A national obsession.

So, here in NZ at the moment the Rugby World Cup is on. I live in a nation obsessed. It leads the news on all channels every night and dominates talk at work. I've never been a huge fan, but I must admit that I've kinda been watching the odd game and quite enjoying it. The atmosphere is a little infectious! I guess Rugby is to NZ, what Super Bowl is to the US o what the Soccer World Cup is to... everywhere else!

I watched Canada play Tonga last night and found myself quietly cheering on the rugged, beardy bunch from the north. As a beard aficionado, I could not help but marvel at the voluminous nature of Adam Kleeberger's facial hair. Goodness!

I also found myself standing and cheering at the loss of Sonny Bill's shirt, which was ripped in a maul and he then had to change on the field. Augh! Clip below...

Tonight is the big game between Russia and the USA. Miss Russia is here to support them along with some billionaire who sells vodka. Should be super exciting!

So, if it's the middle of the night over your way and you've nothing better to do, have a nosey through your sport channel and see if you can watch some of the magic games and even more awesome thighs! I feel a sports romance novel binge coming on :)

Comfort Reads 1.

Reading is one thing at the moment that I find comfort in. When work and family problems mean I'm lacking sleep and feeling petty crabby, reading seems to keep me from climbing the clock tower. In the last couple of weeks I've turned to my comfort reads. Books that I've read a gazillion times and that I can just curl up with in front of the fire. It's freezing at the moment!

My most recent comfort reads have been the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. It seems silly to just mention one book when I've devoured two in the last 24 hours! Nobody's Baby But Mine and It Had To Be You. I just adore the whole series.

I think what appeals most is her unabashedly masculine characters who act like jerks. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's the big muscles or possibly it's the whole football thing. I am such a sucker for sports romance, even when they behave badly. Crazy, I know. But they make me smile just a bit with all their posturing and grumbling.

They've made me laugh, forget my troubles and escape for just a little while. Does anyone else have a favourite Chicago Stars novel??