Beating the All Blacks (but not in an LAPD way)

So the past ten days or so have been the best and most intense I have had since getting here. I will fill in as I go, but rather than try and stick it all in one big-ass post, I am going to try and go chronallogically (sp?) beginning with two weekends ago. So here it goes....

I had a really nice Friday night Shabbat dinner at the home of a family of a congregant. This particular congregant is the young member of the board and very active and so I was looking forward to the meal. It was a lot of fun, I was one of two guests (the other being another American, Dan Levin from St. Louis, anyone know him?) with a bunch of family. One of the things that I have been discovering but for what ever reason was more noticeable to me in this setting is that due to the nature of my position/title/whatever, people are actually interested in what I have to say, even when I clearly have no idea what I am talking about (which you lot know is most of the time). It is kind of a weird feeling to have people you don't know look to you for opinions on things and actually give a damn about what you say. I'm not sure I like it...okay who am I kidding I do like it because in theory I can say rediculous things and people respond, "hmmm, that's very interesting" or "what a unique approach" when we both know I'm full of shit. Also I have on occassion been in love with the sound of my own voice (shocking I know) and this provides plenty of chances for me to expound on just about anything. I will ask that if any of you ever hear/see me getting into this state, please poke me with a sharp stick or something equivalent so that I might ween myself off of this ego-encouraging brew.

Anyhoo, at this dinner, Dan (the other American) told me that there was a major rugby match the next night between Australia (the Wallabies) and New Zealand (the All Blacks). This match is actually listed on the Sports Illustrated 101 sporting events to see before you die, so not being dead yet, I figured I should take advantage of the opportunity. I'm glad I did. It was a great atmosphere and everyone was really into it. Even Dan and I got into it, despite the fact that neither of us had any real clue as to how the game is played (but as related in a previous post, when has that ever stopped me). I should take a minute and inform you that the All Blacks are a heavy favorite to win the Rugby World Cup, and there is a real serious rivalry between Australia and New Zealand, with rugby being one area where NZ has bested the Aussies on a regular basis. So the fact that Australia actually won was a huge upset! We went out afterwards and found the bars packed with rugby folk and enjoyed a pint or three. I learned during this outing that asking "whats on draught" is actually a request for a Carlton Draught but "what's on tap" is the appropriate question for finding out what beers are actually on tap...i'm writing this and I still feel like a moron two weeks later. oh well. so that was that.