Roller Derby Chicks Are Hardcore.

Last night I went to see the fury of the Rat City Rollergirls. The roller derby is a time-honored American "D" sport* that pits girls on roller skates against each other in elbow-throwing-filled-flat-track-mayhem. There was a team from San Fransisco that came up to Seattle, and shockingly pulled off an upset in front of a drunk and rawkus Seattle crowd.
The best fight involved the 2 girls being seperated, and still kicking their skates at each other.

It was AWESOME.

And then, it was time to go to West Seattle for a house party. It's waaaaay over thar. Why does anyone kid themselves about West Seattle being close to Seattle. I think it's the bridge mentality- if you have to cross a bridge, it's just too far. It was a good one, and I may have done the haka, this time respectfully. Or more so than I did in the past without the knowledge I have now.
It really impresses the girls....


* A "D" sport was a term coined by me to describe dodgeball. If baseball, basketball and American football are "A" sports in this country, and say, golf and soccer are "B" spots, and then "C" sports are all the Olympic events. "D's" are all the ones you played as a kid, like kickball, or possibly extreme croquet.

Seventy-One

Today at work we listened to NPR's coverage of the Al Gonzales "talks." Although oft-dry, it was highlighted by grumbling senator's comments of outrage aimed at (one more) Bushie-on-the-ropes.
When asked repeatedly about really anything, SEVENTY ONE TIMES HE SAID HE COULDN'T REMEMBER AND/OR RECALL.

pause. think.

......

If YOU had gotten into trouble, for ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, and FORGOT EVERYTHING (conveniently) seventy-one times, would you still have your job/partner/anything else?

No.

For someone to even think they can get away with this.....



...... GONZO (that's what I call him) HAS THE BIGGEST FUCKING BALLS EVER.
They must be the size of Texas. Or quite possibly Texas plus the panhandle of Oklahoma.

Sloppy Joes vs Mac n Chee

My weekend has been randomly filled thus far.
Went out after work on Friday, because my mind justified it. I hadn't been out for 2 weeks, and after working 10 days straight, it seemed right.

But Capitol Hill?

The place is soooooo packed, there's NO parking. At all. Anywhere. Within 10 blocks of where you want to be. And the club, even though it had pretty good potential, it sucked- the music didn't match the "Havana" moniker/motif. Perhaps happy hour on Thursday is better. And then I went to sleep.

I then made weenie-mac on Sat night. For the 1st time, on request. Angie/Jackie: you are gross to love it. Velveeta: Thou should be ashamed. And, when did you get put in the refridge section, when my whole life you've been on the regular shelf, next to the other pasteurized cheese products? Mac 'n chee will never be the same for me.

I got sunburned to day at the M's game, which we won, by many runs. They looked good. I then made sloppy joes. An Americana tour de force weekend. And then I watched...er....I mean wasted 20 minutes of my life watching this.

But Stephen Colbert's green screen challenge turned up some great stuff.

I now present WING!

Discover New Zealand's very own WING!

As seen on South Park!

Back in Black is amazing, nay, legendary.

The Calendar Business

Today I heard one of the best quotes ever, and it was being related to me, second hand from my friend Dustin.
He was telling me that when he was in Belize, he met a guy from the Okanagan -but the Canadian part. I never knew there was a Canadian part, as I always knew it to be a county in Washington State.
ANYWAYS, he replied to the question of "what you doing down here?" with "well I woke up one day and got a dear john, and I figured I should go someplace. Plus I work in a calendar factory, and it's slow time of the year for the calendar business."

I really like that idea, that that particular field of industry is quiet, until say September, then all hell breaks loose, and they print off a gazillion craptastic calendars of things like Tractors, Chickens and Donkeys.

In other news, I received a scare in my email the other day when I received an email from Beth Davie, who is on the SWAT team for NZ Police. All I saw was NZ Police, and thought something was wrong. She mostly bragged about how her new car is the best ever. I suspect only because it was formerly owned by me.
I also told her that if she had been crafty and/or mean, she could have gotten me good. All she would have needed to do was have a work mate send me an email saying that I have 4 outstanding speed camera violations that had to be paid. I would have believed her.

After all, I did come back from Napier in under 3 hours (Anne Davie stop reading) AND hit 185kph.

My last words would have been, "it was worth it." (Use Renegade voice.)

Wow.

Wait for it....wait for it.....NOW!



Anne davie, you should be ashamed of yourself for being addicted to Fox News.

Call Me Renegade

I've decided that this is my new work nickname.

Why?

Cause it kicks the MOST ASS POSSIBLE!!!!!

Think about it. It is a name that means "an outlaw or rebel." That's OBVIOUSLY me. And you get to say it with a raspy-I've-smoked-2-packs-a-day-and-drank-a-bottle-of-fighting-cock-bourbon-AND-I-just-woke-up voice.

"Renegade." He looks up; the knife in his hand stops filleting the piscine flesh. "I've been looking for you....." He trails off when the outlaw glares him down and says, "well, I've been waiting."

See? It's f'ing awesome. It's somewhat "ala Caruso" (similar to ala mode, but not as tasty!)

And I get to wear a leather jacket...wait for it....with the tassles on the sleeves. Choice.

Now, replace the name Chuck Norris with "Renegade" and you have "Renegade Facts."

True (bliss).

Also, less rebellious is a reminder to all that Chicago Public Radio's show This American Life kicks ass, and should be listened to. Available here! I will bounty hunt you down if you don't check out this week's show, about your dream job (not quite available at the moment of posting this-I just listened to it at work).

More Baseball Stuff

Since it was opening night last night for the Mariners (who won, I'll post the box later) and Trever Santora sent me a great thing in my email, I have decided that this post will be dedicated to baseball.

1st off: Baseball Facial Hair Hall of Fame. Some of these guys were really good, and 6 are in the hall of fame, but their facial hair is natty as.

Rollie Fingers

2. Take me out to the ballgame is a great song. Morgue/half of Wellington know this!

Here's the version from Damn Yankees:

3. The Box Score. Not the same as "Dick in the Box." One can tell what happened in the game if they know how to read it, just like cricket. We won, and we're in 1st place. Now we only have to win 161 more games!

Happy Birthday Morgan

It's his birthday today. Say it verbally to him where ever you are, whover you are, whether or not you know him. It's the proper and decnt thing to do!
Or, you can make and consume a pavlova in his name.

All hail Great Morgue Pavlova!
All hail Your being cloudlike!
All hail Your deliciousness!

And so sayeth the Alligator from the book of Moose.

What was that?
Also, I want to thank The Tallest Ninja (patent pending) for buying the holy Moose-ness a drink in my name. I owe you one TTN, and will get ya one back when you sneak attack me from the sky.

Accompanying me on that dessert journey was my favorite-tist pasta dish, Spaghetti al Amatriciana. A Roman dish of tasty intentions, it's loose recipe is this:

Spaghetti noodles for your appetite.
Onions and bacon fryed up with slight color. Add garlic, and don't burn, for Escoffier's sake.
Deglaze with red wine, add thyme. Add tomatoes, and some beef stock or bouillion. Cook until things have made a tomato love in the pot, say 30 minutes. Add lots of fresh chopped flat leaf parsley, and mix with the noodles. It should not be soupy. Top with Pecorino Romano cheese, more parsley, and chopped hard boiled egg. Drink with wine and bee happy.

Grazie.

And thanks to Anne Davie for the insight into how young and free I am. I know and love it.

Baseball Post

Right now I am watching my 1st Mariners game of the year! (one of the last pre-season games) and you know what? It's always strange seeing the game and have the comforting, and familiar voice of Dave Niehaus chatting along with the sound of the crowd in the background buzzing. And then he goes bonkers when something happens, like a homerun, and you have to turn the volume down.
But what is most interesting about the game is that it becomes such an integral part of the summer, since it's a daily thing. So therefore, one can make the conclusion:

Summer is here, because baseball is here.

And also, fall will be here when the World Series comes in October, but that's a long ways away, especially for those playing fantasy baseball, but that's perhaps another post...

Baseball.

A new Perspective

Today I spent the morning and early afternoon at the Small Business Admin. downtown. I connected with much information and a member of SCORE, a group of retired executives that volunteer their time helping people with the problems of starting up. It was incredibly informative, and perhaps put a realistic perspective on an issue I've been coming to realize:

Starting too big.

What I want to do is going to be financially impossible, due to the lack of money. (if anyone wants to give me 200 stacks with no strings attached, I can make it happen.) I've realized that it's going to be best in the long run to start smaller and build up to the restaurant. It's another step, but will make things easier when it comes to getting the big money. And it perhaps is more profitable.

So, I've begun thinking smaller, and my group is going to discuss this matter tonight. It'll be good.

