Absence makes the heart feel... absence

I've never really agreed with this cliché when it comes to love.  Absence may make you remember more of the good than the bad about the object of your affection, but it's also a tugging at your soul, reminding you that someone or something you care about it missing, and there's nothing you can do about it.

So far, I keep reaching for the latest sports news, only to find that it's blocked.  I remember it's by choice, but it's a void.  I care about my teams, and wondering about how the Penguins are holding up, whether Sid is playing again, whether Hines Ward is going to retire...  it tugs at my soul a little.

But the reminders are so tangibly close.  I have not canceled my SI or ESPN the Mag subscriptions - I figure I'll donate them to the doctor's office or the library for the year.  But I know they are downstairs, and the Packers are on the cover.   I turned on NPR tonight and caught a replay of Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me (my favorite NPR show), and all the guests were sports stars.  Really?  My first week on the wagon, and Buster Olney, who is one of my favorite baseball writers, is doing an extended interview and playing Not My Job?   There's a cosmic message there.  I'd like to think it's not the universe giving me the finger, but well, there's a lack of evidence to the contrary.

My final thought of the night is this:  I'm excited for the people of Egypt.  It's been said by many how this is a victory for democracy, a victory for people, a victory for the power of the many over the one.

I am worried that this is being seen in the US by the common citizen as just another victory for the Bald Eagles.  Sports fans love the underdog, and this was a textbook Cinderella game plan:  NC State 1985.  USA Hockey 1980.  Rocky III.   Outlast the stronger, more powerful opponent.  Pull off the miracle.  Executed to near perfection.

Please don't misunderstand me - this is momentous change in the middle east and I am so pleased that vox populi showed that power of many.  But how many Americans understand what really happened?  Does the average American understand that it's the next 6 months, shaping a fledgling democracy in a  part of the world where it's not part of their cultural history, that matter more than the last 19 days?  Or are we just happy for another underdog victory for democracy against the stronger bad guy.   Too often, I fear, we have "sports-itized" politics, making them more about making sure your team wins and less about actual drafting of policies and laws.  I have been ruminating on this for a few weeks.  I think it may be a theme of this coming year of my life.