Islands

The feeble attempt to create a title that is much too large for the blog in keeping with the long title craze of the class

If you don't watch, life will pass you by.
If you don't listen, life will whisper.
If you don't think, life will think for you.
If you have no plan, life always has plan B.
If I don't rule my own life, life is alwaysthere to give you a new one.
Do I let life guide me, or do I guide myself?
The more I try to live freely, the more I realize that I am not free.
When I don't make choices life is there to make them for me.
When I do make choices, life is there to deter me.
But, I think making choices is a way to overcome the obstacle that is life.
The older I get, I understand that I must make choices all on my own.
I can't let life dileniate what |I do or don't do.
Serendipity is a wonderful drug. It is a fun drug, and it is a needed drug sometimes.
I look to it now only sometimes, because sometimes is all the new life that I can handle.

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 05:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Well, here we are again in Queenstown. A beauty to behold, sure, But, what happened to us in the space prior to coming back. Don't worry I will tell you. Wher to begin? Ah, yes. There was that pesky bungee jump only 134 meters high daunting and tantalizing us 440 feet above the ground suspended from a gondola. "What would become of this?" I thought as my mind raced through the possibilities of mainly one conclusion. Luckily the young Swedish las that I had met the day prior had helped to curb my fears, and ease my tensions. She and her friends had done it as she described throughout the night, and I thought "what the hell, I can too" By the time I got up there the towering ground which could live in emphamy below provided I bite the big one, didn't seem so bad after all. In fact, it was not only one of the most exhilerating things that I have ever done, but the most utter freedom that I have ever felt for 5 seconds ever in my life. I cannot describe the glorious rush that goes through your body and releases through your fingers and toes, as I felt it that day. Magnificent.
The next day we went to the Routeburn trail and began a 50+ kilo hike through the wilderness that the rough guide labelled the number 2 thing to do ini New Zealand. Matty promised sunny skies and easy hiking, which of course did not deliver. Cold wind rain and treacherous hills brought us torment, but also accomplishment. Unfortunately it also fogged my camera lens which is still on the lam today. It migh tbe the end of the pictures as we know it, but I can still find a way. Sadly we hiked only half of the trail before being forced to turn back do to iniclement weather and a van parked a few hundred K's away from our exit. We would of had to hitch it that far in the dark without food, soaked and with hope that someone would be travellinig to the obscure corner that is tyhe milford sound, if we could have even proceeded at all. We get back to the van to discover that we are out of deisel, and that Van Deisel will not start. Very troubling. Did I mention that it took us less than half the time to hike the tril than what they siad we could do it in? Well we did and recieved accolades at the end of the hike from fellow hikers. Burley. Oh also on the trail, in the middle of nowhere these swankers had hiked in and and thousands of dollars worth of booze and cigarettes flown in to this hut by our campsite and had some weird wifeswapping orgy while we slept. Three americans (not us really) were kicked out of the party that night as well. This was one of the weirdest and oddly disturbing things I have ever witnessed. They were even in tuxes and formal gowns (for a while), IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. I am not making this up. But anyway back to the matter at hand. Out of gas cold and hungry, These londoners had a dead battery. I said I had jumper cables. I jump their car, and in turn they give me a 3 hour roundtrip ride to the gas station to fill up our spare tank. They said they were theatre actors, but I think that they were just trying not to act like tourists. Nonetheless, amusing and freindly and they got us on our way. On the way back we saw some of the most beautiful scenery I have seen yet. God is real, and he moonlights as epiphanies here in NZ. Great week I stink and I need to shower. I hope I wasn't too longwinded. HA! Impossible
Dan

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 04:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Welcome to my world. Hopefully these are all viewable after much trial and tribulation. This is kinda whats been going on, view wise. Tomorrow we go Bungee jumping at the tallest Bungee jump in the world at 134 meters. While I think about that, ya'll marinate on these photos for a while. Peace my brothas and Sistas

Continue reading "Photos" »

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 02:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

