In my dental convalescence this weekend, I watched YouTube a lot—pro football games from the 1960s and 1970s, mostly.
Found Super Bowl III, in its entirety—pregame show, commercials, ridiculously long and patriotic halftime show with high school and college marching bands—the whole nine yards (and three and a half hours).
It was wonderful. And eye-opening:
• The commercials were incredibly stupid, and also sexist. A Goodyear tire commercial—there were many, many tire commercials in those days—showed a woman panicking behind the wheel as she tried to negotiate city traffic, which appeared just too much for her. At the end of the commercial, she finally reaches her man at the airport, and slides over so he can drive. The tagline was, "When a woman's at the wheel, Polyglas means more than mileage." Wait, here it is!
I know, right?! That must be some great tire, to ameliorate the dangerous effects of a dingbat woman driver!
• The astounding thing about the game itself was the matter-of-fact way the players went about their work. The New York Jets steadily pulled off one of the greatest upsets in sports history—and it was being called so by play-by-play announcer Curt Gowdy—and try as I might, I couldn't detect their giddiness, even as they led 16-0 late in the fourth quarter. Only in the very last moments, did they smiled and shook hands with each other. And then ran off the field.
I don't usually harp on modern players' excessive mid-game celebrations. I save my curmudgeonliness for issues that matter. But watching these Jets win, and the astonished Colts lose, with such quiet dignity made me slap my head and say: "Goddamn it, that's right. Fans cheer and boo. Players play, and the joy of doing it should be joy enough."
And in 1968, it was.
There is no need to save "curmudgeonliness for issues that matter." It is not a depletable resource. It only improves with age and it is necessary that you give it away in order to keep it.
Posted by: james green | February 21, 2012 at 10:48 AM
online pharmacy canada generic cialis 6481 http://canadianpharmacydiscount.com/#4028 canada pharmacy discount code
Posted by: TrexiaassennY | June 22, 2012 at 03:53 AM
dapoxetine wiki http://buypriligy-dapoxetine.com/#7603 lasting longer in bed tabs 20 mg prednisone 10mg http://prednisone-pharm.com/#3563 cost prednisone buy cheap
Posted by: lepGapbeelm | June 28, 2012 at 01:42 PM
prednisone canada http://prednisone-pharm.com/#7013 prednisone generic names
Posted by: Tolfslory | June 28, 2012 at 06:58 PM
canadian healthcare online pharmacy reviews 0415 http://canadianpharmacyon.com/#4990 top rated canadian pharmacy
Posted by: LizJalzefiame | July 06, 2012 at 05:32 AM