Dear Dr. Babooner,
I worked very hard to become quite good at a well-known sport by playing with superior style and elegance. And finally my team won a difficult extended competition against many opponents, but my final victory was quite messy and the commentators are saying that although I deserved to win, the historic game was an ugly brawl.
But brawling wasn’t the sport I chose to play! I imagined this moment would be a wonderful vindication of how hard I worked to excel and not an opportunity for people who couldn’t run the length of the field to practice many different ways to use the word “sloppy” to describe the Biggest Game of My Life. I still feel happy, but a little bit tarnished.
Why can’t people just say nice things? Do they always have to find something to criticize? I would like to control everything that is said about everything that has anything to do with me. Is that so wrong? I am a champion after all, and I think I deserve some special privileges, and a little respect!
Sincerely,
S. Panya.
I told S. Panya not to be so sensitive, and certainly not to worry about what other people are saying. People can be thoughtless jerks who parrot the nonsense that other thoughtless jerks say, and ultimately none of it means anything. But of course we all care what others say about us, and when I mentioned “thoughtless jerks”, of course I wasn’t talking about you.
But that’s just one opinion. What do YOU think, Dr. Babooner?
Trail Baboon 
Good Morning Doctors,
Of course, it isn’t much fun to hear to have you name drug through the mud. However, my Dad told me some thing once that might help. He said, let them say what ever they want about him, that it is just their opinion and not his problem.
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Greetings fellow travellers-
I did not witness the contest you describe, S. Panya, being on my way home from a northern adventure, where I saw……. um……um……….. I don’t actually remember what I saw, and my mind is still kind of blurry. But I know I was in the car during the game so I know I didn’t see it.
From what I have heard, and from past experience, I would say it takes 2 to make a brawl. Look at it this way-would you rather have people saying you brawled and lost???? Would you rather have not made the final and lost in a shoot-out? Maybe you’d rather have been eliminated by an own-goal (where one of your own guys makes a goal against you)? You know it can and did happen to others this time around.
Just consider how many other people would like to be holding that trophy and enjoy it. If it continues to bother you, I suggest you find another accomplishment that is less subject to public scrutiny.
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OT see? they suck the memory out of your head. it’s like ants that tend aphids for the “honeydew” they feed on. the goats tend us for the memories they glean from us. hope they left some for you
On topic: no farm beings watched the match – sorry. but we lunched at Mexico Lindo in Cloquet last week and watched S Panya playing that day. i think it is 24/7 soccer tv at Mexico Lindo. good food too.
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Let’s see, I remember having lunch at Gordy’s, meeting you and Steve, and the next thing I remember, we were down at the Lift Bridge, watching a 1,000 ft. coal ship going through.
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More OT – biggest mistake of the century was turning down Barb’s offer of the large container of cajeta for the smaller one – what was I thinking?? I’ve been beating myself over the head with a dead pony ever since.
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Donna, if Catherine offers you ANY container of Kumbe African Chocolate Sauce from River Chocolate company TAKE IT! a little ice cream, a little cajeta, some of that velvety, rich chocolate – a small gobbet of toasted almonds for health – a lunch made in heaven.
now i worry you’ll talk about me for eating ice cream for lunch 🙂
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OMG – that sounds better than you know what.
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Rise and Shine a little Late this morning!
Hi all — I’m back from the retro hippie wedding that will inspire a Limerick some time during the day as I ponder the weekend events. Despite the gnats in my hair and the bug bites, it was all pretty fun. The couple is now wed, and off to their favorite body of water, Lake Okoboji, for their free honeymoon at my cousin’s cabin.
I returned from the wedding in the Iowa small town, full of thoughts about the village grape vine, “what they think,” and people who issue their opinions– behind one’s back, of course. Or in the case of sports, in front of an anonymous camera and away from the actual players one is slandering. All I can say S. Panya, is that this will soon pass and you will still possess the champion’s Silver cup or ring. Tarnish can often be removed with tarnish remover and a soft rag (an old diaper is best)–from either the Silver cup or the reputation. I know this after a childhood filled with cleaning and polishing my late grandmother’s silver in a small Iowa town in which gossip and evaluation was the most relished entertainment. The most effective method of defending yourself is to encounter the slanderous one, smile, say hello, engage in a little chit chat while looking him/her in the eye, then wait for the next scandal involving someone else to come along.
Don’t worry about it. Very soon a swelled-headed American professional athlete who feels a false sense of security will do something incredibly arrogant, and the press will move on.
Enjoy the victory. OLE!
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Morning all–
Greetings from Alexandria for a couple days this week!
Good Advice Dr. B…
Yep; you just can’t worry about what others think; your real friends know the truth good or bad. But it is tough to have public opinion shift in a different direction…grit your teeth and bare it. Perhaps make a brief public statement but keep your head out of the mud too. Don’t say anything you’ll regret later.
(By the way… the main lodge here at Theater L’Homme Dieu, where I’m typing at the moment, is named ‘Carlos’. Made me smile and laugh right out loud. )
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enjoy alexandria ben i will not be there before wednesday. but i’m sure and carlos will get along famously.
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I am enjoying Carlos’ hospitality at this very moment… he is very accommodating– in an understated sort of way.
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Dear S,
As it was all foretold by a psychic octopus neither your victory nor your reputation were involved. Just let go and let Paul handle the future for you.
