Monday, February 12

Shawn: Today I had to go to the only meeting on the whole trip, it was really the only chance I’d have to screw things up, get fired or have to pay for the trip, and it was a not success, so I’m still employed. Meetings were short and sweet and I got the chance to embarrass Scott in front of the group a bit, which was a rare opportunity since we’ve made it a point to avoid sustained exposure to any Jones people for any period of time. There’s a guy named Chip here from San Diego, total tool, always making uncomfortable comments. Those are the kinds that we’re looking to avoid. We went for a run and then swam in Lake Wakatipu, which is about 4 degrees warmer this time of year than in winter, about 53 Degrees Ferenheit if my math serves me well. We Hittman’s call this “refreshing” in WI. Then it was off to Arrowtown, a little (and I mean little) burg 20 minutes away. With a population of a couple hundred, and only 1 road through it, the Jones clan came in and instantly doubled the count. We had an excellent meal followed by one of the best rock ‘n roll cover performances Scott or I had ever heard. The town’s 75-year-old minister and judge also happened to be a maverick on the electric guitar and quite the vocalist as well, and his supporting cast were all family members. The set list was inclusive of, but not limited to, classics the likes of: “Johnny Be Good”, Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall”, summed up with a face-melting rendition of “Sultans of Swing,” and yes, they do Encores in Arrowtown, which was a crowd favorite, “Hey Jude.” “Bohemian Rhapsody” was also featured and will soon be added to the Blog as Scott and I along with two other dudes got in front of God and everyone and performed the Wayne’s World car scene almost to a tee, stay posted for this addition, it will not disappoint. The Jones crowd was quickly rendered from a bunch of old fogies into a rock ‘n roll frenzy of nostalgic bliss, sporting ear-to-ear grins around the hall. Truly a remarkable scene and atmosphere, unlike anything I’d ever or will ever see from a Jones crowd, everyone including us regressed to our twenties for about an hour. Tomorrow we’re set to go West to Milford Sound, which is a deceptive name: it’s actually a fjord.