The Blessing of MHR and an Essay on the Meaning of Being a Fan
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 10:11 AM MDT
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PrintThis is a story of how I got though the 5 toughest weeks of my life, and the role MHR has played in it.
This post is to say a big THANK YOU to everyone here for doing what you do, and to pitch in my 2 cents on what it means to be a fan.
I beg your forgiveness in advance for the length of this post. In it I’ll be addressing all the major discussions our community has had over the past five weeks.
Five weeks ago I passed gall bladder stones, which I thought was the most painful thing anyone could experience, until I immediately there after came down with a case of shingles. I had never heard of this illness before, but let me tell you, nothing medical is as painful and long lasting in its torment.
When I saw my doc, he gawked and called in his receptionist to take a look, saying he had never seen a case as bad as mine. Normally it strikes only 1 dermatone (one of the quiltworks that make up your skin). In my case it infected 2 dermatones, and covered every square inch of them both. Shingles literally breaks the nerves in your skin in half. And when the virus is finished, it leaves you having to regrow connections in each nerve. And until you do, it can be a constant owiee of the nth degree. For the 1st three weeks I was bed ridden and delirious on codeine and other fancy drugs. I literally had 1/2" blisters covering a stripe 3" wide from my belly button to my spine along the right side of my body.
During the time I was conscious, I farted around on my laptop and came across MHR. I love me the Broncos something fierce, so I started exploring the site. How cool is was to read the reports of the Kaptain from training camp. I loved the debates happening in the Fan Post threads. McG who was quick to criticize but then grew green shoots of, dear I say, love was indeed a good read. (And yes, I'm thinking he's feeling alphabet envy since McG is 3 letters behind McD :~) And then there were characters who were so negative they named themselves Nelly. On the other side were defenders of the faith, sometimes being Doc or Sayer (misspelled on purpose), or any of the other regulars that are too numerous to mention, though I thank you all. I also loved the regions people have named themselves for—montana, grizz, and idaho--all places I've visited and enjoyed (having rafted the middle fork of the Salmon river back in June and flipped my rig and then swam through it's biggest rapid—now that's a story!) Because of you guys I named myself Santa Fe Bronc, because I too love where I live.
Now that my pain is manageable, and my head is clear from being off the drugs that literally caused me to fall down in faints of dizziness a couple of times over the past week, I wanted to give all of you a heaping helping of gratitude for giving me something fun to focus on during my darkest hours. Trust me when I say that the thought of killing one's self rather then live with another minute of this kind of pain is a frequent comment on shingles after care support group websites.
I know that there's dozens of you I haven't given a shout out to, but I still want to thank you. For the most part, if it was posted in the last 5 weeks, I've read it. So if you've been a poster, here's a big THANK YOU.
I used to debate in high school and college. I had a shelf full of trophies in my day. I also have graduate degrees in argument and rhetoric. So it was wonderful to follow the logic, ad hominums, and ploys used to sidetrack or circumvent an argument. For me, it was like watching good a really good sporting event to read your posts. Please keep it up!
In my decades of practice using word play (I'm a public speaker by profession), I've concluded that all argument boils down to 2 ultimate positions.
"Yeah, but still" versus "'Cuz."
When I read some of the endlessly derivative posts (i.e. Phonz sucks or he's gonna be just fine), I can't help but think of these two ultimate argument positions. What's really fun, is that I know in only a few short days the Coaches will answer this question—fiat acompli. And then everyone will go round and round about whether the Coaches are fools or savants. For me, that's just more 'cuz v. yeah, but still. In the end we're all Bronco's fans. We're here because each of us, in our unique ways are hoping for the mighty Broncs to deliver us to the Glory of SuperBowl Land. This is, of course, except for a few misguided souls who think the word "fan" is defined as "one who constantly criticizes in order to establish their righteousness to claim concern and loyalty for the object of their criticism." You know, kind of like a guy who beats his wife ‘cuz he loves her—for her own good, of course.
Hey, but no matter what kind of fan you are, I love you all for your posts and this community! Just 'cuz!
Here's what I learned about being a fan. In my first week of Grad School at Penn State, I entered and won the Speech Department's football pool. In my pedagogy class (the required class so I could teach undergraduate classes) our instructor comes in and asks who won the pool. I smugly raised my hand. She asked me what I picked in the tie breaker. I told her that I predicted the visiting team would beat the Nittany Lions by 7 ( I think they won by 4 or something ). She then proceeded to spend the next hour of class, lecturing directly at me that a fan always supports, and picks their team to win, no matter what. Just imagine my embarrassment to have the regular lesson plan aborted, and to sit there in front of 20 of my peers and be called out for a full hour about being disloyal to OUR TEAM. I later learned that dear Kay DeBoer was the adviser to half the football team who all happened to be Speech/Communication majors. The next week when class started, I raised my hand and when Kay called on me, I shouted "Go State!" I had learned my lesson.
