Girl About Auckland » Viaduct

Two Left Feet

Auckland Girl — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 23:48:54 +0000

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.

For those of us who’ve done this in the past, you’ll know that this crazy activity normally works a treat. I’m left feeling good – a sudden rush of endorphins to the brain – and a smile forms on my face translating that a) I know I am a proper dork, and b) sh*t this is good fun!

The only problem this time around was that it was apparent that I’d forgotten how to dance. I’d lost all my rhythm, I’d forgotten all my moves, I was dancing like an awkward 13 year old boy at his first school hall disco with 2 left feet.

“How long had it been?” I questioned myself. Was it because I’d had surgery on my ankle a few months before? Immediately texted a girlfriend to organise an urgent girls night out asap to reclaim the dance floor and get back my moves, before I needed to shop for a zimmer frame.

So last week, a few girls plus me the sober driver decided to head to the Viaduct for real cheesy good old fashioned dance floor antics. The girls night out; The dance-a-thon; The dance-off – you name it, we wanted it right then and there on a Saturday night. Oh yes. I couldn’t wait!

We cruised into Soul Bar and I must admit it had been a few years since I’d been there. I was a tad concerned that the rumour of the bar where Cougars ventured still existed, but I had fond memories of good music after 10pm happening at Soul. Fortunately not a cougar was in sight nor her claws exposed to a young whipper snapper (no comments thank you about perhaps we were the cougars), and the music was damn good. We also headed to Lenin and a few other great bars in the Viaduct with fantastic music.

Now, it had been a while since we’d had a dance off, and it had also been a while since we’d had a girls night out….I’d forgotten just how strange the men-folk act in bars and clubs. They sort of circle around the women-folk like sharks. Swimming around, making observations, deciding the plan of attack for the next poor love who was going to be their victim.

The sharks either become either rejected and move on to the next prey in a short skirt, or if they’re lucky the victim decides they’re up for a boogie with this bloke….so the bloke decides to bust his Dirty Dancing moves with the woman in the middle of the floor. It’s hilarious! Especially when the arms sway above their head rodeo style.

But full credit to them however because they say you should ‘dance like no one is watching’ – and I sure as hell was letting loose on the d-floor like a dickhead. Woot!

See you ’round like a record
Auckland Girl

3D Future

Auckland Girl — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:01:14 +0000

3D movie

Decided to take it easy last weekend. To step away from recent late night boozing; and to enjoy a bite to eat and a session at the movies.

I love going to the movies, or ‘ to the cinema’ as my mates in the UK like to call it. I used to work for a large home video rental chain whereby movie watching literally became part of my daily routine, so I became quite the film know-it-all-nerd. That was some years ago however and nowadays seeing a movie is a real treat.

I find it really comforting to sit in a dark room, slouch in the chair, put my feet up and get cosy with the ice cream and/or lollies. It’s the chance to switch off for 2.5 hours and escape to the scenario of the film.

We saw Avatar in 3D at the IMAX theatre (those glasses you wear are hilarious). Not entirely convinced by the whole concept of 3D … felt a bit queasy and developed a nasty headache over 1 eye (hmmm perhaps it was the early symptoms of the head cold I have just picked up).

It seems everything is becoming 3D these days from Avatar to Alice in Wonderland, to the Michael Jackson’s Grammy Awards tribute. Apparently there is even a film producer who is creating the concept of 3D porn as well (insert joke of 3D double D’s)…

Right, I’d better get some sleep and knock this cold on its head so that I’m better in time for the weekend. Yeah!

Until next time
Auckland Girl

A Dark & Stormy Night

Auckland Girl — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:45:27 +0000

A Dark & Stormy Night

Caught up friends for a few drinks at The Viaduct the other day. Holy crap, the weather was blowing it up a storm!

One of my friends is very small (bless her little cotton socks) and so was concerned she might be blown into said Viaduct harbour on the walk from the car to the bar. I protectively walked along the water-side of her, in an attempt to shield her from the wind. Must have looked pretty amusing, the wind forcing us to walk sideways like crabs. The average Joe Bloggs probably just thought we were pissed.

But I digress. I love The Viaduct. Especially in the summer. Such fond memories of bar hopping, and queuing up in my early twenties outside The Loaded Hog. How Gangster.

Nowadays of course, The Hog has since closed its doors, but there’s still a great array of bars to satisfy one’s thirst. One of my favourites is Lenin Bar. We felt nice and cosy despite the weather, sat amongst Lenin’s rich red decor and its plush booth seating. I like to sit back drinking my vodka-tonics, pretending I’m somewhere Russian. I was last in Lenin Bar on a Saturday night and discovered that after 11pm the place turns into a bit of an ‘oonst oonst’ dance club, which is spot on, if you like that sort of thing.

It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas out there. Decorations, the odd party invitation, ‘Christmas Special’ CD releases and ‘Snoopy vs The Red Baron’ playing in all the shops. Just wish it would start to look at lot like Summer too so we can all be well and truly festive.

I’ve just realised that I’ve had earphones in my ears for 20mins and haven’t had the MP3 player switched on. Call it concentration?

Until next time
Auckland Girl

Ready for the Weekend

Auckland Girl — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:20:51 +0000

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

Top 5 Auckland Bars

Auckland Girl — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:59:57 +0000

Cocktail Hour

I have many many favourite Auckland bars. If I had to choose which bars I would save from burning down to the ground I would rescue the following….in no apparent order…..

1. Whiskey Bar – It’s small, intimate, comfy, and just damn-well plain cool.

2. Ponsonby Social Club – I always feel at home there.

3. Lenin Bar – Some people hate it, I happen to like it. The interior is cool and I think I like the Russian feel.

4. Racket Bar – My new favourite. The decor appears like it’s been thrown together in 30mins but it works – laid back, quirky and comforting. Good outdoor area too.

5. Chapel Bar - I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I just always have a positive experience when I go there. Good memories. Good times. Good bar.

Your thoughts?