EDIT: The post below was supposed to go live on Sunday night, 1/18/09. Through what was almost certainly human error, I just noticed it was still marked as a draft. I’ve edited it to show its intended posting date and time, and I’m explaining mostly because I’m doing NaBloPoMo this month, not because it’s interesting in any way! I did technically have another live post yesterday, so I’m still ok, aren’t I?
I remarked to someone today that I had no emotional or financial investment in the playoff games, so I could just sit back and relax and enjoy watching football just for the fun of it (because I am online too much, I also Twittered it). And I am.
It made me think for a bit, though. I really can’t think of many things that I do have an emotional investment in that are not highly personal. I’ve never been a huge fan of any particular celebrity or sports team. Like, enjoy, admire… yes. Worship, follow, adore… not so much. Not ever.
In some ways, I envy people that can get so totally involved in something that isn’t part of their small portion of the world. I watch super fans of whatever team is finally going to the playoffs of [name the sport] after 10, 20 or 100 (ok, maybe that one applies only to my city) years, and I can almost admire their blind faith and devotion.
But in most ways, I just don’t understand it. Anyone want to explain it to me?
I don’t understand it either, and yet I embrace it wholeheartedly. I am a die hard Angels fan. Why? I have no idea. Until a few years ago, they weren’t any good. But I’ve been cheering for them since I was a kid. I realize that’s a lame excuse for being a fan, but I honestly don’t have a better one.
Maybe there isn’t a logical reason, just reasons of the heart!