The Next Best Thing...

I have to admit that I am finding it hard to blog these days. Keep thinking "a post is due..." but then I open my computer, read my emails with links about politics, serial bombings, the economy, energy scarcity, bailouts and such and I am quickly overwhelmed and drained. If I were smart I would just not read these things, but somehow I feel like it is important to understand what is going on in the world at the moment. These are interesting times, as the supposed Chinese curse would describe, and I have a sense that if I am aware of what is happening then I can stay afloat in this crazy world.

But luckily there are distractions.

Living in Bangalore we are of course introduced to other cultures. You would think in a country like this it would be "All India, All the Time!", and you are partly right BUT we were invited to a special get-together over the weekend that was "All Aussie!" It was the AFL Grand Final.

AFL: Australian Football League
Grand Final: Just that, like the Superbowl in the US.

Some of the kids watching Footy

What a party. Australian Football, or "footy" as they call it, is very, very different from American Football. The ball looks similar but that is about the only similarity there is. These guys chase, kick, "handball" (a move that looks like an underhand volleyball serve), and bounce the football as they move down the field in an effort to score points. They do this all with no protective clothing (other than mouth guards) and do so with typical Aussie grit and balls. It is a fast moving game and luckily is far easier to understand than cricket, which despite my best intentions remains a complete mystery to me.

There was of course good food,

Australian brekkie

good drink, and good friends...

Brad, Rob and Steve

I am also a fan of American football and while this in no way took the place of the Autumn games that I am missing from back home, it was good fun. I am a fan.

The Winners!