Halloween Hangover

Halloween parties full of random people, beer, wine, and yes there was a strobe light that didn't help. That is a recipe for a crazy day long hangover headache. Throw in the fact that I haven't gotten a full nights sleep in 2 days, and then you have the recipe for thanking the powers that be you have a day off. My first so called free day. With it I'm not doing a whole lot. I was going to go to the gym but plans were thwarted by massive dome pain. Eh, well, what are ya gonna do. So how am I gonna spend my evening...? mostly with a pencil and paper, computer and headphones. Rolling on ice skates (not really on that part). The most depressing thing about Halloween was that it made me miss being home. Those are always the best parties of the year, Allisons Halloween parties. This makes 2 years in a row that I've missed it too. Oh well, I have much better reason for it this year. Facebook is becoming my worst enemy. There is some weird delay so I never can tell who's really on there and then I know it's getting ready to be DLST back home so it'll be what an 18 hour time differance now. BAH! My hands are healing, so I'm beginning to think they are just stupid dry. Anyway. My comfort level still waivers but is getting better. I think it'll help in a few days once i get a phone card and can hear some familiar voices for a change.

Words -JTJ

Super terrific

So, I like it. So far. I miss home, but it's good here. I can deal with this until March. The worst thing that I have to say is that the days are long and the back of my hands and covered in wind/steam burns and that kinda hurts. I don't think having to wash my hands 80 million times a day helps either. Oh well, whatever. This is more of a drunken rambling then an update. I keep a log on my labtop but it isn't clear by IT yet, cause I keep forgeting to take it.. I have to take it there before 830 am and I wake up at 7ish and mornings are B U S Y!!!

Ice Love

Travel Tales: Thoughts en route

To You:
24 October, 2009


Sometimes you don't realize how bad you're going to miss someone until you're 3000 miles away, preparing to catch a
flight that is going to take you to the other side of the world. No, I don't say this with any philosphical soap box
under foot, only with the truth of experiance. Not one past but one present. This is the last thing I will write in
the States for many a moon, and even as I type this into notepad for safe keeping, my eyes are leaking and carrying heavier
bags than I have been all evening. I realize now who the people are back home that I care most about. On a certain level I
have always known but not ever been quick to admit it. There is not to be any humor in this post whenever it may reach the
blogosphere. Cold teeth, and a curse on this town... sorry I had to let the Shins take over for a minute. They are my only
solace right now. I can't run to my friends for hugs and comfort. I can't call my parents for kind loving words... or even
criticism. I can't go walk it out. I have to sit in this damned airport terminal and learn very quickly to leave the ones
I love. I have no time for a learning curve because my stubborn ass wouldn't accept this very basic truth prior to departing.
I have tried to put a positive spin on my deeply guarded pain since I went to visit my mother and brother in September. The
simple fact is that either no one noticed or anyone who did was smart enough to let me see to it on my own. Despite whatever
the truth is I now am able to say that I am now, more than ever, on my own. Are there people where I'm going? Yes, simple
answer. Will I make friends? Most likely yes, and with some luck, quickly. Will I think about my family and friends everyday?
Without question. Will I come back a stronger person? Almost certainly. Will it hurt me a little inside? I will not be
suprised.
I love you all
Some more but none less

 (Oh Inverted World)

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10 out of 14 hours on flight 26 from L.A. to Auckland.
Nota whole lot to do on the flight, but on what flight is there anything to do really?
I watched the brothers bloom and predicted almost everything in the movie.
I ate Mahi Mahi on the home side of the date line.
Well past that, and there'e no turning back.
No worries, I have my memories and my pictures.
My music and my personal wealth of movies, and for the time being the ones on board too.
"Make sure she knows you'll love her well, but don't make any other promises."
The Avett brothers console my spirit and remind me of home.
This is going to be a good six months (not even that long).
"So when you run make sure you run to something and not away from..."

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Hands of the Saints. No, not Reggie Bush. 

That just so happens to be the name of the song I'm listening to. Citizen Cope. In Auckland, New Zealand. Nearly done with my 

trek to the ice. It's my birthday... kind of. I don't think it's even the same day back home. I am excited to get started with

work, anxious to post what I wrote to my blog in transit. I think that if I came home right now, I'd be a new man to a lot 

of you. I've also learned that New Zealand is a beautiful place. I thought it would be, but now I know. There aren't many

places where you see marshes, evergreen trees, palms, the ocean, and mountains from one vantage point. I couldn't eat right

now even if I wanted to. I've learned a lot from reading Big Dead Place about how to live on the ice. I estimate I'll learn

more once I'm acctually there. With the help of my computer I've figured it is 5:43 pm back home... on Sunday the 25th...

So I guess it isn't technically my birthday. Just as well, I can have dinner in Christchurch when it is actually the 26th 

back home. Hope someone celebrates for me back home. By contrast it's Monday, October 26th at 10:46 a.m. here in Auckland.

For those of you who can't or don't want to try that's a 17 hour time differance, my favor. Things seem more... easy going here.

Maybe that's because the last place I was in the States was LA... more specifically LAX. LA isn't anything worth talking about,

unless you want to read about how I think it's a vile, smog-ridden, cestpool for people with a false sense of entiltlement.

I could go on with that, quote a bit of Bill Hicks, but I'll spare you. I will leave you with this-

"I thought I'd write, thought I'd let you know... hope you find some time to drop a note... but if you don't, if you don't...

then I'll consider you gone..." 

Ben Folds makes me happy, but don't consider me gone..

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Safe in Christchurch, time for dinner. 

Love,

JT

Preparation Station

So, you know what's fun. Being on a time table trying to figure out all the things you should take to live on the ice for 6 months. How the hell can I figure this out. I've got plenty of guidelines and suggestions from various people. Also, weight limits for airlines don't help... DAMN YOU AMERICAN AIRLINES!!!

Anywho...

It seems that I miss read what some of the reactions I got. Everyone is happy for me, in case that was unclear. Many people are even jealous. The thing I guess that was bothering me yesterday was the idea that people are going to be said to see me go. I don't deal with things like that well... I know that it's all the "we love you, be safe, have fun, we'll miss you" type of thing, but I just wish people would save that stuff for after I'm on the plane. I know better though.

For the record, I know my pre-flight jitters are not very interesting for any of my readers, but you'll get over it and this will get more interesting soon... especially with the forth coming birthday adventures in Christchurch  entry. I cannot promise a sober entry from whatever hotel I'll be in that night.

Thoughts on my last week home

As the time grows nearer for me to hop on that plane for the longest flight I'm sure I'll take in my life (From Asheville to Atlanta to LAX to Sydney to Christchurch to McMurdo), I find my self almost not wanting to visit with my friends before I leave. Not because I don't want to see all of them before I go, but more because I find many of my friends that are going to be sad to see me go, which is fine, right up until it messes with my psyche. I know that they are all happy for me and excited for me and all that, but I can't help but think... I'm only going to be gone for a few months LET ME BE HAPPY FOR ME! It makes it more difficult for me to be happy for myself if you guys can't be happy for me.

On a lighter note...
As it happens I will get to spend my entire birthday bumming around Christchurch, NZ. I get there on the 25th and fly out early on the 27th. SO..... EAT IT PETERSON!!  
No, but really, to all my friends and family in the States, I love you all and thank you all for your support.