eArThQuAkE!

Sorry Kristen. Sorry Jen. You girls missed out. I was sitting on the couch watching TV last night at about 9:30 when all of a sudden things started a shakin'. For a split second I thought someone was walking heavy around the flat and shaking things but before that thought was finished it was steamrolled by the realization that there was no gap between steps and it was not stopping... I had to look at my flatmates and question, "Is this what I think it is?" For the next 30 seconds or so my world had a subtle vibration. Not enough to knock things off the wall, but enough to make our 2 story apartment building sway, as we uneasily noticed from the upstairs balcony. Something surreal about being in a swaying building while watching all the streetlights rock back and forth...during an eArThQuAkE! They're reporting last night's weirdness was of the 7.8 magnitude variety that occurred probably about 3-4 hours southwest of Queenstown (as the crow flies). Since then several other more minor tremors have been felt including one today at the winery. Subtle? Yes. Humbling? Yes. Amazing? Absolutely. The disconnect between me as a human and mother nature was once again highlighted last night and I was reminded that I need to "recognize." She is something else.

Fruit of Labor

Just wanted to say: See that bottle? Do you? I made that! That's right, you heard me. I made Chardonnay and it rocks! Ok, technically I didn't make it in it's entirety but I did pick, de-stem, and press the grapes. I also "spooned" with the yeast by the fire on a cold night. Hey, someone had to take one for the team and keep the party going. That stuff is fickle! Ignore the yeast left in the bottom of the bottle as wine needs to go through a second fermentation. I've got to admit, even slightly acidic it tastes pretty good to me. Well done team.

Queenstown

I've been in Queenstown for about a month now and I've got to say, I'm indifferent towards it. It could be the overly capitalistic nature of the place or the thousands of regularly rotating tourists, I'm not sure. Standing in the shoes of a local I've got to say that the town itself just doesn't feel entirely right. The best I can do to equate what it is like to be here during the winter season is to say imagine what it would be like to have an apartment in the middle of Disney Land. Yeah, cool at first, but before long you find yourself in a state of repression due to impulse avoidance of skull smashing Walt's many creations. Moderation is key. Oh yeah, and there's no discounts for living in Snow White's Palace. If you walk on two legs you pay the two leg price, period, and at DLand that can get expensive.

With all that said I am proud to say that I have not been out at night ONCE since moving here. I'm pretty sure it's some sort of record for Queenstown. They don't call it the "Queenstown coma" for nothing. Lucky for me there are many other good things to spend my money on, including the two mountains in my backyard: Cornet Peak and The Remarkables. We've been up on both and have had a blast! I miss tree runs and big powder but there are lots of cool features that are uniquely New Zealand as well and that has been making it fun. Regardless...working all week and then spending the weekend on the hill boarding simply kicks ass.

Work itself is, well, work. Getting the vines of a local vineyard primed for growing next season... Like most things it was fun at first, but then quickly became monotonous. It's a transition period though, part of the game. We've spent the last months traveling and having a blast and now it's time to put a few dollars back in the bank. I love being outside all day, the views from the vineyard are amazing, the people I work with are amazing, its a slightly romantic occupation (I say that standing on the other side and with a bit of sarcasm), and its putting money in the bank.

I've been dreaming of surfing 24/7 but I'm not sure if that is just a case of wanting what I can't immediately have. I'll leave that sacred ground alone for now and take solace is slope shredding on the weekends. Luckily there are a few limits to push around here.