I'm sorry faithful (or semi-faithful) blog readers, but there has just been too much for me to write about, even if I gave everything 1/4 of the justice I would like to. So, keeping that in mind, I'll take an event, or two, and write about that a little more in depth. Please, if you really liked the day-to-day style, let me know, but if this is just as good or better, still let me know.
Football is a big part of my life. I love it, both for viewing and participating. The ability to watch could come out of the play perhaps, because I can see things before they happen, and appreciate tough plays, and feel the players' pain when they get hit, and when they mess up. I've been playing for a long time, and I remember my grandpa playing catch with me, one of the few positive memories I have of him, so football will always be something I treasure. A few years later, I played flag football in Iowa, (two undefeated seasons, raising our town's winning streak to 13), and learned a lot of skills that I still use, and I learned that football brings people together. I can still hear my coach yelling if I make a really stupid play, and I still know how to run the option, and I still love playing safety. When we moved to California, I missed the formality of league football, and tried to get some stuff going in my neighborhood. This didn't work often, and I spent a lot of time playing with Alex. The upside to this time is when we moved to the apartments, he was a good quarterback. Really good.
The first few games were hard, as most of the guys who were playing didn't have much experience with football. They were great at futbol, but didn't get the other rule differences. We must have spent 3 hours on forward laterals alone. Eventually we had a nice little group of guys, who would play fairly regularly. Fast forward 3 years, most of those guys think they are too cool, or have moved, or are busy with work. New group of guys, much younger, more versed in rules and tactics, but not quite on my physical level. The last game we played had a new addition to the mix, Uriel, and for while his brother, and two cousins. One of the most socially challenging moments I confront from time to time is when girls attempt to play football. Don't get me wrong, there are girls who can play, but it makes things more tricky for all the guys. Do we block them, do we have to watch where we tag them, what if we miss because we watch where we tag? Its hard. I had to deal with this, because one of the cousins who was playing with us was a girl. 14, 15 old enough to handle herself, pretty athletic, not so small she would get trampled. And then we were running a kickoff back, and I was blocking, and she was coming from the side, and I instinctively dropped my shoulder, and knocked her on her butt. Whoops. I felt awful, and she rubbed it in a little, partially because she was shaken. Probably wasn't expecting that.
Another thing I love about football is how it can come down to that last moment. One last touchdown before dinner, last play of our drive. We have to get a touchdown, or its a turnover. Alex bombs the ball, way down the parking lot field. Everyone looks up, I'm sprinting after the ball, catch it, jump over the little tree divider thing, and get the touchdown. It was a good ending, and we all know it. Game over, handshakes and man hugs all around, and then we trot inside, till next time. I love football.
And then this, well this is just too good to keep to myself. A few nights ago, Alex gave me a wedgie, like big brothers do. No good reason, it was just there. Fine, that's fair game, but he can't complain if things escalate. This morning I realized, things hadn't escalated yet. I spent most of the morning trying to figure out what to do. Finally, I hit on it. Alex was going to be leaving the house for a while, and I would have just about 45 minutes before I had to go somewhere. I know there is a long tradition of winter cleaning in some places, where you cleanse your room of everything that holds you down. I wanted to share that with Al. So Nick and I cleaned out everything we possibly could in the amount of time, and moved it to our room. It looked like a wasteland in Al's room when we finished. There was almost nothing left, except all his books. (I think he should spend more time reading.) What makes this funny is the approval of my family, and even enjoyment to some degree. Alex, when he walked in, was not amused. He spent a few minutes taking inventory of what he didn't have. Which was a lot. He then strode fiercely out into the living room, accused myself and Nick of taking his stuff, and he demanded it all back. It took me almost a minute to stop laughing enough to get a sensible response out. I helped him get his stuff back into his room, but he really didn't see much humor in it, and as the scope of the prank dawned on him, he got more and more mad. He's gonna get me back, but I've already got a response planned. The door, which he always closes, off the hinges, and somewhere else, like, the dining room. Simple, fast, hilarious. Thanks to Mom for the idea!
I hope you all have a joyous Thanksgiving!
Chris
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