Christmas Message

With the Christmas spirit pervading the air, my thoughts turn to family, brotherhood, peace on earth, good will to men, and all that stuff. Since AC D.C. was founded six years ago, the team has turned from a fly-by-night organization, to a family of sorts. The picture you see here is the first "family portrait", circa 2003 (look at Jeff's goatee!). Many of our brother and sisters have left the team over the years to pursue careers and family. For this Christmas message, I've asked them to tell us about their life away from the club. (And they've responded with their usual tardiness that they used to respond to our Evites!). Here's what they had to say...

The incomparable Ben Nelson (picture seated front & center) writes from Boston:

I miss playing with the team. I finished my pediatric residency and started a fellowship in pediatric pulmonology. I just celebrated my 30th birthday, and Meghan and I took the first step in becoming parents - we adopted a dog last year!  I look forward to welcoming a former AC DC player to my family next year. Mike Kaschak is marrying my sister-in-law! 

I last saw Ben at Thanksgiving, and let me tell you, that damn dog is the center of life right now.

Sergio Jaramillo was the latest player to leave AC D.C., and he writes from Florida:

I am still playing Mr. Mom. I plan to start work after the holidays. As far as moving my feet, I decided to train with a personal trainer before I start playing ball again. Hopefully, one day, I can play with the old black and red in the Cherry Blossom Tourney or something. Say hi to the entire team. I miss you guys. I'll keep tabs through the new blog.

Mike Reilly is in sunny California doing a one-year fellowship, and has an eye towards returning to DC:

While having temporarily hung up my soccer cleats in exchange for a surfboard, I'm looking forward to being back in the action with you guys next year. By the way, it is 70 and sunny here, suckas! :-)

Our founding midfield general, Jonathan Lachman, was recently back at home in D.C., but just missed the team happy hour. If you’ve played with him, you’ll recall that he performs optimally in the temperature range of 55-75 degrees, from 10am to 4pm (we called those “Lachman conditions”). So, he writes:

My stint with Wigan athletic didn't pan out, not able to play in cold weather. Hoping to return to ACDC during January transfer window, but only if owner agrees to pay in t-bills. Off the pitch, am now staffing an expert working group for the Congressional Commission on the US Strategic Posture in addition to consulting to state and local governments. Turning 30 in Feb; Opus, does that mean you're 50? Hope you are all well.

Lachman’s fellow Kennedy School graduate, and midfield magician, Pablo Quintanilla, is the farthest away from D.C. He writes:

I miss you all and I'm delighted to know I can follow your every move through the new ACDC blog. As you know, I recently moved to Beijing with my wife, Silvana, and we are doing very well. I miss playing futbol with you, yet I'm staying in shape with Wednesday night basketball, lifting at a local gym, occasional badminton matches with random people on the street, and the much renowned "whip the top as hard as you can." Older men in parks use a leather whip to keep a large wooden top rotating hour after hour.

Many warm regards to you and your families. Silvana and I would love to host you in Beijing in the next couple years.

Pablo also included his vonage phone number, which I don’t want to publish to the entire internet. If you are visiting Beijing any time soon (gee, how many games will you be missing?), check with me to get Pablo’s number.

The irresistible Mercedes Dullum, for so long the “spirit” of AC D.C., writes from Cincinnati:

Hey guys! Things are going really well here! I love my residency program, although they have been keeping me very busy. Somehow I have managed to find a few spare evenings to play some local pick-up, and also the residency has a co-ed team that plays indoor and outdoor, so I have made a few guest appearances. It has been a pretty crazy fall, but I am very happy here. I hope you are all doing well, and I miss the team so much! Keep up the good work, and kick butt in the playoffs! Happy holidays! Vae Victus, Mercedes :)

And finally, Graeme Ramshaw was back from England visiting AC D.C. last week. Although he didn’t write anything for this Christmas message, he did personally visit a co-ed game, just to re-capture that overwhelming joy of yelling at the referees.

I’m incredibly happy and proud that our players still think about AC D.C. after they leave Washington. Whereas all these players have left their mark on AC D.C. with their talent and skill, the team has clearly left a cherished mark on them as well. During this holiday season, as you share your love and good wishes with your family, I hope you will include your AC D.C. brothers and sisters in your warm thoughts.  Please also share your thoughts by adding a comment to this message below.  As always, I feel privileged that you all share your talent, camaraderie and passion for the game with me and with each other. I wish you happy holidays and peace.