Saturday, September 5, 2009

In My Head

I came home from work and my dorm was empty. Everyone was off campus. The old buildings sat wavering against the fall sky, the ghosts of its inhabitants an after-thought.

I used to come home from school every day and shoot basketball outside for hours on end. I would shoot every shot until I made it twice in a row. On countless occasions, I would make these unbelievable shots that no one ever saw. I would get more satisfaction out of knowing I was the only one who had seen it than I would if the whole neighborhood had come out to watch.

Today as I came home to that empty dorm, I felt compelled to pick up a basketball and play, just like old times. So I did just that.
I'm not as good as I used to be. I used to be able to make 5 three's in a row...three of them nothing but net. Now I shoot and go 2 for 10.

The combination of the secluded outdoor basketball court, the empty campus, and the cool fall weather made me reminisce about those days after school. Those days, I would push myself until it hurt. I had this persistence to out-do any shot I had shot before and I shot until Mom called for dinner.
I want to reclaim that spirit. At this point in my life, I feel like I make a lot of promises to myself that I don't always keep, or do right away. I want to always try to out-do the previous shot. I want to make the full court shot while no one is watching.

Fall puts me back in my place as another day of bronze leaves and temperate skies send comfort through all my senses.

5 comments:

Kelsie Lynn said...

hi austin. nice post. i think im gonna like fall. never had a real fall before!

Austin said...

thanks!

and yessss fall is pretty incredible...though I've never experienced fall in Utah.

Kirsten Rickman said...

It was perfectly enjoyable reading your blog again...It felt like going for the first swim after a very long winter...it has been entirely too long indeed!!

I also liked your one about the lawn mower I just laughed!! Oh you poor dear, you were bullied? :D ahah yes, you deserve a little pity party for that one...I'll bring the cake!!

My brother and I often go to the local college's basketball court and "shoot some hoops" show them college folk what's up!!! :D I don't have the pleasure of playing for my eyes only though :(

I love you dear friend!!

Austin said...

haha no I have too many amazing stories from the bully days. my bullys weren't even that terrible. don't you remember the story i told you about the snowball!? such a great story

Kirsten Rickman said...

I remember being amazed at your stories...but you will have to forgive my terrible memory :(

you need to come visit me and refresh my memory on these kinds of things. I miss you dearly!!!