Terms tests

Got first results of a terms test and an assignment back today (2 more terms tests to go). Econometrics (statistics) result was decidedly average, well actually a bit below average. But the Intellectual Property test turned out really well. So, I'm kinda relieved knowing that I can actually get back into the study thing, which is lucky because I don't really have a plan B!

Back in Chch

Well that's the wedding all over. Everything, went to plan and my brother is now a married man!

After the wedding I took Anna (visiting from London) over to see Queenstown. (See pic her and Si from Si's flat) Following day was a long drive over the Taras. Dropped her off at the bus just in time this morning ... and I mean only just in time, actually late.

The pick up point was behind a cordon due to ANZAC day and for the life of me I couldn't figure out why I couldn't find it. With tensions in the car slowly rising as the bus departure time steadily approached (and passed) we decided to ditch the car and run to the departure point. Luckily a security lady told us there was an alternative pick up point and we got there just in time...... I got the feeling from the bus driver that there may have been missing a few passengers.

2 days to go

Gota say I'm quite excited about the wedding, more so than the bachelor party but that's got a lot to do with less responsibility. The weddings on Sat but in the mean time I've got the rehearsal dinner tomorrow and catch up drinks tonight. Plus there's at least 4 mates from London (tho not all currently living there) over also including my room mate from when I first got there Dan G. .... So excited !!

.... but first I gota clean the car and pack my bag, that's life! (Prob won't post till after the wedding)

3 days to go

Well with three days to go I've finally written a speech for brother's wedding reception. He had the cheek to ask me if he could vet it first ..... I don't think so!

Everyone's ok ... now on to the wedding

Johny's bachelor party went uncannily well, despite all the potential for things to go wrong everything went well!! We started the day with paintball , leading to a lot of bruising and stiff legs but nothing broken. Had a meal at Eureka and finished off with the traditional, dressing the groom up like an idiot (in this case a sailor) and giving him a list of tasks.

The only point of contention the groom's initial inability to understand the nature of his predicament. First of all trying to tone his costume down and then trying to "re-negotiate" his tasks.

So, now just the wedding to go...

The whingeing Press

Front page of The Press today is this article on how they (i.e.Fairfax the people who print the Press) ended up paying compensation to a murder. Diddims

Let me get this story straight :

1) Your a leading news media company ... Fairfax
2) You print a story that contains factual errors.
3) You don't have enough journalistic integrity to retract the errors when asked, cos hey it's ok for journalists to lie as long as it's about really bad men who haven't got any money to defend themselves.
4) When turns out they can get legal aid and defend themselves you get all soft and back down.
5)..... and finally the icing on the cake, you abuse your position to whine about how unfair this is on the front page of your own publication "The Press".

It's a pity this bad man is getting any compensation but it wouldn't have happened if Fairfax had any integrity to begin with.

I especially love they way they quote themselves in the third person, no shame.

My poor camera is whole again

It all began when I lost the USB cable connecting my camera (more poor camera) to my computer. You'd think that such a little piece of dumb plastic and metal would be cheap to replace .... but no!! Everywhere, I went to look USB cables and memory stick readers were in the $20 - $70 price bracket!!

But then I had a look at one of the numerous online hardware suppliers and got a memory card reader for $6.73 (plus $6 postage).

So pictures once again, yay!

Kids and fox hunting (repeal of S59)

Firstly, I'm generally a big fan of the current government but after some thought the current move to repeal S59 is wrong. Wrong, because it's a waste of time, it's divisive but most of all because it doesn't address any practical need.

In this situation we're talking about 6 cases where S59 has been successfully applied over the last 14 years. It's not overwhelming and has no practical significance (in relation to other child abuse issues) because in reality it's not practical but idealogical.

This is really about ending debate on a complex issue by taking a reactionary stance and saying "there it's illegal therefore it's wrong and I'm right!!". I sympathise, I mean after all everyone wants to be right. It scores a point for a political movement but it doesn't do anything constructive. That is why it's wrong because it's a political indulgence.

The last time I saw anything like this was UK ban on fox hunting. The foxes aren't any better off but at least everyone felt better about themselves and they got to show those toffs who was boss!!

First test

My first test (terms) this morning in oh ahh ... several years. Slightly, nervous.