Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Overdue Update
Wow, it's been so long since I've updated I don't know where to begin. We just celebrated one year of operations at Newmarket (can you believe it!) and things there are ticking along nicely. Prince's Wharf has, over the past several months, become the hottest night spot on the waterfront, which has brought us to the attention of the local constables. Seems the combination of our mostly-Islander partygoers and hip-hop music doesn't sit well with the Auckland City Council's vision of the waterfront. We just had another sit-down with the liquor dick and gang specialist and have come to some understanding of their objections. Problem is, we are operating under the letter of the law. It's the unwritten stuff we haven't yet divined. So, to make a long story short, it's been a hassle. We envisioned a latenight El Squid Row kind of place, casual, fun and loud. That's not what they see, even though there are other restaurants doing the exact same thing (except head-banging techno instead of hip-hop). They've said to us it's the music, but even though JB and I can't stand that music, we won't support having to change it just because they don't like it. We remember the days when rock & roll was considered the spawn of the devil and people burned Beatle records. Conor is changing it up this weekend with a world beat DJ and more reggae, and we will see if that unknots their knickers.
But the BIGGEST NEWS is that Tyler and Ashley are engaged! He flew to Albuquerque and popped the question. We are all so excited. Plans are for an August 2008 wedding in Sonoma. He's still in the States, due back soon, and Ashley is in her second year of coaching high school volleyball in Albuquerque. When the season is over, she'll be back with us and let the planning begin!
But the BIGGEST NEWS is that Tyler and Ashley are engaged! He flew to Albuquerque and popped the question. We are all so excited. Plans are for an August 2008 wedding in Sonoma. He's still in the States, due back soon, and Ashley is in her second year of coaching high school volleyball in Albuquerque. When the season is over, she'll be back with us and let the planning begin!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Bula!
We had a great time in Fiji (see photo album). It was our second trip, first time to the Outrigger on the Lagoon. Great place, great weather, nice to have a week off!
Team NZ has won the Louis Vuitton Cup to earn the right to challenge Allenghi for the America's Cup in Valencia next month. Our "Nueva Zelanda" t-shirts have been very popular for Kiwis travelling to Spain to cheer the team on. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the boys to bring the cup back.
It's winter and time for everyone to begin taking vacations, so Tyler and Conor are making plans to head back to the USA. Conor in July, Tyler in August. They want to overlap for a few days to have some time with their dad in LA.
June 16 is the date set for a big shindig at the Wharf with Mountain View alum Renee Intelkofer and her TV show "Project My World." The boys plan on showing off the best of Auckland nightlife for the cameras as only they can do it.
Stay tuned!
Team NZ has won the Louis Vuitton Cup to earn the right to challenge Allenghi for the America's Cup in Valencia next month. Our "Nueva Zelanda" t-shirts have been very popular for Kiwis travelling to Spain to cheer the team on. We are keeping our fingers crossed for the boys to bring the cup back.
It's winter and time for everyone to begin taking vacations, so Tyler and Conor are making plans to head back to the USA. Conor in July, Tyler in August. They want to overlap for a few days to have some time with their dad in LA.
June 16 is the date set for a big shindig at the Wharf with Mountain View alum Renee Intelkofer and her TV show "Project My World." The boys plan on showing off the best of Auckland nightlife for the cameras as only they can do it.
Stay tuned!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Mother's Day 2007
I spent a wonderful Mother's Day with my favorite kids! Ashley, Conor, Tyler and I took in a movie and a few beers at the pub. JB was on a golf trip and missed the festivities this time around, but we are off to Fiji on Tuesday with Malcolm and Janet for some R&R. The boys are quite fine taking care of the biz. Besides, it's time to give them some space. I am making plans for the annual BSR (Butt Sister Reunion to the uninitiated) at the end of June with a few days in Napa Valley, a trip to Mariposa with Dad to get the history of our family in the Yosemite area, and then to Sister Jill's in Carmel for a golf tourney over the 4th of July. Lots of travel planned! Meantime, Ashley's sisters are coming to New Zealand. They will be going to Queenstown for a sisterly adventure, and we will be hosting them for a BBQ at Casa de Buell when they return.
