No, I'd much rather watch the hockey game that's on now. I'm no big hockey fan but at least it has some excitement and moves fast.

We all have different preferences. It's great that there are so many different sports to watch/play/go to, all tastes can be accommodated.

I've never warmed up to ice hockey (no pun intended). To me, it's repetitively boring. There are only so many things that can happen and that's what happens over and over. I also think it's ridiculous that they allow any form of fighting, even one punch should lead to ejection as it does in every other sport. There's a reason for that. I think hockey is intentionally tacky and intended to be so.

I'll just say this - soccer/football is the most popular game in the world. Played competitively in every country everywhere. There has to be a reason why. I've learned the reason why by playing it myself for many years. Many Americans either haven't or don't care to. That's fine, it's all good.

I started this thread for a reason other than to tout this particular sport, which I hope you saw.

The FIFA World Cup is a global event, all countries compete, and the winner is indeed the World's Champion. I've always thought it ridiculous that the baseball tournament is called the World Series, and its winner the World Champion. When through the majority of the decades and decades of its existence, baseball wasn't played or known in most of the world.

Ditto for the Super Bowl.

Well yes...but I am a Brit so...

I started playing in my early thirties and continued for over 20 years. Because of having not played as a kid, starting as an adult to learn ball skills put me at a disadvantage gap I was able to narrow (with hours and hours of practice on my own) compared to others (like foreign born or Americans who played as kids) but never overcome. I had to do aerobic fitness sessions 3x or more a week to be able to come close to having enough fitness to play.

The leagues I played in, people tried their best but it wasn't do or die. For a "game" played with limited substitutions, the field is too big and the distance one has to run over and over is too great, the teams are too small at 11 players (for adults wanting to have fun and recreation, not run and sprint a distance approaching a 10K in every match), and the two half periods at 45 minutes with no stops or time outs are too long.

I realize that the job of pro players is to do nothing other than work hard every day to be extremely fit and strong, to continue to develop skills they started doing at perhaps age 5, to follow prescribed diets to manage weight, energy and body mass, etc., and to work together unselfishly with teamwork. A match can end 0-0 and if I'm indifferent about which team is successful, there is something impressive and entertaining to see every 10 seconds or more often. The skills pro players have is insane. There's far more action than most other popular sports in the US.

In case someone is curious, no, I don't watch women's soccer. Just as I don't watch women's basketball. In soccer, women actually play the game in a more brainy and sophisticated technical way than men do. But it's slower. With women, it's more a finesse thing, with men, more and rougher physical contact, more strength and faster play.

It's really two different games. There's no reason why they should be the same.

I’m not much of a spectator of any sport. I like doing.

Saying that, I like the camaraderie that seems to form among fans, young and old alike.

Living in a place that has cold winters, hockey is a great team sport. It definitely shows you that cold weather is nothing to be frightened by. Our hockey and ringette season is over now, and our soccer pitches are just opening. Our kids have the advantage of learning a variety of sports. And our golf courses are opening, too. Yay!

All team sports have their ”tackiness”. Player faking is common in so many of them, unfortunately. Fan hooliganism, as well.

Good luck to all who have a favourite team in any sport! Remember to have fun. Rah!

Cold weather isn't a requirement to play hockey in much of North America because it's played indoors. I can't speak about other areas but when the NHL team started up here, several ice rinks were built and adult and kid hockey leagues started up. It's crazy, the demand for ice time was such that many of them operate 24x7. I remember a friend who was in a beginners' league (no previous ice hockey experience) and he often had games at 2 or 3 am, 40 miles away. I think it's settled down now, I don't hear about it as much.

When I played soccer, the adult leagues ran 12 months of the year. 3.5 months of games, 2 week break, next season starts. I wouldn't have preferred missing one season each year because of inclement weather. The opposite, it got me out in cooler weather.

Weather doesn't need to dictate seasons for different sports. In much of the US, golf is a 12 month activity. Avid golfers prefer to be limited to be able to play only part of the year at their home courses? I don't think so.

