Yeah, it's been a few weeks. We get so caught up in the "to do" checklist that the inevitable blog passage takes the brunt of the "I'll get to this tomorrow" part of said list. Of course, as the "to do" list grows, so goes the "I'll get to this tomorrow" list. And so, the blog is put on indefinite hiatus and it's not until eons later that we figure out it's been weeks (months/years) since we last wrote something.
I'll be honest: I kinda have to wonder what the purpose of keeping a blog is and what the advantages of having the blog would bring to RACE SWAMI? I know, I know... it's "marketing." It's the thing to do! Everyone who is someone has the blog! Costco has the blog! Sears has the blog! Blake K., my friend since the 2nd grade who now is a high tech mega magnet sorta guy, has the blog! Even the paperboy, little Bobby Sanders, has the blog—supposedly telling us the latest of what's going on in the world of paperboy delivery service. (I was kidding on that last one.)
The key seems to be to get "the followers", hence the advertisers who will come to your site, place an ad on your blog, have all the followers click on that ad, and bam! pay you and your company the riches of being a blogging dynamo. You proceed to make millions, buy your vineyard in Napa, and life thus, becomes nothing but poops and giggles for all involved!
However, we have 12 "followers" here at RACE SWAMI, another 42 at the twitter account (which we're actually much better at keeping up to date than this blog thing), and we're still awaiting to get our web site up. Hardly the marketing dynamo of a paperboy blogger.
I don't know if I'll go the Facebook route... probably not. Seems like a good place to be framed for something someone shouldn't have been doing—like having computer cops posing as 9 year old "friends." So don't count on seeing the RACE SWAMI Facebook page any time soon...
Hopefully, our next blog will be much sooner though.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Trying Times, But Lots of Love
Not sure who actually said it, but the idea that you really get an idea of who your friends are when the going gets tough is a classic indication of concluding just that: knowing exactly who your friends are!
We all know the road for start-ups isn't all poops and giggles, right? Anyone who has read the book, Start Up, a story about an electronic tablet developed by Go Corp's Jerry Kaplan and friends way before the iPad was ever conceived... well, it was a great idea with a fair share of obstacles to overcome. In the end, Jer and Co just couldn't get the darn thing off the ground. There are a number of theories or reasonable explanations as to why—not enough start up capital, not enough engineers to work the various bugs out, not enough connections in the highest of places, etc. etc.—but in the end, after I read this crash and burn tale, I came to the simplistic, perhaps naive idea that it was simply a condition that Go didn't have enough "real" friends that were ready to stand and deliver with Jerry and his inner circle when the poop hit the fan. They all jumped off the bus before the thing had a chance to fly or crash. Of course they were doomed!
I know a similar story... one that involves my dad, Bob, who started a company in a then infant Silicon Valley in 1967. He had a very similar story to Jerry's. A fledging young company with a great product and a lot of brilliant people. They faced their fair share of adversity and in so many ways, could have gone under in an instant, especially when they hit the slumping early '70's and '80's... However, in the end, in understanding my dad's story vs the one I read about Go, I understood just how important these inner circle of "friends" were. When my dad and his group sold the company, Finnigan, to Thermo Electron (based in Boston) in 1991, the most fascinating part of the story to me wasn't how much they were ultimately able to settle on with the sale to Thermo, but the fact that every one of the original members of the original team that started the company back in 1967... were still there! How many times does that happen?
Of course Finnigan was going to make it. These founders were bound and determined to see this thing through, no matter what. True friends, through thick and thin.
Race Swami seems to have a good core of people, both inside and outside the "inner circle." One can only hope as we traverse these sticky situations, our friends both near and far will bear with us and realize that if we simply problem solve our way through these trying times, that we will all be the better for it and our bond will grow stronger. Working together. Listening. Considering other alternatives. Thinking outside the box. Having the capacity to laugh even through the most adverse of times. It's a must for a fledging young up and comer. There are few stories of the easy road because rare are these times when one just waltzes through life... life tends to get it's sausage-like fingers into everything eventually.
