Monthly Archives: February 2009

The affect that Ed has had on me is a weird one, especially since we are better friends outside of school than we ever were in it. He had such an affect that it required no association on our part, just a drive for the same thing.

Besides Jim Holmes and I, I have never met someone who was completely obsessed with playing dodgeball when the tournament came. We all shared a passion for a game that most others wrote off as a pointless gym class activity. The game to us was much more than throwing a dodgeball, it was all about winning, and that is the way it should be.

As to the actual positive affect on me that Ed had, it can be summed up in an ironic phrase, “friendly rival.” This rivalry started minorly in my junior and his sophomore years in high school. We shared a second period gym class and were always pitted against each other in games, dodgeball included. He, to me, was a guy I loved facing in games. I liked even more knowing that once in awhile we were on the same side of the gym, combining our works.

The climax really came in my senior year and beyond, when I was captain of my team and Ed was on his team, the DP Snipers. His team had just won a game and was walking off the field as ours walked on it. For a reason I will never know, we shook hands as we passed each other. Our team went on to win that game but both of our teams would lose that year. This was my last chance to win the dodgeball crown, but Ed would have 2 more, both of which I was present for.

I visited the school three main times Ed’s senior year, once for pep rally and two for dodgeball tournaments. The first tournament I watched as once again Ed and his team came up just short. The second tournament I had the honor of returning as a player. I campaigned (successfully) to get an alumni team into the games and we were to play the winner of the tournament. As we sat on the sidelines, we saw the Snipers regain their old form from my junior year, the last year in which they won. Ed had been part of that winning team, as had 2 of his teammates. The time came for us to play the winner, and it was who I had expected it to be. I had spoken with Ed online the night before and we had ended our conversation with “see you on the court tomorrow,” both knowing it was the truth. This marked the first time we would ever face off in tournament play, a match-up I was looking forward to.

In that game, another fitting end came my way as I was eliminated by the old rival. This time I honestly felt honored in some small way to have been done in by him, knowing that he was the man on his team with the ability to do so. After our team had been completely beaten, Ed and I met at halfcourt for a handshake and I told him that I was proud that he won this tournament, he deserved it.

All in all, this may not be a piece that people reading can understand, but to me it meant something. To have someone that is your equal physically in so many ways, including left-handedness, was a pleasure. Alot of people saw Ed as a loudmouth who couldn’t back up his words with wins, but in the end he proved that to be false. I always kept my passion inside, choosing to do my talking through action. Ed was more outspoken but not lacking in skill. As good a player as I was, I never won a title, he won 2. Enough said.

Nick Delango and I became friends through the game of football. During my junior year of high school I wanted to join the football team and so in the springtime I went to the practices and workouts in order to become more accustomed to the game and playbook. Back then the Dover High School playbook was not what it is now. That year it contained somewhere in the ballpark of 75 plays, a bit too many if you ask me. My senior year it only contained about 13 plays, probably due to the coaching change that occured in the offseason. Anyway, I played wide receiver and thus in practice was coupled with the other guys at my position. The captain and longtime starter in our squad was Nick, who was in his senior year.

I was new to the team and learning the plays as practices went on, but Nick already knew them all so it was just repitition  for him. I don’t know if he noticed I was having difficulties or was just being kind, but he sort of took me under his wing that year. Through him I learned more about the game of football both academically and practically. He showed me how to line up properly, what each play meant and how to run the routes that came with that play, and that missing a catch wasn’t time to be upset with yourself. Through his tutelage, I became more accustomed to the game, even though I chose not to play that year, leaving the team shortly before the season began.

I would return to the team however in my senior year but this time I was most dedicated. I wanted to play this year all the way through, and made it a habit to make it to as many workouts as I could over the summer as well as participate in pickup games to better my skills. Nick had graduated by this time so his knowledge was no longer available for me to tap. I did, however, contact him on my own, asking him to help me with my workouts. He accepted, once again showing me his unselfishness and willingness to help me get better at the position he had mastered. I was forced to leave the team that year after making it through all of doubles. I came down with a weird sore throat that caused my throat to close tightly so I could only drink fluids for about 2 or 3 days. During my time away, the team had gone to camp and scrimmages and I determined that any chance I had of proving myself was gone after missing those things. Even though I did not show the results of Nick’s aid on the field, I took them to heart and made it a habit to learn and mimic them. For his work and devotion, I am thankful.

Number 19 on the list is a person who I have not spoken with since I was in kindergarten. I do not know where he is or even if he remembers me, but I remember him and his influence.

Chris was the first friend I ever made in my entire life. He was older than me by a year or two but someone watching us communicate back then would never have known. We came to know each other by living in the same neighborhood, having the same bus stop and riding the same bus, and having parents who let us hang out even at such a young age.

I think Chris and I were drawn to each other because we both thought what the other was thinking, always did what the other one did. My memories of his image have faded, but I remember all of our actions, most of which took place on the bus. We used to sing “Gangster’s Paradise” by Coolio every day at the top of our lungs and we knew every single word. I do not know why we did this but it seemed fun and no one else on the bus seemed to think we were annoying, so we just continued with our vocal displays. The only memory I have of us as friends other than the singing, is the one time he came over to my house and we did homework together then rode bikes. Due to him moving away I do not have any more information about Chris, although I did wonder recently where he could possibly be, but I am only free to guess.

I hold our childhood close because of the freedom we felt when acting out as we did. We were never getting in trouble or anything bad, just singing aloud on the bus. It is nice to be able to have such fun at such a young age, and experience a friendship that stays with you, even if the person doesn’t.

The countdown begins with the 20th most influential person to ever grace my life, that being Lakin Wood. This is one of many surprising entries I am sure. This is probably due to the fact that Lakin and I are not friends and have never been friends. We have spoken only once, ever, but that conversation stayed with me ever since. I am very good at recalling events from memory that people involved don’t even remember happening, my feeling is that this is one of those instances. Now for the impact itself.

When I was in middle school (grades 6-8), I liked to frequent activity nights at the high school. There was really nothing to them, just playing whatever games or sports were going on in the gym or dancing, it was one or the other. I was not a good dancer, and didn’t feel like embarassing myself in learning on the spot, so I always stuck to the gym and played basketball. I thought I was good, and maybe I was, but that night I learned more.

I was shooting off to the side by myself when a girl walked up to me. I didn’t know her but I knew of her. Her name was Lakin Wood and she was two years older than me. The high school students were usually chaperons for these events and I assume on this night she was filling that role, probably for community service credit. When she approached me, she told me that I was shooting the basketball wrong and proceeded to show me the proper way to do so. It was a simple little lesson but I listened because she was older and played basketball for the high school team. My shot wasn’t really affected that much, she just showed me how to better release the ball and to increase my accuracy a little.

For this little piece of knowledge I am thankful, because I play basketball many times per week and at the collegiate level. It is a game I have enjoyed throughout my life and continue to learn more about whenever I take the court. I thank Lakin for taking the time to teach a kid that she didn’t even have to bother talking to.