I don't think people necessarily fear cold weather, it's that many dislike it or choose to not experience it. The millions of snowbirds in the US and Canada wouldn't be making the trips south they make in wintertime if they loved cold and snowy weather.

I like to do what I like to do. I’m not one to follow the crowd. Good heavens, we’d all be living at Disneyland. 🤠 We have a large number of tourists who flock to our ski hills in the winter. Not wrong or right, better or worse, just different tastes.

I hear of so many people who allow the weather to dictate what they do. I can’t imagine huddling indoors because of rain or cold temperatures. Enjoy the outdoors!

We have a large number of people who look forward to the changing seasons because of the outdoor activities that become available. Our area has a lot of backyard rinks and I know the kids in the area look forward to a good game of shinny.

I’m an avid golfer. But it’s not all that I enjoy.

To each their own. I like the variety.

I hope you are enjoying your football viewing. 🤠

" people who allow the weather to dictate what they do "

I think you're looking at the world only through your own window. In places where the weather is usually fair, which is a lot of places, the weather is not a factor at all. Outdoor activities are available year-round in many places and that's something many find extremely appealing. I'm sure people in your area look forward to wintertime because those who can afford it, are retired, or both, pack up and leave.

I don't like "variety" in weather, I think it's a rationalization people use where weather isn't so great to deal with changes or upcoming events they prefer wouldn't happen. A sunny and warm day never disappoints anyone, not here and not where you are either, I suspect.

The match ended hours ago. A disappointing result.

The very same play that triggered this thread because of the comment I heard that was funny was a bad call by the ref, not overturned by the screen reviewing oversight team, and it affected the outcome of the match. That doesn't happen often - the whole reason for the video efforts is to improve rulings - but this time, the system failed.

Elmer, I assure you that I can afford to pack up and leave my home in the winter if I want to. I do. I go to the Mayan Riviera every year for a couple of weeks. I love it there. A lot of my friends and family do. Some go for longer periods of time. They also love coming home. I also love our long winter nights, Northern Lights, walking in cold crisp air, quiet, attending our winter festivals…. I look at it as the best of both worlds. Of course I like a warm sunny day. Who doesn’t? There’s nothing like getting a beautiful ice tan when you are out on the lake ice fishing, or skiing, or snowshoeing. Why do you think Whistler is so busy in the winter?

I’m glad that you and so many others find warm weather year round appealing. It sounds like California is the place for you. I love California, but there are so many negatives to the place (to me), that I’m happy where I am.

”I think it's a rationalization people use where weather isn't so great to deal with changes or upcoming events they prefer wouldn't happen”

I think it can work the other way,too. How many people tout the California weather as a reason to live there in order to rationalize the negatives?

Sorry about the disappointing result today. Better luck next match.

eta I’ve been in Montreal all week and the temperature hasn’t gotten above 10 C. We’ve gotten out, had a great time, and will continue to do so. The weather hasn’t altered the experience. Off to the wedding now.

Elmer, I’m not a sports fan of any major league sport. But, I did get the pundit’s gaffe - intentional or not with his quick apology & rebuke to himself. Hilarious. Who says the British have no sense of humor? 😁

KW, that’s humour😉

It wasn't a gaffe.

floral & roxsol - only 1,378 days ……..

Was out earlier in shorts and a T-shirt, SPF 50 and a wide-brimmed hat. I was miserable, wish it would snow. Oh wait, that doesn't happen here.

KW and floral, the comment was of course very deliberate and said quite tongue in cheek. The video image showed what was happening on the field with play paused, not the pundit's face. He'd probably been preparing to say it all week and was waiting for the right moment. The guy is a retired player

Maybe it's true for participants in other sports in the UK too, but I've seen over the years that there seems to be a tradition of quippy, humorous teasing and banter practiced by players and others, always brief and with pinpoint stabbing accuracy, that can be very funny.

