So a Finnish Introvert Walks Into a Football Game . . .

How can you tell if a Finn is an extrovert?
He looks at your shoes instead of his own when he's talking to you.

I've always been an outwardly unemotional person.  I consider myself to have a great sense of humor, but I'm rarely moved to LOL at movies or tv.  I don't jump up and down cheering on my favorite team.  I don't even have a favorite team because I became disallusioned as a kid when I found out the players on the Seahawks and Mariners didn't actually grow up in Washington.  I've never been a sports person, hated playing, hated watching, etc. Since Melody came along I've gradually become a little more knowledgeable about basketball and softball and I enjoy watching her play.  She's tried about every sport out there: karate, soccer, volleyball, bmx, track & field.  I was always too shy, too self-conscious, too un-coordinated to attempt to play.   Plus, I was much happier with a book.

Prince Eric is half Irish/half Italian.  He grew up watching and playing football and baseball.  Prince Eric lives for football season, one of the first things he told me when we started dating was to expect to be a football widow.  He cheers, yells, boos, jumps up and down!  He shows emotions, he LOL's.  He knows how to have fun.

Yesterday I went to my first Oregon Duck's game with 60,000 fellow fans.  It was loud, it was cold, it was a long hike up to the 83rd row, it was expensive, and it was a frustrating stop and go (mostly stop) traffic trying to leave the area afterwards.  But it was fun to be amongst the camaraderie of diehard fans and to hear the chants and team support.  I can appreciate the dedication of these loyal followers and the "we're all in this together" atmosphere.  It's kind of like finding someone who grew up in the same small town, you have a common connection.  I'm looking forward to going to the Civil War, the annual post-thanksgiving battle between the Ducks and the Beavers.  That's when the real craziness will come out.  I like to dress up, to put on a costume, it's why I've always liked Halloween the best of the holidays (well, that and the free candy).

So, I'm trying to embrace this love of my Prince.  I'm looking for a copy of Football for Dummies, I'm planning my game outfit, I'm putting my game face on.  Maybe I'll even cheer a little.  Just remember, just because I don't look like I'm not having fun doesn't mean I'm not.