So things could be better. On Monday while doing calf raises I messed up my right hamstring. Nothing that serious, it seemed. I still felt it yesterday during and after training so I got it looked at by the team physio. She said that I have a partial tear to the ligament, so that blows. Since the pain isn't great and it's not constantly problematic, it doesn't seem that serious. But if I chose to overwork it, it could turn into tendonitis pretty quick with my other muscles making up for the damaged tendon.
So basically I can't work out my legs, I'll miss training on Thursday, and give it a go on Sunday. I'll be icing it down constantly in between. It's a little swollen still, but that will go down.
We play Hutt Old Boys University this week. Hopefully we'll have better numbers than last week, but we will see. I'm going out to buy new cleats today. The ground sure isn't like back at home! It is wet as. I keep slipping all over the place out there on the pitch. So I'm going to buy some cleats with some big studs to I can keep my footing. It's a must over here. Well I'm going to hit the gym, unfortunately upper body, and make a couple calls. Cheers
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Wellington
So the weather is indeed nasty today so I came into Wellington to walk around. I went to the DOC office to get some info on some tramp around NZ. Also checked out some rugby boots with studs on them. I realize that I need two pair of cleats. Some without studs to train in and play on dry days, and studs for the rain. It's not like back at home where you can get away with wearing boots without studs. It's so wet over here that every player, backs and forwards, must have studded boots. So, that's the case. I'll be buying some soon enough.
I also stopped by the City Gallery to check out their art inside. I wasn't into much of it, being as this gallery at the time was showing alot of modern art, but they did have this really cool showing. You walk in this large room and the lights are turned off. They have mats on the ground with pillows to lay down on and look at the ceiling. On the ceiling are 5 large....orbs with are essentially viewing screens. Imaging fly across them while you get entrenched in the music which is playing at a not so subtle volume. So, that was best thing in there. It was pretty cool.
Now I stopped off at this internet cafe in Wellington so I wouldn't have to go back through Petone to Lower Hutt to get to that internet cafe. I'm about to head back and hopefully get some training in this evening. Not sure if I'll go for a run and just try to hit the gym.
I also need to look for a lock once I get back to Petone. I need to get a lock on my door in my flat. My lock has never worked and it's just not safe b/c of all the people that live in the flat as well as all the friends they bring over.
So I hope/know that the weather is nicer over there in La La. Weather is definitely on the move over here, and they are predicting and very good snow season due to the moderate amount of snow already covering the mountains. Woo Hoo! I can't wait to hit the slopes and go boarding. Anyway, I better get going so I can make my train back to Petone. Cheers
I also stopped by the City Gallery to check out their art inside. I wasn't into much of it, being as this gallery at the time was showing alot of modern art, but they did have this really cool showing. You walk in this large room and the lights are turned off. They have mats on the ground with pillows to lay down on and look at the ceiling. On the ceiling are 5 large....orbs with are essentially viewing screens. Imaging fly across them while you get entrenched in the music which is playing at a not so subtle volume. So, that was best thing in there. It was pretty cool.
Now I stopped off at this internet cafe in Wellington so I wouldn't have to go back through Petone to Lower Hutt to get to that internet cafe. I'm about to head back and hopefully get some training in this evening. Not sure if I'll go for a run and just try to hit the gym.
I also need to look for a lock once I get back to Petone. I need to get a lock on my door in my flat. My lock has never worked and it's just not safe b/c of all the people that live in the flat as well as all the friends they bring over.
So I hope/know that the weather is nicer over there in La La. Weather is definitely on the move over here, and they are predicting and very good snow season due to the moderate amount of snow already covering the mountains. Woo Hoo! I can't wait to hit the slopes and go boarding. Anyway, I better get going so I can make my train back to Petone. Cheers
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Another week, another loss
Well, this week in rugby was pretty crap.
We had low numbers out to training, and low numbers to the match on Saturday as well. Had to call a few guys from other teams in the club to help fill in some spots in the forwards. I know a few people are hurt, but that is probably only about 5 or 6.
On the plus side I got to play the whole match. I coaches are telling me that I am definitely improving week in and week out. I am more comfortable at fullback than I was 4 weeks ago. I scored again this week as well which was a very nice try. Their first five was kicking the ball alot in the first half, and while I was pushed back pretty far expecting the long ball, he was putting them up and over the top pretty short. I must admit he wasn't making it easy for me and the wingers. They happened to be those balls that you couldn't quite get to and had to wait for the bounce, which could be very costly, as we saw in the match yesterday. Anyway, he put one and over around the half way on our side of the pitch. I was determined to get to it quick, and I got a favorable bounce right into my arms while I was running in full stride. I blew past the defenders who were chasing, hit a gap and when I came to two more defenders in my line I did a little grubber kick down to the try zone. I beat the defenders and touched it down for a try. It happened so quick it was insane.