So to all you dear Broncos' fan, I want to ask you to show a little more love for our wonderful team by expressing a bit more tenderness in your posts. During our past 3 seasons of mediocrity, I can truly say that I never once criticized our team. Instead, I wished for them to do better. I felt bad for them when they lost, because I know they played their hearts out. I know they tried everything they could, and gave it their all to try and get a win. It baffled me to hear people being so negative about players or coaches. I knew they were doing the best they could and that as a fan I should support them. So instead of criticizing, I grieved.
But I was also always hopeful. I got excited by every new player, because it was like Christmas for me. Each player was yet to be unwrapped, and when the season came, they would be new toys that I could enjoy playing with as I watched or went to the games. Though I was sick every time Cutler threw a pick in the endzone, I never bad mouthed him, as I knew I couldn’t have done a darn bit better. Even when the coaches were calling plays I thought boneheaded, I deferred in my criticism because I figured they were way smarter than me when it came to football. I was surprised to see Shanny fired as I loved him as much as anyone could love a tense looking guy he's never met. He brought us 2 Championships and I always thought he was just one move away from reclaiming that glory, as I bought into what he told the media. After all, to me, he was the coach—enough said.
Then when Josh was hired, I loved it. It was another new toy, only this time, a whole new playground came with the toys—a new set of strategies, an new focus for the types of players brought in, and such. I loved every minute of it! And of course, I've bought into his philosophy. But this time, not just because he's way smarter about football than me and he's the coach, but because I always thought character counts, and a team first, do you job mentality is how all organizations should run—from a tea circle right on up to the United Nations. An example of my philosophy, is that in the great Phonz debate, I come down on the side of the coaches picked him, and right or wrong, I support him because he's a Bronco until he's cut. It might have been a mistake to draft him, but hey, you pays your money and your takes your chances. And since I’m fond of those who take chances, I loved the trade and am rooting heart and soul for Phonz to become the player I’m dreaming for him to be. I know, I know, you're thinking "yeah, but still." Well, “’cuz” right back at ‘ya.
Another way my philosophy manifests itself is that I take what McD says at face value. Sure, I know that he’s holding stuff back, but that’s the nature of any good strategy game. You don’t show your opponent the cards in your hand until you’re ready to play them. But the words Josh does speak, are to me, truthful—regardless of any of the “he said,” “she said” posted on this site. After all, if each of us had access to the meeting rooms at dove valley, more than half of the content of this site would disappear, because it’s most speculation. That said, one of the major reasons this site exists is because it’s fun to speculate. Take the BQ bashing that has been at the root of many comments over the past 2 weeks. Yesterday Josh basically said in is press conference that neither Quinn nor Tebow have distinguished themselves in the race for 2nd string, so he’s going to let it play out in the final game. While also admitting there’s lots of things Quinn needs to improve, he defended his QB by saying he’s surrounded by 10 other guys who need to do their job for him to do his. He noted that those 10 guys are different every time so he’s never really got to practice with the same players who are on the field. And then he listed the things Brady has done will, such as leading a successful 2 minute drive. Like just about everyone here at MHR, I want Quinn to play better. But I see no need to bash him or sing songs of woe because of him. I’m thrilled to see our coach focusing on the positive, and I remember that last year the ugly duckling of Orton blossomed into the magnificent swan we’ve seen in this preseason, neck beard and all!
When I look at the drafts of our coaches, I don’t see right or wrong. I see the fun and excitement of each pick, and then get blown away at the strategies used to trade up or down to get the players they covet. I don’t care if they’re the best pick or the riskiest pick, I’m just thrilled to see how they’re going to develop as players. And just like we ask our QBs to shrug off an interception and lead our team to a TD on the next drive, I’m expecting our coaches to shrug off their bad picks and go out and pick a gem the next time around.
So there you have it MHR. I've bared my soul to you. From the depths of my pain and despair; to the embarrassments of my learning the meaning of fanhood; to the love I show for the team from the town I grew up in; and of most import, to the joy you've brought me as I slowly venture out into my life again, taking the baby steps my wounds allow until I finally overcome this hurdle.
I love the Broncos, and I love all of you for making MRH a place we can each bandy our own expressions of fandom. Thanks John; and thanks to all the crew keeping the site running and the content rich; and thanks to each of your who've posted your wisdom over the dark 5 weeks of this adventure in living I’m experiencing. I’d love to hear what “being a fan” means to you so please give me your take in the comments below. And I can't wait to see what the Broncos do this year—10 & 6 with a playoff run is my take.