Cinco de Mayo
Our 3rd Annual Cinco de Mayo was a huge success! It just proves the old adage that the 3rd time is a charm. After trying to get the party going over the past two years, we finally hit paydirt with a huge Cinco de Mayo celebration at Prince's Wharf. We had an all day and all night event complete with Mariachis, reggae, pinatas - the whole enchilada. Check out the pics.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The Hat and Scarf Extravaganza
Today several of us in the American Women's Club honored our dear friend Nancy with hats and scarves as she embarks upon her upcoming chemo journey. We all posed with the finery we brought, then cheered her on as she modeled her "new" hair. Kudos to Karen for once again providing a very special luncheon, complete with placeholders, delectable nibbles and 24 matching plates! Click on the link above to see the entire album.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Still Crazy
In the Northern Hemisphere the saying "March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb" refers to the weather, for us it has a new meaning: sales. We have emerged from our second summer at Prince's Wharf exhausted but quite happy with our progress and results. At the other end of the spectrum, Newmarket puttered along during the summer months and is now beating PW in daily sales as the everyone comes back to work and shop. It's the yin-yang we were looking for. Both boys have done an excellent job dealing with their respective challenges over the past three months and both are looking forward to vacation time in the next few months.
Dwight, who has been with us for almost two years now, took time off from Newmarket to return to his home country of Zimbabwe during March. He was there as the entire country descended into chaos under the Mugabe regime. He says that the towns and cities are calm, but activity in the countryside is quite scary. We are very glad he's back safe and sound. We all missed him - especially Conor who had to pick up the slack!
It was great to visit with Suzanne, Emily's and Mike's mom (and frequent poster on this blog) who visited during March. She and Em traveled the North and South Islands and had a fabulous time. Em will carry on with her travels next month as she and new friend Erin take off to Tonga for a week of exploration and beach-sitting.
I never thought it was possible for Tyler the Energizer Bunny to start running out of batteries, but he is showing the wear from four months of summer at PW. It's a little like being a bull rider in a rodeo. No matter how tired you are, you can't let go. Because of liquor laws we can't be open next Saturday night, and we will be closed Easter Sunday for our employee picnic, so he will get three days off for the first time since September. We are encouraging Ty and Ashley to take a week in April and go exploring in NZ to regain their sanity and see a little of the countryside.
Speaking of sanity, Conor is regaining his as he gets back to normal with Dwight's return. He just moved into a great new place about two blocks from the Newmarket store, and shares his digs with brother and sister act Brent and Erin Charleton. Both play pro basketball, and Erin is a parttime manager for us (and Em's travelling partner). Conor's on the Nuffield Street Marketing Committee and is working with Sam from the brew bar to turn Nuffield Street into a hot local night spot. He and Tyler have accomplished that with Latenights at the Wharf, and he's got some great ideas for Nuffield at Night.
We have been getting bits and pieces of March Madness - saw Oregon get beat on the way to the Final Four. The games are on at odd hours because they are competing with the Cricket World Cup, which is on all the time.
In the past month we have had an earthquake, disrupted phone/email service, and just yesterday the most massive monsoon I have ever experienced. This morning all is calm, I have all the windows and doors open, and it's back to paradise. As a season ticket holder for the Royal NZ Ballet, I got to see Tutus on Tour a couple of weeks ago. I've been playing golf twice a week for the past two months and really getting my game back, and doing staff training twice a week in Food Safety and Customer Service.
Mexicali sponsors the Harbour Heat of the National Basketball League, and they have given us the premier sponsor table right under the basket. The team owner says it's a strategic move. He
likes JB's running commentary to the refs (with his loud American accent), who stand just a few metres from us. Newmarket parttime manager Hayden and Erin's brother Brent both play for the Heat, so it's great to be part of the crowd. Last night was the first home game - we won!
We're looking forward to Fiji in May, and I'm planning on catching up with my sisters and dad at our BSR (Butt Sister Reunion) in Mariposa at the end of June.
Dwight, who has been with us for almost two years now, took time off from Newmarket to return to his home country of Zimbabwe during March. He was there as the entire country descended into chaos under the Mugabe regime. He says that the towns and cities are calm, but activity in the countryside is quite scary. We are very glad he's back safe and sound. We all missed him - especially Conor who had to pick up the slack!
It was great to visit with Suzanne, Emily's and Mike's mom (and frequent poster on this blog) who visited during March. She and Em traveled the North and South Islands and had a fabulous time. Em will carry on with her travels next month as she and new friend Erin take off to Tonga for a week of exploration and beach-sitting.
