That Guy

So. Today was the Hays and Maya's volleyball championships. Our team (optimistically called the 'champions') won second place. We played the crocodiles for the final game and they beat us in 2 games to 25. Hayley and Maya did FANTASTIC and played some seriously fierce volleyball. Maya practices every day after school and is mad that we have a pool in the backyard instead of a yard to play in... Both girls did consistently well. While the girls warmed up we couldn't help but notice an overly crazed dad in the stands YELLING and SHOUTING for his daughter's team (the crocodiles). He had a bellowing voice and made his existence known to everyone within 5 miles. He was all decked out in his metro 'weekend wear' including a tight black trendy screen print T and rockin' jeans. His shoes had big buckles (need I say more?) He was obnoxious and cheered even when the opposing team made an error. Let me digress -- these are third through fifth graders... about ages 8-10. Little girls that have never, ever played volleyball before...and mad dog toolbelt is in the stands shouting after EVERY play. I sat on the opposite side of the court away from the bleachers with other Hayley and Maya fans (thanks for the support guys, you are awesome for staying so long through the noise!) with the baby, so I couldn't go over to the stands and politely ask Trendy T-guy to SHUT IT. Between the first and second game Maya came and told me that the guy was too loud and bothering them. He even made 2 girls on our team cry. I overheard our coach ask the line judge to say something...another parent said she asked the ref to quiet him down...but no one actually said anything. Jake's perspective was that we will all run into jerks like this at some point in our lives... it's a lesson to the girls... (like they should be able to handle a grown man yelling and screaming when they screw up?)I told Maya we'd jump him in the parking lot, and someone (who shall remain nameless) said we should slash his tires.... but we didn't do anything... I suppose we didn't stoop to his level? I wonder if he even knew he was at a level...

After the game -- Maya said that all together they did the BEST that they could and they had fun doing it -- so it didn't matter that they didn't win...there's always next year. Although the girls were very upset about the loss, they kept it in perspective -- but we will likely always remember THAT GUY.

The one who had to make his presence known...who screamed at third graders...who acted like it was the Olympics. Who needed to be knocked down just a notch (or two).