Wow.... I just got my appendix out! My tummy was feeling a bit yuck yesterday morning (Sunday the 12th). By mid day it was REAL bad, so I decided it was worth going to the hospital. After a few hours of tests and being poked and prodded..... they decided that surgery was the best option. I guess, whether or not it actually WAS acute appendicidous (sp???), the appendix is useless so no harm in cutting it out!
Anyways.... not much of an entry, but definitly worth letting y'all know!

And so another adventure comes and goes......

The trip back to New England was a huge success. Claydon and I got in a HEAP of great climbing, I managed to catch up with MOST of my friends and almost all of my family (although I STILL missed out on seeing a few important people here and there due to the buisiness of my schedule!). Thankfully, Holmes Safari (the greatest party in the UNIVERSE!!!) went off with out a hitch and as usual I was able to catch up with a group of friends unlike any others in the world, as well as having a preety DAMM good weekend just enjoying life.
Of course, I have written and spoke of my love for New Zealand time and time again...... but this last visit "home" really made me realise the magic and beauty inherent in New England. I have some of the coolest friends and greatest family of ANYONE I know. On top of that, I realise now that I was brought up in one of the most beautiful, adventurous, friendly places in the whole WORLD! Although my trip to New Zealand seems to be where I have really "come into my own....." I realise now that it was both the nurture AND Neitcher (I realise that the spelling has GOT to be off on that!) of my childhood in New England that has allowed me to become the fun loving adventurer that I am today. If it was not for the support and encouragement of my friends and family to live my life to the fullest and the bounty of adventures availible for me to explore right outside my front door...... well, recon I'd be a bit of a drab individual! I guess what I'm really trying to say.... to anyone who is taking the time to read this and is therefore at least a LITTLE interested in the days and life of Matt Natti is...... thanks for being there for me for all these years. I love you all!

So the New England portion of the visit back to the states is at an end. I have to say, it was an enormous success. Claydon and I got in some incredible climbing through out the region, including the Gunks in NY, 2 days up at Rumney NH (sport climbing mecca of New England), Pawtuckaway State Forest NH (boulders gallour) and of course..... Cathederal Ledge in Conway NH. Sadly, I was unable to do too much climbing after our last day at Rumney as that I took a decent fall towards the end of the second day and my foot is STILL a bit sore. I am hopefull it isn't broken, but I have yet to go to the doctors..... so it can't be THAT bad!
The final "hurrah" for the trip was certainly Holmes Safari. It was a great party this year. Once again, it made me realise just how lucky I am.... I really do have great friends and getting to spend that much quality time with SO MANY quality people is always a treat. I want to publicly say that my buddy Nick Steglich, who host the party every year, has got to be one of the coolest dudes in the whole world as that he faithfully keeps track of all of us "holmses" and manages to organise a truely kicking party for all of us each year.
Anyways, after the party Claydon shipped off for NZ and I am just about packed to head to Indiana to catch up with me mum. I miss life back in NZ quite a lot..... but being back home made me realise that I was/ am a bit home sick. There is so much here in New England that I love and miss.... but at least I know it will all still be here for me when ever I come back.