I will have a life here…

I can see the light! As some of you already know from my insechit whining I have been studying for about a month. My company has requested that I start a Microsoft certification path. Why you ask, well because they are a “Gold” partner and that means two things. One, they get referrals from MS when a company contacts MS asking if there is a company they recommend that can do (what we do) and two, they get all the Microsoft software for free while we maintain the “Gold” status saving them bookoo bux! To be a “Gold” member a percentage of all developers have to be certified and when I hired on they were falling short this year so I agreed to help out. WTF was I thinking? I am in a new country working on starting a new life and here I have been studying nearly every day for the last couple weeks… To top it off my test is Monday and I have not been able to pass one of the practice exams. The stress is building! This is the first of potentially 5 exams to make it to the Enterprise Architect title. That’s not happening any year soon! Regardless, I am learning a shitload and at the same time most of it is getting used in my daily job, I’m crazy stoked that I’m not spending time learning something that never gets used.
To accomplish this feat of strength I need an office so I bought a table and took up a corner of the living room. I also need brain food so a shit load of ice cream has been consumed. This Ice cream contains Hokie Pokie’s which are tasty little chocolate covered honeycomb pieces.


I’ll bet you’ve had enough of that droll.

I went through some serious down times the last couple months missing many of you and the big dog! I think a lot of that had to do with this exam and shit weather every time I get some free time. Well things are perking up, I see the end to this test, it’s starting to warm up and my good friend Jen will be visiting in four weeks! Jen, I hope your as excited as I am. On top of that many of the things that I want to do require a car; this crux too will be mended in the next couple weeks. I’m not going to be able to get anything that would even compare to the Element; damn you Kate for taking him away from me.
Some of the things a Car will do for me, transport to some of the great MTB parks and trails that are just a pain to ride to ride to. Scuba and gear transport. And tramping weekends!

Come next week I’m also going to try and get on a sailing crew fro some races here in the harbor and at sea. BW has been riding me about this so I can help out on our outing in January in Auckland. I have to admit it seems like a NZ thing to do since around every corner is another bay w/ valet boat parking ;)

One more thing, I came across this American band called Animal Collective an alternative strange band but really fun to listen to and I think you should have a listen. If you want to sample let me know and I'll hook you up.

OK off for some drinks on the town before I ride and study some more tomorrow.

Robel out

Damn almost a month since my last confession! Father forgive....

My apologies to many friends and family for not keeping in touch! I've been gone 9 weeks now, have you even noticed? I'm in a new country starting a new life give me a break! 8) Seriously though, I miss you all very much and hope that you will come visit.

I've been keeping pretty busy, so much for a slowing of my life. Raise of hand if you didn't believe me when I tried to sell you on the fact that I was going to chill out?

SCUBA: Only dove once since arriving and it was crap, 3 meter vis, extremely cold and a short dive to boot. However, that didn't dissuade me one bit. Over two months have gone by since I signed up for my Wreck dive specialty course and I've only a manual to show for it. Three times we have had the course scheduled, one tomorrow, and have all been canceled due to weather or wind. WTF mother nature, I've got plans, get w/ my program...

New Friends: I've met a few and lost a few, namely Marek a guy from Czech, Connor from Ireland (left today for a 1000k tramp from Invecargo to Abel!), Ali and a few others. I've not penetrated the biking scene but am looking to do so in the morning. I'm heading out on a 5 hour road ride w/ a few guys from the local bike shop, thanks for the invite Brett.

On that note Biking: (Photos)

Bryon Wright (x utahn) and I rode in the 12 Hours of Taupo MTB race last weekend. It was a race but we didn't take it too seriously. We both did 11 laps which came to about 90km in the 12 hours with a couple long breaks and a life saving thermal stream soak at about the 6 hour mark. I can thank Voltarin, our kick butt alt to IBU, for keeping me happy and pedaling. Me and BW (pronounced BeeDub) will also be participating in the Alpine Epic come next year. When our boys Ryan and Derryl come out in March we'll race the AY UP Lights 24 a 24 hour MTB race in Rotorua. fyi, Ryan is a new daddy and the same guy that got his ass handed to him riding up LCC by a girl! giggle love ya Jen.
I'll probably put together a team in May for Moonride, yet another 24 hour race in Rotorua. In case you haven't caught on, Rotorua is the MTB mecca of NZ. Riderotorua.com It's time I make another trip up there... Here in Wellington there is a village called Makara that has a full on MTB XC and FR park. It's pretty rad but getting to it right now w/o a car is a pain since I'm spent by the time I make the hour plus road ride. I have met a few guys that go night riding once a week to Makara and now that my shipment has arrived with my lights, I will be joining them. It doesn't hurt that the weather is also starting to pick up.

Click image to see larger view:

Wellington AKA Windington and Rainington: man the rain and wind have been in full effect since I have arrived. ahhh enough about the weather, I don't even notice it any more, NOT. But on a nice day it's absolutely great!

