Road Legal

Yesterday I popped in to Mount College after walking Imogen to school. I asked to make an appointment with the dean to discuss Rhiannon's problems. I also had a chat with her former class teacher at Intermediate, who confirmed that she was indeed as capable as her peers. She also explained that the reason for the missing test results was because Rhiannon did not exist on the government database and thus they could not be entered. Hmm. Computersezno apparently. I didn't get a call back from the Dean, so I rang and left a message.

Wayne and I went over to Hamilton to watch the Black Caps Vs Bangladesh. I'd never been t a twenty20 match so I wasn't sure what to expect. The journey over was uneventful, but we dud take in some rather fine scenery bombing along highway 29. Hamilton at this time of year seems to be very floral and generally looks quite a nice place, even if it is too far from the beach. We managed to find our way to Seddon Park, and then tried to find somewhere to park. A helpful sign that said "Cricket Parking" was followed, only for an attendant to start waving a "car park full" sign about. Then there was a change of heart, and a swift right turn, possibly cutting up the waiting traffic on the other side of the road allowed us to get in and parked for the princely sum of $5.

We located a decent spot to sit, behind the wickets opposite the pavilion, and then decided to investigate the beer and scoff situation. Beer was a tab pricey at $6 for a 375 ml plastic bottle of lager, but the food wasn't too badly priced, although a distinct lack of vegetarian options had Wayne making a move on the chips, a move that I concurred with.

The match itself was rather disappointing. Bangladesh rolled over for 78, and the Black Caps took just 9 overs to put them to the sword. We made an early break for before the final runs were scored and were first out of the car park, although it was a tight squeeze as all the cars had been wedged in rather tight.

This morning I did get a call from the Dean, and in short there was no shifting him from his opinion that she's in the right class. There is apparently very little between the two classes and some lessons are setted so Rhiannon will actually spend time with her friends, assuming that she's of a similar level. The test she took isn't the deciding factor apparently. I did manage to get a promise that the situation would be reviewed in a few weeks and that she may well move at that point. Moving now is sadly not an option that he was prepared to consider. Growl, claiming that the classes were both full. Rhiannon of course now blames me for not sorting it out and I am public enemy no.1, but there's no change there.

I finally got round to taking the Mirth Mobile for it's Warrant of Fitness. Cars over six years old have to be tested every 6 months. I had been recommended to use VTNZ, who don't do repairs and thus have no vested interest in failing your vehicle just to get the work. As with all things car oriented, VTNZ is located on Hewletts Road. I drove in and joined the queue in reception. It seems that they also do driving tests and other licensing stuff, just like the AA do. However, this particular station didn't do WOF, unless you're a truck and they sent me packing to the other VTNZ station further down the road, scarily enough opposite Turner's auctions where we acquired the Mirth Mobile some 5 months ago.

I went into reception and gave the number plate. From this they know what the car is and who I am and where I live etc. Kind of scary, is some of that info really necessary? I was relieved of $50 and given a job sheet and told to join a queue. The whole setup is a bit like a supermarket, with various lanes. You join a queue, leave the keys in the ignition and go and sit on the benches under the tree in the shade and watch the world go by. Someone comes and drives the car into the testing bay, various blokes pop up from the subterranean inspection pit and tweak various bits and pieces about. The testing procedure takes only a few minutes and eventually your car is deposited at the side of the shed and you're given the news. It passed! There was a scribbled note about one of the tyres, but I couldn't make any sense of it. I might ring them tomorrow.

I also had a call from a job agency about a possible position. Alas it's in Rotten egg-orua and it's a management role. I get to herd nerds rather than be one. Not too sure if it's for me, I'm not one for too much MBS, I don't fancy the hour or so commute and the stench would most likely get to me after a while. On the other hand the money might be cracking (it's not specified) but I'll need to wade through the fourteen page job spec to decide for sure.

Ran round the mount and quite a lot of the way back but then died and jogged the rest. Cooled down outside with iced water with the juice of a lemon which sadly fell off the tree next door into out garden.