Crying, empathy, flowers, parental leave, dressing up, fun and frivolity, underdogs, black tie dinners, and winners.
This isn't a summary of the next Shortland Street episode. This is New Zealand sport at the moment.
We love sport because it is unpredictable - the underdog can win sometimes - and because there are so many emotional highs and lows in the build-up, the warm-up, the heat of the moment, at the prizegiving afterwards, and at the awards evening months later.
If you missed the emotional outpouring live, you can read, see, or hear about it later through the media.
Sport is one of the few places in modern society where emotion is on public display and I love it. I thought it was an amazing battle between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, and Federer's tears showed how intense it was.
Nadal is one of those athletes who can blend masculine and feminine traits together and no-one blinks an eye. He apparently admitted wishing on a flower petal after the marathon battle he had in the semifinals, and he also felt empathy for Federer after the final.
Memorable sporting moments are always full of raw emotion: Michael Campbell winning the US Open and looking up at the sky before pulling his cap over his eyes; Valerie Vili's triumphant gesture and eagerness to share the moment with her coach, Kirsten Hellier, in the crowd in Beijing; and the look on Dan Carter's face when he came off injured in the World Cup final (wish I could forget that one).
Those images are etched in my memory forever.
That's why we cheer for the underdog: the Kiwis winning the league world cup; the Evers-Swindells' photo-finish at the Olympics; the Highlanders in the Super 14.
Come on Southern Men, prove those critics wrong.
It sounds like the Blues are having a challenging time with injuries (expected in a contact sport) and parental leave (not so expected), so there is a chance to beat them perhaps?
What were the Blues players up to nine months ago? I think someone needs to sit those boys down and tell them about the birds and the bees and about planning things so that they're not all off on parental leave or birth watch at the same time.
How things have changed.
I can't ever imagine the likes of Colin Meads or Jock Hobbs taking time out from their rugby commitments to be at their partner's side during the birth of a child.
Do I think it is ruining sport? No. I think people who support, watch and consume sport these days want more than a cardboard cutout athlete.
They want someone who expresses their emotions, who has a life (and a lifestyle) outside sport.
So, if our athletes and coaches express themselves in an unrehearsed and spontaneous way, it's entertaining. This is why I love the Wellington Sevens.
I've been to many rugby matches and sometimes New Zealanders can take themselves too seriously as spectators. Although black is our national colour, it can set a rather sombre mood, too.
For one weekend rugby fans, party goers, lads and ladettes, and men or women going through midlife crises can get out the fancy dress box and let go of their inhibitions.
No stiff upper lips, no serious endeavours, just lots of smiles, fun and frivolity.
If you're heading to the Cake Tin this year, say hello to the 300 Spartans, Borat mankinis, KFC Colonel, and Doctors and Nurses and wish Kenya all the best in the final for me.
Hey, it is sport, and you never know - the underdog may just win.
