Wide Open Eye

KiD CuDi, Rostam Batmanglij & Bethany Cosentino – All Summer

2010-07-23T20:22:00.002-04:00

Converse brings together Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij from Vampire Weekend and Bethany Cosentino from Best Coast to create this song; All Summer. you can see more about the project HERE.

Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij & Bethany Cosentino - All Summer by Hypetrak

In related news Vampire Weekend is currently getting sued by the girl on their album cover... apparently they got scammed on the rights to the photo.

Andy

A Little Skateboard History

2010-07-18T04:40:00.002-04:00

A collection of skateboards over time HERE

Skateboard photo exhibit, NYC skateboard history HERE

Examples Below,

Andy

Standard Films: The Storming

2010-07-18T04:23:00.002-04:00

So last year Standard Films' Black Winter was epic... and this season, they added more crazy Scandinavians and even better filming.... looks pretty decent, check it out.

Andy

PS sorry about the lack of content, there will be lots to come very soon.

Happy Summer Solstice!!

2010-06-21T10:40:00.002-04:00

Today is officially the first day of summer, it is also Go Skateboarding Day, so what better way to celebrate then remind everyone that winter is on it's way with a snowboard video teaser, here is Let's Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow by Peepshow.

Let's Make Better Mistakes Tomorrow from peep show on Vimeo.

Okay Okay, here is some skateboarding too.

Now go shred something.

Andy

Szeto

2010-06-18T20:45:00.003-04:00

So a close acquaintance of mine, Andrew Szeto, has been doing some work lately. A few months ago he was featured in the March issue of Concrete Skateboarding Magazine, shortly after he had one of his pictures of Richard Sarrazin used for a Satori Wheels ad in the May issue of Concrete Skateboarding Magazine. And most recently was killing it at Battle at the Barrics. So here is a big high five to Szeto for being so rad, check more of his doings HERE.

Battle at the Barrics - Andrew Szeto vs Caro Farrell from pete williams on Vimeo.

Andy

Mercer Quality of Living Ranking

2010-05-27T09:06:00.002-04:00

Every year Mercer (some big consulting company) uses all the data they collect over the year so make a list of the top 50 cities to live in. The ranking is judged on everything from social stability to education to climate with everything in between. I think an interesting thing to note is that 5 Canadian cities (I think they only included 5 in the ranking) are above any US city. New Zealand also did quite well with Auckland and Wellington (4th and 12th respectively) both in the top 15. Vancouver (4th) is the top Canadian city, with Ottawa (14th) and Toronto (16th) just behind. Anyways, here is the list, or check out the whole article here.

Base City: New York, US (=100)

Rank 2010	City	Country	Qol index 2010
1	VIENNA	AUSTRIA	108.6
2	ZURICH	SWITZERLAND	108
3	GENEVA	SWITZERLAND	107.9
4	VANCOUVER	CANADA	107.4
4	AUCKLAND	NEW ZEALAND	107.4
6	DUSSELDORF	GERMANY	107.2
7	FRANKFURT	GERMANY	107
7	MUNICH	GERMANY	107
9	BERN	SWITZERLAND	106.5
10	SYDNEY	AUSTRALIA	106.3
11	COPENHAGEN	DENMARK	106.2
12	WELLINGTON	NEW ZEALAND	105.9
13	AMSTERDAM	NETHERLANDS	105.7
14	OTTAWA	CANADA	105.5
15	BRUSSELS	BELGIUM	105.4
16	TORONTO	CANADA	105.3
17	BERLIN	GERMANY	105
18	MELBOURNE	AUSTRALIA	104.8
19	LUXEMBOURG	LUXEMBOURG	104.6
20	STOCKHOLM	SWEDEN	104.5
21	PERTH	AUSTRALIA	104.2
21	MONTREAL	CANADA	104.2
23	HAMBURG	GERMANY	104.1
24	NURNBURG	GERMANY	103.9
24	OSLO	NORWAY	103.9
26	CANBERRA	AUSTRALIA	103.6
26	DUBLIN	IRELAND	103.6
28	CALGARY	CANADA	103.5
28	SINGAPORE	SINGAPORE	103.5
30	STUTTGART	GERMANY	103.3
31	HONOLULU	UNITED STATES	103.1
32	ADELAIDE	AUSTRALIA	103
32	SAN FRANCISCO	UNITED STATES	103
34	PARIS	FRANCE	102.9
35	HELSINKI	FINLAND	102.6
36	BRISBANE	AUSTRALIA	102.4
37	BOSTON	UNITED STATES	102.2
38	LYON	FRANCE	101.9
39	LONDON	UNITED KINGDOM	101.6
40	TOKYO	JAPAN	101.4
41	MILAN	ITALY	100.8
41	KOBE	JAPAN	100.8
41	YOKOHAMA	JAPAN	100.8
44	BARCELONA	SPAIN	100.6
45	LISBON	PORTUGAL	100.3
45	CHICAGO	UNITED STATES	100.3
45	WASHINGTON	UNITED STATES	100.3
48	MADRID	SPAIN	100.2
49	NEW YORK CITY	UNITED STATES	100
50	SEATTLE	UNITED STATES	99.8