Yes, I know, some of you are thinking I’m one of those “my glass is than half full guys.” But you’re wrong. My glass is brimming. It’s so full it’s spilling over for all who wish to have a drink with me. And if I can say that after 5 weeks of torture, you know there’s nothing anyone can say to disabuse me of the notion that the bright side of the Broncos will always outshine whatever criticism comes to bear.
And just to beat somebody to it in the comments to come: "Kum-bye-ya to you too."
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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Well said and rec'd
It costs nothing to be enthusiastic and excited for one’s team. Well it costs me a little bit in all the Broncos merchandise I buy but you get the point.
Thanks for sharing and I hope that you feel better and don’t have to go through that crap again.
Josh McDaniels-All he wants to do is win a MF'in game!
by RockyMountainThunder on Sep 1, 2010 10:20 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks Thunder
My first rec’s ever! I’m plum tickled pink!
And you know my recovery is soaring to new heights every day. My GF is going on drive with me to the store today to see if I can handle traffic with the drugs on I’m on. It’s the little victories that make the journey fun! I appreciate your good will.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 10:35 AM MDT up reply actions
Awesome post Santa fe..
Glad to gear you are over the worst of it, hope you continue to heal up and are back up to 100% soon along with all the other injured broncos!
Like you I also tend to look for the positives in a situation, but a big thing for me is really trying to understand what people that don’t agree with me are saying. I often feel like arguments are just two people just stating their own case without trying to comprehend what the other person is saying. A good analogy for this is a game of tennis, if both players are just big servers with little mobility it makes for a very boring game, but if they have good serves, good return strokes and read and react to the other player the result is a great game.
With that said I think my tendency to look for positives is now a bit more balanced with an ability to identify problem areas and not get to upset by them. Hehe.
I think so much of how people see things in relation to the broncos is based on how they deal with the emotional ups and downs of the game. I’m sure their is an anthropological study in there somewhere.. lol.
Anyways I enjoyed your take on all of it and I hope to see more from you as the season progresses. :-)
Just so ya know I would rec this post but I only have phone access at the moment and you can’t rec from a phone apparently.
by HorseStance on Sep 1, 2010 11:04 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
Love Your Tennis Analogy
It’s so right on!
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 11:41 AM MDT up reply actions
Good God man! I don't ever want shingles....
but thank you for not killing yourself – this was one fantastic read. Rec’d man and glad MHR assisted in your recovery!
To me, being a fan is just as you described – unfortunately, I must be more objective than I otherwise would normally be. I must strike a balance between being critical and being positive. This team has weaknesses, but it also has strengths. I have to write about both. lol I want to write about both, because I think it gives people a broader, more realistic picture of our beloved Broncos.
That doesn’t change that I want this team to win every damned game though! ;-)
Verbose in style, dispersion of thought, procrastination in life.
The guy formerly known as ZAPPA
Great read and thanks for sharing
If nothing else, we’re all a family of fans here. Sure there is dysfunction, sure there is arguing, but we loves us some Broncos!
I’m glad you found us brotha!
"Bombs dropping down overhead. Underground. It's instilled to want to live." -EV
"Yeah, but still"
I’m giving you a rec “’Cuz” I liked it. I love word play myself.
I’ve never had shingles, but I know about skin issues and deep scarring bed sores. I have Lupus and I know one thing for sure, Pain Sucks. wishing you a speedy recovery SFB.
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
My ship finally came in, but it was the Kobayashi Maru.
Great post...and rec'd
Glad to see that worst is behind you. I can’t imagine going through that. Regarding your fandom, it is impressive and probably something we should all aspire to. Like you I loves me some Broncos…at the expense of various relationships at times. I do agree with always having that ray of hope, but I disagree slightly with respect to just accepting everything that goes on with the home team. I’ll use the Detroit Lions of years past as an extreme example (the most recent few years have seen a change in leadership and philosophy it seems). Should those fans have been just accepting of the product they were given? Being subjected to a perennially bad team, should they still be overflowing with optimism and should they withhold any criticism? I don’t believe so. Thank God for Orange and Blue sunsets and thank God that I’m a Broncos fan.
By the way, I’m liking the way the team is shaping up this season and think that the Broncos are back on track after a couple of years lost in the wilderness. I still foresee a difficult season this year but will always hope for the best.
"They are who we thought they were!"
Is Being a Lions Fans Worse than a Case of Shingles?
