through the miracle of modern technology (and the hassle oft associated with it) some pictures of the current new zealand travels:

the beginning of a rafting endeavor

the flotilla forms up

one of the many flotilla members

and another…

a lazy seal -

near one of the many beaches

followed by a couple hundred kilometers of biking

in what looked an awful lot like montana

great travels thus far and i’ve really only been here a week. nice country that way. alas, i’m tired and lost for something intelligent to say, so i’ll try to resurrect that aspect of my mind on a later date…

Posted by noblehobo at 07:25 PM | Permalink

i survived the mighty avon river in christchurch the other day, rafting my way through a great distance. that is, of course, if you define ‘raft’ as a small inflatable vessel you can purchase for less than eight dollars, ‘mighty river’ as a stream not more than twenty feet across and one or two feet deep, and ‘survived’ as finishing off piles of cheap beer and snacks in the process…

a rather large group of us decided rubber rafts and a riot of laughter were the best way to stroll through a city of over 300,000 people. we floated through the botanical gardens, the bar district, and a number of fancier locales. fortunately for us, it was in the eyes of amusement we reflected - bemused smiles and laughter followed our passage.

now, time to leave the city (far too expensive here) and move south toward the cities of dunedin, queenstown, and wanaka as well as the southern alps of new zealand for some hiking.

Posted by noblehobo at 08:32 PM | Permalink

humidity. warmth. dark skies. bright stars.

it’s beautiful seeing again that which has been deprived.

new zealand holds to be an amazing place.

Posted by noblehobo at 05:30 AM | Permalink

alas, no season extension…
a great calamity of weather and poor planning has lead toa far earlier exit from the pole than i expected. it’s been a grand run, some of the most difficult and rewarding months of my life. still, it’s time to go. off to new zealand for some warmth, humidity, and green things. then back home to the ol’ lands of minnesota.

Posted by noblehobo at 12:29 AM | Permalink

hmmmm….

from a much larger spiel here:

full transcript

a choice moment in a conversation between a single mother of three and the ol’ prez:

PRESIDENT BUSH: And so thank you for asking that. You don’t have to worry.

MS. MORNAN (sp): That’s good because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.

PRESIDENT BUSH: You work three jobs?

MS. MORNAN (sp): Three jobs, yes.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Uniquely American, isn’t it? I mean, that is fantastic that you’re doing that. (Applause.)

MS. MORNAN (sp): Thank you.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Get any sleep?

MS. MORNAN (sp): Not much.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yeah?

MS. MORNAN (sp): Not much.

Posted by noblehobo at 08:02 AM | Permalink

it’s a strange game, played out often, as one balances self-interest with community-interest. they are two human drives, often in competition. one brought me here, one keeps me alive here, one causes anguish and confusion, one brings solutions, etc. and the mix is always changing…

another late night is brewing as i sit here, typing. a great deal has occurred in the past few months, a pile of life too intense to try to understand or reiterate in this space. tough, beautiful, and defining, the past few months will carry me into an unknown future. but carry me they will.

beauty and wonder come often mixed with pain and sorrow, and in the path to understand them both, sometimes the answers show.

in the mean time, i smile at my horizons, laugh with my friends, and keep on dreaming.

—

sweet sleep and dreams to those of you i know and love - they rarely beg our understanding, just simple acceptance.

Posted by noblehobo at 05:05 AM | Permalink