Crummer Road

Jeff has the coolest sister. . . .

2008-08-13T23:26:00.000+12:00

That is all

Coming soon

2008-06-15T21:12:00.000+12:00

Hello,

As you may have noticed i have not posted here for quite some time. This can be attributed to a host of reasons, none more so than me moving to Wellington.

Over the next few weeks i hope to start blogging again on my day to day dalliances.

No doubt you await my rambles with baited breath.

Jeff

Sir Ed

2008-01-17T11:47:00.000+13:00

So the great New Zealand hero has died. A true shame, well I guess it is. No doubt some might not like what I am going to write but you are probably one of the back patters anyway.

I have never really understood the appeal of Sir Ed, don’t get me wrong, im as proud as the next bloke that he was the first up the mountain. Maurice Gee later look inspiration and went under one but that literally is a whole other story. It’s just that it always seemed slightly distant to me, like he was a hero to another generation.

Last week when the news spread like wildfire i was able to get a better understanding of the man. His achievements went so much farther than conquering Everest, he built schools, airports and that all important commodity, he built faith in others.

The Nepalese think he’s a god, that’s going a little far. Yes he was a big man and yes by right, we kiwis do have a god like status but I would think the term legend sums it up better.

It seems now, with a couple of days before his funeral that this is descending into some sort of mass self gratification exercise. Everyone is in on the act. My aren’t we great for also being a NZer's is the vibe I am getting. The news spent a full hour regurgitating the same bloody story, just with a different reporter, talk about a snooze fest.

By far the most amazing thing about that was how they didn’t show one iota of news but still had time for sport. I’m unsure what to take out of that, other than enjoyment at the reprieve from the reports. My Canadian flatmate keep coming and going from the lounge and was amazed at the spectacle unfolding.

She asked why he was famous and i told her he won a competition to have his face on the $5 note. She being the clever cookie she is, ate that up hook line and sinker.

An old friend of mine used to pull of a paper fiver and put it on the bar, it became a tradition to drink to Ed and this was before he died. Last Thursday we did the same.

Here is to a man who we can all admire for his strength and humbleness.

Fucking GRRRRR

2008-01-16T16:16:00.000+13:00

I just had a pleasant coffee at Rivet on Ponsonby Rd with the eternally lovely Raina. I then drove to a car park up the rd so I could walk into town. Getting out of the car I picked up my diary and placed it on top of my car.

Then I see the sign that says NO PARKING so I get in my car and drive off. I then got to a car park only to see remnants of what was in my diary trapped in the back window wiper.

So I trudge back where I drove and found scatterings of letters that were “safely” tucked into my diary. Alas there was no diary to be found. I pray that someone has picked it up and has read the pleasant note I left inside asking for its return if it is found.

One can only hope.

Cricket

2008-01-16T16:13:00.000+13:00

Well I meant to do this before the break but I didn’t so I’m doing it now. Not that any of you care.

Last game of the year last year:

Arriving out in Te Atatu we found we were playing on a grass pitch. Now was the time you could tell a cricketer from a part timer. Half the team thought it was cool, the other half did not.

For those not in the know most social grades play on an artificial pitch, it’s too costly to have grass wickets and little shits would vandalize them anyway. So we never get the chance to play on real wickets.

This is a bad thing, a real wicket produces all sorts of variances, least not for the bowlers who don’t use sprigged boots and loose traction once bowling down the pitch.

This was also the game my decision to take captaincy became resolute. When we first arrived Mark made snide remarks about our choice of beer. Now it’s fair to say that double browns are indeed a poor choice of beers but that doesn’t mean he can go all out and abuse us before having said hello. Add to this is on field abuse of Scotty after he bowled 2 balls down leg proved he just doesn’t get it. There is of course the fact he can’t set a field and his inability to rally the troops.

Anyway we were playing Waitakere, we beat them earlier in the year so we felt confident. However once again we were undone by some very piss poor batting.

These guys are a bunch of pricks! After rolling us for 92 we had a lunch break, normally 30 mins. After 15 mins and with half the team away getting lunch, the captain came and said lets start the game. Clearly this wasn’t going to happen. I remarked, very much tongue in cheek, that the need not worry we would bowl them out quick so they could go home. His retort was, “you mean so I can go home and fuck your mother”.

That sort of stuff was unnecessary and lame. I just replied he must be a very witty chap to have thought of such an ingenious comment. For the entire time we fielded he wouldn’t look me in the eye nor would he after we shook hands after the match. I have never come so close to knocking someone over in my life.

Golden rule. Never talk smack about my family!

So after we lost I decided that it was the worst game of the season.

Last week: 12^th Jan

So this was the first game of the year.

Having secured the captaincy we were all in good spirits to start the year. We were playing Cornwall, a team we had beaten in our last encounter but a team who are very even to us.

The field we were playing on was a shocker. Half manicured grass, half sandpit, it didn’t even have boundary markings so we had to make them ourselves, not that it mattered. No one was able to affect a four from that side of the field through the sand trap.

We were sent into bat and produced a typical result. All out for 97.

So it looked like we were out of the game before we were even half way through. Before we took to the field I got the boys in a huddle and geed them up. Luckily enough we had a sublime bowling attack.

Starting off with a Cobra, Scott attack we started off strong, reducing them to around 4 for 30. The fielding effort was outstanding! Bhupesh took a catch of insane difficulty, and everyone was chasing the ball down like men possessed.

Then can the shitty part of the day. I was fielding in slips and Kev had just come in for a spell when the batsmen nicked the ball into Jerry’s waiting gloves(twin brother of our regular keeper Lex, these boys are made to keep, obviously a family trait as Jerry keeps as good as Lex). Que The whole team jumping for joy, it was heard four towns over and later it was remarked that umpires at the basin reserve had raised a finger thinking it had happened during their test.

Problem was the batsmen didn’t walk nor did the umpire raise his finger, it was the worst form of sportsmanship I have ever seen. After that the boys were livid, and the batsmen went on to add 20 crucial runs to their chase.

First ball back from the drinks break the same thing happened only this time he walked. I think if he hadn’t, he would have needed that bat for protection. That indecently also gave Scott a five wicket bag for the day.

We lost a very tight game. We had taken 7 wickets and had the guy walked we had a very real chance of winning the game. Alas it wasn’t to be but the atmosphere of the team has improved massively and we have a strong air of confidence about us now.

This afternoon we are having a big net session to practice our batting. We play university this week and I reckon my first win as captain is on the cards.

Into the looking glass

2007-12-19T19:31:00.000+13:00

I ummed and arrrred about posting this but what the hey.

Today as i sought to do as little work as possible before my Xmas break starts for the year, i have been reading a Post on David Farrar's Kiwiblog site and the comments that went with it.

http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2007/12/some_billboards_to_enjoy.html

For the past year David has been a principle detractor of the Electoral Finance Bill and for good reason. Unfortunately his distaste of the bill has clouded his judgement somewhat and he along with others have erected billboards in Auckland, Wellington and Tauranga.

These Billboards are laced with hyperbole and while i see the reasoning behind them, i feel they will do more harm than good. They draw a rather large bow when it comes to the comparisons of our politicians and evil doers of the last 100 years.

It gives rise to an argument that the EFB sought to stop this sort of politicking and the labour was in the right (no pun intended) and while they so clearly weren’t, Helen has a knack for garnering the naive NZer's vote.

Pleasantly enough the comments were of a robust quality rarely seen between the regular posters on Kiwiblog and made for an interesting debate. I myself posted 3 times in reference to the post and once to a query on my blog. This is a marked increase for me. Only two comments in 6 months before and I read all his posts and follow most of the commentary daily.

Kiwiblog is much more than one mans opinion now. It has become a defacto talkback show for the great many people who are happy to type on a keyboard but resent the type of people who ring Leighton. The comments can descend into vitriol from time to time which is unfortunate but i am encouraged by today’s events.

What i take out of the news at the moment is not good. I predict that next year we will be in for a nasty campaign that will start in January and run all year. Media outlets are already gearing up for the fight, as are independent bodies.

I am looking forward to Tim Shadbolts contribution. I heard him on the news yesterday say he has been arrested over 30 times and has spent 5years in prison. I wasn’t aware of that and to say i was surprised understates it and seeing as he was once a staunch Labour man one must wonder where the party’s real core now lies.

Indeed these are troubling times, however if we look at the greater picture its not just Labour who are in trouble. Arguably this is a constitutional crisis that has yet to be diagnosed. People will be arrested next year for speaking up for what they believe in.

What concerns me more though is how the rest of the political parties deal with this. We have already seen the Greens sell themselves out. Winston who i actually rate as a politician has lost the plot and now believes his own bullshit. Dunne’s full of shit and if it wasn’t for his talk of family, values and the worm wouldn’t be in parliament. Hide would rather look good, though he has had some passionate speeches in the house this year.

It is though National that i am worried about. It’s almost a given they will win the next election and we should be the better for it. However if Labour has gotten away with so much corruption in this 3rd term then whose to say that National wont just follow suit?

Where are the policies? The GP change was handled badly but the guts of it is sound. Privatising ACC should see more money saved and after Kapiti/coast DHB's fuck up i could see myself happy with a privatisation of all health care.

Where’s the education policy, the transport and telecommunications infrastructure policies? And the crowd puller, crime? Who will stop National from interfering with the public service such as Labour has? There’s many a gaps to be filled in Nationals public perception before NZ will be ready for them in full.

When are we going to grow up and build ourselves a written constitution? Expect these sorts of questions to be asked in the coming year and come hell or high water don’t for one second think these changes aren’t important. Things in this county are moving so swiftly it wouldn’t take much for us to lose our footing and drown under a torrent of rhetoric, hyperbole and misdirection all designed to rob you of your rights and as a New Zealand citizen. As at today, our country is one of the best places to be a citizen, don’t let that change!

Cricket

2007-12-18T00:57:00.000+13:00

Well, well, well, following on from my plan last Thursday things half went to plan. Jerry took the toss which I should have stopped, firstly as the captain should do it but secondly as he called the toss and that is against the rules that say the visiting side calls. We were sent into field.

I wasn’t too sure how this would turn out. I knew basically what was required but it was different in action. Things started off shaky as Scott’s plum LBW was denied, it couldn’t have been sweater and Scott endured two further appeals being denied. Things started to look better when Kev bowled a ripper which the batsman nicked. It bounced of Jerry’s shoulder, leaving a decent bruise and into my waiting hands.

From there the field Geed up and we were looking good. We managed to keep them to 108 at the 20 over mark. One bloke with #72 on his back survived a nick, two dropped catches, and was tinny as hell, i was happy when he top edged it just behind slip and again in my waiting hands. Having not taken a catch all year it was good to have taken 2. Danny also took two mint catches, one sky high one that was not so easy.

The bowling changes came right for me too. The only slight mis-calculation I made was forgetting Karl had 4 overs left but even that turned out for the best. We took 4 wickets off the first ball of a bowling change, impressive if I do say so myself. Of course it was the bowlers that did the damage and Scott, Kev, Bhupesh, Karl and Mike bowled beautifully.

Just to prove me right for Thursdays post Lex turned on one of the finest Keeping efforts I have ever seen. I don't know how many catches, maybe 4, one of which ways very low to his left and another as he wasn't paying attention as Kev bowled a steamer. It wasn't just that though. Somehow he managed to stop the ball with his feet, body and ankles; he even took a ball to the nose as Mike bowled the sweatiest ball of the day that swung a meter round the batsman for the middle stump. He was the keystone of the fielding effort.

So at the end of Mt Wellington’s innings they had a total of 248. Not an insurmountable score but not one that we could get near.

Birkenhead - 47
Mt Wellington - 248

Really another poor effort. I faced at least 20 balls and still got a duck. There was one golden and four in total. Rick picked up the high score with 10. Our batting really lets us down and batting second seems to scare us, so winning the toss is ever more crucial.

I had a lot of fun as captain and it seemed the boys thought it was a good effort. Later some of the boys told me at my BBQ they thought it was one of the most enjoyable games they had played and I agree.

Its the last game this side of the season on Saturday, not a good time for a game with xmas and all but maybe we will be given a present to kick the festive season off.

Auckland Rugby Referees Association AGM

2007-12-17T23:15:00.000+13:00

Last Wednesday night I attended the AGM for the referees association. It was an interesting look into the inner workings of things and I was able to talk with the 40 people who keep the show running during the year. Interestingly there was a large amount of politics going on and a somewhat embarrassing situation for one of the members.

It was held at in the Taveners club in the south west corner of Eden Park. Earlier in the day I had planned to watch some cricket on the #2 ground. Unfortunately Auckland rolled Northern Districts with an innings and 10 runs to spare ending the game before I could get there. I was mega pissed as I had wanted to relax and watch cricket, though ND will no doubt enjoy/savoir the talents of Andrew Strauss later in the summer. I ended up going for my first swim at Lake Pupuke, the first of many for the summer ahead.

The AGM itself was well presented and I was impressed with what I saw. We were run through the highlights and appointments of the year. The member numbers of the association, around 150 active members. A wrap up of the Auckland Rugby Unions AGM, in which we were told of the Eden Parks Trust Board plans for the 2011 world cup. Finally we had the financial report which provided the most contentious issue on the agenda and was hotly debated.

There seemed to be three camps in the Assoc. The old guard of blokes who have been with Auckland their entire lives, the management and various supporters, of which I am one and the trouble makers. I sat at the back to observe and incidentally ended up with the trouble makers.

When it got to the finances the fireworks came out. One member was upset that the Centennial Fund, which was set up in 1995 for the afore mentioned celebration, was being merged with the two other accounts that the club operates (old guard). Another wasn't happy at a restructuring of income into the association, the 08 year will produce a lower return and this is not helped by the reduction of grants from our gaming charity (Supporter). Indecently two league clubs in Australia have recently had to close as the funding from pokies was cut with legislation late last year. Thankfully we are not as dependent on pokie funding.

Then a bloke in front of me got up(trouble maker). He had been passed the information by another man in the back row and took his cue from that. He proceeded to explain that the money spent on Bereavement in this financial year set a precedent for the club, that the members family's would now expect help with funeral arrangements and that the club would suffer or at least he inferred it would. As far as I am aware at least two funerals were held at in the ASB stand for life members, possibly as many as 5. All together they cost the ARRA $2092.

This was against the cost of the annual prize giving which stood at a loss of $11,377. Members were asked to pay $45 for the night which raised a commendable $5213, however the total cost of the night was $16,590. If my memory serves me right and I dare say it does, the gentleman who raised the question along with his co-conspirator drunk much more than $45 worth of booze at the prize giving and as I left were at it again with the supper provided after.

So here is this guy standing up having had the chance to read the report mailed to us telling us that these life members who had given the assoc priceless input over the years shouldn't have been given a proper farewell. His claim of precedent was quickly doused as the president explained that it had been voted on by the board and was done with respect but without any family request.

I must say I was happy when the crowd rippled with a round a here, here to support the boards decision. It was the stench of hypocrisy that hit me the most. This guy turned a blind eye to the far more expensive debt from the functions spreadsheet and attacked a few dollars spent on some old men. I pay $30 for my annual fees, not a big amount; if I pay that for 40 years it works out to be $1200. Two members at over 40 years service ($2400) conceivably paid the amount it cost for the arrangements. Instead of paying in money they really paid in activity and service and that is a far better measure of wealth than money ever will be for the club.

To say it was an embarrassment understates it and it was a shame he used the good memory of, Jack Davies, Neville Whyte, Leo Craig, Cecil Wally and Ashley (Ash) Brown Edwards (QSM) to take a dig at the management.

This was a very interesting insight into real politics. It was personal and unwarranted yet it had to be accepted within the confines of the democratic association, which surprisingly, though it really shouldn’t have been, has a written constitution(read good idea).

On a lighter note I did manage to have a chat to Andy Dalton, the somewhat intimidating man who runs the Auckland Rugby Union. He had mentioned legislation being passed early next year aimed at the Eden Trust Board and the 2011 effort. I want to at least sit in on the committee hearings for the legislation, in support of the Trust Board of course. The crown may take 5 seats to the trusts 4, a number not to my liking seeing as though before this arrangement the Trust was a fully independent body. Watch this space.

So it was an interesting look at the dynamics of my adopted club. I have already made arrangements to Ref in the Wellington club season next year but I am true blue. Eden Park and Auckland Rugby is indelibly me, I will be a member of the ARRA for the remainder of my life even if not active during the winter. Only 39 years to go for that life members badge and my name on the board in the ref’s room that goes with it

Telecoms Xmas party

2007-12-13T15:24:00.000+13:00

Well, well, well what a time that was had. An unbelievable night of fun frivolity, a far better Xmas party than HRV’s contribution a few weeks back and a step up on the year before.

So the day started off like most others, up at midday, coffee and a shower. To get into the party everyone was issued a green wrist band. I of course intended on bringing a couple of my mates. Shannon and I meet earlier in the year at Law school and he is without a doubt a man of great ability and class, he and I have had a few good times together now. I helped get him his oh so shitty job at Telecom retail. So anyway we had been out the week before and I had meet Henry his mate (also law) so we arranged to get them into the party (not for retail staff).

Went into work and utilised my knack of getting stuff done and in no time I had all the wrist bands I needed. Man that place could be run better if it was staffed by chimps chained to desks. So now that I had safely secured entry for the guests of honour I made a move home for a beer and a chat with my fantastic Crummer crew.

About 6 I took off to get Shan and Henry and then we came back to my place to have a few bevies and call a taxi. Now it was meant to be Mardi Gras themed but we weren’t so keen on that. Shannon had rocked up in a three piece suit so I felt the need to follow . . .

Paul (flattie) had gone to Christchurch for his monthly fill of god knows what but before he left we had put a lock on the door, he had very trustingly left me with the key. So getting home I sent him a text asking if he had a vest, not getting a reply I went into his room an found quite a snazzy looking one and I proceeded to put it on (see pics).

After a while I got a txt back saying that Paul didn’t own a vest. I dutifully replied, well you do and im wearing it now, not only that, I look good in it and your not getting it back. True to form as a Crummer flattie I got the simple yet stylish reply, “Sick” and so we were off to the party.

Getting there we headed straight to the free bar. Ah all night free beer and wine, there was even a selection and they put on a full spread off food, which was good as I had neglected food. I ended up spending a lot of time with a colleague of mine, Angela and her mate Charlene, both of whom were looking very classy and are very cool girls.

I was very much on game all night - check out my Facebook for the photos. The only blemish on the night came when we were leaving for town. I went to say goodbye to a friend of mine when she asked me to call her BF, I was happy to oblige when I was told to fuck off and that I was an asshole. Turning around I saw a girl who works in my dept very very drunk with some passed out guy in her lap (puke all around). I ignored her and was about to call this guy when she nutting off again.

This time I walked off but not before telling my friend to keep the girl on a leash. As it turns out I spoke with another mate of mine Pete and she had done the same to him. There were other unbelievable things she did that night but it’s not for me to elaborate on. I will say however that a drunk women like that is embarrassing to watch. I expect, but doubt I will get an apology for her rude and childish behaviour but hey, every Xmas party has one.

So from there the boys and Angela and Char headed into town. We stopped by Shan’s very nice apartment in town for a sneaky drink before going to the new Fu Bar which opened that night.

Angela with her contacts had gotten her name on the door and someone else lined up some *cough, cough* so we headed down to Albert St. Angela and Char weren’t feeling so good so the busted home. We men however stayed to party it up.

This is were the vests shone. Every second person had nothing but good things to say about the vests. They looked classy and the ladies were swooning. I like being called Dapper the most. I meet so many cool people that night. I never knew a vest held so much power.

Left at 6:30, went home and chilled before heading out south to my cricket game. A very good night!

Bloody WiFi

2007-12-13T15:02:00.000+13:00

I’m Sitting in Verona having a nice lazy lunch writing my blog and sussing some other stuff out and now the Wireless has dropped out.

This is fucking frustrating to say the least!

I am trying to post my damn articles and it keeps timing out.

While I’m at it. . . .

Telecom Hotspots are pretty good. Due to the fact Telecom have yet to create a billing system for the hotspot usage, all connections are free if you are a Xtra customer.

Cricket

2007-12-13T13:27:00.000+13:00

I have been a bit slack since finishing uni. It seems there’s a party every other night and any excuse to be lazy will be seized upon this summer as next year will be head down bum up sorta shit.

I thought i would get cricket out of the way first, in keeping with my tradition of reporting my weekly sporting fixtures. Its good to have a recap of the games that i play/watch helps me keep track of them for later analysis.

