Statistics

During many sports broadcasts, commentators and the networks that employ them seem to relish the opportunity to present random statistics that may in some way relate to the event you are watching.  For example, you may suddenly be informed that in road games west of the Mississippi River after 7:15 pm, David Ortiz has a career average of .342 when facing right-handed pitchers.  Or that Kobe Bryant successfully makes free throws at an 89.2% clip against Eastern Conference foes whose starting point guards went to ACC or Pac-12 schools*.  Most of this data is generally pretty useless, however it often proves to be rather intriguing and has recently led me to contemplate statistics and numbers that actually are relevant to my own life.

The numbers and statistics I've considered in my own life are probably also pretty trivial, but they have caused me to spend some time recently pondering whether much of what I do every day is actually significant or vital to other people.

I recently heard an old Garth Brooks song and I became curious as to just how many times I'd heard that same song in my life.  10, 100, 1000?  If you extrapolate the fact that Rodeo is 3:54 of classic country bliss and conservatively assume that I've heard it at least 100 times, then I've spent 6 hours and 30 minutes of my short time on this planet listening to the SAME SONG! 

I've also considered some of my interactions with other people.  Upon arriving at work, church, or any other social setting, most of us generally exchange the same pleasantries that we always do with the same people that we always see.  "Hi, co-worker, how 'bout that weather?" or "Did you have a nice weekend?" are a couple of the phrases that I verbalize multiple times on a weekly basis.  Now, there is nothing at all inherently wrong with these types of comments.  In fact, it would be considered impolite if these interactions did not occur or were altogether avoided.  It's just interesting (at least to me) to muse over how much time we dedicate on actions such as these.

I don't intend to solely focus on how much "wasted time" I have accumulated through the years.  I'm also captivated by other "life statistics" that I am carrying around.  How many gallons of sweet tea have I consumed in my life?  What is the longest I have ever owned a pair of socks?  How many times have I swung a stick to hit a ball?  How many hours have I spent operating lawn equipment?    How many miles have I traveled in automobiles?  Or on foot?

What is my "Tongue Biting" percentage when I'm tempted to say something I shouldn't?  What is my world ranking in the "Ability to Prioritize Appropriately" standings?

Far more often than not, the results of my alma mater's football contests matter more to me than I should allow**.  Put into perspective, it's really a bunch of teenage boys that I have never met fighting over the appropriate location for an inflated piece of leather.  Sounds silly, huh?  I'm pretty sure some of that emotional energy I expend could be directed toward a better purpose.

The real question remains, however, about how would you obtain this information and what would you do with it if you actually could?  Would I be embarrassed to learn how much time I spend surfing the internet instead of enjoying playing with my daughter?  Would I do much about it?  I don't really know the answer but it has given me some things to consider recently.

I guess I could start with deleting the social media apps on my phone again.

* These statistics are entirely made up and only exist for the purposes of this post.

** I do not actually intend to completely abandon my support of Auburn University.  War Eagle!