The Rainy Day Blog

Ron Artest being crazy

2010-10-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

2010-09-27T13:32:00.001-07:00

Michael Strahan's Gap

2010-09-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Swallows Day '92

2010-03-22T09:00:00.002-07:00

It was Swallows Day, March 1992, and the 200th Anniversary of my family’s home – the Rios Adobe……

For a child, culture is seemingly as transparent as the color of rain. Fraternity and reciprocity are more important than those characteristics that define and sometime separate us as people. The 17 year anniversary of my first trip to San Juan Capistrano, my ancestral home, has recently passed and I am reminded of the preternatural feeling of alliance I felt when introduced to my extended family. For a seemingly Caucasian light-haired boy growing up in Seattle, participating in the San Juaneno family reunion was a unique break from modernity and present day Babylon.

Though I had never before met my cousins in the tribe, and have not seen them since, our connection was instantaneous and profound. It is common for children to split into factions, developing later into cliques and smaller societies of their own. Yet for this small group of children, fast friends for the weekend, similarities were stronger than differences. Now, all these years later, on the cusp of my adult life, I hope to one day soon return to the Rios Adobe in San Juan Capistrano, sure that the connection I felt as a child still exists.

What is it like to work at Zazie?

2009-05-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

When I moved from Seattle down to San Francisco last August, I didn't have a job. I had always liked the Cole Valley neighborhood, having ventured over one day, upon my release from Lone(r) Mountain. Early in my sophomore year, I made it a point to take my own adventures around the city, because if I stayed in my room too long, I would surely lose my mind (The rooms on the second floor of Lone Mountain resemble either a navy ship or a prison cell). Having transferred to USF after my spending my freshman year living in Chicago's Lincoln Park area and attending DePaul, I didn't really know San Francisco or the people living in it.

After various on-foot excursions to the Marina, the Presidio, Cole Valley and Twin Peaks I stumbled upon a quaint, small restaurant with a yellow awning.

After taking a date to Zazie, it became an instant favorite. When my parents came down to San Francisco for their annual "how are you doing on your own?" visit we went to Zazie. When I moved into my apartment this past August, my roommate, her mother and I went to Zazie. Feeling a little light on income, I had the spent the previous summer as an intern for Fox Sports Net and failed to take in much income, I badly needed a job.

After dinner with my roommate, Lindsay, and her mom, I approached our server (Later i found out his name is Colin, and he gives me a really hard time about everything, but in a good way) and asked if I could speak with the manager. He directed me to Souhail (Soo-Hale) and I swear I pronounced his name incorrectly for the first couple of times I talked to him. Feeling confident, partially a result of the ravioli and red wine, I bluntly said "Do you need a busser or anything like that?" I failed to notice that there was a yellow sign on the front window of the restaurant that read: Busser wanted, inquire inside, or something along those lines.

Souhail told me that in fact, yes they were looking for a new busser and wrote me the name of the daytime manager, Mario. I was to come back the following morning and inquire about becoming a professional plate-taker and table-resetter.

The next morning I walked back to Zazie, my apartment is only about three blocks away, wearing a sweater vest and loafers. I navigated through the sea of people standing outside waiting for a table for brunch, and sauntered to the register when some of the servers had congregated. When told that there was a wait list forming outside, I responded by saying I did not need a table for brunch, but rather I was instructed to come back this morning to talk to Mario about the open busser position. Turns out that Mario wasn't working that day, and in a few minutes I would be talking to the OWNER (!) of Zazie, Jen Piallat.

After handing over my resume (which included no previous experience in the food industry) I proceed to talk myself up and a hard worker, someone who gets along with co-workers and a quick learner. Jen responded not with a serious of challenging questions, but rather looked down at my resume quickly smiled and said "Sure, you seem like you have a great attitude, you’re hired." I must have been beaming brighter than sunshine, as I was walking away a woman at the table outside yelled "Congratulations!" as I was practically skipping down Cole Street.

