Brett's Blog

More Personal Stuff

2009-04-28T13:21:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone. Long time, no see. This last semester, much of my time has been taken up writing for the Spartan Daily. Last week, I covered a story at city hall about whether or not the city should install porn-filtering software on the library computer network. Over the weekend, I wrote an opinion piece based on what I experienced at the city hall debate. Unfortunately, my editors decided it would be a conflict of interest to cast my opinion on a story which I covered, because it would skew the perception of the news article. But the blogosphere has no editors, so here is my opinion piece for your enjoyment.

Word Count: 527
During last week’s city hall debate over the application of porn filtering software on library computers, there were a lot of stories from the pro-filter side about parents witnessing perverts getting off while watching porn in public, and in front of their children.
Shocking already. But the stories got more shocking.
The response of these parents in each story was not to confront said perverts, but to go tell a librarian whose alleged reply was, “There is nothing I can do.”
I don’t know which is more despicable, the librarian’s lack of authority to protect people who use the library appropriately from sexual deviants or the parent’s inability to confront the problem and protect their children.
I guess the librarians were in a screwed up situation where they had neither the authority nor the training to remove the problem individuals.
The parents, on the other hand, did not defend their children from a threat nor did they do anything to remove the threat. Instead, they did what every elementary school child is told to do, get a grownup, in this case a librarian, to handle the problem for you.
When the librarians were unable to stop the problem, the parents just went to the next person they thought could fix their problems for them, city hall, which led to a debate over an expensive piece of censorship. In the meantime, these perpetrators of public masturbation that began this ordeal are still perusing the public libraries, by most accounts.
Talk about swatting flies with a cannon.
This whole debate could have been avoided in the first place had the parents stopped acting like children themselves and actually acted like parents.
In this situation, the solution is not to swat at flies with a cannon, but rather swing at perverts with a dictionary, or equally sized piece of literature.
There is no excuse for these sick bastards doing what they are doing in public libraries and in front of children, but there is also no excuse for allowing this sort of behavior in front of children, whether they are yours or not.
But am I recommending that people commit assault?
Yes I am. Over and over again, if necessary.
When the authorities, whether it be librarians, police or city hall, say they cannot do anything to protect the innocent, especially the most innocent of all, it is up to the people to do what is right.
In the year-and-a-half that this issue has been debated in San Jose, nothing has been done to deter these offenses.
But if one parent, one individual, took a solid stand and made an example of one of these serial-spankers, word would get out and libraries would become a place of fear for perverts and a place of sanctuary for children.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the legal repercussions of taking Webster’s dictionary to some degenerate’s dome. It would take a pretty cold judge and jury to punish someone for protecting children.
Once upon a time, people in this country could deliver a good ass kicking to someone who truly deserved it. Maybe we need to get back to a simpler time.

Personal Blog Post

2009-01-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

In my last blog post, I reported about the 241 Toll Road extension in south Orange County finally being shot down by the California Coastal Commission. While I was visiting my family in Orange County over winter break I came across an editorial on the subject in the Orange County Register. I know that the Register is known to be a conservative paper, but I could not help but notice the condescending and elitist tone used when referencing the toll road opposition and their arguments.

The editorial, entitled “South O.C. drivers run into a ditch: No-growthers and authoritarian Coastal Commission get 241 Toll Road extension,” begins by expressing disagreement with the Commerce Department for not overturning the state Coastal Commission’s decision to protect “a sliver of the San Onofre State Beach, a portion that doesn’t even come close to the ocean.”

The author, however, neglects to mention how much “a sliver” is and what they consider “close to the ocean.” The proposed extension was planned to go through the San Mateo Watershed, which is a rare and delicate stretch of undeveloped Southern California. One needs only to stand on the Cristianitos Rd. overpass, a shoreline of development overlooking a small sea of undeveloped land, and look south to realize that the proposed location of this project would have an irreversible effect on the local environment, from the watershed to the ocean.

Of course the long-term goal of this project was to relieve traffic congestion, however, the author, perhaps not intending to, provided a great argument against this expansion. “This approach – spending decades in a futile attempt to expand road capacity - will only lead to more congestion.”

I agree.

