School Pride Runs Deep

Sorry about the extended hiatus.  The much spoken of lump of excrement hit the fan at approximately 331 miles per hour this summer.  Work turned into a 24/7 commitment.  It has not changed, but I am determined to recover a portion of my normal existence even if it places me in the unemployment line.

I recently set aside a little time and attended the state championship basketball play offs for the Georgia Independent Schools Association.  My experience was mixed.  It was a complete study in both the parental dedication and the social awareness of adults in my community.

My son attends a private school in Macon Georgia.  I am biased.  Most of my negative observations were derived from the "opposing team".  However, the truth must be presented.  In short, that's the way it was.  If the experience were any different, trust me, I would let the readers know.  It wasn't.

To understand the atmosphere, I must first provide a little history about the schools in Macon, Georgia.  The public school system serves approximately 25,000 students.  However, I would estimate that approximately 6000 students attend private schools or home schools.  There are many reasons for the large number of private schools in our community.  I will not begin to discuss all.  Two reasons remain evident.  Half of these schools were founded during integration, and practically all have religious based curriculum.   That is not to say that these reasons still exist.  The schools have been around so long that they now exist on their own merits.  I don't believe that parents place their children in private schools based on racial or religious prejudice.  Each school has it's own community that includes students, faculty, parents, family, and alumni. The rivalries are real.  The ties are strong.  The schools are proud and the parents support all aspects of the institution.  That is the reason for their existence.  Think about the pride one feels for the college they attended.  That is the same emotion we feel for our high schools.  Some of the old pains are still evident.  It is unfortunate, but it is true.  I still say that parents make the financial sacrifice, because of the overall experience and the closeness that one feels at these schools.  That is enough history. Now on to the game.

Sports rivalries in the south are and continue to be a religious experience.  Not so much at the professional level (with the exception of the Atlanta Braves), but primarily at the high school and college level.  Today, I am addressing High School Sports.  The emotions are not only based on the team, but also on the fact that the players are our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.  It runs deep, and we mean business.  We talk about local teens like they were professional athletes.  We recruit in early grades.  We have youth leagues that display the talents of 5,6,and 7 year old children.  We focus on the talent.  It is not a politically correct process.  We are not here to make sure everyone gets equal playing time.  We are here to win, period.  Winning isn't everything, it is the only thing.  This passion is not built totally around the desire to be the winner,  A large portion is based around the desire to destroy the opponent.  We take as much pride in the fact that you lost as we do in picking up a win.  I know that sounds bad, seeing that I am discussing high school sports, but I have to look you in the eye and say, so what !  I can't explain it.  That is just the way it is. 

My recent attendance at the basketball finals exposed this unreasonable desire to win.  As expected, the players always want to win; I am discussing the desire of the parents and fans.  I witnessed verbal assaults on opposing players.  Profanity used on every bad play.  Understand, it was not a public spectacle.  Here is an example; the parent yells "come on catch the ball".  He then leans over to a buddy and whispers "that son of a bitch couldn't catch the bird flu in a Chinese bath house".  The feral anger that was directed at the game officials was not so discreet.  If the call was close to being questionable, the pitch forks and shovels were raised.  If the game is close. parents close their eyes as if they were in a horror movie.  I will often go to the restroom and listen to the crowd to determine the results of the game.  I get to anxious.  I always remained reserved.  If someone observed me, they would not know that I was pulling for either team.  That exponentially increases my inner emotions.  I am big on demeanor.  Always be respectful.  I must say; it is all an act.  We want our children to be successful and, we want our team to be successful for one reason.  If they are successful, then so are we.  Our efforts and sacrifices are justified.  We stand a little taller.  We walk a little prouder.  That spirit sticker in our car window not only shows school pride, it reminds the driver behind you that we kicked your ass last night. 

I have many close friends that attend rival schools.  When we arrive at the game, we are cordial.  We shakes hands, and hug each others wives.  We ask about the kids and family.  We talk about scheduling a golf game or possibly a hand of poker.  "How is work"?  "Did y'all catch any fish last week end ?  In a matter of minutes, the preliminaries are over.  The game is about to begin, and I want your kid to fail and fail miserably.  I want them to miss every shot, strike out, fumble the ball, get pinned in record time, throw an interception, and generally play the worst game of their life.  I will pat them on the back afterwards and take him out for a big o' pizza.  But make no mistake about it; I wouldn't have it any other way.  I can't explain it. It's not personal.  It is communal.  We all understand it.  The feeling is mutual.  Everyone has their own camp, and to each his own. 

