Crossing the Friendship Threshold
Sometimes all it takes to make new friends is to take a solo trip halfway around the world for a beach volleyball camp. At least, that’s what the tote bag said. On the first...
Category: sports
The Least Interesting Thing About Stefan
I told Paul I was visiting Austin to watch a “friend” play in a beach volleyball tournament. What I didn’t mention is that my “friend” had placed 5th at the Paris 2024 Olympics. “Do...
An Olympian Walks into a Bar
I have to write about Stefan Boermans, one of the coaches at the beach volleyball camp. Stefan placed fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the first time I noticed him was actually in...
The First Conversation of 2026
I did not have “spending New Year’s with strangers in Sri Lanka” on my 2025 bingo card, but that’s how I roll. As I’m writing this, we’re between training sessions on New Year’s Day,...
Why I’m going to Sri Lanka
I’m writing this while on a 17-hour flight to Singapore, which somehow manages to be longer than a flight to Australia. From there, I’ll stay overnight at an airport hotel, then hop on another...
Choose Your Hard
“What did they want you to do, like die?” I laughed. “It kind of felt like it…” I was telling Divya about the MADstrength Games at my gym that I impulsively signed up for...
From Huntington to Hermosa: My SoCal Travels
This past weekend marked my 4th trip to SoCal this year, and as always, it was a blast. Since I’ve been busy (read: lazy) and haven’t written much about my travels, let me catch...
What is a sport, part 2
Breakdancing (or breaking, as it’s officially called) should never have been added as an Olympic sport. There, I said it. I also said it 3 years ago during the Tokyo Olympics when I listed...
Great Expectations, part 4
The Power of FOMO “Am I crazy for wanting to go to Paris to watch a volleyball tournament?” I asked Iain. “You’re crazy, but going to Paris to watch volleyball isn’t that crazy for...
Why I love watching AVP tournaments
My friend Andy is a troll. Like, he has an official diploma from the American Troll Academy. He’s constantly trying to pull your leg so it’s difficult to take him seriously, and he’s usually...
This was a heartwarming read. Thanks Ted!