Thursday Oct. 27th

This day will live in infamy.  Mike and I were not, repeat not, chosen to put up the banner.  The first Bear Creek District Championship banner will be hung by Wade V. and Tom P. because they are captains.  I was so pissed off.  We found out in a team meeting in the weight room.  Mike and I just sat there stunned. Coach asked us what the problem was. He had no clue.  Then he had the nerve to accuse us of being selfish.  Yeah so selfish we ran our asses off at district instead of dogging it and expecting others to pick up the slack. I was really mad about Wade because he totally biffed it a districts. We won in spite of him. Tom P. is okay but he is a wrestler and let’s face it, the only reason he is captain is because the assistant coach is the wrestling coach. The captains already get so much recognition and we get shit. Nothing.  At every rah-rah assembly, the captains go up and try to drum up interest for the team.  I had hoped Coach would try to balance it out but we get snubbed and they get the glory.  I'm not as excited for the assembly or state for that matter.  I don't want my feelings to hurt the team but at the same time I don't just want to let it go.  The feeling I got when Coach said that Wade and Tom would hang the banner almost cancelled out my high from districts. Coach tired to pacify us by letting us "hold" the ladders. Big Deal, could we tie their shoes too? Then I realized that in ten years no one will know who hung the banner but they will know Mike and I went all-county.  (Editor’s note: Here it is ten + years later and Mike and I still know who hung the banner).  I really wanted it for Mike because he overcame a stress fracture and came through for the team when others gave up.  He spent most of the weeks leading up to districts biking and wondering if he would even run. He has been a consistent #2 runner all year long.  The glaring disappointment was the only major thing of the day.  School went okay but it is a blur now.  I'll have to find a way to get excited for state.  No new babe news but at dinner I defeated Emily C in a staring contest.  Life looks pretty bleak out now.  I'll just have to fight through then again I always do.

            "Nice guys who finish first always wind up being last....but someday they are first again"  Me on Banner Juke '88