field which was a three quarter pitch.
Hannah has been picked in the A netball team at school. God knows how she will fit it in, and there are some grumpy club players who didn't make the A team. Seems quite contentious but the trials took ages.
SPORT
New Zealand cricketer Brendan McCullum scored 158 not out in a 20/20 game in India, highest ever score in a 20/20 match.
Man Utd drew 1-1 with Blackburn, Liverpool beat Fulham 2-0, the Arse beat Reading 2-0. Newcastle beat Sunderland 2-0, Villa thumped the Brummies 5-1.
The Chiefs beat the Crusaders (didn't see that coming) 18-5, Highlanders and Hurricanes lost, Blues had a bye.
MY SAD LIFE
The "river tragedy" this week reminds me of what happened when I was in 7th form. Koos was there, as was Jono's sister Steph. We were taking depth readings in the river for a rate of flow exercise for Applied Maths, a practical application of the Trapezium Rule. Some of us were nipple-deep in water at times in a slowly angrying river. We were meant to be spending the night out there under flysheets, so we had sleeping bags and things with us. The weather wasn't good, it slowly got worse, and when the teacher realised maybe we needed to get out it was probably later than it should have been. Steph was suffering from hyperthermia and as we trudged out of the bush we came across a bunch of army cooks who had cooked up a big feed in the middle of nowhere for nobody in particular and we all got shelter and food. I may be wrong but I think they even transported some of us back to our bus. We were exceedingly lucky, Steph in particular.
Hannah did a face plant on the bottom of the pool on Tuesday, she was mucking around. Wasn't happy but she will live.
Rory impressed everyone with his brilliance this week. Went back to school Thursday night to get his media book, that was actually sitting on the coffee table. Nice. He did ace an algebra test, so perhaps his brain cells were fatigued.
Both kids disappeared Saturday night so we had a peaceful house and went out for breakfast. They stayed at Maddie's house. Not the same Maddie. There are too many Middies.
Sasha Bamberger turned five yesterday. She has only been called Sasha for 4 years and 43 weeks.
It would have been my father's 70th birthday on Thursday. It is Rory Hughes' birthday today, but haven't actually heard from him in ages.
Koos ran away from home for the day, yesterday. Something about a party and lots of 14 year old girls. I don't blame him. We went to Takapuna Beach with the Goodins, Pippy, and Koos, and no kids. There was an ocean swim going on there, some man died but we didn't notice. The dead guy didn't warrant a mention on the TV news this morning, but a dog that did the swim was given plenty of coverage.
OH, AND IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING
No Berocca incidents this week. I know you probably weren't wondering.
14 April 2008
Kathryn gets long service medal, Rob just doesn't learn from experience, and the cost of living in different countries! - 14/04/2008
LOCAL NEWS
Labour, Maori, and exceedingly portly MP Parekura Horomia (Horo by name and horror by nature) told Parliament and the world that poor kids going to school hungry are probably dieting. The PC brigade had a fit, unfortunately I agree. It is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than something and remove all doubt. We get plenty of Horo stories and it makes you wonder seriously about the wisdom of letting just anyone vote.
The China trade deal was signed, we kept hearing about it. Then Winston waded in telling the world it was a bad thing.
Chris Kahui starts his trial for the murder of his twin sons today, 21 months after they died. Brett has been looking forward to this for quite some time. It is expected to last seven weeks.
A teenage schoolgirl went missing in Christchurch. It doesn't look good, been a week now.
A woman in Northland was widowed for the second time in ten years by a hit and run driver. It was the second one killed by a hit and run driver, it was the second time and the first was due to a heart condition.
We are being pummelled with stories about the housing market, not just this week but continuously for quite a while now. It bugs me that the press continues to rabbit on about it. A drop in (the number of) house sales just means less people are moving. A drop in the average house price could just mean that people aren't selling expensive houses. Bad news for real estate agents, but everyone hates them anyway. The industry has done everything it can to inflate the market and encourage people to over-extend themselves. Now they get to suffer the consequences.
The Labour party had their convention, although I think it was called a "congress" this time. They are aiming for a record 4th term, something never achieved by any government in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Helen Clark was made to squirm this morning on breakfast tv and newstalk ZB about "information" pamphlets which don't apparently qualify as electioneering material (even though it basically is). Their electoral reform act could be about to start biting them on the behind.
It's chainsaw safety awareness week. Seriously. Make sure you are aware of the safety of your chainsaw. Hundreds of chainsaws are hurt every year through carelessness, it's a dirty secret but we must act now.
