Puffing Lions

Apologies to those who have been intently reading or anticipating new installments of my most wondrous adventures in New Zealand but I have been some what busy working, exploring as much as I can as well as being completely immersed in a story I've been anticipating for over a year.  The book is called Inheritance concluding a story of Dragon-riders.  If you liked Harry Potter or have every been caught watching one of the films you will all but certainly enjoy this story.  Perhaps you're more familiar with Eragon and its sequels Eldest and Brisingr.  I may be childish in reading a book about dragons but there is a reason J.K. Rowling is a billionaire with her series about wizards and you're not; Chirstopher Paolini  with his "Inheritance Cycle" series is on his way to literary stardom if not already there and it turns out kids are not the ones that buy books.  

Anyway, I've been enjoying the ozone free sky around Auckland lathering myself in SPF70 constantly to avoid looking like a crocodile leather bag when and if I make it another 25 years.  The job is great at TriBeCa and I promise I will have pics of Chef Hayden's modern NZ fare soon.  I'm moving out of the house in Kohimarama and into the extra apartment of the Owner of TriBeCa.  If all goes to plan I will be there for a month before moving into the Chef's house in Orakei for the remainder of the summer.  About to purchase a new Subaru this week which this time has a five star alarm system on it to deter those pesky thieves in and around Auckland from taking my wheels this time around!  More details to come.

Other than that summer has just about hit full on Auckland as my hometown in Utah is hammered with snow before Thanksgiving.  On a side note to those in the ski community:  Condolences to those who knew and loved Jaime Pierre.  He was much more than a great skier who propelled the sport as Shane McConkey once did, may he ski the fluffy pillows of heaven rather than rest in peace.

Off to work early.  Friends from Queenstown just moved up to Auckland a few days ago so some surf, stunt and sun filled days are ahead of me. 

Sunset recently

Kelly Tarlton's

Check in soon!

TriBeCa & LaTeLy

To recap:  The previous three weeks were tinged with a glaze of discontent, garnished heavily with lack of appreciation for this country and served by the menacing backhand of bad luck.  How quickly things can change.  One of the best days followed by a sun-filled week came crashing down, alleviating all self inflicted stress from my frontal lobe, neck and shoulders. 

Firstly, I woke up to an email stating my previously stolen car had been claimed a total loss and I would be receiving compensation after weeks of miscommunication.  After that I proceeded via bus to watch an Avs game at a cafe in the center of Auckland.  I had placed my first legitimate bet on the Colorado boys and just after the final horn sounded and I more than doubled my money the awful little brick of a phone in my pocket started vibrating.  I squirmed about still giddy from the invigoration of winning a bet, fumbled the phone and didn't recognize the number, assuming it was a survey, insurance or someone not important enough for me to store their name in my phone.  (This I can assure is no one as anyone and everyone I have met in NZ willing to give or offer their number is locked into my phonebook).

I answered and on the other end of the line was an owner of TriBeCa Restaurant, Mark enquiring if I was keen to help out at his restaurant and if I could meet with him.  I said yes, hopped on a bus to Parnell and strolled into the restaurant to meet with him over a cup of coffee.  He is originally from Pennsylvania married to Pauline a native Kiwi and opened the doors to their renowned restaurant 17 years ago.  Twenty minutes later I was employed for a test drive the next day.  Been through a couple rounds there and am enjoying it so far as they are heavily loaded for lunch as the reservations taper off throughout the afternoon and evening until summer hits, then its supposed to be pretty full on. 

The front of the house staff is silver lined with Chef Hayden McMillan's modern New Zealand cuisine who at 26 is one of the most talented Chefs I have ever met.  Well studied and a master of his craft I can't believe what I've been able to taste over the course of the last few days.  He is currently shifting the menu for summer and his mind-blowing techniques make this restaurant a must for any epicure setting foot in the Auckland area.  His use of traditional cooking styles with liquid Nitrogen and clever new-age skills I'm has produced an amazing blend of flavors, textures and sight appeal that rival within the top 3 in New Zealand.  I  say this having recently experienced The Bazaar by Jose Andres at the SLS Hotel in Beverley Hills.  www.thebazaar.com  I will most certainly try and snap some photographs in the upcoming days and show you how cool these dishes are.  www.tribeca.co.nz

Other than that I recently played two games in one night having ridden to the rink with the captain of one team who was short a few players and had a blast finally.  We didn't win that game but it was chock-full of hits, goals and skating hard.  Second game I was with my original team and we won 4-2 on a hat trick from one of our very talented teammates.  I chipped it with an assist and some back checks stopping the other teams faster guys from coming in alone on our goalie.  My way of making up for my lack of skating skills, SPEED.  This sometimes advantageous attribute to my recent love for playing hockey busted me up a bit this week. Gotta love when as I came crashing into the boards with an opposing player my wrist hyper-extends against the glass and I feel the strain of the fleshy pieces wanting to give way.  Fortunately I was standing on a sheet of ice and during our intermission I simply took my glove off and rested my wrist on the ice for a couple minutes. 

Aside from Hockey and work I'm in the process of moving out of my current flat mainly because it's too expensive although there are some underlying issues as well.  The weather has turned around and the sun has come out.  In the next few weeks after I make some extra scratch I'm planning on booking some Scuba Diving lessons to become certified and a whole bunch of other stuff that I will certainly fill you in on as it comes into play. 

I promise I'll have some new pictures up soon.  I'm currently still grieving over the loss of my iPad which had so many on it and have been trying to figure out a way to stay in this country considering what you know of my previous posts.

Stay tuned...
.

Nightmares, Dreams, Passion and Family

Disclaimer:  The following can be attributed to a dash of boredom mixed with three glasses of inspiration, a sore back from a crushing defeat, nostalgia and a passion for writing.  GMa, forgive me if there are more than frequent grammatical errors as I know you are a stickler for such eyesores. 

