Friday, May 07, 2010

Memories. And a whole heap of other stuff.

NRL is actually on LIVE tonight. Live into Victoria. Go, channel 9. Too bad it's such a rare occurrence. Australia v. New Zealand. Good game so far.
Reminds me of a few years ago though, when I had taped a test match since it was on at some ridiculous time like 1a.m. This was back when old housematey and I were living together, and we only had the one t.v. She was not a NRL fan, but occassionally she would watch a NRL game that I had taped. She got used to seeing the players names on the back of their jerseys. In test matches though, usually the sponsors name is on the back.
So we're sitting there watching this game, and housematey notes that two of the Australian players have the name Phillips on the back.
"Oh, are they brothers?" she says to me. I start to say no, but she notices another few players with Phillips on the back of their jerseys. "What the hell? How many Phillips brothers are there? What is with the Australian team??!" and "Ok, you can't tell me they're all brothers! Who made a mistake with their jumpers??"
Meanwhile, I'm laughing so hard I can't talk, because she was really confused. Eventually I managed to tell her what was going on ...

* * * * *
Speaking of NRL, the whole Melbourne Storm, salary cap, cheating scandal issue ... Wow.

I am, as a Victorian, a Melbourne Storm supporter. Like most, I was shocked and stunned as it was all made public. I don't know whether other clubs are doing the same thing, and part of me is disappointed that the reputation of this terrific team has now been destroyed, to some extent. As a fan, I hurt for the players who worked their arses off to earn the 2007 and 2009 premierships, which have now been taken from them. Maybe that punishment was fair and just, I'm still not sure. I don't think taking away their ability to earn points for the rest of the 2010 season is fair or just though. I understand that some people think that because they're currently over the salary cap, they're fielding an illegal team, and yes, that is an excellent point. But honestly, I think the NRL and it's board should have given the Melbourne Storm a chance to get themselves under the salary cap, docked the points they had earnt up until the scandal broke, given them a 4 or 6 week penalty, then allowed them back into the 2010 competition once they were under the cap. Technically, by playing each week they are still in the competition, but there's nothing in it for them. By knocking them out for the whole season, NRL seems to be doing an enormous amount of damage to Rugby in Melbourne, a city where they are eager to make Rugby a bigger sport. Why would the fans go and support their team week in and week out when the team is going nowhere? I'm sure as the season wears on and the competition means less and less, and the games become more and more meaningless, the fans won't want to keep supporting their disgraced team.
I hope, really honestly hope, that the Storm fans, the real through-thick-and-thin fans keep supporting their team week in and week out. I hope they keep showing up for games, proving to the boys that to some of us, they are still our team, who we will support, regardless of what's happened. I hope ... But I don't hold out a lot of hope. I hope I'm proved wrong.

* * * * *

In even more NRL news, I'm actually going NRL game this year. With work, uni and being 2 and a half hours from Melbourne, it's hard to get to games. Last year, State of Origin 1 was on my birthday, which was like the best birthday present ever. This year, I am going to the Storm v. Cowboys game a couple of weeks after my birthday. Exams will be over, so I won't have study/uni to worry about. I'm taking the weekend off work. I wish I lived closer to Melbourne, or that I was able to get to more games. So far, my aim to get to at least one NRL game a year is going well though :-) *lol*

* * * * *

Personally, there's not much going on with me. Work is busy ... I've been at my job for almost 2 years now, which is cool. The time has flown. It's still a great play to work (most of the time, anyway!)
Uni is going ok. I'm still struggling a bit with the glandular fever, and I don't know whether to take a semester off or keep pushing on. Sometimes I think I can handle it pretty well, other times I feel like I'm just barely holding on.

* * * * *

I recently found out that my dad has children (two) from another marriage, long before he met my mum. So I have two siblings that I've never met. When on holidays the other week, my mum and dad dropped in to see them while they were in their area. They are so pleased to be back in contact with my dad (it's been approximately 30 years since my dad has seen them), and my dad is also over the moon. My dad is having a fairly significant birthday later this year, we're thinking of throwing a big party so that my brother, sister, and I (and the rest of dad's side of the family) can meet them. I can't wait! I think it will be awesome. Also to be noted, I have 5 more nieces and nephews! How cool is that?! And my dad has 5 more grandchildren! Unreal!

* * * * *

I go back to the allergy specialist in a week ... I'm not sure what will happen. The last round of incredibly expensive immunotherapy hasn't made a huge difference ...

* * * * *

Milly the budgie (as seen on this blog previously) recently broke her leg. We think that she was attacked by a mouse who managed to get into her cage. Unfortunately, splinting it didn't work (and yes, I will put up photos of Milly with the splint on because it was So. Damn. Cute!), and blood flow was restricted to the area, meaning the only possible option we were left with was amputation. Yes, Milly had her left leg removed. The vet believed that had we not done it, infection would surely have killed her. Luckily Milly came through the operation with (wait for it .... ) "flying" colours (get it? get it?? hahaha ... ) and is now adjusting very well to life with only one leg.

* * * * *

Ok. it's 10:05 and I'm exhausted (no nap today, and I have a massive headache (thank you, glandular fever. No, really.)), so I think I might have to go to bed. Probably sometime soon I'll pop back in. By the way, this blog went private a few weeks ago thanks to an internet troll. It may have to happen again, I'm not sure. If it does, and you want to be allowed to read it, leave me a comment and I'll be sure to add you. I can't promise that I'll always have a public blog, because what happened really freaked me out ,,,