Test: Callaway

Golf is a source of many things to my mind, body, heart and soul. It can clear my head, heal the soul and be good for the body. Of all things I needed to get out this weekend to get my mind cleared as the main priority and the secondary to break in my new clubs. I now hold in my bag, the callaway x-tour driver and irons, a wilson bubble shaft 5 wood, 2 titleist wedges and an odyssey 2-ball putter. The only club missing is the x-tour 3 wood to close out the full set.
I was at Chamberlain park just waiting for a tee time when Jason called me and told me to pack up and head over the Howick with him. So we did so and I have to thank him cos after leaving that course I felt much better and got my head cleared which is exactly what I was after. As for golf, I have a score of 92 to walk away with which I'm quite happy being new clubs and that I'm still figuring them out as is a vast change to my normal game. Tried alot of new approaches where I normally play alot of bump and runs, was testing out my wedges and playing a high number of up n down shots which didn't work out very well due to the change in my game and that I haven't completely figured out the distances with the weight and loft adjustments. But I'm getting there most assuredly.

R.I.P. Grandad

Thursday morning I'd been at work no longer that 5 minutes before receiving a text from mom that my grandad had past away at 10:55am Thursday April 27th 2006. He was an amazing gentle man who was married to my grandma for 50 years before she passed away in a sudden car accident in 1994. They raised 5 children, Alan the eldest followed by my dad Merv before a daughter graced their presence before the roudy twins arrived (If your ever in for a good story see my uncle Ray). From there he was able to first enjoy his grand children and lived to see his great grand children and to the honour of Donne and I were able to have our daughter Makayla christened by her great grandfather.
For the past 2 years he's been married to Marjorie, a charming addition to the family extending grandad's family furthermore. We are all going to miss him dearly from his soft spoken voice to his white silver hair and gentle manerisms.
I'll miss you grandad,

Love Mike

It's just like magic

I was browsing the internet and jumped onto trademe.co.nz to do my usual check of what golf items were available and without looking for anything in particular I came across a diamond in the rough. What I found are my Callaway clubs for a buy now price of $1000 which is half the price of the retail clubs. I left a message to check if I could view the clubs prior to purchase but noticed several unanswered comments so knew they were a hot sourced item. My comment was answered and I called the seller 'Chris' and ran through a few questions. Chris is a young chap who's a currently holds a 2 handicap and selling the clubs as moving to titleist blades. I was only really interested in the condition of the clubs and got the sense that this is a guy who knew what he wanted and knew how to play therefore felt comfortable enough to purchase them ahead of my schedule as at the price they are very rare.
So I did so and picked them up lastnight and they are in superb condition and barely used so I'm absolutely rapped with the purchase.
In addition to that I went to visit the boys at Golf Down Under to purchase some head covers for my newly acquired irons and was advised that my brand new driver had arrived and put a huge smile on my face. So tonight I was able to race out to the driving range and trial my clubs and am very please with all purchases.
The callaway 460 x-tour driver, nick named by golfers as the "BIG DOG" was rebranded tonight as Mike's THUNDER STICK as there is a loud cracking sound as the club impacts with the ball. Given that range balls are generally much harder than the usual playing ball I would use on the course it only accentuated the thunderous bellow as the ball is sent into the yonder green field.
The irons are very different to my old clubs so took a while to warm up and get to grips with the new weight and feel but that soon dissipated and I was cleanly connecting beautiful shots out to my markers. Starting to pull the ball somewhat but that's an issue I've been working on as of late.
Overall I'm quite happy with each and every purchase and hope that I can pull out the favourable swing on the course.
Still waiting on my 52 degree wedge, and pending my bonus I'll have a balance to purchase what I nick name as my 'Little Puppy' or the 3 wood callaway x-tour.
Further updates to follow...

Kristin

Lastnight Sarah Grace now Mrs Bainbridge invited several graduates from Kristin 1993 to her house for a catch up. Most people I've not seen since leaving kristin and several I've managed to meet over the years at events or official school reunions.
It was a lovely evening with a very nice spread of delisous snacks especially this hit of the evening being the caramel choc brownies.
Sarah now is back at Kristin teaching science in the middle school area which ranges from form one to form four using the grade/year system which I'm still not accustomed too. Will wait for my daughter to start school before I come to terms with the change though.
Truly enjoyed catching up with many of the faces we saw on a daily basis from the old school days and much look forward to the next gathering.

