How neurotic are you watching the game?

Submitted by karpodiem on

Confess. 

I'll start - you could probably generate a laundry list of diagnoses if you are familiar with the DSM IV. I cannot watch games with people who are not at least familiar with mgoblog. They just don't understand, man.

Ralphie explained it best in The Christmas Story - "In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan. "

MGoRyan

October 14th, 2011 at 2:20 PM ^

2nd that. I need to watch them at home on DVR. I let the game run for 45 minutes with my phone off. I then am able to fast forward through all breaks, timeouts, opponent celebrations and heartbreaking plays. It's a bit neurotic.

Oaktown Wolverine

October 14th, 2011 at 4:10 PM ^

Even if you don't check it, knowing you got a text or call in the middle of the game when you are not live always gives it away. 

Also, make sure to tell your next door neighbro NOT to come knocking on the door asking you why you are not cheering for the Wolverines, when you are 32 seconds behind in the Notre Dame game. I wanted to punch him.

 

 

Tim in Huntsville

October 14th, 2011 at 1:02 PM ^

I never sit but rather stand, kneel, pace in front of the TV at least until the game is out of hand..  

My wife makes sure the Michigan gnome is out of the liquor cabinet and also 'watching' the game (but that doesn't count as it is her neurosis).

Bronco648

October 14th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

I'm the same, I cannot sit and usually rock side-to-side from one foot to the other as I watch the game. My wife is so happy she works Saturdays during college football season.  Regardless of the score, halftime cannot pass quickly enough.

Baldbill

October 14th, 2011 at 1:03 PM ^

Since I have become a father, I tried very hard to not get too worked up. Sometimes I have to leave the room, turn the TV off. It happens. I usually have the DVR on, and watch it later.

Suavdaddy

October 14th, 2011 at 1:09 PM ^

I cuss.  Alot.  Especially over the past three years.  That is just the way it goes.  That is why I am on the lookout for either a (i) Michigan fan or (ii) some other major college program lady.  She will understand.  I think. 

I still recall my Father screaming his head off at the screen when either MI scored or screwed up.  My mom was generally elsewhere. 

I don't plan to change.  Maybe that's why there is no lady.  ;)

 

MadMonkey

October 14th, 2011 at 3:00 PM ^

standard ones don't seem up to the job.  I am eerily quiet (when not at the Big House) when we are playing well or have a big lead.  

I am adorned with 20+ year old maize and blue gear that looks quite shabby but has become like a second skin in Autumn.  No alcohol during the game.  No channel surfing.

My wife finds appropriate activities away from the house and the windows are closed to lower the possobility our neighbors children learn the aforementioned new lexicon phrases.

RowoneEndzone

October 14th, 2011 at 1:11 PM ^

My wife has a hard time watching with me because I get too intense.  She usually takes our 8 month old son out of the house to buy stuff we don't need.  I pretty much watch alone other than the liveblog.  I live in Upstate NY so there aren't many CFB fans that share my passion.

This is Michigan

October 14th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

Well I was pacing up and down the concourse at half time at Northwestern. Twirling my hat and pulling out my hair. I also couldn't stop shaking my leg until UM got a comfortable lead.

Also, like Hoke I don't like to eat before the game, but will drink quite a bit.

Ohh yea, I can't sit down when I watch the game a home or in a bar.

So I would say a modest 7 on a scale one to 10.

I have problems.

Blue-Chip

October 14th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^

I'll be watching the game with my entire family. Normally, I would look forward to this. But for this one I am having anxiety problems knowing I'll need to reel in my nervous pacing and wild gesturing.

zoco

October 14th, 2011 at 1:13 PM ^

A few beers usually curbs my anxiety to the point where i'm tolerable to watch a game with.

I'm to the point where I can predict a Denard INT.   I'm typically not too surprised when one happens and I let out a loud ironic laughter which channels my frustration and prevents me from throwing my half-full beer can through the plasma screen.

