Talk Me Off the Ledge?

[virginian]

Folks,

This site is about golf, LPGA golf to be specific. When I come here what am I supposed to talk about, the latest breakthroughs in brain surgery?

I come here to talk about golf and about my favorite golfer. Grace has been my favorite golfer for seven or eight years now. And my interest in her is no greater or smaller than it ever has been. My life has not ground to a halt because Grace has stopped winning, indeed stopped competing.

And my interest in Grace is what it is. If you think it is an obsession, fine, go ahead and think that. If you think it is unhealthy, also fine, go ahead and think that as well. What you think, what I think, what anyone else thinks doesn't change what it actually is.

I'm curious, what do you folks think about Chicago Cubs fans or Boston Red Sox fans or Philadelphia Phillies fans or Cleveland Browns fans or Washington Redskins fans or Dallas Cowboys fans or Detroit Pistons fans? If you think I am obsessed, you must think they are really "over the top nuts". When those fans' teams win championships, they riot, loot, set cars on fire. When Grace wins I come on myLPGA.com and sing her praises. When she is not doing well, I come here and lament. Yeah that's way too obsessive and really unhealthy.

[MarinePaul]

Dale, I have, in fact, given up things I really enjoy. I no longer drink or use drugs, which were a huge part of my life for years. I fondly remember the good times, but I certainly don't miss the bad times.

I've lost some women from my life who, at the time, were very important to me. I look back at the times I shared with them and remember them fondly, as well. Still, I've been able to move on. What I'm saying is, there are some things, beyond our control, that we need to learn to live with. That doesn't mean we have to like them, only deal with them and move on.

[virginian]

Originally Posted by MarinePaul

Dale, I have, in fact, given up things I really enjoy. I no longer drink or use drugs, which were a huge part of my life for years. I fondly remember the good times, but I certainly don't miss the bad times.

I've lost some women from my life who, at the time, were very important to me. I look back at the times I shared with them and remember them fondly, as well. Still, I've been able to move on. What I'm saying is, there are some things, beyond our control, that we need to learn to live with. That doesn't mean we have to like them, only deal with them and move on.

MarinePaul,

I salute you. The measure of a person's character is not whether that person has ever fallen, but in whether that person gets up and continues on.

Whether it was your intention or not, you have talked me in off the ledge. As I read your message I was reminded of several times when I have fallen short of what might have been if I had only applied myself properly and been more dedicated. If I would not give up on myself in those circumstances, I should not give up on anyone else either.

So I will continue to believe in Grace. And I will follow the Count's advice. I will wait and hope.

Thanks MarinePaul

[Blue]

Originally Posted by virginian

I'm curious, what do you folks think about Chicago Cubs fans or Boston Red Sox fans or Philadelphia Phillies fans or Cleveland Browns fans or Washington Redskins fans or Dallas Cowboys fans or Detroit Pistons fans? If you think I am obsessed, you must think they are really "over the top nuts". When those fans' teams win championships, they riot, loot, set cars on fire. When Grace wins I come on myLPGA.com and sing her praises. When she is not doing well, I come here and lament. Yeah that's way too obsessive and really unhealthy.

The rioters are not fans. They are just young guys (they are almost exclusively young and male) who caught up in mob behavior and fueled by alcohol, take a team winning, or losing (it happens after a loss as well) to engage in behavior they would not otherwise do.

See for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqwt81wiN4

They're not fans celebrating the Celtics win. They're just using the cover of a mob to go crazy and break windows.

[virginian]

Originally Posted by Blue

The rioters are not fans. They are just young guys (they are almost exclusively young and male) who caught up in mob behavior and fueled by alcohol, take a team winning, or losing (it happens after a loss as well) to engage in behavior they would not otherwise do.

See for example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEqwt81wiN4

They're not fans celebrating the Celtics win. They're just using the cover of a mob to go crazy and break windows.

Blue,

The spirit of my message was that the average fan in those cities, cities like Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Philly, Green Bay etc, are way more avid and outspoken than anything I have said here.

I will try to remember not to use such animated examples in my messages from now on so people will not get distracted from the actual point I am trying to make.

[MarinePaul]

Dale, I think being a fan is a great thing. Whether fans of a sport in general, or a specific team or player, being a fan allows us to focus on something other than ourselves for a short time.

I understand your feelings for Grace. I have similar, albeit not as avid, feelings for Amy Fruhwirth. Though not as famous as Grace, one of the truly nice people I've had the opportunity to meet and talk to. The same is true for Izzy. They're great examples of why we're also fans of the sport itself.

I originally started watching the LPGA when I stumbled onto a tournament on tv and saw Se Ri for the first time. When the LPGA started playing locally, I went every year to watch her play. Along the way, I had the opportunity to volunteer, and to meet several of these players. While I remain a fan of Se Ri, I also became a fan of the sport and several other players. Some have had great success, others not so much, but I continue to root for them whenever they're playing.

Keep the faith. Grace may or may not win again, but she'll always be Grace.

[The Vulcan]

Let's face it. Grace looks shot. For whatever reason...mental...physical...she can't seem to put it together anymore. She's still the first name I look for in the scores, but, sadly, I now start from the bottom and work my way up. I still have hope, but I still have hope for the Jets too. Let's hope she rediscovers her consistency but, let's face it, she may be on her way to being the next Michelle McGann.

[virginian]

Originally Posted by The Vulcan

Let's face it. Grace looks shot. For whatever reason...mental...physical...she can't seem to put it together anymore. She's still the first name I look for in the scores, but, sadly, I now start from the bottom and work my way up. I still have hope, but I still have hope for the Jets too. Let's hope she rediscovers her consistency but, let's face it, she may be on her way to being the next Michelle McGann.

Vulcan,

Start looking for Grace's name at the top of the leaderboard again. Faith is something you create out of your own beliefs. If you believe Grace is as talented today as she ever was, then you believe you will soon see her name up there where it belongs.

I was born with bronchitis and asthma. Sometimes I have difficulty breathing. That doesn't mean I have forgotten how to breathe. Clear the obstructions, open the passageways, breathing becomes normal. When the obstructions are clear and the path is open, Grace will return to to top of the leaderboard.