Away Game

​Away Game
Michael McIntyre has a show on Foxtel called Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.  There is a huge studio audience.  He has numerous awards and was the highest grossing Comedian in the world in 2012.
The thing that made me want to write about him was a segment in the show called “Unexpected Star.”  It is to me an hilarious set up of people, and they end up unexpectedly on the stage with him.  They always think it is just a role they are applying for.
The one I saw yesterday featured a guy who had no idea.  He thought he was playing a part for a world record number of Santa’s going down a shute (chimney) in 10 hours.  Every other Santa was in on it, and the camera’s roll while someone is in rehearsal.  In this one, tests of vertigo were done where a person went on the second step of a ladder and answered questions.  Later they were spun around 15 times and threw darts into a board.  (His walk back to his chair was not in a straight line.)
What I really like is that the audience is in on it, and when the person appears unexpectedly on stage they hoot and holler and are completely supportive of the person who has been taken by surprise.  The person then generally finishes the show performing with an orchestra.  For most people it is the most people they have ever sung in front of, and the best production they have ever performed to.
Why it got to me when I was watching recently is that it reminded me that so often life is like that when it is a home game.  It is why in sports there are home and away games.  There is an incredible advantage playing in front of friends and family and a crowd that cheers for you.
 In the State of Origin when Queensland are playing in Brisbane it is a huge advantage for Queensland.  As it turns out Queensland seems to have the majority of the support playing in anywhere but Sydney.  Even people that do not care seem to want anyone but NSW to win.
A team playing at the oppositions home ground though is always different.  The other team has the home crowd advantage and the best that can be done is to take the crowd out of the story by playing better than the opposition.  The only cheer the away team is likely to get is when they make a mistake.
It seems most of my life is like an away game.  In Australia we call it the tall poppy syndrome.  So often it seems others want to see me fail.  Even some of those that support me, though happy for my success, secretly wonder why it is not them.  Often that is not the case, but it happens.
When I win away, I do so despite the circumstances and not because of them.  To me it all comes down to (taking out being obviously better than the opposition) wanting it more.  When I want something, I will put up with a lot to get it.  All may be against me.  It is not just a passive opposition but one doing their darndest to keep me from achieving what I want.
I reckon a lot of life is like that.  It takes work.  It takes effort.  But the prize is worth it.