I am happy to anounce that my plans in Kiwiland are moving in a very posative direction. I have gotten a job, after a very laid back interview, with a treaa company in Taupo. Their name is Plateau Tree Services and they CLAIM to be the best in the Central North Island. In fact, their goal is to be the best in the country!
So far, the introductory pay rate is sufficient.... but hopefully I can prove that I am worth a bit more with in a short period of time (I like having play money!). I recently met a good crew of climbers from the Taupo area, so at least I know I'll have a good group to go out and hit the rocks with while I'm up there. My next big hurdle is to suss up my new work visa and find a place to live. I think I may go hermit style again (at least for a while) as that I've always enjoyed my own space when I need it. Sure, I've had plenty of flatmates.... but I like to get to know them BEFORE I move in! On a side note, related to the new place, a good mate of mine here is moving to Canada and has no way of shipping his entire climbing wall!!!!! Oh, I GUESS I can help out a friend in need!
Besides that, life in Palmy has been much the same. It is spring now, which means it is getting a bit warmer and a BIT less rainy. The days are finally long enough that afterwork climbing sessions are on again, and my buddy Claydon and I have been busy putting up new sport routes in the local gorge. Oh.... on that note, a bit of new exitement for me was that I finally bought my own cordless hammer drill (for drilling holes in concrete, rock etc.) which means that NO rock in New Zealand is safe anymore!!!!
I will admit that I am starting to get a bit sad as that my adorable ladyfriend will be leaving NZ as of the beginning of November..... but we both knew it was coming, I guess. As I've said before, she is definitely a bit younger than me, but we have been SUPER happy together up to this point. I guess I am of the opinion that even if we end up just being good, long distance friends who have VERY fond memories of one another..... that is just fine. I'd rather have had an AWESOME relationship for a short while than a lousy one for a long time. Not to say that has happened to ME.... but too many people have suffered that fate.
So..... I guess that's me for know. Hope all are well in the world. I luvz ya all to death!!!! Keep living life for today and make the best of tomorrow too!

I guess I'm about due for a new post..... I hate to keep my "fans" waiting! So let's see, where to begin?
Life in New Zealand kicks arse, though I went through a bit of a depressed stage when I got back from the US. Being home made me realise how much I had (have) there and as soon as I got back to NZ, I felt a bit homesick. On top of that, I arrived with a slightly bunged up foot AND had to get my appendix ripped out so I was mostly confined to my couch for a bit. As you all probably know (or could at least figure out from all my past posts), I do not take sitting still well. In fact, there are few things I like less than being stuck indoors.... especially if it is with just myself!
I got to do a whole lot of self evaluation while I was "down and out" and tried to figure out what I needed to change to put things on the up swing again. (One of my BIGGEST pet peaves is people who get upset about there current situation, but stagnate in it so long that it pecomes accepted as norm..... life is too short to not have fun!)
Palmerston North has served me well over the past 2 years.... but it is time for a change. Things that have always been lacking in Palmy for me have been rocks that are easy access, a good music scene and an ample suply of "close" adventures. Sooooo..... I've done a bit of shopping around and my plan is to move to Taupo by the New Year.
Taupo has great bush (woods/ forests), HEAPS of good rock (quite a few of the areas I've done development at are within an hours drive), a cool nightlife (I hope to find a few musicians to play with), is close to the BIG mountain, is RIGHT on the BIG lake and best of all.... it has a large quantity of free, natural hotpools!!!
So... I have gotten a job, and I'm in the process of saving a bit of money (no easy feet for me) to buy a van, rent a flat and start the moving process. Although there are a few things I still need to take care of (like renewing my work visa etc), it seems like things are once again moving in a posative direction for me. Hell, it seems that 2 years is all I've really been able to sit still in one place for most of my life anyways.... I guess this is no real suprise to those who know me.
On that note.... a VERY tenative "longer" term plan is to give Europe a try. I'm thinking of looking into the arboricultural industry in the UK, as that I've heard the demand is high over there and the pay is AWESOME. I realise that England is probably not THE spot to be in Europe.... but it is an english speaking country and it would offer PLENTY of travel oppertunities for me. On top of that (and this is the BIG reason)..... it is a whole lot cheaper AND quicker to fly back home for a visit. For the same reasons..... I may ACTUALLY get some of the Holmes crew or my family to visit ME for a change!!!!
Ok... so that's news. Loves to the world. Keep living life to the fullest!