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Milwaukee's Daily Magazine for Wednesday, May 23, 2012

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In Sports Commentary

The author says now that football season is over, it is okay to follow the Bucks. (Photo: David Bernacchi)

In Sports Commentary

Or, you could learn a new sport, like Charles Woodson. (Photo: David Bernacchi)

In Sports Commentary

You could always try to reach Ted Thompson and tell him what you think of his defense.

In Sports Commentary

There is always Marquette to follow... (Photo: David Bernacchi)

In Sports Commentary

Sledding is fun...

In Sports Commentary

...then again, so is prank-calling Shaq!

Is there life after the Packers? Of course there is!


Now that the Packers season is over and I realize that I really don't give a hoot who wins the Super Bowl, it's time to realize that there are other things in life besides Aaron Rodgers.

We've got a window here to do things that are important and fun. Here are the top 10 things to do now that the football season is over. Some sports, some other stuff.

  1. Follow the Bucks. I watched them kick the butt of the New York Knicks on Friday night. And I mean kick their butts. Remember when people complained that the Bucks didn't have any tough guys? How we needed to find some fighters to join this team. Well, check out Brandon Jennings, Beno Udrich, Ersan Ilyasova, Andrew Bogut and the ever-pugnacious Scott Skiles. I might not take this team to win the NBA title but I'd like them on my side in a rumble. Watching Jennings get in the face of and mock superstar Carmelo Anthony was worth the price of admission. Taunting, yes. But great, great taunting. Then to top it off, they showed that their defensive stats are no fluke by beating the Heat in Miami on Sunday night.
  2. Go sporting where you haven't sported before. UWM, Marquette, roller derby, the Wave, Admirals, MSOE hockey, high school basketball. You may or may not like it, but there's nothing like attending a sporting event you haven't been to before.
  3. Church. Remember church? The place with hard wooden seats. They ask for money, but unlike a ticket to a Brewers game, the cash is voluntary. You get to go even if you don't pay. Try that at Miller Park. Church is good for your pocketbook and good for your soul. A combination that's hard to beat.
  4. Go read a book. Remember books? They have weight and real paper and pages and ink. Go read "The Art of Fielding" by Chad Harbach. It's taken the reading world by storm. It's set in Wisconsin. It's got baseball and a great shortstop. And it's not about sports at all. It's about loyalty and friendship. And it's the best book I've read in years.
  5. Do a new sport. Go sledding with some kids. Play table tennis. Try walking with snowshoes. Go for a walk in a park. Shovel a clear spot and try to kick a field goal. Outdoor courts are shoveled so go shoot some hoops. Go play ping pong. Try ice skating. It's a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
  6. Visit a school and offer to volunteer for something. You can help with lunch or help with a kid who's falling behind in reading or math. It's not a rock and roll feeling but it will make you feel like a nice happy waltz. And the kid will be grateful.
  7. Fix something that needs fixing. It doesn't have to be a big deal. It can be as simple as a leaky faucet. But identify the problem, develop a plan of action, and make it better. The idea of standing back, holding your wrench, and showing someone how that damn faucet doesn't leak anymore is a source of great joy.
  8. Learn how to play a fantasy sport. I play fantasy golf. But there are dozens of fantasy sports out there. You can get real involved or just be a dabbler, but no matter how you play you can combine sports with a test of how much you know. If you don't let it get out of control it can be fun. The danger, of course, is that you may end up getting enrolled in Fantasy Players Anonymous, a 12-step program of healing.
  9. Pick some sports figure and try to get him or her on the phone. I used to do stuff like this for a living. Treat it like a game. It can be an absolute blast. You feel like Colombo or something. One clue leads to another clue and so forth. When you finally make the connection, the satisfaction is immense.
  10. Write a detailed letter to Ted Thompson. Don't make it grumpy or anything. Make it constructive and humble. Tell him what you think would help make the Packers better next year. Offer your suggestions, but make sure they're suggestions, not demands. See what Ted says when he writes you back.

Talkbacks

beefsupreme | Jan. 25, 2012 at 1:07 p.m. (report)

That said, I'm still fascinated by your style. It's a little sadistic, but what isn't these days? I laughed out loud when you mentioned snowshoes. I would thoroughly enjoy seeing someone walking through the park with some snowshoes on today. keep it up.

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beefsupreme | Jan. 25, 2012 at 9:49 a.m. (report)

no one punishes literacy like dave begel.

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Broner | Jan. 24, 2012 at 7:18 p.m. (report)

Thanks for the list Dave. I've just been staring out the window wondering what to do with my life. #5. Interesting that you listed several activities as sports that in other articles you've listed as not being sports. And someone tell me if I'm wrong - aren't table tennis and ping pong the same thing? #9. Stalk an athlete. Check.

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Aardvark | Jan. 24, 2012 at 3:54 p.m. (report)

"I really don't give a hoot who wins the Super Bowl" - haha old people are so funny.

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jfredmuggs | Jan. 24, 2012 at 3:46 p.m. (report)

Play guitar!

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