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I have a good friend who is a die hard Oregon Duck fan...I think since before his birth! Over the years we have ribbed each other over the UW Husky/Duck rivalry (I am currently taking the brunt of all this). Several months ago we committed to getting tickets to this past week’s game between the Boise State Broncos and his beloved Ducks. It was a great 4 days of renewing our friendship, our love for golf (he got the better of this too!) and taking in 3 glorious hours of football at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Well, I guess it was only glorious for me. Wearing my blue and orange and surrounded by a sea of green and yellow, I yelled my head off for BSU most of the 4 quarters...and lived to tell (write) about it.

It can be an interesting study to take inventory of where our ‘devotion’ lies. At the beginning of the game Autzen Stadium was so loud that my ears actually hurt. I am happy to report that there were many stretches during the 2nd and 3rd quarters when the decibel level was considerably lower as BSU ran out to a big lead. But it was amazing to watch people’s emotions ebb and flow as the Ducks fell behind, then mounted a furious comeback only to fall just short. Some fans took the whole thing in stride. Many came up to me afterward and, in a gesture of good sportsmanship, congratulated me (as if I had anything to do with it!). Others had their day, week and maybe whole season ruined because of the outcome.

What is it that you find yourself devoted to? What is it that will get you emotional? What (or who) would you die for if push came to shove? Your spouse? Your kids? Your business or job? Your team? Your bowling or golf score?

I have found myself doing a little re-evaluation of my priorities lately. Good thing to do a couple times a year. Doing so brings more perspective and hopefully more real life.

By the way...my friend and I are still friends. Our friendship has survived many years of ribbing and will survive many more. Although, if I have very many more rounds of golf like I did last week playing with him, we may start going to the opera instead!!