The possible end of the world, and a bad week in Australia for well known Australians - 11/09/06

Not a lot of good things happening, it has to be said.

LOCAL NEWS

I would be interested to get a feel for how much you all heard about the death of Steve Irwin (the crocodile hunter) in countries other than Australia and New Zealand. I was unfortunate enough to be driving to Hamilton the morning after and all the radio had was what a loss he was, how wonderful he was. Funny how the media doesn't really discuss how irritating the man was and how some of us felt that his passing was both appropriate and not before time.

Another dead Australian was race car driver, Peter Brock, who died in a rally by hitting a tree. It was the second apt ending for an Australian in the week. I wondered if Shane Warne would die in the saddle this week to complete the trifecta, but it wasn't to be.

The King of Tonga, Tupou IV, has finally died, at Mercy Hospital in Auckland, although it wasn't in keeping with other two big ones. He was 88, and has been pretty ill for a while.

Nasty accident on Wednesday night on Napier Hastings expressway. A pedestrian was struck by a truck, then while the truck driver was trying to free the pedestrian from under the truck, his truck was hit by other vehicles and he was killed.

Quite a lot of news about merging Auckland councils into one mega council. Could cost heaps and be a very expensive exercise.

Meanwhile, on the West Coast, a mine collapsed at 800m and killed a miner.

Three people dressed as swat officers stormed a Chinese family home and demanded money. They held the family at gunpoint for a while but escaped when the real officers arrived.

There was a brief hostage situation at Paremoremo Prison, a female warden taken into a cleaning closet by a prisoner. The closet was stormed and the warden rescued.

The creep that bashed a woman (his supposed girlfriend) to death in Whangarei was captured with his equally creepy ex-girlfriend.

A woman was stabbed to death in her car by her ex-boyfriend with her baby in the car next to her. He was apprehended nearby.

There has been talk of legislating the sale and labelling of soft-drinks to combat child obesity, etc. I am not entirely sure what they hope to achieve, but I suppose preventing the sale of Coke and so forth at schools is probably a good idea. It does smack of the thin end of the wedge and the end could be us all being told what we are allowed to eat, but I do not see a need for kids to have soft drinks at school. Mind you, this will probably result in a black market trade where the local dairies all sell tons before and after school.

WORLD NEWS

Lots of news about Tony Blair retiring but it is not really news.

Tomorrow is the fifth anniversary of 9/11 even though it was 12/9 here we seem to be recognising it today.

Another air accident at an air show in Malta. One pilot died, the other ejected, it was over water. I think the guy that caused it survived, but I might be wrong.

I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS

Scientists in Manchester are about to user a super collider (or particle accelerator or similar) to try to make black holes. It's perfectly safe though, the chance of destroying the whole planet is only one in 10 to the power of 40. I mean, that's safer than crossing the road. As long as nobody cocked up the maths in the probability calculation. I don't think anyone should be allowed to do this on our planet.

REAL SPORT

Hannah's mixed team played Bruce McLaren 1, was pretty even early on, but by the 2nd quarter the Sharks were developing a lead. Final score was 10-5 win for the Sharks.

The Girls team were playing an undefeated Glen Eden. I made a tactical mistake putting Hannah in goal in first quarter, we were down 0-4. She came out 2nd quarter and defended. She also took the ball up and scored our first goal, which helped morale. She is probably the best defender in the girls team and made it much harder on the attackers. We fought back but the other team was pretty good. Final score was 4-7 loss, but I don't think Hannah is going in goal again early on.

SPORT

South Africa beat Australia 24-16 in tri nations to get some self-respect back. They still came last but they beat everyone else once.

Man Utd beat Spurs 1-0, Liverpool lost to Everton 0-3 (that was a big one), Chelsea beat Charlton 2-1 but Lampard missed a penalty could have been 3-1. The Arse drew 1-1 with 'brough. Fulham beat Newcastle, the Geordies won't be happy.

Been some fuss about rugby on Thursday nights. People need to get a grip. If they don't like it they don't have to watch it, end of story.

Schumacher won Italian Grand Prix, two points behind Alonso now with three races left in the season.

The Knights had their first loss, 0-3 to Melbourne.

SALT

Have you ever thought much about salt? You know, the stuff you buy for cooking and things. How often do you buy it? We had to buy some this week. I reckon we buy it about once every three or four years. You have to wonder why the supermarkets stock it. I mean I know it is a staple but we just don't use it a lot any more. Or am I missing something and people use it heaps for nefarious purposes that I am not aware of. I mean, I suppose you use a bit when making play dough, and some people brush their teeth in salt water but that can't really account for huge volumes of sales, can it? And it ran out on shelves everywhere in the restocking strike, so someone must buy lots.

