July 23, 2020 - 314 - "What Passes For Sports During a Pandemic (Hoping Our Marbles Aren't Losing)"

Marble Olympics - It's a Thing

     For any sports fans out there who feel their sports-watching is taking a hit with this pandemic.  I give you:  Marble Racing.

     It was created by two brothers in the Netherlands, Jelle and Dion Bakker.  They have all sorts of creativity.  There's a YouTube channel called Jelle's Marble Runs.  It has 1.2 million subscribers.

     Two things helped the sport take off in the U.S.:  1) a guy named Greg Woods began doing the commentary in a very authentic (and hilarious) way, and 2) a pandemic shut down most other sports-watching options.

     When I heard about this, I was skeptical I would get into it, but my stepson gave me a couple of pointers about following this sport, that I will now pass on to you. 

     Enjoy!

Introduction to Marble Races

     1-Watch the Opening Ceremony video and first event, to get an idea of how clever this is.  (Check out that Olympic Flame!)

     2-Pay attention to the different teams.  

     3-Pick a team to root for.   

     4-Watch a few events with someone who likes a different team.  

     Go Crazy Cats Eyes!!!! (Naturally, Ella made me pick them for my team.)

Daily Hits of Happy

     -'Walking the 40' with Michael (We do this for a fun-filled happy hour when one of us has made some improvement to the yard, and we take the opportunity to appreciate the results.)

     -Michael cut back the path on the east side of the house, mowed and edged the yard, and dug out most of the beds on the west side of the house.  (On a steamy summer day in Texas.  Wow.  He's my hero)

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" Marble Racing Is The Sport 

That Can Save Us From 

Losing Our Marbles."

 

-Jessica Smetana (Title of her article in Sports Illustrated)

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"Being a sports fan is a complex matter, 

in part irrational but not unworthy; 

a relief from the seriousness of the real world, 

with its unending pressures and often grave obligations."  

- Richard Gilman

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