There are so many commercials these days that star Sports Figures. Sometimes I recognize them, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and a handful of Basketball Players I love. Those guys I recognize and maybe even understand why they are in the commercial.
But this one commercial I've seen several times. Two men were sitting at a bar talking about the World Cup. Then an older gentleman at the end of the bar spoke up with a line that was obviously supposed to mean something. It didn't. At least not to me.
I figured there had to be a backstory, so I asked ChatGPT who he was. Turns out it was Mike Eruzione. Still didn't help.
Then I learned he was the captain of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team—the "Miracle on Ice" team. His line in the commercial was a wink to one of the most famous moments in sports history.
Suddenly... I got the commercial. I knew it was a soccer commercial. I didn't realize the punchline belonged to hockey.
Now, I realize many of my Canadian friends and those of you from hockey country are probably smiling right now. You're thinking, "Barbara...everybody knows that." Apparently not everybody.
But that's one of the things I enjoy about getting older. I no longer mind admitting what I don't know. And even better, I have the time and the inclination to look it up. Because ten minutes later, I usually know a little more than I did before.
I started out watching a soccer commercial. I ended up reading about Olympic hockey and learned an interesting story.
It may have taken 10 minutes to read about it, but it has given me an afternoon of enjoyment. Now if somebody asks how my day was, they are going to learn more than they asked for about commercials, Olympic hockey and how much you can discover without ever leaving your arm chair.
I've always been curious. I owned multiple dictionaries, World Books, etc. That was pre-internet, of course. Now I can open a tab, ask ChatGPT about something and a whole world I knew nothing about opens to me.
This, for me, has been the answer to what am I supposed to do in my retirement. Because I am old and broke and limping along, I am hindered in fulfilling many of my desires but give me an internet connection and I'm Alice down the Rabbit Hole.
I think being curious is a great trait to have! It enables us to learn and to enjoy learning new things! You may not believe this, but I don't know what ChatGPT is....yet! LOL! Yes, I am still in the dark about some of the new stuff, but eventually I will get into the loop, I am sure! It isn't that I don't want to know, it's just that I haven't yet had the opportunity to explore it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing.
Linda, I accidentally found it while Googling something else. I was very timid at first. I have different friends and families with different thoughts on it. My sister thinks Mark Z is recording everything I say. Good, he needs to know why castles are so interesting. My daughter said she didn't think I'd use it but to try. Another person I know uses Chet or Chad or something like that. You've got all the time in the world to delve into it when you're ready.
DeleteHi Barbara, thank you so much for sharing this. One of the bloggers I follow is an elderly woman....not sure how old she is, but she is older than me! (I will be 70 in October). She amazes me! She lives in Belgium in a seniors' residence and ia a delightful lady. She takes a photo of hers and does something with it...not sure what, but she uses some kind of editor. For example, if she has a picture of a cat...she will (either type or say something) say what she wants in the photo. A beach, clouds, whatever she wants, and it will change her photo and she shares it on her blog! I told her she is amazing, that I haven't yet learned this. And Barbara, I am also timid about this new stuff! But if I take some time and do like you did, I might be able to discover things that I wouldn't have otherwise. If I do get to do this, I will happily share it on my blog, even for a laugh, if it ends up being that! Thank you so much for sharing.
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