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Allie
Today was Boy Z’s second birthday. He’s dozing soundly, content in a sugar induced coma after a small party with some friends. Dr. O’C put in a command performance, whipping up a digger cake that made the boy’s eyes dance. He was devastated when we cut it up to serve it. Days like this, watching Boy Z run around the house in a state of ecstasy from too much sugar and too many new toys – these are the days that make all the nights of lost sleep worthwhile.
Now he’s told me, that all he needs to make his birthday perfect is a big win for his Bubba’s Georgia Bulldogs over the loathsome South Carolina Gamecocks. We’re well kitted out for the game, thanks to the Coal Miner’s Grandaughter. Heather came through for us for the second year in a row, sending over a big box o’ Dawg gear for both Boy Z and Not Max. 
When Boy Z saw the replica jersey he shouted ‘Go Dawgs!’ and started ripping off his clothes in a flurry to get the new jersey on. And the cross stitched singlets for Not Max are perfect for the blossoming Australian spring. Thanks, Heather, you’re a superstar.
We’re ready, let’s hope the Dawgs are as well. The game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern (8:30 a.m. Sunday in Adelaide). Let’s get it done, Dawgs. GATA.
Today was also the Adelaide Crows-Collingwood Magpies AFL finals (playoffs) game. I’m trying hard to get into Aussie rules football, largely because my sons are more likely to be fans of the Australian game than the American. But it isn’t easy. It is a bit of a 
silly looking game – a couple of dozen skinny white guys running around a circular field occasionally, and without apparent reason, slinging one another to the ground. I can imagine the origins of the game – a pub somewhere in the streets of Melbourne, several blokes, several pints, a fair bit of testosterone and a rugby ball.*
But Aussie rules is what I’ve got to work with, so I’ll become a fan of the game. But here’s my question – how do you choose a team? I’m a devoted Georgia Bulldogs fan, because that’s where I went to school. But I don’t get professional sports. I’ve never made any kind of connection with a pro team and don’t see how one does. But growing up, my dad was an L.A. Dodgers fan so I was an L.A. Dodgers fan. I remember taking 
great pleasure in rooting for my Dad’s team. I feel like I owe my sons a similar experience. But how to choose? I live in Adelaide, so one of the two Adelaide teams would be an obvious choice. But growing up, I really enjoyed being different from my peers – a Dodgers fan in Braves country. I told Agnes that I would become a fan of the winner of this game, but a conversation with Mr. Arizaphale today made me realize that barracking for a Melbourne team may set my boys up for some harassment. So many factors to consider.
If you’re a pro sports fan, how did you become a fan of your team?
UPDATE:
Dawgs win! 41-37. Not pretty, but a win’s a win.
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Oxford Collapse’s “Bits” is available from 
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*All that being said, tonight’s game was a cracker. Came right down to the wire before Collingwood won on a last second goal.
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It was my sister’s birthday today too. We spent it watching my brother win his Grand Final by over 100 points (woo hoo!) and my brother-in-law win his Reserves Grand Final by a heart-stopping 2 points (woo hoo x2!).
And to cap off a FANTASTIC footy day, my beloved Pies came out on top, as you mentioned earlier. CARN THE MIGHTY PIES!!! (I’m a little excited – can you tell??)
I think it comes down to who your family goes for. My dad is Collingwood and my mum is Melbourne, so two of us go for Collingwood, one goes for Melbourne and my brother, inexplicably, goes for Richmond. We still haven’t figured out why.
You do have a bit of a challenge on your hands, don’t you? Mr. Ariza makes a very good point actually, Victorians who go for interstate teams are given a thoroughly hard time (as a Victorian I’m compelled to say ‘Well so they should!’) and I imagine the reaction would be the same for SA people who go for VIC teams.
Of course I reckon you should go for Collingwood, naturally, but you do make some valid points.
Good luck with your dilemma!
Agnes´s last blog ..Life as a house
Cute b-day and Not Max photos! Um, Sports teams? My husband choose his team because they were underdogs in the league when he was younger. (I would post a Spoon song here…)
heather´s last blog ..Republicans Fixed My Problems!
Happy Birthday to Boy Z!! I read this post to my hubby and we thought the birthday cake was awesome! The photos are great.
