As you might well know, I come from a tradition-rich basketball school—Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!—and there are a few fellow interns who come from similar programs. In the spirit of intercollegiate competition and an effort to build on our camaraderie, I decided to found the 2008 ASME Summer Basketball League, which is comprised of five, three-on-three basketball teams: the Bridge Burners (my team, with Arkansan Eliza "Block Your Shot" Borne and Texan Marissa "Clutch" Carl); the Giant Squid (fiesty Holly "In Yo Face" Otterbein, Mandi "Whack-a-Mole" Woodruff and the one and only Boozin' Susan Elgin from good ole Iowa—which takes us to our next team); the Boozin' Susans (with NY-Times Nate Olivarez-Giles, Lesley "Pattycake" Patterson and spritely Spencer Kornhaber); the News Flashes (with Emilia "Amilia" Benton, NF Brigadeer Bridget O'Donnell, Megan "Make You Pay" McClure and Karen "Keep Away" Snyder); and lastly the Negative Nancies, who have at times in the competition have been, well, rather negative (with captain Jeff "This Isn't Gonna Happen" Dooley, Kristi "I Don't Like Green" Oloffson and Justine "I Can Keep Time, Too" Blanchard).
The first game pitted my team, the Bridge Burners, versus the News Flashed. Within the first 5 minutes of play, I decided to take the ball to the hole, as my defenders were getting pretty lax, and on my way down from what I thought would be an easy layup, I rolled my ankle, and since June 30, I have had a nasty right foot, which most of you saw over the Fourth.
In between the Fall—yes, it's capitalized, mostly because I was named Week 1 MVP—and the Fourth, I hobbled around NYC, propping my foot up on desks or computers when I could. After daily doses of 800 mg of ibuprofen, my ankle/foot has decreased in size immensely, with the exception of the outer bone, which is still puffy and looks like a knob. AKA horrible.
So, the newly crippled me taxied off to La Guardia Airport, flew that extremely boring flight to Kansas City—how I'm gonna make it to Paris without my mom's leg to sleep on, I have no clue—and landed to a gorgeous Midwestern morning, chock full of a slight wind, no clouds and an expansive sky: all the things I've missed being in the city. We embarked on Girard, KS, that itsy bitsy town of 1,200 or so folks set out in the middle of farmland. The last two times I've been to visit my family, I have actually appreciated it—don't misinterpret my quote here, but let's be real...Girard and me? We're definitely incompatible. But no, really...being surrounded by family you haven't seen in awhile, set in a place with absolutely no distractions...that really helps you clear your mind and relax. Lord knows I need to relax, I'm the most paranoid person I know.
But this weekend was un peu different. No, this weekend we had another apparently quadrennial Gardner-Weber reunion—I think I've only participate in one or two before this. Our Iowan relatives set out for Girard just like my mom, brother and I did, with visions of reunion activities, talk of our great- and grandparents' days of yore and eating scrumptious food. It was definitely a weekend to remember...
Friday was jam-packed with a very rough game of wiffleball, which I used to play as a child. I was team captain, and, with my second in command, Tammy, I came up with the name Team Ankle, paying hommage to the injury I probably shouldn't have been playing on—yes, mom, I heard you 80 times—but still had to do. We lost, 7-3, against Team Law, with its rules! lol...no hard feelings, I swear. We also had some exciting, and very interesting, karaoke at which I don't excel due to my fear of single in front of other, the same way Piper Parabo was in "Coyote Ugly." Saturday had some bloody mary action and a Texas Hold 'Em tournament, which I ended up winning, taking home a $50 purse, $5 of which went to my brother for the entry. It was a great game! I did a good bluff and also had some good hands, which really helped me.
All in all these past two weeks have been rather lazy, due mostly to my bum ankle, but also because I'm realizing that I don't have much time left in New York. It's crazy that as you start to get into the groove of things in these types of positions, you have to leave 2 weeks later. I love it here and wish I never had to leave! But, alas! I must and I will see you all very soon...if I haven't seen you already!
Love,
Chris(topher)
4 comments:
Very well written Chris. Enjoy your last few weeks in NY!
Ok Ok Ok... I'm over the fact it took you a few days to write! I'm glad your ankle isn't so nasty anymore! 2 more days until you get to go purse shopping for your list of knock-off seekers! I read your article on the real simple newsletter... look at you researching by calling merry maids :) Ok I'm done! Have a great and wonderful Friday and an even better weekend!
Hey Chris! This summer has gone by so fast. I can't believe it's already the middle of July. I'm sad that summer is almost over, but I'm also really ready to get started in school and meet some new people. I moved over the 4th of July weekend. I'm a city girl now :-) I got lost twice trying to find my way around construction, but I'm getting the hang of it. I think it's going to be fun.
Well I'm sad for you that you have to leave NY, but not too sad since you're going to France! The flight over won't be that bad. On int'l flights they feed you and they have movies, so it's not as boring.
Enjoy your last two weeks!
Son, this blog made me laugh, smile AND cry! Like Audrey said, it is very well written! One of the times I laughed was the mention of not having my leg to sleep on during your long flight. I will never forget that flight home from England! I am sure glad you and your little bro slept well! hehehe Be prepared the next time we talk on the phone to discuss that ankle! lol Yep, moms will ALWAYS be moms! Reading your newsletter entry and seeing your name really hit home! I am so proud of you and I am so glad you are having a fantastic time making wonderful memories! I am glad I helped you find the MOMA - hehehe. Love you and talk to you soon. xoxox
Post a Comment