What goes on in the off season?
People have babies, that's what.
While we had our backs turned Marcos slipped one past the goalie and came up with this little bundle of joy, who as you can see, shares his dad's love for knit caps.
Apparently his name is D. Oliver Miller-Nichols, which sounds more like a law firm to me, so lets just call him baby-dee, mkay?
Well, The Big D arrived on Jan 2nd, and weighed in at a very health 8.5 lbs. while touching the tape at 21 inches.
Jan 2nd? Well, yes, as you know that happens to be the eighth day of Christmas, which would entitle you to eight "maids a-milking" from your true love, and that comes particularly handy when you're being breastfed.
Also OTDIH? Well [deep breath] UK captures Calcutta, Georgia ratifies the Constitution, Poland is partitioned (not for the last time), the planet Vulcan is "discovered", Brigham Young is arrested for bigamy, the Russsian fleet surrenders to Japan in Port Arthur, the Liberty Ship program is announced, King Zog of Albania abdicates (no really), JFK announces his candidacy for president, the Jets sign Joe Namath, the national speed limit is lowered to 55mph to conserve gas, the Yorkshire Ripper is arrested, Stardust flies past Comet Wild 2, the Sago Mine Disaster happens and the Redwings retire Steve Yzerman's jersey [phew].
Birthdays? Isaac Assimov, Jim Bakker, Dennis Hastert, Hugh Shelton, Jack Hanna, David Cone, Tia Carrere, Cuba Gooding Jr., Christy Turlington, Tommy Morrison, Reuben Thorne and Kate Bosworth. Just to name a few.
Welcome, D-Man.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Hey, Tubby...yes, that's right, I'm talking to you.
Even though it's only just started to feel like Winter, Spring training will begin officially next week, when we start heading over to Ballys of a Tuesday night. The good folks over there have been briefed on the physical requirements of the modern-day rugby player and have been tasked with steering you in that direction. For some of you the journey is longer than others, but it's still good to travel even if you never arrive. You'll all benefit from working up a sweat and dropping a few pounds.
Ballys has been good enough to comp us the room in exchange for a little publicity, so all you have to pay for is the trainer, which will run you $7.50/week. We'll be running this gig most likely for the 8 weeks leading up to our first games, somewhere around the end of March. Sessions will last 1 hour, and will commence at 8pm sharp, so those of you who feel the need to have a "stretch and a natter" before hand should plan accordingly.
More news of the rest of the training plan, the Spring match schedule, and why it's so hard for you to pay your dues to follow shortly.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Regarding your hard earned scratch
If we're ever going to get us a David Beckham of our own, we're going to need to scare up a little cash. Sadly, due to the inexplicable evaporating nature of money, club coffers are at a their usual low levels, and it's time for you to top them up again by paying your dues.
As usual you may pay your dues online, and I shall steer you in the direction of this well worn post so that you may do so. Despite the war, the rising price of oil, weak consumer confidence and my need to find a way to pay for an iPhone, the club is able to hold dues steady again at $100 for a season's worth of fun. Heck, I can't even remember the last time dues went up.
How do we do it, you ask? Well...through a combination of conservative fiscal policy, prudent financial management and by changing the Treasurer every year so that none of them get uppity and start demanding more money.
Just a reminder that returning players are expected to cough up the full Benjamin, but should you find yourself new to the club, without a job, in college or all three, some accomodations can be made. If you fit in to any of those categories and have some playing experience, then just $50 of your birthday money will set you straight. Should you be entirely new to the sport as well as the club, then good for you, and have this first season on us.
In addition to paying your debt to the club, you also have to register yourself again as asex rugby offender with USA Rugby. You can do that right online through this nifty link.
Once you've got both of those things taken care of, you may then consider yourself a fine upstanding member of the club, and can resume your whining with a clear conscience.
As usual you may pay your dues online, and I shall steer you in the direction of this well worn post so that you may do so. Despite the war, the rising price of oil, weak consumer confidence and my need to find a way to pay for an iPhone, the club is able to hold dues steady again at $100 for a season's worth of fun. Heck, I can't even remember the last time dues went up.
How do we do it, you ask? Well...through a combination of conservative fiscal policy, prudent financial management and by changing the Treasurer every year so that none of them get uppity and start demanding more money.
Just a reminder that returning players are expected to cough up the full Benjamin, but should you find yourself new to the club, without a job, in college or all three, some accomodations can be made. If you fit in to any of those categories and have some playing experience, then just $50 of your birthday money will set you straight. Should you be entirely new to the sport as well as the club, then good for you, and have this first season on us.
In addition to paying your debt to the club, you also have to register yourself again as a
Once you've got both of those things taken care of, you may then consider yourself a fine upstanding member of the club, and can resume your whining with a clear conscience.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Comments take a vacation
As a vocal proponent of the open-Comment feature on the site, it pains me to say that the responsibility of rejecting your anonymous hate mail has pushed me over the edge, so it's time for a rethink.It was an interesting exercise in democracy, and I'd love to find a way to retain the best of your humor, but I can do without the rest, and cleary it just pisses you off that I won't publish it.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Political Machinations
Just like on Capitol Hill, democracy was at least seen to be done last week at the club's Annual General Meeting.