Part 1: Sport

Look at me.  Twenty five years of age and I have experienced a quarter of a century, obviously some years of which I cannot recall (the early years, not the experimental ones of which thank you I remember quite vividly) and I'm currently residing within a country I sometimes forget I'm actually in.    You may ask why and yet all I can describe to you is I have no answer.  However, I do know this installment of my thoughts and travels was ignited by a frustrating ice hockey game reminiscent of less than favorable moments involved in childhood endeavors with sport.  You're thinking, 'Get over it', its a game; but no dear friends and family, it is part of life.  There is a reason why I can almost tangibly pick out memories of failed attempts at "sport" in the very early years when victory meant nothing and fun was the world.  I use the word sport very liberally as it can be applied to most acts of gamesmanship or athleticism.  If you laugh at what I'm about to say then please laugh along side me or at me but do yourself the due diligence and recall within the privacy of your own head when this happened to you, because in one form or another it did.  Sucker! 

The first Easter I can remember which had no religious significance was in my early years in Florida.  Mom and I were walking to the the local park where an egg hunt was being held and at the end of the hunt from the faintest memory, a nightmare straight from Wes Craven consumed me and I found myself without eggs.  My single goal, the simplest of tasks was to retrieve an egg for whatever glorious reason and show my mom.  Not one single egg happened to find its hard-boiled, pastel colored little self in my basket.  One would surely think a single egg would have found its way into my chubby hand from the depths of the crab grass in Miami, but alas, none did.  The situation had gone awry as I looked up and saw a sea of happy little monsters quickly filling up their baskets with the loot.  Needless to say I was disheartened and devastated where from which all I can remember as retribution is that the so called "moms" of the neighborhood had started the egg hunt early for whatever sick and twisted reason unbeknown to me. 

It has happened to all of us.  At one stage or another in many different forms and time lines we have been cut down by the opposition, pulled from our self confidence, sunk into a wallowing pool of self doubt and  filled with resentment.  The hockey game this evening mimicked the same nasty grog of emotions.

Coming off a two goal game in which I scored both goals saving us from complete embarrassment in a 6-2 loss and having done so without our full roster I thought I would be golden to have another decent night.  I had warmed up, stretched, ate well and hydrated before the game in some half ass attempt to play better but all I found at the end of the match was an agitated and sweaty ride home from a gentleman who had picked me up and whom I thought was going to be on the other team. 

 I skated around firing warm up pucks at  our net minder, a french-Canadian who could certainly hold his own between the pipes.  We had our full roster plus a rock star of a player named Nick from New Jersey.  I played beside him last game and the way he was skating and shooting he most certainly should have had a hat trick.  Weirdly enough I was the one that buried the only two that night.  Unfortunately tonight the other team was short players and being the greenhorn on the team I was sent over with a few teammates to fill in the discrepancy.  I didn't mind being sent to the other team for a game but the problem was we joined a team comprised of a cop, a married couple and a few others along with myself and my line mates that had all been playing with less combined experience than a single protective cup on the other side.  

The "gentleman" who picked teams and whose ego could probably fill an Olympic size swimming pool was obviously taking this game to heart having kept all his former teammates and all the ringers on his side as well.  I piped up against the decision but to no avail being told 'It's just a game and its fair because of the jersey schemes'. The game was over before it even started and although I had one ample opportunity to score as well as two great passes we couldn't get on the board.  I think the score keeper at one point just put one up for us out of pity.  I was genuinely disgruntled to say the least being slaughtered by my own teammates and made my displeasure known with body language rather than chirping all night.  In a no-check league I was put in the box twice for open ice hits that probably could have been put onto a highlight reel worthy of NHL.com.    Having taken my frustrations out on the right guys in a physical manner I think they realized  that screwing with the inexperienced guys will at least cost their old bones a bit of bruising and some sore muscles in the morning.  The Little League Baseball Syndrome does not fly with me.

Parts 2 and 3 to come later this evening...  

The Nation's Weight

Think for a moment, one point!  One point in an 80 minute game separated a nation and its team from collapse and the onslaught of almost certain social turmoil.  One team with a storied past of winning and subsequent early exits from World Cup glory finally triumphed and overcame the"bug" itching at every Kiwi's soul.

Last night, The All Blacks were crowned World Champions for the first time in 24 years from which the inaugural event (which they also won on the same pitch) was held at Eden Park in Auckland.  I wonder, could any team in history rival the weight of a nation and its expectations more so than the AB's?  Perhaps, Sidney Crosby might have a jab at this argument but I wasn't in Vancouver or across the breadth of Canada for the duration of the Winter Olympics in 2010.  I was however immersed the last six weeks in a country of less than 5 million people during an event that most of  North America doesn't even know occurred.  (yes, we had teams)  I will admit I was ignorant to the importance of rugby before I came here but can empathize well with New Zealanders considering how much I love, live and die with the team I follow, almost religiously. (no they don't play gridiron) 

This event awakened a nation shadowed in its bigger brother's shadow.  On national news I heard  the broadcasters call New Zealanders the Mexicans of Australia which, firstly, is a bunch of... (cue local lingo) bollocks, (they're more like Canadians) and secondly, da's racism bro. 

 Sorry, back to what I was getting at. 

