Nomination Time

I would appreciate any regular readers of this blog to assist in the nomination of the award for the car of 2005. For review of the cars, please refer to http://kiwicarlovers.blogspot.com for write up's and reviews of cars from 2005 on wards. Please email your favourite picks to michaeljstark@surf.co.nz

My favourite car to start off 2006 is the new ferrari

Maks Update January 21st 2006

She now has a few more teeth to add to the collection now ever getting closer to the tooth fairy, Dad will put in a good word for her. She likes to talk lots and her crawling is getting faster and faster every day. She can free stand for about 3 seconds and we estimate that she'll be walking by 11months.
Today we went to Mission Bay and relaxed in the park, Danika Kaz and mom joined us too with danika running all over the show without skipping a beat. We know she'll sleep well tonight after all that running, jumping, sliding, climbing and chasing.
Maks got a little tired and fell asleep in my arms so I let her rest for a while before taking her home to relax.
For the past month or so she's been able to hold her own bottle which allows me a free hand to change the tv channel hahaha. Its good that she can hold her own bottle as it helps with her co-ordination and a sense of sweet achievement :-)

Two new addictions

I have two new addictions.

One:- I recently noticed in the NZ Hearld newspaper a puzzle called Sudoku. A number puzzle that I'd known about for sometime now but never took the interest until I found some spare time up my sleave so decided to give it a go. For a beginner going straight to expert it took me some time to get done. Yesturday I bought a book starting with easy ones going right throught to super genius. The novice ones I can do in 5-10 mins so hopefully I can practise with thos one and get a better feeling for the puzzles.

Two:- Stick Cricket, an internet cricket game. check it out at www.stickcricket.com and see if you can have some fun while at work.

2006 update

Some resolutions are going better than some...
Went for run number two this evening and this for the interim will make tuesday or wednesday's by nights for my jogs around the victoria park.
Spending free moments working on the aspects of my mental game plan and working on strategy to exercise the transfer from theory to practical applications.
My fitness is coming along slowly but you all have to start somewhere, and feel that well before June I should be able to finish a round of golf and be ready for another. I've learnt that i shoudn't think of golf as 18 holes or sectioned into the front and back nines but into 4 parts of 3 holes, concerntrate on one section at a time and more from one stage to another realising that anything that happend the shot before doesn't exist, & that All that you are and will ever be is 'right now'.

Hope your all managing to stick to those new years resolutions

Maks Update Jan 7th 2006

Today was Makayla's christening which was held at the Salvation Army's Congress Hall. The ceremony was performed by my Grandfather Neville Stark in the presence of family and friends. We were so honoured that my grandfather was able to perform the ceremony and it was such a well done cermon that had both tears of joy and laughter throughout the room. Donne, Makayla and myself joined my grandfather on the stage for the official part of the cermon of blessing and prayer then were joined by our parents Merv and Mary Stark and Jeff and Lorraine Moult to welcome a daughter and grand child as a blessed child under god, and presented with a certificate to commemorate her christening.
Afterwards there were photo's, actually that's an understatement it was more like a a red carpet moment with flashing camera's everywhere. Following that the grandparents invited everyone to Gaucho's for drinks and nibbles for people to mix and mingle. Unfortunately the lady of the hour fell asleep for the majority of the mixer which is understandable as it is very much an exhausting day for her.
Following everyone's departure, my cousin stef offered to babysit maks to free me up to clean my apartment and get a quick nap in which was greatly appreciated.
After that, Mak's and I dropped Stef at her parents apartment after a short run by foodtown for some groceries. Read a book with mak's called "That's not my dinosaur" before feeding her dinner which she shovelled down before racing off to play with her toys. Then it was bed time and while for many it may be difficult to imagine she does look an absolute treasure when asleep.
Well must dash, bottles to clean, bib's and outfits to wash and a changing table to restock.

Keeping to resolutions

Well tonight I did something that gave me great pain and relief at the same time and that is I went for a run for the first time in ??? long ago. Yes a run you read me!! I ran my usual route and now feel like I could just collapse as to show just where my fitness levels are at presently. Oh well we all have to start somewhere and its all to better the mental and physical fitness to achieve a better round of golf.
I took time during my break at work today to read through a few golfing tips on Cambo's website and realy started to train my brain into a planned strategy, Both on and off the course.

I'm starting small, resistance training to build up ensurance, jogging a couple of times a week to build up fitness, and training on golf as previously outlined further below. Its going to fill my week up between work and spending time with lil Maks but we'll make it work.

Golf Report
Played Chamberlain Park January 2nd 2006
Shot 13 over par my best score on the course and I felt I messed up more than I needed to. First time that I've felt like that off my best score and that's because I set my bar higher than normal but one I can obtain soon.

New Years Resolutions

GOLF
One:- To drop below a handicap of 10, This will require both physical and mental training. Serious concerntration to my short game especially onthe putting aspect. To do this I will need to train with a coach at least no less than once a quarter. Practising 3 times a week, once on the swing and two on the short game.
Mental and pshychological preparation to concerntrate on my inner game (refer to http://www.cambogolf.com/coach-tips.cfm?pageid=tips&category=3&action=view&tipid=11)
Two:- Physical training to build up fitness levels and strengthen both body and mind. The training will consist of body contouring, flexibility, endurance, fitness to increase stamina on the course and a focussed mind, so will also quit smoking.
PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION
This is a tricky one, there are two choices where the first is to stick with what I'm doing against my better judgement or secondly to find a better paying job.
Also I would like to begin draft's on a book that I've always been wanting to do so the task is to draft out a story board and lay out some characters.
PERSONAL
This is easy, just to continually be a better dad to Makayla.
Probably the best thing I can do at this point for my friends is ensure that I regularly see them and spend time with them or at the very least stay in regular contact with them. Ensure to get out regualrly and meet a new friend every month which may lead into...
LOVE
Well, I'm not holding my breathe just yet but will ensure to find a reliable wingman like Maverick had with goose in the movie Top Gun to tackle the issue of girl fishing.
DIET
This is to be simple and easy healthy foods hand-made and not restrict the amount of fast food that is consumed (this I'm ashamed to say hasn't got off to a very good start). Keeping a tighter balance of consuming correct food types and an even balance of flavours, aroma's and textures.

These are solid, not explained in full but my next insert will detail a more concise method.

Golf Report Jan 1st 2006

Chamberlain Park:- Uncarded score but sure it was NOT good as went in with no strategy, well that's not true. I basically went in like my old self and just wanted to hack the hell outta the ball just to release some stress but only added.
Short game did not exist but surpised myself on the 12th hole which usually I don't reach in two but too that this time while I made it in regulation in 3 on the par 5. It was a good set drive with my 3 wood and decided to hit my 3 iron for the second only to pull it slightly with a planned draw and missed the green short and left by 1 meter. just goes to show that my new swing had definately increased my distance.
But need some serious work on my short game as that's the area that's killing my score and keeps it high.
Look forward to regular golfing updates as this year I plan to drop from what I expect I would normally be around a 26 handicap down to 16 by may and 10 before the end fo the year. Of course the way to do that will take money so need to put my head down and pray for some much needed luck.

Happy New Year

Greetings and Salutations and welcome to 2006.
Upcoming January events to be aware of, My darling daughters christening is this saturday with my grand father performing the cermony.
Hope you all had a safe and wonderful evening to ring in the new year.
BRING IT ON