The funny part was that I thought I kicked it too far and that the ball went out the back of the try zone. I heard everyone from behind saying to drop on the ball so I just did, even though I thought it was out. Got up to see it was indeed in and it was a try.
That was our first try of the match. Unfortunately we only had one more. And they had many. I think it ended up being 40-12. Terrible loss. We have two more games left in the first round. If we don't win both matches, we drop down a grade to the senior 3, and then have to fight our selves back to the senior 2nds division. Blows.
I didn't get to do anything after the match b/c I had to work. I didn't have to, but they were short, and I don't mind the money. It was crazy busy too b/c the Hurricanes(Wellington team) were playing the Crusaders in a Super 14 semi final. It was definitely the busiest night I've worked there yet. It wasn't bad.
We have a new flat mate in the flat. He flew in from Northern Ireland and he's playing Hooker for Petone. I hear he's real good. Does strong man competitions and has played in the Hienekan Cup or something like that. I was pretty surprised to see him playing with the Senior 1 team yesterday when he flew in the same day. So, he must be good. It'll be good to have another rugby guy up there too. Funny. An Irish rugby player moving into a flat above an Irish pub.
We have a big southerly come through this weekend and will linger around the next few days, so that means cold, wet weather. So I don't think I'm going to go out walking or tramping tomorrow. I might just make my way into Wellington and walk around there again. Well, out of time
Cheers
We had low numbers out to training, and low numbers to the match on Saturday as well. Had to call a few guys from other teams in the club to help fill in some spots in the forwards. I know a few people are hurt, but that is probably only about 5 or 6.
On the plus side I got to play the whole match. I coaches are telling me that I am definitely improving week in and week out. I am more comfortable at fullback than I was 4 weeks ago. I scored again this week as well which was a very nice try. Their first five was kicking the ball alot in the first half, and while I was pushed back pretty far expecting the long ball, he was putting them up and over the top pretty short. I must admit he wasn't making it easy for me and the wingers. They happened to be those balls that you couldn't quite get to and had to wait for the bounce, which could be very costly, as we saw in the match yesterday. Anyway, he put one and over around the half way on our side of the pitch. I was determined to get to it quick, and I got a favorable bounce right into my arms while I was running in full stride. I blew past the defenders who were chasing, hit a gap and when I came to two more defenders in my line I did a little grubber kick down to the try zone. I beat the defenders and touched it down for a try. It happened so quick it was insane.
The funny part was that I thought I kicked it too far and that the ball went out the back of the try zone. I heard everyone from behind saying to drop on the ball so I just did, even though I thought it was out. Got up to see it was indeed in and it was a try.
That was our first try of the match. Unfortunately we only had one more. And they had many. I think it ended up being 40-12. Terrible loss. We have two more games left in the first round. If we don't win both matches, we drop down a grade to the senior 3, and then have to fight our selves back to the senior 2nds division. Blows.
I didn't get to do anything after the match b/c I had to work. I didn't have to, but they were short, and I don't mind the money. It was crazy busy too b/c the Hurricanes(Wellington team) were playing the Crusaders in a Super 14 semi final. It was definitely the busiest night I've worked there yet. It wasn't bad.
We have a new flat mate in the flat. He flew in from Northern Ireland and he's playing Hooker for Petone. I hear he's real good. Does strong man competitions and has played in the Hienekan Cup or something like that. I was pretty surprised to see him playing with the Senior 1 team yesterday when he flew in the same day. So, he must be good. It'll be good to have another rugby guy up there too. Funny. An Irish rugby player moving into a flat above an Irish pub.
We have a big southerly come through this weekend and will linger around the next few days, so that means cold, wet weather. So I don't think I'm going to go out walking or tramping tomorrow. I might just make my way into Wellington and walk around there again. Well, out of time
Cheers
Monday, May 19, 2008
Another Day in Paradise
I went to Eastborne for a short walk today in the East Harbour Regional park. This specific track is called Butterfly Creek. Eastborne is a suburb on the located on the east side of Wellington Harbour. It was a nice 2 hour walk, but the pictures didn't come out so well. Walking up the west side of the hill it was good b/c I had light, but then on the east side of the hill the western sun wasn't helping out in that aspect.
