Basketball, baseball, soccer, volleyball - I've tried them all. Granted, this team sport stint took place between the ages of six and 14, but still, at the urging of my parents, I dabbled.
From this, I learned three things: I'm a barely passable volleyball player, being tall does not guarantee all-star success, and - most importantly - not everyone is a team player. And that includes me.
First, let me say that I'm not a terrible person. Really, I promise. Even non-team players have hearts.
Second, I'm generally a cooperative person. I like working with people to accomplish worthwhile goals.
Third, I've participated in all sorts of groups and teams. So, you can rest assured that I haven't been shirking my duties as a functioning member of society.
But from the vantage point of a woman straddling her mid-30s, I can see the pattern. All in all, I tend to steer clear of mass fads and organized groups - classes, boards, councils, and team sports. They make me feel claustrophobic and rebellious, the urge to oppose or ignore nearly overpowering.
The reason for this personal quirk is elusive. Like my eye color or my penchant for Mochi and marzipan, this team-aversion thing is just another part of me. A fickle part I suppose, as I'm currently involved in several groups.
But back to sports, because, believe it or not, this post actually has a point (even if it is nice to ramble a bit).
While some people thrive in that competitive world of coaches and goalies, rules and referees, I do not. Back in my team days, I did the opposite. I withered. I forgot the rules and lacked the drive to "kill" my competitors. I bit my nails and dragged my heels, and I'm not speaking figuratively. In short, I hated it.
It wasn't until my late teens and early 20s that I found my athletic niche - physical endeavors of the solo variety. Skiing, kayaking, yoga, running, biking, hiking. Sports that pit a person against him or herself, against nature. Much more my style. And I excelled at them.
It just so happens that The Russian is similar. And so, in our home, we don't watch many pro sports games. Football, basketball, soccer, baseball. Its not that we don't like them, we just nothing them.
But lately, my views have been changing. Maybe its because I'm a mom to three kids who are entering the age of sports craziness. Maybe it's because I'm a celebratory kind of gal, and I love an excuse to get together with friends and family, have delicious food, and get excited about almost anything. Maybe its because my city has finally been bitten by the pro sports bug. Whatever the reason, I'm warming up to the idea of team sports.
Not for myself - Lord no! I still prefer the solo stuff, and I still largely avoid most organized groups. But in the last few years, we've become Sounders fans. And this last season, I kept my eye on the Seahawks, who, as you probably know, won the Superbowl.
The Russian even took the day off work to watch the game. Mister spent the morning making sweet, little decorations in blue and green. We had my parents over, made some tasty apps, pulled some pork, and spent the afternoon lounging on the couch and screaming at the television. It was awesome!
Just don't ask me to join your adult baseball team. I will laugh at you. Seriously.
.JPG "meggiewrites.blogspot.com") |
| The creative genius of Mister. |
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