Resurgence

I'm finding my rhythm again.  Settling into a pattern after travelling can be a little difficult, especially going from one intense schedule into another.  Certainly having some music helps.

And the latest offering by Gomez is well worth it.  It is an album, in the nostalgic sense of the word.  Some have proclaimed the death of the album as an art form, and the rise of the album as merely a vehicle for individual songs.  Thankfully some artists are defying that trend.  But, just to appease the masses and incentivise you to purchase the album, I give you Win Park Slope.

Gomez has, however, flown under the radar of most people.  They first released Bring it On around 10 years ago.  And the album hasn't dated.  Or at least not for me.  People will probably recognise Get Yourself Arrested, and Whippin' Picidilly even if the names don't ring a bell.

In Vienna

It's been about a month since I last posted anything.  So I do apologise.  Offered as some flimsy justification is my annual adventure to Vienna and the necessary hectic work schedule beforehand.

Vienna.  It was amazing.  As always.  And as always I was there with the VUW moot team.  This year was different though.  I'm not just talking about the unseasonably warm and summery weather.  We also won.  First out of two hundred and thirty three universities.  233.  It was a long time coming, and these guys deserved it this year.

We've been called the favourites so many times before.  But this year hit it home.  Not so much backed highly to win, though there is that most years, but more of everyone's most liked team.  Afterwards everyone heaped praise on us and called us one of the most deserving teams.  I think it had something to do with David's acceptance speech; we travel from the far side of the world on very little and are reliant on the support of the teams we meet on our way.

As part of the celebrations we took a horse and carriage ride through the street of Vienna.  Sipping Veuve Clicquot out of plastic cups.  Magic.

I should also mention other highlights, like being taken on a tour of the Supreme Court of Austria by one of the presiding judges, meeting so many fascinating people in practice in Europe, dancing til 5 in the morning, sneaking snacks of meat between our forced vegetarian meals, chairing arbitrations, and much much more.

There was also the 4:30 am departure from Vienna to head home.  The 8 hour transit in LA, made easier by staying in the Air New Zealand lounge, being upgraded on the flight between LA and Auckland, randomly bumping into team mates who had left days before me, and the joys of jet lag.  The stories.  Oh the stories.

I will be returning next year.  That much is guaranteed.  I know I moaned about the price of going over, of uncertainty and not being entirely sure of the whole thing.  But I miss being in Europe, I love Vienna, and I am addicted to the moot competition.  I can't imagine not going anymore.