The Jammers 2006
by Carl Emerson
June 13, 2006
Paul asked if I would do a little write-up about this year's Jammers
and share my perspective. I winced and agreed to share a little of what
made this such a special weekend for me and my family. OK, maybe too
much.
I started playing frisbee 26 years ago and the most memorable
tournament I have ever been to is: This year's Jammers.
Two things. First, my 14-year-old son, Josh, flew down from Connecticut
and I watched him with pride; he was so excited to meet the world's top
players, and silently watching him treat each Jammer with respect, with
reverance and with an enthusiasm to learn was something very special to
me. Secondly, silently watching the Jammers here, welcoming Josh with
respect, teaching him with patience and with enthusiasm was something
very special to me. This weekend filled me with a pretty amazing feeling
- loving my son like I do and loving this sport like I do - this
weekend made me proud to be both a Father and a humble Jammer amongst all of
you. You guys are great. Thanks you guys. Seriously, Thanks.
For those that have not been able to be here for The Jammers, Paul and
Cheryl Kenny make you feel so welcome, and so glad to be here. They
handle the small details and it is taken care of with love and with a
caring and a passion that I have not seen with such purity. This is a
tournament that somehow survives being ruled by uncontrollable elements such
as the tides, the winds, and the weather. Paul not only makes you feel
like being a Jammer is something special, he does it with a kind of
in-your-face-scruffy-cheek-to-cheek-big-wet-kiss-hug-special-kind-of way.
Random Magic Moments in no particular order...
ZZZZ's from Murf. Channel 4 News Beachcam Jam and interview with Paul
and Murf. (I don't think I've ever nailed up at 6:15 am before!) After
all the anticipation, finally picking up Josh at The Sprinkler. Lori,
Sara and Jeff O all saying at different times that they had a great jam
together and being able to tell how they really really meant it.
Traditional Almond Flavored Tequila. Welcome Jeff. David choosing to climb out
of his crib for the very first time and multiple times after that. My
patient Michele who let her husband play frisbee all day on the beach
for 6 days and spent her Anniversary husbandless chasing a 21-month-old
around who just learned how to climb out of his crib. I love you Bum
Bum. Beach jamming and wishing someday I'd be as good as Cindy. Jamming
with Tito. Gary Auerbach's well-timed call to share the Love. He also was
hoping for some illicit pics of secretly applied tattoos he provided,
but I knew of none to offer. (Maybe if we only still had the
Celtic's Room...) Squatters Rights. The Popeye Omelet. Convenient
Chairs and Gatorade.
Jammer of the tournament, Pat Marron. Jammer of the day, Josh Emerson.
Hearing Murf say he had the best jam in 5 years. Hearing Jeff O'Brien
say he tried to "Gitosis Out" but settled on doing a "gitis brush gitis
brush gitis, instead"...Oh wait - "Twice!"... Sushi. Mexican. Red Wine.
Burgers. More Sushi. Jeff O'Brien bringing a Juicer all the way from
Colorado for Margaritas. We like Jeff a lot. Watching Jeff Kruger shred.
Dave Lewis and his encouraging, enthusiastic throws to Josh for like, 8
hours, until Josh finally nailed the seemingly uninvented Spinitis.
Watching Pipo play the winds. Watching Irwin spin and seal it time and
again. Seeing Hos show up Sunday night after a Golf Tournament because,
well, just because. That says a lot. Jan wanting freestyle to become a
"contact sport."
Jeff O doing a gitosis with authority on his first
tournament attempt at the move. Hare Krishnas. That is, Hare Krishnas during
Rodney and Jake's routine. Watching Anne get better and better.
Watching Steve Scannell and thinking, "Wow, he too keeps getting better
and better!" Watching a very entertaining routine from Rico and Jamie.
Also watching very entertaining routines from Jamie without Rico!
Watching Paul & Pat shred. Watching Jake doing this
oh-so-quick-under-the-leg-brush and then realizing duh, that was to me... Josh bodysurfing.
Once. Vic and the daiper bag. Thanks Vic. Hearing that Michele is
talking religion at 1am with Jamie and Craig and me deciding to avoid Paul's
front yard until it was time to leave. Jeff saying we spent an hour not
wanting the night to end and two hours convincing Michele it was time
for the night to end. Josh spending more time with Murf and Dave Lewis
than with his own father. Josh going airborn over my head and catching
the disc. Sushi cell phone calls. Michele saying that she would never
have thought Rodney and Bethany were married, because they act like they
are still dating.
Paul's recognition of things that matter during The Feast and Awards.
Irwin giving the FPA's namesake Jam of the Year Award to Jake et all.
The Dave Lewis Photo during Paul's Feast and Awards. The repetitive Dave
Lewis Reaction during Paul's Feast and Awards. More traditional almond
flavored Tequila. Michele's Lasagna and sauce, my mom's Keilbasa.
Jeanine's seafood casserole. Tito's son Alex stoked for getting a medal.
Seeing the endless contributions, the unselfish giving of time and effort
from Jeanine, Bernie and Hubby, Ma Kenny (aka newly found Grandma Kenny
to Josh and David), JT and Crew, Dan Berman, Lori, Bethany, and Anne. I
know I missed so many others.
During the weekend, so many things were said, were done, and were
shared with Michele, Josh, David & me, that we felt so blessed. We would
like to send big hugs to Paul and Cheryl. Jeanine. Murf. Jeff O'Brien.
Dave Lewis. Sara Bergman. Gilbert. Tito and Alex. Ma Kenny. Lori. Pipo.
Larry. Jan. Pat. Jamie. Craig. Dan. Just re-reading your names makes me
smile. Thanks.
And one last note - Josh just called tonight. Today was his first day
back and he had to pitch in a key baseball game for his school. He threw
a no-hitter.
He said it was nothing compared to this weekend.
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