My first day on the job was not nearly as easy as the application process. I found that while most retail jobs pretty much transfer from one to the next, the food industry works at a different pace. I've spent the past couple of years working at Nordstrom, both in Seattle and San Francisco. One of the main differences I’ve found between the two jobs is the way that time goes by. Working at Nordstrom, even on commission, the busier it is, the faster time goes by. I've found at Zazie, when it’s really busy and I have no time to check my watch, it seems like time is actually going by slower. I have a lot more to do (well actually not more to do, I still just give water, butter, clear plates and re-set tables) in what seems like a shorter amount of time.

The first thing I had to learn was the arrangement of the table, which are of course numbered. In the dining room, the tables are numbered from 1-16 (We sat at tables 10-16). Table number one is the window on your right hand side, and the numbers grow in a clockwise direction if one is look at the front door from the inside, that is, until you get to 7, then 8 is the other window table, 9 behind it, then 10, but 11 is right next to 16 which is against the wall, 12, next to 15, 13 is a four-top (seats four) and 14 is directly in the corner. It’s hard to visualize, which is why I had a mild heart attack the first couple times I heard, "Can i have bread to 9 and 12." So I stood there counting the tables in clockwise order, like a preschooler trying to find a letter in the alphabet. The same pattern is true out on the back patio, the tables range from numbers 1-12. When a server refers to the table outside, it is referred to with the letter P signifying the table is outside. For example, "Water to P4" confused me the first couple times. It seems easy enough, but when you have several other things running through your brain, including everybody’s names, making sure the breads don’t burn in the oven, and check which tables are close to, almost, or done with their food, it can get convoluted.

I still don’t think I’ve mastered it, which is pretty disheartening when you consider I’ve been working there in the same capacity for 10 months now. I have been given increased responsibilities however; on occasion I run the food from the window to the table. That’s a whole new strategy. You have to keep your eye on the tickets the cooks are working on. You have to keep your eyes on the next tables that need to be cleared so the entrees don’t get cold sitting in the window. A couple of times I’ve blown it with the food running, like leaving food in the window too long, but for the most part I think I’ve done a decent/adequate/good job running food.

As an employer, Zazie is great. I'm not just saying that because somebody at work will probably read this post, but as far a work "vibe" goes, Zazie is a great environment to work. It's not like my job is the most glamorous, far from it, but the people who work there are good people, and making down-time conversation is easy. I was lucky enough to have a co-worker the same age with a similar dependency on sports who works the same nights.

Not to dig too far into this idea, but I suppose I can trace all these experiences I've had working at Zazie and living in Cole Valley from taking the initiative a couple years ago and exploring the city by myself. Of course, I would have liked to have had a better room and not be subjected to prison living, but there is something to be said for battling back from adversity. I'm excited for the next struggle.

For more information on Zazie, click this link.

Tin How Temple/ Chinatown/ Chicken Feet

2009-04-29T10:54:00.000-07:00

Before our conquest for Chinese food began, our class ventured into the Tin How Temple to fulfill our spirituality requirement for the day. Here’s a review of the temple from Fodor’s San Francisco Sights index:

Duck into the inconspicuous doorway, climb three flights of stairs—on the second floor is a mah-jongg parlor whose patrons hope the spirits above will favor them—and be assaulted by the aroma of incense in this tiny, altar-filled room. Day Ju, one of the first three Chinese to arrive in San Francisco, dedicated this temple to the Queen of the Heavens and the Goddess of the Seven Seas in 1852. In the temple's entryway, elderly ladies can often be seen preparing "money" to be burned as offerings to various Buddhist gods or as funds for ancestors to use in the afterlife. Hundreds of red-and-gold lanterns cover the ceiling; the larger the lamp, the larger its donor's contribution to the temple. Gifts of oranges, dim sum, and money left by the faithful, who kneel mumbling prayers, rest on altars to various gods. Tin How presides over the middle back of the temple, flanked by one red and one green lesser god. Take a good look around, since taking photographs is not allowed.

Initially, the heavy incense smoke was enough to make me feel worse than Tom Sizemore after a binge, I didn’t think I was going to last.* After hearing a brief history of the Tin How Temple, the oldest temple in San Francisco, my nausea subsided and the incense had permeated my soul, I think. (Photography was not allowed, but I managed to sneak a couple shots, so far there has been no spiritual retribution).

