Hi all.
Everybody I know, both the type that are very young ones and the type that are very old, all had to relearn learning this year. And as a society, we stood steadfast, striking a pose as grandiose as we all wanted to fool ourselves into being ... functional? In a dysfunctional world? Is that the right word? (Actually, some were plenty successful this year, just as some were not. I'm not really a pessimist. It's actually great to take the good with the bad, or so I've heard.) And we protested protesters who protested the previous protesters, we tried to work against those who "valiantly" and viciously fought frequently with leaders of health, taking the world like a speeding bullet to hell, decrying "death to democracy" and just how Orwellian the world had (or has? IDK, who does?) become ... Or something apocalyptic and doomer like that. Can't believe holding such beliefs is now controversial, but I guess that's how we have decided to live in the world. I know at least here in Idaho, there was a lot of pushback about the "state of society", whether from my peers or my leaders, or parents.
Either way, everybody kind of understands something is amiss, something needs changed, something must grow. How they all decide to go about that in theory and practice ... is another story entirely, LOL. How negative this all is. The world is made of positive energy, in every atom in every chemical in every fiber of every natural creation is *some*thing, and not *noth*ing. I know I'm just some hippie kid but we're better than this, rant over. "Realism" is stupid, there's nothing wrong with dreaming if you're doing well. And I hope you are all doing so, so well. You all deserve a great summer.
... It's a crazy time to be living, even though that doesn't need saying. I guess what I'm praying for is that by repeating the implicit, that I can somehow portray how proud I am of everyone here. Some of you I worked ceaselessly on my character with. Some of you I wasn't able to work with at all this year. Some of you I infrequently found, leaders who still lent a hand or two to the tireless students too. To the ones who are travelling, drivers behind the wheel who keep trucking on, a nonstop drive from Augusta to San Diego, Cannonball runs as fast as one can, whether that automobile is blue or bright, black or white ...
Excuse the alliteration. I'm feeling whimsical and sappy ... as if that isn't apparent enough already, LOL.
But the TL;DR is that I want to be one of those drivers. I want to work until I win next year, and then get up and win again. I love this place, I love working with you all. Some of you are leaving, moving, growing. Some of you are staying, changing. You're all my friends regardless. Thank you for this year.
To the drivers. Here's to your victory being by a mile and not a hundredth of a second. And just like every other misfit adrenaline junkie I've always loved cars too, so I hope to see you on the podium.
Thank you!