I never thought it was possible for Tyler the Energizer Bunny to start running out of batteries, but he is showing the wear from four months of summer at PW. It's a little like being a bull rider in a rodeo. No matter how tired you are, you can't let go. Because of liquor laws we can't be open next Saturday night, and we will be closed Easter Sunday for our employee picnic, so he will get three days off for the first time since September. We are encouraging Ty and Ashley to take a week in April and go exploring in NZ to regain their sanity and see a little of the countryside.
Speaking of sanity, Conor is regaining his as he gets back to normal with Dwight's return. He just moved into a great new place about two blocks from the Newmarket store, and shares his digs with brother and sister act Brent and Erin Charleton. Both play pro basketball, and Erin is a parttime manager for us (and Em's travelling partner). Conor's on the Nuffield Street Marketing Committee and is working with Sam from the brew bar to turn Nuffield Street into a hot local night spot. He and Tyler have accomplished that with Latenights at the Wharf, and he's got some great ideas for Nuffield at Night.
We have been getting bits and pieces of March Madness - saw Oregon get beat on the way to the Final Four. The games are on at odd hours because they are competing with the Cricket World Cup, which is on all the time.
In the past month we have had an earthquake, disrupted phone/email service, and just yesterday the most massive monsoon I have ever experienced. This morning all is calm, I have all the windows and doors open, and it's back to paradise. As a season ticket holder for the Royal NZ Ballet, I got to see Tutus on Tour a couple of weeks ago. I've been playing golf twice a week for the past two months and really getting my game back, and doing staff training twice a week in Food Safety and Customer Service.
Mexicali sponsors the Harbour Heat of the National Basketball League, and they have given us the premier sponsor table right under the basket. The team owner says it's a strategic move. He
likes JB's running commentary to the refs (with his loud American accent), who stand just a few metres from us. Newmarket parttime manager Hayden and Erin's brother Brent both play for the Heat, so it's great to be part of the crowd. Last night was the first home game - we won!
We're looking forward to Fiji in May, and I'm planning on catching up with my sisters and dad at our BSR (Butt Sister Reunion) in Mariposa at the end of June.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Two Years Now
The beginning of February marked two years since we embarked on our great Kiwi adventure. The date passed without much fanfare as we are all consumed with the our daily responsibilities. We have launched our first real advertising campaign with the backs of city buses and radio ads. Tyler and Conor did their "Cheech & Chong" impressions for the radio which had the sound guys on the floor. I've heard it since they were doing mini-videos with our new camcorder back in the living room on Rimrock Road, but it's pretty hysterical hearing it over the air. The bus backs are awesome - I will get a snapshot and post as soon as I can.
We had a Super Bowl party on Monday with several Americans and Canadians. Fried chicken, burgers, beer and a beautiful summer day at the beach house made for a little taste of home. I didn't have a favorite team since the Chargers were out of it, and we don't see any of the Super Bowl ads which made the viewing a little less interesting.
The day before we hosted a get-together with a group of Bendites who were wrapping up a long motorcycle trip up from the South Island. The group included Jim Donald, JB's partner on his ride across country in 2004, Mike and Jane Leitch, George Hanseth, and Jeff and Debbie Coker from Broken Top. The group had some harrowing experiences with some tragic consequences. Jeff broke his thumb and is waiting to get back to Bend for surgery. One of their group from Maryland had a horrific accident in Rotorua and lost his leg. Another hit a bridge abuttment head-on and ended up with a broken shoulder. They were all slightly shell-shocked after their adventures, but it was good to talk to them and provide a little down time and home cooking.
JB and I saw Crissy Hynde and the Pretenders last night. Wow, there's nothing like rock and roll. Crissy is 55 and still packs a punch with her unbelievable voice. It was a great performance!
Broken Top is in a state of upheaval with new owners taking over the club and the fate of our wonderful community in question. We sure had the best of all worlds there for awhile. It won't ever be the same again. It looks like we won't be able to get back to Bend for any length of time for the next 3 years, so we are planning to rent out our house. JB will need to go back to Bend in the next few weeks to take care of business on the Mexicali Rose property, so he will get all of our stuff packed up so we can rent out our house. I hate to do it, but I can't see the house just sitting there for 3 more years. Besides, it would be great to have some furniture here in New Zealand!
We had a Super Bowl party on Monday with several Americans and Canadians. Fried chicken, burgers, beer and a beautiful summer day at the beach house made for a little taste of home. I didn't have a favorite team since the Chargers were out of it, and we don't see any of the Super Bowl ads which made the viewing a little less interesting.
