Nothing on Purpose

Jeremy's Purpose-Driven Blog

Archive for December, 2009

Still Kicking

Dec 11

Posted by Jer in Earth | No Comments

Greetings from Gainesville, Fla. I’m out in the Sunshine State swampland for the 2009 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. Forgive me if I spell everything out as if I’m writing one of my match recaps or something. I’m in a mode these days.

Just one week ago, I was in Columbus, Ohio, for the first and second rounds of this postseason tournament. The Cal volleyball team won both of those matches and advanced to face an upset-minded Baylor team in the Gainesville Regional semifinal, which takes place tomorrow afternoon. As difficult as it is to be away from April when the team is in season, and as taxing as living out of a suitcase and doing work from sun up to sun down can sometimes be, I really do enjoy myself in these situations. And for that, I am truly thankful. Life is too short to not enjoy your day-to-day.

I’m having a hard time adjusting to the Eastern Standard Time that we’re operating on even after returning to the Bay from Ohio last week. Of course, if the team wins its next two matches, we drive down the road to Tampa, Fla. for the NCAA national semifinal. That would mean I could be away from home for as many as 12 straight days. I mentioned to someone on this trip that it’s been both unnerving and exciting at the same time to not know whether we’re going to be away for four days or 14 days. I’ve learned over the years to take things in stride and much like the team, I’m still kicking.

At Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

At Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Hello Chocolate No

Dec 1

Posted by Jer in Wind | No Comments

I was driving to work this morning and was reading the writing on the road as I approached the intersection at Broadway and 16th in downtown Oakland. It read: TURN LEFT NO. Of course, if you read it beginning with the furthest word away, it would say “no left turn”. It made me chuckle because “turn left no” is so much more fun. It reminded me of the time I was at Baccali Rotisserie on Valley Boulevard with some friends.

I can’t remember the circumstances for our visit to Baccali, but I do remember that most of my party was ordering small dishes or dessert. April and I decided to be adventurous and ordered a banana split. That’s not something I recommend people order at Chinese cafes, by the way. About ten minutes later, our drinks and desserts began to arrive. The waiter went up to my friend James and said, “Hello, hello. Chocolate; no.”

We all sort of looked at each other in amazement before James realized what the man was trying to communicate. Eventually, I realized that he must have forgotten which one of us had ordered the banana split. When the waiter came back, I asked what other ice cream flavors they had and I believe we decided on two scoops of strawberry and one of vanilla for our banana split. Nonetheless, sometimes, I still repeat to myself “chocolate, no” for a good laugh.

I’m actually very impressed with the efficiency with which my waiter was able to communicate the restaurant’s lack of chocolate ice cream. I mean, it took a moment for the information to set it and make itself clear, but I got it eventually. Two words was all it took. Chocolate, no. Hello, hello! Chocolate, no.