Are We At August?

Alas, like the valley between two peaks in a season of anticipation there is curiosity and wonderment. You can forget the thought of down time.

It used to be there was a respite from season to season, from sport to sport.

You used to have time to recharge the batteries and actually prepare for the next event, the next big thing. 

How else to explain the double whammy of Fat Tuesday two days before Valentines Day?

I think I now comprehend the reasoning behind the acronym SAD for Singles Awareness Day. Maybe the question to be asked is, 'What are you giving up for spent and not lent?' From beads to roses to the expectation of love in the air. Such a racket!

Pretty much the same ideal where sports are concerned. Super Bowl ends another seven month football run...right into the start of spring training and baseball. Oh don't worry March alone will have you thinking baseball all the way to April 1st with the addition of the World Baseball Classic amidst competing countries. ESPN will be sure to televise multiple Yankees-Red Sox and Giants-Dodgers matchups...in spring training!

Can anybody else say 'overkill'? Who decided that there had to be sports and holidays round the clock 24/7 to compete for your entertainment dollar? That is unless you're in the media or ownership (smile).

January-Football playoffs, college basketball begins the lather up to March Madness. MLK day for a three day weekend.

February-As attested Fat Tuesday (give something up), Valentines Day (if following Fat Tuesday you're single) and President's Day Weekend. Another reason for wheeling dealing and going broke. Arizona and Florida make a killing in the name of Cactus and Grapefruit lovers.

March-since 2001 I discovered that no one goes to jail for 'bracketeering' even though most sheets are destroyed by the day after St. Patrick's Day. Oh yes, stupid people seeing greeen and acting Irish in a drunken stupor 1 day after I turn a year older. Not fun if you're sober! 

April-Basketball and Hockey round robin playoffs. A Sunday where eggs, rabbits, and chocolate rule one particulsr day. PLAY BALL!

May-On the 5th many drink that same amount for another countries independence and the real start of summer with another three day weekend in saluting those who served (This of course is a good thing). Lets not forget Mother's Day which is every restaurateurs favorite high maintenance day to avoid.

June-NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Father's Day, US Open. The perfect month to go hide for 90 days. Observance of the Flag on the 14th.

July-Drinking, fireworks, Independence Day, Tour De France, countless re-runs of 'World Series Of Poker' marathons to appease those who live in oven like states where the mercury stays at 100 until October. Start of NFL Training Camp.

August-Back to school shopping, Bonding for the men in the name of a 'fantasy' pick. Sex never enters the conversation. Women now say goodbye to the remotes until February. If my math is correct the ONLY month of the year without a gratuitous holiday!

September-Labor Day, end of summer, pennant races heat up in baseball, start of NFL and College Football. A return to weather normalcy in the south. In Texas, football becomes a religion in which only Tues and Wednesday are considered holy days. The other five got pigskin action going on anywhere and everywhere from 11 on 11 to 6 on 6. Fact!

October-Columbus Day and Halloween, more chocolate and calories. The move indoors from all activity as Basketball and Hockey begin their rituals of grabbing your attention.

November-Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. The time of the year where the six week nice fest culminates into the end of another year. Numerous parties and outings amongst people you normally would not tolerate or deal with but do because 'it's the holidays and no one should be alone'. Christmas commercials/jingles and Santa sightings will begin about the 15th. The more you buy the more loving you are...and of course

December-Wow, the days are short! Tempers are even shorter, the chubby guy arrives one morning loaded on milk and cookies bearing toys. Didn't Richard Pryor also go this route once? Relax I jest...

This proves my point about the calendar days in a year. Prepare to buy chocolate, roses, beer, hot dogs, food, turkey, stuffing, Pumpkin pie and Tums while getting bowled over in a never ending blitzkrieg of consumerism for your wallet and your eyes to capture your ever thirsting viewing needs.

Wasn't this the way years ago how theatres figured out a way to put a still of popcorn in a commercial to make you hungry and go buy while there?

Aw heck, what's the worry? Im single, don't drink, and all my family is far away. The phone appeases all the rest. 

August is now my favorite month of the year. 

Go easy on the roses, kids!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will