Wow, gc, I hadn’t given much thought to what it would be like to hold my outlook on being a fan and than have to root for the Lions. I can only say I’m blessed to be rooting for the Orange and Blue.
But having grown up in Denver, being 53 years old, and having watched the Broncos suck through my formative years and then go on to lose 3 Super Bowls, I can tell you what I told my sports friends back then. It’s not easy being a Broncos’ fan! We’re blessed to have be a team that’s been in contention for the past decade and a half, and then to see 7 wins being out bottoming out.
Thanks for your take on fandom.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 12:05 PM MDT up reply actions
Yeah, but still...
I have a friend who is a life long Lions fan (he is 35) and another who had shingles (he is 34), let me say from their experience, I would rather have shingles! I kid, I kid.
Awesome post Santa Fe. I rec'd ya
Glad you are on the road to recovery. Feel better and keep up the optimistic approach. Not just for the Broncos either.
What a drag it is getting old. - Mick
Great post
We all obviously don’t like having to criticize the Broncos (at least I hope), but a team’s always going to make wrong moves and right moves and fans do have the right to agree or disagree at the time and also reserve the right to change their opinion on that (hindsight is 20/20). I do agree there tends to be too much criticism directed to McD (who doesn’t deserve even half of it), but to say no criticism is not the answer either.
And yes, finally someone steps up against the Phonz posts. Honestly, I just don’t care either. We have 2 very good starting CB’s and 2 more waiting in the wings if he doesnt produce. Really anymore further posts that don’t have FACTS we didn’t know about him are beating a dead horse… or Bronco…
My favourite part of your essay:
But I see no need to bash him or sing songs of woe because of him. I’m thrilled to see our coach focusing on the positive, and I remember that last year the ugly duckling of Orton blossomed into the magnificent swan we’ve seen in this preseason, neck beard and all!
This is exactly how I feel about Quinn. And Smith for that matter. They’re trying their hardest to make this team. They don’t go out there thinking, “Boy, I’m gonna really suck today” and I find it unfair of some of us to want to ‘fire’ them already. If they are not one of the best 53 players on the roster, or the coaches don’t think that they will be in the next year or so, then it’s their decision. I would just hope that they are being given a fair shake, as I would hope to at any new job I started.
I’m glad to hear that you are getting over the shingles, your case sounds exactly like my Father-In-Law’s. He had a huge patch of shingles from pretty much his belly button right around to his spine.
Take care.
It takes neither courage nor intelligence to cheer for a team only when that team wins. The true test of a fan's mettle is the same as it is for a player: Were you there when you were needed?
aka Solace
Im sorry
That came across really good. And I posted it before reading your article. Having read it, I immediately rec’d. Although I’ve never had shingles, I got chicken pox for the first time when I was 17 and was confined to my bed for about a week, during which mostly I played Halo on my laptop. Anyways, thank you for sharing with us, great read, and couldn’t be rec’d enough
by Warren Todd on Sep 1, 2010 1:18 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
No Worries Mate
I’m new here and accidentally erased the jump and for the life of me couldn’t figure out how to put it back. Oh well, live and learn and then learn some more.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions
If it happens again..
Start to make a new post then cut the jump out and paste it in the first one..
There is a proper button for it somewhere but I couldn’t tell you where. Lol
by HorseStance on Sep 1, 2010 1:48 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Fixed
Thanks for the how to.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 4:03 PM MDT up reply actions
Hey SFB
Interesting you went to Penn State and live in the southwest. I grew up in Santa Fe and live in Southcentral PA.
I would love to see my home turf again. I love your take on fandom as well. I am a glass half full guy who prefers to see the better outcome till it ain’t.
Best of luck to you in your recovery
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
Don’t worry about it. As an ignorant redneck, I’m qualified to say that.
I'm deeply touched
Though I haven’t replied to each of your posts, please know I clicked on your name to see your avatar and read you bio. Truth be told, I began balling like a baby when I first read your comments. In fact, I cried so hard I finished up with a bout of deep felt laughter!
Whoda’ thunk it would have taken me 53 years to turn into such a marshmellow.
And who would believe a grown man could be reduced to tears simply by talking football ! ! !
God, I love the surprises life brings once I start to let go.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
Santa Fe Bronc
This is one of the best articles I have ever read.
I am very glad to hear that your pain is down to a manageable level. I hope that you continue to recover and get better.
This is an extremely well written article.
Rec’d from me
If you even need a support system, you always have us here at MHR.
Last Name: Ever, First Name: Greatest
Nobody Runs On The Denver Broncos
Xbox360 gamertag: SnipeMeHarder
Rec!
Santa Fe, first let me say: enjoy a speedy recovery.
