Fellow people in need of therapy, casuals,
This year marks my 20th on the yard. We’ve been through a lot together, high highs and low lows. I feel like I know some of you personally. I feel like I never want to know some of you personally. We’re a big weird family. It’s concerning how much time we spend in each other’s “company.”
In honor of 20 years I thought I would impart some message board wisdom I’ve acquired over two decades. I hope you find at least one of these thoughts to be personally relevant and valuable. And if not…
1. Never underestimate the power of saying nothing. Nobody likes a holier than thou blowhard, try not to gatekeep peoples behavior and certainly don’t create an entire thread on it. That’s in really poor taste.
2. Don’t take yourself (and your opinions) too seriously. Your Sam Cassell Jr November hot take probably won’t hold up anyway.
3. Get in on the jokes
and the mojo rituals.
The ties that bind us.
4. Add value! A fact, a stat, link content, make a podcast with your kid, review a fast food roast beef sandwich. What are you bringing?
5. If you‘ve replied to the same poster three times in the same thread you are undoubtedly ruining that thread. Get a room.
6.
Know your history.
7. Nobody adds value in the immediate 12 hours after a loss. It’s a bunch of vented emotion going out into the ether so people don’t kick their dog. Best to wait it out for the sane posts to return.
8. The best way to disagree with someone is to support your counterpoint, not argue against theirs. Especially if your argument against theirs is they are dumb for having an opinion.
9. For better and for worse the yard never forgets. Make a post about running with a cell phone in each hand? We remember. Get kicked out of the garden for arguing with a ref? We remember. Drink and post at your own risk.
10. Take or leave the above, it’s just one guys thoughts after all. Thanks for reading all of these or at least skipping to the bottom. Here’s to another trip around the sun and another chapter in our husky hero’s saga. I’ll see you all in the garden.
OFP