Ok, so this is old but I wanted to show how globalized and connected out society is today.
This is of a kid from a small town in Mexico. Everywhere I've been (Sweden, Hong Kong, and Spain to name a few places--also, I'm not trying to location drop, it just proves my point here) my friends and the people I have met have all seen this video.
Although embarrassing, what a way to internationally claim fame.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Is There Ever A Free Lunch Or In This Case Wi-Fi?
I'm a student and have no money for wireless internet or any type of internet for that matter. This entire semester when I have had a project to do, I would walk the two blocks to my neighborhood Starbucks. There is only one, but there is also a Coffee Bean right across the street.
It's great because you can get free wireless internet. But are you supposed to buy something as well?
Obviously, I know it's the unspoken status quo to purchase something, otherwise I wouldn't have posted this but is this something I should feel guilty about?
While there is no sign and no one telling me to purchase anything; I've begun to wonder if what I am doing is wrong. Even as I write this, I'm inside me free wireless internet provider adding to my number of blog posts.
I don't think I'm doing anything wrong because I'm the only one here and not taking space away from anyone. But if I was the owner I guess I would be pist.
For all I know the employees are always giving me the evil eye and I'm just oblivious to it. That's how serious of a blogger I am, oblivious to my surroundings.
What do you guys think?
Surf Knowledge
My last post wasn't the only one that referenced Tetsuhiko Endo, surf editor of theintertia.com.
So who is this guy?
A professional surfer? Surfboard shaper? Legendary lifeguard? Paddleboard champion?
Nope, just a surfer and a good writer who grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He claims to be an average surfer, I'm sure he could kick my butt in the water but let us just say that he's no pro.
I just wanted to point out that when it comes to surfing, we all have an opinion and you don't have to be a professional, although experience does help.
So when you kookmeyers out there want to give up surfing, don't.
I've met a lot of people who have told me that they won't surf because they won't be good. That's stupid-- a lot of times beginners or people who didn't originally grow up at the beach have more fun than seasoned surfers. They can also find certain insights into the sport that people who have been surfing for decades might have forgotten.
So who is this guy?
A professional surfer? Surfboard shaper? Legendary lifeguard? Paddleboard champion?
Nope, just a surfer and a good writer who grew up in Columbus, Ohio. He claims to be an average surfer, I'm sure he could kick my butt in the water but let us just say that he's no pro.
I just wanted to point out that when it comes to surfing, we all have an opinion and you don't have to be a professional, although experience does help.
So when you kookmeyers out there want to give up surfing, don't.
I've met a lot of people who have told me that they won't surf because they won't be good. That's stupid-- a lot of times beginners or people who didn't originally grow up at the beach have more fun than seasoned surfers. They can also find certain insights into the sport that people who have been surfing for decades might have forgotten.
Surf Pros
Do you still dream about meeting your sports hero?
Well, the article written by Tetsuhiko Endo today goes one step beyond that and brags about as surfers, we don't just have the chance to meet our suref idol (which is way easier than any other sport), but we actually get to surf with them.
Endo makes a point in saying that athletes that volunteer spending time playing ball or whatever sport they play with kids is not the same as actually practising with them.
First, meeting them is so much easier. In basketball for example, players have tight security, retreat back to their large houses, or if they do go out, go to expensive clubs that only other celebrities can get into.
In surfing, a fan can approach their surfing idol almost at anytime and ask for an autograph or photo. Plus these contests are held all over the world. I remember taking a photo with Kelly Slater in Bilbao, Spain when the surfing World Tour stopped just 10 minutes from my house. I was so excited when one of the photographers, a fellow San Diegan, told me to just walk up to Slater after he finished his heat.
No big deal right?
What about when I "saved" who I think was Slater's sister (or could have been girlfriend) when I brushed this crazy looking spider off her back. I know, I'm a little star-stuck just writing this post but you can call me a hero if you want.
Second, referring specifically to Endo's article, you can go out in San Diego, a relatively less star studded area unlike the North Shore or Todos Santos on a big day, and many times run into professional surfers.
I swear I see Joel Tudor, former ASP Longboard World Champion, out everytime I surf Blacks, which, granted isn't very often since I'm living in LA at the moment but still is cool everytime.
Yes, you can say this isn't that impressive since Joel Tudor is from Southern California but so are several of the baseball players that play for the San Diego Padres. And how many times do you get to throw a ball around with them?
This sport is awsome.
