Last night, I went to bed late again. I was woken by the highly annoying children of my highly annoying neighbours, and the loud music that was being played by my less-but-still-somewhat-annoying neighbours that live above them. I felt kind of weak, and since I was expecting to get a new computer screen today with which I would be toying around, I decided to stay home (meaning in bed). Late in the afternoon, though, my mother got home and announced that the fuck-ups at the store were being fuck-ups, and that there was no monitor. Not today anyway.
At first I was disappointed, but then I realized it was actually extremely nice weather, and that it wasn't too late to play some 'ball quite yet. I decided to get myself ready to go to Zuiderpark. While I was brushing my teeth, Enrique and Brian showed up at my door. I invited them in so they would get to meet my mom and I could continue to brush myself up.
On our way to Zuiderpark with bus 25, I experienced some anxiety, but I decided to stay on the bus and pull through. A few minutes later, the ride was over, and I forgot all about it.
When we arrived at the court, there were hardly any people there, but we figured they'd arrive later, just like the day before. In a sense, we were right — people did arrive later — just not as many as the day before (nor as good). They also wouldn't stick around: I think there were about 15 people or so, but not at the same time — there were just enough people to play three-on-three, and one game of four-on-four.
Even though my day started slow — feeling week, and a certain point somewhat anxious — I was very confident about myself and my game. I played pretty good, had shitloads of energy (allowing me to opporate on both sides, during the full-court game four-on-four, in the heath of the day) and I had a great time doing it.
At the end of the day — when a lot of guys had gone home, and one girl had arrived — we payed some half-court three-on-three. In this game, Brian and I opperated particularly well. Our shots were droppin' at ease, Brian had people looking for the ball (crossed the girl up, bad), I displayed some in-flight dekes that surprised even myself, and we were finding eachother in the passing lane.
Then there were two moments that looked like I had been possessed by an external force. First, I'm not known for my leaping ability, yet during one of rebounding attempts I got up very high, which didn't go unnoticed by the other players. Second, I'm not known for my strength, yet (at 5'11" and less than 140lbs.) I decided to set a block and draw the charge on the 6'8" 190lbs. forward/center that was steaming towards me. Somehow the guy managed to completely collapse on my body and had the ball flying away. I never moved an inch.
Man, I love a sunny day of basketball with friends in the park.
On our way back with tram 9, Enrique and I got out at Station Hollands Spoor because we're addicts and wanted to play some more 'ball. We walked to Huygenspark to shoot some more hoops. As expected (but not hoped), there weren't any 'ballplayers (except for Dan Gadzuric' cousin
, that is). We shot some hoops, and then went on our way to our home court.
While we were approaching Bakkersplein, we ran into Peter Verheul — my letter design professor at the Royal Academy of Arts. I introduced them to eachother as Famous Typographist
and Famous Basketball player
— on which Peter looked at me and wittily commented and then there's one in the middle.
(For the slow: he was refering to me, and meant that I'm half basketball player; half typographist/graphic designer.) He continued that either way, I'm already famous.
Peter explained that my Icons design is in a nice book that he received. We discussed what route to follow in order to obtain a copy for myself. After some of the names that were mentioned were followed by cynical looks (we're usually on the same level when it comes to opinions on other people), we agreed it's probably for the best if I contact one of my friends at the Academy, and see from there.
Of course it's important that I'm focussing on my health nowdays, and limit my daily routine to things that have a therapeutic effect on me (basketball, mainly) — it is also nice to hear my name hasn't died in the world of graphics design quite yet.
ACJ0 comments so far.