The Pleasure and the Pain: Visual Stimulus for the Sports Purist

It was a heartless ruse, I admit—using the subtle sensuality of lady and lace to lure you into my slideshow. But since you're already here, why not explore the possibility of arousing a less erogenous, yet equally sensitive zone?

The world of sport has a way of spanning the gamut of our emotions like few other areas of life. Perhaps only birth, love, and death can press beyond the limits of ecstasy and agony which sport evokes in us.

We may even discover a different form of sensuality which lies hidden in our soul, far beneath skin and lace...

Come, enter this pictorial parade of the pleasure and pain of sport.

PLEASURE: Over the Bar

There's a special place, at the apex of flight that only a few may enter. It's that transitional dreamland between the one moment when we celebrate our escape from gravity's chains, and the next moment, when we concede to our eventual recapture.

Rare enough it is when the athlete senses this secret place: even rarer when the spectator becomes aware.

This lady is there.

PAIN: Makin' Like Jesus

You can run, but you can't hide.

The captain has abandoned his ship and is seemingly running for his life. Considering he's traveling at over 100 mph, he may escape the fiberglass meteor(s) chasing him, but he won't escape the water waiting for him.

He felt the pain.

He did survive.

PLEASURE: Flaunt It If You've Got It

Is anything more pleasurable in sport than a Tiger Woods fairway drive? Or a Junior Griffin home run swing? Or Yelena Isinbayeva doing...well,anything?

If there is, it's probably a Roger Federer backhand.

PAIN: Toro's Revenge

Or..."poor man's vasectomy" ?

I'm feelin' it with you, guys. The pucker factor is at least a nine.

And you just know this picture is proudly displayed on the wall of every P.E.T.A. regional office in the land.

PLEASURE: Safe!

Note the long shadows. It's evening and the lights are about to come on. The dropped bat tells of a baserunner who probably initiated the play. The pocked surface around home plate speaks of late innings. We know it's a championship game by the red, white and blue decor.

The visual moment expertly captured for us tells a whole story—and we haven't even begun to ponder the photo's subjects...

Some say baseball is slow and boring.

This is my rebuttal.

PAIN: Even for the Spectator

He's got the haircut.

Green is his fashion color of choice.

He's ex-military.

Being a former soldier myself, I know this guy's thoughts.

"Show no fear. Panic is contagious. Let everyone else scramble and seek cover. I'm gonna sit here and take it like a man."

BAM!

"Is that yer best shot?"

PLEASURE: Who Won?

Except for the depth in this photo, you'd never know.

Methinks victory has more to do with overcoming the personal challenge than hitting the tape first.

Whoever said "Runner-up is first loser" had it all wrong.

PAIN: " Oh..S - - - ! "

Ever had one of those days? Thought so.

Look close, in the rider's visor. Those eyeballs say it all.

The tail end of this flight is gonna hurt.

PLEASURE: Instant Replay

Ted Williams is not napping.

This incredible photo captures one of baseball's greatest hitters reliving (not merely remembering) a moment in time. He is not gripping the bat—he's caressing it. His eyes are closed to block out the present. His mouth, without speaking, displays utter satisfaction. Surely his ears are hearing the roar of the crowd...or that beautiful sound of wood meeting leather.

This picture preaches to all of us: long after the incredible pleasures of life made their first imprint on our soul, they can continue to touch us again and again.

Never relinquish your memories.

PAIN: Header Gone Wrong

Simply..."Ouch!"

PLEASURE: Reclining Lady

I couldn't end this slideshow on a painful note.

I chose a pleasurable subject of whom I am very fond. She's a shapely lass who always responds to my touch in a most delightful way. She has a melody in her heart and inspires me to become the best I can be.

She'll never break my heart.

Ain't she pretty?