AWVP

Sunday funday AAR. I cannot speak about sekrit things I did not see. But I was sekrit adjacent today.

Showed up about 30 min early so as not to rain on anyone’s parade, but still to see if I can hang and have something to contribute in the land to tall trees and supersonic serves.

I don’t think I’ve ever played with Aaron, if so maybe once? Same with Forrest (hit Forrest, hit). Both were super impressive. MVP performance goes without saying, but I’m saying it. Scully, LJ, and yours truly filling out the lineup. I think all would agree this is kinda a small ball lineup, especially given the competition. Puzzle pieces of the team had to come together and stay together in short order. Photo is up, so you know what happened.

I want to thank my teammates for the opportunity, even LJ : )

For the record, I don’t think LJ is a bad player. I don’t think we play particularly poorly together. Quite the reverse most times.

We just have certain philosophical differences that I will get to shortly and a loud and bossy reputation that makes him the traditional heel in these narratives, although Baker is giving him a run for his lipping.

The sheriff, who once played in this league and hope will play again, once termed watervolleyball to be sublime, and inexplicable. I have found this to be true.

There is also a Japanese word in play here to those transitioning to a water game: Modiki—same, but not the same. There are things you can do in water you can’t do in sand, and vice versa.

One truism is that the ball always goes where you put it.

But how do you learn where to put the ball? Maybe by getting to play, then by getting to play with good players?

Something we need to revisit. I was lucky enough to go 3 straight coming in cold due to the performance of my teammates.

I then sat a bunch of games, because there were people coming in who hadn’t played a single game. I hope we can all agree that people who haven’t played a single game take precedence over someone who has sat 1 or 2 or even 3? Getting into the weeds here, but driest of the dry should always be next. I’ve never seen that be a problem if some of our better known players show up in an opportune fashion when a game is about to start. So it kinda needs to be that way across the board.

Inclusion is hard. Playing with people you don’t know is hard. My philosophical argument is that it’s worth it. And the right thing to do.

My oath that I gave to Tbone when he let my homeless wastrel pirates into Riata remains the same: we will make your game better by providing better players than you have right now, and I will help with administration. I serve at the pleasure of the residents.

And boy howdy, there are some new residents coming in. This is good. Goes to longevity of the game at the exclusive resort community which is currently the one and only watervolleyball obstacle worth playing on—sorry Skyridge/skyline, I hated that court.

Since I’m often nervous on the service, I can’t imagine how scary it must be to break into this group these days.

But I maintain people need a chance. I saw players get better today when surrounded by more skilled players. Jorge comes to mind with some good sets.

I saw 3 dynasties today. Not so much from superteams but from mixed ball. Ain’t nothin wrong with that.

In terms of inexplicable, Khalid did a couple of bicycle kick serves. That was impressive.

Let me close with this. A long time ago, in an Argosy complex far far away, while really high on drugs I don’t do anymore, I had a dream that was ball. I want to be Johnny Appleseed, plant the concept of watervolleyball as a sport as far and wide as possible, do it well, and make it generational. This was not met with general agreement.

But I am stubborn, and being stubborn has allowed me to witness many miracles. Austin climbing the ladder in the Dallas challenge.

Boston Bruce’s kid, who was barely big enough to stay above water. We called him baby Bruce. Next thing you know, he’s 6’4 college pitcher and kicking ass: “don’t call me baby Bruce”

We had a couple of daughters today who are getting close to ready to play. Karina got 3 good serves over today.

Opinions vary. Maybe I’m a poopy head for thinking the way that I do: give people a chance, to play in one league, free to all, that should go on long after I’m no longer relevant, so that others can experience the joy I have over the years in the competition and cameraderie of the AWVP.