Helen Clarke Is HERE!!!!

Guess what? No, wait! Guess where your PM is?!?!

MY STATE!

This was forwarded to me from my stepdad, I had no idea she was here:

Gov. Gregoire Welcomes New Zealand Prime Minister to Washington



OLYMPIA - Governor Gregoire today welcomed New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark to Washington . Governor Gregoire invited the Prime Minister to visit Washington when they met during her trade mission to New Zealand in May 2006.



“Prime Minister Clark and I have built a strong working relationship and I am glad she took me up on my invitation to visit Washington ,” said Governor Gregoire. “New Zealanders and Washingtonians share a commitment to protect the environment and share the natural beauty of our geography.”
While on her trade mission last year to New Zealand , Governor Gregoire met with
Prime Minister Clark and other officials to discuss collaborations to prevent shoreline erosion and promote a culture of sustainability.
Seattle and Christchurch , New Zealand , recently celebrated their 25th anniversary as sister cities. The Seattle-Christchurch Sister City Association builds a valuable connection across the Pacific Ocean through a wide range of cultural and education exchanges"

_______________

You know what really chaps my ass? That Christchurch, CHRISTCHURCH is Seattle's sister city!


I hope no one from Christchurch is reading this blog at this moment.
And man, SHORELINE EROSION! Awesome!

Late Nite Oly Syle

Whenever I come to Olympia, my home town, to spend the night, I know it's going to be BALLS TO THE WALL CRAZY! Actually, it is usually a very tame night, that involves Old School Pizzeria, hearing strange music, and recalling the time Trever (and possibly I) break danced in the Taco Bell drive through to make up for the fact we had no money. (That was a LONG time ago.....it may not have even been me)
So St. Patrick's day 2007, when I could've been at Kell's in Seattle, proclaiming to all women, "kiss me I'm Irish!" I find myself in Olympia waking up at 10pm from a nap during "Bridge Over the River Kwai" (a great movie though). I drop my brother off at a party, I find out none of my old friends are in town for the night, and I head home to watch tv. This is what I got out of that time:
-Yoko Ono ruined the Beatles. I know everyone says that, but rarely do they have better proof of how much she sucked than in the overall amazing footage from "The Rolling Stones Rock N Roll Circus." It was John Lennon, just after the breaking up, and he's playing a blues/rock number with a classically trained violinist going apeshit to keep up. It's incredible. And then, Yoko comes out from underneath her sheet, and start wailing. Shrieking like a harpie, she makes the violinist actually WINCE. And she keeps going and going. I tried to change the channel, but I wanted to see if the violin player smacked her. And this is the second time in 2 weeks I've seen Yoko come out from a sheet to ruin the music of Lennon. Highlight: Lennon calls Mick Jagger "Michael" in a sketch, and Mick's face is priceless. This is overall a really cool show, with the Who probably the most on fire.
Phew, and now the other part of this night is this, but it's not as good without the video. On the Christian channel (I was really channelsurfing) there were old music videos from the early 90's, and one group the Newsboys, had a hit in their hands with the song "One Heart." They made QUITE POSSIBLY THE WORST/BEST MUSIC VIDEO EVER. Think new kids, but 10 times worse, and one 20th of the budget. It's perfectly bad, the early 90's expressions of "I'm a badass. A god-loving badass." It's an incredible piece of musical direction, and sadly, YouTube has it not. And perhaps more incredible, Morgue's Favorite "Conservapedia" had no info on the band. Wiki does.
There were some other interesting things too, but they will be lost in my lengthy writing. Huzzah!

A couple of things

First, I'd like to post a link to the review of the Coppergate bar. I am the one who says, in quotes, "an affinity for the natural state of being." But I didn't get any credit. Overall I feel the review is pretty spo-on, although there are small differences in opinion between her and I. I refuse to say more than we never had the mussels, and that I thought it was the best damned pickled herring I've ever had.

Secondly, I'm sorry to announce that I watched THE FINAL EPISODE OF STARGATE SG-1 EVER. It was incredible. For many people that know me, this show is something that got started by Conan O'Brien's "Pierre Bernad's Recliner of Rage" segment on how great the show was. I started watching and instantly got hooked on the great story, revisions of history, and often perfect character interaction. I have spent way too much time of my life following this story-10 seasons, and after rough calculations, I figure it's been close to 150 hours (rough). I'm sad to see it end, it did a good job, but in truth, it probably should have ended after the 7th or 8th seasons. I have so much emotion over it, it's sad to say, but if you invest that much time in a story, and it ends, you're happy and sad at the same time.

What could I do with those 150 hours? What would you do?

Burley No More

I've cut my beard off. It was a subconsious thing I think. I've been threatening it to myself, and then today while trimming it, it just happened.

My hand messed up when my brain said be careful.

So I just had to progress down to the old look I decided. I did relish the stache for a few minutes though. I look, shall I say, spectacular, with one. Like Magnum, P.I. I just needed the mirrored aviators and there I was, ready for 1980.
But I remembered one of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Youngs songs, and started singing it:

(just the 1st verse)
Almost cut my hair
It happened just the other day
It's gettin kinda long
I coulda said it wasn't in my way
But I didn't and I wonder why
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
Cause I feel like I owe it to someone

It only sort of relates, but if anybody knows what exactly my freak flag would be, I'd love to know.


Look at that chest hair. My god.

I Pineapple Express!

This morning, or when was it? This daylight savings time messes me up....

EARLIER TODAY, I went geocaching on Queen Anne. I was ripping around in the light drizzle (fo shizzle) with my windows down, music blasting, and paying (slightly) more attention to the road than my GPS. I found myself in a part of the hill that I didn't know, and was searching for the 1st leg of the cache. I found the answer on a telephone pole, so I proceeded to the next stop, down the hill.
From there, I moved along to the Seattle Center (at the bottom of the hill for those that don't know) and wandered around in the rain and strangely warm weather. The "heat wave" of 60 degrees is from Hawaii, and if one closed their eyes, they could smell the hula girls on the wind.
But what was coolest is that I saw Seattle Center in a way I hadn't remembered:

Quiet, nice, and few people.

Usually, I've been theree for an event which draws thousands. This Sunday morning it was chill, and the opera house (or whatever it was) was all reflective-glass-and aluminum-swank.
I enjoyed that.

Back to Reality

Man it sucks having to pay bills.

Going and doing all those cool things, and then here I am, having to pay the piper.

I hate it. Why does repairing my car cost so much?

I am a now a restaurant critic

2 birds, no 3 birds with one stone!

First bird: Review a restaurant/bar -to be fair though, I'll get little credit, if any at all. BUT MY FOOD OPINION MATTERED. And that's what counts. Will post a link to the review, of course, if it ever gets printed, and I suspect it will.

Second bird: Get some insight for what works and doesn't work in an establishment from somebody who knows what they're talking about. More on last bird.

Third Bird (the best one): The local food writer for The Stranger, the superior of the 2 weekly papers in Seattle is quite an alluring writer to read. Or at least those into food pornography. I once declared aloud, "I think I have a crush on her writing style." I never wrote her to tell her so before I left. So, with my NZ-formed powers of being direct in what I want, I wrote her describing that I love her style, would like to drink-in on a review, discuss my project and get her insight. She acquiesced to a meet-up, and we went to a very odd locale. It was a (my description) "Scando-Chic bar with unsubtle illicit overtones." There were vintage Swedish sex toys over the bar. I kid ye not. And lots of naked women. And it was a CLASSY place. Great drinks, and THE BEST PICKLED HERRING I've ever had. They do it right.

We'll see what she says in the article, now won't we?


And, just cause I feel I'm ultra-cool by being in this paper for the second time in less than a year, I'm posting this

The image that was printed included me playing nails.

More Depressing News

It rarely occours on this blog: actual news/facts that aren't related to my personal trials. But this was a serious thing, brought to my attention by my stepdad:

Is America funding Sunni terrorist groups?

Shit.

More Mistah T.

I have a good story actually about Mr. T and his motivational video mentioned in the last post. Some may know it, but I recently got an update on it's fate.

So, back in the days me and mine were terrorizing ebay (can anybody say floppy discs?) by creating multiple accounts, overbidding on pencils for $33,333, and a web of lie-based user feedback reviews that culminated in an amateur web-sleuth proclaiming, "I know Falco Johnson is the same as ScrotumShaver!" there was a video.

The aforementioned, Mister T. motivational video. You know the one that introduced the NEW group "New Edition" feat. Bobby Brown? Trever decided to buy it on VHS, which was still a viable format, and we watched and were captivated by the T's ability for poppin' and lockin', or lack thereof.

