NZ 7

One month left.

August has been spent working and living much the same as I have thus far in my stay, minus the rugby. As of Friday, August 26th, I have finished working at Redwood Cider, and have entered the last phase of my time in New Zealand: Roadtrip.

Things that happened since last time:

• WE WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
• Celebrated our win with multiple days of drinking.
• Third Hog died.
• Saw the new Star Trek
• Ate some wonderful dinners
• Bought All Blacks tickets
• Moved
• Said bye to Vancy Pants
• Found where Shadowfax lives.
• Got in trouble with the forklift
• Finished playing Final Fantasy 10. "You'll cry, you're gonna cry, you always cry."
• I cried
• Listening to Lord of the Rings audiobooks
• Bought some souvenirs for people
• Rode a bicycle
• Went fishing
• Worked out some
• Reading Richie McCaw's book
• Chopped firewood
• Went diving
• Ate enchiladas
• Paid someone to clean my room
• Swam with a shark
• Saw a vacuum do everything but clean the carpet
• Finished To Zanarkand on the piano
• Pondered some big decisions
• Survived kangaroo court
• Watched a man fall into a fire
• Dressed up as Donald Trump
• Scored a couple tries
• Watched a poncho-wearing horse roll around on its back in front of a cow. The cow was unimpressed.

Video Recap

Roadtrip

I decided I needed a vacation from my vacation.

Today I am setting off on the roadtrip of a lifetime.
I've rented a sweet ass car, filled my hiking pack, borrowed a tent and portable barbecue, and now it's time to roll. I have a tentative route I am going to be following, but beyond that there isn't much of a plan.
I have mapped out roughly 30 locations/spots that I would like to visit throughout the country, and I will have about 31 days to see them all.
Not every location will require a full day's worth, and many can be done in the same day, while others may require multiple days to fully explore.

Since there is no schedule, I will be just going with the flow. If I like a particular town, I may spend the whole day there - on the other hand, if a particular spot isn't that great, I'll keep driving on to the next destination.
I'll be staying at campsites or in my car for most nights, and I'll stop at the occasional hostel for a change of pace now and then - and a shower.

I will be departing from Nelson by September 1st. By September 17th I will be in Christchurch to watch the All Blacks play South Africa (!!!). By October 3rd, I will
be in Auckland boarding my flight home. Beyond those three dates, everything else is open to interpretation.

Various activities along the way will include: Going to an All Blacks game, hiking to a glacier, hiking Mount Doom, visiting Hobbiton, bungee jumping, kayaking, skydiving, ferry rides, assorted Lord of the Rings sites, notable restaurants, and....you get the point.
I've also bought a Lord of the Rings location book, so I can visit different sites from various scenes in the movies. Too cool.

I'll be spending the first 18 days or so on the South Island, starting by going down the West Coast, then circling back up to Dunedin, Mt. Cook, and then Christchurch.
Then I'll take the ferry to Wellington and bus up the North Island for about 10 days, eventually making my way to Auckland where I will visit for a day or so, then hop on a plane and come home.

To give some perspective, New Zealand is rougly 65% of the size of California, yet even more scenic - yes, more scenic. So just imagine taking 4 weeks to explore California by yourself, going wherever, doing whatever, whenever you please.
Yes.




Any suggestions on entertainment that a person might appreciate while living in a car for 4 weeks, send them my way.
There will be tons for me to do during the days and such, but I am anticipating plenty of downtime in which I will surely want something to occupy myself with.
I'd wager that I'll be writing a lot more during my trip, but that can only go so far.

I'm essentially going on another adventure with a bunch of cool things to do and see.


This is going to be...glorious.

Rover, Wanderer, Nomad, Vagabond, call me what you will....  (yeaaahh!)

Twenty Games Later...

The Wanderers are officially back-to-back Nelson Cup champions!!!!

It was one hell of an exciting, tense, rollercoaster ride of a game, and we came out on top 19-17 in the final.

Unfortunately I watched the game from the bench, but that's alright; I'm satisfied that I contributed to the success that helped bring us to the finals.

After the game we partied pretty hard for the next 2 days, starting Saturday night and finishing up on Monday night.
We went back to our clubrooms after the game and opened up a $1500 tab for the players, so we drank for free the whole night - closest thing to a VIP booth I've ever had.

Chugging beer from the trophy

After getting loosened up at the clubrooms, we hit the town and partied deep into the night.
We met back up at the clubrooms the following morning and continued the festivities with a keg of delicious berry cider and a keg of high percentage beer.
By around 9pm on Sunday night I finally turned in, due to having work the next day - I work at a cidery, so hair of the dog abounds.
But after work on Monday night, I met back up with the boys and continued the celebrations.
Monday night was the end, as we finally called it quits and returned to our adult lives on Tuesday.
It was a pretty wild ride - I witnessed some things that were truly...memorable, to say the least. And disgusting.


Looking back on the season.