So some of the pictures may be dark and I don't have the time to go through them so I'm just uploading most of them anyway. Enjoy
So some of the pictures may be dark and I don't have the time to go through them so I'm just uploading most of them anyway. Enjoy
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Sunday
Well yesterday ended with another loss against Johnsonville.
We played a good match, just like last week. We lost it in the last 15 minutes. I think fitness and discipline let us down. We led for most of the match then they scored 2 tries in the last 15. Also in the last 10 minutes we had two sin bins, so we were down 2 players for the last 10 minutes: a prop and our scrumhalf.
I played the whole match. Messed up a couple times, like dropping an easy ball kicked to me and missed a tackle b/c I went for the ball instead of the man, but shit happens. On a good note, I did score my first try. Picked up a bad pass while on defense and ran it back about 50 meters. Sweet try. The backs did very well on the counter attack. It was cool to finally be a part of that, not seeing that side of the game from fullback yet. The side where they kick and you actually have time to do something with it. It was a fun match. I probably would have had two more tries if I would have recieved a couple passes better. On one, I passed and looped around the guy with a two on one. We had him beat, but a late pass had me knocking it on. But it's all good.
So we played well but it seems right now we're a 60 minute team in an 80 minute game.
After that I went to the club house. There was a small showing of guys last night. Not a big turn out. After that went to Murphy's for the rest of the night and pissed it up. Slept late today, and now it's almost time to make my way to work. So I betta git goin. Cheers
We played a good match, just like last week. We lost it in the last 15 minutes. I think fitness and discipline let us down. We led for most of the match then they scored 2 tries in the last 15. Also in the last 10 minutes we had two sin bins, so we were down 2 players for the last 10 minutes: a prop and our scrumhalf.
I played the whole match. Messed up a couple times, like dropping an easy ball kicked to me and missed a tackle b/c I went for the ball instead of the man, but shit happens. On a good note, I did score my first try. Picked up a bad pass while on defense and ran it back about 50 meters. Sweet try. The backs did very well on the counter attack. It was cool to finally be a part of that, not seeing that side of the game from fullback yet. The side where they kick and you actually have time to do something with it. It was a fun match. I probably would have had two more tries if I would have recieved a couple passes better. On one, I passed and looped around the guy with a two on one. We had him beat, but a late pass had me knocking it on. But it's all good.
So we played well but it seems right now we're a 60 minute team in an 80 minute game.
After that I went to the club house. There was a small showing of guys last night. Not a big turn out. After that went to Murphy's for the rest of the night and pissed it up. Slept late today, and now it's almost time to make my way to work. So I betta git goin. Cheers
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mother's Day
So it's Mother's Day over here. Sunday. I work at 4 o'clock and it promises to be busy.
We lost our match yesterday, so no change there. It was definitely a turn around from last week though. We didn't lose 52-0. We were actually winning at halftime a a little after. Then, with about 15 minutes left to play, they put another 14 points on the board to finish the match 48-33. I think the team's fitness let us down. That had to be it. We had the wind in the fist half, and they had it in the second. I played most of the match at fullback, and did quite well. Everyone says I'm improving at the position and I'm doing great. Lots of compliments.
I had a really good line break at the beginning of the match but didn't capitalize on it. My game was solid. Every kick that came my way I went up and got it. No drops. I never turned the ball over, bringing it into the tackle or just catching it by myself. I fought them off until help arrived. So, it looks like fullback is the position for me, at least for right now. I like it and it's fun. Also, I'm getting used to it, so I'm begining to know where I'm supposed to be in most situations.
The team we played was called marist St. Pats. It's really not too bad of a result seeing as how they are top of the table. The number one team right now.
We had a few new guys play with us that came now from higher up in the club. Like a couple guys who regularly play for the senior 1 squad. I think they really made a difference.
So I better get running so I can get to work. I don't have any money so I'll just be chillin for my day off and not going anywhere. Prolly just go to the gym at the club or something. Cheers
We lost our match yesterday, so no change there. It was definitely a turn around from last week though. We didn't lose 52-0. We were actually winning at halftime a a little after. Then, with about 15 minutes left to play, they put another 14 points on the board to finish the match 48-33. I think the team's fitness let us down. That had to be it. We had the wind in the fist half, and they had it in the second. I played most of the match at fullback, and did quite well. Everyone says I'm improving at the position and I'm doing great. Lots of compliments.
