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.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
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.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
No more Lame Duck Soup, It's the AGM
Are you chomping at the bit already to get on with next year's season? Is a clipboard at the top of your Christmas list?
Well, fret no more, chompy, the time has come for all aspiring officers to step forth and declare their candidacy, and for the rest of us to sit back and evaluate their credentials in a thoughtful and responsible manner.
Yes, it's the Annual General Meeting, where, with the appropriate amount of back-room dealing, you too can find yourself somewhere at the helm of the most powerful rugby organization in all of...well, Portland. Heady stuff, I know.
Of course, if you're questioning why someone might like it "in the back-room", then perhaps you're not cut out for the pride-swallowing seige that constitutes tending to the PRFC flock. Aspiring Senatorial Pages need only apply.
So, to exercise your prerogative, get yourself along to the City Deli food court (in One City Center) at 6 o'clock next Wednesday, the 13th. Don't worry, there will be no food on hand to distract you from your democratic duties, but if you all play nice, we could find ourselves in Gritty's before midnight for some libation. W00t!
Well, fret no more, chompy, the time has come for all aspiring officers to step forth and declare their candidacy, and for the rest of us to sit back and evaluate their credentials in a thoughtful and responsible manner.
Yes, it's the Annual General Meeting, where, with the appropriate amount of back-room dealing, you too can find yourself somewhere at the helm of the most powerful rugby organization in all of...well, Portland. Heady stuff, I know.
Of course, if you're questioning why someone might like it "in the back-room", then perhaps you're not cut out for the pride-swallowing seige that constitutes tending to the PRFC flock. Aspiring Senatorial Pages need only apply.
So, to exercise your prerogative, get yourself along to the City Deli food court (in One City Center) at 6 o'clock next Wednesday, the 13th. Don't worry, there will be no food on hand to distract you from your democratic duties, but if you all play nice, we could find ourselves in Gritty's before midnight for some libation. W00t!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Banquet 1, Dignity 0
Seems like everyone I've spoken to or heard about since the banquet has their own personal story of shame that they've been wallowing in, myself included, so hence the low profile since it all went off. It is beholden on me however to try and make some sense of it all, and to let you know that however off-your-face you got, and however ashamed you are feeling, there's always someone else feeling worse than you. So, shake it off soldier, and get back in the fight.
As far as banquets go, this was a top notch affair, with J-Wil pulling out all the stops to make us feel welcome, and not getting too mad when people started to get messy. Everyone turned out in all of their finery, and most people behaved in a civilized fashion for the majority of the night. As I alluded to earlier, it got a bit sloppy towards the end, but I won't name any names for fear of creating a firestorm of accusations.
Speeches were given, and I won't bore you with the details, but more thanks were given than a night at the Oscars, and if you missed your particular "ups" then you'll have ask someone who was paying attention. Then came the big awards for the night:
Most Improved Player: who else but Ryan Facey, who stuck with us and earned himself a starting spot in one of the most competitive positions on the club in just his second year. Ryan was later to be seen yelling his gratitude out of the window of the courtesy bus on the way to the Old Port. Well...at least it looked like he was yelling.
Most Valuable Player: Scotty Derrig scooped up this coveted prize, having played all over the backline this season without complaint, and making a positive impact from wherever it was. Scotty also seems to have developed a bit of a Teflon coating, as I'm having a hard time thinking up any dirt on him, other than his suspiciously well rehearsed acceptance speech.
Honorable Mention: Apparantly nipping at Scotty's heels in the MVP elections were a couple of old war horses who also got a mention, and who fall at the other end of the dirt spectrum. Jerry Alves (for the backs) and Jeff Keating (for the forwards) both were recognized for their consistently strong play all year, and for carrying more injuries between them than the entire DL for the American League.
Biggest Contribution: Your humble scribe was honored here, presumably not for the 11-13 record but for continuing to put blogging before work, family, personal hygiene or anything else. Of course, to celebrate I promptly took a week off to recapture my muse. If you find it, please let me know.
There then followed the Jimmy & Andy show, who unleashed a multimedia extravaganza on us, as they singled out members of the club for a little recognition/humiliation. The awards were too funny and too numerous for me to keep track of them all, so again, I won't list them all for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Jacko also threw in a couple of his own awards at the end, and then the evening dissolved into more drinking and general misbehavior.
For most of us Sunday was a write off, and sadly the most vivid memories of the night are those of our own transgressions. Oh alcohol, curse you and your inhibition-lowering goodness.
For those of you who clearly have a taste for this particular brand of train-wreck, can do it all over again at the Women's club banquet, held on December 18th, to which you are all cordially invited. Get youself off to Binga's tomorrow night (the 29th) should you wish to secure a ticket early, as there will be some kind of ticket-sale-drink-up going on. Alternatively, I'm sure you can pay at the door (of the Portland Eagles Club, where it's being held).
P.S. If any of you have any decent pictures from the banquet, e-mail me, since I couldn't manage a decent photo all night....unless of course you count those upskirt ones.
As far as banquets go, this was a top notch affair, with J-Wil pulling out all the stops to make us feel welcome, and not getting too mad when people started to get messy. Everyone turned out in all of their finery, and most people behaved in a civilized fashion for the majority of the night. As I alluded to earlier, it got a bit sloppy towards the end, but I won't name any names for fear of creating a firestorm of accusations.
Speeches were given, and I won't bore you with the details, but more thanks were given than a night at the Oscars, and if you missed your particular "ups" then you'll have ask someone who was paying attention. Then came the big awards for the night:
Most Improved Player: who else but Ryan Facey, who stuck with us and earned himself a starting spot in one of the most competitive positions on the club in just his second year. Ryan was later to be seen yelling his gratitude out of the window of the courtesy bus on the way to the Old Port. Well...at least it looked like he was yelling.
