By: Bogart Lipe
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
I recently got back to Ann Arbor from spring break a few days ago (the explanation for why I did not write a piece last week, as I did not have my laptop with me). It’s been rough. Miserable, really. I spent a week in 80 degree weather on the beach. It was marvelous. Paradise. Back in Ann Arbor? Bad things. Cold. Snow. I got off the plane and the first thing I saw: snow. The last thing I want to see after a vacation in a tropical metropolis: snow. I became nauseous and unsteady on my feet. I went back to class Monday. It was more of the same. I almost twisted ankles and knees on slush on the way to and from class. A few days prior I had to make sure I wasn’t twisting ankles and knees on uneven sand on the way to and from the beach.
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
The Pistons got back from the All Star Break nearly two weeks ago (the explanation for why I did not write a piece two weeks ago, as there was no worthy Pistons team news to discuss). It’s been rough. Miserable, really. The team had reeled off 5 straight victories after trading for Blake Griffin. It was marvelous. Paradise. Then after that? Bad things. Sloppiness. Complacency. Three of four games before the break: losses. Six of seven games after the break: losses. Seeing loss after loss made me nauseous and unsteady on my feet. I went back home and watched them from the comfort of my living room. It was more of the same. I almost hurt myself slapping my leg and pounding the couch out of frustration during Pistons losses. A few weeks prior I had to make sure I wasn’t hurting myself slapping my leg and pounding the couch out of excitement during Pistons wins.
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
My friends from other schools? Currently in Florida. Sampling the exact same restaurants, bars, and beach that I visited a week ago. It’s demoralizing. Yes, I want the best for my friends. Yes, I want them to have a good time. But I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s comforting sitting through a 7-9 p.m. class while people you know are on spring break having an incredible time.
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
The former Pistons whom were traded for Blake Griffin? Currently in Los Angeles. Winning games, amid excitement, and enjoying themselves like I did a few weeks ago. It’s demoralizing. Yes, I want the best for Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, and Avery Bradley. Yes, I want them to have a good time. But I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s comforting sitting through the Pistons winning 2 out of 11 while the Clippers have won 9 of 12.
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
It’s not the end of the world. Next year the University of Michigan has the same spring break as other universities in Michigan. Maybe I’ll go back to Florida a year from now. Until then, it’s time to save money and look forward to next year.
It isn’t easy coming back from a break.
It’s not the end of the world. Next year the Pistons will have Blake, Andre Drummond, theoretically a healthy Reggie Jackson, and a developing Stanley Johnson. Maybe the Pistons won’t yet again be cursed with injuries a year from now. Until then, it’s time to hope the team tanks enough to keep their pick (it would have to be in the top 4) and look forward to next year.
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