I went to a boxing match and a hockey game broke out.
Okay, not a school fight, but it's a good story anyway. My kids' church group got free passes to go see a Memphis Grizzlies hockey game last year. The game was okay, I'm not a sports fan, but why not?

Of course there were fights. Ho-hum, fully grown spoiled brat adults acting like stupid kids. But the guy about five rows behind me was really pissing me off. He was cheering the fights; "Sock 'em! Lets's see some blood on the ice! Yeah, baby!"

He looked like some young arrogant lawyer with his trophy girlfriend. The whole scene disgusted me. His was not the example I wanted to teach my kids. How can I teach them the value of sportsmanship and level-headed conflict resolution if such behavior is encouraged in athletes?

So I stared at the guy. HARD. Burned holes in his skull, picturing someone (and it would feel good to be me) bashing his head in. Holding his head against a brick wall and punching it repeatedly. Throwing him on the ground and jumping on his head and neck. Boy, he'll be sorry some day, when his own behavior will backfire on him and he'll wish he never was a blood thirsty pinhead.

He finally looked at me and just as I turned away he yelled a harsh "What?" at me and mumbled something I didn't catch. I hope I ruined his day, but I probably didn't.

Oh, what a great example of non-violence I would have taught if I could only have reduced him to a bloody pulp.
( setimret likes his metaphors mixed, not stirred, Sun 12 Mar 2006, 16:59, Reply)