Spurs Tie With Villa 1-1

Spurs tied with Aston Villa 1-1. Query: Where is Aston Villa located?

I find a couple of things to be true. First, not really understanding soccer well, I can watch a game and see momentum and the quality of a team - like Spurs today in the second half. Yet, I have literally no idea why Spurs are dominating. Unlike basketball or football - where I can see the little things. I have no idea what those little things in soccer are. So, I can get crazy excited - more excited than watching the Huskers or Bluejays - watching Spurs. Today with my daughter sleeping and my kids running loose in the house. I suddenly shouted - GOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! - Spurs tie the game when Dawson struck in the 77th minute. I jumped off the couch and did a bit of a jig. I never do this for any other sport but soccer. When the Huskers score an amazing touchdown or do something insanely stupid. I'll clap (in joy or anger) and maybe say something like - "How about that!" But never the heart felt complete joy of a goal in soccer.

Second, on a parenting note, Tivo is ruining me as a parent. Today, the Spurs game did not tape because one of my sons threw his Wii controller in disgust this morning when my wife told him that he had to turn off the game. This directive from my wife came after an hour of Wii and just following the words - "We're going to go get donuts so turn off the ..." [My wife upon reading this post - said that Aidan did not actually throw anything and did not throw a tantrum. She said that he "pouted". But, the point of the story is not lost based on mere facts.] Not realizing his error - both in throwing the controller and in potentially ruining my afternoon's entertainment - my son threw a temper tantrum. This was not an epic one - but a small one that led to a Wii blackout until the boys had cleaned and played for two hours outside. Anyway, to the bad parenting part - upon discovering that my son had dislodged the Infrared reader that allows our TiVo to control the cable box and thereby preventing the TiVo from taping Spurs on Fox Soccer - I melted down. I think I may have simply banned all fun in the world. I can't remember exactly who or what I banned buy I pretty much told James (not even the one who did the damage) that he needs to take more responsibility for the actions of his younger brother re: the Wii. Therefore, Wii shall be banned until I decide that it is not. These types of ridiculous parenting blunders should be past me. I have five kids. But, I have one of these completely ridiculous self-centered habeas corpus moments about once every two weeks. I have banned my son (typically its James) from having friends over until after Christmas in October. I have told them that they will be forced to do their own laundry. Ridiculous. Generally, these sorts of statements don't come out in anger. Almost never is my voice raised. I am not preparing to strike my child down with a thunderbolt from Papa Zeus. Its like the Tom conversion factor goes haywire in my mind when trying to come up with appropriate consequences.

For example, they didn't brush their teeth tonight...Therefore, Tom Conversion factor - we shall ban them from the dentist forever. The punishment may be vaguely relevant - but typically its reinforcing the wrong messages and completely overboard. It just slides out of my mouth before I am even somewhat rational.

Anyway, Spurs tied Aston Villa and I was able to salvage the last 30 minutes of game watching. I apologized to my children (particularly James) and gave them Wii privileges after only 90 minutes outside. They played for one hour and when I said that they were done, both boys set their controllers down and thanked me. Coming from a crazy converter box like me, I have no idea where they get their patience and rational sense of purpose. Thank god for their mother.