2005 what a year!

Well people its been a fantastic year overall. We've all laughed, cried and partied, some might say too hard but where all still here!!

I thought I would put together a little slide show of the best photos of the year from my collection. I couldn't get it below 70 odd photos...but its worth it.

I hope every one has had a great year; it has defiantly been the most jam-packed one for me. It's hard to think we are about to arrive at another new years, when the last seemed so close. A year that has seen its fair share of parting, new jobs, travel, new friends and new Places.

But I do have some high/Low lights:

Big Day Out 2005 - From what I remember it was one hell of a show. And I'm sure the random girl I gave my phone to at the end of the night appreciated it! Also the duChateau blessings (Hand on head) I was doing all night, which Troll and Harbott found very amusing, while the large skinhead did not.

Senior Reserves return (Rugby)- After making a bigger come back since Jesus, I was happy to actually make it through the season, even though our team couldn't muster enough players to start a game of Chess. Some say it was my leadership style, but I didn't realise I was in charge. On top of playing, it was also nice to get invited to some messy 21st again, which we all know are a fringe benefit of the local game.

Joe Ward - Not so much the man, but the call. The immortal quote "What would you know Joe Ward...." Has transcended culture and borders. Nothing warms the heart more than to imagine the fateful scene playing out between Joe and AD. Although Harbott and myself have taken this gem to the masses, lets not forget who got the ball rolling. Also special mention for starting the "Kamikaze Mock" defence, when ever a person senses a piss take coming their way, they actually launch into themselves, and thus using all the best lines before the attackers get there blows in. Works a charm for those with, Big Noses, Bad Feet, Cheesy Smiles, Large Eyebrows, Massive Jaws, A Freakish tooth, Bald spots, and Small Claves.

Tri-Nations Cricket- Every year this event becomes bigger than it's self. And this year was no exception. With more piss than a Woodstock concert, and less skill than a ball of Wool. The Annual cricket tournament played between Westlake, Rosmini and the All Stars is perhaps the sporting highlight of the year. The Lads put on a spectacular show, with Pretty gaining special mention. I can't really remember who won the game, but I do remember the amount of kegs drunk. Standing at 6 + 3-4 creates. Special times. I'll miss this year something awful.

Wellington Sevens - Need I mention the controlled shambles which is the 7's. Once again Ghostbusters was the theme, 2nd time around. The lads even made it on TV and radio. Our 15min people. The other lads came as Firemen, and caused absolute havoc. AD being kicked out within 10min. Dorkman swearing on live radio, classic. Dancing in Courtney place with Proton packs on, priceless.

The Globetrotter - Buchanan, Harbott and the duChats would say this was a highlight, but in reality moving out of that place was a fuckin nightmare. 3 Days worth of physical labour (First in my life), 3 tons of rubbish. Unhappy parents. Strange smells. Finding lost flatmates and socks. Holes in the wall. Scrubbing for an hour, with no reward. Dumping most of the bar in Harbotts garage. The guy at the tip taking most of our trash before it hit the ground. It might have been dirty, it might have been ugly, but we'll miss her.

Parties - Engagements, 21st, 30th, Dress up, opening and closing. This year had it all. Doc and Nurse’s party with Jacko, Myer and Richards being high on the list. Medddddiiiiiiic. Why did we need the bottle of port? The final Globetrotter party will go down as one of the best, how to close an institution. Well Veale and Troll know.....trash the place. Funny then, and to be honest fuckin funny now. Bash it and set fire to it, why not! Actually catching someone crying during the presentation was equally as moving. Gunny, Bullshit, Davies and the Pyjama Party, absolutely funniest shit ever. Watching the Wilson clan in action at Dun'c 30th, and I thought the du Chateau's were a special lot. Dalton, Harbott and My going away dig, proving we actually had friends...always an important moment in ones life. I could go on, but in all fairness I can't remember to many more......blame the drink.

Takapuna - Getting balls drunk in takapuna was perhaps one of my more enjoyable experiences. Now this may seem a sad revelation, but let me explain. A place where you never queue, always know someone inside and....well that’s all the reasons I need. Some say it's Towns younger cousin, well we like them young! The added bonus of Dunny being banned from the entire strip also adds to its appeal! Watching the bouncer from the Sin Bin deny entry to Conrad Smith and Richie Macaw, has to be the single most stupid incident witnessed all year. The teasing of this goon that followed was brilliant! Seeing Troll get booted out of the Cooper room on 2 separate occasions, then walking back in with the owner...Wanker. Maybe he should give tips to Dunny. Also worth a mention is the DB lads, when ever they get with in 50 ft of the Cougar room they turn into madmen!! all Class.

The Breweries - This year has seen some of the finest doughnut yet. There is no other feeling like downing free pint after free pint, it just make the pain the next day all worth it. I have been the fortunate situation to know a few brewery reps, indeed flatting with 2 also helps. Having the bar stocked was always taken for granted, and boy do I miss it now. Between DB and Lion, I must have visited every event in Auckland, I even had to turn some things down, but no one likes state house rugby. I am not the only one who can lay claim to the Doughnut throne, I believe Jacko still sits atop. Getting invited to various work events was also special, I almost felt part of the team. Turning up to sporting events with Brewery clothing on, and one of the staff commenting that they can't even get that one! Opps. So thanks lads, and thanks to you credit cards and expenditure accounts.

Travelling- Basically China gets big rap for just being so darn entertaining. The amount of ammo Harbott and myself have gained out of the place is amazing, as described in this very blog. Where else can you bet on a chicken shitting on a certain square, then watch as a homeless guy runs off with the star of the game (Dinner). Fireworks that make a scud look small, and cheap beer. Travelling at its best. And Dublin for having more bars than my little mind can comprehend.

I could potentially write a novel on this year, the more I type the more I remember. Frankly I’d be surprised if you had read this far. It's been great fun this year, and no doubt 2006 will bring many more stories and experiences. We are all off to Belfast then Scotland for New Years, staying at Jimmy Saunders place. So should be a good weekend. Will have plenty of yarns for the blog on our safe return.

But until then people, Merry Xmas and have a Great New Years.

duChats

Send me you Best Yearns of the 2005, and I'll post them on the blog!