Win and In

I’m just about to settle down to watch the 49ers live on Sky Sports, in their final regular season match of the year, against division rivals the Los Angeles Rams. For those of you not paying attention to the NFL, if San Francisco win tonight, they make it into the play-offs; lose, and it’s all done and dusted until September 2022. I’m pleased to say I’m excited rather than nervous. That’s not because I am feeling confident, more a reflection on the fact that I gave up all hope of a post-season run back in November, so simply being in a position where we might still qualify is exciting in itself. The big battle really is going to be between me and my appetite. Or more accurately, between me and my compulsion to eat shitty food while watching the game. There is no snack on Earth that genuinely enhances the experience of watching sports, but that doesn’t prevent me from believing that any-and-every viewing opportunity is rendered multiple times better by virtue of having food involved. The fact that I haven’t yet discovered the perfect accompaniment to an American Football game is not a failure, I believe, merely inspiration to try harder. But only yesterday I was complaining about my recent intake of unhealthy food and the resulting impact on my waistline and my mental wellbeing. So it’s hard to give you odds on what might happen tonight. It could be that my eyes remain glued to the screen and my teeth remain unused, but it’s equally as likely that my hands will go between a plate and my mouth as often as a point-after-touchdown attempt goes between the uprights. I’d like to say I shall eat a good tea tonight and then have nothing else until breakfast tomorrow, but I don’t want to make a promise I can’t keep and I don’t want to get into the habit of lying to you. Anyway – time to dust off my vintage Steve Young no.8 jersey and try to look like a real fan….

RC 9-1-22