Friend Tribute One: Dirk Van Dalen

Name: Dirk Van Dalen
Era: HS > VCE
Characteristics: Fun, Loyal, Killer Dancer, Happy, Infectiously Happy, Infectiously Fun
Genius at: Soccer, Poker, Philosophy, Japanese

Favorite Memories:

• After Scottie’s birthday party, most of the crew returned to Matt’s house for post-drinks and general invading of cheese from the fridge. Dirk and I stayed up and watched Letterman and MAD TV – where, for the first time, we saw ‘Kenny Roger’s Jackass’. We laughed and cried for many hours into the night.
• Some of the crew once took a road trip to Dirk’s house, where we played hackey-soccer on his back porch. It soon turned dangerous, with people kickbooting the ball at the water bowl and shed gutters for crazy effect. We later went into his house to look for some board games to play… but he DIDN’T OWN ANY!! No one could believe it and we continued to search rudimentary cupboards. Nothing. Jimi Hendrix was the soundtrack for that day.
• On a whim I decided to go to Stewie’s party, and lucky I did because I won a poker tournament that night. I came from the low stack, needing a ‘6’ on the river to stay in the game – and Dirk (dealing) dealt me out that magical ‘6’. From then on I went from strength to strength and pipped Matty Hayes at the post for the victory, playing my ‘AK’ perfectly. After the game and big big party, I had no where to stay that night. At this point in time I didn’t really know Dirk, but he still took me under his wing and gave me a bed for the night at his house  …and Coco Pops in the morning – I mean, what a champion!
• Many-a-memories meeting him at the world famous ‘Inverleigh Fair’, usually playing hackey sack. One such year included the guest appearance of a boy named Xavier, who at the time I didn’t really know. He randomly asked if he could join in and we felt no stranger danger – although he was a complete stranger. We all played hackey for quite some time that day.
• He supported many of my crazy games such as ‘Bottle Wars’ and ‘Star Cards’
• And may the devil strike me down, I almost forgot… the magical day in English where Dirk penned the song ‘Afghan Man’ (to the tune of ‘Uptown Girl’).

Why you want to be his friend: “He grooves without juice and gets your party started!”

(Although I hear now he drinks the occasional juice – but he doesn’t need it to groove of course!)

VOX Aug 13, 2008