Health: I've been battling a nasty head cold and serious chest congestion for the past 3 weeks or so. It's getting better now (fingers crossed). I'm not sure if this is the same cough that I thought I was over that I had had for over a year. Anywho, I'm feeling better and staying active. My company subsidized a gym membership so I've started to swim which kicks my ass! I feel so weak only being able to swim 120 meters w/o stopping and then having to stop every 60 or so after that... so much for being a bad ass at everything I do ;) My goal with that is to do a duathalon in the next year. I got the idea from my girl Jen and her triathalon training, what a monster that girl is.

And until my next confession, party on.

Costume Party at Ali's New Flat

Ali's flat warming party was last night (Pictures Here); the costumes had to be made out of newspaper, bags or cardboard. I went a bit overboard w/ my outfit but hey why not. It took me about 5 hours to put it together. Me being new to NZ I had nothing necessary to complete the job so I was off to the hardware store for some paint and utility knife, the second hand store for a teeshirt and dress, and finally the dollar store for some fake diamonds and string. I wanted to be a gladiator so I went to the all knowing Google for some help finding out what one looks like. I came across this site called Instructables (http://www.instructables.com). Pretty damn cool place to find instructions for making a lot of things, not just costumes. I used the instructions for the belt and the rest was all me. A sword from cardboard with a couple diamonds glued on the pommel. A shoulder plate for off hand defense in case another warrior dared to show or step up :D. Wrist bands from the cut up dress and an old gray shirt cut down the front w/ some ties holding it closed. I also made a head band w/ another diamond in the center but paint got on the inside and when I put it on I would get a black ring around my head so I didn't use this piece. I am pleased with the overall outcome! What do you think?

Getting to the party was a bit more... how do you say... challenging. I met Marek at the bus stop and we had to hang out for about 15 minutes. Needless to say most people driving by looked over to stare or made comments. Dressed up like this in your own house or at a party is one thing, going out in public is another. I kept a smile on and thought to myself how proud I am of being able to grin at all those jealous people that don't have costume making SKILLZ!
Sitting on the bus proved to be another challenge, the slats don't bend; this means I'm going to be standing all nigh too, doh!
The party was great fun. So much drinking, laughing and dancing made for a long night that felt entirely too short. I met most of these people while staying at the Worldwide Backpackers here in Welly. I am extremely pleased to have met these great people the of whom I now consider friends: Marek, Connor and Ali. Not to say that the rest of the people are any less nice or friendly, you know what I mean. My costume was a hit and if I may say so won the Gold! Ali mentioned multiple times that she had wished that she had some prize to give, no worries Ali!

Today I didn't get out of bed until 3pm and still fighting to think clearly. I can thank my friend Marek for getting my ass home and paying for the taxi.


http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37136&l=4faa4&id=730638300

The Robinator

So I met some friends while staying @ the backpacker that invited me to play a game called squash. I've heard of the game but didn't know anything about it. So if you're like me let me now learn you. Think racket ball w/ a ball the size of a foosball but rubber, a tennis racket that is slightly narrower and more rules.
I've played a couple games of racketball, OK a few games in one day, but still, I'm pretty athletic and can run around swinging a paddle like some loon. The first game was a total lose, 1-9 against Chris and Irish blok :( Second game, was not much better , I scored three right towards the end; I think the French guy gave me those.
But the third game was all me, this girl Ali, was also new so I was able to crush her w/ sheer strength :) Now that's better!
Feeling better about my game ;) I played another Frenchy, this was a much better match for me, back and forth both of us scoring. On game point 5-8 I turned my ankle, not f'n cool. I haven't done this in a couple year and thought that I was over those days. I called the rest of the game and went out to elevate my foot. Frenchy didn't have another player since Conner was chatting away w/ chris. I was feeling like a puss because I took this guys win away by "faking" and injury; at least that is what I would have thought since I wasn't reeling on the ground in agony. So I sucked it up and went back to finish. I wasn't feeling a sharp shooting pain so I knew it wouldn't be that bad, lets just hope it doesn't happen again. Those damn wood floors just grab your feet some times!
I was feeling good and we went back and forth a few times until it was 8-8 and I make the final score! Booya kasha! With a real win under my belt I was ready to bring the pain to another and I hadn't yet played Conner. Conner is pretty good but I was hot! My serves were just so that it was hard to get a strong return and I was banking like I had all the money in the world! That final game ended 2-9, o ya watch out all you pro squash playaz Bob-o is rock'n the plexyglass...

Now I'm sitting on the couch stuffing chips in my snout, writing to you and icing. Thanks for reading peeps ;)

Remember kids, if you uncle Harry asks you to touch it, pull as hard as you can :D

Daily Ritual and Coworkers

Every day 3pm is hack time. A group of us head down to the parking garage if it's raining, the location for most days, or outside to the parking lot for some sun and hack! I think they were impressed when my mad skillz; I can thank my brother Scott and friends at senior corner during high school.


