Groovin’ 2011
This year the coloured wrist bands for Groovin’ the Moo were BLUE for over 18s and YELLOW for under 18s.
I just want you to keep this in mind, because I’m not going to mention it again. I’ll leave it to you to notice it in the photos that are in today’s blog!!
So, Groovin’ the Moo this year was pretty good. But I’m getting oooolllld. These events are a lot of work for an old bastard like me. Oh well. So what stories do we have for you this year? The bands were good — I liked the Jezebels and Architecture in Helsinki, and Horrorshow, and Gotye. Didn’t stay for Bliss ‘n’ Eso or Drapht, though, sadly.
Okay, that’s the music out the way… what about the adventures of Hobart and Andrew among large crowds of people? Well this year Hobart decided to dress as a zombie. Last year he was Iron Man and *EVERYONE* wanted their photo with him. He got a lot of photos this time, but not even remotely the same amount. Zombies are just not as approachable.
It was a good day all up. There was plenty going on to interest one. As usual there were a tonne of people in craaazy costumes. A lot of them were the same craaazy costumes from last year, though… which kinda makes them feel a little bit less craaazy. Maybe just craazy.
So, shall we just get into the photographs?
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One of the people we met was one of those ‘free hugs’ people. Not familiar with the ‘free hugs’ phenomenon? Basically at any major event like this there will always be someone offering ‘free hugs’. It’s a thing, it’s a gimmick. It means that they will hug anyone who asks. It’s… I dunno, meant to be touching or something? I have no fucking idea. I wonder if it’s on wikipedia…
Yes. It is on wikipedia. And yes, it does appear to be an Aussie thing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_hugs
Anyway, this free hugs chick was hilarious, so I took photos of her.
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You might notice a woman in red and a knight in one of the free hugs pictures. Well actually the woman in red is in two of those pictures now I look. Well, anyway that’s… uhhh… Ange and… uhhh… Trevor. Sure. That’s their names. Even if it’s not (and it’s not, trust me), they’re two awesome people. Hobart and I met them at the last Groovin’ the Moo, and then I met them again at Supanvoa recently. Oh and in answer to your question, guys, I won’t be at the second Brisbane Supanova this year!
My sister’s getting married that weekend. I can’t miss her first wedding.
Well, whatever the case, I thought I owed it to those two to put ‘em up on the blog. Because they’re awesome guys. We hung out with them for much of the day. They have the most awesome couples’ meeting story ever. They met playing zombie extras for a short film. How awesome is that? They were meant to be Daphne and Freddy from Scooby Doo for this Groovin’ the Moo, but the costumes didn’t arrive. So instead they bought a couple of 5 dollar kids’ costumes. A fireman and a knight! Woo!
Awesome and awful at the same time.
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There were a lot of random meetings. I didn’t actually take my camera with me, believe it or not. I was relying on Hobart’s camera, but it sucked ballsack. Great big hairy, battery-is-flat ballsack. So my sister’s carers (my sister has an intellectual disability, and she came to Groovin’ the Moo with two carers) brought my camera through for me when they arrived. Fuckin’ lifesavers. My camera (which my dad bought me) fuckin’ rocks.
This year the Groovin’ the Moo was RED AWARE. What does that mean? It means that they had a condom tent, and were giving out condoms. I guess because they expected a lot of sex in the portaloos, or something. I dunno. Condoms abounded. Also abounding was the sheer level of waste and rubbish that this campaign produced. If you ever wanted to campaign against these sorts of contraception hand-out booths you could definitely do it on environmental grounds. The ground was just fucking covered in dropped condoms, and dropped pamphlets at the end of the day.
It’s a good cause, though. They even have a website. Check it out, here:
http://www.yeah.org.au/REDAWARE2.aspx
You might notice, though, that the whole thing is prejudiced against people over 29. So, just be aware that when you support Red Aware you’re supporting an ageist movement.
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Anyway, I guess that’s about all there is to say for Groovin’ the Moo this year.
–Andrew S.
(Next week I might see about getting photos of how the Mall is developping!)
That free hugs chick looked like a free drugs chick. Just saying.
We had an awesome time, thanks for hanging out with us! I’m sure we will see you at the next groovin the moo, if not before then! :)
Ange and James
Hi Andrew, thanks for mentioning us in your blog, we’re glad that you saw the Red Aware tent at Groovin’ the Moo.
Just wanted to respond to a couple of things in your post:
1: The Waste Issue. At YEAH we were definitely concerned with the amount of waste that came out of our campaign. Some of this has to do with our legal obligations when it comes to distribution of condoms (we had to distribute the condoms in separate packaging, hence a big amount of plastic) but some was our leaflets and collateral. Rest assured that we are thinking about ways to be effective in promoting sexual health in a more environmentally friendly way in future, and we appreciate your feedback. :)
2. The Age Issue. We don’t mean to be ageist at all, but we are a youth organisation, and our mission is to address the issues of HIV/AIDS, STIs and sexual health in the 15-29 age group. Young people are among some of the most at-risk when it comes to sexual health, and are one of the least represented groups in this sphere. With that said, people of all ages at Groovin’ the Moo are invited to come to our stall, participate in our activities, and take some free condoms – even over 29s.
Thanks,
Patsy Niklas, Red Aware Program Manager
YEAH
2:
Heh. I was really just kidding about the ageist thing.
Hey I was just looking through and I was wondering if you still had something up from last year’s Groovin? I’m pretty sure my tiger friend was on here once but I never saw it. Do you still have it?
If not, it’s all good.
Thanks man