1 down 13 to go

Today I kick did something for myself and paid for my new driver (pictured below) which as you will note on a previous blog is one of my particular choices.
I came to experience this club when I used jason's to which I'm getting the exact same as I know it has a termendous feel of feedback and control.
It will take about 10 days to arrive but is definately bound for my hands.

I'm sure you'll hear my feedback just as soon as I set up on the tee block.

Next up are the wedges: Titleist 52 with 10 degrees of bounce and a 56 spin milled with 8 degree of bounce. The spin mill on the face of the 56 creates more grip at contact with the ball increasing the volume of spin the ball has in flight giving a sharper and short stopping distance.

Team NZ - Update

Emirates Team New Zealand emerged with victory and while the Luis Vuitton Cup is but a year away there's still a busy schedule to abide to. Whilst the win of the ACT12 regatta is still fresh in their minds they have no doubt that it's made them a stronger team but also realise that this is only another stepping stone in their journey to the eventual America's Cup.

With still much work to do, TNZ are continuous in their ardual approach to design, team building, testing and strengthening both their team, boats and equipment. The confidence in their systems and trust within the strength of TNZ, I can already see them already as a formidable foe.

TNZ Skipper Dean Barker's starts were both agressive and his tactics and communication with Afterguard/tactician Terry Hutchinson, strategist Ray Davies, and navigators Kevin Hall and Adam Beashel were bang on key showing very effective results.

91 Petrol rises by 6c over weekend

Petrol prices rose again this week where the majority of main centre service stations lastnight pushed the price of petrol up by NZD$0.06 due to the conflicts occuring in the Middle-East. Diesel also went up by 4 cents, bringing the need for more high performing hybrid vehicles brought into production. Its a strong sign when we have already used up over half of the worlds natural resources that we need to effort better ways to make those remaing resources last longer and the dire need to find alternative fuel sources to protect our welbeing and those of our children.

With the price of oil rising its becoming increasingly expensive for the average individual to maintain a vehicle, as noted in a previous blog that there has been a strong movement towards smaller more economical vehicles and the increase in motorcycle sales in conjunction with concern that oil prices will continue to rise.

The Council of Trade Unions (CTU) marked workers will need a healthy catch-up seeing High petrol prices have a significant effect on low-income earners with much of the middle income bracket workers slowly slipping into that category as inflation, rates and natural resource values rise further away from the standard fixed household income/s. The CTU said they will continue to push for regular decent wage increases above-inflation pay rises in order to correct the structural problem of wages being about 35% lower than Australia.

Caltex spokesperson Sharon Buckland said that while the increases were highly regretable is outside their control of international events.

Petrol prices are : 91-octane petrol $1.77c a litre and 95-octane for $1.82c, Since last year that's more than 35 per cent higher than prices a year ago.

Tri-Nations

The All Blacks will release their starting 15 at 13:30 this afternoon and there are rumours that there will be several changes. Neemia Tialata said that being part of the starting line up would be a dream come true. Doug Howlett feels optimistic about his selection but knows that if it happens just to make the most of the opportunity. I will always remember Howlett when the ABs played the Bokke two years ago (unfortunately we came Third that year) when we played terribly throughout the entire match and if it wasn't for Dan Carter and his magic boot keeping our score in reach couldn've turned out disasterous. During that match I was watching with several Bokke friends at a Springbok bar (bad choice totally out numbered)so I found the darkest corner to hide in.... right up until the last few seconds when a pass was handed off to Dougie and he made a mad run at the try line. At this point I'd come out of my shell jumping up and down on a table screaming "GO DOUGIE GO !! !!" at the top of my lungs as he forced the try and dan made the conversion and we won the game making it probably one of my most memorable rugby moments.
Lets hope for more magic moments

BLAIR AND BUSH Raw and Uncut

This is a transcript of a conversation that took place between American President George Bush and England's Prime Minister Tony Blair. It was recorded unbeknowst to both parties at a G8 lunch when the two men were casually discussing the two counties relationship and their views on the Middle East