Andy

Mike Tompkins: Fireflies - Accapella Cover

2010-05-22T20:33:00.003-04:00

New video is up of Mike Tompkins doing a cover of Fireflies by Owl City. The video was made in my own back yard (literally, it was filmed behind my house), with the help of my brother and Graham Beasley. The whole song is done only with voice mouth and some drinking glasses.

Check out some of Mikes other stuff on his Youtube page.

Andy

Lansdowne Park Redesign Proposals

2010-05-22T00:26:00.003-04:00

Lansdowne Park/Stadium/Farmers Market/Arena/Giant Parking Lot/.... well you get the idea. Anyways, the area has been the subject of some controversy when a plan to turn it into a shopping mall (more or less) was proposed. Since then the city has hosted a design contest to allow for proposals for better use of the area. Those proposals are now available to see and comment on at the City of Ottawa Website.

Some interesting ideas to mention are a 100 tall statue/fountains which changes it's state depending on the season, turning the Aberdeen Pavilion into what looks like a biosphere/greenhouse, a huge boardwalk that turn into a bridge that reaches across the canal to Echo. So check it out HERE, and tell the city what you think, all in all, no mater what it's going to end up pretty nice.

Andy

Felt Gridlock with 3-Speed Fixed Gear Hub

2010-05-18T19:28:00.003-04:00

That's right all you hipsters, fixed gear with gears. The original internally geared hub maker Sturmey Archer is now making a new fixed gear 3 speed hub the SX3. The hub comes in multiple colours so you don't have to worry about it clashing with the colour scheme of your bike. So if you want a fixie but don't want to give up your gears this might be for you. It comes stock on the Felt Gridlock.

Andy

Kinky Rail Jam: Edelweiss Finals

2010-05-17T19:43:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago I went up to Edelweiss to judge the Kinky Rail Jam finals (all girls rail jam series). It was good to see all the girls throwing down and really feeding off each other. A lot of people were trying and stomping new tricks and it was great to see all the positivity. Anyways, here is a video from the day.

Rugged Riders: Kinky Rail Jam 2010 FINALS - Edelweiss from Rugged Riders on Vimeo.

And you may be able to see some pictures HERE

Andy

Mean Tangerince Music Video

2010-05-13T10:15:00.002-04:00

So good friend's of mine, the boys of Mean Tangerine just got a music video up on this little thing called Much Music. I know it's not a lot, but I feel like it's a good start then maybe someday they will make it big and get on Youtube.

You can check out the video on Much right HERE, or just watch it below

Mean Tangerine - Shadow (2009) from Graham Beasley on Vimeo.

Check out the boys back in our home town of London here, or when they come to Ottawa this summer.

Andy

Mini Ramp for Sale

2010-04-26T22:23:00.002-04:00

So the time has finally come to get rid of the mini ramp.

Halfpipe (aka Mini Ramp) for skateboarding, BMX, inline, even scooters if you want. The ramp is 14 by 32 feet and 4 feet tall with 6 foot tall extensions. The ramp comes apart into 6 parts approximately 7 by 10 feet each.

We are asking for $2000 or best offer.

We will dissemble the ramp for you, and we can discuss either re-assembling and transporting the ramp for you, or giving you directions to re-assemble it and you providing your own transport, or something in between.

You could enjoy this ramp in your own back yard. Comment if interested.

