What triggers a memory? A sound, smell, or sight? Certainly these all help in recapturing an emotion within a very specific moment in time; one in which is known to never be forgotten. The easily recognizable and stunningly unique sounds of basketball are such that are eternally ingrained in my mind and my soul. The piercing, high-pitched, and abrupt squeaking of fresh, white high tops squealing across a recently-waxed court may be horribly obnoxious to many; but to me, it is pure and heavenly nostalgia. The harmonious blow of a referee's whistle, resonating throughout the towering gym walls and bouncing off of the ceiling, signals the other team's timeout and creates a reminiscent ringing in my ears. The unique sight of two rivaled opponents preparing to "jump" for the ball, warns of the heated competition about to incur.
Although I despise the thought of if, I often question the comparison of myself and my past rivals. I sometimes wonder where they are in the world today. Where is the girl who was my best friend until competition ruined her personality? What does she look like? Does she still play the game? Does her father still give her preferential treatment regardless of her earning it or not? The simple, yet enlightening answer to this is no. This girl now ironically attends the University of Florida. She has stopped playing basketball. She has lost the overwhelming attention of her father. How appropriate that two former friends are now real-life rivals, education and all.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Blog Entry #5
Rodney Jones' The End of Practice was a recalling of the hardship and bittersweet meaning of youth, competition, and struggle. This poem speaks of the strength of the male dream and it is written that "if I did not rise above the field, I would be eaten." This line stopped me in my reading-tracks. I asked myself what this could mean. Was it symbolic or literal? Was this piece written for a specific culture and race or was it a universal message? This poem continuously makes comparisons throughout. The author touches on many different aspects of this "male dream" and speaks through different sporting events, as well.
Klosterman's 33 suggests among other things that "for at least one decade, God was obsessed with pro basketball." This seemed silly to me at first, but the author goes on to describe how all things in life can essentially be explained by the pro basketball era of the 1980s. The relationship between races of the NBA, specifically among the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers served as a central theme throughout the essay. Klosterman, without hesitance, directly compares a 76ers vs. Raptors game to abortion and suicide; it is clear this man is passionate about this subject. Again, the author claims through quote that, "Life is rarely about what happened; it's mostly about what we think happened." Essentially, this essay claims that the Lakers and the Celtics represent everything in life because of the "psychological war between black and white."
It is my personal opinion that cultural influences have large impacts on our lives and who we become as individuals of this world. I also believe that culture serves the purpose of helping us identify ourselves, along with serving others a way to identify us. In the world of sports, teams, coaches, players, and even mascots can define a fan alone. With one glimpse of a person's favorite team jersey, judgement and ridicule are cast almost subconsciously and helplessly. The author of 33 clearly defines himself as a Celtics fan, to every extent of tits nature, yet identifies that the team and the sport symbolize far more than statistics and sweat. I believe that one can define themselves and others by classifications of race, social class, heritage, sport loyalty, experience, and religion. "Culture" boils down to how we define ourselves and each other, not which classifications fit under which titles. Personally, I accept my culture and the different cultures around me with which I define myself by and associate with.
In my life, the culture of basketball is one in and of itself and can not be defined by any person who has not played him/her self. It is throbbing passion that resonates in your veins even after being off the court for years. The memories of games, memorization of plays, and statistics are implanted in your mind forever. The basketball culture, much like team loyalty, national patriotism, and homeland honor, is invaluable and irreplaceable.
Klosterman's 33 suggests among other things that "for at least one decade, God was obsessed with pro basketball." This seemed silly to me at first, but the author goes on to describe how all things in life can essentially be explained by the pro basketball era of the 1980s. The relationship between races of the NBA, specifically among the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers served as a central theme throughout the essay. Klosterman, without hesitance, directly compares a 76ers vs. Raptors game to abortion and suicide; it is clear this man is passionate about this subject. Again, the author claims through quote that, "Life is rarely about what happened; it's mostly about what we think happened." Essentially, this essay claims that the Lakers and the Celtics represent everything in life because of the "psychological war between black and white."