Word Count: 280

Personal Blog Post

2009-01-22T11:03:00.001-08:00

I am proud to report that San Onofre State Beach and Trestles, a world famous surf break, has been saved from the proposed 16-mile extension of the 241 Toll Road.

On December 18, 2008, the Department of Commerce announced that it would uphold the ruling made by the California Coastal Commission against the building of an extension to the 241 Toll Road in southern California. This ruling has made the building of the toll road, proposed by the Transportation Corridor Agencies, illegal under state and federal laws. The proposed construction project would have been built through the San Mateo Watershed and San Onofre State Beach, both located in an undeveloped stretch on the border of San Diego and Orange counties.

The proposed extension has been the subject of a bitter dispute between several organizations on both sides of the issue for several years now. Local beach users, including a sizable and highly vocal population of surfers, along with the Surfrider Foundation and the Sierra Club, among others, have argued that the project would intrude and negatively impact the San Mateo Watershed - a home to known endangered species, the San Mateo campgrounds – which would be completely removed, and the world-famous surfing break known as Trestles – the only stop on the mainland United States for the Association of Surfing Professionals’ World Championship Tour.

On the other side of the argument, the TCA and its supporters, including commuters and construction workers who look forward to the income produced by building the extension, have argued that the is necessary to mitigate the expected 60% traffic increase in south Orange County over the next 25 years.

Word Count: 273

Individual Blog Post #1

2008-12-18T12:51:00.000-08:00

Tasers, or stun guns, are supposed to be non-lethal weapons. These devices, which are widely used by law enforcement, use high voltage electricity to cause neuromuscular incapacitation and strong muscular contractions in order to disable a person. Though they are considered by supporters to be non-lethal weapons, the rising body count is evidence to the contrary. I recently read an article in the San Jose Mercury News reporting that the city of San Jose will be paying $70,000 to the family of a man who died after police used a Taser on him. The victim was involved in a domestic dispute in November 2005. When police were unable to subdue him, they resorted to using batons and Tasers, as well as pepper spray according to one news report I saw. The coroner’s report said that the victim died as a result of a heart attack brought on by the struggle, cocaine and the effects of the Taser. Supporters of the use of Tasers would like to use drug use and the victim’s personal health as scapegoats, claiming that they were the deciding factors in such a death. However, when one considers who the Taser operators were, such a defense cannot stand. For a weapon to be considered non-lethal it should be universally non-lethal. Not non-lethal if the victim is of sound mind and body, physically fit and drug and alcohol free. The moniker of non-lethal is more of a public relations ploy to make a very powerful and dangerous weapon seem more acceptable to society than anything else.

Word Count: 258

Word of the Week #8

2008-12-01T11:39:00.000-08:00

Word #8

Stanchion

Source: State of Fear by Michael Crichton, p. 351

How it was used: Each stanchion had caught debris floating downriver; the pylons were now wrapped with a tangled mat of tree branches, burned trunks, old boards, and floating junk, so that there was little room to pass by.

Definition:
Noun – an upright bar, post or framing forming a support of barrier.

Example: Rescuers were able to save several of the flood victims when they were found clinging to the stanchions barricading the old creek bridge.

Word count: 89

Word of the Week #7

2008-12-01T11:38:00.000-08:00

Word #7

Philanthropist

Source: State of Fear by Michael Crichton, p. 39

How it was used: The millionaire philanthropist stamped his feet and pulled on gloves, trying to warm himself.

Definition:
Noun – a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, esp. by the generous donation of money to good causes.

Example: Thanks to a large donation by an unknown philanthropist, we are finally able to build the youth center that we need.

Word count: 75

Word of the Week #6

2008-12-01T11:37:00.002-08:00

Word #6

Cavitation

Source: State of Fear by Michael Crichton, p. 19

How it was used: He had only one interest today, and tat was to sell cavitation machines.

Definition:
Noun – The formation of an empty space within a solid object or body.

Example: The undetected cavitation of the underlying rock caused the freeway overpass to collapse during the last major earthquake.

