And just like that college football is underway. I gotta say I was very pleased to watch BSU on TV in New Zealand. Never thought I would see the day of watching the team I have grown up with on TV 12,000 miles away. I remember it being difficult to catch a Bronco game in Los Angeles as well Boise. Made my day to say the least, well the victory was definitely the icing on the cake. I had put a lot of anticipation around the game. Not completely over the game itself rather the game became somewhat of a way point. I guess I had been looking at it as a point in my travels to get to. I chose to stay longer in NZ and doing so I would be watching the game here. I guess with the game coming and going just like the past six months I am becoming all the more aware of the time that will soon pass once again.
The past five days have been exciting with the quakes (up to 100 plus now) and the topic of discussion is very much still in the spotlight. However the days have been a little waring on the brain. Haven't had a full nights sleep since the big one. A few times a night I awake to my bed shaking and a rumbling sound. It's kinda funny, I look forward to the fault settling in and the earth to find its calm. However with that one is left with the "what next" feeling that is accustomed to anything significant the stirs the ordinary passing of days. When an event comes along and knocks you out of your living rhythm at times you feel eager to get back in sync and then again you want to stay in the lime light of attention. I wonder how long the attention will stay. Christchurch is a mess, a city that has a huge task to rebuild at hand and while this gets underway the looming idea/talk of another big quake is still swirling. I guess the scientists believe the earth aint done yet. How they can tell this is beyond me. I feel it is a load of shit attempting to make an educated guesstimation and hit it on the head if and or when it does happen if ever. I think they don't want it to be over either. And with the way the earth has been belching out quakes, tremors, vibrations, and topics of conversation I guess this second big quake just might be coming.
Now a week into September and my latest way point passed Spring is moving forward nicely. I am in a nice lull at the moment of this day to the first weekend in November. The first weekend is the finally of show week in NZ or in other words the final turn of the weather for the good. However the next 6-7 weeks will still be busy. I have been doing loads of planting. We are in the as my host mother Sarah puts it the "popcorn phase". The best way to explain this is with a 60 tray of tomato seeds. So in this tray you have 60 slots where one single Tomato seed was planted by yours truly some 30- 60 days ago. Well they have out grown their try and are now ready to be transplanted to a larger pot. So now instead of having 60 Tomato plants in one convenient tray you now have 60 Tomato plants in their individual pots. Now do this with some seventy 60 trays and you have a lot of potting, planting and work at hand not to forget the space to house all of these plants.And so as the weeks progress as does the number of happy healthy plants to go into the ground. The greenhouses and tunnel house are nearly full with eager to grow veggies and the wait is on....
With this wait, a few quakes I am sure, warming days of work in the rising ever higher sun, afternoons of reading, writing, baking, playing, and my newest pick up Yoga. I am on a 28 day Yoga regiment and day one was relaxing and off to a good start. My mid afternoons have a nice step to them. Meditate, Yoga, Work out, and Read. Cant complain life is good.
Books I have read since March 2nd.
The shack
Shantaram
The Dharma Bums
Possum Living
Life of Pi
Currently Reading
Three Against the Wilderness by, Eric Collier
The Greatest Show on Earth by, Richard Dawkins
Delia, oh, Delia Delia all my life
If I hadn't have shot poor
Delia I'd have had her for my wife
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
I went up to Memphis
And I met Delia there Found her in her parlor
And I tied to her chair
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
She was low down and trifling
And she was cold and mean
Kind of evil make me want to Grab my sub machine
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
First time I shot her I shot her in the side
Hard to watch her suffer
But with the second shot she died
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
But jailer, oh, jailer Jailer,
I can't sleep 'Cause all around my bedside
I hear the patter of Delia's feet
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
So if you woman's devilish
You can let her run
Or you can bring her down and do her
Like Delia got done
Delia's gone, one more round Delia's gone
Delia's Gone By, Johnny Cash
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
4:30 7.1
Shake. Rattle. Roll. I guess that is how it went. How ever it goes it all started at 4:30am September 4th 2010. Golly Did it ever start. I have been in earthquakes before but in comparison they were nothing to what rolled through Canterbury this morning. I awoke to what I couldn't comprehend. It was pitch black in my room except for the white ceiling that was illuminated by the moon through my window. It is a very weird feeling being shaken everywhere without any thing to focus on. No horizon, no perception, nothing. Just black all around and vague whiteness above. Back and forth side to side accompanied with crashing sounds and the moaning of stressed timber. With nothing to see I seemed to look up. As I looked up to what I thought would seem concrete I found only doubt. Above me was an attic filled with who knows what, but this morning what ever was above me marched to the position the earth intended it to. I remember hoping that the roof wouldn't cave. With black all around, white above, shaking back and forth to and fro, the stressing moaning and eerie creaking of timber filling all around and the crashing of everything everywhere colliding into my ears I didn't have a clue what to think or do. I just remember looking up and realizing what was happening....
