ROUNDHOUSE REPORT
By Rich Green
IV Leader Staff, Oct. 16, 2008
I went into this issue’s column promising myself a few things:
1. No more mention of unicorns, wizards and magic potions…LARPing is not a sport. Or is it? Not sure; might have to look that one up.
2. Maybe try to get involved with more of the IVCC college sports scene. Maybe attend a game? Or at least buy a hoodie?
3. Never write on an empty stomach.
4. Under no circumstances write about the Cubs.
The great thing about being a columnist is that I get to write about whatever I want. Whether it be about—cough—wizards, the smell of a freshly opened can of tennis balls or why the lead singer from Paramore drives me completely nuts…in a good way of course.
So, the wizard rule has been broken. I still have yet to see any college sporting event, I am shivering and I am hungry as (insert your own adjective here).
Ah, but those Cubbies never let me down. No way could I turn this opportunity down. Those “loveable losers” always come through in the clutch, don’t they? When I am in need of an idea for a column they are my muse.
There really is no way to truly measure my disappointment. It’s been a few days and it still stings. I invested myself completely this season. I thought this year was different — as I am sure most Cubs fans did. I tried talking myself out of it. They had everything this year. Top of the line rotation; decent bullpen; pretty good backend with Marmol and Wood; top scoring offense in the national league. Pretty good recipe for success, right?
The Cubs are like that ex girlfriend/boyfriend you keep going back to because you think they might change and your friends keep telling you that it’s never going to happen. And guess what? They never change. They are like Captain Crunch: wicked delicious, but will tear up the top of your mouth.
So, how do I/we recover from the most devastating season of my life? How do I put the pieces back together? How can I get excited about next year? Thankfully the great thing about being a Cub fan is we all have hope. Hope is what drives us all. We see the signs; “believe,” “wait ‘til next year,” “next year is here,” “the ghost of Harry Caray is hammered on Budweiser—give the man a hot dog and a win.” OK, I made that last one up but you know what I am saying. You and I know we are never going anywhere. We are stuck forever.
Like every broken heart it will mend over time. It’s going to take longer this time around I’m sure. I am just going to enjoy some “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” DVD’s and numb my pain. I can’t bury myself too deep in the sand, spring training is only about 150 days away.