The Book of Ashes

Sifty's return 4:13AM

So I came back into Wellington last night at around 5:30. We had a family dinner to go to at 6:00 so after quickly saying hi to Dan (who gave me a bottle of Drambuie for my birthday, thanks dude) and unloading my gear, we headed out to Eden cafe. It was awesome to catch up with the family. I had a few beers and talked to my uncles and aunties. My uncle Steve, who was back from Melbourne, looked strange. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. He had a different haircut that made him look quite distinguished, but that wasn't it. It took me most of the night before I realised that he reminded me of Mr Knightly off of Emma. He has that exact persona about him too. It was amazing. Anyway for dinner I grabbed the empty seat by my younger cousins. They were good conversation, very smart for their age and kept me well entertained. I ended up getting the chicken breast and also eating half of my aunties and another cousins so was quite full. Came home, caught up with Char & Olivia who is my new neighbour then headed out onto the town to catch up with Tom (aka Sifty) and Crispy. I found them at Mercury and was disturbed to discover that Tom hadn't changed a bit, altho he did buy me the first drink which was quite alarming. We caught up and talked for ages over a few drinks then headed off to Jet bar. Eventually I got tired so left them and headed home. I had a good sleep and woke quite refreshed in the early morning.

I gave Bev & Jo a call who had offered to take me out for lunch on Sunday for my birthday. We changed the date to today and went out to Arizona for the big breakfast with Martin & Dan. It was good to catch up with everybody. Afterwards I dropped Dan off at the airport (hes going to Auckland for the weekend) then came home. Mum came round with a birthday present for me then left with Thomas, back for Palmy.

The plans now are as follows... go for a blade, I'm itching for exercise, BTW I am happy to have discovered that Olivia has blades and is keen to go out some time, YAY! Get some food, catch up with Martin and Simon and watch the rugby, pack my stuff then go on an early morning skiing trip. It is Sifty, Crispy & Ashes, on the road again, off to snow board. Hope the weather is good but if not it is going to be fun. Right better get to it then..

Photos of our trip.... 9:48AM

Life has been pretty full on lately. I think I decided to take matters into my own hands and actually proactively do stuff and now the ball is rolling and stuff is just happening. I was just getting some food before going to watch the rugby with Martin & Simon when Tijs rings up, keen for a catch up. Life is treating him well, as well and he has a new girl friend and his business is taking off. It is good for him, he is a very smart dude. Anyway the All Blacks Vs South Africa rocked. We kicked arse... but it was an excellent game. Now I'm home and just about ready to pack up my stuff once again for a go at the hills. I guess you're all hanging out for some photos though so I think I can convience you with some of these that the snow was infact rocking which is why I'm going back...

This is the gang. From left to right, Meads, Kiwi Kate, Dale, Aussie Kate, Adriene & Anna. I am behind the camera.

This was the execellent dumping of snow we got. The first snow for some of us. Check out how beautiful it is. I love snow so much, even though I've seen it a thousand times before.

This was my birthday. Snow lay on the road side everywhere and things were so fresh and sparkly that you wouldn't believe it.

Us outside a petrol station on my birthday. Again what a cool day.

This is us at Turoa on Tuesday. The snow was awesome. The day was perfect. What more could one want. This is why I am rising at 4am tomorrow morning to go back one more time to tame the beast.

I have just realised I have no more lions to kill, rather an empire to build

Synopsis of the Aussies 10:04AM

It has been an adventure indeed. To finally meet the Aussie supporters of the site, in particular Reggie who writes regularly. It is funny how an image adds so much to your mental picture of a person. Watching them act and talk adds so much more. Now when she writes I will know where its coming from and what its all about. I wonder how it has been for you guys? Did I live up to my writings. Am I in actuality different from my percieved mental image? I think maybe. I don't think I act like I write, infact I think I only think like I write when I'm by myself or away day dreaming. You never see this side of me, unless you hang out with me heaps and then I start to slip and some little bits over flow. I observed you. I watched. I learnt your group dynamics. But I am old and wise and maybe one day you will be like me. Now I break away for a clean fresh start. Things are always in flux. One must embrace change to survive, otherwise stagnation is imminent.

Ok so don't take any meaning from that. I just wanted to let flow words that sounded lots like they could have meant something. Whether it does or not I must now sleep..