We all emerged from our rooms. We adorned what we wore to bed and still carried the interrupted sleep under our eyes. We were all giddy and somewhat childish as we stared across to one another and awed at what shook us form our slumber. We shifted and sorted through what items, books, and trinkets found new homes. The floors were now library's, pantry floors now produce isles, and bedrooms looked to belong to your average collage student. A mess to be sorted, as well our thoughts for the next hour and with out a doubt next few days. As we collected so did the aftershocks. Varying in size and power, none of us were silent nor was the house.
After it was mostly calmed I went back to sleep. I laid there in my bed staring at the white ceiling that I came to question earlier. I stared and felt my bed wiggle every now and then. I could hear a rumble and then a shift of the house. I laid there and stared. White. I remember laying there and feeling something come over me. Something I have never felt in my life. Honestly a new feeling and a very strange and uncomfortable feeling. For then and there I felt it.
Never in my life have I ever felt so far away from home.
We all emerged from our rooms. We adorned what we wore to bed and still carried the interrupted sleep under our eyes. We were all giddy and somewhat childish as we stared across to one another and awed at what shook us form our slumber. We shifted and sorted through what items, books, and trinkets found new homes. The floors were now library's, pantry floors now produce isles, and bedrooms looked to belong to your average collage student. A mess to be sorted, as well our thoughts for the next hour and with out a doubt next few days. As we collected so did the aftershocks. Varying in size and power, none of us were silent nor was the house.
After it was mostly calmed I went back to sleep. I laid there in my bed staring at the white ceiling that I came to question earlier. I stared and felt my bed wiggle every now and then. I could hear a rumble and then a shift of the house. I laid there and stared. White. I remember laying there and feeling something come over me. Something I have never felt in my life. Honestly a new feeling and a very strange and uncomfortable feeling. For then and there I felt it.
Never in my life have I ever felt so far away from home.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Dog Day Afternoon
It was possibly the longest afternoon I have had in a while. We sat together sharing space on the couch of the front porch. Together we sulked in our complacent hush. Staring of into the warm light of this spring filled farm all we could do was bicker. Silence was our complaint. The afternoon was perfect like the several before it however we sat on that couch with only the breeze to speak. I would mutter and she would glance, but we dared not make a sound. Twice we shifted and once again, if only it was different. Just one day before we were moving through time and sharing with one another. But today we were stuck on that couch. That damn couch. If only we could move together. If only we both knew what the other was thinking. In a way we did. We both knew that there was nothing that could be done. Circumstances be what they may but they put us then and there. There being that damn couch and then being the longest afternoon I had seen in what was now becoming forever. I wish I could rewind. I wish I could change what happened. For her. For me. But I cant and together we sat. We sulk, we sit, we contemplate what could have been...
Last night
At one point this was to be my last night in New Zealand. The evening where I would have had may last dinner and beer in the inviting and very hospitable country that has become my make shift residence. The evening where I would try to collect my thoughts in some glorious fashion. Where I would recollect on the adventure, the memories, and the countless new faces transitioned into friends. The last evening to bask in accomplishment and bathe in the essence of return. So with the recognition of all that I raise my Speights and say Cheers. Here's to another six months and every month that accumulates after.
