Five meters in front of me, the mother of the goalkeeper was jumping and cheering. My daughter was playing well in her midfield role. I was 44, athletic, and educated, living in a village with about 5,000 people in southern Finland. My daughters, 12 and 14, played football, and my wife and I often met other parents from the village around the field. I lived a busy and joyous life, loving my wife and daughters and doing my...

Tuesday, July 27, 2004. Calling Your Fanboy“Hello, what a surprise. How are you doing on a hot day like this?” “What can you expect a teacher does on her holiday? She calls her favourite fanboy.” Laughter. “Your fanboy is missing your voice. Your laughter flickers like a mountain stream.” “You wicked charmer.” “I miss the stars in your eyes!” “You are impossible!” “And your soft lips. Mmm.” Giggle. I continued, “You are t...

Friday, September 3, 2004. Introducing TantraA couple of weeks passed without dramatic events. I had pleasant discussions with Tina at the indoor games, but no bold flirting. We had stopped coaching the girls because of the cold and rainy September. I was experienced in meditation and organized a practice group, but didn’t talk about it unless asked. Then a local newspaper wrote about it. On the next game trip, Tina bomba...

Friday, November 26, 2004. Girl’s Football CampSlush fell down from the low clouds on a gray Friday afternoon, covering the asphalt and sticking to the clothing. The smell from an old diesel engine was lingering as two age groups of football girls loaded the bus, heading to a weekend camp. My daughters, twelve and fourteen, were joining. Five adults were coming. The head coach had another skilled footballer, Reiska, to as...