December 1st:

Grafton - 326 - 6
Birkenhead - 131 - 10

Not our finished performance to date. I sat this game out due to my ever nagging foot (seems to be almost right - going for a light jog tomorrow). Two of our players filled in for the 4a team and Jerry to 2 superb catches, it was just a shame he wasn’t playing for us. Lex our keeper also sat out the game which is never good, i see the keeper as the centre of the on field activity and he needs to be a competent, consummate and a consistent performer. Lex is exactly that so not having him was a loss.

Mike gets a special mention for his bowling figures. A very classy 2 wickets, for 5 runs, off 2 overs.

Conversely his twin brother Rick went for 27, off 2 overs, with no wickets.

The Grafton team were fantastic blokes. They are currently top of our table and look a very strong team.

December 8th:

Howick - 260
Birkenhead - 69

This was a fairly shitty result all things considered!

I had expected that the game would be rained off as the weather forecast had said thunderstorms all week. I had also been to my staff xmas party the night before and did not go to sleep. Thankfully my body is hardened after years of abuse and i took the game in my stride.

After loosing the toss we had to field and for the first 10 overs this was looking like a good thing. They were 30/3 after the 10th over and we were churning through the overs.

We were lacking a bowling attack but Adam and Karl were doing a magnificent job at both ends keeping the batsman pegged down. That was until our esteemed captain decided to rest Adam after taking his 3rd wicket, trying to reason that we could use him later. I had quite a bit to say about this, i thought it was a fatal mistake and we shouldn’t take our foot of their throats. Many of the team backed me up and Adam himself even said he wanted to stay on.

Unfortunately Mark thought he knew best (fuck i was pissed off!!!) and he put Ritchie into bowl. Ritchie proceeded to go for 10 off his first before steadying, but we lost all impetuous and the batsman that came in ended up on 133 not out. On top of this Ritchie was put back into bowl at the death and our last over went for a whopping 25 bloody runs.

Then when it came time to bat everyone, including myself played silly shots and none of us saw our eye in. Rick and i had a good thing going for a while before i scooped a spinner off to square leg where i thought the ump was, only to have a player step out from behind him. Frustrating to say the least! Had i seen the bastard i wouldn’t have played that shot. To make matters worse the guy that caught me had dropped his previous 12 catches!

So that’s the past 2 games.

This week we play Mt Wellington again. They posted a big score in our first game that we couldn’t chase. This week i will be given the task of captaining the side as Mark is away for the weekend. I have strategy in place, bat first and G the boys in the field.

Time will tell if it works.

Retarded Santa - Everyone’s got a story

2007-11-28T14:27:00.000+13:00

I woke this morning to an email one of my friends sent me. I had directed him to my blog earlier in the week and he had replied with this gem so i had to post it. With permission of course. .

Hahaha, yes I read your story of the basher!! To be honest I also got caught up on a few of your other postings. One which raised interest was your take on the Santa above Whitcoulls. I to thought that the power was just lacking and it would be but a matter of time before that finger and wandering eye were up to its old dirty tricks. Alas, this is not true. I have now been past on 3 separate occasions over a week span, and come to the conclusion that the tight bastards are not paying out for that little bit of electricity that gives us all joy and excitement of days gone by. And unlike yourself (as mentioned on blog) this symbol of santa is even more ingrained in my nostalgic season feel, as I vividly recall being taken to town specifically to see Santa, in his heyday glory mounted to the corner of the once famous farmers building!! Was a treat my friend and a whole day trip to boot.

As you were probably unaware, farmers also had a significant children’s play area which was full of wacky mirrors that distorted views, slides that were on par with parakai pools hydro slides, and even swings (yes inside, fukn carnage). And of course the obligatory Santa photo’s (with real whiskers) and able to have kids on his knee (have classic photo of me, rick fighting on knee as 5 y/olds) without bullshit PC crap regarding that and the obligatory “HO HO HO” (yes Westfield shopping conglomerate have instructed Santa’s to refrain from using this, as it may be termed derogatory to women!! Where is the country going) that followed.

I do disagree on one observation made, Santa does not have a retarded face, he as been asianised (it is a word), yes just like our money machines (check out national banks), we now have an Asian dominated Santa!!

Classic stuff!

Referee wrap up.

2007-11-26T19:28:00.000+13:00

I had meant to do this quite a while back but have been a little slack. This post picks up after my last game on the 15th September.

22nd of September:

The week before I had been the ref for the first half of a game between the Med School and Health Science, in the end the Med boys took it out. I was told that it was a shame i had to go because I knew how to ref and the bloke that took over had no clue.

So I got an email from the Law team the next week asking if I could come and ref their game between Med and the Law school.

Med: 22
Law: 10

The med boys by far had the better team on the day. The law school had only gotten together the night before to sort their team and ended up arriving with 35 players. We decided that two quarters of 20 mins would be played then a further 2 quarters at 15mins.

The Med boy’s didn’t take long to get on the board and had scored twice in the first 5 minutes. The game pottered along like this for a while and mostly i was there to restart the game, it was fun though. At one point one of the law boys, Caleb who is also I ref started making calls, that was good for a laugh.

The 3 quater was the best and the Law school dug in for the hard yards and scored two quick tries but couldn’t capitalise and in the last 1/4 the Med boys took charge. Much of the Law schools problem came down to the huge interchanges that took place at the stoppages, any continuity that was built up was lost.

After the game the Med boys hung around and had a few beers at the club house (out at the Tamaki campus/Univeristy club) they bought me a jug and we had a good chat. I got a lift back to my place and found out that one of the boys was engaged to a women playing in the NPC women’s semi final at Western Springs so we headed down there with a dozen. Had a thoroughly good time with them and during the game a noticed that Caleb was the TJ for the game, so I hurled some grief his way, priceless!

Game on the Saturday 29th Sep:

This week it was the Law school vs. Health Science, seems they have a 3 team comp going on each year. There was meant to be a commerce team too but we all know accountants dont have the stones!

Health Science: 17
Law: 10

Anyway this game was far more rugged. The Health Science boys were big and they took a lot of stopping. We played the same quarters as the last game.

At one point I had to stop the game because fighting was going on off the ball and it was meant to be a social thing. The Law school held off really well and they could have won the game if it wasn’t for a few missed opportunities. Both teams suffered injuries and this indicates how hard the two teams played.

Law's star first five pulled a hammy and later I found out he missed going on a 7's tour overseas because of it and one of the Health Sci boys broke his sternum. This is the sort of rugby we love to see, a bunch of unfit blokes going hammer and tongs, almost brings a tear to my eye.

I was meant to ref the final Law/Health Sci game but I had other commitments. I was told it wasn’t the same.

All in all it was a great season from my point of view, my form improved greatly and my awareness of the full game is light years ahead of what it was. I have also managed to impress others with my skills. I have been accosted by drunk guys who I officiated during the year and they heaped an amazing amount of praise on me, much to my embarrassment on several occasions.

Best yet was at the end of year law party where I was trying to make a point to a girl who was mucking me around. After making my point and I will go so far as to say winning the argument (haha, 5 yr lawyer got nothing on me!) I was then set upon by some law school boys and plied with beer and praise in front of her for being quite simply the man, she slowly slinked away and later she looked rather embarrassed.

Simply put being a ref is choice all round, I emailed Wellington last week and they are looking forward to having a new member for next year. Don’t worry I know where I’m from.

Who’s looking out for morality if everyone at church is drunk?

2007-11-26T14:21:00.000+13:00

Saturday night was an eventful one. I had been lazy most of the afternoon after cricket and was watching another season of the West Wing when I decided I was bored and i was going to head out.

I txt my old friends Karl and Daniel and found out they were heading into the Casino and then maybe out somewhere for a few drinks. This sounded ok by me so I grabbed a beer from the fridge and took a shower.

As i waked down good old Crummer towards town i had a thought. I was meant to go out with a friend the night before but again was too lazy to do so. Raina, a good friend of mine and the flat lives on Sussex St (inferior to Crummer but not by much) so I dropped by her place and asked if she wanted to come out with me.

As it happened she had just gotten out of the shower and was looking for something to do. After a decent amount of feminine procrastination we took off into town, Vodka Red Bull in tow. When we got to the casino I discovered Karl and the blackjack tables had parted ways but only after he had donated a large sum to the good people at Sky City.

They had wondered up to a car park to meet another friend of ours, apparently he was looking for a pipe he lost several years ago in the vicinity; don’t ask, I don’t know why. As we were waiting for him to arrive both Raina and I noticed there was a dance party going on in a church. There were quite a few people outside and bouncers on the door, so we decided we might as well try our luck and see if we could get in.

The church in question is St Matthews in the City, one of the oldest in Auckland and has a great gothic style. Raina walked in first with me close behind, thankfully the bouncers were like many others in town, useless, and we walked in unopposed. What I saw defies belief and more than once I had to take a deep breath and pinch myself.

Everyone was dressed up in masquerade type outfits and it was an odd collection of people. It seemed that it was a private party and not a public thing at all. There was a strange range of ages too, old seedy looking men, young hot women and a whole lot of young Maori men. With my honed skills I detected the FREE bar in no time and Raina and I decided we would stay here awhile.

Soon after I had to go to the bathroom, so I walked off the church crypt. There were only one toilet for man and females each and both were horrid. These people had no class what so ever! While I was talking to one of the guys in the line I discovered that it was the Xmas party for HRV (http://www.hrv.co.nz/), this info was very useful as everyone I spoke to asked where I was from. I knew exactly what they meant but I keep saying Grey Lynn until one got all uppity and wanted my department, I told him my dad was the operations manager in Wellington and that sent him packing.

Firstly I have to thank HRV for the free booze that I had, I have to say it was very nice to allow me to watch your employees disrespect themselves, the company and most disgustingly the church. I saw three fights break out on the dance floor and im not talking scuffles, I mean big Maori blokes throwing hay makers. One sleazy loser even went so far as to put his arm around Raina and guide her towards one of the fights, I quickly asserted she was my girlfriend and that he should piss off. Why he wanted to shove her in the middle of a fight is beyond me.

After going for a stroll around the church, which by the way was a very cool place for a party, even if I do disagree that it should be used for piss ups, I realised that even older men have no respect. There were pictures of past and present members of the church, while talking with a senior manager in New Lynn he proceeded to throw his beer against one of the photos for no other reason than he could. I can understand stupid behaviour for young guys on the sauce but middle aged managers is taking it too far.

The whole thing was surreal, it was disappointing to see the church used like that and im not even religious and no one seemed to be accountable for there actions. The management of HRV should take a good hard look at how they do things next time. Indecently both Raina and I will be on more than one video of the night and a couple of photos, ha-ha the morons will be like wtf, who are these people.

So after that we decided to go meet her friend downtown at Rakinos. As we made our way down there I bumped into one of my friends again but he was off home. We arrived at Rakinos but didn’t stay for long, I did catch up with a few people there but I was pretty tired.

We found Raina’s flatmate (also an old school mate of mine) there and we decided to walk home. Ah living close to town has its advantages. As we walked through Aotea square Raina once gain managed to sneak into a real dance party being held in the town hall but we continued home.

Now this is where things get a little far out. There was a house that I was going to move into instead of my current place about 6 months ago, now im glad I didn’t. Walking past a guy yelled out the window to us and then came downstairs. Once there he asked if we wanted to come up, I was pretty tired and wasn’t so keen so then as a tempter (at least his idea of one) he offered us some P and some GHB, for those not in the know, GHB is the date rape drug and is also used recreationally among the dance scene crowd.

At that point I was pretty keen to leave and so we walked off. Turning back we could see him engage in a physical fight with his flatmate. So having never seen a P fiend first hand I can now say that the 1st I have seen was overly aggressive, fitting the stereotype to a tee.

From there it was another 5 mins to my place and a very welcoming bed. I don’t know how I manage to get myself into these situations but im looking forward to the next one.

Subway, Symonds St

2007-11-25T18:48:00.000+13:00

I went and got dinner for the Subway on Symonds St and was disgusted with what i saw.

Having worked in a Subway store i understand the need for cleanliness, its hammered home from day one and rightly so. Who wants to eat food that is ill prepared?

Anyway i walked in and a Pigeon was flying around the store. This worried me and i asked the guy is this was normal, he proceeds’ to nonchalantly point out two more rat birds were walking around behind the sandwich unit and that they are there all day!!!!!

I don’t know about you but i don’t want pigeons flying no more than a metre above my food, esp. when there are no covers protecting the salads from anything that is dropped from the offending birds. He didn’t care at all about the unhygienic standards that the store was presenting.

After that i noticed that he took my money with his gloves still on. Rubbing the note in his hand he also handled coins as he gave me change. He then proceeded to make the next guys meal without changing his gloves.

Needless to say i won’t be eating there again!

Cricket

2007-11-25T18:27:00.000+13:00

Well what to say about this, not much i think.

Mark our captain was running late so Scott won the toss and decided to bat first. A small mistake on his part as the pitch and atmospheric conditions were favouring the bowling side.

We were all out for 49. We lost 6 wickets for NO runs and were stuck on 15 for 45 mins. It wasn’t until Lex and Dorky put together a 20 odd run partnership to move our score from pathetic to not so pathetic.

My foot is still giving me grief so i had a bat at #11. I scored 2 not out an played my first genuine cricket shot in over two seasons. I was looking forward to staying out there a bit longer but it wasn’t to be. Next week . . . . I had a bowl too but the less said about that the better.

Greenlane are not a better team, we just had a brain melt when we were batting. In the field we took 3 wickets in the first 3 over’s and that is telling.

So onwards and upwards from here, it’s Grafton at home next week.

Australian Election 2007

2007-11-25T14:40:00.000+13:00

Congratulations must go to Kevin Rudd. Voted in with a heavy majority last night, the Australian Labor Party will take Australia down a different path to the one they had travelled in the past decade.

Not only does Rudd intend on ratifying the Kyoto protocol, he also wants Ozzie troops out of Iraq. He has however stated he will not address the aboriginal situation in his first term in office. This is unfortunate to say the least and reflects the greater public’s apathy for the situation.

John Howard must be afforded the respect he has earned over the past 11yrs as Prime Minister. He has worked hard with NZ and the Pacific to further ties and strengthen economic development.

Helen Clark said - "Mr Howard has been a good friend to New Zealand, and his legacy includes a substantial deepening in the trans-Tasman relationship,"

He will go down in history as one of the great leaders of Australia regardless of his heavy loss that includes his constituency seat of Bennelong. He is not without criticism though, the Tampa boat people, Iraq which arguably lead to the Bali bombings, high interest rates, and labour reforms to name but a few.

Let’s hope we in New Zealand follow the Australians lead and make a step towards new and fresh thinking in next years election. More so than our neighbours, we need a change.

UPDATE:

As I stated earlier in this post K-Rudd was not going to apologies to aborigines until his second term. I had gotten that from the NZ Herald and as we all know it’s hardly a bastion of journalistic standards. Unfortunately I as well as the Herald were wrong.

I have now read that he is indeed going to offer an apology to the aborigine people. I will follow up this post when it actually takes place.

Flag

2007-11-23T11:55:00.001+13:00

Ignore this post - the website needs me to have my profile pick on the site in order for it to show up in the corner.

Incidentally i do think it is a good flag.

Retarded Santa

2007-11-23T11:14:00.000+13:00

Yesterday i was taking a leisurely stroll down Queen St when i noticed that big popper bear Santa had a slightly odd look to him this year.

For those not in the know i will run down a brief history. Santa has played a starring role above the Whitcoulls on the corner of Victoria and Queen st for as long as i can remember. Before that (and me) he used to chill out on the old Farmers building (Heritage hotel) and he is to say the least an Auckland Christmas institution.

I saw him getting erected last week and thought little of it till yesterday. Normally he has a devious grin on his face and he winks and bends his finger in a come hither sort of way. As one friend of mine posited, it’s a very pedophilic characterization of Santa.

Never the less he usually looks ok-ish. Yesterday the power must have been off because he wasn’t winking and the finger wasn’t moving. I took this photo with my phone but i don’t think it is doing retarded Santa justice.

(Its the eyes that do it.)

The weekend that was

2007-11-18T16:20:00.000+13:00

It was great to finally have a weekend that invovled a bit of sun. I managed to get burnt on Saturday but only to the point that i like to refer to as "the pre-summer basting" you know the one, the first tan of the summer. Anyway below i have listed the top five events starting friday lunch.

Lunch with my mum:

To some lunch with the parentals can be a harrowing and pain inducing event that should only come about several times a year. This used to be the case with my mum, for a time i owed her money and the constant harassment to pay it back made for prickly conversation. Thankfully i have learnt that if i have her onside then life goes much smoother.

She has recently taken a job at Massey University in a management role and i hadn’t yet seen where she worked, so she invited me to lunch on Friday to catch up and check her work out. I don’t know if you have been to Massey's Albany campus but it is in all honesty a dog! A campus should have a sense of community and energy, all i saw was crappy blocks of buildings that were reminiscent of high school, hardly the place for higher learning. However i don’t study there so i wont be overly critical without having seen the academic side of things.

Anyway back to my point, we went out for Thai. When she first suggested this i was not really in the mood but she was paying (god bless) so i wasn’t going to push the issues, good thing i didn’t too. The place we went was called Millie’s Thai Restaurant, i had lemon pepper pork and mum had a cashew chicken dish. They were both fantastic dishes and big servings too, not too expensive and they service was exceptional. Add to that the fantastic conversation with my mum and it was a very good lunch.

Batucada Sound Machine + Tahuna Breaks:

Friday night was a ripper, my flatmates and i decided to go to the Batucada Sound Machine album release gig at Galatos. I have been listening to their album for the past few months now and it was great to have now heard them in person.

They are a 14 piece collaboration that play funky R&B, it was classic as when the really getting into the swing of things the all 14 of them swayed the same way and they had an energy that everyone feed off. Che Fu even came up on stage and tried his hand at a bit of MC action. It was so good the floor started to bounce, i thought i was just high but others felt it too so it must have happened.

A whole gang of us went to the gig. Flatmates, token flatmates, my mates, peoples girlfriends, it’s always good to have a posse to chill with in the down times. I was one could say, a little away with the beats at times but was smart enough to realise the old McGregor charm was working overtime. I was not in any mood to talk to ppl other than my crew but 3 of the girls i was with were happy to dance closely with me, this made others women take notice (this has happened before at gigs when I’m not in the frame of mind to capitalise on events, maybe its because I looked fucked that I get more looks). Even so I felt so loved for those couple of hours, be it from false understanding or me being a little off kilter.

As an aside Tahuna Breaks played the set before BSM and once again i witnessed the sexiest women in NZ music on show. After canvassing opinion from others there, it would seem i am alone in my judgment but i don’t really care about that too much. The saxophonist who plays for them is beyond hot, whether it is the sax around her neck (this was decided as being the clear reason by the others) or the fact she kind of looks like one of my old girl friends i cant really say but man oh man it was fun to see her play.

A bloody good gig!

Crazy Girlfriend Beater:

So around 6am on Saturday morning after I had been lying in bed for a couple of hours trying to get some sleep I was roused by some shouting in the street. I couldn’t hear to much of what was going on but it was clear a girl was trying to leave in her car and her BF was not so keen on the idea, this was clear by his swearing at her and saying she shouldn’t leave (funny how he expected this to change her mind). Anyway I heard the car start and thought good its over now, that’s the end of that I can go back to trying to sleep.

After about five minutes I heard a horn going off. I first thought it was someone beeping to get someone to come out to be picked up, but after the horn was being blasted for over a minute I got up and went to see what was going on. What I saw disturbed me to no end. I have blogged on this sort of carry on before, last time it was a Tuesday morning up on Krd, this time the shit had moved to outside my house. Inside the car was the man and women sitting together in the front seat, he was clearly restraining her. I don’t know if she blasted the horn to get help or she was just struggling but that was enough for me.

Not being in the frame of mind to confront the pair, I called the police, this proved to be a wise idea. While I was on the phone I noticed my burly neighbour come up the drive, check it out and leave, fucking useless mug. Anyway the women on the phone was helpful but wanted me to stay on the line. It took a great measure of self discipline to string together a full sentence let alone describe what was going on but I managed to keep my composure and for once the police arrived within minutes.

Once the police arrived this white trash piece of shit gets out of the car (the girl fled down the road) and started in on the cops. Words like “what the fuck do you want pig” and “I will fucking deal to you” were aimed at the two officers and the guy looked seconds away from hitting one of them, oh how I wish he had. Credit must go to the officers who arrived, both where remarkably calm. I would have slammed this guys head against the car if I was a cop. The guy was clearly accustomed to police procedure as he put his hands down on the car and spread his legs to be searched.

