Trackers PDX Blog

The Bad News Otters

11th

February

I'll probably never get my TrackersNW SoccerTEAM. Gabe, one of our immersion instructors is an ace soccer player (football for all our non-yankee readers). It was the classic story of how he almost went pro until receiving a career ending injury in high school.

So I started thinking, not only is Gabe really fit and physical, but he's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. No joke, no exaggeration. What better coach to rally together a scrappy, rag tag team from a bunch of wilderness skills instructors and students. I mean, we could start in the local leagues, then rise up to the ranks through a series of training montages set to 80's rock music. Or maybe become one of those formulas that doesn't really follow the formula and perform the montage to Cat Stevens.

Maybe Gabe has some sort romantic issue with Natalie Portman along the way.

Then we can play in a tournament no one expected us to make it to; up against some team no one would ever think we could beat. It would likely be another wilderness school that's evil. Or maybe a nice but far superior German bushcraft schule. Then, at the end, with score is tied, there's only seconds left…. and the other team makes a goal and wins.

Seriously, I wouldn't have it end any other way. It's a game. I appreciate when the team I play for loses big. It means we started out playing big. The greater the loss, the greater our story was in getting there. This is not "crying in the healing circle". This is relishing life  and loss with gusto. Both great grief and great love go hand in hand. Thank goodness we live in a world where that's possible. Thank goodness I live, work and play on a TEAM with people who understand this.

And in case you're wondering, Gabe has agreed start the TrackersNW SoccerTEAM. Wilderness Awareness School, Wilderness Youth Project, RDNA, Canadian Bushcraft, ROOTS School and so on, what say you? Game on?

Upcoming Events...

Try our TEAMS Immersion Programs February 28, 2010 Join us for a day at the Scout Pit. Learn new skills and find out more about our TrackersTEAMS Immersion programs. Due to limited room we ask to reserve this day for individuals interested in our immersion programs.

The Wild Folk Fashion Show +Wild Foods Potluck February 26, 2010 7pm-11pm Our TEAMS Wilderness Immersion program takes to the catwalk with their DIY repurposed clothing made from our 2010 Winter Term.

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