Professor Silver asked if any students would volunteer in the prayer and fortune telling ritual that a few patrons had been performing, (while quietly navigating through the crowd of students). One student mumbled that she wouldn’t partake because she didn’t believe in fortune telling, inferring that it would be disrespectful. I volunteered, partially because I kind of believe in fortune telling (A fortune teller in Philadelphia was spot on about four years ago) and I like volunteering for stuff.

The first step was to light a small bundle of incense (because they seemed to be short of their thousand stick at a time quota) and place it into of the incense holders. That sounds easy enough, but I fumbled around looking for a place to light the incense for a good 45, awkward seconds. After spending a good amount of time attempting to light each individual stick of incense, I placed them in the incense holder (is there a better word for that??) with the rubber band still holding the sticks together. After being slightly admonished for this, I carefully removed the band while slightly burning myself with the incense ashes.

I knelt before the incense holder, while holding my hands together and rocking back and forth, and asked a question which could be revealed by the fortunes.

I was then instructed to kneel in front of the shrine and shake a cup containing 100 sticks. Each stick is individually numbered, the number corresponding to a fortune. The goal is to shake the cup back and forth so that only one stick falls out onto the floor. I accomplished this more or less on the first try, and the number of the stick was 50.

After retrieving the English version of the fortune corresponding to my stick, # 50, the woman who had given us the brief history of the temple handed me the pink piece of paper vaguely describing my future. It reads:

LOT 50

“Born on a voyage on the boundless ocean.
Sails hoisted high begin to billow and strain.
With winds behind to push the ship along:
Great chests of jewels and treasure will be yours.”

This lot describes a ship sailing in a favourable wind. It signifies that everything will turn out to be favourable. You lead a life of ease and comfort. Rewards will come to you without much effort (Yes!). As such a large fortune is entirely yours, people’s gossip and envy will be aroused. Both you and your family will enjoy safety and peace. Business is better done in the later part of the year, and you should look for wealth and fortune in the west. Match-making cannot be finalized, but pregnancy will be safe. Autumn is the season most favourable for silk and grain crops, while livestock prospers in the spring. Travelers will run into difficulties, but the missing will be found. Lost things can be traced and found in the west. Lawsuits will go against you and migration is not recommended. Sickness will be cured. Fortune dwells in the southern part of your ancestral graves.

Not a bad fortune.

After the Tin How Temple, we went to eat at the New Asia restaurant. I don't normally go out for Chinese food, in fact I think this is the first time I've ever gone out for Chinese food. The extent of my trips in China town were either to:
A. Look for a place to go to the bathroom
B. Short cut to North Beach

I grew up in a small family, in which the cook/itinerary-planner/dictator/mom was not fond of Chinese Cuisine. Also being a Pescatarian (spell check doesn't even know what this is), I was limited to the tofu, which was quite good.

It's always good to try new things, so I enjoyed myself. Plus, I got to play with my food while others took some great/gross pictures.

* If you don’t understand the Tom Sizemore reference: http://tinyurl.com/d5hjv6

Enchiladas in my pajamas

2009-04-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

On Earth Day, I prepared Spinach Enchiladas (with a little help from my in-home chef). This was kind of a big deal for me, considering that my cooking expertise hasn't evolved past cereal and nachos. And yeah, it's not the most complicated meal ever, but it was delicious. More delicious than the box of Cheerios sitting on top of the refrigerator.

The recipe:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
1 tsp butter
1/2 cup sliced green onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10 ounces) spinach
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
3 cups shredded Monterrey Jack
10 (6-inch) corn torillas
1 can green salsa

Here's a quick slide show of what the process looked like:
Sorry about the photo quality, my camera was taking a personal day.

If this meal was a person, it would have a face only a mother could love. But it's not about beauty, these enchiladas were great. I heated them up the next day, added some more green salsa, it was still a better lunch than Papalote. Oh...burn.

