16.02.07 pembroke black tie

really, not a bunch of dicks (really)

Black tie events are a staple of Oxford University living. The ritual is fairly standard, and really not too different from formal hall at Merton. (1) Go to XYZ college wearing specified outfit (in this case a black suit or tuxedo with a black bow tie), (2) have drinks in really old room with other dressy folks, (3) march into ancient hall, be seated at long tables, (4) drink, eat drink and be merry, and drink, (5) take pictures, (6) hit the town and get loaded.

marching

typical black tie Oxford scene

I like this one...

porter pouring wine for Pat (LA) and Jimmy (South Africa)

Barry (Detroit) and Simon (New Zealand)

Matt (Kansas) and porter and Dan (England)

Matthew Holgate, Economist, Englishman

Bond, James Bond, BEEEEATCH!*

Andrew "Double Up" Jury (South Africa)

During phase 2, there are usually at least a few opportunities to get condescended to by crabby old English people and smarty pants academics who will thinly veil their contempt for your MBA / American / Graduate / non-PhD / non "academic" / whatever-ness. Of course, when you go to one of these with a bunch of MBAs, the dicks keep things semi in check, because there's a lot of us and we're loud. :) Pembroke college was hosting the black tie event this time, so Andrew (a member of Pembroke) brought us, about 20 of us, along for the ride. Things went well, we had a pretty good meal, lots of wine, and hung out in the bar afterwards. What a lousy soundsystem, by the way. After this, there was a drunken bike ride / photoshoot across town to the Oxford Retreat (a bar) for more hanging around and trying to look cool in our tuxes... ties hanging untied in the deano/frank style.

ahh dork magic...

Shelby and Ean: the retarded romance continues...

Ok, maybe we are a bunch of dicks.

* Actually a photo of Andrew McInerny, dean's lister, new father, Australian, co-microbrew project conspirator, guy who likes to say "beeaaaaatch", pal and fellow Oxford blogger.

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