Playing in the Big Leagues

The year is winding to a close, and its been pretty awesome. I've met lots of great people, had alot of fun, and learned so much. I am really excited for the summer, and for the fall as well. There will be some hard decisions to make, some tough challenges to face, but I am relishing the opportunity. One thing that i hadn't really thought about though, was something that Larissa mentioned the other day. I remember thinking that the best thing about university would be that everyone was smart and competent and generally awesome and that it would be a challenge and a thrill to talk to them and compete with them and debate this that and the other thing. I never really thought about how much I was mistaken until now. Everyone at McGill is obviously intelligent, but if I was hoping to be thrown in a pool with eight Jonathans and six Tsz Hins and twenty Roberts..I was gravley dissapointed. It really helps me appreciate the caliber of the people I went to high school with and make me appreciate GATE even more. Now, though, at the end of the year, there are finally flashes of those people that i was hoping would be all over the place. I noticed it first with cowboy mike, he is the sort of person I expected to be the norm..someone who is incredibly intelligent and gifted at all manner of other things as well. I usually have to be on the top of my game to compete with him. Then there is Larissa. Part of the reason that I enjoy hanging with her so much is that it forces me to do everything I thought i would have to do at university. I have to be razor sharp every single time i talk to her, and I have to be running at 110% to even dance in the same arena. I relish the challenge though..and I certainly like to think I can hold my own. Those times when I'm a bit off my game and Ive been caught flat-footed (the Marx argument, trying to explain a few other things) have been a bit annoying, but I think I've done pretty well. Since yesterday however, and all the amazing people she was talking about, especially from this Global Young Leaders Conference (man I wish someone had told me about that), I know that i really am playing in the big leagues. To be among those people she considers her "peer group" it will certainly take everything I can muster and if I ever want to have a unique place among all those amazing people she knows I will certainly have to earn it. I never have been one to shy from a challenge though, and even when i'm competing with the 700 people that will be running the world in 30 years, I will go out there like it's a 400 against Trent and Dargie and Aaron and give them a run for their money. As they say in Chariots of Fire "Let me exhort you, examine yourselves, and let each of you discover where your true chance at greatness lies. For the sake of your college and your country, seize this chance, rejoice in it, and let no power or persuasion deter you in your task" Anyway, thats my rant for today. Hi to all.