Aside from mentioning that the older we get, the faster we were…you can wish them all the best for a blister free row!

Andy

Greetings from Florida.

I will be envious of you during your first half-mile of rowing today, and increasing sympathetic as your row continues.

I don't recall that we ever rowed 22 miles in college.

Alexandra mentioned that you were rowing "up to the Lyme Bridge".  My recollection is that is against the current.  That is very strong.

I hope you have a great day - its a great cause.

As John Pasquesi said: " the older we get, the better we were."

I am thinking about you and what a special experience it was to row with you in 1979. 

Gardner '81

A message from Mr. Nasty, Sam Seymour, to inspire you and block out the pain.  A bit of sweet poetry to carry you weather-beaten salamis up the river:

“Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted. one moment

Would you capture it or just let it slip?

“Wedge’s palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy

There's vomit on his sweatshirt already, Thayer Hall spaghetti

He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs,

But he keeps on forgetting what Coach wrote down,

The whole crowd goes so loud

He leans into the catch, but the juice won't come out

He's choking how, everybody's joking now

The clock's run out, time's up, over, yow!

“ Snap back to reality, Oh there goes gravity

There goes Hull, he won’t choke, and Billy Mac’s got the boat,

Kaewert’s so mad, but he won't give up that

Easy, no

They won't have it, they know all eight backs are to these ropes

It don't matter, Wedge is dope

He knows that but he's broke

He's so stagnant, he knows

When he goes back to his dorm room, that's when it's

Back to the erg again, yo

This whole rhapsody

He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him”

Now stop listenin to pretty poetry and get yer asses rowing!

Three wonderful memories:

1)    Big John’s bus rides home … how did we get away with it?

2)    Surprising everyone in the 1978 IRAs … I remember hearing people say, “how did Dartmouth get so fast?”

3)    Beating Yale ... I still have that shirt somewhere

I feel incredibly lucky to have rowed with each of you.  My experiences in the boat with you have been a foundation for life that has served me well.  Work hard, have fun, go fast …

I wish I was there with you now,

David

Suggestions –

Use the terms “ten fold retaliation” and “Dr. Dirt”

Ask McNabb not to row like a grandfather.

Remind them that they need the practice because in this millennium the class of 1981 is undefeated in head to head racing with the class of 1979.

You could tell them that Big John the bus driver is watching.

Good luck!

All the best tomorrow,

Andre