Day 273: Footy Finals

I headed out to Andy's place this arvo to watch the AFL Grand Final. It's not something I would have done previously but after Andy & Pete took me to watch the Hawks play at the MCG, I've had lot more interest in this historically Victorian game.

Now looking at todays photo you might think that the Hawks had won. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, they were beaten by the Swans in a pretty exciting game that saw the lead change a number of times. The Hawks also lost when the guys took me to watch them at the MCG... I'm wondering whether Pete & Andy will invite me to watch another game with them after this, it could be construed that I'm bad luck based on the two losses from the two games that I've watched with them. We'll see what happens next season.

My photo today was taken after the game, and a few drinks, in Andy's kitchen where we were preparing dinner. Andy had cranked up the volume on one of his playlists which lead to dinner preparation being interrupted with bouts of dancing around the kitchen that could only be described as exuberant, energetic and maybe a little inebriated. I have to give it to these guys, even after watching their team lose the grand final they partied like they'd won. We all had a great time despite the wrong team got up.

Day 216: Happy Birthday To Me

Andy, Pete and I left my place just after 7 this morning for our ride to Melbourne to watch the footy, celebrate my birthday and go on a little debt collecting mission.

The ride down was cold enough for us all to put on an extra pair of socks at our first stop in Bombala. After that it was a little more comfortable and Andy took us on some great roads, until Pete broke his throttle cable somewhere between Maffra and Heyfield. He was able to limp it in to Heyfield using the fast idle (normally used like a choke when the bike is cold) where we left it in the care of the local hardware store/Suzuki dealer.

Eventually we made it to Pete's sister's place in Fitzroy where we were welcomed with some pre footy beers. Andy slapped a Hawks hat on my head and we were pretty much ready to catch the tram in to the MCG. What an experience and what a game, for my first time at the MCG and my first game of AFL I don't think we could have had a more exciting game. The Hawks let the Cats get off to a strong lead in the first quarter and then fought their way back to be in front by a few points in the fourth, unfortunately the Cats had one last kick at goal on the full time siren and didn't miss giving them the win by 2 points.

Despite the loss we were still in good spirits (the beers may have helped with that) so we Trammed it back in to Fitzroy for Pizza and a glass of wine before retiring back to Pete's sister's place for the night.

I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my birthday.

Day 206: Birthday Plans

I'll be heading to Melbourne on my Birthday with Pete & Andy for my first ever game of Aussie Rules, it'll also be my very first trip to the MCG. Pete emailed me the tickets today so I could print them up for us because almost unlimited printing is one of the perks of working where I do.

Pete and Andy are quite into the Hawks, I first got a taste of this one time on our way back from Philip Island when they took me to the 'Hawks Nest' where I witnessed two grown men getting very excited by a large room full to the ceiling of Brown & Yellow paraphernalia. Obviously we'll be backing the Hawks to win.

I'm really looking forward to the trip, as long as the weather's not horrible we're planning on riding down so I'll get to test out the new bike as a tourer for the first time as well. So I'll be having a birthday of firsts this year:
- First ever game of AFL
- First time ever at the MCG
- First long ride on the ZX14R ever
- First time I've ever turned 37

Should be the best trip ever!