headed out

So I finally got the job I've been looking for while I'm down here. I got the managers position of the tune shop inside of a ski shop.  It's in a town about 100 km outside of christchurch , right at the base of about 12 ski fields. I get to ski all day and be at work at 4!  It's called Big Als Ski Shop and it seems like a pretty sweet place. I was up there yesterday, met the rest of the staff and messed around with a bunch of the machines and equipment I'll be using this winter. Some of the machines are pretty old, such as a 1979 montana tune machine, pretty sweet tat it's still running. I even taught the old manager a couple things about tuning. So I think theyre pretty stoked to have some new ideas in the shop. So I will be starting that tomorow and prob me moving to Methven the day after. it's much closer to the mountains, they get alot of snow and its not in a huge city like christchurch. and hopefully they dont get as many earthquakes as they do here!
Cheers!

Snow

Snow is in the forecast for the next 2 days here in christchurch. so keep your fingers crossed that maybe someday these resorts will actually open. I was talking to a lad that said he hasen't seen isuch a late winter since '91. The rugby world cup is in NZ this summer. so everyone is getting amped up for that. Rugby is so big down here, everyone starts playing rugby, kind of how americans play little leaugue. you start playing at 4or 5 years of age and play till you can't play anymore. All of the guys that I am living with play on a team called the Mutts so I'll prob be expected to [play with them next match.  I've been wokring for this scafffolding company here in christchurch, not a bad gig. The first 2 weeks we spent building these grandstands for upcoming rugby games. The Canterbury Crusaders are the prop team around here and since their stadium got destoryed by the big quake in feb, they have been foprced to move to more of a park type atmosphere and that is where I have been working. So I get the chance to watch them train, and what not. The mdeia is their almost everyday, and you can even catch a glimpse of myself when you watch the news ;later that night from just being in the backround.

The ash cloud that has been stranding people in the aussie and nz airports was sopose to finally move away today and allow those travelers to continue on. people had been stuck in the airport for almost a week in some cases. My friend brett who is a native to christchurch has a girlfriend ( renee) who has been trying to come over to chirstchurch for over a week now and she just cant get a flight.. But hopefully that wikl change soon.

Cheers!

christchurch

Back in christchurch after a couple of days in wanaka, sweet as town but just no snow or jobs around right now. so we cruised back up north and met up with our buddy brett who was stuck in a volcano cloud inbetween aussie and nz. so were kickin it at his olds house for now just waiting for the snow and trying to get some jobs secured. gonna go watch a big rugby game tonight between 2 aussie teams, brett says its just like the superbowl.  will post some pictures of my travels hopefully tomorrow. have had numerous earthquakes since ive been here. kind of getting use to the them. its looking like ill be living in a farming/ski town called methven or somewhere close to that. there are 5 private club fields around the town and theyre all really sick. checked out brokenriver today. small, but gnarly! well off to the pub, Cheers!

welcome to the nz

Cheers everyone from the opther side othe world. Dannhy and I survived the 16 hr plane ride from LA to melbourne Australia. We are in christ church right now. its absolutly destroyed ive never seen anything like this buildings destroyed everythwere. saw a tabernacle that was missing the roof and the whole front was crooked, pretty much every structure is affected. We bought a 1992 toyota elixar van. its pretty funny its got a custom pain job with kiwis all over it. were taking off for wanaka today which is a six hr drive south into the mts. hopefully well figure out driving on the worng side of the rd! everyone here is extremely nice and wanting to help out and very interested and our trip. well ill post some pics asap.

good day all 

cheers!