The Final Frontier

Ultimate friends beware, this is not a post about the battle between Star Wars fans and those of the Trek. Instead, this is a final farewell to the ones we've loved and still love; the ones who have left us; and the ones who will always be there for us in person or by a series of tubes (internet joke for all the Daily Show fans - Jon Stewart). Dare I repeat myself in saying that my words of wisdom in the beginning still hold true for your final weeks in Australia. I do so dare, and I will add a final set of rules to follow (Life's 3 Rules).

August (Welcome to the Jungle)

Townsville Ultimate Frisbee has commenced once more. Don't you dare hold back, and don't be the one to say: "If only I was more social, how much more fun would I have had." You get what you put into it.
Welcome to Mother Nature's Thunderdome...and congratulations on realizing this:
"Life is a book, and those who don't travel only read the first page."


Let's break these sentences down with the help of evidence from the past semester. Did you hold back when your team was down 4 points? Did you run end to end searching for that elusive Universe Point? Did you interact with everyone? Your pub crawl can answer the last question, and it's safe to say that the usage of the "cup" defense had pushed everyone to their boundaries. As I watched the other games from afar I could see the smiles on everyone's faces, the cheers which bonded each other in hilarity and enthusiasm. My Buddha was there a plethora of t-shirt designs! What did I see? I saw people putting in an effort to be social and veer vastly out of their comfort zone and break out of their shell. And what have these people been given back? Well that is of your own sound judgment because you get what you put into it.

The best example of this concept comes from Becca and Danielle. At first they seemed like a couple out of their element. I made the connection to a North African couple seeing snow for the first time; quite amazed at their surroundings. Their first act was to help a man they never met. HE WASN'T MAROLYIN MANSON! What started out as an act of compassion gave way to memories they will never forget. For if it was not for the initial gut reaction for them to be social, we would not have the amazingly talented "Disc Hammering Honeys" The nicknames may not have existed.

Relationships have been formed. TJ and Becca; Zach and Ket, and many more have enjoyed each others company (either for their duration of study or a simple night of "winning") Giggity!


Rule #1 - Paradox

The best piece of wisdom I can leave you all with is this: Life is the present moment. Nothing else means more to your happiness. When you're running down that field and skying the opposition, or when your hands are raised and placed on each teammate's shoulders during the post game discussions, you are forever living in the present moment. You're not thinking about the bills to pay or the assignments to finish, nor are you worried of any sort mishap that may befall your life path. You are devoted 100% to that one moment in time where nothing else matters but what is actually going on. Life is full of wondrous elements, and if you open your eyes and appreciate your peers and your connections made this semester then you will finally realise that life has no ordinary moments. There is never nothing going on. This future that you believe in, this past life you look back on in either love or disgust means nothing. What matters is that you are here, now, in this moment, with friends by your side and love in your hearts. Life is not about a fixed destination, rather it is about the journey you take and the events along the way. You cannot foresee them, and you most certainly cannot control life. It is a paradoxical bitch whose temper knows no bounds. Life beats you down and provides you with obstacles (walls) to stop your progression towards true happiness. BREAK THROUGH THOSE WALLS! You can do this by sacrificing control. And control is sacrificed most when you are living in the present moment. When you jumped into Crystal Creek from atop the rocks, when you sky'd the opponent in the endzone for that Universe point, that's when your mind was empty.

The trick is staying in that habit of being out of your mind. It takes a lifetime of practice. You are the power to break through the walls of life and your friends provide you with the wrecking ball.

Rule #2 - Humour

How many stories have you been treated to at the beginning of Wednesday's action? What of the mighty Timmy Roland and his resting place of a sidewalk afar from his own house after the pub crawl? How many pranks have been pulled to other members of their team. Some people thought it was quite humourous to pull one on the Dragon Man himself. Well played Clockwork Orange, well played. Finally, Tara's "white girl wasted" alter ego made sure to show her face at the Halloween party. No more toilet paper for you Jersey Shore House. The point I am trying to make is that you have to keep a sense of humour about EVERYTHING. Even about yourself, humour is a strength beyond all measure. It dissipates the sadness and calms the stresses away. Laugh when you can and even laugh at yourself. No one judges you in this family, and sometimes life will be hard for absolutely no reason at all. Laugh, smile, be happy.


Rule #3 - Change

Nothing stays the same. Some of you will never be here again. Some have loved and lost, others have changed majors, careers, houses, and even friendships. The only thing in this life that is constant is change. You can't escape it. The universe is balance. If you try and hold it, you will lose it. If you try and force it, it will falter. This rule of life is hand in hand with Rule 1. When you realise that life will change at any moment, without your control, you will be able to stay "out of your mind".

So what now?

If by some drastic reason you have still not felt the acceptance and paternal care of our family I can assure you that hope is not lost. There is still time. Exams are approaching and they are important. So manage your time and make the most of your final days. Some of you will never be here again, and you will know how that feels when you're reading through your news feed. Ask yourself this:

"Have you done all in your power to make the most of your journey? What else can you do to end with a bang?"

I swear to Buddha that if I don't see anyone smiling as I pass them in campus I will resort to funny faces and enticing antics that will embarrass the shit out of you. I fuckin' love you guys. Do me a favour. Go outside right meow! Raise your head to the stars and hold it high, giving three cheers for everyone you have met.

3 cheers for the Spastic Spunk, 3 cheers for Dark Matter, 3 cheers for the Redballs, 3 cheers for the Birds, 3 cheers for Dye Fast Tie Furious, 3 cheers for the Ladyboys (sorry Lascivious Ladyfingers), 3 cheers for Clockwork Orange, and 3 for the Green Lanterns.

3 cheers for heart, 3 cheers for memories, and 3 cheers for technology and Facebook. For if not for the latter, we would not be able to look back on our lives and enjoy it a second time when we are about to pass on in this world.


You are now a part of history, a section that contributes to the annals of Ultimate Frisbee in Townsville. I do my best to live a life based on the virtues pictured on my arm: Veracity, Courage, Respect, Duty, Compassion, Justice, and Honour. We are the only true judges of our character, mighty samurai warriors whose purpose is to pay it forward and lead the way to a shining future.

...and like it has been said before: Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.


When you leave Mother Nature's Thunderdome and into the bitter winters of the Northern Hemisphere, remember that you took a journey and you read countless pages of your life story. You traveled and now you have been able to feel the world at your feet.

Goodbye and Buddha/Alah/Shiva/Moses/Spaghetti Monster/and John Smith Bless you all.

With all the paternal and genuine love which I possess, forever and honourably your Ultimate friend,
Mitchell Joseph Sokolowski
The Man With The Dragon Tattoo

p.s. unless you forgot, Hugh is not a real blackbelt. ;)