As I wind my way through life, I
like to compare my new ventures with old ones already experienced. And over time I realize just how much times
have changed, and maybe not for the better.
Here are two examples.
I recall biking through the sidewalks
of town when I was only five-years old.
I didn’t travel far because my legs were small and I had nowhere to
actually go. Sure, a quick trip to the
local corner store for an ice cream sandwich or six-ounce bottle of soda was
the norm, but those were the big adventures as a young’un.
In due course I progressed and my bike got bigger as I got taller, and the trips got longer. It wasn’t long before my mini jaunts evolved into twelve mile runs to work.
My bike days were something I
desperately wanted to end because now my buddies were driving cars, not riding
bikes. But that was for the reason that
they came from more affluent families that could afford to buy their kids cars,
and pay for high-priced insurance.
Because of my learned work ethic
and money saving gene, I accumulated enough cash to purchase a very used car
that was more trouble than biking anywhere.
Unfortunately, my dates weren’t interested in going out on a Schwinn. Alas.
Being back in the social swing of
things, my buddies were learning to play card games. Games such as pinochle,
rummy, blackjack, and poker, were popular back then, and the “guys” were not
only learning these games, they often decided to invent their own rules. Of course, those new rules were always biased
toward the rule inventors, don’t you know.
Once again, though, because of
all the new, creative card game rules – rules that would make Hoyle turn over
in his grave – we decided there were other more, civil and honest ways to enjoy
Friday and Saturday and holiday evenings.
Thinking back on those biking
days, I never thought about using any type of steroid to better enable myself
to ride further, faster. I relied on old
fashioned developled muscles to help propel me to my next two-wheeled trip.
So it was with interest that in 2012,
American bicyclist Lance Armstrong was stripped of his winnings in various
cycling events including the Tour de France.
Armstrong wasn’t the only bike riding guy to be accused of doping –
using illegal drugs to obtain an advantage over their competitors – but he was
the most infamous, and that ain’t good.
Cyclists and a sundry of other
athletes in most competitive events seek an edge to win-at-all-costs. This is not fair to fellow athletes who do
not use illegal and/or questionable products that enhance the athletes’ bodies
to outperform non-cheaters. Faster and
further and stronger are the results of doping, which is why those products are
illegal in competitive sports.
That being said, I also never
thought about using steroids when playing cards with the boys.
This is where I’m stopping
writing; I’ll wait for you to catch up in case you need to go back and re-read
this essay.
Some fellow named Geir Helgemo, a
49-year old card player from Norway
 |
| Whoa! |
Now, not being a medical
professional – and hardly being able to pronounce some of the medications I’m
prescribed – I can’t think of any benefit using performance enhancing drugs
Helgemo would receive. Sure, I realize
bridge is a very demanding game, but not quite on the level of slalom skiing or
long distance running or Olympic beer drinking.
But I digress.
Once again, I wouldn’t have
thought I might have won a few more poker hands with the guys if I used some
performance enhancing substances.
But if you readers have a clue,
please let me know. I’m really, really
curious. I’ll pass that information onto
Lance and Geir for you. Thanks.
