9 June 2008

Road rage spreads to swim lanes, petrol and cheese thefts increase, Hillary throws in the towel - 09/06/2008

LOCAL NEWS

A government survey reveals we are a nation of fatties with only one in three considered an ideal body weight.

There were concerns about "lane rage" this week, like road rage but in swimming pool lanes. It doesn't surprise me, I could bore you for hours about idiots swimming slowly or badly in the wrong lane, hanging off lane ropes, and being utterly ignorant and inconsiderate.

Weird thing in Ngongataha at 3am on Thursday morning, when a body was found next to a hedge fire .

First news I have heard about petrol syphoning was this week, I have been silly enough to say I was surprised that it hadn't been happening more with the price of gas. I am not sure any of us need to be reminded of the price. We noticed this week a drop in the price of the 1kg block of cheese, now 900g to save us money.

Very nasty car accident where a 50 odd yo man announced he was going off to top himself, headed south, drank some booze, smashed in to two other cars, killed a woman, but failed to actually finish himself off.

A shopkeeper was shot in South Auckland during a robbery over the weekend. He later died.

A Polish tramper was lost for a week, but his body was finally found over the weekend. He was attempting a rather challenging trek but he was found in a stream.

The public helped pull four people from a burning van over the weekend. Funny, doesn't really equate with the guy at Rory's school that was knocked off his bike, broke his arm badly, and was ignored by passing drivers.

We continue to be told we are on the brink of a power crisis, with hydro lake levels lowest since 1992.

WORLD NEWS

The focus in the China earthquake zone has moved to unblocking rivers from rescuing people.

It seems like it's all over for Hillary Clinton, but one must wonder whether all this attention on the Democratic primary and the fact that Barack Obama has been in the news way more that McCain (although he does have the French fry connection to help name recognition, whereas Obama rhymes with Osama) that it could help his chances in the Presidential election. And let's be honest, he's not very black. Apparently it's the first time a black man has beaten a white woman in public and not gone to jail.

REAL SPORT

Hannah had her first high school soccer game on Wednesday. It was away at Rutherford High School. Hannah's team has four pretty good players, a number of okay players and some real newbies. They were up 1-0, then conceded a goal to be 1-1 at half time. They had some great attempts in the second half before finally scoring about ten minutes from the end and they managed to keep the opposition out of their goal (although there were some nervous moments).

Didn't quite go so well in her club game. They were down one nil, came back to 2-1 up, but a late penalty against them meant a 2-2 draw. The goalie didn't have a great game, she basically scored both goals. I had to referee the first half, and ran out of steam so got another guy to ref the second (which was when the penalty was, I am really glad I didn't ref that).

The teams for U14 club polo were announced on Sunday, Hannah is in the A team, not really surprised. Don't think the team is particularly strong this year to be honest, I think it was a stronger team last year, although the coach is better this year.


SPORT

The third test between the Black Caps and England started on Thursday night our time. The Poms batted first and was hard to tell who was better placed on day one. Then day two things turned to poo and it just didn't get any better for the Black Caps on day three with them fight a losing battle.

The All Blacks played Ireland, who have never beaten the ABs, and they didn't this time ever, losing 11-21

Euro 2008 kicked off over the weekend. Switzerland and Austria both lost (they are joint hosts). Not sure how I am going to manage to see any of the games. I could subscribe to the UEFA website but you can't copy the video to watch it on a DVD player or anything you have to watch it on a PC and that sucks. Even worse, I could get Sky for a month for $299 (unbelievable) or get it for a minimum of 12 months and that will cost just over $300. So I guess I am not going to see it.

MY SAD LIFE

Rory finished his exams on Wednesday and then achieved nothing for the rest of the week because others still had exams so he had nothing to do.

Today is Ross's birthday, the first of the rush in June. Tomorrow it is Craig's. They are both 44. I suppose a magnum would be appropriate? (you have no idea how long I have waited for that little play on words, so obscure that only the truly sad would understand).

For Ross's birthday, we went to laser strike on Saturday night. It was pretty funny, with a mix of newbies and veterans. The mums (like Kath, Diana, and Sue) who had never been anywhere near such a place, didn't quite know what to expect. They enjoyed themselves a lot more than I would have predicted, in fact I was surprised they all wanted to do it. Rory had a lovely time pwning the noobs. Hannah and I teamed up a bit. I came dead last in the second one when I was trying to survive (and rest a little) and that was lame so I went Rambo styles and came second.

I seemed to see an awful lot of small children over the weekend. Saw Sam and Jack on Friday. Sarah and I had a feeding race and me and Jack won (twins are 17 weeks old tomorrow). Then on Saturday we saw the Bambis with their two girls (although they are like five and three so not that little) between soccer, stage challenge, and laser strike. Gavin and Yana popped in with Maria on Sunday, Maria is about 10 or 11 months old.

Drama this morning at 7:45 when Rory realised he was going to Waihi for the day. That was exciting. Hannah also had lots of homework due, so it was a bit of a scramble. We recycled something Rory used for one thing, and as Hannah helped with the first attempt it seemed okay. Will be interesting to see if anyone notices (it was two years ago so I doubt it).

It's a very busy week this week with the Stage Challenge thing on Wednesday (a performing arts school competition that Hannah is doing) and Hannah's dance show this weekend also. But life should be considerably simpler next week. The additional practises have been crazy.

Oh well, that will do for now. No Hannah section, she forgot to do something.

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