The Angel's Loft

Make Your Relationship Survive the Pigskin Season!

It's that time of year again. The air is crisp, with a slight chill. Iit's clouded with anticipation as many flock to the television set and tune in from Thursday to Sunday (and I can't omit Monday night) for football. College football, professional football; oh, and Friday night high school football. Everything is football right now, as your significant other lives, eats and breathes football.  And, try as you may - you aren't going to be noticed - even if you stand naked in front of the television - because Bret Farve is now a Jet... sorry, you'll get bypassed and asked to move. All is perfect with the world now that football season is in full swing.

To the sports fanatic in your life, THIS is the "Hap Hap Happiest time of the year" There's nothing like spending a gorgeous Sunday - with nature boasting her beautiful fall colors in front of a television watching two teams actively trying to out-do each other on the football field.

Well, you DO have options of how to deal with the sports fanatic in your life. Granted, the options are a bit limited, but here goes:

1.  Learn to like the game. (Tough one, I know, but find something about the game you like... for example the colors of the uniforms are quite impressive now, and the hair styles the players have are equally entertaining - dreadlocks flopping out the back of their helmets).

2.  IF you DO choose to sit next to him/her, and watch.... DO NOT ask a ton of questions. Don't ask ANY questions. This is called "Football Interuptus" and will only bring agitation to the person engrossed in watching as a pile of men keep jumping on each other on the field. It is better for you to google the rules of the game and learn them for yourself.

3.  DO make some nice snacks if your guy/gal has other friends coming over to watch an "important game" (at this point, they are all important). Be careful, however, not to make them too good or you will be appointed the "weekly football viewing place". Chips and dip are fine. (Keep  the chips in the bag, and pull the lid off the dip. You don't want to look like you went to a lot of trouble).

4. DO act enthused for the enthusiasm that your football fanatic shows over a game. (Yes, you may have to fake it, but don't roll your eyeballs and fake it that much).

5. Get a calendar. Football season officially ends with the Super Bowl. And, prepare yourself to be engulfed from November through January for the diluge of Bowl games. Everyone and their dog has a bowl game now.

And, finally - one last tip for surviving the "Season to be Hollering at the Screen":

6.  USUALLY, there's a great Lifetime movie on during most football games. If you have the opportunity to tune into one, far far away from "the Football game" then do so!

It happens every year, so grin and bear it. Personally, my 3 fantasy teams are doing great, I'm glad the Packers won last Monday, my University of Kansas team has a fluffy schedule which will not put them in the BCS, and my significant other does find other things to do as I am glued to Sports Center (or the Fox team - gotta LOVE that Terry Bradshaw & Howie Long).