Another great weekend down here in New Zealand. Friday sailing in a local race. Fun and easy – took my small camera and uploaded some new pictures here.
Saturday in Auckland at NZ Coastguard lectures (Towing Techniques, Observation Techniques, Victim Recovery and Search Techniques) There was a test after each of the modules. This is part of the training I have to go through before I become full member of the unit. On a lunch time friend ofmine from the Howick unit and I went to Mission Bay for a coffee since the training was located near by and while we are sipping our lattes I watched a car hit bicyclist head on. The car was turning into a parking lot and obviously did not give right of the way to a bicyclist going straight. I saw this guy flew off his bicycle, roll over the car and land few meters behind. So we got up and went up there to see if there is something we can do. We called cops and ambulance and started to help the bicyclist to see what was wrong with him. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet that was crack when he hit the pavement. He was little shaken but conscious and alert. So we gave him some water and waited for an ambulance. When the cops showed up we gave them our cell numbers in a case they need a witness and had to go back to a classroom.
Then on Sunday, the Alpha crew was on duty (Howick has 5 units – Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta, Echo) and it turned great again. About 30 minutes after we launch the boat we got the call that there was a heart attack on a charter fishing boat about an hour away – and the boat was in the Port of Jackson. The boat is 9.5m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat powered by a 483HP Scania Diesel driving a Hamilton Jet Unit. A big jet boat so loud we all have to wear headphones to communicate inside. We got there only about 10 minutes after rescue helicopter showed up and lowered their medic already on the boat. The guy was doing alright but had to be transported to hospital so we put him on our boat and transfered him to a shore where the helicopter has landed and waited for him. Then I got a chance to practice the helm on the way back. So much fun. Very different than sailing but this baby just flies over the water. Awesome.

Another great week and weekend. Had so much fun on Saturday going out and then on Sunday I went racing on a small 30 foot keel boat from Westheaven marina in Auckland. We had abut 25 knots gust of wind and everything was going well until one of those gust cough us and we nearly capsized the boat during a chinese gybe. Whoa – quite an adrenaline rush. It span the boat around and we came really close to a collision with an anchored boat near by. We actually had to push away from it and nearly cut its anchor line. Three minutes of everything happening at once. Scott the skipper released the main and Dave and I brought down the spinnaker as fast as we could. This happens every now and then and it is just a strong gust or large wave that rocks the boat side to side so much so that its boom crashes over to another side and the whole boat goes wildly into huge heel (leaning over). So that was fun.
Today I went to another Coast Guard meeting where I got my first certificate from them. Martin Knazovicky has been awarded Search and Rescue marine Medic. I also got my pager. One week a month our group ( the Alpha crew) has watch so if something happens we got to be there within 5 minutes and take off with the boat as soon as possible. I am still a trainee so I only go if not enough people showed up. Still have long ways to go. But should get out on the water this upcoming Sunday and then following week too. They had some crazy call last week when about 18 dolphins got stuck in a shallow water near motorway. Anyways everything ended just fine…everyone had a dolphin for dinner. No just kidding … everyone had two….nobody bloody ate the dolphins, people! Ohhh…I missed that one. Still remember, one of the most beautiful sites while sailing, has been a group of dolphins swimming and jumping around the boat at night coming back from New Caledonia. Those are incredible animals. But you know that. Then on Monday (13th of August) I got little tired of talking to recruiting companies and decided to make fun of one company that sent me a letter telling me that my application has not been successful. Now bear in mind i have sent out about 50 resumes to date but all I hear is how great that is that I have overseas experiences but they need New Zealand experience as well. Anyway, I am really frustrated with some small minded bureaucrats here. So – I put together this Resume and DVD below. I put an old shoe into the box and sent it all to the person who wrote me the rejection letter. The note says. “Please reconsider your decision. They say the hardest thing is to get your foot in (hence the shoe) and that is why I ask you to take a look at my updated resume and DVD that can better capture some of my aptitude. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you, Martin Knazovicky.” I hope they have a sense of humor. Obviously not expecting to hear from them ever again but hey – who cares they already rejected me. I still think it is pretty funny. The video I sent them is high quality DVD not this version again because of the backwards Internet in New Zealand I had to loose some quality to get it up online. Make sure you have your speakers on…and if it is too choppy then hit the pause button until it loads all the way.
OH never mind GOOGLE…it rejected my clip due to some copyright violations. Oh what is this world coming down to. I uploaded it somewhere else then.

Its Saturday evening and really heavy rain here in Auckland. I just finished watching a film by director Todd Field called Little Children. Very strong movie. It will make you feel uncomfortable at times but the story is a powerful one. It reminded me of an American Beauty (one of my favorites) movie from 1999. Very complicated relationships and I am sure everyone will have different feelings about this movie. I strongly recommend it but as said it is quite graphic.

I am happy that we have decided not to buy house not only because of the break up but also because of the mortgage problems back in USA are so scary right now. Here is a good article from the economist. Seems to me that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has got to take this head out of his ass and face the problem before thousands of people will loose their homes. This guy, in my opinion is not really proving that he has the ability to be the head of the most powerful regulating body in USA. The Federal Reserve.

Tomorrow there is a harbor race and I will be sailing for few hours. Hopefully the weather will improve. I am heading out tonight to one of my friends birthday party. It will be nice to see everyone from the boat again. Tomas is leaving on Sunday to San Francisco and I am so jealous of that. Monika and Chris are getting married 9/22 2007 and it would be awesome if I could make it back for that day. If I can get some vacation time and can afford it I will try to head back to San Francisco. Just thinking about it makes me miss the whole S.F. Bay Area a lot. Right now it does not really look like I am going to make it.

Just sitting and listening to archives of NPR’s “This American Life” and decided to share. If you do not know “This American Life” listen to my favorite episode especially the part about squirrel cops. That is just too funny. You can listen for free here. I am doing really well and have had lot of good times. Have been hanging out with my boat friends and my south african friends. Lots of good food and good wine. I am looking into getting into university of Auckland and started to look for a job. I am going to my first Coast Guard auxiliary meeting next Tuesday. I joined to get some more boating experience and they will pay for my certifications as well. It is voluntary and non military organization here in New Zealand. With all the good times I had recently – I was reminded today that it is still just me and my luck and only the craziest things happen to me. Walking out of store today I got hit by an ambulance today. Yeah – that’s right I survived two ocean crossings and then get hit by an ambulance backing out of parking spot. Fortunately I was able to hit the ambulance with my hand on the back – really loud and jump back. Nothing really happened and I thought it was quite funny. My life’s story continues. I am heading back to gym and starting to work out regularly. Lets see how long will this last. Oh yeah and I really can not wait for new Office. I do not really watch anything on TV but if there is Office on I have to see it. Here is some example… (why are you the way you are?). Below is just another funny clip from Will’s Ferrel’s – Be Funny or Die page

Just finished video of the trip. I did not spent much time on it and it has been seriously hurt by New Zealand broadband ( I had to scarifies the quality so I can get it online) but here it is. I had another great day by the way. BBQ with my friends, working on my resume, etc. Tomorrow – I am off to another party but before I have to buy some blankets because it is seriously cold here. Anyways, I hope you enjoy and again don’t blame me for the quality…If your connection is not fast enough start the video run it few seconds and then hit pause button. This will let video to buffer. Go away and come back in few minutes. You should be able to play it without interruption.

Oh yeah and I got some new pictures in my Flickr account…