The girls state championship is tonight; so let's prepare.  The battle will ensue.  All logical rational will cease to exist and for a few minutes we will focus on our personal desire to conquer.  The game will end; the smoke will clear and all will smile and nod.  "Good game he said."  "Damn right it was a good game."  "We put a foot in your rear end."  "We'll get you next time."  "Yeah right, if our team bus flies over a cliff on the way to the game, you might have a chance."  Do you want to have lunch on Monday?" "Absolutely"

To coin an old Georgia phrase, it is good clean hate.  But understand; it is healthy.  It builds pride, character, and respect among the students, and it allows us grown ups to hang onto those glory days that we so miss.  It also creates a sense of community that will help keep the schools successful for years to come.  O well back to the game; wait a damn minute...."foul !  what do you mean foul ?  You blind SOB, get it the game for God's sake.  You suck!!  Man, I love this stuff.

Facebook People

I remain undecided on the current state of social networking.  Once, when I was between jobs, I built a facebook page, and yes it was rather amusing for a few months.  A different blast from the past would hit the old inbox about every other day.  I made the all so common mistake of conversing with  an old girlfriend or two.  My wife quickly informed me how pathetic and inappropriate that idea was.  Old friends are important.  Old aquaintances are not, and most should remain deeply rooted in the past.  But hey, if a bad choice shows back up, you can always drop them back into the unknown by cutting them from your list of accepted contacts.  I wish that were possible in everyday life.  I don't like you and I never want to see, smell, hear, or even consider your mere existence again (Click).  Aaaaaaah, that's better.
In short, there are pros and cons to the whole set up.  My wonder lies with those that spend half of their day posting pictures, discussing shit that happened in 1983, posting everyday  BS that doesn't matter, and generally assuming that everyone gives a flying monkey turd about their every move.  As a point of reference, here are a few recent post from my "friends" :
1. Going to the store, I need butter and some Salem lights.
2. Loving life at the beach, I am having some great seafood. (post picture of their plate)
3. I'm Smiling
4. Went to the doctor for stomach problems, I still don't know what's wrong.
5. Go Dawgs (there is no UGA team competing at any level on June the 9th)   Maybe tennis or golf, but trust me, this post came from a person that could not put together another organized thought.

What the hell is going on?  Are you lonely?   Is this some type of exhibition fetish.  Do you want someone knowing every detail of your day?  Because look here, we don't give a damn about who won the little league game, or how much you enjoyed your last bowel movement.  If you want to sit and post, fine, but, give us something worth reading.  Tell us something about yourself that noone would know.  Better yet, throw a little fiction on top of the story.  Spice it up.  Tell us who you screwed last night and how you hid it from your husband.  These are things that are not important, but they do carry a little entertainment value.  I enjoy communicating and creating, however, I would never just go online to let everyone know what I am cooking for supper. 

I know the lack of personal presence results in feelings of confidence ,when communicating with others online.  I have one word of advice.  Use that confidence.  Say some shit that you would never say over the dinner table.  Make it fun, not weird.  Those of you who are guilty of posting worthless info know who you are.  Please be aware that all of your friends are talking behind your back.  We all think you have deep rooted mental problems and should seek professional help.  Please, quit.  It makes everyone feel awkward and uncomfortable.

P.S.  I am currently feeding the dog.  He is a very good boy.

