Public Disclaimer

Technology and the internet are confusing. Every time you log onto your computer or phone, you leave crumbs (Footnote 1) as to where you have been and what you have seen. While we are all aware of it, we have just accepted it as a non-negotiable. Meaning all these websites are collecting data and information and yet we are willing to provide. In order to build strong rapport with my audience, I want to be clear with how I operate bryanbaumgarten.com.

I built this website using Squarespace. Squarespace has a cool function that when someone looks at this website, I can see the IP Address and where that IP address is located. Typically, it’s quite broad, but it still provides a general location that allows me to make guesses as to whom is looking at my content. 

It sounds kinda creepy. It might be. 

I justify it by comparing it to things that are similar. For example, I just learned that you can see who viewed your Instagram story. This new revelation has deterred me from stalking people on Instagram. However, it has made me come to terms that occasionally checking the location of those who visited my website is socially acceptable.

That brings me to the point of writing this (Footnote 2).

The point of writing this is the provide my inactive group of readers with a proper disclaimer of the fact that I am collecting and analyzing your data. I want you to know that if you click on this website, I am most likely trying to figure out which one of you from Chicago, IL actually read this nonsense. While there is no way of knowing who exactly is viewing my site, I can assure you that I make great educated guesses (Footnote 3).

I hope this content serves you well.

I hope 2023 serves you well as well.

I hope you are all well as well in addition to the previous as well.

Footnote 1: Rumor has it there are cookies involved, but I have yet to find them.

Footnote 2: I recognize many people may believe that there is no point to this; I assure you, there is.

Footnote 3: Hi, Mom!

This is a Blog Post I Didn’t Write

What I said:

I think ChatGPT is going to completely change the game. I believe the way we communicate is going to be forever different. The profession of being a writer will no longer be a reasonable career path. It is sad because AI is better than me. I often struggle with accurately expressing myself. To fix this, I go through many iterations of text to sound as close to how I want to sound as possible. With ChatGPT all I have to do is type out half baked ideas then tell it the format in which I want it to compose a draft. Right now it is incredibly attractive because it has yet to become mainstream. Until then those who ask the right questions and give the right commands will have an incredible advantage over those who have yet to adopt the technology. Please write me a blog post about the information above.

What it said:

ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, is poised to revolutionize the way we communicate. With its advanced capabilities, it has the potential to change the way we think about language and writing as a profession.

As a writer, I can attest to the difficulties of expressing oneself clearly and accurately. The process of editing and revising can be tedious and time-consuming. However, ChatGPT offers a solution to this problem. With its advanced natural language processing capabilities, it can take my half-baked ideas and turn them into coherent, polished drafts with just a few simple commands.

The implications of this technology are vast. As it becomes more mainstream, those who are able to effectively utilize ChatGPT will have a significant advantage over those who have yet to adopt it. The possibilities are endless, from streamlining business communication to improving the quality of online content.

However, it is important to note that with any technological advancement, there will be consequences. The rise of ChatGPT may lead to the decline of traditional writing jobs, and it will be crucial for society to adapt to these changes.

In conclusion, ChatGPT has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate and write. Its advanced capabilities offer a solution to many of the difficulties associated with expressing oneself clearly and accurately. As the technology becomes more mainstream, those who can effectively utilize it will have a significant advantage. However, it is important to consider the potential consequences and adapt to the changes that will come with the widespread use of ChatGPT.

What I said:

Make it more conversational and funny.

What it said:

Hey folks, have you heard about ChatGPT yet? It's the newest, coolest kid on the block, and let me tell you, it's going to change the game. I mean, as a writer, I know the struggle of trying to get my thoughts down on paper (or screen) in a way that actually makes sense. But with ChatGPT, all I have to do is type out my jumbled mess of ideas and boom! It turns it into a coherent, polished masterpiece.

I know, I know, you're thinking "But wait, won't this put writers out of a job?" and to that I say, "Pfft, please. Have you seen some of the stuff on the internet? There's still plenty of room for improvement." But seriously, it's important to consider the potential consequences of this technology and adapt to the changes that will come with it.

