A Draw in September Instead of Movember

CONGRATULATIONS TRACY and KELLY! Did someone already get you a blender?

Last night, over a pot of herbal tea, we looked at upcoming races to possible participate in.  Hugo came across one and saw the following banner:

We looked with curiosity at the name and Cam casually said, "It's in Movember".  

Movember?  (Confused looks on mine and Hugo's faces)  We were informed that November is referred to as Movember because of the fact that Australians everywhere are encouraged to grow a moustache during that month.

You've got to be kidding.  

Turns out, Movember is an initiative to raise funds and awareness for men's health.  As written on the Movember Australia website...

Men sporting Movember moustaches, known as Mo Bros, become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo growing efforts. The rules are simple; register online at Movember.com and start the month of Movember clean shaven and then grow a moustache for 30 days.   

The movement has been more popular in Australia than other countries with Mo Bros.  In 2009, while there were only 28,223 participants in the United States and 44,520 in the United Kingdom, 127,893 men participated in Oz.  

Itching to grow a moustache for a good cause?  Check out www.movember.com

AFL is the Australian Football League for a sport commonly known as Austrailian Rules Football or Aussie Rules Footy or simply...Footy.  It is a great sport where teams have to score points by getting the ball (known as a Sherrin) through their opponent's goal.  Players must kick or handpass the ball to each other.  Players may run with the ball, but it must be intermittently bounced or touched on the ground.  You may not throw the ball to a teammate, but instead must use one hand as a fist and hit it to the person (see below).  Also, you must not get caught "holding the ball".  Confused yet?  These plus heaps of other rules ensure a fast-paced and exciting game.  For more details, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_rules_football

Last Saturday was the AFL Grand Final.  St. Kilda and Collingwood battled each other in a Melbourne stadium in front of a crowd of 100,016 people!  When it was all over, this is what the players looked like:  

And why do BOTH teams look disappointed (and smashed)?  Because it was a draw, 68-68!  The reaction of the crowd was shock.  The AFL final is similar to the Super Bowl in its popularity.  Can you imagine all of the preparation for the game and then in the end, when the final buzzer goes, the score is tied and neither team wins?   Unbelievable.  The rematch is tomorrow and I personally am happy to be able to watch one hell of a game again.