Word count: 63

Word of the Week #5

2008-12-01T11:37:00.001-08:00

Word #5

Vindictive

Source: Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson, p. 256

How it was used: A toad who believes he got a raw deal before he even knew who was dealing will usually be sympathetic to the mean, vindictive ignorance that colors the Hell’s Angels’ view of humanity.

Definition:
Adj. – Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.

Example: The vindictive rage of Inigo Montoya meant the inevitable end for the six-fingered man.

Word count: 77

Word of the Week #4

2008-12-01T11:36:00.001-08:00

Word #4

Rapine

Source: Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson, p. 226

How it was used: Their pre-eminence on so many guest lists made it inevitable that a certain amount of looting, assault and rapine would occur if they took the social whirl at full gallop.

Definition:
Noun. – The violent seizure of someone’s property.

Example: Where the Hell’s Angels went, a predictable amount of rapine would usually follow.

Word count: 69

Copy edit the world

2008-10-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Error #1) It failed to address the rising costs of food, health care and college tuition and ignored the decline of public education and the earth's atmosphere.

When used as a proper noun, Earth should be capitalized.
Found in the weekly Silicon Valley Metro, vol. 24 no. 33, in an article called "Barack Obama For President."

Corrected: It failed to address the rising costs of food, health care and college tuition and ignored the decline of public education and the Earth's atmosphere.

Error#2) Friday doubles tournaments will begin between 4 and 5 pm.

The times are less than 10 and need to be spelled out and "pm" needs to have periods.
Found on a notice posted at Parque de la Raza Disc Golf Park.

Corrected: Friday doubles tournaments will begin between four and five p.m.

Error #3) Included exercises will be justified as to how they effect the students goals and a plan for exercise progression will be included as well.

This is an incorrect use of the word effect (noun). Replace with affect (verb). "Students" needs an apostrophe.
Found on the greensheet for KIN 35A - Beginning Weight Training.

Corrected: Included exercises will be justified as to how they affect the student's goals and a plan for exercise progression will be included as well.

Word count: 214

Word of the Week #3

2008-10-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

Word #3

Overweening

Source: Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson, p. 227

How it was used: His association with the Hell’s Angels was not calculated to calm his relationship with the forces of law and decency, but he pursued it nonetheless, and with overweening zeal.

Definition:
Adj. – showing excessive confidence and pride.

Example: The politician’s most recent town hall speech was saturated with his overweening ambition.

Word count: 67

Word of the Week #2

2008-10-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

Word #2

Socioeconomics

Source: Hell’s Angels by Hunter S. Thompson

How it was used: The Angels were in no position to do any comparison shopping, and if they were about to taught a harsh lesson in socioeconomics, I figured they’d be more receptive to bad news if came from one of their own people.

Definition:
Noun – The study of the interrelation between economics and social behavior.

Example: The socioeconomic results of poor mortgage lending have been devastating to many.

Mystery Character

2008-10-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

He is often recognized by his aviator sunglasses, Gilligan hat and a cigarette holder clenched in his teeth with the burning ember smoldering at eye level. Along with his immeasurable contempt for all forms of authority, he has a huge affinity for alcohol, psychedelics, large caliber firearms and driving at top speed. His movements appear as sporadic as his moods. Most people know his face only from is depiction in the movies. He has arguably been closer to the Hell’s Angels than any outsider and survived to tell about it. Nixon once agreed to speak to him as long as they kept to the subject of football. In his bout for a sheriff’s position in a well-known city, his campaign slogan was, “It never got weird enough for me.” He is credited with creating a whole new writing style. The image that symbolizes him is a dagger with a handle composed of a six-fingered fist clutching a peyote button.

Word Count: 159

Telling Details

2008-09-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

Afternoon sunshine pours through postered café windows. The barman’s face is twisted into a bored half-smile while he scratches away at a crossword puzzle with one hand, the other stretching one side of his face, supporting his head.
At the table furthest from mine, a brunette in a flowery yellow dress metronomically dips a teabag in a steaming mug of water. Her face is buried in a novel; not one of the heavy schoolbooks that obviously occupies her cumbersome backpack tucked beneath her chair.
A graying longhaired man wearing an AC/DC t-shirt and torn blue jeans mumbles his approval as he ambles back to his stool from the jukebox.
His song begins, “I Wanna Rock!”

