A weekend of Sport
I'd like to think I could summarize the events of January at some point, but in fear of getting further behind, I'm going to review this weekend. You should really read this Here if you're on Facebook.
Friday 2nd Feb 2007
The only thing I don't like about this semester is my 3 hour 4-7pm lecture on Friday nights. Mercifully it's a really good one (Bioinformatics) and the lecturer could stand to be a good source of information/contacts/references.
Madeline went to the gym while I was in class, then I came home and cooked some rice and marinated chicken (nicer than it sounds). We drove to Safeway to get some shampoo but didn't have the energy to do a full shop. Lazy night watching TV, (Madeline asleep on the couch) in anticipation of the big day ahead!
Saturday 3rd Feb 2007 - Out of retirement
On Thursday night I gave into temptation/boredom/my body's plea for activity, and attended my second Berkeley RFC training session. I went with a mind as open as I could and was blown away by how much they had improved. The back line had a sensible defensive strategy, players knew the basics of running and passing, and there was a good spirit throughout.
Saturday morning, I woke a little earlier than I wanted to, and made the short journey to Treasure Island in record time thanks to some clear Saturday morning traffic.
The team arrived; we set up the pitch and did a little training in beautiful sunshine. As the team was announced, I found myself playing on the wing for the first team - a nice surprise. The game went well. We were playing against the San Francisco Fog, the biggest gay team in the bay area, and many of the Berkeley boys were worried at having their masculinity compromised through a loss. An early Fog try fueled the unease in the BRFC camp, but we showed real determination, dominating possession and territory for much of the game. I received a wide pass and beat my man to score the equalizing try, and shortly after we took the lead.
The rest of the game is a little blurry as I made a break, attempted a little grubber kick and was tackled in the head, knocked unconscious, came round, assured my teammates I was fine, played out the remainder of the game and then started asking if we'd played, if we'd won etc.
Madeline was contacted, came to pick me up with Emilie and kept checking my eyes all day for signs of death.
I got an email with some photos on today. I was a little disappointed that I had left before they were taken. Imagine my surprise when I find that I was more than there, I was being hugged by Benny Whisky! The brain is a fragile thing, as Madeline and her family keep reminding me
Madeline dropped my off in the Marina to wait for the rugby boys to come out for an evening of japes and hi-jinks, before she met up with friends and did a similar thing in a different part of the city. Text book evening, back around 3am - lots of good sleep!
Sunday 4th Feb 2007 - Superbowl Sunday
Woke up feeling like I'd been beaten repeatedly by a large bat (cricket, not fruit). Lazy morning building up the the weekly grocery shop. Safeway was busy with people stocking up on chips, dips and beer. We joined them, baked some cookies and made our way to my first Superbowl party at a friend of a friend's appartment in a very nice area of the city.
Good to socialize a little, good mix of people and excellent food! The game was excellent, Prince rocked during the half time show, and I claimed the $40 grand prize for having the correct final score.
Home for a snack and some TV before fatigue kicked in. Lovely weekend! Weather is still amazing, but I'm incredibly sore. I have a busy week ahead of me as school work builds and my research begins properly. Next weekend we have an early/late haloween party to attend, and I will doubtlessly have to do some work, hurrah. I hope everyone is doing well, I'm aspiring to reignite the Facebook love this week sometime.
