What's different

I'm constantly asked the question "Which place do you like better [the middle east or USA]?" Similarly, I know that what's here seems foreign to friends there, and vice versa. Unfortunately I don't have a preference [I love both] and I can't un-foreign-ize each place. Hah.

But I wrote recently about the south for those who don't know it. And here are some details about the Middle East maybe you don't know about:

1. when you are outside the Tel Aviv airport's main terminal, you could honestly confuse it for LAX that's how similar the construction style is
2. the toilets here generally have two flush options, and I guarantee not a single time I intended more or less water did I deliver that into the bowl. I'm always guessing wrong, in other words
3. right turns on red are not allowed in Israel, not because of which side of the road people drive on - they drive on the right - but that's simply the law
4. right turns on red ARE allowed in the West Bank, and yet there is likely to be a lot of honking regardless of what the driver chooses to do with that opportunity
5. radio stations are in Hebrew, Russian, English, and Arabic - one in particular is called "Sowt Israel" and broadcast entirely in Arabic -- yet the name means "Voice of Israel." I can't figure out why this is so
6. the super bowl is tonight - here is my post on it from last year - and it starts at about 1:30am tomorrow. ugh, if only i weren't interested in the whole charade. 

I drove around the Sea of Galilee the other day/night and grabbed this picture

What I love about the South

Let's talk about the South for a minute. First off it's the most polite place you've ever been (except for England). People here address everyone in a room when they walk in. People say hello to strangers on the street and offer help when your car is broken down or you've got a flat tire on your bike.

People in the South are also ambitious... there's a drive in the south. And while ambition is a human characteristic - something very American and human - the South's is unique. Even today, Southerners think that going in a new direction is possible. I sense that we're working on improving ourselves, making our cities better places to live and more attractive to visitors, and generally better off.

At a time when it feels like there's a lot of pessimism in the world, there's something optimistic about the south.

The phrase "the south will rise again" has some resonance with me now, and not in the way that you might associate. It's not that we'll rise up with arms (though recent events suggest that could happen) ... more so that we're going to rise up in Community and Drive. Atlanta, in particular, has a place in the world community that seems sort of special.

Reading a book right now called Tomlinson Hill that traces the Tomlinson family from days as Texas slaves and slave owners to a family united by a name and bridging their historical and miserable divide.

So what I'm saying is there's something happening in the South, and I like some things here.

What's actually been happening? Part 1

In the middle of September, my friend Matt and I went out on the Atlanta Beltline for some catching up. Our routine is to walk -or ride our bikes- up and back on the northeast section. So I mentioned to him being interested in international work, connecting it in part to what I did with the Carter Center last summer. In turn, Matt offers to introduce me to Rebecca, a friend of his who worked for NDI, another international elections observer group.

So Matt loops Rebecca and I together on email. Rebecca and I set up a phone conversation to get talking. And during our 30-minute talk on October 1st, she encourages me to seize the moment (meaning spring semester 2014 and maybe beyond) - why wait to get the kind of experience I'm saying interests me. Part of the argument is that organizations are looking for people to show their value before those people ask for a salary. And the other argument is that I'm not as old as I think I am (and that regretting not getting this experience at 23 isn't useful).

So once Rebecca and I are off the phone, I mull over what she said. Something clicks. A couple days later email David of Ultimate Peace about making this real. Side note: this was something David and I (along with Sarah VW) talked about back in 2011 - supporting the organization in developing the programs and doing it more like full-time.

By the following Sunday, David and I get on the phone together. Luckily, I had contacted him just ahead of Club Nationals, a tournament in Dallas that was coordinating with the Ultimate Hall of Fame induction ceremony (same city and weekend). David was going to be there -- to himself be inducted! This was the perfect opportunity to meet in the middle of the country and discuss, with Linda present, the opportunity ahead. So only two weeks after talking with Rebecca about seizing the moment, I met with Linda and David to make a real plan for making the move. And that folks is the start of what's been happening!

I walked twelve miles and all I got was this map of it!

Martin Luther King Jr. Drive stretches across the midsection of Atlanta. It leaves Cobb County near Six Flags in the west and travels through Fulton County (and Atlanta) almost all the way to Moreland Avenue and Dekalb County.

Here's a description of what I gathered by walking along MLK yesterday.