Here enters the friend, Meghan into the story. Her father is a high school teacher in The Dalles, Oregon. His role in the educational system is to teach kids the "life" class- about sex, drugs and perhaps rock and/or roll. He was given a copy of this video to show the kids, and instantly became a hit, and known as THE video.

Numerous plots of kidnapping said tape have been countered. Bribes of $100 have been declined. Guarded by a pair of former Navy Seals, the video remains under lock and key at all times of the day. Laser beams create an impenetrable grid of red light around the actual lock. Do not touch indeed.

Here is where the story has been updated: The T video has been transferred to Digital Video Disc, or DVD. This is great. Now the poor quality won't degrade further. I am happy, and now I await my copy for the future.

And for semi-related reasons, the van Morgan and I WILL rock on our "America The Beautiful" roadtrip.


BAD. ASS.

Sweet-As

I found this on Wikipedia. The "sweet-as" roots. Mr T. would be proud. (wait for it.....)

Morgue was right all along!

This explains it's exhalted past.

....and you waited for it: Mr. T's Be Somebody or Be Somebody's Fool!

Cold front in the convergence zone!

It's SNOWING!

And I love how when it does, everybody FREAKS, and cannot drive slow enough.
Causing a 50 car pile-up. No joke.

When it snows, it's the lead story. CLEARY, there is more important local news?

Well, looking into it, it was kinda a slow newsday. Nevermind.
___

I took my old job back, and got a BIG raise. Not really, but it's decent. And my special was:
Vanilla-scented braised shortribs (grass-fed beef from Walla Walla) on a sweet potato (not kumara) cake and braised leeks with blood oranges.

It was good.
_____

AND, most importantly, and lost in this blog post, was the fact that I had my first official meeting with the boys about the restaurant project. A lot of good ideas were brandied about. But the highlight was Tom's qoute about kids:
(In a REAL Southern accent) "And I don't want no kids either...well, no stupid kids. I don't want no fuckin' ball pit in the corner...." and it continued like that. It was classic TD. Again though, lot's of good opening stuff, that led to an innovative idea that I will not express openly on this public domain. I'm not paranoid or nuthin', but what's mine is mine.

Wai-Hai 2007

It's about time I posted the pics from Hawaii with the bros. Chris and I flew into Hawaii and scared the shite outta Trever, these are from the results of those epic days!
On the black sand beach

whacking, I mean fanning Chris.

I wove a hat out of palm fronds and became the coconut king of the beach.

At the top of the mountain, 14,000 feet up. The white are the clouds waaaaaay below us. I got really lightheaded, a bda sign of altitude sickness.

A few of the telescopes.

This is a photo with a regular camera through a MUCH smaller telescope, that accidently had the flash on. We caught Saturn in the image.

The beach preferred by Hawaiian Royalty. No Coconut Kings allowed.

But sandcastles are. This is after the 1st big wave. And this is also the 1st sand castle I built since the one in Portugal with Morgue and Leon. No caves for the winged monkeys.

CP goes CRAZY!


The End.

I don't like cricket. Oh no.

Here I am, sick.
Sick sucks.
I am feeling like I need to get a job, but there's not much that excites me, and so my response to ads has been lackluster. I need to figure out where I want to work, and then blitz them with my personality. And then the whole being sick thing is keeping me from being active. And I want to nap now.

Last night I was the guy. Kind of. And in a BAD way. A kind that makes me feel I'm too nice for my own good. There was this girl a the bar, and she was wasted. And from Brooklyn. With the full-on accent. She said "coffee grinder" more like "cwafee groinda." And her nose kept molesting my ear when she talked to me. I was too nice to tell her to leave me the fuck alone. And then she spilled her drink and attached herself to some other guy and I was free, and my ear was better.

I really shouldn't have gone to karaoke last night. But I did represent and sing Dreadlock Holiday.

I don't like cricket. Oh no.
I love it. Oh yes.

Happy President's Day!

Well- it's this weekend. I had mentioned to Morgan during the brief "thank-you-very-much-for-the-gift-how-are-things-and-do-people-continue-to-live-interesting-lives-without-me?" phone call, that I was going to rate the former USA presidents.
And then I had the idea of, "why ALL presidents? Alot of them were wankers."

What do I get the most out of my prez? It's simple: Cash money.
So the best US presidents in my opinion are (in no particular order) are:

Ben Franklin ($100)
Ulysses Grant ($50)
Andrew Jackson ($20)
Alexander Hamilton ($10)
Lincoln ($5)
Jefferson ($2)
Washington ($1)


Some might see a trend, but that's my honest opinion. Others might point out (like I did) that they're are older, bigger notes to collect. From the US treasury dep't:

There are also several denominations of currency notes that are no longer produced. These include the $500 bill with the portrait of William McKinley, the $1,000 bill with a portrait of Grover Cleveland, the $5,000 bill with a portrait of James Madison, the $10,000 bill with a portrait of Salmon P. Chase, and the $100,000 currency note bearing a portrait of Woodrow Wilson.

Read that again. Salmnon P(ortland) Chase?!?!?! Who's that?

Answer.

Pretty cool I never knew that. Pretty sad that all those "big-bling" bills had to use pictures of men who historically pale in comparison to the older guys.

If you thought that this was ranting, don't EVEN get me started on what good pennies are for!

Make Your Voice Heard!

Go Black Caps.
Man, I know in NZ you guys are pumped for the fact that the world cup is so close.

BUT, I remember the public AND media being so emotionally manic-depressive about the team. So, are they really that good? I think you better call up your local sports talk radio station and declare alound how you feel!

I know I did. Nobody knows who Lou Vincent is....

I am a quarter century old!

It's my birthday.
My situation:
I have no keys, to ANYTHING! Including my Dart, which TD still has.
I have no phone number. Working on that one.
I have no house, job, or girlfriend.

What does this say to you?

I have a dream though. And a sweet-as new shirt from Anne Davie.

And I kinda do have a job, but it's my old one, and I'm there for a testimonial.

Things are looking good.

It's too cold

Where am I? What is this weather? How come my body is hating this feeling, or shall I say, lack of feeling?

I want summer back!

It is like I never left. Which says either:
I wasn't gone very long, and 6 months is nothing but a long vacation.
Or my friends haven't changed (and I'm not implying it in a bad way.)

So, either way, I realized that I feel very, very lost and slightly uncomfortable, and mostly confused.
What is this building? Why is there a vote for the viaduct, when it's apparently to voice an opinion that won't matter? (Morgue- you should look into that mess if you want to see a prime example of bad government.)

So I am still acclimating, and have a slightly overwhelming list of things to take care of.

Why can't I have a butler?

And Joe Average America still is depressing. except I am listening to the Boss right now.....

Horny Manatees

The other day I was alerted to one of the more disturbing things on the internet, brought to you by Conan O'Brien:

MANATEE PORN.

Ok, it might seem a bit bad, but what started as an impromptu joke on Late Night, has turned into the HOTTEST (in more ways than one) adult manatee sites on the net! Here is some back story/info on this unique sub-genre.

I hear it's Chris Panado's favorite.

Also, as an added bonus, one could view the short cartoons by the name of Pale Force, where Conan fights crime by blinding the Evil-Doers with pale skin, and shooting laser beams via his nipples!

Exciting!

Just got back into Hilo from hot-as Kona. It was nice spending a couple of days at a choice resort, feeling like a gazillionaire.
The weather was fine, sunny, and the waves massive. The pool over looked the ocean, and had waves breaking big on the volcanic rock. The sunsets were watched from the hot tub.
Friday was spent on the beaches favored by the former Hawaiian royalty, and getting thorns jabbed through our jandals while geocaching. It was a perfect day, and even a sandcastle was made.
I got tan.
After dark, we sat out on the balcony drinking heavily hopped beer and watching a Hawaiian band play island music. They weren't bad...and of course it was perfect weather to sit outside and drink in.
And now I'm back. I arrive back in Seattle on Monday night. And cannot wait.
I look forward to it!

Born in the USA

Did I come back to this? I forgot all about the massive portions!


It is surreal to be back in the US, but I suppose Waikiki as your 1st impression is not the best one. Where else can you view literally a dozen Japanese tourists videoing themselves walking by Gucci, Prada, Coach, etc? And how do feel about that?

Anyways, my last weekend in Aotearoa was choice: I thank the Drinkwaters mucho. Taranaki was a nice relaxation/decompression from my events of leaving. I saw parts of NZ that are never seen by outsiders- like the Republic of Whangamomona. The last night in Auckland was spent feeling like a wised old man doling advice to the newly arrived Germans. I heard, "so after my week in Auckland, I can't wait for my week in Queenstown!" Yes I can tell you're interested in the real NZ....
...but I'm not bitter.

So right now I'm in Hilo, HI, with Trever Santora and Christopher Panado. We have a large week of idiling around forgotten beaches, and spending Thurs and Fri nights at a lush Kona resort.