Lost property on Christchurch buses over the last year includes macadamia nuts, a trombone, some marijuana, a two year old child, and $4000 in cash.
News this week that kids as young as 3 1/2 are being tested for entry into elite schools. Given that they start at five, this isn't particularly surprising.
WORLD NEWS
The "you've been Ric rolled" thing seems more pathetic and futile than the "does this smell like updog?" question.
Mugabe is still clinging to power in Zimbabwe.
REAL SPORT
Rory's senior boys beat Kaipara 12-1, Rory scored first five goals then a couple more. My junior boys had no help from the girls and lost 3-12, but it could have been worse, MAGS is pretty good. Hannah's team lost 1-7 to St Mary's A, our other senior team lost 0-15 to the same team.
On Saturday, Hannah's soccer team played a much less scary team. They won comfortably, 6-0. I reckon I can already tell that Hannah's team should beat a good few of the other teams in the league from the results so far. It's great getting the results on the internet so quickly after the games are played.
On Sunday night, Hannah had her last junior grading game. They lost 4-8, Hannah scored first two goals, they even led at the beginning. The emphasis was on getting the more inexperienced players to take active part in the game, which they did, one even scored a goal (first among all the newbies, until now the junior girls goals were scored by the triplets, Hannah, Josie and Charlotte, who have played for a couple of years).
SPORT
Champs League quarter finals this week. After two 1-1 draws last week, Liverpool finally played Arsenal at their home ground. Arsenal went one up early, but Liverpool stayed in the game and finally won 4-2, putting them through to the semi-finals of the Champs League. Chelsea beat Fenerbahce 2-0 to put them through, also. The next day Man Utd beat Roma and Barcelona beat Schalke 04 (silly name for a club, what happened to 03?).
Man Utd then beat Arsenal 2-1, a crucial win in the race for the premier title. Liverpool beat Blackburn 3-1, Villa thumped Derby 6-0, Man City beat Sunderland 2-1, Chelsea didn't play.
Week 9 already in Super 14. Blues lost, Highlanders lost but nearly beat the Sharks, Crusaders and Hurricanes won.
This netball thing is still going, but too many teams to really figure out who is who.
New Zealand swimmer Moss Burmester won the 200m butterfly in the world short course champs. The mens medley relay got bronze.
MY SAD LIFE
The Goodins celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. It's the 16th, I think. They are off in some foreign place, Tahiti maybe.
Diana is now on holiday for four weeks, lucky bugger.
Rory managed to burn his right index finger on a heater at school this week, while checking to see if it was hot. I am guessing it was.
Hannah did complete her first full week of school last week, as expected. She should have another one this week, although they will have an early finish on Friday.
We saw Bambi and his girls on Sunday, briefly. Lisa was off firefighter training (they live in rural area where they need volunteers). They came to watch Hannah's game, too. The girls were very well behaved and seemed almost interested.
Rory had Cassidy stay over the weekend because his parents were away. He wasn't a lot of bother. Probably less so than the other two.
SAFETY TIP
Further to my irregular series on Berocca tablets, I discovered something this week. If you break a tablet in half (which I do because a whole one just seems excessive), don't breathe in as you do it. Taking Berocca nasally is not a) pleasant or b) beneficial. If symptoms persist, please see your doctor.
SAFETY TIP PART II
Um, I was just proof reading the above paragraph when I broke another one, and I did it again, not as bad as the first time. I may be developing an immunity. Certainly not learning from my experience. I am not proud of this.
PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
I hope you can read this. Thanks to those that helped. It's rough as guts but here is what certain things cost (petrol and milk per litre, cheese per kg, butter .5 kg). E&OE, etc.
Aussie is the cheapest place in the world. Typical.
Country Germany Australia UK USA New Zealand
Currency Euro NZD AUD NZD GBP NZD USD NZD NZD NZD
Petrol 1.4 $2.79 1.47 $1.72 1.05 2.65 0.96 $ 1.21 1.8 $1.80
Milk 0.99 $1.97 1.86 $2.18 0.59 1.49 1.83 $ 2.33 2.4 $ 2.40
Cheese 11 $21.91 10.76 $12.58 8.3 20.96 12.30 $15.56 16 $16.00
Butter .5kg) 2.2 $4.38 2.5 $2.92 2.32 5.86 4.49 $5.68 3 $3.00
$31.05 $19.40 $30.97 $24.79 $23.20
Labour, Maori, and exceedingly portly MP Parekura Horomia (Horo by name and horror by nature) told Parliament and the world that poor kids going to school hungry are probably dieting. The PC brigade had a fit, unfortunately I agree. It is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than something and remove all doubt. We get plenty of Horo stories and it makes you wonder seriously about the wisdom of letting just anyone vote.