It is my personal opinion that cultural influences have large impacts on our lives and who we become as individuals of this world. I also believe that culture serves the purpose of helping us identify ourselves, along with serving others a way to identify us. In the world of sports, teams, coaches, players, and even mascots can define a fan alone. With one glimpse of a person's favorite team jersey, judgement and ridicule are cast almost subconsciously and helplessly. The author of 33 clearly defines himself as a Celtics fan, to every extent of tits nature, yet identifies that the team and the sport symbolize far more than statistics and sweat. I believe that one can define themselves and others by classifications of race, social class, heritage, sport loyalty, experience, and religion. "Culture" boils down to how we define ourselves and each other, not which classifications fit under which titles. Personally, I accept my culture and the different cultures around me with which I define myself by and associate with.
In my life, the culture of basketball is one in and of itself and can not be defined by any person who has not played him/her self. It is throbbing passion that resonates in your veins even after being off the court for years. The memories of games, memorization of plays, and statistics are implanted in your mind forever. The basketball culture, much like team loyalty, national patriotism, and homeland honor, is invaluable and irreplaceable.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Blog Entry #4
Dear Florida State Seminoles 2012 Football Team,
I want to take a moment to plead to you my heartfelt requests. I ask you to please consider this season your one-time and all-time victorious opportunity. I ask that you enter this upcoming season with an opened and determined mind. You see, I am now an official Seminole and I am so proud of the family I have just entered into. Therefore, I beg of you to keep in mind the pride that every 'Nole has within them, the angst and eagerness to defeat rivals, and the unmatched determination to slaughter every opponent that steps foot on our turf.
I have long awaited this opportunity to write you. I beg that you keep in your souls the legacy of Bobby Bowden, the commitment of Jimbo Fisher, and the pride of every Florida State Seminole that ever lived. Crush the opponent. Deliver the message of unwillingness to be defeated. Take a stand and represent this family. Own and deserve the title you portray. And my dying wish, I ultimately beg of you- no matter what, PLEASE annihilate the God-forsaken team of the horrific city that is Gainesville. I'm not sure that you understand, so please, please, please listen to me- these people are the devil. Crush, murder, defeat the HELL out of them! Thank you for listening.
Sincerely your #1 fan,
Christina Santa
I want to take a moment to plead to you my heartfelt requests. I ask you to please consider this season your one-time and all-time victorious opportunity. I ask that you enter this upcoming season with an opened and determined mind. You see, I am now an official Seminole and I am so proud of the family I have just entered into. Therefore, I beg of you to keep in mind the pride that every 'Nole has within them, the angst and eagerness to defeat rivals, and the unmatched determination to slaughter every opponent that steps foot on our turf.
I have long awaited this opportunity to write you. I beg that you keep in your souls the legacy of Bobby Bowden, the commitment of Jimbo Fisher, and the pride of every Florida State Seminole that ever lived. Crush the opponent. Deliver the message of unwillingness to be defeated. Take a stand and represent this family. Own and deserve the title you portray. And my dying wish, I ultimately beg of you- no matter what, PLEASE annihilate the God-forsaken team of the horrific city that is Gainesville. I'm not sure that you understand, so please, please, please listen to me- these people are the devil. Crush, murder, defeat the HELL out of them! Thank you for listening.
Sincerely your #1 fan,
Christina Santa
Blog Entry #3
This selection of text focuses on the idea of participating in sports versus being an active spectator. The line between these two roles is is explored within this section in detail. When speaking about different levels of sport and competition, age and level of competition is discussed as a factor.
In youth sports, parents play a huge role of encouragement in a child athlete's interest and success in seasonal sports. In speaking of high school athletes, social involvement and athletic improvement make up main ideas within the age group. At this age, the choice to be active within a sport tends to be the child's decision rather than that of the parent. Even more of a selective group are college varsity athletes, who are often hand-selected by recruiters. Professional and master athletes are the "cream of the crop" as far as pure athletic talent and have the highest level of competition in their sport. These athletes are very often bound by contracts to national sport leagues (i.e. NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.) as well as product endorsements with private companies/corporations. The careers of these athletes often are very short and the athletes are eventually replaced by younger, more agile and better performing, replacements.
As people age, they often tend to steer away from collision/contact sports and lean more towards leisure and pleasure sports. Most people grow to practice less and play more, with less focus on success and competition, and more focus on the level of happiness and well-being it brings. An example of this type of sport is recreation through sport. Golf, tennis, and volleyball are a few examples of sports that provide recreation to older adults with very little focus on competition.