The day before we hosted a get-together with a group of Bendites who were wrapping up a long motorcycle trip up from the South Island. The group included Jim Donald, JB's partner on his ride across country in 2004, Mike and Jane Leitch, George Hanseth, and Jeff and Debbie Coker from Broken Top. The group had some harrowing experiences with some tragic consequences. Jeff broke his thumb and is waiting to get back to Bend for surgery. One of their group from Maryland had a horrific accident in Rotorua and lost his leg. Another hit a bridge abuttment head-on and ended up with a broken shoulder. They were all slightly shell-shocked after their adventures, but it was good to talk to them and provide a little down time and home cooking.
JB and I saw Crissy Hynde and the Pretenders last night. Wow, there's nothing like rock and roll. Crissy is 55 and still packs a punch with her unbelievable voice. It was a great performance!
Broken Top is in a state of upheaval with new owners taking over the club and the fate of our wonderful community in question. We sure had the best of all worlds there for awhile. It won't ever be the same again. It looks like we won't be able to get back to Bend for any length of time for the next 3 years, so we are planning to rent out our house. JB will need to go back to Bend in the next few weeks to take care of business on the Mexicali Rose property, so he will get all of our stuff packed up so we can rent out our house. I hate to do it, but I can't see the house just sitting there for 3 more years. Besides, it would be great to have some furniture here in New Zealand!
Friday, December 22, 2006
Full Tilt Boogie
Most people think this is a reference to the 1997 Quentin Tarantino movie of the same name. Not so! It's all about Janis - Joplin that is - who spent the summer of 1970 touring with the Full Tilt Boogie Band. We are into Summer in New Zealand as you can see from the photo of our beautiful Pohutukawa trees in full bloom. And, like Janis, we are ramped up full tilt with cruise ships, punters and shoppers.
As expected, Prince's Wharf is going non-stop. Tyler and his latenight crew are really adding an 8th day to our week, with Saturday latenight sales totalling up another day's worth of revenue. They have been going since September non-stop, and even though the wear and tear are beginning to show, they amp it up every weekend for yet another party. I know he will be so happy when Ashley gets back after the 1st of the year.
We didn't know what to expect at Newmarket, but have been very happy with our increased shopper traffic. We are in the middle of the high fashion district, and the last-minute shoppers are discovering us and our vast array of Mexican beers. Manager Davey has found us some "piccolos" which are individual servings of champagne - a favourite among the well-heeled Newmarket shoppers. We have a regular crew of school boys who hang out and play cards in the afternoon - which prompted our cook Butters to come up with the idea of "High School Happy Hour." That will probably include mince (ground beef) tacos since that's what they all ask for.
Conor is head honcho for the new digital menu board install at PW. We had hoped to have it done before Christmas, but it's pretty tough to get anyone to work right now. It's their Christmas and summertime all rolled into the next 3 months. Kids are out of school and most people don't go back to work until January 15. So, he's working on putting together our big media launch - back of busses and radio - which will begin Jan 28. Jen's here for Christmas and touching up our training videos, and generally keeping Conor out of trouble.
Mike's little sister Emily joined us in November and is keeping busy hopping back and forth between PW and Newmarket. We love having her smiling face and awesome barista skills! With Jen, Emily and the boys, we will have a full house for Christmas Day. Our meat man dropped of some fowl thing with feet and head and eyes all intact, but JB promises me he can make it into Christmas dinner!
As expected, Prince's Wharf is going non-stop. Tyler and his latenight crew are really adding an 8th day to our week, with Saturday latenight sales totalling up another day's worth of revenue. They have been going since September non-stop, and even though the wear and tear are beginning to show, they amp it up every weekend for yet another party. I know he will be so happy when Ashley gets back after the 1st of the year.
We didn't know what to expect at Newmarket, but have been very happy with our increased shopper traffic. We are in the middle of the high fashion district, and the last-minute shoppers are discovering us and our vast array of Mexican beers. Manager Davey has found us some "piccolos" which are individual servings of champagne - a favourite among the well-heeled Newmarket shoppers. We have a regular crew of school boys who hang out and play cards in the afternoon - which prompted our cook Butters to come up with the idea of "High School Happy Hour." That will probably include mince (ground beef) tacos since that's what they all ask for.