Fortuantely however, since most of the back-room deals had been worked out before hand, little actual democracy took place to slow down the proceedings. Indeed, the most protracted vote turned out to be for that of selector(s), so I'd like to as the king-makers to extend their reach a little further next year and make sure to get that one sorted too, so we can all get down to the boozer that much sooner.
All cynicism aside, I have nothing to complain about. My year of undeteced crime gets me another shot at Captain, alongside Ed Lutjens as the other officer entering his Sophomore year. Matt Winch returns for his umpteenth encore on the Executive Committe, and Dan Joyce represents the sole breath of fresh air, stepping in to Jerry McQueeny's big shoes at President. Last but not least, Jerry Alves hangs on to his selector hat, and is joined by Evan Harding, to round out a worryingly "back-centric" selection panel.
Looking to curry some instant favor, my first appointment was Scotty Derrig as Vice Captain, who mercifully accepted. All other appointments were deferred until such time that the Exec. decides what holes need to be filled, and by whom.
Thanks, as always, go to the outgoing officers. It's always with a mix of envy and regret that you bid farewell to anyone from the administration, given that an ounce of experience usually outweighs a ton of enthusiasm. But both Jerry and Al gave more than their share to the club, and can now devote their energies back to the HCR Group and turning it into a global powerhouse of whatever it is that it does.
As a parting gift, Jerry ensured that the club's "Code of Conduct" was modified and tightened up on loutish behavior, name calling and general dissent. As with all great legislation, the specific nature of most crimes was left unsepcified, and falls to the subjective eye of the Exec., so depending on who's in office, posts such as this one may, or may not, get me classified as an "enemy combatant". In short, play nice, avoid witnesses and above all, NEVER commit anything to print - because you never know when today's joke becomes tomorrow's "negative comment specifically directed toward a player or the team [which] will not be tolerated".
But don't worry, the club's hear-no-evil and see-no-evil monkeys will keep you safe. You know, all those "negative" comments you try to post? Well the monkeys get a banana for every naughty post they block, so go ahead. Monkey no like your potty mouth! (or crappy spelling for that matter).
So, what else is news?
Well, it looks like D2 has a new Kommandant this year. Vic Thomas has stepped down to accompany Springfield down to D3, and Neil Foley of Charles River moves in uncontested. Of course, it's only a matter of time before I write something seditious about NERFU or its management, and now that Neil is working for "the man", I should probably rack up a few credits early. Neil - those two e-mails you sent so far? Top notch, mate. Keep this up and Keith McNeal had better watch out.
There, that should keep me in NERFU's good graces for a while. Nothing puffs up a man's ego like a shout-out on the "World's most popular blog about Portland (Maine) Rugby Club".
Other than that, finances looked in pretty good shape, although we pretty much had to take Al's word on it. Fred made his bazillionth request to go to Ruggerfest, and Andy Nelson was appointed tour directory for our 2009 Anniversary Tour. Too bad most of those present will be 112 years old by then.
So, lastly, some guy called Mitch e-mails the club (thanks Mitch) with this picture of the Fairgrounds. Zoom in and it sure as hell looks like a rugby game going on, but I don't remember it ever being sunny at the Fairgrounds. Is one of those tiny dots you? Let me know if you ever remember seeing a sattelite overhead while you were playing, or just got that uneasy feeling that you were being watched (by someone other than the usual handful of spectators).
Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year.
Fortuantely however, since most of the back-room deals had been worked out before hand, little actual democracy took place to slow down the proceedings. Indeed, the most protracted vote turned out to be for that of selector(s), so I'd like to as the king-makers to extend their reach a little further next year and make sure to get that one sorted too, so we can all get down to the boozer that much sooner.
All cynicism aside, I have nothing to complain about. My year of undeteced crime gets me another shot at Captain, alongside Ed Lutjens as the other officer entering his Sophomore year. Matt Winch returns for his umpteenth encore on the Executive Committe, and Dan Joyce represents the sole breath of fresh air, stepping in to Jerry McQueeny's big shoes at President. Last but not least, Jerry Alves hangs on to his selector hat, and is joined by Evan Harding, to round out a worryingly "back-centric" selection panel.
Looking to curry some instant favor, my first appointment was Scotty Derrig as Vice Captain, who mercifully accepted. All other appointments were deferred until such time that the Exec. decides what holes need to be filled, and by whom.
Thanks, as always, go to the outgoing officers. It's always with a mix of envy and regret that you bid farewell to anyone from the administration, given that an ounce of experience usually outweighs a ton of enthusiasm. But both Jerry and Al gave more than their share to the club, and can now devote their energies back to the HCR Group and turning it into a global powerhouse of whatever it is that it does.