Bush: Yo Blair How are you doing?
Blair: I'm just...
Bush: You're leaving?
Blair: No, no, no not yet. On this trade thingy...[inaudible]
Bush: yeah I told that to the man
Blair: Are you planning to say that here or not?
Bush: If you want me to
Blair: Well, it's just that if the discussion arises...
Bush: I just want some movement.
Blair: Yeah
Bush: Yesterday we didn't see much movement
Blair: No, no, it may be that it's not, it maybe that it's impossible
Bush: I am prepared to say it
Blair: But it's just I think what we need to be an opposition
Bush: Who is introducing the trade
Blair: Angela
Bush: Tell her to call 'em
Blair: Yes
Bush: Tell her to put him on them on the spot.Thanks for the sweaters it's awfully thoughtful of you
Blair: It's a pleasure
Bush: I know you picked it out yourself
Blair: Oh, absoultely, in fact I knitted it myself
Bush: What about Kofi [inaudible] his attitude to ceasefire and everything else ... happens
Blair: Yeah, no I think the [inaudible] is really difficult. We can't stop this unless you get this international business agreed.
Bush: Yeah
Blair: I don't know what you guys have talked about but as I say I am perfectly happy to try and see what the lie of the land is but you need that done quickly because otherwise it will spiral
Bush: I think Condi is going to go pretty soon
Blair: But that's that's that's all that matters. But if you, you see it will take some time to get that together
Bush: Yeah, yeah
Blair: But at least it gives people...
Bush: It's a process, I agree. I told her your offer to...
Blair: Well...it's only if I mean... you know. If she's got a..., or if she needs the ground prepared as it were... Because obviously if she goes out, she's got to succeed, if it were, whereas I can go out and just talk
Bush: You see, the ... thing is what they need to do is to get Syria, to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over
Blair: [inaudible]
Bush: [inaudible]
Blair: Syria
Bush: Why?
Blair: Because I think this is all part of the same thing
Bush: Yeah.
Blair: What does he think? He thinks if Lebanon turns out fine, if we get a solution in Israel and Palestine, Iraq goes in the right way...
Bush: Yeah, yeah, he is sweet
Blair: He is honey. And that's what the whole thing is about. It's the same with Iraq
Bush: I felt like telling Kofi to call, to get on the phone to Bashad [Bashir Assad](9a and make something happen
Blair: Yeah
Bush: [inaudible]
Blair:
Bush: We are not blaming the Lebanese government
Blair: Is this...? (at this point Blair taps the microphone in front of him and the sound is cut.)

BIRDIES FOR THE BRAVE

World number 2 golfer Phil Mickelson has created a charitale gift fund to support the homes for US Troops and Special Operations Warrior Foundation by contributing $100 for each birdy and $500 for each Eagle that he makes on tour this season.
Phil says that Family is the number one priority for he and his wife Amy and has honoured the service men and women who've given so much for their country.
This may seem small but for a top golfer his stat's prove their own.
To date he has has 249 Birdies = $24,900 & 7 Eagles = $3,500
even without the dollars, the figures alone to any addicted golfer will know that those are some staggering figures in themselves and to be put to a great purpose makes those scores exceptional.
If you wish to contribute you can find "Birdies for the Brave" here

Race for the America's Cup

Over the following month's I will bring information updates in regards to Team New Zealand's challenge towards retrieving the international sailings greatest trophy.

This week we will discuss the boats themselves.
As we all found in our second defense when our boats didn't measure up taking on massive amounts of water and the collapse of the mast, kiwi's felt a deep pain in their hearts. There was also much discussion surrounding 'the hula' a new kiwi innovation in match racing design to improve speed and lessen the drag. I still have mixed feelings but we really didn't get to see it work in full match racing due to other problems incurred in serious design flaws forcing us to lose the cup and send it to Europe for the first time in history.

A little recap on the America's cup is that many people forget that it was originally british loosing it to America where it stayed for many many many decades after which it was then branded as their cup trophy. Following in Australia's footsteps New Zealand were the second country to take the cup from America for a second time in its history and exceeded our rival Aussie's by being the first country to succesffuly defend the cup until it left for Europe in the hand's of several of our top kiwi sailors under the backing of some European billionaire whose name I can't recall as i've mentally blocked it from my memory and don't much care to hear it again.


On to the boats
NZL81 is the boat used to win the recent match racing in Valencia Spain which was sent out after NZL82 was damage in a storm in Marseille in 2004. We also have NZL68 on loan from Michael Illbruck which was originally built for the 2003 german challenge before the syndicate pulled out. NZL68 arrived in 2004 where it has been used for testing in the Hauraki Gulf under an extensive program.
Two boats have been designed NZL84 marked as a new generation yacht and lauched in Auckland for testing prior to being shipped to Valencia and the second yacht currently in production and will be finished at the NZ base of operations at the Emirates Team New Zealand base in Auckland's viaduct harbour,due to be released later in the year.
One thing's for sure, we are serious about recovery New Zealand's lost treasure and bring the Trophy to the 'land of the long white cloud'.