Best,
Dr B
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Perhaps, too, S. Panya, the thing to do is smile and say something along the lines of, “how lovely of you to notice what a tough competition it was. We gave it our all, and it was, at times, difficult going. I’m so glad you were able to take part in the event.” A response that perhaps even Miss Manners would approve of – appreciative, acknowledging in a oblique way the so-called brawl, and inclusive of the speaker, and, best of all, avoiding further nastiness.
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Tell those SOB’s if they think they could do so much better, to join their own club and then beat each other around a bush and a dead horse with it. (That’s what Carlos would say, Ben.)
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i imagine that Carlos was quite the soccer player – or still?
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Oh my, yes Barb – Carlos was and still is “quite the soccer player”. That’s why he’s so buff and how he maintains remarkable strength and stamina for other activities. In his native land, he is so well- known for his scoring ability that he’s been nicknamed, ‘El Bombardero’.
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OR he might say … beat each other around a horse and a dead bush with it.
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As I was rooting for the Netherlands, I don’t feel too sorry for Spain. No matter how “well-mannered” you may have played, someone would still be bitter. That’s the nature of sports. I enjoyed watching the World Cup games. I will miss being able to watch soccer (football) all the time 😦
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my friend Sue said the best is to approach them, smiling as Anna says, and say “hello – i’ve forgotten your name……” (even if you haven’t)
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i like it
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Greetings! I don’t have much to add to the wisdom of the other babooners. I just remember my father telling us “life isn’t a popularity contest” when being popular was ever so important. And sorry, but I don’t have a clue about soccer or the World Cup, except that they’re all insane.
Anyway, did you all know that Radio Heartland is now on Facebook? Check it out — there’s a ticket giveaway for the Joan Baez concert coming up. Here’s the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-Heartland/112496282130543?ref=search&v=wall
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Joanne–hoe do I add it to my facebook?
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“Like” the page and it’s added 🙂
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Clyde – From the RH Facebook page, just click on LIKE and you will get the feed on your Facebook page. I think that’s all I did and it shows up on my page. Enjoy!
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I don’t show a like button. But nevermind. Thanka.
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I found out about the facebook page by friending Dale on facebook! He OK’d it! I was so honored. I put a shout out to Mike on the RH page right away. You can see it at the bottom of the page. This is how we can talk to Mike.
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SP: Others above have given some sage advice. Husband showed me that what others say about you tells you more about them than about you. Sometimes I can remember that then I need to…
OT – I just did battle down in the raspberries (munching all the while) with the grapevine and other wild invasives, now on to mowing the meadow. Have a great day, Babooners.
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thanks i’ll check my vines there is nothing better
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Dear S.,
Back when I was trying to figure out Baboon Family Issues in the 90s, my therapist asked me, “Do you really think you can control how others think and feel?” Of course I knew the answer, but until he asked that question I was sort of hoping I could.
Try to enjoy the victory-
Dr. B
OT – Mike if you’re in lurkitude, thanks for the Great Lake Swimmers this morning!
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dear s panya
if there is ever a sporting event where there are not cancer writing sensationalists trying to get a byline, be very concerned. this was the world cup final and the only thing they have to say is that you did it wrong. i thought the game was played very well with two very gentile clubs who were cranked up to the proper level for the biggest event of their lives. congrats to spain and congrats to netherlands for being a very worthy opponent. the clubs who banked on being sensational were home watching while spain and netherlands got to be there. look it up in the books, is there a notation saying if it was a game played the way i liked it or does it say spain won?
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It’s a quiet day, so I’ll post another great recipe of mine. This is vegetarian and fairly healthy for folks looking for that. It’s an easy and very tasty main dish that goes together quickly and the pantry items are easy to keep on hand to make it. Even on a hot day, the oven will only be on for 25 minutes. Hope you like it! And for those who insist “if it ain’t meat, it ain’t a meal,” you can easily add a cup or so of shredded chicken or beef to the bean and vegetable mixture.
CHILAQUILES CASSEROLE
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 medium zucchini, grated
1 19-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained (or 14-oz can)
1 14-oz can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 cups corn, frozen (thawed) or fresh
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 corn tortillas, cut in quarters
1 19-oz can mild red or green enchilada sauce (use medium or hot if you like)
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9″X13″ baking pan.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring often for 5 minutes or until slightly brown. Stir in zucchini, beans, tomatoes, corn, cumin and salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are heated through, about 3-5 minutes.
3. Place half the tortilla pieces in the pan. Top with half the vegetable mixture, half the enchilada sauce and half the cheese. Repeat with one more layer of tortillas, vegetables, sauce and cheese. Cover with foil.
4. Bake the casserole for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the casserole is bubbling around the edges, about 10 minutes more.
Cut up and serve — makes great leftovers for lunch the next day, too!
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ok i will report back in on the casserole. sounds wonderful thanks joanne
there once was a cook named joanne
who like to cook crap in a pan
just mix it and stir
and if you like fur
add chicken or mice if you can
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Cute one, Tim — very cute. I laughed out loud at that one! I’ve only really started cooking about 4-5 years ago. I was just a re-heater until I was just working part-time and figured I should at least make decent meals since I wasn’t working full-time anymore. But I’m not creative or improvisational — I find recipes that fit my needs and follow them until I know enough to futz just a little with them.
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that futzing is what is called the creative improvisational part. it’s nice to have a night blogger to join in with.
i will let you know how the chilaquiles casserole turns out for me. keep smiling.
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