SECTIONS

north by northeast

OpinionDecember 19

Away out in to the big world, by degrees

Last week, for the last time, I arrived in Dunedin as an undergraduate.
OpinionDecember 12

Festive season's here, pass the brandy snaps

Just as I drive around the corner and pull up beside the driveway, Snoopy's Christmas begins to play on the radio. I pull out from the kerb and begin to circle the block. Dammit, I love Christmas time. I revel in the decorated streetscape; the sparkling lights and tinsel, shop-front elves and angel-adorned lampposts. I look forward to our annual family photograph with Father Christmas, but not quite as much as I delight in those edible chocolate Santas wrapped in foil.
OpinionNovember 28

Sparser spacing of cafes

The Kiwiana backyard soundtrack to summer is, for the most part, a welcome reminder that sunny freedom is finally here: sweet chirpings of both birds and bugs, sizzling of sausages and steak on the barbie (and of skin beneath the sun), lazy buzzing of fat blowflies ...
OpinionNovember 14

Post-exam boots made for walking

The post-exam, pre-leaving period provided an opportunity to compile and complete a last-minute list of Dunedin activities; the plan was to while away the time making the most of improving weather and study-free days.
Post-exam boots made for walking
Post-exam boots made for walking
OpinionOctober 31

On finishing exams and personal growth

It was a moment we'd been dreaming about for months. The final-minute drop of the pen, the post-essay wring of the wrists, the sigh of exhaustion and exultation: Honours, finally finished.
OpinionOctober 17

Hard to find winners if cheats prospered

With exams just around the corner (tomorrow, in fact), cheating is on my mind.
Hard to find winners if cheats prospered
Hard to find winners if cheats prospered
OpinionOctober 3

Studying, biscuits: always better in small bites

And just like that, October arrived. Emerging from September and the library simultaneously, I scanned the streets for traces of stolen time. Where did it go? Who took it?
OpinionSeptember 19

Welcome future but respect lessons of past

If I was still at high school, I'd be tempted to ditch chemistry or physics (or both, preferably), for history and classics, or some other equally "vocationally irrelevant" subject of literary-focused indulgence.
OpinionSeptember 5

White wedding indulgence a tradition lost in history

I'd heard it was Queen Victoria who initiated the white wedding dress tradition.
OpinionAugust 22

Cultural maturity at risk of dissipating

Peter Entwisle took my topic. Well, not really, but I'd already begun lamenting the recent cuts to the art in public places programme before I read his article in Monday's ODT.
OpinionAugust 8

Brightening mood in rainy-day Dunedin

Drizzly day, yet again, dampening moods throughout North Dunedin (and beyond, no doubt). If only I had a bigger envelope, I'd be return-stamping the weather, and recommending its redelivery to Auckland. Yes, it's been one of those days.
OpinionJuly 25

Too busy to exercise, so we're lazy? Come on!

I actually wrote a portion of today's piece while sitting, waiting, at a wooden desk in the Edgar Centre at 9am yesterday. Yes, UMAT. The Medical Admissions Test?
OpinionJuly 11

NZ wordsmiths fan the flame of talent in typical Kiwi fashion

Many of my more exciting experiences in Dunedin have been gifts of others' generosity. While at high school I learnt the important lesson of "Knowing who, not what", and this maxim has held well into my life at university.
NZ wordsmiths fan the flame of talent in typical Kiwi fashion
NZ wordsmiths fan the flame of talent in typical Kiwi fashion
OpinionJune 27

It's an interesting life in British Columbia, complete with loonies

Bus stops are always interesting places. Bus stops in British Columbia are, according to my recent observations, even more interesting than those in Dunedin.
OpinionJune 13

Daring to venture down creative paths

On certain days when I sit to paint, I end up getting nowhere. I brush colours over discordant colours, and no combinations of strokes satisfy my intention. Eventually, the mottled canvas is discarded, despite the hours of work it contains.
OpinionMay 30

Studying: it's all in the prep and the ambience

I'm a fan of tea. Occasionally black, but more often green, peppermint, cinnamon, or other herbal varieties; preferences motivated by colour rather than by flavour (I don't like stained china).
OpinionMay 16

Seacliff's hidden surprise

I should have written my article while in Seacliff. Although it was only a few days ago, it's difficult - from here in noisy North Dunedin- to recall the stillness, the seaside scent, the sunlit leaves of chestnut trees (are they of the edible variety?).
OpinionMay 2

Doing some good while on the run

When I talk to my parents on the phone, they'll ask the following two questions, every time: First: "Have you been keeping up with your studies?"
OpinionApril 18

Magic of the meta story

The road into Seacliff is skinnier than the footpath along Tamaki Dr, and certainly narrower than a single lane of a main street in Invercargill.
Magic of the meta story
Magic of the meta story
OpinionApril 4

Chocolate for breakfast - it's just sensational

To contextualise this column, perhaps you should be aware that I'm writing while dressed in a rabbit costume. As I write, I'm picking away at a large chocolate egg.
OpinionMarch 21

After you, T-top, at least from Sunday onwards

I loathe the George-Frederick-Pitt-London Sts intersection. You know the one?
OpinionMarch 7

Humble pen teaches a lot about people

I've spent the evening hoping I'll think of a better topic than pens. No, that's not entirely true. Pens are intrinsic to student life, and they deserve to be mentioned.
OpinionFebruary 22

Dunedin secrets await the intrepid explorer

As I sit to write this column, I'm very aware that the current relationship between university students and the Dunedin public may be in a delicate state.
OpinionFebruary 9

First assignments set out for a new scarfie year

Things to do: 1) PACK FOR DUNEDIN: The predictable essentials: Clothes, shoes, toiletries. How much clothing? How many pairs of shoes? Which coloured face-cloth? Oh, year after year, such questions plague me.
OpinionFebruary 7

New habits prove hard to cultivate

According to Aristotle (and others), humans are creatures of habit.