I had a really good line break at the beginning of the match but didn't capitalize on it. My game was solid. Every kick that came my way I went up and got it. No drops. I never turned the ball over, bringing it into the tackle or just catching it by myself. I fought them off until help arrived. So, it looks like fullback is the position for me, at least for right now. I like it and it's fun. Also, I'm getting used to it, so I'm begining to know where I'm supposed to be in most situations.
The team we played was called marist St. Pats. It's really not too bad of a result seeing as how they are top of the table. The number one team right now.
We had a few new guys play with us that came now from higher up in the club. Like a couple guys who regularly play for the senior 1 squad. I think they really made a difference.
So I better get running so I can get to work. I don't have any money so I'll just be chillin for my day off and not going anywhere. Prolly just go to the gym at the club or something. Cheers
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Plans changed
So I showed up at the meeting place Sunday morning bright and early and nobody was there. So either the others left early or they called off the tramping trip. That sucked. It's possible that they didn't go b/c the weather could have been horrendous. I was looking forward to it b/c there was snow on the hills and there would have definitely been snow where we were going.
So I stayed around Petone instead and just hung out. Also I picked up the shift I gave away and worked last night anyway. Now I won't be in SUCH a pinch with next weeks pay check.
One really good thing came out of staying in Petone. I found a set of drawers at a garage sale for $10. It definitely makes my room look better and bigger as well, b/c it takes alot of room off the floor. I can put my t.v. on it and stuff. So, that is cool.
Right now I'm heading to the gym to workout, then I'm going to this place called "The Warehouse" to buy a new bag. The replacement for the one the airlines destroyed on my flight over. It's the only bag which is big enough that I can afford. I can compare the warehouse to our Wal-Mart. It's not as good, but it is comparable in terms of cheap prices and the diverse products they carry.
Hopefully I'll be able to get a run in, or maybe some sprints in their indoor facility. Playing fullback is much more demanding than first five which involves sprinting around the field more, and also 20-30 meter sprints while running your back lines. I need more work on that, and it's cold outside. I'll probably try to combine the two.
Since it's my day off I'll also go to the Internet Cafe and hang out there for a couple hours. I might try to make a gumbo tonight too.
Cheers
So I stayed around Petone instead and just hung out. Also I picked up the shift I gave away and worked last night anyway. Now I won't be in SUCH a pinch with next weeks pay check.
One really good thing came out of staying in Petone. I found a set of drawers at a garage sale for $10. It definitely makes my room look better and bigger as well, b/c it takes alot of room off the floor. I can put my t.v. on it and stuff. So, that is cool.
Right now I'm heading to the gym to workout, then I'm going to this place called "The Warehouse" to buy a new bag. The replacement for the one the airlines destroyed on my flight over. It's the only bag which is big enough that I can afford. I can compare the warehouse to our Wal-Mart. It's not as good, but it is comparable in terms of cheap prices and the diverse products they carry.
Hopefully I'll be able to get a run in, or maybe some sprints in their indoor facility. Playing fullback is much more demanding than first five which involves sprinting around the field more, and also 20-30 meter sprints while running your back lines. I need more work on that, and it's cold outside. I'll probably try to combine the two.
Since it's my day off I'll also go to the Internet Cafe and hang out there for a couple hours. I might try to make a gumbo tonight too.
Cheers
Friday, May 2, 2008
Rugby matches / Tramping
Well I forgot to write something up about last match, which was last week.
Last week we played Poneke, which is in Wellington. I started the match not at first five, but at fullback. It was a good change. Being the only real first game at fullback I obviously felt a little out of place, but not too much. We came out and scored real early, then things fell apart to a certain degree. They returned and the scored was 5 to 5 tied up. We went into half time like this.
I don't think they were all that good. If we could have gotten the ball out to the wings we would have put the game away long before the end. The problem I had was knowing where to be and when. So on a lot of plays I was playing it safe and I stayed back to a certain degree. I saw the gaps and if I would have been in the line there would have been a break. Anyway, I played about 75% of the match then went off. They scored, then with 5 minutes left we scored to tie it up 12-12. That was the end result. It was pretty good b/c we traveled and it was their 125 year jubilee. That is, their 125 anniversary of being a club. So coming out with a tie wasn't too bad, but we should have won. They didn't play well and had some pretty old guys which our wingers could have smoked, and did so once for a try.
