Hello again

Yes, I know it has been a long time since I've updated my blog. I've been lazy and haven't really had anything worthy of "blogging out". But, I need to break out of the cycle so I'm going to bore you all with the musings of my mundane life.

So, what have I been up to you ask. Well, let me tell you. I've been up to the usual routine of work, eat, and sleep. Basketball season is grinding along and no it is not going well. We are currently 3-7 in conference and 9-13 overall. It has been a rough start to the conference schedule. We've lost games in all kinds of fashion. We've had double digit leads and have squandered them away in the second half. We've played well and have had chances to win in the end, but make silly turnovers, and shoot bad shots. We've even only scored 16 points in one half. All I have to say is that at least we've scored more points than Maryland and Oregon in a half (15 each in horrible losses); sorry Clay I feel your pain!

This past week we made the trip down to Orange county to play Fullerton and Irvine. We built up a 22 point second half lead just to end up losing by 7 in our first game. In the second game of the weekend we did considerably better beating Irvine by 9 and securing the season sweep over the team that had knocked us out of the Big West tournament when we were the higher seed the past two years. With last weeks road trip we only have one more conference road trip to make; a one game trek down to Northridge. This week we welcome our central coast travel partner/rival Cal Poly to the Thunderdome for our third consecutive Valentine's Day match up. We beat Cal Poly on the road a month ago, but Poly has been hot on the road and cold at home. This is a big game for both teams since we are both in the basement of the conference. The silver lining though is that the conference is living in a ranch style house this year, so it's going to be a wild sprint to the finish..

On the personal side of life things are status quo. I haven't been going out much, but then again I've been on the road with basketball for practically all of January. I'm proud to say that since I've gotten my Wii fit I have lost 20lbs. The best way to describe everything is that I'm going with the flow and seeing where it takes me.

With that said I'm just going to "Float On"! You all do the same!

From my Portfolio

Last Tuesday I had a staff meeting at work at 8 am so the night before I decided that I would get up early drive into work, watch the sunrise at Goleta Beach and take some photos. Well, I got a late start at the sunrise but got there before the sun got too high in the sky making it too light to shoot. I got some good shots and finished off one roll and then loaded in some black and white film. By the time I got the second roll loaded the sun was too high in the sky to shoot directly, so I played with some silhouettes to get some additional shots.
I dropped off the rolls to be developed before I left on my road trip and picked them up today. On first glance I was happy with how some of them came out. On second glance and loading them on my computer I think I got some pretty awesome shots that I am super excited about.

So, here they are for your viewing pleasure...

Arts and Lectures Series

This term the Arts and Lecture series is quite thin of things that I really want to go see, but there are a few things I plan to check out. The first of which was last Thursday.
I went to go see a screening of the film "Secrecy". "A film about the vast invisible world of U.S. government secrecy, this documentary presents thoughtful interviews with articulate experts on all sides of the debate to determine the fine line between national security and the people's right know. Is government secrecy the key to victory in our struggle against terrorism, or our Achilles heel? By focusing on classified secrets, those potentially harmful to national security, Secrecy explores the tensions between our safety as a nation, and our ability to function as a democracy."

I thought the film was well done and provided a 360 degree perspective on the subject. I walked out of the film with mixed emotions. I agree that the public has a right to know and believe that it would make us more alert and connected to the government that we elect. At the same time though I can appreciate the counterpoint that certain information needs to be kept secret. The question is what constitutes the balance between openness and secrecy? Unfortunately, I don't have an answer to that one. What do you think about this issue? Has government secrecy overstepped its bounds? Do you care one way or the other? Let's discuss...

Giving Back

I've decided that this year I am going to volunteer and work the AIDS Lifecycle.

The AIDS Lifecycle is put on by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center. This is a fundraising event that requires riders to raise $3,000 just to participate. The event lasts seven days and begins in San Francisco on May 31st this year and ends in Los Angeles on June 6th. The course takes the riders on a 545 mile physical and emotional journey through some of California's most spectacular landscapes.

My former co-worker Tina and I talked last year about actually participating in the Lifecycle but ultimately decided it was too late to actually train and raise the money, so we postponed our plans. Our conversation initially began after I told her that a close friends brother was actually doing the ride. He had a great time, met some amazing people, and gained perspective on his life.
Ultimately I want to participate in the ride, but for this year I figured I'd volunteer see what the ride is like and go from there.

There are two reasons that I am interested in getting involved in this event. The first reason being that I have a close friend who found out they were HIV positive. The news was hard to hear and I didn't know what to say. It came as such a shock. I had never been confronted with something of that nature before, so I was at a loss. The only thing I felt like I could do was to be there for them and show them that I cared. Long story short they are doing very well. It is for them that I want to take part in the Lifecycle. It is the same reason that I wear a red ribbon lapel pin to every basketball game. The second reason is to meet new people and be a part of something bigger than just my everyday life.

As a volunteer I am not required to raise $3,000 dollars, but I want to raise some money for the cause. My goal is $1,500. I know with the state of the economy finding some spare change is hard to do, but every little bit helps and I would greatly appreciate any donation. Here's the link to my donation site: Greg's Donation page, and my friends brother's page in case you feel generous: Jason's Donation page

A token of appreciation

This fall one of my better waterpolo players got injured and ended up having to sit out the season because of it. We spent the entire fall term rehabbing and strengthening to get him back in the water and to waterpolo. He was very dedicated and did everything I asked of him. He was a good patient and he got better. He was back in the water and building back into full activity before he left to go home for break.
Last week he came in to give me a gift for helping him and doing my job. He walks up and asks me "Greg do you like alcoholics?" I didn't quite know what to say, so I just kind of looked at him with a confused expression. In my mind I was thinking uh oh is he admitting he's alcoholic. So, I asked him "do you mean do I like to drink?" He nodded yes and gave the international drinking gesture. I probably shouldn't have admitted it in the middle of the treatment area, but said "yeah on occasion." That's when he pulled out a black cardboard box and said thank you for helping him. He explained to me that this liquor is a specialty and considered the national liquor of his country.

It's nice to be appreciated.

One for Mom

A current photo

Recently Added to my IPOD

John Legend - "Get Lifted" Album
Scott Weiland - "Missing Cleveland"
Pendulum - "Propane Nightmares"
Rascal Flatts - "What Hurts the Most"
MGMT - "Time to Pretend" and "Kids"
Santogold - "Lights Out"
Estelle (feat. Kanye West) - "American Boy"
The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name"
Apocalyptica (feat. Adam Gontier) - "I Don't Care"
Kanye West - "Heartless" and "Love Lockdown"