I saw a video segment this morning with former footballers Aly McCoist (60ish) and Rio Ferdinand (40-something) talking with Prince William about some European tournament club games during the week. The team he follows, Aston Villa lost. Another English team, Arsenal, won 3-0 against Real Madrid (last year's winner), 2 of the 3 goals being from free kicks from an Arsenal player named Declan Rice who in the past hasn't ever taken the free kicks (these are kicks after a foul taken at the point of the foul, not from the penalty spot).

Anyway, Prince William said something like " I've never seen Rice take free kicks with such effectiveness and accuracy". To which Rio Ferdinand said, "He hasn't seen that either". Meaning, it never happened before and apparently the coach was trying an experiment assigning the task to him.

" How many people tout the California weather as a reason to live there in order to rationalize the negatives? "

As far as I've experienced, I can't imagine anyone feels that way. Never heard anyone mention anything like that. Nor have I ever known anyone who chose to move away except one case, a couple whose only child took a job on the East Coast. They moved to be near their kid and the kid's two little ones. They don't otherwise like it there and miss being here, as per their own words.

The weather is assumed to be pleasing and never discussed, unless there is one day in a row of rain or overcast.

I enjoy soccer very much. I really never knew much about it until our oldest grandaughter started playing as a youngster and kept playing competitively through high school. After college she is now working for one of the US professional women’s soccer teams in marketing and loves it. When we’ve been to visit her, she has provided tickets for us to watch the game. Very fast paced and fun and a great fan base in their city.

"Meaning, it never happened before and apparently the coach was trying an experiment assigning the task to him."

No. That's not what he meant.

This got me curious, is the word ”tariff” frequently used in the context of soccer penalties? I’ve just googled several ways and nothing pops up quickly. If it’s not a common usage, then this ”gaffe” was clearly planned.

Signed,

Someone Who Loves Four Seasons

No, it's not particularly. The commentator knew exactly what he was saying and chose the word deliberately. Commentators have to keep finding new ways of saying the same old stuff but he chose tariff for a reason. There was no 'gaffe'.

Having to explain the humour rather defeats the impact.

As does having to interpret Ally McCoist's classic piss take to the literal minded. (Not you Food.)

foodonastump. It was not a gaffe and 'tariff' has nothing to do with football/soccer in the UK but is a word being heard very frequently all over the world at the moment. If we didn't laugh every time we heard it we would probably go mad.

vee_new - exactly! We are all suffering from severe whiplash.

" As does having to interpret Ally McCoist's clasic piss "

McCoist was silent during the sequence.

Floral, please inform us all what meaning was missed. Not the ones missed by you, ones you imply I missed.

As I said above and before you, the tariff thing was obviously deliberate and very cute. It's not a common word used in that context, that I've observed.

You are correct. It was Ferdinand who said "Nor has he", not McCoist. My mistake. But the meaning was not what you thought. It was an off the cuff sarcastic piss take, pure and simple. Not a literal comment on tactics and nothing to do with the manager. You are proud of your immense knowledge and experience of Europe, including the UK, so I'm sure you know what a piss take is and I would have thought you'd be able to recognize one.

“in the context of a sport that the readers know nothing at all about.”

Quite an assumption, about the biggest sport in the world. This readee knew enough to womder if the word tarriff is used in this context, because I never heard it used as such.

Sometimes passing chuckles are best left as such.

I'll start the count for Americans, food.

I'm 1. You're 2. Outside is 3. Of the three of us, I suspect I'm the only one that follows the Premier League.

Short list. As I said, I suspect the readers (of my words) are unfamiliar.

Elmer, by October here, there are a lot of folks just waiting for it to snow. The ski hills and resorts have snow making machines that give the season a head start. The mountain resorts have condition reports daily and they are packed once the season starts.

I believe you that you are a warm weather lover. Good for you. You are in the majority. That does not negate my opinion. There is no reason for you to think of it as rationalizing. I tried to let you see what an unfair comment that was. You should have the courtesy to believe me and my lifetime experience.