As a parting gift, Jerry ensured that the club's "Code of Conduct" was modified and tightened up on loutish behavior, name calling and general dissent. As with all great legislation, the specific nature of most crimes was left unsepcified, and falls to the subjective eye of the Exec., so depending on who's in office, posts such as this one may, or may not, get me classified as an "enemy combatant". In short, play nice, avoid witnesses and above all, NEVER commit anything to print - because you never know when today's joke becomes tomorrow's "negative comment specifically directed toward a player or the team [which] will not be tolerated".
But don't worry, the club's hear-no-evil and see-no-evil monkeys will keep you safe. You know, all those "negative" comments you try to post? Well the monkeys get a banana for every naughty post they block, so go ahead. Monkey no like your potty mouth! (or crappy spelling for that matter).
So, what else is news?
Well, it looks like D2 has a new Kommandant this year. Vic Thomas has stepped down to accompany Springfield down to D3, and Neil Foley of Charles River moves in uncontested. Of course, it's only a matter of time before I write something seditious about NERFU or its management, and now that Neil is working for "the man", I should probably rack up a few credits early. Neil - those two e-mails you sent so far? Top notch, mate. Keep this up and Keith McNeal had better watch out.
There, that should keep me in NERFU's good graces for a while. Nothing puffs up a man's ego like a shout-out on the "World's most popular blog about Portland (Maine) Rugby Club".
Other than that, finances looked in pretty good shape, although we pretty much had to take Al's word on it. Fred made his bazillionth request to go to Ruggerfest, and Andy Nelson was appointed tour directory for our 2009 Anniversary Tour. Too bad most of those present will be 112 years old by then.
So, lastly, some guy called Mitch e-mails the club (thanks Mitch) with this picture of the Fairgrounds. Zoom in and it sure as hell looks like a rugby game going on, but I don't remember it ever being sunny at the Fairgrounds. Is one of those tiny dots you? Let me know if you ever remember seeing a sattelite overhead while you were playing, or just got that uneasy feeling that you were being watched (by someone other than the usual handful of spectators).
Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
New Years Beach Contact Sport
Every now and again we are reminded just how thin this veneer of humanity is that we believe separates us from "lesser" animals. It's much documented that in times of extreme stress or terror, we humans are known to stampede with precious little concern for our fellow citizens; intent only on saving our own skins.
Well, if this sounds like a good time to you, then you're going to love the Lobster Dip; where you'll find yourself more than willing to pin an old lady or small child under water while you yourself are trying to get in and out in the water in the fastest time possible. Swept along by mass hysteria, all thoughts of chivalry go out the window as you elbow and shove your way through a seething mass of bodies. It's drown or be drowned, and your survival instincts really kick in. But don't worry, because it's all for charity, so that makes it all OK.
That's right. It's time for you to give back, after a year of taking, by drumming up a few sponsors and throwing yourself into the freezing Atlantic on New Years Day. Otherwise known as the Lobster Dip, this event has become a long standing tradition for the club, with all proceeds going to benefit the Maine Special Olympics.
This years event will again be held in front of the Brunswick-Oceanside Grill in Old Orchard, with the dip taking place at high noon. Parking is a byotch, so get there plenty early, and brink plenty of warm clothes to change into. Afterwards, friends and family can congregate in the Brunswick, which puts on a little buffet for the dippers, and opens up its bar so you can get right back on the sauce again.
Volunteers to help organize dippers are also needed, so those of you with a weaker constitution can still do your part, and still raise some money.
If you're looking for more specifics on the event you can probably get forms etc. from Jerry McQueeney at the AGM tomorrow, or feel free to drop him a line.
Well, if this sounds like a good time to you, then you're going to love the Lobster Dip; where you'll find yourself more than willing to pin an old lady or small child under water while you yourself are trying to get in and out in the water in the fastest time possible. Swept along by mass hysteria, all thoughts of chivalry go out the window as you elbow and shove your way through a seething mass of bodies. It's drown or be drowned, and your survival instincts really kick in. But don't worry, because it's all for charity, so that makes it all OK.
That's right. It's time for you to give back, after a year of taking, by drumming up a few sponsors and throwing yourself into the freezing Atlantic on New Years Day. Otherwise known as the Lobster Dip, this event has become a long standing tradition for the club, with all proceeds going to benefit the Maine Special Olympics.
This years event will again be held in front of the Brunswick-Oceanside Grill in Old Orchard, with the dip taking place at high noon. Parking is a byotch, so get there plenty early, and brink plenty of warm clothes to change into. Afterwards, friends and family can congregate in the Brunswick, which puts on a little buffet for the dippers, and opens up its bar so you can get right back on the sauce again.
Volunteers to help organize dippers are also needed, so those of you with a weaker constitution can still do your part, and still raise some money.
If you're looking for more specifics on the event you can probably get forms etc. from Jerry McQueeney at the AGM tomorrow, or feel free to drop him a line.
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