This is topic The head of my division is having a football-watching party - should I go? in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.
The head of the IT division (my boss's boss's boss) is having a party at his house to watch the OU/OSC Orange Bowl. I'm trying to decide whether I should go.
Con: 1. I don't know what OSC stands for, and I think "Orange Bowl" is a ridiculous name, emblematic of a ridiculous system for determining a champion.
2. The last time I went to a football game, I discovered that you can make a gummi bear make 79 different actions/expressions (Sad Gummi, Praying Gummi, Disco Gummi, Yoga Gummi). Halfway through, my roommate blessedly allowed me to read my book. In other words, I don't enjoy watching sports.
3. It makes me nervous to have my worlds mix, and I have a different personality socially than I do at work.
Pro: 1. It seems vaguely like a good career idea - like playing tennis or golf or going to the company picnic. You're supposed to do those kinds of things in your job, right?
2. I like the division head personally. He's funny and has always treated me well and with respect (except for the time he introduced me socially to the Chief Scout Executive with "This is Kate Pilkington - she's not married yet." He's LDS, knows that I am, and is mystified. I have to chosen to decide it was funny.). When some new tech guys rejoiced when they found out there was a tech-writing team with “It will be so great to have a secretary,” the division head went off, defending our professionalism and letting it be known that we were to be treated as such. It was great.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
I meant USC, I think. Dang, talk about muscle memory. Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
That's probably USC, kiddo. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
quote:Halfway through, my roommate blessedly allowed me to read my book. In other words, I don't enjoy watching sports.
DOn't go then. Good career moves are hard to pull off when you're bored silly, and reading probably won't be an option. He sounds like he's just being friendly, and if he's a football fan, he likely won't notice too much who's there.
Unless he's trying to set you up with his nephew.
Dagonee P.S., it's "USC" - University of Southern California.
Posted by Sara Sasse (Member # 6804) on :
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Doh, a minute late.
Posted by zgator (Member # 3833) on :
Do you have any idea whether this will be a real football party full of people glued to the set or more of a social party with the football game as a reason?
Most football parties I've been to seem to be more of the latter. In that case, it won't make much difference if you don't watch the game.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
What zgator said, can you ask him who else is going?
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
But, really, read your post. Does it sound like you want to go? Your pros are furthering your carrier, qualified by words like "vaguely" and asking us if it would work, and that you like the lead dude. Qualified with that moment where he was both insensitive and pushed one of your red "annoy Katie" buttons in public. Hardly a glowing endorsement for going. I'm not saying you should defend why it would be fun, if these are the first two reasons you came up with for why you should go and that's how you chose to phrase them it sounds like you'd be happier giving it a miss.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
You're probably right.
[ December 16, 2004, 12:17 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :
Katharina, what zgator said.
Personally, I can't watch football unless I'm interested in the teams. But I've been known to enjoy football parties where I don't care about the result, because the company was fun. But, then, I like sports more then you do.
Talk to your division head.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Ignore the game. Go for the party. Eat a lot, joke around, and have fun.
And cheer for whoever's playing against USC. I don't like them. Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
I've never been to a "football party" where interest in the game lasted for more than the first quarter--and perhaps the last two minutes if the game was close.
Learn these phrases and you'll fit right in with the guys:
“Wow. Nice block in the backfield.” “Oh, come on! That was TOTALLY pass interference!” “He’s a good option quarterback.” “That was NOT offsides. The center totally drew him.” “They’ve gotta start converting third downs pretty soon.” “Should have gone to the sidelines and stopped the clock.”
Of course, you have to know when those are appropriate. But it’s good practice nonetheless. Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
It could be an adventure. Do you like the people you work with?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Kat, its going to be like the fairground on the night before OU-TX... It's your choice, but I don't think you'll have fun, if you don't already "get" it and it is possible you will be "wittnessed" to by someone trying to help you "get" it.
And, if you do go, don't use a "Vinnie Testaverde" reference because even though he won a Heisman, he's also one of the Dallas Cowboy QBs at the moment and not a terribly popular one.
AJ
rotfl, I just realized Kat will understand everything I just wrote except most of the football references, and everyone else will understand the football references and not everything else!
AJ
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
I am not interested in either sports or tv commercials and I usually have fun at Superbowl parties. I've never been to one where people were very serious about the game, though.
