The world is littered with Negative Nancies. They are everywhere; you either know some, are related to some and you probably even live with some. Come on, I know you do, at least if you think hard enough. I know I do! They have a miserable outlook, an innate need to drag down the things that you hold dear. But that's not the worst of it. They also have a tendency to dismiss the things that you hold dear without ever bothering to take the time to give it a fighting chance. Once again, as in many posts, I have to confess to doing this on a few occasions (probably more than a few), but I am taking steps to remedy it. I have joined Miserable Twats Anonymous and attend regular meetings. I'm sure even most of you have been guilty of offhand dismissiveness at some point in your lives. The reason I mention the fact that we (primarily me) are so guilty of the very dire traits I describe is two-fold; firstly, if I didn't admit to these things, I would get called out repeatedly by my family for being a total hypocrite and secondly, we are all guilty of being a bit of a twat sometimes. It happens. As long as you recognise it and don't make a habit of it, it's fine and perfectly human.
But, then there are the others where it runs much deeper. Some people just can't seem to help themselves. They just thrive off being dismissive. They love to knock whatever it is you're trying to introduce them to. I've even had people that have dismissed my recommendations, then, the next time I see them they're harping on about it as if they've just uncovered an ancient relic. Even when I've reminded them that i told them about said recommendation, they act as if im talking nonsense. It's infuriating, let me tell you!
As I've mentioned, I've done this, probably still do at times. But I'm learning. In fact, not so long back, I was invited by my nephew and co-conspiritor in the Genesis of the BHO to go to Leeds and watch a band called Lunar Vacation. It's been a long time since I've been to a gig. Not since I saw Nick Cave a few years prior. I'm not a huge fan of concerts and the like. Too many people. But he told me he wanted go and asked me if I would so I said I would. When the time got close, I got apprehensive. Anxiety and all that. I'm usually fine once I get there, it's getting there that's the hurdle. I also had no idea who this band was, so I wondered whether it was worth all the anxiety. But I did go. And do you know what? I enjoyed every minute of it; the journey there, the pre-match beers and most of all, the music! So thanks Lee, it really made my day. Month actually. The point is, anxiety aside, I didn't just say no because I'd never heard of the band. I gave it a chance. And that's the point!
I wouldn't call myself a black sheep, but it is true that most of my interests are not the interests of the rest of my family. I love art, poetry, classical music. Blimey, even my "mainstream" musical tastes aren't their thing. The point being, if I'd have listened to all of their personal judgements I would not be into those things today. I'm not being disparaging about my family, my things are just not there's. Again, that's the point. It's each to their own. But I do know this; they've given all my interests a fair shake and still decided it's not for them. Not a problem. It's horses for courses, whatever blows your frock up, as I have said multiple times before.
But, hang on. What am I waffling on about? This is a Yahtzee blog isn't it? Well, if you'd let me finish, jeez! As with everything I've described above, exactly the same has been said about Yahtzee. So, what I'm trying to say, in an admittedly long winded way, is if you like Yahtzee, own it. Be proud of it!
Yahtzee gets a bad rap sometimes because it is often seen as an old person's game. It's also not a video game. Plus, if you tell the rest of the lads after a match of Rugby that you're off home to play a game of Yahtzee, you might get laughed out of the club's shower rooms, because obviously the rest of them are manly enough to hug each other for eighty minutes then wiggle their winkies about in the shower together afterwards but too manly to roll dice (but, I'm not being dismissive, it's up to them). Perhaps this type of peer pressure is enough to get to you? But why? Like I've said, you do you, let them do theirs. If they've got something to say about it, tell them where to get off; namely a short platform from a great height! Life is far too short to let other people dictate what you get up to in life, whether it's Yahtzee, choral singing or an activity that requires a gallon of lube and an object wider than it is long.
If it sounds like I'm preaching, I apologize, but to me, Yahtzee IS the Good Word... that might sound blasphemous, but at least Yahtzee exists... unlike, y'know, the big beardy fella, sees everything... even your "alone" time... but I'm not just talking about Yahtzee. I'm talking about anything! I've said it numerous times in this post and I'll say it again, because it's important: Do NOT let other people dictate how you enjoy the limited time you have on this planet, that time is yours, not theirs, don't waste it... even if you don't like Yahtzee... but... it would be nice...
 |
| Myself with Grace Repasky of Lunar Vacation |
Comments
Post a Comment