Aiming to please is always my intention; but occasionally one needs to step away from being Mr Nice-Guy and go head first for what you want. I had wanted to meet Dizzee Rascal and Carl Cox for years and last Friday I managed to. I incurred a badly swollen/bruised ankle and a one foot gash on my shin, but it was worth it.

I’d been trying to get hold of an Access All Areas pass for weeks to The Big Day Out, but kept on encountering impenetratable wall. My quest continued on game day. I came close many times but no cigar so I resorted to my old school trick of ice delivery. I went to a catering kitchen, asked nicely for 2 buckets of ice, and then jogged them towards security. With a head nod, an exhausted look on my face and my partially obscured dangling credentials, I was in. Later that night when I tried it again for Carl’s set my brain-box scheme was foiled as I was shaking hands. It was dark and jumping a fence successfully when severely intoxicated is never easy, but when you add being chased it’s near impossible. Seeing my fall, I was taken pity on and set free. I limped toward the exit, knowing that my BDO should probably curtail rapidly.

The BDO was the talk of the town for most last week, and it was priority 1 for me to. Cocktail night at Chow on Wednesday was a bonus. A shot of Italian Fernet Blanca began my stay, a Rosebud, Tory Cooler, Stamp and Go and a Negroni cocktail completed it. Paying $12 for a well explained, made and presented cocktail is acceptable, but when you get 2 for that it’s a dream come true. Stop by Chow on Sturdee Street this week.

Monty Python and The Holy Grail was a movie that I never “got” at school, but never admitted it due to the possibility of ridicule. The Kingslander chose it to launch their “Dinner and a Movie” Thursday nights. 15 years on I am still no closer to solving the question as to how those guys became so mad. Some of the scenes were priceless. Embarrassingly on occasions I was the only one lustfully laughing, but overall it was a classic movie that I will endeavour to view again and hopefully unravel some more of its mysteries. This week’s movie is Ghostbusters; see that movie with a stellar 3 course meal and glass of vino for $35.

Friday started very early. I was startled wearing PJ’s and sorting out my CD collection by a bunch of people arriving at 9am. They were ready to rock’n’roll, and get primed for the Big day ahead. I necked some breakfast and joined them outside as neighbours peered from over-looking properties. 3 hours later we were well and truly ready to P.A.R.T.Y. We parked outside the main gates, at a friends business, and had a few more “ones for the road”. I had a hunch it would happen and it did. 12 of us enter through the main gate, 2 minutes later I’m on my own wandering. I did a recon circuit of the stadium then made my way to the corporate area where the BAT boys where tremendously hospitable. Thanks again guys 

The atmosphere was unreal. Many people just stayed in one spot all day missing 90% of the acts yet still managed to have the time of their life. There were all sorts in attendance, so making new friends was easy and fun (see my new album of pictures on the website). Police say it was the best behaved crowd ever, with just 19 arrests. They are putting it down to no party-pills being allowed to be sold in the stadium. I’m not so sure.

A low-key Saturday was always on the cards, drinks with new friends over-looking Milford Beach then dinner and Asahi’s back in Ponsonby at SPQR. Sadly I missed Chico’s birthday get together at Pasha that night, but the injury I attained the previous night was killing me.

So it was a Sunday of unbelievable opportunities. Up at 7am and ready to go by 8, but what now? My friends won’t be mobile for hours. I tackled the neglected housework, washed the car, played with the cat, watched a DVD episode of Scrubs and re-potted my sunflowers. At last it was time to hit Orewa Reserve for George FM’s Free Parking event, and witness my first cyclone sandstorm in the flesh. I was early so got a good semi-sheltered vantage point to see all the comings and goings. I didn’t dance and just did one of my favourite pastimes, people watching. The warming sound of Wendy Douglas started the show, Stormin’ Norman had the middle stages and Jason Eli closed. The highlights for me were: the Fresh-Up drinking competition, knowing that some DJ’s still use turntables, and that the forecast rain held off. The event wasn’t as busy as the last one, but that tends to happen when you venture to the Shore.

Energised I went to catch the last hour on UPFM’s solar series party at Tahaki Reserve. Kyle D’s mixing and track selection skills showed why he’s now getting booked all over town, and DJ Serum blasted us away with hard surging beats. With a good night’s sleep under my belt there was no need to pause; Sunday sessions are the best, so unpredictable.

I found myself at some newfound friends place in Newton. Others joined in and we played all the party tricks in excess. It wasn’t fair as I was one of the only ones who had to work the following day. But with new friends made, and the promise of a reunion, I meandered home happy.