Those that know me personally are aware that for at least the last quarter century, the only Packer games I have seen live are those played in prime time; the day games I record for later viewing. One might suppose that such a practice indicates that I care relatively less about the fortunes of the Green and Gold; it actually came about because I was perhaps relatively too involved in the team’s fortunes. TLOML pointed out to me long, long ago – in exasperation tinged more than a bit with irritation – that when I watched the game live – an emotionally-raw 3+ hour experience, win or lose, for the true Packer fan – and the team lost, I was irascible for the remainder of the day and evening; I barked at the kids; the pleasantries of cocktail hour were sacrificed. I completely acknowledge the inexplicability of such reaction over the performance of a bunch of young men whom I didn’t know and who didn’t, understandably, give a whit about me.
Once I started recording the games, all improved. Unlike many who record sporting events and don’t want to know the outcome beforehand, I deliberately determine whether the Packers won the game I’ve recorded that day. If they’ve prevailed, I watch the recording; if they’ve lost, I erase the unviewed tape. On the days yielding unhappy outcomes, it turns out that my simply knowing they’ve lost, as contrasted with having viscerally experienced the loss by watching it live, has enabled me to maintain an even, even cheerful, demeanor throughout the rest of the day and evening.
Given the team’s success in the Favre-Rodgers Era, this approach has obviously still enabled me to see the lion’s share of Green Bay games, more than enough to assess that year’s team’s strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, this year, my viewing opportunities have manifestly been … painfully limited. An apparently woeful opening loss to Minnesota? Perhaps an unfortunate way to start, but a win over the Vikings when they come to Lambeau Field will fix that. But losses to the Giants? To the Jets? To the Washington … Whatever-Their Name-Is-Nows?
Having not seen the games, I can’t offer what the team’s problems are. It has Aaron Rodgers; it has Aaron Jones; it was supposed to have a decent offensive line; it was projected to have a championship-worthy defense. Clearly, some or all of these and other factors are not exactly executing as anticipated. The Packers now trail the Vikings by three games in the proverbial loss column, and although it’s early, currently aren’t close to qualifying for the playoffs. If Mr. Rodgers comes out this week and tells the fans to relax, the team had better be able to back his words up. In the meantime, when I heard of Sunday’s defeat, for whatever reason a certain well-known painting immediately sprang to mind. If we can’t revel in victories, at least we Packer fans can contemplate renowned art that captures our mood 😉 . The link is below.
https://www.edvardmunch.org/the-scream.jsp#prettyPhoto[image2]/0/
McCoy's Noise 
Jim, I’ve been recording the games, like you, for years. I made the mistake of listening to the radio while raking interminable leaves, and then, since they were winning, thinking I could watch the 2nd half. I lasted 15 minutes and then turned it off. Nope. Not gonna watch. I’m pretty sure I won’t be watching many games this year. Or next.
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