A plan, a van, a Dan. Thats how it all started. Where it would lead, we didn't know. How we would find it, we relied on faith. Who would be with us, we acted on coincedence. Last night for instance we ran out of gas. Smack dab between nowhere and Christchurch. I guess it was a good place to have faith (hence the name), because we had enough gas to lead us out of one of the most feirce storms I can remember being in, much less drive in. While Chris slept, and Matty rocked out, I drove through the storm towards the hope of dry freedom. Easing up steep mountain grades in first gear, sliding through winding wet passes, and barreling through the calamity of endless one lane bridges over giant crevaces we manifested an out. Sheets of rain poured down like knives through gouda. Towering deep gray clouds of evil joined us on the entire journey, and produced awe inspiring sites of liquid destruction that can only be paralelled in movies. The van, only one day fixed and on its most prolific test as of yet, rode through the storm. An eventual passing of the mountains led to a mnost unexpected flatland, and signs of light. By the time the van had said no mas, we had made it to a clearing of land with a sky ripe with colors of the rainbow, and a glorious sunset to behold while clouds seemingly danced upon the colors of the ending day. We might not have seen this had it not been for a empty tank and a will to make it to the next service station. It made a great transition to the coming night that was shortly filled with antics made for the movies. A shell station, a man in underpants, and an intrigued attendant unaware of what might happen next. Thats kind of how things have gone. Just as we intended but entirely unexpected.
today we decide to venture on our own. When we meet again, I imagine life to take another turn, more swift than what we have now. Till we meet again, sing this with me: Everybody dance, everybody dance, everybody look at your pants. Adios!

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

everywhere one roams, there are paths ahead from which to choose. Every step lies a new destiny and every path has it's rewards, and defeats. With each step lies knowledge and wisdom. This is here for one to see and it holds valuable tools to enact ones destiny. What is shameful is to see these gifts lying in front of oneself and choosing fear to take hold over your future. To travel with knowledge is divine. To accept that one has no knowledge, is commendable. To open onesself to the possibility of a new knowledge, to the possibility of changing your destiny, to the possibility of having what you know be completely wrong, is the truth. To wander the streets of the world and quip with ones views of the past, and not having a grip on the present lies disturbance. Do not waqnder the streets of the world acting as a recorder from the past. Be prepared to accept the possibility of an alternate future, and another life. I urge everyone out there, that if they are willing to speak, then be prepared to teach. Understand this, whatever comes out of ones mouth in the far crevices of every corner of the world, will leave it's mark. If you are strong in your convictions, be prepared to have them shattered, and a better one revealed. If your convictions are not, do not speak, but listen. It is better to be a muted fool than an ignorant retorter. It will cause damage to not only those around, but it will ultimately destroy oneself, and prepare one for an unpleasant awakening.

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 01:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So it has been some time since my last blog. I guess it hasn't been particularily long, it just wasn't the feverous pace that I had begun with. So let me bring you up to date on our current state. We are now in wellington and doing quite well. We have been travelling for many days now and the van is still truckin, still stinkin, and still sleepin three. We are some smelly stinkas about now, but no matter, we have earned this rank. We went to the organic farm again and stole Matty back. Ate well and slept inside. I downloaded lots of photos onto my computer, but with constant travelling, a lack of resources and plenty of sand, it is not always feasable to mess around on the computer, or safe for the computer either. So no pictures on the web just yet. We went surfing and tried to hit some waves, got a hell of a tan (or burn) and swallowed lots of marine life. What a great day that was. We met this cool bartender named Justin who helped us out with people relations, and told us about hidden hotsprings, and was the best excuse for a Kiwi I have met yet. Good guy. We picked up about 6 hitchikers, all of whom had an eery familiarity about them, and kind of led us into our next destinations. We went to a giant mountain in the middle of the north island, that had a ski resort and a singular hotel, that was in the middle of a practically deserted town that was pure swank. We snuck in and played pinball and watched 2 movies in their movie theatre. The only thing about it however was that it might as well have been the hotel from the movie "The Shining" because it was definately monsterous, spooky, and practically deserted. Very spooky. The next day we went and tried to do this ten mile hike, but probably only did about 4 miles. All uphill on a mountain though. Extremely uplifting and Beautiful award winning scenery, of which I took about 3 rolls of film of. Cooked ourselves some food that day at the bottom of the mountain and truked it the rest of the day to wellington. We have also made a serious movement to quit smoking cigarettes, and are now on day 3 of nicotine free. Very frustrating and tension building. We also saw the movie twenty one grams that was one of the most disturbing movies that I have ever seen. Very scary and provoking. We are going to the south island as soon as possible so wish us the best. And Dad, happy birthday. Sorry I didn't get to a computer on the first. I hope you had a good time. love ya all. And mom, you needn't worry so much. Were big boys now. Talk to you when I do

