Author: Joe White

Congratulations to the Rice University baseball team, 2003 College World Series Champions!

Baseball is a game of superstition, and I must confess I played not a small part in the team’s success. I watched the first game of the final series against
Stanford (what kind of name for a team is the color cardinal??? and a tree for a mascot????) in the ‘R’ Room at Rice Stadium with Glenn. During the course of
the win, I drank 8 bottles of Ozarka…4 liters of water. Sunday, I made the mistake of watching the game at home, and not drinking any water. We lost. So,
Monday I again returned to the ‘R’ Room, and dutifully drank my 4 liters of water, with the result that they are now National Champions. And yet my contribution
was not even recognized last night at the welcoming party for the team at Reckling Park.

It felt like old home night at the party. I couldn’t walk five feet without running into someone I knew: old classmates, old coworkers, folks from 1st Christian
and St. John’s…it was neat.

I’m sure you’ve all gotten those email surveys at some time or another. Got one today from Sarah Mesko, so I updated my survey page to update some of my responses. But some are just plain silly…I mean, come one, who cares about
broccoli stem consumption???

I think the first time I ate something for money was in college. It wasn’t anything gross, just an odd combination of items. The one that sticks out most was
the apple covered in chili and ketchup for $1.25. Last night Kitty offered me $5 for eating a wadded up portion of her napkin. It wasn’t very flavorful, but at
least it didn’t get stuck in my throat.

Sometimes my food choices are just odd in and of themselves, with no monetary incentive involved. John G is fond of recalling the time at 59 Diner when my meal
consisted of a bowl of navy bean soup, frito pie, and a banana shake.

I am not alone among my circle of friends in doing odd things with food for spare change. Jonathan was persuaded to chug a half-bottle of soy sauce during
Mikado for $5; but the most daring feat must be acknowledged to be George’s doing a shot of honey from a honey bear up each nostril for approximately $12 at one
of our poker games in Austin. He couldn’t smell for several weeks after that, and has blamed his allergies on us ever since.

Also, my brother just reminded me he took and conquered Richard’s Wasabi Challenge solely for the honor of the matter. For details, email him.

While (whilst?) I was visiting Syl in Dublin, I admired a quote she had on her mantle, which she was kind enough to type up and send to me:

Until one is committed there is the chance to draw back;

always ineffectiveness.

Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one

elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless

ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely

commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help one that would not otherwise

have occurred.  A whole stream of events favour all manner

of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material

assistance which no man could have dreamt would come his

way. What ever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, magic and power in it.
Begin it now.

It was attributed to Goethe, but it apparently comes from W. A. Murray’s The Scottish Himalya Expedition, who was inspired by a couplet from a ‘very free’
translation of Goethe’s Faust by John Anster. The full story can be found on the Goethe
Society of America‘s website.