Some stories end so awesome-like. Others, maybe not so much... But the biggest difference between the two just might be the friends who either decide to stay aboard to ride out the storm (damn the consequences!) or jump off to save one's own hyde. I'd like to think Race Swami's got the lifers on board.
Race Swami is certainly determined to fight our next fight(s)(s)(s)... as they will all surely present themselves to us as we move forward, month to month—and day to day. And we'll do it together! We love our team... we love it's understated, underdog-like demeanor. We've got scrappers who will go the distance. And who knows... maybe we'll even be the next great story! Little swim club out of Rose Park... delivers on it's mission to serve the community.
We all know the road for start-ups isn't all poops and giggles, right? Anyone who has read the book, Start Up, a story about an electronic tablet developed by Go Corp's Jerry Kaplan and friends way before the iPad was ever conceived... well, it was a great idea with a fair share of obstacles to overcome. In the end, Jer and Co just couldn't get the darn thing off the ground. There are a number of theories or reasonable explanations as to why—not enough start up capital, not enough engineers to work the various bugs out, not enough connections in the highest of places, etc. etc.—but in the end, after I read this crash and burn tale, I came to the simplistic, perhaps naive idea that it was simply a condition that Go didn't have enough "real" friends that were ready to stand and deliver with Jerry and his inner circle when the poop hit the fan. They all jumped off the bus before the thing had a chance to fly or crash. Of course they were doomed!
I know a similar story... one that involves my dad, Bob, who started a company in a then infant Silicon Valley in 1967. He had a very similar story to Jerry's. A fledging young company with a great product and a lot of brilliant people. They faced their fair share of adversity and in so many ways, could have gone under in an instant, especially when they hit the slumping early '70's and '80's... However, in the end, in understanding my dad's story vs the one I read about Go, I understood just how important these inner circle of "friends" were. When my dad and his group sold the company, Finnigan, to Thermo Electron (based in Boston) in 1991, the most fascinating part of the story to me wasn't how much they were ultimately able to settle on with the sale to Thermo, but the fact that every one of the original members of the original team that started the company back in 1967... were still there! How many times does that happen?
Of course Finnigan was going to make it. These founders were bound and determined to see this thing through, no matter what. True friends, through thick and thin.
Race Swami seems to have a good core of people, both inside and outside the "inner circle." One can only hope as we traverse these sticky situations, our friends both near and far will bear with us and realize that if we simply problem solve our way through these trying times, that we will all be the better for it and our bond will grow stronger. Working together. Listening. Considering other alternatives. Thinking outside the box. Having the capacity to laugh even through the most adverse of times. It's a must for a fledging young up and comer. There are few stories of the easy road because rare are these times when one just waltzes through life... life tends to get it's sausage-like fingers into everything eventually.
Some stories end so awesome-like. Others, maybe not so much... But the biggest difference between the two just might be the friends who either decide to stay aboard to ride out the storm (damn the consequences!) or jump off to save one's own hyde. I'd like to think Race Swami's got the lifers on board.
Race Swami is certainly determined to fight our next fight(s)(s)(s)... as they will all surely present themselves to us as we move forward, month to month—and day to day. And we'll do it together! We love our team... we love it's understated, underdog-like demeanor. We've got scrappers who will go the distance. And who knows... maybe we'll even be the next great story! Little swim club out of Rose Park... delivers on it's mission to serve the community.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Great Week for Race Swami!
Well Swami Fan(s), it's been quite some time since our last entry. Lots has been going on and the bloggers of Race Swami Central apologize!
Top of the order should be the fact our kids had some great days of training this past week. Junior Swami looked tough and they took everything the coaches threw at 'em. Be it coach Mark or coach Erika, they were ready for anything. Senior Swami numbers continue to grow as more kids come back to the pool. They have big goals and aspirations set for the summer meets and they showed it by working through some challenging stuff.