Technobabe´s last blog ..The Day The Ducks Were All In A Row
I’d say unless you still feel driven to be different, go with the local team. It’s easier to follow them and that will make becoming a fan easier. I tried becoming a fan of some college teams from other parts of the country and it’s impossible. You get to see maybe 2 games from them a year unless they’re the top contenders for a national title. Plus, if the kids follow into your footsteps, it will be easy to take them to games to see that team.
I know what you mean about AFL, though. It’s weird that it started off as an off-season workout for cricket players. it doesn’t seem like the sports have anything in common other than a field. I used to pay for Setanta so I could keep up with International test rugby and sometimes I’d turn it on at 2 or 3 in the morning and have an AFL game on and combined with the sleep deprivation and the game, it felt like I was hallucinating. I never could quite understand the game, even after I looked it up on the Internet. American football and rugby seem pretty easy to understand. I could intuitively follow rugby and only needed some minor research to figure out some of the quirks. It didn’t help at all for the AFL.
And the USPS lied to me. They said your box would be there in about a week and I sent it over a week ago.
Jacob´s last blog ..Crack is Whack, but Heroin is Something Good that Rhymes with Heroin
That is a totally awesome cake. Dr. O’C has mad skillz.
Professional sports? Just can’t do it, sorry. Watching sports is no fun for me unless it’s a game with four year olds playing soccer and looking like a swarm of bees chasing each other around on the field.
Theresa B´s last blog ..Cooking For Real People
Hmmm, I don’t know. Pro football doesn’t do anything for me. There’s a lot more heart in college football. I say pick a local team and root for whichever one is better this year.
courtney´s last blog ..Wyoming = Dionne Warwick, Is Basically What I’m Saying
Wait. The wheels are made out of donuts? How come I wasn’t invited?
Go Magpies!
People in the Sun´s last blog ..An open letter to people who pulled their kids away from school to save them from indoctrination, to people who think the President is a Communist, a Socialist, or a Nazi, and to those who stand up in Town Hall meetings and yell about health care reform:
I just can’t believe that Boy Z is two! I have been stalking, errr, reading you for a long time then! Where does the time go.
Also (in the better late than never vain), congrats on that beautiful new baby!
Vixen´s last blog ..Remembering 9/11
I’m no help because I’ve NEVER understood how people can be so passionate about rooting for teams of people they don’t even know. My cousin played NFL football and it was exciting to watch him on TV and I could get into that in a certain sense.
Extremely cute cake though!!!!!
And have I already posted that I’m so proud of myself now for knowing what that G symbol is all about when I see it on a car now-a-days? Or ****sort of**** knowing that it has something to do with a sports team you like…?
Jill/Twipply Skwood´s last blog ..Houston: Home of the BIG Billy Goat and the Gender Confused Rooster
Jacob’s correct, AFL was invented to keep pudgy crickets fit off season. Although frankly one of the things I love about cricket is that you can be an international player, go out all night on a beer and bird bender and still bowl 4/56 the next day.
But it doesn’t have to be AFL you know. Get Boy Z kitted up with some Adelaide United FC gear. Some colour as what he’s wearing at the moment! I’ve always been a keen supporter of the French football team. When Australia made it to the world cup I felt no reason to change my loyalties. Allez les bleus! (although if it can’t be France, Australia would be my next pick. We’ve both been done over by Italy…….)
kitty´s last blog ..dog people may not understand
how fun! and that cake is amazing
flutter´s last blog ..Remember
Devastating result for The Crows
. Now all you good readers..if you want to see what really happened at the ‘devastating’ cake cutting up, check out this link
cake
arizaphale´s last blog ..Devastation or: Let Me Eat Cake or: You Can Never Have Enough Diggers
Love the story about the jersey and “Go Dawgs!” Sooo cute! And that cake? AWESOME!
We had a little family party for Minion The Elder’s 5th birthday today, too!
I didn’t realize your boys birthdays were so close together. That’ll be fun.
Mine are several months apart – which is good, because Mommy needs the time between to recuperate. 
Best,
Z
ZenMom´s last blog ..Camping – by the numbers
Such a cute cake!! Well done Dr. OC.
I’m not really into sports other than watching the Americans beat everyone at the Olympics; I can always find an excuse to get excited about that.
My husband goes for Port Adelaide (as does his entire family) so naturally.. I go for the Crows. But I don’t follow them, I’ll just root for them if the two teams are playing and it looks like it might irritate my husband.
