Dance like no one's watching

A few weeks ago I felt a bit overwhelmed with everything so decided to dance like a fool in front of the stereo at home to get rid of some built up steam.

Shapeshifter

I’ve been meaning to tell you about my brilliant night out when I saw Shapeshifter live at The Powerstation. Shapeshifter are my current favourite band, I never tire of their music, so seeing them live on stage was enough to cause as much excitement as a 4 year old seeing The Wiggles Live in Concert…..yep, I could’a peed my pants.

Speaking of kids, the concert was – as the kids say these days – MEAN! And I’m talking awesome, cool, wicked – phat even. The Powerstation has recently been refurbished and as we stood upstairs centre stage it almost felt as if they were Shifting Shapes directly to us. I danced like a prime fool but loved every minute of it.

We then headed into town for a few drinks and further dancing.

Namely Chapel and Whiskey Bar on Ponsonby Road, a favourite haunt for girls nights out.

My beautiful friend was busy chatting up a fella so I chose to dance with his mate mostly because I felt sorry for him as he was getting down with his bad self all on his own. Just platonic like, you understand – I’m a nice girl I am

A great night followed by the mantatory 3am crap-but-brilliant-tasting-cos-bit pissed-burger-and chips from the open all night chippy. Solid gold

Hope all’s good in your hood
Auckland Girl

Living Alone

I have been living on my own for almost 6 months now, and it sure has its benefits……you can walk around butt naked, let the dishes pile up on the bench for days, invite whomever you want over whenever you want and you can leave the toilet door open if you want to…..yep life is pretty sweet.

But it has its moments too.

I have developed a fear of choking on peanuts.

There’ll be no one around to save me in time and I’ll have to try and perform the heimlich manoeuvre on myself over a chair or something.

Imagine if it doesn’t work? I’ll be found dead, body on an angle, upper body and ribcage hanging over the head of a chair, worried look on face, eyes popping out…what will the paramedics think? It’ll be just my luck that I go out that way.

And when you get sick living on your own is another small battle to overcome. I suck at being sick. I adopt the whole ‘woe is me’ phase, and adore being fussed over. Being ‘in isolation’ while home alone damn near kills me as there is no one here to feel sorry for me (see what I mean). I loonngg for someone to call for a friendly chat or to drop by with flowers and Lemsip. And I normally end up cursing the day I said – ‘Hells Bells! I love living alone!’

But nothing lasts forever and I know one day I’ll chose to ‘flat’ with a significant other like a bf or Latin Lover. Right now I’m making the most of my single days, the impromptu parties and dancing like a fool in front of the stereo.

I’ll just have to continue to be extra careful when eating peanuts.

Take it easy
Auckland Girl

Girls night out

Blimey Charlie, Saturday’s Girls Night Out has well and truly thrown me. I feel as though I’ve been pulled through shrubbery backwards and left by the side of the road weeping quietly into my gumboots. I need to harden up.

But boy it sure was fun (I actually had trouble looking myself  in the eye the following day). We started off with a few vinos and homemade gluten free pizza at the Mt Eden flat then headed into Ponsonby Road. It was a busy night and we popped into (with what seemed like half of Auckland) Ponsonby Social Club, The Longroom and Whiskey bar for a few more vinos and a couple of gins. After getting a bit fed up with queues and shouting at each other for hours, we decided to call in on a bar we hadn’t been to before and tried Lolabar on for size.

Disco balls, pole dancing, neon lighting, and retro white seating welcomed us brightly at the door, as well as 70s video clips belting out from large plasma screens above the bar. Kinda cool in an old skool way, and despite being much more sedate than the busier bars we’d previously visited, we weren’t really feeling it (something to do with the overdose of disco tunes perhaps?)  Never mind though, the cocktails were pretty damn good and we busted some mean pole dancing moves. Good times.

The highlight of the evening? A very drunk TVNZ personality who hassled me for ‘taking my time’ in the loo and bashed on the door like a mad woman because she was busting. Hilarious.

Laters
Auckland Girl

The red shoes

By hokey Auckland, I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Despite the fact that it’s only Wednesday, it’s been a long week (and the weather has been nothing but boring rain) so I’m looking forward to fun times with good company.

Heading to Ponsonby Road for a few drinks and a bite to eat tomorrow, and I’ll be donning the red shoes on Saturday for a solid Girls Night Out. Destination yet known at this stage but we’ll probably kick off at the Mt Eden flat and aim for the direction of town. Whoot!

Until next time, here’s to sunnier weather eh – and may I just add here’s to remembering on Armistice Day.

Auckland Girl

Champagne darling?

I had one of those terrible headaches today. The kind which starts off behind your eye then moves across your brain, and threatens to take over the left-hand side of your body. Don’t feel sorry for me though, as it was all entirely self induced, thanks to a few impromptu drinks at Ponsonby’s new it bar:  The Longroom.

I caught up with friends who had recently returned from backpacking around Spain. I heard all the joyous tales about yummy tapas, cheap sangria, glorious beaches, clubbing Ibiza style and speaking Spanish with a lisp. We decided to pay a visit to The Longroom and take advantage of their buy one bottle get another bottle FREE Tuesday Champagne deal. Hence the headache.

Safari Lounge used to live in the spot which The Longroom has taken over, and was a particular favourite of mine in the past, but I’m pleased so say that The Longroom has made a good impression with me. The decor is beautiful, the staff are very friendly and the wee snacks are delicious. I reckon I’ll be back again some time soon.

Speaking of ‘Long’, it’s the long weekend very soon. Which means only one thing: 3 days of freedom. Woot!

See ya
Auckland Girl

Getting down

Wowza. Choice night.

My friends and I had a merry time at The Ponsonby. What used to be the old Post Office is now set up as a Belgian bistro and stands proudly on the corner of St Mary’s Road. Quite a bit of the original decor has remained and comes complete with high ceilings and a charming 1920s feel.

Discovered that The Ponsonby hosts fortnightly ‘dueling pianos’ which happened to fall on the night we were there. Two blokes play ‘piano classics’ and try their hand at a bit of comedy between the ivories. The courtyard with open fire was a popular spot despite the cold, but it’s possible that this was the escape area away from the pianists. Love The Ponsonby for its tasty European-inspired food. Delicious mussels and frittes.

The 4 of us including 1 sober driver then decided to visit one of our Ponsonby favourites, Chapel Bar. It was heaving but had a happy vibe. The DJ was playing good mixes and so had a bit of a shy boogie with the girls and a few others. I couldn’t help but notice about 4 Michael Jackson hits over the course of the evening, and wondered if people visiting the Chapel would have normally cheered and danced along, pre his earlier death…I guess you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

Blame it on the boogie?
Auckland Girl