Bathurst in Three Months

GO THE HOLDEN

October 5th to October 8th with harrow in the 2006 Bathurst up Mount Panorama with Ford and Holden racing neck to neck in quite considerably the biggest superV8 race of each year.

Track details: Length 6.215kms : Direction Anti-Clockwise : Track Format Circuit :

PROPERTY HUNT

Last week I joined my friend Simon and his Wife Yonee on the property hunt around auckland. The first property we viewed was a property development named Fiore. The interior design was very modern and had several key attributes and under the new building consent was fairly sizable. However location and design factors had be somewhat concerned with not only the exterior appeal but it would be built right next door to the Auckland City Mission for the homeless with an asking price off the plan in the High $400's. The second inner city apartment we viewed was an established two b/rm at H57 on Hobson street which is about 2 years old now. I first looked at this property off the plan in 2000-2001 and liked several ideas in particular the option of taking out the idea of a pool and installing a DVD theatre able to be booked and used by residents to watch movies on a large screen. This idea kept the body corp fee's down to a minimum and I liked the appeal of this. Also got to view the carpark for the first time and was very impressed with the expansive size as have never seen a carpark of this magnitude before. However a major draw back for me there were far too many apartments per level for only 2 internal lifts to operate and I wasn't at all pleased with the interior design, layout or furniture packages. So I moved to purchse at 1Hobson purchasing a 1 b/rm apartment and carpark with a $10k furniture package all for $300k which I still believe to this day as a brillient price. I purchased one carpark for $30k and kicking myself for not getting two as carpark prices have increased in value surprisingly over the past few years.
Both apartments we looked at were selling car parks on average of $58k each which you can see I'm rather gutted when our family was offered to purchase a carpark last year for $25k I'm rather disappointed but funds weren't available at the time.
The hunt still continues...

Win $10,000 from Noel Leemings

Go in the draw to win 10 minutes in a Noel leemings store to grab any item or items to the value of $10,000 to your desire. Any item you can carry for 10 whole minutes you'll have the opportunity to take home what ever you can pick up and get out the door including big screen tv's to consoles and games.
To enter the draw you need to contact Pacific Retail Finance on 09 374-4828 to take a personal loan before November 1st and you could have a very memorable day of shopping. So good luck and happy hunting...

Golf Update July 8th 2006

The boys headed out to Huapai for a round of golf that seemed doomed by the weather before we even started. It poured down about 20 minutes before our scheduled tee time at 12:37 but not before we got in plenty of putting practise which was needed to get the speed of the quick greens. The Huapai golf course has come along very nicely with some very challenging holes and the new back nine completed. The course is quite demanding with a Par five to start the round and close with another.
All's I can say is that I've worked out my shanks but still have a long way to go as far as my putting goes as it costs me dearly when I tally up my score.
That's going to be the main focus for the next few months.

Emergency Service

In New Zealand our emergency service number is 111 = to the widely know american emergency services number 911.
Well in an interesting turn of events I came home tonight to be advised that we received a call from the emergency services this evening advising us that we are to keep the phone away from the kids. Apparantly Danika and Makayla have both been dialing 111 accidentally when they get their hands on one of the cordless phones.
So advise to others out there, keep those phones high and out of reach and allow them to play with toy phones. You can pick up demo cell phones from the likes of telecom or vodafone retail outlets that kids can play with to their hearts content.

CAR v's MOTORBIKE

The Land Transport Safety Authority(LTSA) have reported figures showing that many people are opting to move to smaller cheaper cars that are more economical and with lower on-road costs. While its been only a small decline its enough to show there is a current trend occurring when matched against an increase in motorbike sales which over the past three years has received a strong incline in yearly sales.
The increasing price of fuel has been marked the main culprit for the rising cost of oil on the global market. Two years ago the cost of petrol in NZ was $1.20 which then went up to $1.30 in the following year before its incredible jump into today's cost of $1.70 which is fueling several trends in the car and motorbike industry.
Do we trade comfort and security of the vehicle for the cheaper option of the motorbike? Question is 'how can we maintain our practical needs financially'.
The Motor Trade Association(MTA) have noted that the sharp fall in car sales only follow's after a booming sales period last year and early into the current year and was not unexpected.