Posted by Dante (Member # 1106) on :
Yeah, if they're just using football as an excuse to have a get-together, go ahead.
However, if it's really a football party, don't go. It's very annoying to have aggressively bored, sighing, muttering people around while you're trying to appreciate the game.
Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :
Who else is going?
Is it going to be mainly management types or will there be a sprinkling of grunts as well?
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
This is the e-mail, and it was sent to the whole division.
quote:Disclaimer: My wife is working on this night. Although I have received her approval to go this alone, she - knowing the limits of my abilities to entertain, particularly when I am watching OU play football - is very skeptical on how this will turn out.
Having said this, I will host a "come and go" open house Tuesday, January 4, 7:00 PM onwards. My address is 676 Cherry Street, Grapevine, TX 77790. The PRIMARY purpose of the party is to watch the OU/USC Orange Bowl match up. But I suppose we could have some food, fun and conversation go along with it. Just be aware that if OU is losing, I won't be the best choice to converse with!
I will provide all the finger foods - pizza, sandwiches, chips, dips - and soft drinks. If you have a special request please let me know. As far as alcoholic drinks, the rules will be BYOB and drink responsibly.
Please RSVP via email with the number in your party if you plan to stop by.
I look forward to seeing all who can make it.
In additional information, my boss's boss (instead of my boss's boss's boss) had a party a month or so ago and I didn't go. I was planning on it (he is someone I like very much), but frankly, I completely forgot about it on that day.
I also like the people are work with, but there really isn't anyone that I'm close to - that'd I'd hang out with outside of work. I'm by far the youngest and don't have a lot in common.
[ December 16, 2004, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: katharina ]
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
Well, it does sound like a pretty football-centric event. However, since he mentioned 'come and go', you could always just make an appearance and jet to something more enjoyable for you if you aren't having fun.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Learn these phrases and you'll fit right in with the guys:
“Wow. Nice block in the backfield.” “Oh, come on! That was TOTALLY pass interference!” “He’s a good option quarterback.” “That was NOT offsides. The center totally drew him.” “They’ve gotta start converting third downs pretty soon.” “Should have gone to the sidelines and stopped the clock.”
Why do I have this mental picture of Scarlett Johansson repeating "We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient" under her breath over and over?
Posted by Dante (Member # 1106) on :
Hey, Tick has a great point. Arrive sometime during the first quarter, hang out and say hi for fifteen or twenty minutes, then leave.
Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :
I agree with tick and dante. And, if there are other bored people there, you can hang out by the munchies and chat with them while ignoring football. If not, then you can leave.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote: Why do I have this mental picture of Scarlett Johansson repeating "We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient" under her breath over and over?
But wasn't it Adam who had that line?
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Yeah, but when I imagine kat, I tend to picture Scarlett Johansson*. Not exactly a natural stand in for Jayne, but what can you do?
*As she looked in Lost in Translation, anyway. She seems to be surprisingly changable in her appearance.
Here is how I imagine her looking in her typical conversations with Mr. Squicky.
[ December 16, 2004, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Noemon ]
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
Kat, thanks for posting the address, I'm so there!
All joking aside, are you sure you want his address on the internet?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
You know, you could always go, and when they ask who you want to win, say, "I don't know very much about sports, I'm just here to hang out with you guys." They find that endearing for some reason. Of course, they will try to teach you what it's all about, whether you care or not... That's why it's nice to have a "prior engagement" arranged, so you don't have to stay past the boring part, which I'm sure will be acceptable, since it's a "come and go" type thing.
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Punwit, I'm hoping you come to the party. Go ahead and MapQuest the way right now.
----
KQ, I have to admit that I'll pretend interest in some things for the purpose of holding a guy's attention (No sweetie, not you, you know I love to hear about the relative merits of different computer languages.), but I draw the line at sports. The price of faking attention for sports is that you are eternally subjected to talk about sports, and it's just. not. worth. it.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
All the more reason for the "I'm just here to hang out with you guys" line.
[ December 16, 2004, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: ketchupqueen ]
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
No offense was intended. If you have no qualms then neither do I. Alas I'm afraid I fibbed when I indicated I could attend. If you go, hoist some punch for me.
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