But let's not get too bogged down in the negative, let's talk about the positives! Imagine being able to send emails that don't make you sound like a bumbling buffoon, or creating social media posts that don't make your grandma question her life choices. The possibilities are endless, my friends. And let's be real, who doesn't want to have an edge over their competition?

In short, ChatGPT is the future and it's going to be a wild ride. So buckle up, buttercups, and get ready to take your communication skills to the next level.

What I said:

Make it slightly less conversational. Make it sound more intelligent and ease up on the humor. More casual.

What it said:

ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate. Its advanced capabilities allow for the efficient creation of polished and coherent written content, from half-baked ideas.

As a writer, I understand the challenges of clearly and accurately expressing oneself. ChatGPT offers a solution to this problem by streamlining the editing and revision process.

The implications of this technology are significant. As ChatGPT becomes more mainstream, those who are able to effectively utilize it will have a significant advantage over those who have yet to adopt it. This technology can improve the quality of online content and streamline business communication.

However, it is important to consider the potential consequences of widespread use of ChatGPT, such as a decline in traditional writing jobs. Society must adapt to these changes.

In conclusion, ChatGPT offers advanced capabilities for the creation of written content. Its widespread use will have both positive and negative implications, and it is important for society to adapt to these changes.

What I said:

Damn.

Fortune Cookie

Yesterday, I arrived in the small town of Furth, just outside of Nuremberg, Germany. By the time I got all situated in my hotel, my stomach became an active participant in the plan-making process. I searched for food and had the option between Pizza and Chinese. I chose Chinese with high hopes that fortune cookies were not only American. To my pleasant surprise, Germans are equally as hopeful that a small little piece of paper can actually make a difference. That being said, Germans take their fortunes in a more cerebral direction. I was hoping for something along the lines of “You will have great success in your near future.” Instead, I got the following:

IF CERTAINTY WERE TRUTH, WE WOULD NEVER BE WRONG

While I felt as if knew all the words, I wasn’t quite able to wrap my head around the statement. I did what any abnormal human would do and broke it down word for word.

IF - on the condition or supposition that; in the event

CERTAINTY - firm conviction that something is the case

WERE - second person singular past, plural past, and past subjective of be

TRUTH - the quality or state of being true

WE - used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people considered together

WOULD - past of will, in various senses

NEVER - at no time in the past or future; not ever

BE - exist

WRONG - not correct or true; incorrect

After such a breakdown I was certain I knew what it meant. Then I read it again…

It’s Up for Interpretation

Are you running for President of the Confusion Club?

Oh, you are up for President of the Confusion Club?

So you are a candidate? Or are you actively pursuing the position?

Wait, I’m confused.

I guess it’s up for interpretation.

I guess it’s running for interpretation.

I am the President?

Czech Up

We have made it to Europe! After six weeks of inhaling an unhealthy amount of dust and pollution in Cairo, we have now swapped the air of a Reno Casino for air that tastes like Fuji water.

We are currently staying at a quaint Airbnb on the outskirts of Nova Bystrice which is situated in the very southern part of the Czech Republic. It is a beautiful and rural part of the country that is sprinkled with a combination of large wooded areas, sheep grazed pastures, and colorful small villages formed around small chapels. In the village of Nova Bystrice itself, we have yet to find any two restaurants that are open at the same time. 

Our Airbnb appears to be a wing of a house that was converted into another living quarters. While our space is private, the owners and operators of the establishment are simply a door away. It’s an older couple who rely explicitly on hand gestures and/or google translate.  They do not speak English.  At first, we talked AT each other in hopes that one word or one expression will spark some recognition. While the noises sounded compelling, we comprehended the gist completely nonverbally.

Yesterday, the gentleman came in bearing his iPad. He opened up google translate and spoke. The device translated his words and finally offered insight into what he was trying to say. “When do you plan on drowning yourself?” While slightly threatened, I gave the honest-looking man the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he wasn’t actually asking me about killing myself, but rather about my plans for the day. I then leaned over and spoke assuming the app could work its magic again. I said, “We are going golfing then will be back at 14:00.” Google translate understood that as “We are going coughing, then will be back at 14:00.” He gave me a gentle smile, thumbs up, and went out the door. 