MY SAD LIFE

Forgot to mention last week that Rory joined in a parade in Henderson to celebrate 100 years of the mullet or something. The u14 Water Polo teams walked along in their track suits with their medals. Not sure that anyone really knew why (in the crowd or in the parade itself). Earlier in the week, each of the players got a letter from the local MP, and their photo was taken with him at the end of the parade. I am not sure anyone will hang that on a wall.

A lot of time and effort went into Hannah's birthday party which was on Saturday. We were all ready to go and then we got up Saturday morning to rain, which stuffed it up big time. We had sixteen party goers (including three rather brave boys), and a range of Amazing Race style events, except there wasn't much racing with everything confined to our section and ducking under cover a lot. The event went well, Hannah was pretty happy. We were all knackered afterwards.

Rory's view on Steve Irwin was interesting. He thinks he failed his family by taking unnecessary risks, although deserves an award for services to television by departing early.

Hannah's actual birthday is this coming Thursday, and she has Friday off. At twelve, she seems far too grown up. I'm not sure I am ready for this at all. In fact I am quite sure I am not.

Hannah got her Jazz result this week and she got honours, which is 85-89%, which is pretty good. Should get tap tonight with luck.

Rory did some babysitting on Friday night. It was Raf and his brother (one of Rory's friends). He was home quite late.

Starting to forget what Rory looks like, he is spending a lot of time on the 360 with this Oblivion game. Not entirely sure it's a good thing. All it ever seems to do is load all the time, can't quite see how it can be fun.

Bloody Ollie, Hannah's cat, has been a right pain. He ended up behind my desk on Friday, in a place that looked almost impossible to get out of (requiring a 1m vertical jump and then a move to the right). We ended up getting him to come out another way, through a ton of cables, behind another desk. This morning he caught yet another bird. He is also beating up on Pandora far too much. Meanwhile, Pandora has been quite cuddly, which is unusual, could be for sanctuary from Ollie.

We are getting a new road/driveway thing, they are pouring concrete as I write this. It's a council thing, the pavement for the whole street is being replaced. Shame they can't underground the power at the same time.

Oh well, that'll do for now.

I can't think a single thing to put in this bit - 04/09/06

Father's Day. Love the presents they suggest in advertisements. A security floodlight with sensor, perhaps? A ream of A4 paper (if he was into origami, I suppose). How about a Westinghouse top load washing machine? Or a lawnmower perhaps? Nothing like a gift that keeps on taking, is there. Retailers are idiots.

LOCAL NEWS

A circus performer disappeared after her performance at Cirque Rocks to avoid returning home.

An armless man that was found to be speeding has had the dangerous driving charge dropped because he has provided proof that he can, in fact, drive safely with his feet.

We are still hearing about this 17 year old that died in the back of a paddy wagon. He sounds like a pretty difficult kid, could be Darwinian evolution at work here.

Dodgy MP Taito Philip Field has been stood down pending a police investigation. Seems he believes traditional Samoan payments to people that help you are okay and not considered bribes. Tricky one here, he could accept them then donate them to a worthy cause I suppose. Anyway, he didn't. This has started a debate on "koha" which is the Maori name for gratuities. Not sure of the Maori name for gratuitous gouging of the punters.

The population has had their say in a poll which says 81% disapprove of the Labour Party over spending in the election campaign. National is in front in the popularity stakes, not entirely sure that is a good thing.

Customs found a ton of P in picture frames this week. I just don't get why people have to take drugs, you never hear about people who have solved all their problems by taking drugs or became a world leader in their field and they owe it all to the drugs they take, you know what I mean?

A woman lost her footing above a cliff between Piha and Karekare and they think she died (they can't get to her until this morning). A was a 43 year old Australian woman.

A strike of supermarket workers that restock shelves has started causing issues for our largest supermarket chain, a week and a half in to it, supplies are pretty low.

Bob Clarkson, the MP that dethroned Winston in Tauranga, has come out with more dubious statements about his view of the world. The man spoke poorly to a few journalists who obviously thought there would be food and drink. He appears to be a confused old man, without any public speaking skill, who has a mistaken view of his own intelligence. Better to keep silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.

IS HELEN CLARK IS A SITH LORD?

I am beginning to think I am wrong about Helen Clark. She isn't undead. With the latest news, she seems to be developing an innate disregard for the rules (about four issues out there that suggest this to be true). It has to be said that her government's views on changing the law to make illegal acts legal, downplaying fraud, and flouting other laws (like the one against speeding) all seem remarkably similar to the end of the grand republic and the rise of Emperor Palpatine in Star Wars. If she takes us to war against an imaginary foe and breeds a clone army, I shall start worrying. In the mean time, I think she should be known as "Darth Helen ".

WORLD NEWS

They've captured a number 2 of Al Qaeda in Iraq. Who was really only number 3 but they killed off a guy that was number 1 a while ago. Not sure that it makes any difference.

