Weekend social
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4:00 pm, March 25th, 2011 - 61 comments
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Let’s try a new experiment. Weekend social is for non political chat. What’s on for the weekend, gigs, film or book reviews, sports, or whatever.
No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?…
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
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- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
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- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
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- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
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- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
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Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
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- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
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Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
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In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
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Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...33 minutes ago - Drive safely this summer
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...1 hour ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...1 day ago
- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
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Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...3 days ago
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The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...3 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...3 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...4 days ago
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Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...4 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
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Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...5 days ago
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Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...5 days ago
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
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The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...5 days ago
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Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...5 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...5 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...5 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...5 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...5 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...5 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
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More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...5 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...5 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...5 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...5 days ago
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The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...6 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...3 hours ago
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Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...5 hours ago - The real story behind the Government’s maths narrative
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...5 hours ago
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- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...6 hours ago
- Govt walks away from infrastructure alliance
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MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...2 days ago
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Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...2 days ago
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For the second Friday in a row, I have Rebecca Black’s ‘Friday’ in my head. So, goddam annoying.
Fortunately, Zet’s post earlier today put me on to this spoof. http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1949844
I guarantee this will wipe “Friday” from your mind
http://lookatmyhorsemyhorseisamazing.com/
“I think you’ll find that the universe pretty much covers everything”
I LOLed. Thanks chris73.
Not as funny, but the local (usually lame) commercial pop radio station has done a takeoff of that ridiculous “grenade” song which isn’t too bad.
They’ve also done a version of “Friday” featuring a grandmother which is… well… different, but somehow just as annoying.
What’s wrong with Friday on My Mind?
Friday I’m In Love
The Cure
This will take your mind off “Friday”…
I haven’t seen anything about “Drinking Liberally” for a while – have they died? I only managed to get to a couple, but they were quite good fun – and the talk’s were quite good too.
There was one in Dunedin early this month:
http://thestandard.org.nz/drinking-liberally-dunedin/
If you do that new fangled Facebook thing there’s an NZ group you can follow:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13635467437
To join Facebook we have to declear who we are, after Trev Mallard was caught outright fibbing & bullying I am very cautious. Much happier just to turn up. Good thing about this site promoting such events in advance.
Well, if you go to a DL you’d be identifiable unless you wore a mask.
Besides, FB doesn’t necessarily know if you’re creating an account in your own name…
Does anyone know if Prime will show the Crusaders match? I think it’s live on Radio Sport at 4am Monday, so, will Prime do a late re-jig of their schedule to make the match available on FTA later on Monday?
I would love to see this match live on SKY Sport, but the usual twenty-four hour spots are in the cordoned-off area of the CBD.
Anyone from Chch able to advise of a possible venue?
I will be row 34 at Twickers so look out for me
End of local cricket season tomorrow, but the weather doesn’t look like it’ll come to the party.
I take it you are in Jafaland?
Perhaps the concrete wickets could still be played on tomorrow, slow slossy outfield though. Last year we could have played until mid May, this year mid March
An wholly admirable experiment. I am going to Hanoi. The restaurant in Auckland, not the socialist paradise.
You should try the socialist paradise. It is a really cool place and the Vietnamese people are wonderful. Very forgiving and very hospitable.
I can report that the restaurant was also very good.
Marchfest – beer guzzling…err i mean tasting, with mates tomorrow here in Nelson.
I like to take on ballast, especially after a salmon and trio of trout from no where ?
MMP fundraiser tonight at Loaves & Fishes. Then the cricket quarter final on Radio Sport. (Free to air sport on telly? Sadly not.) Family members are in town and a catch up tomorrow night with a mate down from Auckland. Should be a good one.
Oh – here’s the social event of the season – the kind of thing you can do without thinking if you have a $20,000 tax rebate.
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/press-releases/2011/march-2011/food&wine_cape-kidnappers-ultimate-dinner_press-release.cfm
John Key (ambitious for New Zealand, a brighter future) is said to be attending.
– costs more for a night than many (most?) families live on for a month. The chef sounds like another vapid rich prick.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons
spam word annoying! and I guess this goes against the rules although hopefully such obscene extravagance might be construed by some as rubbing salt into still stinging flesh.
[Better for Open mike than Weekend social please Jan. The aim of this post is politics free zone. — r0b]
No politics, no aggro, why can’t we all just get along?…
why can’t we all just get along?
Maybe we can’t …
to think we could would go against history and instinct.
but we do actually get along, that’s the funny thing.
Ah bring on Fri night, I know a couple of the young lads who work in various offices downtown are planning a bit of a big one this evening. I might tag along. You know, to chaperone, and make sure no one gets into trouble 😉
I’m sure they’ll be very grateful for you efforts CV.