The China trade deal was signed, we kept hearing about it. Then Winston waded in telling the world it was a bad thing.
Chris Kahui starts his trial for the murder of his twin sons today, 21 months after they died. Brett has been looking forward to this for quite some time. It is expected to last seven weeks.
A teenage schoolgirl went missing in Christchurch. It doesn't look good, been a week now.
A woman in Northland was widowed for the second time in ten years by a hit and run driver. It was the second one killed by a hit and run driver, it was the second time and the first was due to a heart condition.
We are being pummelled with stories about the housing market, not just this week but continuously for quite a while now. It bugs me that the press continues to rabbit on about it. A drop in (the number of) house sales just means less people are moving. A drop in the average house price could just mean that people aren't selling expensive houses. Bad news for real estate agents, but everyone hates them anyway. The industry has done everything it can to inflate the market and encourage people to over-extend themselves. Now they get to suffer the consequences.
The Labour party had their convention, although I think it was called a "congress" this time. They are aiming for a record 4th term, something never achieved by any government in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Helen Clark was made to squirm this morning on breakfast tv and newstalk ZB about "information" pamphlets which don't apparently qualify as electioneering material (even though it basically is). Their electoral reform act could be about to start biting them on the behind.
It's chainsaw safety awareness week. Seriously. Make sure you are aware of the safety of your chainsaw. Hundreds of chainsaws are hurt every year through carelessness, it's a dirty secret but we must act now.
Lost property on Christchurch buses over the last year includes macadamia nuts, a trombone, some marijuana, a two year old child, and $4000 in cash.
News this week that kids as young as 3 1/2 are being tested for entry into elite schools. Given that they start at five, this isn't particularly surprising.
WORLD NEWS
The "you've been Ric rolled" thing seems more pathetic and futile than the "does this smell like updog?" question.
Mugabe is still clinging to power in Zimbabwe.
REAL SPORT
Rory's senior boys beat Kaipara 12-1, Rory scored first five goals then a couple more. My junior boys had no help from the girls and lost 3-12, but it could have been worse, MAGS is pretty good. Hannah's team lost 1-7 to St Mary's A, our other senior team lost 0-15 to the same team.
On Saturday, Hannah's soccer team played a much less scary team. They won comfortably, 6-0. I reckon I can already tell that Hannah's team should beat a good few of the other teams in the league from the results so far. It's great getting the results on the internet so quickly after the games are played.
On Sunday night, Hannah had her last junior grading game. They lost 4-8, Hannah scored first two goals, they even led at the beginning. The emphasis was on getting the more inexperienced players to take active part in the game, which they did, one even scored a goal (first among all the newbies, until now the junior girls goals were scored by the triplets, Hannah, Josie and Charlotte, who have played for a couple of years).
SPORT
Champs League quarter finals this week. After two 1-1 draws last week, Liverpool finally played Arsenal at their home ground. Arsenal went one up early, but Liverpool stayed in the game and finally won 4-2, putting them through to the semi-finals of the Champs League. Chelsea beat Fenerbahce 2-0 to put them through, also. The next day Man Utd beat Roma and Barcelona beat Schalke 04 (silly name for a club, what happened to 03?).
Man Utd then beat Arsenal 2-1, a crucial win in the race for the premier title. Liverpool beat Blackburn 3-1, Villa thumped Derby 6-0, Man City beat Sunderland 2-1, Chelsea didn't play.
Week 9 already in Super 14. Blues lost, Highlanders lost but nearly beat the Sharks, Crusaders and Hurricanes won.
This netball thing is still going, but too many teams to really figure out who is who.
New Zealand swimmer Moss Burmester won the 200m butterfly in the world short course champs. The mens medley relay got bronze.
MY SAD LIFE
The Goodins celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. It's the 16th, I think. They are off in some foreign place, Tahiti maybe.
Diana is now on holiday for four weeks, lucky bugger.
Rory managed to burn his right index finger on a heater at school this week, while checking to see if it was hot. I am guessing it was.
Hannah did complete her first full week of school last week, as expected. She should have another one this week, although they will have an early finish on Friday.