• Cars make noise, something between a shushing and a wheering
• The noise cars make drowns out most other noise, like birds
• Birds chirp and tweet, primarily in thick foresty areas (foresty areas number about ten along all of MLK)
• Windows don't get fixed, especially in poor neighborhoods
• Broken windows usually have busted-up blinds behind them - I saw lots of these
• Empty houses and apartments tempt me into moving in, though I imagine some things I don't want to live with already moved in
• Airports, no matter how small or infrequently used, amaze me. My trek yesterday started at Fulton Co/Brown Airport
• Trains and train tracks, no matter how frequently or infrequently used, amaze me. I considered leaving MLK and walking along the tracks from Cobb to Dekalb
• Cemeteries can hold beauty as much as they hold sorrow 
• Westview is an especially beautiful cemetery. It has a castle in the middle and slow, green hills for what feels like miles around it. I saw a woman who appeared to be meditating in the middle of one of those hills. It was an image of sadness and peace
• Oakland Cemetery hosts lots of events, like some reenactment yesterday that involved a man who dressed up in a red and black striped body suit. The man had very dark facial hair and very gray/white head hair. He tied a bowtie on his collar. He had on boots and his boots made click-clocking noises when he ran
• MARTA operates buses
• Buses have unique problems and unique bus stops and unique bus drivers and unique bus passengers
• The Castleberry Hill neighborhood reminded me of the Bellavista neighborhood in Santiago, Chile for all the art attractions and new, colorful businesses
• Walking can be meditative

Here's an image of where I walked:

Something beautiful

I'm lucky to live in a city and neighborhood with vibrant people, sights, and groups.

Here is a little celebration of Reynoldstown. And a toast to everyone's inalienable right to beauty.

Its passion time

In the middle of resting last night, this overwhelming thought came to me: the more I hear what people are passionate about the better.

Now its day three at the Alliance Management Institute, a conference on nonprofit management, and I brought with me a tangible result of last night's overwhelming thought (see cardboard spraypainted below).

And I'm asking people, as I have been for the last couple days (without the cardboardthen, with it now), what they are seeking and dreaming, and passionate about in the sector.

And I'm offering to snail mail people their passion later this year as a way to encourage them, be a servant in a way.

Talked to two people so far, and have both their passion and their mailing address. 'Nother update later.

Talking and listening

Holiday vacation ended, and I should feel glum. A conference I'm attending started today, which involved getting dressed up, going downtown, and being on my best networking behavior.

Yet I had the nicest interactions -and what was surprising was where and when they happened... before I even got to the conference.

As I'm walking up stairs to the train station parking lot this morning, a guy I've never met before says "You look nice today, young man!" And not in a mocking way. I replied with something generic about the warmth of his clothing and we went, smiling, about our ways.

Then on the train fifteen minutes later, a woman offered me her seat, moving to another one available close by. Though I had been set on standing, and was getting off at the next stop, I accepted her generosity and sat down. I quickly mentioned something about the article I was reading, which had to do with China. And I immediately had three women around me mm-hming, and chatting like we had known each other for years.

Ah, pleasantries.

Here's to listening, being heard, breaking the ice, and speaking truths. Even when its not expected.

(picture/art courtesy of krog street, ne)

Go Get It

The club ultimate season comes to an end this week in Sarasota, Florida. This represents the culmination of months of hard work, or years depending on how you look at it. Follow along at twitter.com/atlchain and usaultimate.org.

My team took ultimate-focused training extra seriously this year. Over the year, I put some of the stuff on youtube here and here. Here's a picture of an end-of-season from the trainer and his wife, to celebrate the two teams' partnership with EDGE Ultimate.

My two main mental occupations the last few days have been (1) logistics for the team and (2) my health - ankle, conditioning, speed. I want to make an impact on the game; and I know that the tournament requires a heavy, heavy dose of intensity from the very first play. So I'll work on that in the moment.

I want to put everything in caps, bold, or with an exclamation point at the end -- cause that's how I feel right now. Like everything's a little heightened just by proximity to this great pinnacle in my life. Oh, and my control -- over the logistics and my ankle, conditioning, and speed -- is basically exhausted.

My high school Arabic teacher would implore me to "do what you know!" I think that's what I'm doin. Thanks all for the support.

Today's Injustice

I get great, repeated opportunities to hear Congressman John Lewis speak. And one story this past weekend stands out about the distance we've come. It also highlights the difference between injustice a generation ago and the injustice today.