The Rugby World Cup 2011 not only stimulated a suffering economy but rekindled a national pride and brotherhood it seems was lost between native Maori and their European descendant countrymen.  Given, my knowledge of historical facts of tensions between the two groups is limited I can justify my claim through what I have witnessed in the last two weeks.  Random hugs, kisses  and high-fives were commonplace among the unified group after the match minus a few French supporters which, surprisingly, still seemed to be singing some sort of thanks to the nation for a great event.  I've been to a few major sporting event finals where things had not gone so well after  win or lose and I can say, thankfully the All Blacks won.  Yes, New Zealand is a wonderful place with relatively no species land or sea that will place you in a body bag but had the final score been reversed by the final whistle I think (with my luck here so far) I would have experienced a much different side of NZ hospitality.  My flatmate told me if NZ lost that I might as well book a ticket home and  I believe him as I witnessed not just nail-biting tension throughout the sea of thousands as France drew within one point of the All Blacks, but had most people not been in public they would have lost themselves.  I'll leave it up to you whether you think the loss would have been mental or phyiscal.  Hearing a pin drop in the central business district of a fairly large city where tens of thousands of people had gathered to watch is unnerving to say the least.  It was unpleasant and gut-wrentching to be honest and I've only been here 3 months and I'm American.  Oh well, all in hindsight I guess as by the skin of their teeth the AB's pulled it off.  Richie McCaw the captain of the AB's said it best, and of course I will paraphrase, "We didn't play our best but we did enough."  And did enough they certainly did. 

On a side note of personal victory, I scored the only 2 goals of our game tonight where I'm almost always easily outskated by anyone most on the ice.  Our big guns didn't show up due to an almost guarenteed hang over of epic proportions.  Fortunately, our goalie who was wearing a silver fern across his chest had an on night as well and we lost 6-2!  At least my beer was well deserved this time around.

Leave you with the 90 seconds before the final whistle in Auckland CBD when I couldn't hear my own thoughts. 

      

         

Down in the trenches

The saying goes that when it rains, it pours and all I could manage was a chuckle when coming out of the hockey rink after my team's first win in a torrential downpour.  I found not the Subaru I was expecting and had driven to the rink in but rather an empty and wet parking spot .  At first I thought I was a bit buzzed from the game and the frosty beer enjoyed in celebration was clouding my memory but soon found my initial reaction was correct; the car had been taken as evident by the broken plastic once covering the tops of the windows.  I chuckled because if I didn't laugh and take this mishap in stride I would have probably cried instead.  It's not easy starting over in a new country for so many reasons and this did not help for not only did I lose my mode of transportation but also that my only means of accessing the internet with any sort of convenience was also gone.  My iPad which serves not only as entertainment but navigation as well was locked in the glove box.  I don't flash the iPad around so I'm almost certain the car wasn't targeted because of the loot stored in it.  It's not as if brick upon brick of gold bullion were stacked in the boot (yes, I'm using the native lingo now) and a thief could ascertain from the sagging suspension perhaps something worth stealing was in the car.  No, nothing was visible for this exact reason and even though the car was parked in a well lit spot outside the rinks main windows some brazen* idiots decided it best to take a 13 year old Subaru for either parts or a joy-ride.  The second of my many chuckles came when I realized I had paid the rise in my insurance premium because of the high volume of stolen cars in Auckland five days previous;  a silver lining indeed.

Either way I was not amused and spent the next half hour on the phone giving details to the police.  Luckily one of the players whom I've gotten to know is also a cop and is currently looking at video footage from the ice rink to determine if the scallywags were smart enough to conceal their identity. 

I did find out today that the car has been recovered but I won't know until probably next week whether or not it will be considered a total loss or up for repair.  Apparently when these cars are recovered around Auckland they have been driven into the ground mechanically on joy-rides so I'll update whether or not I'm just losing an iPad on this shady deal.

for obvious reasons I will not have any photos attached to this installment.

Will check back in with better news soon as I'm guiding a wine tour with some South African executives tomorrow for a small but very successful company individually run for a Kiwi that needs some help. Hopefully it turns into something for me otherwise I might have just experienced in the last few days one of the last straws this camel can take piling up on my back.

 

Taking a deep breath

The job hunt has been quite stressful if not debilitating up until yesterday evening. I had been so caught up in trying to find a job and avoid coming back early that I lost touch with the amazing place I'm currently in! A simple hour walk with one of the Flatmates cleared my head and shed light on my situation. I have quite a few people looking for me at the moment and am optimistic that something will come around even though it was a week chock full of less than great phone calls from potential employers.

To breath, standing at the top of a cliff band overlooking the bay and surrounding islands I realized that even if things don't work according to plan, I, at the very least came down here and gave it my best shot. I should be proud of that and I am. Now although you may say this is what a failure might say to help them sleep at night, well, so be it. You have to lose a few times to win and "get it" in the end. I'm content with where I'm at currently and don't neccessarily have to dwell on where I'm going or I very well might miss the good parts!

In local news The All Blacks blue-collar, blue-nosed and Messiah of Rugby Dan Carter is out for the remainder of the World Cup, supposedly, with a groin injury. I think it's a ploy and perhaps a little genius so if the team do make it out of the quarters and into the semis the team and in turn the country will have their man to save the day. However the sky is falling all over NZ with this news. The fans have given up even before the game has been played as the papers and in turn locals declare, "four more years". Perhaps an excuse for New Zealanders to embrace if the Argentinian Pumas knock The All Blacks out of the quarterfinals come Sunday. Time and a whole lot of bloodied bodies and lubricated fans will tell. Trickery at play?

In oral news, the laceration I received last week courtesy of a hockey stick is healing up nicely although the inside of my mouth is still suspect. Seeing the roots of my teeth is upsetting to say the least but it doesn't hurt too bad and supposedly from my four foot nothing of a dentist should be alright on its own with the use of a little antiseptic mouth wash. Played two games since and the level is a bit quicker down here. Definitely will make me a better player and luckily I have a few guys who are just starting out as well on my team, The CRUNCH. We got blasted our first game 6-3 but it was fun nonetheless to be in a soon to be tropical city playing ice hockey! My feet and quads are getting back into shape but it still takes me over 45min to warm up and feel that my skating is at it's peak regarding my skill level. Not sure if humidity, barometric pressure or any other variables might be lagging my progression but it didn't take me that long to warm up back home. Could be the ice itself being softer here in AKL.

Think I'll be checking in sooner rather than later having my spirits lifted the last couple days and not worrying about things that are out of my control.

