Alright, (as most of you would know as you read it) I was asked a few questions in one of Dayna’s earlier posts.  In order to keep myself in Dayna’s good books I am getting the ball rolling and answering the first couple of questions for now (I’ll get to the others as soon as I can).  So Barbetti, thanks for the questions, my answers are below…

Why don’t you have a blog?

I did have a blog while I was studying in San Diego and travelling around North America but I don’t have one at the moment.  The main reason I had a blog while I was overseas was so my family / friends could keep in touch and see what I was up to whereas now keeping in touch is a bit easier (living in the same country and all).

So I guess a big reason for not having a blog is because I think I would struggle for readers – a blog about travelling across North America is a lot more interesting to read than a blog about the day-to-day adventures of a tax consultant (although in saying that I would so read that blog…).

I think if I’m living outside of New Zealand then I will most likely pick up writing a blog again as I did enjoy it while it lasted (and it’s good to look back on one day).  For now though, I am happy as a reader.

How did you and Dayna meet? And what was your initial impression of her?

Alright, let’s see.  It was November 2006.  I was working the “early” shift at Jet, the bar I worked at for a few years while at university (early meant finishing around midnight which qualifies it as a “very late” shift for me these days).

I was nearing the end of my shift when an old high school friend of mine came in with two Canadian girls in tow.  I hadn’t seen him in years so I was pretty pleased.  And he was obviously pleased to be able to show off in front of the girls (I remember him exaggerating “I know all the bartenders in Wellington!”) and it was working on at least one of them (*cough* Danielle *cough*).

So one of the girls (Dayna) ordered a round of tequila shots and I obliged (very quickly, with lemon / salt and a smile might I add).  Dayna then proceeded to complain to me (at length) about how much they cost.  I just clenched my teeth and nodded sympathetically (whilst noting her generous tip of ZILCH).  So my initial impression wasn’t exceptionally great (a cheap, whiny traveler who doesn’t tip – although I admit I did think she was cute).

I finished my shift shortly after and went around the other side of the bar to talk to my old high school buddy (who I hadn’t seen in years).  Unfortunately he had eyes for only one person that night (*cough* Danielle *cough*).  At this point I noticed that the Cheap Whiny Traveler looked kind of lonely sitting at the bar by herself.  I had a good amount of experience at playing third wheel so I forgave her (a little bit) for her earlier whining.  And besides, I needed somewhere to sit.

So we got talking and had one of those great first conversations.  You know the ones:

“I have lots of brothers and sisters”

“Oh my god, I have lots of brothers and sisters!”

“I like U2”

“Oh my god, I like U2!”

“I like chocolate”

“Oh my god, I like chocolate…”

Anyway, we talked for hours and I decided I really liked her (and apparently she didn’t mind me either).  She even wrote me a note telling me this (titled “Mr Hot Bartender”).

We had a few adventures before she left Wellington like when Dayna’s parents, who were back in Canada (obviously), were alerted to their child being missing.  What a great first impression to make on a girl’s parents right? ‘So you’re the one who kidnapped my daughter then?’ For the record, no I did not, at any point, kidnap Dayna.

By the time Dayna left Wellington my first impression had changed to be of a happy, passionate, caring, funny, cute, clumsy, awesome girl that I was very sad to being saying goodbye to.  Little did I know that after fifty or so phone calls, several thousand emails, a meet up in San Diego, a month in Canada and now a year of living together, I would get to spend every day with this girl.

Lucky me.