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1994 No. 1

SUMMERTIME & the LIVING is…

We bid my father a fond farewell and then headed out to the beach for some serious surfing in January. Got into the water eight times in two weeks. It was a glorious summer - depends how you look at it. Drought conditions meant nothing but hot, dry weather; but now Auckland's water reserves are 40% below normal and restrictions are in place.

The third week we went camping with the Whites at Broken Hills in the Coromandel. Absolutely lovely spot that we discovered last year. Did the 4 hour hike to a gold mine one day and another we checked out remains of a gold stamper built in 1908 and abandoned in '20's. lan and I assaulted the cliff face which overhangs the campsite and made it 2/3rds of the way up before he chickened out on me. So next year I'll get David to do it with me.
The clear skies were perfect for star and satellite watching each night, when not playing bridge until midnight.
On our way back we thought we would do a hike at Pauanui up to a lookout onto the Pacific Ocean, but instead when we got there decided to go surfing on a beautiful golden sand beach with regular, good waves. P. was developed in mid-70's as a rich peoples' resort like Palm Springs. I can see the attraction of the place and next year when we go camping we are planning on spending much more time at that beach.
Gail turned snob on me and she joined others in Trivial Pursuit group to attend two evenings of "under the stars" at the Auckland Domain. First night was Opera. 200,000 showed up for the free show. Gail got there at 4:30 to get a spot for a show that began at 7:30. The finale both evenings was '1812 Overture' complete with fireworks, laser light show and cannons. The following weekend it was symphony night. Last year it was done for the first time, when world reknowned Kiwi, Tekanawa came home from England put on this free 100,000 showed up for that. This year there wasn't wasn't a big name star, but everyone came back and brought a couple friends. Going to be a regular event now.

BACK TO WORK

Early start this year due to the fire in Dec. So on on the 24th Ne and I went to Rosehill and for the next week before school began we unpacked, setup and got ready 58 new computers and all

 the associated gear. Also had to shift 30+ existing computers to the temporary rooms. I took on this job thinking it would nice and easy, something that I could cope with in my weakened state and look what happens, 60 hour weeks filled with much pressure from all the departments that want to use the computers. Took a couple months but things are running smoothly again. In a couple months the new building will be completed and we will have to shift all the gear.

HOWZAT?

David and Michael Cullen went to their first cricket match. I suppose I should tell you that both David and I have in turned into fans. We understand the game and it is has the same appeal as baseball. David plays quite a bit, but I just watch. Anyway, the way it works is that each country has a team and when they play it is called a "test" (same applies to all other British sports). Now, a cricket test match lasts 5 days. David and M went on the first day, a Thursday, and as expected not many fans show up (money is made from TV rights) so they could sit where ever they wanted. On the weekend and for one-day matches, the stands fill and do to the length of matches and the never ending consumption of beer (usually by university sort of students) the place turns into one big party. But not on Thursday. You have to be patient as a cricket fan, cause it can be half-an-hour between exciting plays (play goes on for 8 some our hours each day). M. wanted to leave early and as luck would have it the last hour was filled with action and they missed it.

LEADER OF THE PACK

Ne surprized us by applying for the Student Council. She is a 7th Former this year and that is the same as first year in a university in States, but here she is still at high school. She made it past staff selection and was whisked away for a weekend Leadership camp. She didn't make the council, but a couple senior staff have told me that she impressed them with her ability to speak. I happened to process the data sheets for the camp, so I know that her results placed her in the top 10 as far as her peers were concerned. Being at that camp and being my computer helper means that the Principal now recognizes her - she doesn't know if that is a good thing or not.
  
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