Monday, December 31, 2007

Latest Download: OneRepublic



I first heard the song "Apologize" w/ Timbaland on it a couple weeks ago and just kind of passed it off as yet another Timbaland project. For some reason, I decided to investigate further and found that the only thing Timbaland added to this particular song was a dab of mixing and just the "eh, eh, eh" or whatever it is that he does in every song nowadays. I bought the album on itunes for a remarkable deal of $7.99 in which you get 12 songs, and 3 bonus videos of a live performance. I've played this album about 3 times all the way through in less than 12 hours.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

All Planes lead through Seattle... sort of

It's funny how some days you just know that it's not going to be a great day from the moment you step out of bed, and today was one of those days. This morning started with a flurry when thirty seconds after my alarm went off I got a text message stating that our flight had been cancelled and that they were working on alternative routes to get us from Spokane back to Santa Barbara. A couple minutes after that came the phone call that our flight had not been cancelled but moved up by half an hour and that I had twenty-five minutes to get downstairs and on the bus.

After a short ride to the airport we got checked in where we found out that all of us were flying to Seattle first and then some of us were flying to Portland, a couple to San Francisco, and a couple to LAX before making it back to Santa Barbara. I myself was on a flight departing Spokane an hour later than the rest of the team and then catching up with the majority of them in Portland for our original flight back to Santa Barbara. Once all of us got through security we ended up finding out that there was a flight at 9:35 going to Portland, so the coaches found a way to get us all on this flight, so we could all enjoy a two and a half hour layover in Portland. Unfortunately, I don't think our bags made the same flight change.

Once in Portland we all went our separate ways for lunch. The guys had a hard time resisting the urge and call of the Nike store on the other side of the security check point. I opted to go to Wendy's for lunch and ended up waiting for 10 minutes for some good ole chicken nuggets to be cooked and ready for consumption, and even though they were delicious I was slightly annoyed with the wait time, a small complimentary frosty would have been a nice gesture, but no it wasn't meant to be.

Once on the ground in Santa Barbara I was looking forward to just getting my bags, driving home and just laying on the couch and relaxing. Once again, it just wasn't meant to be as my baggage apparently decided to stay in Seattle or Portland for the night. I can't decide if I'm angry because my bags didn't make it to Santa Barbara or jealous because they got to spend more time in the Pacific Northwest and I didn't!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Christmas Unwrapped

This Christmas was pretty good to me. The Basketball team gave me an early Christmas present with a trip to Indiana and North Carolina and the means to see family. My paternal grandparents were able to make it to our game at Ball State and to spend some time with me before the game. It was really good to see them. Then in North Carolina I got the best gift of the year when my parents made the drive up from South Carolina. Just being able to hug them made the entire trip worth while. Even though Mom and I did not reach my predicted 30 hugs over the course of 2 days it was a great visit. I miss my family a lot and only wish I could do more than the weekly phone call. Mom and Dad thank you for driving up to Chapel Hill!! I love you both very much!

I spent Christmas Eve up in a town called Lompoc with my friend David's family eating Tamale's, rice, and beans. They are a very nice family and funny. This is the second year I've spent Christmas Eve with them and surprisingly even David's Grandparents remembered me; I guess it's not to hard with my red hair. I also accompanied David back to Santa Barbara that night to open presents with him and his roommates and after a short nights rest drove back up to Lompoc Christmas morning to spend more time with his family. I was happy that I didn't have to spend Christmas alone and even happier that I didn't have basketball practice that night.

I'm sure some of you are wondering what I got for Christmas so here's the scoop:

I got some DVD's, some books that I've been wanting to read, an Ansel Adams book, a sweatshirt and a scarf.

I also got a turtle to put by my front door:


Any suggestions for a name?