We saw Bambi and his girls on Sunday, briefly. Lisa was off firefighter training (they live in rural area where they need volunteers). They came to watch Hannah's game, too. The girls were very well behaved and seemed almost interested.
Rory had Cassidy stay over the weekend because his parents were away. He wasn't a lot of bother. Probably less so than the other two.
SAFETY TIP
Further to my irregular series on Berocca tablets, I discovered something this week. If you break a tablet in half (which I do because a whole one just seems excessive), don't breathe in as you do it. Taking Berocca nasally is not a) pleasant or b) beneficial. If symptoms persist, please see your doctor.
SAFETY TIP PART II
Um, I was just proof reading the above paragraph when I broke another one, and I did it again, not as bad as the first time. I may be developing an immunity. Certainly not learning from my experience. I am not proud of this.
PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
I hope you can read this. Thanks to those that helped. It's rough as guts but here is what certain things cost (petrol and milk per litre, cheese per kg, butter .5 kg). E&OE, etc.
Aussie is the cheapest place in the world. Typical.
Country Germany Australia UK USA New Zealand
Currency Euro NZD AUD NZD GBP NZD USD NZD NZD NZD
Petrol 1.4 $2.79 1.47 $1.72 1.05 2.65 0.96 $ 1.21 1.8 $1.80
Milk 0.99 $1.97 1.86 $2.18 0.59 1.49 1.83 $ 2.33 2.4 $ 2.40
Cheese 11 $21.91 10.76 $12.58 8.3 20.96 12.30 $15.56 16 $16.00
Butter .5kg) 2.2 $4.38 2.5 $2.92 2.32 5.86 4.49 $5.68 3 $3.00
$31.05 $19.40 $30.97 $24.79 $23.20
7 April 2008
Charlton Heston meets God (having played him in a movie), big fire in Waikato, big win in Taranaki, big deal in China - 07/04/2008
LOCAL NEWS
Despite a bad start to the year, our number of murders is now behind average this year.
Some guy decided to cut a huge hole in a cliff so his kids could walk to the beach on the Manukau Harbour. It's costing him $80k to put it right. Funny as hell, quite bizarre that he thought he was allowed to these days.
There was a very big fire at a cooling warehouse near Hamilton on Saturday. There was a number of injuries among the fire fighters when something exploded, including three seriously. One was so serious he later died. We don't often lose fire fighters so it is a big thing. A fire truck was also taken out, they don't often lose them either. It is still going a little, today.
An Auckland University Professor reckons that we should be taxing butter, as he believes it is the moat poisonous commonly consumed food. His statements coincide with a national cholesterol testing campaign which is sponsored by a company that sells a type of margarine. Interestingly, he is a epidemiologist which study disease, and I am not sure that butter is a disease. We are #1 consumers of butter in the world, and eat three times as much as Australians.
Lotto jackpotted to $19m this week and was won in Taranaki. The hunt is on to find the winner.
Some knob-end hurt himself in a ram raid, poetic justice.
Yet another finance company, Lombard, hit the skids this week. We are very much used to the cycle of stories on it as I think it is the 19th to fail in the last year or so. One has to suspect that each time one keels over, people pull their money out of other dodgy ones putting more pressure on them. I also guarantee there is very little new money going in to them.
Today is the day they sign the big free trade deal with China. Apparently we are the first industrialised nation to do so. Not sure why New Zealand needs to be first.
WORLD NEWS
Robert Mugabe slowly slipped from the reins in Zimbabwe this week, not before time. He does look pretty good for 84. Hope he hides pretty good when the shooting starts. Actually, come to think of it, I am not much bothered if he does hide.
Some git from England, living in Australia, is selling his whole life on eBay. It's news but who would want everything from his house to his socks without it being an utter bargain.
Some F1 bigwig was forced to resign after news of him taking part in an nazi-style orgy with prostitutes. Nobody explained what nazi-style was. Did he have his way with them, salute, and then invade Poland? Or, did he just dress up in jackboots and things? The mind boggles.
Charlton Heston has died this week, he will always be Taylor as far as I am concerned.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played polo for the junior girls, who lost 2-7. Hannah was in goal for the first half and scored the two goals in the second,
We had Hannah's first soccer game of the season, against the much vaunted Eastern Suburbs. Hannah played centre back and did pretty well, although they lost 1-4.
Sunday morning, Rory and I did the trial for Ponsonby water polo. Rory is coaching the A team, but not sure how the B team will be managed.
