Alright, well that was an awful, disjointed, often grammatically incorrect post. In summary: I started playing on Friday and Sunday, am happy to be getting dirty, tired, sore, and bruised again, and will be playing like a 26-year-old, 6-foot tall man when I get back to Boston.
I'm keeping up alright, though I'm out of shape. My throws, honed on the hours in the Law School Quad, in front of the Science Center, and in the MAC Quad, still have a long way to go, but are progressively getting more accurate in scrimmage situations. Defense is a new game now. I think I may have to learn to effectively poach sooner or later (and conversely, learn to recognize it quickly when I'm being poached), and how to effectively call for help. I think I may have to learn to effectively... uh... well, mark.
I had some pretty good flow with the guys who didn't throw it miles over my head (and even some of those who did), but perhaps in a game I'll still only be good for a deep cut to the break. I guess I'll find out next week.
A rundown on the teammates I've met:
Geoff - Australian, in Taiwan for 3 years working for Industrial something or other, pretty fluent with the Australian accented Chinese. Muscular guy, my guess is late 20s, early 30s. Fun and a defensive badass, as Quasar might put it. Point blocked basically everybody at the first practice I went to.
Craig - American, in Taiwan for 2 years or so as a Kingergarten English teacher, knows only enough vocabulary to get around and not starve. Had a "Freakshow " Jersey on at practice (which, with some superficial Internet stalking, could either be Singapore or U. of Delaware). Handler. Calls the shots as he wants them.
Gerritt Something - Toronto..an, in Taiwan for I don't know how long, 32 years old. Well built, says "aboot," goes up for everything. Don't know much about him yet.
Erich the Swede - Swedish, been in Taiwan for a few months and staying in Taiwan for a few months longer, 30 ish. Experienced, bad knee and elbow and back. Handler. Looks like he could kick your ass in a military way.
Mikey - Mr. Nice Guy. An American in Taipei 10ish years. Past his prime but a fierce runner for 10 seconds at a time when he cares to be. A jolly little man with a round belly and a chipmunky smile. Eager to teach new players.
CK - From what I saw, a skinny kid who can do disc tricks and run fast. Don't really know much else.
Josh - VP of Dahon, makes folding bikes. Stanford Grad '90, former captain, last year playing with Stanford '92. Now 30 ish? Captain of the team. Big on teaching. Big on getting really pissed off when people don't work as hard as he does. "If you guys aren't going to f-cking run I'm taking a f-cking point."
Old Dan - 20 something studying Chinese Art History at National Taiwan University. Formerly of Rutgers.
New Dan - Junior-to-be studying Chinese for the summer at National Taiwan University. Currently of Case Western. An excellent cutter with good feet and a knack for getting into the endzone when on the receiving end of a dubious, almost in the endzone throw. Said he'd heard of Quasar (!).
Henry - Taiwan born, to America at 10, Johns Hopkins grad, back here for work. Into proving his machismo.
Morris - Taiwan born, Canadian grown, back here for work. Newbie and really sweetly naive about it.
Tina - "Peanut". Junior Wellesley Handler. Little girl with lots of spirit and little inclination to run. Also studying Chinese at Shi Da. Wants to start a womens team.
Steffi - Taiwanese 20 something, maybe early 30s working for Josh at Dahon. Fast and spunky.
I'm pooped and confused as to what language I'm thinking in. Better luck with this English thing next time.
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