Poor old British PM Tony Blair seems to be under pressure to let go of the reins. He was once immensely popular but the wheel appears to have turned quite a lot. I suppose it happens to most of them, eventually.

REAL SPORT

Hannah's mixed team won 5-3 against Liston on Friday night. They needed a win. Hannah did not score any goals but was solid in defence, I think the goals were scored only when she was off (we were 3-0 up end of 2nd quarter, I subbed her off in third and that's when it started).

On Sunday I took Hannah and her soccer and water polo team mate to see the final of the women's knockout soccer cup. The Western Springs team had made the final for the first time ever, and the team included a number of players we know (Penny Chapman came to some training sessions with our girls a couple of years ago, Hannah Valentine and Poppy Binning were in a team I coached six years ago, Rosie White was in their 14th grade tournament team, and Rory's school water polo team last year). It was 0-0 at half time, but turned to custard in the second half with Lynn Avon winning 3-0).

Hannah is in the first team for U12s for the coming water polo tournament. She says she would rather be in one of the other teams but I am not completely convinced.

Rory's school team played on Sunday night in their final playoff against Lynfield. He was knackered because he had club training for an hour straight before the game. They lost 2-4. Rory scored both goals and for some reason then went into goal for the last quarter and made about five saves, and kept a clean sheet (although didn't manage to score from goal this time).

SPORT

The All Blacks lost their final Tri-Nations match versus Sth Africa 20-21. Their first loss of the year.

Andre Agassi has bowed out of professional tennis after 21 years. He has been a colourful character in the tennis world. The Las Vegan started very young, about 15 years old. (Las Vegan? Sounds like a Spanish vegetarian).

The Knights (formerly the Football Kingz) won their match on the weekend 1-0. They have probably scored more points in two games than the whole of last season. They are third on the table.

Hamish Carter won silver in the World Triathlon Champs, he retires now (I think).

The Warriors lost their last game of the season. Not sure if the removal of the -4 penalty would have got them into the playoffs.

MY SAD LIFE

Father's Day lasted about an hour on Sunday, for me. Got breakfast in bed, and that was about it. Was pretty busy after that, going to soccer game then water polo training and game later (with Paul and Matt & Kristy popping in, in between).

We picked up the new Xbox 360 on Monday night. Rory is happy. The lads all came round on Tuesday night and worked on their playstation tan, again. Wednesday night he dug holes to earn money at a friends house. Thursday he bought the game that motivated the Xbox purchase, called Oblivion. This is somewhat appropriate because he is oblivious to the rest of the world while he is playing it.

Hannah had no dancing this week, life seemed so much easier to manage, and I hardly ever take her to dancing.

Roger, I saw Kevin Barry on Friday. He is still at Nokia, so is Lex. I mentioned you are a Daddy and a half. He asked if your wife was a Singaporean, then he said they can be quite stroppy. I said "Shin isn't stroppy, she's REALLY stroppy". (just kidding, Shin, well maybe a little).

Both Hannah and Rory are home sick today, not sure I am feeling very well either. It is Diana's fault, she was sick first.

It is Matt Tucker's Third birthday on Wednesday.

Friday was September 1st, first day of spring although the equinox isn't for a couple of weeks (where daylight and darkness are equal, think it is the equinox). Also the 8th anniversary of the passing of my paternal grandmother. Seems a very long time ago now.

Oh well, that's another week.
Rob
PS I think I have forgotten to have breakfast, I can't be well.
PPS I have brushed my teeth, though.
PPPS So if I go have breakfast do I brush them again?

A series of unfortunate events - 28/08/06

LOCAL NEWS

Well, after saturation coverage the Boobs on Bikes parade went ahead on Wednesday. Diana went, because everyone at work went. Didn't sound like it was remotely worth the fuss. Great publicity for the dodgy expo, though.

An Invercargill parachutist went mental in his car and went off a 15m drop. Broke a couple of bones and knackered the car. Rescue services were none too impressed.

Very big news locally was the when a 17 year old remand prisoner was beaten fatally in the back of a paddy wagon. He was there because he had taken his mothers car without permission, and they felt that pressing charges would teach him a lesson.. Worse still, they refused bail as they thought a few nights in prison would give him more of a lesson. In the paddy wagon, there were 11 witnesses and one perpetrator. Or 10 witnesses and two perpetrators. As usual, the dead youth is a great loss, loved by everyone, etc, but seriously disliked by 12 other remand prisoners. I would hate to think how much guilt they have. Their final act as parents was to authorise the turning off of life support for him in hospital, possibly a better decision than the first two, but part of a rather unfortunate trio of events. Chubb Security were in charge of the van, and I would sue them if I was a parent (mind you, I think the parents need to be sued as well).

More rain in Wellington has resulted in a commuter train derailment (no injuries, I don't think). More houses have been evacuated due to mud slides.