Dogs in the Castro

2009-04-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a link, via Dining with Sophie.com, of all of the dog friendly restaurants in the Castro district.

http://www.diningwithsophie.com/dogs/petfriendly/maps.html

So the next time you want to take your dog out to eat, head on down to the Castro for the most options.

ESF Food Diary

2009-03-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is a slide show I put together really quickly.
Fairly typical Monday.
Dear Diary,

Approximate times consumed and details of consumption:
8:15am: Sesame seed/onion bagel with regular cream cheese
9:00am:Starbucks Blueberry oat bar, was actually really good
9:02am. Starbucks Grande non-fat latte
Around Noon: Water from the Gleeson Library Third Floor drinking fountain.
4:15pm. Another Starbucks latte.
4:45pm. Spinach/artichoke dip from Trader Joe's/ Pita Chips
5:00pm. Salad with Romain lettuce, tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette
5:15pm. Green Tea
5:30pm. Mac and Cheese
9:30pm. Assortment of snacks NOT consumed by me.

ESF Mission/MuralVideo

2009-03-11T16:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Eating San Francisco's trip to the Mission district, as well as some history of the murals and the making of our own.

Mission Project Video

A trip to North Beach

2009-02-25T12:22:00.000-08:00

On February 18th, our class of 16 students and one professor took a trip to North Beach in hopes of experiencing San Francisco's version of Italian food and culture. North Beach is also known for harboring some of the best writers of "The Beat" generation. Salient writers such as Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs, and Jack Kerouac either lived or congregated around the neighborhood. Once renowned as an artistic and bohemian neighborhood, North Beach was, in recent years, relegated to more of a tourist destination. Over time and through publicity, the neighborhood was transformed from an authentic breeding ground for intellectual expression into a commercialized destination. Our aim was to reconnect, through dining, with the North Beach that existed when the beat writers dominated.

As far as food is concerned, North Beach, known as the Little Italy of San Francisco, is acknowledged for serving up a more Americanized version of Italian food than that one would find in Naples or Florence. Our class, predicated on the study of authentic food and its symbiotic relationship to culture, sought a meal that would embody the true nature of what food means to Italians. Prior to our excursion, our class had separately watched the culinary-themed movie Big Night. The film’s protagonists are brothers from Italy who attempt to live out the American dream by opening a restaurant in New Jersey in the 1950's. The film documents their struggle to run a lucrative business without compromising their culinary values. Americans often associate uninspiring dishes, such as spaghetti and meatballs, with typical Italian food. Big Night attempted to show the difference between genuine Italian cuisine, and its counterfeit dishes served at Americanized restaurants.

Armed with the belief that we could now tell the difference between the two, our restaurant of choice was Bocce Café. You can read my Yelp review of it here. I went against my comfort zone and ordered the Fettuccine with Sauteed Calamari (pictured at right). Normally, I would have played it safe and ordered the Margarita Pizza, but the goal was authenticity. I was a little disappointed with the sauce in terms of thickness, but I was overall satisfied with my decision.

After dinner, our class took a tour of the Italian French Baking Company. This bakery, which is open 24 hours a day, is integral to the bread consumption of most North Beach consumers. Most of the restaurants in the surrounding area get their bread from this bakery. Along with free samples, we were able to watch them fire the huge ovens. It was mentioned that the ovens were old and dated, and probably not up to industry standards, yet these hoary machines added to the genuine feel of the bakery.
Here's a video of the machines (and labor) used during the bread-making process. Notice the dough on the right.

After my adventures in Italy (Rome and the Cinque Terre) I was disappointed with our restaurants level of authenticity. The food was Americanized (less spice, flavor) but as far as Italian-American food is concerned, it could have been a lot worse.

The Huffington Post

2008-12-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to wonder if one of the major, leftist blogs have more staffers than major newspapers. Blogs such as The Huffington Post produce a wider variety of content, and as well as some gossip material. Sure, they don;t even try to be biased. Considering my paper about the decay of good journalism, it's hard for me to follow this site extensively, but i know a couple people that rely on it for their daily news.

Bush: Iraq war not over

2008-12-14T17:18:00.000-08:00

How much longer until this isnt news?

