I can't remember the last time I posted more than once in a day. That might mean it was a long time ago, and it might mean I have early onset Alzheimer's. Either way, there's nothing I can do about it.

When I was a kid, back in the 70's, there were three things to which I truly looked forward: Chocolate Cake, CocaCola, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Growing up in Western NY, I became a Steelers fan purely by incident. It was December 31st, 1972. Being Six, I didn't know what New Year's Eve was all about, I just felt energetic. So energetic that I decided to spend a few minutes jumping on my parents bed. It started off nicely, but ended up badly. I lost my balance and smacked my head on the nightstand. I didn't feel so energetic after that. I spent the rest of the day with a screaming headache, flipping channels until I happened upon a Football Game. I had never seen a football game in my six years, but it fascinated me. Naturally I felt the need to choose a team. The Steelers lost that day. TB broke his leg, Larry Seiple faked a punt and Shula's Fish were 16-0. But they won me. From then on I spent the fala and winter weeks waiting for Sunday and the spring and summer waiting for fall. When they won, all was right with the world. When they lost, it hurt so bad I wanted to cry.

Growing up as Steeler fan made it easy to love football. That Steelers team epitomized football. They were tough, intimidating, crunch- time, big-time performers. I was spoiled by 4 SB wins in the 6 years ending the decade. Along the way, I became a student of the sport. I can tell  you which number in a play call is the protection, I can draw up the 52 Okie, I can read a three deep, man high zone, and explaining zone blocking  is like making mudpies for me. If there's such a thing as a football geek. I am a football geek.

Many things have changed in 35 years. Steeler teams have come and gone, never anything like those Steelers, my Steelers. I'm still a Steeler fan, but my overall love of the game has grown. My wife constantly remarks about how the announcers "repeat" my commentary just after I say it.

That love of football though, grew to include the NHL, NBA, and even MLB  for a while.  I added Tennis and Golf, too. The truth is, there are few things I enjoy more than being outside, playing sports. Sports are as much a part of my life as anything else.

So when EdHardiman, shared some wisdom with me, I considered it carefully last night and throughout today. His answer led me to a very important question. What the hell am I doing here?

Before you rush to say "duh, writing about sports" consider the fact that most of my word count has been wasted engaing in meaningless pissing matches that have, as Ed so accurately put it, left me smelling like ####. And for what?

All because I got angry over a woman's vitriolic attempt to sound like a hard-boiled sports writer by taking a #### on a man's career. Not that that QB needed defending, he has a SB ring. How many men in the USA can say that? But it echoed so loudly of the hatchet job that Dayn Perry did on Babe Ruth. The one I lambasted so harshly that it got me kicked out of NGSII. Babe didn't need my help and Doug didn't either, but it hurt me for some reason. Those guys are heroes to me. Babe because he paved the way for baseball, and Doug because he proved that a black QB could keep a job in the NFL and win a SB too. How dare anyone try to tarnish their legacy?

I just haven't learned my lesson. Well, maybe not until today.

My conduct has been embarassing. I wrote an excellent piece on blacks who rush to defend other, criminal, blacks just because they share a skin color. I told them that they had become the (racists) they beheld.

Ironic, huh? I critique other for not being serious writers who respect the craft, and then I engage in name-calling, hate-banter, and gutter-mouthing.

Worst of all, I'm spending hours and hours on this. Hours in which I could be doing real writing, or painting, or listening to music, or best of all, playing sports.

As the years have passed, I have wondered aloud about what will become of generations tethered to mice and joysticks, and now I am chained to my computer, on the ready to issue a verbal beat-down if need be. I've even resorted to writing puff pieces, just to prove that I'm superior at that, as well. 

Now I  look in the mirror and see that I too, have become what I beheld. Shame on me.

So kids, I'm closin' the bait shop. And all have left today is advice for some of you. So here it is.

EdHardiman: Please continue to share your wisdom.

Debhashi: Don't check in with me so you can use my responses to bash me behind my back. That's just cowardly. Employ the "face rule of journalism". Don't print what you aren't willing to say directly to someone. 

GR8ONE: You're climbing a slippery slope when you call anyone arrogant while using the handle GR8ONE. Aside from that, you're one of the most persistent bashers on the board. People see that.

MeanDovine: Continue to lead by example. But please write more. The real writers need you.

Duds: Continue to express your thoughts from best possible place.

Norcal: Where are you? That's not advice. I'm  just wondering where you went.

Tophat; Stay un-afriad to stand against the masses. You're a true critical thinker.  Stop being so nice all the time, though.

Socal: Avoid statements like "this may sound like criticism, but it isn't". That tack is hilarious. Its easier to defend getting naked and then saying "you might think I'm naked, but I'm not.

Demonicume: Keep your herky-jerky style, just don't use it to disrespect men's wives, or any women for that matter. You're need to pull the dragon act back a notch.

Hogfan: Exercise your humor muscles more often. You were funnier in two lines than my entire "Paris" post.

Miracle: Keep it like you have it, but lay off of Dr. Phil.

LSU: You haven't been on this weekend, which probably means you have a life. I don't what I can offer you in that case.

AnotherOutlaw and UltraMega: My two evil arch-enemies. Please keep challenging me. I'll probably never agree with you on anything, but I'd fight like hell for your right to voice your opinions.

MartyWalker: Believe that there is a next world, a better world, and that your brother and sister will see you again. If emotions drive you, let hope be your chauffer.

Lisa: Everything you do, you own. Real writers check their work, and when they make mistakes they admit them. The bad choices that others make do not entitle you to bad choices.

TheDan:Again, we could use more from you. You write about sports.

JohnQ: Try to read more critcally, rather than get caught up in the purloined pleas. You've been easily duped.

and for all the rest: Let's try writing about and discussing sports, I'm game if you are.

Now I'm gonna go play some ball and act like a guy with a life or something.