Posted
by Matt Armstrong
April 9, 2008 at 12:17 a.m.
The Geeking Life
[
][1]Say I tried to explain card tapping in Magic: The Gathering to you. That is, the system of activating a creature or item's secondary ability or status modifier by physically marking (no permanent marks) or modifying the cards position on the playing field to show it as activated. For example, if you have a Bloodfire Colossus and you have marked it as an attacker in the first phase of your turn; you can then tap that card to use it's sacrifice ability, causing 6 damage to all creatures and player on the field. "It took all it's strength to contain the fire within", indeed.Did your eye's just glaze over reading that? Now you know how I've felt for the past three weeks. With all the hand wringing and procedure over seeding, and shot percentages, and 1-2-2 defenses, I've felt more on the outside than I have in years. I've felt like a fraud, trying to cheer along, speculating on pace control and foul techniques. In reality, however, I don't know a hockey net from a football bat. It's all an act, to try and fit in, out of fear of being left out of the conversation for two months out of the year. I don't think that there is one person that knows me that would comfortably describe me as a sports fan.Needless to say, last night was an exception. I can say with confidence that it was, hands down, the most exciting sporting event I have ever seen. The excitement that I have faked for the comfort of others for so many years became real for the first time, and it was potent. The heart shook. I lept to my feet. I hugged people in proximity. After Super Nintendo Chalmers' three, I literally ran out into the yard, and went, "whoo-hoo". And when I was finished with that primordial call to arms, I looked to the houses next door and all around, and was met with other wild eyed whoo-hooers. The greatest thing is that that excitement is how I feel when I get really involved in the things that I love. When finishing an amazing game, reading comics, or watching movies with "Night of the" in the title. I've always wondered why people don't get it, when I go on a 20 minute rant on why Half Life 2 is a 25 hour long piece of art. But I think I finally understand that people aren't simply wrong, or just don't get it, but that we're just wired to enjoy things differently. I would appreciate it a little more if Chrono Trigger enthusiasts were in the majority, but I understand. But anyway.After the game, I made a point to step away from the group and just be still for a moment. I needed to listen to the din. The growing howl from two blocks away was unlike anything I have ever heard. I want to express this point more than anything else. I have seen some utterly insane shit, and nothing has been like last night. Super Bowl victory riots, Anti-war rallies, striking sanitation workers, stabbings on a dance floor, panicked runs for the exits, nothing holds up to more than half the population of our city going insane at precisely the same moment, the city itself becoming an impromptu stadium, with a game floor in every house.Which brings up a thought. Why sports, and sports alone? Literally, if you mailed a check for $10,000 to half the city, there wouldn't be that kind of party. A lot of phone calls and wide eyed wonderment, but no keg stands on the patio of a shitty Chipotle. Consider the power that that mob contained. The police and state troopers basically gave up on the area, relenting to just protecting people from getting hurt (PS: you failed, gentlemen). Is there any real cause that Americans can get behind in such massive numbers? Imagine 40,000 people taking to the streets of Lawrence for a living wage. Or protesting the rise in food and oil costs. Or heaven forbid, clean elections. But tell the kids that you can drink on the street, and strap in for the ride. It was an incredible game for an incredible team, and an incredible night for an incredible city. But it stirred up a lot of confusion and concern in me about what truly motivates mankind to action. Is it truly civic pride? Or selfish, Dionysian gluttony? (By the by, milady had the most honest comment I heard the entire tournament after that heart popping shot. "Super Mario is going to get so much tail when he gets back." I couldn't have said it better.)-m@ [1]: http://www.lawrence.com" target="_blank
Comments
Lawrence.com does not necessarily agree with comments posted below - responsibility lies with the relevant user alone. Read our full policy.
godjilla (Jill Ensley) says…
I had similar thoughts about the mob. It was a spectacular thing to see and hear, but then at about 12:30, the vibe turned and there was this crazy look in many an eye. That's when I headed home. But it occurred to me, there is no other event, or type of event, that would make this ok. A noble cause, a protest, an art event for god's sake would never, ever be cause for this kind of revelry and debauchery let alone illicit the virtual "standing aside" of the police. It made me both inspired and sad.And as for Super Mario....hell, when he gets back? How about that NIGHT.
OnShakedown (Chris Tackett) says…
the first time i saw that naked guy in the pic, i thought i was looking at the real deal Techno Viking!(warning: loud techno and shirtless viking ahead)http://youtube.com/watch?v=_1nzEFMjkI4
pistachio (anonymous) says…
When I see you later this evening, I will knight you Super Fan. Welcome, brother!
matt (Matt Armstrong) says…
Seth.
wbabbit (Will Babbit) says…
No Don, they should have had 40000 officers there! One officer escorting every citizen! Duh...
dolores2175 (April Fleming) says…
I'm not the biggest sports fan in the world, but I do love me some KU basketball. Sports spectatin'-wise for me, that's about it. Even being a fan (and I think an office pool winner - yeah bitches!) I'm still pretty weirded out that one of the greatest nights of my life was due to sports. And I can't stop talking about it. Every single one of the guys came through, culminating of course, in the Mario clinch shot to end Mario clinch shots. It was amazing. Other than the horrible, horrible thing that happened to Seth, it was perfect.
Toukie56 (Chavis Lickvar) says…
I don't think anyone is attacking the police (or trying to be "cool" by "hating on the Man"). A lot of people knew Seth and are upset and even angry about what happened, which is understandable. These things do happen, but it's hard to accept the reality that no, there could not be police officers escorting each and every person that night when it's someone who didn't "elect to be in a mob of 40K" (he was going home from work after the mob had cleared) and who happens to be some one you know. The police did an amazing job, which is why that night was as good as it was. That being said...lets see if we get that kind of jubilation when the war ends...shall we.
OnShakedown (Chris Tackett) says…
toukie56: war? what war?
edog (anonymous) says…
i still want to see the dick. that dude is hot.
mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…
Great piece, Matt! Excellent analogy.Your ladyfriend is right. At one point in the game after I'd fallen to my knees and screamed, "I love you, Supernintendo Chalmers!", a male guest chuckled and said, "Hell, right about now, *I'd* suck his . . " well, you get the picture ;)
OtherJoel (anonymous) says…
Completely off topic, but I thought you'd be interested in this. I usually don't care about rock videos, but this is pretty damn excellent.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_XbYz9J4W0Also, thanks again to tipping me off about Future of the Left. I was really sad about McLusky's split, and after a couple of months with Curses, I think I might actually prefer FotL. Hard to say for sure.