Clockwise from 9pm: Dongbo, Wayne, Jamish AKA Jamal, Shane, Raymond and Richard

This here is Wayne, my Jedi master. He has been w/ the company the longest and has a great understanding of software, he reminds me a bit of my friend BlaineC w/o the chattiness . He's also a pool shark.

NZ Bike Gods got word of my arrival

I had thought that I out tricked the bike gods by moving half way around the world, NOT! I have somehow gotten bad bike karma, I've done nothing to upset them unless they take offense to cursing?

I almost didn't get out of bed this morning due to my sore shoulder and general aches but there was something coming through my shades. It was different, white and bright. The sun does show its love here. Well I couldn't well sit in bed on the second day of sun in over 15 days so I decided to make give Mt. Victoria, Mt. Vic for short, a go.
This location is just up the hill from my flat so getting there took all but 5 min, sweet as! It was muddy, rooty and Rob wasn't impressed at all. This is supposed to be the location of a world cup race a few years ago, I must be in the wrong location... as I'm riding up a steep hill my bike stops and I tip over, no laughing please, turns out I had a link pop and get caught in the rear der. I guess I should be thankful that it didn't pull that off. This chain has less than 40 miles on it! What is it that I do or how I ride that makes brake at least 3 chains a season? I clean and lube them after every few rides and after every ride if they get wet or muddy, anyone got a clue?
I'm extremely skilled at chain fixing now and was back up and running in less than 4 minutes. Made it up the hill and was crossing a soccer or cricket field when some more popping started. I stopped and had a look to find the bugger.. Two more links about 6 inches apart had popped rivets, holy shit! As I'm changing them out in the middle of the marshy grass a lady approached and was nice to stop and chat. She asked where abouts I was heading and she told me not to even attempt. It was steep, muddy and generally not a good idea. So for the first time in my life I listened to a woman and turned to head home after 3 hours of climbing w/o much payout. The woman did affirm my suspicions that Mt. Vic had to have better trails and has offered to learn me a little in the next couple weeks. Sweet As Bro ;)

Wellington MTB cherry broken!

My first mountain bike ride in Wellington, NZ. It started out really nice this morning and then a storm came through again... fortunately it's coming down now and not when I was out this afternoon.

I rode from my flat in Newtown to point of interest numero one, the wind turbine. This is a long grind uphill, some on the road and some on trail; mental note good str training route. It's a service road so nothing to speak to other than the three steep sections, wind, Wind o and some more WIND. After the turbine and some great views of the Wellington harbor, city and coast it was down some rollers and a couple steep sections w/ hikers to a place called Watch hill. POI #2 was to make it to the Makara MTB park to test my mad skillz. Here it turns into single track through heavy veg, fast and tight turns and of course some mud after, um, 13 days of rain! ;) I wrecked once on this section getting some fresh mud on the new jersey.
The route dropped me out to a road where it was time for some urban assault, the path was marked, "Bike park this way" it just so happed to be 4 sets of concrete stair to chatter down; had my damn shock locked out cuz I thought I was gonna be on the road for a bit. With a 50% chance of choosing the right way at a T in the road I was wrong and asked a nice post man "Which direction to the MTB park?" I rolled up on a little parking lot w/ bathrooms and drinking water, mmmm yummy.
Grabbed a cheap and free map then took off up the Koru trail on a route that was gonna be 1-2 hours on the Average skill level. The trail up was nice and out of the wind, thank god because I was starting to get tired. I came out at an entrance to a terrain/jump subpark so I thought cool theres a way to get in over this log w/ some dirt up to the top. Full speed ahead into the dirt went my head and left shoulder. The log was wet and I came at it on a slight angle and was about 3 feet in the air as I felt my body turn sideways because of course my feet were still clipped into my clipless pedals while the bike sored sideways. To top it off a couple of kids were kick'n it watching the entire thing. They asked if i was ok and then laughed when I said "Well that sucked." So at this point I think Rob is tired enough to call it a day. So I head down a trail called live wires; the name is because the path goes over some power wire at some point. Anyway the little post next to the trail name stated "Average," ummm I don't think so! Much like what happened to me and BW in Rotorua this steep ass, stepped board bridge, came out of nowhere and I had no place to even get a look at the damn thing so there I went leaning back for dear life hoping that I have some room to maneuver at the bottom. Not so much luck, with a sharp 85deg right turn I was catching my breath as I fought through three more rock step areas to finally pull up and check my shorts. Thank god it was only mud... Anyway the rest was steep, fast and curvy but challenging because I was either scared shitless or seriuosly tired. I then took the road home for another 30 minutes or so.

As I'm looking at the map of the Makara park, livewires is a difficult... lot of good that does on the map and not on the damn trail marker...

The goal for tomorrow, Sunday, is to take on part of the Mt. Victoria area closer to home base.