Taint feel like X mus dern her.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Well actually its only Christmas eve here, and only the 23rd there. Snow there, Sun here. However that does not stop there Christmas carols from blasting in the local grocery stores. Nor does it stop there undying need for people to rush out, spend money, and eat. There is something slightly hilarious about wearing flip-flops on a 100 degree day in the middle of the summer in Woolworth's, (the local Market) listening to "Frosty the Snowman," and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas." It just does not have to same effect. I would say 90 percent of the people here have never seen snow unless they are from New Zealand. I know for a fact no one I have met here have participated in the construction of a snowman. But then again how many of you have seen a kangaroo wearing a Santa hat?

We do miss home though. Especially now. This is the first time we have not spent Christmas with one of our families. Its pretty weird. We are going to an "Orphan Christmas" at the Barclay's house. They have a lot of friends from New Zealand that cannot get home so it should be good fun. Tonight we are going over to another friends house for his annual Eve Bash. I think he has a 30ft inflatable Santa or "Father Christmas" in his front yard. You just cant seem to go far enough to get away from those. Oh well, reminds me of Springtucky. Not a lot of Christmas lights though, and not too many decorations. Religion is not big down here at all. In fact I have only seen a few churches. I did meet some Mormons though... all be it they were "Jack Mormons."

What I think I am going to miss about being home during this time the most is family. Second, Football, and Thirdly, what the new year used to mean to me. As most of you know it meant it was time to kick it up a notch and try to keep up with Oliver for a mile or so longer. It also meant making poor Oly go out it the freezing rain, or snow and play catch with me, long toss and me throwing as hard as I could at him from 60 ft. Listening to him curse as he would get the ball. Then I would ask if he was OK and he would always respond in the same way, "Oh yeah, no worries." I would have to hear from Melissa next time I saw her that his hand was sore because he would never say it. Then Oly would run sprints with me until I was tired. Later I would find out that he had already run 8 miles that morning. I also loved playing catch with Toby and throwing the first ball to him, watch him duck out of the way and yell "Dude you have to warn me if your going to do that freaky shit bro!!" Classic Toby.


It also meant a week or two until Balance Points annual Journey. Most of you know that is the name of good friend Mikey T. and I's musical project. I am mainly just along for the ride, but I am getting better and absolutely love it. We have spent one year at the cabin in Colorado, and two strong at the Ford house on the Oregon coast. This was always a special trip. Months of planning, deciding what to bring, what recording stuff to pack, what to eat, what not to eat, whether or not to bring hiking stuff, rubber boots, and rain jackets, and all the other good stuff. Now the ford house is nothing special to look at. It is located just outside of Waldport, and is a 3 bedroom house right on the beach. Its the deck that really ties the whole house together. A huge window looks directly out onto the ocean. Mike and I set all our recording gear up and do a sort of "Gonzo" recording style, simply hitting record, recording hours of talking, playing, any conversation that comes up. Usually by the end of the 3 days we have filtered through the madness and will leave with a couple songs and some hilarious comments and sayings. Guess we will have to pick up again next year. Shame to break the tradition, but I know it will continue.


Well I hope this finds everyone enjoying, and celebrating life, and the new year. Trust that we are well taken care of here by beautiful people.


Merry Christmas!!!