The Bad News Bugs

Just have fun...don't take it seriously...it's about getting exercise...they'll be our new friends...let's see how it goes...

At a field near the airport, we entered a crowded mass of families: dozens of kids wearing a rainbow of colors, the parents all set with lawn chairs, tents, blankets, snacks.  And then there was our team...a crew who had as much familiarity as a random meeting in the park to toss the ball around.  

Drills were introduced, but only as a guide.  It's about effort, really.  I don't care if you went around the cone, just look at her trying.  You're not walking away, you're not saying you're bored.  I call that an accomplishment. 

Then we looked across the field.  Damn - when did they have time to make a banner?!  That's cool.  I know we talked about making one, but look.  They have matching bows, too.  And...wait a minute, there's no way that kid is in this age group.  This is a ringer.  Right, right.  We don't keep score.  I know.  Hey, let's have fun!

 

A huddled mass, the same as discussed by the Statue of Liberty, they move to and fro.  Bodies occasionally fall, conversations begin in the middle of a game on the field.  Distractions as minimal as a dragonfly occur, and even "out of bounds" has a loose definition.

 

It's her turn to sit out and be a "cheerleader."  She was eating a watermelon slice when the Bugs went up 1-0.  I know, we're not keeping-  "I scored."  Hey, why not?

 

The only yelling is to get your own offspring to notice that the ball went behind them, or to notice everyone else is on the other end of the field.  The rest of the time is spent in laughter.  Not the players - the families ourselves.  This is all utterly hilarious...but are we laughing at the sight?  At ourselves for placing any kind of weight behind this endeavor?  At the concept?  Maybe we're just giddy.  After all, the sun broke out right as the game started and now we're all at the mindset of "that's enough, don't you think?"

 

The biggest reaction came from the snack bag received in the post-game high five round-up.  Snacks are what life is all about?  Well, I agree.  Don't take that jersey off unless you want to.  Yeah, I say you let everyone know you were making it happen out there.  If the only win/loss measurement is fun, how can you lose?   

Only if there are no snacks.  Keep the snacks coming, folks.

Not Yet

Despite the weighted responsibility in molding today's minds for tomorrow, you can work with every fiber in your being to make a great person.  Someone with only your best qualities, the qualities you wish you had but don't, and the entertaining qualities that might get you confused looks from people like teachers or...anyone else.

A certain former late night talk show host stated, and I'm paraphrasing, that he was excited to have a son because "he'll be just like me, he'll like 90% of the things I do, and he'll sit right next to me and not talk.  And oh, was I wrong."  To that extent, all I can do is continue to enjoy the things I do and then not help but be bewildered on what, of all things, connect.

I've written 3-4 metaphors and I can't come up with anything but the truth in that hearing the soundtrack to National Lampoon's Vacation hit.  So you enjoy the songs only so long until the audience starts to ask questions.  What's happening when this is on?  A 1-line answer doesn't suffice at this age.

"Can I see the movie?"

No...someday, but no.  It's for older people.

"But are there parts I can see?"

Sure!  Let me...(oh shit, what did I just do)

Explaining this to anyone else in the general public isn't the kind of thing that makes an overflowing pool of friends, but you'd be surprised to find who is caught off guard by this development, enjoys the trip down memory lane, and in conclusion, does not judge you.  And why not?  

Dinner time arrives, and when asked what music would be the preference, I'm told "Smooth Jazz."  Not by any adult.  Smooth Jazz, each and every time, and while that means most meals sound like someone left the TV on the Welcome Channel at an 1980s hotel, so be it. 

This is going to change, you know.  There will be some thing, almost certainly media-related, that will be undoubtedly current and modern, that she and I will both like...and there will be even more that she likes and I think is awful.  It's how it goes. 

But between you and me: if she genuinely enjoys watching current commercials, why won't she watch old commercials...with me?!