Conor is head honcho for the new digital menu board install at PW. We had hoped to have it done before Christmas, but it's pretty tough to get anyone to work right now. It's their Christmas and summertime all rolled into the next 3 months. Kids are out of school and most people don't go back to work until January 15. So, he's working on putting together our big media launch - back of busses and radio - which will begin Jan 28. Jen's here for Christmas and touching up our training videos, and generally keeping Conor out of trouble.
Mike's little sister Emily joined us in November and is keeping busy hopping back and forth between PW and Newmarket. We love having her smiling face and awesome barista skills! With Jen, Emily and the boys, we will have a full house for Christmas Day. Our meat man dropped of some fowl thing with feet and head and eyes all intact, but JB promises me he can make it into Christmas dinner!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Wannabe Gestapo Took My Air and Water!
Well I started this blog story on the airplane as we were headed towards Southern Cal. for Thanksgiving (I’m a little pissed because the friendly Federal Homeland Security Nazi took my sealed water bottle), I tried to finish the story on the plane ride back to Auckland, tired and torn between the US and NZ, but now the jet-lag seems to be gone, the vacation is over and life is back to normal, I can finish.
While spending 6 days in Bend, I found out that a lot more people are reading our blog than I ever expected, so I decided I’d write more than once a year. This my recollection of the trip back home.
We stopped off in Hawaii for the first four days in order to break up the journey from way down under. It proved to be a great idea, good on you CB. Getting to Hawaii only took 8 hours and the flight wasn’t very full, so I had some room to move. Since Hawaii is always 82, warm and relaxing, we caught up on some sleep, saw a hooker detained by a local officials, had a drink at Buzz’s Steakhouse, dinner at Alan Wong’s, shopped at Nordstrom’s Rack, swam in warm water and generally did nothing.
Once we transitioned back into the US (God, everything is SO MUCH bigger here), got use to our drab looking money and all that change (NZ has eliminated the penny and the nickel from circulation), we headed to Bend. Our plane was held up in SF for 2 extra hours and sad to say we didn’t know one person that was on the flight. Times have changed; we used to know at least half of the flight. David and Paula Day we flying back from New York City, so they waited around, stuffed (US meaning) us in their car and we all drove home to BT, talking non-stop.
After getting a good nights sleep (thanks to John & Kitten turning on the heat in our house), in our really big bed, it was off to Broken Top (that’s our unofficial office in Bend because they have a local phone and internet access) and later driving around Bend to see all changes that have happened in the last 2 years. Andy is the new GM, yea to the powers that be for hiring him because he carries the soul of Broken Top. If he survives the transition, I believe the club will survive.
Everything in Bend has changed. Cindy and I agreed it felt like there were more changes in the last 2 years than in the last 35 years. Most of the changes have made the city look better, the turn-circles are working (I never thought they would work and then I moved to a country that uses them everywhere), the parkway works for now (I was against putting it through the middle of town, I still thinks it’s butt ugly and should have been put out East), there are plenty of options for food, beverage and shopping, and it still is a casual unpretentious town, but growing really fast.
I got to play golf at the new Fazio course at Pronghorn, Unbelievable, Perfect, Really playable and a Joy. The company wasn’t bad either. John Aspell had to leave after 9 to attend a wedding (Kitten made him) and Pink and the “Dude” and I played 21 holes before it got dark. Our lovely wives joined use for dinner at Pronghorn (thanks Pink) as we reminisced about how things used to be. I also got to play the Bend CC with Jim Schell, losing the front by 5/3 and winning the back by 5/3. All that work and no blood and we managed to lose John and Gino before we even started, but that’s another story.
I also got to visit with my attorney (law suit - thanks Julie), my accountant (taxes - thanks Dan) and my realtor (leasing or selling “Old Mexicali” - thanks Chef). Carla is still alive and well, Susan still gives a great hair cut and Dr. Boni was nowhere to be seen. I finally got in a visit with Geno, before leaving. I got to have lunch with my motorcycle buddies and told them I’d ride with them for a few days when they are on their January NZ ride.
Kitten and John threw a great coming home party, it was good to see everyone, we had a wonderful dinner at BT, saw Marty and Peggy at Guiseppe’s and around every corner was an old employee of mine saying hi.
After a quick 5 days in Bend we arrived in LA, picked up a rental car, immediately drove to the first In & Out Burger we could find (God they are good) and proceeded down the 405/5 at 85 mph. After living in NZ, seeing that many headlights in my rear view mirror was a trip. We had a very cool ocean view condo in Carlsbad and the weather was wonderful. Cindy’s family all showed up, my great brother-in-laws were all along for the ride, and we had a great time.
