tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post880789476301945372..comments2024-02-06T16:17:25.826+00:00Comments on THE GRĂNMARK BLOG: My nerves are shot. Not only can't I play sport - I often can't summon up the courage to watch it!Scott Gronmarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-60661542742568603332013-08-13T12:21:42.025+01:002013-08-13T12:21:42.025+01:00"Could our sleazy, yobbo-centric thicko footb..."Could our sleazy, yobbo-centric thicko footballers get off their arses and win something?"<br /><br />I think we already know the answer to that one, SDG.<br /><br />And you're spot-on comments about Rooney's failed hair transplant reminded me of a joke once told by a Danish-American colleague of yours: "He had an asshole transplant, but the asshole rejected him".Scott Gronmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-68472598791258071662013-08-13T08:18:30.463+01:002013-08-13T08:18:30.463+01:00As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, we have...As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, we have the Lions victory, the Tour de France and yesterday the Ashes. Could our sleazy, yobbo-centric thicko footballers get off their arses and win something? In cricket, the hair transplants of Graham Gooch, Michael Vaughan and Shane Whatsisname [Australian - we don't have to worry about them anymore!]have taken root whilst Wayne Rooney's has obviously been a complete failure. Sez it all, really.SDGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-33242021616752797462013-08-10T14:54:40.997+01:002013-08-10T14:54:40.997+01:00Thanks, e.f. - I now get it. As you probably know,...Thanks, e.f. - I now get it. As you probably know, universities here have little or nothing to do with where they're situated, and most of the students are bussed in from elsewhere (a high proportion from abroad nowadays). I suppose that's because Britain's so small - travelling to and from college is never that big a deal. Very few local people could care less about their local college teams, whatever the sport, and the only ancient rivalry that matters at all is Oxford and Cambridge. <br /><br />I look forward to the next outing for this subject on your blog - meanwhile, thanks for taking the time to explain.Scott Gronmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-39134526183967835572013-08-10T08:34:31.156+01:002013-08-10T08:34:31.156+01:00" I think it comes from caring too much. Whic..." I think it comes from caring too much. Which is exactly what makes sports the delight that it is." Very astute observation, e.f.bartlam. Great post, great comments. Thanks, gentlemen.<br /><br /><br /><br />SDGnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-34094436410054455472013-08-09T22:24:56.508+01:002013-08-09T22:24:56.508+01:00I would be happy if I never talked of anything els...I would be happy if I never talked of anything else for the rest of my life.<br /><br />We do dominate college football through The Southeastern Conference (The SEC). Most colleges gather athletically into conferences. The SEC is really the only conference that is geographically and culturally intact...most others having ballooned beyond their traditional boundaries.<br /><br />If you were to look at what claims to be the next best conference in college football, the Big 10 (traditionally a mid western conference) they have two national titles since 1970. The SEC has won the last seven in a row.<br /><br />There are 12 scheduled games a year...8 of which are conference games. What I meant was that teams play each other only once a year. Which of course takes the urgency of each game to a ridiculous level because...<br /><br />We are very much like a family in these parts. In other words we hate one another...we just hate everybody else more. Ha. The rivalries are intense and personal. The teams represent their state or their area in ways that a professional team never could (most of the players are the state or the immediate area). Or they represent their class within a state.<br /><br />Alabama and Auburn are a perfect example. The two schools are only a couple of hours apart but, Alabama is Old South, Old Money while Auburn is a cow college. Alabama fans great Auburn fans with Old McDonald Had a Farm. This is more perception than reality but...that's what matters. Ole Miss and Mississippi State have the same issues with one another.<br /><br />These rivalries are comparable to Man U and Liverpool...Celtic and Ranger. In fact, it's been said more than once that the only fan base with a comparable level of passion is in the Premier League. These teams have been playing since the late 19th century and SEC stadiums hold a lot more fans than most professional football stadiums. <br /><br />Alabama seats over 100,000, as does Tennessee...Florida has over 90,000 seats, etc.<br /><br />I've said too much...we're going to be discussing this on the blog shortly. <br /><br />We paid for the brick.<br /><br /> e.f. bartlamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05940814285264472785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-14552064283625725512013-08-09T00:29:32.713+01:002013-08-09T00:29:32.713+01:00Great story, e.f. - and nice to know it's not ...Great story, e.f. - and nice to know it's not just me. Do you know if your father was always like this, or did it develop as he got older? I just wonder if age has a part to play in all this. Okay,I stormed out of the room in 1966 when Germany equalised with England in the World Cup final just before full time, but at least I caught the end of the game: now I know I wouldn't be able to. As for caring too much - yes, I agree, but why???<br /><br />If we ever meet, I'd appreciate it if you could explain the strange hold college football has on Americans. meantime,is it a Southern phenomenon or does the rest of the US get this excited by it? And when you say it only happens once a year - what, the final? Or is it a specific match between two old rivals? And the brick - do you pay for that or... or what?<br />Scott Gronmarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15118026157459333174noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2215553202978284468.post-51996523450946397982013-08-08T14:59:15.086+01:002013-08-08T14:59:15.086+01:00My Daddy has his own brick on the walks around Ben...My Daddy has his own brick on the walks around Ben-Hill Griffin Stadium (where the beloved Gators play...The Swamp) that says "Who's Winning?".<br /><br />We chose that inscription because...he can't actually watch the games. He goes out and cuts the grass, rakes leaves, anything but suffer through actually watching them.<br /><br />College Football is especially bad for this because teams only play once a year...364 1/2 days to live with defeat.<br /><br />The funniest episode, to me, came after a very important game with Alabama in 06. It didn't look so good for the first half but Florida regrouped and did what they do...whooped that ass.<br /><br />So, I call Daddy to celebrate...<br /><br />"Hey Daddy." Obvious enthusiasm in my voice.<br /><br />"What happened."<br /><br />"They won!"<br /><br />"Who won?"<br /><br />"Alabama Daddy. I'm calling so we can celebrate an Alabama victory."<br /><br />Why didn't he know? He was at a FREAKING bowling alley. Bowling??????<br /><br />I think it comes from caring too much. Which is exactly what makes sports the delight that it is.e.f. bartlamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05940814285264472785noreply@blogger.com