Sydney Life

Walking to Circular Quay from Uni on Friday, I was distracted by a toddler waiting at the traffic lights. She was a pretty average toddler – blonde, small, and had just calmly pulled her skirt down around her ankles. When the lights changed to green, she casually pulled her skirt back up before taking her mum’s hand to cross the road.
“What are you doing?” mum had only just noticed her daughters' state of undress.
“Straightening my undies,” replied the girl. No further explanation required.

This little girl illustrated a fine point – why shouldn’t she engage a practical solution to an uncomfortable, everyday problem? Mind you, if you or I were to carry out the same procedure we’d probably be fined for indecent exposure. Alas, being a “mature Uni student” is a far cry from the carefree days of innocence we enjoy up until the day we need more than our fingers to count our age. We can’t “straighten our undies” in public, we can't wear fountain ponytails on top of our heads (remember that, anyone?), we can’t play stuck in the mud as easily, and we can’t run around naked. Well, technically we can, but it’s generally not met with cries of “Oh cute. Has anyone got a camera?”

But before all you high-school students despair, University isn’t all about work. There are plenty of excuses to act like a five year old – or a lunatic - and escape from the rigid confines of adulthood! You just have to know where to look…

Theme Parties: I spent about an hour this week having an in-depth discussion with another violinist concerning finance, public relations, and political correctness. That’s right; we were trying to work out which Disney character would be imitable for twenty dollars or less, instantly recognisable, yet acceptable for hitting the clubs after the party. The discussion was heated – we went from Simba to the Queen of Hearts, from Minnie Mouse to Donald Duck (dismissed because he doesn’t wear pants), Pocahontas to Tinkerbell. Eventually, through the philosophy of "working with what you've got", Alice in Wonderland won out.

Anyway, point of story – there are still plenty of opportunities to dress like a lunatic and not worry too much about judgement, because you’re happy and safe in the knowledge that everyone else looks as ridiculous as you. The colleges seem to be more averse to theme parties, but as the 18ths and 21sts roll around you’ll find yourself quite a dab hand with the sewing machine!

Alexander Technique : I might get into a bit of trouble for this one – if it was a person, I’d have a bit of a guilty complex about pretending to be happy to see it but really only using it for it’s massages. It’s sort of like the “I have to go to the counsellor” excuse at school.

“Oh man I would’ve loved to have been there, but I was doing some Alexander Technique.”
“Practice hours today? Well, I’ve done a few hours, including some Alexander Technique”
(Read “Alexander Technique” as “lying down in a practice room with the lights off. Possibly sleeping.”)

If you feel like paying for the zoning out experience, there are plenty of yoga places that offer meditation sessions. Samadhi Yoga in Newtown isn’t too bad, if you can handle relatively early Saturday mornings.

Picnics: There's no reason why picnics can't be almost identical to the ones you had as a kid. Head to the beach or the gardens with baskets of food and special picnic rugs. The very enthusiastic can bring piñatas and cricket bats. The less crafty can bring the red wine. The word of the picnic day is RELAX.

Performance art: if you find that these suggestions don't allow enough release for your inhibitions, go crazy. Paint your whole body red, juggle chickens, wear fairy wings and a tutu on the train, paint your face like a tiger. If anyone asks, tell them it's art. Hell, chuck a hat on the ground and try to charge them for it.

Enjoy, kids!