Summer Trips

Summer is official over for us here in Seattle as of 5 days ago. You know, the first day of school and all. Yea yea, I know I am not in school anymore but its hard not to go by the quarter system. It just makes sense you know?

Anyway, I took a couple trips this summer. Not just the one to go home. Both were EPA government trips....but I had time for some sightseeing. The first was a week long stay in San Francisco. My first time in northern California much less the famous San Fran. It was alot of fun and reminded me of my solo trip to Biarritz. Same weather and everything...also french kids. But thats another story.

But I just spent my time wandering around the city and saw some amazing sights. It was tight. My favorite areas were China Town and the Docks. Well namely China Town. Aerica was there for a bit when I visited and she and I wandered around their a couple times.

While I was down in San Fran I visited my Aunts Mary and Susie. That was a crazy Italian/Hippy adventure in the redwoods of northern california. I plan to go back for Thanksgiving.

My second trip, the following week was to Oregon. It was an inspection of a facility. Interesting but I realized that file auditing is the most boring thing in the world. Uck....maybe I don't want to be an inspector.


The thing I realized most about this trip though was how flat the land was. It was strangely beautiful to see rolling hills for miles and miles around. I did take this chance to see my favorite childhood memory though. It hasn't changed a bit....


Well thats that. Well there is actually alot more, it is all stored in photos and in my head however. The stuff in my head is a bit difficult to access but the photos are all yours. Make up my adventures as you go along. Just remember to listen to your monkeys and stay away from deer that try to commit suicide.

The Second Game - Before

We have our second game tomorrow.
I have to admit I am scared.

I did well last weekend, for a beginner. But that doesn't mean squat if I screw up tomorrow. I guess I might not as scared if it wasn't such a violent sport...which I love. But my nose still hurts and is swollen...which could mean a number of things. Same with my knees. What if I get a serious injury? Or even worse, become ugly!

Erg...but I really don't care about hurting myself. I am more concerned with failing my team. i really look up to these guys and the last thing I want to do if fuck up. It would be so embarrassing. I mean look at these kids! Fucking around in daisy dukes! They really are a unique bunch.

Well regardless, I am going to try my hardest tomorrow, wish me luck.

(hopefully I will come back in one piece ^_^)

Knee Problems

My knees have been hurting. The pain started with the right when I landed on it getting the fallout sign but has traveled to the left since when I played Thursday. It might have been hurting since the game two Saturdays ago but I was on so many drugs I didn't really notice. Now however I am realizing that it hurts to even bend my knee, and bringing it up to my chest is an experience. Val thinks that I should talk to my doctor, which is a good idea and hopefully I can meet with him sometime this week. In the meantime I am going to ask coach if I should be worried or if I should just be stretching more.

BTW: Happy Birthday Mom!

Contacts

I went to the eye people yesterday and got contacts. It was an interesting experience mostly because I am not used to putting things in my eyes. It kinda freaks me out and I can't stop blinking. Regardless, after a couple of hours I forgot that I was even wearing them and boy they are nice. Its great being able to see signs and the like. The only annoying part is having to take them out. Erg...painful...

Go Rugby! - First Game of the Year

Wow. I am still in pain.

We had our first game of the year last Saturday the 6th. It was interesting. It pretty much started out with the coach saying to me, btw, you are playing as a lock today. Well I have never played lock before so I sucked at it. The pack in general wasn't stable at all and I felt kinda bad but hey, it was my first time. Regardless I had a really fun time, I just laid in bed the entirity of the next day. That could of also been due to the large amount of beer that I consumed that saturday....

In any case, if you are wondering how the match went this is the Refs report...

(Match Report. Referee: David Pelton)

Saturday opened the rugby season for so many teams, players, and referees. The ELVs were in play, the sun was out, and the grass was green – it was a rugby day and a bunch of us were at Marymoor in Redmond, WA for the Microsoft vs. Quake match.

For this preseason match we had rolling subs (with a lack of different jerseys for everyone it means the players listed as scoring below may not always be the same person) and 4 periods (two 30 minutes and two 10 minutes).

Off the opening kickoff, Microsoft controlled possession through a series of fast rucks and then passed the ball out to the backs who belted it downfield. They recovered the ball off the ensuing tackle, and spun it out for the #8 to score 2 minutes into the first period. Five minutes later, the Quake lost one against the head from a 22 meter scrum and it led to the Microsoft blind side flanker scoring. Neither conversion was good, but Microsoft was up 10 – 0.

The last score of the period came at the 26 minute, when a Quake lineout was stolen and the ball was swung out to the backs. The inside center broke through the defensive line and touched down under the posts. This conversion was slotted by the flyhalf to make the score 17 – 0 going into the first break.

The second period saw Microsoft score five tries all by the back row. They stole Quake ball at the tackle from the period kick-off and within three phases the open side flanker touched down. The Quake responded back when a quick tap penalty against Microsoft for not releasing resulted in a 80 meter converted try. The captain made a break through a Microsoft tackle and then took it the rest of the way, juking the fullback at the 22 before going in standing up.

Ten minutes later there was a push over try that the #8 touch downed. Four minutes later there was another scrum move with all three back row players involved in the pick and subsequent series of passes down the weak side from 22 meters out with the open side flanker get the glory. With ten minutes left in the half, the open side flanker picked off a Quake pass intended for a misdirection move and then sprinted the 50 meters to score under the posts. However, it was the score near the touch line by the blind side flanker after multiple phases that brought the only successful conversion by the flyhalf. With 60 minutes gone it was 44 – 7.

The Quake wanted to keep going to get in a full 80 minute day, and having plenty of subs the older Microsoft players agreed. Microsoft spread the scoring a little more in the third period, the outside center scored two minutes in when he stripped the ball from a maul started by the Quake, rolled out with the ball and touched down for a converted try. At the six minute mark the scrumhalf had a try when the 8 man popped a pass after picking up from a 5 meter scrum. The winger also got a try at the end of the period when the ball was spun wide after a loose phase. 61 – 7 Microsoft.

The last period ended with three more tries, two of which came from a rather large, fast inside center for Microsoft. He scored 4 minutes in when ran right up the middle and over a couple players and ended the scoring at full time with a repeat performance. Only the first try was converted despite them both being under the posts. A try was scored between those when a second row was hanging out in the back line and the ball was spun wide, he had a series of good give and goes with other players before touching down.

The day ended in good spirits despite the final score being 78 – 7 Microsoft.

My Bag

I forgot to mention that I lost/forgot my bag last friday. That new one that I bought it madison. It had my wallet in it but I really dont care about that. What I am really annoyed at is that I had my journal in it as well. The one that I have been writing in since france? The one that I was going to use to update this blog? Yea. If only I got off my ass and did it when I was supposed to. Oh whatever, too late now. This just means I am going to have to do my all of my french trips over again. Oh well.