With that out of the way its so long final evening and hello September! Spring is rushing in and the glory of growth flurries with it.
Items planted and thus growing:
Spring onions Garlic
Potatoes (red yellow & purple)
Tomatoes (about 400-500)
Spinach & Lettuce (about 15 different types)
Butter Nut and Cup Squash
Courgette Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage
Brussel Sprouts Broad Beans and Sweet Peas
Pak & Bok Choy Corn & Maze
Leeks Oregano Thyme Rhubarb & Artichoke
Not to Forget the Fruits!
Apples Quince Pares Plums Peaches
Apricots Feijoa Black Currants & Raspberries
Kiwis Lemons Tangerines Elder Berries and Gooseberries
And for the guaranteed likelihood of Vegetables forgotten and did not make the list I apologize to each of you. I am excited for your growth and maturity to be ripe and picked to sell or consume!
In a week of Daffodils and Spring showers the farm had an addition to daily life. Two of our Lambs became orphans as well a new fish joined the ranks of the tank. A mystery that is still unsolved to this day looms over the arrival of two lambs to the yard. With mom gone the mornings and evenings now carry the task of bottle feeding these youngsters. A job that I would never argue against has now lead to the sounds of calling Lambs as I walk past. As if I am to stop what I am doing and give em the nip. The fish tank gained a new valuable member and as I assured to the family a guaranteed contributor and work horse. I told my host mother Sarah that she needed to get a Plecostomus to help with the Algae situation in the tank. The following evening she asked me if I had met "Gregory" yet? To my surprise she did just as I had suggested and named him in my honor.
With the Dogs hiding my slippers from me, Cats bringing to me in my bed the birds they catch, and a Fish named after me I couldn't feel any more at home....
One evening as the sun went down
And the jungle fires were burning,
Down the track came a hobo hiking,
And he said, "Boys, I'm not turning
I'm headed for a land that's far away
Besides the crystal fountains
So come with me, we'll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes
And you sleep out every night.
Where the boxcars all are empty
And the sun shines every day
And the birds and the bees
And the cigarette trees
The lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The winds don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
You never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol
Come trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats
And the railway bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew
And of whiskey too
You can paddle all around it
In a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin.
And you can walk right out again,
As soon as you are in.
There ain't no short-handled shovels,
No axes, saws nor picks,
I'm bound to stay
Where you sleep all day,
Where they hung the jerk
That invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
....
I'll see you all this coming fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
With that out of the way its so long final evening and hello September! Spring is rushing in and the glory of growth flurries with it.
Items planted and thus growing:
Spring onions Garlic
Potatoes (red yellow & purple)
Tomatoes (about 400-500)
Spinach & Lettuce (about 15 different types)
Butter Nut and Cup Squash
Courgette Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage
Brussel Sprouts Broad Beans and Sweet Peas
Pak & Bok Choy Corn & Maze
Leeks Oregano Thyme Rhubarb & Artichoke
Not to Forget the Fruits!
Apples Quince Pares Plums Peaches
Apricots Feijoa Black Currants & Raspberries
Kiwis Lemons Tangerines Elder Berries and Gooseberries
And for the guaranteed likelihood of Vegetables forgotten and did not make the list I apologize to each of you. I am excited for your growth and maturity to be ripe and picked to sell or consume!
In a week of Daffodils and Spring showers the farm had an addition to daily life. Two of our Lambs became orphans as well a new fish joined the ranks of the tank. A mystery that is still unsolved to this day looms over the arrival of two lambs to the yard. With mom gone the mornings and evenings now carry the task of bottle feeding these youngsters. A job that I would never argue against has now lead to the sounds of calling Lambs as I walk past. As if I am to stop what I am doing and give em the nip. The fish tank gained a new valuable member and as I assured to the family a guaranteed contributor and work horse. I told my host mother Sarah that she needed to get a Plecostomus to help with the Algae situation in the tank. The following evening she asked me if I had met "Gregory" yet? To my surprise she did just as I had suggested and named him in my honor.
