Never follow a hippie to a second location...unless it's middle earth

Welcome back, suckers.

It's been awhile, huh?

I've missed you too.

But good news! The time has come again for I, Steezy (aka Steez, The Steezer, Steez McNeez) to hit the road for another Non-American part of the world: New Zealand. I am hoping that the experience won't be ruined by the fact that I've never been to Old Zealand, but I'm told I'll be okay.

You'll recall with last year's jaunt to Italy that there were six of us at the trip's apex. Originally there were supposed to be just two (well, plus LJ, but that brat don't count): Liza with a Z and me. This time around there was supposed to a be a nice group of us...and then there were two. Liza has been over in Kiwi-land since February on a Fulbright fellowship studying something related to the environment I think? Or something? I don't really know, but what I do know is that I couldnt pass up the opportunity to travel into the future to meet up with her. The rest of those bitches be jealous.

So, here's the plan:

I depart DC on Friday. Before I actually make it over to Liza's side of the date line, I'll be spending a lovely day with Adolpho in Los Angeles, while killing time during my 11 hour layover. My favorite part is that once I'm in the air, I'll be skipping forward to Sunday. For the rest of my life, I can always say that Aug. 14, 2010 did not exist for me. I've always wanted to transmorgrify, and I'm finally getting that wish.

Once I do land in Auckland, here's the itenerary: Waiheke, Auckland, Taupo, Napier, Wellington (all on the north island), Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Queenstown, Te Anau (south island). We'll be doing a lot of driving, and a lot of talking...and of course a lot of talking about my sister. A huge thanks to our friends that have kindly burned us music to listen to on the road so that I don't always have to be entertaining her or be subjected to books on tape ("Hunchback of Notre Dame," Liza? Really?). Other than driving, on our agenda is wineries, scenery, wineries, skiing, wineries, curling, wineries, and tramping. (Ed note: tramping in NZ is hiking; undecided whether we'll be American tramping or New Zealand tramping).


A reminder of your cast:


She's an excellent singer


She's an excellent dancer (with nice arms)


The internet situation is less of a known quantity this time around, so while I'll be writing something every day, they may get posted in clumps. So tune in, stay patient and don't yell at me. Glad to have you aboard.