But while I agree with Endo, I think he is wrong in saying that surfing is the only sport you can hang out with the pros. While a little more difficult, you have snowboarding and skiing, rockclimbing, kyacking, and probably the easiest out of these sports, skating. I'm ignoring skimboarding because it's close enough to surfing but obviously it's different (just go to Newport and Laguna-- are these the same place?).
Well, the article written by Tetsuhiko Endo today goes one step beyond that and brags about as surfers, we don't just have the chance to meet our suref idol (which is way easier than any other sport), but we actually get to surf with them.
Endo makes a point in saying that athletes that volunteer spending time playing ball or whatever sport they play with kids is not the same as actually practising with them.
First, meeting them is so much easier. In basketball for example, players have tight security, retreat back to their large houses, or if they do go out, go to expensive clubs that only other celebrities can get into.
In surfing, a fan can approach their surfing idol almost at anytime and ask for an autograph or photo. Plus these contests are held all over the world. I remember taking a photo with Kelly Slater in Bilbao, Spain when the surfing World Tour stopped just 10 minutes from my house. I was so excited when one of the photographers, a fellow San Diegan, told me to just walk up to Slater after he finished his heat.
No big deal right?
What about when I "saved" who I think was Slater's sister (or could have been girlfriend) when I brushed this crazy looking spider off her back. I know, I'm a little star-stuck just writing this post but you can call me a hero if you want.
Second, referring specifically to Endo's article, you can go out in San Diego, a relatively less star studded area unlike the North Shore or Todos Santos on a big day, and many times run into professional surfers.
I swear I see Joel Tudor, former ASP Longboard World Champion, out everytime I surf Blacks, which, granted isn't very often since I'm living in LA at the moment but still is cool everytime.
 |
| Joel Tudor |
This sport is awsome.
But while I agree with Endo, I think he is wrong in saying that surfing is the only sport you can hang out with the pros. While a little more difficult, you have snowboarding and skiing, rockclimbing, kyacking, and probably the easiest out of these sports, skating. I'm ignoring skimboarding because it's close enough to surfing but obviously it's different (just go to Newport and Laguna-- are these the same place?).
 |
| skimming |
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunscreen Protection
What I didn't know was that UVA protection is not regulated by the FDA, only UVB protection. UVA is the SPF number on the bottle. That means that the SPF and UVA protection could potentially be misleading to consumers.
I usually use a mixture of regular sunscreen (Nuetrogena) and zinc products (usually Headhunter). Works well everytime, although when you're in the sun as much as I am, you still get burned because you don't always remember to apply more sunscreen.
When you start using zinc, it's funny becuase you can start "painting your face."
Exerpt from the sunscreen article I found:
"How To Choose Sunscreen Effectively
1. Choose Broad Spectrum UVA Protection. Don’t let the term “Broad Spectrum” on the label make the sale. Look deeper. There are 18 FDA approved active ingredients in sunscreen that provide protection. While many of these offer UVB protection, only four offer UVA protection. Look for UVA active ingredients: Avobenzone (Parsol), Mexoryl SX, Titanium Dioxide, and Zinc Oxide. Of these four, Zinc Oxide is the only single, broad spectrum active. Zinc Oxide physically blocks the entire range of UVA & UVB. Look for Zinc Oxide percentages to be over 18%.
2. Use SPF 30(+), beware lower or higher numbers. It is a widely accepted that SPF 30 is the benchmark needed to provide adequate UVB protection. In controlled testing, SPF 30 sunscreens filter 97% of UVB rays while SPF 50 only filters 1% more at 98% and SPF 100 would only offer 2% more at 99%. In real life applications, it is very unlikely that filtering more than 97% of UVB rays is plausible. Furthermore, extremely high SPF claims may provide a false sense of security while possibly doubling the amount of chemicals needed in the formulas.
3. Choose “Very Water Resistant,” a proven track record, and use caution with spray on products. The term Very Water Resistant is regulated by the FDA. It represents a sunscreen’s ability to remain effective after 80 minutes exposed to water, while Water Resistant refers to 40 minutes. Waterproof and All Day Protection claims are misleading. A product that is Very Water Resistant will likely offer better sweat resistance. Ultimately, a Very Water Resistant sunscreen that has performed well for you in the past is a wise choice in the future. Use caution with spray or powder sunscreens, the applicators expel excess amounts of chemical ingredients which may be inhaled and pose a potential safety hazard."
There it still a lot more useful information in this article so check it out.
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