The Birth of Richard.

Players, at the sound of my whistle...

There are just certain things etched into my memory that will last for eternity. I spend far too much time trying to understand why those simple snapshots have been selected as memorable. It's a simple set of directions: Players, at the sound of my whistle... Why should that be something my brain decided a long time ago to remember for the rest of my life?

I'm almost certain it had everything to do with a former dream that never saw itself to fruition. It was a fantasy I played out in my mind countless times. I was to be a contestant on a game show designed for kids - "Guts." I would have the opportunity to scale the Aggro Crag to show everyone I had conquered greatness. I would have a glowing piece of the rock as a souvenir. All I had to do to accomplish this goal was to listen to a simple set of instructions: Players, at the sound of my whistle...

Having only competed on the game show in my mind, I never did get to accomplish a childhood dream. I felt a small sense of failure for never reaching that goal. With that said, something far greater in my life began to take shape - a pattern of rule following. And, as the years progressed, I became quite adept at following, enforcing, and later creating rules.

I realized at an early age that if I understood rules, I could become a master at just about any task. As long as I knew the parameters, I could master anything. I felt I had the power to accomplish any task. It was like knowing the answers to a test before it was administered.

With knowledge, came power. With power, came great responsibility. It became my duty to spread the good news. I had to share the rules! But, how? I am just a simple boy who needs boundaries. I cannot do this by myself. Then, one night it happened.

I was adjusting a clock in the bathroom above the vanity. I had just recently brushed my teeth and the counter, unbeknownst to me, was still wet. Needing solid footing to reach the clock, I had to stand on the counter. The instant I applied my weight onto the foot braced on the counter, I slipped and tumbled to the ground. My fall was broken by the floor. My head, however, was broken by the toilet seat. I was out cold. When I came to, I stood and looked at myself in the mirror. It was then, my world changed. I saw him. Amidst a great glowing light (later it was discovered this bright light was just the light bulbs from the vanity), he stood donning a rule tabulate and pen. For the very first time, I was introduced to Richard the Rule Enforcer - the one who would be given the task of enforcing rules. He spoke seven simple words:

Players, at the sound of my whistle...