This kind of behaviour is unacceptable! For it to happen outside my window (which at the time was stuck open, much to my displeasure) on the relatively peacefully Crummer Road just plain pisses me off. If I hadn’t called the cops I’m sure he would have beaten her up. I’m sure it will happen again too, I sincerely hope the women realises he is far from worth it but even if she does he will pray upon another person, the sick fuck.

I recently went and sat in the district court and watched a couple of hours of proceedings. One thing I noticed was that most, in fact of the 30 cases I saw over 2 days only one was on his first offence and he was only 17, are repeat offenders. It is becoming unnervingly clear that 90% of people going before the courts are recidivists and it only furthers my want to put them away, while at the same time looking for ways to apply restorative justice where it is plausible to do so.

Anyway once again I will say if you see this going on, either do something yourself or if you are not in the position to do so, call the cops.

Grey Lynn Festival:

I didn’t go to my Cricket game on Saturday instead choosing to attend the Grey Lynn Festival. This is an event that is held every year by the community board and receives no public funding at all. Fortunately the sun came out and did its thing for my community. It had been rained off the past 2 years so it was great for the organisers.

I wasn’t in the best of moods when Sam came around to rouse me from my slumber that I had managed to engage in after my big night. After some procrastination I shuffled the 200m down to Grey Lynn Park to chill out and listen to some smooth beats. For the record my foot not only hurt it, was damn well pleading for me to stop moving but I’m tough and told it to hang tight, I would only being doing a spot of dancing. . . .

The first thing I did when I got there was get one of those yummy rainbow ice cone things, I got half cola and half blue (I don’t know what flavour blue is) Then Sam and I went to find a seat in front of the stage, amazingly in the throng of people we sat 10m away from Kim, Mana, Pade, Tams and some other randoms. So we set up shop there and after a little boogie I started to feel much more into it, so someone was sent on a beer run. Raina and her flatmates where also there and when I went over to say hello she dragged me up to where everyone was dancing. Ended up having a wide time dancing around and ignoring the dire warnings from my busted foot, ah the good times.

We went for a walk and saw this guy using old school techniques to craft wood, he had a foot driven lath and an axe he made himself, it was really cool in a puritan sort of way. I thought he was going to make a Spider man figurine but Sam disagreed, she also dismissed my idea of stealing a child and selling it overseas (there were plenty for the taking) can’t win them all I guess :)

Soon some of Sam’s mates showed up and we all had a few more drinks and had a few laughs, my mate Chris and his friend came over and said hi too. It was a freaking good time, families everywhere, great bands and the sun helped to make a bloody big crowd. It was the first outdoor gig for the summer and I’m going to do my best to enjoy the hell out of them. Wellington might soon be where I live, but Grey Lynn is my home.

My Cricket Team:

I didn’t play which may indicate why we won. Props to the boys, they chased down 180 against University at our home ground.

I don’t know the full details but I will post them when I know.

I am at work now. Its almost over and so too is the weekend, it was one of the better ones for quite a while.

Special mention goes to Rochelle for giving me a kiss, I very much liked that and also My foot which is a tough little nugget. I'm sorry old left but fun comes before rest, off to the doctor tomorrow i promise.

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc

2007-11-16T19:50:00.000+13:00

I first saw the title of this post in the opening credits of the pilot episode of The West Wing. Post Hoc means "after the fact", ergo is the same as "therefore" and Propter Hoc means "because of this".

So the quote asserts that "if one event happens after another, then the first must be the cause of the second".

I.E- The All Blacks lost against France, Graham Henry will lose his job. Of course the use of the phrase can be attributed to varying situations with both positive and negative connotations.

If you are still with me then by now you are probably wondering where i am going with all this. Well for sometime now i have had an interest in Latin, there are a host of reasons why i am and now i have decided to learn how to read it, understand it and speak it.

The purpose of the title is to suggest that because i watched the episode of The West Wing 2 weeks ago, and noticed the references to Latin, i have now have taken steps to learn it. Unfortunately my application of the phrase is incorrect given that i have been using Latin quotes for a while now and that my interest in Latin is enhanced by my appreciation for the legal environment but i hope you get my point.

Frankly its not too difficult of a language to master. When you dissect the building blocks of certain (if not all) language types you can see how a sentence is formulated. Understanding Verbs and there conjugations is easy enough. Nouns on the other hand are difficult what with the different declensions that they have. I havent gotten to Adjectives yet but if i can pick up the noun business I'm away.

I always wanted to learn a second language, now i am.

Vade mecum

Channy Balls

2007-11-15T15:31:00.000+13:00

There is a guy at work who i have affectionately named Channy Balls, his last name is Chan. No he’s not Asian, maybe of Asian decent somewhere but a Kiwi.

So anyway this guy is a good bloke for the most part. I have no problem with him. In fact he can talk nonsense that is on par with me, a must when you work where we do.

During Halloween we were asked to dress up and decorate our team areas. I resent this as being overly childish and it only reasserts the juvenile attitude that management have towards staff. In Xtra's defence, staff did get into it and it was supposedly meant to foster a team spirit and boost moral. In my eyes its fucking stupid, esp as our team had a smoke machine and set of the firm alarm which ended up with the evacuation of the building. Wonder how much the 3 fire trucks cost to call out, not to mention the cost to our customers with us being unavailable.

Anyway Channy showed up after we got back from the evac and walked down to where myself and others we milling around wasting time (i know i sound like the ideal worker). He was dressed up, props to him, however he had taking things to the extremities. In his hand was a 10" kitchen knife that he had tucked up into his sleeve. Now im a fairly stanch kind of guy but knives, more so the thought of being stabbed by a knife freaks me the fuck out.

When i first saw him i thought it was plastic and wanted to play around with it. Very quickly it was discovered the thing was very much real. I'm sure, at least hope, that Channy isn’t nuts but i wonder where he got the idea that bring a real knife to work was within the definition of dress up. Seriously it’s creepy for someone to be carrying around a knife and pretending to stab ppl with it.

Indecently i was at a party when a friend of mine took a knife from the kitchen and started to fuck around with it and yes he was drunk. Very quickly i told him to put it away and stop acting like a damn psycho, seems plenty of ppl think playing with knives is somehow ok, go figure.

Channy i would like to know you scare me, I don’t think you want to kill me, though I wont make get as smart to you as I used to.

Au revoir dear flatmate

2007-11-15T15:12:00.000+13:00

I have just gotten back from taking my flatmate and now good friend Julie to the airport. She has spent the past 5 months in good old NZ and 4 months at Crummer house keeping us all entertained.

Julie first arrived on a cold winter’s afternoon. No one else was home and i was hung-over, as is par for the course on a Sunday. I had no idea anyone was coming around to check the room out, so when she did knock on the door i was struggling to look interested.

Opening the door she was wearing this warm looking stylish red coat (now lying on our couch as she forgot it, whoops) and speaking barely audible English. I guess it’s a good thing i found that endearing and that she was cute because i am lucky to have meet such a wonderful and distinctly French person.

Kim and i took her out to the airport and she joked it was like her parents taking her and it kinda feels like that. Well maybe more a sisterly thing but either way she’s like family, so too are my other flatmates for that matter.

Julie is smart, funny, creative and understanding. At times she pissed me off to no end and other times i felt a strong connection between us. I always wanted to look out for her and if she had asked i would have done anything for her. She was that kind of person.

Amazingly she didn't even put the boot in when France beat us in the World Cup. Had we won i would have had a field day. Her English improved 1000 fold and she was a completely new person from the one that I meet that first Sunday.

Unfortunately she left a month early and so we got less time with her. I blame Becca Carter (her work) they were just a bunch of so and so's to her.

Anyway i thought you should know that a special person in my life left today. NZ was lucky to have her stay.

Travel well my Friend.

My boss

2007-11-13T14:01:00.000+13:00

Below is an email i was sent by my boss who is currently away with a sore back. His life is obviously so eventful that he not only checks his work emails late at night but more disturbingly has chosen to take my name.

His name is Geoff but notice how at the end of his email he has typed Jeff as his sign off.

This is farcical on many levels none more so that he cant spell his own name but also because i have worked here for over a year now and am well aware of the NR requirements as well as the fact my average stands at 15% and there is no need to remind me of the fact my NR was over for the day.

Hi Angela & Jeff,

Can you tell me what you're using your Not Ready time this evening? We should be aiming at 18% or less. Can you give me some insights as to what you think you can do differently to get your NR time down. Let me know tomorrow.

Regards Jeff

Class all the way!

Like a bear after the winter hibernation

2007-11-08T20:44:00.000+13:00

Hello all,

Ah so after the hello i took a moment of reflection and realised this is really a monologue that only i will possibly re read at some point in time and that the readership rate peaked at 4 and subsequently since my two month rest from blogging only Nigel and my Sister are still reading (god bless you both).

Never the less popularity has never been that high of a goal for me and so i feel that to continue writing on matters that concern me and ones that don't. Impressions of people i meet and those i see (my how the presenter on Nightline is a goddess of unparalleled beauty and wisdom even with the teleprompter) and also to say things that come to mind, like who would win in a fight between Captain planet and Gizmo duck or things like that, come on you know Gizmo duck could beat even Batman, though superman reins supreme!

I will post on topics over the next few weeks ranging from my refereeing and analysis of the state of the national game and my cricket team and the summer season to the perverts at the Newmarket Pools. I have more ramblings on my public transport patronage and my flatmates, new and old, it’s like living in a hostel at times. Crazy people i meet, Channy balls has made the list of top tens people i will avoid and the people on Krd are only getting bolder and missing my sister who now harasses Londoners – Sorry England, we couldn’t stop her.

One more exam to go and then the 2007 and indeed the first year of tertiary education will be done, can you believe i only racked up like 8k of loans. My how I look forward to the next 10 odd years of debt and demoralisation.

Thats right, I'm back baby and this time i might have learnt a little about the art of true omission.

Your friend and sometimes mine,

Jeff

Tuesday Twits

2007-09-18T16:44:00.000+12:00

The first Tuesday twit showed himself as I walked to get my coffee for the day. There is a small arcade just before St Kevin’s arcade on Krd. As I walked past I noticed a guy yelling at who I assume was his girlfriend, noting his hostility I doubled back to watch.

I am bloody glad I did. Both were completely unaware of their surroundings and they didn’t notice me or a shop keeper on the other side of them observing their domestic. He started to push her against the wall and steal her keys. At this point she was hysterical and he was showing all the traits of a man prepared to use violence.

She tried to push past him and he turned and noticed me. Without saying anything to him I think he got the picture that I was not impressed with what was going on. He yelled to me something about getting his keys back, to which she claimed they were her keys and she bolted to a taxi, yelling about how it was over and she was getting a restraining order.

As much as I would like to believe her I think she will be seeing him again, and lets face it, the cops don’t enforce restraining orders anyway. he ambled down the road off no doubt for a beer or something. It disturbs me to think that if he does this sort of thing in public what he gets up to at home.

This brings me to a running discussion I have been having with people at uni (I am also working on a Craccum article on the matter) in regards to public apathy to this sort of thing. If you see this crap happening then do something. I didn’t speak to either of them but both knew I was there and because of that it defused the situation.

What he might have done doesn’t warrant thought. Though I doubt it would have been to walk away and cool down.

The second twit is on another train of thought and belongs to all the Labour MP’s who answered questions today while the house was sitting. I wish that more people could see what they are doing in government at the moment and I implore you to view question time in the house.

http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/Default.htm

Put aside the Benson Pope saga, the Corrections Dept. issues and Phillip Field for a moment and consider what is being passed in the house in the way of legislation.

The purpose of a government is to regulate the law so that we can have standards the first world counties are accustomed to. They should create policy for the Economy, areas of Crime, Health and Transport among other things.

Instead we have been getting reactive, stagnating, ridiculous nonsense that should see us revolving in the streets. For example, the Electoral Finance Bill, the removal of the Serious Fraud Office (Wait for the blog) nothing being done about the economy (a little late on the finance sector there Cully) and a slather of never ending nonsense that shows us this is indeed a lame duck government.

Now I know that the house is at times a show piece for Parliament and the real work is being down a select committee stage and elsewhere but that doesn’t automatically mean you can evade EVERY question asked of you in the house.

Helen Clark’s responses to John Key’s questions on the EFB were border line lies (though you can get away with those in the house) and Damien O’Connor answers to Ron Mark’s questions on the Corrections Dept. reminded me of the twirly thing at playgrounds when I was young (pre PC/safety), round and round he went.

There has been nothing new tabled by Labour since the last election and don’t give me Kiwi saver or working for Families. The first one took with one hand and gave with the other, a nice slight of hand there. Working for families is flawed in so many ways. A government isn’t only there to run the day to day issues that face the nation it should also posit creative, clear, productive and above all useful legislation that makes our lives more enriched not improvised.

I’m sure there are more people or groups for that matter that are deserving of the twit status but I just got told to get back to work by someone a work who is also a

Saturday afternoon games

2007-09-18T15:41:00.000+12:00

A change of pace last weekend, I was given afternoon games. I was sitting having coffee with my friend Maria when I received a call asking to ref. This was at 11:30 on Friday morning. I must say it’s starting to piss me off that I don’t find out until 24hrs before.

Had a rather long session at the university bar and then the Mexican Café on Friday night so I appreciated the 2:30 start. I was scheduled to ref two matches at Gribblehurst Park in Sandringham.

It was a fantastic spring day in Auckland and so I took a leisurely stroll over Bond Street from home over to my game. Smiles were abound which was nice. A woman dropped her EFTPOS card as she walked past me and I called her back, she was gracious in her thanks. It’s amazing how nice weather changes people demeanors.

Arrived at the ground and found a Darby day in progress. I hadn’t realised until I had gotten there that it was Eden Roskills home ground, its good to find these things out. They had organised to host teams from Keri Keri for a social end to there season.

I remember at Northcote we had much the same thing. Every year we would travel to, or host Waipu. It was a fun event bar the blatant abuse of weight and age discrepancies that always favored the hosts. The best bit was the feed after!

This practice evidently transgresses all clubs as I noted that at least two players playing in the under 11 game had been in the under 13 team during the regular season.

Keri Keri - 28

Eden – 17

This game was another none event from my point of view. Both teams were playing in bear feet and they played uncontested scrums. The rules were different in terms of the offside and line out area. Normally these games have a parent ref them so my being there was unnecessary.

The team from Keri Keri looked to have played together throughout the entire season and that was how they won the game. I feel that had they played mid season that maybe Eden may have won.

Eden – 74

Keri Keri – 0

Well I think the score says it all here.

It was a bloody whitewash. A try in the first 30 seconds and another right after the restart told me everything I needed to know about the two teams.

The Eden team looked at least a year older than their counterparts and it was an embarrassing effort from the Keri Keri side. They looked scared of Eden and had their heads down at half time.

I tried to slow the game down in the second half. I did this for two reasons. Firstly it’s not fun for the losing side to get such a hiding especially when the rest of your club is watching it happen.

Secondly and possibly the real reason, it was fucking hot. The sun was beating down and these shits from Eden keep running the length of the field and it was wearing me down. In the end I stopped the game with another 7 mins on the clock, I think to everyone’s relief.

Walking off the field I was approached by the coaches of both teams who proceeded to thank me for my efforts and also to praise the style of refereeing I displayed. This was fairly cool given the hiding that Keri Keri had just been given. It was nice to know my game is getting better.

Went to have a shower and there were a bunch of guys getting ready to play a game. Had a chat and found out that they were playing a social game between the Medical school and Health Science Dept.

I was just about to walk down to Eden Park to meet my old man for the Auckland Tasman game when the Captain of the med team approached me and told me their ref had not arrived. After some negation it was decided that I would ref the first half of their game before heading off.

Gave the old boy a call and told him to meet me at the ground then went and got changed.

(Half time)

Med School - 5

Health Science - 0

These guys were bloody good fun to watch. Most were unfit and we had to play 15 min quarters. Ended up having a laugh though, we were all having fun with the whole thing. I threatened to send people off on a number of occasions which caused a decent amount of tongue in cheek responses.

As I walked off the guys gave me a clap which I liked. Looks like I will be the ref for the Med vs Law school game this Saturday. Wonder who I need to bribe in order to get into second year. . .

After 2 and half games I was fucked. My muscles are still tight today but I enjoyed myself fully.

Saturday morning game – 8th September

2007-09-17T15:30:00.000+12:00

I was called around 10am on Friday morning and asked if I could be a touch judge for a really big game at Eden Park. Turns out it was East vs. West, Under 13 girls Final.

Why this game required a touch judge was beyond me but none the less it was a chance to ref on Eden Park and a good way to observe another ref at work and learn TJ duties.

I got there about an hour early in a chipper mood given that it was my birthday. As I walked through the gate a guy asked if I was the ref and I explained I was on TJ duties, the wanker accused me of being an Australian.

Some of you might not know this but it is a running joke amongst my mates that I sound like an ozzie. It’s a bloody big insult but I don’t mind my mates giving me stick. This guy on the other hand isn’t my mate and was delivered a verbal bollocking.

They had setup the refs changing rooms in the West stand for myself and the other Refs for the day which was cool. In the room was some Powerade, sprit, showers, a mini fridge, a telephone and TV. I only used the shower and Powerade but it was still cool to have there.

I met a bloke from down the line who was the referee for the Auckland v North Habour under 21 champs match later in the day. It was good to have a chat with a guy who has been around the traps for a few years. Some sage advice was offered.

Ended up having a good discussion on the French/Argentina game and Tony Spreadbury’s refereeing style.

As an aside, I have watched the NZ refereeing contingent at the WRC and I am shocked at some of their calls. Both Lyndon Bray and Stuart Dickinson have been far from what should be expected of them. They robbed Samoa of a crucial try against South Africa but that’s for another time.

East – 27
West - 15

TJing is a much fun as watching paint dry. The first half of the game I was on the far side of the field and froze in the shadow of the ASB stand. The girls unfortunately don’t have the same skill levels as their male counter parts at the same level and hard to keep myself awake.

As the players for the under 21 game warmed up on my side they asked how old the girls were. They couldn’t believe that they were under 13 and I don’t blame them. One of the girls, still at primary school was over 100kgs!!!!!!!!!!! Many were bigger than me.

The second half was just as boring though there were a few funny moments to get me through. Several times during the game a girl went down with an injury of sorts. Each time this happened a girl from the opposing side would come to her aid to see if she was alright. I have never seen such a thing, in a men’s game you would just play on and leave them to it. Niceties are not a part of rugby.

One girl who had been partially tackled turned to the Ref and asked him if she could play on. When she did this every girl stopped and waited for the answer before attempting to tackle her.

But by far the most comical moment came at the end of the game. The last play was a line out and both teams lined up. As the hooker went to throw the ball in, every girl put their hands and twinkled their fingers. Classic, I couldn’t help myself from laughing.

A non event for me but not every game can be fun and it was about the girls anyway.

The first day of my 22nd year

2007-09-10T22:22:00.000+12:00

So words will never be able to fully state how great this day was but I will attempt to do my best.

I had been rather blasé about my impending birthday. In fact I didn’t tell many people and even attempted to turn off the birthday reminder on Bebo. However as soon as it was 12am I was in happy to tell people at the bar. I think this was a mixture of the beer and my super cool Friday.

So the boys sang Nate and I happy birthday which was a great way to start the day. I plucked up the courage to stop and have a chat to poka dot and discovered she too was from Germany (seriously they seem to be everywhere).

She was there with some friends and they had realised it was my birthday and asked If they could sing happy birthday to me, I of course had no qualms about this but its strange having people sing to you in a foreign language.

Other people in the bar must have heard what was going on and before I knew it the music was turned off and 40 odd people sang me happy birthday. Fuck me that was choice, I have never been so stoked.

I decided that it was best if I was to make a move home so I wandered off up Queen St. I love a good old drunken walk home and this one was better than most.

Between downtown and the top of Krd I was sung happy birthday three times in English, once in Maori, I was kissed twice, scored a free hot dog and somehow I got a VIP card to a new rock bar on Krd??? It was decidedly too much for me to walk any further so I caught a taxi the rest of the way.

Now any birthday is not complete without a bit of birthday sex. In this regard an old friend of mine came over and we had a fun time.

