Show Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Show BUZZ!

Show BUZZ!!!

And we are all go team. Less than one week to go! I haven't been his excited since Talent Quest 2010; one performance after another. Super fun.

Guys and Dolls, in case you haven't already been given the spiel from me, is about Guys... and about Dolls. Simply put. OK, OK... We've got a guy named Nathan Detroit (aptly played by Zak Enayat), who runs the local crap game, illegally of course. He needs $1000 to secure a spot but he aint got that. Sky Masterson (amazing Ervin Gatoloai) is a high roller who Nathan quickly takes advantage of, betting that he cannot take one Sarah Brown (gorgeous Jessica Channings) to Havana. Sky accepts and love ensues. Nathan also has to worry about his fiancée of fourteen years, Miss Adelaide (sexy, sexy Jess Ghaemaghamy) who wants to get married much to Nathan's chagrin.

Tuesday lunchtimes and Sundays have been so intensely amazing and I just love seeing everyone wearing their sexy shirts. I wish my camera hadn't have broken a few weeks ago because I miss it severely. I need it for this last school show! What to do... what to do... Anyway, so yes. Glad you all enjoy your shirts it was really fun to do and see your faces when you got them. I love smiling people!

It feels a little surreal actually, finally hitting the last week. This Sunday will be our last rehearsal ever! Sadness envelopes my heart. Yet, I am about to burst with excitement! We have a few little things to work on like fully sorting out costume changes, making sure we are all singing our hearts out (properly) and remember those specific dance moves to a pinch but I feel that on a scale of one to ten, ten being ultimate preparation... We are 8/10. We are so getting there!

To you readers who have yet to buy your ticket you can get them all lunchtimes this week and next in C11 or call into the library during school hours: 820 1731. Door sales are preeeetttyyy limited. In fact, I can't remember if we do them at all. We're that cool! But seriously. You want a good seat because we pack out. That's right.

On behalf of the show cast and crew '10,

I love you all a bushel and a peck!

x

See you there!

A Series of Unfortunate Event - Part II.

Yes, the "event" is not mistake. Welcome, or rather, unwelcome, to part two of the dreaded Series of Unfortunate Events saga. It was bound to happen. I'm realistic.

Brace yourself.

Classics 3.6. Due 9th August, 3:15pm.

Physical Education 3.2. Due 9th August, 3:15pm.

So, I spend all Friday night afterwork typing up my PE assignment, which thank goodness, I wrote from a hard copy draft. That went from 9:30pm-2am? All good. Finished but not printed, because I wanted to proof read it later in the weekend. Botz call.

I spend all of Saturday - day on the first half of analysis on the battle of Issus. It was baby William's first birthday and I simply coudlnt miss that. Mum couldn't miss the Tri-Nations match so I didn't get home until 8:30pm. That's fine. Plenty of time. Spent the whole evening finishing Issus and half of the anaylsis of Gaugamela. Super. That means all I had to on Sunday was finish typing the last two actions and write two conclusions. Easy.

Sunday. Aw hell no. Went to bed at 3am so couldn't go to church, let alone lift a finger. Woke at 10am and went to collect show shirts at 12pm. Show rehearsal was the best so far. Amazing stuffs. Everyone looked great in their show shirts esp. Nellie! <3

Gapped it home and worked on the rest of Gaugamela for an hour. Headed to church at 6:30pm and had cafe duty until 8pm. Home nice and contented with the message of the Rapture. Fitting. The all hell breaks loose.

I sit down to find the monitor in an array of random pixelated lines. What to do? Turn if off by the wall. Always helps, no? Enter Monique Simpson, come to print off her scholarship papers. Crap. Let's check out my monitor. Maybe it's my monitor. *drive* At Monique's we attach my monitor to hers. Everything is all handy-dandy. Swell. What the hell to do now then? Keep switching off from the wall. "No video input". You lying piece of ...lies!

I call the apparent '24/7' line for computer repairs. They can come out first thing in the mornign. Good for you. Decline. Mum reminds me I have a techie cousin. Thanks so much Pall. Moving on from repairing cars... "It's all application".

Turns out my graphics card is screwed which means I can't view the stuff in my hard drive, namely my files, namely my assignments. Pall comes at 10pm and stays until 2:30am trying to replace the graphics card. No can do. The motherboard has carked it too. File recovery is the only option.

So here I am, sitting at 10:58pm, 24hours after the disaster, waiting for my files to be recovered. My "boot recovery" whatever that is, is non-existant making this an arduosly difficult task.

I have come to the realisation that if they do not accept my late assignment, even if I do all the required extension paperwork, it's not the end of the world. I finished the assignment on time, staying up ridiculously late to ensure I finished it. Now, I know what you might say... "blah...start earlier next time." Screw that. I have a life. So does everyone else who's up late at with me.

I'm not stressing. What happens will happen. It's only six credits of my life. I'd much rather be doing something productive instead of sitting thinking that there's nothing I can do.

11:25pm. Nice hot bath.

iPod Withdrawal Day One

Lost my iPod touch containing my life. If I were an episode of The Simpsons, I'd be that episode where Bart sells his soul to Milhouse. I'm Bart and the piece of paper is my soul slash iPod.

WHAT THE HELL AM I GOING TO DO?!?!>?!zxvklsgjbngbnsdjkg

Right. Now that that's slightly over. Hell. I can't believe how disjointed I feel. I've had a rotten day. As the wise Jess Ghaemaghamy says: "how pathetic". She couldn't be anymore right! I am so pathetic to have placed my life on this one stupid piece of technology. BUT IT'S SO HANDY!!!

You know for a person as efficient as me, I am highly notorious for losing things. I went without a phone for half the year... I often disregard my house keys on the assumption someone will be home and I carelessly leave my wallet in cars that are to be taken to the garage. WHAT?! WHY? WHY?!!!

Also, I'm having a flick around facebook. Everyone's iPod's are disappearing. My theory - the Soviet's have just activated a secret signal which causes iPod's to grow legs and run to the Soviet where they will be used for evil deeds. I am so irrational! Save me!

Day one.

Scholarship Blitz

I feel there is no other way I can put this. Applying for scholarships has been a mad blitz.

In assembly today, Ms. Brown spoke to year thirteens (staying behind on account of lackluster attendance) about scholarships. Personally, I began researching mine, I swear, from last year. Sorry if I intimidate you, blog readers, but hey, if it gets you off your arse to find yours, then I'm happy for it.

These are the scholarships I intend to contest for:

University of Auckland (Full) - people like Julia Reynolds and Keagan Sorrell managed to score this one - why can't I? Julia, if you're reading this by some off chance, you are my idol hence my motivation to win this scholarship.

University of Auckland Jubilee - about $2500 p.a. which is alright but wouldn't cover the tuition for my selected courses (BA/LLB). Essentially, it's a back up in case I don't win the full scholarship. Oh wait - I shouldn't set myself up for that! Grrr... *angry, determined face*.

Russell McVeagh Law Scholarship - also about $2500 p.a. and, obviously, ties with the law industry. Super cool. Quite competitive but I have a good feeling. *crosses fingers*

Mike Pero Mortages Foundation Scholarship - up to $5000 one off. One off, but it would be a handy sum for those pesky textbook costs.

Whether you agree with Ms. Brown or not, I'm sure you agree that having a few free thousands is pretty swell. Mind you, you do have to do some work for the money. Dance! Monkey! Dance! Jokes... Filling in applications, printing off achievement reports, continuing your extra curricular activities that add weight to your applications. Oh the pressure!

I thought I would finish on this lovely cartoon I found. Enjoy and good luck!

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.