Growing up in rural Alabama in the 1950s, Congressman Lewis couldn't borrow a book from the local public library. After many demonstrations against bus stations and five and dime counters, and the larger civil rights movement, he began a career in politics. Congressman Lewis was elected to Atlanta city council, and then congress (over and over again).

In 1996, Congressman Lewis published an autobiographical book. And at one book signing inside the public library close to his home, he was finally granted a library card...in what must have been an emotional ceremony. This gives us an idea of the distance that he has traveled and that our country has come. With his and others' struggle, we have laid down the burden of overt racial discrimination.

Unfortunately there is still racial injustice in the US. Underachievement in schools, incarceration way beyond the porportion of the population, poverty, and other significant social indicators...all tell us that voting rights, and civil rights even, have yet to yield equality. And without going on too, too long, my secondary point is that now, without overt laws or policies treating people differently, the blame (and consequently the solution) to injustice is more difficult to identify. Inequality must be addressed, and we all must do our part. Some part.

Neighborhood download

Euro 4 - Rome Final Day

Let me say right now that I regret not having ridden on a scooter while in Rome (or Italy as a whole). I went into the trip knowing that I didn't want to pay to rent one (expensive) - and driving one for very long on Rome's streets is a bad idea (crazy driving). But I still held onto the hope that I would ride one...that I didn't is disappointing.

Day three in Rome started more relaxed (slower) than Becca and I planned. We woke up gradually at our hostel-affiliated apartment, still trying to figure out our clocks and alarms and time zones. After a chat with our flatmates (from Kansas?), we took our bags on a short walk to store them near the train station, we learned the neighborhood's power was out. Still got to leave our bags and moseyed on out to do a little shopping.

My roommate's friend has a shop between our hostel and the Colosseum, so we thought we'd stroll through the area, pop in, and continue onto a couple of other sites before leaving town that night. And the side street where her shop is (supposed to be) is so cool. Lots of little boutiques, I guess you'd call them, charming ivy-covered pastel buildings, and a men's clothing store I actually thought was interesting enough to purchase something from... a Paganello-theme costume-related item.

Besides the Borghese Gardens picture below, we set out thinking we would try to see the Capuchini Museum (lots of old crypts and bones, I think). The museum had odd hours, so we continued up the hill towards the Borghese Gardens. On the way, we saw a protest for alternative energy. We think the building was the Department of Energy, or Commerce, or something like that. Got to meet a couple nice people supporting the cause. As we left, we also got to see the American Embassy and talk to a postcard vendor who had a high opinion of Americans' political consciousness.

Here are a couple pictures of the Borghese Gardens and views from the hill it sits atop:

This one reminds me of Atlanta, but with a more beautiful street sign:

For our last meal in Rome, Becca and I pick a little place tucked into a corner between heavily touristed spots. Pizza was good, wine we took in moderation, and then... the friendly restaurant owner had his scooter right out in front of the place. I asked if Becca could go for a ride (thinking she would absolutely love it and that I might be next in line). But he wasn't thrilled about the idea. At least I tried.

A little walking, a city bus ride, wading through a few more tourists, and a little jaunt past Termini to grab our bags. And that about wraps up Rome for us. We head for the train that will take us north towards the beach. Here's a video that, if you listen to real closely at the end, will reveal why Becca didn't want to say "Goodbye" to Rome...

Video not loading. I'll try again shortly.

Euro 1 - Prep stuff and overnight flight

Inspired by the beauty of the trip and spurred by Anne and her Where the Hell blogging about travel and ultimate, I'm starting a new series of posts. This time about my recent adventure across Europe. Hopefully I'll have enough content and enthusiasm to keep me going until this summer, when I have a trip to the Middle East scheduled.

Europe Adventure 1

Becca is like a sister, a best friend whose family is as close to mine as cousins or neighbors would be. When I told her that I'd been invited to play at a beach tournament in Italy, she said immediately that she'd been wanting to see Italy for a while now. I added that I wanted to go through the UK, like I did last summer, for an ultimate skills clinic. And that sounded good to her, too. And what a great travel pair we'd make!

