From: Machias William Schoen
To: fishing@abacus.bates.edu
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 10:38:59 -0400
Subject: [fishing] A beautiful day.
Look around today as you saunter through the rain splashed quad, the dripping trees forming a protective covering over the glistening sidewalks. Look around you as the hour approaches, as 3 o'clock comes closer and closer, much like the proverbial White Elephant of Lore. At lunch today as you nervously nibble at your Asian Spiced Tofu, Grilled Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Hot Ham & Cheese Croissant, or perhaps your French Onion Soup, pause to reflect on your school year, and then if it strikes you as the thing to do, grab the nearest Person, and ask them the most serious question of your life; "Look, if you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted...One moment...Would you capture it or just let it slip?" And then if they don't understand, shake them, and regardless that it is a blatant 8 Mile quote, make them understand that at 3 PM May 25th, 2005, the year of our lord, members of the Bates Fishing Club will enter a playing field as... well, as men.
But when the ashes have settled, the cinders burned away, and the grate of destiny left cold and subtle, there will be a new intramural champion, and the 20 odd warriors who don the black and orange will be left with an emptiness in their life. No this is no emptiness from a loss, this is a void that can only be filled by greater victories, for this game is a pinnacle, this is the Mount David Summit, the Everest of sports, the Paris Hilton of ball games. This is everything that anyone has ever yearned for.
Now pause, and as the rain drips slowly down your neck, as your batting glove lies heavily in your pocket, reflect. Now rotate 360 degrees, and take in everything that is around you. (For best results be in the Quad) But regardless of locale think of the memories, the friendships, the happy times we have all shared. Now erase those thoughts from your mind and think of enemies, of a cruel burning desire to wreak revenge on everyone who has ever slighted you. Capture that thought, and carry it with you for the day. Your gaze is a smoldering, captivating beam, that although frightening, snares others attention, for a thing of unrivaled intensity is a thing of beauty.
This attitude in place, let your mind wander over short term, think of the academic squalor that is your mind, if you don't know what squalor means, then you have had a particularly good short term, try and account for every unhealthy decision, for as Roger Staubach so wisely says "Spectacular achievements are always preceded by unspectacular preparation." Treat this not as a quotation, but as a credo. Now go, and with wings on your feet, blackness in your heart, and this thought from "Amy: Fast-Pitch player" in your head. "Playing softball against me is as close to death as you're gonna get." Thats all, feel nothing but a lust for victory, for the final surge to the top.
So thats all. Feel no mercy, close short term with a proverbial bang, and let your bats be powerful, feet quick, gloves sure, and arms accurate.
For this is the reason you play, this is why....
"There's only so long fake thugs can pretend"
EX-ROD SQUAD ShortStop,
Current Master Baiter and Lurer.
Badge number 52347
This is Machias William Schoen wishing nothing but victory from cubicle
4113P,
1301 Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, 20046.
2 comments:
Just following Christmas dinner I read this aloud to a rapt audience. Everybody was thrilled.
That's passion right there son. Pure and strong.
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