Grebel and its Ultimate

I think the pattern of posting on Wednesdays is one that will likely continue, since I have from 10:30 on to do what I please. Things like studying, researching or working all seem like good options, but so does posting something.

This weekend's trip to Waterloo (and Toronto to see U2!) only reminded me again how great playing Ultimate at Grebel is. There's something about Grebel Ultimate that is better than everywhere else I've played. Somehow I think the "spirit" of Grebel manages to squeak its way out on the Ultimate field. Even the frosh we were playing against seemed to fall right into Grebel Ultimate, without being told or taught how.

There are certain things that make Grebel Ultimate different. I think a lot of them have to do with the (dare I use it...) community approach to life at Grebel. Things like the fact that the sidelines and endzones aren't really clearly defined or enforced, but they seem to work out anyway. No one abuses the grey area (too much anyway) and it makes the game more relaxed. Of course, the fact that you never keep score (numerically anyway) also adds to that feeling.

Defence always just seems to happen. Maybe it's not always the best, but the game is certainly entertaining. Compared that with most of the other Ultimate I've played where people immediately assume that we should be playing tough man-to-man defence. Now maybe I'm just lazy, but frankly that's a lot of work. After a single trip to the competitive Ultimate team at Western, I decided it really wasn't for me. The relaxed feel of a Grebel pickup game is, in the end, what I love about Ultimate.

Lastly, the great tradition of Grebel Ultimate is the long bomb. Though this exists in all Ultimate, at Grebel we've perfected it. I'm not sure how this philosophically fits with Grebel, but I do know that it's certainly the most fun way to play...

My First Real Post

So in this first post, I guess I'm writing to sort of say why I'm writing. In this blog. I suppose my inspiration is really Nathan Sherwood's blog (see link) since I really enjoy reading it. Also I really feel I have no writing outlet (for whatever little bit of writing I really feel the need to do) with hoards of science and multiple choice tests being my lot in school. I think my intent is less to have a running commentary of my daily life and more to do some commenting on observations and thoughts that I have. Again, see Nate's blog for inspiration.

Currently I'm getting toward settled into first year of med school. The odd thing about this brand of "higher" education is that in many ways it feels like a big step backwards. (My apologies to everyone who has already heard me go through this spiel.) My days consist of 8 hours in a single classroom with professors coming to us. An hour for lunch and "recess" every 50 minutes between classes. Lockers down the hall. Also, every class is made up of the same set of people - a phenomenon never seen in a science undergrad at Waterloo.

Overall it's actually kind of a neat experience. Returning to knowing people in classes, as well as the experience of meeting a million (actually 132) people all at once is something I haven't done in a while. And while my lack of ability to remember names has been a bit disconcerting the experience has been going well so far. I think this whole med school thing is something I'm going to enjoy. I'll try and keep you posted.

My Photo

Me!

This is a test

Well, I think I might try out this blogging thing. This is my first post to see if and how it works.