Over a few weeks of deliberation and vacillation, we decided to make it real. We bought our multi-city plane tickets for the cost of a regular round-trip (and would bank skymiles because it was on Delta) - and set off into the wonderful world of vacation planning, starting with a furious tear through Rome, then trekking in Cinque Terre, with some Florence and Rimini thrown in for good measure. We wanted to end up in London, the closest major city to an ultimate clinic I'd be coaching at, and home of the royal wedding during our stay.

Living in our hometown, Becca and I were invited to have a send-off party the day of our departure and then get a ride to the airport by our parents. My folks picked me up and we joined Becca and her mom and dad at their place. Guacamole was the culinary centerpiece -- our travels and planned phone calls home was the main topic of conversation. Quick family picture (my dad's not in the one below) and then we set off to Hartsfield-Jackson, my parents allowing Becca and I to go with her folks to the airport.

Delta's customer service at the airport was lacking. I couldn't find anyone to print out my boarding pass and we grew a little nervous after three tries and fifteen or so minutes at different desks. I reasoned that my best bet was to get a seat request card and figure it out at the gate; in fact, if the airline overbooked the flight and had to bump me, I was in for a pretty hefty voucher for future travel. But one woman made our day, getting me a seat directly next to Becca in a row with extra leg room. Double score! Irving and Jan saw us all the way to the security line and a few minutes later, Becca and I boarded our overnight flight from ATL to FCO.

I realized it was corny as I suggested it, but Becca and I watched the same movie on our individual screens at the same time. Plus we played the trivia game that everyone on the plane can plug into. I caught the few minutes of Eat, Pray, Love that take place in Italy (another corny moment). I couldn't fall asleep in my seat, so I tried curling up on the floor in front of our seats -- and got yelled at five minutes later when one of the flight staff nearly fell fast first after catching my foot in the aisle. Overall, a good start to two weeks of travel. And finally we landed on Italian soil.

Some Pics From Mrs Obama's Visit

I'll have to rearrange these but wanted to try uploading from my phone straight to blogger. Enjoy!

Crowd shot before the event

Co-workers shot waiting for the event

iPad band performing B.o.B. "Magic"

The First Lady

Blurry

Mrs Obama Speaking with Big Screen Behind Her

Insane Crowd and Media Coverage

Awesome

I have successfully avoided blogging for an entire month. You know that little ticker down on the right of my blog's homepage that says "Old Posts Lie Here" (for those that still visit the site vs getting the feed on buzz or reader)? There's nothing for January. Lull executed perfectly.

This post is a New Year's Resolution follow-up, a month and a half after picking what I would work on. First off, a summary of what I set out to do:

1. Avoid sweets throughout January
2. Keep my intake of sweets low throughout the following months, too
3. Read more Arabic
4. More effectively managing my personal finances; become more financially literate

Secondly, here were some tips for helping me keep these resolutions:

• (From Chris F) I read somewhere that the trick to New Year's Resolutions is to focus on accomplishing (or making progress on) said tasks by the end of the year instead of expecting to implement an instant change. Having a timeline like that vs. trying to be perfect right out of the gates January 1st. seems to be more effective. Definitely seems to make large goals seem somewhat less insurmountable, at least on the surface. Good luck on the sweets though - that seems to be my perpetual NYR
• (Paraphrased from Amanda D) Do have some sweets/cheats in moderation. To deprive yourself completely would only build up the desire for the dessert, which would defeat the whole purpose even if you can keep up the behavior for the time being.

So, based on this advice, I didn't change my behavior at all and told myself "I'll get to it in February." NOT!

1 and 2. I actually started from a day or so before January 1 watching my desserts. I often get to the end of dinner and want ice cream or something to sweeten my palette before brushing my teeth and going to bed. But I held off for the most part, changing that habit. I can maintain this throughout the year because it represents a change in routine, not just a couple lucky instances. SUCCESS.

On the other hand, I did have sweets during January. I took two major holidays from my resolution - one for a birthday party at work and the other to feel sorry for myself after failing the foreign service oral assessment. OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE

3. Did not happen. I was so focused for the first half of the month on improving my interview skills that I didn't look at Arabic once. I want to do better this month. OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE

4. This is a tough one. It takes good habits, restraint, sometimes doing without, all this difficult stuff - without very much near- or medium-term satisfaction. Instead of getting satisfaction, saving (and spending wisely) is really a practice of faith in the future. At twenty-seven, I ought to start looking at my life longer-term. But its so much more fun (right?) to look at 2011 and think "I can spend everything I have this year because next year will be another chance to save up - and that's when I'll really buckle down and be an adult (i.e. save)." Count this new year's resolution as an OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE

Next post is likely to be a story from the weekend - likely about my grandpa.

