Is it that time of year already?
I was on the El, overhearing bits of conversation between two young men, something about football, when a louder young man with exactly the same oafish voice I would have used if I were trying to impersonate a football-obsessed fan said, "Excuse me, sir, I couldn't help but overhear you talking about Ohio State. I am a HUGE Michigan fan!" The Ohio State guy and his friend said something politely friendly like "Oh". Mr. Michigan went on to say how he's watched nothing but Michigan since like 1993, and you know they have this huge rivalry with Ohio State, and he's always hated Ohio State. (It was pretty clear that he hadn't actually *attended* UM, which makes his supposed hatred of OSU pretty baseless.) He tried to goad the guys into a friendly verbal battle, but they weren't biting. He continued his monologue for a while while they politely feigned interest; then the train stopped at Washington, and the two mumbled a hasty "see ya" and took off into the crowd, leaving Mr. Michigan without an audience. He stayed on for two more stops, groaning and stretching theatrically so we'd all know how exhausted he is by his devout love for The Blue, then finally departed.
- posted by Diane @ 10:57 AM