We also wanted to say goodbye and good luck to coach Sam, who took a summer job in California as a river rafting guide. We wish Sam all the best and look forward to his possible return in the fall.
Truth be told, all kinds of stuff has been happening, least of which the fact that we finally completed the tedious task of preparing paperwork for the IRS. With the help of our awesome attorney, we sent forth our application for the 501(c)k nonprofit status approval and now it's "just" a 90 day wait until we find out what the deal is. If we make it to the Pile 1 we're good to go. If we go to the Pile 2 or, worse—the Pile 3, it means a red flag and we're likely waiting for 6 to 9 months more. From what we've been counseled, no one ever wants to go to Pile 3 because Pile 3 essentially means you are screwed.
On another front, USA Swimming blessed us with becoming one of their latest officially sanctioned clubs in the annals of USA Swimming! Translation: Race Swami (club code: RACE) is official! If you have been following us on Twitter (twitter.com/raceswami) then you'd know we were busy the last coupla weekends... First, there was a local clinic at the U. It was general stuff covering stroke techniques/drills/trends. It also covered nutrition, dryland and sharing ideas. The day prior, we met with USA Western States rep Bill Krumm at Red Iguana near Rose Park and covered a number of topics having to do with being a new club with no money, being a new club with very few members, being a new club with a dumpster full of pool rental costs, and a new club with a pretty groovy business model. Bill had some great ideas, but it was unfortunate he didn't give us an envelope full of Benjamins, which would have helped pay for said pool rental costs, but not really. We also saw Bill a week later in Twin Falls, Idaho, as we took the club leadership and business course to make the club sanctioning complete. It was a terrific course and we took a lot home... reenergized with an ever-growing "to do" list.
Here's another point of contention, with apologies to the reader(s) for going off on another tangent: Salt Lake County pool rental fees. The question? Why so high? Though we haven't undergone an extensive Google search on the average pool rental means nationwide, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Salt Lake County is charging far too much and is making off like a bandit. In contrast, having talked to a few coaches and club administrators in other markets—Park City, the Bay Area, DC—they are reaping the luxury of much better hourly rental costs—or at least, fair rental costs.
In a nutshell, we're trying to deal with these costs while balancing the need to make swimming affordable to west side residents. So far, neither has been an easy task. On the one hand, the rental costs aren't going anywhere any time soon. Until county rec officials come to their senses and figure out this is growth-binding shackles their bestowing on fledging new businesses, they'll keep those costs high and smile while they happily take our $$. We'll see how Plan B plays out... Don't wait here because things are still in the infancy stage, but let's just say the little guys around the county have a plan...
As for garnering more kids from the communities of Rose Park, Glendale and Fairpark, it's been slow going. The Race Swami Clinic afforded the chance for some great kids come out and give swimming a try. However, out of the 11 kids we hosted for three days, not one has signed up to become a Rising Swami. Again, we have a plethora of ideas and hope to implement all as we move forward with the club.
In the meantime, our current Swamis are swimming well. The last meet (OTAC) was not huge by any means, but it was good for our kids to get back into racing, long course, no less. Now we set our sights on the summer training in June. Our next meet is the SYAC meet at the Steiner East pool. Then it's on to the Florida Keys for many of our kids, along with the head coach Matt for a Race Club camp. After that, Amelia and Autumn head to the Bay Area for the Santa Clara International Meet, now part of the Grand Prix series sponsored by USA Swimming and Speedo. Autumn will swim at the DACA Open meet in nearby Cupertino while Amelia competes with the fastest swimmers in the world at the legendary George Haines pool.
All the while, we'll be training hard and getting many of our Swamis back into shape after brief hiatus' of various spring sporting adventures. We hope we can connect with our Rose Park roots during these summer months—service projects, clinics, mentoring and just becoming a larger component to the communities west of I-15 in Salt Lake City.
More to come! Stay tuned. Smile!
