I am not feeling to clever right now so I apologize for the straightforward manner of this email.
Well it is Sunday night in Helsinki and have been sore and hungover all day. We had a big win yesterday against the Porvoo Butchers in Porvoo, a town 30 mins. west of Helsinki. They are the 2-time defending Finnish champions and in first-place in the league this year as well. The final was 37-35, but finishing the game on a 23-0 run, for the win. We are now 6-3 and tied in second in the league. We are pretty much locked for the playoffs, which are the first 2 weeks of September.
Again I had to play the entire game both ways and it is really starting to wear on my body, especially my arms and shoulders. I am only about 255 lbs. right now, so I have to struggle to not get pushed back against some of the bigger guys in the league. I also had to long-snap this game, and luckily I didn't botch the game-winning field goal snap.
The funniest thing I think about the amount I've been playing is that I am 2nd in the league in sacks, and leading the league in blocked kicks. Here I am an undersized offensive tackle, just playing football... I guess this is what I remembered most about what I loved about football from high school.
After the game the team had a gameroom rented out at the Finnair Stadium that includes a locker room, sauna, pool tables and entertainment area. Finnish moonshine was involved, and of course they all make the American drink a lot of it. I was so tired from the game, it wasn't long before I was done for the night.
Anyways, I will briefly catch you up on what's happened up until now.
THINGS I'VE DONE SINCE LAST EMAIL
We had a couple weeks off in the middle of July and I went to Stockholm for a couple days with a few guys from the team. The Roosters biggest sponsor is Viking Cruiselines so we get free crusies to Stockholm, Sweden and Tallinn, Estonia. Cruise leaves in the evening and you arrive in the morning spend the day in Stockholm, and take the boat back the following night. The cruiseliner is pretty large, and houses a casino, a few restaurants, nightclub, and huge Duty-free shop.
I've been sailing out and around all of the islands and penisulas that make out the coastline around Helsinki. I attempted to wakeboard and I realized that it is something that looks much easier to do then it actually is. I could stay vertical on the board for more then are few seconds, I guess I need to work on my balance.
The weather has not been great. I got above 80 one weekend, but it mostly hovers in the mid to high 60s. Everyone says it usually isn't this cold in the summer, so I guess just lucky me.
I turned 25 this past Thursday. A quarter-century. Enough said.
A bunch of the guys from the team took me out to dinner after practice and it was a good time. Here is a link to a youtube video I didn't realize was being taken while I get sung Happy Birthday is Finnish. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLQa9KFSURk. The lighting is bad, but I think you can get the idea.
Beyond that I've been taking it easy. Trying to stay healthy and in shape. The gym they have for me here is great, and I've gotten used to the kilograms. The novelty of living in a foreign city has wore off, but I am definetly still having a great time.
You can visually follow my shenannigans and hiijinks by looking at photos on myspace and facebook pages. Hilarity will most definetly ensue.
myspace.com/jtmckeon and http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=11808224
I am sure I am leaving things out but I am tired. How go things in Raleigh and New York??
Is keg room in dissarray??
Did someone forget to roll in the awnings??
Lindsay and Tanya have gave me a bit of low down, but I thirst for more.
Before you know I am gonna be back, miss you all.
John
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