The condensed version of this article appears in the August issue of Volleyball Magazine. As always, here’s the unedited copy… I recently flew home to visit my mother after finding out she had been diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Fortunately, after an emergency hysterectomy and two...

Just because we’re losingDoesn’t mean we’re lostDoesn’t mean we’ll stopDoesn’t mean we would cross Just because we’re hurtingDoesn’t mean we’re hurtDoesn’t mean we didn’t getWhat we deservedNo better and no worse We just got lostEvery...

No surprise here,  just another band I happen to be in love with at the moment. Their videos are lacking the production value of say, Morrison or Mayer, but they’re creative and unique all the same. I’ve already purchased “This Charming Man,” “Ageless Beauty” and...

Fort Lauderdale will mark the first event I've missed since 2007. Last Wednesday I strolled along the strand in Hermosa Beach with a giant Wilson bag full of volleyballs strewn across my right shoulder. I was wearing, and I’m not kidding, khakis, a collared shirt, a v-neck sweater and a midnight...

And I’m back. It only took one day apparently. I feel like I should really be living in the city or something, where seasons actually change, striped sweaters are the norm and train stations double as places to “hang out.” Possibly Paris in the fall to get swept away, or to levitate,...

Sometimes a song just hits. For no particular rhyme or reason it just speaks to you. At this particular moment that song for me is “You Make it Real” by James Morrison. I know, shocking, it’s not by a woman that looks like Zooey Deschanel or Nina Persson, but occasionally I’m...

Damn you super cute Cardigans lead singer for jading me for life... NA lot is going on right now as the first tournament of the 2010 season approaches this weekend in Fort Lauderdale. I thought I would sit down and provide a quick update regarding, well, pretty much everything. First off, I’ve...

Randy Stoklos prepares for a pass from Sinjin Smith, his partner from 1982-1993 Back in 2004…I was playing with a gentleman by the name of Dave Smith. Our match for 9th place was set to commence against the ultra skinny duo of Jason Ring and George Roumain when two grown men came running to the side...

I mean, this guy had to start somewhere, right? I’m thinking of starting a band. Yes, you read that correctly. A band. Not a band to become famous in. Not a band to sell out the Hollywood Bowl. Not a band with even one single on iTunes. Just a band that plays at some local drinking hole in LA and...

I know it’s not a Wilson they’re spiking, but I have to commend Todd and Phil for doing this video. Sure, they’re sponsored by Mikasa and this engagement is most likely obligated, and sure, they’re getting paid for it, but we need our gold medalists to be a bigger part of...