Top of the order should be the fact our kids had some great days of training this past week. Junior Swami looked tough and they took everything the coaches threw at 'em. Be it coach Mark or coach Erika, they were ready for anything. Senior Swami numbers continue to grow as more kids come back to the pool. They have big goals and aspirations set for the summer meets and they showed it by working through some challenging stuff.
We also wanted to say goodbye and good luck to coach Sam, who took a summer job in California as a river rafting guide. We wish Sam all the best and look forward to his possible return in the fall.
Truth be told, all kinds of stuff has been happening, least of which the fact that we finally completed the tedious task of preparing paperwork for the IRS. With the help of our awesome attorney, we sent forth our application for the 501(c)k nonprofit status approval and now it's "just" a 90 day wait until we find out what the deal is. If we make it to the Pile 1 we're good to go. If we go to the Pile 2 or, worse—the Pile 3, it means a red flag and we're likely waiting for 6 to 9 months more. From what we've been counseled, no one ever wants to go to Pile 3 because Pile 3 essentially means you are screwed.
On another front, USA Swimming blessed us with becoming one of their latest officially sanctioned clubs in the annals of USA Swimming! Translation: Race Swami (club code: RACE) is official! If you have been following us on Twitter (twitter.com/raceswami) then you'd know we were busy the last coupla weekends... First, there was a local clinic at the U. It was general stuff covering stroke techniques/drills/trends. It also covered nutrition, dryland and sharing ideas. The day prior, we met with USA Western States rep Bill Krumm at Red Iguana near Rose Park and covered a number of topics having to do with being a new club with no money, being a new club with very few members, being a new club with a dumpster full of pool rental costs, and a new club with a pretty groovy business model. Bill had some great ideas, but it was unfortunate he didn't give us an envelope full of Benjamins, which would have helped pay for said pool rental costs, but not really. We also saw Bill a week later in Twin Falls, Idaho, as we took the club leadership and business course to make the club sanctioning complete. It was a terrific course and we took a lot home... reenergized with an ever-growing "to do" list.
Here's another point of contention, with apologies to the reader(s) for going off on another tangent: Salt Lake County pool rental fees. The question? Why so high? Though we haven't undergone an extensive Google search on the average pool rental means nationwide, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Salt Lake County is charging far too much and is making off like a bandit. In contrast, having talked to a few coaches and club administrators in other markets—Park City, the Bay Area, DC—they are reaping the luxury of much better hourly rental costs—or at least, fair rental costs.
In a nutshell, we're trying to deal with these costs while balancing the need to make swimming affordable to west side residents. So far, neither has been an easy task. On the one hand, the rental costs aren't going anywhere any time soon. Until county rec officials come to their senses and figure out this is growth-binding shackles their bestowing on fledging new businesses, they'll keep those costs high and smile while they happily take our $$. We'll see how Plan B plays out... Don't wait here because things are still in the infancy stage, but let's just say the little guys around the county have a plan...
As for garnering more kids from the communities of Rose Park, Glendale and Fairpark, it's been slow going. The Race Swami Clinic afforded the chance for some great kids come out and give swimming a try. However, out of the 11 kids we hosted for three days, not one has signed up to become a Rising Swami. Again, we have a plethora of ideas and hope to implement all as we move forward with the club.
In the meantime, our current Swamis are swimming well. The last meet (OTAC) was not huge by any means, but it was good for our kids to get back into racing, long course, no less. Now we set our sights on the summer training in June. Our next meet is the SYAC meet at the Steiner East pool. Then it's on to the Florida Keys for many of our kids, along with the head coach Matt for a Race Club camp. After that, Amelia and Autumn head to the Bay Area for the Santa Clara International Meet, now part of the Grand Prix series sponsored by USA Swimming and Speedo. Autumn will swim at the DACA Open meet in nearby Cupertino while Amelia competes with the fastest swimmers in the world at the legendary George Haines pool.
