North by Northeast

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.

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.

The fantastic thing about writing is that it can be done from almost anywhere. Last fortnight my article was produced in a bach in Kaiteriteri; today it is born in the Hanmer Public Library.

Well, here we are, at that dreadfully awkward period between Christmas and the New Year.

"Christmas time's a happy time, fun for you and me! Smiling faces, la la la, presents under the tree!"

Recently, I've spent a lot of time observing you, the Public.

Until next year ... flats are clean; exams are over; assignments are completed (or, at the very least, handed in). Summer has officially arrived - and I have hot sunburn to prove it.

I was on a mission, this morning, to buy a new summer hat. I allowed myself an hour for this shopping task; an initially seemingly adequate time frame. Alas, it wasn't.

In a recent critique assignment, I wrote a sentence which I knew was "borderline". Borderline in that if the sentence was interpreted maliciously, it could be considered offensive to the author I was critiquing.

If you haven't heard of the Double Down burger then you've probably spent the past week or two hiding under a rock. You may have even tried one. In fact, if you're a member of the male student population, you've probably eaten several.

My recent study of biographical information of (in particular) Romantic-era writers has revealed an interesting and noteworthy commonality. No, I am not referring to tragically premature deaths, substance abuse or philandering.

There are times when my exam superstitions become blatantly impractical

The absolute impracticality of an English degree is reluctantly yet acutely observed when searching for holiday employment. It was a goal of mine, during this last break, to find a summer job. A goal common to many students at this time of year, I'm sure.

This trip was doomed from the beginning," I concluded, as we regarded the turn-off we missed on our way to Queenstown last Friday.

Five guys knocked on my front door yesterday, and asked me to show them around my flat. I said no.

My flatmate turned 21 last month. Despite the excitement of presents and celebrations, he was less than enthused about his birthday.

There are few visits to the doctor's surgery that I fear more than my annual flu jab.