Post, post basketball.

Kinds regards go to Kurt Matthes for the idea of this title.

I truly wish I could start you off with a nice image as I usually do however I am deeply sorry to report that my camera is broken. Walking along the road, ready and keen to take Epilogue photos (which, please, stop avoiding me, Jana and co. because we will find you and we will hunt you down) when suddenly - drop - depression.

Long story short. No photos of The Last Stand from me. Please refer to Jana Nee for epic team photos or to Tegan Rennie for video footage.

I stayed after school and found myself playing touch in the Halberg with some random guys and their coach. Really fun! Haven't played touch for so long but if I must say so myself - I still got it ;)

One unique thing about Avondale basketball is the atmosphere we create. Having all those banners and posters, I think, is a real boon to us. I mean. Those other schools rock up and get skeed. Shame that they aren't as cool as Ben and scab paper off the art dept. Well done Ben.

Face paint on, I was ready for the night.

The girls played Dio at 6pm and it was a little saddening to see so few supporters for the girls. They're just as hot as the boys! Aren't you Nina? ;) They went down about ten points but it happens to the best of us. Well done girls and good luck for your future games.

Boys. vs. Dilworth. Seriously, these boys were no competition for us! Sorry Dilworth but our boys sassed you! A little sad actually because unlike the last home game I went to (albeit ages and ages ago because of work), I was unable to hear Riley's hilarious taunts! "Hey big boy...", "She fell over!" You inspire me Mr. Riley.

We made up a chant that didn't work - but will work at Nationals when we head over the to the Shore to see a few games later on in the term.

We are Dale,

We never fail,

Between your legs you put your tail,

We we score we wanna wail,

Dale!

That's right Jack. I memorised it.

Congratulations Mr. Maiava for leading an excellent group of young men. We are proud to call you our boys. See you at Nationals!

...and jokes, here's an image which I will leave you with. Hilarity strikes.

Crotch shot!

Term after Term.

The force is strong in this term...

Term Three already. Oh my - what the hell. This leaves us with, effectively, 14 weeks of school for the rest of our lives... I really cannot believe how fast four years goes.

Anyway, straight into blog-affairs.

On the 15th of July, the heads and deputies went on a little field trip to learn a lesson in team tactics. The only reeeaal thing that must be reported is the great might of the females side. Girl power. Fun times had by all except Ben who got his contact lens knocked out by his own team mate. Boys. Pffft. Over butter chicken and tikki masala we discussed a plethora of ideas and initiatives for the upcoming term.

The biggie for me and Sarah at least, was the opening of the Common Space. Yes, it just became a proper noun with its capital letters. Such is the importance of it. Waiting for three days outside Mr. Lewis' office only to realise he had forgotten why we were there... Good on ya Lewis! Needless to say, he was stoked that we got this issue off his mind and we were stoked that we finally had a nice, warm place to cook our nice, warm noodles.

Common Space has a facebook group that you can join if you're a year thirteen (you would have received an invitation). Discussions and news go here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=139262519427747&ref=ts

Day one, week one of term three was Monique's Birthday which will be specially featured in this school related blog only because she is my wife and I must.

Before:

After:

Happy. Day. Birth.

Tuesday's lacrosse training went well, we're getting ready to kick arse at Auckland Champs on the 6th of August.

At show rehearsal we are all getting better. We are starting to get louder and Dev and Nellie seem happy. Just a few times where words are failing. Looking forward to Sunday rehearsal where we try to sing and dance. On top of that, I'm sure we'll all be stoked to see the set! It is nearly finished and Jenks has done a superb job! The best school set I have seen yet!

Wednesday was opening day for the Common Space. Special thank you to Christian and Cheerag for providing balloon money. We love you long time.

Thursday and Friday - two lacrosse games. EGGS and AGGS. Both went down. All that needs to be said.

A big well done must go out to Isabella Wilson and the Amnesty International people for doing an outstanding job with their assembly item, bake sale and photo shoot - all during appalling weather conditions. You are truly awesome.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find myself not rostered on this week at work leaving me a carefree Friday to watch Glee and a sunny weekend to write blogs, run errands, run and fill out scholarship applications.

The week moved by so fast and it was encouraging to see everyone's facebook's status': "Made it through the week with no absences..." Well freakin' done! Repeat that times nine? :)

I am bloody excited to see what this term holds and I really don't want it to be over all too quickly. Needless to say, I'll be waiting patiently for the next holiday. I'll be waiting. Term after term...

Term Two - That's a wrap.

I know what you're thinking. What the hell is this Marina? Could my face look anymore lopsided? Why'd I choose to display it to the world? Many questions. The answers are: this is me at drama night, yes, it could potentially look more lopsided and I chose to display it because it is about as weird as the term was.

Term two you weirdo. You chucked in some curve balls didn't you? Now, I am rather tired but it I feel it is super important to blog the term in general.

So many things happened from A to exams, history trip, show, talent quest - to Z. This post will be about the Z. 2 July 2010.

I found out on Wednesday a few things: Peter Jackson (aka. Mr. Jackson) was leaving and that Sarah Woolley was hosting a KFC lunch for her kids. Snap. We hadn't organised anything for our kids yet... So I signed us up. Mmm... Finger lickin' good.

Sarah and I also spend from Tuesday to Thursday waiting for a certain someone about a certain something that y'all will find out about on the first Monday of term three. ;) I'm only going to say that it is a drastic change in my life and the lives of others. Major like.

So Thursday rolls along and a few things randomly happen. My new, sexy boots arrive...

... our lacrosse game is cancelled and therefore space opens up for me to crank kitchen duty at report evening. Y'know. There's something interesting about seeing teachers in one small, confined space. They make good company too when they have no one to talk to. So that was nice, despite our hands shriveling to prunes and running out of dish washing liquid and having to use hand washing liquid... I mean what? Then my life was somewhat spared when I found out the economics assignment was extended to Monday next week. Wow. Wow. Wow.

Then Friday rolls along. Guys and Dolls all day rehearsal! Love! REALLY, REALLY guts that Sarah, Jamie and I couldn't go to the classics symposium. The Thesbians couldn't perform their epic narrative drama... *sad face* We will have to do better for the sacrificing to the gods thing we do next time...*happy face*.

My kids get the KFC and I get two chicken thighs. WIN.

Guys and Dolls, by the way, is coming along nicely, nicely thank you. Can you say show shirt? ;)

All in all a volatile term. Next term shall no doubt bring the same state of craziness - potentially more blogging.