Injury and Apology

So, I know it has been about a two weeks since I have posted, and for that I apologize.

In a shitty game versus Savannah on Nov. 15, I fucked my left knee and haven't been around rugby since. As a result, I didn't feel it correct to write about my team when I haven't been around practice or other related activities.
Actually, my knee isn't as bad as both I and the Athletic Trainer on the side of the pitch first thought, but it's still not great.
I have torn my MCL, but not completely, so it will heal itself.
When I first hurt it I thought about writing a log of my recovery over the weeks, but since I should be back on the field in 8-10 weeks and there is no surgery involved, it simply wouldn't be that interesting.
Also, I think this was just an excuse to post pictures of my X-rays. I love X-rays of my left knee because I have two huge screws in it from the first time I killed it when I was 17.
Since I hurt myself I have thought about several topics, however they just didn't seem worthy of my time.

I was going to write about Scotland playing in the Fall Test Series -- but how many times can you write that Scotland played up to the standard of superior opposition and still ended up losing... oh yeah and conquered the might of the maple syrup-eating, Mounty-lovin', rugby-suckin' Hosers from America's toupee.

I was also going to rant about people making fun of the size of my crutches -- but even railing against that gets old!

Anyway, I am back... if you care.

IRB asks about ELVs

Those thoughtful folks at USA Rugby sent me a lovely letter this morning. Unlike many of them, this one was fairly interesting and is discussing, yet again, the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs). They are looking for an opinion on the impact they are having, or lack thereof.

Obviously they have not been paying enough attention to The Olde Grey Thistle Fest whose online poll showed the overwhelming belief that they have, as they were intended to do, opened up the game.
The poll also showed a great love and affection for those guys with whistle. God Bless You, Sir!

Dear USA Rugby Members,

As a valued member of our Union, I would like to offer you the opportunity to take part in an important research study being conducted by the IRB into attitudes toward the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs), which are currently being trialled.

The study is being conducted across 14 individual unions worldwide. The objective of the study is to gather the opinions of players, coaches and officials on the ELVs. The findings from this study will feed directly into the IRB’s review of the ELVs in early 2009.

For the purposes of this study the research is being conducted by TNS mrbi, an independent market research based in Dublin, Ireland. The TNS group has a strong track record in providing valuable research for many of the world’s leading sports organizations, including The Premiership (in the UK), UEFA and FIFA.

You may be selected to take part, and if contacted, USA Rugby would very much appreciate if you participated. The research will involve an online survey that will take approximately 10 minutes to fill out at a time and place convenient to you. The views of each individual taking part in the study will be merged with the views of all other respondents in a final report – individual views will be maintained as absolutely confidential. The survey therefore represents an ideal opportunity for you to express your views, in the knowledge that your identity will never be disclosed.

Should you wish to opt-out from being contacted for this survey, please click here to have your information removed from the pool of participants by Monday, November 17. Your name will then be removed from any list that will be forwarded onto the research agency to take part in this study.

As with all TNS mrbi research, this study will be conducted in accordance with the Code of Conduct of ESOMAR, the World Association of Opinion and Market Research Professionals. You will only be contacted to take part in this specific study and will not be contacted again by TNS mrbi in relation to any other studies without the prior agreement from our organization. Please feel free to view USA Rugby’s complete Privacy Policy.

Many thanks in anticipation and kindest regards,

Kristin Richeimer

Director, Membership Relations

Nicknames

So I was having a look at a certain rugby message board today and was bored by the names I saw there.
I'm not saying I thought more people should post things, I'm not saying I didn't want to see a particular name. I was just bored with the names.

It seemed to me that my rugby club is lacking in nicknames. Quality, original, funny nicknames that make the monotony of remembering each of the ugly, uninteresting bastards I play with a little more bearable!

So, I thought this would be the perfect space to write these things down and any reasoning behind them.

Obviously, in this space I have coined a number of Noms De Rugby for my friends.
- PunchedBaby
- Kvetch Silverstein/ Third Favorite/ Mr. Maccabees
- Krusty
- Stuffer

I just feel we need to make more of an effort for nicknames. I must add now, I will not give myself a pseudonym because that is what fuckwits do -- never give yourself a nickname! Can you hear me "Outlaw?!"

I will not attach names to these, but if you can't figure them out ask me and I will explain!
Anyway, I have a few suggestions, some of the references are dated, but isn't that the fun -- to drag up old, hilarious, things:
- Runyon Rougher (shortened to Rougher)
- BJ (hilariously shortened from Bob Jones)
- Bristols (Cockney rhyming slang: Bristol City = Titty eg "Check out the Bristols on 'er")

There are many more, but I have to work....

Palmetto Redux

So the Rhino's found themselves in the same position as usual Saturday, second in the state and second-best to Charleston.

Old Grey Vs. Greenville
After setting-off an hour too late (but at the scheduled time) OG had a tough start to the 2008 Palmetto Rugby Union's Tournament Saturday.
No time for warm-ups, or even to get a full side on the field, the options were to just get oin the field or forfeit. Despite calls from some idiots to roll-over, OG did the wise thing and got on the pitch.
Playing 15-10 for the first 10 minutes saw everyone's favorite Rhino-bemascotted team from South Carolina down an unconverted try.
Once the numbers evened up, OG got back to what they were doing in practice and retained the ball well.
Fortunate that G-Vegas' lanky Lock kicker couldn't convert cash to beer in a pub, OG were two points up coming into the final minutes. But in the style of his quality play all day, Boom-Boom fought through the Griffin back line to settle the tie.

