Balancing Act
I was recently reminded of an interesting encounter with an exemplar group of Aussie males, and thought I’d share it and pose a few questions.
The story goes: Whilst strolling through Fawkner Park in Melbourne (for those of you not in Melbourne, it’s a park in a relatively upper-class part of town) I was treated to an impromptu game of soccer between six or eight young lads. On its own this isn’t exactly remarkable, strapping youths play soccer all the time. The real catch here is that they were playing it whilst holding stubbies of beer.
It was quite a feat to watch. There were penalty shoot-outs; impromptu games; and much heckling, all without a drop of precious amber ale spilt. On occasion I have been known to try and play sports while struggling to keep one hand upright with a beverage in hand. But being the not-so-sporty nerd that I am, it usually takes an inordinate amount of concentration to make sure I kick/catch the ball, so I end up having to make the choice that no-one envies: Do I face social ridicule and miss the ball, or do I let myself spill some of this precious drop?
It then becomes clear why some Aussie males have become so good at this balancing act. Australia isn’t like some countries, in that it has both open spaces in which to play ball games; and reasonably priced beverages with which to practise. Not to mention social standing is so broadly based that it depends both on someone’s ability to maintain the level of their brew and (in this case, conversely) someone’s ability to kick/catch a ball in sporting events.
The question then has to be raised: Is it a skill acquired from many years of playing footy with mates in the backyard with beer in hand, or is it a gene acquired through many years of inspired breeding? Is this a gene/skill I can acquire through similar determination, or am I doomed to a life of mediocre social standing?
September 21st, 2006 at 9:30 pm
The thing is, you pose questions on your blog which force people to comment on them. This is why you have so many more comments than I do. On mine, one could say something to the point of, “lord. I can’t believe you just said that” or “you lucky bitch. I can’t believe you’re bitching about cobblestones when you’re living in rome…” or something to that effect.
As for the beer/athletics… once you get a job in your profession and start playing in engineering leagues you’ll be right on par! Thats what I do with the other architects…
September 21st, 2006 at 11:04 pm
Call me optimistic, but i think it’s a skill that can be accquired. That’s not natural Aussie instinct, that’s too much spare time one summer!
In the meantime though, (if I was feeling inventive) i’d say you need a stubbie-lid of some kind that operates like a baby sipper cup, allowing you to take that match-winning-dive without fear of losin’ booze. Think of it as a training aid.
(Yes, I realise there’s probably an equivalent engineering valve-analagy of such a spillage-preventing mechanism, but the mental pic I have now have of you holding a Tommee Tippee of beer was just too funny to pass up)
September 22nd, 2006 at 12:18 am
Are we to enter in a battle for comments Sach? We have already had a conversation about this, and the conclusion I came to is that we have our sites for different reasons. Mine is more to force my opinion on others in a subtle and pseudo-humorous manner. Whereas I consider your site to be more of an update/personal diary, a far more meaningful and (in my opinion) successful undertaking.
The questions are indeed intended to pique readers’ interests, but one could consider them rhetorical if it weren’t for the medium in which they are presented. Or at least that’s how I see them!
GeM, as for the Tommee Tippee stubby, call me stupid but I just don’t think it will take off.
At all.
Maybe I have to start playing in the engineering leagues now so as to not embarrass myself when playing with colleagues later in life…
September 22nd, 2006 at 6:30 am
Absolutely no comments combat, please. You are 100% correct in that our blogs are entirely different animals, each successful in its own unique and special way. I like all the comments on yours. The incredible amount of feedback are all part of the entertainment factor.
Your questions are indeed rhetorical, but I feel the need to answer them anyway. Maybe its because I love to talk about… well… anything.
As for playing with colleagues…please dont practice (unless of course you need yet another reason to get drunk on a random day of the week). The entire point is that you will ALL be bad. Thats the beauty of the intramural league for professional ‘whatevers.’
PS. I just witnessed a mime balancing an umbrella on a 20 foot pole on his chin while listening to ‘Eye of the Tiger” outside of my school… what is this world coming to?
September 22nd, 2006 at 7:43 am
You are doomed.
There is no saving a sheep shagger from mediocrity.
September 26th, 2006 at 10:08 am
Sailing Camp Photos are up at www.f2point8.com
September 26th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Hah, more blatant self-promotion there macguyver!
September 26th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
more stuff you missed out on sheep boy… some of us can ride and rescue with the duckie with out spilling a drop of golden ale… especially in heavy chop!!
September 27th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
The new face of IBM
It may be self promotion will, but I try to get the message to the people as fast as I can. This website is a great message board for spreading the…. stuff
September 27th, 2006 at 10:45 pm
I was ready for you this time around… Joker trumps all…