America is strange, and I'm sorry, the airports are almost more hassle than they're worth. But people are different to be around; they interact differently, and talk with a different tone.
It's strange, but then again, Hawaii is not all typical USA. So without further ado:

For Morgan.

Game Over

I have left Welly/Lower Hutt.
I have left the Davie family.
I have left home, and it was the hardest thing I've done in a long time.
It was easier to come to NZ, and say goodbye to my friends back there-and I even kept it close to myself the possibility of there never being a return to the US (at least a return of staying)

The 1st thing I said to myself when I left the driveway was, "I'll be back."
From there, I started thinking about who and what I get to see and do when I return. My adventure in Hawaii, and the highlights of my past 6 months here in NZ.

High: Thanksgiving.
Low: Every second of work, except the moment I walked outta there.

There are many highs, and so many that they combined into a massive ball of "sweet-as" and led to the aforementioned sadness.

But on a happy note, I'd like to thank everyone who turned out to play nails last night, we approached the 100 nail-in-the-stump mark, which is impressive to me. I'm glad it was I who showed you the new scourge of NZ-I'm afraid of the repurcussions of groups of guys playing rounds of nails in the backyard before hitting courtnay place.



Anyways, I want to keep it short. I'm in some strange territory in my head, and am still working things out.

Morgan, keep the Scorpion hat in good use. And safe.
A wise man once said,
"I like it, I love it, I want some more of it."

It's Hammer Time.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to announce, with much pompocity/honour/fanfare/lateness, the much anticipated

2007 GREATER LOWER HUTT NAILS TOURNAMENT OF DEATH!!!!!!!

Be warned, it's not for the faint of heart, or those that disdain loud hammering.
Commencing at 8pm local time at 71 Pohutukawa St, Woburn, Lower Hutt (Morgan Davie's house).
All are invited, bonuses are given to those who come in character as their favorite World Nails Federation athlete/entertainer.
Think WWF-style character/personas. Awesome.
Perhaps bring some beer as well, as it'll be the necesary drink to play.
Hammer and nails will be provided.
Questions? I hope not, but email them to dartanian66@yahoo.com, or txt me at 021 666 087.
Come and bring the pain.

And please, Hammer don't hurt 'em!

Happy Wedding

I had the honor of attending THE wedding of the summer. I thank Matt and Miriam for letting me attend- I would of crashed it anyways.
Also, on a more self-cenetered note: Thanks for letting me have an opportunity to grace Wellington with my violet dress shirt, as it was the one piece of clothing I had brought with me that I hadn;t worn.
Thanks Morgan for having a Toronto Raptors baseball cap with which it went so well with.
Thanks to Anne for letting me wear it.
And thanks to all the American high schoolers going to Prom to make that look fashionable!

Back Home

As in Wellington. Great trip. Many great stories and memories.
Beginning of the last days here.

I hate it. But it must be done!

Much crying will be heard from the people!

Aoraki redeamed by Bob Ross Bay

After the city of Dunedin, and all it's unparalled beauty, I mean, plainess, I was quite excited to travel to Aoraki, or Mt. Cook. It's, as you know/guess the highest point in NZ, and the cool thing about it is that you can drive nearly to the top. But that does take away a massive amount of "impressiveness" that say, a Mt. Fuji has (or one of those "cone" ones).
I got there late in the day, and light rain started hitting my windshield as I had been passing the lake that I can best describe as "the color of my Alfa Romeo that Aki totalled." The official name for that paint was "sea-foam green." It was beautiful. The car. And, well so was the lake.
So my main concern was: get a spot sheltered underneath a tree, you know, the whole rain thing. Wind was not an issue.

And then it got dark.

And the skies cleared up, to reveal glorious constellations that I know none of, and the wind picked up. Something fierce. The whole underneath thing should have been behind. I couldn't change my location in the dark &wind anyhow at this point, so I decided to try to make out the night. For anyone who camped at Leon's birthday, it was stronger than that.


All night, I kept worrying the tent was going to come undone in the ground, and I'd be left with no fly. The fly kept whipping hard against the tent, and I never slept. I got out at about 2 am and checked the pegs in the ground, and they were fine.
And then at about 6 am it happened, like a 600 pund sumo wrestler charging into my tent from no-where, 2 of my 3 poles snapped. I heard them go, and then a wrip, as one of the poles tore the nylon. I was f-u-c-k-e-d. I had to push all my weight agianst the wind, and tried to put my pants on when it subsided enough.
I got out as soon as it began to show light, and packed it up quickly/poorly. I hopped into my car and drove to the mountain view point walk, and was the only one to see the mountain top luminate 1st thing in the morning. I sat enjoyed it, until the sun hit me, and I went down to the car and made coffee and grilled cheese for breakfast. When all the tourist buses started showing, the clouds rolled in, and hid what I saw while they were still sleeping.

I was rewarded.

I drove an exhausting, and often un-interesting drive to Banks peninsula, which was formed duirng 2 volcanoe explosions. The ruggedness of the steep slopes reminded me of the shape of Fiji. Not as warm though. I found a remote beach, and when the sun set, the clouds over the bay had a softenss to them that reminded me of Bob Ross, the whole scene was his. And over there was a "happy little tree." I had supper, finished my Maurice Gee book (it was choice) and went fast asleep in my car as soon as it was dark.

And then I came into Christchurch today, which is having it's International Buskers Festival.
It's pretty cool, seeing some of the acts. I think I'll only be here 1 night, and head to Hanmer Springs tomorrow. It's strange being in a city after I've adjusted to the sticks. I always said I'm a city boy, but camping has made me re-think that idea. I suppose I'm still city though, until I wrestle and defeat the bushwackers. Then...

Some stuff:

Bob Ross. Watch him do his magic.



The Bushwackers even had figures made of dem. They also had 3rd guy and were know as the "Sheepherders." Love it.



My dad also has uploaded pics from his album on his trip to Central America. Anyone unlucky enough to not know him can see how he's obviously travelling solo, as there's only 2 pics of himselft in 89 uploaded. View the album!

I love the fact that some of my friends have too much time on their hands.

They can make choice videos like this.

Aki's Christms Present

Add to My Profile | More Videos


Good work Aki.

Dunedin Dreamz

Here I am in Dunedin. I have sent Morgan home, he was really harshing my NZ buzz....no, it's been quite a different trip since he's been gone, I've been listening to music really loudly and singing along to it....wait, I did that when he was in the car too.
I came down from Central Otago stopping in the prime stonefruit growing region in NZ. I ate lots of cherries, nectarines and apricots. No peaches. I also stopped in a small town that was essentially the place that started the great NZ gold rush in the 1860's. I kept thinking I was going to find a fist-sized nugget, but then I read an informative information display (it did its job!) and read that they found the gold pieces, and then reworked all the leftover earth 2 more times. That basically means that everything is gone.

I was sad when I realized I was not going to be the finder of a gold piece the size of my fist...

I then came down to the Otago penisula, which is a rugged piece of land that's home to many animals, notably Royal Albatross, NZ Fur Seals, 2 kinds of penguins, a couple different kinds of sea lions and many other birds- like seagulls! I did find one deserted beach that had me and 5 sea lions on it. There was a big bull that I got to about 30 feet from. It was crazy fat.
Then I had a strange friday night. I went down to the local to watch the cricket, and I started to talk to some locals, who invited me to a house party. Oh man, it was crazy- a bunch of "average kiwi blokes" in a garage drinking beer and telling jokes. I had one guy first tell me he thought I was a good guy, then he got drunken angry at me & I couldn't understand what he was saying (he had had throat cancer, so he sounded hoarse) and then he drew me a picture of a kiwi that was quite good. And then he tried to take back the picture....
It was a new experience in NZ.
And now I'm in Dunedin, spending the weekend, and hopefully I'll be able to find somebody to share petrol with/get a new partner in crime.
So, Monday I set out for Aoraki/Mt. Cook, then to Christchurch, and I drive up to the Picton ferry on Thursday and'll be back in Welly by 10.

Morgan has posted some of the pics he took online, and you can view them here.
Later.

Milford Onwards

Milford Sound was incredible. There are many superlatives one can use to describe it, but unless you've seen it for yourself, you don't know. It was awesome!
The boat trip (which was the 1st super-tourist thing we've done so far) was 1.5 hours of viewing massive rock faces and waterfalls. The clouds burned off, and it became sunny and mildly warm. Perfect weather. We then drove south to Te Anau, got wild venison pies, and saw a takahē, one of those birds they thought were extinct. Morgan was pleased.



