List of Objects Lost Thus Far

1. Black shirt lost in Fiji
2. Book sitting on shirt lost in Fiji
3. Sunglasses holding place in book on shirt lost in Fiji
4. Plastic food container left at backpackers in Nelson
5. White boxer briefs - may be at laundrette *Found in laundry bag
6. Soap left in 3 different showers
7. Plastic Food Containers (2)

Pith's Right Hand Has Had Bad Day

Nice title, eh? I think that it is probably my best. Seriously, just read that again. Since yesterday, I have managed to mash every digit on my right hand. The pinkie was used to check the belt tension on a pulley. The ring finger was cut against the edge of a steel door. The middle finger has a hang nail? The index finger was hammered replacing some ball joints on the car. The thumb suffered whilst padding a broom's impact against a solid object. Fortunately, although sore, I am able to type somewhat and all fingers and thumb should be fully recovered by the end of the week.

Tuesday the Seventeenth of March?

I cannot be sure exactly how time has passed so quickly since the last post to The Life & Times of Sir Pith Wagner, Esquire, but if the date is correct it has and thus my latest report is slightly overdue. First, some unpleasant business. Kyle has informed me that the title esquire, previously assumed by me to have no or at least insignificant modern meaning, makes a false claim that I am qualified to practice law. As I have no such wish I'll have to drop it and come up with something better and more appropriate.

In other news it is St. Patrick's Day, and they celebrate the event here in New Zealand as well. On the day so far I have celebrated by eating corned beef and cabbage, replacing a flat tire, and having a pint of stout.

For the month of March, I am employed as a forklift and hydraulic press operator working to ensure the world's supply of hops get out of the fields and into the beer it belongs in. In a strange coincidence I've been partnered once more with a white haired farmer for my tour of duty on the forklift. Bob is a good guy but George from Saturdays past at Dakotaland wins hands down for the tradition of breakfast on the clock.

On the Travels Accomplished Thus Far

So far all of my travel arrangements have gone very well. Each leg of the train ride and the flight to LA have departed on time and arrived early. Even Andy being in the wrong city was not a big problem as changing stops at the last second at the Portland Amtrak station cost only $22.

So far many strange and wonderful things have been observed, such as:

• A combination Irish Pub / Indian Restaurant (food until 3am on weekends!);
• A hyper miler in a Scion xB that can cause skateboarders to fall by solely by amazement at the improbable mileage accomplished in an object so cubical;
• One of the ten most hideous stenches known to exist in the early 21st century.

I am now in a deep period of introspection caused by an overly conservative flight schedule combined with awkward timing of the least expensive flights available. There is time, now, to ponder what wondrous things I have to look forward to as I await the beginning of the Post Pre Adventure Adventure (hereafter to be known as The Adventure). In only four hours I should be on an airplane bound for Fiji.

Pre Adventure Adventures Part One: Preparing Dinner

Now then we are off to the roof to grill some American style foodstuffs. Since time is of the essence, I must close today's thoughts early and ascend the stairs to the open air food preparation area.