For myself, I never seem to escape house and garden at the moment. A couple of decades of “deferred maintenance” are catching up with me with a vengeance. Never mind Rust Never Sleeps – that damn rot can get away from you in a window frame…
I thought this thread wasn’t meant to be political. 😉
lolz.
On second thoughts, that’s prob not that funny today 😛
Actualy it was 😉
My The Tripods boxed set arrived today.It was produced by BBC in the mid 80’s and was based on John Christopher’s 3 book Trilogy-The Tripods
Since the weather going to crap I will be busy watching all 25 episodes tomorrow
They only did the first 2 books.The 3rd book was never adapted into film
Which is a pity because the adaption followed the first 2 books so well
Oh well
I am going to enjoy it anyway
Then I will watch American Gothic.
Someones at the door is a immortal line
almost as good as the final of V season 2 when Anna turns to her daughter Lisa and says
“That’s how you kill your mother”
Ahh American Gothic one of my well liked never completed series. Well worth watching. Invasion was another series Shaun Cassidy did that ended up incomplete but was also quite good.
I’m likely to watch a few more episodes of Zorro, pick up a few achievements on the 360 by driving around 100% of the roads in Hawaii, mow the lawns, bake some scones and biscuits and catch up on a little sleep after watching the cricket all night. It’s in between innings at the moment.
Have a good weekend all.
I might check out The Tripods myself – am just tossing up whether to get Beauty And The Beast – Ron Perlman and Kinda Hamilton though.
The Tripods, rule.
I loved the show and re-watched it again. Sadly it ends on a bit of a bum note but I wish it could have continued. It was a chilling show with so much tension. It was great.
Yeah the Tripods, read the books, watched the TV. Awesomesauce.
Is that WOOF in the picture?
I miss his (her?) comments.
Me too – WOOF always had me howling with laughter
Bring back WOOF!
Bring back WOOF!
Bring back WOOF!
It was very funny.
Some of his comments were a bit ruff but they were always funny …
That bloody dog was barking mad I tells ya.
Argghh ! who put the cute animals on the blog….
It’s not cute. It’s like – ironic. Or something.
I’m not entirely convinced that the cat is hugging the dog though…
You sick puppy!
You don’t like a little pussy?
There’s no right answer to that question – so I won’t even try…
Its a trap! 🙂
Crikey, I didn’t mean to imply anything untoward. I just thought it looked like a headlock!
How did you get…? from that picture to… Never mind, I don’t want to know.
[There was a warning above, now I’ll just delete them. No politics thanks. — r0b]
You realise this may lead to talk about food, coffee, wine or other unforgiveably middle-class preoccupations?
Talk about rugby racing and beer if you like! Besides, there’s the whole rest of the blog for the class struggle…
Catching up on the rugby when I wake up (downside – a cup of tea instead of a beer, due to the hour is the required drink), then going for a walk on a beautiful spring day.
captcha: lands – other
We’re having a go at an end of financial year sale to get a marked down laptop that looks good. But internet orders have to wait as shop customers have precedence between 6 to 9 pm. Seems to me that in-shop customers should have first hour preference and then internet sales be confirmed. Otherwise it could end up just being a time-waster if you have to wait three hours till 9pm to find out they have sold out.
What’s the usual procedure with these tech companies that live off the internet business?
Ryder is looking like putting on a big one tonight, but I just dont think it will be enough. We need Southee to strike early to have any chance.
Thoughts?
arggh commentators curse – now he’s lost his partner! Southee will have to get a 5 wicket bag in the first 10 overs for us to have a chance 🙁
Vetorri might be the key. He needs to get some wickets though not just keep the runs down – his wicket returns have been very lean in the last few years.
Hopefully someones the key , but then again i have to check a stoat line and its allways good to get out and about finding dead critters in traps
We won.
Obviously those dead critters were South Africans.
Of course this is a politics-free zone.
So let’s just say that the cricket was GREAT. South Africa were overwhelming favourites, according to all the commentators, and were cruising to an inevitable victory when they became over-confident, started playing silly shots, had their key batsman run out after some terrible decision-making, … and suddenly, they had lost. And nobody saw it coming!
New Zealand didn’t give up, and they didn’t need a miracle, they just had total commitment and a simple game plan, and they stuck to it.
Funny how often that brings victory in … er, sport. 😉
Rainy day amusement, random images with an mp3.
(mp3 link on the left below the image)
Had a great weekend so far, here in Hawke’s Bay, despite the rain. Had to settle for second in my bike race yesterday after the twats on the front of the bunch sat there and watched as a tandem went blasting past and didn’t start the chase. Oh well. Today, a nice leisurely recovery ride around the gorgeous Tuki Tuki Valley with a friend. Will do a few extra kms for you Trev! (Hope your recovery is going ok).