Thanksgiving was shared by about 20 family members and 4 young Marines from Camp Pendleton. Dinner with these fine young men reminded me that our politicians only ask young men to go to war, because old guys know its all bullshit and they wouldn’t go. It was great to be around such strong representatives of our country. Peace be with you.
We played our usual Friday after Thanksgiving golf match and the un-audited results put me in last place. It took a concerted effort to eat all the food and drink all the beer before hading to the Palm Desert. The family did a good job.
Saturday we packed up and headed for Milo and Marianne’s. They made their guest house available, they took us golfing, they feed us, we got to visit with more of CB’s family, shop in more stores and enjoy the true essence of gated communities. Auntie Lois took the family out to dinner, I took Milo for six bucks on his new golf course, Marianne and I reflected on our long, long friendship and we just enjoyed our last few days in America with friends and family.
Going through security at LAX was a joke! A bunch of “wannabe Gestapo”, George Bush “Patriot Act hugging”, “be afraid, I’ve got your back”, I couldn’t get a real job bureaucrat; took my motorcycle flat-tire compressed air canister as hazardous material. This is a 2 inch canister of compressed air. Boy, do I feel safer but $20 poorer. The crap we put up with to travel these days is all a smoke-screen to make us feel secure, while not providing real security, costing a ton and invading our personal freedoms.
We’re back in Auckland, our home these days, and reflecting on the trip. I miss my friends, three weeks was not enough time, I really miss my friends, our Bend home is really us, Bend is bigger than I like but BT is like ‘old Bend”, the experience in NZ is the greatest thing I’ve ever been involved in, through thick and thin our family sticks together, Titirangi is one of the great golf courses in the world, In & Out Burgers are the best burgers in the world, the golf courses I got to play on vacation were perfect, life is really different after living in another country for a while, our Auckland house is so, so cool, I got lucky the day I joined CB’s family, Mexicali Fresh is in the right place at the right time, Tyler and Conor are the right guys for the right job, 3 more years and CB and I are back to what we do best; travel, life is good and I really miss my friends back in the USA.
Thanks to the Day’s, Aspell’s, Fain’s, the Dude, Dana, Bill, Joy, Jill, Debbie, Terry, all my brother-in law’s, Gerry and Scott (thanks bro’s), the Marianne and Milo, Auntie Lois, Mark and Kay and most of all, TK and CJK for giving us the confidence to go away and thanks to everyone for your support .in the crazy venture.
We hope you all come down soon and visit. The next few months could be interesting and I’ll try and keep you up to date with my prospective of the journey.
JB
While spending 6 days in Bend, I found out that a lot more people are reading our blog than I ever expected, so I decided I’d write more than once a year. This my recollection of the trip back home.
We stopped off in Hawaii for the first four days in order to break up the journey from way down under. It proved to be a great idea, good on you CB. Getting to Hawaii only took 8 hours and the flight wasn’t very full, so I had some room to move. Since Hawaii is always 82, warm and relaxing, we caught up on some sleep, saw a hooker detained by a local officials, had a drink at Buzz’s Steakhouse, dinner at Alan Wong’s, shopped at Nordstrom’s Rack, swam in warm water and generally did nothing.
Once we transitioned back into the US (God, everything is SO MUCH bigger here), got use to our drab looking money and all that change (NZ has eliminated the penny and the nickel from circulation), we headed to Bend. Our plane was held up in SF for 2 extra hours and sad to say we didn’t know one person that was on the flight. Times have changed; we used to know at least half of the flight. David and Paula Day we flying back from New York City, so they waited around, stuffed (US meaning) us in their car and we all drove home to BT, talking non-stop.
After getting a good nights sleep (thanks to John & Kitten turning on the heat in our house), in our really big bed, it was off to Broken Top (that’s our unofficial office in Bend because they have a local phone and internet access) and later driving around Bend to see all changes that have happened in the last 2 years. Andy is the new GM, yea to the powers that be for hiring him because he carries the soul of Broken Top. If he survives the transition, I believe the club will survive.
Everything in Bend has changed. Cindy and I agreed it felt like there were more changes in the last 2 years than in the last 35 years. Most of the changes have made the city look better, the turn-circles are working (I never thought they would work and then I moved to a country that uses them everywhere), the parkway works for now (I was against putting it through the middle of town, I still thinks it’s butt ugly and should have been put out East), there are plenty of options for food, beverage and shopping, and it still is a casual unpretentious town, but growing really fast.
