I am highly unlikely to ever write a sports article for publication. I am not a writer; I do not play one on TV or the Internet. I joined the site to make a comment on an article that I just could not resist. Yep, b/r, you caught me, landed me, and I'm in the bottom of the boat. Flop, flop, flop.

In the last few days I've read several comments in the various communities that indicate my "kind" are a pet peeve, considered pests or trolls. We are hardly lauded or respected. That's okay, it's one or several men's or women's opinions. No matter; it seems to me that I and others like me would be heartily welcomed here. For the thousands or millions of aspiring writers, shouldn't readers (as opposed to competition) be a valued commodity? My biggest fandom is for the written word, when it is nurtured and cherished by those talented enough to do so.

I am also that anathema to sports fans of all kinds--a fair-weather fan, or maybe even worse, a bandwagon jumper. I'm easily caught up in whoever is doing well, whatever sport has made it into the mainstream enough at that moment to be causing a buzz. Cinderella story/underdogs as well as controversy will invariably catch my admittedly very short attention span. I do, however, have a lifelong (extremely long), uh, relationship, with West Virginia University sports, mostly football, with the occasional stray into basketball territory. Those personality traits, or flaws, depending on one's viewpoint, marry very well.

I had a passionate fling with ACC basketball in the early 80s, praying for the UVA Cavalier Holy Quadriga of Terry Holland, Ralph Sampson, Jeff Jones and Jeff Lamp to send Michael Jordan, James Worthy and Dean Smith to whatever roundball Hades they deemed appropriate. I was left unsatisfied, and our torrid affair was cut short by multiple graduations and retirements, as well as my relocation out of Virginia.

The Trader Joe's float photo above was taken at the 2008 Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA. I was fortunate enough to have extended business there and attend in person. Tickets to the Rose Bowl itself were a little harder to procure; therefore it was viewed in the comfort of my Hollywood corporate apartment. Who played, anyway?