I’ve just been thinking about you a lot lately, man. As life goes on and we get older the memories and goofy stories (and you know there were a ton of them) start to fade, but the one thing that’s really stuck with me, and even been amplified, is the impact you had on my life. I really didn’t realize how much I really try and emulate you – your personality around both old friends and new, your ability to keep people happy and together even when the situation doesn’t call for it in the least, and that idea that when you leave someone, always leave them looking forward to seeing you again.

These are things I try and do every day, and I hope you know that you’re the first person I think of when I think of all of them. I guess you really just don’t fully realize the impact somebody has on you until their gone.

Your mom gave me a Leatherman with your initials on it, I keep it with me all the time. It’s the perfect reminder, really – it’s always there when I need it, no matter the situation. From fixing power outlets to opening beers .

I miss you, man. Hope you’re having a blast up there.

Garrett

But anyway, to each his/her own. Thanks for the page views! I appreciate the second comment – at least it had some constructive criticism inside instead of personal attacks.

A very quick google search confirms that you are a member of the U of C hockey team – I’m sorry I’ve touched a nerve, I didn’t intend for this article to be inflammatory. Perhaps I am a “nobody” and nobody wants my two cents but this is the internet and fortunately you don’t need to be “somebody” to have a voice. I am simply stating an opinion.

Perhaps I may have made some mistakes in the article (I didn’t claim to have done extensive research) but the general point of it was that I think it is unfair for somebody who has played professional sports to return to the amateur ranks. It is not in any way intended to put down Hayley Wickenheiser – she is following the rules and I don’t blame her at all for this – it is that I find fault with the system. I’ve actually recently found out that Mike Danton is playing for St. Mary’s as well – I could have just as easily written this article about him.

I’m sorry that I “disgust” you. Perhaps your time would be better spent elsewhere than bashing blogs on the internet – maybe you could even start one of your own and share your own opinion. Or, rather than throwing barbs at me you could have spent your comment actually refuting the points in my post and contributing to the discussion, rather than name calling and attacking me personally (who you do not know at all). I’m a bit offended by your response and think it’s pretty childish – I’m sorry again that what I’ve written has upset you so much.

ps. This is a blog post, not an “article” – I really hope your student doesn’t use this for a class, that would be a bit silly. Not academic, does not claim to be. How easy is it to refute an opinion?

pps. Any other derogatory comments you post on here will be deleted – I’m not going to spam my comments section with a bunch of name calling. If you really want to talk to me you can email me at garretthinchey100@hotmail.com or facebook me.

ps. The only reason this article was brought to my attention was because a student i was tutoring had to find the most ridiculous, easy to contest article on the internet to use in a refutation paper. Congrats.

Keep up your blog. You write very well.

Speaking from experience as a basketball, soccer, and occasional track and field coach in Fort Simpson, it’s a shame more people aren’t involved with youth sports in our NWT communities.

I’m amazed at the high levels of talent you can find in various sports in a lot of our communities, both locally developed and from those who have relocated.

As a coach we take on practices, chaperoning, fund raising, refereeing, chauffeuring, money provider, and hell, even parenting a lot of the time. Unfortunately, involvement from parents or anyone in the community in general is minimal at best.

I’m not complaining (okay well maybe I am…) but it sure makes things tough to make a consistently competitive program.

I give my full praise to Neil and Michael for what they’ve been able to do in their communities! I find it difficult enough just to be able to make my work schedule flexible enough to get to all of the practices and games, let alone doing any extra activities with teams.

Again…well said!

The Sonnets To Orpheus:Book 2:XIII by R.M. Rilke (trans. Stephen Mitchell)

Be ahead of all parting, as though it already were
behind you, like the winter that has just gone by.
For among these winters there is one so endlessly winter
that only by wintering through it all will your heart survive.

Be forever dead in Eurydice-more gladly arise
into the seamless life proclaimed in your song.
Here, in the realm of decline, among momentary days,
be the crystal cup that shattered even as it rang.

Be-and yet know the great void where all things begin,
the inifinite source of your own most intense vibration,
so that, this once, you may give it your perfect assent.

To all that is used-up, and to all the muffled and dumb
creatures in the world’s full reserve, the unsayable sums,
joyfully add yourself, and cancel the count.

It was wonderful to know you John.