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 08:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Once again I am on the road. With a van this time that sounds like a toad. Bought and paid for and titled n' all, we picked up a girl who was beautiful and tall. We left the city and headed for the hills. Mountains and treetops, and sights that could kill. Crankin the I Pod we boarded a ferry, 10 minutes of water were quite the merry. We got to the other side, only to find out, That our friend Matty had a bad case of de-gout. JUst kidding, but really Matty was there. He, chris ,and SArah, and that guy with dreadlocks in his hair. We went to their farm, and were greeted and fed. We wwoofed it for a day or so and then we sped. We drove through the mountains of Rings lore, narrowly missing3 cars or more. But god what fun! What freedom I feel. The life of a vagabond behind the wheel. Now we must go and explore yet some more, the ninety mile beach is next in store. Ho

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Today is the first day of clarity for me. I finally got the days straight, you see. Hootin' and hollerin' for 5 days strong, it's hard to believe it's gone on that long. But time passes fast when you don't know the day, especially if your life is one big par-tay. Delving into the underworld has it's rewards, a side of NZ for those who are bored. Bored with the droll of the tourist regime, walking and shopping, and copious amounts of nicotine. So we live on the edge of sanity and fame, a step from the cliff of those who are insane. But it is all we can do, we are attracted to lore, the kind you won't find at the nearest "NZ gifts" store. WE challenge our bodies, our wit, and our minds, hiking for hours, and hours at a time. I realize now, it is not us who are seeking. NZ is here, waiting and speaking. It uncovers truth and it waits for us, It yearns to see we hop on it's bus. Clarity can bring many things, but the more clear it gets, the more unravelled it seems. Soon we will depart and leave this city behind, All I can say is that I hope there is enough time.

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 04:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Looks like I didn't press publish the other day so I threw in a blog from a few days ago too if ya didn't notice. Toodle-ooh.

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 05:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Another day, another Kiwi, another amazing life experience. THe night brought many memories with it yesterday as amazing coincedences followed my footsteps. We found a van that we wanted to buy, actually a few vans that we choose from at the backpackers auto market that was about 4 blocks from our hostel. Vans with all the paperwork, inspected, taxes paid and with a guarantee. All were sold directly by the owners and they paid 55$nz to use their space to sell it. Cool vans with skylights, running on deisel, and beds , with prices starting at about a G NZ. And you can resell it there at the end of yur trip and the company says that every car gets sold. We we went there the next day , almost 2/3rds of the vehicles were gone. We met a hairy Krishna who showed us were we can eat a big meal for 4$ bucks NZ. Everyone is so friendly and it seemed like we just got a new lead on something to check out everywhere we went. We also walked the whole city almost twice now And have been getting much exercize and great food, like lambs. mmm lambs. So many ethnicities thrive here too. You hear so many languages walking down the street and it just makes you laugh. We met a documentaryist at the burger joint (that actually gave you steak slices on buns with all sorts of toppings, revered as the best in NZ) that said he filmied 5 or 6 episodes of the first season of power rangers on tv. He was a cool guy and it was a cool day. Bye

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 05:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

After we were blessed with this gorgeous warm weather here in NZ for a couple days, it has finally begun to remind me of home. What am I talking about you might ask? Why the treaturous rains of course! It has finally begun to monsoon here in Auckland, much to my dismay. But I will tell you what is not to my dismay, the apparent supermodel hostel we stumbled upon. I never have a problem going back and turning in early. Anyway, lots of photographs on the agenda today and, oh look. No more rain. Time to go have fun. See ya'll later.

