The best time of the year has arrived once again, and for those who love a good fight, the ins-and-outs of some fierce professional competition, then no doubt you are as eager as I am to let the games begin.
I am of course speaking about the sitting of the federal house, and the Legislature here in the province.
I know, I know, most people will find the political debates boring and drab. But for someone who is motivated to stay as informed as possible about the decisions being made that will affect my life, job, and income, well, this is high drama at its best.
Sure, the Roughriders put on a good game. Of course the Flames/Oilers games are gripping and action packed.
At the end of the day however, whether the Riders win or lose, I still find myself unmoved by the whole sporting contest. That, and my life doesn't change in any appreciable way.
On the other hand, if the provincial government decides to under-fund healthcare, or the feds decide it would be a good time to add another percent to the GST, I will generally feel it in the not-too-distant future, and in a very personal way.
When it comes to sporting events, I've never really been all that moved when watching them.
Like most things in life, it is difficult to maintain an interest in something if it doesn't strike a chord somewhere in your heart.
No sport I have ever watched has managed to strike an emotional chord in me. While I watch others with envy as they scream and yell and become a part of the game, I just sit, watching as a distant observer, never really invested in the action in front of me.
Politics though, well, that is a different story. That is a sport I really like to watch.
I'm emotionally involved when I watch question period, and I find the arguments that flash back and forth to be entertaining.
I can quote you stats from my favourite players, and point out some great moments in 'poli-sports' history.
I have my favourite team (don't we all!) however I can still admire the gamesmanship of some of the opponents on the other teams.
There are even some I hope pull an injury for the season because they are too effective at blocking my team's offensive lines, or are too adept at shattering their defence.
Of course, let's not count out the fights! The times where someone pulls a dirty play, and suddenly 'BOOM!' the gloves come off.
Near the end of the spring session of the Legislature this year, the question period turned into a boxing rink as the captains of the two teams squared off over some issues.
What started as a series of questions rapidly degenerated into a free-flying fest of offensive statements and side-swung snide remarks.
Protocol flew to the wind, and the tone got nastier and nastier, the cake finally being cut when Premier Brad Wall made an innuendo-laden statement essentially accusing the opposition NDP of being unsupportive of the members of the Canadian military.
Throwing back in heated response, NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter responded by saying he wasn't going to take that kind of accusation from '. . . the little thief from Swift Current.'
Oh, the drama!
So while I appreciate that many find excitement and thrilling tension in sporting matches, I have a different arena than many where I get my excitement fix.
While the Roughriders may have a great year, and the Flames or the Oilers may make it to the Cup, I doubt I'll see much of that action as it happens (though admittedly I will follow the reports of scores and rankings and so forth with a little bit of interest.)
Instead, my action will be taking place on red and green carpeting, in massive arenas that were built to house a sporting spectacle that is arguably the oldest in the world; politics.
You may not follow this sport all that keenly, anymore than I do hockey or football, but I do hope that you follow the reports of scores and rankings and so forth with at least a little bit of interest.
After all, the winners and losers of the politics game can change the world around you, and unlike a football league, you can vote in and out your favourite players.