And I'm especially stoked about this one! It's called a Zen Dolphin:

Monday, December 24, 2007

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

On The Road Again



It's time for the Basketball team to hit the road again. This week we are actually leaving California for the freshly snow covered midwest and Tar Heel country. We depart from Santa Barbara at 4:45am for our first flying trip of the year. This six day odyssey will take us to Muncie, Indiana where we will take on winless Ball State from the Mid American Conference. This leg of the trip will most likely be boring because there is not a lot to do in Muncie. Ball State is in the same conference as my undergraduate institution; Eastern Michigan, so I've been to Muncie a couple times in the past, but never for 3 days. After our game with Ball State we continue east for a Saturday early afternoon game with the number one team in the country. That's right folks, we are playing UNC Chapel Hill; I'll send you pictures Laef! I'm excited about this game because Mom and Dad will be driving up from South Carolina for the game and to spend time with me. I am really looking forward to seeing them! It's been about 7 months since we've last seen each other and there is a lot of catching up to do. I'm guessing Mom and I will be hugging at least 30 times over the course of the 2 days we will be together. Here's to everyone having a great week!

Go Gauchos!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Cute and Cuddly Walter Edition




Maybe the best Football Official Ever

I'll let each of you draw your own conclusions:

So Wrong but So Right

I got "The Best of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog" DVD for Christmas last year and I just played it again tonight. I find myself laughing hysterically every time I watch. This is probably my favorite Triumph assignment. It maybe wrong, but it is absolutely hilarious! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Holiday Traditions


This is probably my favorite thing about Christmas time in Santa Barbara: The annual Boat Parade! Every year boats from the harbor adorn their vessels with lights and are paraded around Stearn's Warf by the Harbor patrol. This year's theme was "Surfin' in the Holidays." The parade begins just after dark and lasts for a little over an hour. Hot Chocolate, Hot Cider, and warm cookies are available as nourishment and to warm our insides. The boats this year were much better than last years. There were plenty of snowmen and Santa's on surfboards. It was a good night and the fireworks were awesome.

Friday, December 7, 2007

Green Friday

Courtesy of Yahoo news 12/7/07

Eco-friendly kangaroo farts could help global warming: scientists



Australian scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, researchers say.

Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroo flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

"Fourteen percent of emissions from all sources in Australia is from enteric methane from cattle and sheep," said Athol Klieve, a senior research scientist with the Queensland state government.

"And if you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 percent," he told AFP.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 percent more energy out of the feed they are eating," said Klieve.

Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that's nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering.

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 percent would be a considerable sum," said farmer Michael Mitton.

But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria, before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.

Another group of scientists, meanwhile, has suggested Australians should farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

The idea is controversial, but about 20 percent of health conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.

"It's low in fat, it's got high protein levels it's very clean in the sense that basically it's the ultimate free range animal," said Peter Ampt of the University of New South Wales's institute of environmental studies.

"It doesn't get drenched, it doesn't get vaccinated, it utilizes food right across the landscape, it moves around to where the food is good, so yes, it's a good food."

It might take a while for kangaroos to become popular barbecue fare, but with concern over global warming growing in the world's driest inhabited continent, Australians could soon be ready to try almost anything to cut emissions.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Monday, November 26, 2007

Current Listening Pleasure

I downloaded Linkin Parks lastest album when it first came out, but I hadn't really listened to the entire album until recently. I have to admit it's not like their previous 2 albums, but I am thoroughly enjoying listening to it from beginning to end over and over again. The obvious song that first got me hooked was "What I've done", but here are a couple other songs that tickle my fancy: "Hands Held High", "No More Sorrow", and "Shadow of the Day". Mike Shinoda is a genius!



The next album I'd like to get is Muse's "Black Holes and Revelations". I was first introduced to Muse when it was the featured track to one of the Oregon Ducks Football Motivational videos when I was working with the team. The song "Hysteria" prompted me to buy their Album "Absolution" That CD found itself in heavy rotation for awhile and I still enjoy listening to it. I'm a big fan of all the singles they've put out from their latest masterpiece. I'm becoming more of a fan everytime I hear one of their songs on the radio.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Cute and Cuddly Sunday

This ones for you Mom!





Friday, November 23, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all; even if this post is a day late. This year was a little different than past years. David and I made the conscious decision to attempt making a Thanksgiving dinner by ourselves.

Our menu included:

Sparkling Cider
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Spanish Rice
Biscuits
Ham
Turkey
and for dessert Pumpkin Pie

Overall I give us a B+

Everything tasted good!

It was a lot of fun to make dinner and was easier than we had expected it to be.

