A House Divided

I live in a rather sports-oriented household. Most of the time, my parents and I root for the same teams. Angels, Dodgers, you know, LA teams. Except when it comes to basketball. My mom is a huge Lakers fan. Dad and I... well, not so much. Mainly because we can't stand Kobe. There's no arguing that he's a brilliant athlete, but we just don't like him... his arrogance, his selfishness, the fact that he is not a good role model for youngsters... So, it has been an interesting, sometimes uncomfortable, experience watching the NBA Playoffs this season. On one side, you have Mom cheering heartily for her men in yellow and purple (like tonight, when she squealed with delight at that miraculous near-comeback in the 4th quarter). On the other, me quietly rooting for the other team and feeling dejected when the Lakers win. Then, of course, there's Dad making disparaging comments about Kobe that put Mom into a bad temper. Interesting times, these playoffs are. (Forgive the lapse into Yoda-speak.)

In other sporting news, poor Fed... steamrolled by Nadal in the French Open finals. Even (gasp!) bageled in the third set. Perhaps it's odd to feel sorry for someone who's achieved so much success, but he truly is a likable champion. I mean, how many athletes have the vocabulary and grace to credit their opponent's play as "sublime"? Well, onward to Wimbledon!