10/15/07

The Brutal Sport

Last Thursday I played in my first soccer game. I didn't really mean to. The thing is, for the ward teams there has to be at least three girls playing, otherwise you forfeit. So Austin and I are rushing from campus, he's changing in the car, and we pull up and this big group gathered around the ref all turn and stare at me. Then Gaelin, our next-door neighbor, runs up to my window and starts pleading with me to play. ("You don't even have to run, you can just stand there on the field...I'll cook you a t-bone steak...etc.) Anyway, I agree, because otherwise everyone in the ward will know me as "the-girl-who-caused-us-to-forfeit-our-game" right?

I've only played with my family before (homeschooled, remember?) but I was having fun running around until this girl who had gotten a yellow card earlier kicked a soccer ball at me at close range. The upshot of which is, I had forgotten to take my ring off, so the ball crunched my fingers onto my ring, gouging a square gash down the inside of my pinky and bruising the side of my hand, then ricocheted off the left side of my face, leaving a red streak up the side of it for the next 24 hours. I was really embarrassed because I started crying just as an instant reaction to the pain when the ball hit my face, and the girl started apologizing profusely and the ref came over and asked me if I wanted to go out, and I'm just trying to wave them away and tell them I'm fine as I'm crying and holding my face. Because come on, it's sports--no pain no gain! As this girl in a session today said, pain in sports is like a toy in your Happy Meal--you just expect it.

12 comments:

Chan said...

Great story, sorry about the lousy experience. Once on the mission I was playing soft ball with my zone. I didn't have to do much most of the game, but eventually a fly ball came my way, so I stuck my glove in the air and prayed the ball would land in it. It didn't; it went right under my glove and slammed into my chest, which not only hurt a lot, but made me feel like a big idiot. And the other team scored a run. Actually, I don't remember if that part is true, but it would be in keeping with the misery of the whole experience. Is your ring okay?

S.Morgan said...

Ha ha ...you two made me laugh out loud right here in this quiet, closed down library. Too too funny. The image of cry baby Anona along with wondering if she would have admitted to this a year ago, and Chan's lazy "sticking the glove in the air and praying the ball would land in it" gave me a stomach ache from giggling. Great writing on both parts. And Chan ends with "Is your ring okay?" Ohhhh. ha ha ho ho he ha I can't stand it. Too funny. I'm so glad I know you.

E. Anona said...

Yes Chan, the ring is fine...shouldn't you be more concerned about my injuries? Come on.

Julie M said...

Anona, I'm glad your ring is okay. That's the first thing I thought of too. (Sarcasm). So, I had hard core soccer roommates last year. The one did not consider a soccer game a success unless she walked off the field with a bloody nose or stitches. Oy. They roped me into playing a couple of times...always turned out to be an experience. Best of luck on your next game. Let me know how it turns out.

Chan said...

Wounds heal. Lost or broken possessions never return.

E. Anona said...

What about getting your head cut off? I don't really see someone recovering from that. And, I went to the Hart gym and they had my gray sweatshirt I lost last week at the playing fields. So there.

Chan said...

You know what, Anona? Whatever.

S.Morgan said...

A. You're worrying me. I mean I'm glad you found your sweatshirt, but how did you lose it? And what's with the "cutting off of heads"? I didn't get it. Oh, I know. It's an early Halloween thing, Huh? I think you need some good food and a long rest in the Caribbean.

Julie M said...

I didn't get the head cutting off thing either, but it wouldn't be the first time. Anona, if you go to the Caribbean for a rest, can I come too?

Chan said...

Okay, the head-cutting-off-thing: I said "wounds heal." In rebuttal, Anona says, "what if you get your head cut off, that doesn't heal." It's an example of a wound that doesn't heal. I got it, Anona.

S.Morgan said...

Hey. Thanks Chan. I didn't get the cutting off of Anona's head either. Thanks for asking, Julie.

Chrisbob said...

I think at some point or another, we've all lost our heads.