As many of you know, one of my favorite things about summer is beach volleyball. For the past two years, I’ve played in an intramural league in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, organized by Baltimore Beach Volleyball. Even though we technically don’t have a beach in Baltimore, sand courts are created overlooking the harbor and on hot, sticky Wednesday nights, I’d meet up with my teammates to laugh, catch up with each other’s lives, and of course, play volleyball. Even though I only saw them once a week and rarely on the off-season, the time spent with them on that makeshift beach will always be one of my favorite memories of living in Baltimore.
Though I’m not able to play this year, the lessons learned on the courts are playing out as I make this transition from Baltimore to Abilene. For those unfamiliar with the game, the classic pattern of play is bump, set, and spike.
Bump: to receive a high powered serve from the opposing team, redirecting it with the forearms
With only four weeks to go, I’m feeling that I’ve got about a hundred balls flying at me, especially at work, and I’m doing my best to keep them all “in play”. Working for government, there seems to be endless forms to fill out regarding benefits, reinstatement rights, and my 401k. So far, professionally speaking, I think I’m on top of it. After work, the fun continues with meeting with movers, arranging for utility shut-offs, filling out change of address forms for the USPS, and notifying everyone from Netflix to the magazines that I subscribe to of my new address. I just hope I am not forgetting anything!
Set: The tactical skill in which a ball is directed to a point where a player can spike it into the opponent's court
De-constructing my life here in Baltimore has obviously been keeping me pretty busy, so I haven’t had much energy to work on “setting up” my life in Abilene. I simply cannot do both at the same time. Though I’ve officially applied for one job at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, I’m really hoping to pursue acute care infection prevention and control. I met some great contacts at the APIC national conference and will be in contact with them once I get unpacked. Right now, I’m feeling ok about this as I will be paid for a few months as I run out my leave from DHMH.
Spike: A ball contacted with force by a player on the offensive team who intends to terminate the ball on the opponent's floor or off the opponent's blocker.
Spiking the ball is the ultimate thrill for any volleyball player and is the culmination of a lot of teamwork and a little luck. In any volleyball game, you may not even get the chance to spike the ball, but I’ve been given that chance. As hectic as things are right now, I’m fortunate in that I have a great teammate (Marcus) and feel confident that, in the end, we will figure it out – together.
Disclaimer: I never said that I was GOOD at volleyball, just that I enjoyed playing;)
Joey
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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4 comments:
Don't you hate it when you get sand in between places? Like... your toes?
Great analogy...very eloquent.
Joe - this is a great analogy. I'm always amazed at the creative energy that flows through us (some more than others - such is life) and you have created a memorable way to frame such a big life transition. I'm guessing there's not much sand in Abilene. You may want to take a small jar of your Baltimore sand with you as a reminder of the friends you've made playing volleyball and the fun you've had playing.
I'll be checking in for future posts. Debbie
When are you going to post again?
We're waiting!!!
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