Wednesday, October 14, 2009

"Getting Out Of The Box: Fantasy Football, And Other Great Activities"

Several months ago I decided I needed to step out of my comfort zone, and try some new extra curricular activities. My choices have been limited in the past, due to my inability to conquer certain fears.

I use the word fear in its plural form, because I have many. Among them are things like chipping or breaking a nail, breaking into a full all over body sweat, public showers, or the complete lack there of, being clueless about the activity and looking like a complete and total idiot, or even worse, the chance for bodily harm.

As soon as my "get out of the box" decision was made, I began to think about some things I could do, and I actually tried a few of them.

Golf: I bought clubs, and a bracelet with charms. The charms were of things like a golf tee, a golf ball, a flag in a hole, etc.. End result: Clubs, in the attic. Bracelet, located in my top dresser drawer. Never been worn.

Camping, fishing, and Kayaking: This idea was put on the back burner for now, after consideration of all of the potential disasters that could occur should I go out into the woods with a tackle box, tent, and other equipment that would allow me to wind up in the middle of a lake.

Softball: Did it. Purchased an equipment bag, complete with monogram of my initials and number, got an actual team together, practiced, watched from the bench(in uniform)for about the first three games,to smoke it all over, actually played in the last five or so, wasn't very good, but I can report that I kept the umpires entertained.

After the softball adventure I decided I needed to slow things down a bit. My wheels were turning thinking about the things that I might try next, and then it happened. I came across an add for a fantasy football league on the Internet.

The next thing I know I had signed myself up. No research no questions. Keep in mind I knew absolutely nothing about NFL football, but I figured, what better way to learn?

The first thing I had to do was choose my players for the draft. Since I knew nothing about football, I knew nothing about player ability or statistics, so I did the logical thing and picked them by name. I say logical because I just figured if I had heard of them,they must be really good. That's pure logic, right?

After the draft came the big decisions, like who to keep on the bench and who to play. The first two games came and went and my record was 2-0. In week 3 I asked my husband for help, because it was really getting complicated. People were getting injured, I was hearing terms like waivers, and bye weeks, and becoming more and more confused. He refused to help me, and so I turned to a friend of mine for advice. His advice was good and I became 3-0.

During week 4 I went back on my own, and I suffered my first loss making my record 3-1. This past week was week 5, and I am happy to report that my record is 4-1 and I am ranked 1st in my league. I know, crack up!! Right?

Lord only knows how this will eventually turn out (there are 16 weeks), but I will tell you that I have learned a good deal about football. Positions, offense, defense, passing games, rushing games, fumbles and so on.

Every Sunday now I get in front of the television with my laptop and launch my live scoring. I become so stressed and competitive I'm dangerous. I even yelled out at a player during a game like he could hear me. My husband called from the other room asking "was that you Arlene?" I admitted that it was, and have yet to tell him that I was a little shocked myself when I realized what I had done.

At any rate, I'm loving fantasy football and I've already decided that I'm playing again next year.

As far as what I'll do next, I'm not sure yet, but I will tell you that my friend just moved into a house on the lake....
 
Words Of A Southern Lady. Design by Exotic Mommie. Illustraion By DaPino