I have always played more than I've watched: I was allowed very minimal tube time growing up. And in retrospect, relieved that was the case. From the burbs of Tejas, I clocked in many a rays and freckles from putzing around: with the soccer ball / volleyball / tennis / rollerskating / skateboarding / riding my bike / mowing the lawn- running around sprinklers and catching minnows. You name it. The fresh air and slower sense of time did me solidly well. What can I say? I had a much-appreciated childhood minus all the technology- I discovered that well after the great outdoors.
AND I also put in my training early - and felt the call to arms at a young age. My boy cousins who were close in age and distance added to the adventure and intrigue. But even IF I couldn't find any takers for playing _____ @______ , and when I was old enough to NOTE that I didn't require company but the presence of a ball, I was always content- sola mia in the great outdoors. me in a field. outdoors. against a wall / the garage door, and even later...
EVEN In pre-gentrified downtown LA, I'd often find the wall of a commercial building / a bridge / side of a bridge to kick the ball against. I loved that my neighborhood was empty. Here's perhaps the only sampling I have of an old pic from #WAYBACKWHEN - when there WEREN'T still a TON of trucks & cars after hours driving along Santa Fe Avenue... but the monster machine of gentrification is clearly in effect- in the distance- the awkward pass-thru setup...and probably looking super out of place...per usual...
In retrospect, I find it hilarious and I guess i didn't give a flying fudge. But I guess I've never done well with sitting still. Counting 3 piano teachers who make me cry, and despite how much I loved / hated playing, I could never plant myself down long enough on that bench to make for noticeable practice - much less impress.
Had I learned to play jazz, and not stumbled over so many arpeggios with too many noticeable errors with classical- and too much action in just my fingers and hands, I might have managed to show more talent and momentum. had my feet and body have also been moviing? But feet... mine are tired. I've done 3-4 inch heels way back when / then, but after ankle injuries, too many surfaces, and preserving my knee...I'm saving mine for the amount of wear and tear left in them....
There has only been fresh air and sunshine-as the optimal recipe for success or happiness in this life. In 28 years of rain or shine- and on and off soccer, I have played more pickup soccer in 8 years than I have in perhaps double/triple that time and grateful for the local scene. In that time, I have otherwise developed an even more disastrously low boob tube IQ (minus the past few World Cups of course where I've gotten the most TV "watch" time imagineable)...
AHUM. Being OUT on hiatus thanks to my crap left knee / MCL / _____ injury (?), I've resorted to hibernation and a tbd muffintop. Going on Week 5 feels like 5 years, and if I CAN'T play, and refuse to sit still, I'm yet committed to coaching, but have resorted to documenting - if not - pressing the rewind & fast forward button on my passion and love for the beautiful game... while bingeing on Netflix now and then for a lil' checkout... <<< beh il le faut...
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