So- the start of football season has arrived and I say “yay!” with genuine excitement mixed with a hint of anticipated exasperation. Excitement because I enjoy football- I enjoy sports in general—but with that enjoyment comes the knowledge that football begins as the race for playoff baseball heats up, creating a season filled with repetitive sports radio and its offspring, overspill guy-talk.
I enjoy overspill guy-talk.
It’s entertaining for a few hours stretched out through the year. It provides
interesting insight on the deepest desires of men and the significant simultaneous
degree of envy, love and hatred they hold in their hearts for people and events
that have little to no actual connection to their own well-being. It’s, well its
mind-blowing to me and it builds this time of year to the point that most social events fall victim to the all encompassing conversation dictator. Did you see so and so do this or that? What were they thinking? That call was B.S! and on and on and on...
I do specify men here, but acknowledge the few
exceptionally well versed and passionate women so their feelings won’t be hurt.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m completely down with girl power in every respect but I
do hold the personal opinion that there are a rare few women who successfully hold
the complete and equal ability to throw down proper sports talk. It’s impressive to
watch. Makes me a little jealous, but they’re a bit like unicorns so it feels
right to be in complete awe of them.
Now, as I've said, I enjoy sports. 4 ½ of the men in my
life and possibly 5 of the women think I’m reasonably athletic. I spent 30 of
my 37 years learning and loving baseball and I broke the noses of two people
through many years of soccer. I played volleyball in high school, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE hockey and attend as many Patriots games as the family schedule allows. I'm a scenic mountain biker and, though I can’t do anything too impressive yet (C'mon inner American Ninja Warrior!), I feel like a powerful
beast when I rock strength and conditioning at Dynamic. Yet, even with that extensive experience, I do not consider myself capable of participating
in hard-core sports talk- I guess the anticipation mentioned above is a bit overstated... perhaps it's just- - - a lack of enthusiasm for extensive hypothetical conversation?
Surprising, since I provided those exceptional
arguments to support my sporting credentials but, truth is, I’m primarily an observer during whichever season happens to be upon us (though I give a bit of effort during hockey season). I
know this of myself without question. I prefer my public sports talk and
observations to be limited to small knowledge pops here and there. I dig the atmosphere but know
that though I certainly have the mental ability to understand the finer details, statistics and strategies
of these games, I am not capable of gathering enough motivation to do so to a
degree required to meaningfully participate in the overspill and I don't think my contributions, regardless of their insight or potential brilliance, would be taken seriously. Its likely assumed I read or heard my opinion somewhere...
So knowledge pops
work well for me. Quick bits of sports talk that do not continue on and on. They leave one free to voice an opinion and move to other topics. I got to know one of my greatest friends discussing the ground rule
double many, many years ago. Short conversation with many perks. Just a fun fact.
But tonight I’m typing and the fanatic fan is flip, flip, flipping between
opening night football and rivalry baseball games and prepping for his next social occasion. I'm giggling at commentary and glancing up occasionally when something interesting happens. I love the safety, so it’s fun we’ve made it back to football in time to see. As for baseball... I did hear all night that every pitcher who faces him should try
to hit Ortiz. I think it’s hilarious and wonderful how fantastic his night has
been. Maybe that’s the real reason I should refrain from sports talk?
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