Rory's senior boys played probably the weakest team in the league on Sunday night, they won 19-0, Rory scored eight goals. Before his game we saw a simply terrible game between two not-that-good teams which was almost slapstick in the way it went, possibly the worst game I have ever seen. One team was short a player and yet they managed a 4-4 draw.
SPORT
Man Utd won their first leg champs league match against Roma 2-0, away as well so things look good there. Fenerbahce scored three goals to beat Chelsea 2-1 in their match (the own goal was first, how's that for pressure). Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1.
On Saturday, Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 again, twice in four days. Quite bizarre, really. Chelsea beat Man City 2-0, Sunderland beat Fulham 3-1, Man Utd drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough.
The netball version of the super 14 started this weekend. Too many teams to keep track of, and they have weird names. The Canterbury team is called "tactix" but someone on the radio calls them "tic-tacs" (a mint lolly).
The Blues lost to the Waratahs. Highlanders got their first win. Still haven't actually seen a game in Super 14 yet, don't really expect to.
The Olympic torch seemed to have a bit of a rough time of it in London.
MY SAD LIFE
1 April was the birthday of number portability, which occupies most of my working life. Everyone said it couldn't be done, but we did it anyway.
3 April was Peter Smith's birthday. In our circle of friends born in 1964, he is the first. We got together for it, don't see him often these days.
Today is Brett's birthday, his first as a doctor I think.
Hannah was asked out by another Hannah a while back, although I only just heard about it. It seems everyone at school knows (in lieu of a husband, the father is always the last to find out). Hannah says if she had said yes she would have been the hot one.
We had fun with Domino's Pizza this week. The local one in Pt Chev has been awarded a D hygiene rating (the lowest you can get, D for Dirty. The grades are A, B, and D. There is no C. Not sure why). They have it hidden so people can't readily spot it (it is meant to be prominently displayed). Rory took a bunch of mates in to supposedly order 20 pizzas, then asked to see the hygiene certificate and cancelled the order. Someone else has been standing outside the store with a sign about it. I can't believe Domino's isn't trying to do something about it.
I don't remember whether I have mentioned this before, but Rory is in a competion with some friends. It is the "who can go the longest without shaving" competition and failure costs $20. One lad has had his parents pay up to get him to shave. So far two or three are out. Rory continues to get furrier. Meanwhile the lads are wondering what else they could do that could extract $20 from each parent.
Both kids stayed elsewhere on Saturday night, but it wasn't planned so we couldn't really take advantage of it. Not entirely sure what taking advantage of it would entail, to be honest.
Been for a few walks this week. Hannah and I did Meola reef on Saturday morning, and scored free muesli down at the soccer field on the way back (as you do). Diana and I did Westhaven Marina last night, very noisy and smelly, not sure it was worth it. I got a blister, too.
We think this could be Hannah's first actual full week of school, the second to last week of the term. Sporting events and other things have impacted on every other week so far.
THE PRICE OF FISH
I have had some numbers from Germany and Australia to accompany the other ones but would be great to have prices for cheese, milk, butter, and petrol from some other places. Helen thinks we should do the price of a Mars Bar too, but that isn't a staple so I don't think we should.
Despite a bad start to the year, our number of murders is now behind average this year.
Some guy decided to cut a huge hole in a cliff so his kids could walk to the beach on the Manukau Harbour. It's costing him $80k to put it right. Funny as hell, quite bizarre that he thought he was allowed to these days.
There was a very big fire at a cooling warehouse near Hamilton on Saturday. There was a number of injuries among the fire fighters when something exploded, including three seriously. One was so serious he later died. We don't often lose fire fighters so it is a big thing. A fire truck was also taken out, they don't often lose them either. It is still going a little, today.
An Auckland University Professor reckons that we should be taxing butter, as he believes it is the moat poisonous commonly consumed food. His statements coincide with a national cholesterol testing campaign which is sponsored by a company that sells a type of margarine. Interestingly, he is a epidemiologist which study disease, and I am not sure that butter is a disease. We are #1 consumers of butter in the world, and eat three times as much as Australians.
Lotto jackpotted to $19m this week and was won in Taranaki. The hunt is on to find the winner.
Some knob-end hurt himself in a ram raid, poetic justice.
Yet another finance company, Lombard, hit the skids this week. We are very much used to the cycle of stories on it as I think it is the 19th to fail in the last year or so. One has to suspect that each time one keels over, people pull their money out of other dodgy ones putting more pressure on them. I also guarantee there is very little new money going in to them.
