So, it’s no big secret that I’m not particularly into professional sports. I could go on for several pages about why, but suffice it to say that, while I harbor no ill will toward those who play the games, I can’t generally stomach sitting through one on TV. Typically, this even includes the superbowl.
However, this year a bunch of us met up at Randy’s. I figured I go because a) all of the guys were going to be there, and b) the Colts were playing and, if I actually did want a team to win, it would have been them.
I have to admit, I went in with the assumption that, at least for part of the time that I was there, I was going to be bored. I could just see the guys as Peyton Manning would make some sort of pass, or a special team would do something, well, special, spouting off various statistics (”That was good, but nowhere near as good as Farve”) or rememberances (”That one was as exciting as superbowl ex-ex-eye-eye-eye.”) I saw this as a serious risk, because I’d seen these guys have similar conversations, get this, when there WASN’T football on TV. But, I brought a book, just in case.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. You see, the thing is, when you get half a dozen guys together who play D&D, the conversation is most often going to revolve around, you guessed it, D&D. Even if the Superbowl is on. So, while there was an occasional mention of stats “Damn, Manning is really not having that good a game” there were more often mentions of other kinds of stats. Let me give you an example:
Randy: Wow, I can’t believe they got through and sacked Manning!
Me: Is that a big deal? He get sacked often?
Joe: No, almost never.
(silence for a couple of minutes)
Phil: Does anyone else think that Psionics is broken in 3.5?
Josh: Oh my Gawd, yes. They totally rule!
Randy: Yeah, I’m thinking we need to totally disallow psionics in this joint campaign we’re running.
Me: I agree. Hey, what does it mean when it says “challenge” up there on the screen under the score?
Scott: Psionics aren’t that broken.
Joe: The heck they aren’t! I’m sorry, but any point-based power or spell system is just overpowered, unless you totally nerf their points.
Me: Never mind, I think I get it. The one guy’s feet might not have been on the ground before he went out of bounds. I’m thinking the other coach “challenged” the ruling.
Randy: They weren’t quite as bad in 3.0, though.
Who knew football could be so interesting. We’re getting together in a couple of weeks for the Pro Bowl. I’m thinking I should probably bring dice, just in case a game breaks out spontaneously.
