Fellas: I laid in bed for a good hour, and finally acknowledged I would not be falling asleep until I wrote this post... I know how hard it is to read anything this long, let alone when it's not about you, but I ask that you read as we approach this week.
After the last 18 months, no matter who you are, you have been affected by the "new world." We were forced to put things we love and cherish on hold for extended periods of time, and replace those with whatever we could find. Everything has become a chore, even the smallest of tasks. The majority of us have become significantly more introverted. Rather than enjoy a night out with friends, we chose to stay in because we don't want to deal with the uncertainty and discomfort of who stands where.
A commonly used phrase that I've never been a fan of is "Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder." 18 months ago we were in a theater in LA watching Project X and talking about how much PCTI means to us. Now, here we are 18 months later walking into our longest layoff with all sorts of questions about the now, and the future. Let's just call it like it is... What used to be something we thought about year round, we now walk into with less hype, more discomfort, less preparation, and many other feelings. The layoff didn't make us want this more, and we all know it.
Now that some realities have been addressed, let's change the tune of this message... And let's start by saying although the layoff might not have made us want this more, I think we can all agree that we NEED this more than ever.
I truly can't put into words how meaningful it is (to me, at least) that we are walking into this year with near perfect attendance. We could have EASILY been broken, and there was likely thoughts from just about everyone that if there was every a time to retire this thing, it was now. But we aren't... And here we are, ready to get back to doing something we love. It might be ugly. It might be a little uncomfortable. It might not be the best one ever... We will have to get back into socializing shape, just like we will hoops shape. But we are back in the arena, and the memories will follow. The brotherhood is still in tact, and we are not going anywhere.
We talk a lot in this thing about the importance of the camaraderie that comes of PCTI... It connects two things we all love - Hoops and Friendship. To be real, this last year has been a grind for me personally. It's tested me in all sorts of ways. It's turned things I loved to do into chores, and I've neglected them because of it. It's filtered over into all aspects of my life, and I'll be the first to admit I've not done my best work in planning for the weekend. I was beating myself up over it recently, but something dawned on me on a recent trip to Vegas with high school friends. The itinerary looked great and was well planned, however the group dynamic was just off... So, let me say this... Although my itinerary might be the ugliest one I've ever put out, I promise I'll give every ounce of my terrible personality into making this trip as meaningful and enjoyable for everyone. I hope others will join. Kick back. Spend time together. Don't stress. Play hard and laugh afterwards. Have meaningful conversations. Talk hoops. Make fun of each other. Give each other our bests both on and off the court, and the rest will take care of itself.
In all my posts, I try and put something out about each person (it's usually negative), so I'll do the same... But this time, just thoughts that come to mind when their name pops up in my head as we walk into PCTIXI.
- Beast and Smo: Your personality alone can single handedly make a weekend fun for a group. When you two are together, there's no better duo. You both embrace the pressure that comes of that, and you deliver every time. We all need a good laugh now more then ever... Abuse me, Dawson or whoever else you need to maximize the production this year.
- Sabin: Your love for hoops and the spirit you bring filters into all of us on the court, in the offseason, and during every PCTI weekend. PCTI came out of the dark years when you came back.
- Hops: I honestly don't know if we would be walking into this week if it wasn't for you. The patience, level head and desire to get everyone's schedules coordinated (a thankless and brutal job, times 10 during these times) when we needed it most will forever be remembered.
- Abe and Act: Arguably the two best weekends of my life were with you two this last year, and our friendships grew because of it. I'm not sure I've had even a little fun without you two since COVID started, and I'm desperately in need of another. Side note - I know Act has chosen me as his bulletin board guy and that's fine. But I miss talking to you and hope we can go back to being boys post PCTI.
- Dawson: I've never seen anyone play the long game better then you have, and when the opportunity presented itself, you were ready... And I'm thankful for it. I'm glad to have the Horseman back together.
- Smooth and Juice: People don't understand how much of a grind the gypsy life is. The sacrifice. Where everything you do is a chore because you have no routine or home base. It's easy to neglect the things you love with that lifestyle, but you both are always ready and give everything you got. Very few people in this world would be able to do what you both have done, and it deserves big time props.
- Donley: This isn't the forum for jokes about your career... But I'll say this. You live in the city where this thing started spreading. You work for a major corporation. This thing has been in your face more then anyone (I would guess), and let's be real, there's nothing positive about it. It would have driven a lot of people crazy, made them depressed, and never want to do anything ever again... But you will be there, in a good mood like you always are, ready to find every open spot on the court.
- TP: You have a two week old baby, and will be there ready to go. We all are committed, but I'm not sure more then three other guys are THAT committed. PCTI gets elevated over those kind of moves.
- Spot: Damn if I don't get emotional every time I think of the trip you have to take to show up every year... But you do it, even when traveling is an all time most brutal. It's when I think about you making that trip that makes me want to put my pathetic planning effort aside, and give the best of myself for four nights and five days (my max quality output is two nights).
- Bruise: You bring an energy to this weekend that no one else can. You epitomize what this weekend is built upon (Sports, loyalty, camaraderie, competitiveness, fun), and you at 50% (I've come to grips with the fact that you will never admit to being in any better condition then that) is better then a replacement imposter Bruiser.
- Beas: You're really the glue guy in PCTI. Your personality lends itself to every type of person in this thing, and are one of the guys that everyone looks forward to seeing. It's a role you never asked for, requires a lot of effort and focus, and you deliver every year... For everyone.
- Deuce: My goodness I can't wait to see you. You're the only person universally loved that I can't (and don't want to) villanize. You have been the best decision PCTI has ever made, and we are all forever grateful that you make this a priority every year.
- Kyle: You're the standard in PCTI. This year might be ugly, but I got a hunch everyone will come back next year better than ever, and it will be because you set the standard so high. To be able to bring someone in after nine years and have them fit in perfectly off the court, elevate the game on the court, and also be one of (if not the) most committed... We are lucky to have you.
I'll leave you all with this - We have been through a lot together. Over a decade. Before getting on the plane to Dallas, think about the memories we have made, and the memories we will make moving forward. We have had an incredible run because of our commitment to each other, and we have an incredible future ahead... For the very same reason.
Can't wait to see you all.
Dan the Credit Man
