Preds contemplating FF retirement...

[Preds]

Originally Posted by Philadelphia Freedom

Pity is a strange emotion is it not?

ROFLMAO

[randilover]

Originally Posted by Doggler

Wow, Skip. I didn't realize it went down like that. Sucks. And yes, there are simply too many people on the fbg boards to find much use there anymore. There are guys who post 100+ times a day, just to post.

Wow, the expertise on this board is bigger than I thought. I only "found" FBG's a few years ago and always thought the boards sucked as they are just so full of waste to be worth any good to anyone. It's like wading through sewage.

Also, a little reminder, Preds. A trip to Philly would kill two birds with one stone. And I'm sure you'd find the area a little more inviting (just don't where that TB jersey, ok?).

[Preds]

Originally Posted by randilover

Wow, the expertise on this board is bigger than I thought. I only "found" FBG's a few years ago and always thought the boards sucked as they are just so full of waste to be worth any good to anyone. It's like wading through sewage.

Also, a little reminder, Preds. A trip to Philly would kill two birds with one stone. And I'm sure you'd find the area a little more inviting (just don't where that TB jersey, ok?).

There are several VERY knowledgable guys on this board (FF and otherwise).

[randilover]

Originally Posted by Doggler

Furthermore, my 1st kid is 6 months old. Since he's been born, I've given up the poker thing. I've cut down on the time I spend running, biking, etc. Now when I'm home, I'm changing diapers and reading Suess. And I love it.

I know the religion is in another thread, but it's interesting how having kids really gets people thinking, doesn't it. I can't tell you the number of people I know that had no interest in church and then had a kid and all of the sudden it's like, "Hm, maybe I should really get things in perspective, and maybe mom and dad weren't all that wrong..."

Not being preachy here, just making an observation. Having kids can really bring out that thirst of balance. It's like you go through the married stage of having to reel things in, of having your wife "civilize you," and then the kids come and you keep going in that direction. You're not responsible for yourself anymore. Glad to hear you are answering the call, Mike. Quite honorable.

[Preds]

Originally Posted by randilover

I know the religion is in another thread, but it's interesting how having kids really gets people thinking, doesn't it. I can't tell you the number of people I know that had no interest in church and then had a kid and all of the sudden it's like, "Hm, maybe I should really get things in perspective, and maybe mom and dad weren't all that wrong..."

Not being preachy here, just making an observation. Having kids can really bring out that thirst of balance. It's like you go through the married stage of having to reel things in, of having your wife "civilize you," and then the kids come and you keep going in that direction. You're not responsible for yourself anymore. Glad to hear you are answering the call, Mike. Quite honorable.

. my answering the "call" to my kids has nothing to do with religion. I still have zero desire to go to church, read the bible (or any other religous manuscript), or pray to some form of God.

Having morals and family values is not related to being a religous person IMO... but we won't go there in this thread, as I believe it's been hacked to death in the other thread!

[Nittany Dodgers]

Originally Posted by Preds

There are several VERY knowledgable guys on this board (FF and otherwise).

Ya. Most of the guys in my local league think I'm crazy with the amount of time I put into FF, but this board makes me feel like an amateur.

[randilover]

Originally Posted by Preds

. my answering the "call" to my kids has nothing to do with religion. I still have zero desire to go to church, read the bible (or any other religous manuscript), or pray to some form of God.

Having morals and family values is not related to being a religous person IMO... but we won't go there in this thread, as I believe it's been hacked to death in the other thread!

Oh yeah, I wasn't making the point it's a religious anything, just that having kids always seems to get people rethinking their priorities (or balance in life as has been discussed). Easpecially boys, they need their pop. Dads are so underrated, but you can't underestimate your influence on them.

[Doggler]

Originally Posted by randilover

Oh yeah, I wasn't making the point it's a religious anything, just that having kids always seems to get people rethinking their priorities (or balance in life as has been discussed). Easpecially boys, they need their pop. Dads are so underrated, but you can't underestimate your influence on them.

I haven't had any time for kind words or such in the other thread so I might seem like I hate you, but definately am enjoying the talk. Just thought it was important I let you know that.