Andy

mini....

2010-04-19T23:16:00.002-04:00

So I am a big fan of my mini ramp... but this is just a little bit different. Now I hope all you hipsters are aware of this already, but for everyone else, Fixies are actually just track bikes taken to the street. Track bike being a bicycle you ride in a velodrome... if you don't know still click here. Now back to the mini, red bull is on the ball once again and has built a mini velodrome... or minidrome. Enjoy.

Red Bull Minidrome from Radar Films on Vimeo.

Andy

Whitefish aMERIca

2010-04-09T01:47:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago Ryan and I headed down to Whitefish Montana. We had a Bet going to see who could land the first 720. Technically I spun one first, then immediately after that Ryan also spun one. Ryan claims he won cause his made it around more but mine was first and I think mine cleaner. The night was followed by a massive $19 bar tab, seriously big when drinks are only $1. Then sleeping on our friend's hotel room floor. Day 2 was a lot more eventful, with a full day of jumps after not hitting jumps all season. Enjoy.

Annoying Whitefish Edit from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Andy

Stop Hate Go Skate

2010-04-08T21:39:00.002-04:00

Cool video with graffiti and skateboarding, with a good message too, see for yourself.

STOP HATE GO SKATE from CHOP EM DOWN on Vimeo.

Andy

Ted Leo And The Pharmacist

2010-04-05T15:31:00.002-04:00

A long time favorite band of mine, Ted Leo and the Pharmacist, has recently came out with a new Album, The Brutalist Bricks. They will be on tour this summer, check out the dates here.

Andy

Something Good Can Work

2010-04-02T12:00:00.003-04:00

So I missed Monday due to being on a roller-coaster in a mall, but here is a new song. Something Good Can Work by Two Door Cinema Club.

Andy

JIB TEST!!

2010-03-24T23:02:00.003-04:00

So I am disappointed to say I will be missing my favorite event of the year for the first time since in 4 years. Jib Test is happening this Friday at Carleton University in Parking Lot 2, riding starts at 3pm, and there is a huge after party at Babylon Nightclub starting at 9pm. Click 'Jib Test' for details.

PS. They need volunteers to help set up starting Tomorrow at 2pm.

Andy

Mumford and Sons - Little Lion Man

2010-03-22T22:08:00.002-04:00

This song was number one on Triple J's hottest 100 of 2009, and the video is real good too.

Andy

Kit Kat

2010-03-17T19:53:00.002-04:00

Take a break to check out this video about Kit-Kats.

Have a break? from Greenpeace UK on Vimeo.

If you are a little concerned check out THIS website.

Andy

Donnis - Underdog

2010-03-17T09:34:00.002-04:00

This is a little late due to being pretty busy this week, so I'll keep it short. Here is a new song, Underdog by Donnis.

It was in this video of the 10Deep skate team.

10.DEEP Up North Trip + Team Montage from 10.DEEP Skateboarding on Vimeo.

Andy

Hey Ocean

2010-03-08T14:58:00.003-05:00

So Friday night Hey Ocean played here in Fernie. I had been meaning to see them for years, and my wait was well worth it. They played an amazing show, really up beat and really involved with the audience.

Here is the music video for their song Fish.

Andy

STEP DOWN Contest at Mont Cascades

2010-03-07T09:45:00.002-05:00

Mont Cascade, just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, held a Step Down contest a few weeks ago. Robin Léveillé was there to film it and has made this edit. Watch for Tyrell McElhinney, he has a bright pink helmet and does a switch back rodeo 5.

STEP DOWN Contest at Mont Cascades. from robin leveille on Vimeo.

Andy

Cartoon Dive..... but for real

2010-03-03T09:33:00.003-05:00

I had no idea people actually did this. Just amazing. Credit to the guys at Airblaster for the find and bangshow for posting it.

SPlash from Mike Goodwin on Vimeo.

Andy

Montridge Log Tap

2010-03-02T20:29:00.002-05:00

Ryan and I snowboarding out in the back yard. More video to come soon.

Montridge Log Tap from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Andy

Tomorrow, In a Year

2010-03-01T22:41:00.006-05:00

Swedish electro-pop band The Knife have written an opera based on Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species". The opera/album goes by the name Tomorrow, In a Year. It is not a standard up beat electro-pop sound, but definitely enjoyable in a different way and worth a listen.

