Converse Halloween Block Party

I must admit I haven't frequented Newtown as much as I would like to - I have been to The Woods once actually if we want to get specific.  So when I RSVP'd 'Attending' to the Halloween Block Party I was expecting something quite different to what it turned out to be! 


Converse gave away 1000 free double ticket (We love Converse - Its one of my Favourite brands - I love everything they stand for) I was firstly surprised by how all out everyone went for Halloween.  I went as a policeman (And made some interesting arrests I might add - note to all, "I'm going to have to Book You Sir" works wonders ladies), my starfish went as Little Bo Beep and the others were "Too Cool to Dress up" (LAME) 


I was very impressed with the effort and simple ideas that Converse used to ensure that the block part was a huge success.  Firstly the roller girls, rolling around in roller skates and doing tricks rocked my world (Thank god they werent drinking that could have gotten dangerous) then there was acts preforming dance and circus trips, and then the FREE STUFF!!!! Who doesnt like free stuff?  


There were something like 5 stages (I dont remember exactly ok.... My memory is blurry) I do however remember flicking alot of hoof at the Dubstep stage looking like a druggy with too much energy.  I then wondered over to where the bands were playing, making friends with The Blue man Group on the way and arresting a Pirate (Productive evening) I then watched a band called "The Stella's' (I Think) and then "Desmond and the Tutu's" who dressed up at The Hives for Halloween - From here things get blurry as I then discovered the Jager truck..... 


I got home with minimal bruises and no flash backs of drunken happenings that will haunt me forever. So all in all. Block party HUGE success well done Converse.  

Braai Days

There are few things more precious than family and friends – before you think I am going to go and get all sentimental on you, if is even better when friends and family join you for a day of drinking cleverly disguised as a braai or barbeque (depending on where you are from in the world) – Good food, booze on tap and gossip and laughs all round. Is this not the most perfect way to spend a Sunday?

I always worry about organising an “event” or “get together” – I blame my second term of Grade 1 when I planned to over throw the Grade 2’s who were controlling the Jungle Gym.  Nothing worse than thinking you have 25 5yr olds standing behind you as you march over to face the BIGGEST Grade 2’s the world has ever seen only to turn around and realise “Yup, they didn’t follow “ and “You’re going to die” I thus have never organised a “get together”.  The “Bail out” of 1993 shall forever haunt me.  Punky Fun Fact #1 – I am petrified of Jungle Gyms. 

I mean I organise things, in that I suggest the idea and then make someone else think it was their own idea and they then implement my suggested idea thinking it was their own.  It’s a win-win situation really.  I am a master manipulator when it comes to this. First you have to “Plant the idea”.  It goes something like this:

Punky to Starfish: I haven’t been to a braai in ages, do people still braai?

Starfish: I dunno, I haven’t been to one in ages

Punky:  I think its cos people don’t braai anymore except on like “National Braai Day”

Starfish: Maybe I should have a braai?

Punky: Yes. Yes, you should *evil laugh*

Did you see what just happened there?  Yes. I’m brilliant.  I know. 

So I manipulated my sibling unit into throwing a Lil’ Braai thing – just casual you know.  Few  friends.  No strippers. Casual. 

Got Meat?

You know what is great about not throwing a braai that you actually got someone to throw? There is no stress.  No worrying that the potato salad isn’t going to be just right, no worrying if there are enough chairs, that the weather is going to play along and that there will be enough parking, no worrying that Starfish 3 hooked up with Starfish 5’s boyfriend 4yrs ago and they still aren’t talking and you have mistakenly invited them both (You laugh – this is a SERIOUS problem but the Girl Code is for a WHOLE new blog altogether).  All Punky has to do is make sure of is that there is music to satisfy everyone’s taste (Problematic as I seem to be the ONLY Zimbabwean who listens to copious amounts of Dead Metal and Rock and I do not think any of my Starfish got the memo about how cool guitars are and the bands that use them to make music), however I have made a playlist on iTunes called “Music for the Masses” and it seems to have gone down quite a treat.  So the braai I wanted to be thrown is someone else’s responsibility and all I have to worry about is that should there be any awkward silences between Starfish 3 & 5 there is adequate background music to fill the black hole.   Like I said before, Win-Win Situation. 

Now I don’t know how I came to know these beautiful creatures I get to call my Starfish but know them I do and crazy do they get. 

Small get together and all in all the following food and beverages were bought and for the most part consumed among 12 people:

3 kg’s of Steak

1kg of Chicken pieces

1 large pot of Sadza or “Pap” for the Non-Zimbabweans

5 packets of rolls

1 large bowl of Salad

1 large bowl of potato salad

1 large bowl of 3 bean salad

Then the good stuff:

6 six packs of Savannah dry

3 six packs of Savannah light

1 crate of Castle Lager

4 bottles of wine

5 six packs of Amstel Lager

and

2 six packs of Storm

I must admit, I am shocked at how little we have for left over’s for the rest of the week – Looks like I’m going to have to re-stock my bar and cellar and look forward to the next braai some else decides to throw.  I. Can. Not. Wait.

What to do next Sunday?  Know what I haven’t done in a while?  Had a picnic, do people still picnic? *Hint Hint*