Movie review

2008-12-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

I found this review of the new disaster movie "The Day the Earth Stood Still," a remake starring Keanu Reeves. The reviewer, Peter Hartlaub, is more entertaining than the movie seems to be. Its not hard news, but creative, intertesting journalism.

WAS interview

2008-12-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

This is the interview of We Are Scientists for USFtv Visionz.
I filmed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL5OmhqrVWY

M's trade closer for bag of magic beans.

2008-12-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Your Seattle Mariners traded J.J. Putz to the New York Mets last night, following the last day of the General Manager's winter meetings at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Reliever Sean Green and outfield Jeremy Reed were also traded. In exchange for the three players, the Mariners received several sub-par players, including Franklin Gutierrez and a AA first baseman Mike Carp.

Internet Sex Blogs?

2008-12-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2008/12/11/violetblue.DTL

I'm not sure an article like this would ever find its way to print. It seems that with the advent of newspaper blogs, online newspapers are becoming more lenient concerning inappropriate material.

Call me old fashioned, but this isn’t something I would like to ready about in the Chronicle, or SFGate.com for that matter.

My bank cuts SF jobs

2008-12-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

Here's a link to the Seattle Times article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2008417863_webwamu21.html

I believe it was my friend Rohan, an economics major at DePaul University in Chicago, who told me that you should always spread your money around. Don't keep all of your money in the same bank. Previously, I used Chase for my credit and Washington Mutual for my banking. Now, they're the same company: JP Morgan, Chase.

This is cause for concern for most people, if we give our money to the banks, and the banks run out of money to pay their employees, what is happening to my money?
This is also a pertinent local story because Washington Mutual has such a strong presence on the west coast. When I went to school in Chicago, it was much more difficult to find a branch to withdraw money (the one time I did, the ATM machine ate my card).

I suppose one could turn this into a personal interest story. Many different people are effected. Customers who use Washington Mutual as their primary bank. Stock-holders that have a share in WaMu. The employees.

Tough times, especially economically, mean there are a variety of profiles stories about people struggling to "make a living."

On the other hand, I suppose the people at JP Morgan, Chase are having a good time...

Guest Speaker: Robert Jensen

2008-11-10T22:38:00.001-08:00

Nov. 6- San Francisco—

Robert Jensen, author of the book “Getting Off,” has sought to change men in this society; he has denounced pornography and its users. Jensen says that pornography contributes to the growing misogynistic attitude that is prevalent in our culture, and pornographic content only manifests this reality. During his November 6th speech at USF Jensen said that the porn industry makes 15-20 billion dollars a year. “The growing number of profits is in large part do to its growing number of consumers,” said Jensen which he says are younger and younger. He claims that younger children, who are exposed to pornographic content before they are old enough to understand its full meaning, seek to recreate what they see on the screen.
This sort of reproduction leads to the demeaning of women, as well as the perpetuation of dangerous circumstances, including rape. According to Jensen, “The porn industry makes over 13,000 films per year, compared to Hollywood, which makes about 600 films per year.” Jensen acknowledged that the numbers were staggering, but said that that the large amount of production illustrates just how large the industry has become.
He spoke to the two different types of pornographic films that were available to the consumer. The first being Feature pornographic films, in which the content appears to be the same as a major motion picture. The second type is gonzo, which is a growing trend in the porn industry. This specific style is stripped of its production value and script, and is more prevalent on the internet. Jensen also spoke to the role of women in wider roles than merely acting in these films.
He spoke about the change in the industry that sees women now directing and producing pornographic films. “Everyone said, ‘this is going to change porn; having women in these roles will change the films.’ When in actuality, the films didn’t change at all. The women realized that their target audience was still men,” he said. Jensen also said that after the conclusion of writing his book, he could no longer watch any pornographic content.

Election 2008

2008-11-07T22:30:00.001-08:00

OBAMA WINS! YES WE CAN! WOOOOOO!

