Bus Rides

Hey all,

So it may seem like a strange topic for me to blog on, but bus rides were actually a very important part of my athletic career. When I came into university and joined the rugby team I was pretty intimidated. Being 19 and part of a crew of seasoned athletes, some who play on a national level, made my presence on the team not overly known. Not saying that my fellow teammates were not interested in who I was, but rather there was so much going on for everyone that nobody really had the time to sit and chat with you about who you are and what you think about anything. Then the long bus rides to away games happen. You really get to learn a lot about someone when you are stuck on a bus with them for hours at a time.

Going down to the games was pretty quiet, you stuck with the people that you knew, and thought about the task at hand... beating the other team. Conversations were usually simple and most liked to either sleep or watch some movie that was voted on by the team. Most can imagine what this must be like, if anyone has ever done a road trip, basically you got the idea. However, it is the way back from the away games that the true bonding really happens.

As is custom with most rugby teams, when the game is completed the two teams get together at the local campus pub and get a bunch of food and have a bunch more drinks. Everyone is quite open and ready for a good time. The bus ride back is the perfect example of how this all comes together. So once everyone piles on the bus and ground rules are laid out that the washroom is only for going number 1, the songs usually begin. They usually start out fairly harmless, but as the alcohol sets in they get quite...... interesting. This is where the most laughs happen, and unsuspecting members come out with some memorable lyrics for the singalongs. Some great friendships are foraged thought the singing of those inappropriate songs.

Needless to say that bus rides are not the same. I have been doing long trips on the bus a lot lately and more than once I've wished that I had some rugby mates to begin singing "I used to work at Chicago" or "Jesus can't play rugby." Alas, those days seem to be over for now... maybe I will see if there is some sort of rugby song choir out their.

Anyways,

Always great talking

Ben

p.s. if you want to see some of the songs you can follow this link
http://www.rugbysongs.net/RugbySongs.htm