Monthly Archives: November 2014

Oh Helena, What Are Thou?

I was summoned to state capital Helena (incorrectly pronouced by Americans as ‘Helen-ah’) for my fingerprints to be taken once again. I think prisoners have their fingerprints stored in fewer locations than I do. As my appointment was for 9am on Thursday I had to leave on Wednesday and spend the night in the capital. It was shaping up to be a lonely night for me until Kate managed to get her exam moved back, allowing her to come too. We left Missoula around 4pm and arrived a little after in Helena around 6pm.

I was up bright and early and to my astonishment I managed to stumble across a US immigration office/facility which was not only friendly, but did simple things that made it easier for my paperwork. Simple things like marking out height measurements on the wall so you can provide the estimate which they require showed helpfulness which I have yet to come across here. Going above and beyond the job description.

Anywho afterwards we explored the vast city of 30-odd thousand politians. We parked up downvilliage and continued or adventure on foot. Downtown consisted of a small walking mall with the usual trinket, pawn and gun shops. I may be guessing here but it seems that Helena has some sort of history based on the number of statues around the place. There are also a number of murals painted throughout downtown. We popped into bakery and pokey candy (pronounced ‘sweet’) shop. We drove up Mt Helena and consumed our bread, then headed home in time to return the car on time. Thankfully it hadn’t snowed or rained in over a week so the roads were, apart from isolated spots, ice free.

South Park in Helena
There is more to read here. The old you would click this. The old you was fun… →

[Competition] Still Win Something. Cheating Allowed

Entries close this Sunday (Montana time)! Last chance to get your vote in, CHEATING THROUGH MULTIPLE VOTES IS NOW ALLOWED if you know how to do it…

The prize will be selected by the winner and the runner up, with the winner getting first selection on prize. They will select 1 of 3 available prizes which are: A large bag of chocolate, a toothbrush, a cheeseburger.

As cheating is now allowed I’m adding in a condition. There must be at least 13 unique voters for the competition to be valid. If there are fewer than 13 unique voters then no prize will be paid out.

Must be either in NZ or Missoula to vote

On Monday (Montana time) I will be weighing myself having a diabetes test*, the results will be sent to an independant analyst who’s ruling will be final.

Actual prize may vary slightly in brand and model.

Get voting everyone!

Yella’Stone!! (Finally…)

Right so here it is, I have had absolutely nobody nagging me to do this. But screw it, you’re getting it anyway!

Click on the pictures to enlarge

Background

Being so close to 2 national parks I just had to see them both! I saw Glacier National Park in the early weeks of my Montana adventure, there was a similar opportunity to go to Yellowstone National Park (Yella’Stone) with the international office; I was going to sign up half an hour after sign ups opened, but word got out there was already a waitlist. I was disappointed, but then I heard there were only 2 English speaking people on the bus. Adding to the duration and nature of the trip, a whirlwind trip with a 3 hour stop to get your own dinner and visit the gift shop I wasn’t disheartened any longer. A number of weeks ago there was  convoy of RV’s going to check it out for a weekend, I was invited to join the “reject RV” which I was going to accept until an offer to go a few weeks later, in off peak season with a small cluster of amazing people came up. I did the honourable thing and rejected the “reject RV” in favour of the more attractive offer. The group consisted of Dave (Ireland), Elliot (Ireland), Fiona (Ireland), James (New Zealand), Kate (England), Shannen (Ireland), and Siobhán (Ireland).

There is more to read here. The old you would click this. The old you was fun… →