Special thanks goes to Mom for all her helpful advice during the day.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Reading Corner

In my continuing development of a reading hobby I just finished reading "Into the Wild" by John Krakauer. Here's the premise: "In April 1992 a young man from a well-to -do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in his savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself...." I will not go any further than that as to not ruin the book for any of those who may choose to read it or go to see the movie. I found a fairly strong connection with this book and Christopher McCandless. Like him I have always fantasized about the wilds of Alaska. It is a place I have always wanted to visit and take in it's epic beauty. In the back of my mind I have always had this vision of owning a cabin far from civilization and a simpler life. Although I might not agree with all the decisions that McCandless made to embark on this odyssey I do envy and admire his grit and determination to do what he did.


Next up is "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

Cute and Cuddly Siberians

They don't get much cuter than this lot:









Basketball Season is here!

It's that time of year again! No, I'm not talking about the Holiday's! I'm talking about college basketball season. Entering season number 2 here at UCSB with the Men's Basketball program expectations are high. The team was picked to win the Big West and make it to the NCAA tournament. We have a solid group of veterans back that should help pave the way, but lack depth on the bench.
We began our season up at the Basketball Travelers Classic in Palo Alto, CA; aka Stanford. We played well losing only to Stanford in the third game. We had our first home game this past Thursday beating Cal Poly Pomona making the teams record 3-1 right now. The next game is Tuesday against U. of San Francisco and then Saturday against Montana State.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Cute and Cuddly Sunday

Crazy Parentals




So my parents have made it official. In fact, it has been official for over a week now. My parents are now living in a one bedroom apartment in South Carolina. They seem to be enjoying themselves so far and are beginning to realize why moving is not as much fun as you would think.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Go Ducks

Well I had been waiting for pictures of the new Treatment Center to be put up on the Website, but instead of course what do you know here it is on Youtube. For those of you in the know, Chief is a little subdued in this video and Kim; well I found Kim to be hilarious with her responses, and then of course there's Bacon!

With out any further delay. welcome to the Athletic Training Room of the future,

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Current Reading Project



After finishing "Atlas Shrugged" I began reading the next book on my docket. I'm on track to finish "King Leopold's Ghost" by the end of the weekend. This has been a very interesting book chronicling King Leopold's establishment and development of The Congo and the atrocities associated with his rule and regime.

Monday, October 1, 2007

Capilano Suspension Bridge

The last group activity that we did in Canada was to visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The Capilano Suspension bridge spans a 450 foot wide gorge and is 230 feet above the Capilano Canyon floor. The bridge does sway a lot and of course the guys got instructed to stop rocking the bridge a couple times. On the other side of the bridge there were trout ponds, and a tree-top adventure that was just like an awesome interconnected treehouse fort system. As our Sports Information Director poitned out it was fairly reminiscent to the Ewok Village in Star Wars.







Friday, September 28, 2007

Greatest Accomplishment

Here's to my greatest accomplishment! I completed reading this book with two day left in our Canada trip. It feels good, real good!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

The Epic Return of Cute and Cuddly Sunday

Here it is, the much awaited return of cute and cuddly Sunday:





Vancouver Aquarium

The second best part of my trip with the Basketball team was when I went to the Vancouver Aquarium when I had a little extra free time. Here are some of the pictures that pretty much sum up the experience:













