Cru Jones Society

Time seems to pass by like one of these Olympic athletes. The Athens games were 4 years ago, but it seems like it 9.69 seconds. These games have had me thinking about the past 4 years and how my life has transformed in that time. What follows after the jump are some of the major changes I have experienced since the 2004 games.

I was 21 when the Athens games started, and when they ended. I had just moved into a house with Dagger, Limon, and CJS reader Tron. Not knowing Limon and Tron very well, the Olympics were a great way to bond. We had running joke on gymnastics scoring that for the life of me I can’t remember. I guess it doesn’t matter since Carly Patterson took home two medals.

At the time of the Olympics the four of us were all single. Sitting around watching the games, drinking beers, and making stupid jokes. Now two of the housemates are in committed and, what I assume and hope, are happy relationships. Making their stupid jokes a day later on the internet. Ah progress.

Although I am not one of the two currently living with a girl, I have had a couple relationships since that summer. Neither of which was very successful, obviously. The first was with a girl who turned out to be a huge giant whore, and can be summed up perfectly by the song “Spare Me the Details,” by The Offspring. The second one was a girl who was a tease and always looked down on me when I drank. She’s best summed up by the Zebrahead song “Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right, But Three Rights Make A Left.” To both of them I would just like to quote Rancid and let them know that “If you lose me, you lose a good thing.” But I’m not bitter.

But girls are like cars and it is better to find the small problems early before they become huge disasters later. Speaking of cars, since Athens I have had two different cars. The first was a Geo Prism and with these rising gas prices I wish I still had. I got the most out of that car as I could until the water pump failed and it would have cost more to fix it than what I bought it for. Ah the joy’s of buying old used cars. So I had to get a new one and I’ve made my first real step into adulthood. I went to a dealer and I now have car payments. I didn’t get a sweet Mini like someone; I got a 2003 Buick Century. I got grandma’s car. But I drive that car with pride.

I filled that car three times with boxes to leave Ft. Collins. One of three towns that I have called home since 04. Arvada and Lakewood are the other two. In those three towns I have lived in 5 different houses or apartments, with 7 different roommates. 5 of whom I am still in contact with. Those are odds I can live with.

As I have stated there have been at least four people who have come and left my life since the Athens Olympics, I’m sure there have been a few more that have left. More importantly are the friends that I have made in that time, as well as the familiar ones that I have grown closer to. I hope you know who you are and I thank you for everything.

As far as the few that I have mentioned that have left my life, and as awful as them leaving was, there is still something worst that has happened since the last summer games. I became very ill and then diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, an awful, awful inflammatory infection of the intestine, but more on that in a later post. As much as I hate having this disease and as awful as it made me, and at times makes me feel, ultimately I feel that I have been made stronger by it. Though if I had my druthers, I wouldn’t want it.

There have been good and there have been bad things that have filled my life in the span of 4 years. I’m not upset with the bad, it makes the good that much more sweeter. So enjoy these games and the next four years until the summer games come around again. And head the advice of Ferris Bueller “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look every once in awhile, you could miss it.”

One last thing, maybe the most impressive thing since the last Olympics. My muttonchops have grown into a full-fledged beard.

See ya at the podium . . .

lee.s.hart@crujonessociety.com