Killing The Goose

Sports are great. But like the world we live in, sports isn’t the same as they used to be. I sure don’t watch as much sports as I used to, but I do try to stay up to date with all the local college and pro teams, as well as the Fever and Grizzlies and a few other favorite teams, and golf. Sorry but the more I see about the WNBA, the less there is for my to want to watch. Too much drama and fouling and violence, kinda like the NBA back when the Pistons used to beat up everyone. No one wants to admit how one player helped skyrocket league popularity, yet the league has done nothing to protect that player from getting beat up night after night. Others may think otherwise, but for a large percentage of fans, the WNBA is killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Now get off my lawn.

I wrote this before the WNBA all stars showed up wearing "Pay Us What You Owe Us" t-shirts, which were widely panned on social media. Insiders may think differently, but for us Average Joe's, it's a bad look. The players are well aware that the new $200 million TV deal kicks in next year, and salaries will be going up, another reason to maybe not protest. Caitlin may be  the one player who least needs to protest, but she wore the shirt in solidarity with her fellow players - the very ones who keep knocking her down.   

The Falcons have three prime time games this fall, and they’ll be wearing their throwback uniforms in all three games – including on the road at Tampa, when the Bucs will be wearing their orange throwback uniforms.

Did you watch the British Open? I’m never going to call it “The Open”. Scottie won again. Afterwards he talked about how the thrill only lasted two minutes, that is was more important to be a good dad and husband.

Similarly, there is a notable different between Joe Burrow and Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins on the Netflix show Quarterback. I like Goff and Burrow. Joe seems like a thoughtful young man. Cool that he bought the Batmobile. But Cousins, during a season of adversity, surrounded himself with family and friends, helped coach his son's football team. Did he hide his injury from the team? Can you fault him for wanting to play? Just the way he thinks about things is diffent. Humble dude. Respect.

David Hurt plays lots of pickleball, often against older, less mobile opponents. It reminded me of when we all used to play volleyball in the old SPdL gym, singles vs the choir or some other Sunday School class. Hurt was famous for looking one way, while tapping the ball over the net in a different direction. As we were talking, I brought up how he pulled this maneuver on Dolly Craig, pulling a name from the past out of the air. I thought that funny. Didn’t think of Mike Ayers or Shirley or Noel or Peter Craig, or any other old SPdL names.

Not sure when the Chandler Park golf course will reopen.

Our Hilton Head trip is coming up. Our group chat is buzzing with food plans: homemade peach ice cream, chicken salad, low country boil, grits and eggs for breakfast, hot dogs out on the beach. We’ve got a ten bedroom AirB&B with 24 under one roof. Dave Ceil Will MC Shiv Millie Anna Caleb Matthew Rusty Kelly Ben Liese Kit Kat Joe Jordy Ted Phil Teresa Zane Laura Beau and Vic. All the boasting about who’s the best “cook” has never tasted Matthew’s cooking, but he’ll be happy to take a break from cooking.

Scott Atchison is still the organist at PRUMC. He was always a lot of fun. We weren’t roomates on choir tour, but once we traded to be together one night at someone’s house. As they drove us home from the church our hosts asked us what we ate for breakfast. Scott exclaimed “Quiche Lorraine!” 

What I need to do is start plotting on a map all the miles I walk / run. Perhaps a route that takes me to all the lower 48 states. Maybe from Atlanta to Alaska. I can check back in all my calendars going back to the 1980’s to plot those miles on the map as well.   

It is already hard for me to hear in crowded restaurants.