Second, I not only appreciated your distillation of our arguments, but also your take on assumption. While, I know it is healthy and productive to assume, I feel praising or damning a decision based on that assumption is dangerous. In other words, giving the assumption too much power. This is where MSM gets off track in my opinion and where we as MHRs need to be careful.
Finally, like you, I am Bronco fan, born an raised. I find it difficult to see my Broncos through anything but the best light. So, I am constantly looking for the dark side of the choices made, to attempt to gain some perspective. Which is why I never bet on a Bronco game and why I try to stay abreast of as much NFL news as possible.
Again, thanks for the inspiring and beautiful post!
good stuff.
i like to think about the debate (on the denver post; not here) that went on when we picked up brandon stokley and his recently blown achilles. javon walker was coming off his best season as a bronco, brandon marshall was coming off a promissing rookie year, and rod smith was scheduled to come back from hip surgery before the start of the season. lots of people took positions for and against the acquisition, often with extra adjectives so you wouldn’t forget what that position was.
the reason i love the game is because no matter how well you think you know how everything is gonna play out, there will always be some surprises.
when leon hall tipped that pass in mcD’s first real game as an nfl head coach, i if wonder anybody remembered whether they thought stokley should have ever become a bronco in the moments that the ball was floating his way.
i imagine they were caught up in the moment, which is where i like to be in relation to my team.
as long as you're paying attention
Good job man. Shingles sucks!
I enjoyed your post. I agree on most things that you wrote.
You, my friend, are proof you dont need to have big floppy feet and a red nose to be a clown!
"I actually watched the World Cup. I HATE baseball. Hockey’s over. Hey, at least we have the WNBA. Oh, man. I’m making a noose. Want one?"
Harv Neptune.
Shingles (Herpes zoster) is without a doubt one of mankinds most painful afflictions.
The virus (actually reactivated Varicella / chickenpox virus) causes inflammation in the sensory nerves thereby causing the intense pain. I’m glad you’re on the road to recovery and really glad you found MHR to help you along. Thanks for a wonderfully written post.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein
Excellent article (Rec'd), although I'm sorry you had to go through what you did to develop this perspective on life and on MHR.
As you mentioned, it’s important to have something you can distract yourself with when you are going through an ordeal like that. I’m just glad that MHR could be that shining light for you in your darkest hour.
I just hope that you don’t walk away from the site now that you are feeling better. :)
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
If someone owned an ICEE truck and wanted to kidnap me, I'd let them.
No Way, I'm Here to Stay!
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions
Good to hear. :)
And keep these articles coming. Not the “I had a painful disease” part (I don’t wish illness on anyone)… but the Broncos part at the end. I’d hate for you to have any more pain after all you’ve been through, but your opinions were a treat to read through.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
If someone owned an ICEE truck and wanted to kidnap me, I'd let them.
Rec'ed ya, Santa Fe! Thanks for the excellent perspective on our fandom and MHR.
H. Zoster (shingles) is either created by the devil to torture us or by God and is the remnant of one of the 10 plagues of Egypt!!!! seriously, it is a really debilitating condition that actually has lead to suicides, especially if the nerves don’t heal and the pain becomes chronic. Glad to hear you are getting better! …..bet you are in the doc’s office in a flash if there is a next time, given the 48 hour window for best response!
Since I live in the Woo-Woo Capital of the World . . .
. . . you know I’m going to fully recover. As a friend told me yesterday while driving me to see an acupuncturist, “there’s so many healers here, of course you’re going to get better!” I’m going to see her in a couple of days since she has the ability to “zap” people with energy from her hands, and I’ve got a blessing scheduled by a guy who can manipulate genetic structures with his mind. (Yeah, I know what you’re thinking, but I do live in Fanta Se after all. And I’ve seen before and after slides of cells taken by reputable scientists). I figure it’s only a matter of time and will before I’m back to 100%.
Thanks for the chuckle you gave me in your description of the shingles.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 4:11 PM MDT up reply actions
The most
illustrious swans have neckbeards. I thought everyone knew that?
Brad James
by the new Bradfather on Sep 1, 2010 5:32 PM MDT reply actions
Great post.
A bit ago, I wrote a similar one… didn’t quite get out all I feel, but when does anyone? Ever?
LoL
Here’s my post, though from what you said, you likely already saw it. ( =
Great to have you as a fellow MHR’ian-ite…. Ahem… A fellow member of MHR.
Since I found this place of solace, I will never be the same (in a good way) because of it’s existence. I don’t think We (the Royal MHR, We) will ever see too many thank you posts, of the likes, which you have contributed. Not enough humans in general can even obtain the concept of “looking at the glass as overflowing” – let alone Bronco fans… Though it’s probably roughly the same percentage of each.