Word Count: 115

Word of the Week #1

2008-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Brett Gifford
Mass Cam 100W M/W 12 p.m.
Word #1

Vagabonding (Vagabond)
Source: Surfer Magazine, Volume 49, Number 08, Page 193

How it was used: “In short, Dusty’s vagabonding adventure was the legacy of surfing’s Golden Age in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, when disillusionment with life in the United States motivated a generation of young surfers to follow their obsession abroad.”

Definition: adj: Moving from place to place without a fixed home; of, relating to, or characteristic of a wanderer; leading an unsettled, irresponsible, or disreputable life.
Noun: one leading a vagabond life.
Verb: to wander in the manner of a vagabond: roam about.

Example: After graduation, I plan to spend the next year vagabonding around Europe.

Journal Writing #1 - Favorite Writing

2008-09-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

“Inhale.
Take in as much air as you can.
This story should last about as long as you can hold your breath, and then just a little bit longer. So listen as fast as you can.”
This is the introduction, or warning, that sets the tone for the chapter titled “Guts,” page 12, in Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Haunted, a collection of short stories as written and told by the characters of the novel. In this piece, Palahniuk displays his skills and ability to twist his audience’s feelings and reactions, making readers laugh and cringe in disgust and horror within a single sentence. Not for the faint of heart, Palahniuk included “a warning of sorts” regarding reading this story to a live audience. If you are brave enough, and hopefully not a big fan of calamari, take your chances and pick up this book. But be fair warned, once you have read “Guts,” you cannot unread it.

Word Count: 156

All About Me

2008-09-03T12:38:00.000-07:00

My name is Brett. I am currently starting my last year of college, hopefully, here at San Jose State University. I am a magazine journalism major and I am working through my last required classes. Next semester I expect to be very busy with copious amounts of writing work for the Spartan Daily and an internship. I am hoping that Mcom 100W will help make my writing stronger and increase my confidence under pressure of a deadline. Professors McCune and Nichols, I am sure, will enjoy testing me to this.
Aside from school, I have several outside interests. Sometimes I have too many interests, in fact. I have been surfing and snowboarding for years, and I go as often as I can afford. Before, I moved to San Jose I received a 4/3 wetsuit for Christmas, which has been key to surviving the frigid waters around Santa Cruz. That has been a huge improvement over my old wetsuit that closely resembled Swiss cheese.
Since last summer, I have become a regular on the local disc golf courses in the area. For those with question marks dancing over their heads, disc golf is a sport played like conventional golf on specially made courses where the goal is to throw a series of flying discs (Frisbees to some of you) into a basket known as a “pole-hole.” Since I began playing disc golf, I have introduced it to my brother and some of my neighbors and it has become a regular distraction for all of us.
If you don’t find me at school or work, I’ll be in the water or on the course. Feel free to join me.

Word Count: 278

Final Leads

2008-05-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

1) Who lead: Two men were robbed and one of them was beaten with a toilet seat in separate incidents at an apartment complex in Mountain View today.

2) What lead: A man was beaten with a toilet seat and robbed today when he was lured into an apartment by two assailants in Mountain View.

3) Where lead: At an apartment complex at 22oo California St. in Mountain View, a man was robbed and beaten with a toilet seat after being lured into a neighboring apartment.

4) How lead: A toilet seat was used by two assailants to beat a man during a robbery today in an apartment complex in Mountain View.

5) The What Lead seems to be the most appropriate to use because it immediately tells the reader why this story stands out from any other robbery.