I’m a four season lover, I like the snow, and enjoy the winter, I like the sun, and enjoy the summer. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The chill of winter, the magic of spring, the heat of summer and the crispness of fall. What is not to like?

patriciae

I do love our CA weather but not the earthquakes, like the one we just had near Julian.🥴

How about the inconveniences and sometime dangers of rain, snow or ice storms and their consequences? And the discomfort, inconveniences and also sometime dangers of cold weather?

People "vote" with their feet. Moving to milder weather areas when job opportunities, retirement, or the financial wherewithal to be a snowbird to avoid bad weather, allow.

roxsol, I don't doubt the sincerity of your view. You acknowledge it's not a prevailing sentiment among the masses but that doesn't need to dictate anyone's preferences.

roxsol, as much as I enjoy our weather, I have to admit I start longing for cool, crisp fall temps when we’re roasting here in September/October. I well remember that time of year as a kid in Michigan.

“How about the inconveniences and sometime dangers of rain, snow or ice storms and their consequences? And the discomfort, inconveniences and also sometime dangers of cold weather?”

For me, that’s stuff that gets dealt with. It can be challenging, and that’s part of the fun.

There seems to be a common theme surrounding ”control” with you. From the way you like your dogs trained, you’re in full control. To not taking interest in your ancestry, it hasn’t controlled you, you can’t control it, no interest. To hiring ”professionals” for menial tasks, controlling the changing of a lightbulb with your wallet rather than take a risk on a ladder. To not voting, you feel your vote is no more impactful than your neighbor’s and doesn’t control the outcome so there’s no purpose. Weather you definitely can’t control, so you’re most comfortable in a climate where it doesn't control you.

There's no criticism in that, just an observation. Where it would spill into criticism is in your personal interactions. You seem to feel that your opinions are so well thought out, that they're the only valid opinion.

My preference for four distinct - and at times challenging - seasons is an actual preference, not a rationalization. I have recently put my money where my mouth is, having invested a significant portion of my net worth to ”get into” a market for my eventual retirement home, before that market gets more unaffordable. Of course there’s a chance that it won’t be feasible for us to stay there forever. When such time comes that we seek out more "comfortable" living, hopefully it'll be our choice. For now it would seem like a compromise.

" There seems to be a common theme surrounding ”control” with you. From the way you like your dogs trained, you’re in full control. ."

I think you've found something that isn't there but I don't need to change your view.

As far as dogs go, the options are not black and white, one or the other "trained" or "unruly and untrained". It's nuanced like everything else, the middle ground should be the target. The parents of one of my kid's in-laws don't acknowledge the need to teach dogs basic manners (just like kids) so when they open the front door, the dogs run out and they don't always come back when called. They jump on people and the male sometimes grabs legs and does the you know what. They grab food from the kitchen counter and dining room table. In sum - they're a mess, I hate going to that house. Nice people but clueless about dogs. Fortunately, their offspring who is my kid in-law has the right attitude and the two dogs in that house were properly trained and are wonderfully well-behaved.

As far as other things, opinions included, I think you're off the mark. When an opinion seems to be misdirected or in need of more or better information, that I've come upon, I share it. Just like the few here whose views I suspect you disagree with who will quote Fox News or other biased outlets, you may think to yourself - "why don't they have better information sources?." Sometimes people reject info that challenges a belief they want to hold onto. Sometimes they simply don't want to hear more. That's fine.

Opinions - it may seem otherwise at times, I respect thoughtful, informed opinions. I don't respect propagandized comments that seem like tired slogans in other forms. The recent reference to Ford Pintos by someone as an example of widespread corporate malfeasance made me spit out the water I was drinking. You know Bernie what's his name. I see him as a cartoon character depicting what's wrong with his party. His views, slogans, and issues got set in concrete in the 1960s and he's been singing the same songs ever since. The only things that have changed is that he has less hair now and what's there is no longer dark.

The area where you live Elmer is not large enough for all of us to occupy even if we all lusted after the fairly dull weather you have. Think this through. Most of the great world does not have the weather of the tiny area of it in which you personally live. How lucky you are to live where you would choose to live.

This is a thoughtful and informed opinion.

patriciae

It is. Thanks.