The Volleyball Tournament

Last year, our volleyball team had little squirt guns, a.k.a. opposition distraction devices. If we couldn't beat other teams with skill, we could at least get them wet. The strategy didn't quite work and we were soundly trounced in the first round.

We fared slightly better this year. We beat the first team and then were soundly trounced. I was pretty sloppy and my serves were inconsistent, but I also made some nice plays. If nothing else, the day sparked a desire to practice and improve.

I was watching the finals later that afternoon and remarked to G, "X was looking tired, but he seems to have picked up his game." G replied, "He'd better. Y is watching, if you know what I mean."

(An aside: "if you know what I mean" is one of my favorite phrases, mainly due to the Whose Line Is It Anyway? game of the same name. It's as subtle as a two-by-four to the head, but I like it.)

I knew what he meant. Earlier in the day, when I glimpsed a certain someone watching us play, I was undeniably motivated to impress and play harder. On the court, it made sense. But now, it just seems silly. I mean, could someone really be won over with a good show?