Steelers!!!!

This morning I was able to watch the Steelers dominate the Browns at 4:30 in the morning here in Australia. It will probably go down as one of the most memorable games for me I’ve ever watched. This is not due to the game being spectacular, but just the setting involved. Nearly four days ago I was at a pub with Toff, we were having a beer and saying hello to Toff’s wife Cara who works at the pub. While I was there I had a brief chat with the manager because he noticed my Steelers hat and commented on being a fan. I was curious if I could watch a replay of the game at the pub, and wondered about their power to get games easily. It turns out that they could only have it if it was scheduled programming on basic cable channels they receive. We looked it up when we got home and found out that the game would be broadcast live, on time which meant to me that I would not be able to watch it because the pub would be closed. Instead the manager invited us all to his house to watch the live broadcast accompanied by coffee, tea, and a delicious breakfast of homemade bread, with bacon and eggs. I really can’t begin to describe how honored I felt that he even wanted to do this as an idea, let alone to follow through with it. Cara and Toff came along and I know that I am surrounded by some of the best people you can be around. Who else would wake up at 4:00 A.M. with you to go watch a game that doesn’t really mean much to them? I am simply astounded. I also want to trash talk and say that this would never happen to a Redskins or Cowboys fan. Only a Steelers fan can begin to dream of such an experience. I offer solid proof that Steeler Nation is a global entity capable of incredible good in the world. Myron Cope says that terrible towels only care about the Steelers but I think they have more power than most realize.

My time here has been incredible so far. I feel as though time has been moving at the speed of light, and at the same time feel as though I’ve been here forever. It seems like every night is a BBQ at someone else house and I seem to walk away with a Christmas gift from someone I’ve never even met before. I started my job last week too which so far is really really cool. I like it already because I will get to do different things every day, and get to use my mind for a lot of problem solving and figuring things out. It has been cool learning about the different things that go into making wine, while getting dirty and physically exerting myself.

I decided that for new years eve I was going to drink 12 Cooper’s Sparkling Ales. This decision was made the other day after I had two Sparkling’s and decided that I really liked the beer, and was enjoying myself. I ended up getting through 11 before I started to hit a wall of exhaustion. I decided that I needed energy so I drank a red bull and went on a grog sodden run around 11 in the evening. What a strange decision, it made me feel really bizarre for about 20 minutes and then I felt a lot better. We walked to the beach after and enjoyed fireworks and beer and even went for a swim. It was a very unique way to celebrate bringing in the New Year for me and will be an experience I will always remember. I am trying to come up with a list of things that are different in Aus, and last night discovered that pool is played differently. First instead of solids and stripes, they are bigs and littles denoting the size of the white holes on the balls. It is kind of strange and it took me a bit to wrap my mind around the naming process. Then if you ever hit the other player’s ball before your own, they get two shots in a row, and same with scratching. The balls are also a lot smaller and its just a little strange at first.

Tomorrow I will post a list of terms in Aussie and American to match together. And maybe think of more creative things to say, and possibly post some pictures. It is so beautiful here and I am happy to have it as my home for the upcoming months.

I am becoming obsessed with the Steelers more and more regardless of how far away I am from Pittsburgh and it is a weird phenomenon. I also should say that it is a bummer the Pens lost to the Caps in the winter classic, but though it was a dramatic setting it was no game 7. Come to think of it the Caps always choke in the playoffs so I hope they enjoy the temporary thrill.