Super Bowl Party

Another great season of Steelers football. I always love having everybody over each week for Steelers games. And, it was especially great getting everybody together for the Super Bowl. I was just sorry that we couldn't deliver a victory. 

Text Message Meltdown

Spend any amount of time talking to me or getting to know me, you're bound to figure out one thing about me--my phone is essentially an extension of me. No matter where I am or who I'm with, I'm usually sending or receiving a text message. It's my gateway to my friends and family.

How fascinating it is to be able to call together a group of friends for dinner or drinks. How cool it is to be able to share events and fun with your entire network of friends in an instant. No matter where you are, you can share. At the beach? At the Bar? At the Game? Somebody can't be there? Share a piece of the action.

You'd think this was a blog about my new-found fascination with texting. But, quite the opposite, I guess it's going on 5 years since I was bit by the text bug. Until recently, it just felt that cool that I was always tied in with the people I liked to have around.

I don't know if it's burnout or if the novelty is wearing off, but I've just kinda had it with texting. Much like being around me day-to-day, I'm sure there's things I say that rub people the wrong way. So, being an extension of me, it's only natural that similar behavior would radiate from my phone. But, lately, it seems that not a single message goes out without somebody bemoaning it.

Whaaaaa! You send too many messages. Boo hoo. You hurt my feelings. Woe is me. You pointed out the obvious about my favorite superstar. Or, heck, even ignoring the fun stuff. Whatever the case may be, it's lost its fun for me. I don't think I've ever texted anything that I don't say to people face-to-face when we're together.

So, I guess, sharing my fun, interacting as if we were all together and saying wish you were here has somehow become a lot less fun for me. Ting-a-ling.

Turkey Bowl and the Real Turkies

I participated in my first-ever Turkey Bowl Football event this last weekend. WOW! What a lot of fun. It was a great reminder of how much I miss being outdoors, running around in the name of senseless horseplay.

Life is so uncomplicated when you shut out all the other noise in your life and have nothing to do but keep your eye on the ball.

It's even better when you're out there sharing that experience with friends. We were all part of a joint delusion that we were all 12 years old again, drawing plays on our hands, plotting against our foes and full of boundless energy.

Of course, a quick look at the taped ankles, the snug-fitting flags, the folded over masses trying to catch their breath or watching any one of us waddling for a touchdown was enough to assure everybody that none of us was even close 12. But, if even only for a few flashes of greatness, it was worth...well...all of our weight in gold.

Afterwards, like a group of warriors--home from a successful battle, we all nodded our heads at one another with a satisfied grin--at least until we could catch our breath enough to talk about it.
The point becomes, it was an experience that we all shared together. A group dillusion. A simple, focused time together. A time that was balanced in its glory and embarassment. A reminder of what friendship is and how simple it can be.

I'll name each one of my muscle aches after one of you. I think there's enough to go around--at least twice. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!!