Nuthin on

My memory of my childhood is extremely detailed.  I am accused of lying in some circles.  My brother in-law feels that no one could accurately remember their childhood in the manner of which I am accustomed.  This same individual believed the weapons of mass destruction story as well,  I mention his opinion for reference only, not to achieve any validity for my prose.  One of the memories that I often ponder is my past love of television.  Different shows mark different stages of my youth.  Of course there were only four channels to choose from.  There was ABC, NBC, CBS and the Superstation, channel 17.  The Superstation was the original product of a good Georgia boy who made it big, Ted Turner.  I am not sure which parts of this great country received TBS in the beginning.  If you did not, I will not apologize.  You should have lived in Georgia like normal people.  Regardless of the limited choices, the programming was spectacular.  There was always something to watch.  My formidable TV years range from 1968 to 1979, so the shows I mention will reflect this long gone era of superior entertainment.  Here are a few of my favorites: Gunsmoke, All in the Family, The Partridge Family, Gilligan's Island, Hogan's Heroes, Mash, Happy Days, Good Times, Leave it to Beaver, The Rockford Files, Mannix, The Streets of San Francisco, Night Gallery, Star Trek,  Perry Mason, Maude, The Bob Newhart Show, Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, The Jefferson's, Soap, Charlie's Angels, Laverne and Shirley, Love American Style, Grizzly Adams, Laugh In,  The Walton's, The Love Boat, Bonanza, Truth or Consequences, The Tonight Show (with Carson), The Gong Show, Match Game, Fantasy Island, Don Kirshner's Rock Concert, American Bandstand, The Banana Splits, Loony Toons, etc.  I could keep going, but I think you get the picture. I'm talking about good TV, back in the days when rasslin' was real!  Even the shows that were in syndication at that point were better than today's programs.  There were no recording devices.  We were required to adjust our lives.  Hurry home so we can see what JR did this week !  There was anticipation from week to week.  Watching reruns was like eating a box of chocolates (You know the rest). There was a total absence of reality TV shows.  Who needs reality ?  There are enough freaks in my daily existence to cover that void.  We watch to escape reality.

The Present number of channels is mind numbing.  A show's season only runs 8 to 10 weeks.  Even at that rate they still take a few weeks off.  The news we hear is all according to what channel we watch.  I miss Cronkite.  We need people who report the news, not people who make it.  The present shows can be fit into one of five basic scripts.  You figure that one out.  For example, go watch a few old episodes of CSI.  It is not hard to find them.  I think there are approximately 9 channels that run the show 24/7.  If you watch close, it will be apparent that they are simply changing the names and in what manner the victims die.  A monkey could write this show, but it remains number one.  I spend hours trying to find quality.  I flip through the 266 channels that are provided, and without intention, I always end up back on TBS or TV Land.  Ted left a legacy, the programmers still understand that the goods have past us by.  Why write and produce new shows, when you can better the competition by running the same old reruns. I do appreciate some of todays shows, but I could not start a list.  Please Hollywood, help us out.  Get creative.  Make the writers work.  Reality TV is mindless.  Really, it sucks !   Oh screw it; I'm going to watch some Barney Miller reruns.

Dogs, Friends, and Family

I have spent a large portion of my existence in the presence of canines.  I am comfortable with them.  I am not sure exactly how I stumbled upon this lot in life, however, I am keenly aware of the purpose that these creatures serve.  They provide comfort.  They are a diversion to those upright associates that tend to cause pain and stress in my world (aka friends and family).  Don't get me wrong.  It is not their fault.  I love my friends and family (most of them anyway).  It's just that relationships of that type come with stress related obligations.  Dogs are there for me. The following items never come into play, when dealing with canines: hygiene, manners, clothes, money, politics, religion, emotions, open communication, in-laws, etc.  I hope you as the reader can see where I'm going with this.  In short, my relationship with my dogs requires little or no compromise.  Granted, there is some basic responsibility as a pet owner, but the absence of all drama is euphoric.  My young Cocker Spaniel (Dude) is with me now.  He is snug under the blanket.  His feet are lightly trembling as he pursues a rabbit in his dreams.  A few moments ago, I released a 20 second fart that scanned approximately 9 octaves by my personal count.  He was the victim of a "Dutch Oven".  Although he is sharing room under our blanket with the essence of pork loin and butter beans, he continues to sleep peacefully.  It may not be very pleasant for him.  After all his sense of smell is extremely more sensitive than ours. Who knows where he draws the line when dealing with specific aromas?  The bottom line is, he accepts my lewdness graciously.  I as a friend will extend to him the same courtesy should his digestive system fall into question.  This rather vulgar scenario describes our relationship perfectly.  I marvel at his total lack of expectation.  He is totally accepting of my world.  Please understand that the type of canine comfort of which I speak is earned.  Developing a "good dawg" is an art..  This skill will be addressed in a later blog.  I will leave you now, because Dude and I both would like a treat.  Tonight, we will be sharing a few Cheez-itz and perhaps a few dry Apple Jacks for desert.