Thursday, December 22, 2005
Scott Gracie
While up in Aberdeen over the weekend enjoying myself, I received news that one of my friends from high school was killed in a car crash on Saturday morning
I haven't had any contact with Scott since he left school, but I suppose, perhaps like many others, wish that we had tried a little harder. I can't comment on what kind of a man he had become, but if it was only a fraction of the friendly, enthusiastic boy we all loved at school, he will be truly missed.
Scott was never the most academically gifted of students, but my most endearing memory of him was how hard he would try, and the positive light in which he would go about his work. For most of us however, we knew him as an athlete. And an oustanding one at that. I played basketball with him for many years, and have never played basketball or indeed any other sport with someone as incredibly talented as him. Vastly skilled, and even more so intelligent, he could read and interpret the game like few others. And any game, from football to hockey to basketball to badminton, and as I've come to learn, at bowls.
But for someone as talented and gifted, there was never an arrogance about him. In an elite sporting sense, that was perhaps his biggest flaw, or hindrance to realising his full potential (trust me, he really was THAT good at everything). But his down to earth, friendly, compassionate character with a wonderful sense of humour made him a hit with everyone, both fellow students and teachers.
My condolences go to his family, girlfriend and close friends. I wouldn't imagine there is anything that could possibly fill the void he leaves behind. But he will be remembered as a great person, and for me personally, as a very good friend.
Jan.
I haven't had any contact with Scott since he left school, but I suppose, perhaps like many others, wish that we had tried a little harder. I can't comment on what kind of a man he had become, but if it was only a fraction of the friendly, enthusiastic boy we all loved at school, he will be truly missed.
Scott was never the most academically gifted of students, but my most endearing memory of him was how hard he would try, and the positive light in which he would go about his work. For most of us however, we knew him as an athlete. And an oustanding one at that. I played basketball with him for many years, and have never played basketball or indeed any other sport with someone as incredibly talented as him. Vastly skilled, and even more so intelligent, he could read and interpret the game like few others. And any game, from football to hockey to basketball to badminton, and as I've come to learn, at bowls.
But for someone as talented and gifted, there was never an arrogance about him. In an elite sporting sense, that was perhaps his biggest flaw, or hindrance to realising his full potential (trust me, he really was THAT good at everything). But his down to earth, friendly, compassionate character with a wonderful sense of humour made him a hit with everyone, both fellow students and teachers.
My condolences go to his family, girlfriend and close friends. I wouldn't imagine there is anything that could possibly fill the void he leaves behind. But he will be remembered as a great person, and for me personally, as a very good friend.
Jan.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Countdown..
It's the 11th of December, a long time since I last posted.
My tickets for Australia have been booked. I will be leaving here on the 16th of January, spending a couple of nights in Hong Kong en-route. I have a job lined up over there in Central North New South Wales for a agricultural contractor. Due to start early February, and staying on till the End of May for now. Sophie, my girlfriend, is due to fly out around about then, so we can do some travelling together.
My friend Chris is over in Sydney at the moment, so it will be good meeting up with him for the first week or so. Besides that, I haven't much of a plan.
What am I doing currently with my life? Well since really not enjoying my "proper" job, I have worked the harvest here in Scotland, living with my mum and dad here in Fife. In the meantime my flat in Aberdeen has been sold, although I travel up there occasionally to see my friends and play hockey. It's difficult saving money.. that's one lesson I've learnt. And it takes a long time to pay off debt accumulated as a student..
Finally, a big hello to my friends in Holland. Het was erg leuk om van jullie allemaal te horen via SMS. Ik hoop dat jullie deze website vinden en in contact te bleiven. Ik kan dan ook een beetje m'n Nederlands oefenen, want het te schrijven word steeds moeilijker. Als ik terug kom uit Australie, zal ik echt heel hard proberen om even over the vliegen en met jullie effe een paar biertjes te drinken.
Allerbeste Groeten,
Jan
My tickets for Australia have been booked. I will be leaving here on the 16th of January, spending a couple of nights in Hong Kong en-route. I have a job lined up over there in Central North New South Wales for a agricultural contractor. Due to start early February, and staying on till the End of May for now. Sophie, my girlfriend, is due to fly out around about then, so we can do some travelling together.
My friend Chris is over in Sydney at the moment, so it will be good meeting up with him for the first week or so. Besides that, I haven't much of a plan.
What am I doing currently with my life? Well since really not enjoying my "proper" job, I have worked the harvest here in Scotland, living with my mum and dad here in Fife. In the meantime my flat in Aberdeen has been sold, although I travel up there occasionally to see my friends and play hockey. It's difficult saving money.. that's one lesson I've learnt. And it takes a long time to pay off debt accumulated as a student..
Finally, a big hello to my friends in Holland. Het was erg leuk om van jullie allemaal te horen via SMS. Ik hoop dat jullie deze website vinden en in contact te bleiven. Ik kan dan ook een beetje m'n Nederlands oefenen, want het te schrijven word steeds moeilijker. Als ik terug kom uit Australie, zal ik echt heel hard proberen om even over the vliegen en met jullie effe een paar biertjes te drinken.
Allerbeste Groeten,
Jan
