My Brilliant Sports Career
A dabbler lacking the killer instinct.7 total reviews
Comment from Rob Caudle
Miss Lisa, I loved the meandering style of this piece it gave the feel of how you did stroll through sports adventures. We wandered along with you the casual air of the writing made the read ever so much more enjoyable. I find terse and to the point witting to be burdensome at best. This joyous walk was sprinkled with just the right amount of humor. I played baseball from the time I was eight right up to my time playing for a army USARPAC team. Now my sports activities are sailing fishing and hiking as it gets e to the best fishing a very fun read.
Rob
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2019
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Miss Lisa, I loved the meandering style of this piece it gave the feel of how you did stroll through sports adventures. We wandered along with you the casual air of the writing made the read ever so much more enjoyable. I find terse and to the point witting to be burdensome at best. This joyous walk was sprinkled with just the right amount of humor. I played baseball from the time I was eight right up to my time playing for a army USARPAC team. Now my sports activities are sailing fishing and hiking as it gets e to the best fishing a very fun read.
Rob
Comment Written 22-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2019
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Hi again Rob. What a delight to get a 6! Thank you for appreciating my writing. I totally agree with you about stuffy writing being burdensome ... like hiking through mud... just uncomfortable to get anywhere (especially if you are en route to a great fishing spot!!). I find it interesting that you have used the word "meandering"... I am toying with using that word as part of the title in the book I am working on: "Motorcycle Meanderings", because it is how I write and it does describe how the journey was.
Comment from LIJ Red
The US news has had a couple of blurbs on the Tourists From Hell who are making a mess across New Zealand...was it you who invited that clan? I left an office job twice to get back into a more active job...I never had the willpower for pointless exercise. Hiked a lot. Excellent post.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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The US news has had a couple of blurbs on the Tourists From Hell who are making a mess across New Zealand...was it you who invited that clan? I left an office job twice to get back into a more active job...I never had the willpower for pointless exercise. Hiked a lot. Excellent post.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Thanks so much for your review. No way would I ever dream of associating with such unpleasant, disrespectful people. I hate littering with a passion and they first came to public attention here in NZ because they trashed a picnic area then got all belligerent when they were politely asked to clean up their mess. Such offensive people; they don't deserve to be let out of their own undoubtedly filthy backyards.
Comment from BigPoppaJrock
A pleasant read, well written, I can somewhat relate as I am an avid outdoorsmen. I like playing sports mainly golf and baseball, however I like to hike, camp and fish. I believe I am a bit more competitive than you, I do like coming out in first. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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A pleasant read, well written, I can somewhat relate as I am an avid outdoorsmen. I like playing sports mainly golf and baseball, however I like to hike, camp and fish. I believe I am a bit more competitive than you, I do like coming out in first. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Sport will always have winners and losers... hopefully, sportsmanship will be the ultimate prize.
Thanks for your review.
Comment from kiwisteveh
Lisa, I enjoyed this tale of your sporting career and sympathise with your observation that the lack of killer instinct held you back from rising to the top. I suspect much the same could be said for writing - those who do well are dedicated to the point of obsession.
You write well - good error-free prose, sprinkled with humour and arranged in short paragraphs which I appreciate, especially when reading online. If there is a fault with this piece, it is that it meanders a bit - the paragraphs could be arranged with more focus on your main point. For example, the 'killer instinct' appears in different places, whereas it should become the 'climax' almost.
Do you have the writer's real killer instinct which is to reach for the red pen and start cutting the unnecessary and juggling what is left into a tighter, more intense piece.
I hasten to add that I am the world's worst editor of my own writing!
Steve
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Lisa, I enjoyed this tale of your sporting career and sympathise with your observation that the lack of killer instinct held you back from rising to the top. I suspect much the same could be said for writing - those who do well are dedicated to the point of obsession.