Additionally, age, gender, and social class often have a large impact on the sports world. For example, team sports are most popular among younger individuals, due to the fact that as one ages and takes on more responsibilities, a person is less able to coordinate a schedule for practices, games, etc. Gender traditions and expectations have (in the past) pushed women out of many sports. However, more and more women are beginning to "break down the gender wall" by participating and excelling in boxing, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, and golf as just a few examples. Social class tends to remain the most influential factor across all sports. It has been shown, for instance, that people raised in a high-income, highly-educated households tend to participate in individual sports like golf, tennis, and skiing. On the contrary, low-income households tend to produce individuals who very rarely participate in sports at all.
Spectating has become a way of life in America and often remains in the blood (for most of us) of its people. This form of entertainment does not require the skill, effort, or raw talent that participating in a sport entails. In the last few decades, televised and internet-available sport viewing has risen as a continuously-growing trend among Americans. In addition, it has been shown that the most affluent individuals tend to follow sports like polo, sailing, and drag-racing, where less-affluent individuals have drawn towards racing, bowling, and auto racing.
Sports spectating is often divided into two categories: those watched as live events and those followed by way of media. Although many statisticians follow trends in sports, one trend has remained clear-Sport watching has grown and continues to grow continuously. The trends are also followed by marketing tactics and campaigns, which utilize the ever-changing demographics to increase awareness and profit. Society's sports preferences are followed by these marketers and, in the end, they help to define the line between sport participants and sport spectators.
In youth sports, parents play a huge role of encouragement in a child athlete's interest and success in seasonal sports. In speaking of high school athletes, social involvement and athletic improvement make up main ideas within the age group. At this age, the choice to be active within a sport tends to be the child's decision rather than that of the parent. Even more of a selective group are college varsity athletes, who are often hand-selected by recruiters. Professional and master athletes are the "cream of the crop" as far as pure athletic talent and have the highest level of competition in their sport. These athletes are very often bound by contracts to national sport leagues (i.e. NFL, NBA, NHL, etc.) as well as product endorsements with private companies/corporations. The careers of these athletes often are very short and the athletes are eventually replaced by younger, more agile and better performing, replacements.
As people age, they often tend to steer away from collision/contact sports and lean more towards leisure and pleasure sports. Most people grow to practice less and play more, with less focus on success and competition, and more focus on the level of happiness and well-being it brings. An example of this type of sport is recreation through sport. Golf, tennis, and volleyball are a few examples of sports that provide recreation to older adults with very little focus on competition.
Additionally, age, gender, and social class often have a large impact on the sports world. For example, team sports are most popular among younger individuals, due to the fact that as one ages and takes on more responsibilities, a person is less able to coordinate a schedule for practices, games, etc. Gender traditions and expectations have (in the past) pushed women out of many sports. However, more and more women are beginning to "break down the gender wall" by participating and excelling in boxing, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, and golf as just a few examples. Social class tends to remain the most influential factor across all sports. It has been shown, for instance, that people raised in a high-income, highly-educated households tend to participate in individual sports like golf, tennis, and skiing. On the contrary, low-income households tend to produce individuals who very rarely participate in sports at all.
Spectating has become a way of life in America and often remains in the blood (for most of us) of its people. This form of entertainment does not require the skill, effort, or raw talent that participating in a sport entails. In the last few decades, televised and internet-available sport viewing has risen as a continuously-growing trend among Americans. In addition, it has been shown that the most affluent individuals tend to follow sports like polo, sailing, and drag-racing, where less-affluent individuals have drawn towards racing, bowling, and auto racing.
Sports spectating is often divided into two categories: those watched as live events and those followed by way of media. Although many statisticians follow trends in sports, one trend has remained clear-Sport watching has grown and continues to grow continuously. The trends are also followed by marketing tactics and campaigns, which utilize the ever-changing demographics to increase awareness and profit. Society's sports preferences are followed by these marketers and, in the end, they help to define the line between sport participants and sport spectators.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Blog Entry #2
The "greatest" game one ever witnesses remains a completely subjective topic. However, at a certain point, doesn't it become obvious that some athletes perform in leagues of their own, in what seems to be super-human ways? After reading The Greatest Game I Ever Saw (Klosterman), I became overcome with awe and most every previous understanding of sporting magnificence flew out the door, along with perception of the aspects of basketball.