I'll leave you with what I thought was a funny quote from Benji, one of the French-Canadian skaters tonight discussing why he can't make the game this coming Monday. The accent was gold hence my attempt at some partially broken English. Imagine the accents in FARGO mixed with a Frenchman and you have Benji!

"The wife ya know, she gets what she wants, and hell, I say she can have it after pumping out
four kids. She asks me why I play hockey and haven't lost the 25kg. Well, I do it to take the beer out just so I can put them back in!". Stated as he is throwing everyone in the locker room a beer.

G'night!

Bleeding Burgundy and Blue

Murphy's law kicked me in the ass tonight. Pardon the language if there are any young eyes reading this but I think my usage of words is acceptable at present. Of course, the first night I actually play in my authentic Avs jersey that Lucy bought for me last year I bleed all over it. In typical fashion I've ruined yet another present and both our one year of dating anniversary gifts of last October are now either missing in action or looking like one took a bullet in the line of duty.

I was spun around all night by some Russian players who thought it clever to play on the same team and give us a thrashing. ( if youve ever seen the South Park episode entitled Stanley's Cup you know what Im talking about). Basically substitute the Russians with the Detroit Red Wings and substitute our team with kindergartners playing in Avs sweaters. I've seen bear maulings on TV come out better. Aside from being out of shape and huffing and puffing all night this was the icing on the cake. A big wind up for a slap shot and I have to go leaning in, trying to block an otherwise meaningless shot. Not only did my friend kershenkov (no that's not a ethnic slur, I actually believe that to be his name)score but the tail end of his follow through punished the right side of my jaw. I thought my jaw used to crack and my neck used to creak but man now I'm throwing back a few Pear Ciders just to numb the senses (don't judge me, its all that was left in the fridge and they're actually quite delicious!).

Luckily, a bit of glue and some butterfly strips sealed the small laceration but thankfully for a doctor keen on getting off early he missed the carnage inside my mouth. A nice flap of gum is no longer attached to where it should be and exposed are the roots of three of my teeth. Yay! Given they're not knocked out thanks to my mouthguard but it's certainly not pretty. I decided to go to the main Hospital in Auckland where they were very reluctant to call this a dental emergency. Two reasons being there was nothing life threatening about it and I wasn't screaming. Good o'l socialized healthcare in action. On top of that I was charged $2.50 for parking and getting two slips of paper with numbers of dentists to call in the morning. I shouldn't complain too much because I was semi patched up at no cost to me. No wonder I was charged $2.50 for less than ten minutes in a hospital car park, they need to pay their doctors!

Fear not for those of you that read this before I head out early to get fixed because it doesn't hurt too bad and I associate how bad something is with it's associated pain levels.

Murphy sucks but at least I have some juicy substance for my blog!

G'Night!

Ocean

No matter what coastline I sit at, nostalgia floods my senses with the familiar smell of ocean drifting across a light breeze, smacking head first into memories of being in the Bahamas, Hawaii or Zanzibar. The scent of salt, fish and decaying organisms transports me to a dock on the island of Bimini in the Bahamas where a local man is selling fresh conch off his dingy, or catching large fish off the coast of Hawaii and sitting down to eat fresh snapper on a beach in Zanzibar. This allows me to reinstate peace of mind when I feel far from those I love knowing they're never that far away. Surprisingly I have felt quite at home here in Kohimarama thanks to a great set of Flatmates and I imagine it's going to set up a great summer filled with trips to the north shore, BBQ's and sun.

It's quite amazing how much a person can miss of the surrounding area when focused on driving. Having walked to the beach from my house (an exhausting 10min stroll) I've discovered multiple cafe's, a fish market and fruit stand along with the local wine store and a few restaurants. People are certainly recluses when it's winter here which is pretty mild if you ask me. Received a taste of the summer atmosphere last weekend when the beaches and cafe's along the shoreline drive were packed with people on the first bluebird day of Spring.

I watched a gentleman today comb the shore at low tide with his metal detector not sure if this was a true passion of his or just a way to occupy time. Another couple photographed him in amazement for about ten minutes and snuck a few of me as well since I was in a pretty interesting place making it look as if I was floating on top of the water where I sat. It made me wonder what these persons passions in life were. What did they enjoy doing the most? What did they find pleasure, gratification and fulfillment in and what if anything holds them back from realizing their greatest dreams. I applied this to my life and realized simultaneously that I'm currently living one of those dreams.

Apologies if this post doesn't have a lot of flow but I'm just pouring ideas and thoughts down at the moment.

I'm extremely fascinated with seeing how much The All Blacks rugby team is supported here. So much that one in five cars has flags or banner streaming from them, most Kiwi households have flags showcasing support throughout town and even fire engines on runs to emergencies have giant flags flying behind the blare of siren and light. Fans certainly bleed black down here. Sadly the Americans had their last game last night against the Italians but from what I've heard their team since last World Cup has improved substantially but it's going to be quite a number of years until they are potential contenders. One of my Flatmates just received from a client a pair of Finals tickets accompanied by a ride to and from the event, corporate box seats and dinner off-site before the game. For a Kiwi this is what they dream about at night. We shall see if The All Blacks make it to the final night at the end of next month. If they pull it off I'd expect a city wide bender for days if not weeks after.

Spring hockey starts on the 3rd and I'm so excited to be playing on a consistent basis through Christmas. My boys are about to start their season soon as well. Hopefully they can pull themselves out of the bottom of the NHL this year! Go Avs!

The Score

True cost is something I've hit head on here in New Zealand. To fill up my Subaru last week cost me $114NZD which to any self respecting American, wonderful lobbyists and alternative fuel killing gangsters is astronomical. My jaw dropped when I went in shop to snag a coffee and came out to see the pump still turning over at $90 then just laughed as it climbed higher and higher. And to think I've seen a few Hummers lurching about down here. Food is expensive here and not just the foreign imports as you would expect but lamb too because farmers can make more on overseas markets than within local ones most of the time. Wine has the highest per bottle price in the world for domestic wine. I remember being in Northern Italy a few years back for the FIS Cups Ski Jumping and wine was still cheaper than water in certain spots. Although that wine was purchased in a jug which was filled across the road at the vineyard itmwas still cheaper than water! I have mentioned this before but my financial situation is starting to take it's toll, although I've been told to relax as I'm on a working holiday and not trying to start a new life.