Pasadena_Blue

October 14th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

I am with youo there indeed.  This year's ND game saw me open a fresh pack for kickoff and saw the last one get polished off after my run around my house to celebrate the win.  I actually spent most of the second half watching the game through my living room windows as the GF refused to bend and let me smoke inside one time.

CookieMonster

October 14th, 2011 at 1:15 PM ^

Ive found that any negative reaction I have towards the game are always yelled out at the top of my lungs and any positive reaction or comment I always whisper to myself. Not sure what this would diagnose as.

MMB 82

October 14th, 2011 at 1:16 PM ^

I set up my road bike on an indoor trainer in front of the TV, and ride for some nearly 60 miles- I find pushing the nervous angst out thru pedals for nearly three hours is great for both my psyche and physique. I get to downshift and spin easily during commercials and halftime.

Wendyk5

October 14th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^

Pretty bad, and I will only admit this here, but my husband knows, because I involve him. During games that will be close, I watch the first five minutes, then I start getting neurotic. If the other team even has one good drive or one good stop, I leave the room. I go into another room with a televistion, and turn it on, along with Mgoblog liveblog. I put the computer up high in front of the TV screen so I can't see it. I turn off the TV sound, but always keep the picture on. If something good happens (I know this because I'm liveblogging), I will watch it on TV. If things start getting dicey (Notre Dame game is a good example), I turn off everything, and listen while my husband watches in the other room (He did not go to Mich but is a fan). I call in every minute or so to get the update, which he yells back to me. "FIRST DOWN!" gives me some relief, as does "TOUCHDOWN!!" of course. At the end of the Notre Dame game, I was in our office, curled up on the floor with my hands over my ears. There would be long periods of silence, and I would feel compelled to go back in and watch. But if anything happened in ND's favor, I would literally sprint out of the room and curl up again. 

I am sort of convinced that when I leave the room,  we score and win. 

 

There, I said it. 

Wendyk5

October 14th, 2011 at 4:48 PM ^

I'm starting to worry about the Ohio State game because I'll be there. My 11 year-old son and I are going and I don't know how he'll feel about me, you know, acting crazy. He's seen it at home, but it gets multiplied by 100 for THAT game. We just went to the NW game and I really wanted to get into it with some NWestern fans, but held back. 

triangle_M

October 14th, 2011 at 2:55 PM ^

I am a real basket case during the games.  Before I started watching with the alumni club here it was  difficult for me to watch them in public.  I can't shout obscenities with the alumni's silver foxes surrounding me and its probably better that way. My 10 year old will shout, "GAHHH, WHAT'S DENARD DOING UNDER CENTER?" when they set up in power.  When Denard throw a high ball its, "OH NOES, TACOPANTS!" and "BACKFOOT!!!"  Its hilarious, he sounds like a jr mgoblogger.

Sometimes, I call my ex to make sure she isn't watching, because whenever she is Michigan does poorly.   Its funny, she'll answer the phone and won't even say hello, instead its, "I'll turn it off."   Although to be fair we had to reverse roles during the '97 Rose Bowl.

I drink one beer per quarter.  None before, and none after.

I always wear the home game shirt, even if I didn't wash it the week before.

I have a very visible nervous twitch when we are on defense where I push my leg down to stop the opposing offense.  I also have an arm/elbow twitch when we have the ball.  

Go Blue and beat State.

M-Wolverine

October 14th, 2011 at 4:26 PM ^

My mom couldn't watch a game all the way through, and used to go into the kitchen and just listen for our reaction.

And my wife will leave at the first sign of things going bad and hang out in the bedroom. Though that may just be because she doesn't want to be around me.

Jeffy Fresh

October 14th, 2011 at 1:17 PM ^

My hands literally tremble for the first 10 minutes or so.  I operate on people all day and that doesn't make me nervous one bit.  However when we are down and it is 3rd and 3, I am shaking.  My priorities are fucked up.