Tool shed, I used to question your integrity with all the comments you make about the Packers, then today I see your avatar is Wisconsin Rugby. I take back most of the things I was thinking. Fellow rugger here, and since I know the amount of chew taking place in the sport in the midwest, I'll quit with you.
Kubiak - Purdue Rugby and Bears fan
Hey Kubiak, that means a great deal to me, thanks. I would never let a football team get in the way of a good quit, hell, many of best friends are Bear fans and I go really easy on them, just like they did to me in the 80's when they Pack couldn't hardly score against the Bears, let alone win.
You got that right about rugby, way too much dip in that sport in the Midwest and the sport is growing here at the same time so I fear many young men will fall into the same trap as me and have to fight the same battle. That sucks.
I have played rugby since the early 80's and retired for all but old boys matches in 02. I finally finally figured if I could win the Midwest, go to and win nationals, win at rugger fest in aspen in over 45's division, I could quit this nic bitch that has haunted me for so long. Thanks for your support.
Shed
You sir are not only a badass for taking on this pathetic addiction, but for your rugby resume as well. I am only 37 and have yet to take advantage of the old boys competition, but this year I started coaching rugby with my 4th grade stepson and I'm hoping to get more involved with the game again.
As for the sport and its addictions, I feel that if the American game evolves from being a fringe sport full of badasses to being more mainstream, hopefully the attitudes will also evolve. As I played a higher level of rugby, I learned that the sport becomes exponentially more beautiful as you add phases to the play, that by avoiding the "crash, crash, crash" midwest style embraced by ex-american football players, and by teaching to not only get the ball out to the backs but then support them, then preparing for the 3rd phase of that next pass after the breakdown... it takes a higher level of player to intelligently play this game properly, and hopefully appeal to more than those just looking for the good parties. Of course, that may have left me out, but I digress.
Baseball is still suffering with its addictions, but it's a boring sport. Rugby shouldn't have these excuses. In fact, with education of the physical, neurological and cardiovascular side effects, hopefully some day it will be so frowned upon that it just goes away.
Thanks For the kind words Kubiak. I love the game of rugby and miss being a part of it, but with young kids, too many weekends away, 6 broken noses (including one a week before my wedding), and rugby party hangovers lasting longer and longer, it was time to hang up the boots. I should have hung up the Copenhagen at the same time, but you know hindsight. I view the rugby successes i achieved completely team accomplishments, much like quitting the nic bitch, we all need help. I also came to the realization that it has become a young mans game. You are right that it was all crash, crash, crash, tight ball, mauling, a forwards game that was not really viewer friendly. The game is now all about fast, which I can say was never my strong suit. Rucking, multiple phases, a thing of beauty when played well.
So here I am 3 weeks in and I have some thoughts for newbies and old boys alike:
1. Check your ego at the door, we all need help and we have brothers here offering to help. Don't go it alone, we all know that didn't work the first time or the tenth time or we wouldn't be here.
2. Get mad, get angry, hate that nic bitch that controlled you.
3. Don't just think about the bitch when you crave, think about how you beat it in between craves. Celebrate success.
4. QLF
5. Post roll, promise, commit, repeat.
6. Help others and pay forward the support you received from others to those that need it now
7. Strap in dicks, this one's gonna hurt. But it is all worth it.
8. One day at a time, like the story of the old bull and young bull on the hill looking down at a heard of cows. The young one says "let's run down and f*^k one of those cows." The old bull replies, "no, let's walk down and f*^k them all."
I am proud to be quit with all of you today and I will make the same promise tomorrow.
Shed
