NYC Hopeful

[Liz K]

Hello all,

My name is Liz Kohn, and I'm a 22 yr-old university graduate,
ex-Colorado resident, and recent NYC inhabitant. But I'm not writing
here to tell you about myself- I'm writing on behalf of my bright, friendly roommate,
Justin Brock. I know I'm asking for some time here to
get through my little chronicle, but I do ask that you please continue
to read and take what I have to say to heart and mind.

Last weekend Justin and I went into a bar called East Village
Tavern on Avenue C and 7th St in New York City, where Justin had read
about a special selection of beers regularly on tap. That's where he
spotted a beer called Palo Santo Marron and proceeded to tell me, in
full detail, all about a special man and the collaboration between a
US beer company and this individual to create a unique beer, details
I've since found aren't even on their website, but that I'm not
surprised Justin had stored up there in his mind. I listened intently
as he spoke with a passion and energy I love to see from him, a
liveliness so visible that I awoke up with a pressing need to write on his account.

Justin Brock graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree
in Business Administration and went straight from there here to work
as a Real Estate Finance and Securitization analyst at a large
financial institution. But, five weeks ago, Justin was fired,
among with many others from his company.


Justin loves beer, and he loves, really loves to learn. One more of
his loves you need to know: he loves to travel. I believe doing any
combination of those three things is an ideal way for him to spend his
time, especially now, whether we're talking about a work or play
environment, or some blend of the two. Only trouble is, he's not
really sure where to find this idyllic climate, but now has both the
time and money to go anywhere and try anything. This is where I'm
hoping you'll come in.


I know that you, as a beer lover, and Justin stand upon a similar
foundation, one based on a passion for culture, surprises, adventure,
and importantly, beer; the only difference between yourselves and him,
is that you have the resources and connections to go somewhere with
this. Luckily for him, money is not an issue- he would undoubtedly
work for free- allowing him to go anywhere he would have a roof over
his head and hopefully some food. He has been investigating volunteer
opportunities in New Zealand with an amazing organization called
WWOOF, Worldwide Workers on Organic Farms, but has yet to commit anywhere.

So now, what can he do for a couple months to learn more about beer,
to travel, to get out of the restricted zone he's been living in for
the past 2 years and into that general environment where he can reach
new levels, personally and quite literally? He can get himself to
wherever you suggest he go, he just needs even a rough idea of what to
do once he's there, absolutely whatever that may mean. He can reach
out to whoever you suggest he reaches out to, all he needs there is a
name and number. I know he has his sights set on New Zealand, which is
I why I'm writing you.

I understand that asking for help on behalf of a complete American stranger
and his hopeful roommate is bold and perhaps naive, but Justin is an
important person in my life, and I am writing with a steadfast
conviction that you can help him do something amazing in a time where
he needs that little something amazing to do; I see your work in the
same unique light that I see Justin and believe that you can assist us
in changing his life.

I would hugely appreciate any correspondence!

Many thanks,

Liz

P.S. my profile pic is of our happy faces.

Thanks again.

[Kempicus]

What to do in NZ....hmmm....sounds like the South Island is the place for him....

http://www.magicbus.co.nz/main/ActivitiesSouthIs/

how's that sound?

[Liz K]

Sounds great. Thank you for the information. I think he may have actually found some farms to go to. Can I give him your e-mail so he can ask you any questions?

[Kempicus]

No prob, just get him to join up and send me a message on this forum

[Stu McKinlay]

Welcome guys

Sorry to hear about Justin's job - I guess he picked the wrong industry at the wrong time, huh?

I'd agree with Kempicus. The south island might well be the place for him to go. There are a bunch of great little breweries, and they're spread all over. Plenty of good drinking, nice folk, lots of things to get up to when you're not drinking and talking... hiking, climbing, swimming, kayaking.

Tell him to join up here, I'm sure there will be plenty of people who either shout him a beer, or a couch and roof for a night, or just give him a tip on somewhere gret to go.

WWOOF is a good way to go - I'm sure there's a fre WWOOFer brewers out there too. I'm pretty sure there was one here (Peter, though he was from up north) but he's gone awol.

If he comes through Wellington, he can hook up with plenty of passionate (and multi-dimensional) beer lovers here too.

Slainte mhath
Stu

[Liz K]

Thanks Stu. That's really helpful. As I said above, Justin got some "yes" responses from farms this week, but I don't know of the details yet. We're out of the city at different places for the Thanksgiving holiday now. Would you mind if Justin contacted you directly? I think it'd be really nice for him to check out some breweries on his trip.

[Stu McKinlay]

My pleasure. Yeh, tell him to message me on here. I think you can only do it once your friends but I'll accept his request ;-)

Cheers
Stu