I woke up a little later than I wanted too but I still caught the second half of the French-Argentina game. Ah what a start to the RWC. Julie was up watching it and I took no end of pleasure out of giving her shit about her beloved French team. I barracked for the Pumas throughout the match.

Mark wished me happy birthday and then Kim cranked out happy birthday in Swedish or some tune before I made a move off to my game.

Today I had East VS West under 13 girls final. This was played on Eden Park but I was only a Touch Judge. The ground is like carpet and it was great to see the ground from a different perspective. The game will get a separate post.

After that my mum picked me up and we went out for lunch. We went to this great Café in Kingsland and it was one of the better meals I have had in some time, though it was on the pricy side. It was fun to have lunch with just the two of us. We had a really good conversation too.

I decided that with my dad we would go old skool. When my sisters and I were young dad used to take us Ten Pin bowling and then to Wendy’s. I am keen to do this again that’s so happening on Thursday.

Mum dropped me off and understandably I had a wee snooze until 7ish. Got up and the crew were warming up in the lounge. Kim, Phil, Eliza, Jonno, Julie, and I sat around having a few drinks as I replied to my birthday txts.

My sister tried to call me from Croatia but either she or they are backward and the phones didn’t want to work. Oh well, I’m sure she only had mildly interesting things to say anyway.

About 9 we made a move to a “Westie” party round the corner from our flat. Phil’s German mate, Marcus lives in a small street with 4 other houses and they all had a joint party.

We got up there and the first thing I did was have a funnel. Bloody Europeans have no idea how to do it so I gave them a lesson in binge drinking. After that someone sung me happy birthday in Spanish. I have never had happy birthday sung so many times but I wasn’t complaining.

I had a bloody fun time at the party, there were all these people I knew, that is always cool. Watched the AB’s game before a whole bunch of people came back to our flat. After a chat I headed to bed.

Today my friend that I gave a flower to on her birthday returned the favour. However instead of a flower she game me “Chocolate Monopoly”, how cool is that.

So that was my day. It was unbelievable, enough said!

The day before the best birthday ever!

2007-09-10T21:18:00.000+12:00

I woke up on Friday morning after 3 and a half hours sleep. My “Sheer disbelief” post was to blame for that.

Julie and I had a pleasant walk together until Krd where we parted company. About 100m down the road I bumped into my good friend Sam, seeing that she didn’t start work for an hour she joined me for a coffee at Verona.

Wonderfully Verona girl was there and gave us both our coffee’s for free. Even Sam commented on the blatant flirting that took place between the two of us. After a good chat Sam went to work leaving me to do some study.

It was at this point I decided to order some bacon and eggs, ended up chatting to VG for about 45mins. It’s funny ever since I asked her out we have talked more and more and there is something defiantly there. How long she takes to realise this will be anyone’s guess. After some breakie and a spot of study I left for Uni.

Had a good old fashioned study session with Sara and Vavara before catching up with Nate and the boys. Found out that Nate was also born on the 8th, just ten years earlier so we arranged to meet up for a couple of beers later.

Walked up to the Craccum offices as I had a phone interview with Dave from Salmonella Dub to complete. Once I was up there Simon, the editor informed me I had been published, we celebrated this and my birthday by having a jug at Shads.

From there it was on to the Geo department where Phil and his Masters (of the geo universe) mates were having a few beers. On the way down I bumped into a couple of mates from work and school – My day was going fucking choice!

It started to get dark and my jandel’s weren’t appropriate shoes for the evening so Phil, Janna (German mate of his who is crashing at ours for a few weeks) and I walked home.

Once there the flaties and I had a few beers before I got dropped off up town. Walking down to meet the boys I bumped into one of the guys from Verona and stopped for a chat about Tiki the old band member from Salmonella Dub. Good times.

I was a little tired when I got down to the bar but the league was on (sigh) and the jugs were flowing. Played a mean game of pool and sunk some cheeky little shots along the way.

Naturally after a few beers a good flirt is always a novelty, so I indulged in a chat to this Aussie chick for a while before returning to the pool table for some more fluky shots.

As it was just the boys down at bar it was decided that we would assist in wingman duties.

Firstly a group of four good looking girls joined us for a chat but they were a little young for me so I helped Nate along. It was at this point I noticed a stunning women walk in wearing a funky poka dot top – I have a soft spot for poka dots ;)

There a time in life when no words a necessary, a glace says it all and she and I shared several of these moments across the bar. Yes I can hear all of you saying you were probably being a pissed bastard but I know the difference between sleazy looks and shy smiles.

Someone got me another beer and all of a sudden it was midnight.

Craccum

2007-09-10T19:43:00.000+12:00

Today marks a milestone in my life. I was published in the University Magazine, Craccum. I expect it to be the first of many such occasions.

The article is utter nonsense but that matters little. I wrote it in 2 hours after I woke with a rather big hangover.

An email had been sent asking contributors to send in anything as the editors were short on content for this week.

It was the first time I had submitted something and I am proud that I got something in first time, albeit that they needed things.

I have also interviewed the drummer from Salmonella Dub on there new album and with write an article this week.

Tuesday marks the 6th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the US of A. Since then George Bush and his cronies have gone about making the world a much more dangerous place. The problem is: Osama and his minions screwed up on the targets. In truth only Americans cared about the trade center and the pentagon, and not even Americans care about Pennsylvania. The real target should be the heads of state, and had they worked that out we would all be living it up large.

Unfortunately they failed to change the world for the better but don’t despair! You, being the wonder kid that you are have the ability to change all that.

Every year the Asia Pacific Economic Conference is held of one of the member nations better cities. This year it is Australia’s turn holding it in Sydney. In all 21 leaders, including the heads of China, Japan, America, Russia, Australia and our very own Aunty Helen will attend the leader’s week.

Now this couldn’t be a more perfect venue for you as the wannabe terrorist to make your mark on the world stage. It’s important that you have strong ideologies before you start off on this perilous journey. Frodo wanted to destroy the ring, Hilary didn’t like Everest attitude, so you too must be legit. Perceived grievances on behalf of third world nation and environmental issues are a sure fire way to gather support.

It’s important to have a hierarchy in your organization before planning to destroy an APEC meeting. You of course will be the natural world leader after the demise Bush and Co, but you will need some brains to help you lead. I suggest some mates from your classes. A couple of commerce students, a lawyer, a few engineers and a few token arts students should make for a well rounded cabinet.

You will need to sacrifice some people in order to fulfill your master terrorist plan. Choose people that have studied at either Waikato or Otago. It’s a well known fact that while that have a measure of intelligence, they are still hicks who know no better and are easily fooled; just watch studentville for evidence.

There are several options open to you when it comes to picking where you will complete your act of destruction. They hold APEC meetings every year so it might be worth while checking out their website for future locations. Don’t be fooled into choosing the first place that comes to mind, remember you will have to get assets in place and you don’t want your shoddy home made bomb going off in transit.

Australia would be the ideal location but as it was held there last week it may be a while before it is back. Don’t let this put you off: you will need planning time before you can put everything in place, not to mention the fact on minimum wage its going to take a while to save airfares to anywhere.

In Australia you will blend in better if you learn the local lingo. It is at this part of the plan that your token southerners come into play. Send them over a year or two earlier to join the aussie army, their yokel Cantabrian twangs and simple ways will make them seem like hero’s and they will soon make there way up into positions of trust.

It’s important that you choose the right bomb with which to destroy the meeting. Your new regime would go down better with the common folk it limited its effect to just the world leaders - collateral damage is for amateurs. There are a few bright sparks in the Chemistry and Physics departments and many of the more adventurous ones are just waiting for you to ask them to build something innovative, destructive and explosive. Don’t hesitate to ask them for help.

If you are a basement bound hermit with no mates the internet is also full of websites that explain how to blow shit up. The Mentos and coke video on you tube is a great starting point. However, if you really want to have a really cool bomb you will need money, so big business will need to be involved. Might I suggest Michael Fay and David Ritchwhite - neither of them have no qualms about screwing people over. Sell it to them as an investment in a New World Order and they will be chomping at the bit to help you commit mass murder.

So now that you have your ideology, location, bomb, bankers and lackeys, you are ready for the master plan.

Clearly there is lots of security put in place for such events so utilising your southerners limited intelligence to work on the security plan would be a stoke of genius. Once they have emailed you the time and date of the main meeting and the best place to park your bomb all you need to do its send the Waikato men in to finish the job.

Getting your bomb in past the checkpoints will be the hardest part of the day. I suggest employing some FHM girls and a couple of kegs of Crown Lager. Hook these up to a Holden and drive to through with your bomb. Australians, especially the ones in the army can’t help but ogle at half naked women and drink piss. It’s been a national past time longer than ANZAC has been and it’s a sure fire way to get past them. Once the soliders are sufficiently intoxicated (“bloody stonkered” as they say) and getting leery towards the girls, inform them you’ll be back with the BBQ (“Strewth!”) and drive your bomb of towards the photo group.

After 9/11 all we got was a grainy video of some training camps in Afghanistan; this did not endear Al Qaeda to the western world’s pop culture attitudes. It might be best to produce a high definition video extolling your brilliance and ability to solve to worlds problems. Getting Judy Bailey to front it would be a bloody fantastic way of getting the baby boomers on side.

For too long terrorism has been for people overseas. The Irish in Belfast, the Chechens, the Taliban and a host of other nations have been the leaders of the terrorist pack. It is time for we as New Zealanders to rise up and assert ourselves on terrorism world stage. Be somebody!

Told you it was nonsense.

Anti free trade Protest.

2007-09-10T19:22:00.000+12:00

I have just watched a piece on TV 3 news tonight and couldn’t believe what I saw

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/NationalVideo/tabid/309/articleID/34403/Default.aspx#video – Unfortunately this is the uncut version and has no voice over.

These morons were protesting against a free trade deal with the US. Currently US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill is in New Zealand following APEC to facilitate NZ-US relations at a Partnership Forum, the second such forum to be held.

This is a man who is doing his utmost to help our fledgling nation (don’t tell me its not, NZ is lagging behind in many things) gain traction with one of our strongest trading partners. Our relationship with the US is as important now as it was 30 years ago and we should be cheering this man for his efforts not berating him.

Quite frankly I am sick and tired of all this anti American sentiment. Yes invading Iraq was a bad move, yes American TV is dumbing down mainstream Westerners and yes Bush is an idiot. However it seems that over the last few years America has become enemy number one and it serves no purpose.

I met Americans in Japan last year; ALL of them were down to earth, educated, fun people, as are those that I see around Uni. I have friends that stay at Uni Lodge in town and I have met many at parties, amazingly enough none of them seemed as bad or stupidly naive as the media portrays them to be.

Some may dismiss the Americans that travel and come to NZ as being a rare breed but when they go back to America they are the people who get jobs in sectors that shape policy decisions, be it Economic, Political or the Media.

These hippies have absolutely no idea of what is going on in the world. They claimed the Police response was heavy handed. Come on, cops in NZ are pussy’s compared to other countries - http://www.smh.com.au/news/apec/jailed-for-jaywalking/2007/09/08/1188783554892.html -

The scuffles that broke out did so at the Viaduct. At the beginning of the clip a women is seen yelling at a security guard outside Aotea Square for no good reason other than he was helping corral the protest down Queen St. She was clearly provoking him and it looked to me she was looking for a fight.

Then a man with a mega phone is seen yelling in the face of a police officer. That’s the way, yell at the cop who is just doing his job and probably wants the same things out of life as you, he’s the real bad ass here isn’t he mate. If I was the cop I would have gotten a taser out a put his arse on the ground.

Protesters are seen pushing against a wall of unarmed cops with signs and other protest junk. It seemed clear by the footage I saw that it was the protesters at fault. It was noticeable that some women seem to think they are somehow entitled to turn in to super bitches during these marches.

If these tossers have such a problem with globalisation then piss off to Australia and join in their protests. Or if you are violent in nature, and that certainly seemed the case, go to somewhere in Europe. They have real protests with tear gas, water cannons and cops with rubber bullets in guns. We have it sweet here and its fucktards like the ones who scuffled with the cops today the up the anti, leading to cops being more heavy handed next time.

I’m not against the right to protest, there were enough people there today to suggest to me that there is a large amount of the public who have strong feelings on the matter and it is their right to stand up for what they believe in. That being said New Zealand needs help from the US and anyone who doesn’t agree is only fooling themselves.

Free Trade and globalisation is here to stay and it seems to me that the protest had nothing to do with free trade anyway. I don’t see any marches against the impending and far more advanced Free Trade agreement with China.

All the free trade stuff aside, if you don’t want cops to start getting heavy and for laws to start infringing on our rights to speech and expression stop fucking with cops who are just doing their job.

Oh and also stop the Electoral reform bill, that is more of a threat to free speech at the moment, but that’s for DPF to blog on.

Sheer disbelief

2007-09-07T03:30:00.000+12:00

http://asianinvasion2006.blogspot.com/2007/09/cactus-on-local-body-politics.html

I have just read the above post by my mate Cactus Kate. More than once I have wondered about her arguments. To be clear I have respect for her as a blogger, though at times I have read with blogs with disdain. However it was only today, when I read he post on local body politics that I realised that some people have VERY strong views.

I know she will try and tear my rebuttal to shreds but let me just say that for a lawyer, seemingly a successful one at that, she is very subjective in her arguments.

The body of her post deals with those who should be eligible to vote in local body politics, and she has used Auckland as her point of reference. Highlighting in both her main argument and subsequent replies on her comments page, she has stated her issue is predominantly with non rate paying citizens of Auckland having their say on the make up of the city council, by way of a vote. She believes that only rate payers should be allowed to vote.

While I agree in principle in what she would like to see happen with city and regional councils, namely a move towards a CEO based business model, I disagree with the methodology that she would like to see control this introduction.

I will try to deal with each of the headings she has used and counter her points where necessary. Though I don’t disregard her initial paragraph on her involvement, going on the merit of her post it has little bearing on her argument.

I expect before reading any further you have read Cactus’s blog, for it will make the following far easier to follow.

Who should be able to vote?

Whilst reading this paragraph I couldn’t help but think that she was wrong on who was eligible to vote. She argued that on those who pay direct rates should be allowed to vote. I have rented in Auckland city for the past three years and while I could have voted in the 2004 local elections, I abstained due to insufficient information on the particulars.

Now that I have lived in the city for a full term of office, having watched the interactions of councillors and read about the comings and goings of office, I feel I have the right to say who best run the city. However by Kate’s reasoning I have no right because I don’t pay rates directly to the council.

{Note to the smart arse - It is fruitless arguing that landlords include rates in the rent so they should be able to vote, as landlords also include bank interest in the rent and it does not give the tenant the right to say they own the house because they pay the mortgage}.

This little counter to the naysayer is commendable but come on. Just because you call those who disagree with you a smart arse does not make your point any stronger.

Every week my flat pays $620 to our land lord; five people reside in the flat. (Though irrelevant, 3 of my flatmates are foreigners and are ineligible to vote) That equates to $32,240 a year. That’s not a small chunk of coin. As I understand it, admitting that I do not pay rates directly, you are billed four times a year and it this based on the GV of your property and other uniform charges.

At this stage I am unaware of how much my house which is in the middle of Grey Lynn pays in rates per year, but I will endeavour to find out.

Regardless some of the income raised by the property should be used for purposes of upkeep and rates. If you own a property for investment purposes then you apply business acumen to it. Ergo, when you collect rent you first pay off debts held against your investment. Let’s imagine most pay for new guttering, the mortgage and rates before using the revenue for other investments.

To the point of bank interest, while valid it is still narrow minded in its framing. Even to the most challenged citizens of our city, it is known that your rent doesn’t entitle you to claim ownership. Of course your rent pays bank interest!

Defined Roles

Why this is paragraph is included is beyond me but never the less is all true.

Voting 2007

What Kate says here is poignant stuff. I agree somewhere in my heart that only those who pay rates should be able to vote but her comparison of someone who lives abroad to a state beneficiary is somewhat wanting.

The thought of myself in 2007 voting in local government elections in Hobson is about as obscene as it is that a beneficiary living in a State house in the ward who has never paid rates let alone positively contribute to tax in New Zealand, being able to vote. . . . We both have one thing in common at a local government level - NEITHER of us pay rates

Yes neither of you have paid rates, but only one of you lives in the city and contributes themselves to its prosperity, even if it is only in a small way. It is altogether too narrow minded to assess contribution by monetary consideration alone.

I have deliberately not quoted certain parts of that paragraph but the theme, as I read it, was you have more money so therefore you have more rights. Ah so now we (well not we, you don’t even live here) are living in a feudalist age where barons and lords should hold the power and the poor should know there place. Remember kids, voting is for the rich, they can be trusted too look after us all.

Its almost here I ask how well you know David Ritchwhite and Sir Michael Fay, no doubt contributors to the ACT party coffers in one way or another.

While I do have personal issues with “institutional beneficiary’s” I think you missed the part where historically they are more likely to vote for NZ Idol than in local body politics. Christ what are the turn out levels for local elections. 60% at best, I will get numbers if they are readily accessible.

Of the people that vote, most only do so for the mayoral candidate and if they are savvy enough will also vote for a counsellor on merit. If at the ballot box a voter is confronted with names that they are unfamiliar with, they will naively choose the best sounding one. Studies have been conducted into this and prove the top name on a list is more likely to be chosen than ones below.

What's the Alternative Answer then?

Kate clearly isn’t happy about the way Auckland is being run. On that matter I am 100% behind her, I lived in greater Auckland for 22 years and the list of grievances I could mention would warrant a thesis.

There are so many reasons for this and many in the media and in certain political circles believe the solution to this is a single “super” city. Much planning and consultation would have to go into such a thing. My mother has paid Rates in North Shore City as well as for the ARC but the investment in Auckland City’s wards over the North Shores Boroughs leaves much to be desired. So I agree with Kate slightly on the mega city idea but she goes on to say . . .

The real answer to the issue of under performance of local body politics is to get rid of all of the politicians

This is a fantastic summation! So lets apply that solution else where. I feel that rugby referee’s are not adequately adjudicating the Ruck/Maul situation. Solution, get rid of the ref. I am sure the players can be left to sort things out amongst themselves.

Kate wants to see a business sector approach to running the city councils. It is well known that a business’s main objective is to turn a profit. To do so you must choose what works and what doesn’t, in order to keep your overheads reasonable. One would think social services such as, groove in the park, xmas in the park, the Santa parade and other social occasions would be seen as money wasted and scrapped.

It gets worse though.

Remove all the elected officials in the structure diagram (Councillors, Community Boards, Subcommittees) and and have a proper business structure. General Managers would report for example to the CEO.

Really? So get ride of the democratic principles associated with our society. Keep everything in house. Can’t have those pesky bastards with opposing views at our meetings now can we. I am going to pray that Kate means to have these GM’s elected to their positions by the citizenry and because of that would she expect them to express the mainstream view and not the CEO’s agenda.

China likes to believe that Taiwan is still one of its provinces, the reality it is not. Kate likes to think the council is a business, the reality is its not.

It is a grand belief that a council should run like a business but alas when you are reporting to the community your ability’s are constricted by the will of the people. Yes I do agree more accountability is needed in local body politics but your solution is best left in heady days of the late 80’s. The free market reforms have passed us by and it is arguable if they truly worked.

Remuneration

Most of this is chaff used to disguise her argument as somehow sound but even this falls flat.

In Auckland Now back in 1998 the main item discussed was if elected to Council, how beneficial the free parking is. It was amazing how power corrupted before they had even the power.

Yes she is making a point but it is far too generalised. Mike Moore just last week was blasted for making vague statements on Dear Leader’s use of secret documents. As Mike Moore was able to do at a later date, I am sure Kate could also point to other instances of gluttonous abuses but it is still a cynical view.

She goes on to write about the delusions of power associated with election to local body politics. In my view there are two types of people in all politics. Those who wish to make a real difference and those who want to make a name for them self. Where one starts out and where one finish’s on that spectrum is for another day. If you think you are cool being a councillor you, um, ah not and we all know it.

Training Ground

I don’t have too much problem with what she has to say here. There as some, like David Do the 08 AUSA president (strong comparisons can be made between student and local body politics) who is only in it for how it looks on his CV.

When New Zealand as a country of 4 million people is looked at in comparison to other countries, all of New Zealand is as large as one borough or area of some of our trading partners.

Saying that because we are only a country of 4 million people we should all be administered by one main body because city’s of equal size elsewhere can do it is just plain nonsense!

Come on, someone who lives in southland expects hugely different returns from its council than someone in central Auckland or Wellington. I think the absurdity of that statement needs no more commentary.