All the while, we'll be training hard and getting many of our Swamis back into shape after brief hiatus' of various spring sporting adventures. We hope we can connect with our Rose Park roots during these summer months—service projects, clinics, mentoring and just becoming a larger component to the communities west of I-15 in Salt Lake City.
More to come! Stay tuned. Smile!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Perseverance
Inevitably, every fledging entity has its ample share of hardships. Race Swami is no different in that respect. People will hopefully come, and surely, many will move on. But whatever the case may be, we must not forget our mission here. The west side needs hope. We feel confident we can serve... it will surely be a difficult task, but we shall never waver... Our fleur pays an ode to our fair lady, Lily. The logo symbolizes perseverance. It harbors hope against the odds... it provides us solace that regardless of how tough life gets, that we "reboot," for tomorrow is a new day.
We'll ride this storm and though it may get dicey, we're ready for whatever it tosses our way. Whatever our fans can do to help... please do. We could use your support!
We'll ride this storm and though it may get dicey, we're ready for whatever it tosses our way. Whatever our fans can do to help... please do. We could use your support!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Swim Clinic in Rose Park Deemed "Successful"
This past week coaches and swimmers from USA Swimming's newest Utah club, RACE SWAMI, hosted a swim clinic for the Rose Park community at the Northwest Rec Center (otherwise known to our SWAMI athletes as, "The N-Dub!"). Held for an hour on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the club had relatively modest numbers (11), but "modest numbers" was more than made up for with a pool full of huge smiles from clinic-goers and volunteers alike!
Clinic attendees ranged in ages 6 to 12. They received virtually one-on-one assistance solely due to the fact that RACE SWAMI athletes came in abundance. All told, there were two coaches on deck, and about ten volunteers from the swim club in the water, most of which were high school aged student-athletes from Judge Memorial.
In the end, it looks like RACE SWAMI may have picked up as many as eight, possibly nine, swimmers who will likely join either our RISING SWAMI developmental group, or JUNIOR SWAMI, which is an advanced developmental group composed of kids ranging in ages 7 to 13.
We can't thank the good folks from Northwest Rec enough, as they helped us put this clinic together and assisted us in getting the word out.
We plan to offer a couple more clinics in the coming months; one at the Steiner West facility and a follow up clinic at the N-Dub this summer.
It was a lot of fun getting to know some awesome kids these past three days and it is our hope they took something from this clinic... not to mention a new found love for an awesome sport! We hope to see these kids around the pool very soon.
Swami Master
Clinic attendees ranged in ages 6 to 12. They received virtually one-on-one assistance solely due to the fact that RACE SWAMI athletes came in abundance. All told, there were two coaches on deck, and about ten volunteers from the swim club in the water, most of which were high school aged student-athletes from Judge Memorial.
In the end, it looks like RACE SWAMI may have picked up as many as eight, possibly nine, swimmers who will likely join either our RISING SWAMI developmental group, or JUNIOR SWAMI, which is an advanced developmental group composed of kids ranging in ages 7 to 13.
We can't thank the good folks from Northwest Rec enough, as they helped us put this clinic together and assisted us in getting the word out.
We plan to offer a couple more clinics in the coming months; one at the Steiner West facility and a follow up clinic at the N-Dub this summer.
It was a lot of fun getting to know some awesome kids these past three days and it is our hope they took something from this clinic... not to mention a new found love for an awesome sport! We hope to see these kids around the pool very soon.
Swami Master
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Race Swami Swim Clinic
Our first swim clinic is set for today at 4-5pm at the Northwest Rec Center in Rose Park. Today's inaugural voyage into the community service arena should prove to be a big day for the budding young swim club.
We're excited and hoping lots of neighborhood kids are up for some swimming tutelage. It's all about fun, learning some new skills and welcoming them to the world of RACE SWAMI!