To further the bad news my employment at The Family of XII within SkyCity bar has ceased due to numerous actions and decisions by corporate level management to treat me less than
adequately. I was sourced specifically for a certain job and found it more than disrespectful that on multiple occasions I was pulled from the bar that I was hired to open and operate to fill the needs of a corporation who failed to hire enough staff. In my opinion SkyCity would have failed within it's first 6 months had there not been a casino attached to. I could go on for another two paragraphs as to all the incompetence and lack of caring I witnessed but it would be a waste of your time to badger on aimlessly. Long story short I'm on the hunt for a job again. In the meantime I have all my ski gear up on the local auction website trying to scrap together enough cash to live. Don't shed a tear, I'm having fun down here it's just a bit different than the lifestyle and cost of goods back in good ol' PC.

Now, on to the good news. I finally laced up the skates again although no pucks were allowed on the ice at the time the Carhartts, cap and skates I was wearing sufficed as enough gear for an hour long skate. After that, buzzed on endorphins I went on a hike up to the top of a bluff near where im living and witnessed at least one if not multiple Orcas surfacing in the afternoon sun. Today I helped with the NZ wine growers blind tasting event at AUT university and not only was payed a decent amount but was able to take home four cases of opened wine to taste, take notes on and then share with the flatties and new friends around the neighborhood. That is what I call a score and since it's been a day I will leave you with a few pics as usual.

Rain such as thoughts...

It is raining here in Auckland at a rate and weight I have never experienced. The two storms I've encountered first hand were boisterous monstrosities named Hugo and Andrew but this puking of the sky is constant, seamless and calm.

I have been present here in Auckland but for a few moments of the past few weeks. Now that I'm truly inspired I seem to have lost the initial blurp in dilluted thought. Blank walls surround me; void of any preference or memory, they simply blur into beige as the canvas of my new home transfixed.

Now it is quiet, my mind not so much.

Rugby World Cup 2011 started off with multiple explosions and I wish I could take credit for the photo or say truly that I saw the roman candle display of pyrotechnics above the skyline just a few nights ago. But I'm not and I didn't as I was experiencing something far more profound. After and through much pressure of my group and course leader I did get to see the All Blacks beat up on Tonga via the scoreboard but from the crushing hits I think Tonga won the physical battle bar none. Scotland is up a game in their pool and unfortunately the Eagles (The USA team which very few know exists thanks to the gridiron game) lost to the Irish yesterday. The very sad part about the celebration was the disrespect for a city that is so multicultural and beautiful. The city of sails on opening night of Rugby World Cup was trashed. I can understand getting completely annihilated but throwing garbage everywhere along a street that kindly the city shutdown to bring people together is unacceptable. Similar to but on a lesser extent of the riots in Vancouver after Boston won the Stanley Cup or the recent violence in and around London proper due to the shooting of a man. It is disgusting to see how people treat their home, not just aucklanders but the entirety of human civilization. I'm not taking myself out of the equation however because I still take the occasional whizz on a cement wall while spitting gum on the sidewalk after a few pints so I'm not exempt just aware of the human condition.

And we wonder why our taxes are so high, or why New Zealand has the highest teen suicide rate per capita in the world? Why 1/3 of Americans are now considered obese, or why we only donate money rather than getting off our asses to do something for our fellow man. We as a collective truly do not care for one another. Quite fascinating considered we all exist in the same space and time on the same ball of dirt, water, fire and gas as every single other entity we percieve to exist; self centered and unaware of our interconnectedness.

It's funny, it's sad and it is every word, phrase or explanation we've ever come up with as a species and then, it all goes.

3/64 and XII

Sitting on the couch at 3/64 Hawera Road, Kohimarama Auckland 1071, the new digs. The last three days have been pretty hectic but I finally feel as though I'm hitting my stride here in Auckland. Turning an empty space into a wine bar in two days was no easy task but through a bit of perseverance and sweat we succeeded and opened to the owners, winemakers and finally the public on time. The who's who of wine critics, wine makers and winos were in attendance with all three being interchangeable at times. The space is small but gorgeous and it should be really fun throughout the World Cup to be in the heart of the big city serving a taste of NZ's top wines from the Family. I met Barbara Lawson who with her late Husband, Ross started Lawson's Dry Hills in Marlborough. She is showcasing a Pinot Rose, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewürztraminer sourced from 30 year old vines for this event. Unfortunately upon introducing myself I asked how her Yellow Labrador, Timo is doing and she told me that sadly the pup who it's rumored controlled the time of harvest by his taste for just ripened grapes had passed as well. I wonder if Timo is a bit of the wines we were drinking that night? Sir George Fisternich of Villa Maria was in attendance as was Judy Finn of Neudorf down in Nelson. The Brakjovich's were also there from Kumeu River. Enough of these starstruck ramblings but to meet people who have poured their heart and soul into their greatest passion which in turn brings people together in celebration is quite thrilling to me. Thrilling in the sense that I feel passionate as well although I still need the adrenaline as well just to prove to myself I have a pulse.

The new place is perfect although I don't have any bedroom furniture I think it'll be great. A proper kitchen and a huge deck with wooden shutters are the highlight for me although being ten minutes from the center of the city by car isn't bad either. Oh and a brief walk from my front door and the beach is there as well. I'm ready to welcome a beautiful and hot summer!

