About Katie (and football)

This blog is in honour of the football (AFL) grand final this weekend.

The final is between Geelong and St Kilda. I had to look that up. Twice. Because seriously, i have less than zero interest in sports. However my dad use to play and so i know stuff about the game. Even though i don’t want to. Surprisingly that knowledge comes from my mum, who as far as i know has never played a game in her life. Odd how some women can be fanatical about a game they have never played. My dad can take it or leave it. Like my mum, Katie, Claire...i KNOW about you and Richmond Football club Claire.

Sorry. Got distracted. This story is about Katie. She goes for Geelong.

Last weekend i went shopping for my mother’s birthday. She was turning 60 and i had to find a very nice present indeed. As exciting as tales of me shopping might be this is not what this blog is about. Oh no. It is about Katie. Katie is my sisters’ mother-in-law. She is a little bit mad i think. However I like her and anyway we are all going to be like that when we get old. Well, i will be. This story is about Katie. Who goes for Geelong.

So. We took her shopping with us. She wanted to buy some MORE football decorations. Seriously. One of her grandchildren had hidden her football themed Christmas decorations and lights. It is September. Not even remotely Christmas decorating time. For all none AFL supporters there is a special day every September known as “the one day in September”. The date varies. However it is clearly NOT Christmas time. Katie really, really likes her football. Along with flags, bunting, cushions, posters and streamers she wanted to put up her Christmas decorations. This is because her husband won’t let her put them up at Christmas. Not because it is tacky and a little creepy but because he supports another team.

I bring this up because i think there are a lot of people like Katie. Who own all sorts of paraphernalia to support their team and who also like to dress up. She was talking of getting her fingernails painted blue and white. My sister pointed out that she would probably paint her face if she could find someone to do it for her.

The question i want answered is HOW is this different from say, oh i don’t know, a startrek fan. One who might like a few DVDs and bits and bobs and also likes to dress up? How? Not very much at all me thinks. Yet as far as i can tell it is still socially unacceptable to decorate your house or yourself after your favourite tv show. It would be really hard for me as i don’t have a favourite tv show (or film). Really, i think there is very little difference.

One day i might write a movie or novel about this. No i won’t. We all know i won’t but someone should. To make those football people realise that they are not different from sci-fi fans at all. And please don’t give me crap about it being “sports” and “outside”. It is not like Katie ever played football (she is like 70 or something so is not likely to play now).

Anyway in the end she bought a flag (but complained because the stick part wasn‘t long enough) and a poster. I did not look at the poster.

BTW i got a nice book and porcelain for my mum. Not spectacular but it is always tricky for the woman who has everything. Especially as what she most wants is for my dad to finish her unsuit bathroom. No one can help with that.

www.afl.com.au