We're excited and hoping lots of neighborhood kids are up for some swimming tutelage. It's all about fun, learning some new skills and welcoming them to the world of RACE SWAMI!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Growing Pains & Gains
Starting a new business is not easy. Starting a new business with no money might even prove more difficult. Starting a business with no money that happens to be a swim club in a state that embraces the sport about as warmly as you'd smooch a venomous, saw-scaled African viper could prove fatal.
But if you have a mission and you're prepared to go to whatever lengths to see that mission through, maybe there is enough "gusto gusto" in your heart and willingness to see it through. Only time will tell, but thus far, RACE SWAMI—with the little $$ we have—has kept the pedal to the medal and we're getting through some pains to be sure.
Swim coaches, as a whole, are not paid so well in Utah. We can see why. With lane rental fees costing many a body part, it's no wonder by the time you pay the piper there isn't much left to pay these hard working do-gooders. Unlike other states, where the sport of swimming holds some value, Utah tends to look at the sport as if it were that smelly uncle of yours who you pretend to tolerate, but would rather not associate yourself with if at all possible. Swimming is not at the bottom of the totem pole in this state, it's part of the foundation you pour into the ground 6 feet deep in order to support the totem pole. It's not a popular sport. And it's certainly not a viable venture as a business...
Yet we press forward. I must say, I have immense respect for all the swim clubs in this state who have shown longevity, growth and "stick-it-to-it-ness" because I think I could think of about 153 (you know, just off the top of my head) better business ventures to get into before I'd think about starting up a swim club in Utah in order to "make a living."
But we're not whining here, mind you... because if it's money you're seeking in this profession: probably not a good thing to do. No... this is purely for the foresight of trying to do something for a community that we strongly believe NEEDS this club in THIS specific community at THIS very time.
With all kinds of media hub-bub reminding us how "unhealthy" the citizens of Rose Park are, it's high time we show them what kind of people live here. The way the newspaper writers portray it, you half expect to see everyone walking around with a Twinkie in one hand and four Corn Dogs from Maverik's in the other (and a few Ding-Dong foil wrappers coming out your shirt pocket for good measure). Ok, we heard it. We realize we're a bunch of fatties... Now let's get over it and embrace some of the good that goes on here... like the fact that people are really pumped about the Northwest Rec facility and membership is off the charts. Or the fact that people in this community are genuine... and that gun fire does not actually crisscross every street or boulevard as you drive through it. It's a close-knit part of town; people don't scream at you at the stop light when your mind happens to wander into la-la land; people do still say hello--maybe in an array of different languages--but they still say hi. (And I love the fact hello is said in array of these different languages—it reminds you that Utah isn't all lily-white.) People willing to help others and not expect a live-feed Good-Deed Award Night because of it... It just seems old school here in Rose Park. Like a totally different vibe than when you're wandering down a random street in, say, Sugar House.
We have a clinic coming up mighty soon. Next week, in fact. Three days worth. We have no idea what will happen... we have only one youngster signed up. That kid might get more love than he's ever gotten in anything he's ever endeavored to participate in. This could bode well for both parties.
We have Amelia, Autumn, Motley!, and Peyton ready to help the coaches on the deck. Conceivably, that kid will have 7 people helping him fall in love with a great sport. Basketball is great, don't get me wrong. It's popular on this side of town. Soccer is even bigger! While we're training in the beautiful blue-azure puddle of Northwest, right outside our window is a vast green field there is a ton of Latino soccer aficionados dribbling, bouncing and booting a multiple and endless reservoir of soccer balls any chance they get (read: weather-friendly spring Utah Day—which doesn't happen often). Yes... soccer in Rose Park is King. We hope swimming might indeed catch fire here as well; the way it did in Inner-Philly or in South Chicago. Stranger things can happen.
So another week of training at RACE SWAMI is in the books. Another week we get the better of "no funds." And as the week comes to a close, we're happy to report on a few things: Our paperwork for the IRS (for non-profit status) is all but complete. And we had an angel donor drop from the sky and give us $1,000.00 to pick our spirits up... An amazing gesture from a good family to be sure. And so, RACE SWAMI plugs on. Meets like OTAC and SYAC are on the horizon as the long course season opens it's doors to a short but fruitful season. It should be a great few months—eventful, trying and ominous to be sure—but fruitful nonetheless. For, how does one seriously find out who one truly is but when they are faced with the firing squad of life staring them down a barrel?
