Last night, the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup. Jay! Not Jay! in an oh-my-word-this-is the-most-awesome-thing-that-has-ever-happened kind of way, but just Jay! in a relieved kind of way. Yesterday afternoon, however, I found myself in a bit of a crisis; I didn’t know how I was supposed to act in a situation like this, South Africa being in the World Cup Final and all. Like all people like to blame their parent for their shortcomings, and I often like to blame my parents for my confusion in certain social situations. (It took me a while to figure out how one is actually supposed to act over weekends; I’m still not that great at it.) This specific social situation was presented particularly large challenge. See; on 22 June, 1995 - when the Spingboks won their previous World Cup Final – my family was in the State Theatre watching The Merry Widow. Yes, one the the reasons for this is the fact that my family (read: my dad) are not the world’s largest rugby fans, but also because we got the tickets months before. We never expected South Africa to be in the final, and tickets for the opera are hard to come by! At least one of the actors worked the line ” I’ve got only one consolation for you; the Boks won 15-12″ into their performance. Jay for improvisation!
But see, last night I was confused about what I was supposed to do with myself? Was I supposed to continue with my reclusive plans and watch the rugby with half an eye (because I was curious, but rugby, as a sport, bores me visually), or was I supposed to get all psyched up, go to someones house, drink, celebrate, etc. even though I didn’t really feel like seeing anybody? I had no previous experience to fall back on for this specific situation, and all previous rugby matches have always been treated with a mild indifference. They would be watched if it so happened that you were watching them, but if you weren’t so what? I went with the former option; the chilled-out half-an-eye one. Feel free to call me a loser, unpatriotic, weird. I don’t care. I had fun. I love South Africa, and am incredibly proud of our team. I’m also particualarly glad about the general improvement in national morale that is about to occur. (I like it when other people are as positive about our country as I am.)I just didn’t feel like ‘kuiering’ last night just because everybody else was.
And for this, I shall blame my parents.
P.S. In the defence of my parents; yes, they are a little odd, but not all sporting events are treated with such indifference. Wimbledon is big! And I know for a fact that they watched the rugby last night. ANd I did watch a the game with half an eye; and it was equally boring to the game played on 22 June 1995.
Posted by jossiesideways 