Just talkin

Count me among the sufferers here in Atlanta's coldest weather ever. It snowed non-stop from yesterday afternoon to this morning. And the wind chill was in single digits. And it was windy. And snowing. Enough of that.

My housemates and I constructed a rec room yesterday during the snowstorm. There's a space, like a hallway, between the two bedrooms upstairs. Its just the right size, we figured out, to put a tv in a nook and have some seating (and ddr pads) in the middle. I'm sore today from all the wii olympic games. Check out Andrew's blog for some footage from the event.

Been doing some christmas shopping. Bought a tree, a sweater, a chair cover, a photograph, and more. Still on my list are a book, a cast-iron skillet (hope you're not reading this potential recipient), gift card or two. I'm feeling generous this year and very grateful for family.

I just finished Eat, Pray, Love. Saw the third movie in the Millenium Series (books by Stiegg Larson) and finished that book recently. Now I'm onto The Unbearable Lightness of Being. I like it a lot so far.

Sugar intake

Several years ago, I sat at my desk in South L.A. and pondered my dietary problems. Here's an update with some disappointing developments and new opportunities. My main three worries are: sugar, weight, and physical fitness.

Background

Growing up, I was a sweet-a-holic. I had gone from my youth (and soccer) to college (and ultimate) then atlanta (and ultimate) and finally L.A. (and for a period of time, no ultimate or other consistent sport) within a year. My activity level suffered, my ability to prepare high-quality meals dropped, and my sweet tooth persisted. I felt less healthy. But I still craved candy and dessert.

Now

I'm in pretty good shape physically. I participate in several workouts a week - sometimes for 3 or more hours at a time. My weight and waistline have dropped over the last year. But I still feel sluggish at times - often the day(s) after I have large or very sweet desserts.

Cravings

Brownies, cake, chocolate (milk and dark), cookies, custard, eclaires, ice cream, M&Ms -- and I could go on. Ice cream constitutes probably the worst of these because of the portion sizes I take and its hefty donation of sugar AND fat to my blood stream.

Missing

I've grown apart from my old routine of brushing my teeth when I had a sugar craving. Instead, I have a bite to eat, chalking up the snack or meal to the importance of eating often. And while more frequent meals do help me keep my sugar levels constant (thereby avoiding the sugar crashes and cravings I get in those crashes), my calorie count is also something to watch when I eat 4 or 5 separate times a day.

Plus Side

Last time I checked, my weight was stable at more than 5 pounds less than it was a year and a half ago. My eating habits since moving earlier this summer have improved - I am cooking one to three meals a week, often allowing for healthy leftovers, too. I like my activity level and think there's still room to grow.

Morale of the Story

Eat fewer desserts by brushing teeth, having fresh fruit after meals, and hydrating (with water not beer). Comments are welcome.

Let's talk ultimate

Fall season is approaching. Dog days of summer still to get through. Here's a picture of a recent Chain practice. Its hot.

Here's the schedule for our Fall season:

Chesapeake Open - Poolesville, MD - August 28-29
East Coast Sectionals - Knoxville, TN - September 18-19
South Regionals - Austin, TX - October 2-3
Club Championships - Sarasota, FL - October 28-31

Currently, I'm nursing a sore ankle - twisted it at a practice 10 days ago, then played two nights of summer league and a summer league tournament this past weekend. Five games on Sunday... yikes for the ankle, but great for racking up championships. Here's a picture of your 2010 atlanta flying disc club end of season tournament champions, Lucky!

With summer league behind us, the next two point five months will feature bank deposits and throwing in small groups, then gel-shopping and grinding as a team.

Everything #3

I'm picking up from where my latest post ended: Thursday afternoon - after Chain's quarterfinals win over Invictus from Canada. I spent thirty minutes that afternoon in the computer lab, partly writing on the huddle's blog and also moving towards the quarters showcase game between Boston and Seattle.

I enjoyed watching Ironside and Sockeye fight it out - partly cause it didn't look like either team would be strong enough to take down Chain's 26-deep big-man game. Watching the game was also fun because most of Chain was sitting together joking, cheering, and throwing things. Que the picture of Kid chucking a disc into the rafters. On the field, Sockeye came from behind after being down a break or two at half and became our Friday morning opponent.

