Friday, April 3, 2009

On Dangerous Projectiles

I spent the afternoon officiating the discus throw at a high school track meet. It’s a good side gig. The athletes call me sir and the coaches always make it a point to say thank you for helping out. I even got a t-shirt and a barbeque sandwich out of the deal. The only thing I don’t like about judging this particular event is getting hit in the head with the discus. Don’t worry; it’s nothing a little ice, a couple of aspirin and a cold beer won’t cure.

Speaking of getting hit in the head with dangerous projectiles, my nephew was once shot in the head by an arrow. It was Christmas morning. My nephew was screwing around with a bunch of kids and one of them had a bow and arrow. They were seeing how high they could shoot the arrows. One of those arrows fell from the sky and embedded itself in the top of my nephew’s skull. Although the whole thing was a horrific bloody mess, the kid wasn’t seriously injured. They say the top of the skull is remarkably thick. I wasn’t on the scene that Christmas morning, but I picture my nephew with the arrow sticking out from the top of his head just about every time I see him.

What’s the point? If you’re going to judge the discus throw or stand around while people are shooting arrows into the sky, you should probably pay attention. About that ice, aspirin and cold beer…



8 comments:

ARUNA said...

OMG shooting with an arrow....is ur nephew left with any scar!!!! I'm scared of blood..!!

#167 Dad said...

ARUNA,
The kid's proud of his scar. It'll never be clearly visible unless he goes bald.

Unknown said...

Is that the same nephew that screwed you over with the missing hall of fame photos!!??

Blues said...

Lol - ye, I'm still sort of proud of the scar I have on my knee from running the kids' olympic track (and winning a book prize). Those things are good memories - kind of like tatoos...
I've always fancied any sports to do with throwing/pitching. Discus throwing is a lot of fun...

#167 Dad said...

Jason,
Yes! Same kid!

#167 Dad said...

Singer, Writer, Athelete - you do it all, Bluesfrau. The closest I ever got to throwing a discuss was a frisbee. But I do enjoy the heck out of judging the event.

Bluesfrau said...

I just like flying things and making things fly. As long as it's free from mercantile schemes...
Every kid has their talents and troubles. I had my fair share of troubles, too, even if it wasn't to do with marks but with a lot of inner pain I waded through concerning confusion about things I encountered in my life. There's always a balance in things. Even in a good pitch.

#167 Dad said...

Bluesfrau,
I can relate.WHen I was younger I found a lot of that balance you mention in basketball.