Nor does this.

I can think of plenty of things that these centre-right candidates should be doing rather than bothering themselves with local body elections.

That a girl leave, it to the unions to run the show.

Because we let everyone vote however in these crazy elections their talents are unlikely to be recognised at the ballot box by the voters who do not actually physically pay rates.

Where does it say I must pay rates before I can hold and opinion, and educated one at that, on who runs my city? At age 18 we are all given the right to vote. Some are ready at that age and some are not but rules are rules. I posit that I know an equal amount to a majority of rate payers in Auckland city in regards to candidate’s positions.

So Who Do I Support At This Years Elections?

She says none and I back her all the way.

I will not be voting this year. I have no reason to, simple as that.

However if I chose to vote say because I saw a threat to my rights as a person I should have the ability to do so. Whither or not I pay rates is irrelevant. It is my city and I should be entitled to a say in where it is headed.

Saturday morning games.

2007-08-31T20:22:00.000+12:00

This post covers the past two weeks.

Saturday the 18^th was a waste of my time. After a rather long night out for my sisters going away I would have liked to have stayed in bed.

Got down to Shore Rd to ref a match between Grammar and Eden. Turns out one, or the other, I’m not sure which can’t handle the jandel and forfeited their final.

So that was a gigantic waste of my time. Walking home in the rain my gear bag rubbed on my legs and it’s still healing!!!

Moving on.

Last week was the last game of the regular season. Couldn’t have picked a better day for it. It was way cooler given that my game was down at Coxs bay.

Normally I am hung-over when I get up to go ref but the night before I had watched a lacklustre Auckland win over the Naki (There must have been over 20 knock ons). After that I had gone home to bed so I was nice and fresh for the game.

Maybe I should have quite nights more often because this game was by a far and away my best yet.

Under 13 Plate final:

College Rifles: 57
Ponsonby: 14

Much of the first half was played in the forwards. I’m not sure where the two teams were placed on the table but it was clear from the start that Rifles were going to win, less than a minute after kick off it was 7 nil.

Strangely enough the first half was a fairly even contest. Both packs worked hard and the score was 17-14 at the half. The second 40 was a little less of a contest.

The College Rifle’s boys realised that they had a back line and spread it wide on quite a few phases. Ponsonby’s back line had nothing, I don’t know what they had been doing all season but it didn’t involve attacking play or supporting the forwards. By the end of it the Ponsonby forwards were infringing all the time because they were so tired and Rifles took hold.

Really fun match to have refereed and though the season is effectively over there will still be the odd game here and there.

Must almost be cricket season.

White shirt guy

2007-08-31T18:13:00.000+12:00

After a rather fun Saturday night last week I ended up at a party in Upper Queen St. My flatmate Kim had invited me up there some my mate Chris decided to check it out. Both Chris and I had been to a cocktail party earlier and we were looking fairly respectable.

So we arrive and at the door Kim’s mate is chatting on the steps. I have met this guy a couple of times so I stopped and said hi before going to find Kim. As Chris and I walked into the house the guy (White shirt) that had been chatting to Kim’s mate, stuck his hand out and said we couldn’t go in.

I laughed at him, I really didn’t see what this cocks problem was. Now I am not sure if he lived there or not, so he might ultimately have the high ground here but let me put the scene in context for you.

There must have been 25 odd people milling about outside. It was probably around midnight and the party looked abuzz. There is a bar less than 100m up the road and I think it’s safe to say people where just coming and going.

So like I said I was laughing at his refusal to let me in when Kim came outside. The first thing she did was say hi to me and gives me a hug, she then turns to her friend and starts chatting.

In a matter of seconds I became just another person at the party in the eyes of white shirt. All of a sudden Kim was on his radar and he started hitting on her immediately.

Both Chris and I took this opportunity to look inside, unfortunately what we found didn't match the hype white shirt tried to imply. There must have been around 10-15 people inside, most were guys and it wasn't a good party. Basically i walked in to the back of the lounge, realised it was crap and came straight back out.

By this stage white shirt had disappeared and it was decided we would make a move home. Somewhere along the line Chris got lost as well and I didn't see him till later in the week. Turns out he went back inside after we left only to be kicked out again by White shirt.

I don't know who this guy was or what his problem was but he truly was a tosser. His party sucked, his house was a dump, his shirt made him look like a pirate and I went home with Kim (well not really but you know what I mean).

It you were this dick, kick yourself in the arse!

Speaking of NZ legends

2007-08-31T18:07:00.000+12:00

Last week my most beautiful and talented sister started her OE.

Her leaving is a huge loss to us all in NZ but just as Valerie is doing us proud, lainy will do the same.

She was and is one of my best friends and I will miss her very much.

Vade in pace - Go in peace

Valerie Villi

2007-08-31T16:58:00.000+12:00

A proud Kiwi:

Watch this link.

http://www.tv3.co.nz/VideoBrowseAll/SportsVideo/tabid/317/articleID/33322/Default.aspx#video

She is a New Zealand hero!

To those who read this

2007-08-31T16:31:00.000+12:00

I have been asked why i haven’t written anything in a while. There is two reasons foe this.

Firstly and most importantly - I have a life.

Secondly - I almost wanted to see Cactus Kate’s prophecy that I won’t last more than a month come true.

Oh wait, it’s been longer than a month. Oh well I guess I will just have to keep rambling about shit still.

P.S All the new stuff that I post today is for Hailey and Julie who were upset they had nothing to read while procrastinating at work.

Uni common space.

2007-08-31T16:08:00.000+12:00

So for one of the essays I had to write this week I needed some notations. Having looked in the library for the relevant material I found it was only available in the short loans library (SL). Short loans is used for 2-3 hr loans, the idea being everyone will always have access to “in demand” books.

I had a fine of $12 from a late return. Fucking hell $12 is lots of money to my poor ass and I must say I was far from impressed at yet another method of getting money out of me at university. Because it was over $10 I wasn’t allowed to take books out, so I suggested paying $2. Short loans shuntened me back to the general library(GL) as they didn’t take money.

Arrived at the GL and was told, “No part payments”, WTF!!!! So here I am with no money needing to borrow some books for 2 hrs and they tell me that there’s this stupid policy in place. The women at the library was a right bitch and its not the first time that I have had issues with the fucktards that work at the university library but I wont get started on that.

As you can imagine I was opinionated about having to pay the fine in full, the SL lady was understanding but not able to help. Luckily it was credit card to the rescue and I paid the fucking money.

So now the anger of the uni lib is out of the way and can write about what I intended to write about.

Having established that I don’t like the library it will be of no surprise that I don’t like studying there either. In fact I am rather picky about where I study. It needs to be my kind of environment. I had some business with the editors of Craccum and popped into their offices and on the way past found the uni Common Space.

I knew that back on the day pot dealers would smoke and sell on the balcony above the quad. I should have read from this that it was going to be my kind of place. It certainly isn’t aesthetically pleasing. It reminded me of my 7^th form common room, hmmm that conjures up memories of a bowling ball and v bottles . . . .

Anyway I sat down and started note taking. My fantastic headphones, when hung around my neck with the iPod up loud replicate a good study environment, so with them in place I started to scribe. Not to long after I started I reaslised that there was a group of rather loud people across the room from me.

I will term these people “Lifers” some may want to call them “weirdo’s” one things for sure the all studied an Arts major (you can just tell). They were rowdy but not in a bad way so I was able to hear some of their conversation.

Let me just say that if you are ever looking for nonsensical, yet well thought out ramblings the common space is the place for you. I was treated to the most fantastic argument I have heard in sometime. It went something like this.

Guy 1: That was stupid, how could the water blow up in the microwave.

Guy 2: Man that’s batman science, don’t question it, it just is. If the water blew up it’s because Gotham city doesn’t conform to normal physics.

Guy1: that’s stupid. It doesn’t matter where Batman is physics are all the same.

Girl 1: um but superman defies physics.

Guy2: yeah that’s cause he gets his powers from the yellow sun in our solar system, so he’s not deifying physics he’s just a superman.

Girl 1: so he’s not so super on his home planet.

Guy 1: Ah hello, no way, he lived in a solar system with a red sun, didn’t you know that.

Guy 2: superman sucks! He has stupid unnatural powers. Batman on the other hand is far cooler.

Guy 1: How so?

Guy 2: Well as batman doesn’t have super powers he must rely on cunning and craft. He might have some cool gadgets but he is on, for the most part, the same playing field as his enemies.

Guy 1: So what the Bat plane, which by the way again defies physics with its un-aerodynamic shape, is somehow putting Batman on a level playing field, i don't think so.

On and on this conversation went. I would love to write more about what they said, I am telling you it gets better but i have other things to write about.

Flower Power

2007-08-16T21:55:00.000+12:00

It was a friend from unis birthday last week and I decided to get her a flower. There’s a nice florist on my walk down Krd so I stopped in there to pick up a single yellow “thing”.

Buying flowers, so I am told is not the domain of New Zealand men. I beg to differ on this point. I think if you pick the right one or bunch it can go down very well. Buying flowers is an art form. I have never once given roses to anyone, its so clichéd and pathetic, it has overt sexual connotations and shows a level of stupidity from the buyer, they should be used for mega special occasions only.

I would like to point out that I have never once had a women complain about getting flowers. My ex Norelle’s birthday was the day before I left to go to Japan. I gave her bouquet made by a florist and when I returned a month later they were still going strong and she was still very impressed – For the men out there take note, I double scored with that one!

Rocked up to get my Coffee at Verona as usual and I swear coffee girl must have thought I was going to give it to her, her eyes flashed as if to say is this guy so crazy he will buy me a flower after I shoot him down. Haha, suck for you coffee girl you had you chance.

As I walked down to uni I got smiles from women, the knowing nod from men and this wonderful little feeling inside that it was a good idea after all.

My friend and I share a lecture together but I was running late to get there. We generally sit at the front of the theater and so when I walked in everyone saw what I had in my hand and a distinctive murmur sprang out amongst the crowd. Not wanting to draw any more attention than I already had I quickly gave it to her and sat down.

My friend was so very impressed with me, I was told it made her day and I got a hug for my troubles in front of the lecture, which I must add was social gold. I “eye flirt” with several girls in the class and they no doubt the saw this exchange. Not only that but my friend would be 9.5 out of 10, I kid you not, she is one very beautiful woman so it was win win all the way.

Later that day I got a text from a mutual friend of ours who sits at the back of the class. In it he told me it was a very gentlemanly thing to have done, that he was jealous he hadn’t done it himself and that he was sure she would have appreciated it very much.

I think the title of this post sums up it nicely!

Fucking Buses!

2007-08-16T21:49:00.000+12:00

Total cost of trip in dollars - $13

Total cost of trip in time stolen from my life – Immeasurable or in real terms, 1.5hrs

So I felt this was deserving of a post of its own, normally I try and add in my trips to the games in the rugby blog but with the length of that post and the annoyance I had about the bus trip home ensured more thought.

This bus ride to the ground was short and thankfully so given my inclination to throw up. I caught a Ritchie’s bus out there, we used the north-western to get there and it was far quicker than the return.

As I was struggling to compose myself I didn’t take in much of my surroundings. However as the bus rounded the bend into Henderson valley I noticed the most fucking awful architectural sight I have seen in sometime.

Westfield have a mall out there, it is a square concrete box that is emblazoned with banners. On the other side of the valley is a five story car park building, both sit either side of the main shopping district. It was so damn ugly I felt sorry for anyone who lives out there. It is an embarrassment to the suburb or Henderson.

That being said I did find Henderson to be a nice place overall. During the game I noticed that there were railway lines behind the ground so I decided that would be my preferred method a returning to town. Unfortunately for me the trains weren’t running on Saturday. Now there could be several reasons for this. When I walked down towards the station I was confronted with a construction zone.

Recently they have begun double tracking the Western rail line so that, along with the fact they are in the process of rebuilding the Henderson station didn’t help my train trip chances. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the train company is so inept that it is possible that the trains don’t run on a Saturday.

I ambled down to the main drag to catch a bus home. Henderson must been a conduit of sorts to other middle of nowhere, shithole, Western suburbs so there were lots of buses to choose from. I made the wrong one!

I got on the bus at 12:30 in a rather happy mood. I got off at my stop at 1:30 full of anger and loathing for public transport. We went down every damn main road possible between Henderson and Grey Lynn, I was so over the whole thing after 10mins, I just wanted to go to sleep and the bus trip did everything in its power to deprive me of that.

There are up sides though; well I’m going to call them that anyway. For three consecutive bus stops there was a lone duck chilling on the grass near by, I swear to god they were all in on a collective joke. I bet they stole shit from unsuspecting passengers to give to some grand duck leader who lives in Western Springs.

Also I noticed that out west bears a striking resemblance to out north. I could have easily been in Northcote or Glenfield going home. It was uncanny and somewhat disturbing.

So now I have decided that for every game that I ref in future, including after I get a car, I will take public transport to get there. Now this might sound strange considering what I have just written but it is somewhat of a novelty catching trains and buses on a Saturday. I am 100% sure the attitudes of the passengers make for a better trip than on a weekday and as an added bonus I can show off my ultra sexy referee’s uniform to the unsuspecting public, haha, beware!

Saturday morning games:

2007-08-16T21:23:00.000+12:00

So after another Friday night of drunken conversation I stumbled off the bus in Henderson round 9:30 on sat morning only to throw up after 2 steps, a further two and another spew, I even got a beep from someone for my troubles.

The previous night I had spent with my flatmates having the obligatory Friday catch up before heading round to a mates for a few more. Even now, near the end of the rugby season I have yet to learn from the lessons a night of drinking and a morning of running provides. Meh. It was so bad that I apparently had a conversation with Julie when I got home that I have scarce recognition of.

For a majority of my games I have been sent to “satellite” grounds, ones that are a part of a certain clubs domain but ones where there are no clubrooms. Before Friday night I had never heard of Waitemata (the rugby club that is) so I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived and found that a real buzz about the place.

This was a stark contrast to the game out at De La Salle from the previous week. Where as there we played in shit conditions, here I was told by the club manager that we were playing on the #1 ground. I was chuffed, we even had a grandstand.

Grammar Winaray – 22

Waitemata - 20

Waitemata were contesting Ponsonby for the Gallagher Shield at Eden Park later that afternoon so the club was a hive of activity. For the uninformed, unfortunate souls, the Gallagher Shield goes to the winner of the Auckland club finals, traditionally a classic battle and it was no different this year.

For the record:

Ponsonby - 18

Waitemata- 16

Back to my game - it was the first where I realised the importance of influence exerted upon the ref by players. My pre game checks consist of talking to the forward pack, captain and half back, most teams listen and say little. Waitemata decided that they would ask all manner of questions, it dawned on me their coach also taught them the art of constant questioning. All of which I wasn’t willing to deal with. In fact I very nearly threw up when I bent over to check their boots.

Grammar were much more savvy in their approach to getting me to see their point of view. When I first arrived at the ground I noticed the team was training minus the coach and when I did my pre checks with them, the captain corralled them into place – this should have been my first sign of impending coercion.

The captain without fail will play rugby to at least the NPC level. He knew it was him I pinged for not coming in from the back of a maul, something he clearly tried ever game. I think this guy is a leader in the true sense of the word. He made sure his boys keep their composure in a tight, sea sawing game and immediately came and shook my hand after the game. The best bit (well from a constructive view point, not from a good referees one) was when he managed to convince me that it was there scrum feed when it wasn’t, he also made sure he ate up as much time as possible in the last 5 mins of the game.

Once again in was a tightly contested game. The two teams brought differing styles of rugby, Grammar keep it in the forwards and muscled up while Waitemata spread it wide and the leaguy type fullback had some nice moves.

There was however a crazy ass supporter of Waitemata. In fact now that I am thinking about it there were quite a few crazy fuckers putting immense pressure on both the players and me. In future I am going to need impartial touch judges because the parents are proving they sure as hell can’t be.

Free speech

2007-08-10T20:10:00.000+12:00

I would love to spend my Friday night writing about how Dr Buchanan was unfairly dismissed.

Unfortunately my favourite blogger has beaten me to it.

Cactus Kate has two very salient posts on Auckland University’s decision to fire Dr Buchanan.

http://asianinvasion2006.blogspot.com/

Read them, I for one very much hope he is reinstated.

Music for the people

2007-08-10T15:25:00.000+12:00

I read somewhere once that music makes us innately human. We enjoy it for the pleasure of sound, the rhythm that we can sway to. From a trumpet solo to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hailey Westenra to Ozzy Osborne, Frank Sinatra to Led Zeppelin, it would be hard to find a person who dislikes music.

My delightful flatmate gave me some CD's the other day. I had heard one of them playing in her room while we chatted. One of the reasons I study at Verona is for the music. Slow, low, soul beats that evoke a wry smile from me and makes for fantastic background music to study to.

My 30G iPod Video is my most prized possession and after the death of my Nano I had it framed (yes I realise that’s slightly neurotic) normally I listen to my most favourite album - Stadium Arcadium by the RHCP. I of course like to chop that up from time to time with some dub and other old skool acts.

But after adding these new albums I have found some of the most exciting musical beats. Mostly R&B soul, funky jazz and as iTunes tells me "world" what ever the hell genre that is.

Anyway I have added links to the new artists I have found.

Batucada Sound Machine -BSM

A freaking awesome 15 piece New Zealand group whose tracks get the feet moving.

Best track - Batucada Vai Chegar

http://www.batucadasoundmachine.com/index.shtml

Breakestra

Not too sure where they are from, maybe the US - great for studying.

Best track - Recognize

http://www.breakestra.com/

Curtis Mayfield

I haven’t listened to much of this guy. Old school soul, blues sort of style. Fun none the less.

Best track - Junkie Chase (Instrumental)

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Curtis%20Mayfield.html

Fela Kuti

This is by far my favourite of the albums. Utterly orgasmic collection of drums, trumpets, guitars, piano, melodic harmonies, you name it its there.

Best track - Lady

http://www.felaproject.net/

I have yet to listen fully to the rest of the albums but once I do I will post on them. Hope the whets the appetite :)

Enjoy.

But officer i didnt mean to.

2007-08-10T15:05:00.000+12:00

The other day a friend of mine and i were talking about our weekend. The conversation came around to her driving late at night.

She had been out with friends in the early evening and was driving into town after dropping a friend off, this was on a Saturday night. As she came up Kyber Pass Rd she was pulled over for speeding. She was somewhat flustered, i think when cops pull us over we all get the feeling of being caught with our hand in the cookie jar.

The cop came over to her and did the usual questioning routine. Handing over her license (only a restricted) she knew she was in for a fine. Being the conscientious person she that she is, she hadn’t drunk, so her only crimes were speeding and driving outside of her restrictions.

The cop started to give her a hard time about how long she had been on her restricted for (8 years) and she, for whatever reasons began crying. The male cop faced with a crying sober women, who in the scheme of things on a Saturday night was small fry, was let off with a warning.

While I was impressed with her ability to wrangle her way out of the situation I was a little miffed she could cry and get away with it. I have been pulled over outside my restrictions a couple of times; I always try the good boy routine. Yes officer, no officer, I fully agree officer, this has had mixed results but is always on the cards and should never be discounted.

Moral of the blog. If your a women, cry - no male I know wants to deal with a crying women, hell I run from that sort of situation. If your a guy, try to act remorseful without being arrogant.

This of course is always dependant on the cop but they are after all (sometimes) human.

Disclaimer

2007-08-10T14:57:00.001+12:00

For all those who read my blog and see the glaring grammatical errors strewn through out, rest assured I am aware of their existence.

Just so you know, I don't care. I mostly write late at night after getting home, at work while distracted, Drunk and or otherwise and most importantly this isn’t being marked by a tutor.

In saying that, I will endeavour to correct my mistakes for my personal advancement.

You just cant beat a.. oh wait you just cant beat NZ

2007-08-10T00:34:00.000+12:00

Man I never really saw he attraction of Rachael Hunter. The fact she was from Glenfield was a major turn off, plus the bikini she wore in the trumpet ads, I mean really, I know you were paid but even that doesn't excuse it!

Today after another day at work in a job I loath I went for a drink with a work mate who has many of the same thoughts about the job as I do Though he doesn’t work there for the exact same reason s as me he and I share many similarities. All in all he is a thoroughly enjoyable person whose wisdom is as subtle as its delivery.

Before we caught up I stopped by the London Bar and listen to some very enjoyable jazz. A trio of young guys played a fast paced set that filled the time nicely.