While I am hoping he came to the conclusion that coughing meant golfing, there truly is no way of knowing. As I write this I am still pondering what this man was implying I do with my time here in Czechia. 

Yalla Habibi

So, I have been reluctant to post another blog regarding my experiences. The truth is I feel the whole process of writing about what I’m doing and the details of my life is slightly narcissistic. Sure, my life is unique in the sense of geographical location, but the fact is that my life hasn’t drastically changed. As I mentioned in my last post, my day-to-day routine consists of very basic things that are still very much a part of my life back in the states. Truly the only difference is those that I am surrounded with. I have found this to be the most exciting part of this global adventure.

This post is a dedication to humans.

 Thomas, who hails from the great state of Minnesota, brings all the midwest friendliness and sensibility that one would imagine. His favorite Arabic phrase is “yalla habibi,” which loosely translates to “let’s go, baby!” It is quite a common phrase and Thomas has used it quite proficiently here in Egypt. It will be interesting to see how frequently this makes an appearance as we move north into non-Arabic-speaking countries. My prediction is that it stays for a while, and I’m here for it. I also want to publicly express how well he has managed to live in close quarters with me for nearly a month without previously meeting me. Bravo, Thomas.

Then there is Sasha. Sasha has east coast roots and adds a unique set of skills and insights to the group. He eloquently uses large words that have pushed both Thomas and me to expand our vocabulary. He also has proved to be a challenging competitor on the card table. Sasha has been fortunate enough to have a separate room from Thomas and me. This has provided him a reasonable amount of time to get to know us and formulate a plan as to how to handle being stuck with us for an overwhelming amount of time. 

Beyond the fellow patriots, there are numerous individuals from all parts of the globe that I have been able to get to know. While a majority of them are golfers, there are a handful of local Egyptians that have made our time in Egypt significantly more enjoyable. 

Yalla Habibi

P.S: I will upload some photos under fotos if you are a visual learner.

Laundry Service

I have now been in the great country of Egypt for over a week. I’m basically a local.

My days have been pretty predictable so far. To be honest they don’t vary too much from how I live in the states. I wake up in the morning and go eat food. Then I go golf. Then I go eat food. Then I go to bed. To fill the gaps between my jam-packed schedule, I have found substantial enjoyment in reading and card games. 

In my last blog post, I wrote about my laundry concerns. Today I am pleased to announce that I have indeed done my first load of laundry, and it is significantly more satisfying than one would imagine. The idea that I can restart the clock until I have to do laundry next is most comparable to getting a full tank of gas and looking down and thinking “I can go ANYWHERE!” The process of doing laundry is quite simple but requires some effort and creativity. First, I put a little detergent and a drop of body wash (I understand it might not be the best thing for the clothes, but at this point, the smell is more important) into the bathtub as I ran warm water. I then put my laundry in. I used my paws to mix, swirl, and squeeze the clothes until I felt they were adequately soaked.  From there I rinsed, wrung, and hung on what I would consider a very creative and informal drying rack. I have yet to do a smell test, but either way, I feel good about my accomplishment. 

Other than an update on my laundry and my daily routine, I am pleased to inform my vast audience on the performance side of why I am here. In my first event here I finished T-4 in a field of 122 players. Considering I only talk about cool things in my life, I figured I would tell you all.

—--

Update: second event I missed the cut. Golf. Oh, and my clothes don’t smell… I don’t think.

Welcome to the Desert

My first 5 events are in Egypt, which means I will be spending nearly 6 weeks in the desert. I had little idea what to expect beyond the little snip bits of information I have accumulated through history class and the news over the years.

After arriving and spending a couple of days, my first impressions can be expressed through my google searches.

Is the water safe to drink in Cairo?

Can you brush your teeth with tap water in Cairo?

Does Chlorine boil out of water?

Why are there so many abandoned buildings in Cairo?

What is the minimum wage in Cairo?

