Well I haven't been able to post anything b/c I haven't been able to get to a computer to do it. While I may be temporarily working a job that involves the computer and internet, it won't load my blog page correctly. So I can't access it. I wanted to post something about this about a month ago.
I finally felt my first earthquake. It was really really weird. I woke up about 4 am to the house shaking and I had no idea what was going on. I knew it wasn't right, but I also have never felt an earthquake before. It went on for a few seconds. I was upset that I was fast asleep when it started b/c I only vaguely remember it like a dream and didn't get to experience it fully. You can check out the details here:
Earthquake!
Check it out. It's pretty sweet.
So now I'm working two jobs. Firemans Arms (the pub), and also doing some data entry at this local technical college. The latter will help pay for a trip to Thailand in about a month. Going to see ole Jake and the Cool Guy after years of them telling me to. Hehe. It's been rough though. The past 3 weeks I've averaged 30 hours at the pub and about 40 hours at the college. Doing about 70 hours a week while trying to exercise in between has finally caught up with me and I came down with a viral infection on Tuesday. So I've been sick for 3 days and it's still not so good. I'll be out for the weekend and all i can do for it is rest, which sucks. I'm American and I want a pill to fix it NOW. No waiting around. Plus, it's boring. I'd rather be working and making that money. So I've been out of the house long enough. Time for me to go back to sit around and do nothing, hoping that my body is fighting this crap off. Cheers
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Yay
I had my real first game back this weekend. In a whole, I sucked. Well, maybe not sucked but I was pretty damn average. We played Wainuiomata at their place, which is over a big hill and some distance away. pretty much in Gang land. Anyway, we were playing for this guy named Fuke. He died this week with a heart attack we believe and he played for our team last year. It's a little weird b/c I saw him just last week b/c he was a courier with the post office and would drop packages off at my work. Never knew his name but I know a face. It's hard to learn all the island boys names ya know. But yeah,he was only like 28. So strange.
I played about 50 minutes of the game and started the match. I dropped the first kick that came to me but after that didn't miss any. Must be first game jitters. The sun was in my eyes so I couldn't see a thing! I think I was lucky to even catch the ball! As a team we played terribly. So many missed opportunities. Seemed like everyone was playing with tunnel vision. I can count the times on two hands where I caught the ball from a kick in the back and passed it out for a counter attack where there was an overland and the guy just took it right into contact. VERY frustrating. So we were losing 13-0 with about 10 minutes left in the game when my coach made some drastic changes around the field. It deffinately paid divendends right away. We scored 3 tries in that 10 minutes to win the game. They got tired and we got a spark from somewhere. Unbelieveable. My first half WAS pretty average but the good news is my leg was fine and it's not even sore today. I can say my match fitness is pretty bad but I'm looking up about it b/c for me to last a good half and more without playing my fitness is pretty good. I've been running about 6-7 kilometers 4-5 days a week as well as the bike so I guess it's paying off.
We're still in the running for the top. Our team hasn't done as well in the 2nd half of the season as the first but we're still in there.
So it's still winter here. That brings southerlies from Antartica and that means cold rain. Yeah, no good. I'm dealing with it a whole lot better than last year. Don't know if it's the flu jab that's helping me or what but It's great. I'm in super save mode now. I'm only planning on staying in New Zealand until January then I'll be moving out of the country. not back to America but to Scotland. At least, that's the plan. haven't bought my ticket yet. I figured it's easy to live in another country until the age of 28-30, then it gets harder to get in and live there. i don't want to live in England. Never was impressed by England. And I hear Ireland's economy isn't so good. And I want to live in country that speaks english, even though Scottish may not SOUND like english it still is english. The only thing I want to do is work my ass off and take weekend trips around europe. Imagine weekend trips to Greece, Ibitha, Spain, denmakr, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, anywhere! The flights get down to 1 euro sometimes. So I figured now is the time to do this. I'll give NZ a big push in December to see it all then head off to Europe. Can't wait!
I played about 50 minutes of the game and started the match. I dropped the first kick that came to me but after that didn't miss any. Must be first game jitters. The sun was in my eyes so I couldn't see a thing! I think I was lucky to even catch the ball! As a team we played terribly. So many missed opportunities. Seemed like everyone was playing with tunnel vision. I can count the times on two hands where I caught the ball from a kick in the back and passed it out for a counter attack where there was an overland and the guy just took it right into contact. VERY frustrating. So we were losing 13-0 with about 10 minutes left in the game when my coach made some drastic changes around the field. It deffinately paid divendends right away. We scored 3 tries in that 10 minutes to win the game. They got tired and we got a spark from somewhere. Unbelieveable. My first half WAS pretty average but the good news is my leg was fine and it's not even sore today. I can say my match fitness is pretty bad but I'm looking up about it b/c for me to last a good half and more without playing my fitness is pretty good. I've been running about 6-7 kilometers 4-5 days a week as well as the bike so I guess it's paying off.
