Hey, remember those Magic Eye pictures? You stare and stare at them and they don't make a lick of sense - then suddenly the picture pops in to focus. Everything is crystal clear and you can't understand why you couldn't ever see it before. After this weekend, that's how I feel about football!
I've been watching football most of my life. Watching to see if the last 2 minutes will ever end and release my step-dad to come to the table for Thanksgiving dinner. Watching for half time so I could perform with the high school band. Watching with my husband while I am curled up with a book, only looking up when everyone starts cheering, to see the replay; or when I am bored, asking a lot of random questions during the game, which no one who actually knows anything about it wants to answer due to the fact that they are watching the game! But recently, all that changed. I finally decided I was ready. I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.
I began asking my husband quasi-intelligent questions, when he was relaxed and not otherwise engaged. He gladly answered them, and taught me the basics. Like the difference between quarters and downs, for instance. I watched a game and for the first time ever, it made a little sense. I swear, in the past, it was just a bunch of guys tying themselves in knots, untangling, high-fiving, and doing it again. But this time I began to untangle the knots of my spotty knowledge, picked up in bits and pieces through the years. I mentioned this on my blog, and a friend, Ruth, graciously sent me a "cheat sheet" with the basics spelled out. The next game I watched, sheet in hand, someone attempted a blitz. I didn't have to interrupt my husband, I had only to look up "blitz" on my little paper.
Then came the Super Bowl - the acid test! I reviewed my notes, watched the game so carefully that I got a headache, and asked well timed, intelligent questions. It's a good thing I wasn't watching for the commercials this time, because with one exception (the one where the boss is in the lush office with comfortable furniture, book-lined walls and a moose head, the "worker bee" is on the other side of the wall, working through the legs of the hind end of the moose in a crowded, noisy mail room. Cracked me up), they stunk. The game, however, was really good! I guess you really can teach an old dog new tricks.
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11 comments:
Well done, Tracie! I like your description of your "before" perception of football (the knots tangling and untangling).
It's the same thing with Baseball, which is what I really enjoy. It just takes a little study and you're good to go! ♥ ∞
I watched and enjoyed the Super Bowl myself. But it's sort of like fishing for me: great now-and-then, but not something one can do every day or week (unless you're a football fan). A little goes a long way.
Loved the moose commercial too. It still makes me grin, just thinking about it.
Be blessed,
Kathleen
Oh, Tracie, this makes me so happy. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
That moose commercial made me laugh out loud.
I need that cheat because I do not understand a thing about football. I will have to go right over to Ruth's blog. Thanks.
Good for you! That's quite the accomplishment.
Dear Rosezilla ~~ Well done on learning about the game as it makes it more interesting. I watch some of the Superbowl, but didn't understand much of it. I enjoyed seeing Bruce Springsteen singing "Glory Days," and the girl who sang the National Anthem - she did well for first appearance after the family tragedy.
I am glad you enjoyed my post and the story teaches us to be happy with what we have, and we have so many things to be thankful for.
Take care, my friend, Love, Merle.
Oh that's it, you'll be shouting along with the boys now! LOL I was the same with my ex, he loved footie (soccer over your way ;o) and I got addicted, knew all the lingo, who was transferred and why, strengths, managers, the lot and got promoted to "Honourary bloke" and was invited to 'post-match drinks and game review' at the pub. Then I split with my ex and met Simon who doesn't follow any sport and my addiction dissolved, so now I've lost all my knowledge and been relegated to rank of "Girl" again when it's on! LOL Glad you had a good time sweetie xxx
I feel terrible because I let my poor husband watch the game by his selve. Maybe next year you can post that sheet and I will try it.It sounds like a great idea :>)
I understand the game - as a child I lived by the High School field and watched many games. But I still don't like it especially on TV - my husband watched with the guys - and I watched a girlie movie . . .
But I did send some snacks down - that counts doesn't it??
Good for you - sports is an area I claim total ignorance! And since my husband isn't interested, I can claim my ignorance as bliss :)
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