“You know those kids who sell snacks that you don’t buy for a $1 on the subway for their sports team? Why not buy one for that $1, keep it in your bag, then give it to the next homeless person who comes around on the subway asking for something to eat?”
The U.S. Open
What's that? You hate tennis? No, no you don't! You've just never gone to see a match, that's all. I assure you that you'll have a fun time. Please, though, do not pay over $40 for a ticket ever. Definitely don't go over that amount. Why not? Well, because it could get rained out and then you'll just be sitting there, like a sucker.
I went to the U.S. Open yesterday and saw a women's match before the rain started and screwed us out of the day-long tennis that I was anticipating. But thankfully, I got row Z tickets for a very cheap amount, so I wasn't too stung by the weather (if these tickets costed a lot, then man... I would have lost my mind). It was at the Arthur Ashe stadium in Queens (the biggest tennis stadium in the world!), which was impressive to see. (Is that a dumb thing to say? Seems dumb. Nevertheless, I was impressed.) And reading about it today, I learned that they will infact build a roof to that stadium, but not until 2016 at the earliest.
Anyway, the point of this post? Watch some tennis. Really. Just give it a try. Might like it. I, for sure, like it more than watching football. Maybe that sentence will make you scoff. Or maybe it'll plant the seed in your brain that tennis may actually be kind of great. I say this to someone once a week probably, but I'd really love it if I could be wicked at playing tennis myself. God, I'd be proud of that. But you know, my depth perception and all... ain't gonna happen.
Catching Hell - ESPN Documentary
I saw this documentary for the first time about a year ago, and since then I’ve probably seen it maybe three or four more times. I can’t really pinpoint what’s so interesting about it, to be honest, but for some reason I feel the urge to watch it again when I forget about it after a little while. Anyway, before I go on, here’s a summary of it taken from when it was at the Tribeca Film Festival:
When Chicagoan Steve Bartman fatefully deflected a foul ball in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, the city’s long-suffering Cubs fans found someone new to blame for their cursed century without a World Series title. Director Alex Gibney explores the psychology of die-hard sports fans, the frightening phenomenon of scapegoating, and the hysteria that turned mild-mannered Bartman into the most hated man in Chicago.
If you’re not into sports, I think it’s still possible for you to get something outta seeing this. I’m really not that into sports, but I do have a soft spot for baseball, so maybe that has something to do with why I think this is so worth seeing. Also, if I ever meet this man, I will want to continuously hug him for five straight minutes. Let the record show.
You can see all the parts on YouTube here.