Ok, it's been a few weeks, with no work.... so of course I have had a few good adventures! For starters... Southern Cali was awesome. It was great to catch up with Erica (my ex- lady friend from NZ), I also got to meet her fam and a good bundle of her friends. We cruised the beaches, ate good mexican food and even took in a night at the theater!
During the 2 day's that Erica had to work, I also managed to meet up with a few of my ol' North Shore buddies who have moved out that way (Jim, Angela and Mark). We did the bbq thing, cruised around the beaches a bit and even went to "Hooligans," a cool pub near San Diego that was set up by a Lynn Mass local... it is the home away from home for a pantload of former "massholes" (especially when the Red Sox are playing!). One of the highlights of the stay was getting to drive through Joshua Tree National Park. It was beautiful... and there was SOOO much rock there! Although it was meant as JUST a drive, I of course had to get out a for a few quick scrambles. All in all, one of my best weeks in So. Cal! So... then I was heading back home. Wahoo!
So.... in the first week I had quality family time, had some quality "Nick Steglich" time, got in a bit of climbing, did a bit of REAL tree work with good ol' Cape Ann Tree and took my first Sauna in 11 months! Week two brought a bit more tree work, a bit of climbing with 2 Kiwi mates (Tom and his ladyfriend Phillipa) for a day out in W. Mass... and of course, the legendary Holmes Safari! This was the 10th anniversery of "the coolest party in the whole damm world!" If you feel the need to check out a bit of what it is all about, check out www.holmes-page.com/ and have a chuckle! In any case... it has been great being home so far. I hope I can catch up (properly) with all the US crew while I'm here... oh, on that note, my mobile is (978) 879 3338. Hugs to everyone that I HAVEN'T seen yet, oh... and hugs to all the NZ peeps back in Kiwi land, miss y'all heaps!

Home, home, home!!!! Well, at least "home" as I knew it. I'm totally stoked to be back in the states.... but I will admit that NZ definitely is feeling more and more like home. Regardless of that.... it's going to be great to catch up with the crew.
The plane ride (on my birthday!) was ok this go around. The food was awesome, there was a cool selection of movies (on my personal TV screen with personal dvd selection), the booze was free and I was fortunate enough to have a cute Aussie gal to sit next to on the flight (thouh it was a bit odd when she fell asleep on my shoulder and drooled a bit!). The temerature change was a bit of a shock.... from low 30's to high 90's in 12 hours... my body is still freaking out trying to adjust. Thankfully I suffered only a little jetlag.... it feels more like a gentle, 3 day hang over (of course.... I've had my share of evening drinks... so I may actually just have a gentle hang over). At least I have heaps of great mexicazn joints to keep me entertained for the next few days!!!
Well... that's really about all for now. As soon as I have a phone for the states... I'll post it up so I'm a bit more attainable. Hope to catch up with all the "staties" sooner rather than later! Luvs y'all.