We're still in the running for the top. Our team hasn't done as well in the 2nd half of the season as the first but we're still in there.
So it's still winter here. That brings southerlies from Antartica and that means cold rain. Yeah, no good. I'm dealing with it a whole lot better than last year. Don't know if it's the flu jab that's helping me or what but It's great. I'm in super save mode now. I'm only planning on staying in New Zealand until January then I'll be moving out of the country. not back to America but to Scotland. At least, that's the plan. haven't bought my ticket yet. I figured it's easy to live in another country until the age of 28-30, then it gets harder to get in and live there. i don't want to live in England. Never was impressed by England. And I hear Ireland's economy isn't so good. And I want to live in country that speaks english, even though Scottish may not SOUND like english it still is english. The only thing I want to do is work my ass off and take weekend trips around europe. Imagine weekend trips to Greece, Ibitha, Spain, denmakr, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, anywhere! The flights get down to 1 euro sometimes. So I figured now is the time to do this. I'll give NZ a big push in December to see it all then head off to Europe. Can't wait!
Friday, June 26, 2009
First game back
Well this week as well as the last has been pretty rough with the job. Haven't been doing to well in that department so I don't really like to talk about it. We'll keep that on the side.
Today my rugby team played Tawa and won 60-15. We're a little disappointed in the 15 points we let them score. The first two came from line outs real close to our try zone and their forwards just ran us over. The 3rd was a buzzer try to end the game when they ran it in off a penalty. I was in at that point. I was going to give it a go this weekend as a trial really. Made it out to training both days and participated pretty much the entire training so I figured I was ready for a match. Only the last 10-15 minutes though. Didn't want to over due it. However, I only made it in the last 5, and I was steaming b/c I didn't think I was going to make that. Told me coach I can do 10-15 mins and he put me on the roster. Then at the end he said he had to get others in. I don't think he expected me to play, but wow! It was freezing out there! If I'd known that I wouldn't have been in my shorts and wet t-shirt.
He ended up getting me in for 5 mins at Outside center, and that was enough to make me happy. I went into contact a couple times, and had one really good chance to break it for some good yards but dropped the pass. It was a fantastic run, great pass, but I looked up at the hole and dropped the pass. Bugger. But it was still GREAT to get in the match. No pain here, and we have a bye next week. I should be in pretty good form in two weeks. My coach says he'll start me. Really looking forward to it. I'm up to running about 5 K's and I'm easing into leg workouts involving weights now.
I'm a little jealous hearing about the heat in Louisiana now. You may think I'm nuts, but when you live in a house with absolutely no insulation, and heaters don't work because most of the windows won't close all the way, you'd understand. You can see our breathing in there it's so cold. The only time it's ok is when we're doing lots of cooking involving the oven. Most of the homes don't have insulation here, especially in Wellington. The government is now subsidizing homes to be insulated b/c 1) it creates jobs & 2) health costs. Asthma and other problems involving lungs are very high here exactly for that reason. Cold homes. Sucks.
On a great note, this time last year I was sick sick sick. So sick I was sick very badly pretty much the whole winter. I only got better once spring came around. I guess my body either got climatized or the flu jab I got this year is working itself overtime, and doing well. So that's fantastic. I must go now. Want to catch the end of the Premier game now playing. Cheers
Today my rugby team played Tawa and won 60-15. We're a little disappointed in the 15 points we let them score. The first two came from line outs real close to our try zone and their forwards just ran us over. The 3rd was a buzzer try to end the game when they ran it in off a penalty. I was in at that point. I was going to give it a go this weekend as a trial really. Made it out to training both days and participated pretty much the entire training so I figured I was ready for a match. Only the last 10-15 minutes though. Didn't want to over due it. However, I only made it in the last 5, and I was steaming b/c I didn't think I was going to make that. Told me coach I can do 10-15 mins and he put me on the roster. Then at the end he said he had to get others in. I don't think he expected me to play, but wow! It was freezing out there! If I'd known that I wouldn't have been in my shorts and wet t-shirt.
He ended up getting me in for 5 mins at Outside center, and that was enough to make me happy. I went into contact a couple times, and had one really good chance to break it for some good yards but dropped the pass. It was a fantastic run, great pass, but I looked up at the hole and dropped the pass. Bugger. But it was still GREAT to get in the match. No pain here, and we have a bye next week. I should be in pretty good form in two weeks. My coach says he'll start me. Really looking forward to it. I'm up to running about 5 K's and I'm easing into leg workouts involving weights now.
