The Revue: Part 2

Alright, I forgot to write this yesterday, but there isn't much left to say.

So, while there were high moments in the revue, there were quite a few low points. Unfortunately, we somehow acquired a lot of dancers, and to accomodate them, guess what? We had lots of dances. 

Not that dances are a bad thing, but I felt like it was kinda discontinuous with the whole concept of the revue's theme this year. Plus, they had dances to Beyonce's Halo (which I thoroughly despise, because I never liked the song anyway), and the dancers weren't good, choreography wasn't superb, and mainly choreography wasn't superb. And the dancers weren't good. Have I made my point clear? I thought so. Repeated use of the strobe light isn't a good thing, especially when it was already present in the previous dance, especially when it feels like it was deliberately there to cover up the lack of skill by the dancers. Ok, I'm probably being mean. They weren't all that bad. Mainly repetitive. I also blame the choreographer for lack of originality.

There were still high points in the dances though. One was a Bollywood dance, which wasn't choreographed by aforementioned choreographer. It was probably of the best dance routines for the revue too, which just goes to suggest something... Yes... Another brilliant idea was male ballet dancers in those ballet tutu's. Yup, MALE engineers in ballet tutu's. Now that was absolutely comical. I laughed heaps for that one.

So, after the whole revue thing was over, we went over to the Muddy Farmer (some Irish pub) for the afterparty. Personally, I didn't think it was a great party, but hey, it was good to chill, drink and chat. Just not, you know, the typical party thing people expect. I got real sleepy at 2 am, but I stayed to well, make sure Iain was fine, just in case. He was drinking heaps that night anyway, and me none since I had that horrible sore throat. Timmy stayed too, which was kinda nice.

We ended up only leaving the pub at like 4 in the morning. I think. Didn't look at the time by then, and we went to McDonald's, because it's like the only place open then. Remembering my previous (2) experiences there this year (and only 2 out of the previous 3 years too... wow), I decided that my earlier resolve to avoid McDonald's was well justified. So, I just sat there whilst the others decided to get something. Eventually at 5, we all kinda left. Damn, I was sleepy.

Did I enjoy myself? Of course. Like I said, $12 well spent. I wasn't a big fan of the venue, but I guess it made it cheaper. I might even involve myself next year, since I actually have time for it then. Didn't even have any time for rest around revue sign-ups and practice this year, so I suppose it was a good thing I didn't sign up. 

Stein on Thursday, and Kegs next Wednesday. Fun, fun, fun. If only this bothersome cough would go away before Thursday...

The Revue (Part 1)

Alright, I decided to split this post in two mainly because I'm sleepy. I only got back this morning at 5-ish, and I woke up at about 9... So... I might head back to sleep pretty soon.

Revue was great fun. I definitely didn't regret it, although I thought some bits could have been revised better, obviously. In case you aren't aware of what the revue is, the Engineering Revue is essentially an engineering-associated performance. It contains skits (and also attempts at comedic mockery of stereotypes within university), and includes healthy bashing of medical and law students. It's only fair since they started it first too.

But yes, the revue this time is (loosely) based on a contest held to find the best engineer within the faculty. The show is also intertwined with random song and dance routines and skits made to seem like ad's. In all honesty, it felt like watching tv sometimes.

They were definitely memorable moments in the revue. The re-created songs were good, like the rendition of Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours". That was rewritten to add the engineering twist, like lines like... "But I won't integrate no more, no more... It's getting late, I'm bored". It was particularly good because the singer was actually not half bad himself, and the modified lyrics didn't cramp the flow of the song at all. Other notable songs included the modification of MetroStation's "Shake That" to a rather crass song about a doctor taking advantage of a patient called "Take That". You know, that song suprisingly didn't need much modification, considering that the lyrics were dirty enough on their own. 

Skits were good too, on the whole. Some require you to know a little bit about places within the university, such as Munchy Mart, the little grocery (?) store within the campus which has an annoying Indian guy who points out the next opening in the cashiers as if you were blind, and also causing more trouble and hold up with the queue than anything else. Also, the dig on the AUTU (Auckland University of Technology University). I shit you not, that's what they're called. It used to be called AUT, but then they tacked on another U to make it sound better. The digs obviously include them adding more and more U's. Like UATUATUUUUUUU. And also other digs such as the fact that they fail as a university. Hehe.

Anyway, that's all I'll say for now. I'm like, super sleepy already. Night

SOOOO Excited...

Yeah! Tests are overrrr, assignments are (for now) overrrr... And the revue is this Saturday! (So is the after party) And, and, and, Stein next Thursday, so the drinking begins just in time! And Kegs the week after, so even more drinking. This is looking good for the moment...

P/S: I know I sound like a raging alcoholic right now, but I do need some release after that goddamned awful stressful "holiday" (from hell) and the tests and assignments this week. In fact, I demand it!