As for the priorities...I can't say any of them caught me by suprise. I 'predicted' it would be this way when I found out my wife was pregnant, and I was welcoming it. Obviously, expecting all these overwhelming emotions and actually experiencing them are two totally different things.

The thing I'd like for my son is community. Churches offer that. But they also offer a ton of other things that I simply don't believe in/agree with/etc. So unless I begin to attend Unitarian services, I would be committing a hypocracy that I'm not willing to commit. Strong words for what I'm trying to say, but you get my drift.

The desire to shift one's desires and aspriations from oneself to their family is one of the truly amazing aspects of human life. RL, you and I would disagree as to what they are exactly (miracle vs. phenomena or whatever) but I think we both find it equally beautiful and amazing.

[Preds]

Originally Posted by Doggler

I haven't had any time for kind words or such in the other thread so I might seem like I hate you, but definately am enjoying the talk. Just thought it was important I let you know that.

As for the priorities...I can't say any of them caught me by suprise. I 'predicted' it would be this way when I found out my wife was pregnant, and I was welcoming it. Obviously, expecting all these overwhelming emotions and actually experiencing them are two totally different things.

The thing I'd like for my son is community. Churches offer that. But they also offer a ton of other things that I simply don't believe in/agree with/etc. So unless I begin to attend Unitarian services, I would be committing a hypocracy that I'm not willing to commit. Strong words for what I'm trying to say, but you get my drift.

The desire to shift one's desires and aspriations from oneself to their family is one of the truly amazing aspects of human life. RL, you and I would disagree as to what they are exactly (miracle vs. phenomena or whatever) but I think we both find it equally beautiful and amazing.

:GoodPost

[randilover]

Originally Posted by Doggler

I haven't had any time for kind words or such in the other thread so I might seem like I hate you, but definately am enjoying the talk. Just thought it was important I let you know that.

It was important, and thanks. I've been enjoying it also. Hope I get you thinking.

Yeah, I understand about not wanting to being a hypocrite (even Jesus reserved his stronger critizism for them, you know ), your boy will appreciate it no matter what the decision is. Honesty is key for a dad.

I have a 3.5 year old daughter and one due at the end of this month (so I'll miss the father-son thing). And I am learning and getting counsel on realigning my priorities. If I let it, FF does tend to take over. Just have to put it in it's rightful place.

[smsmith40]

Hey Mike!

Its symptomatic of the last 18 months that I am a little late on this thread. I too am over my original infatuation with FF and I am in a contraction phase. Despite the suckiness of my team (for now) the CDL will be that last to go. I left my only re-draft league last year (despite winning it 2 yrs out of 3), it had gotten too much, was too difficult to do from over here and most importantly the atmosphere around the league had gotten way too intense.

My advice would be to pull back slowly to a level where you can be comfortable, my kids are 5 and 2 and I love them to death, but they ARE hard work and consume a lot of time (at least that's what my wife tells me j/k). What I would miss is not having a slightly more intellectual pursuit to think about while I'm reading Thomas the Tank Engine (its a UK thing) or watching Teletubbies.

Family is the number one priority and FF should come way down anybody's list but have along think about where you think the best long term balance is.

p.s. I'd come here even if I didn't have a team. Its one of the few online communities I've come across where mutual respect is maintained no matter what.

p.p.s That doesn't mean I don't think RL is talking out of his nether regions on the moral relativist thing.

[randilover]

Originally Posted by smsmith40

p.p.s That doesn't mean I don't think RL is talking out of his nether regions on the moral relativist thing.

[Royal Hawaiian Opihi]

Mike,

I've been on the Big Island for the last 3+ days, and just getting around to reading things. I understand where you're coming from... and can't even imagine how you manage to handle all the things you do (FF-wise) now anyway! What a gift to be able to recommit time to your wife and boys! I hope that we'll be able to remain (friendly) competitors in the Frenzy, but will support whatever decision you make 100%.

I, too, had to re-examine my involvement in FF over the years... and have intentionally curtailed my participation so it doesn't interfere with my family. Difficult decision in one way (because I love football), but really easy in another.

Not sure I'll be able to make it to Vegas (try passing that by the family!), but you always have a room (or 3) available when you make that trek to the islands!

JIM

PS. Skippy, so sorry to hear how things shook down with FBGs... terrible. Thanks for being upfront with that.