I should have added this as a footnote but a Rebecca Lobotomy is where Rebecca Lobo throws a basketball at your head and hits you so hard it severs the connection between your frontal lobe and the rest of your brain.
I find it is fun to push back on dudes like that. Years ago, after Serena Williams had her epic meltdown at the U.S. Open (I think?) that made all the dudes clutch their pearls, one of my coworkers stopped me in the kitchen while I was making my morning tea. "What do you think of Serena's outburst?" I told him the truth - that I don't follow tennis, but that I had seen people talking about it and it seemed like she was justified in losing her temper and it was simply a situation where a highly competitive athlete lost their cool, no big deal. "Well, I just think it was untoward for her to act like that you have to show respect towards officials....blah blah blah." I looked at him and asked "Did you feel the same way when John McEnroe was regularly breaking tennis rackets and cussing out the refs? Because wasn't that like a hallmark of his game, his whole schtick?" He just stared at me with Bambi eyes, blinked and walked away. Yeah. That's what I thought.
Was watching my kids at gymnastics earlier this week and overheard someone describe their husband as "basically my fourth kid" and the urge to slip her Lyz's book was strong.
I am pretty removed from sports yet I loved the hell out of this piece.
Re: your haters.
After reading a recent newsletter I thought “well I don’t want to get divorced“ which led me to getting off my ass and putting another load of clothes in the washer. Those small moments - of which there have been more than one - breed momentum and change. Thank you for your work.
I loved this read, and I'm so sorry you're feeling weary from all of the toxic male fragility being slung your way. Glad you're being good to yourself. Snuggle into the darkness and rest, and enjoy its wonder (especially Monday!).
The cognitive dissonance of these men losing their shit over trans athletes, while simultaneously misgendering any female athlete they don't like (which usually means they're really talented) is stunning. I have taken to saying "so you believe people can change genders then. I didn't peg you for the type to think that." (Yes, pun intended.) It always leaves them sputtering.
Because just like you said that women's basketball isn't great just because they decided to watch it, a female athlete isn't trans just because you decided she's too good at basketball to be a cis woman.
Good morning Lyz-as a fellow work traveler, I empathize with the exhaustion. Take the time you need to rest and recover. Don't let the trolls get you down. You do great work!
IMO, Clark & Reese (and Audi Crooks!) are doing for women's basketball what Mia Hamm & co. did for soccer a generation ago. Their rivalry is awesome. Who doesn't like watching two titans of a sport go head to head?
As for Reese specifically, her candor is refreshing--and something desperately lacking in sports these days.
P.S. Airport bars have to be one of the rings of hell. And I say that as someone who's spent their entire adult life working in airports.
Hi Lyz--I'm listening to your OUTSTANDING book and it's like re-living my abusive marriage--and my holy roller childhood. Thank you for writing this. (((HUGS)))
Another great read , but I’m shattered that your kids have been weaponized in the book backlash. ( I plan to use your book for my Early Bird Book Club ‘share’ next month.) A little taste of Tay-Tay is just what I needed this morning. While I’m excited to learn who will be the eventual Dingus Champ, I am still unable to choose - they’re both worthy, just like all of the NCAA women’s teams have been and still are worthy of respect and downright awe!!!
I’ve been in that airport bar 🤣 Another brilliant take. I’m so sorry you’re bone-weary and the backlash is getting so creepy. We just can’t stop fighting. I don’t have kids so how can I help? The worst they could do is find old nudes, and I’d be like “Yeah, look how great my tits used to be!!!”
I should have added this as a footnote but a Rebecca Lobotomy is where Rebecca Lobo throws a basketball at your head and hits you so hard it severs the connection between your frontal lobe and the rest of your brain.
I find it is fun to push back on dudes like that. Years ago, after Serena Williams had her epic meltdown at the U.S. Open (I think?) that made all the dudes clutch their pearls, one of my coworkers stopped me in the kitchen while I was making my morning tea. "What do you think of Serena's outburst?" I told him the truth - that I don't follow tennis, but that I had seen people talking about it and it seemed like she was justified in losing her temper and it was simply a situation where a highly competitive athlete lost their cool, no big deal. "Well, I just think it was untoward for her to act like that you have to show respect towards officials....blah blah blah." I looked at him and asked "Did you feel the same way when John McEnroe was regularly breaking tennis rackets and cussing out the refs? Because wasn't that like a hallmark of his game, his whole schtick?" He just stared at me with Bambi eyes, blinked and walked away. Yeah. That's what I thought.
My mom played college basketball in Canada in the forties. Fuck that guy.
* "I told him that women’s basketball was great before he paid attention. It didn’t just become great because he decided to watch it."
Spot on. No notes.
Also, more Angel Reese and Juju Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo for the rest of us.
Love the burn about dunking Oreos.
Boo to the online people being assholes.
Was watching my kids at gymnastics earlier this week and overheard someone describe their husband as "basically my fourth kid" and the urge to slip her Lyz's book was strong.
I am pretty removed from sports yet I loved the hell out of this piece.
Re: your haters.
After reading a recent newsletter I thought “well I don’t want to get divorced“ which led me to getting off my ass and putting another load of clothes in the washer. Those small moments - of which there have been more than one - breed momentum and change. Thank you for your work.
I loved this read, and I'm so sorry you're feeling weary from all of the toxic male fragility being slung your way. Glad you're being good to yourself. Snuggle into the darkness and rest, and enjoy its wonder (especially Monday!).
The cognitive dissonance of these men losing their shit over trans athletes, while simultaneously misgendering any female athlete they don't like (which usually means they're really talented) is stunning. I have taken to saying "so you believe people can change genders then. I didn't peg you for the type to think that." (Yes, pun intended.) It always leaves them sputtering.
Because just like you said that women's basketball isn't great just because they decided to watch it, a female athlete isn't trans just because you decided she's too good at basketball to be a cis woman.
Good morning Lyz-as a fellow work traveler, I empathize with the exhaustion. Take the time you need to rest and recover. Don't let the trolls get you down. You do great work!
IMO, Clark & Reese (and Audi Crooks!) are doing for women's basketball what Mia Hamm & co. did for soccer a generation ago. Their rivalry is awesome. Who doesn't like watching two titans of a sport go head to head?
As for Reese specifically, her candor is refreshing--and something desperately lacking in sports these days.
P.S. Airport bars have to be one of the rings of hell. And I say that as someone who's spent their entire adult life working in airports.
Hi Lyz--I'm listening to your OUTSTANDING book and it's like re-living my abusive marriage--and my holy roller childhood. Thank you for writing this. (((HUGS)))
Another great read , but I’m shattered that your kids have been weaponized in the book backlash. ( I plan to use your book for my Early Bird Book Club ‘share’ next month.) A little taste of Tay-Tay is just what I needed this morning. While I’m excited to learn who will be the eventual Dingus Champ, I am still unable to choose - they’re both worthy, just like all of the NCAA women’s teams have been and still are worthy of respect and downright awe!!!
I’ve been in that airport bar 🤣 Another brilliant take. I’m so sorry you’re bone-weary and the backlash is getting so creepy. We just can’t stop fighting. I don’t have kids so how can I help? The worst they could do is find old nudes, and I’d be like “Yeah, look how great my tits used to be!!!”
Congratulations to Becky G!!!
It is the famous Barbie movie speech, just in sports.
I’m new to this Dingus of the Week column and it is balm for a weary soul. Also, Angel Reese is awesome.