Andy

Bear Laps

2010-02-27T01:32:00.002-05:00

Ryan Rainville and I finally pulled out the video camera again. Here is some video from 3 laps late in the day at Fernie. Edited by Ryan, enjoy.

Bear Laps from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Andy

Ilderton Gold Medal, Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue

2010-02-22T23:50:00.003-05:00

So I have to admit, with this event I was really excited about figure skating. I'm proud to say Scott Moir and Tessa Virtue, Scott being from my home town of Ilderton, Ontario, have won a Gold medal in Ice Dance. After watching the events I can say they deserved it too, I don't know much about figure skating, but they killed it.
Congrats,

Andy

Hot Chip - One Life Stand

2010-02-22T14:34:00.002-05:00

Hot Chip has a new-ish Album One Life Stand with the new song One Life Stand.... here is the Video of it..

Andy

Mew Music Mondays: Basia Bulat

2010-02-16T00:04:00.002-05:00

Basia Bulat is from London, Ontario and puts on an amazing live show. This is the song Gold Rush from her new album Heart Of My Own.

Andy

Fernie Powder

2010-02-14T21:05:00.004-05:00

So I haven't had too many updates lately due to pretty much just working lots and not bothering with filming, but I had my camera out the other day and this is what it looked like at the top of my first run.
Also, I've been working on the back yard a lot more. Me and some of the boys from Ontario are going to start sessioning weekly and I'm going to do my best to get some footage up from that. In the mean time here is a picture of nate on the new log tap.
Andy

Mew Music Mondays: Berndsen +3D snowboarding

2010-02-08T21:16:00.003-05:00

I found the band Berndsen in the new Factor Films Video They Came From. Their song Supertime was used for their 3D section of the video. The song is good, so here are both the 3d video part (snowboarding in 3D is amazing so get yourself some glasses), and the really strange music video, Enjoy.

3D Part

Official Music Video

Check out the full video here.

Andy

The Wu-Tang Brand

2010-02-07T20:03:00.005-05:00

Firstly I would just like to say I am not claiming to be a huge Wutang fan, but I am still a fan. So the Wu-Tang Brand has teamed up with Applebum to make some sweet stuff. Mainly this Shaolin Wu toque.

Andy

Beauty & The Beast Watches

2010-02-06T20:39:00.003-05:00

Came across these watches today, they are made as a collab of Rock Candy and Chouette out of Hong Kong. They are called the Beauty & the Beast, check it out.

Andy

Mew Music Mondays starting Meow

2010-02-01T14:42:00.004-05:00

So to encourage myself to find new music I'm going to start posting something new I have found that week. This week is the new Vampire Weekend album Contra. You can actually listen to the whole things on their website here.

Enjoy,

Andy

Montridge house warming

2010-01-31T02:44:00.002-05:00

So my house mate's and I had a little house warming party the other night. It was also 3 people from ski school's birthdays and also the first night of riding the back yard set up. Here is a little bit of the goings on of the back yard.

Montridge 1 from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Andy

Bataleon Evil Twin Parra Art Edition

2010-01-23T23:38:00.004-05:00

My new park board for the season is the Bataleon 151 Evil Twin - Parra Art Edition with Union Contact bindings. All Bataleon boards feature triple base technology, this claims to do a lot for your riding but mainly it means: less edge catching, better butters, floaty in pow, still has camber, still responsive to carve. Personally, I love the board so far. It is extremely poppy, as in highest ollies I've ever done. It does however take a little while to get used to the whole 3base thing, it is a little weird having your contact points raised up. The Contact bindings are really comfy, and amazingly light you barely even notice they are there. All in all, loving the board, jibbing around and spinning like crazy.
Andy

Billy Brown Pro Model

2010-01-16T21:32:00.004-05:00

So my friend Billy Brown has recently got his own pro model snowboard from a new up and coming snowboard comany, Launch Snowboards. They have a lot of really cool boards with some really interesting features, like the use of bamboo in the core and bamboo sidewalls.

Andy

Cascade Park

2010-01-15T21:36:00.002-05:00

The folks over at Cascade, just outside of Ottawa, have been hard at work with the new park. Robin has made a video of a bit of their work.