Hey, thanks again – keep on keepin’ on!
That's quite a long handle there, G Funk. - That's what she said.
First (and only, in our lifetimes) team to three consecutive SB wins!!!! ( =
by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Sep 1, 2010 5:42 PM MDT reply actions
Great post in your link
And very true—The golden rule of Fandom!
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 1, 2010 10:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Well blow me down and stone the crows. Welcome aboard Cobber!!!!
Great read SFB. Glad to hear you are getting healthier. It is amazing how we must go through so much pain (shingles, gall bladder stones) to assist us in finding and realizing so much joy (MHR). There is always light at the end of the tunnel. As an overseas member of MHR, I can truly appreciate your excited emotion that came when you found this site. To me it was like, wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and saw Cannan for the first time. MHR is the site of milk and honey.
Fire Up Broncos!!!!
by Downunder Thunder on Sep 1, 2010 5:43 PM MDT reply actions
Thanks Santa fe with your glass brimming over with Kool Aid and all
"Ben Roethlisburger is screwed up, he uses bathrooms for sex and golf courses for bathrooms." Unknown
wow. great read and rec’d. Heal well and quickly, SFB.
I can tell you I am a much better fan of football and the Broncos thanks to MHR. I thought I knew some, but realized quickly I realized I knew nothing at all.
BTW, I totally agree with your prediction of 10-6 and a playoff run this yr. The Sparklers, Faders and Chefs are in for some whoopin’.
Always remember Goliath was a 40 point favorite over David.
-- Shug Jordan
I like the way you look at life.
This is the same mentality I have as well. I am fairly young – so thankfully won’t have to worry about shingles for a while – but wise enough to understand how little I truly know. I have gone rounds and rounds with the pessimistic crowd. Enough rounds to really understand who is really a pessimist, and who is just making very critical analysis of the team. You’ll learn to like McG the more you disagree with him. His green shoots article was one of only a couple articles he’s written here. I highly advise you check out his past articles if you want a thorough opinion of him – as he is quite rough around the edges in most comment sections.
I first discovered MHR after finally becoming a civillian again after four years in the Marines. I was just trying to transition back to normal life (and personal freedom, lol) again although my Broncos pilot-light was on, the heater had never really kicked up before 2008. I hadn’t followed Denver closesly since I was a kid during the Elway era – and even then it was more about the Mile High Magic for me then it was the players or X’s and O’s. MHR has had a LOT to do with my understanding of the game now, and of my respect for coaches, players, and fellow fans.
The 13-3 chant isn’t running rampant this year – though I do see it from time to time by a person or two, but that was the running motto last year. Realistically most people here at MHR were looking at 9-11 wins last year despite the optimism the majority of us continued to annoyingly shout (or type in caps anyways) to our own joyus glee. While last year’s repeate of .500 football was below some people’s expectations here, it was high above where everyone else had us sitting and I am happily aiming for 11-5 (though i’ll be saying 13-3 until we actually lose our fourth game, haha).
Thanks for enjoying our writing here, and just remember that like you, we also are beneficiaries of the people that came before us. I’m sure even Bena, Doc, and Steve (hoosierteacher) would humbly send your thanks higher up the ladder to whoever it was that graced them with the football wisdom and passion that keeps this site highly respectable and Mile High Stadium thundering loudly.
Your writing is amazing and I’m sure you have tons of excellent opinions we’d all love to hear (and then support or refute either logically or blindly, lol). Welcome to the MHR ranks SFB! :D
"It is better to be rougly right than precisely wrong." - John Maynard Keynes
Really apprecaited your reply
Thanks. When I was in Grad School I remember reading about the role the use of language plays in perception. My favorite quote was the story of 3 umpires having a discussion on how they worked home plate. In order they said:
There are balls and there are strikes, and I calls them as they is.
There are balls and there are strikes, and I calls them as I sees ‘em.
There are balls and there are strikes, but they ain’t nothing ’til I calls ’em.
Enchanted by this notion I’ve spent a good deal of my adult life trying to comprehend the power of spoken words to invoke reality (i.e. the power of manifestation). It’s safe for me to say that manifestation truly exists and we all possess the power to use it. Any quantum physicist will tell you that at the fundamental level of the universe, things happen because they are observed to have happened. So knowing the power our words have to, at the very least, create our subjective worlds, and perhaps even the objective world we call reality, what words will a responsible person choose to speak? Whether or not you’ve traveled the same road as I to hold the mentality we share is unimportant. What’s important is knowing that this point of view really works to make our lives what we want them to be—which for me is “happy.”
