It's not a tumor...

Actually yes it is. My dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor recently. My sister tells me the type of tumor he has is often benign. Often benign. I guess that's good. She and her husband used their connections to have him examined at the University of Illinois. The chief of surgery there said they don't need to operate until after the holidays.
I've known about the possiblity of the tumor since before I left for my trip. Since finding out the details about my dad's condition a few days ago, I've had some long drives to think about what I should do. It didn't really take long for the decidion to come. Since doors seem to be closing in the Bay Area, the decision to leave San Francisco seems like the logical choice. My dad and I haven't been close in a very long time. It's time to close the gap between us.
When I came to this decision I called my dad to see how he's feeling. He basically did what he always does when we 'talk,' avoiding the topic and handing the phone over to my mom. I had to ask her to hand the phone back to him. His answer to my question is, "everything's fine." Cool.
In one of his asshole rages a few years back he questioned whether or not I would cry for him when he died. He may not be dying, but in this moment when I think my family needs to be there for him he continually pushes us (me) away. Look old man I'm trying here. At least meet me half way.

This is the end my friend

It's official. I have just been informed the Saul Zaentz Film Center will close on January 14th. I'm going to enjoy the rest of my in NZ, see my family for the holidays, then try to figure out what I'm going to do.

I'm still alive

It's been a week since my last post. I'll recap quickly cause I'm hungry for some Indian take away (take out or to go in the U.S.).
Matt and I did not find Edoras. The set had been taken down and driving to the middle of nowhere didn't seem appealing to me at the time. We did take a jet boat ride in this amazingly gorgeous river gorge. Murray, the jet boat owner, sits around all day sunning himself until someone wants to take aride in his boat. Not a bad gig. The water in the gorge was the most spectacular green blue color and we both forgot to ask why.
Next stop Christchurch. We finally saw kiwis, in captivity. There are ony 65,000 left in NZ. They're the funniest looking birds. Couldn't take pictures cause they're nocturnal and a flash would scare the crap out of them.
We saw a Maori cultural thing and Matt did the haka - a ritual Maori warrior dance. The video will never get posted. Ever. hehehe Dolphin swimming got canceled due to bad weather. I'm still bummed.
Off to Castle Hill for bouldering that kicked my ass. Every problem there involves balance and crappy holds. Balance I'm ok with crappy holds, no! I had a few adventures trying to find the camp ground. First I ended up at a ski resort and decided to take the rental off road cause I thought the camp site was just around the corner. I ended up on a ski hill, way up. Luckily I didn't get stuck up there. I then found a cabin and thought, "this must be it." I walked into the kitchen area and someone had just got done cooking. I noticed smoke coming out of the chimney and thought I'd find the three Australian guys I met earlier in the day. Instead I found a woman doing yoga. She directed me to the campsite, but her place looked more comfortable. D'OH!
As I approached the campsite a hail storm set in. I waited for it to stop, set up my tent, then it rained. I hung out with two guys from Singapore and a couple from Finland. THe Fins and I stayed up trying to start a fire. Didn't work. The rain changed to sleet for a short time and was then liquid again. The Finnish girl told me it was snowing early in the morning. This is summer in the south island?
I was going to keep this brief. Anyways I walked on Fox glacier yesterday, hung out with Australian, Dutch, and Americans afterwards cause the hostel stayed in was the worst (only bad one so far). Now I'm in Wanaka on the most perfect day ever. It reminds me of Tahoe here. Tomorrow I'll jump 134 meters into a river gorge with a rubber band tied around my ankles. Oh, and I bouldered around Wanaka today. I think this place is heaven.

Searching for Matt Kahle

We finally found each other after a few days of me not being where I was supposed to be. I thought I would be in Christchurch, but the opportunity to climb Golden Bay was too much to pass up. I ran into Ron, Ginger, and Daan who I met at Bryce's. I picked up a couple of strays, Michael (Germany) and Colinda (Holland) and climbed for three days straight leading all but one route, which Ron lead. It was somewhere in the 5.11a/b range.
We climbed in the rain on Sunday. The spot was called the sea cliff and had a buch of overhanging rock that protected most of the routes. The rock around here dries incredibly fast so later in the afternoon we were able to do a few routes on the once wet walls.
Saturday and Monday were perfect days. Sunny and somewhat cool unless the route was in the sun. I got nback to Nelson last night and tried to find Matt but was unsuccessful. I got up somewhat early this morning and caught him just minutes before he could get on a bus to Christchurch. Hmmm...kind of similar to when Josh caught me before drunken Viet got on a bus back to NY after a show. :-)
We are now in Hanmer and had a nice dip in the springs. Sulfer, thermal, heated fresh, we hit them all. THe drive out here was one of the prettiest drives I've taken here. WIde vistas of snow capped mountains were the highlight. We drove by areas that looked like Rohan from LOTR. A lot of stuff here has reminded me of the movies. I hope Edoras is still up.
I think we're going to try to swim with dolphins tomorrow. THen more rock climbing in Arthurs Pass or bouldering in Castle Hill. I'm told it's one of the ten best places in the world for bouldering.

An idea is growing...

I will most likely not have a job when I come back to San Francisco. So why am I going back?

Moana Lodge

I drove about five hours today from New Plymouth to Wellington. WHen I got into Wellington, I experienced culture shock. I haven't been in a city that size since leaving San Francisco. I freaked out a bit and turned around to go to Upper Hutt (Jabba's place. hahahahaha...)
I found a nice little backpacker place on the bay. For two dollars more a night I got a room overlooking the bay. This place is sick! I'm going to have to stay here on my way back.