Saturday, September 15, 2007

Whale Watching

The highlight of the entire Canada trip for me defintely was our 3 hour Whale Watching tour in Victoria. We began our trip by taking the Ocra Spirit Adventure Shuttle from our hotel to the dock where we signed in and got our tickets. It was a sunny morning in Victoria, but as soon as we hit the open water there was nothing but ocean, fog and mist to greet us. Every once in awhile we would get a break from the fog, but not a lot. We started our tour by going to visit an area called "Race Rocks" where California Sea Lions and Stellar Sea Lions congregate throughout the year. Our guide also told us in the past they have had some Transient Orca sightings in this area, and had even witnessed a couple Transient Orca kills. For us however, nothing but Sea Lions barking and growling in our direction. It probably didn't help that one of my players were trying to bark and growl back at them. I wonder if they found him to be as annoying as I did? We then continued on in our mission of finding some Whales! After travelling for another hour we got the call that a group of Resident Orcas had been spotted near Victoria, so we made our way back towards Victoria and to meet up with the Orcas. As we arrived on the scene there were already a good amount of other boats in the vicinity, so we took up our position and waited for the Orcas to head our way. It was still a little foggy making picture taking nearly impossible, not too mention my inability to get my camera to cooperate with what I wanted it to do, so I decided to put the camera away and just enjoy the sights and sounds. The Orcas were swimming probably about 50 yards away from us surfacing to breath and then diving back down again, when all of a sudden I noticed out of the corner of my eye that 2 were heading towards our location. One surfaced right at the back of our boat and another one passed right beside the boat directly under where I was standing at the rail. It was such a thrill to not only see these Orcas in the wild but for them to pass so close to the boat was a dream come true. After they passed we made an attempt to get ahead of them again, but they were moving fairly fast as when we stopped the second time some of the pod were already in front of us, but once again a couple went under the boat and a calf surfaced right along side. I was hoping to be able to follow them some more but alas our time had expired and we made our way back to Victoria. I was a little disappointed that I was only able to snap one photo that I knew would not turn out well. I would have been more than happy to follow the whales all day long if I could. Who knows maybe I missed my calling, maybe I should have gone into Marine Biology afterall.



Visit the Orca Spirit Adventure Link to visit the Orca Spirit Blog that chronicles every whale watching tour.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Royal BC Museum

We started our sightseeing at the Royal BC Museum. Luckily for us it had the Titanic artifact exhibit. Here's how it went down. Each patron to the exhibit is given a replica Boarding Pass with the information of a passenger who was on the Titanic.



I was Colonel John Weir a 60 year old man living in Dundee, Scotland. Unlike most passengers I was travelling by myself to Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. I was a Quartermaster General in the Spanish-American War serving in the Philippines and was a long time resident of Utah. I originally booked passage aboard a different vessel but switched to the Titanic because of the coal strike that was occurring. I boarded the Titanic in Cherbourg, France on April 10th, 1912 as a first class passenger.

The exhibit was interesting and cool. The best part for me was the very end of the exhibit where they had some of the passengers personal effects and a little history behind why they were on the Titanic and whether or not they survived. I found this room to be the most interesting because it made me wonder what must have been going through their minds at that moment. In that same room there was the entire passenger manifest split into the group of survivors and non-survivors. Colonel John Weir did not make it off the Titanic. This made me wonder: did he help others onto the life boats and sacrficing his life for the sake of children and their mothers or was he trying to buy his way onto a life boat pushing people out of the way to try and save himself, or maybe he was asleep or too drunk to even know what was going on. I like to think the first scenario is the way things transpired.

The rest of the museum was interesting as well. I especially liked the first faces exhibit about the native Indian tribes of British Columbia and their art.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

I've Returned

My trip to Canada has officially ended. What began on Sept. 1st ended on Sept. 10th. Overall, it was a good trip and I will be sharing in later blogs some of my favorite parts and activities. The team ended up going 4-1 during our trip and the only injury was a sprained ankle.
Our journey began Saturday the 1st at 1pm when we boarded the bus and headed down to LA to spend the night before catching our flight on Sunday. As a treat Saturday night we went to one of the player's house for dinner and relaxation. When we arrived and looked into the backyard what greeted us was a lamb on a spit that this player's Father had been cooking all day. It was my first time having lamb, and I must say it was actually pretty good. The meat was a little chewy but flavorful.
We arrived in Victoria in the afternoon after connecting through Seattle and made our way to the hotel. Once at the hotel we had about an hour and a half till we had to be ready for practice. It was a short drive to the University, but as luck would have it we went to the wrong gym and the bus had disappeared, so we ended up walking 3/4 of a mile back to the other gym. It was on this walk that we realized that the University had a huge wild rabbit population that were not too fearful of anything. One would expect squirrels, but instead there were rabbits and they were everywhere.
We were in Victoria from the 2nd till the 5th at which time we hopped on the Ferry and made our way to Vancouver to finish our trip.

Here are some pictures:


Victoria


Thunderbird Park, Victoria BC


BC Parliament Building




From the Ferry


Vancouver Skyline


Vancouver Art Museum Fountain


Vancouver Sea Plane

More to come later...