How much does it cost to ski at the mall of Egypt?

The two main queries that have captivated me are simply just how bad is the water in Cairo and why is there so an abundance of partially built living quarters when it appears most of them are abandoned.

While I can’t help but relate to the Geico commercials teaching you to not be like your parents, it’s impossible to not at least think about the infrastructure issues. It is so incredibly different from what I am used to in the states that it simply has provoked a weird amount of curiosity.

Driving from the airport to the hotel was an experience on its own. Every quarter of a mile was a structure that would undoubtedly be a historical monument in the States. Surrounding such buildings were structures that seemed to have partially collapsed decades ago. The contrast between extravagant and what many would consider unlivable was quite harsh and eye-opening. The sights beyond the road were captivating but not nearly as much as the style and manner in which the locals of Cairo navigate the roads. While painted lanes were few and far between, their presence is merely a suggestion. By the time you realize there is space for your vehicle, it has already been filed by someone who already decided to take initiative. If you are the agreeable type and courteous to fellow drivers, your car would be constantly idle and the commute would last forever. It seems the strategy is to just keep shuffling forward and use your horn as a form of signal to others of your presence. It’s very much a “just keep swimming” mentality.

The way in which drivers tend to drive is also the impression I have received in the hospitality sense. While the tour in which I am playing has put us up at a fairly nice Hilton a little west of Cairo, the hospitality is far from that of what you would come to expect in the states. People are simply there to do their job and their job is not necessarily to make you happy. It would be more of a “service your needs,” mentality. That being said, because of my inability to communicate and lack of optimism in the fact that someone would help if I needed it, I have yet to venture outside the hotel.

I think saying that the locals are rude would be a very western/American opinion, for it’s not that they are being rude, they “just keep swimming.” While that is my first impression, I am open to having my opinion changed and would love the opportunity to tell the manner for why.

Other than that, I decided it was a good idea to pack for my entire 6 month trip in a carry-on. the minimalist ways seemed to be a sensible solution on many different fronts. However, as I near closer and closer to already having to do laundry on the 3rd day, it is seeming to be of possible concern. I will keep you all updated on this front.

That is all I have.

Until next time,

Bryan

Es-tu prêt?

If you are here for the first time, Welcome. This is a website that I put together with the original intention of self-promotion. It was supposed to be a professional and cohesive website to share my journey as a professional golfer. As time went on, I came to the realization that the aspects of my life that I wanted to share had little to do with golf. Eventually, it became a hodgepodge of thoughts, stories, photos, and unique consumer opportunities. 

I am getting back to my roots of self-promotion for some reason that I have yet defined as something more than sharing my story as I travel Europe playing golf. Why do I think it provides value? I do not know and will not attempt to justify. I do however know that my grandma will be reading this, so in short, this is for you Nonnie. For others who wish to follow along, you are more than welcome.

I have had this wonderful enterprise running for over a year now and have reached an amazingly small number of people. While the number of viewers has been limited, I felt I have received adequate insight into the fact that my audience (grandma) will still love me no matter what. The lack of expectations and absent perceived requirements of quality content leaves me with a great opportunity to write whatever I so desire. 

My intention is not to push my opinion into dangerously debatable topics. I am not well researched and surprisingly less credible than most news outlets. However, I do not want to appear ignorant of the world’s current events and the deep troubles that span our globe. I recognize that my posts will be procured by someone traveling the world playing a sport and for which I am more than fortunate and thankful.

With that being said, I do recognize what I am doing is quite unique and has the potential of providing stories that some of you may so desire to waste your time reading. While golf is my main focus and the skeleton of my plan overseas, I have the opportunity to see the world while I play the game that I love. I am not the best at keeping people updated and am currently attempting to limit my social media usage, so I figured this is my best medium for mass communication of my travels. I will try to add photos to the “Fotos” page and blogs to the “Words” page in a respectably consistent manner. 

I can’t promise you anything compelling or worth your time, but I will try my best to provide something that competes with looking at dogs on Instagram. 