With the Dogs hiding my slippers from me, Cats bringing to me in my bed the birds they catch, and a Fish named after me I couldn't feel any more at home....
One evening as the sun went down
And the jungle fires were burning,
Down the track came a hobo hiking,
And he said, "Boys, I'm not turning
I'm headed for a land that's far away
Besides the crystal fountains
So come with me, we'll go and see
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
There's a land that's fair and bright,
Where the handouts grow on bushes
And you sleep out every night.
Where the boxcars all are empty
And the sun shines every day
And the birds and the bees
And the cigarette trees
The lemonade springs
Where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
All the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth
And the hens lay soft-boiled eggs
The farmers' trees are full of fruit
And the barns are full of hay
Oh I'm bound to go
Where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall
The winds don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
You never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol
Come trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats
And the railway bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew
And of whiskey too
You can paddle all around it
In a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains,
The jails are made of tin.
And you can walk right out again,
As soon as you are in.
There ain't no short-handled shovels,
No axes, saws nor picks,
I'm bound to stay
Where you sleep all day,
Where they hung the jerk
That invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.
....
I'll see you all this coming fall
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
And that is how fast 6 months goes by.
Kia Ora, G'day, kaixo, Sua s'dei, goedendag, Salaam Alekum', bonjour, Guten Tag, γεια σας, aloha, shalom, namaste, góðan dag , "Dia duit", buon pomeriggio, konnichi wa, ahn nyeong ha se yo, sabaidee, salvete, namaskar, sain baina uu?, ya'at'eeh, hallo, ellohay, dzień dobry, boas tardes, sat sri akal, buna ziua, zdravstvuyte, talofa, hoezit, hola, god dag, Li-ho, malo e lelei, merhaba selam, xin chào, and most of all Greetings!
My Hello and Welcome to all. Hard to believe that in blink of an eye half a year will slip right past you. For the next section of travel I feel it appropriate to keep up to date of my travels, experiences, stories, sights, sounds, tastes, laughs, highs, lows, and what nots. The bits and pieces, collection of thoughts, brief scrambles of words, inspirational tidings, moments of Zen, thoughts on life, personal philosophy, developing tastes, creative outlets, how I got my hands dirty, music for moods, cooking recipes to share, and most of all my time. An informal database for the interested, critical, caring, friends, family, relatives, strangers, sworn enemies, life long sinners, naughty neighbors, Heteros and Homos, fellow travelers, rational and irrational alike, extroverts and introverts, republicans, democrats, National and American League fans, former coworkers, models, directors, actors and actresses, producers, singers, musicians, characters of all walks, and most importantly You...
With out any further ado...
It was a a funny feeling I had the other afternoon as I walked up nearby Mt. Cass. I was moving along at a moderate pace occupying my mind by talking aloud to myself enjoying what I have come to accept as perfect company. As I rambled about this and that for the briefest of brief moments I thought of how it's going to be one hell of an adventure heading off to New Zealand on my own.... Holy calamity and sweet baby jesus I couldn't help but laugh aloud. I was already here, I was already out, I was no where near where I was, and no where near who I left as.
I sat atop Mt. Cass, took in the view, and that thought crept back in. Was I really off on my own? Had I really began to look past the many moments of hardship, trials of personal development, raddled nerves, and the oh-so many nights of wondering what was happening back home. Well... Yes. Long ago I had began to look past all of that. As I sat and contemplated this arrival of thought it was clear to me that living in the present moment was at hand and the embrace was there for me. I have been reciting to myself a little saying I thought of the second week I set off, it goes as follows.
"I am what I want to be in life, and that is happy."
I guess that is where I am at. 6 months of ME Time. A trophy? No thanks. A pat on the Back? Nah. A ribbon? No I couldn't. The only thing I would like is for You to find some personal "ME Time" for yourself. Get away even if only for a few minutes. While away do what you do.