I’m also partial to Hawthorn because I’ve designated them as the best looking AFL team. lol I’m sure that’s of no help!
Happy Birthday Boy Z!!! And I love that photo of your wife and the new baby I’m assuming- super cute!
Florida Girl in Sydney´s last blog ..Honk If Your Husband Makes You Crazy
Love that cake!
I became a Michigan State fan because I was born into a full family of alumni. Became a Pittsburgh Steelers fan when I realized I couldn’t have a coherent conversation in my new home town in the fall without doing so, plus I love (American) football. Became a baseball fan when I watched the Tigers beat the Yankees…
Courtney´s last blog ..South of Broad
Bday wishes to the big boy, and glad you got a win under your belt. I’m sure it made for the perfect weekend!
NATUI´s last blog ..Celebrating Life
My aunt took me to my first baseball game, which just happened to the the Sox. That’s a good thing though, since the Cubs are a bunch of uppity, no talent, losers!
suzer´s last blog ..PC or not to be…PC
Agnes – I think that Saturday’s game has convinced me to be a fan of the game and a Crows fan as well. Give the boys a break and let them fit in if that’s what they want.
Heather – I usually pull for the underdogs as well. If that were the case, I should pick the second Adelaide AFL team as they suck. But they wear teal and that’s just…teal. Oh, and I know the song of which you speak.
Technobabe – Thanks!
Jacob – I did not know that about Aussie Rules. I’m more of a rugby fan as well, but rugby is an East Coast thing in Oz. We don’t even have a premiereship level club in SA. Don’t know why. So, sticking with the local rules, it’s AFL or nothing really. Well, soccer. But soccer or nothing? Nothing.
Theresa – Well, you’re no help at all.
Courtney – Exactly. I just don’t get the passion in pro sports.
PIS – I know. But Dr. O’C covered them in this black food dye so all the kids had black fingers and lips for the rest of the party.
Vixen – Thanks!
Jill – Well, the complicating factor could be that it stands for the Green Bay Packers as well.
Kitty – Oh, christ, no soccer. I hate soccer. I’ve tried to like it. Tried to get into when I was living in Britain and there are SO many passionate fans. Just so friggin’ dull. I hope and pray every day that my boys don’t end up playing soccer.
Flutter – Thanks.
Ariza – Good pictures. Glad someone got some.
Zen Mom – I think we can combine parties for the first couple of years at least.
Danielle – Well, I would go with the best looking team, but then what happens when they sign a bunch of ugly players?
FGIS – Thanks.
Courtney – That’s the other advantage of rooting for the home team. Water cooler conversations.
NATUI – Well the win helped.
Suzer – Thanks for that, another way to become a fan.
this is so out of my league, no pun intended, I have no advice for you. I can sure relate to the sugar high both my kid’s and my own, I have quite the sweet tooth
jessica´s last blog ..Do you want an oreo with that pull-up?
That birthday party looked like a blast. Birds just don’t make exciting sports mascots. And I say that as a resident of Baltimore which has Orioles and Ravens. At least they aren’t Crows and Magpies.
yellojkt´s last blog ..Flight 93 Remembered
I don’t get football. But soccer, that’s where it really is (even though you so ardently disagree). Bday wishes, Boy Z!
Monty´s last blog ..Of birds and getting sucked into jet engines.
oh shit I forgot. crap. Well maybe I can make it up to weeZ at Christmas time. hey, he almost got a brother for his birthday. Anyways, it’s Monday here and that sucks. And that cake totally rules. I am a big fan of novelty cakes, or cakes in general, or anything with an excess of sugar will do nicely.
ssg´s last blog ..hello again
Your boys pulled it off, but OH MY GOD that game lasted for-freaking-ever! And I had to watch it in a house filled with UGA FANatics!
The Steelers became my favorite team way back before they had Big Ben for a combination of reasons that I mostly cannot even remember now except at the time, there was no kind of crazy drama surrounding them, they had a good team with good potential, and it more than likely had something to do with a boy. I just can’t remember!
If I were you, I’d try to go for the local teams if I could. Things are so much easier when you’re not cheering for a team half a country away!
Boy Z is growing up right in front of our eyes! Thank you for sharing him in this small way with us. Not Max is getting cuter every day, too.
Love the cake!
