The Fever

I've got it. No not the glandular, dengue or boogie varieties but rather Rugby World Cup fever. I feel a bit naughty writing those words, like I should have some trademark licensing jazz in a disclaimer somewhere. Then again, I'm getting enough of that at work so this is my chance to break the rules. Watch out, I might start referring to it as RWC “two thousand and eleven” (apparently the world will implode or something if you don't stick to “twenty eleven”).

Pedantic advertising rules aside, I reckon the World Cup has been the best thing to happen to this country all year. Never before have I felt such a buzz around Auckland. It feels like everyone is in a better mood and all about having a good time. I'm living in the moment because I'm too worried at the prospect of living in a city where the entire population is grieving a loss.

I suppose right now it's literally all fun and games. The little guys are 'having a go' and we're all showing up (or at least drinking up) to support them. This afternoon I'm off to Wales vs Samoa...at the pub. Pretty much blew all my funds on tickets to the Opening Match- yeah I feel it deserves caps because it was a-may-zing.

Very few times in a New Zealander's life do you feel patriotic. We have some sort of inbuilt modesty from being the wee fellas down under or something. That night though, watching that little boy in his Canterbury colours running around with the giant glowing rugby ball...I had tears in my eyes.

The whole night was such an experience. Catching the train with half of the city, sitting next to a complete stranger because Tom and I couldn't afford seats together (my neighbour was about 90 and eventually warmed to my wine induced screaming and flag waving) and the walking procession home. Oh yeah and this...

I was officially hooked on the Cup.

I almost had an epic fail at the game though. I may have been a little hungover the day before and stumbling into a $2 dollar shop to collect face paint and other such supplies, I was told that the flag I was clutching was actually Australian. Doh. Clearly my patriotism is a new thing....along with being a rugby fan.

I'm the black sheep of my family when it comes to watching the ruggers. I grew up amazed by what the big fuss was whenever there was a game on. Usually I'd be in another room but could never quite drown out the sound of my mother yelling “HERE'S A GO” like a mad woman every time we approached the try line.

Now I'm happy to say I finally get it. I don't struggle to sit through a game and actually enjoy the action. Last night watching Ireland take the Wallabies to the cleaners (never really got that expression but it seems apt) I was this close to screaming “here's a go” myself.

I think I owe my new found obsession to the electric atmosphere around town. Sure there have been some fails like Auckland's public transport and those paper flags that lined the streets and now clutter the gutter. Oh and don't even get me started on Sean Fitzpatrick driving that 'fist' car. Really though, this is so not a time to dwell on lame things like that. This is a time to get amongst! So go out and get yourself one of those tacky car flags- you know you want to.

Nineties Child

As I was perusing Facebook on Sunday checking out the usual carnage from Saturday night, I noticed some photos from a 25^th birthday party where the theme was the Nineties. It suddenly occurred to me that us twenty somethings are finally at the point where we can get nostalgic about our childhood decade. It also made me excited at the prospect of Eighties parties getting phased out, 'cause as fun as pretending we all like shoulder pads and Cyndi Lauper is...well yeah, it ain't so much after the zillionth time.

 

When I think about certain decades my mind instantly jumps to the music that came out of them. It was an interesting time for my taste personally. I suppose being a tween is the time where you discover what you actually like as opposed to what the charts tell you to like. I remember going from perfecting Spice Girls and Britney dance moves to falling in love with Kurt Cobain and black T-shirts all in the same year. This is why I was inspired to crank my Nineties playlist at the gym today. The playlist was actually born out of my inner Nineties child love for mix tapes...

 

When I first started falling for Tom, for some reason I thought it appropriate to make him these mix tapes. Although, seeing as he didn't actually have cassette player access (and let's face it, 'drag and drop' beats 'rewinding and fast forwarding' in the efficiency stakes) I decided a CD was preferable. Anyway, I'd made a few of these compilations and decided he might appreciate a serving of Nirvana, sprinkled with Blur and seasoned with the Smashing Pumpkins...as you do.

 

Man I enjoyed listening to that today. I really want to host a Nineties party now just so I can bombard people with my favourite tunes from that time. There are plenty.

 

It's not just about the music though, fashion of course plays a huge part in defining a decade. Like me, you may have noticed some Nineties trends creeping back into people's wardrobes in recent times. Fluoro, scrunchies and dare I say it...denim on denim (guilty) all seem to be making a bit of a come back. I just hope that the line is drawn at side ponytails though- let's not get too carried away.

 

Hell, even Nineties toys are making a comeback. Although my idea of a My Little Pony is vastly different from those that are in the shops now. Is it just me or are the new ones creepy as fuck? Why must their eyes be so big? They look like they'd eat Elmo's face off if he looked at them funny.

 

Not even the film industry is safe from this Nineties invasion. I'm quite excited about seeing The Smurfs on the big screen (and secretly hoping it paves the way for a Snorks comeback!) Oh and who would've guessed that one of the highest grossing films for the year 2011 would have been based on that old cartoon about giant robots that transform into trucks and stuff. So disappointed they don't use the 'More than meets the eye' theme in the flicks.

 

Speaking of awesome theme songs- who could forget that green haired spunk Captain Planet?! Do gooders have never been so cool. I'm pretty sure that every Nineties kid has stolen a ring from their Mum and pretended to be a Planeteer...any of them but the gay dude with the 'heart' power that is. Lahaaame.

 

I could go on....this reminiscing stuff is quite fun really. It's amusing that you generally have to wait twenty or so years before it's acceptable to get nostalgic about a decade. I'm just glad that it's finally the Nineties' time to shine. Let's all toast it with a nice cool can of Mirinda.

 

Oh and here's my playlist, just incase you were wondering. Judge me as you see fit...

• Devils Haircut (Beck)
• Cannonball (The Breeders)
• Along comes Mary (Bloodhound gang)
• Beetlebum (Blur)
• When I grow up (Garbage)
• Jump around (House of Pain)
• What's the story morning glory (Oasis)
• Brick (Ben Folds Five)
• Novocaine for the soul (Eels)
• Scooby Snacks (Fun Lovin Criminals)
• Black hole sun (Soundgarden)
• Sunday morning (No Doubt)
• My Friends (Red hot chili peppers)
• Peaches (Presidents of the USA)
• Siva (Smashing Pumpkins)
• My iron lung (Radiohead)
• Moving (Supergrass)
• Heart Shaped box (Nirvana)