riverECHO

I started this book about two weeks ago and simply haven’t had the time or energy to dig too deep into it. I had only read about 80 pages before this past weekend and had to keep reminding myself what was going on each time I picked it up. However, I picked it up again last night and just finished it.

This book came to my attention as we have been delving a bit into the idea of traveling to India at some point in the future, as well as a recent viewing of Slumdog Millionaire. Although a piece of fiction, it explores the real-world modern day India wanting to grow up, and catch up, with the ways of the West. The book is delivered through the eyes of one man trying to make something of himself in sea of men trying to do the same thing. It was a great first read into the depths of a modern day India as it struggles to find itself in the World.

I could probably measure the amount of free time I’ve had down here in New Zealand by the amount of times I’ve been able to pick up a book in the afternoon or evening. But this week I read a single chapter, which would have been a lot if I were back in Idaho, but is nothing for the roll that I’ve been on down here. It is an obvious sign of busyness. While BJ has spent most of the days at his little desk in our bedroom which looks out onto a patio, I’ve been spending the mornings at my desk (um . . . the bed) and my afternoons at the winery. At the winery we are preparing for vintage which means washing, sulfuring, moving, stacking and washing more barrels. There is still a lot to be done but it’s not even close to being busy yet. Once the grapes arrive, it will be non-stop. My little biceps are getting a good workout and it has been really fun to be working outside. In a funny way, this type of physical work is almost meditative.

We were able to sneak out for a “date” last night and enjoyed an evening of swimming at the pool, dinner at a Japanese restaurant, hot chocolate and coffee at Patagonia Chocolates, and a movie and the Queenstown Cinema. We made a New Year’s resolution this year to go on more official dates but I don’t think we really realized how many “dates” we actually already go on. We spend most of every day in the same room, even if we are working and talking to different people over Skype, doing the same outdoor activities, and eating the same meals together . . . so it’s hard to associate an evening at home cooking a meal or running into town for dinner, a movie, or a beer as a date instead of the continuation of our day together. But the truth is that we are super lucky to not have to make plans to see each other. BJ summed it up well last night and said “I think most couples go to different offices during the day, meet up with their friends at the gym or for a beer, and then come home to their wife or girlfriend. But you’re my friend too so we get to see each other a lot more.”

I also wanted to share our condolences with those who were close to skiing hero and role model Shane McConkey, who died yesterday during a tragic ski-basing accident in Italy. We ran into Shane less than a month ago in Arrowtown while he was here in New Zealand on his way to base jumping in Milford Sound with fellow basejumper Miles Dasher. We didn’t “know” Shane but share our memories of him and what struck me as his very calm and sincere persona. Rest in peace.