Batsmen and Ballers, Am I really Avid?

Yesterday I was on Facebook, and though I realized that I have sworn off "time-sucks" for the new year, I ran myself right into a couple on a very quiet Friday evening.   I think that sometimes when you have a very busy November and December like I just had, you almost become stir crazy, when you have a weekend with no gigs.  So, here I was playing on Facebook, among other websites, last night and I saw an interesting status update for a colleague of mine:

Let's see how forthcoming my facebook friends are. Leave a 1 word comment that you think best describes me. It can only be 1 word. No more than 1 word. Then copy & paste this post on your wall so I can leave a word about you. This should be interesting....................

I decided that it would be appropriate for me to post one word about my colleague, and repost this in my status update.  I figured since I had 700+ friends, at least a couple of them would say something.  This is all about personal awareness and to me was more interesting than watching people post their bra colors for 2 days.

I received some very interesting ones.  My friend Russ starts off with "boob."   Great Russ, I was trying to avoid the bra thing.  I can tell that this may be rough.   Then the next two come in from Michelle and Michele (yep spelled differently) and they are both "talented."

Ok, so I get one person trying to prank comment my status update, and 2 friends with very complimentary, albeit rather vanilla responses.  Surely I'm not this boring, am I? The next few trickle in and I am feeling good about both myself and my friends. The following thoughts ran across my mind:

• I'm actually a normal person, and people seem to think positively about me.
• I am a creative person who has creative friends, and several of them got creative with the words they chose for me.
• I'm not the only complete loser that is home on a Friday night.

I eventually go to bed with a nice sampling of words, and a nifty pat on the back for not being a complete loser. (at least no one had the guts enough to say it to my face in a status update)  The next morning I wake up to two that I was shocked at for two completely different reasons.

The first of these:  Flirt  I am not shocked that this word was used with me...I am actually relieved that at least someone said it.  I was afraid I had lost my touch, as I kinda expected this (or something like it) much earlier on the list.

The second was: Avid   Now this one threw me off-guard.   I am not sure what I am avid at?  What does it take to be "avid" at something? So, I look up the definition.  According to Princeton, the definition of Avid is:

Adjective

• S: (adj) avid, devouring, esurient, greedy ((often followed by `for') ardently or excessively desirous) "avid for adventure"; "an avid ambition to succeed"; "fierce devouring affection"; "the esurient eyes of an avid curiosity"; "greedy for fame"
• S: (adj) avid, zealous (marked by active interest and enthusiasm) "an avid sports fan"

Let's look at the two definitions provided.  The first definition, I wouldn't say I am greedy.  Competitive, yes, but not so much greedy. Esurient means "extremely hungry or ravenous."   I think that for some things, I definitely come across as hungry. Excessively desirous might actually fit.   I actually like the examples. 

• Avid for adventure - looking to move to Europe, that sounds like adventure to me.
• Avid ambition to succeed - I am willing do everything that I can (within my moral fabric) to succeed.
• Fierce devouring affection - I will plead the 5th here ;)
• Avid Curiosity - this one is interesting.  Yes, yes, and yes
• Greedy for Fame - Not so much, more greedy for success than fame

So, definition #1 fits...what about #2

Zealous and marked by an active interest and enthusiasm.  I think at times I am definitely this...like well, being an avid sports fan. (or an avid craft beer fan)   I would be remiss if I said I was the perfect sports fan.  I had, until this evening, almost no knowledge of how to play the game of cricket.  Which is a major sport in many parts of the world.

I will admit I did a good bit of fast forwarding, but I did sit through the better part of a 7+ hour match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka so I could learn how the game was played.  There is nothing like picking up the Sport Section of a London Newspaper and not understanding 6-8 pages of it at all.   Now, my avid sports fandom, and ESPN 360 have given me a fighting chance.    I promise you, I will not be running out to watch batsmen and ballers again anytime soon.  I would rather watch paint dry.