All the best,

Bryan

Riter’s Blok

In concern to the allegations that have been directed at me in regards to being a really cool guy now that my website is in all black in white, I must confess… it is true. I am cool. This newfound coolness however has been detrimental to me letting go of my ego and writing what I want. I recognize that I have created such high-quality content in the past, and know that I must continue to live up to those expectations. Unfortunately, while I am now cool, the pressure of creating worthy content is debilitating. Pages have been written and pages have been deleted. The voice of value always whispers in my ear that “this is not good enough.” 

Whether it has to do with my personal struggle with lack of worth or just a simple block in creative juices, the canvas continues to remain blank. In the last month and a half, a lot of events have taken place in my life. I covered over 7500 miles in Subaru Crosstrek, which I have since named Ruuster. I ventured through 15 states and stopped in on friends and family in the last-ditch effort to maintain my humble roots of being a nomad. 

During the westward journey, I fell victim to a merciless virus that had me mentally and physically crippled. The result was a two-night non-all-inclusive stay in the fabulous and charming Best Western in Wendover, Utah. While the experts said it was not COVID, it did bring me to my knees both metaphorically and literally. As my body bravely fought its’ way back to health I continued my journey. I made a  stop in the location of my childhood. It was lovely. I then scurried on down to Paso Robles where my brother decided to join the current movement on Instagram and ask his girlfriend to marry him. After further consultation with my closest genetic relative, it does turn out that he indeed does love her. I can now confirm that it wasn’t just for the ‘gram. From there I spent a festive Jewish Christmas at our cousins in Los Angeles where we ate Chinese food and celebrated Rabbi Claus’s generous mitzvahs. Ruuster and I chugged along to Arizona to once again make sure my brother and his fiance were actually serious about this whole marriage thing. I stayed for two weeks to observe and report. I played golf during the day to keep myself busy. After my welcome had been more than overstayed and I was convinced they were serious about this whole marriage deal and I decided to head back east. To break up the trip I stopped in Colorado and Chicago before finally making my way back down to South Carolina. 

After all the traveling, I figured I would have a story of some sort as a result of my adventure. Unfortunately, nothing has come across my mind in which I deem worthy. As I clarified at the beginning, ever since I made this entire website black and white, I have since been recognized as being cool. That means whatever I put out into the world must reflect such qualities. I have a standard that I must hit. I can’t say just anything I want anymore. I now have the obligation to write something that either provokes emotion or at the least be entertaining. So in order to be open and honest about this content creation struggle, I decided to write about not being able to write. For all of my readers, I apologize. Hopefully someday soon there will be something of value to talk about. 

Side Notes:

Writing about not writing is a funny thing. By “thing,” I’m talking about the incredible irony of the idea itself. The two thoughts contradict each other in a way that is both simple to comprehend, yet hits the mind in a deeper more thought-provoking way. It’s one part fun, and another part dumb. Dumb fun. 

I hope you had fun. 

Also, my brother's fiance is the best! 

68 Haiku’na Matata

68 Syllables is equivalent to 4 Haikus. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: technically I don’t think you can put 4 Haiku’s together and call it a haiku. So instead I call this a “Haiku’na Matata”

How do you haiku?

What are the steps you must do

Oh wow, I know how!

You see what I did

I wrote a fricken haiku

All up over you

Whoops! Did it again

I cannot restrain myself

It is all I know

Wait… this is no joke

Please! How do I make it stop?

What is a sentence?

Communication is Hard

I’d like to think I’m above the fray and don’t fit into the basic stereotypes of an American tourist. Unfortunately, I’d be ignorant to think that is the truth, and a series of recent events have proved such belief. Like most American’s, I traveled to a non-English speaking country and simply expected the whole world would know “a little bit” of English. So far I have learned a “little bit” has a “lotta bit” of deviation. In some cases, it could mean a basic conversation that either helps you reach what you are looking for or at the minimum helps direct you to someone who can. In other cases, a little bit could simply mean “hi” and “thank you.”

While spending time with my buddy and his family in Belgium, I have come across numerous people who I would categorize under the second example. Fortunately, I have my own personal translator. I don’t want to be overly dramatic when I say this, but to a certain degree, he has saved my life.

