At the end of 2016, Ohio State played Clemson at the Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix.  I had attended both of those colleges, and have a nephew near Phoenix.  Since I had recently had some good fortune, it seemed like the universe was nudging me to do something.

The idea was to take my Ohio State engineering nephew to Arizona to see the game and visit a couple of nephews.  Since I was loyal to both schools, I wouldn’t favor either team, but would cheer for all good plays.

By the end of the game, my Buckeye engineer looked at me just like this.

This nephew was enthusiastically cheering for Ohio State.  I was enthusiastically cheering for all great plays.  Ohio State didn’t have any.  Clemson won the game, 31 to 0.  The Buckeyes had a great team, it was just one of those extraordinary games.

My nephew and Sparky share a “WTF dude?” facial expression.  Both are stoic and even-keeled, and wouldn’t normally use that kind of language.   I would never want to disappoint either of them, but in that moment, they weren’t feeling charitable.

How did I disappoint Sparky?

I was going for a moment of domestic harmony.

I don’t feel like a bad person, but in that moment, Sparky wouldn’t agree.  I didn’t see the look on Sparky’s face until an hour later when I started on this post.  He really doesn’t think that Rusty deserves a little casual affection.

My nephew got over it pretty quick, and probably doesn’t blame me for the lopsided game.  Sparky will move passed it also.