Thursday, February 02, 2012

Groundhogs, roadkill and sore shoulders...


Last night, after an evening of playing basketball, I was driving home and almost ran over a groundhog.  The over-sized rodent waddled out in front of my truck and I slammed the my brakes, thinking it might be a bad omen to do in a groundhog the evening before his special day.  Of course, the idea that animals are running around at night like that in the heart of winter is a testimony to global warming and the fact that the ground here isn’t frozen, isn’t snow covered and it feels more like the first of April than the first of February.  But I’ve already complained enough about the weather. I know they’re saying that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow down in Pennsylvania, but I can assure you that that rodent I saw last night (If he lived till morning, which is questionable since he’s playing in the streets) didn’t see his shadow!

Thinking about Groundhog Day reminds me of a favorite movie of mine, Groundhog Day.  I’ve seen it a half-dozen times which really means I’ve seen it a few hundred times for the movie is just 15 minutes (of fresh material).  The producer kept splicing together copies to make it a feature length film.  That said, I like Bill Murray (Phil Connors).  He may be ugly, but he’s funny.  He’s also not the reason I’ve seen the movie multiple times.   Let me share you a secret.   I really like Andi MacDowell (Rita in the film).  She has ties to the Old North State.  Unfortunately, she was born in the lesser of the Carolinas, but she spent her summers in North Carolina, which was obviously a blessing that she used to refine her gracefulness.  Andi is beautiful and I fall in love with her again every time I watch one of her moves. Personally, I just don’t think it’s fair that Bill Murray gets umpteenth opportunities to both sow his wild oats and still get Andi MacDowell at the end of the movie!   The way Andi smiled at the groundhog in the movie, I’m sure she’d be impressed with my quick reflex that saved that rodent from becoming one with the pavement last night. 

Just one final question as I move the heating pad over a bit, "why am I still trying to play basketball with guys half my age?" 

22 comments:

  1. We've 'the Oak before the Ash we'll get a splash'. But you'll catch the natural optimism of the Celt when you see that 'the Ash before the Oak we'll get a soak'. The other one on that line runs like this. If you can see the Aran Islands/Skye/Barra/Harris/Islay from the mainland it is about to rain, if you cannot see them it's raining already.
    As to the ballgame, well we each have our own insanity :-D .

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    1. Well, it always rains over there... I like the saying about seeing the isles and one day I hope to visit Skye (which I missed last summer) as I know some of my ancestors came from there.

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  2. as to why you play, is it your own groundhog day to the glory days? haha...that is an awesome movie...and i know what you are saying about andi...

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    1. I was at my best in my 30s... I stop playing when I hit 40 and was getting hurt too often, only to start back last year. I love the game, but...

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  4. Too long a comment. I am with you about Getting annoyed that he gets HER. Not only that, but he gets so many chances NOT to be a jerk. Feh.

    As for the basketball? I think you do it so you know you CAN. And what's wrong with that, as long as it's only a heating pad or ice you need.
    I would never do such a thing, she said, checking to see whether she has to quick get her hair colored, and DAMN, that wrinkle looks deeper. Maybe I need a different skin product...

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    1. Yes, I want to think that I can, but I'm in my mid-50s (how did that happen?) and playing guys that are in their 20s and 30s...

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  5. I tell you it was hot as heck here today. I could stand some cooler weather.

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    1. Or some cold beer? I read your short memoir last night!

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  6. I just read at the Weekly World News that Phil committed suicide. A terrible loss to people and groundhogs alike.

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    1. I'm just glad the front left tire of my truck wasn't his chosen implement

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  7. Funny that I just posted a post about the winter that wasn't. Since we rarely get ski quality snow in quantity, I don't miss it but I find it very odd to deal with it just the same. It just isn't natural standing out on your deck grilling while wearing a t-shirt on the 1rst of February.

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    1. Ed, you had some good photos of snow of years past!

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  8. You know, Andi McDowell has a place about an hour north of me. A friend of mine saw her out and about one day sans makeup (I'm sure she still looked awesome). ...and I'm sure PA Phil will be happy that you were able to spare his "cousin" -and six more weeks of winter? What winter? Not that I'm complaining; never been much of a fan for freezing weather and snow.

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    1. I would have thought she was in the mountains (aren't you in the Piedmont?)

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    2. I am, but it's only about an hour to the mountains from where I am.

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  9. I never saw Groundhog Day. Have been meaning to rent it but for ages.

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  10. Oh I'm sure she would be very impressed with you! She'd probably choose you over Bill too! Ha ha...I do enjoy his sense of humor and the two of them make that film rock...it does get a bit over-the-top over and over but the characters and the light-heartedness win out! Bill has ties to Minnesota too with our Saints baseball! Have a great weekend, and we too had another very dark and grey day and there haven't been any shadows seen here in days!

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  11. I like that movie, too. My son plays basketball several times each week with guys half his age. He will be 46 later this month, but it hasn't slowed him down any. He does admit to being sore now and then, especially if he misses a week.

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  12. Funny post, Sage. I was going to say maybe you could star in the Groundhog Day sequel, opposite Andie. But then I questioned whether a movie which just kept repeating itself really needed a sequel.

    Here's hoping I don't come back and leave this same comment tomorrow and the day after and the day after...

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  13. I'm sure glad you had quick braking reflexes. And maybe you're not playing basketball with guys half your age. Maybe you're just caught up in the Groundhog Day loop. ;)

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