As You.
Laugh, write, sing, cry, cheer, yell, scream, dance, boogie, clap your hands, make faces, stretch, run, read, bake, hug yourself, build, think, pray, dream, paint, draw, sculpt, possibly do nothing. Just take the time for yourself. We share so much in life so take some time and share a little with yourself. You deserve it.
If you are at a loss for something to do try making my Banana Bread.
3-4 Smashed Bananas
1/3 Cup melted butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg Beaten
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Cup Raisins
1 1/2 - 2 Cups Chopped Walnuts
Pinch of Salt
Mix all together like the happy family they should be. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 50-60 minutes.
Enjoy!
Kia Ora, G'day, kaixo, Sua s'dei, goedendag, Salaam Alekum', bonjour, Guten Tag, γεια σας, aloha, shalom, namaste, góðan dag , "Dia duit", buon pomeriggio, konnichi wa, ahn nyeong ha se yo, sabaidee, salvete, namaskar, sain baina uu?, ya'at'eeh, hallo, ellohay, dzień dobry, boas tardes, sat sri akal, buna ziua, zdravstvuyte, talofa, hoezit, hola, god dag, Li-ho, malo e lelei, merhaba selam, xin chào, and most of all Greetings!
My Hello and Welcome to all. Hard to believe that in blink of an eye half a year will slip right past you. For the next section of travel I feel it appropriate to keep up to date of my travels, experiences, stories, sights, sounds, tastes, laughs, highs, lows, and what nots. The bits and pieces, collection of thoughts, brief scrambles of words, inspirational tidings, moments of Zen, thoughts on life, personal philosophy, developing tastes, creative outlets, how I got my hands dirty, music for moods, cooking recipes to share, and most of all my time. An informal database for the interested, critical, caring, friends, family, relatives, strangers, sworn enemies, life long sinners, naughty neighbors, Heteros and Homos, fellow travelers, rational and irrational alike, extroverts and introverts, republicans, democrats, National and American League fans, former coworkers, models, directors, actors and actresses, producers, singers, musicians, characters of all walks, and most importantly You...
With out any further ado...
It was a a funny feeling I had the other afternoon as I walked up nearby Mt. Cass. I was moving along at a moderate pace occupying my mind by talking aloud to myself enjoying what I have come to accept as perfect company. As I rambled about this and that for the briefest of brief moments I thought of how it's going to be one hell of an adventure heading off to New Zealand on my own.... Holy calamity and sweet baby jesus I couldn't help but laugh aloud. I was already here, I was already out, I was no where near where I was, and no where near who I left as.
I sat atop Mt. Cass, took in the view, and that thought crept back in. Was I really off on my own? Had I really began to look past the many moments of hardship, trials of personal development, raddled nerves, and the oh-so many nights of wondering what was happening back home. Well... Yes. Long ago I had began to look past all of that. As I sat and contemplated this arrival of thought it was clear to me that living in the present moment was at hand and the embrace was there for me. I have been reciting to myself a little saying I thought of the second week I set off, it goes as follows.
"I am what I want to be in life, and that is happy."
I guess that is where I am at. 6 months of ME Time. A trophy? No thanks. A pat on the Back? Nah. A ribbon? No I couldn't. The only thing I would like is for You to find some personal "ME Time" for yourself. Get away even if only for a few minutes. While away do what you do.
As You.
Laugh, write, sing, cry, cheer, yell, scream, dance, boogie, clap your hands, make faces, stretch, run, read, bake, hug yourself, build, think, pray, dream, paint, draw, sculpt, possibly do nothing. Just take the time for yourself. We share so much in life so take some time and share a little with yourself. You deserve it.
If you are at a loss for something to do try making my Banana Bread.
3-4 Smashed Bananas
1/3 Cup melted butter
1 Cup Sugar
1 Egg Beaten
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Cup Raisins
1 1/2 - 2 Cups Chopped Walnuts
Pinch of Salt
Mix all together like the happy family they should be. Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 50-60 minutes.
Enjoy!
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