Obsessed Fans

I have developed a recent habit of listening to the country station here in Pittsburgh, Y108. I have to do a lot of driving, so I purposely listen to it on the car radio. I sing and write songs, and for some reason, the country station helps me the most in this pursuit. I get better ideas for writing songs from it, and it seems to help me practice my singing better than other opportunities in my life. I also learn songs I can sing with my guitar. Church doesn’t help as much. During the Saturday night service at Round Hill, I’m too busy enjoying myself and trying to follow along with the words on the screen. Sunday’s service at the Sixth Presbyterian is more traditional. But I don’t know the hymns that well, and they are just a little too soprano for me.

I don’t even notice the names of the musicians on the country station. It turns out, however, that there is an obsessed female fan of a singer named Keith Urban. She lives in Latrobe. She regularly calls in to the station. From my limited experience, Keith Urban seems to have a very lovely voice and sing very lovely songs. This woman is not obsessed in any sick or criminal fashion. But her whole life is centered around traveling around the country to see this singer. She goes to great lengths to go to his concerts and get good seats. I became very intrigued by this woman and would just love to meet her. It got me thinking about whether I was obsessed with any famous person.

First of all, there is a golfer who I think is probably a big part of my life. His name is Phil Mickelson. He is a left-handed golfer, as I am. I have been a fan of his for many years. I think I probably spend many moments every week thinking about whether he is playing and where he is playing and planning as to how I’m going to watch it on television. He has definitely brought many interesting times into my life. I try to watch the other left-handed golfers also, but I pay particular attention to Phil. One time I was going to drive to Ohio to follow him around the course, but I got sick. Since then, I’ve made no attempts to drive anywhere to see him play. I did get to follow Steve Flesch around for nine holes, but that’s because he played at a nearby course. So, as important as Phil is to me, I don’t think I’m obsessed with him.

A couple days ago, I watched a baseball game between two teams I could care less about: the Braves and Mets. I only watched the game to see Pedro Martinez. I realized Pedro is still my favorite baseball player even though he is no longer on the Red Sox. I just love Pedro! And I don’t even like the Mets. I did drive to Toronto one time to see Pedro pitch. However, I really don’t consider myself to be obsessed with Pedro.

The closest I come to being an obsessed fan involves not one person, but a whole team. I think to some degree I am obsessed with the Red Sox. In high school, I used to run away from home to see them. I would take vacations to see them. I lived next to Fenway Park for eight years. When I moved to California, I went to see them when they played the Oakland A’s. I have driven to Cleveland, Toronto, and Philadelphia to see them. When they came to PNC Park, I stood in line for tickets and went to all their games. I really think about the Red Sox a lot, and I still love them just as much without the curse! Maybe more. I have a very hectic, challenging life and a lot of problems. When you start quoting Kevin Millar to people on what you have to do to get through your life, you start to wonder if maybe you aren’t a bit obsessed with the Red Sox!