This is my first post. Feel free to visit my “About…” page (on the right) for a brief summary of what’s going on here.
So school is out and basketball is back in. Selection camp took place in Regina a few weeks ago. The team has a different look than 2 years ago at Worlds in Amsterdam. We’re taller (though I’m shorter), older (but our oldest is younger), and maybe shyer (though I’m blogging.) By the way, I agree with Seinfeld that the word ‘blog’ has to be one of the most unfortunate additions to the English language in recent memory. (Apologies to any Mr. or Mrs. Blogs out there.)
I’m back on the team after taking a year off to attend music school. I’m still awaiting a few letter grades, but it looks like I made it through the first year. We’ll see where things go from here. Music is such a disciplined art, and its study is rich in opportunities for self discovery, especially the discovery of self doubt. Let’s just say I spent an abundant and equal amount of time doubting my discipine and my art. Maybe the truest lesson though is that it’s hard to stick to any means, when the end is unclear. Jazz? Pop? Jazz-pop? (?!) Blues? Bluegrass? Guitar? Piano? Tenor? Crooner?
So, I’ve sent music on a brief holiday for some R and R, and just to get some space. We’ll talk when he gets back.
Of course there’s always an upside. In contrast to this shifting, blurry musical vision, my picture of basketball is refreshingly clear. First I have to get healthy. Shake a leg infection, and begin to test the limits of a wonky shoulder. I’m feeling pretty good about it though.
We have our first training camp next weekend at the U of T Mississauga campus. It’ll be our first chance to get the team together in its current formation. I’m especially looking forward to playing in my little chair in lineups with Joey. It’ll be fun to see what we can do. Plus, I know he’s a huge fan of mine, so it’ll be pretty exciting for him.
This weekend I’m travelling to Montreal to play with a team that Reg McClellan has assembled for the Defi Sportif. It’s been a while since I played with Reg. Let’s just say I’m curious how Reg and little Pat are going to get along on the court. If anyone knows of two players whose styles contrast more than Reg’s and mine, I’m all ears. Shaq and Nash? Oh, sorry Suns fans. Too fresh. Of course, I’m sure we’ll make it work cause we’re good friends. Besides, he’s a pass first point guard and I’m not. So I’ll just be another target for his battery of clever passes, and he’ll be another teammate I don’t pass to when I’m shooting. That should work after all.
May 2, 2008 at 8:59 am |
Hi Pat,
schöne Page.
Wir sind gerade in Madrid wo wir vor 4 Jahren mit Dir das erste Mal den CC-Titel geholt haben.
Wie geht es Dir?
Schöne Grüße auch von Sven mit dem ich gerade hier auf dem Zimmer bin.
Nice Greetings from Madrid,
AMSEL
May 2, 2008 at 9:04 am |
Well, I am hoping music will have returned to your life by the time you come to Germany, or maybe you two can rendezvous here. Great ‘blog’ (also hate the word), Mr. Spicer and I have always thought you should write about your adventures and experiences.
May 2, 2008 at 1:34 pm |
Viel Glück in Beijing!
Liebe Grüße
Markus
May 3, 2008 at 3:51 am |
Hey there,Pat. What a wonderful way to peak our interest and keep it going as you guys & gals prepare for another world adventure. It will likely be very different to see how this unfolds from the perspective of an antlete and not a spectator. I don’t know if I got your message in error or not, but I’m glad I did. Thank you for including some of the older generation,(athlete’s parents , that is).
We’re looking forward to your comments over the next few months.
Enjoy the ride. I’m sure we will.
May 3, 2008 at 6:31 am |
Hi Pat,
great idea to share your experience, really cool and I already know a lot of people who go on reading!
Good luck for your leg and your shoulder!
Anja
May 3, 2008 at 7:17 am |
Congrats on this site and I keep my fingers crossed for Beijing! Have fun and enjoy this project!
Take care
Ela
May 3, 2008 at 11:27 am |
hey pat great site you got here
sorry havent spoken in a while been really busy and cant find ur email address
hope your well and the bball is going good
speak soon hopefully
from dan
p.s my email address is danielspencer4@hotmail.co.uk
May 3, 2008 at 1:42 pm |
Pat,
LOVE IT! You’re my favourite basketball player! I’m a big fan. I look forward to following your journey to Beijing. Keep writing.
Melxo
May 4, 2008 at 11:10 am |
Good idea to finally start a blog! Curious about what comes next…
take care,
E.
May 6, 2008 at 1:14 am |
Hi Pat
Great idea. Will follow your adventures over the coming months. Looking forward to seeing you in Beijing.
May 6, 2008 at 5:40 am |
Hey,
this is Tim-Peter and I celebrated the Olympian Flag coming to Hong Kong a few days ago, what was HUGE!
I’m so excited how your story will go on and I will give my requests to Peking this summer, perhaps we’ll meet up in the air some day!
I’m wishing you lots of fun on your way to gold!
Good Luck!
May 6, 2008 at 8:23 am |
Hallo Patrick,
wirklich gute Idee, uns alle an deinem Weg teilhaben zu lassen. Freu mich sehr und finde alles total spannend zu verfolgen!
Wann kommt der nächste report???
Alles alles gute und natürlich viel Erfolg!
Bea
May 7, 2008 at 6:07 am |
Hey Patrick,
klasse Idee uns alle in solch eine interessante story mit einzupacken! ich bleib’ auf jeden Fall dran!
Halt’ durch und viel Spass!
Alex Frings
May 12, 2008 at 7:11 pm |
ALOHA!—–ALOHA! –from the land of Mac/Nuts, Kona Coffee, plumaria, hibiscus, deep sea fishing & lately, VOG from the emission of sulpher dioxide gases at Halemaumau crater in the Volcano National Park! Luv the site! See you in Beijing! Later, Don A.
July 5, 2008 at 8:19 pm |
hallo pat,
ich habe mir deine hompage angeschaut,sie ist toll,für die spiele in peking wünsche ich dir und deiner mannschaft den besten erfolg, grüße alle von mir, und ihr seit gerne bei mir in der halle jederzeit herzlich willkommen.
gruß harald
December 7, 2008 at 5:14 am |
Hi Pat! (so sorrrryyyy my english…) Thats very nice know about u! Please! I want buy a CD ok?? G.B.U.