To play or not to play

Most of the men here have been or are glued to a computer screen watching England vs Croatia. I'm not sure which because I have been unable to tell, even by Googling, whether the game has actually ended or not. Because I do not speak the right language. What is a "break" anyway?

I sit at my computer here in stark contrast.  OK, it's kind of good to be with other folk playing a game but, apart from that, the idea of knocking a ball around has no interest whatsoever for me, whether it is football, tennis or whatever.

I have childhood memories: the kid next door was my best friend for a while and we would play cops and robbers and such like - until he started taking an interest in football. Another childhood friend lived a few streets away: his parents had a TV (mine did not) and, when at his place, I hoped it would be on the cartoon channel. More often than not, however, his father would be watching match of the day, a deep disappointment! 

Keeping fit, especially the CrossFit kind, is the rage here now-a-days. People will be seen churning away inside at the rowing machine or tread-mill when, outside, the sun is shining. I just cannot understand it - if you want to run why not do it in God's beautiful world? And it is beautiful here: we overlook a lake and mountains.

At this time of the year it is getting dark at 22:00 and gets light before 05:00, and yet People will stay up all hours and only drag themselves out of bed at the latest possible time in the morning. My body is through by 22:00 and the light wakes me in the morning - which seems natural enough to me, exception though I may be.

Thankfully people here have come to accept my strange ways...

Football etcetera

People get so fanatical about football. Or tennis, cricket, rugby. Or indeed any sort of organised sport or the present day plethora of get-fit regimes. And they spend vast sums on tickets, clothing or equipment. Even folk who live in Christian community. Me? I don't get it - why should I subject myself to external rules and pay for the privilege? I have enough of that sort of thing in the work I do. Not that I have it in for such people - let them continue their infatuations as it will at least keep them away from the solitude I seek.

I imagine they might say of me: what is the point in your running and what's with the mortification of going barefoot? I am quick to answer (but I assure you, they are not looking for an answer): whilst running I am free, the outdoors here is unrestricted, beautiful and quiet, I can think things over and pray or shout and sing if I want, there is a great sensation when running minimalist - the ground against your feet, the wind against your chest, and it is virtually free. And it's good exercise. Of which, only the last is true of playing football. And as for listening to or watching a football match or, worse still, a cricket tournament - this must be one of the most boring occupations imaginable. For me.

But I know (and love) folk who would violently disagree with my stance. And I wonder how it is that we are so different?