You write well - good error-free prose, sprinkled with humour and arranged in short paragraphs which I appreciate, especially when reading online. If there is a fault with this piece, it is that it meanders a bit - the paragraphs could be arranged with more focus on your main point. For example, the 'killer instinct' appears in different places, whereas it should become the 'climax' almost.
Do you have the writer's real killer instinct which is to reach for the red pen and start cutting the unnecessary and juggling what is left into a tighter, more intense piece.
I hasten to add that I am the world's worst editor of my own writing!
Steve
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Hi Steve, I appreciate your lengthy review and I agree with you... yes it did start to meander, I felt I was waffling somewhat in places. We can't see the wood for the trees sometimes, so thank you for drawing my attention to it.
I tend to think that obsessions are dangerous, a balanced life is more comfortable, but I am noticing that I am becoming obsessed with reading and writing since joining FS just 3 weeks ago, not going to bed until 4am far too often.
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I used to do that too, when I first joined. Actually I have a rather addictive personality. Maybe I should say thank goodness that real life intervenes and puts an end to the addiction.
Comment from royowen
As an Aussie I too grew up with a love for sport, and competed in a variety of sports, with varied success, however unlike you, my parents never came to a single event. I agree with you, Elaine and I went to modt of our kids sporting events, one of us was always there., (except their netball exploits, being outside, on cold, rainy nights, watched the poor girls from the car) I sometimes wonder about that killer instinct, but sport is important, it's really all about life, when all boiled down, excellent article, no spags detected. well done, blessings, Roy
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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As an Aussie I too grew up with a love for sport, and competed in a variety of sports, with varied success, however unlike you, my parents never came to a single event. I agree with you, Elaine and I went to modt of our kids sporting events, one of us was always there., (except their netball exploits, being outside, on cold, rainy nights, watched the poor girls from the car) I sometimes wonder about that killer instinct, but sport is important, it's really all about life, when all boiled down, excellent article, no spags detected. well done, blessings, Roy
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Thank you so much for your comments Roy. Good on you and Elaine for being there (I totally forgive you for the netball)
I found another supportive family with my hockey team, when my Mum died and I was just 15. Teamwork is a good skill to learn for youngsters, better than being a solo ego I think.
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One gets to know one's shortcomings in sport... I did anyway. Hah hah.
Comment from Poetic Friend
Good for you, Lisa. We should all be as athletic as you. I like that you are enjoy the sport as a hobby, and not necessarily for competitive purposes. You are quite a motivator for others to participate in sports.
I love your last paragraph. At least, you and the cat found good use for the equipment.
I enjoyed your story.
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Good for you, Lisa. We should all be as athletic as you. I like that you are enjoy the sport as a hobby, and not necessarily for competitive purposes. You are quite a motivator for others to participate in sports.
I love your last paragraph. At least, you and the cat found good use for the equipment.
I enjoyed your story.
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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Thanks for your review... it made me tired writing it, to think I did all those activities years ago. I doubt it will motivate anyone... probably when non-sports people see that the heading has the word "sport' in it they will flick to something else to review!
Comment from RodG
I truly enjoyed reading this because you remind me so much of my daughter. She had natural ability, too, as a teenage swimmer, but like you she did not like to practice that hard or truly COMPETE. She, like you, enjoyed the scenery when she ran and wasn't inclined to work that hard. Your essay is both engaging and informative and I especially like the slight self-mocking tone you chose. Rod
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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I truly enjoyed reading this because you remind me so much of my daughter. She had natural ability, too, as a teenage swimmer, but like you she did not like to practice that hard or truly COMPETE. She, like you, enjoyed the scenery when she ran and wasn't inclined to work that hard. Your essay is both engaging and informative and I especially like the slight self-mocking tone you chose. Rod
Comment Written 21-Jan-2019
reply by the author on 21-Jan-2019
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That is nice to think I reminded you of your own experience in your family. I never got into swimming because I didn't like getting wet and such awful hours, up too early, to train if I did that. I always like to get in early and mock myself before anyone else does... pre-emptive strike!