I'm a little jealous hearing about the heat in Louisiana now. You may think I'm nuts, but when you live in a house with absolutely no insulation, and heaters don't work because most of the windows won't close all the way, you'd understand. You can see our breathing in there it's so cold. The only time it's ok is when we're doing lots of cooking involving the oven. Most of the homes don't have insulation here, especially in Wellington. The government is now subsidizing homes to be insulated b/c 1) it creates jobs & 2) health costs. Asthma and other problems involving lungs are very high here exactly for that reason. Cold homes. Sucks.
On a great note, this time last year I was sick sick sick. So sick I was sick very badly pretty much the whole winter. I only got better once spring came around. I guess my body either got climatized or the flu jab I got this year is working itself overtime, and doing well. So that's fantastic. I must go now. Want to catch the end of the Premier game now playing. Cheers
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Eh
I'm very upset. I bought an external hard drive to keep my photos on because who knows when the ipod which I keep them on now will die. Before my trip to America I moved the photos from my ipod to the hard drive and all was well. The next morning I couldn't access the hard drive and all the pictures are now lost. I have backed up SOME of them, mainly the ones from my hikes and adventures the first two months in NZ, but many many others lost. It made me sick.
Had a visit with the physio yesterday and now I'm just getting started on some change-of-direction drills. Testing them out my knee felt pretty good and solid. Minimal pressure and pain. I'm going to make it out to the teams warm up tonight, and next week stick around for the whole training just doing what I'm able to do. On the Thursday I'm going to try some contact and see how that feels. If it's good, I'll hopefully get about 10-15 minutes game time on the Saturday. Fingers crossed.
I know I'm going to be huffing and puffing. As of right now I'm just hanging with 15 minutes bike, then about 22 minute run after. I'm beginning to test interval running though, alternating between sprinting and jogging. It's going well so far but I don't want to push it too much too quickly.
The All Black's played France last weekend down in Dunedin and lost pretty handidly. The French played well, but the AB's played pretty terribly. They've been playing together for a week, and the French have already gone through a whole Northern Hemisphere season together, so that tells alot.
They play this Saturday in Wellington. Everyone expects a different result this time around. The stadium is within easy walking distance of Courtney Place and Cuba Street - the place where everyone goes out- bars,clubs and restaurants. I'll be out in Welly this Saturday so I'm expecting a big night. Will be alot of fun I'm sure when the thousands of people head down the road. Will it be fun, or just tedious? Because it always sucks when it takes 10 minutes to wait at the bar and get a drink. The Frenchies, Alex and Nick with whom I used to live, will be going to the game and then will probably meet up after. Looking forward to rubbing a french defeat in Nicks face. Surprisingly Alex was going for the All Black's. Who'd a Thunk it!?
Something really cool that you just don't see in America. While on appointments for work in Wellington, I stopped for some sushie at a little place and saw a couple All Black's enter for some as well. Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister. Piri is nothing new b/c he's from around my area and I saw him play for his club team against Petone just a couple weeks ago. But that night I was at my gym in Wellington and I was training right next to Jerry Collins. I thought he was in France but I guess with the season just ended he came back. It took me a while to realize it was him, b/c it looked like him, but it didn't. Never seen him in person you know. But yeah, he's a legend around these parts so it was awesome to be doing bi-cep curls next to this huge bastard!He was wearing a Ben Wallace Caveliers jersey. I thought that was funny.
Time for training and testing out my leg on some grass for the first time in weeks. One word. Yay!
Had a visit with the physio yesterday and now I'm just getting started on some change-of-direction drills. Testing them out my knee felt pretty good and solid. Minimal pressure and pain. I'm going to make it out to the teams warm up tonight, and next week stick around for the whole training just doing what I'm able to do. On the Thursday I'm going to try some contact and see how that feels. If it's good, I'll hopefully get about 10-15 minutes game time on the Saturday. Fingers crossed.
I know I'm going to be huffing and puffing. As of right now I'm just hanging with 15 minutes bike, then about 22 minute run after. I'm beginning to test interval running though, alternating between sprinting and jogging. It's going well so far but I don't want to push it too much too quickly.
The All Black's played France last weekend down in Dunedin and lost pretty handidly. The French played well, but the AB's played pretty terribly. They've been playing together for a week, and the French have already gone through a whole Northern Hemisphere season together, so that tells alot.