Angel´s last blog ..Now where’s your picket fence, Love?
How great that their birthdays are so close together! That’ll be fun, albeit, hard on the September budget
I‘ve always had the opposite problem. I never attended college (too broke and too dumb) so I have no interest in college sports whatsoever. How do you keep track of so many teams with rosters that change every year?
The Unbearable Banishment´s last blog ..HAMMERTIME! redux
Yep, a win is most certainly a win. Nice job, Heather, on the Dawg-gear.
Gypsy´s last blog ..The Butt Pinch Barometer
I grew up watching the Lions, Red Wings and Tigers with my grandfather because they were the local team. When I moved here, where everyone follows the Bills, Leafs, and Jays, I was the anomaly, but my loyalties were too strong.
I hope my kids will cheer for the Detroit teams, although living in the GTA makes that unlikely.
Great photos of the family.
Yes, another weekend of SEC football is in the books. I was disappointed in Tennessee, but they played hard. Auburn won handily and I am trying to keep my expectations in check.
South Carolina is better than people realize, and Georgia, well, I haven’t figured them out yet.
LSU looks so-so. Alabama needs to play higher-caliber opponents. Florida is a wrecking crew.
I do enjoy Aussie rules football. I once managed a sports-bar and it was a popular regular on TV. I especially like the refs in their white jackets and signalling scores with one or two hands, depending on white goal the ball sailed through. I also like the dribbling rule.
Jud´s last blog ..Little One’s Buticke
I watched the end of the Georgia-South Carolina game. Georgia had a big lead then had to hold on at the end. Glad they ended up winning.
Such a great age! Happy Birthday Boy Z!
SeattleDad´s last blog ..Just Plum Helpful
Happy Birthday to the little one! That’s a good looking cake I think I would cry to see it get cut up too.
About the only sport I can stand is Hockey and I’m a Philly Flyers fan. I moved here (the first time) in 1995 and I have been a fan ever since.
Other than that? I can’t stand most sports other than tennis.
re The Little Engine That Could book – Most bookstores will carry the book. I see Amazon doesn’t exist yet in Australia. Hmmm…if you really would like a copy let me know. I’d be happy to send you a (new) one
Blogging Mama Andrea´s last blog ..Monday’s Muse with Cinnamon and Honey
Well, you can go with the Western Bulldogs, for the mascot. You can go with Essendon or St. Kilda for the colors. Under no circumstance can you have your sons growing up wearing Brisbane, Hawthorn or Adelaide’s colors. You could go with Richmond, but it is awfully close to Tech’s colors, but you can get away with it because they match Mizzu’s and they are the Tigers to boot.
Bulldog in Exile´s last blog ..10 Things We Learned on Saturday
Yeah! Dawgs won! And yeah! I’m so glad the boys like their gear (Dad, too).
And how to pick an Aussie football team? Well, my method is one you probably wouldn’t use. Pick the team with the best-looking rear-ends. There you go.
Coal Miner’s Granddaughter´s last blog ..Punk
Jessica – He gets it from his Mum, the sweet tooth. That being said, I’ve eaten half a cheesecake in the last couple of days.
Yello – That’s true. What is it with the bird mascots in B’more?
Monty – Any game that goes on for 90 minutes and ends in a draw about 70% of the time is just dulllllllllllll.
SSG – Dude, you don’t have to send pressies for his birthday!
Angel – I know. I couldn’t believe that it was lunch time by the time the game ended. Madness.
TUB – I don’t think the rosters are that important in college, it’s the team and the school and the tradition.
Gypsy – Especially if you’re an FSU fan these days.
Scifi – I like the Leafs and I don’t really know why. I was born in Niagara Falls, so I guess they were close. But so were the Sabres. My family is Canadian, so maybe that’s why I went for the northern side.
Jud – Florida needs to play higher caliber opponents. Bama played VaTech. It’s hard to say anything about Florida when they beat up small schools. What’s the point?
SIS – SC started with a lead and lost it.
Blogging Mama – I don’t know why we don’t have Amazon. We’ve got a couple of similar service but not as good. I’ll keep an eye out in the book stores. I hope it’s still around.
Seattle – ‘Great’? Really? He’s already starting to act like a two year old. Tantrums. TANTRUMS!!!
CMGD – I can’t imagine why I didn’t think of that method…