We then kept driving, seeing nice, scenic country, caves and threw an impromptu dance party when my car rolled over to 200,000 Km on the dial.
We found a remote lake at the end of a 32km dirt road that turned out to the deepest lake in NZ. Then we camped near by the lake, eating stirfry and being entertained by some camping family's kids' wacky stories by the fire.
We're in Invercargill now, and I only have a few more days left with Morgue. It'll be wierd without another person in the car, so I'm planning on finding someone (hopefully) in Dunedin while I'm there for Robbert Burns night, celebrating poetry like this:

Rattlin', Roarin' Willie

As I cam by Crochallan,
I cannilie keekit ben;
Rattlin', roarin' Willie
Was sittin at yon boord-en';
Sittin at yon boord-en,
And amang gude companie;
Rattlin', roarin' Willie,
You're welcome hame to me!

I have no idea what that means. I just plan to drink scotch and eat haggis.....

From the Road

Here I am in Milford Sound. It's raining, and except for yesterday, it's been drizzling. I am at the end of the road it seems, literally. Once you hit here, all you can do is turn around and go about 2 hours to the next town.
A recap so far:

Wed afternoon, Morgan and I head out from Wellington, take the ferry, and drive to a sand-fly ridden valley in the middle of no-where. We're the only ones at the campground, and our excitement for the trip cannot be shaken by the swarms of vampire-like bugs.

Thurs, we drive through the spectacular Buller Gorge, which is as rough a cut as you can drive through. The walls feel like they're gonna fall on top of you. We continue onto the west coast, stopping in Greymouth, and drive right through Barrytown.
--> sidenote: the crazy, knife making dude in Barrytown sold out. He has signs, websites and we just kept driving, disgusted after being so excited.
We drove down the coast and camped.

Friday, we drove to see Pancake rocks, and the blow holes that didn't blow. We stopped at both Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers, which were spectacular, and one of the highlights of my time in NZ. Massive blocks of ice is all they are, yet it's really cool. Then to a rocking Friday night in Haast, which included a shower, breaking a frisbee, and shutting down TWO bars. The only 2 bars, and we were in bed by midnight. It was a place of about 400 people.....

The drive to Queenstown was super scenic, and as we rose over the pass, we saw waterfalls, the Blue Pools, which are exactly what you imagine, except bluer. Then some large lakes, as big as Lake Washington at least, and the nice Wanaka. The sun was out and it was warm. Summer weather indeed. From Wanaka to Queenstown, it's a lot of orchards and vines. We stopped for some just picked cherries and they didn't disappoint. But Queenstown did.
Every backpacker says, "QT is awesome, it's so much fun." It was crap-tacular. A tourist trap with no good bars, and the rain returned. There was a national rugby sevens tourney, which was free to watch, and we did a bit. But we coped with the lack of character by drinking the whiskey Hanukkah Harry bought us for X-Mas and playing cribbage.
We left QT this morn late and were glad to leave. Once again the drive was highly scenic. This place is great. The road to Milford Sound is intensely narrow and curvey, and there are more waterfalls, and kia birds. They're the ones that try to pull stuff off your car, and were going for my windshield wipers. Then through the 1.5 km tunnel to the sound, and we're here.

we're probably gonna stick around here for most of the day tomorrow, and ultimately head to the far south/Invercargill.

I hope everyone has a good time doing what have you.
Aaron

Late Add

I am planning something, and it's going to be good I was looking for images to help with the project, but it's amazing what you can find on the internet.

Poor Kid.

Shihad

The Shihad concert rawked, hard.
I thank all who were there to make it fun. They were far better than I thought they'd be, honestly.

I've just packed for the trip to the great South, so I'll be away for a few days/weeks. It'll be unknown the time I'll be spending at a computer whilst down thar.

So hang on, I'll be fine.

It's gonna be a good one.

Photos From Thanksgiving

Wow. I know y'all are saying WTF is up with the delay dude?!?

Well, these photos were sent to me from Sadie who is living in Lidköping Sweden. That takes time. Anyways, this day is a fond memory indeed. To those of us who took part: Thanks and have a drink in our name!
_________


My Speech was magic.


Ben, of Piñata smashing fame.


Our Indian Princess, Dancing Rain.


Fresh.


Laura on the rope swing.


Jon Ball. Drawing. Nobody could guess what it was.....it was RESPECT!


This is literally the BEST photo of Leon in the bunch....


Broke dick pilgrim.

The hat has an enchanting effect on people who look into the golden scorpion's eyes!










FIN

Vagabonds and facial hair.

Starting to make preperations for the trip to "Da" South Island. Leon has dumped his stuff on us, which is a pirate's booty of capming supply. What can I do with a gas cooker and a wok: Morgue WATCH OUT!
I need to get some other stuff in my clutches before we head, like fishing line and hooks. I also want to see if I can get a book on foraging in NZ. I plan to roam the south like a vagabond. Except without the smell.
Also, I cut off my beard, and am actually attaining my New Year's resolution (new facial hair). This is what I'm all about: setting realistic goals. Last year my NYR was putting man on mars-NOW. And you all know how that's turned out....or do you?!?!


hmmm....what else....finished our D&D game last night, which was great. I could tell people were beginning to perhaps become weary. Or maybe it was still fatigue from our epic day Tues. But we had to get er done for Leon, and we did.

Shihad this weekend. Get ready to rawk!

Happy New Year

If the start of my year is any indication of the upcoming year, then it will be sad and boring, and filled with cold.
The evening started pleasant, with a small gathering at a house party. Good conversations and me not knowing the NZ-centric questions of the NZ trivial pursuit.
Time escaped me, and I found myself in the same spot for midnight, when Ihad honestly hoped I would be at some crazy, single-women filled shindig. Alas.
When we left after midnight into the city, we stopped 1st at a party that had either never exhisted, or ended at about 10:15, or was being attended by ninjas. There was no sign of life.
Then we went to a party at a derelect crack-house with people who were on a drug-fueled level I've never even closely attained. And the cold and rain sucked too.
Home at 2am.
Oh well. I guess it's ANOTHER omen to show why I'm not supposed to be in NZ.

Dude, Aotearoa: I get it! Leave it alone all ready.

End of the Year Chili Feed.

I made chili today. It was damn fine. It was taken advantage of by only 3 people: Myself, Leon and Laura. To all others: A shame that overtakes you when you realize you won't have eaten the 4th best chili made in the world this year. The top 3 all won county fairs in Texas and are either named Junior or Bubba. Or both.
This chili thing was about the only thing I felt I've done since I got back from Napier. Sure, I made dinner from friends, drank my holiday-gift-from-my-ex-work bottle of bubbles, watched a bunch of DVDs and found out how you feel the next day after consuming an entire holiday-gift-from-my-ex-work bottle of bubbles, but I still don't have anything to show for it.
I suppose I feel this way after reading Morgan's blog. I had planned to write a light-hearted account of how great chili is when it's rainy and cold and football is on TV. But the re-hashing of things important by Morgue made me think about my yeat in review. And then I thought, my last year wasn't defined by dates and times so much as definite ideas and major, nay, historical choices. My coming to NZ was a start, and will have a finish soon of an important block of time in my life. The choice to start my own buisiness with my friends is another. So when these things pass into time/history from me, then that will be the most important definition of time for me.
I hope I didn't lose anyone with my thoughts there. I am unwilling to go back and make sure they make sense, as I have to get ready to party in celebration for 2007 being one of the best, exciting and financially scary years in my life.

So with that said, Happy New Year and le'chayim!

Hawkes Bay

I decided to get out of town by myself for a couple of days, and when the weather guy says, "the only place in the country that will have nice weather the next couple of days is Hawkes Bay." He also added that Taupo, where I had planned, was going to drop 14 feet of snow in 3 hours. Or something to that effect. So my plans changed- flexibility is one of my endless character strengths.
The Hawkes bay area is known for it's warm weather and fine wines. It turned out to be in a lot of ways like Napa valley. All these wineries having cellars to purchase wine at- which I didn't take advantage of. I was there for one thing: produce.
To some it may sound odd, but as it is berry season, I was all about taste-testing all available. I consumed 2 pints strawberries, 1 pint raspberries and one pint boysenberries. All were choice.
Not forgotten in my eating were peaches, golden kiwis and tomatoes. The former were so good, I ate them out of hand like an apple. Summer. Good food. Screw root veggies to all y'all back home.
Napier is the biggest city in the region, and had some really cool art deco buildings . Iris and Mark: I though of you when I was looking at the buildings; they were right up your alley. I guess Napier is second to Miami as a representative of this style, and the city holds a big festival every year.
Some pics (not mine, which are still on film)





And some quick videos of León, El Rey de los Bogans Piñatas. He was the entertainment for the massivly successful Boxing day Ranchero Brunch. The first is "Ben Davie, piñata punisher" (I swear I watched that show in Mexico last year!) and the second is entitled, "demise."