It's quite eerie to think how far away I am from a place that I call home but maybe a shift in the way I think has made me consider this to be quite similar. I am content most of the time and although it is extremely difficult to be away from the friends and family I love, New Zealanders are making me feel as if I've been here my entire life rather than 5 weeks.

On a side note, cards, gifts, cases of wine, anything and everything is welcome to be shipped to me. Ship yourself if you so choose as well, you've got the new address.

I'll be back in touch when something worth telling you comes up but for now, raise a glass and cheers those you love and love to be with and I'll leave you with some pics of the new bar and the new home base.

Now we're cooking with...fire?!

The first day at orientation for most new employees of an entity the size of SkyCity would involve lots of speaking with a lesser percentage of one on one time with a superior. I was greeted today by Craig who I interviewed with a few weeks back in Queenstown. Craig showed me most if not a vast majority of spaces where new bars (most under his direct supervision) and restaurants are opening or have opened in the last few days and the wonderful space where the Family of XII bar will be staged. The bar, still having been kept a secret until the press is allowed in at the beginning of next week is phenomenal.(pics to come once opened) It is not complete but having said that it's all coming together and Craig and I spent time discussing ideas, possible problems and even better solutions for the functionality of the wine bar. The fact that he even considered to ask what I thought shows how much the entire crew from top to bottom care about the success of these establishments during the RWC and after. Luckily, I was allowed into the XO bar which is normally reserved for casino whales, high end AMEX clients and anyone with a pair of lustrous Italian leathers and a bank roll in their pocket. Bottles of Prenfolds Grange from numerous different vintages and Chateau d,Yquem line a private skybridge across to a level on the sky tower reserved for elitists. Hand blown glass bulbs on circular mounts adorn the circumference of the bar. Valued at 20K NZ a piece accompanied by marble vanities, the XO is high society at it's peak.


Just as everything was sorted and we were grooving for the end of orientation alarms started going off. Shrill sirens followed by a KIWI voice depicting an early alert system bellowed over the PA system. Some gamblers ran from their tables but most kept their cool until asked to evacuate. We walked outside and gathered in a large group at the base of the SkyTower as fire engine after fire engine pulled up and fighters ran in. Apparently, a gas leak turned into quite a substantial fire in one of the kitchens. Initially when hearing "THIS IS AN EARLY WARNING BROADCAST, WERE IN THE PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING THE EMERGENCY", I thought it was an earthquake warning system associated with the potential of an incoming Tsunami. Stupid American! Everything was all good and as far as I know, no one was injured.

I think I might have found the perfect flat situated a fifteen minute walk from work up on Ponsonby Rd. but I'll find out tomorrow if I will be a good fit for the Scotsman and Englishman that already live there. It has a bed, wadrobe and all amenities but if it goes south I have a back up plan across town in Grafton that might be a better fit. Cost of living is extremely high, but as I've been told and whole heartedly agree it's the lifestyle you're paying for, as most New Zealanders do.

On another high note, Cameron worked at Meredith's last night where his wine list shares the spot light with Michael Meredith's fare. The restaurant which accommodates about 40 seats was recently named best restaurant in NZ by Cuisine magazine. Cameron called my last night while on the floor and asked if I'd be interested in pulling a few shifts. "At NZ's best restaurant?", "Nah, I don't think I can pencil it in". Unfortunately, when they need help currently conflicts with my first week with Family of Twelve but hopefully in the future I will have the opportunity to work with the best. Www.Meredith's.co.NZ.

Time to study the 36 wines I'll be serving at the XII bar. Check back in soon.

Oh, Kiwi is back from his stint in Fiji and is spending some time with his new friend Oliver.

Advantages of crashing at a Master Sommelier's house

Hospitality and making someone feel welcome has always come naturally to me but I have been one upped in tremendous fashion. Cameron and his partner of 25 years Janet have hosted me for two days now and I feel like family. Tasting amazing wines, having wonderful meals with "flat white" coffees followed by biscotti and then tea at the end of the evening is of common occurence here. I could think of no better place to start my stay in a big city in a new country. Not to knock my friends down south for their luxurious couches but sleeping in a bed again has done wonders for the quality and length of sleep I've been getting.

I'm on the hunt the majority of the day to find a flat to rent out in time for the job to start but I'm coming up empty so far. No calls back yet but I'm confident something will come up soon. Probably going to live in a fun suburb near the city centre because living right near work would be excessively expensive for both room and parking. But, I especially have no worries because the Douglas's have had backpackers come through their place before and have told me not to rush in finding the right place. I'm being as uninvasive as possible but it's hard to feel like a burden when you feel right at home.

Probably going to go sit in on one of Cameron's classes at Auckland University tomorrow; Janet is lecturing because Cameron is judging wines the next two days at an event for small single vineyard producers. Life is pretty shabby right now, let me tell you...haha. They've also been kind enough to invite me down to their friends place in late October for a weekend away. Simon Wolley at the moment is producing one of if not the finest still and sparkling artesian water in New Zealand sourced from NZ's highest and deepest well in Whakatane. The name is Antipodes and it's really good stuff. The company and it's processes are certified carboNZERO from aquifer to anywhere in the world so you don't have to worry about shipping it to your table back in the states!

RocKin & RoLLin

The Arahura or "pathway to dawn" is the oldest of three ships linking the north and south islands of NZ and the one I'm currently onboard now. I was somewhat pissed when the earlier sailings had booked full and I had to take the night trip across the Cook Strait but now I'm not so agitated. It's cold and even a great view would be ruined by the stiff Antarctic air over New Zealand right now. Apparently the views are amazing but I'd rather wait for summer to hit in a few months. The pitching and rolling of the ship reminds me of a much slower version of closing my eyes and being put into attitude awareness training for flying. Backing into a ships hull for the first time looking over my left shoulder was an experience as well.