I could not realistically have asked for a better situation than the one I fell into here.
The things I've learned and incorporated into my game while being here will make a significant impact on my play when I come back home.
I won't come back any bigger or faster, but I am a hell of a lot smarter and can play the game at a much quicker pace than ever before.
I see so many more things now, little intricacies and nuances that are hard to pinpoint, but ones that can make a huge difference in my play.


I started the season wondering if I even belonged on the A team, thinking I might be better suited playing with the B team.
After our first preseason game, our team manager told me I played well and fought hard, but I would likely be playing for the Bs for the rest of the season.
Okay, I didn't come here to stroke my ego, I came here to get better. If I need to play Division 2, then so be it.
Maybe I wasn't good enough to make the A team.

Throughout the season, there were times when I was tempted to give up and just play for the Bs - thank the As coaches for their time, and go to where I belonged.
I wouldn't need to train as hard, and I could relax and not have to worry about whether or not I was slowing the team down.

There's no shame in playing down a level, it's still good rugby with plenty of quality players to compete against. The Division 2 level here is roughly equivalent to Division 1 Mens club in the States, which is still pretty good for me.
It would be a nice, comfortable decision.

I'll be honest, in the middle of the season I asked my coach for permission to play with the Bs if I wasn't going to be starting with the As. It wasn't a pride thing, I just wanted to get playing time regardless of what team I played on.

Excuse my language, but fuck that.

I didn't come from half way across the world just to sit on a bench.

I hit a point in the season where I was tired of being the 2nd flanker on the bench, and I was determined to do something about it. I might not beat out the two starters, but I could damn well be the first guy off the bench.
I stepped up my fitness, studied more game film, watched more Richie McCaw, and flat out hardened up. I knew who I had to beat in fitness drills, so I started beating them. It may be a little cutthroat, but that kind of competition not only makes me better, it makes the team better.
When the moment came for my number to be called, I'd make sure I'd be ready to play my heart out.

My time came sooner than I thought it would.

Due to a few unfortunate injuries - it should be noted I would never wish for a teammate to get hurt - I was given the opportunity to compete for a starting spot for much of the season.
When you're given lemons, make lemonade.

By the end of the season, I had:
Started in 10 of our 20 games.
Managed to make the squad of 22 players every week.
Scored 5 tries.
Gotten on the field every game, minus the two finals.
Been mentioned in Man of the Match proceedings twice.
Elevated my game to another level.

When I write it down, it doesn't seem like all that much. However, this in no way reflects how much I have grown and taken away from this season.

I had a few goals coming into this season:

Get better: Check, check, and check.
Score a try: Check
Get off the ground faster: Check. Still not perfect, but progress was made.
Win Most Improved Player Award: Nope. Didn't get this one, but the fella who did, Ethan Reuben, surely deserved it.
Make the First 22 every week: Check.
Learn more strategy: Check.

Five out of six isn't too bad, and I'm quite proud of the progress I've made in my time here.

In all, it was an incredible experience that I will not soon forget.
I've made some lasting friendships, improved my rugby, and seen what it's like to play at the next level.
I've learned how to play the game at a much faster pace, which will be a huge advantage when I come back home.
I was privileged to play with some top level players who are truly talented and committed to the game, and their prowess has given me something to strive toward. It was humbling for me to come to a place where I was no longer one of the strongest players, and it has done me a world of good.
I've found so many more ways to keep progressing my ability as a rugby player, and have learned how to implement those changes.

The next step: Come home and test my skills.
I'm in the process of landing myself in a club in the US that can help me progress as a player and continue to grow in my rugby.
I'd love to play professionally and eventually try cracking the USA Eagles if given the chance. These goals are a bit lofty, but I have some pretty strong rugby minds backing me, and they've given me the confidence to take what I want.
I have these goals and dreams that I am chasing, and the time has come for me to start pursuing them in earnest.

Rest easy, Beasty

In Memory of Third Hog: May you tear up pavement in heaven, as you did on earth.
 Ride on, Third Hog, ride on.

It's true what they say, you never forget your first.

Everyone tried to tell us we weren't right for each other - haters gonna hate.

She's too expensive.

Get one more reliable.

She's had lots of previous riders.

Isn't she a bit old?

She dumped you once, she'll dump you again.


But I knew they were all wrong.

Our union was not one of speed or showmanship - that wasn't our style.
No, it was one of raw carnage.


Gravel in the road? Take it head on. If we fall, we get back up.

Shortcut through a vineyard? Let's see them catch us.

Ford flooded and impassable? Dive in head first.

Cyclist hogging the lane? Hog our dust.

Icy road? Who fears ice when mounted upon a steed of fire and fury?

To be so quickly adopted into the Hog den and then proceed to raise the bar to new, undiscovered heights... - the unprecedented had become reality.

Third Hog
Travis Haugen
We even had the same initials.

Third Hog has ruined me for all motorcycles to come.