Tunnel of Oppression

2008-04-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve been to the Museum of Tolerance. Twice in my childhood, as a matter of fact. I still feel like that is two more visits than most people have made to an exhibit with such a message. If you have never been to this museum, or even one like it, I recommend you enlighten yourself.
I was surprised to hear that San Jose State had set up an exhibit that closely mimicked the afore mentioned museum, though on a smaller and more handmade scale. I soon discovered, however, that the annual Tunnel of Oppression covered some topics and angles that I had not seen before.
There were two exhibits that I was particularly interested in. The first issue was the treatment and portrayal of women. What stuck with me was the way that they are portrayed and even marketed to this country. While staring at a collage of magazine clips and advertisements, I was reminded of a film I saw from Dove Soap’s Campaign for Real Beauty, which I feel would have been an appropriate addition to this particular exhibit. Like the clips I was looking at, this film shows a variety of advertisements and treatments that are pushed on American women in the everyday media and finishes with a scene of some young school-age girls. In my mind, these girls resembled my nieces.
The other exhibit that really caught my attention had to do with child soldiers. A picture of a small dark haired boy walking the streets with an AK-47 caught my eye. Simultaneously, a video was playing in which a small boy was telling about how he was forced into service and he prays for someone to help him kill himself. Again thought of my own family. That little boy looked like my nephew. Maybe not really, but I could see where they were so much the same.
Sometimes, the horrible realities of our world, despite how hard we try to mask and hide them from our everyday lives, can strike your heart like a cold dagger on a sunny day. Sometimes, all it takes is to give those horrors a face and think, “What if that face was someone I love?”

Sports Broadcast

2008-03-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

The Saberkittens stole the show on Saturday night despite their Sabercats team dishing out a 63-43 beating on the visiting Arizona Rattlers.
The Rattlers showed signs of life in the fourth quarter but it was too little too late for them and the fans.
The game began with over 10,000 in attendance but steady streams of fans were shuffling for the doors by the start of the fourth.
The exception was the fans near the end zones who had the best view of the Saberkittens.
The Sabercats set an Arena Football record with 15 straight homegame wins.
They play the Dallas Desperados at home on Saturday, March 22.

Sports Story

2008-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

With a landslide victory over the Rattlers in the works, SaberCats fans were already streaming for the exits by the start of the fourth quarter, with the exception of those fans seated beside the end zone.

The rhythmic gyrations of the Saberkittens, cheering on both ends of the field, garnered more attention from the fans than the utter beating being dealt out by the SaberCats on the field.

The SaberCats capped their home debut on Saturday night by dishing out a punishing 63-43 defeat to the Arizona Rattlers.

Column

2008-03-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

The trouble with dating in San Jose.

Our feet hit the pavement with the rhythm of the incessant club music pouring out of the plethora of bar/clubs in downtown. We pause outside of one, considering our chances of getting a good drink, I’m straining my eyes to check the ratio. With a dry mouthed mumble of disappointment, my brother sums up the situation. “F#%kin’ Man Jose.”
For most of us, the weekend entails a trip to the bar for a tasty beverage and a chance of meeting someone who might want to go home with you for some bedroom gymnastics. Unfortunately, the most of us part is the problem. Countless times, I’ve found myself in one of the local watering holes such as SJ Bar and Grill or, San Jose’s greatest misnomer, Dive Bar, only to realize that I have inadvertently stumbled into a virtual frat house. The few females present are often shrouded in a tight gridiron-like huddle of other potential suitors. But unlike the their football counterparts, this defensive line not about team work. Quite the opposite, really.
I think the next best place to find an attractive girl in San Jose is the classroom. This local has several benefits over the bar scene. For instance, classroom ratios are usually more conducive to the exercise, and if you are in the right major it can work extremely in your favor. Private study sessions also provide ample opportunity to make a connection.
If only I could get a tasty beverage while in class, I would have no more need for the bars of downtown Man Jose.
Of course, that’s just my opinion. I may be wrong.

Story Ideas

2008-02-27T12:20:00.000-08:00

Story Idea: Students pay exorbitant prices for textbooks at the beginning of the semester, but are paid minuscule amounts for them at the end of the semester.

Who: All college students; teachers; bookstore employees and administrators.

What: Students pay too much for books. They are paid too little to sell them back.

When: The beginning and end of each semester.

Where: The college book store. Campuses everywhere.

Why: Students are paying huge amounts and getting pennies on the dollar back for them. The books are then sold again for high prices.

How: I plan to answer this. How much is the mark up. How else can students get and sell their books? How does the school get away with this?