To apply this to sports, let me offer another baseball analogy. One of my good friends and I have a knack for calling a homer before it’s hit when we get up to Denver and watch Rockies games. Since the we’re both way above the statistical average for doing this, some interesting questions can be posed. 1) Are we psychically in tune for perceiving this event before it happens? 2) Are we magical and actually creating the long ball (or at least co-creating it with the batter) by calling it before it happens? 3) Is it just a statistical quirk and nothing to write a post about?
Assuming I don’t have the means of accessing a valid answer, then it really doesn’t matter which question leads to the door Carol Marrol (an old game-show reference) is pointing to. Since I can’t know the answer, I may as well just pick the one that is most fun for me to believe. In my case, that’s door #2—I manifested it.
So when I watch a Bronco’s game, I visualize every drive ending in a TD. It may not cause the Broncos to score, but what the heck, it’s fun to do and by my way of thinking, I’ve got at least a 1 in 3 chance of causing it to happen. And it certainly causes the games to never cease amazing me when what does actually happen is totally unexpected. There’s really no down-side to this way of watching a game, other than the sadness of a losing final score. But that’s something every true fan experiences, regardless his or her mentality.
So what the heck, maybe I’m not being optimistic enough by picking a 10-6 season. Maybe I should take a page out of McGeorge’s play book and join in your mantra: 13-3 until we aren’t!
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 2, 2010 12:14 AM MDT up reply actions
Lol. I do the same thing sometimes...
But the factor you have to look at there, is if you’re ALWAYS imagining the most positive/beneficial outcome for the player/team on each individual swing/snap, then statistically you’re going to be right more than most people, because most people are guessing a mixed bag of “for” and “against” so they’ve got double the odds to make the mistake… in a sense.
I do agree with you though about the power of spoken language… and quantum physics are very interesting (I love watching scientific documentaries on unexplainable things). That being said… I have no idea of what relgious conviction you have (if one at all) but in John 1:1 of the NT (John was highlighting the Divine Nature of Christ, and went back to the roots of Genesis 1:1 with this verse:) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” The Judeo-Christian worldview holds its followers to a high accountability of a person to what they say and is one of the few religions in the history of the world with a huge emphasis on speaking and acting truthfully. Many other religions (and I have studied many) emphasize following a moral or ethical code that focuses more on the outcome of the events than of the believers actual intentions, and most rarely pay any attention to whether the good outcome was produced by honest means or not. If it’s good for all, it doesn’t matter how they do it?
Sorry, went off on a slight tangent. Anyways… point was just that the Jewish Torah and Christian Bible value language (and honest speaking at that) highly and constantly denote it with power and it’s ability to manifest. Even modern secular psychology has proven that things like “self-fullfilling prophecies” and such are real things we have to be aware of… because whether there is any truth to it or not, people believe things, and they act on those beliefs. That is why lies can be so very dangerous, even white lies can be.
Don’t want to get off on a long philosophical tangent/debate, just thought it would be interesting to point out. :D
"It is better to be rougly right than precisely wrong." - John Maynard Keynes
by Alexander Wall on Sep 2, 2010 1:38 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Love your tangent!
I don’t practice much religion, per se, but I’m quick to study and learn from any source that brings meaning to my life. And so I whole-heartedly agree with what you wrote. Thanks for that insight. One of the fun things I learned from a religious scholar (priest who actually worked directly under the Pope), was that the meaning of the word “sin” in the ancient language of the Torah is actually “being mistaken.” He explained it as simply not understanding, or not speaking correctly what is the going on in the situation. It it really isn’t a big right/wrong kind of thing, as much as a it’s being honest and understanding one’s circumstance in life. I’ve always taken this to mean exactly what you’ve written about valuing honesty.
Which brings us back to the discussion on how the heck does being honest have anything to down with manifesting reality (or at least our own psychological perception of it). And that my friend, is the one of the fundamental, or such I say, quantumm, mysteries of life. So I’m going to stop discussing it here, as this is a football blog for ’crikes sake!
Thanks for the intellectual play, though.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 2, 2010 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions
Indeed.
It is the question that only death will answer individually for all of us. Postmodernism is of the approach that absolute truth does not exist – when in reality – we only have a perception of it’s existence. Science may win a few battles, different religions may win others, but when we get down to the brass tax the matter of fact is that we just don’t know yet.
I am of the opinion that only death will bring the final answer – I doubt even modern scientific discovery will be able to solve the riddles of quantum physics (among other established scientific laws that we understand to be truth – yet have no absolute explanation for outside of our individual and collective perspective. ;)
So… how bout them Broncos tonight? Lol.
