WHY I PLAY

They call football the beautiful game, and there are many reasons I fell in love with this sport

First, our lives are filled with frustrations, and other people often fail to understand our intentions and points of view. For me, football is an oasis from that world when it is played well with gifted players.

Fundamentally, the game allows one to deeply connect with people who have a shared purpose. Football is  a team game, and the concept of a team sport is something I never experienced growing up. Indeed, I spent most of my adult exercising life was spent running alone or training at the gym alone. Those individual activities are fun and great exercise. However, there is something amazing about playing with others. 

The objective of football is quite straightforward – put the ball in the back of the other team’s net while preventing the other team from doing the same. This task seems simple, but it is quite easy to make the game more complicated than it needs to be. Indeed, the great Dutch number 10 Johan Cruyff said it best, "Football is simple. But nothing is more difficult than playing simple football.” 

Indeed, the best teams do not complicate the game. They work together, anticipate each other’s movements and actions, and work as a cohesive unit. There is beauty in that, and many have rightly compared the play of the greatest teams like Barca to works of art or symphonies.

The futsal and soccer teams I have played on are not Barca. However, my teammates and I have been able to create some beautiful moments on the court or field. My most recent coed team Arse-and-all (a play on the English club Arsenal) has been a miss-mash of players of all levels. Some do not know there head from their, well, arse. Others like me are more skilled. 

We lost most of our games this season, but most of the games have still been quite fun. This is because of moments of magic and connection between our teammates. Many of us have come to anticipate the others'  movements or actions, and we have more effectively worked together to create outstanding, collective football. This more than goals or assists is what kept bringing me back this past season.

I am going to have the hardware removed from my previously broken leg soon, so I am going to take next season off from the game. However, I hope to be back in January even stronger and more able. You see, football is like a drug - a drug best shared with people whom you like and who play like you!

SIMPLE PLEASURES

Spending time with Nicholas is one of my favorite things. Fun activities that we often do together include: watching soccer games, reading bedtime stories, or playing the mandolin. Even running errands is fun because the little guy and I have so much to talk about.

Today, we decided to walk to Whole Foods together to get some groceries and supper. On the way there, we talked about the top European soccer leagues and who we thought would win each major league. The dialogue was fluid, and each of us had our own observations and opinions to share.

We passed many people on our walk, and each individual or couple smiled at us as they passed. It was clear that they appreciated how much fun we were having and how special our connection was. Their smiles made me further appreciate how lucky I am too have a son like Nicholas who looks up to me and who wants to spend time with me. I realize that he will not always be this close by and that our interests may not always be this close, but I will enjoy this idyllic time with him while I can!

I was reminded of the special bond between fathers and sons later today when I watched the recent movie "Chef." The story centers around a once-famous chef who is a divorced father with a son Nicholas' age. The movie depicts the chef's mid-life crisis and how his son helps him forge a new path in life. I highly recommend it whether or not you have kids. However, those with kids will probably find it extra endearing.

Kids are precious not only because they come from us but also because their very existence as children is so fleeting. I am constantly reminded of the latter, which makes me appreciative of the simple pleasure of a Sunday afternoon walk with my guy!

THE NEXT... CATE

I think it is clear to all who have ever witnessed her play that Cate is an exceptional soccer player. Cate is playing "up" one year on an under 7 year old "U7" team. The other girls range in talent from "picking daisies" to "engaged. Cate is on the far end of the latter spectrum.

Last weekend, I filled in for Kathleen as the assistant coach of the team. For the games, both squads are divided into two. At half-time, the squads switch and play the other opposing half of the opposing team.  I had the pleasure of coaching Cate in the first half. If I had to pick one word for her performance, it would be imperious. She scored all 9 goals for her team in a mere 24 minutes and was all over the field helping out defensively and playing the role of midfielder in addition to "number 10, " or forward. The other team was held scoreless. In the second game, she scored nine more goals and led her team to another resounding victory.

This girl does not cease to amaze me, and the other coaches were quite impressed, too. At one point. the coach of the opposing team who was a woman said, "I think he's a boy. That must explain it." To this I responded, I can assure you Cate is a girl!" Dumbfounded, the coach picked up her jaw and swallowed her pride.

It is hard to know how far Cate may go and whether she will continue to be passionate about the game and head and shoulders above her peers? Some have said she is the next Mia Hamm, the greatest female soccer player of all time. I have even called her "Mini Messi" after the world's best player Lionel Messi. However, Cate is her own person and will achieve her own rewards on and off the field. As her father and as a football fan, there are few things that give me more pleasure than watching her play. Go Cate!

JOY

We recently took a vacation to Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon with my mom when she visited. It was a thoroughly relaxing weekend spent reading, swimming, bike-riding, running, and enjoying good food and good company.

The kids especially enjoyed it, and it is hard not to be in a good mood when they are in a good mood. We snapped this selfie on one of the last days of our trip, and our faces say it all. Contentment, carefreeness, and silliness. In a word: Joy!

THE CHILDREN ACT

Once in a while, an author comes around who nearly always captivates you and who rarely lets you down. For me, that author is Ian McEwan.

I first encountered McEwan in the late 1990s after he won the Booker Prize for "Amsterdam." Since then, I have read nearly every new book he has published. These include, "Enduring Love," "On Chesil Beach," "Saturday," "Sweet Tooth," "Atonement" - one of my favorite books of all time-, and most recently "The Children Act," his newest novel.

What distinguishes McEwan from other authors is primarily how well-researched his books are and how his characters capture the feelings of their era. In that sense, "The Children Act" is a perfect example of McEwan at his best.

The story centers on a female British judge, who focuses on domestic cases. Her job is not only to interpret the law but also to determine what is best for the children whose cases come to her court. She does so with thoughtfulness and earnestness. However, the same cannot be said of her dealing with others, most notably her husband from whom she has become estranged.

Over the course of the book, we see the judge's life unravel while at the same time that she is doing her best to prevent the lives of the children in her court room from doing the same. I will not spoil the ending, but it is a classic McEwan twist, which is fitting. Indeed, (my) life rarely works out according to plan. This explains why I love McEwan and why I recommend "The Children Act" without reservation. 

SELF-PORTRAIT

I have the privilege of dropping off the kids every Wednesday. First, Cate and I drop off Nicholas in his classroom, and then I drop off Cate. Each week, I ask each of them to show me something they like about their class or something they have worked on.

This week, Cate showed me a piece of her art work. It was a self-portrait she made. The picture is shown below and bears a striking resemblance to Cate.

I especially love the Barca shirt and the quote from Cate: "I have chocolate brown eyes. My dad says that." My little peanut is sweet enough to gobble up, just like her eyes. 

BOO!

This is Cate channeling her inner Power Ranger. Be afraid! Be very afraid!