My Uniform

I have never been as lucky as most kids. I grew up in a non sports environment at home. I was the only one interested in sports. I learned everything I know about sports by watching them on Tv. I would figure out the scoring of the sports by trying to keep score at home. There was no one to ask. I wouldn't show my ignorance to my friends by asking them. I remember trying out for a church basketball team in socks because I didn't have sneakers. Didn't make it. I did have a baseball glove, a black one. I loved and cherished it. I would play whiffle ball in the neighborhood and spent countless hours pitching, with that great pink ball, against the A&P supermarket back wall. When I was finally decent enough to try out for Little League team I didn't make that cut because most teams took younger players and not a 12 year old. So I never did get that elusive uniform. High School came and went. A lack of confidence and no support from home nixed any attempt at trying out for a sport. So I have been lucky enough to wear a team's uniform. Yes, even to this day I haven't forgotten.

I think this helps explain to me why maybe I am obsessive about having current Tennis clothes and shoes when I teach and play Tennis. These, are for me, my uniform. My elusive uniform that I was never to earn. Maybe in the next life!

Time Invested

Time invested is an interesting concept. It is used by many people to explain why they have stayed with someone, watched a serial TV program, stayed in a job, or played a certain slot machine.

Lost is a perfect example. Despite lasting six long years, having episodes that don't answer any questions and don't advance the plot at all, people have stayed with it. Why? Time invested! They don't want to feel that they have wasted precious time viewing the program. People stay with other people with whom they have should parted with long ago. Why? Time invested! Time spent together is more valuable than quality time? People stay in jobs hoping things will improve or they will advance as promised. Why? Time invested. People think that time with a company automatically equates to advancement. People gamble and stay with patterns or machines. Why? Time invested. They think if they change the next play will result in a win.

Profesional athletes have a different view of time invested. Time invested with a certain team is time well spent. They understand that professional sports is a business. Many athletes who have a spent most of their careers with a certain team, in spite of being traded or released, opt to be resigned for only one day to be retired with that team's organization and uniform. Some enter the Hall of Fame representing that team. Zach Thomas, Nomar Garciaparra, and Carlton Fisk, J.T. Snow and Luis Gonzalez are just a few of these athletes who considered time invested, time well spent. That time has a special place in their lives and hearts. How lucky they are.

I have been guilty of using time invested as an excuse. As I have aged I find that the time I invest is for different reasons. I invest time because I love how I live, I love the woman who's my wife and I love the place where I live. How lucky I am!