WHAT TO DO WITH YOURSELF NOW THAT YOUR BASEBALL TEAM HAS BEEN ELIMINATED FROM POST-SEASON CONTENTION
Unless you live in Arizona, Pennsylvania, or Texas, the hard fact is that your favorite baseball team has recently been eliminated from the playoffs. And since no wailing, gnashing of teeth, or shaking your fist at the sky will change this fact (we’ve tried), you might as well accept it and move on to more productive endeavors. But just what to do with yourself now that you are freed from the clutches of 3-hour broadcasts? Here are some thoughts.
WATCH FOOTBALL / HOCKEY / BASKETBALL INSTEAD
This one is simple enough. Simply transfer your sports jones into another waiting vessel—NFL and/or college football is ongoing, the NHL season has started, and both the college and pro basketball leagues are gearing up. What we are saying here is that there is ample opportunity for the motivated fan to both root and grow roots.
TAKE A NIGHT CLASS
We’re not saying you should take a pottery class (but we’re also not not saying that). But local educational institutions offer plenty of vocational courses that could just as easily serve as worthwhile pastimes. After all, haven’t you always wanted to learn how to arc weld in your spare time? Sure you have.
HANG OUT WITH DAD
He’ll appreciate it. Nothing more needs to be said.
PICKLE SOME THINGS
This activity has gotten a bad doomsday-prepper-ish rap over the years, but the fact is that pickling and then canning things is very satisfying way to pass the time. Whether it’s cucumbers, beets, tomatoes, or even hard-boiled eggs (the list goes on and on), introducing some brine to an ingredient at home allows you to stock your larders, gift them to friends and neighbors, and even make your own labels and eventually sell them at the local pub. And if the you-know-what ever does hit the fan, well—you’ll have plenty of snacks on hand.
LEARN A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
If you ever hosted or attended a bonfire, you can readily attest that there are more than enough acoustic guitar players in the world already. Therefore, we recommend you consider a deeper musical dive. The bassoon, for instance, makes a pleasant low-end sound that will soothe neighbors and passing elk alike.
WATCH THE REMAINING GAMES ANYWAY
It is still baseball, after all.