My friend and I wondered down to his local haunt. Sat down and had a chat before some of his regulars came over and joined us. A couple of beers later and i had one of my many private, humorous, observational moments.

Here I was in a bar across from three men, all in leather jackets and all with a healthy beards going on. They were talking about innocuous things that people in common would normally chat about. The only difference was that at least two of them were benchmarks in the New Zealand music scene. It was crazy and I have to say was somewhat in awe of where I was.

As I walked home a little while later I began to think about how accessible New Zealanders are. I had spoken to someone earlier in the day about the concept of "6 degrees of separation". Through my friend it was possible to met industry people who could do things. Hmmmm, well ok only if I had things to do.

Anyway I thought how great it was, that not only musicians were easy to talk to. For instance, when I travelled to Wellington I was meeting my "Uncle", he’s not really my uncle, well not by my idea of family anyway. He’s my stepmother’s brother and also a politician. I wrangled myself a day with him around parliament and met several prominent politicians. Obviously not everyone has direct contact to a politician but if you check the yellow pages. H.Clark is in there. Not only that, if you hang around the Press Gallery and foyer you can easily spot someone.

Think about how many times have you been out and seen a sports star, easily New Zealand's version of Celebrity who earned it. Noah Hickey, who spoke out against child abuse and Nia Glassie's death yesterday, gets his beauty treatment up at the top of Crummer Road. I have met rugby players both as a player and a ref, not to mention at Eden Park on the odd occasion.

In almost every walk of life we live in, we have access to everything. It is true freedom and it should be appreciated as such.

Amanda Billing the woman that plays Amanda on Shorty St is another who seems to be everywhere. I see her while studying in Albert Park, at the GL Foodtown and at bars in Ponsonby. It could just be the GL Foodtown but I have also seen several actors from Outrageous Fortune and from Rude Awakenings. Michael Gavin lives in Herne Bay and I spoke to John Campbell a few years back at Bayfield Primary.

Business leaders while harder to access are also available. He wasn’t the greatest Aucklander ever but Dick Hubbard ran a successful company making cereal I don’t like. Though I guess as he is the Mayor by default must give you his time. Steve Crow the "Porn King" (Also running for Mayor) is an astute business man and I reckon he would be keen to hear a yarn, made more than a few bucks too. I know business mangers from Maersk, AA, and Hanover and I’m positive most of the people that read this can think of people they know placed in middle somewhere.

If you were to go overseas you would never have the accessibility like we do. You have access to the people that are at the coalface of society. The people who real or imagined have the power to shape our lives, define pulp culture, raise or crush our hopes.

Nia Glassie never got the chance to have what you and I do. People with no place living amongst us stopped short a young New Zealanders life. We must appreciate what we can and do achieve. We must ensure that everyone has the freedoms that you and I have come to Love.

I have gotten a little righteous here but you get my point. Is so freaking cool that its all there for us. Anything you want to do, you can met the person that’s done it and if it’s never been done before. Like Rutherford, Snell, Savage, Ngata, Sheppard, Hillary and so many others, you will just do it yourself.

Saturday night – After 12.

2007-08-07T20:13:00.000+12:00

Walked back down to The Living Room and was greeted by the nice bouncer who promptly opened the door for me. My sister had text me and said she was going to a gig for a while but she wanted to meet up with me later on in the night. This didn’t bother me one bit, in fact even if it did I was in far too happy a mood to do anything about it.

My old “friend” Sally was there and she and I chatted about crap for ages, all I remember is her telling me she was married to the date she had brought. For at least an hour or so I believed this until I asked my sister and she laughed at me for being so stupid.

I was decided that we should make a move to another bar. Someone said Family, a gay bar on Krd. I have been there before and it was ok, obviously it’s full of gay people. I have no problem with that however I was still not keen on heading up there, my first choice would have been the dogs bollix but I was out voted by those who had mates at Family.

It must have been “lets she how gullible Jeff is” by this time because one of the guys we were with tried telling me he was straight only to get into the bar to find he though some guy was hot. For the past 21 years I have been firmly rooted in the heterosexual camp, don’t worry this didn’t/wouldn’t ever change but in saying that I can play on my “cute” looks. As I was drunk as a skunk I decided that t would be wise to get up on a box and dance away – yes I had no shame.

I saw an old mate Matt who was back from Melbourne there which was cool and found him to be equally drunk. Went outside and realised my phone was dead, so I jumped in a cab and busted a move home – I only paid half the fare.

Arrived home and needed to pee. Now I don’t remember this but apparently I walked into Phil’s room, muttered something about it not being the toilet and walked out. Phil’s door and the bathroom door are 2 meters apart on the same side of the house. After I was done I walked out to find him laughing his ass off at me. Apparently I was talking shit and was fairly gone but I didn’t find this out till Monday when I saw him next. I charged my phone and entertained myself while I waited.

Caught a taxi back into town – again only paying half the fare. Got down to Flight Lounge and attempted to get in. The two burly bouncers were having none of it and told me to piss off and go home. I text my sister and explained the issue, she sent out one of her minions and he told the bouncers that I was sweet to get in. Man it was choice walking past all the other people that had been turned back and heading straight in. Peter later laughed and said I shouldn’t have gotten in and couldn’t believe I was wearing Chucks.

My sister offered me an Herbal but I’m not really into that sort of thing. That being said fun can always be had in “other” ways. Sally, my sister, Peter and I had a fucking mean time down at flight for the next couple of hours.

After a while I began to feel pretty tired and made a sneaky exit home. Got home around 6am and wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep so I had a sly smoke and put of the Shihad CD I had found earlier in the day. All in all it was a mean night and for certain reasons parts of the night have been omitted from the final post. For those with an imagination draw yourself a conclusion on what they may have been.

Saturday night - before 12

2007-08-07T17:58:00.000+12:00

I woke up about 9pm feeling like crap, you know that feeling you have when you drink a bit then sober up, all lethargic and mung. Wondered into the lounge where I found Jess and Pete having a chat. Turns out Jess went down to Waitomo caves to go black water rafting but couldn’t due to the rain, she was sulky as.

Had a beer to wake myself up and had a shower, nothing beats a hot shower with a cold beer in hand. Strutted my wares out into the lounge, found some pants and proceeded to iron my shirt. I received no end of ridicule from Jess on my ironing technique but she didn’t want to help me.

Grabbed another beer and made my way up to the Living Room in Ponsonby. I must be getting older because I was looking fairly casual and the bouncer just smiled and let me in, the guy even opened the door for me, no ID needed(the bouncer did this for all patrons and was the best face a bar could have, more bouncers need to go to his training school).

Said hi to my sister and headed up to get a beer, it was at this point I realised I was in the realm of the pretty people. I was wearing Chucks, jeans and a semi-ironed un-tucked shirt, everyone else was in there Sunday best. Women were shown an utterly fantastic amount of cleavage and I have it from good sources that the men were hot too.

I sat down next to my sister’s party of ppl (round 20) and noticed the league was on. Though I knew most of them I wasn’t in the mood to chat yet. Ended up watching the game for 5 mins before the guy next to me turned and mentioned the game. He and I ended up having a ripper conversation about the Wellington game, the Harbour match and the fact Andy Ellis had been chosen over Piri Wepu.

At first I noticed this guy was familiar but put it down to him being one of my mate’s friends. Turns out the guy is Kevin Sinnott from the TV3 sports team (the ginger one) and he’s dating one of the girls my sister is going away with. He had some fantastic theories on the All Blacks, from Captaincy, to Tana Umanga, to Graham Henry. He also gets to spend the entire world cup traveling in 5 star hotels and gets tickets to every game – Bastard.

By this point I was feeling much happier. Went up to the bar and got another drink when I heard my name called out. Across the room was an old friend Hailey, and her mate Latchman. Hailey and I last saw each other about 3 years ago and one of my fondest memories of her was of us walking through Britomart at 4 in the morning eating splash ice blocks after a night out at Met and Code. My old friend Jane, her brother Steve, Hailey, her then BF Pete and I used to hang as a crew (later everyone’s mate Burt joined Jane and us too) ah the good old days.

Anyway she was over from Sydney to announce her engagement, so it was kinda freakish that she and I were in the same bar at the same time. She even organised a phone so we could call Jane. Ended up having a quick chat to Jane who lives in Chester, it was fantastic to hear her voice.

Wandered back inside and there was an old school friend of mine, Liana who had come to see my sister. About two years ago my sister started hanging out with all these old school mates of mine, so we have a bit of a social cross over. It was great to see her and hear about her escapades in Oz last week.

At about 11:30 I got a txt from HAM asking if I knew where our friend Max was. Turns out they were catching up at Bar De Baz up the road. Decided that it might be good to go see them so I stood up and walked past the fireplace only to get soot all over my nice white shirt. 15 mins later after some scrubbing in the bathroom and a drunken stumble down Ponsonby Road I made it to Bar De Baz.

Here I found my mate Max in a rather cheerful mood, he had met a friend and the two of them put on a pretty good version of Dirty Dancing. HAM was also there with her new “friend” (he knows who he is:) so I had a chat to them for a while before heading back to The Living Room.

My night was good so far but turns out it hadn’t even begun.

Saturday Arvo.

2007-08-07T15:14:00.000+12:00

Hmmm, if it’s not Friday nights that go off then its Saturday. Got home after rugby and had a long shower to get the mud off me and to warm up. Chilled out for a while before I decided to head down to my new neighbor’s house.

Jared and Arina moved up the road from me on Sat and they had told me to head over. They were smart enough to have gotten movers to do the hard yards so when I arrived it looked like they had lived there for weeks. Great place on Crummer, perfect for a couple and I was told a delightful Polynesian couple have lived in the bottom apartment have lived there for an impressive 27 years.

Had a few beers with them and their good friends Brendon and Wendy, both old friends of my sister. They have known me for at least 12yrs now, its crazy how fluid friendships can be, there is an age gap of 6-7 years between those four and me and yet we still all get along fantastically. Though one of the major factors in me moving out of the flat we lived in together was the little brother syndrome they had caught.

I hadn’t eaten all day and the 5.5% beers took there toll quickly. Drunkenly walked up to there old place to pick up some items they had forgotten and found an old box that I had no idea I had lost. I found my Shihad CD and about 15 books, so now my ipod is feeling more kiwish and my bookcase is full to the brim.

Had a few more beers and got a feed from the roast shop, man I needed to sober up. Got home with an Ironing board I had scored and Phil was very impressed, partly with by my new house item but more so with my effort to get so drunk, so quickly.

The power went out round 6pm and Phil was pissed off, I laughed at him because he couldn’t watch the TV. Smugly I said I wasn’t worried because my laptop still had battery. Walked back into my room and went to a webpage. Whoops maybe I should have considered the router needed power in order for me to surf the web.

So I went to sleep.

Verona Girl

2007-08-06T23:10:00.000+12:00

So I did it. I asked Verona girl out for a drink. Unfortunately for me she’s seeing someone at the moment.

I had been there working on some uni stuff waiting to be picked up. Went outside and waited and thought, "Fuck it mate, it’s now or never" so I flipped a coin and went with it. Sucked it up and went back inside, thankfully she was walking towards me so that made it easier (know one to hear).

She was really nice about it and paused momentarily as I asked her, as if to weigh it up. I’m sure she knew already so maybe she had prepared, either way it was painless and I escaped almost unscathed.

I actually felt glad I had done it. I had said I would and it was time to put my money where my mouth was but alas it wasn't to be.

I will still be going back there to get my coffees and to work because it’s a great place and I doubt that Verona girl will mind plus it did nothing to quell my crush :)

There is a word that keeps swirling round my head though.

DAMN!

Saturday morning games

2007-08-06T22:30:00.000+12:00

I had two games scheduled for Saturday morning out at De La Salle College in Mangere.

My first game was meant to be at 9:15 so I had to get up at 7:30 in order to make it out there on time. Trust me when I say getting up on a Saturday morning that early, when its pissing with rain, to spend an hour and a half on public transport isn’t as fun as it sounds.

Caught the train to the Middlemore stop, which thankfully was 100m from the college. Catching the train was a novelty; it’s a rare day that an Aucklander gets the chance. It was surprisingly efficient, though I could only buy a return ticket at the ticket office which is closed on Saturday mornings.

Got on the train and had to buy a single ($4:80 for those wondering) I asked the dude on the train why I couldn’t buy a return on the train and he told me the ticket booth and the train conductors are employed by different companies so the cant do it. In just 2 minutes I realised why we have such a defunct public transport system in Auckland.

So head back out into the rain over to De La Salle, a decile one Catholic Boys school that has a student body of predominantly Polynesians. I found out that Penrose, the team DLS was playing haven’t been in the comp for two months and that I wouldn’t have a game to ref. Given that my game was swapped from Dilworth to DLS the day before I would have figured that the ref’s assoc would have known this. Then again it was probably Karma for last week.

Stood around and watch some juniors play soccer while I waited for game two. The white boys from Auckland Grammar got creamed, like 10-1 and the goal they got was kicked in by DLS.

De La Salle College: 7
Kelston Boys school: 10

I had been apprehensive about refereeing this game. To start with it was my first high school match but also one where I thought it might be tough to ref, due to age and ethnicity (I have had problems before). The exact opposite was true of both the teams. Nothing but good manners, big hits and the odd silly question, getting up when it was dark and raining paid off when I watched these boys play.

The field was a fucking mess, we should never have played on it, especially considering there was a free good paddock for us to use. The asshole sports coordinator at DLS forced us to play in a swimming pool because the other ground was for the 1st 15 and they didn’t want my game to scuff it up. I didn’t like that one bit and kicked up quite a stink. I was tempted to shift the game with the power of my whistle but felt it is too early in my referee career to be making waves. I did however write a letter to the principle of the school and expressed my disappointment on behalf of the teams.

The game itself was great, bar the fact we had to move 10-15m left and right to get enough grass to put a scrum down. Both Kelston and DLS were on even points heading into the game and they didn’t disappoint. Big hits, smart kicking and some comedic errors made this the most enjoyable game yet. The last play of the game was a DLS kick from the 22 to level the game but the kick strayed to the left of the posts. All in all 10 - 7 was a justified result. It came down to the clearance kicks by the Kelston # 10 which keep the last 20mins in DLS territory.

Caught the train back and was happy to see it was packed. Way better seats on a train compared to a bus. The train conductor had a chat to me almost the whole way back into Britomart. Seems he was a Kelston boy.

It pissed with rain, it was cold, there was mud everywhere and a there was a bit of rugby too. Just what a Saturday morning in winter should be about.

Friday night

2007-08-06T22:16:00.000+12:00

Friday nights are a strange one for me. I have been working on Fridays at Tcom for the past year but have manged to wrangle my way out of quite a few to go out at night or do things during the day. Last Friday was a work day. So after an excruciating day of call taking i was glad High and Mighty Hailey organised some post work wind downs.

Friday night seems to throws up some strange similarities in events. A couple of us from work headed down to the Playhouse down in Aotea Square. One of my team mates from work was also having leaving drinks, we never really spoke at work except for a mutual grumble we had about something, its that bad that i only know her name starts with S and is possibly Simone. As i did with Emily last week i manged to have a good chat with her, something i should have done a while ago.

I always seem to bump into random people too. Some old mates of mine were also down there which was cool. I went to school with Josh at Birkenhead and knew Luis from around the Glenfield traps, we all know Pete who i also work with. Had a beer with them before scooting home for my early games in the morning.

Although Friday wasn't as much of a party night as the past few, it was the perfect way to start the most awesome weekend i have had in sometime.

David Nucifora - Mis manager

2007-08-02T14:31:00.000+12:00

This post is for my friend Daniel Hanson, a fucking fine solider in the New Zealand Army and a great mate.

In the past week there have been rumblings from the Blues camp about David Nucifora's management style. In fact it was reported in the Rugby News magazine and later in the Herald that three senior All Blacks had threatened to leave if he stayed to coach. David has just renewed his contact for a further two years.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10455149

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10455408

Ali Williams and Nucifora have already had a public falling out in the final stages of the super 14. Ali is a brat to put it mildly. He's a fantastic rugby player and has gone from strength to strength in the past few seasons but unfortunately he thinks he’s above the boss and he is known to spit the dummy and not play ball. He's smart enough to realise that he will loose his AB spot if he pulled that kind of crap with Henry so in camp he’s on his best behaviour.

After he was released from the cotton wool club and back into the blues, he was sidelined along with Woodcock and Rokocoko. This was understandable as the blues were on a roll and David wanted to keep consistency in its team (just look at what that’s doing for the warriors at the moment). It later proved to be a mis-calculation and they suffered for it.

Clearly Woodcock (who got slightly more game time) and Rokocoko were also somewhat miffed at not being selected, really who wouldn’t be. What we don’t know is what they were told as the reasons for this. Clearly Williams’s didn’t agree and went off like a pestilent toddler, tainting others with his actions.

Strangely though, in all the media scribblings I have read, not one of them has mentioned that Nucifora was fired from the Brumbies at the end of 2004, Why? The media release at the time stated that he had completed what he was employed for - development of younger players and that the development program required another set of skills. This is bullshit of the highest order.

He was fired due to a player revolt. They didn’t like his management. It didn’t matter that he led them to win that years super rugby competition. He clearly had/has issues with his management style, its as simple as that. Players such as George Gregan and Stirling Mortlock led the charge, these players have mega clout in Australian rugby and they got their way.

So where does this leave the current Blues team? Well the need to publicly douse the fires that have sprung up from the Rugby News report. Privately they will need to mediate with the whole team not just the three players involved. It only takes one bad apple to spoil the barrel and once dissent creeps in the overall performance of the blues will suffer!

More from my mate, Kate

2007-08-02T13:20:00.000+12:00

I had a hearty laugh over my coffee this morning when I checked the comments page of Cactus's blog.

Deane Jessep said... I would have thought it was unlike you to burn bridges like that, he might be an unhappily married meat eating cute guy. Whats more he has enough pride to display your burn as a badge of honor on his own blog.10:07 PM, August 01, 2007 Deane Jessep said... Opps, strike that, I just read that he is a broadband help desk guy for a living, give him everything he deserves.10:09 PM, August 01, 2007 Cactus Kate said... DeaneHe was a James Sleep little bedwetter so was dealt with accordingly.In a months time he wont have a blog and will give the reason that he has to study etc....Being slapped by myself will probably be the highlight of his year. And it is always good to keep up target practice.1:51 AM, August 02, 2007

This from a comments section on David Farrars blog.

Dead Duck Dux Says: August 1st, 2007 at 6:47 pm Good to see fifth form boys enjoying political blogging.

Facts to mull on:

James Sleep was the youth MP in this years youth parliament, he represented Sue Bradford. I scoff at this reference. I loath Sue Bradford, she’s the crazy moron that wanted to reduce the voting age to 16. It is also thanks to her that the repeal of section 59 was mislabelled the anti-smacking bill, resulting in a watering down of the legislation. It will probably used by the scum who abused 3-year-old Nia Glassie as a defence.

So referring to me as so green loving, youth rate raising kid is novel at best.

Deane thought that because I work at the BB helpdesk I deserve everything i get. Ummm, well you find me a job that pays 38k a year and fits my uni hours round work. That aside I neither like, nor want to work there!

Dead Dux commented that it’s good to see 15yr blogging. If he bothered to look he would have seen I’m a tad older than 15.

Kate the highlight of my year would not be a slap from you. It would be a good old fashioned spanking ;)

All that aside, your commentary has seen me double the amount of people visiting my blog. Even i couldn’t have planned that better.

Thanks Kate!!

Word count

2007-08-01T20:33:00.000+12:00

Far out man!!

In the past 24hrs i have written 6,420 words. Thats fucking massive (for me anyway) and i am only just starting my Essay now.

Should have it done by midnight :)

That should take it to 7750!!!!

Hannah Spierer - Ginger Ninga

2007-08-01T18:47:00.000+12:00

Hannah arrived at the front of my 121 lecture on Friday, a day after it became apparent that the elections where in full swing. She was a far better speaker than David, well that’s not strictly true. Hannah had more of a "for the people" aura around her.

Hannah is campaigning more or less on the green ticket. As she spoke you got the sense that she was less the politician and more the type of person who wants a change for the better, an idealist I guess.

Unfortunately I have found that idealist stumble with actually policy content and with the realities of politics as a whole. Student politics being the poorer form of the art takes, it takes a toll all that much more.

