Football (in all forms) and Driving

Well, not a whole to talk about, but some cool and funny things to report. First off friday night I had an absolute blast as Jared, Luke, Tracy, and Donna (the last three are Australians) and I watched the Western Force play a rugby match against the Bulls of South Africa. As I previously stated (I think...), the Western Force participate in the Super 14s, a rugby league including teams from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Jared and I managed to score free tickets (again) through Luke and his girlfriend Donna (Luke plays for Scarborough and Donna is a massage therapist for the Force). Our seats were incredible as we were 2 rows from the pitch and 50 feet from the players tunnel. Great seats as I gladly went picture happy.

The game was intense as the Force needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The season is only 14 games and only the top 4 teams advance to the knockout rounds, so each game counts and this one was a biggie. Not only was this game important because of the playoffs, but also because of the opponent. The Bulls are the reigning Super 14 champs and boast some outstanding players, and also feature the best player in the world, Bryan Habana, who won the 2007 World Player of the Year as the South African rugby team won the World Cup. I took lots of pictures of him.

The stadium was alive with excitement not even the rain could dampen (and it tried, believe me) as the two teams began play. The Force jumped out to a 9 point lead as they moved the ball well and made sure tackles. The game was all Force until play resumed after half time as the Bulls scored 14 unanswered as Habana collected two tries. All hope was lost but the Force never gave up and managed to squeeze in a try with 1 minute remaining to take a 15-14 lead. Once the siren roared the excitement couldn't be contained as airhorns and sirens sounded all over Subiaco Oval.

Saturday was also a great day as we had another scratch-match, this time against Whitfords. After last weekends third-quarter meltdown, the Scarborough team was ready to open a can of whoop-ass on any side we faced, and we did not disappoint (despite the torrential downpour all morning and through half-time) . We opened up the scoring with two straight goals and never looked back. All over the field we out-marked, out-skilled, out-kicked, and out-tacked a generally good Whitfords side. It was a great feeling as we are coming together just as the season begins next week. One incident of note is that I got to punch my first oppenent of the season. Footy over here is played much dirtier and this kid, probably 5'0" and 110 lbs, rammed me directly in the back during a dead ball. So, a subtle punch to the gut convinced him to rethink his sports attitude. Needless to say, he didn't shake my hand after the game. Sorry, but no pictures from the game as it was raining terribly. Didn't want to ruin the camera.

Sunday was another fun day as I got to sleep in, sit outside and read, and learn to drive stick. My friend GD is letting me use his old car while I am here (it became available to me abut 2 weeks ago) and I finally got the chance to pick it up. The three of us drove down to his house Sunday afternoon to begin the lessons only to find that he was in London, but his mom was around to give us the keys. She/Pam invited us inside to chat a bit and as polite young men, we accepted, even though the house had a funky smell too it, like an old library. After a bit of chatting she asked who was going to drive the car and I put up my hand enthusiastically, like I was 16 years old again. Here is what happened next:
Pam: You don't drink and drive do you?
Me: No.
Pam: Good, because it's a really bad idea. Too many people die every year from drinking and driving.
Me: It's really sad how people do that.
Pam: But I do it sometimes.
Me (exchanging "holy crap" looks with each other): What?
Pam: But it's not that far. Just about four blocks.

To clarify, Pam's house is in a subdivision full of massive hills. Not the safest sober driving, let alone drinking any amount of alcohol. It was about that time our ESP kicked in and we decided to get out of there. After a polite good bye (and a offer of a glass of brandy to go from Pam...I'm not kidding), we got in our cars and left as quickly as possible. Now, after many stalled engines, I can safely navigate on the opposite side of the road driving stick. Just a few more weeks and I'll be a pro at it!