Football, the long view, aging, and life

So a few yeas ago, my dad was given access to a loge at the stadium, which means after decades of sitting outside, we now watch games from the relative comfort of a crow's nest. And let me tell you, people, it's interesting to watch football from that perspective. When you're sitting in the clouds, you can watch everything unfold, and mostly--even when plays break up and coverages are blown--you're still struck by the precision and the plan of it all.

Last week in Oregon we sat on a second row bleacher where you mostly have a view of a) the guy's head in front of you, b) the cheerleaders, and c) an occasional shot of players' beefy butts and thighs. What strikes you from the second row is how chaotic it all looks. No precision. Just scrambling and grunting and fumbling.

And for some reason this morning, I thought how much aging is like sitting in a loge. You have this broader view about the stuff that's happened. You've seen a lot and you've detached a little, and therefore you can spot patterns, right? On the other hand, when you're in the middle of a thing--a financial crisis, a problem with a child, whatever--it's a lot like sitting on the second row. It all feels like chaos.

I have no idea why I wrote all that just now.

Why I Don't Delete My FB Account

Sometimes I think about deleting my FB account so I won't get sucked into the ether vortex any more than I already do. But frankly I like to stalk my children there, and sometimes I am rewarded for my efforts. To wit: a former neighbor--very lovely man with unfortunate taste in teams--posted that he was happy about the U's victory last night. Well! Low and behold! Look what he let himself in for!

Geoff Cannon ‎27-10 against an FCS team is grounds for a nice game these days? I thought the U was a Pac 12 team?
16 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

Alec Cannon I thought Utah's fake punt while up 24-0 against an FCS team was really well executed.
14 hours ago · Unlike · 1 person

Dylan Cannon Hey, Utah did what only 3 FCS teams did last year! Give them some credit. And, Ted, I'll take the Phil Dunphy quote, so I give thumbs down to Utah but thumbs up to you
7 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

Geoff Cannon Face it, Holt. You'll be taking abuse for Cannons all. day. long.
6 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

Ann Cannon I'd like to point out I'M the one who made the above comment. I didn't realize I was on Geoff's fb account. Although I think I'll push the like button on my own brilliant comment.
6 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

Ann Cannon Yeah. I meant FROM Cannons.
5 hours ago · Unlike · 2 people

(Name of neighbor redacted to protect his privacy and also to shield him from the consequences of the above-mentioned unfortunate tastes): I should have known I was opening up a can of Cannons with my comment. You're all just racist...or Uteist...I can't figure out which one. I, on the other hand don't see color, just BCS bowl wins and championships after 1984.
4 hours ago · Like

Alec Cannon I sometimes forget about those BCS wins. They get lost in all of those 3rd and 4th place finishes in the MWC. But I am sure you'll get tons of PAC-12 championships.
4 hours ago · Like

Alec Cannon Because Air Force and New Mexico aren't in the PAC-12 to beat you guys.
3 hours ago · Like · 1 person