And yes, I am wearing boots with jeans.





end communication

Holiday Whirlwind

It's over...or so it seems....
ok it's over.

I had a christmas that was a combo of the classic-family type stuff with this summer time love. I sat outside, wore shorts and jandals. I threw a frisbee. But I had the heavy winter meal. And lots, and LOTS of sugar. I didn;t cope well with the sweet-as I get older, I've become less accepting of the sweet.
After the food, gifts and presents, I took a heavy nap. I awoke to attend a party, and questioned people on their power animals. Among the responses was "red panda."

Boxing Day Ranchero Brunch was an overwhelming success, to say the least. Great food (I'm not bragging-I'm keepin' it real), great company, and my 1st cricket playing. I can womp 'em one, but my body won't allow the straight arm bowling. It says, "NO. That hurts and you can't be accurate! Stop!" So I cannot bowl. But I did somehow get one wicket on Morgan....

And then an absurd amount of time on the phone. It hurt. I am lying low tonight; resting up for a trip tomorrow to the North. It'll probably be a couple days until the next post. Have fun.

More Brains Please!

My first ever christmas eve down under was spent out of doors, at a park in the dark. What turned into a hike at night/Aaron sees glow worms and a giant weta in a cave/drink whisky, turned into a turn into zombies/scare people. Not only was the zombie banter incredibly witty (a whole zombie -written menu. Brownies ala...BRAINS!!! Maybe you had to be there.) but we scared some random, stoned teenagers. It was great. In the end I got everyone, after waiting in the shadows for a few minutes. It was good, adolescent fun.
It was followed by an indecision of DVD choices, so we ended up watching the first 5 minutes of a whole bunch of movies. Most notable: Peter Jackson's first movie: Bad Taste. It needs to be seen to be believed.

Take this job and shove it.

As MLK said, "free at last! free at last! free at last!"

Yes, the darkest chapter in my life is over. And I only said, "serenity now!" about 800 times....

I did shots of cointreu in the parking lot with Morgan. And had god speak to me through a sculpture about doing what god?!??...Burn the Skyline down?!??! No I couldn't do that!!!.........could I?

No.

Anyways, I am finally in holiday spirits, and it's only 7pm Sunday Eve. Took me long enough, but when you're cooking for other drunken people, and getting lavishly cursed at, it's not so festive. So here I am, paste on my shirt from León the Bogan Piñata, awaiting 10:15 tonight for "X-Mas eve mystery mission. Bring flashlight and holy water." I made a cross; I'm so handy.
____
Flashback to last night real quick. There was this woman at the bar who I wanted to talk to, and she left, but then came back, and I sprung at the stroke of luck/opportunity. We were talking about the usual random things, and me being my funniest (in my head anyways...) and then I find out she's a married. And has kids. She was a hot Momma. Literally.
I pretty much stopped the conversation there, but for the record, I have now moved up from constantly meeting great women who have boyfriends to great women who have husbands. And kids.
My shite luck...

Happy Festivus, for the rest of us. And may you win all your feats of strength!

In the spirit of giving....

I think it speaks for itself....

Sweet Home Lower Hutt

Lynard Skyard is a beast. He now has a shrunken head (done in an obscure and ancient barbarian fashion) around his neck of Yurg Arnak, whom, as Morgan pointed out got "owned".


The thing I've become most, er, fond of D&D is that this chracter is just an amplifier for my own personality/passion. I now can be louder and more extroverted. Sorry to some, and no appologies to those who die at the flaming blade of Lynard Skyard, RAWK!

I love it all, and want to play forever. And I mean that.

____
Got my christmas shopping done, mostly. I have a couple of pieces to pick up, and one of them is going to be a classic gift. The one everyone talks about forever.....ok maybe not.
Tomorrow I am making a paper mache Bogan piñata for the Boxing day Ranchero brunch, which will be an epic failure if my package from my mom doesn't arrive before then. BTW, the bogann piñata will have a name: León. He will have a sombrero, perhaps an orange Tui one that I've seen around/wore one night at Karaoke....

Lot's of good stuff to do tomorrow it seems, but in hindsight it won't seem like much. Nevertheless, I am excited for small reasons tomorrow, and that's great.

All hail the New Pavlova King!!!!! (that's me-I have no shame.)

none

I am so over work. It is a great thing I'm leaving soon. I just finished the toughest day of the year, and had no help really in doing so.

Oh well. Enough griping.

Not much else to say, except I hope you're prepared to go down Yurg-Arnak.

Bitch.

I give notice

I gave notice to my work today. It was liberating, but didn't garner as much "shoke and awe" as I'd hoped. I am sick.
It does really muck up the owners plans- everyone working today in the kitch will be gone in one month, except for one guy-who I told needed to leave, and he does want to, but the owners got to him 1st and gave him a raise.
And one might say, "there's a message for those idiots to be had!" (i'm one, and you're two) but guess what?!? They're IDIOTS so they've decided no changes are the way to go.

Anyways, not my problem.

I'm currently watching the FIFA World club championships and drinking beer. Productivity is my name!

I've booked plans

I am going to the South Island with Mr. Davie on the 10th of January. He will be in on the mayhem until he flies back to Welly, while I tool around for a few more days. Then I come back to Wellington late January 25th. I will head out from here to Auckland to pawn my car off to some Jafa having seen Lake Taupo and the Waitomo caves. Then I fly to Hawaii on the 5th of Feb, arriving in HI on the 4th. I'll spend a night in Honolulu due to scheduling and fly into Hilo the next morning. I get to go insane with Trever for a week, and will be back home on the night of the 12th, so let's start making plans for my birthday on the 15th.
Booyeahshookah.

Aki/CP/Wachter are invited to join in on Hawaii.
Encouraged and/or slightly demanded.

Home for the Holidays!

I'm back out in the Hutt for the holidays, and am spinning it that way to parental figures on all sides of the Pacific...
It's good to be back out in the Hutt for some reasons. Like those of you who grew up here, they're more "feelings" than tangible facts. Just the comfort of being around a family is excellent.
Anne Davie finally decided to make the weather good. It's been sunny and warm-ish the last couple of days, but there's been a light haze coming in from Austrailia due to the fact that pretty much all of Victoria is on fire. As Sam said, "that's all dead kangaroos." Er...nice sunsets though....
Today is a bog day, as I'm planning all my South Island road trip and Returning's details. Tickets for ferries and planes should be bought today. It's all gonna firm up today, and make going home "real." Which is bittersweet. I really feel the desire to stay in Wellington- I love the people I've met (except who I work with) and the city itself, but if one believes in omens, and I kinda do, then this place keeps giving me signs confirming that I gotta go home to cook food like this.

It's so amazing.

Actually, I cannot wait to try Dustin's "Alpine Herb Ricola (Cough Drops yes) ice cream. Melted pieces of the cough drops in the ice cream base. Think an herbal version of peppermint stick ice cream. With cough drops.

Kiwis are freaking out right now.

Well, I gotta go pick up my car from the shop-it's in great health and Damon's dad Anton of Anton's Autos (full endorsement) said it'll get Morgue and I around easily.
Love your life, I am.

My flatmate is a dickhead

He texted me Wed night at 11pm as I was walking home and declared, "we have to move out by Sunday night 'bro." I had heard his grumblings 2 days before, but what I had heard was that he was trying to resolve issues with the landlord- ones that I accept due to the fact that A) I was going to only be living there for another month or so, and B) Anybody that saw my last place knows my standards of acceptance of crapiness have been lowered. So as I see it, if the landlord wants his investment to go to shit, let him. It's his ultimate loss when the roof needs to be replaced because it's all rotted.
Anyways, this stupid anouncement came at literally, THE WORST TIME OF THE YEAR. I am working 55 hours this week, and have my longest, toughest days always in the first 3 weeks of December. I cannot have a life these 3 weeks. I cannot move easily by any stretch of the imagination, even with minimal stuff like I have now. I don't need this right now. So I told him he was being a dickhead in more or less terms.

4 days notice.

But it must be said that due to the informality of things around these parts, I never signed an agreement, it was all verbal, so I am at his mercy. That is something I'd never do back home, but was ok with not having a document, as I didn't know how long I'd stay. But it should be noted I'd give more than 4 days notice!
Suck.

And now something to cheer me/you up:

End of Weekend wrap-up

Yes, another weekend gone.
Highlights included mostly Sunday night D&D, which is something I wanted to write about after it happened, but I wrote the earth-shaking news instead. Yes, that was sad in some ways to post, but it's the right thing to do.
ANYWAYS, again I thank Morgue for including me in this game; it is damn fine. I've been impressed with many things, including our creativity with dealing with problem, our lack of a glaring hole, and how much Lynard Skynard can rawk the asses off of the evil doers. It came to a point on Sunday night that I just could plain intimidate people into surrendering.
Then Leon couldn't bluff worth shite, and I ended up shrugging off an attack of opportunity (disputed!) with a flaming sword attack that left the enemy dead as.