Semifinal game

I want to say two things first off about how we approached this game. First, this is a good old-fashioned rivalry. We may not play Sockeye as often as Chain plays Doublewide from Texas. But there's something about the character of each team and the recent history of our games -- we came in with a chip on our shoulder.

Unfortunately, the second thing I have to say about our approach to this game completely contradicts and counteracts the first. Chain had been enjoying the feeling of a national championship for the last eight months, reveling in having kept Sockeye to single-digits at Nationals last year. We had also been riding the confidence train all week of being the number one seed and going undefeated. So the intensity of men in battle, athletes with something to prove (chip on their shoulder), whatever comparison there is to make -- we were lacking a bit in intensity.

On to the game: Not too much happened in the first half. Chain expects to have worn down the opponents enough in the first hour of play to be able to make a huge run in the second half. With all of our athletes, there was no way Sockeye could keep sending out new bodies to move the disc 70 yards - and it was out of the question that our fresh legs on offense would give up more than a break or two.

You can see from the scoring sheet and from my incremental photos in this post that our strategy was working. An unexciting first half quickly gave way to Chain getting two breaks early in the second half. If this was to be anything like the Doublewide game, Chain would extend the lead with more defensive breaks and win the game by a handful.

Let me mention before diving into the more contentious play and call of the day that there was some confusion about the halftime cap. I believe it was 49 minutes at the time Sockeye scored to make it 8-7. The WUCC staff overseeing the game did not blow their 50-minute half-time whistle until about 20 seconds after that Sockeye score, meaning the current point (the pull to Chain's offense) should occur before breaking for half. So instead of handing the disc right back to Sockeye after half with the chance to go up 9-7, we would potentially have one more O point, score to make it 8-8 for half, then pull to Sockeye for either team to make it 9-8.

As things seemed to go over the week (and especially in this game), Chain's objections about the half-time time cap were ignored. Half-time ensued, during which a pump-up speech sets us on course. We score five out of the next six points - fairly unprecedented in such a tight game. From being down 9-7, we go up 10-9 and break again two points later to make it 12-10.

On to the more serious play and call of the game. Chain is on offense, up 15-14, game to 16. From memory, Sockeye's running a vertical stack and Chain's forcing towards the sideline that I'm standing on. A Seattle player cuts across the field towards the back of the stack and a Chain player calls pick. Simultaneously, the Seattle thrower releases a flick to a different downfield cutter. The throw soars a good 12 or more feet in the air and falls several meters out of bounds. Uncatchable pass. Happened about the same time as the pick call. Under "normal" competition rules - UPA for Sockeye and Chain - this is an obvious change of possession.

But we're playing in a WFDF tournament, under WFDF rules. And one of the major rule differences between UPA and WFDF has to do with continuation on a pick call (continuation in general on violations or infractions). The WFDF continuation rule states that "play may continue after a call... 1. If the thrower is called for an infraction and subsequently attempts a pass [or] 2. if the thrower was already in the act of throwing or the disc is in the air at the time of the call" page 2.

To sum it up,I believe the truth on the play to be that a thrower was in the act of throwing as "pick" was called in the stack. The disc went incomplete and should result in a turnover - according to WFDF rules. But the problem with the outcome of the play wasn't just that I wanted to be right. We all know there can be multiple versions of "the truth" on an ultimate field and in the world.

So, in the spirit of self-officiating, two sides should come together and negotiate the best possible outcome. In the minute or two that everyone was reacting to the play, Wiggins and AJ had probably the most central role in the conversation - at least from what I remember. At one point, AJ asks me - I'm on the sideline - when I thought pick was called. I say, ignorant of the repercussions because I didn't know how the rule is written, that the pick was called while the thrower was in the act of throwing. The pick occurred simultaneous to the throw. I say it not sure whether that will support our case or hurt it - just cause that's what I know to have happened. After this, Wiggins huddles up with a couple of his teammates (I think MC ?).

I always appreciate teammates talking about what should happen with a captain or teammate with a good perspective. But what happened next was really the most confusing part of the whole scene. Wiggins emerges from his huddle with a certainty about what should happen. He walks to the sideline, hands the disc back to the thrower, and mumbles something about how "it shouldn't be this way, but..." And what can Chain say? There was no real attempt after the Sockeye huddle to agree with Chain what would happen. Sockeye's air of authority basically rolled over Chain's temporary confusion.