P/P/S: (Like 3 hours later or so...) I just found out where all these restaurants and bars in Auckland source their glassware, barware, kitchenware, knives, etc etc etc from! Yay for me! And it's cheap too! I should buy some cocktail glasses, a bar spoon, a Boston shaker, a muddler, and a hawthorn strainer! Mmm, martini...

New Zealand and the Drinking Culture

After the reply Amy left me on her blog, I thought I'll address this as well as make an update on the proceedings in my life. 

Yes, Amy, I am drinking a lot. There isn't anything else to do in New Zealand though. Seriously. When you go out to town, you drink. When you are free in University, you go to Shadows, the student pub (in Auckland anyway). When you go camping, you drink. I can't explain it too well, but New Zealand has a long established culture of drinking. This is exacerbated when you're: A) a university student; B) an Engineering student (although I'm sure this will provoke comments/blog posts from others telling me that it's not the case). In any case, I will limit these claims to only New Zealand. 

But all that drinking aside, yes I did go out drinking last night. As well as clubbing, but I was drinking first. I went to Deschlers, the rock bar which has become my usual hangout of late. I just like sitting there and having a few quiet (as in I don't speak, because it's actually really loud with all the rock music) drinks. Plus, they make awesome drinks, in particular the gin martini I so favour. 

I then met up with Willow and her crew, that being Daniel, her boyfriend (obviously), some of her friends, Paul, Ashein, Keri and Kim (they hang out in a group called the Tea Party, don't ask me why), and some of her other friends whose names I cannot remember. Yes, I'm bad with names. Yes, I'm worse after a few drinks. Irrelevant, though. 

So anyway, we all make it into the Flight Lounge, despite the huge faux pas on Ashein's part (by wearing running sneakers). Yes, we all got in because of the huge buffer of girls, and also because there were not many people there yet. Then I accidentally spilt some guy's drink. That didn't really matter, since I bought him another. But then it turns out he had the same PIN as I did, so he bought me a drink. Cool huh? I like these little random things.

I'll probably mention this now, but I personally don't know how to dance (as in I can't shuffle, etc). You know, I can move and whatever, so it depends on what people perceive as dance. But yes, I can't/don't dance. Anyway. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, when I do "dance", I'm not discriminatory of any particular way of dancing. Often I enjoy reciprocating my dance partner's moves back on themselves. And I get very dirty when dancing.

So. Yes, I dirty danced with some of Willow's friends, because she didn't want to dirty dance (neither did Tea Party group). I think I got summarily judged by the Tea Party group of friends after that, but meh. Screw them. I was already on my alcoholic high besides. 

Another thing about me is when I dance, I dance with anyone. Anyone. So long as they aren't creepy. So this random dude (I don't know what is it with random dudes dancing with me, eg: Luke at Arnold's party) comes up and starts dancing with me. So I dance with him for a bit too. It might have gotten a little dirty. I think. It's kinda hazy anyway. But I got judged again by "Tea Party" group.  Bugger. Oh no, my world's going to implode *rolls eyes*.

Sorry, I don't think I ever really explained my irritation with that group. Simply put, they're rather judgemental, and as gossipy as the rumour mills from high school. As well as conservative. You can draw your own conclusions.

Night kinda ended sometime at 3am I think. I get this feeling that the Lady Gaga song, "Just Dance" is starting to embody me quite well. Particularly the bits about dancing, having a bit too much, and forgetting the name of the club. Hehe. Quite an early night too, and I have no hangover! Yay! The damage wasn't too bad either... Spent about $100 in drinks just on myself, which I reckon was alright. But I'm quite tired... And I haven't finished studying for those tests yet. 

My holidays aside from that were horrible. Boring, dreary and dull. I had 4 assignments to complete, and 2 tests to study for (both of which I haven't actually finished studying for). I still have one more assignment to complete too (by Thursday). Should be good though. So what's everyone's plans for the weekend? I'm just going to study =\

And back to hitting the books. Ciao.

When Holidays are not quite... Holidays

So yeah, this was long overdue for an update. Sadly, there's not much going in this life of mine. I'd normally have been busy to the days going out with mates, chillin', drinking, you know the drill, if it weren't for the huge overload of assignments and neccessary test preparations that got dropped onto my lap. 4 assignments (1 of which is a lab report, I guess), and 2 tests to prepare for, all of which collide on the first week back!!! My holidays as we know it, over!

Sigh.

Not to say that I haven't got anything planned per se. I'm going out for dinner a few more times throughout the hols, but I don't think I've got any big night outs planned. Not quite sure what to do with the Easter holidays either. I suppose it depends on whether I finish enough work such that I feel entitled to a little break, I suppose.

Alright, off to gym, then back to work. This isn't any fun at all.