Gather round, children,
I'm going to reprint large parts of the conversation I just had with an unnamed panda who expressed some frustration with conditions at the current venue. I do this to remind you what my poopy head version of things is, and invite commentary--last port before the Don Ha bridge, so stop reading if you don't wanna go deep into the jungle:
I understand the frustration. But we're winning hearts and minds, and teaching people how to play. You know what's funny? I just met the guys we played with yesterday. And they already worship us.
What I was told when I got there was that THEY were tired of playing against scrubs. They want to beat us. That's motivation we can work with, right?
They are already less bitchy and more w accepting of our authority than they were 2 days ago.
Basically, in the absence of Tbone, I'm ran the show up there, with your help, of course.
They will hate is a little, but love us a lot. We will be welcomed back and sponsored if security ever becomes a problem. We are winning!
Look back to your days as a rookie. It takes time to develop players. You have to have the patience to do it. I still have that patience.
Soon we will introduce them to the concept of BBG. Just one game called down a day. Watch and learn, new guys. And won't they feel proud when they are invited to play in one?
There is a method to my madness. Without new blood, the league dies. We can work with these guys, turn them into better players than they are. That IS something actually. I had a hand in training about 3 generations of players when I was Chief, including (all of) you. We've got to remember to pay it forward until something else comes on line. Do you really think Deerfield will be any better?
We're all sad we lost the Argosy. Gets me kind of choked up to think about how much y'all loved that place. But I've always had bigger ideas. I want this to be a LEAGUE. It can't just stop with us pros. At this stage of my career, it's a legacy thing.
Because of the vision that arose out of the quirky and particular circumstances of Argosy AWVP, we flat out changed the game in this town. And changed it for the better. That's more impact that I've had in the world by writing a book, and more than I am likely to ever have in any other pursuit.
Do I get frustrated? Hell yeah. I think my level of frustration at Riata is open and obvious. But think of this as a sports franchise. The vets being defeated, for the first time ever. Do you think I liked that? Still stings. But it was good for the league. And that's what's important.
Where will the new recruits who want to beat somebody come from if not the Riata? I'm open to suggestions. But they have to come from somewhere....
You see, I've been doing this for a while, from a leadership position, which means I've been thinking about the big picture so others don't have to.
But my career is winding up. So now the rest of you need to figure out how you want to run the chocolate factory when you're my age. Does that make sense?
Even if a new venue pops up, I intend to play at more than one place, in an effort to represent, and fly the AWVP flag far and wide.
That's probably enough for now. Strength and honor.
_________________ Chief
Death from above! Fire down below!
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