Taito Philip Field is under threat again, the MP was recently "cleared" of allegations of dubious behaviour.

WORLD NEWS

We got to see the Olaf Wiig video about a hundred times, then we had the countdown to the deadline set by the kidnappers. He was finally released over night, thank goodness - no more Anita on the telly.

REAL SPORT

Hannah's water polo team were playing an under-strength Glen Eden team but were also missing a key player themselves. The Glen Eden team pulled away to a 9-3 win but lost by default because they were using too many ring-in players. The Glen Eden team is very strong this year.

Rory had a school game against Kaipara College, the team that got very nasty last time we played them and the game had to be stopped when one of their players was ejected for misconduct. This time it wasn't so bad, the game was very tight, no score in the first quarter, 1-1 at half time. Springs pulled ahead to 3-1 end of third and in the dying seconds the Kaipara team scored again but it wasn't enough and Springs won 4-3. Rory scored first and last goals, but he didn't think he was playing particularly well.

Hannah played for the 13th D2 soccer team on Saturday because they were short a couple. Hannah scored in the first half and was on her way to score again (only the goalie to beat) when the ref blew the whistle for half time, was very cheap. So they had a 1-0 lead at the end of the first. In the second half the wind came up and they were playing into it, they just couldn't get out of their own half. The opposition scored twice to beat them 2-1. Hannah was happy, though, she played well and worked very hard. The girls were quite happy she was there to help.

SPORT

The All Blacks won 45-26 against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday night. Some serious injuries resulted from the game, about four ABs are out for a while.

I hadn't really noticed that the premier league has started again in the UK. Man Utd beat lowly Watford 2-1, Liverpool beat West Ham 2-1, Man City beat Arsenal 1-0 (without a stiff arm to anyone's head). Chelsea beat Blackburn 2-0.

We didn't win as many medals as expected at the rowing champs. There was only one gold, and the Evers-Swindell twins came third, which is a major surprise after winning gold four times in a row.

Auckland lost to Wellington in the rugby, I am really not keeping track of it all.

The Warriors won, the four point penalty for exceeding the salary cap would mean they had a chance of making the playoffs still, but they don't now.

MY SAD LIFE

Can I just say that I haven't received any chocolate yet. I am most disappointed.

Spring cleaning has been happening in the house, again. We reorganised a few areas including the bookcase, the entertainment cabinet, the DVDs and Cds, took a while. The kitty play house that Hannah and I built a good year or two ago had to be disassembled, which was a bit sad. We've managed to put the PS2 and Xbox into the cabinet so they don't hang out into the room like they did.

Spent a chunk of the week trying to get the PC going (still). Finally gave up, about five times ("I'll just try this one thing and then give up" - Not very self-delusional at all, really). Eventually I really did give up, about Wednesday night, and put a new graphics card into the PC that I did not want to ruin by loading games on. It worked, and still does, so Rory and I finally got to invade Poland, repel the communist hoard, bomb England, and destroy the heavy water plant somewhere in Norway.

Rory and a few cronies spent Friday at our place working on their "playstation tan", as they had a teacher only day at school.

Rory has bought himself an Xbox 360 on trademe (last night), after discovering a game he really likes on a friends one. He was trawling auctions for ages over the weekend. I suppose it is better than all the hassle with PCs and games.

Diana has been working hard on an assignment, which she managed to finish between visits to dodgy events.

Judy had took a tumble on Friday night, whacked herself in the head. The next day she got nine stitches in her forehead for a rather nasty gash about three inches long. She asked the doctor to take a bit in while he was at it, he did his best. She hasn't lost her sense of humour, which is a good thing.

I sent to letters as a consumer the week before last, one to Sealord when I found a piece of plastic tape in a can of tuna, the other a letter to Wendys wondering when they would reply to my letter of the 29th of May. I received responses from both of them but I have to say the Wendys response was barely sufficient to cover the value of what I had not been supplied in the first place.

We still have coffee machine #3 sitting in a box waiting to fulfil its destiny…… (Numbers #1 and #2 produced disgusting coffee).

Hannah's dance exams are over, thank goodness. Our activity levels are dropping fast with no soccer or dancing this week and a reduced dancing schedule from next week. She should found out what team she is in for club polo this week.

RANDOM ACTS OF POSTAGE

I received a revenge attack from Heidi in the form of a fluffy donkey from Guernsey, which was very cool. I don't understand why post companies don't promote this concept. Maybe I will talk to New Zealand Post.

TEN YEARS AGO

Gavin got a new PC, a Pentium with 40Mb of memory. I was jealous. Paul Holmes was at his grandstanding best trying to interview wanted fugitives, but police arrested the man before he got to be on the telly. A woman was shot twice in the arm by police after a hostage drama in Avondale.