Hello Goodbye
 

Disclaimer: Mods I realize that this is not technically football related so I understand if you decide to move this thread or even remove it entirely. I just ask that it stay up long enough for most to see it before doing so.

It has been a long time but I am back for a little while. Much has changed in the past few months for me and I just wanted to stop by and explain my absence (both prior and future) and hopefully reestablish connections with a few of you.

The last time I logged in was the Saturday before the superbowl. I was hoping that this time would be a little more pleasant, but alas... Regardless, I swear on my life that nothing that follows has anything to do with Brady’s injury. All decisions had been long made.

After the Pats lost to the Giants I felt the need to take a step away from football. I can be obsessive about the things that I enjoy and the pigskin is no exception, particularly after last season with all the turmoil and jubilation. I invested a significant amount of time and energy into those boys, as I’m sure most of you did.

So, in an effort to let last season pass, I stopped listening to sports radio, I stopped watching sports TV and, regretably, I stopped coming here. Instead, I read books – tons of books. I was blowing through a novel a week at one point. Even then, every now and then my mind would wander and I would see Asante and Rodney dropping game ending interceptions. Ahhhhhh! After a while, as always, the ache dulled and clarity came.

Then something really remarkable happened. I had a major epiphany musically that is still ongoing. For the longest time I couldn’t write songs because they always ended up about the same and the lyrics were sophomoric at best. I don’t know if it was the stimulation from all the reading, or the added time to play, but songs just started pouring out of me. Some extremely good, some that I am still not sure about, but all creative on a level that I had never been able to reach before. I can’t explain how much of a thrill this is. Music is – and will likely always be – my favorite non-family pastime.

Once this happened I had a decision to make. As I said before, I am completely OC when I comes to things I relish. I know myself well enough to understand that I cannot start watching football again without it becoming more than just a hobby. At my best (worst?) I can spend 30 hours a week on the game. With a 50 hour a week job and 3 small children (the new one arrived in March) there isn’t enough time to dedicate what I would want to both music and football.

To be frank, it was never likely that football would win out, but when I sat down and thought it out I noticed some things that I never bothered to before. Even on the best of days when NE annihilates NY 38-14 I often times walk away from the TV with minor regret over missing one of the last few beatiful days of the year. I can be treated to possibly the best 9 weeks of football that any team has ever played and still have a sour taste when I think about that season. The clincher was when I thought back on my behavior on superbowl Sunday. I wasn’t a very good father to my children and it still bothers me that I put a game over them. Ultimately the answer was both obvious and difficult.

So why I am I here? Over the past couple years I have buit some relationships here that I am hoping to keep intact byond football. The best place to contact me now is youtube as I have started uploading videos here If you are as fanatic about music as you are football please send a message. Hell, regardless of your desire to stay in touch, I am putting those there for feedback so lay it on me. Also, a pm is OK since I have auto-emails set up and I will still be keeping this account. Maybe someday I will be able to watch the Pats and hang out here without it being a part-time job, but I know myself too well to think that time is now.

I suppose there are some of you that will call me a wuss for quitting on the Pats right when the ride gets a little rockier and that’s OK. You aren’t the ones that this post is directed towards anyway.

Thank you all for advancing my understanding of the game and for giving me a congenial place to talk about my favorite team. Someone is going to have to take over carrying the Welker and Maroney torches for me, and I will leave it up to the community to decide who. I hope that some of us stay in contact and that the future smiles upon us all. Go Pats.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Some good food for thought, actually. Good luck on your music from a semi-retired musician and recently stamped football fan.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

I didn't talk to you much but I always liked your game analysis'. Sorry that last season was so rough on you. I too stopped coming here after the SB to clear my head after investing so much in the team so I know how that is.

Good luck with your music.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Good luck with your ventures, I feel your pain. Actually, its nice to hear (in a sick way) that someone is more tormented about the loss then myself. I've got three little ones also, and they must really think I'm nuts as I 'express' myself when the Patriots pull one out in the closing seconds.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Why not get the children involved in football? You don't need to invest 30 hours a week to watch a game that takes 3 hours to play. Take some time to explain the game to your kids, then it can be something you can all enjoy together. I have a child on the way and I can not wait until they are old enough (3?) to watch the game with their father. I cant wait until they are old enough (9?) to go to the game with me.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

I understand...an a PM will follow..majes a LOT of sense.and you have explained it way beyond necessary....The link to Youtube does not work...just wished to let you know..BUT Good luck!!!

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Fixed. Thanks.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Dude... I have three kids, 3, 5, 7, and none of them can get through a quarter without having a question during a critical moment and they all get bored by the end of the first.

Watching football with a 3 year old is not fun.

Plus my 7 year old likes the Bucs. Because they have a pirate ship.
I guess he has a point. ;)

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

Oswlek - I always looked forward to your posts, I think you have a lot to offer - but I can completely understand why you're taking some time away from the Pats. Even a "healthy" (or non-harmful) obsession is unhealthy. I think we can all relate to that feeling - that we've become too wrapped up in sports or any diversion. Good luck w the music and best wishes.

Re: Hello Goodbye
 

LMAO - that's good.

My 8 and 10 year old boys will watch parts with me but they aren't "fans". I don't discourage them but I wouldn't say I encourage them either; with only 1 out of 32 fan bases being happy at the end of the season, I consider being a sports fan to be a difficult life as pastimes go.

Oswlek, I'll miss you, you were always one of the posters whose threads would quickly be read by me when I saw one on the board.