Earlier today when I was trying to kill time in Picton I decided to play slots at a local pub. As some of you know I'm terrible at gambling and playing cards. I know I have An obvious tell but won't disclose it here. Also the fact that when I have a cocktail or two I come to the delirious conclusion that I will win because I deserve to win. Haha, what naive nonsense. With this in mind I decide to spend a ten spot on killing hopefully an hour of time. I'm fifteen minutes into a game at a Mickey's pub with fifteen slots playing a game I have no idea how to play and it happens. The machine starts making more frequent and unusual sounds then before and says I have ten free spins....then twenty....and it starts spinning and I just sit. Every time it spins I win. And win big considering it's a two cent slot machine. I continue to sit there in disbelief, mainly because I never had this happen to me before and watch the total keep climbing with each spin....on a game I don't understand! Bam! 5min later and $200 up it asks if I want to double up? Hell no. I grab the waitress (who is also the bartender and apparently the pit boss) and she shells me out $200NZ. Not bad for fifteen minutes of work. This so concludes the first and only time Stephen MacKay will ever cheat the gambling system and it was glorious!

You know it's victory at sea when then passenger cabin is noticeably above and below you onboard a pretty lengthy ship. Hope the car is secured as the captain announces we will be expecting less than favorable conditions on the voyage tonight...should have bought the patch..oh well...wine will suffice. Hold onto your kids people I can hear the bow smacking against waves.

Catch ya on the flip side if we make it. I'd rather be experiencing violent turbulence in an airplane listening to Metallica than this. Sea legs go!

Inter-Islander

Sitting in Picton after a easy coastal drive waiting for the inter islander ferry to depart. Nothing new to report but here are a few photographs from this morning.

Shaky Ground

Hello all! Warm regards from the chilly east coast of NZ. I'm currently in Kaikoura for the evening until morning hits and I take the ferry from Picton to Wellington. Staying at a lovely little inn for the night where the hospitality is quite something as is the surfing apparently. Going to fall asleep in a bit to the sound of crashing waves and the taste of poor man's lobster in my mouth. (First one to emAil me what PML actually is gets an amazing postcard). Travels today went smoothly although some areas of the drive were a little sketchy. Two snowy passes, and winding twisting mountain roads along the coastline at night have drained my mental capacity for continuing to drive on the left side of the road safely tonight. Wanted to get to Picton tonight but I had one close enough call to make me think otherwise with waves crashing over sea walls while it rains and compact semi-trucks pass me at 100kph. Started seeing stuff and the lack of radio probably wasn't helping either. Excited to see the view in the morning but have nothing to show for the drive to the coast the weather was right on the deck today.

Drove through Christchurch late this afternoon which sadly is still reeling after that 6.3 quake in February that killed 181 people and frightened some 26,000 residents into moving elsewhere within this island nation. Roads are still torn up and Downtown CC looks like a war zone with buildings badly damaged or still being torn down. Nothing is open in the city centre except for a few shops as I'm sure some of the larger buildings are inhabitable due to damage. Things move a little slower down here that's for sure. There is Park City time and then there is Kiwi time. The ground is always moving on the Pacific Ring of Fire, in fact an earthquake just happened less than an hour ago with a magnitude of 3.8 with an epicenter 80km west of Christchurch. Www.geonet.org.NZ. Nothing to write home about really but makes one conscious of how volatile this region can be.

Drove by one of the wineries I will be representing in Auckland today and tried to drop in and maybe get a bite and maybe a bed but no one was home or they say a grungy twenty something in the rain and decided not to open their massive Beverley Hills gate. Pegasus Bay winery in Waiapara, North Canterbury. www.pegasusbay.com. Would have loved to hop in and tell the owners on my way through what my plans are. Hopefully I will see them in Auckland.

Off to bed for now but I'll catch up tomorrow hopefully when I stop. Leave you with a photograph of one of the CC churches trying to be salvaged.

360

The only time I used the metric system in my life was with Ski Jumping pertaining to weight, height and distance. Down here all I know is to never go over 100 kilometers and hour or face a serious ticket and I've all but forgotten the conversion to Celsius so I'll just got with cold for now. It snowed somewhere in the vicinity of a foot last night, maybe a bit more in places. In Utah that amount is shrugged at but here it is rejoiced and also feared. Everyone has snow chains no matter what pedigree of vehicle they are driving. My arrogance having driven Subaru's for the majority of the last nine years led me to believe I didn't need to put mine on and, Wow, did I feel like an idiot when I started sliding down this "S" shaped turn near where I'm staying. The typical thoughts running through my head, "don't brake", "power through" and "please, don't let me fuck this up" but the wheels still went opposite of what I was guiding the steering wheel to do. Talk about an akward experience sliding by groups of people photographing one crash as another seems to be occurring. Hyenas and paparazzi would look juvenile compared to this carnage starved group. I keep fighting and giving it gas but to no avail and helplessly keep spinning. A group of three cars crunched together are all but in my path, and their drivers already having tasted defeat are watching with the lot of photographers. Apparently this is an event after a big snowfall in Queenstown and I obviously didn't get the message. I give up and anticipate the sound of screeching metal
but it never happens. I spin all the way around, correct, and drive out of the debacle, unscathed. All I can manage to do is throw a thumbs up to a passing driver who witnessed the event and laugh. The snow is not fluffy, dry and wondrous here so I put the chains on and will keep them on.

Off to Wanaka tomorrow for a goodbye to Lance and Annabelle then the trip north via car to Auckland commences. Hopefully the weather subsides as expected tomorrow morning.

Family of Twelve

Brisk and chilly morning here in QT and I'm enjoying a huge latte up against the docks of Lake Wakatipu (google maps). The last few days have been very interesting around here as it seems I might finally be out of the haze and in full view of what I will be doing the next few months down here. As most of you know I'm big into wine over the course of the last few years and have been lucky enough to be in touch with Cameron Douglas, NZ's one and only Master Sommelier who recommended me for a job up in Auckland. I had my Skype interview a few days back for the position that runs during the Rugby World Cup serving some of New Zealand's finest most prestigious wines from the Family of Twelve and I though the interview went extremely well. www.Familyoftwelve.co.NZ Family of Twelve is a collaboration of 12 wineries throughout the diverse wine growing regions of NZ that have come together to showcase the breadth, depth and high quality nature of NZ's best made wines. The inaugural installment on their home turf will feature 36 wines and two bubbles and hopefully I will be one of a few selected to serve, discuss and play with these works of art. I'll keep you posted after the weekend.

