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.