u/coffeequips

Long shot: my family and I are shooting for a Legends of the Hidden Temple family Halloween costume. We'd love to complete the look by all having yellow or gold helmets, but I can only find them for ~$50 new and that's a bit out of our budget.

Has anyone already done this tried and true group costume and have an extra set of yellow or gold helmets I could buy or borrow? Or, does anyone just happen to have a set of helmets (ones that could even be spray painted gold...?) for any other reason?

Here ends my Hail Mary.

I’m in my 30s and live in New York City. I’ve never watched or followed any sport with any interest or regularity. I didn’t grow up in a sports family and the intensity of people’s commitment to sports always mystified me.

But, this summer I had friends invite me to bars to watch Knicks games and then World Cup games with them. Originally I went, as I have to countless Super Bowl parties, only for the social component. Asking, “so, uhm, who is playing again? And are there snacks?”

But despite myself, I got invested. I got caught up in the energy. Suddenly, I was gasping, cheering and putting my hands on my head (elbows out) as I watched the score against the clock. I had hot takes about fouls. I could name players. I read articles in The Athletic. If no one had organized a place to meet up to watch the game, I’d message the group chat to mobilize the crew myself. I became, for a moment, a type of person who had always confounded me: a person who watches sports.

I felt like I finally understood why people follow sports. How magical to be united with a community of people because you all believe in the tenacity of a team of athletes who have dedicated their lives to this craft.

Now that the World Cup is over, I know I won’t actually put in the work or attention span to consistently take interest in a team or sport. I was but a tourist in this culture. I would never steal the valor necessary to identify as a true fan. But I’m grateful I got to experience the feeling, and will now be able to better understand and appreciate my sports fan friends.

Thus this evening marks the end of the summer I turned sporty. It was fun. I liked it.