Most Valuable Player: Scotty Derrig scooped up this coveted prize, having played all over the backline this season without complaint, and making a positive impact from wherever it was. Scotty also seems to have developed a bit of a Teflon coating, as I'm having a hard time thinking up any dirt on him, other than his suspiciously well rehearsed acceptance speech.
Honorable Mention: Apparantly nipping at Scotty's heels in the MVP elections were a couple of old war horses who also got a mention, and who fall at the other end of the dirt spectrum. Jerry Alves (for the backs) and Jeff Keating (for the forwards) both were recognized for their consistently strong play all year, and for carrying more injuries between them than the entire DL for the American League.
Biggest Contribution: Your humble scribe was honored here, presumably not for the 11-13 record but for continuing to put blogging before work, family, personal hygiene or anything else. Of course, to celebrate I promptly took a week off to recapture my muse. If you find it, please let me know.
There then followed the Jimmy & Andy show, who unleashed a multimedia extravaganza on us, as they singled out members of the club for a little recognition/humiliation. The awards were too funny and too numerous for me to keep track of them all, so again, I won't list them all for fear of hurting someone's feelings. Jacko also threw in a couple of his own awards at the end, and then the evening dissolved into more drinking and general misbehavior.
For most of us Sunday was a write off, and sadly the most vivid memories of the night are those of our own transgressions. Oh alcohol, curse you and your inhibition-lowering goodness.
For those of you who clearly have a taste for this particular brand of train-wreck, can do it all over again at the Women's club banquet, held on December 18th, to which you are all cordially invited. Get youself off to Binga's tomorrow night (the 29th) should you wish to secure a ticket early, as there will be some kind of ticket-sale-drink-up going on. Alternatively, I'm sure you can pay at the door (of the Portland Eagles Club, where it's being held).
P.S. If any of you have any decent pictures from the banquet, e-mail me, since I couldn't manage a decent photo all night....unless of course you count those upskirt ones.
Friday, November 17, 2006
It's the M-F'ing Banquet!
Woooweeee! It's the banquet tomorrow, and I'm so freakin' excited. I hope I don't puke.
If you're still on the fence, fuggedaboutit. Clip on your tie, scrounge up twenty-five bucks for you and your ho, and get yourself down to the Sheraton for a rip-roaring good time.
The mayhem begins at 5 and then goes well past your bedtime. I gots a room, so you can crash with me - hell, it'll be just like Syracuse ('cos you won't pay me - w00t!).
Did I mention I love the banquet?
If you're still on the fence, fuggedaboutit. Clip on your tie, scrounge up twenty-five bucks for you and your ho, and get yourself down to the Sheraton for a rip-roaring good time.
The mayhem begins at 5 and then goes well past your bedtime. I gots a room, so you can crash with me - hell, it'll be just like Syracuse ('cos you won't pay me - w00t!).
Did I mention I love the banquet?
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Retail Expansion
So, remember that "cool new feature" I mentioned in the last post? Well now's your chance to see what passes as "cool" to a geek like me.
Having spent most of the season bleeding money while trying to get you lot suitably attired, I figured it was time to take a load off (Sally) and let someone else share in the pleasure of doing business with you. That's why I'mrelieved pleased to unveil the new online Portland Rugby Shop. It's your own little shopping mall where you can buy all kinds of shiny things that have something to do with the club or with the sport of rugby in general.
True, we're not the first club to ever come up with such a thing, but I like to think that like most other things we touch, we've done it bigger and better than anyone else. Just click on the button below and see for yourself.
Technically speaking it is still a Beta test, since I didn't really discuss what people might like to buy with anyone other than the voices in my head. As a result I just came up with some designs and slapped them on products in a mostly arbitrary way. So, if there's some combination of design and product that you don't see, just let me know and I can probably accommodate it.
I should also point out that as you exercise your credit card for a little retail-therapy, you are also giving back to the club. The slimmest of margins has been built in to each product, so that over several thousand years we may accumulate enough to buy that dream field we've always had our eyes on, but will most likely be used to post your bail instead. So tell your friends, tell your families...hell, even tell other clubs. Every little helps. While there's plenty of stuff on there to satisfy your burning, obsessive love for the Portland Rugby Club, there's also some less "Portlandy" stuff on there that might have a broader appeal. However, each and every design carries a subtle reminder of its origin, which hopefully drives even more traffic back to the site, and round it all goes again.
Other than that, come on in, take a look around, and remember if you break it, you buy it.
Having spent most of the season bleeding money while trying to get you lot suitably attired, I figured it was time to take a load off (Sally) and let someone else share in the pleasure of doing business with you. That's why I'm
True, we're not the first club to ever come up with such a thing, but I like to think that like most other things we touch, we've done it bigger and better than anyone else. Just click on the button below and see for yourself.
Technically speaking it is still a Beta test, since I didn't really discuss what people might like to buy with anyone other than the voices in my head. As a result I just came up with some designs and slapped them on products in a mostly arbitrary way. So, if there's some combination of design and product that you don't see, just let me know and I can probably accommodate it.
I should also point out that as you exercise your credit card for a little retail-therapy, you are also giving back to the club. The slimmest of margins has been built in to each product, so that over several thousand years we may accumulate enough to buy that dream field we've always had our eyes on, but will most likely be used to post your bail instead. So tell your friends, tell your families...hell, even tell other clubs. Every little helps. While there's plenty of stuff on there to satisfy your burning, obsessive love for the Portland Rugby Club, there's also some less "Portlandy" stuff on there that might have a broader appeal. However, each and every design carries a subtle reminder of its origin, which hopefully drives even more traffic back to the site, and round it all goes again.
Other than that, come on in, take a look around, and remember if you break it, you buy it.
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