I also spent all day today working on my holiday gift for back home. Not much, but it will be appreciated. Cannot say what it is, as for some reason they're reading these very words with great interest.....
...let's just say I'm attempting to make the All Blacks squad...

This is what I'm doing.

It's official here I suppose.

I will be returning to the US and A in late january/early February. I will begin thinking about making my realization of opening my own place a reality. I won't have left NZ without seeing the South Island, and some of the North Island as well. Morgan will hopefully be involved in most of it, but perhaps, not all. And that would be sad. I will continue at my job until I have enough money to fix my car to the proper roadtrip shape. I also want to stop in Hawaii to see T-World, aka Trever Edwin Santora.

This is what I believe, and is my decleration.
I have your support.

Bogansgalore.

I don't have anything to write.
I am going bogan tonight.
More on my day off!

Borat

I loved it. I thought that the imfamous wrestling scene was un-necesary, but it did what it was supposed to do: make you amazed.
I was shocked at some thigns the Kiwis around me didn't get, and laughed at things they didn't think was funny. My perspective was different than (probably almost)every other person in the Embassy theater.
I recommend it, but only if you really want to ask questions about what kind of person you really are.

Now I know how Aki and Kenji felt at my party...

The Best So Far

The period starting Sat night until now, wed noon has been the best time I've spent in Wellington so far.
It has been fun, crazy, new, productive and possibly most importantly, decisive.
As previously stated all the Thanksgiving stuff rocked. The Swedes rocked. I went on an insane date that put me in a surreal environment (at least one that Dustin dragged me into) and I realized what I want to do next with my life.
For the past year, I was asked repeatedly what my plan was, and it was always the same: Go to Wellington and get a job and live there. I never thought beyond that, as my mind sets attainable goals that can be reached in a year or so. I always get what I set out to do. So I had this epiphany that, "hey, it's time to think what's next! What's it gonna be?!?" And I thought what I wanted, and what my role is here in NZ?

I decided: 1st, look for a new job. 2nd, my last day at my current job, if not sooner for whatever reason (I hold the power to quit- and it scares me.) is going to be the Friday before X-Mas. That is how long I need to work to make the money I want/need to roadtrip the South Island. 3rd, if I can't find a job that fits, then what?
And my last question was the most important. I have come to the conclusion that my coming to NZ is the answer of what I want. I have realized that I want to do the cooking thing for my own gain. I want to be my own boss. I need my friend Dustin to be in this project to elicit my best cooking ideas. This is I feel pretty major stuff.
So, I called Dustin and told him, "I'm ready and you're ready. Let's start thinking about this." He agreed.
I have little idea on where to start/what I need to do. I have to start reading, and putting ideas on paper. I'm fueled though.

So New Zealand has delivered me the answer to a question I realized had been nagging me deep down. "What next?"

More on this later.....

My Speech

Note: This was my working draft, so there are plenty of errors and problems with tenses changing. Dad: please accept this. (also edit language for grandma, please.)

Story of Thanksgiving, as told by Aaron Andrews.

There are many great things about being an American. They are mostly in theoretical idea form, unpracticed in day-to-day life. But sometimes an idea occurs in real life that deserves merit and remeberance. They become celebrated as a holiday. Most of these days recognize a miserable, terrible event that occurred, with America coming out on top, 'cause we kick major ass and the American people able to continue in the pursuit of freedom, happiness, and the "American Way" of life. But sometimes, the day is remembered for the fact that is was a notable day; that people came together, like us, to celebrate life and friendship. These are the things I feel many lack in our daily lives, so I am delighted, and honored that y'all could make it to my most favorite of holidays: Thanksgiving.
This speech is designed to inform the great peoples of where ever you're from, where Thanksgiving is non-exhistent and/or lacking, such as Canada, of this "sweet-as" holiday's history. Due to the importance of this tale, I decided that it would be best to tell this story based on my memories from what I learned in school. I had to think back to the first grade for this one- we start young on creating historians in America. Another great example of why we're on top....
So here we go: This is a tale of two peoples, the Pilgrims and the Native peoples of North Eastern America, or for our purposes, Indians. I have no idea what tribe. That was never taught, but more on them later. We start with the Pilgrims. They are English, and Puritans, and are basically so religiously crazy, they get kicked out of England (another not taught fact!) and they go to live in a new land. Can anybody guess?
That's right, they naturally go to the Netherlands, because everyone knows that if you want a conservative nation that fears God, you go to Amsterdam. Great museums I've heard.....Anyways, they quickly realize that Holland isn't a god-fearing place, and that it's full of potheads and prostitutes or something. And they miss Blackpool and the BBC. Not really, but the bottom line is that the Netherlands doesn't want them, and they don't want it.
So they decide to build a boat called the Mayflower and sail to a newly found place, America. It was claimed mostly by the English, as a colony. It was December 11th, 1620 when they arrived, and as a side note they'd intended to go to Virginia's Jamestown, but they weren't the best sailors really, and ended up 1300 Kilometers away from there, to a place outside of Boston, Massachusetts on a rock. This rock is a very important New England historical land mark. It's named Plymouth rock. The only reason I can guess is this group of religious wackos were originally from Plymouth in England.
They build a crappy group of shacks, and they were horrible at wilderness survival. They came un-prepared and un-equiped. They had no animals, and little food. 46 of the original 102 people died during the harsh New England winter.

This is where I introduce to you the other people of our tale: the Indians. Like I mentioned before, I have no idea what tribe they were, and really I don't think ANYBODY knows that one. There is really not much to be said about them from the 1st grade point of view, and their tale is not often told with accurate details; like most indigenous peoples who get invaded by the white Europeans. Anyways, the next summer, the Indians emerged from their caves, or where ever they lived with central heating during the coldest months the next summer to see this pathetic band of whiteys barely keeping on. They took pity on them, and taught them how to grow crops, where to fish, and how to play baseball. In exchange, the Pilgrims taught them how to build casinos and steal retired people's pensions. And god.
So it was such a fun summer, with all the no limit Texas-Hold 'Em Poker, and the endless singing of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game!" (Morgan will perform this later) that at the end of fall, when all was gathered that they had a big-ass feast. Turkeys are the tradtional center piece of this holiday, and were most likely, I reapeat, MOST LIKELY eaten at the 1st dinner. Pumpkin was eaten as well, but not pie, because the Pilgrims eaten all their flour straight out of the bag when they were going mad in the cold. They had lobster, corn, fish, Moro Gold Bars and L&P soda too.
Basically, Thanksgiving didn't catch on totally and regularly until one woman's 40-year obsession with creating this holiday was declared by President Abraham Lincoln in the 1860's, That part is totally true. She was her day's version of Martha Stewart.
And so there you go, the completely accurate and historical version of the greatest of American holidays, Thanksgiving. Think of it as Christmas without the presents or the birthday cake. And if it had fireworks, it would become a super holiday, known as literally, "the greatest fucking holiday in the world!" Anyways you translate it, even in Swedish, that rocks. Hard.

So lets drink: To Us, to Them, and to friendship!

Best. Thanksgiving. EVER!

Sunday was great. Incredible. It was better than I imagined it to be. All the planning and thought and boasts came together for a time that will be remembered by all forever.
My morning started early (and tired, as I was out late with the Swedish girls drinking and hearing GREAT music at the Matterhorn) and started cooking straight away. Pies had to be made, and stuffing had to be made too. Also, things had to be delivered to the party house. So I was driving around crazy-like, stressing as I usually do un-necesarally. I went to work to get the birds, picked up the Swedish (birds) and went to the house to start.
Firstly, I had planned "paper crafts" as an activity, which was embraced by all. Soon, we were pilgrims, but mostly indians. Some of the creativity and effort was great indeed. Football was (taped) on TV. And people were quickly making friends and having conversations.
Then we ate.
We had the perfect, I repeat, perfect amount of food. We had everything we could ever require from this meal. And there were 31 of us on a long banquet style table.
We placed all the different things in bowls, on plates, or even in jars on the table for people to help themselves. I ate the most, and was the only one to undo a button on their pants.
I had a speech that told the story of Thanksgiving in a slightly satirical way. It shed light for the people whom more or less had no idea what the holiday is about. And then, for slightly unknown reasons, Morgan, my flatmate and I sang a rousing rendition of "take me out to the ballgame."
And then we ate more.
And said what we were thankful for. I was thankful for the fact that even though I was away from everyone I've ever spent the holiday with, I still had this event happening with people I've come to care about. And reading what I just wrote doesn't begin to explain how happy I was. I don't know if anybody noticed, but I was very close to becoming "emotional." Seriously. I was happiest.
Then we digested, eventually had dessert and pumpkin pie that I made not following a recipe and it came out pretty good considering I had to roast my own pumpkin, which is a stupid thing to do normally. Then it was deemed a good idea to go outside, as it wasn't too bad outside, and some people ran around and wrestled. Then Leon (King of France) Verrall was awarded the first bi-montly Most Valuable Bogan Award.
Then the day concluded with people resting, talking or playing pictionary.
Or so I thought.
Johnny Cash was put on, and I showed them suckers how to line dance, and we had a ho-down. After everyone was done with that, it was well and truly over. We started at 1:30 and went to 8:00-ish. It was a great run, and I know everyone had a good time.
Thank you very much. I will post pics online as soon as I get them. Lots were taken.
It felt right, and again it was perfect.

