Got Choy?

For two seasons at Stingray Volleyball Club, I painstakingly made the trek to Blackford gym to walk ten girls through the workings of making a team. It was exhausting, trying, and frustrating at all the same time. I went into this coaching program thinking this was going to be a breeze. I thought that all I had to do was teach volleyball. I thought that my knowledge of the game would be all that I needed under my belt to help these girls. I was wrong.

There was playing time management. There was a practice program to be formed. There were emotions to be tamed. There were parents who watched every step. There was the lack of motivation. Little did I know that all of these things crashed into one, when you’re the coach.

Was it worth it? Yes.

Over the two years, I learned what it meant to be a coach, or a mentor. It was a nose-to-the-grindstone sort of thing. I threw myself into this swimming pool, and it’s sink or swim, Choy. The positive effect of managing ten 18-year-old girls for two seasons was multi-layered. Here’s what I got out of it:

1. Presentation skills. I realized that I lost the nervousness of making presentations and standing in front of large groups.
2. Putting what I know into words. It’s one thing to do, it’s another to teach. (How do you teach a set?)
3. I learned volleyball in a different perspective. It’s not just a jump high, swing hard game anymore. (not that I could ever jump high in the first place. )
4. Lastly, I formed a bond with the girls and their parents that I’ll remember for a lifetime…

I certainly remember my coach from high school, Coach Davies, and how he had impacted my life down the road. For me to try and do the same for someone else… and find out later that it actually meant something to them… it’s a feeling that irreplaceable. Having been a part of their lives, right up through their final years in high school, was an indescribable award in itself. And it didn’t really hit me until I was invited and attended some of their graduations. That was an honor.

If you girls ever see this entry… thank you, to each and everyone of you. You guys spoiled me with how great you guys worked together and made this a true team for every definition of the word. Each of you in your own way, added something dynamic to our group that made this experience as great as it was. I hope you guys learned just as much from me as I had learned from you.

Thank you… You made it all worth it.

(End of the 2007 year highlight video)

P.S. Despite the fact that this video was set to a morbid tune, this post, it is not.

BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) just recently made an announcement that they will now be selling ad space in the tunnels of San Francisco. However, these are not your normal billboard advertisements. These ad’s will utilize the motion of the train to create a sort of ‘flip-book’ effect to generate motion. What they call “Motion Picture Advertising” has already debuted in the London Heathrow Express as you see in the clip…

Now they just need to remove the “No Food” signs so that we can bring the popcorn on board!

So, this is old news, but wow, I didn’t realize how close to home this is going to hit should the 49ers really decide to move to Santa Clara! I was browsing through the official 49ers website and came across this article which details just exactly where they’re thinking about taking our ‘promising’ Niners. Take a look at this map. My place is just east of that pink arrow on the right side of the image. Who woulda thunk that the A’s would plan to migrate to my former home, the city of Fremont, and immediately after the 49ers would announce their intention to move to my current residence in the city of Santa Clara! Crazy.

Maybe I will be staying at this house through 2012 afterall, just so that I can be a part of an interesting transformation for this city and area! And maybe then, might I relive the glory days of my 80’s childhood and become a die-hard Niner fan once again!

Wow. Imagine that. Fremont is on the map. I saw this website a couple days ago and couldn’t believe it. The A’s are making way to coming to my hometown… Fremont, CA. What is only a 10 minute drive away from my current residence, will probably also be accessible by Amtrak which runs right passed that area. This move will also hopefully give BART a little momentum to extend their tracks further into the South Bay. I predict that the installment of Cisco Park will further spur the growing economical power that is called Fremont! Booyah!

It’s just like the California Angels of Anaheim, and how they put the little-known city of Anaheim on the map. It’s only a matter of time until Disneyland starts to realize the value of erecting a new park in this city too! I love Mickey Mouse! It’s a small world after all beatch!

Ever have an infatuation to sock a buddy in the groinal area? Yah, well, neither do I… except unless it becomes a game of course! Call it sadism, but there is some sort of gratification that comes with giving your best shot at your teammates nuts so that he crawls on the floor crying in humility.

There comes that time in every grown man’s life when we desire to behave like twelve year old’s once again. This time comes every Labor Day weekend for all of us volleyballers. It has become a tradition of sorts. First week of September is open season for all the guys!

Toronto 2005 – Labor Day Weekend…

Needless to say, Jason (the victim in this clip — I intentionally missed), got me back pretty good a couple minutes later… and while I was on the phone with dad. Low blow Jason, low blow.

Thanks for the good memories Crezia! I didn’t even know you were taping this! =)