Woah, Woah, Woah!

That sounds a bit dramatic, don’t you think?

Let me explain.

So there is this pesky little virus going around called COVID-19. You may or may not have heard of it. Anyways, it makes traveling internationally a little more stressful and a lot more confusing. Each country is unique and requires different tests and paperwork to get in and stay in. Via a short and apparently shallow search on Google, I concluded to get into Belgium from Portugal I needed to fill out a passenger locator form as well as show proof of a negative test result. I completed such tasks and trotted into the country with ease. 

Five days later, my buddy Giovanni, decided to pick up a call from a number that had been blowing up his phone for a couple of days. A conversation in which I didn’t even attempt to decipher ensuesd. He then looked at me and said:

 “So you are supposed to be quarantined until you get a negative test result using the prescription code that they should have emailed you.” 

“But I didn’t get an ema…..Oh”

How was I supposed to know that I was supposed to read the emails that are sent completely in French? Does this mean they are going to come to arrest me? In jail, will they speak French to me as I blankly stare into their eyes until I hear one word that somewhat resembles an English word and reply with a simple “yes” or “no?” The possibilities were endless as to how far my neglect to learn any French was going to take me. Fortunately, my personal translator saved my life.

He did the whole french-speaking thing with the operator on the other side of the line and concluded that I was okay to stay and go about my business as long as I got a COVID test ASAP. So I followed orders and got a test. 

At the testing site, once again, my lack of French proved to be quite the challenge. Fortunately, Giovanni allowed me to reacquaint myself with my preadolescent years as he communicated on my behalf. I sat and smiled silently while the grown-ups figured out what I had to do. I sat in the chair and finally got to experience the famous brain poke as the thin rod was jammed excessively deep through my nostril. As the services concluded and the nice lady who touched my soul said what I inferred was a goodbye, I finally had the chance to prove I was not indeed mute. Through the tears that involuntarily spewed from my eyes, I decided to finally speak.

“BONJOUR!”

There was a slight giggle amongst all in the room, including me. My one opportunity to prove my “little bit” of French and I managed to THANK someone by saying “HELLO!” A tragedy that will forever keep me humble and remind me of Giovanni’s incredible value to me.

I’m in Europe

I’m in Europe. 

Am I having fun?

Both of my parents have sent me that exact text. To stay consistent in my ways, I gave my mom a very stock/short answer of “ya.” In regards to my dad; I have yet to reply. It’s not that I’m not having fun, it’s just that I sincerely don’t have that much to tell them. It is almost as if the expectation of having some incredible story to tell covers up the enjoyment of the simplicity of what I’m actually doing.

Let me explain.

I’m currently two weeks into a month-long trip across the pond. On October 12-13 I have a tournament that is a qualifier to gain status on a tour in Germany. Instead of coming over for a couple of days, I decided to make a trip of it. 

I flew from Chicago straight to Portugal. My teammate and roommate for the four years I was at the University of Illinois, Giovanni Tadiotto, was playing a tournament just north of Lisbon. My initial hope was to maybe get an invitation into the event and be playing as well. My backup plan was to leave the spikes off for the week and put the caddy bib on. In the end, that’s what I did. While I certainly would have loved to play, it was a blast to caddy for my friend. It allowed me to take a physical step back from golf, while still get my daily fix for competition. Unfortunately, my services were not as helpful as I had hoped and we had the weekend off. While it wasn’t the ideal result on the golf course, we were able to take advantage of the fact that we were in flippen PORTUGAL. We spent time on the beach and explored the local town of Obidos. *Side note* I am now a big advocate for Obidos. 

Anyways, after Portugal, I went with Gio back to his native land of Belgium. I kicked his sister out of her room and made myself at home in the Tadiotto residence. Beyond my embarrassing inability to communicate with 95% of the people I meet, I have slowly slid into the normalcy of Giovanni’s daily life. We wake up, eat, chill, eat, golf, eat, chill, and go to sleep. Giovanni’s dad is a great cook as well as a tea enthusiast. Both of which I have begun to admire and appreciate. 