Saturday

My morning was shite: I forgot my chef clothes, and had to wear the fat chef's dirty ones, had a massively busy brunch that made me annoyed, then I put a big dent in my bumper of my car when I went home to get my clothes.
And then my day got really good.
Really.
I had a fun night of cooking. That is what it's all about, right? And so I'm off, and tomorrow is the big party.
We're gonna rock out.
Later.

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgivings back home. I am in some starnge place that doesn't know about it. I will spread the 'gospel' of it on Sunday...

I hate to make the theme of this blog "Aaron hates work" but I have started looking for a new job here. I am misreable where I am, trapped in some strange place where I have now been sat down for being "un-approachable" to some. Seriously. I am now a "mean" person. Me. Everybody loves me. I had a show on TV named after how people feel about me that Ray Romano did.
Ridiculous. Morgan wants to pray for me, and he (more or less) doesn't believe in God.
So I'm going to be outta there. I have set a timetable though. It was realised very early this morning while I layed in bed, wanting to sleep, but unable (again) that I can only take a little more of this. So I am going to look for something else, and if I cannot come up with alternate employment by X-mas, then I quit before new year's eve, and spend January camping around NZ. Then what happens is TBA.
There is this parable in NZ about a tree that grows higher than the others, and is cut down to size because it had ambition. They don't like people for sticking out here I was told by a local, and I feel it at work. Hard work and desire to become better are being frowned upon by everyone I work with.
So Fuck Em.

Anybody want to join me for a January summer road trip?

In the dark

Out in the Hutt after a good spa. Relaxing.
Note to parents: Please send one hot tub to my room for a gift. It can be a 4 person tub, as 6 people is A) too big. B) would cost more to send me & buy, and C) The odds that one other guy would be in the tub with me and the ladies goes WAY up.

Anyways, I've deemed that heat+H2O=yes, I'm in.

The buzz is in the air about Thanksgiving. Genesis sang a song about it.
Some people are like, "damn. what's a green and how do you collard it?!?" And other's are like, "Do I get to have AMERICAN pumpkin pie?!?" (I added the emphasis on 'American.' Because I CAN.) Or the best yet, "Mashed potatoes and gravy?!?! Whoever heard of such a radical combo?!?!?" I made that last one up. I do think it is going to be funny seeing how people cope with a day of such extreme eating. This is a nightmare for people with eating disorders, and I just realized this. Sorry in advance. Or something.
My father beeged me not to play "nails." He doesn't want his holiday mis-interpreted.



And finally, my power has been cuy from my flat for the weekend. It's (mostly) the company's fault, and it sucks reading in the dark. I had a weekend of video games planned, and that didn't happen, unfortunately for the ladies....

It's rainy

Good thing my bosy is expecting winter, 'cause it sure is acting like it here. At first all the kiwis were appologetic about the crap weather, but now, they should be!
Freak showers, gusty winds that shake buildings, and I even had a bird fly into me today.

WTF.

To steal from Samuel Clemens, "one of the nicest winters I ever had was a summer in Wellington."
It's begining to feel that way.
In other good news: Thanksgiving is coming up, and I am excited. I'd like to think it's gonna be the opposite of class as my going away party, "but let's face it," it's gonna turn into me yelling at people "to sink my nail, or I'm gonna make you drink (Insert explitives)!!!"

Can't wait.

It's been a long time.

Since I posted anything on here.
It's not that I haven't anything to say, it's that I've moved from the Hutt into the city and don't have internet at home at the moment...
My new address is 27A Ohiro Rd, Wellington. There's no postal code for it I think too....
So I have a flat in town, which is nice, and I can walk to my work in 20 minutes. Which is nice, if I continue to work there.
All I will mention here is that work is awful and frustrating and if it continues on the same path, I will look for other options. I don't have time or the desire to be unhappy during my stay in NZ.
That said, I am pumped for Thanksgiving coming up. I am holding a dinner on the 26th, and as you might expect from me, it's gonna be a big event. I have just hashed out details of the dinner, and it will be a potluck style party for 30 people or so.
I have a speech prepared, which will be posted online after the dinner (I don't want to ruin potential suprise to local readers) and if I have my say, we'll play nails. And get messed up.
I am going to attempt to buy a car again today, so I am going out to the Hutt, which is where I was last night, and will be tomorrow as well for D&D. That place oddly feels like "home" in NZ, which I think is funny, strange and slightly depressing all at the same time.
And lastly I think I found a good karaoke bar in Hataitai for Thurs nights (aka Player's Holiday) so that's good. Choice barmaids yeah? That last sentence was pure Kiwi...
Anything else.....I don't think so at the moment, as my life is just a grind.

More random stuff.

I played some netball today, and got absolutely wiped out. My lungs were fire, my mouth felt like it was sahara's dry season, and I played down to a level not often achieved with motor functions intact. We barely lost, and you can blame Mr. Ice Man. You know who you are.

I also got my key to my place, but I'm still at Pohutakawa St, as it's A. Where my stuff is, and B. more comfortable until I get a truck/van to help move some of the Davie's assorted garage furniture to my flat.

Dungeons and Dragons was played last night. I have been unable to think of anything really since it ended, it was rather epic-ly amazing. I may sound dorkish and nerdy to some, but I laugh at you, in the face, for not having creativity and being unwilling to see the fact that we're creating our own unique adventure tale. I digress, and become less defensive, the Dungeon unleashed a terrible foe of incredible strength and power, and after it nearly killed one of us (and not me, as I was flying with cursed boots that made me uncontrolably jig, thus rendering me unable to fight effectively if the flight was not in effect) we sunk it in muddy water, froze the water, and then paved over it with a stone spell. We lived, barely, and it's still not dead. We need to have a solution. Thus I have Christopher Allan Panado, a Boeing Engineer, doing a physics computation to figure out what would happen if we created a stone block on the roof, dissolved the connection with the roof 50 feet above, and dropped it on a really slow Iron Gollum. Exciting!

I didn;t get a car, the auction lasted about 20 seconds, and it was out of what I was willing to pay rather quickly. Too bad, it was a great option for a car, but there's more out there.

And finally, I meant to post this a couple of days ago. It was sent to me from my step dad, Paul Marshal Parker (we're using all middle names today, when you reply to this, include your middle name), and it's a great thing on YouTube. Here it is:

The Royal Sampler that is my Thursday

I've found a place to live. It's in Aro Valley, which is in Wellington proper, perhaps 20 minutes walk to the center of the business area. And it's about 25 minutes walk to work, which is nice, but it's all uphill to work, and there's nothing better than being sweaty and worn out when you get to work. Ask Dustin.
I'm moving in with a guy born in Hawaii but has lived in NZ since he was 11. A Kiwi by nationality; an American by accent. The place is perhaps more than I'd hoped to originally get into, but when I saw the places that were going for a good price in the area I wanted to live, they turned out to be student slums. If you can imagine a WORSE place than where I lived in Seattle (Shelby Slums), yes, much worse is what I found. But cheap.
So it will be bittersweet moving from 71 Pohutakawa St in the Hutt. It's treated me well. When I move in, and get the proper address, I'll let y'all know.
Also, I found a car to day I want to buy at Leon's work. He works for a massive car auction operation. It's a Suburu. Exciting, we'll see about that on Monday as well...

Work has been going fine. I've been wrestling with the fact that the place is run poorly, but I've realized/been told flat out by the chef that the idiot owners more or less don't care, except about getting money from people. Yes that's important, but making the system faultless so that the customers are happy/people want to work there because it's not stressful is also important. The chef basically told me to give up, because he's already tried, and as long as our food is good, it's all we can be in charge of.

I'm having a hard time with the not caring aspect, but if that's what it takes to keep from stressin' out, then that's what I have to do. I still get paid, and I 've learned another valuable lesson: How I won't my future place!