A few weeks back, I was riding Third Hog back from a game when she started to sputter and choke because I forgot to flip the fuel switch back on.
No biggie, this has happened plenty of times.
I pulled over, switched the fuel on, kicked the starter and....nothing.
I kicked a few times, and still got nothing. I'd been having trouble getting her started recently, but I figured that was just because it had been getting real cold lately - not due to a catastrophic problem.

I gave her a few minutes to catch her breath, whispered some encouraging words, and then gave her another kick - still nothing. Little did I know, she would never roar again.

After a few more tries, I gave up and walked her the remaining mile home.

Two days later I took her into the shop, where the mechanic was becoming well-acquainted with Third Hog, as I'd had to bring her in for numerous visits over the past months.

It took 3 days of tinkering and fiddling to finally figure out that Third Hog had a crack in her motor, which explained the lack of compression when I tried to kickstart her.
A new motor would cost more than Third Hog herself, and considering I only have a short time left in New Zealand, it just wasn't meant to be.
I had to let Third Hog go.



She rode her heart out - quite literally. She may have been old and more than a little tired, but she never complained once. Heart of a Lion.

She kept ripping and roaring
through vineyards and valleys,
dominating highways and hillocks,
heeding neither caution nor care.

She soldiered on without a word, and only until the last moment, when she could go
no further, did her heart break - a crack caused not by age or mistreatment, but one caused by a long, full life of living wild and free.

Third Hog's heart, pictured here as found in the autopsy

Her memorial service was beautiful.

Sweet dreams, you wonderful beast.

How much horsepower did she have?
Couldn't tell ya.

We only recognize Hogpower.

What I imagine Third Hog is doing in heaven

The Man Cave

I moved out of my flat near the rugby field and into the Man Cave at Ant and Stacey's house, where I had been living up until today.

If you'll recall, Ant is the guy responsible for bringing me out to Nelson and along with keeping tabs on me throughout my stay here, he is responsible for most of the adventures you have seen in my videos - white water rafting, fishing, mountain biking, etc.

Vance, my fellow American, moved out of the Man Cave a few weeks ago to return to the States - too early - so Ant and Stacey graciously offered me the opportunity to take his place (replace him).

I quickly accepted.

The Man Cave is just that - a Man Cave.
It is separate from the main house, similar to a guest house, providing the required minimum distance from responsibility that is necessary for any Man Cave.
Complete with a bar, a dart board, a TV equipped with surround sound, two couches, a lazy boy chair, and a fireplace.
The Man Cave is pretty sweet.
Chuck an air mattress down in the middle of everything and you have my living arrangement.

There are no bathroom facilities, but the edge of the front porch serves just fine for most purposes.
The fireplace is my only means of heating the room, but when done correctly, it is more than sufficient. Plus I get to be all manly and go chop firewood and then bring it inside to heat my living space. I'm like the Bear Grylls of middle class suburbia.
I am currently sitting on a leather lazy boy chair across from the fire, listening to music on the surround sound while I write, watching the embers burn low before bed. It's pretty great.

The primary reason for me moving here was so I could save on rent and use the extra money on my roadtrip around New Zealand.
The secondary reason for me mvoing here is because it's awesome.

Perks:
No rent.
Full access to the kitchen.
Amazing dinners.
Amazing leftovers.
Best shower ever.
Rides to work.
Lots of activities.
Did I mention dinners?

When my motorcycle died a while back, Ant graciously lent me his bicycle so I could still get to work. It's about a 10 mile ride one-way, which takes about an hour - because I'm slow.

Now that I live with Ant, the guy gets up early each morning to drive me to work so I don't have to ride in the bitter winter cold. We strap the bike on the back of the car so I can take it to work and ride home when I'm done - the Hogs love a good stretch after a long day's work anyway, so this is perfect.

You might be asking yourself, "What does this Ant fella get out of this?"

Good question

While I'd like to think my company is that highly sought after, so much so that people will feed and board me for free in order to gain access to it, the rational side of my brain is telling me that's probably not the case.

So, in order to try and pull my weight around the house, I provide:

• Someone to blame farts on.
• Assistance with dishes.
• 24/7 babysitting availability.
• Assistance with various chores.
• Endless compliments on all food prepared and eaten within the house.

I know, I do a lot.

The truth is, Ant and Stacey are just awesome people who enjoy helping me make the most of my overseas experience. I'm sure I've made a dent in their food budget, and I've certainly helped myself to my fair share of firewood/kindling. I'm still working on a way to pay these two back, but it's going to be pretty tough. It's kinda like paying back your parents - you know you owe them, but you can't really do much besides show your appreciation for everything and hope they don't kick you out.

 I'll figure something out.





It's well past time I finally put this blog out there, so I'll just wrap things up and pump out the next one in a more timely fashion - seeing as I'll be living in a car with nothing more to do than read books and hike stuff, this should be no problem.
I'm already behind as it is, so I'll just say THANKS and hope that you enjoyed reading. Next one coming soon.


Wild!