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 07:27 PM | Permalink

O.k. Things are beginning to take shape. So it is day two or three, or actually i guess that it's still day one. No matter. We are finally all reunited with a miraculous and random encouter on Victoria street last night. I can't tell you how cool it is to randomly bump into your friends on a NZ street. So many things have occured since my last entry, and it hasn't even been 24 hrs yet. We met an extremely cool Mauri girl who essentially took us on a guided tour of NZ. Showed us all the spots, and introduced us to her friends who were also very nice. WE even got a 3 bed private hostile for 50 bucks for two nights! We will probably move on after this weekend. WE also met an Irie cat who is going to shack us up for a few nights in Wellington. If life can get better than this, I probably shouldn't know about it. All is well. Best wishes to all

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 02:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hello fellow travellers and curious web browsers, this is Dan reporting from Auckland. Today is the 18th here and I arrived this morning. It's about 7pm now and I found myself venturing in to one of the many internet cafe's here in Auckland. So i says, what the hell. I might as well write a weblog. Anywho, Chris and Matty should be arriving here in about 5 or 6 hours and i dearly await their arrival. I have been on 3 different planes for the last three days, starting from LA, then flying to Seoul (13 hrs of ugh) and finally a short 10 and a half hour jaunt to Auckland. Not to mention layovers everywhere. I know it sounds bad but I'm just bored so I must go into detail. FAct is, life is great right now. I got here and the sun was shining, it was a warm 70+ degrees and there was a calming wind in the air that smelled like pure unadulturated freedom. I know I misspellede that last word, but you all know what I mean. I found a Hotel right away, and-check this out- I bought a phonecard and called my mother. As extatic as she was, it did not come close to extacy that I felt just knowing that it was all under control. I even met a few people and found out where to buy a van, if I so desired. Yep, I know, no-one thought we could do it but we will prove the world wrong. This city is so bumpin' with lucious women, cheap food, cool people, and extravagant entertainment, that I don't fancy leaving here for a while. And to top that off, I tipped my cabby first off, and he hooked it up with the quintessential (misspellings all around-sorry) hotel located between the casino and the happenin' gentlemans club bars, movie theater, and fine dining. I meaN SMACK DAB IN THE MIDDLE OF aUCKLAND. Kick Ass! And thus far I have some of the best raw video footage I have ever made, and even though I am amused easily, I think it is some of the funniest stuff I have ever seen. HAve you ever brought a camera around in Korea, and just started asking people with an extremely vague grasp of the english language off the wall questions? If you have not, I highly recommend it. Turns out some of the candy I sampled in Korea was sugar free of course, and made with delicious pumpkin and body parts. NO joke. These Korean ladies were for real. Thats not even the best of it either, when I asked this lady in Auckland...well I won't spoil it all but your'e gonna love it. And if you don't I'll show it to someone who will. If Chris and Matty are reading this I am At the City Central Hotel in downtown Auckland on the corner of Wellesley and Albert room number 608, but only for tonight. Call 08003236000 or 64 9 307 3388. I don't know why but there are two numbers- neither of which is the fax thank you very much. I hope everyone is having as good a time as me. Sorry for the Length. JUst remember everyone, nothing, and I mean nothing is as it seems. Good luck, and till we meet again Yes yes yes yessss-I!

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 03:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Yoga is such a great thing. It is the one cleansing act that can ritually purify my demons Ivery day. Without yoga, I am a lost spirit without a guide. Yoga helps release my inhibitions and release my compacted stool. Thank you Elisa, for recommending yoga to me. I will perform a metaphysical Chakra allignment on you as a gift, a sign of respect, and a show of thanks.

Continue reading "All about Yoga" »

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 07:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Yoga is such a great thing. It is the one cleansing act that can ritually purify my demons Ivery day. Without yoga, I am a lost spirit without a guide. Yoga helps release my inhibitions and release my compacted stool. Thank you Elisa, for recommending yoga to me. I will perform a metaphysical Chakra allignment on you as a gift, a sign of respect, and a show of thanks.

Continue reading "All about Yoga" »

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 07:16 PM | Permalink

Through the use of crystals one can allign the Chakras, discover new will, heal what ails, and perhaps find inner peace. Thats a load of new age hippie crap. That's for Rasta's, dreamers, and nymphos. They can stick a double terminated, rutilated, landscape, healer, elestial, recorder, bridged, rainbow wand up their ass. Just kidding.

Continue reading "Discovery through Crystals" »

Posted by Daniel Hurd at 06:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)