People Believe What You Do

2021-0930. Thursday. 955 PM It's September in Portland. That means summer's not over, but the rain is back.. It was clear and 45° cold Sunday morning on my dog walk. I sweated in 80° sunshine while working outside on a honey-do project around 400 PM. Then, I got soaked walking the dogs four hours later, after sundown. My Colts had lost their third in a row earlier, to open 0-3 in 2021! My emotional stability was in considerable jeopardy. The NFL team in Indianapolis seems to have been on the precipice of breaking one off in the playoffs for several seasons now. Each year, though, it doesn't come together and, if they make the playoffs, it's too often one and done. As a fan, born in Indy, I started following the NFL after I'd relocated several times and was living in California. I decided that I ought to be a fan of my birthplace so it was settled. Someone along the way told me I can't call myself a fan unless I have at least three pieces of merch, so I've accumulated that and more over the years that I might, indeed, call myself a fan. Go Colts!

As I assess the current season, I recognize there are several key players injured at the moment, not to mention those who are playing hurt. (WTF, Carson?) I've always believed that successful football teams are built from the inside out. I'm told we have good offensive and defensive lines, but it looks like the injuries are definitely a malaffect. We look to have some good young offensive talent and certainly are rich on the defensive side of the ball.

I think the problem is either they've put an inappropriate amount of faith in Carson Wentz or in Reich's ability to tap into the performance from their previous time together in Philadelphia. I've often recited "People believe what you do." This reminds me that most of the time when people talk about themselves, it's probably bullshit. Their behavior will tell you who they are. Their words usually tell you how they want to be. Frank Reich, Carson Wentz and the staff have told us many things regarding how they want the Colts to be. Sports media talking heads have babbled about the potential for success. We fans have posted and talked of the Super Bowl run around the corner. And yet, the Colts' behavior (between the lines) say they're 0-3. I saw a picture of John Wayne and the quote: Never apologize, mister, it's a sign of weakness.

While I encourage reconciliation, I dislike the modern use of apology. I think most folks use apologize to mean saying you're sorry. Its Greek origin means to give an account and its early English use was to present a defensive argument. When presented in its original context, I can get behind the advice to never apologize. My bride's most consistent critique of me is that I'm defensive. I'm working on being silent when attacked or criticized. It's not easy but, like I tell my son, Take your knocks like a man; you can sort out what sticks later. Often, I need to take my own advice, like a good little hypocrite. My bride, my employer, my kids and Jehovah God will believe what I do over what I say. Most of those who know me know that most of what I say is bullshit anyway. Admittedly, I'm a contrarian and I like to fight. Assuredly, I don't need to defend myself. Apparently, I do need to practice. Awkwardly, this is bakesHere. 2021-0930. Thursday. 955 PM. ACQUIRE as NEEDED. bakesHere.com