I forgot! & Ask yourself... Part II

First I would like to talk about pressure. Just to clarify which definition I speak of: The use of persuasion, influence or intimidation to make someone do something. Interesting. I often wonder why people don't have their own blogs if they enjoy seeing themselves on blogs so much? Hmm. Make no mistake about it:

MM#1!

Mostly because of my blog though. Wouldn't you agree? Hm? Hm? Wouldn't you though? Yeah... I thought so. Recognize!

and now...

Ask yourself... Part II

I took my cousins to basketball practice last night. It was so funny & fulfilling I do believe I will be the one to bring them from here on out. Let me explain...

Remember my issue with crotchety old men? Me too! I sat on the bleachers to the side and one step down to my right was this older gentleman, nothing special until he opened his mouth. That's when the magic began. He was Richie's dad. He made that known by continuing to loudly criticize Richie any time he did anything child like (Richie is 10), or any time he did anything that dad thought worth a hurtful comment. Let me give you an example: "Richie get out of the way! Richie get it together! Run Richie! Try Richie! Run some of those pounds off Richie!" I shit you not. The kid was a total wreck, second guessing his every move and you wouldn't mind, but he was one of the better players. Every time he got a basket (there were many), every time he blocked or stole the ball (many times), any time he made a sweet ass play (this kid is good)... nothing. Pops just sat there and said nothing. Not even a smile! At first I was amazed and caught off guard in a I am going to laugh out loud if this continues, which meant I spent a good while staring at him with that wide eyed, half smiling but mouth agape, super surprised look stuck on my face. Almost like I expected the delusion to wear off at some point so I could see the reality of the situation but planned on enjoying the delusion while I had it. Seems a shame to waste surreal moments. This was all real though and then it happened! Must torture old crotchety man syndrome kicked in.

From then on I was TEAM RICHIE! I am considering making a T shirt. Every time he did anything that wasn't stellar I'm yelling out encouraging things: "Close Richie! Don't let it get to you buddy, next time you'll get it! Ooooo... no go kid, no reason to feel bad! Good try Rich! Great shot buddy, work on the aim!" When he made out I was an animal: "YEAH! ALL RIGHT RICHIE!! SWEET PLAY! YOU RULE!" and so forth and so on. Dad started quieting down a bit and his focus turned from Richie a bit towards me. He was beginning to realize he had met his nemesis. Bring it Mr. Bad Attitude, you don't even know the half of it. And he didn't. I started dragging him into it. Huge smile, excited gestures, full eye contact, the works. "Wow, that was a great play Richie just made, don't you think?! He's really good! Whoa! Did you see that?! OMG! Richie is AWESOME!" and so forth and so on...

Next thing you know, Richie falls down hard. Lands on his knee super heavy like and of course since he's still a young pansy boy, starts crying. I do what every normal adult does when they see a child fall down and hurt themselves, make a sad attempt at choking back laughter. Richie's dad actually stays seated and tells Richie to stop it and get up!! I couldn't hold back the laughter at that point, but I made a nice save, and directed it at the jerky father. Well, since it's plain the hurt child cannot get up and everyone is starting to make a fuss, dad realizes he has to get up, if for nothing else to clear his sons body from the way of the other players. So he and the coach lift Richie up and help him gimp over to the bleachers where he is left in his fathers "care". Richie's dad put on a fabulous show while everyone was within ear shot but as soon as they cleared out he was all over Richie. Demanding Richie to figure out if he needed to go to the hospital, telling Richie things like this don't happen when you try. Direct quote: "You don't bounce off the floor all the time if you try. Do you see anyone else bouncing off the floor? No. That's because they're actually trying!". You have to feel for this kid. When he's up in the bell tower loading his gun,I'll know it's not his fault and his psyche is the equivalence to raw hamburger.

Once home and rallying for Richie's cause I found out that I'm not the only one pained over his treatment. I also found out that he's the youngest kid on the team. Everyone else is 12. Ouch. So he's the tallest, heaviest and youngest. Those things by themselves are a recipe for disaster. I now see this crotchety old men agitator as a strength. I am going to use this to Richie's dad's disadvantage. It'll help me get out some pent up aggression and it'll hopefully show Richie's dad he's a fucking douche. Maybe Richie will be empowered. Maybe not. He'll probably just get it double once home since it's clear the worst dad ever takes his small penis I got beat up all the time when I was younger issues out on Richie.