Maks Update July 5th 2006

ORIENTATION DAY 3.
Today was the final day of Maks orientation this morning where I think she has had a good time to settle in. Just like yesturday she took my hand and walked me down to her playroom where all te girls greeted her. She was a little apphrehensive at first but soon felt comfortable enought to play with the tyos and hand out toys to some other children. The girls there are lovely with all the kids there and can't believe how good little Maks is but she's been at a previous Daycare centre in Dannemora for several months prior so she's pretty comfortable with it all.
After morning brunch it was play time outside, the weather was abit warmer today so they were allowed to run around, climb and ride their bikes where I snapped off a few photo's on my camera phone.
Well, no more to really say than it's all go for monday.

Team NZ win 2006 America's Cup season

Team NZ were pitted against old enemies Alingi in the final America's Cup warm-up regatta in Valencia Spain and too the win. This is definately going to increase our confidence going into the America's Cup campaign next year where we will bring the cup home to New Zealand. Alingi have been rivals since the defection of several top sailors including the deadly pairing of coutts and butterworth whom were pinned as national traitors and scourned after Alingi took the win 5-0 to take the Cup to Europe for the first time.
Alingi are presently still sailing the boat from the 2003 campaign whereas NZ sailed the same boat they will be taking into the America's Cup. It's positive to see that the boat has been thoroughly tested this time around after our devestating 2003 design flaws, and having proved itself its a matter of what the competition will come up with to challenge Team NZ.
We're well positioned at the moment for a good chance to reclaim the cup with the recent win being important but still only another step closer to the Louis Vuitton Cup due to start in April 18th 2007 Valencia Spain.
Good luck boys

Maks update July 4 2006

KINDERCARE DAY 2.
It was a sleep in for Maksdaddy this morning for even though Makayla is only 14/5 months young she already know's how to tamper with my radio alarm clock. She'd turned the volume down to zero and if not for the sun filtering through my curtains we could've been rather late. We were up at 8am and it was bathtime followed by her botty and some breakfast at just casual speed and we still had 15 minutes spare which I used to grab a cup of coffee(breakfast) for myself.
Waiting for Kaz and cousin Danika we strolled on down to Kinder care at about 10 to 9 taking Maks in her stroller just in case it rained. Once there I promptly put her down in reception and stowed the push-chair where Maks then took my hand and pulled me directly to her playroom. She was quickly in her own comfort zone playing with all the toys, especially the balloons and the other children whom at least three took to me like flies to s**t, climbing all over me and bringing me toys, one I swear looks like bugs bunny he's that cute. Almost had an elmer fudd but no daffy's fortunately.

Activities for the day were just normal play time then it was morning brunch with fruit and rice crackers quickly followed up with 10 mins playtime outside where Maks could see her cousin playing with the other children in the next class for 2+yr olds. The chill of winter being what it is we allowed them some fresh air before it was time for PLAYDOUGH, this stuff is so cool :-) hehehe. And before we knew what had happend two hours passed in a blink of an eye and it was time to go home.

Maks update July 3rd 2006

ORIENTATION DAY 1.

Donne came round about 0830 this morning in enough time to grab a coffee (maksdaddy's usual breakfast) before strolling down the road to Kindercare.
Makayla's having a rather bad hairday this this morning with her hair being all frizzy from her sleep lastnight and for someone with fairly fine hair it stucks out all over the place. Unfortunately I was unable to stay but we got her into the room where she promptly found a toy ball to play with until a young boy tried to take it from her. However she's dealt more hardship from her 2.5 year old cousin so was easily able to stand her ground being a strong wee lass. She quickly lost interest in the ball when she noticed several balloon's hanging from the ceiling and pointing to them. Will update again tomorrow with progress on Day 2.

Kindercare

Tomorrow my little princess will be starting one of three orientation days at Kindercare with her official day being Monday next week. She was due to start last week but due to her illness at the time we had to postpone for two weeks for her to recover. Donne has arranged the day off and will cover the first day and return to work on Tuesday where I shall taken on the following two.
I've visited Kindercare several times in organising Makayla's enrolement but also to pick and drop off my little niece whom also attends the same child daycare centre.
Danika is rather excited knowing that her little cousin will be starting but unfortunately they won't be in the same class due to the age difference.
Makayla will be going full time whereas Danika only does two days a week and loves the playground and slide they have there... except maybe on a rainy day.

Orientation only goes for 2 hours to aide in familiaring your child with the staff and atmosphere of the daycare and also a chance to witness how they operate. Being their with your child is in good sense to have someone they trust close by to help them become comfortable within themselves to go it alone when they go full-time.