This week was quite different. We played ParePlem, or something like that. They were a Police College, so they were defintely fit. Things were pretty jumbled from the start. Other teams ended up snatching some of our players away, and players showed up late for the meeting spot and didn't have a ride to the match. So, they didn't come. So we were pretty short in the backs. Good for me! I got to play the whole match. I felt a lot more comfortable at fullback this week. I felt me and the wings had great communication. I knew where to be much better and I think I did my job well.
As a whole, we sucked. We lost huge, 54-0. They put all of 38 points in the first half. I feel our forwards, which were down players as well from others being snatched away, need to play up to their potential. I feel like that's where our main breakdown is. On top of that, we had some mishandles and mis-passes with the backs, beginning at the first-five second-five positions. So we never really got it out to our wings.
Our tackling was poor, like the last three matches. All high, too many high.
I was awarded man of the match, which all seems pretty hollow after a beating like that. Doesn't mean much is we can't produce as a unit.
As for this weekend. I went to a local tramping meeting on wednesday and I'll be accompaning them on a day hike tomorrow. Some place where I wanted to go last week but transportation and gear issues forced me not to. I heard they were making a day of it so I was psyched. I got off of work tomorrow so I'm sweet. We're doing a two day tramp in about 9-10 hours. This is a website which tells about it: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=35963 . It's the Holdsworth Jumbo track. I can't wait.
So I won't be getting on the piss tonight with the rest of the boys and I'll be taking it easy. Nobody wants to go tramping with a hangover. That would be brutal. Anyway, look forward to some pics on my Monday. I have the day off and I'll post some up. Hopefully they'll be good. The place is notorious for bad weather, so we'll see. The peak is about 1500 meters, so it's a good elevation. Anyway, gotsta go. Cheers
Last week we played Poneke, which is in Wellington. I started the match not at first five, but at fullback. It was a good change. Being the only real first game at fullback I obviously felt a little out of place, but not too much. We came out and scored real early, then things fell apart to a certain degree. They returned and the scored was 5 to 5 tied up. We went into half time like this.
I don't think they were all that good. If we could have gotten the ball out to the wings we would have put the game away long before the end. The problem I had was knowing where to be and when. So on a lot of plays I was playing it safe and I stayed back to a certain degree. I saw the gaps and if I would have been in the line there would have been a break. Anyway, I played about 75% of the match then went off. They scored, then with 5 minutes left we scored to tie it up 12-12. That was the end result. It was pretty good b/c we traveled and it was their 125 year jubilee. That is, their 125 anniversary of being a club. So coming out with a tie wasn't too bad, but we should have won. They didn't play well and had some pretty old guys which our wingers could have smoked, and did so once for a try.
This week was quite different. We played ParePlem, or something like that. They were a Police College, so they were defintely fit. Things were pretty jumbled from the start. Other teams ended up snatching some of our players away, and players showed up late for the meeting spot and didn't have a ride to the match. So, they didn't come. So we were pretty short in the backs. Good for me! I got to play the whole match. I felt a lot more comfortable at fullback this week. I felt me and the wings had great communication. I knew where to be much better and I think I did my job well.
As a whole, we sucked. We lost huge, 54-0. They put all of 38 points in the first half. I feel our forwards, which were down players as well from others being snatched away, need to play up to their potential. I feel like that's where our main breakdown is. On top of that, we had some mishandles and mis-passes with the backs, beginning at the first-five second-five positions. So we never really got it out to our wings.
Our tackling was poor, like the last three matches. All high, too many high.
I was awarded man of the match, which all seems pretty hollow after a beating like that. Doesn't mean much is we can't produce as a unit.
As for this weekend. I went to a local tramping meeting on wednesday and I'll be accompaning them on a day hike tomorrow. Some place where I wanted to go last week but transportation and gear issues forced me not to. I heard they were making a day of it so I was psyched. I got off of work tomorrow so I'm sweet. We're doing a two day tramp in about 9-10 hours. This is a website which tells about it: http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/trackandwalk.aspx?id=35963 . It's the Holdsworth Jumbo track. I can't wait.
So I won't be getting on the piss tonight with the rest of the boys and I'll be taking it easy. Nobody wants to go tramping with a hangover. That would be brutal. Anyway, look forward to some pics on my Monday. I have the day off and I'll post some up. Hopefully they'll be good. The place is notorious for bad weather, so we'll see. The peak is about 1500 meters, so it's a good elevation. Anyway, gotsta go. Cheers
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