Another Fabu Friday

The Dragon Pitch

The other day a co-worker asked about my plans for the weekend.  I told him that I was just going to take the weekend as it came. As we conversed, he asked if I was into football much, and I replied that while I can watch a game if I’m with a group of people I’m not a huge fan. We talked a little more, and I told him how much I love rugby — wouldn’t mind playing it as well as being in the fan zone, but I’ve not had (or made) the opprotunity. A couple of days later he said I should try to get a work rugby team together. I doubt I could find ten people in the building who know the basic rules for the game. I did suggest that he take it as a project to manage between his regular job duties.

The conversation in and of itself would be worth a note if it hadn’t gotten me to thinking that I’m not as much a fan of any one team or even country, but of  the sport itself. Sure, I’m always ready to get behind the Chicago Dragons (where it’s said that one of the players “takes a beating and keeps on licking” Go Dragons! A Rugby Story) or the San Francisco Fog, but I really don’t follow their seasons. I should but don’t. Well, I got on line, found an RFC that I want to follow, signed up for their alerts, joined their appreciation group on FaceBook, and check their website daily to keep up. The Newport Gwent Dragons play the Glasgow Warriors tomorrow, and I wish them luck and would love to be on that side of the Sargasso Sea to cheer the Dragons on in person.

I’m also amazed that I couldn’t have done any of this thirty years ago. Of course I knew what rugby was, but cable wasn’t even available in our neighborhood in 1979. The newpaper may have made some mention of rugby if it were part of a larger story, but pretty much it was ignored. Oddly enough, we played soccer in gym class, but rugby and Australian Rules Football weren’t even mentioned. Of course the only mention of abortion in health class was from the Catholic perspective, and the school had a smoking area. Evs, and I digress. It’s amazing how much the world has opened up in the last few years. Hopefully it will continue to open, and we will, after all, find the Age of Aquarius. Hmm, didn’t this start out to be about rugby? Well, maybe with a little luck, a pinch of hope, and some hard work, all international disputes will one day be resolved on the rugby pitch and not the battle field.

Superbowl Play

There are very few years when I actually care about the Super Bowl. If the Saints or the 49ers are playing, I’ll watch. Other than that, I’m not paying attention to television at all during the game. Don’t get me wrong; I do like American Football. I much prefer Rugby. If Mr. Wonderful turns out to be a major sports fan, that’s fine. I’ll do the games with him as long as he does the arts stuff with me. So what does someone who’s NFL apathetic do? Why he goes to see a play.

The Louisville Repertory Company has a performance of Del Shore’s Sordid Lives beginning at 4. It’s called “a black comedy about white trash.” I’ve seen other of Shore’s plays, so I quite intrigued. And that TDMT  is in the show – and singing – is a bonus.

My review will be forthcoming.

Rugby & Football

Thanks to a blog I read — or look at the pictures on to be more exact, I discovered Naked for a Cause (http://www.nakedforacause.com.au/). The site has the dual distinction of offering up pics of some very hunky Aussie men and being a site that “is an ongoing charity initiative. We create sexy, high quality products to raise funds for great causes.” Something that’s prurient, artistic, and charitable will always have a place in my heart.  The players come from both the NRL (http://www.nrl.com.au/) and the AFL (http://www.afl.com.au/). While I can take or leave AFL, I’m a die hard Rugby fan. Next year the Naked for a Cause calendar might be on my wall instead of the Dieux de Stade.

The gentleman in the picture is 21 year old James Aubusson with the Melbourne Storm.

Gods of the Stadium

This is one of those posts that I’m not quite sure why I’m writing. I have spent some serious time looking at sites, shopping for shirts, etc. of various rugby teams. My t-shirt says it best: Bears Love Rugby. I’m no exception. It’s the third most popular sport in the world, but it’s one that get almost no media attention in the United States — much to my chagrin. Honestly, I’d actually get cable to get rugby games (and here! tv).  

 Of course, it could all have to do with the Dieux de Stade calendar I just bought.