So the *other* thing I did in Richmond, which I didn't want to disclose in my previous post because well.. let's face it, I haven't been doing anything too terribly cool lately so I've had to make some pretend climactic event and this post is it.. But anyways. To continue, the other thing I did in Richmond was go to a rugby game!

Ah, rugby. That elusive cross between football, "football," and MMA wrestling. That sport in which the players tote around the "big giant egg." To be quite honest, I really enjoyed it and I think after I've gone to a few other games, I might be ready to call myself a *fan.* ..gasp. Anyways, rugby is completely different than "American football" and is way more physically demanding as well.
I'll outline some of the things I learned from Bill about rugby;

- No forward passing of the ball. Period. Every pass has to be backwards, and then once you have the ball in your possession you can run forward. Even when you're laying at the bottom of a pile of men, you have to pass weasel the ball out of your fetal position backwards to your teammates.

- Goal? What is "goal'? It's called a TRY. You still score points though, which is all that anyone really cares about at any rate.

- The play is continuous.. ie; once someone gets tackled, you just keep going. It goes until either a team scores a try or a foul is called. This is why it's way more demanding than American football.. You don't get to do a little quick "hut" and then stop after the person is tackled. It just keeps going, and going, and going.. But it's wonderful. They do have halftime.. it's broken into two 40-minute halves.

- What is this "field" you're referring to? It's called a PITCH.

- Scrumming! This usually happens after the ball bounces or is knocked forward (because nobody would knowingly pass forward.. duh) but basically about 5 players from each team get themselves in a nice close embrace/huddle and then, similar to reindeer or elk butting horns, they ram into eachother. The ball gets put down in the middle and the players kind of kick/shuffle it backwards towards another player who grabs it once they get it to the back of their huddle. Sounds complicated, but it isn't. Or maybe it actually is and I'm just not explaining it right..

- Did I mention that no padding is worn whatsoever?

- No padding.. These are like. Beefy. Meaty dudes. Tackling each other forcefully.. that's where the MMA comes into play. Sometimes they wear little head things to protect their ears. Compare that with the pillows that football players wear.. Pfffft.

I also know more things about rugby, so if you're interested at all I'm basically an expert after going to one game soooo... yeah.. NBD.

Anyways, hopefully some of my pictures will explain things better? Maybe?

And tha-tha-that's all folks! (Yeah, I just typed that. My comedy tour starts next week.) For all the ladies out there, there's also some preeetty attractive guys who play rugby. If you're into that sort of thing.

Anyways, stay tuned for more cool things I do.. Maybe I'll do some impromptu scrumming with strangers and make someone document it. (No I won't, but one can always hope.)

x

Richmond is a beautiful part of London, located along the Thames and home to many of the wealthier and elite set of Brits.. For example, Brangelina and their orphanage are living in the area at the moment. But it's expensive out there with a reason.. it's a very serene and relaxing place located within London, especially walking along the Thames river.

I've been out there twice so far, once to visit the beautiful Ham House with a class and the other was this weekend, but I'm not going to spoil that surprise (which isn't really a surprise, but kind of) (it's not even worth getting all hyped up in your mind about.. forget I said anything..) but both times it's really been quite a lovely area to be in, even when the weather is dreary and grey.

You also may be wondering how I acquired these photos; my darling roommate Mussels has generously let me use her "crap camera" to take photos with when I want to. :) So YAY MUSSELS, thanks for developing a sliver of a soul in your barren heart. (Wink)

But all in all, here are some outtakes from the Ham House trip and along the river Thames in Richmond! Hard to believe this is still well within the confines of London.. completely different from the hustle and bustle of Central London, that's FO SHO.

That about wraps that up.. If you're ever in London and want a quick fix of country, the river, maybe some sporadic horses and cattle or a wild Brangelina sighting, go to Richmond!

Until my next post..

x