So back to the initial question of whether or not I’m having fun? I would say, “ya.” I recognize my extreme fortune to be able to travel and play golf. I recognize the fact that I am across the globe mooching off an incredibly generous and giving family. I am well aware of the abnormality of the situation that I’m in. However, there is no incredible story. That being said, I don’t want to neglect the fact there have been some absolutely electric spots for some Instagram photos. Other than that, I am simply living my life with truly good people. So in a way, it’s exactly what I do in America, it just so happens that I’m halfway around the world. 

So yes, mom. I am having fun

SGT. Nicole L. Gee

I’ve rewritten this first sentence about 9 times already trying to write something that sounded appropriate. Realistically there is no way to lead into this blog post in a way that makes the content any better. I really don’t care too much how it sounds, or how it reads, but rather am using this space to express my feelings towards recent events in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, it took a suicide bombing that killed 13 Americans to really grab my attention.

I’ve never really been one to voice my opinion too heavily on a subject that may be controversial or political in ties. Partly because confrontation stresses me out, but mainly because I don’t feel as if I’m ever truly knowledgable about a topic to tell someone “I believe this, because of ____.” However, the reason why I’m talking about current events is that it hits home on a new level. This is not an opinion on policy or what we should do, but rather a reaction to what has happened and how it makes me feel.

I saw on Facebook that one of the Marines killed in the suicide bombing in Kabul was from Roseville, CA. Her name was Nicole Gee. She was 23 years old and graduated from Oakmont Highschool in 2016. I was born in Roseville and grew up in the neighboring Granite Bay. I lived about 10 minutes from Oakmont High School and also graduated in 2016. Our lives were most likely very different, but we drove on the same roads, stopped at the same stoplights, shopped at the same mall, and possibly ate at the same restaurants. The small bit of connection and sense of community that I feel we shared really impacted me. 

The truth is people die every day. It’s a reality of life, along with the fact that realistically most of the time you hear about someone dying there is a little sense of sympathy. It takes something close and personal to truly experience a personal shift of emotions. 

Every now and then you get a wake-up call on how close you are to death. How easy life is taken and how fragile the human truly is. At 23 I feel like there is so much ahead of me, so many things to do, so many places to see, so many experiences that I want to experience. At 23, Nicole probably had the same intentions, same wishes, and same aspirations. I feel for her family, friends, and loved ones, hoping they can find comfort in a time of despair.  

After reading Nicole’s story, I looked at the other fallen soldiers. All of which were right around my age, some even younger. All losing their lives protecting the lives of others with whom they share less of a connection than me and Nicole Gee. People on the other side of the planet. People whose simple liberties of hope are often negated by aggressive oppression and limitations set forth by people with more power. 

And here I am. I play golf for a living. I wear what I want, say what I want, listen to what I want, read what I want, love what I want, study what I want, and simply do what I want. The unappreciated freedoms and life I have the opportunity to live are hard to rationalize. So when I say I’m grateful, I know it isn’t enough. I hate that it takes a wake-up call such as the recent events in Kabul and the tragic loss of life for me to feel grateful. I hate that me typing up a blog post is my way of expressing thanks. 

However, in the sincerest form in which these words may carry, thank you Sgt. Nicole L Gee, and may you and everyone fighting for freedom forever rest in peace.

Drug Addict Thoughts of the Day

Coffee is incredible. I’m currently sitting down enjoying a slightly watered-down cup of homemade coffee thinking about how I haven’t updated my lovely group of inactive readers. So instead of writing something of value, I figured I’d start by talking about my newfound drug addiction.

Hello, my name is Bryan and I’m an addict.

While I recognize that caffeine is indeed a drug, and drugs are bad, I am enjoying the fruits of my new morning routine. Instead of slowly accumulating energy throughout the day, I can drink a cup of heaven and somehow become charismatic, creative, and cool. It’s consistent and dependable and in a world that is ever-changing, it’s nice to start your day off with some positivity. A lot of people recommend working out, cold showers, or many other techniques to kick-start your morning. While I do dabble in some of those, the magical ability of coffee is head and shoulders more exciting and instant. The first sip sends this rush of dopamine up through the body almost instantly, which is pretty “dope.” See what I did there? “Dope” is the root of dopamine. I know… pretty clever. I told you coffee makes you cool. 

