football and conversation

david came home the other day saying he knew why guys liked football.  it has nothing to do with pig skin or muscles or face painting.  it's conversation.  it's the communication in the break room, the topic during lunch, the weekend get-together.  it's how and what men communicate about.  according to david, women have gossip, shopping, tv shows, and their kids; men have football.  men use so few words in conversation, it's nice to fall back on football.  david doesn't watch football.  i have a husband who would rather watch saturday morning cartoons than a football game.  i am not a football widow.  while he's delivering boxes, he'll always run into guys asking him what he thought about the game, or the pass, or the so-an-so player.  he simply responds, "i don't keep up with football."  without fail, he says the response is always a look of panic (translation: "what do i talk about now?!"), and then silence with a blank stare (translation: "oh well, i guess the conversation is over.").  

my problem is although i am a woman, i don't fit into any of the "female conversation" categories listed above.  i am at an utter loss when it comes to small talk.  i am not in any circle to speak of, so nix the gossip; i shop when i need something, and hate it for recreation; the only tv i like is what david calls my "death shows" (csi, murder mysteries, medical mysteries, etc.)...can you imagine a dinner conversation in that topic?!...and we don't have any kids.  i am awful at small talk and very often feel very awkward in conversations, even if you're a long-time friend.  

maybe i should take up football.