They play this Saturday in Wellington. Everyone expects a different result this time around. The stadium is within easy walking distance of Courtney Place and Cuba Street - the place where everyone goes out- bars,clubs and restaurants. I'll be out in Welly this Saturday so I'm expecting a big night. Will be alot of fun I'm sure when the thousands of people head down the road. Will it be fun, or just tedious? Because it always sucks when it takes 10 minutes to wait at the bar and get a drink. The Frenchies, Alex and Nick with whom I used to live, will be going to the game and then will probably meet up after. Looking forward to rubbing a french defeat in Nicks face. Surprisingly Alex was going for the All Black's. Who'd a Thunk it!?
Something really cool that you just don't see in America. While on appointments for work in Wellington, I stopped for some sushie at a little place and saw a couple All Black's enter for some as well. Piri Weepu and Luke McAlister. Piri is nothing new b/c he's from around my area and I saw him play for his club team against Petone just a couple weeks ago. But that night I was at my gym in Wellington and I was training right next to Jerry Collins. I thought he was in France but I guess with the season just ended he came back. It took me a while to realize it was him, b/c it looked like him, but it didn't. Never seen him in person you know. But yeah, he's a legend around these parts so it was awesome to be doing bi-cep curls next to this huge bastard!He was wearing a Ben Wallace Caveliers jersey. I thought that was funny.
Time for training and testing out my leg on some grass for the first time in weeks. One word. Yay!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Another Winter
Well it's been a while since i've been able to post anything. In fact it was before my trip. The reality is nothing has really happened. I mean, I'm still injured from Easter weekend and I'm basically just doing rehab trying to get over it. I never would have thought it would take this long. I saw the physio yesterday and I've just been upgraded to jog. Every time I train I'll be bumping it up about 5 minutes of jogging at a time, while sticking with my leg strengthening exercies and the bike.
After winning the first round in our division last week, we're just beginning the second round today. In fact their playing right now, but I'm taking some time away because I JUST remembered we're doing a court session tonight and it's beginning at 4:30. We'll be absolutely sloshed by 6. All of last year we didn't have a court session, which was very disappointing. And my team had the first one when I was on my trip back to the USA. So, I'll be getting my first taste at a NZ rugby court session. Be sure that it will be brutal. I hear they keep the rubbish bins real close so you can do your business and keep on going. I think the first one they went through something like 180 pitchers. These pitchers are maybe half the size of our pitchers are home but imagine 90 of those big boys. Ouch!
Other than that work has been alright. It's a real tough time for advertising because people are being real staunch with their money and holding tight. The major newspaper company, Fairfax, just laid off 1500 people. Yeah. So they're definately feeling it. Just hope I can hang in there and hold on to it for a little while longer. If I get 6 months of experience at least that will help me muchos when searching for another job. Well I better get going so I can catch the game. I'll probably only be able to make the second half. I wish I could post more often. Cheers
After winning the first round in our division last week, we're just beginning the second round today. In fact their playing right now, but I'm taking some time away because I JUST remembered we're doing a court session tonight and it's beginning at 4:30. We'll be absolutely sloshed by 6. All of last year we didn't have a court session, which was very disappointing. And my team had the first one when I was on my trip back to the USA. So, I'll be getting my first taste at a NZ rugby court session. Be sure that it will be brutal. I hear they keep the rubbish bins real close so you can do your business and keep on going. I think the first one they went through something like 180 pitchers. These pitchers are maybe half the size of our pitchers are home but imagine 90 of those big boys. Ouch!
Other than that work has been alright. It's a real tough time for advertising because people are being real staunch with their money and holding tight. The major newspaper company, Fairfax, just laid off 1500 people. Yeah. So they're definately feeling it. Just hope I can hang in there and hold on to it for a little while longer. If I get 6 months of experience at least that will help me muchos when searching for another job. Well I better get going so I can catch the game. I'll probably only be able to make the second half. I wish I could post more often. Cheers
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Another NZ rugby season
It's two weeks into our preseason rugby trials and I believe we have one more to go. We've been doing 3 20 minute periods. I've been getting about 40 minutes in and I'm happy with that. I feel I'm really out of shape so this is good. I was weighing about 93 kilos when we began and now I'm at about 90. Still need to get down to about 88 kilos to be at a good rugby weight.
It's been real tough getting to trainings on Tues/Thurs because of the commute involved with my new job. Training begins at 6pm and my bus gets me home in Petone around 6:30. So I'm only making about half the training which is bad for trying to get fit.
On the plus side it feels good to be in a position I feel comfortable in, Fullback, playing with guys I already know. All this in contrast to last year when I was pretty nervous and didn't really know NZ style rugby.