Today is the day they sign the big free trade deal with China. Apparently we are the first industrialised nation to do so. Not sure why New Zealand needs to be first.
WORLD NEWS
Robert Mugabe slowly slipped from the reins in Zimbabwe this week, not before time. He does look pretty good for 84. Hope he hides pretty good when the shooting starts. Actually, come to think of it, I am not much bothered if he does hide.
Some git from England, living in Australia, is selling his whole life on eBay. It's news but who would want everything from his house to his socks without it being an utter bargain.
Some F1 bigwig was forced to resign after news of him taking part in an nazi-style orgy with prostitutes. Nobody explained what nazi-style was. Did he have his way with them, salute, and then invade Poland? Or, did he just dress up in jackboots and things? The mind boggles.
Charlton Heston has died this week, he will always be Taylor as far as I am concerned.
REAL SPORT
Hannah played polo for the junior girls, who lost 2-7. Hannah was in goal for the first half and scored the two goals in the second,
We had Hannah's first soccer game of the season, against the much vaunted Eastern Suburbs. Hannah played centre back and did pretty well, although they lost 1-4.
Sunday morning, Rory and I did the trial for Ponsonby water polo. Rory is coaching the A team, but not sure how the B team will be managed.
Rory's senior boys played probably the weakest team in the league on Sunday night, they won 19-0, Rory scored eight goals. Before his game we saw a simply terrible game between two not-that-good teams which was almost slapstick in the way it went, possibly the worst game I have ever seen. One team was short a player and yet they managed a 4-4 draw.
SPORT
Man Utd won their first leg champs league match against Roma 2-0, away as well so things look good there. Fenerbahce scored three goals to beat Chelsea 2-1 in their match (the own goal was first, how's that for pressure). Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1.
On Saturday, Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 again, twice in four days. Quite bizarre, really. Chelsea beat Man City 2-0, Sunderland beat Fulham 3-1, Man Utd drew 2-2 with Middlesbrough.
The netball version of the super 14 started this weekend. Too many teams to keep track of, and they have weird names. The Canterbury team is called "tactix" but someone on the radio calls them "tic-tacs" (a mint lolly).
The Blues lost to the Waratahs. Highlanders got their first win. Still haven't actually seen a game in Super 14 yet, don't really expect to.
The Olympic torch seemed to have a bit of a rough time of it in London.
MY SAD LIFE
1 April was the birthday of number portability, which occupies most of my working life. Everyone said it couldn't be done, but we did it anyway.
3 April was Peter Smith's birthday. In our circle of friends born in 1964, he is the first. We got together for it, don't see him often these days.
Today is Brett's birthday, his first as a doctor I think.
Hannah was asked out by another Hannah a while back, although I only just heard about it. It seems everyone at school knows (in lieu of a husband, the father is always the last to find out). Hannah says if she had said yes she would have been the hot one.
We had fun with Domino's Pizza this week. The local one in Pt Chev has been awarded a D hygiene rating (the lowest you can get, D for Dirty. The grades are A, B, and D. There is no C. Not sure why). They have it hidden so people can't readily spot it (it is meant to be prominently displayed). Rory took a bunch of mates in to supposedly order 20 pizzas, then asked to see the hygiene certificate and cancelled the order. Someone else has been standing outside the store with a sign about it. I can't believe Domino's isn't trying to do something about it.
I don't remember whether I have mentioned this before, but Rory is in a competion with some friends. It is the "who can go the longest without shaving" competition and failure costs $20. One lad has had his parents pay up to get him to shave. So far two or three are out. Rory continues to get furrier. Meanwhile the lads are wondering what else they could do that could extract $20 from each parent.
Both kids stayed elsewhere on Saturday night, but it wasn't planned so we couldn't really take advantage of it. Not entirely sure what taking advantage of it would entail, to be honest.
Been for a few walks this week. Hannah and I did Meola reef on Saturday morning, and scored free muesli down at the soccer field on the way back (as you do). Diana and I did Westhaven Marina last night, very noisy and smelly, not sure it was worth it. I got a blister, too.
We think this could be Hannah's first actual full week of school, the second to last week of the term. Sporting events and other things have impacted on every other week so far.
THE PRICE OF FISH
I have had some numbers from Germany and Australia to accompany the other ones but would be great to have prices for cheese, milk, butter, and petrol from some other places. Helen thinks we should do the price of a Mars Bar too, but that isn't a staple so I don't think we should.
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