If it makes you feel any better, I clicked your myspace link on your twitter page(hope you don’t find that creepy, and don’t worry, I’m not a a stalker, lol ) and from what I heard/saw there, you seem to be sublimely talented, and have looks to go with it too! So keep your head up, and realize that your sisters comments were more than likely derived from her own feelings of inadequacy toward you.

Don’t let ANYTHING get in the way of enjoying good Oilers hockey!

As for K-town’s post, I think you nailed it buddy, I totally agree with that analysis, good job on articulating it so well.

Ktown:

They basically make their innocuous division titles in the RECENT past more important while minimizing actual Stanley Cup Championships that were much longer ago. It honestly does remind me of my own little brother. There’s a significant age difference between us, and my accomplishments (and the subsequent attention I received for them) seem to have left him with a mild inferiority complex that he is now only recently starting to move away from (thank God).
The trouble was, I managed to make honor rolls, played sports, went to University, (and parents, peers, etc. made far too big a deal out of this) and so he always felt he had big shoes to fill as he went through. In his later teens and early twenties, he would flount some relatively simple accomplishments as evidence of superiority, while dismissing my accomplishments for some reason or another. It was only after I actually sat down and spoke to him about it, and explained that he didn’t need to compete with me on anything (he has a far different set of talents than I do – and in his strengths, he truly is amazing) and started recognizing his accomplishments in those areas,that he started to calm down.I find it very similar when dealing with Canuck “fans/trolls” that its almost like going home again (LOL). The nice thing is when you find some of those good fans, and can actually have a decent conversation with them, you find that they’re not all bad, and indeed, some of them have actually grown up a little.

I agree that the most common retort Canucks fans make in reference to our Cups is “what have you done for us lately?” as if that negates our past success.

I found your post both interesting and apt. I too have been struggling with the fallout from sibling rivalry. My sister is the youngest, and I’m the oldest. Similar to your story I went to college, then university, and had some success in my field. Severe struggles recently have halted my progress, and I’ve suffered a crisis of confidence. My sister is thriving now, and I believe, about to achieve something in my field that I’ve always dreamed of but haven’t yet realized. Obviously I’m envious. But to add to it, when I was working on a project last year, she said some very hurtful things about my work (I’m in the creative field, or trying to be), which I was already very insecure about. It’s not a secret to her that I’m a sensitive person. So, I’d like to be happy for her, but I’m hurt and angry and I’m not sure it’s fair for me to be “supportive” considering what she’s said, her lack of reciprocity in working our issues out, and her failure to seem even in the least contrite. I’m stuck in a quagmire of doubt and defeatism, and that isn’t her fault, but every time I think of her or her projects I feel awful.

…sorry to turn this into a couch session, your post just rang a bell for me, Ktown. My problem is starting to affect other areas of my life, like my ability to fully enjoy and appreciate fantastic Oilers games.

That brings up an interesting topic though, on many terms, specifically though “what makes a fan, a good fan”?. Many people who post comments all over the interwebs: youtube, tsn, message boards, the list goes on and on… are the typical “X team is lesser, with the thought of their team/organization being the pinnacle”. Simply “Your team sucks/negative comments go here”.

Then there are those who give a little more thought, this team sucks, here are some of the facts to prove it.

Then all the way to the “well-rounded” fan who has a firm understanding of the game and respect for other teams/players all the way down to the individual plays of the game. I’m not saying they are “Oh every team is good, and has their strengths and weaknesses” but more thought goes into saying something like. “Flames suck!” I think this well rounded fan would be someone like Lowetide. Anyways, just rambling on…

Sorry for the huge diatribe…