Mont Cascades Snowpark Build from robin leveille on Vimeo.

Andy

Pre Season Banshee Session

2010-01-12T19:25:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone had a pleasant go snowboarding day and new years. Since I didn't get any good footage from any of those things I figured I'd post the pre season stuff that took me too long to get around to editing. Once again movie maker sucks, but regardless, here it is.

Banshee Session from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Andy

BC POWDER!!!

2009-12-12T21:24:00.004-05:00

So I'm now out in Fernie, British Columbia for another snow season. I'll be instructing snowboarding and just getting out on the hill as much as possible. So far it has been a good first week. Chris Frank, Ryan Rainville, Nate Plate, and I made the trip up to kicking horse for their opening day, which was a long drive but well worth it. And since then there has been lots of snow to be had at Fernie and it is supposed to keep coming all this week.

Remarks

2009-12-10T19:14:00.001-05:00

Ryan and I went to The Remarkables for a day to check out the Burton Stash Park. The whole park is wood and concrete. It wasn't the best day, and it was weird to get used to sliding on concrete and wood but made for a super fun day of riding.

Remarks from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Voleurz Outdoor Graduation

2009-12-09T23:08:00.001-05:00

Here is the new video from the people at Voleurz

Outdoor Graduation from Voleurz on Vimeo.

Oh and did I mention they make some really nice clothes too.

Andy

New Zealand Footage.... Finally

2009-12-05T11:46:00.001-05:00

So I finally finished editing my footage from New Zealand, here it is ....

New Zealand Snowboarding from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

Trans Canada

2009-12-01T01:19:00.005-05:00

So Ryan and myself are currently making our way across North America to get to Fernie, Britsh Columbia. After the first day of driving we didn't make it quite as far as planned after hitting traffic in Chicago and getting a little off track because of confusing toll roads. Here is the plan as it goes right now.

A. Leave London
B. Eau Claire after the first day
C. Pick up Chris Frank in Winnipeg
D. Get to Regina after second day
E. Arrive in Fernie

View Larger Map

Andy

Local River

2009-11-30T08:02:00.003-05:00

So since we are now in an age where being "green" seems to be more and more on people's minds, I thought this idea from designer Mathieu Lehanneur was pretty interesting. It is called Local River and is essentially both a garden and a fish farm that can sit right in your living room and double as an aquarium. Check out more of his stuff here, like the light that knows how much sun light you need in a day and adjust itself accordingly.

In other news, I start my drive out to Fernie, British Columbia today with Mr. Ryan Rainville.

Andy

East Coast needs SNOW

2009-11-23T23:22:00.003-05:00

So although the west side of North America is getting dumped on with record snow fall they seem to be keeping it all to them selves as there is nothing on the ground here in Ontario. With that I felt this little comic I got from my friend Madison was appropriate.

Andy

Back to Canada

2009-11-23T00:30:00.005-05:00

So after 5 months in New Zealand, countless days riding, 2 weeks traveling around the south island, and 2 weeks in Sydney Australia I'm finally back home in Canada. Now as the new snow season begins I'll be making my way to Fernie, British Columbia.

Also, I have also been posting some stuff on Slaysh's new Website, so make sure you check it out, and while you're there see what else is going on at Slaysh.

OH! and in Ottawa this week I tried out Tyrel's Banshee Bungee.... it was awesome.

Andy

Emberly Rail Jam Video

2009-10-31T06:43:00.003-04:00

Here is the video from the Emberley Rail Jam, in Dunedin.

The set up was a little scetchy, but most scaffolding set ups are (aside from Half Cab events), regardless I ended up placing 2nd so it was a pretty good night.

Emberley Rail Jam from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

SLAYSH

2009-10-12T00:12:00.002-04:00

Hey all,

My time in New Zealand is almost over. Been doing some travelling the last few days. Yet, in other news, I'll now also be posting some stuff on Slaysh's new website, so make sure to check that out ever now and then.

Http://www.slaysh.com

lots of video and pictures to come... once I can get reliable internets

Andy

YEA for Internet working, thus, here is some video finally!

