While I was away my partner fell in love - with MySky, the ultimate remote toy for men.
Initially, I was a bit jealous but I think I'm falling in love with it, too.
I had to head to Christchurch and missed the Highlanders-Bulls Super 14 match in Manawatu.
As it turned out, it was a great game with an equally great atmosphere.
My devastation turned to delight when MySky came to the rescue.
I discovered I could watch the match at a time that suited me, fast forward through Murray Mexted's banter if I wanted to, skim through the ad breaks and enjoy 80 minutes of uninterrupted rugby.
I was also stoked Palmerston North pulled out a blinder for our Mainland visitors.
A blinder, that is, in terms of outcome (a 36-12 win), crowd atmosphere (blue bucketheads and approximately 10,000 spectators) and weather (evening sun which conveniently blinded the opposition and gusts of wind to blow away the Bulls).
Jimmy Cowan was inspirational as a leader and player, darting around the rucks, taking quick taps, making do-or-die tackles, and all with an injured ankle.
I know it's a cliche, and that I'm reinforcing dominant beliefs about what it means to be a Kiwi bloke, but his hard and uncompromising demeanour was quite refreshing to witness, especially after the Hollywood performances I saw in the UK.
My pick of the forwards was Adam Thomson, who has the posture of Josh Kronfield (pre-Dancing with the Stars) and the hair of David Hasselhoff (just a tad blonder).
I also enjoyed watching the Highlanders play with confidence, passing the ball around, attacking the blindside and effectively stealing or maintaining possession of the ball, ruck after ruck.
It reminded me of the days when I was a scarfie watching the likes of Stu Forster, Jamie Joseph, John Leslie, Brendan Laney, John Timu and Marc Ellis running amok on the House of Pain, surrounded by billboards such as "Why do we pass the ball so much? Because we can."
That cocky and risky play, and refusal to be intimidated by teams like the Crusaders and the Bulls, is what makes the Highlanders an exciting (and sometimes painful) team to support.
The Palmerston North game was a win-win situation for everyone.
The Highlanders got a win, the crowd got to see a great game and big upset, the Highlanders franchise broke even, and the cash-strapped Manawatu Rugby Union may get $30,000 to $40,000 to reduce its debt.
Palmerston North gets a lot of flak for being a nondescript, backward provincial town, but its central location is great for sporting events, and like Dunedin we have students to liven things up a bit.
It was great to see the bucketheads out in force, dressed appropriately in blue and gold buckets, body paint and overalls.
And, in case you're wondering, they are the same guys that wear the green buckets during the Manawatu season.
I know, because some of them are my students and have played club rugby in Palmerston North.
I also used MySky to pause and check it was them.
I remember students causing havoc at a rugby league match in Palmerston North once, stealing balls kicked into the crowd and causing delays.
The touring Lions team and supporters also had a great time thrashing Manawatu on the field, and trashing the streets of Palmerston North after the game in 2005.
Even Murray Mexted, who hosts his International Rugby Academy at the Sport and Rugby Institute at Massey University, enjoys going out after midnight in Palmerston North.
Shady but refreshingly honest.
Otago used to have the same atmosphere and reputation, with burning couches in the terraces, blue and gold streets, and a constant flow of foot traffic to and from Carisbrook.
Is that still the case?
They say we never appreciate things unless we lose them or we spend a bit of time away.
I appreciate New Zealand more now that I've returned from Scotland, and Highlanders supporters in Otago and Southland will always be entertained - if not by the players then at least by the antics of the crowd.
