It's been sometime since my last post - Our Rugby team went to Edmonton, to take part in the first ever National Championships, we had a good draw actually, we Played the UBCOB Ravens - they were alright, but we dominated the play and were quite unfortunate to not come away with the win, They next game was against The Strahcona Druids from Edmonton, they are the Alberta Champs and quite a good squad - we had some behavioural issues and ended playing the game with 14 men - All our younger Loyalists got in and played great, but we were a little behind on the scoresheet and lost 23-18 (We had actually thought the score was 20-18, and I was devastated as I pushed the Conversion right on full time) - anyways we were 0-2, not the start we envisioned for our squad - we continued to do the right things - The entire team went across the highway and discovered the phenomenon known as Earl's , we watched the Oilers wrap up the West Semi Final and had an early night. Bring on the weekend - Our game on Saturday was against the U of Winnepeg Wombats - we won our first game by a score of 27-0 and were in a better mood - Nic and I spent the Afternoon at the Grey Nuns Hospital, as I had been hit in the eye and my pupil wouldn't constrict (Still won't) - I was given the all clear to play on Sunday and there was no chance of further vison issues, except an aversion to bright light, as it will produce headaches. So Sunday morning bright and early we tyook on the Balmy Beach Rugby Club - The Ontario Provincial Champs - we were there early and warmed up, raring to go - they showed up at kick off and looked less than spectacular - we beat them 57-17 (they had a very quick winger) - we proceeded to have a Great Sunday and Nicki really had a good Birthday - We (Nic and I) stayed in Edmonton with our friends the Ayottes -We went to the mall and enjoyed a great evening of food, fun and conversation - we got up early and headed for the airport - although we weren't scheduled to leave until Midnight, we thought we'd give it a shot afterall we had been missing Sophie since the previous Wednesday - The Air Canada Lady in Edmonton was super nice and got us out ASAP - unfortunately we ran into some upper Canadian attitude in Hogtown and we got to "Enjoy the City" - we got home as scheduled on Wednesday and we were met by Malcolm - who was eager to get us home so that we could see Sophie. 
All in all it was a great trip - it had been too long since I got to spend some quality time with some of my favorite people - We had an adjoining room to them for most of the trip.
So back to the Malcolmism - It's not his, but as a youngster I was all about blaming someone else for the things - and making excuses why things didn't go my way - Dad would look at me and say Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda - simply put, that if I didn't like the way things were going, do something to change them, but excuses are weak - There were alot of excuses flying around on Thursday night and Friday, but we made the most of it and accepted the responsablity and kept on going, not content to simply accept our fate, we worked to change it. While other teams made excuses (they were missing this many players, or they had been drinking since Thursday) for their choices - in the end we are all grown up and get to make choices based on what we want the outcomes to be...
Mini Rugby 1978 - 2006 Edition
Mini Rugby 1978 - 1978 Edition
On a sad note : Matty Thorpe Who is in both pictures above, ended his Rugby playing career after the Game Vs. The Druids, apparently he had been carrying a knock for awhile and his body had finally said enough. It was very fitting that he was able to end it back where it all began with those of us that are still at it after all these years.
Matty it's been my pleasure, Godspeed...
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