At times, such as when I discuss music, sports or film with people, or at the gym, where I can still push some weight around, I feel pretty much the same as when I was in Ann Arbor. In short, youthful, in touch and somewhat current. Other times, not so much. Those other times, which increasingly are outpacing the former, I feel all of my 44 years. Like when my daughter informed me that my hair was uncool because it had a part. Or the extra half-minute I need at every goddamn urinal. Or reading someone on this blog discuss the new defensive coordinator and then add "I have to go to class."
Part of feeling your age often results in being crotchety. Though I never meant to sound like my Dad, I find inevitably that I am slipping into dad-speak without realizing it. Often I find myself opining on topics and having no patience for providing rationale for the opinion, it simply is true and that's that. Why? Because I'm your father. If you don't like it there's the door.
Some current pieces of wisdom follow. The TV show "Two and a Half Men" is not funny, it's never once been funny, and people that watch it cannot possibly claim to have a sense of humor. On the other hand, "The Office" is brilliant, and if you can't get that--there's the door. On film, "American Beauty" is over-rated (though quite funny). It's another in the long line of films (the latest is "Revolutionary Road") that purport to show the dark underbelly that lies under the placid surface of suburbia. Where all everyone is either blind to their ennui or a soulless drone. As a former resident of Manhattan I can tell you that there is at least as much unhappiness in the city (although it's so "alive" right?) as in the suburbs. The suburbs are pretty cool actually. Don't agree? Can you see the door over there?
On to sports. While I don't have the solution to the BCS, I do know a couple of things. First, that no MAC team should ever be allowed to play against Tulsa on January 6. In fact, there should be no bowls period after January 1 not named Orange, Rose, Sugar or Fiesta. How do I know this? Because I do. Second, the Bowl season was better when every major bowl was played January 1. Not only did that day become an unprecedented orgy of fried food and beer consumption, January 1 was special because the majors all played that day. When did the Orange Bowl get the right to play January 2? Ugh. Third, the major bowls were better in the traditional, non-BCS era. When that was your chance to prove yourself nationally, but the real thing was to win your conference. When the Fiesta Bowl wasn't a consolation to a team that just missed the "real" championship game.
Lastly, in college football, as opposed to pro, I prefer the established order. If I could wave my hand and rule over the college landscape, the same ten teams would dominate every year, and simply fight over who won the title that year. Who are those teams? Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Miami, Florida, Notre Dame, and Nebraska. Upsets are fine, as long as the elite stay elite. Did I like Utah beating Alabama? Need I answer that?
So you don't agree? Have a better idea? Think I don't know what I'm talking about? Don't let the door hit you on your way out.
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