Congrats to NYRC!

Sorry about the delayed post - I was celebrating the amazing weekend where the New York women won the Women's Premiere League National championship. Wendy has stories from the weekend if you want to read more on her blog Your Scrumhalf Connection. She did an amazing job all weekend with keeping scores up on her blog, facebook and Twitter.

Here is a celebration video (it's pretty loud), but Mom you'll like it :)

nationals this weekend

I haven't blogged about rugby in a long time because I've been depressed about it. Over the summer I finally had an MRI because I was in a lot of pain after I started running again. Turns out I had a tear in my gluteous minimus tendon and a probable tear in my hip labrum (Defined: A hip labral tear involves the ring of soft tissue that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. This ridge of cartilage, called a labrum, works a little like a suction cup to help hold your hip joint together.)

I got a shot of cortisone, which helped a lot for awhile. I also found out that I'd be lucky to be running by November let alone playing rugby. So I've been out all season - bit bummer considering the new D1 structure and Belmont went to the playoffs in Boston.

Now it is November and I'm still not running - in fact intense hiking sets me back. While I go to physical therapy weekly, I'm still in a fair amount of achy pain all the time. I've also lost a ton of muscle and core strength. In general I can tell that my entire hip joint is not stable.

This all adds up to be pretty depressing. I've also realized that running and rugby are my main emotional coping mechanisms. This fall I've been buckling under stress and life events much more than I usually do - and without being able to run I have a hard time clearing my head. I like hiking and yoga -- they both help but it just isn't the same as the runners high (endorphins).

I also don't have anyone close by to be an exercise motivator.....

So enough of my sob story -- this weekend rugby nationals are being held in San Fran. I'm flying out right after I finish TA'ing on Friday. I can't wait - to see the games, my friends and to be in the familiar space of a national championship.

I've blogged National before:
2008
The Bubble: National Playoffs
The Bubble: 2008 Rugby Nationals
The Bubble: more memories

2007
The Bubble: countdown

2006
The Bubble: NYRC - National Women's Rugby Champions!
The Bubble: We're going to Disney World

iphone love

I haven't really taken the time to declare how much I love my iphone, ipedro. It is not like it filled a void in my life, but it certainly has changed things. In studying media I've learned the trend is that technology is becoming more digital, mobile and personal....and it is the personal part about the iphone that SUCKED me in!!

My new favorite application is from a fashion blog I like Feather Report. The iphone app uses your current location to give you an outfit for the day based on the weather. I like the styles on the blog and its an easy way to get inspired to put together new combos. I know I sound like a sales pitch, but the app lists the price of each item and has a link so you can purchase it right from the store. Evil for those of us who have impulsive shopping habits....but still I'm loving it. Here is the link to the itunes store if you want to get the app....

more school work....

Tonight I am reviewing clips of violent first person shooter video games for a lecture on media violence....

I must say that while I don't want kids playing these games I do LOVE first person shooter games especially on the big screen!

Call of Duty 3 for Wii


Call of Duty 4 -- these graphics are unreal


House of the Dead (gross)


and Grand Theft auto -- most cops/explosion and 1.5mil views

school work

Sometimes people ask me what I spend my time doing. Tonight I am screening children's television shows for lecture on Thursday. We are teaching about how children attend to TV through formal features (music, movement, etc) and content. I've learned a lot about kids programming and my FAVORITE....Yo Gabba Gabba...Have you guys seen this show that uses famous musicians to do their music?

I love Don't Bite Your Friends


and if you have lots of time and love pirates check out these adorable Backyardigans - and everyone seems to remix these guys to popular songs.