LOCAL NEWS
Well, the family of the man who recycled his legs held a funeral for them. What would you say at such an event? Something like "We always liked Basil's legs, they made him seem somehow taller"?
As the Kahui trial (about the twin baby boys) continues, the man charged with their murder has asked to get custody of his remaining child. You have to give it to him, he's an optimist, obviously very confident of not going to jail. Or perhaps the mother is worse than he is? The mind boggles.
Meanwhile, natural selection ran it's course when a man leapt off an 8th floor balcony into the water down near Princes Wharf, his body was found a couple of hours later.
A young English female tourist died in a riverboarding accident (no, I don't know what riverboarding is either, sounds like surfing, on a river). She got trapped under the water, and they couldn't get her out fast enough.
Our "listening post" spy installation was attacked and unveiled as a boring old satellite dish. How embarrassing.
Chloe of Wainuiomata made the news, for shoplifting, she was a complete prat before anyway.
Meanwhile that random woman who "streaked" at a super 12 game a few years ago is going to read the semi-naked news on a local subscriber channel. Good grief, does anyone care?
The family of a 36 yo woman who drowned while trying to save her 9yo son from a swollen river want her to get a bravery award. Come on, a Darwin Award, perhaps. She couldn't swim, her silly fault. It was her son, she knew she couldn't swim, why let him get in the river? I would expect every parent to be prepared to try to save the life of their child, end of story.
I think local papers are finally starting to get the idea that money is tight and people are struggling. Getting more in depth stuff on saving money, increases in cost of living. Meanwhile some economists are going "I told you so" about people with high personal debt.
The government has bought the railways back from Toll. Not sure what that means, other than that it will be expensive.
WORLD NEWS
Five people died and nine were injured on Sydney Harbour in a boat crash. Then something happened on the harbour in Melbourne a couple of days later.
New Zealand soldiers have been accused of damaging the already ruined buddhas in Afghanistan (the Teleban did them over a few years back, if you recall). Sounds like a load of bollocks to me. They were clearing some explosive, might have been unplanned collateral damage but who really cares, there wasn't much left anyway.
There was something about an Austrian molesting his daughter on Tuesday but in a survey 46% of people thought it said all Australians were child molesters. Meanwhile the media continued to cover it, it never got less disturbing. Someone must have suspected something.
REAL SPORT
The first game in the tournament was against the top ranked team in our group, we were behind first quarter but came back, ended up with a shot of goal at each end in the last 3 seconds, but final score was 6-6.
Won the second game 14-4 against Rotorua, much easier. Third pool game was not expect to be a hard one. We used everyone off the bench, all at once, for half some quarters, and still won 19-0. This qualified us second in our pool, and through to the championship section.
Tuesday didn't go well, lost both games, which put us into playoff for 7th and 8th. Rory scored in both games but he had pulled a muscle in his left arm and wasn't swimming as fast as he can.
Thursday we had the playoff for 7th and 8th, which we won (thank god) so at least we finished on a win. The team we drew with lost in the final, so we didn't do too bad.
Hannah finally had a soccer game, feels like ages (two weeks). They played Pukekohe. Took a while to score, but then the gates opened. They won 6-1, two girls got hat-tricks. Hannah still playing centre back.
SPORT
Man Utd and Chelsea both won through to the Champs League final, which should be a good match.
Man Utd beat West Ham 4-1, Wigan beat Villa 2-0, Blackburn beat Darby 3-1, Bolton beat Sunderland 2-0.
MY SAD LIFE
I didn't really have a life for much of the week, the tournament took quite a bit of time. I did catch up with a friend, Chris, who lives in Hamilton. Haven't seen him since the wedding a year ago. Diana and Hannah went mad at various clothing stores on Monday, while I did some work. I did manage to swim after the second game, adding another pool to my list of pools (it's a mental list, read that however you like, I won't disagree). One night I went out to where the team was staying, it was not even in Waikato, it was Waipa District (a long way from the pool, let alone civilisation. I got to barbecue 100 sausages before I fought the elements to go home. We did go to the Hamilton Zoo, which was interesting, I guess. School holidays mean that the animals on our side of the cage were often more apparent than the ones on the other side. One thing that was pretty funny was the chimpanzees have their own goldfish.
The local version of "Stars in their Eyes" has begun, another crime against music and humanity. Diana has irrefutably established that the hottest girl wins not the best singer. It's woeful. If I do watch the final, it will have to be with the sound off.
I learned about Maori potatoes this week. There are like 20 varieties and they look very different from regular potatoes and each other. Some are quite purple inside.
Went to the flea market with Hannah, spent heaps, bought only vegetables. Not very exciting. Was wet, too.
Diana and Hannah have been expanding their horizons with the breadmaker, making croissants and bagels this week. It made 13 croissants which would have cost considerably more if purchased in a shop.
I took 900 photos on Saturday, 400 at Hannah's soccer game and 500 at a men's water polo game we went to see. We know a number of players in the team, three have coached Rory or Hannah, and one was in Rory's team last year.
The 100 sausage barbecue broke my attempt at avoiding cooking on a barbecue for the whole summer. So close, and yet so far.
5 May 2008
27 April 2008
No, it's not Monday yet, I apologise for any confusion - 27/04/2008
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.
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.
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