Championship Game: Old Grey Vs Charleston
They kicked the shit out of us.
They were better drilled, better organized and controlled the ball masterfully.
Their big players, who I will not name, had big games -- as usual.
Though Columbia did themselves proud with an aggressive effort in the second half, the game was well-over by that point.

Special Mention: C of C
Just a quick note mention the great display of my alma mater The College of Charleston as their Men's side destroyed Clemson in their opening match of the tournament.
The final of the Men's College Tourney took place Sunday and I have not seen the final result, but in this single performance they showed how the side has greatly improved. Kudos Cougars... although you will be destroyed come Almuni Weekend Nov. 22!!!

Notes and thoughts from the weekend:
-- Old Grey need to be careful with its policies regarding less experienced players getting time on the field. Isn't the second half of an already-decided game the best time to get new guys on the field and learn how to play in real time? We have guys who are regulars at practice and on-the-road -- with the limited no.s Old Grey carries we should make sure we do not lose these dedicated people.
-- Looks like utility man Jimmy "Scruggs-Stuffer" Ready is going to be out until the Matrix pre-season with a rib injury. Though old as shit, Jimmy's grit and honesty will be a real weapon for Columbia when the real season starts. Although some of us don't see his talents best-used wearing double-digits!!
-- I think I'm done!

Scotland vs. New Zealand

Today I had planned to write something about the mighty Scots facing off against the All Blacks this Saturday in Edinburgh. However, after reading another blog in a similar tone written by someone who knows far more than me. I thought I would just link to him.

Read Rory's take on it at Scottish Rugby Blog which is always worth a read!

Election Update

Sorry friends but at this time it doesn't look like we were able to pull this one out. The official numbers on write-ins haven't all been released yet, but it seems as though no matter who is written, Strom II will have sneaked the election.

To all of America's Greatest Heros, I say thank you for all of your work, your votes and your energy -- this was a fine campaign run honestly, fairly and with the spirit of this great nation behind us!
I am glad that I ran a clean campaign focusing on the positives and did not stoop to the dirty tricks and attack-based outlook of the Solicitor-elect!

However, now is not the time to be divisive, we have to get behind Essie May's little brother and unite for the betterment of the Second Judicial Circuit and its residents.

Solicitor Circuit 2 - Results
Strom Thurmond Jr 60,512
Write-in 237

As I said the official write-in names have not been released, but I think it is unlikely that my recount request will be acted on.

Write-in Campaign - Vote Now, Vote Hard

Not happy with making a mockery of Olde Grey Rugby and the game in general, I have decided to take my (lack of) respect for the best things in life a step further.

As I write this (3:26 p.m. Nov. 4) I am waging a write-in campaign to become the Solicitor for South Carolina's Second Judicial Circuit! (SJC)

Genesis
When I got back to my desk from an interview yesterday, there was a voicemail left on my office phone from an unknown man.
He told me that he was going to write me in as his candidate for Solicitor over the only other name on the ballot -- James Strom Thurmond Jr.
(Solicitor is District Attorney for my Non-SC, Non-Brit readers.)
I have no idea who the caller was, or why he would decide that I was the one he was going to vote for, but one thing is clear-- he is America's Greatest Hero!!!

Democracy in Action
After i got the phone call I realized one thing -- I HAD BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD TO RUN!!!
My epiphany guiding me I set out to spread the word of Aiken, Bamberg and Barnwell Counties' residents of their new criminal prosecutorial god -- me!
When i say i let the residents of the SJC know, I mean I made fun of this idiot around my newsroom. Hearing the gospel/voicemail according to Crazyperson, several of my colleagues decided that they would join the charge!

Why Did God Choose Me?
Being part of the Liberal Media Elite, obviously, most of my newsroom are bleeding-heart, liberal lettuce-eating Commies.
Despite his family’s well-documented love for the dark meat, Strom II is running on the Republican ticket.
Looking for any reason to be contrarian to quality, responsible Government provided by Conservatives/Facists my fellow Journalists were looking for someone slightly to the left -- enter (potential) Solicitor-Elect Gellatly.

Victory Assured?
Admittedly there are still a couple of stumbling blocks before my rise to power and the $147k salary that goes with it (That's David Young money!!!).
Firstly, my campaign started late in the evening of Nov. 3rd.
Second, I am not sure that i qualify to serve as I do not live in the SJC, nor am I a citizen of The United States of America.
Thirdly, members of my own family do not know how to spell my name!


Vote Gellatly for a ridiculously corrupt Aiken, Barnwell and Bamberg!

Fucking Idiots

Several of my teammates seemed to get the wrong end of the stick regarding my Friday post about the "fight" between Vice-Captain Jon Stewart and General Soks.

Just for future reference when I post something with a picture of everyone's third-favorite Jew doing (insert name of whatever the fuck dance he was doing here) it is unlikely i am going to include that in a post about a fight.

Also, if the names of Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder tracks are highlighted or capitalized it is unlikely I am talking about a criminal act... unless its Jacko's 1998 hit "Aggravated Sodomy" -- then you will have to figure it out for yourself!