Shortly after, Chain taps the disc in and blows a second then third chance to advance to the finals of Worlds.

Everything #2

Not Recently

Chain entered last week's Worlds tournament as the top seed. Our schedule has us start out against Loquitos, a Japanese team (but not the famous Buzz Bullets from Japan). I happened to start the game with a pretty big sky... though to be fair I was a foot taller than the guy. And we were rolling. We cruised through our second game against Latvia and bested our third opponent, Magon, 17-7. The restof day two was spent (for Joel and Asa especially) working on laundry and related bull shit. The unhelpfulness of

local staff was hard to get used to - and came back into play when I was at the airport a few later... though that's another story. Here's a cheery picture of what took too many hours and lots of sweat to get to.

After day two, for all you format inquirers, Chain was reseeded into a 6-team power pool. We would play five games over 2 and a half days; top two teams in each power pool then place into quarters. It just so happened that the 1 and 2 seeds in the power pool played in the first power pool round. So early Tuesday morning, we met regional rival Doublewide from Austin, TX. In the second half of this game, we looked to be playing like a top seed - Doublewide scored 3 or 4 in the second half to our 8 or 9. Satisfying win. Plus we got to watch immediately following Revolver play Sockeye, another US regional matchup (and, as it turned out, a precursor of the Worlds finals).

Then, afternoon games were rained out (many jokes were made about "chain lightning," which there was a lot of) - so we played cards, drank beers, ate delicious Czech food for a couple hours. This the clouds cleared up. I believe this was the day where Dylan drew Zip as part of Five Ultimate's "draw your captain" whiteboard area. Here's a pretty good shot of it:

I used the afternoon as my first day of sightseeing around Central Prague. Its worth mentioning that I had become pretty disenchanted with the tournament's organization and my lack of free time (kind of opposed feelings, I admit). So the time alone was very welcome. I even got to practice Arabic at the cafe (this is somewhat documented in my earlier post on my blog and the post I wrote on The Huddle - though I finished that one on Thursday, out of sync with the chronology of the current post).

We had our closest pool play game against FreeSpeed from Switzerland - I don't know how they didn't win a single game in the power pool. We handled Mephisto from Canada and the two Swedish teams at the tournament. Score cards from each game are available by clicking on Game Play next to the list of games below our roster here. From here, we were propelled, after the power pool games, into quarters on Thursday afternoon against Invictus. We had good reason to be nervous, considering they had some Furious George pick-ups. Great throwers and good cutters. But nothing to match our defense, which like the Doublewide game, wore down the opponents and basically stayed on the field in the second half.

There's so much I'm missing - some of which the photo albums I put on facebook portray and much of which it can't either. But here are two shots from Chain guys enjoying a) the world cup at strahov's main social area/tents and b) card playing in the hallway of building 9

Everything

I'm feeling some pretty rough feelings right now. The great fortune of going on such a fantastic trip is now being tempered with an awful emotional and mental tumble. Quickly: I just got back from the World Ultimate Club Championships - before that I visited Berlin, plus London and Loughborough, UK.

Most Recently

I'm in Atlanta now - having survived one of the more stressful airport experiences in Prague yesterday, followed by a 10 hour flight, then some baggage delays at Hartsfield-Jackson. Had a nice dinner with the parents and reconnected with my new housemates before getting a surprisingly full night's sleep. Thanks to mom and dad for bracketing my trip with rides to/from the airport and delicious dinners - at left is a pic of dinner before I left back in June (i was also testing the camera).

Less Recently

This past weekend had its ups and downs (starting around the time Chain lost in semifinals). The ups include:

• table dancing/pants-less dancing at the tournament party
• trading national arm-bands with new friends
• gladiator-type wrestling on the WUCC tram
• absinthe bar - see video below of the shots on fire

Downs include:

• flaking out on lots of friends who went to Prague's 5-story dance club while I was throwing up by the side of the road
• sprinting through the prague airport (with only a few minutes til boarding) looking for a baggage locker for the bag i couldn't check for my return flight - and having to leave behind the bag

Another "Everything" post is coming soon. Feel free to put in requests for info/stories from the trip.