"It is better to be rougly right than precisely wrong." - John Maynard Keynes
by Alexander Wall on Sep 2, 2010 11:26 PM MDT up reply actions
“as he is quite rough around the edges in most comment sections”
Just so you know, I consider this compliment. I’m not a pillow fight kind of guy. You can have baseball and basketball. I’m a football and hockey kind of guy.
Denver: 32-32 until we're not.
Baseball and Basketball are for sissies
I’ll take big guys with sticks , pads, blades and helmets careening and crashing into each other any day!
"as in football so in life"
Hi McGeorge
I was hoping you’d join in this foray. And hope you’re not too terribly offended by my quip about the alphabet. I just wanted to poke you a bit to see if you’d come out and play.
But since you’re here, can’t we please have a pillow fight! We’ll pass out lollipops to everyone afterward. Pretty please? LOL
Seriously, thanks for what you bring to the table. I love to eat. And by gosh, it sure would get boring without having fresh roasted chili to put into the stew. Love the picante´in your sauce.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 2, 2010 10:19 AM MDT up reply actions
Haha.
See. I had a feeling we are getting closer to being on the same page. It was intended as a compliment! :D I am also a bit rough around the edges and can be emotional/passionate and pushy about my opinions… but I guess I just think that there’s no point in having an opinion if you’re not passionate about it.
"It is better to be rougly right than precisely wrong." - John Maynard Keynes
by Alexander Wall on Sep 2, 2010 11:29 PM MDT up reply actions
Welcome to MHR Santa Fe
I loved your post and had to rec it. I wish you a swift recovery and hope you continue to enjoy this site for a long time.
"All credibility, all good conscience, all evidence of truth come only from the senses." Friedrich Nietzsche
Great Post!
Thanks for your insight, well spoken, as it were. I for one am going to ask my MD about the new shingles vaccine I’ve heard about, your experience sounds ghastly.
Tip: Orton jerseys soon to increase in value, buy now!
Do it!
Most docs are saving it for folks over 60, but some give it to people over 50. Right now it’s in short supply, at least in my neck of the woods in New Mexico. And weirdly enough, the intake nurse for my doc told me she’s seeing an increase in the cases of shingles coming in. If you can get the vaccine, by all means, go for it.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 2, 2010 10:21 AM MDT up reply actions
Here's to a complete and permanent recovery!
Excellent article. I agree completely on the 10-6….in fact, I’m thinking we could do better, but that’s what I’m comfortable with predicting! :)
I have quite a lot of positive vibes as you do, and rarely call out coaches or players. However, just because I do call them out at times, doesn’t mean I don’t want them to do well. I want the best for the team, and if that means floating an idea here that may not be the concensus view (kinda like the “we must keep Stokley” opinion I have now), then this is the perfect place to do it. Almost everyone will consider an idea put forth and will form an opinion. The back and forth generated can be really helpful!
I tend to just filter out the comments that are negative for the sake of being negative. It just doesn’t bring anything new to the table.
I hope you recover very fast, and will continue to post in the future!
Officially on record with a 10-6 prediction for 2010! (8/21/10)
"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence."
John Adams
The whole Stokely debate rips my heart asunder.
I love Stokes and everything he brings to the table. But I’m thinking young and fast has more upside than wise and crafty.
Remember the story of the Young Bull and the Old Bull?
The young bull sees a herd of heffers an says, “Let’s run down the hill and get us one of those tasty gals.” The old bull says, “Nah, let’s walk down the hill and get them all.”
I almost always come out on the side of the old bull. But in Stokes case, I’m enchanted by the speed of Willis. I think speed creates match up problems that are going to be far more advantageous to the Broncs than will be Stokes ability to get open in clutch situations from the slot. I’m figuring (hoping, more likely) that Eddie can give us enough of what Brandon brought to the slot that the speed of Willis more than makes up for what the loss of Stokely causes.
Either way it’s a tough call.
First they ignore you.
They then laugh at you.
Then they fight you.
Then, you win.
--Gandhi
by Santa Fe Bronc on Sep 2, 2010 10:31 AM MDT up reply actions
Excellent Read and Rec'd
Sorry to hear about the shingles, you had my sympathy at gallstones. Hope your recovery continues on track “just cuz” we need more writers like you here at MHR. You’ve summed up fandom as well as i’ve seen it done and I appreciate you taking time during your recovery to express your thoughts. Be well my friend.
"as in football so in life"
Right on
Same goes, SantafeBronc. This site has been a blessing for me, too, in Kemah, TX. Many thanks to the writers and commenters here.
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