A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away (i.e. a quarter century ago, on the banks of the Tualatin river) my family created the single greatest celebratory event EVER. A day on which we gather together with friends and family to barbecue, enjoy a cold beverage, and to play Full-Contact Volleyball. This is the story of how this day of all days was conceived.

     Many years ago my dad's brother,uncle Matt, was coming home after being discharged from the army. At the same time my uncle Drew was getting ready to leave for grad school. To celebrate, we held a "Welcome Home/Farewell" BBQ at my grandparents river property. They set up a net for volleyball and, being wrestlers and all around rough and tumble guys, they stretched the rules and the game turned into a contact sport. The following summer, many of their friends asked if we could do it again, well, who are we to spoil the fun? The next year they figured, what the hell, why not make this a yearly event? My dad, uncle Drew and uncle Matt were talking it over at McMenamins and came up with the name "Ragnarok" after the Norse myth. So, here we are, twenty six years later, into our fourth generation and we're still going strong. Ragnarok has become the event of the summer. There's a certain ceremony to things, we take it very seriously.

We don't have many rules to our Volleybrawl, but here's the gist of it

1. There's no such thing as a net violation. If you touch the net, no biggie.
2. It's okay to go under the net. You can push opponents away, just make contact above the waist and try not to let the other team catch you
3. No referee. Any disagreements over a point is "disputed in force" i.e. the team left with the ball after a big scrum gets the point
4. No running or "keep-away" with the ball. Enjoy the scrum, don't run from it. (and stay away from non-combatants)

     At it's core, whether you're a player or a spectator, a scrummer or not, a child or a child at heart, Ragnarok is our day to have fun and let go and have fun. I plan to keep Ragnarok going for years to come and then pass the torch onto my own children. It's the greatest show on Earth, the most wonderful time of the year, and the end of the world as we know it!

Instrument of battle

    I sit up late, back bent, eyes focused, working on a task I take very seriously. Ragnarok is coming and the embattled warriors require something to wield. It is my job to inscribe the sacred words. Like the dwarf, Eitri, who forged the mighty hammer Mjolnir for the god Thor, I think of little else as my hands go to their craft. Meticulous detail and precise placement are my goal; anything else would be a disservice to the sphere over which I toil. With pen in hand, I carefully and slowly trace out the letters. It is a job I enjoy. It is my duty and my pleasure to perform.

    Once done I sit back and take in my handiwork. Tomorrow we lay the field and hang the banners, tonight I am the wordsmith.