Played my first actual game on NZ Ice Wednesday night and it blew me away how good these guys are. Given I've only been on skates all of about 6 months I played on the High School team and pretty much embarrassed myself with skating skills that lack basic fundamentals a Penguin could figure out. Had a couple good stretch passes to some kids and thankfully was on the receiving end of a pass across the slot that I banged home on a backhand shot lifting my spirits and putting the team up by two goals. That salvaged what little pride I had left with no feeling in my feet and a heart trying to lunge from it's cage in my chest. Crash the net and good things happen. At least they all invited me back to play again next week probably out of pity but man is it fun!

Took a great boat ride yesterday thanks to Danna's BF Ryan whom I've been staying with the last few days in QT. I met Danna in Auckland upon my arrival and since she works for Lululemon I instantly had a connection of which they've been kind enough to help me out as much as they can. No matter where people are from down here it seems everyone is appreciative of everyone else. Couch surfing, hitchhiking and buying a round for a stranger are commonplace and I'm starting to fall in love with the vibe down here. Summer is just around the corner and I can't imagine how much fun its going to be. Anyway, the ship is called the T.S.S Earnslaw which is a twin screw steamer as old as the Titanic would have been had it not sunk. Traveled on it over to Walter's Peak across the lake to witness and experience a Border Collie named Meg stare down and herd sheep to come in for their annual shear. Amazing experience that I believe can only truly be appreciated in person. Red deer, Scottish Highland cattle and Alpacas were also residents or this functioning farm which holds numerous weddings throughout the year because the view is beyond breathtaking.

Who knows what the rest of the day will bring and hopefully I'll be driving up to Auckland in the next week. Catch up soon!

7679 Miles From Home

It's quite funny to feel lonely just seven thousand miles from home when we all live on a minuscule ball of dirt, fire and gas, with no glimpse of where our universe ends (or begins). It puts into perspective how meaningless our lives truly are but makes important the living of them to the fullest, whilist in harmony with our fellow man. I have a smile on my face 98.6% of the time I'm here but lack that extra grin because I haven't been able to share this experience with anyone yet. It is quite something here. Big mountain ranges with passes eclipsing thousands of meters above the valley floor with steep, winding switchbacks that make even the most powerful 4x4's lurch on occassion. Haven't skiied yet but played a game of hockey in QT yesterday! The ice was shotty at best but I wasn't expecting NHL caliber ice down here anyway, nor should I. The rink is much smaller than normal rinks and tiny compared to international ice but the gals and guys playing were quick and danced circles on occasion. Had a blast and then survived my first night drive on the left side up from QT over the Crown Range Pass. A few Rabbits tried committing suicide but I did not oblige to their request to die by wheel or bumper. On a high note I bought a Subaru Lancaster today and it was a steal although the navigation system and stero are in Japanese, haha! Mellow night tonight then The Pub Olympics tomorrow evening where Lance is announcing and Wednesday back to the rink in QT for my first actual game. Until next time, cheers from 17 hours ahead...leave you with a pic of the sun setting in Queenstown yesterday.

Wanaka

Auckland was amazing throughout the first week of this grand adventure and I left having made some new friends including one who is an aspiring stunt woman having her first "full burn" today.  Now I sit in Wanaka surrounded by a glacial lake and snow capped mountains, the terrain is "big" around here and I cannot wait to ski some of the resorts near us.  The food is phenomenal thus far, as is the wine.  I had a four course tasting menu a few days back at Orbit, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland and it was absurdly delicious.  Mussel Soup, Poached John Dory, Braised Beef Cheeks all paired to perfection with some wines from around NZ.  However, I think Wanaka is too quaint and too far of a commute to Queenstown for my upcoming hockey games for me to live here indefinitely.

On a very cool note, I spoke to the Master Sommelier I've been in contact with and he offered me a place to crash upon my arrival to Auckland when I go back next.  Things are clicking down here and I leave you with a picture of the view this morning as the sun crept over the range.

Sipping on a little Sauvignon Blanc

Day two here in Auckland came somewhat of a surprise.  I was supposed to be in a seminar for the next three days with no wine and no contact with friends but I mixed up my days as apparently most due and arrived a day early in NZ.  Instead I visited the Zoo which is world reknowned for it's breeding of endangered species and saw quite the spectacle.  White Rhinos, Red Pandas, Kiwis, Gibbons and more.  Should have a video posted shortly of the Gibbons screeching which is far better than my loose primate calls.  Winter has set in here as the sun falls below the horizon well early of 6pm, although the temps here in the north don't go below 45F thus far. As I'm sure most of you know the South Island has been getting hit hard with weather and Lance the Brit I came to stay with just barely got out yesterday to show the English Premier League trophy in Hong Kong after three days stuck in or near the Christchurch Airport.  I have been trying a few local wines here in NZ and will report on them soon but they are expensive.  Foreign wine is running in the region of 200% of normal depending on where it is from.  Guess it's due to the isolated locale of this island nation.  On a final note for tonight as I head to dinner on the rotating level of the Sky Tower there is a park set just off the main strip here up on a hill which is a cultural melting pot as I've rarely seen.  The best part is whether you have Japanese students tuning up Saxophones or a couple making out under a lofty tree or watching the heavily tattooed face of a local Maori smile everyone is in synch here; speaking the same language with a quirky sincere accent although it's really me with the different vocals in a Southern land of which, so far, I feel home.

Cheers for now from the City of Sails.