The beautiful game
I've supported Arsenal for as long as I can remember. There's a particular kind of loyalty required to be an Arsenal fan — an optimism in the face of repeated disappointment, a belief that next season will be different — and I've developed it thoroughly over the years. The beautiful game, in every sense of the word.
Playing is a more recent passion. I came to it properly as an adult, which means I have enormous enthusiasm and am building the skills to match. There's something brilliant about being a beginner at something physical — it's humbling in the best way, and every small improvement feels significant.
Why sport matters
Sport has always been part of how I make sense of the world beyond the lab. The discipline, the teamwork, the physical satisfaction of moving your body well — these things matter. Running around a pitch with other people, chasing a ball with no particular scientific objective, is one of the most effective ways I know to switch off and just exist in the present moment.
Whether playing or watching, football is a constant thread. The fact that I now live in a country that calls it "soccer" remains something I'm working through.
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