This essay reveals, from under a cloak of non-occurrence, a Native American athletic event that today, I believe would make ESPN "front-page" news. The conditions of which an ultimate underdog basketball team from North Dakota overcame unequal portrayal and treatment to win a game in which they only had three men on the court is recalled. The nostalgic attitude of the writer sets the reader right in the middle of the game, although very few were really present at the actual game over two decades ago. It is made very clear that the author's outlook on life was largely impacted by this game, for his memory comes across so clear it is as if he had just watched the game yesterday.
The nostalgic style in which the writer recalls that game helped me to personally reflect upon what memories I have of sports events and what an important role memory plays in the world of sports. For my first essay, I look forward to incorporating my personal memories of basketball games, practices, coaches, players, and events with an understanding of what those memories truly mean to me today and how those events impact my daily life and decisions.
Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio (Wright) is not written in prose as the previous selection is, rather it takes the form of a short poem. This poem serves as an autobiographical account that the author encountered when he was younger. This memory of a northern American Friday night high school football game colors the setting of proud fathers watching their young sons fight and "gallop terribly against each other's bodies" for victory. This poem speaks to social concerns of that time period through a clear scene that is common in the American small town, even today. I believe this account helps to define a community pass time and perhaps serves as a blanket that covers the issues of the day. Yet through this poem, the blanket is symbolically lifted to reveal the raw truths of each line and scene of the memory.
Within my first essay, I hope to reveal and share with others my intimate memories of basketball and the addicting adrenaline that drove me to live the sport for ten years. My clearly vivid memories of coming dangerously close to unconsciuosness, the blood, sweat, and real tears shed for the sport that I called my own will be depicted. I will incorporate elements of the two assigned readings with regards to memories and the deep, warm, passionate nostalgia I feel when looking back on my favorite sport. Most importantly, basketball, football, no matter the sport, these all share a common sense of loyalty, community, togetherness, and ultimate determination, all of which are shared through "The Greatest Game," "Autumn Begins," and my upcoming essay.
This essay reveals, from under a cloak of non-occurrence, a Native American athletic event that today, I believe would make ESPN "front-page" news. The conditions of which an ultimate underdog basketball team from North Dakota overcame unequal portrayal and treatment to win a game in which they only had three men on the court is recalled. The nostalgic attitude of the writer sets the reader right in the middle of the game, although very few were really present at the actual game over two decades ago. It is made very clear that the author's outlook on life was largely impacted by this game, for his memory comes across so clear it is as if he had just watched the game yesterday.
The nostalgic style in which the writer recalls that game helped me to personally reflect upon what memories I have of sports events and what an important role memory plays in the world of sports. For my first essay, I look forward to incorporating my personal memories of basketball games, practices, coaches, players, and events with an understanding of what those memories truly mean to me today and how those events impact my daily life and decisions.
Autumn Begins in Martins Ferry, Ohio (Wright) is not written in prose as the previous selection is, rather it takes the form of a short poem. This poem serves as an autobiographical account that the author encountered when he was younger. This memory of a northern American Friday night high school football game colors the setting of proud fathers watching their young sons fight and "gallop terribly against each other's bodies" for victory. This poem speaks to social concerns of that time period through a clear scene that is common in the American small town, even today. I believe this account helps to define a community pass time and perhaps serves as a blanket that covers the issues of the day. Yet through this poem, the blanket is symbolically lifted to reveal the raw truths of each line and scene of the memory.
Within my first essay, I hope to reveal and share with others my intimate memories of basketball and the addicting adrenaline that drove me to live the sport for ten years. My clearly vivid memories of coming dangerously close to unconsciuosness, the blood, sweat, and real tears shed for the sport that I called my own will be depicted. I will incorporate elements of the two assigned readings with regards to memories and the deep, warm, passionate nostalgia I feel when looking back on my favorite sport. Most importantly, basketball, football, no matter the sport, these all share a common sense of loyalty, community, togetherness, and ultimate determination, all of which are shared through "The Greatest Game," "Autumn Begins," and my upcoming essay.
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