The team I played for last year, the Senior 2nds, got relegated to the Senior 3rd level due to our performance on the field being so shocking. One win all season. They are taking a major proactive approach to teams all across the board, the senior 3rds being no exception, to have everyone playing quality rugby and win matches. They will be putting alot of emphasis on the senior 3rd team and this will probably be the team i'll play for. They've got 2 new coaches and they mean business. I'm very excited about being a part of a winning team. So far the boys in preseason training have great attitudes, far from the crew of the previous season. But ofcourse, it's hard to judge so early.
I'm planning a trip to the States in April. Probably April 17th for a couple weeks and I'm really looking to have a great holiday. Can't wait to get home and see everyone. Fa show
It's been real tough getting to trainings on Tues/Thurs because of the commute involved with my new job. Training begins at 6pm and my bus gets me home in Petone around 6:30. So I'm only making about half the training which is bad for trying to get fit.
On the plus side it feels good to be in a position I feel comfortable in, Fullback, playing with guys I already know. All this in contrast to last year when I was pretty nervous and didn't really know NZ style rugby.
The team I played for last year, the Senior 2nds, got relegated to the Senior 3rd level due to our performance on the field being so shocking. One win all season. They are taking a major proactive approach to teams all across the board, the senior 3rds being no exception, to have everyone playing quality rugby and win matches. They will be putting alot of emphasis on the senior 3rd team and this will probably be the team i'll play for. They've got 2 new coaches and they mean business. I'm very excited about being a part of a winning team. So far the boys in preseason training have great attitudes, far from the crew of the previous season. But ofcourse, it's hard to judge so early.
I'm planning a trip to the States in April. Probably April 17th for a couple weeks and I'm really looking to have a great holiday. Can't wait to get home and see everyone. Fa show
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Random Pics
Here are a few new pics. Some are of my new french flat mates - the frogs. A couple others of the Petoneman I did this year. Comprises of Run, Bike, Run, Bike legs and it's killer. 22 km's on the bike and 13 km's running. The running is not flat. It's up and over 2 big hills which was rough. It took me 2 hours 37 minutes to complete.
7's was amazing. Especially b/c I didn't think I was going to m make it. My boss gave me his ticket for saturday and it was so much fun, and absolute carnage with the drink. After the final match, pretty much the whole stadium walked to the center of town and partied. I met many players from the Kenyan team, South Africa, Australia, and some from England. It was a fun and crazy night. I had enough by about 1am then it was time to head home.
The Nuie 7's team doing their Haka.
Wellington 7's final. All Black's vs England.
9 hours of drinking at this point. It shows...
Yikes
Us watching the Superbowl
Petoneman starting line
Ranfurly Shield
Frogs
7's was amazing. Especially b/c I didn't think I was going to m make it. My boss gave me his ticket for saturday and it was so much fun, and absolute carnage with the drink. After the final match, pretty much the whole stadium walked to the center of town and partied. I met many players from the Kenyan team, South Africa, Australia, and some from England. It was a fun and crazy night. I had enough by about 1am then it was time to head home.
The Nuie 7's team doing their Haka.
Wellington 7's final. All Black's vs England.
9 hours of drinking at this point. It shows...
Yikes
Us watching the Superbowl
Petoneman starting line
Ranfurly Shield
Frogs
Thursday, January 8, 2009
South Island
Pu Pu Springs. Claims to be the clearest water in the Southern Hemisphere, 2nd in the world.
It was pretty damn clear. And extremely cold. The water comes through the rock and through underwater vents.
It was pretty damn clear. And extremely cold. The water comes through the rock and through underwater vents.
Wainui Falls
The walk to Wainui Falls
The camping spot the first night
Picton waiting for the ferry
Calling upon my powers to bring forth the ferry
An Awesome swimming hole
My new french flat mates
The hill I rode up. It was a bastard. Took 2 hours
The top of the hill. Called Bird's clearing
New years Morning
The aftermath of New Years Eve. Not pretty. For anyone
Golden Bay from Bird's clearing. The ride down was exhilarating! 20 mins of fast downhill. It defintely woke me up.
Golden Bay from Bird's Clearing
The walk to Wainui Falls
The camping spot the first night
Picton waiting for the ferry
Calling upon my powers to bring forth the ferry
An Awesome swimming hole
My new french flat mates
The hill I rode up. It was a bastard. Took 2 hours
The top of the hill. Called Bird's clearing
New years Morning
The aftermath of New Years Eve. Not pretty. For anyone
Golden Bay from Bird's clearing. The ride down was exhilarating! 20 mins of fast downhill. It defintely woke me up.
Golden Bay from Bird's Clearing
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