This Book that I Read
I happened to read Warren St John’s Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer a couple of weeks ago. In addition to being the book whose title I have least enjoyed trying to explain to other people who asked me what I was reading, it’s an interesting and funny insider’s chronicle of one season with the Alabama fans who follow their football team around the Southeastern Conference in their recreational vehicles. St John has some funny observations about his fellow Alabama fans, a few trenchant ones about upper-middle class whites who follow the doings of working- or lower-class African American teenagers who play football for “their” team, and more than I ever wanted to know about RVs.
But what he mostly has is the best descriptions I’ve ever seen of the conversations intelligent sports fans have immediately after their team loses the Big Game: Why do I let these stupid things control my feelings? Why do I fall for this year after year? Why do I care about these humps? Why do I waste my time on this foolishness?
Those are conversations I have with myself every year oh, about… now.
Books, Non-Fiction, Review | Dr J | 
October 10, 2005 6:03 pm
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By DJ Cayenne, October 10, 2005 @ 6:38 pm
Tell me about it. Here’s my week. I took off early from work on Tuesday to go to Game 1. Braves lose. Miss Wed’s game, Braves win. Friday night, I abandon plans to watch the game, go to fancy-pants book thingy with Mrs. Cayenne (more on that in future post). Got a baby-sitter and everything. Book thing is across the street from sports bar. I am able to sprint across the street when book thing is over in time time to watch Braves lose. Sunday, I will not let the game control me, spend day with Mrs. Cayenne and l’il Cayenne. Brother-in-law calls to let me know that the Braves are up by 5. I get home, turn on the TV in time to watch Braves blow the lead and I am able to catch nine more innings of baseball. Meanwhile the Saints were handed what might prove to be the most lopsided loss of the NFL season.
Also: I have heard that this book is very good.
By Shaft, October 10, 2005 @ 10:35 pm
Well, I got to watch my Indians post the most amazing “we’re going to be the team that everyone fears until our offense goes into hibernation during the final week of the season” final week of the season in recent memory. And then my Buckeyes proved me wrong, and illustrated exactly why we didn’t beat Texas — it’s because our offense sucks (but our defense is amazing). Anyway, this book sounds interesting because it reminds me of going to Columbus for Buckeye football games and seeing acre upon acre of Scarlet and Gray painted RV’s. It’s amazing what some people will do for college football. Me, I’ll just wallow in my own self-pity on the couch.
By DJ Cayenne, October 10, 2005 @ 10:54 pm
I grew up a Saints fan. It is where I honed my fine schizophrenic sense of “impending doom/wait’ll next year optimism” combo.