Largest AK endorses Obama

2008-10-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

As I discovered by reading The Seattle Times (http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2008314025_apalaskaendorsement.html) The Anchorage Daily News, Alaska's largest newspaper, endorsed Barack Obama and his quest to become the next president of your United States. This is a major slap in the face to the Republican VP candidate, Sarah Palin, who is viewed as a small-town hockey mom who prides herself on being home-grown. Good to see that the Republican strategy of fooling the public into thinking that the VP would be somebody who could have a tupperware party at your house isn't flying with credible news sources. I'M TALKING TO YOU FOX NEWS.

Palin on SNL

2008-10-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin appeared on Saturday Night Live on October 18th. I feel this is more shallow publicity. She didnt answer any tough questions (I wouldn't expect any to be asked) but she got her face out there to the mass media audience. Is this ethical? Should a VP candidate become a novelty figure because she is easier to impersonate? When will she answer some questions?

Moderator bias?

2008-10-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

I've heard bunch of talk, specifically from Yahoo (wonder if Leah Hitchings knows more) about possible biases from moderators on these debates. I would say given the conservative nature of media conglomorates, this favores the right wing. Sigh. I was not impressed with Obama last week, I felt like he conceeded to much to McCain. It will be interesting to watch the VP debates and how the media covers it. Kerry in '04? Big F'ing sigh.

Palin

2008-09-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see that Extra! segment on Sarah Palin's parents? They hunt moose and probably don't own a TV. They're not so much conservative suburbanites as they are rednecks.

Paris

2008-03-02T06:16:00.000-08:00

Just a brief note. I spent the weekend in Paris, and couldn't be more excited about going back. Definately more to do in Paris than Lille, especially on the weekend. I was lucky enough to stay at the flat of a former neighbor's, The Gronki's, from Madison Park while they were away in Chicago. I'm thinking about going back this upcoming weekend.

Europe '08

2008-02-25T02:22:00.000-08:00

Sure, it may be nearly two months into my trip, but I feel it's about time for my first post. France has been treating me well so far, besides the lack of hot water some mornings (this morning) and NOTHING being open on Sat/Sun and sometimes Mondays... Yes, the people are nice and much more pro-America than I thought. I have befriended a girl named Marine Deroo, who one day told me that French people don't have any national pride unless the World Cup is being played. "You Americans have so much pride for your country, where we don't really like being French." This line almost knocked me off my feet. Maybe its the Left Coast point of view, but it seems that back home all we do is complain about Bush, etc and renounce our nationality. I was also unaware that the French are dissatisfied with theirs as well, seems like she has it backwards... or maybe I do?

Literally just returned from Italy a couple of days ago. I spent 5 nights in Rome with my childhood friend Karel, who knew a ton about the ruins and important sites in Rome. After Rome, spent a night in Cinque Terre, the coastal region, and I recommend it highly. If you're going to Riomaggore (pictured), or any other small village on the coast, go on the weekend. Most of the restaurants are only open then. Spent an evening and night in Pisa, saw the tower, didn't like the rest.

I'm happy to be back in Lille, and looking forward to the next couple of months/weeks before my parents arrive.

USFtv

2007-11-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

Sports Update Season 3 - Episode 4
Behind The Bench exclusive with coverage of Men's Tennis WCC Tournament at the University of Washington in Seattle.

USF Journalism Panel

2007-11-06T13:53:00.000-08:00

USF Media Studies Alums Stress the Importance of Self

For some of the alumni of the University of San Francisco Media Studies department, breaking into the journalism world has been a struggle. A number of these alums were back at USF on October 16th to talk about their experiences for the first annual Journalism Alumni Panel.
Toan Lam, a broadcast journalist who is currently working for KRON, stressed the important of building yourself when preparing to enter the journalism field. When asked if he thought that students were compromised by the lack of a journalism major at USF, Lam disagreed. Rather he said that USF is a good school for learning the theories of journalism and the lack of a structured major challengers the student to be more independent.
Lam, who originally wanted to be in print journalism rather than broadcast, had five internships during the four years he spent at USF. When the opportunity to work for the broadcast side appeared, Lam was well prepared from his time at USF.
Panel members and also USF alumni included: Vicky Nguyen, another broadcast journalist from Channel 11 (NBC), Myra Sandova who is a copywriter for the Gap, Tiffany Maleshefsky, a technical writer for eWeek, and Kent German, a cell-phone reviewer from CNET, among others.
The audience included undergraduates in the Media Studies department, who seemed to be overwhelmed by the struggles that some of panelists had experienced on their road to success. There were also several faculty members and alumni in attendance.