Whereas James was keen on the puzzles I was keen on the facts. In this regard you provided more than I could have wished. No not in policy but in you knowledge in pop culture. If anything I am Agnostic and the thing I believe in is Chuck Norris. You duly provided me with a good laugh while I should have paid attention to realism in class, I was laughing at Chuck. Your facts on your paper in regards to Chuck were fantastic and almost had me voting on the spot for you.

You would have lost votes, I suspect with your self depreciation. During your speech you called yourself the “Ginger Ninja” and while that is fine, posing questions on your looks and making comments about how you might not be good looking doesn’t endear me to your cause.

The masses are fickle – we want to hear how wonderful you are, you superior knowledge in everything, how many guys worship you. It’s this sort of electioneering the works, people care little about the realities of your policies. In today’s society, personality and perception thereof is paramount.

Hannah is the environmental officer for 2007.

There are four major platforms that she is campaigning on.

Accessibility:

Again with the accessibility crap. Why do both the candidates feel a need to explain how approachable they are? Most of us will never need to talk to you, we may make vague references to you while we have a beer in shadows and it will most probably be derogatory before moving on to things we actually care about. If we did need something from you we know where you are, we can get your email out of Craccum, we can cry in the quad and one of the exec would be there to play the concerned friend.

You do get points for stopping immediately to talk to me when I approached you. You seemed interested and when you realised I was asking real questions and had an opinion on "green" issues your eyes even showed you were listening.

I have to ask though, would you be so interested if I came to you complaining about the religious folk who ply their trade periodically in the quad. I think you are, by all accounts a fair minded person and might take issue with the bigoted, naive people out there. These are the types of people you will encounter in the role of President. They grow up to call talkback legends such as, Leighton Smith and Kerry Woodham and handling them with a deft touch is a skill.

Sustainability:

Ok, this is thrown around lots in the media these days. So where do you wish to be sustainable? I know you have organised for recycling bins to be in the quad but that can be construed as tokenism.

I liked how you want recycling bins throughout the three Auckland campuses, and the fact you planted 300 plants on Motuihe Island, commendable but does this matter to the running of the AUSA? That aside I hope you realise that all the work you did planting those trees was undone when you and the rest of the exec printed 1000’s of posters to put up in the quad – without fail 100% of the people I spoke with saw this as a waste of paper and deemed it worse than graffiti.

Sustainability needs to be addressed and starting at uni is a good place. Many of us will move on to careers that will have direct impact on the outcome of our environment but you will have to be careful that it’s real change and not a token gesture.

Free Internet:

YAY!!! This one is a winner, in your speech you said that we should get free internet, I at the time had no real opinion. When you went on to explain how much we pay in fees and that it should be free I was very much behind you.

This in my view is what you should plug in terms of feasibility, its something us students will get behind. I, like many will feel it’s our right to get internet at the very least. The university already squanders our money on all sorts of things (how many glossy “welcome to auck uni” pamphlets do I need?), why is it we can’t have free browsing?

Community:

This is a policy that isn’t a policy at all. It’s a concept and it has so many meanings it really means very little- makes you look inclusive though.

So Hannah you have a vision, dare I say a better one than David. Unlike David though you lack the animalistic political streak and that may cost you at the polls. David is a politician. you are the person that fights for the little guy.

I think that much as the greens fight for the little guy, you, like them will find it hard to get any real power. Again I wish you the best of luck, in both this election and your other endeavours. I found you to be a genuinely nice person and as you said, a community minded person. We need more people like you in the world.

Cactus Kate

2007-08-01T18:30:00.001+12:00

Below is from the comments section of Cactus Kates blog. I of course was being self depreciating when i said i had no friends but that seemed to get lost in translation.

I think it speaks for it self really, kinda personal response but that’s ok.

I do thank Kate for her ridicule of my spelling mistakes, yes i am aware that there is a few smattered through out my blog but most of what i write is on the fly and only proofed later.

If anyone else spots my spelling mistakes feel free to alert me to them. The only way i will learn is by being told.

Hello Cactus Kate,

I have recently started blogging and came across your blog and read it with great interest.

I was wondering, as I have no friends online if you would be so kind as to add me to your list of friends.

I promise that I didn’t laugh at Rodney when I saw him in that cool car of his:)

Grrr, I tried to email you this but the silly thing didn’t like my Characters

Jeff

http://crummerroad.blogspot.com/

8:07 PM, July 31, 2007

Cactus Kate said...

This is a joke right? There is a reason you have no friends.

You are trying to get into law school and you are writing shit like this:

"Got the crappist coffee I’ve ever had from the coffee shop near by, if I find out the name i will publish it and shame them into hiring better barristers".

And I am not talking about your use of crappist....It s law student wannabes like yourself Jeff that keep actual lawyers like myself in demand.

While you are down on your knees in front of me begging to be linked to my blog, you can actually remove my blog as a link so no one thinks I am associated with it.

1:43 AM, August 01, 2007

David Do - Real Experience

2007-08-01T16:22:00.001+12:00

I took two papers last year in the second semester and remember the election time vaguely but as I wasn't a full time student I didn't follow what was going on. I do however remember the candidates hijacking lecture time to tell us there the reasons we should vote for them.

I also got the feeling that they preyed upon 1st year students for votes. Most 1st year students don't really know what’s going on. I suspect many still live at home and have done mostly what their teachers and parents have told them to. Perfect grooming for a candidate to score some votes.

David Do - Candidate 1 - AUSA President 2008

The first time I saw David Do was in my Pol class last Thursday. He was at the front of the lecture theatre and spoke rather quickly in a clipped, made for politics voice. Almost everything he said was lost in the rush of words, and most people listened probably because the seats face him and by default were forced to.

The next time I saw info on him was in my 121 class. He had pamphlets strewn across the room. The one that caught my eye was “That Asian guy", my first though was, what the fuck does that matter, whose vote is that going for?

He did have SU-KU-DO on the back of one of his pledge papers and while not for me, James spent a healthy 15 mins completing it.

In this lecture some of my friends asked what the deal with elections were so I decided to find out what his policies were. What I found out left me with a real sense of pessimism about the whole thing.

A little background on David:

Welfare officer - 2004-2006
Education vice pres - 2007
Rep for university committees.

He is also the current president of two clubs - now here is where things get interesting. Normally you would want to publish who you are the president for. The first is UniQ (don’t ask, I don’t know) but more importantly he is the president of the Princes St labour party.

This is for those who care about such things a relatively big conflict of interest. The President of the AUSA should be a-political in order to provide for all views of the student body. I accept that most university students are left of the political centre however most aren’t actively seeking to be the Pres of the AUSA.

Just this past week down at Victoria the exec (made up of predominately left members) have been criticised by the Lincon uni vice pres for its conduct (http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2007/07/vuwsa_exec_unapologetic.html) There have been rumblings due to the highly level of politicking going on in a supposedly neutral association.

Back to David, I put this to him and he told me that he would quit his role as Pres for the Princes St branch if he made the AUSA. This unfortunately does little to quell my belief he will use his contacts and position to push a pro Labour agenda on us all in 2008, the very same year his beloved party will be trying to retain is position in government.

So apart from a rather large conflict of interest he has three main policies for election.

Student allowances:

This one is sure to tug at the heart of any student. We all want more money for “rent”, more like Canadian Club and a gig or two, but hey free moneys free money right? He says he will campaign to get the govt to give us free student allowances. He also says that off the back of the interest free loans scheme from last election we should now look towards getting free allowances.

I have two major issues with this. Firstly, it’s naive to think that we will ever get back to the situation we had 20yrs ago when students where paid to go to uni. On top of this the general public saw “interest free” as a vote grabber and there was middling support for it then. So I scoff at the chances of the voting public agreeing to free allowances when Roading, Broadband and Health are far more mainstream issues that need addressing.

When I put that to him he said that the government should invest in students. Well David the government does. We don’t pay interest on the loans we take out to study, how far do you think the govt should go? Free joints, free accommodation. I don’t think you realise that the percentage of tax payers that go to university is relatively low. People in the workforce want to see real dividends from there tax, maybe a break from time to time but being a Labour member a suspect that would be abhorrent to your sensibilities.

This is a vote grabber straight out of the Labour party handbook, right after the chapter on lying to the media.

Visibility/Accessibility:

This is bullshit rhetoric that all candidates talk about. Umm, today when I approached you in the quad you were too busy listening to silly accusations being thrown at you by the SRC (Student Representative Council) to talk to me. I had to wait till you were ready for me and even then I had to be persistent. Aside from that you didn’t even play ball with these guys when they were giving you a bit of stick. If you can’t take a joke you best be looking elsewhere for a job. If a motion was passed for me to wear a pigeon suit and attack pigeons I would jump at the chance.

Regardless, this isn’t anything new that your offering here, it’s the same thing that everyone else offers and besides that you are paid to be accessible. You make it sound as though we should feel privileged that we can talk to you.

So this policy is defunct.

New advisory services:

This is a good start in fact it is the policy that sets you aside from Hannah. You want to setup a position whereby a student could seek out advice on employment issues, tenancy issues and health services. Though I’m sure health services is fairly accessible, the other two aren’t so much. I personally had a tenancy issues earlier in the year and would have loved some support.

Unfortunately you didn’t seem to have any tangible end goal. Mostly rhetoric with little substance, push this and get some real thoughts down, it’s worth while.

All in all David I think you are out of touch with real students who care much more about passing exams, getting laid and drinking and all the other generalised stereotypes you can think of that aren’t involving politics.

I feel you are the better politician between yourself and Hannah but that doesn’t make you more qualified for the Presidency. I do wish you the best of luck, you have put your hand up and if it wasn’t for people such as yourself our democracy would be the poorer for it.

N.B.

While i was chatting to David the issue of voluntary VS compulsory membership came up. It was interesting to note David was for compulsory membership. Hmmm, wonder why?

AUSA Elections

2007-07-31T20:56:00.000+12:00

This week sees the start of Elections for the Auckland University Student Association (AUSA) executive for 2008. Over the course of the next few weeks elections will be held in the quad for different roles.

This week we have the President and the Vice President nominations.

I have no real desire at this stage in my life to become involved in politics. I believe that to be a true representative of the people you must have achieved in other areas of you life first. This is only where I stand on the matter and obviously people put themselves at the mercy of other criticism for there own reasons at every stage of life.

I have spoken to many students, both past and present about the AUSA. The general response I got was of complete apathy. I began to wonder why this was, I mean most students are seeking higher thought and are more politically savvy than the general populous.

The biggest question I had was what does the AUSA do for you and I? I asked this question to quite a few people over varying different spectrums of involvement in uni and only those with a healthy interest seemed to know.

I can understand most people not caring, in reality the AUSA does very little to help you finish your degree. It does however serve an important purpose. It we didn't have the AUSA volunteers coordinating events such as the drinking horns, ECO Fest and Orientation week, then we as students would all suffer.

I was spun a yarn about how they provide the Quad, Shadows, B FM, The book store and some other things but I will get back to why I don’t quite agree with that.

Thankfully we at Auckland do not have compulsory membership. This is something I am in full agreement with. In a later blog I will compare voluntary membership with forced membership. Victoria Uni has compulsory membership and the students there should be up in arms with the way their exec, that they pay for runs.

So on to the first round of elections:

As I said this week we have the presidential nominations and today I got a little face time with the two candidates, Hannah Spierer and David Do.

They are running after the incumbent Lesieli Oliver gave up her rather strange bid to stay another year *** i got that from a comment in a article from Craccum and cannot be sure if she truly did want to run again or not.

Was i meant to be in ohehuna now?

2007-07-31T20:47:00.000+12:00

So i wake up at 7:50, as I had calculated that this was time it would take for me to get to the bus stop so i was at my first game on time.

Well as it was to be expected, I was still well drunk!!! And as a result was going nowhere.

So i turned off my phone and went back to sleep.

I woke up round midday and felt like shit, and even worse I felt as guilty as Benson Pope, well at least I can admit it did.

Mark gave me a casual, aren’t you meant to be reffing kind of "your are a badass McGregor" comment and for the rest of the weekend Phil (my other flatmate) and his mates gave me shit about how I let the kids down.

Trust me when I say, I feel really bad, i like reffing and I hope they had someone to cover but folks, do volunteer and i am still 21!!

Hope the rugby union accepted my excuse of "Girlfriend" troubles.

Friday night

2007-07-31T17:34:00.000+12:00

Friday night was a ripper!!!!!

Got home from the Conference round 5ish with a spicy chicken burger from Wendy’s in hand, got to love them :) had a wee sit down and was feeling kinda tired. The early start took it out of me.

My good flatmate (well they are all good) Tom came home after a spot of drunken cycling, oh man that’s a cool past time. Anyway he had some beers and he and I sat and shot the proverbial for a couple of hours, moving on to a spot of wine later.

Realising I had made promises that I would visit my good friends Steve and Kate I had a shower and left good old Crummer house. Steve and Kate are moving out of Great North, their home of 5 years for the Greener pastures of 12oish Crummer (another scalp). As I walked down to my local Foodtown I bumped into Ben, a friend of my friend Ric, he and I talked for a while and it put me on a good buzz.

Got to Foodtown and as I waited to use the ATM I saw Emily. Now Emily and I have never been great friends, more acquaintances. She is also doing 2nd year law, in the past we never really hit it off and it was rather refreshing to have a 5 min chat to her, seriously that is 4:30 more than we had spoken before. We know each other through social circles at school. I realised she’s actually a nice person, not that she wasn’t before it was just that we had never spoken. I haven’t even started my night and its going to quote myself "Gangbusters". Emily reinstated my belief that not all law students are bitches.

Arrived at Steve and Kate's with a bottle of wine in hand and a spring in my step, there new flatmate (forgotten his name) was there along with a few others. Had a chat with everyone before the unknown flatmate gave me a lift into town.

My good friend Matilda was in town having drinks at Brooklyn bar in Queen Street with some of her workmates, one of which I have been avoiding for reasons you may be able to guess. I'm kinda drunk but "on the money" if you will and approach the aforementioned person and quickly get out the old, its not you it’s me, sorry for not texting back speech which she duly gobbled up. Hmmmm, sometimes I reckon I could sell ice to an Eskimo ;)

Anyway I'm on a roll and pleasantly drunk on a mixture of beer and wine (A known killer mix that later comes back to prove me an idiot in the morning) start talking to a Canadian guy who was in IT and manage to bullshit my way into a drink by identifying correctly that he was from Ontario and from a suburb called Hamilton, he actually lives near there but it was enough - where did I get this information? None other than my Ex- wife, Mary. All that time in the Post Shop has been indented in my head.

This reminded me that I was meant to go for a drink with Mary, so I call her and she informs me she’s getting ready, easily giving me a window of 90 mins to keep chatting. By this time to a cute English girl with amazing blue eyes. Turns out she’s a teacher and we started talking about one of my pet peeves, txt speak. Worse than "New Speak" because the proletariat will actually come to accept this.

She was for the evolution of English to encompass txt spk, I was not so. Had lots of fun and had I not been off, I was in! Busted a move up to Hobson st to see my Ex wife and take her out for a drink. My sister’s long time friend, Kelly is going to work for Maersk in Sydney so they were down in Flight Lounge. Flight lounge used to be Adventure Cycles and was the best inner city bike shop till they were forced out by greedy developers and over priced leases.

Once there I introduced my sister and Mary and they had a little chat and it was at this point i realised another old "friend" of mine was there. Susan was my rebound girl after I broke up with Norelle last year. Susan wanted more from me at a time I wanted more me time as well, as a result it didn’t work out. Now I knew she worked with Kelly at Maersk, what i didn’t know was my sister had become great friends over the past few months. I didn’t take this news all that well, not because they were friends, we are all adults and they can be friends if they want.

I took issue my sister who is one of my best friends not telling me that they were hanging out, and most weekends at that. Grrrrr, she and I worked it out but Grrr.

It’s like 2am now and if i was drunk at 10 you can guess my state now, though still "on the money", I’m at the point where I just don’t care and that’s a dangerous time. I walked Mary home and got a text from my sister telling me to head back down which I did and stayed for a while.

Eventually I left and bumped into Susan, we ended had a long chat and resolved to be friends, which I am more than happy with. She’s actually a nice person, smart to boot.

Jumped in a taxi and asked him to take me back to trusty Crummer, didn’t really talk to the guy on the way back but I was amazed he knew they way without direction. We get to my driveway and he asks if this is my house, and I rather incredulously say yes, thinking to myself where else would I be stumbling home to. Then he pipes up he’s my next door neighbour and that my ride home was free. Thanks Faooa!!!

What a fucking score to end a fucking cool night. Ended up talking to my Flatmate Ole who was leaving on Sunday till around 6 in the morning before finding my bed.

If anyone actually reads my blog they might remember I ref on Saturday mornings, Hmmmmm . . . .

Bill Of Rights Conference.

2007-07-31T16:01:00.000+12:00

Reffing has its benefits - after arriving an hour early to my games at Kelston (thanks stagecoach) I sought refuge from the rain under a nice persons umbrella, for reasons that will become obvious I have omitted any reference to this person.

I explained to them that after my games I would be heading to the library to do some study and mentioned I am in first year law. I was told of a Bill Of Rights conference that was going to be on the 27th and 28th of July. This person explained there would be 10 places available for law students but it would be a balloted selection due to the interest and the cost ($550) and so it would be difficult to get selected. I was asked if I would be interested and was given an email address and told to email them if I wanted a place.

Of course I didn’t want to turn this opportunity up so I duly emailed them and the number of places available dropped to 9.

Intended to wake up early to get there by 8:30 - got there at 9:15, so shoot me I sleep in, it’s not the first, nor will it be the last time. Got the crappiest coffee I’ve ever had from the coffee shop near by, if I find out the name i will publish it and shame them into hiring better barrista.

Sat at the back of the room and listened intently as speaker after speaker spoke about the BOR, unfortunately for me I had not been told there was no point attending unless you had either written or been involved in the creation of the BOR. Seriously, I heard them speak and understood some of the content but for the most part they might as well have been speaking Cantonese.

Dame Sian Elias and Sir Kenneth Keith spoke, both supreme courts judges, so that was kinda cool.

I felt really out of place and this was exacerbated at morning tea. This girl I used to work with at Shitbucks, Kristen was there, she’s in her last year of law. Bit of background, I was sleeping with her mate Naivasha (Women’s Rights Officer at Auckland Uni, and one feisty chick, also a law student) but the was a mutual, casual thing and none of her business anyway and had asked Kristen for advice on where my lecture room was as she also works in the student services centre in the quad.

So she and I clearly know each other and there hadn’t been any animosity between us but this didn’t stop her snubbing me in front of her mates and pretending like she didn’t know me. This was my first encounter with the attitudes of law students, well the fucktard kind anyway. She was smoozing ppl that were there. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, networking being a key ingredient to a successful career in any field, being a bitch is not. Does she not realise that we are equals, I could care less that she’s studied longer than me, bet she cant ref or knows how to reload an operating system both things I have learnt in the time she has studied.

Regardless I was far from impressed and left to go to my lecture. I conveyed my dismay to a friend James (2nd year, American law student) about her attitude and he explained that this is common conduct at law school. People steal textbooks to stop others from seeing them, knife people in the back to get ahead; he said I should get used to this shit. In my opinion its crap, it's certainly not how I conduct myself and I wont be playing ball in this arena! Maybe to my detriment but I wont be a fucktard and treat others with such disgusting disrespect.

So anyway I went back to the most boring room in Auckland for round two of the conference, where I meet this nice public law lecturer from Victoria, cant remember his name though he did give me his blog addy that I will add later, didn’t chat much to him but the little we did talk left me wanting more (another notch on the move to Wellingtons belt).

Eventually it got to question time, now this had happened in the morning session and people just stood and spoke, these people being lawyers by trade have fairly loud voices. Next thing you know I saw Kristen at the front of the room and I was curious as to why. Next thing you know the Chair asks for the microphone girl to come up, realising this was Kristen I couldn’t help but snigger. Most people waved her away and it was patently clear to everyone that her function was unnecessary, the guy next to me and his friend both laughed openly at her and at the end the Chair (I’m 90% sure) mockingly asked to clap for her which people did.

Fuck I could barley contain my laughter, i don’t know if she asked to do it or was asked, either way she looked like a kiss arse and I really didn’t feel so bad about the embarrassing situation she put me in early as the little show she gave was priceless.

BTW - Kristen, make up is meant to be applied subtly, not so you look like a prostitute looking for tricks from the rich lawyers.

All in all the conference sucked but I learnt a lesson on the nature of law students and to lesser degree lawyers as a whole.