2009-09-27T19:49:00.002-04:00

This video is from the start of the season, but the internet here in New Zealand isn't the most reliable thing and I haven't been able to get it online until now. Also, it's pretty bad, shaky, bad light, edited on windows movie maker... regardless, enjoy

shitty follow cam from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

The Remarks

2009-09-08T02:52:00.002-04:00

So Today Ryan Rainville and I had a little mini trip up the the Remarkables in Queenstown. We only had a few hours and it was flat light, slow snow, and a little windy, but all in all still a good day. The Remarks has a really nice park and they also have 'The Stash' all natural park (not really). But it involves a lot of concret and wood, and a little cliff drop. Video to come soon.

Also, I have some more video from Cardrona coming soon as the last few days were really sunny.

Andy.

One Run at Cardrona

2009-08-26T20:31:00.003-04:00

one follow cam run from a few days ago. going to have more video soon.

One run at Cardrona from Andy Marr on Vimeo.

2010 snowboards!!

2009-08-22T23:54:00.004-04:00

So, one of the cool things about New Zealand is that they get all the new 2010 snowboards before we do back in North America, So here is a little preview of some of the new K2 stuff, and I'll have more brands to come.
Left to right:Gyrator, Zero, Turbo Dream, Slayblay, Parkstar, Weapon

Left to right: Luna, VaVaVoom, Fling, Eco Pop

I'll also be demoing a few of the boards so I'll be sure to let you all know how they perform.

In other news, I know it's been a while since I've posted anything, but I'm going to try to be better with that from now on. I've got some video to post soon. Also there are a bunch of events going on at snow park soon that I'll try to get some pictures of.

More From Dunedin; Shops, Art, and Hand Rails

2009-07-06T07:43:00.003-04:00

When I was in Dunedin apart from going to the rugby game and doing some tourist things I also did a lot of walking around town. First thing to mention was this awesome store came across, FiLTER. It is a street wear shop with a lot of trendy New Zealand and Austrailia brands, along with a few things from North America, they also own a board shop down the street. Aside from the nice clothes that filled that walls, probably being the nicest stuff I've seen since I've been here, the store it self had a really cool feel too it. The black and white decor, with floral prints and chandaliars gave it a high end, classy feel. Yet, the graffiti influenced art on the walls, and mini cruiser bike in the corner keep you from thinking you just walked into the wrong store. So if you are ever shopping down town Dunedin, NZ I highly suggest checking this place out.

Since I have been in New Zealand I have been really surprised with the lack of graffiti, There isn't any in the skate parks and barely any on any buildings around town. So when I was in Dunedin and saw this piece of, possibly Shepard Fairey inspired, street art I was not only surprised but a little impressed.
And lasting, I don't know if Dunedin has a ice rink that dumps their snow outside, but I intend to find out for these two reasons...

Andy

All Blacks Vs France in Dunedin

2009-06-15T22:36:00.002-04:00

So before leaving for New Zealand I was advised if I had the opportunity I had to see the All Blacks New Zealand's rugby team. So after I heard they were playing France in Dunedin I had to go, even more so to support my French heritage. So I made the way down to Dunedin this weekend for the game.

Dunedin is a student town with a few museums, old buildings, a big campus, lots of bars and shops down town, farmers market, casino, and lots more. The first thing we saw in town was the Cadbury factory. Although seeing how the chocolate was made it wasn't that great as a lot of it is confined to big machines so you can't actually see that much, but the free and near free chocolate was well worth it.
Before the game we went out to one of the bars in the Octagon, which is the main down town area. Although we were surrounded by All Blacks supporters the French crowd were definitely more passionate. One Frenchmen even brought a rooster in support.
Although I don't know too much about rugby (there isn't much to know, get the ball to the other side or threw the big posts and you get some points) the game was still exciting. With the All Blacks reputation the French had some work to do. When only a few minutes into the game the French were the first on the score board I knew they would be alright, I even got a picture of the first tri.
The All Blacks managed to catch up in the second half but it wasn't enough as the french broke into the lead again and won the match.

After the game I headed to a party that Kevin, the couchsurfers I was staying with, had invited me to. It was a bit of a drive just out of town, but when I showed up they had a lit up mini ramp and a full DJ set up, with tents and a few fire pits. One of Kevin's room mates was DJing along with a band had also played. All in all it was a great experience and will have to try to make another trip there at some point.
Andy

Franz Joseph Glacier

2009-06-15T22:07:00.002-04:00

So after a few weeks of searching I have secured a job, a house, and a free ski pass. This has given me a lot of free time to go on adventures, and just relax a bit. So last Saturday I spent the day with some new friends in the hostel listening to music, playing some guitar, playing cards, and generally just lounging around for the day. As the day came to an end my new friends Gabrielle and Joao convinced Nate and I to make the trip up to Franz Joseph Glacier with them.