Anyways, I’m still quite new to the game and still developing my palette. I would be lying if I told you that I can taste the “earthy undertones” or the “bold body.” I still load mine up with cream and sugar and because of it, I recognize my credibility as a coffee connoisseur may not quite be there yet. At this moment, I’m just lucky to join the select millions that start their day with a good ole fashion cup of Joe. 

Hello, my name is Bryan and I’m an addict! :)

Also, my buzz started to wear off as I got to the middle of the second paragraph so I apologize for the substantial decline in the quality of content as well as the quick ending. All the best- Bryan

Tech Time Out

Today, the day after Thanksgiving, I sit here contemplating whether or not I should fast after almost single handly finishing off an entire pumpkin pie. I know there is no chance that actually comes to fruition considering how much I love food and the immense separation anxiety I feel when I go more than four hours without seeing my dear friend. 

While I am not giving up food, I am giving up social media for an extended period of time. Thirty days to be exact. After my friends recommended The Social Dilemma, I took a major step back to see exactly how much myself personally has fallen into the trap of social media. Since I’ve moved away from my friends I’ve tried pathetically to avoid “FOMO” by, maintaining a connection via Instagram or other platforms. Instead of just deleting everything instantly, I decided to do a little more research. I came across a guy named Cal Newport. Cal wrote a book called “Digital Minimalism.” No, I did not read the book, but I did listen to a podcast. So basically I’m now an expert. Anyways, Cal talked about an idea of a 30-day detox from all social media. 

At first, I planned out the idea that I was going to write some blog post describing what I was doing, then post a link to all my social media pages so whoever wanted to follow along could. I started writing something and had a realization that the only people that with even the slightest care in the world are my amazing grandparents. I also looked back and read my other blog posts and realized how much “room for improvement” there was and figured that I should get some better posts under my belt before I introduce it to the world. Anyway, on November 9th, I just did it. I deleted all the apps and set 1-minute limits for the URLs on Safari. That way if I mindlessly went on it, it would give me a quick sense of hope before shutting down my dreams. 

Today is currently November 27th, and it has been eye-opening just how addicted I am. My withdraw symptoms include downloading New York Times and mindlessly opening the ESPN app expecting something magical to arise that wasn’t there 9 seconds ago. One shocking change is that I am actually reading a real book! I also am talking to more people on the phone! Two crazy and abnormal activities. After the 30 days, who knows what happens. I might be so enamored by the freedom that I don’t ever redownload them or more likely the all be on my phone December 9th. But, who cares. I will do thirty days and to me that’s a win. 

Also a quick update on my social life. I HAVE FRIENDS… or at least a friend. Progress.

Welcome to the life

Well, it is now August 28th, and it is finally starting to settle in that I don’t have any more exams to study for and papers to submit anytime soon. In college, my days were structured, planned, and it was easy to dive into a routine. Now that I have graduated and since turned professional, it is all up to me. If I want to practice, I can practice. If I want to watch Netflix and stuff buckets of pita chips and hummus down my throat all day, I can do that too. No one is telling me how to go about my days anymore and I love it! While I enjoy being spontaneous and open to trying something new at a moment's notice, I have goals and aspirations that require work and commitment. Finding the balance is a work in progress, but that is the whole point of this website and blog. Golf is a major aspect of my life, but I would like to think that there is a whole lot more to my life. This blog’s main focus is to provide a deeper look into my life on and off the golf course and what the lifestyle of an aspiring professional golfer may consist of. I will talk about the ups and downs of golf, as well as the best grocery stores that offer the cheapest sandwiches. This blog has a higher chance of being a disaster than an informative piece of literature, but to be honest who cares. If you like it, follow along and waste your time; if not I’m sure there is a new TED talk that is surely more valuable.