I got to play golf at the new Fazio course at Pronghorn, Unbelievable, Perfect, Really playable and a Joy. The company wasn’t bad either. John Aspell had to leave after 9 to attend a wedding (Kitten made him) and Pink and the “Dude” and I played 21 holes before it got dark. Our lovely wives joined use for dinner at Pronghorn (thanks Pink) as we reminisced about how things used to be. I also got to play the Bend CC with Jim Schell, losing the front by 5/3 and winning the back by 5/3. All that work and no blood and we managed to lose John and Gino before we even started, but that’s another story.
I also got to visit with my attorney (law suit - thanks Julie), my accountant (taxes - thanks Dan) and my realtor (leasing or selling “Old Mexicali” - thanks Chef). Carla is still alive and well, Susan still gives a great hair cut and Dr. Boni was nowhere to be seen. I finally got in a visit with Geno, before leaving. I got to have lunch with my motorcycle buddies and told them I’d ride with them for a few days when they are on their January NZ ride.
Kitten and John threw a great coming home party, it was good to see everyone, we had a wonderful dinner at BT, saw Marty and Peggy at Guiseppe’s and around every corner was an old employee of mine saying hi.
After a quick 5 days in Bend we arrived in LA, picked up a rental car, immediately drove to the first In & Out Burger we could find (God they are good) and proceeded down the 405/5 at 85 mph. After living in NZ, seeing that many headlights in my rear view mirror was a trip. We had a very cool ocean view condo in Carlsbad and the weather was wonderful. Cindy’s family all showed up, my great brother-in-laws were all along for the ride, and we had a great time.
Thanksgiving was shared by about 20 family members and 4 young Marines from Camp Pendleton. Dinner with these fine young men reminded me that our politicians only ask young men to go to war, because old guys know its all bullshit and they wouldn’t go. It was great to be around such strong representatives of our country. Peace be with you.
We played our usual Friday after Thanksgiving golf match and the un-audited results put me in last place. It took a concerted effort to eat all the food and drink all the beer before hading to the Palm Desert. The family did a good job.
Saturday we packed up and headed for Milo and Marianne’s. They made their guest house available, they took us golfing, they feed us, we got to visit with more of CB’s family, shop in more stores and enjoy the true essence of gated communities. Auntie Lois took the family out to dinner, I took Milo for six bucks on his new golf course, Marianne and I reflected on our long, long friendship and we just enjoyed our last few days in America with friends and family.
Going through security at LAX was a joke! A bunch of “wannabe Gestapo”, George Bush “Patriot Act hugging”, “be afraid, I’ve got your back”, I couldn’t get a real job bureaucrat; took my motorcycle flat-tire compressed air canister as hazardous material. This is a 2 inch canister of compressed air. Boy, do I feel safer but $20 poorer. The crap we put up with to travel these days is all a smoke-screen to make us feel secure, while not providing real security, costing a ton and invading our personal freedoms.
We’re back in Auckland, our home these days, and reflecting on the trip. I miss my friends, three weeks was not enough time, I really miss my friends, our Bend home is really us, Bend is bigger than I like but BT is like ‘old Bend”, the experience in NZ is the greatest thing I’ve ever been involved in, through thick and thin our family sticks together, Titirangi is one of the great golf courses in the world, In & Out Burgers are the best burgers in the world, the golf courses I got to play on vacation were perfect, life is really different after living in another country for a while, our Auckland house is so, so cool, I got lucky the day I joined CB’s family, Mexicali Fresh is in the right place at the right time, Tyler and Conor are the right guys for the right job, 3 more years and CB and I are back to what we do best; travel, life is good and I really miss my friends back in the USA.
Thanks to the Day’s, Aspell’s, Fain’s, the Dude, Dana, Bill, Joy, Jill, Debbie, Terry, all my brother-in law’s, Gerry and Scott (thanks bro’s), the Marianne and Milo, Auntie Lois, Mark and Kay and most of all, TK and CJK for giving us the confidence to go away and thanks to everyone for your support .in the crazy venture.
We hope you all come down soon and visit. The next few months could be interesting and I’ll try and keep you up to date with my prospective of the journey.
JB
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Poem to Our Marines
This is the poem Dad read at our Thanksgiving celebration
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Mexicali Summer Kickoff Party
Get your dancing shoes on and join us for the First Annual Summer Kickoff Party at Mexicali Fresh Prince's Wharf.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Get Out and Vote!