Yes, harsh these months will be; but we'll surely be ready for it, wearing a smile—and purpose. There is much to do.
But if you have a mission and you're prepared to go to whatever lengths to see that mission through, maybe there is enough "gusto gusto" in your heart and willingness to see it through. Only time will tell, but thus far, RACE SWAMI—with the little $$ we have—has kept the pedal to the medal and we're getting through some pains to be sure.
Yet we press forward. I must say, I have immense respect for all the swim clubs in this state who have shown longevity, growth and "stick-it-to-it-ness" because I think I could think of about 153 (you know, just off the top of my head) better business ventures to get into before I'd think about starting up a swim club in Utah in order to "make a living."
But we're not whining here, mind you... because if it's money you're seeking in this profession: probably not a good thing to do. No... this is purely for the foresight of trying to do something for a community that we strongly believe NEEDS this club in THIS specific community at THIS very time.
With all kinds of media hub-bub reminding us how "unhealthy" the citizens of Rose Park are, it's high time we show them what kind of people live here. The way the newspaper writers portray it, you half expect to see everyone walking around with a Twinkie in one hand and four Corn Dogs from Maverik's in the other (and a few Ding-Dong foil wrappers coming out your shirt pocket for good measure). Ok, we heard it. We realize we're a bunch of fatties... Now let's get over it and embrace some of the good that goes on here... like the fact that people are really pumped about the Northwest Rec facility and membership is off the charts. Or the fact that people in this community are genuine... and that gun fire does not actually crisscross every street or boulevard as you drive through it. It's a close-knit part of town; people don't scream at you at the stop light when your mind happens to wander into la-la land; people do still say hello--maybe in an array of different languages--but they still say hi. (And I love the fact hello is said in array of these different languages—it reminds you that Utah isn't all lily-white.) People willing to help others and not expect a live-feed Good-Deed Award Night because of it... It just seems old school here in Rose Park. Like a totally different vibe than when you're wandering down a random street in, say, Sugar House.
We have a clinic coming up mighty soon. Next week, in fact. Three days worth. We have no idea what will happen... we have only one youngster signed up. That kid might get more love than he's ever gotten in anything he's ever endeavored to participate in. This could bode well for both parties.
We have Amelia, Autumn, Motley!, and Peyton ready to help the coaches on the deck. Conceivably, that kid will have 7 people helping him fall in love with a great sport. Basketball is great, don't get me wrong. It's popular on this side of town. Soccer is even bigger! While we're training in the beautiful blue-azure puddle of Northwest, right outside our window is a vast green field there is a ton of Latino soccer aficionados dribbling, bouncing and booting a multiple and endless reservoir of soccer balls any chance they get (read: weather-friendly spring Utah Day—which doesn't happen often). Yes... soccer in Rose Park is King. We hope swimming might indeed catch fire here as well; the way it did in Inner-Philly or in South Chicago. Stranger things can happen.
So another week of training at RACE SWAMI is in the books. Another week we get the better of "no funds." And as the week comes to a close, we're happy to report on a few things: Our paperwork for the IRS (for non-profit status) is all but complete. And we had an angel donor drop from the sky and give us $1,000.00 to pick our spirits up... An amazing gesture from a good family to be sure. And so, RACE SWAMI plugs on. Meets like OTAC and SYAC are on the horizon as the long course season opens it's doors to a short but fruitful season. It should be a great few months—eventful, trying and ominous to be sure—but fruitful nonetheless. For, how does one seriously find out who one truly is but when they are faced with the firing squad of life staring them down a barrel?
Yes, harsh these months will be; but we'll surely be ready for it, wearing a smile—and purpose. There is much to do.
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