Play ball

Herself's thoughts on the football game. Herself speaks. 

Offspring the Third has joined the high school marching band. He's brushing up on his music-reading abilities and acquiring some new skills in playing music within a group; he's applying himself with enthusiasm to a time-consuming activity; and he's found a peer group that has embraced him wholeheartedly. For a person like Offspring the Third, who is very people-oriented, having a Tribe is tremendous. So delighted for him.

Last night was the first high school football game that I ever attended. (Yes, ever. My high school had no football team, and neither Offspring the First nor Offspring the Second ever participated in football or marching band-related activities.) It was a nearly sold out crowd in the 6,000-seat stadium. The crowd was a diverse bunch -- from babies in their bucket carseats, to toddlers, to middle schoolers playfully shoving one another, to high school students dressed in togas (there was a toga theme to the game, for some mysterious reason), to Texas football moms with their high heels and high hair and sparkly earrings, to beefy dads who would stand up and yell their opinions at the coaches and referees. 

Down on the field, there were the marching bands, the football players, cheerleaders, flag girls, mascots, a baton-twirling trio, coaches, people bearing containers of sports beverages, individuals bearing school flags who would run a lap whenever a touchdown was scored, and various other individuals of uncertain status standing around. 

It was like a very carefully orchestrated anthropological spectacle, in which the pubescent members of the tribe attempted to demonstrate their superiority over the competing tribe in front of tribal elders. It was Loud, and Crowded, and full of Unfamiliar People. It lasted hours.

It was unpleasant.

I may have to volunteer for 'band boosters' -- if I had something to do besides sit amongst shouting strangers, watching a game in which I have very little interest, it would be much better. I'd much rather be busy helping behind the scenes than spectating. If I'm helping, I belong. If I'm just watching, I'm naught but a stranger in a strange land.