Hayden as Uncle Sam urges you to get out and vote - aided by his sidekick Dwight as Little Red Riding Hood. Once again our staff took to Halloween like ducks to water, even though it's not a huge holiday in NZ. We also hosted a very fun event on Halloween Eve for the American Club in Newmarket.
JB and I are preparing for our first joint trip to the States this weekend. We will break up the trip with 4 days in Honolulu, then on to Bend for a week, then to Carlsbad for Thanksgiving and a quick side trip to Palm Springs to visit with the snowbird friends we will miss in Oregon. We are so ready for a break, and I'm sure our wonderful crew will do quite well without us. Janet is well ensconced as keeper of the corporate purse strings, and Tyler and Conor have things under control.
While this will be the first election I have missed since I was able to vote (McGovern 1972) I am hopeful that the result is clear and decisive, and there are no recriminations over voting irregularities. Whatever your preference, please make your voice heard! The USA (or America as it is known to the rest of the world) is still the gold standard to which everyone aspires. When you vote, you are helping to set the path for the future of planet Earth.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
From the Supreme Commander
I just wanted to catch up with everyone. What’s the problem man, I’ve only been absent for a year or so? After reading another wonderful blog entry my wife wrote, I realized that she’s always taking the photos, but she’s never in the picture.
We got together 24 years ago, we’ve lived together for 23 years, been married 20 years, tomorrow, and we’ve been in business together about two years. Who would believe that? We’ve seen our kids grow, move away and now we’re getting to be a small part of their success. How great is life?
You all know that whoever could put up with me all these years should be at the head of the line for Sainthood. TK, CJK and I realize the only reason we’re all together is because of “Miss Smarty”. Yea, I know restaurants, Tyler could charm the balls off Tiger Woods, Conor is magician in design, but Cindy ties the bows, herds the sheep and keeps EVERYONE on task. What we are trying to achieve requires all our skills and everyone has given 2000%, but thank God for CB.
You all know CB, you all know me. You all have wondered how we got along; you know we fight, we love, we grow, we explore, we have stupid ideas and do wild things. (Always have) Doing this project was never an issue. We did our homework, we all agreed on what we could do it and “with enough ignorance and confidence, success is guaranteed” (Mark Twain). If you ever doubted it, don’t. With CB on our team, no Kiwi has the kryptonite to stop us.
The future is looking pretty good right now. We are leaning towards franchising; using our organizational skills (CB), our systems (JB), franchisee development and recruitment (TK), marketing (CJK) and OPM (other’s peoples money). Franchising in NZ is considerably different than the US and a hell of a lot easier. With this concept, with our documentation, with NO competition and our desire to do it right, we should do well down here.
I miss everyone, I miss Bob and I miss what George Bush has taken away from all of us. See you all soon. I love you Cindy, thank you for 20 years.
We got together 24 years ago, we’ve lived together for 23 years, been married 20 years, tomorrow, and we’ve been in business together about two years. Who would believe that? We’ve seen our kids grow, move away and now we’re getting to be a small part of their success. How great is life?
You all know that whoever could put up with me all these years should be at the head of the line for Sainthood. TK, CJK and I realize the only reason we’re all together is because of “Miss Smarty”. Yea, I know restaurants, Tyler could charm the balls off Tiger Woods, Conor is magician in design, but Cindy ties the bows, herds the sheep and keeps EVERYONE on task. What we are trying to achieve requires all our skills and everyone has given 2000%, but thank God for CB.
You all know CB, you all know me. You all have wondered how we got along; you know we fight, we love, we grow, we explore, we have stupid ideas and do wild things. (Always have) Doing this project was never an issue. We did our homework, we all agreed on what we could do it and “with enough ignorance and confidence, success is guaranteed” (Mark Twain). If you ever doubted it, don’t. With CB on our team, no Kiwi has the kryptonite to stop us.
The future is looking pretty good right now. We are leaning towards franchising; using our organizational skills (CB), our systems (JB), franchisee development and recruitment (TK), marketing (CJK) and OPM (other’s peoples money). Franchising in NZ is considerably different than the US and a hell of a lot easier. With this concept, with our documentation, with NO competition and our desire to do it right, we should do well down here.
I miss everyone, I miss Bob and I miss what George Bush has taken away from all of us. See you all soon. I love you Cindy, thank you for 20 years.
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