The War Interview

2007-10-23T13:49:00.000-07:00

For One Student, Military Service Means More.

James Williams had a full ride to Holy Names University for volleyball, but he turned it down in favor of potential military service. Williams chose the life of a student under the social pressures of military association over the often glamorized life of the student athlete. He turned down a full scholarship to a university so that he could attend University of San Francisco as a student in the ROTC department.
One might wonder why a young man would pay to attend a university that is dominated by anti-war sentiment, when he could have gone to college for free and played sports. For Williams, the military service comes first. “I think the worst thing people just continue to say to me is when they’ll ask ‘Are you in ROTC? Oh, I’m sorry,’ that’s the reaction I get,” Williams said. “No, I signed up for this. People think it’s a last choice, but personally I gave up a full ride. Volleyball was just something to pay for college, I really don’t like it.”
After graduation, Williams plans on commissioning into the army as a Chemical Officer, where he will specialize in chemical and nuclear warfare. He then will be in charge of teaching chemical and nuclear weaponry to soldiers.
Williams’s father retired in the army, and he has had a strong military presence growing up. “I always wanted to join the military, specifically the army. A lot of people told me to go the route of college, and become an officer rather than right out of high school and getting enlisted,” Williams said. Although being in the line of fire is something that he has though about before, he knows that when that day comes, he’ll be prepared. The camaraderie that he has experienced while in ROTC has been an encouraging step in his goal of becoming an officer in the United States Army.

USFtv

2007-10-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

Sports Update Season 3 - Episode 3
Post game interview with Sr. Captain Brandon McDonald

USFtv

2007-10-15T09:18:00.000-07:00

Sports Update Season 3-Episode 2
Post game interview with head soccer coach Eric Visser.
Interview with head volleyball coach Gilad Doran.

USF Foghorn

2007-10-12T13:48:00.001-07:00

September 20, 2007- Sky and Nick's Picks
Manchester Orchestra

USF Foghorn

2007-10-11T16:10:00.000-07:00

October 11, 2007- The Academy Is...

USFtv

2007-10-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Sports Update Season 3-Episode 1
Post game interview with sophomore forward Conor Chinn.

Kings of Leon

2007-09-22T17:13:00.001-07:00

(Nathan Followill, KOL drummer) Kings of Leon are best band out there right now, just thought you should know... Sky Madden knows...

Rediscovering San Francisco

2007-09-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past weekend one of my best friends, India Giudici, came to visit. It was her first time in SF, and it gave me time to appreciate the city. Whether it was exploring Golden gate park and the de Young Museum, hiking up and down Lombard Street, searching through China Town and North Beach, travelling to Oakland for a Mariners game, it gave me a chance to be thankful for all the different aspects of San Francisco.

Mariners have something to build on

2007-09-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

(Chuck Armstrong, President, Seattle Mariners)The Seattle Mariners played well today, winning a 3-2 game against the soon to be AL West Champion Angels. The Mariners offense has been good all year long, but they're going to need significant upgrades to the starting five if they want to make the postseason next year.
Here are some personal suggestions:
Extend Jose Guillen
Play Adam Jones everyday in LF
Consider trading Wlademir Balentin/Jeff Clement/Ben Broussard for starting picthing
Consider platooning Raul Ibanez, Jose Vidro at 1B/DH
Think hard about re-signing Jeff Weaver, Chris Reitsma
Consider finding new ways of using Richie Sexson/Horacio Ramirez...

The Academy Is...

2007-09-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, September 19th, I attended The Academy Is... concert on behalf of the USF Foghorn. I was lucky enough to interview the bassist for TAI, Adam Siska, on the band's tour bus. The Academy Is... are headlining the Sleeping With Giants tour, which also includes Armor For Sleep, The Rocket Summer and Sherwood. Look for the full article and interview in an upcoming edition of the Foghorn.