League night is a cornerstone of axe throwing. It's where you develop as a thrower, where you meet new friends, and where you find your excuse for drinking.
But it can get repetitive. The same throwers, the same matches. The same worn out joke that Billy tries to use over and over even though it was your joke first, and now he's worn it out like a size 8 sock put on a size 16 foot. It can get to the point where you feel like you're just going through the motions. Win against this thrower, lose against this one - get a soft pretzel between your third and fourth match.
But I'm here to tell you, friend, it doesn't have to be that way. With just a few little adjustments, it's possible to add some spice to the bland gruel of a repetitive league night.
MAKE A GOAL FOR YOURSELF
Sometimes, and I know you hate to admit it, it's easy to zone out during a match. Especially one you've throw for...what...the third time in a season? If you find you're doing more thinking about how you're gonna justify a second dinner with your partner after having a first dinner at the axe house than you are about your foot position, consider setting yourself a goal for the night.
This goal can be anything:
Only clutches on your non-favored side
Hitting the same spot in the bullseye for round 1, then a different spot in the bullseye for round 2, and while it doesn't really need to be explained (but you're still reading for some reason), hitting a different spot in the bullseye for round 3.
Trying to throw in the same way your opponent throws. But, you know, not like a jerk. Not like you're mocking them. Don't be a jerk, okay.
Achieving your highest average for the night.
Your goal can also be more ephemeral and far reaching. Something like achieving an XX% point average for the season or hold a beer in your off hand while throwing for an entire season or whatever. Something to add a new, interesting component to your season.
BE WEIRDER WHILE KEEPING SCORE
Scorekeeping is not the highlight of a league. At least at Meduseld, it's more or less a chore that only a handful of us are willing to do. But the truth is, the scorekeeper wields a power unknowable to mere mortal axe throwers. You can set the tone of the night. YOU, DEAR HUMBLE SCOREKEEPER, HOLD IN YOUR LITTLE, SWEATY HANDS THE POWER TO MAKE FOR A NIGHT UNFORGETTABLE!
Plus, realistically, it's a great way to focus in on matches and learn by watching other throwers. But that's not quite what I'm getting at here.
But I'm not here to give you really good advice, today. I'm here to give you nonsensical advice to get you out of the doldrums of repetitive league nights.
So next time you're scorekeeping, why not try to do your best sports announcer voice? Or try to make the throwers laugh between throws (not during, you prick). Or maybe you wanna go the exact opposite way and make it seem like this is the life-or-death match of the season for every single match. Whatever you do, it'll add some drama that otherwise wouldn't be found with a little, monotone this is the third throw or clutches called . Just go for it, babe. You'll enjoy it.
REMEMBER WHY YOU'RE IN AN AXE THROWING LEAGUE TO START WITH
This one seems obvious and maybe even a bit, you know, of a live. laugh. love. sort of suggestion, but try to remember why you're there in the first place. Hopefully, what you recall, is that you're there to have fun. To meet new friends and take joy in the goofy nonsense that is axe throwing.
I think it's really easy to get complacent in our hobbies. Joy turns to the desire to get better, the frustration of the plateau (real talk: 3 times to spell that correctly), and the reservation of just going through the motions.
Instead, try to be more present in what you're doing via remembering why you're doing it. It's not a job, it's not how you make money. It's league night: a time to step away from the monotony of the week and do something that has no expected benefit other than the happiness that comes from it. Remember, basically, that you want to be doing this in the first place (hopefully).
With these little tips, I hope you can escape the glazed-eye, conveyer-belt like feeling that sometimes comes with league night.
You can do a Shooter McGavin gun finger every time you hit a clutch!