Don't be like this guy

I guess one of the reasons I'm writing this blog is in response to this guy. GuitarEarl is all for finding his own English Premier team, which is great.  It just seems he is going about it all wrong. He's trying to be logical about selecting a new team. I too tried to become a fan through research. I spent a week creating and perfecting a sweet chart that first identified different qualities of the teams and then gave those qualities arbitrary points and ranked them. I wasn't magically a fan of Everton after my chart told me they were a good fit.

What I am, however, is better informed about the Premier League than I had been. I can now carry on a conversation with people who are fans, which in the end is worth more than having one team to call "mine." I don't have any sweet swag to wear on Saturday mornings, but I can follow the game because I'm familiar with the players, I can decipher the chants out of the crowd, and I can occasionally even impart knowledge that comes from reading Wikipedia for hours on end.

So GUITAREARL of epltalk.com, it isn't that I think you are doing is bad. Over the next 30+ games I'm sure you will realize that some of your prejudices were unfounded and some of your research unnecessary, but your efforts won't make you enjoy the league any less. It's okay not to have a team, because we can still have fun, and watch the league for the love of the sport.

Choosing an EPL team

It happens every four years: Americans find that not only are they watching soccer for hours at a time, but that they actually enjoy it. Even after USA loses, they amaze themselves and watch the rest of the World Cup through to the finals.  "What a beautiful game," we think. "Hardly any ads and non-stop action. I wonder how I can see more of this?" A few of them have friends with the expanded sports packages that show the English Premier League and Serie A games, so they figured they'll just do a little research, pick a team and boom, they are a soccer fan.

People who think they can simply pick an English Premier League team as a way to start watching soccer are kidding themselves. 

Bill Simmons tried it. He maybe watched a few games but we didn't hear much from him about his love for soccer over the last four years (the two books focused on baseball and basketball might've been a factor). His problem was he likened choosing an EPL team to picking out a new car.  As dedicated a sports fan as he is, he should've known better.  Your 2010 Lexus hybrid SUV isn't going to break your heart, and it comes with a warranty.  The 2010 Arsenal team, on the other hand, probably will break your heart if you give them the opportunity, and the only condolence will be the thought of next season.

I'm not here to "pick" a team. What I'm hoping is to eventually fall in love with one.

Ironman and Love

Two weeks ago I was lucky enough to cheer my brother on at the Ironman Wisconsin. My expectations were that the family and I would see Dave when he was in town (start of the swim, start of the bike, and the beginning, middle and end of the marathon) and then spend the rest of the day shopping in downtown Madison and grabbing a pint or two at a pub with a view of the run.  In reality we were dashing about all day, racing from one spot to the next to cheer as loud as we could for about five seconds as he biked or ran past. 

But what really impressed me was how Dave's Ironman was a team effort between him and his amazing wife Melissa.  The day of the Ironman was also her birthday, and exactly two weeks short of their first wedding anniversary.  There was incredible sacrifice of time, energy and money on both of them this past year, but watching them throughout the day, you knew it was worth it. 

Last kiss before the start.

Arsenal Drinking Game

Watching football with a bunch of Gooners, we (non-Arsenal fans) developed a drinking game to keep us occupied:

Drink 1:

• Sanga looks indignant
• Arshavin throws the ball away
• Close-up of Chamakh's hair

Drink 2

• Announcer mentions Arsenal's attempts at picking up a new keeper
• Dives
• Player Snot Rockets
• U2 song plays

Drink 3:

• Almunia does something stupid

More tips for drinking game from a miserable DC United fan: DC United Drinking game