Coffee Girl at Verona

2007-07-31T15:43:00.000+12:00

So I found out the girls name from Verona but will not publish it for privacy reasons and I don’t trust you lot not to go say something.

We have been chatting the last few weeks more and more and so this week i am going to man up and ask her if she wants to go for a drink.

This is after I made a bit dick of myself last Friday. I was at a conference downtown and had sometime to kill, I wanted a coffee so walked up to Krd - all uphill and most ppl would just go to the nearest shitbucks.

So anyway I make it up there and she’s comments on the fact I’m wearing a shirt and name badge and I told her I was at a conference, she asked where it was and this is were I fucked up. I said downtown and she questioned why I would come all the way up there, I made some mega lameo excuse that I needed to go to the bank(but wait isn’t there like 100 banks up queen street Jeff, why yes there is stupid after thought) so she helps me out and says its because the coffee is good and I meekly agreed.

Fuck I felt like a moron!!!! Clearly she knew that I wasn’t there for just the coffee, though it is the best in town.

As I walked to my lecture in my head was, fool, and damn, damn, damn, coupled with a wry smile cause she didn’t seem all that miffed so maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing.

Regardless I have tipped my hand and now I have to move or lose!!!

I hope I don’t get rejected, partly cause I now have to let my blog know but also cause I go there every day and will feel like a bit of a dick** but If I don’t try I will regret it for ages.

** I refuse to stop going there even if she does say no, good coffee, good beats, happy hour every night and a great place to study.

University

2007-07-31T15:00:00.001+12:00

So uni started two weeks ago and its full steam ahead for the next semester.

I am taking four papers:

New Zealand politics (107)

This should be easy for me as my knowledge of NZ pol is vast and i have this geekish tendency to listen and now watch (thanks NZ government for spending $4 million so me and 10 others can watch) the proceedings in the house. the house for those who don’t know its the debating chamber but more on that in a future blog.

Law and Society (121)

This is my second law paper of the year and has proven to be quite exciting. I am really getting into this in a big way, i love learning about the different types of lawyers that are out there.

I subscribe more to the naturalist style of law, most lawyers are positivists. I will explain the difference later.

Thanks to the grey haired old man (Anthony) and his 13yr old buddy (Chris) for providing great entertainment. The style of lecture involves participation and their racist, sexiest, naive views keep us all entertained.

Global History (103)

I have been so lax in this class - i have been to 1 out of 5 classes, bad I know but I have done the readings and gotten the PowerPoint slides off of Cecil so its not too bad.

Fucking lectures are at 8-9, Tuesday and Thursday, this means a 7:20 wake up - I wasn’t aware the day existed until 9ish so maybe the power points and the tutorial will be my new best friend.

Philosophy (101)

This is one strange ass paper! Why did the chicken cross the road? Did it cross the road because it needed to get to the other side or by getting to the other side did it cross the road?

Who gives a fuck? well i have to but with only 3 tests and no exam you have to love stage one papers :)

My mate Mohamed is in this class so that will make it fun plus its 9-10 on Tuesday, Thursday, so when I am already at uni for my 103 paper it wont necessitate and extra trip to uni.

So those are my papers for the semester and here is what i want from them.

107 - A
121 - B+ - I need a b+ to get into second year at the very least.
103 - B+
101 - B (B-)

I have already started one essay and will have it done by tomorrow - I may or may not publish it.

Rugby games 21st July

2007-07-31T14:24:00.000+12:00

I had two games both at Archibald Park in Kelston.

Game one:

Under 12:

Ponsonby 34
Kelston 0

Pissed with rain and has extended my cough/cold by at least a week!

So after my last game of rugby I had been given feedback on my placement at the break down and general stance in open play by the ref association trainer - Tony Haggerty. This turned out to be invaluable information and the game went 100% better than the week before. I was able to effectively see offside and identify off ball play as well as playing the ball of your feet infringements.

I have reffed the Ponsonby team several times throughout the year and every time they have won, normally by a healthy margin. They have some great up and coming players, notably there captain/#13.

This team parents loves me and so do the kids, lots of good comments after the game and I was told to come to the club for a beer or two - maybe at the end of the year.

Game two:

Under 13 Plate:

Kelston: Won by forfeit
Pakarunga: not enough players - no game.

Unfortunately a team cannot play if they don’t have 13 or more players to field and in this case Pakarunga only had 11. I was rearing to go after my last match and my new found reffing prowess but this was not to be.

Kelston’s management and I decided it was pointless to have a game. The pakarunga team were more a bunch of kinds in jerseys than a cohesive team and I wasn’t looking forward to reffing that as they had no real reason to listen and it would have been a crap all round. It was a shame as 26 kids had shown up and 4 lousy parents/kids ruined it for the rest.

N.B these kids may be under 13 but they where all bigger by some margin than me and earlier in the year it had been a struggle to control the game - lets just say I wasn’t too fussed not reffing this bunch in torrential rain.

All in all a better day of reffing, albeit with more of a cold.

BTW - i need a flipping car, the bus ride there and back was painful to say the least and it cost me $10.80, i mean really no wonder ppl dont use public transport!

Long time no write

2007-07-31T14:18:00.000+12:00

Hmmmmmmm,

So it's been a while since I have blogged and I felt it pertinent while there is wait time on the queue at work to fix that.

So over the course of the next excruciating 8.5 hrs of work I will attempt to catch up on the past two weeks.

This of course will show you all the full extent of my skiving off of work: P

The rest of my weekend

2007-07-16T15:03:00.000+12:00

Saturday night I went and watched a lacklustre All Black performance against the Boks with my flatmate Mark. Went to Dick Turpins a bar/restaurant at the end of the famous Crummer rd - really nice place, good food and atmosphere too bad the bar staff were all so sullen.

My friend Sara had a back to uni party at her place on sat so I headed over there after the game, started off slow but by 11pm the party was in full swing with the usual party antics going on. If anyone is interested the Italian girl there was easier than level one of Tetris, I watched her get it on with three different people and heard that after I left she and some "lucky" guy had sex in Sara's apartment and given that her apartment is the size of a matchbox im guessing other people got a show.

I didn’t drink much and ended up talking mostly with a girl in my law class, Veronica and her boyfriend Nick, both Canadian and both cool people. We all left at 1pm and left the mob to the drinking.

Sunday was a right off, hung-over from four days of no sleep and booze and I made the most of my free day- Sleeping.

Had some people come over and look at Ole's room as he is moving out at the end of July. The people that came over in the morning where instantly vetoed as the stomped around and woke me up so it was a toss up between the South African girl or the French chick, Julie. I’m all for the French chick, especially as she said she would make French food for us, oh and she was hot too and with her cute accent its all good.

Had a great sleep before my first day back at uni.

Joke

2007-07-14T15:21:00.001+12:00

A mother took her five-year-old son with her to the bank on a busy lunchtime. They got behind a very fat woman wearing a business suit complete with pager.
As they waited patiently, the little boy said loudly, "Gee she's fat!"
The mother bent down and whispered in the little boy's ear to be quiet.
A couple of minutes passed by and the little boy spread his hands as far as they would go and announced; "I'll bet her butt is this wide!"
The fat woman turns around and glares at the little boy.
The mother gave him a good telling off, and told him to be quiet.
After a brief lull, the large woman reached the front of the line.
Just then her pager begin to emit a beep, beep, beep.
The little boy yells out, "Run, she's backing up!!"

Saturday morning game

2007-07-14T13:55:00.001+12:00

Not such a bad start to the day today, up at 10 and got ready to head down to Coxes bay to ref a game between Ponsonby and East Tamaki under 13 championship.

Ponsonby - 26
East Tamaki - 15

A hard fought game - these two teams where top of the table and it was a difficult game to ref, as i am just starting out there are things that can get away from you and it takes practice to get it right.

Every person in a 150m radius to the field seems to be able to ref better than me and the abuse i took this morning was more than normal. I will say i made a few bad calls but all in all i try my hardest to call a balanced game.

One kid ( i loosely use that term cause hes my size) from East Tamaki swore directly at me, this is not on and i told him we would have a chat after the game. This guy had also questioned my calls all day.

So the game ends and the crowd erupts, seriously there were more people watching this game than a blues home match at Eden Park and it would be intimidating if i thought about it but its best to close yourself off while your reffing.

I went over to the player and said time for our chat, this punk full of aggression at first didn't listen then he turns to me, fists clenched and looks like hes going to take a swing. At this point his team mates jumped in and calmed him down, several parents also came over to make sure he wasn't stupid enough to try something. I explained to him that its just a game and that he doesn't have to like or agree with my calls but dissent to the ref isn't tolerated, i give up my free time so he can play the game and i do so fairly and judicially and its not like i have money riding on the game.

Whats worse is some other loser (his mate i suspect) also made a comment about watching my back. I really have to wonder, of the spectators and players on the field 99% had my back, the Ponsonby management came to protect me and i heard comments that this kind of conduct is the norm. Not that it bothers me in anyway, i don't care if some 13yr punk doesn't like me but it is telling about this guys nature and the type of person he will become.

For the record the post match talks are normally the best thing about reffing, the kids say thanks and you can explain some of your calls to them if the enquire. The parents come and shake my hand and as i walk from the field people congratulate and thank me and that is the true reward of reffing.

Friday night drinks

2007-07-14T13:21:00.000+12:00

On thursday night my friend Chris and i went for a drink. He asked me to head out for a few drinks with him and some friends the next night. Having drunk on Wednesday, a little on thursday and knowing i would have a few watching the rugby on sat i was reluctant to head out.

As it seems to happen peer pressure got the better of me and i headed into the viaduct to meet him and some mates - this was misrepresented, as really it was him, his flatmate Alina and her co-worker Karen but never the less we all had a good time. Karen's boyfriend even gave us a lift home which is a bonus cause im poor and taxis cost money.

What i noticed in a sober state as i walked downtown to Foxes ale house was the type of people out and about on a friday night. It seems many people go for a drink after work with colleagues but around 10pm or the 5th drink the groupings split.

The first group go home round this time, they either have partners or work the next day or if they are smart and are a ref go home for a good nights sleep (sigh). The other group it would seem to me are either drunks or like getting drunk for the sake of it or are on the prowl to score.

Right from a young age i was aware of a pub called the Poe in Northcote, this pub/club specialized in the meet/meat market get togethers where single people come and try to get it on. Anyone that has been to the Poe will attest that the place is scummy and full of derros, the more upper class of this type establishment on the shore is Rototos and is mostly full of younger people.

Last night at Foxes was very reminiscent of the Poe. When i went to get a drink at the bar this girl thrust her straw in my face and offered me her a sip of her drink, this chick was plastered but what was worse was the guy who was hanging around waiting for the right moment to "get in" that seemed jealous of her interactions with me. The guy was clearly thinking that i, like him was wanting to pick up some bar hag also and didnt want me moving in on his girl, needless to say i got me beer and mooched off.

Sat down and started chatting to Alina, a very nice girl who works in fashion who incidentally went to school with my sister. The music was classic Poe-esk style, poppy stuff that gets the head moving and sadly i not only knew most songs but almost all the words too, pathetic i know.

After a few more beers i needed to go to the loo, getting up and wondering through the bar was comical to say the least. Guys fawning over girls, chicks dancing like gogo girls on tables and general sleaziness was abound. One woman told me i looked hot and eyed me across the room when i sat down, she looked pretty enough but the air of desperation was enough to put me off, not that i was looking for anything anyway.

All in all it was a fun night, some great conversation but a reality check why i dont go to the viaduct and why i tend to not stray to far from home on a friday night.

Thing that pissed me off the most though was the txt i got from my mate Karl letting me know the the Bleeders were going off at the Kings Arms, Grrr - for anyone wanting to pick up, a bleeders concert is the place to be. My ex girlfriend Norelle and i met there and she was a great person but thats another story.

Anyway i wont be heading down to Foxes anytime soon, well fingers crossed anyway, people have a habit of dragging me to places i don't want to go to.

NZ's youngest killer fails in bid for early release

2007-07-13T15:38:00.000+12:00

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10451344

Having read the stories about what this guy has gotten up to over the past few years i think for everyone sake he needs to stay where he is.

He’s no longer the 12yr old kid who committed murder - he is an 18yr old adult who has been the ring leader in riots and disruptions within the prison environment. As sad as it may be his detention in prison may well have added to this behaviour.

Good to see the parole board got this one right.

Hang over from Nam!!

2007-07-13T15:15:00.000+12:00

I was woken up by several txts from people who clearly didn’t have a throbbing head like mine.

Got my morning coffee at Verona and got a smile from the coffee chick - one of these days i will ask her name.

Went to work and struggled through the day.

After work i went for a drink with a friend Chris, kinda a hair of the dog sort of thing.

Came home to the flatties, had another beer and a quick chat with my flatmate Mark, his mate (sorry I forgot your name but you seemed nice :) and Ole then off to bed.

I love sleep :)

Evil red wine!

2007-07-13T14:32:00.000+12:00

Part two:

I hadn’t seen some old friends for quite a while. I lived with Jared and Arina for about two years in a great house on Great North Rd. Anyway I was invited over for dinner and a few wines to catch up.

Arina made this delicious traditional Dutch meal. Basically it was meat, mash, and token green veg with this fantastic sauce (Jus) dripped over it. Just what a mid winter meal should be.

Had a few wines and got talking. When I lived there we played this board game called "The Settlers of Catan" this great strategy game that causes no ends of fun, you have to check your friendship at the door, its one hell of a cut throat game :) For the record Jared took both games out.

Had to go pick something up from uni lodge around nine, went into a friends apartment where shots of whiskey where forced on me only to find my "wife" alone in a room with a lot of men. She and I proceeded to have a mock break up where we accused each other of numerous infidelities, we couldn’t help laughing but the best thing was when the guys in the room thought we were serious asked me to leave as I was upsetting Sara. If we looked that convincing I reckon I should give Peter Jackson a call.

Headed back to Arina and Jays, full of merriment only to find more wine had been purchased and the real drinking began. These two not only made me a great dinner and plied me with wine they also engaged in great conversation. One thing i have to say about these two is they are very intelligent, perceptive people who i have learnt a lot from over the years but this time round I felt I held my own in our discussions more than i ever had before. I’m very much looking forward to the next time we get together.

After this I stumbled to my local Caltex for a much needed pie.

All in all one great day!!!

My first marriage

2007-07-13T14:02:00.000+12:00

Wednesday was one of those days that only come round once a year and i have split the day into two parts.

Part one:

My friend Sara needed some help putting up a rail in her apartment to hang clothes on (her BF is coming over from Canada and he needs space for his stuff) She emailed me and asked for help to put it up. The header of the email was - hiya stud finder - i found this to be very misleading :P

Anyway went over to her place on wed morning and we headed down to the warehouse to look for brackets and a rail. I made a joke about being her husband for the day and got down on one knee and proposed in the hardware section, the women putting up posters was shocked and other shoppers just laughed.

So now im in a mock marriage, having never been really married it’s hard to compare but im 99% positive i did my job well. She had to get photos printed, we did that and i waited patently, even sorting stuff out for her while she was on the phone. She bought me lunch, where i tried to get a discount saying its our anniversary - the women either didn’t believe us or resents married couples cause there was no discount.

So then we went to Placemakers in Cook St, the best damn hardware store in Auckland. First guy we asked was helpful as, showed us all the things we needed and things we didn’t. The cashier lady was helpful, even congratulated us on our mock marriage and then the guy out back cut the rod down to the dimensions we needed. So props to Cook St Placemakers - if you need stuff, go there.

By this stage im getting wary, its not often i spend a day on my best behaviour. We went and picked up the photos and trundled off to the Post shop to send them, man this was an ordeal, to any married men out there u have my sympathy. We spend over an HOUR in the post shop writing things, forgetting things, Sara trying her best to be a real wife, but i held strong, i wasn’t prepared to let my marriage fail.

Eventually we made it back to her apartment where Sara's flatmate, Sarah and i had a good old laugh (lets just say geckos and Spiderman are dirty fuckers!! :) Ended up putting up the rail and it looked great, i felt like a real man after a bit of screwing and measuring. My day as a mock husband was a success.

It was about 6pm by now and i left my wife to have dinner with some old friends, little was i to know Sara wasn’t as faithful as i thought :)

Storms are fun

2007-07-13T13:44:00.000+12:00

Lots has happened over the last few days, this blogging thing is going to be harder than i realised. Glad i can come to work and have all this spare time to write pointless commentary on my life.

By general consensus in my flat i did not take the rubbish out to the curb. We all deemed it to dangerous for even me to brave and none of us wanted to pick up the rubbish if the bin fell over.

Crummer flat 0
Storm 1

Though i did stay in bed and watch crappy TV with my heater on while the storm took out its anger on our fence.

Crummer flat 1
Angry Storm 1

Hmmm, it’s a tie. I respect the storm, though the people of northland might disagree -
What was the storms lesson? Don’t live in Kaeo!!!

2007-07-10T20:14:00.001+12:00

I stole this from Aucklander at large - couldnt help but crack up at this one.

Is that wind i hear?

2007-07-10T20:06:00.000+12:00

OK so the wind has steadily gotten worse throughout the day to the point now that my room is shaking and the lights keep dimming. I also watched a piece of corrugated iron fly across my backyard into the neighbors fence where it seems to have lodged itself firmly.

I had a very interesting conversation with my flatmate Ole and his mate Andy (in his 5th year of medicine) about medical and law school applications this afternoon. Now i am in my first year of law and must compete with all other first years to gain entry into second year law, my entry being based upon my GPA and passing my two law papers. Andy explained that the medical schools entry was much the same, based on what was a bursary mark of 380 and an interview process (i don't know anyone who did NCEA and is in medicine but i assume that the system is the same)

Andy was born in Hong Kong but has been here since he was nine and in every sense of the word he is a kiwi. Somehow we got onto the topic of ethnic background and how it can affect the application process. He said that there is an unwritten rule on who can make it into the medical school based on ethnic lines, ie 60% European, 20% Maori, 10% Asian, 10% misc (cant be sure of exact %) he also mention that Maori where able to have lower marks yet still make it into the medical school.

This reminded me of a situation at the during the last exams where my study group was unable to make it into uni and i was offered by a good friend of mine, Dion to attend his tutorial which happens to be for Maori and Pacific island students. Around 10 of us were in the class and we all did the practice question. Unfortunately from my point of view the people in the class just weren't up to standard, most missed the point of the exercise and fell back on generalised terms.
Now i have no problem with this, not everyone is going to make it and im not saying im better or worse but what struck me as stupid even borderline pathetic was the way the tutor then praised the students for their answers. How does this facilitate more understanding when you aren't criticising or challenging the students on there answers? It simply wont help them in the exams and is in reality hindering the students ability to learn.

This of course happens everywhere in all walks of life over many ethnic backgrounds, problem is there are allowances for Maori and Pacific Island students that aren't available to me and i really must ask why?

My flatmate Ole mused that they must be given a helping hand due the socio economic differences and while i think that is a valid point, do you want a doctor who passed his exams like the rest operating on you or the doctor who couldn't quite make it, but due to his ethnic make up was allowed to study? the same could be said of a lawyer defending you in a civil (or if you smoke a little reefer in Fort Lane and get caught:) maybe a criminal) matter. I know who i would rather have.

It bothers me somewhat that there will be only so many places for me to compete for, some being allocated away for others based on where their descendants come from and not their academic performance.

As it happens i fully agree with helping minorities to achieve, however i believe that the changes should be made from 0-15 when you are growing up, by having community groups who explain the merits of education to parents and children alike rather than at the end of the line application process. Though the three of us weren't able to produce a working model for change in the two hours we talked about it for, maybe you can, or at least have ideas for.

Anyway im off to watch a DVD at my friend Sara's now, all this deep insight needs to be washed away in two hours of eye candy.

To my legions of fans - enjoy the storm :)

My first blog

2007-07-10T14:35:00.000+12:00

Hello,

I truly wonder if anyone will read this blog but we all have to start somewhere i guess.
Today is a crappy one, weather wise at least, its looking pretty nasty from my bedroom in Crummer Road Grey Lynn.

On top of that i'm poor and waiting for thursday morning to roll on so i can buy some real food and not rely upon barbecue shapes and some gobstoppers for sustenance. Damn studylink stopping my payments during the holidays, grrrr.

Whats my blog about? Hmmmm, thats one of those questions best left to you to define. I will blog on anything from sport to politics, work to my role as a ref, university events to family stuff, anything and everything will be on the table.

I will be back later in the day to blog on some important events in my flat, notably my excursion to the curb and back with the rubbish.

Haere ra