So within a hour Nate and I had packed and we were on the road. Joao had a rented camper van so after an hour or so of driving... and stopping a few times to look out at the lake under the moon, and pick up some fire wood... we pulled off at a camp site ate some dinner and sat by our poor attempt of a fire, then piled into the van to sleep for the night.

Going to bed in darkness we had no idea what we were going to wake up to, to our surprise it was an amazing view of a river and surrounded by snow caped mountains. So after eating breakfast and sitting around playing guitar some more we were on the road again. The rest of the drive to Franz proved to be quite distracting as we seemed to make stops every 30 minutes or so. Some of which included some interesting rapids, a water fall coming out of the rain forest, and some stacked up rocks along the beach. In Canadian style I did my best to make one that resembled an Inukshuk.

After finally making it to the Franz we went out for the night in the only bar in town. Then the following day after Nate and I decided it wasn't worth paying to go on the glacier when we could go on one in Canada for free, we left the other two and made our way back to Wanaka

Andy

Wakeboarding in NZ

2009-05-30T03:42:00.003-04:00

So despite the fact that it's late fall here and the lake is mostly mountain run off I have finally managed to get out for a wakeboard out on Lake Wanaka. Looking out on the flat lake every day has been painful. But, I finally met a nice couple with a boat so me and my friend Sam went out for a set this afternoon, here are a few pictures.

Andy

The Purple Cow

2009-05-30T03:33:00.004-04:00

So for the past few weeks I have been staying at the Purple Cow hostel. It's a pretty friendly place with movies every night, free pool and ping pong, nice fire place, and lots of interesting people. But there are two that are particularly interesting, Phil the resident alcoholic and Smoky the hostel cat. Phil has been here for a few months now and acts like he owns the place. He has been traveling for the better half of seven years before now. He has a degree in psychology, is a certified dive master, can sky dive and paraglide, is a good pool player, and is definitely one of the smartest most interesting people I've ever met. Phil is on the right here.

The other is Smoky the hostel cat. He has been living in the hostel, for ten years now, longer than anyone else has been here. Even the current owners have only owned the hostel for 7 years. He roams around, steals peoples seats in front of the fire, irritates people for food at diner, and knows a way into almost every room in the hostel. But more than anything he will defend his territory if threatened. He has bit or scratched almost everyone in the hostel including myself in the first twenty minutes i was here.

Other then that Wanaka is great, should be moving out of the hostel into a place soon, and have a part time job cleaning lined up if need be.

Andy

2009-05-18T23:57:00.013-04:00

So after well over a day in traveling I have finally arrived in Wanaka, New Zealand. The landscape is unbelievable, and looking out at the snow caped mountains is amazing.

I have a place in a hostle for the first few days. There are a few other people that are here for the season and with the snow getting lower on the mountains every day we are getting pretty excited.

I went out around town yesterday and checked out a bunch of the local shops and things around town. Unfortunatly no job offers just yet but I have been assured that it's simply cause it's the off season and come june there will be plenty of work.

Going to a land down under

2009-05-14T18:38:00.002-04:00

So after some planning I'm taking off for New Zealand tomorrow.

I'll be gone for just under six months, spending most of my time in Wanaka and maybe a bit of traveling to some other places in the down under region (Australia, Tasmania, the Philippines, etc.) The trip will consist of working, lots of snowboarding, and lots of other adventures.

So I have been spending the last few days packing... here is all the stuff I was going to try to bring....

... after packing my snowboard bag it weighted in at 75 pounds (the airlines limit you to 50 pounds). So after cutting some stuff out and some creative packing I got everything down to two bags and my backpack.

So tomorrow at 5.20pm i will be sitting on a plane from Detroit to LA, I then fly from LA to Auckland NZ, finally after 26 and a half hours of traveling I will arrive in Queenstown New Zealand, oh then I take a shuttle from there to Wanaka.

Peace out northern hemisphere.