The Ca-zap-ka Kid, Damian Czapka, is a bit of an enigma, even today. I count him as one of my best childhood friends, but he's the least connected. He can be a bit of an apparition. Always there, but not always with us. Burt has lived in the same city as Damian for years and has seen him about as often as I have. The running joke is how Damian almost never emails, or responds to email. When he does chime in, we make a big deal about it, because, well, it IS a big deal! But we all know where he lives, and we can get together with him whenever we want. If any of us embodies the word steadfast, it is Dame.
Random memories:
About a week or so after moving to Florida in 1982, I ran into Damian at the movie theater (I think we were seeing Tron, or Poltergeist). I remember going to the bathroom and trying to remember if his name was Damian or Dominick. I had just met them both and got the "D" names mixed up.
In middle school, Damian got hit by a pest control truck. We visited him in the hospital. His broken leg had a pin through it and I almost passed out.
Damian loved guns and once took me into the woods to shoot a 12-gauge shotgun, which was scary.
Damian and his wife Lisa came to Costa Rica in 1998 while Cristina, Sofia, and I were there.
It's a bit sparse, but here's how Damian signed my yearbooks over the years:
5th grade:
Your friend, Damian Czapka
6th grade:
Did not sign.
7th grade:
Did not sign.
8th grade:
Did not sign.
9th grade:
Wayne,
What a year it has been. I am the last one to sign your yearbook. It has been fun being in the same class with you. You are so funny it kills me. I hope we are in the same class next year. We will probably will be. Hope you have a fun summer at the beach. Do not hurt your eyes at the beach by looking at all the girls. '90 rules.
friend, Damian
10th grade:
Wayne,
What's is going down man? Well Wayne, your life has completely changed since the beginning of year. Like, you've aged 60 years for about 3 days. But you are still able to flirt with all the girls when you were old. Shit! My pen just ran out of ink. Thats fucking great! Now my writing is going to look dumb. Alright, let me say that this has been a great year. I'm glad you are in two of classes. You are really funny and hope to God you are in at least one of my classes next year. There is not much more to say. Here comes the teacher. OH NO. I'm going to try to have you over during the summer. Most like both Dom and you. That will be alright with you won't it. I thought so! I think it is time for me to sign off. I'll see you over teh summer. Just remember this saying--Just Say WOH!
your friend (pal), Damian
11th grade:
Did not sign.
12th grade:
Did not sign.
2 comments:
How well I remember that broken leg. That was my introduction to Damian. Love it. Love him... This has been great seeing all of the memories.
Random memories:
Wayne, the movie was Tron and I think you sat about 3 -4 rows in front of me. That was at the 1 screen movie theater across from the Inverness courthouse.
I remember a joke you played on me about getting hit in the side with an axe. It sounds very funny now but back then I am sure I was concerned.
Then of course there were the jokes about my mother….nothing else needs to be said on that subject.
As for my yearbook I go back to your famous Woman Charts. Here is the one from 1988.
Bitch – a real bitch
OK – nice, but not that great
Cute – just cutesie, but not beautiful
Fine – the kind of girl you’re proud to go out with
Pretty – nice features; natural beauty
Babe – the woman who’d make great one night stands
Sexy – The kind of woman you’d like to lick the make-up off of!
Finally…A.V.O.R.I.A.W.O.C.
Dame
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