Fairy Tale Leads

2008-02-20T12:52:00.000-08:00

Direct Lead: Lord Farquaad was devoured by a fire-breathing dragon yesterday during an argument with a disgruntled ogre at his wedding ceremony.
Delayed Lead: After a head-on assault on the Castle Dulock with a mismatched team of fairytale creatures, Shrek, a local ogre who has fallen in love with Lord Farquaad's recently acquired fiance, Princess Fiona, managed to win the princess' love and true love's first kiss. The princess then promptly morphed into an ogre herself, to the short term disgust of Lord Farquaad who was just as promply devoured by a dragon.

AP Style

2008-02-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here are some weird rules to AP style:

1) "Compared to" vs. "Compared with"- use "compared to" when the intent is to show that two things are similar. Use "compared with" when juxtaposing two or more items to illustrate similarities and/or differences.

2) Flautist - the preferred word is flutist.

3) Korean names - North Korean names are generally three separate words, each starting with a capital letter. South Korean names are three words with the second two names hyphenated and a lowercase letter after the hyphen.

4) Mishap - a minor misfortune. People are not killed in mishaps.

Inverted Pyramid

2008-02-06T12:47:00.000-08:00

Southern Residents Assess Tornado Damage - http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jW-BndswWuhgPAPXOK4Q6TCQsANQD8UKVVG00
Who - Residents in five southern states.
What - Try to salvage what they can after a cluster of tornadoes ravaged the area. At least 50 people were killed.
When - Wednesday. The tornadoes passed through on Tuesday 2/5/08.
Where - Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama.
Why -
How - Very slowly and with lots of tears
Values - Disaster

California Toll Road Proposal Voted Down
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0208/p25s01-sten.html
Who - the California Coastal Commission, protesters and supporters
What - The Commission voted 8-2 against the proposed Foothill South toll road that would cut through San Onofre State Beach park.
When - Wednesday 2/6/08
Where - Del Mar, CA
Why - The toll road would likely damage much of the surrounding environment, including the word class surf breaks at Trestles. It is unlikely that the toll road would successfully alleviate traffic congestion on a relatively short stretch of Interstate 5.
How - A vote of 8-2 against the project. Strong support from a coalition of groups including the Sierra Club, the Surfrider Foundation and the National Resources Defense Council. Also, opposition by Native American groups due to the toll road's proximity to ancient burial sites.
Values - Proximity

Smoking Wheel/Missing Boy

2008-02-06T12:25:00.000-08:00

Smoking Wheels-
Passengers where evacuated from a Northwest Airlines jet Wednesday, when a landing tower employee spotted smoke near the wheels.
The 40 passengers on Flight 428 from Minneapolis safely deboarded at the LaCrosse Municipal Airport in Wisconsin.

Missing Boy-
A seven-year-old boy who had been reported missing for three years was found Monday night when a neighbor recognized a picture of the boy shown following a movie in Brick Township, New Jersey.
The neighbor called the police who later arrested the boy's mother, Ellen Lynn Conner, 27, who now faces charges of kidnapping and interference with a custody warrant.

Chevy Chase Lead

2008-02-05T19:33:00.000-08:00

Chevy Chase was appointed to the board of trustees yesterday at Bard College, the actor and comedian's alma mater.

Leads Exercise #2: Air Crash

2008-02-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

All 131 people were killed yesterday as a U.S. Air flight crashed on final approach outside of Pittsburgh. This has been called the worst air disaster in the U.S. in the past three years.

Exercise #1 Leads Again

2008-02-05T19:15:00.000-08:00

Lead #1:
A local couple was awarded $150,ooo yesterday in the Butte County Court.

Lead #2:
Forecasters are predicting the next in a series of snowstorms to hit the Sierras today.

Lead #3:
Three firefighters were injured while evacuating 41 families from a burning building today.

My first post

2008-01-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

Hi. I'm Brett. I'm just starting my third semester at SJSU, studying magazine journalism. I want to take what I learn here into a career in snowboard and surf magazines, among others.
I'm from Irvine in Southern California and I spent my early college years in San Diego.
I play a lot of disc golf on my days off. If you don't know what disc golf is... get informed; you are missing out. If you go to play at the Black Mouse course... watch out for those huge chickens.
Besides that, I often go surfing in Santa Cruz when the moon hits me right. Big fish up here in NorCal, though.
More on me in the future. Late.