I'm not one to write letters, but if I were, I might have sent this one to Ed Viesturs:
Dear Mr. Viesturs,
Thank you so much for writing your book, "No Shortcuts To The Top." I found it inspiring for both my life and my pursuit of summiting highpoints. Your book as given me the extra shove I need to organize an attempt on Ranier this year. Your eighteen-year commitment to Endeavor 2008 sets an example of hard work, but your affable "over a beer" style of story telling allows you to encourage without sounding preachy. As many others must have told you, your devotion to wife and family puts the message in the proper perspective and is truly heart warming.
I was drafting this letter while reaching the end your tale, when I came across this passage:
"TK Ed's quote, something like "That was a game [Super Bowl XL] that a lot of us in the Seattle area thought we might have won if not for poor officiating."
It was really just an aside, but to me it brought your narration to a complete halt. You see, I am a die hard Steelers fan, the team that beat the Seahawks in the Super Bowl that now seems so long ago. As a lifetime football fan, I'm strongly encouraging you and other Seahawks fans to get over it. Here's why:
- Every year, 31 sets of fans must deal with not winning the championship. It's the norm, not the exception.
- Everyone else in the world has long forgotten it.
- Poor officiating is suffered by everyone. Just this week Bill Simmon's wrote:
"This clip is going to enrage everyone in Pittsburgh: The NFL Network breaking down David Garrard's game-saving QB draw from 350 different angles and somehow neglecting to mention Khalif Barnes' monster hold."
But Mr. Simmons is wrong. It didn't piss me off. It wasn't the missed holding call that cost the Steelers the game. It was the fact that they didn't play as well as the Jags.
- I would give you that yes the Seahawks had some decent stats in the game, but stats lie. The Pats often are behind in rushing and time of possession, but slaughter the other team with 3 touchdowns in 3 plays. The Seahawks gave up 2 touchdowns on a monster Will Parker run, and a long pass to Hines Ward. That sealed the game more than anything else.
So to sum up a long letter that only I will read, you are awesome and an inspiration. However, the Seahawks lost and I hope you get over. There's a chance we might bump into each other on the summit of Mount Ranier and I might be waving a Terrible Towel (like this guy). I hope I can shake your hand and offer you a beer at the base, rather than having you punch me in the nose.
All the best and keep summiting!
Sean