Comments on: Probability of Winning

By: Robert DiNapoli

Robert DiNapoli — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 12:52:59 +0000

To me, Aussie Rules looks like a pub brawl that people found so much fun that they slapped a few rules on it to make it last longer . . .

By: Jill Morrow

Jill Morrow — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 12:07:28 +0000

In reply to Kristina Riggle. Kristina, that clip says it all. Deep down, we all want to know that even something that looks like a dire done deal has the ability to change for the better. (Of course, I might get an entirely different response from a U-M fan, kinda like the one you point out!) Love it. Thanks for posting.

By: Jill Morrow

Jill Morrow — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 11:59:54 +0000

In reply to Robert DiNapoli. Australian Rules Football looks like soccer and American football had a baby. That would be a whole new learning curve for me! Maybe in my spare time ...

By: Jill Morrow

Jill Morrow — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 11:55:47 +0000

In reply to Robert DiNapoli. Robert, I think most writers find metaphor and potential insight in just about any situation presented, but I'm glad I can still surprise!

By: Kristina Riggle

Kristina Riggle — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 18:10:07 +0000

I have always loved football as I think you know (college ball in my case, my beloved MSU Spartans…Go Green!) and as you say, it’s human drama playing out on the field, essentially. Also, like life and human drama, surprises abound. MSU was playing in U-M’s stadium, nicknamed “The Big House” in 2015, and despite being ranked higher nationally than U-M (something that’s not particularly common in the rivalry’s long history) the Spartans were about to lose a close game. All U-M had to do was finish the game with one play. And, well…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqv48MwEbaQ

There’s one Wolverine fan whose reaction shot on TV has become iconic for State fans, and I feel kinda bad for him about it, honestly…. I’ve heard through the grapevine he has developed a sense of humor about it, I’ll bet you know which one I mean if you watch the clip.

By: Robert DiNapoli

Robert DiNapoli — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:57:54 +0000

p.s. You want baffling? Caz and I occasionally watch Australian Rules Football, which is a bit like NFL played, without protective gear, by balletic serial killers. The finals season is about to begin, and you can watch clips of play at https://www.afl.com.au/video if you dare . . .

By: Robert DiNapoli

Robert DiNapoli — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 20:52:48 +0000

Off all the surprises you’ve handed me over the years, Jill, I don’t think any has been as purely (and amusingly) baffling as this one! I’ve had first-hand experience of your maths-phobia. And . . . FOOTBALL? What’s got into you, girl? But as they say, whatever floats your boat.

I could start banging on about medieval conceptions of fate and providence in a fallen world (with or without Hail Mary passes), but won’t (lucky you!) beyond to say it’s tough out there, and sports have always served as analogues and metaphors for the game of life, I suppose. Anything that brings a) pleasure and b) unexpected insights can’t be all bad. Can it?