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Sports Basement – San Francisco – An Interview

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A Sneak Preview (continued)- Sports Basement – San Francisco

Yesterday, as I walked around, I chatted up the employees of Sports Basement. Here’s what they had to say:

Sport's Basement - Bike Department - Eric

Name: Eric

Education: San Francisco State University – Journalism
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 145 lbs.
Age: 20
Birth Place/Origin: Los Gatos, California
Occupation: Sports Basement – Bike Department
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94133
Favorite Book: House of Leaves

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDS Lifecycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “You won’t find God in a car.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– “I’m disturbed by how “invisible” it is nowadays. I hear that there’s a part in the AIDS LifeCycle Event where everyone who has HIV / AIDS stands up (while the rest sit down). That’s got to be powerful.”

Sport's Basement - Triathlon Department - Brandie Olesen

Name: Brandie

Education: Biology / Pre – Med.
Height: 5’6″
Weight: 135 lbs.
Age: 24
Birth Place/Origin: Redding, California
Occupation: Triathlon Department – Sports Basement
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94127
Favorite Book: The Power of One ,

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDS Lifecycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Start your fundraising early. Enjoy the training rides) pain is weakness leaving your body.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– “This question could be on a beauty pagent! I feel overwhelmed by how fast AIDS / HIV is spreading and how many different people (age, gender, nationalities) are affected by it. I have a handful of friends that have become infected with AIDS / HIV.

For the most part, those I have met that have AIDS / HIV have been very positive, happy, and welcoming in informing me and others about what they are going through (their struggles, lifestyle changes, dietary needs, and medical treatments) and this openness has helped me to understand what it’s like to live with the disease. And these relationships have allowed me to share this knowledge with others who are less informed.”

Sports Basement - Shoe Slanger - Lloyd

Name: Lloyd

Education: Some College – San Francisco
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 167 lbs.
Age: 22
Birth Place/Origin: San Francisco, CA.
Occupation: Sports Basement – “Shoe Slanger” – Shoe Department
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94121
Favorite Book: Where’s God when you need him?

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDSLifecycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Mind over matter. Don’t STOP. Have the power and drive to finish, for the cause.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– “The AIDS Pandemic hasn’t affected me personally, but as a human, I am also susceptible to become a part of the Pandemic with one bad or irresponsible choice.

I feel for anyone that has encountered the AIDS Pandemic, personally or lost someone to it. I feel that the AIDS Pandemic is somewhat out of control, but we have no one to blame but ourselves and the government.

There’s no money in the cure so the government (in my opinion) is spending money everywhere else, but there. So things such as the AIDS Lifecycle, is amazing. Making money for a cause, where it can save and motivate many.”

Art Cunningham - Sports Basement - Security Field Supervisor

Name: Art Cunningham

Education: College Graduate – Language Major
Height: 6′ 5″
Weight: 240 lbs.
Age: 59
Birth Place/Origin: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Occupation: Sports Basement – Security Field Supervisor
Present Location /Where do you live? Richmond, CA 94804
Favorite Book: Fools Crow

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDS LifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Continue your work because, it’s for a great cause.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– “I have had several of my friends pass on because of the AIDS Pandemic. And because of all the life it has taken (from young to old) stopping people from experiencing their full life’s potential – AIDS / HIV needs to be stamped out to help mankind throughout the world.”

Sports Basement - Bike Department - Eric

Name: Iyengar Yoga teacher, tony eason

Education: San Diego State University – Music
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 165 lbs.
Age: 44
Birth Place/Origin: San Francisco, California
Occupation: Sports Basement – Bike Department
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94110
Favorite Book: Candide

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDS LifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Each individual will have a different starting point. Each person will learn according to his or her individual capacity at any given time. Each individual progresses in different ways, at different rhythms. And every step will bring new experiences because, ‘it’s from the seed of a dream that makes beautiful gardens grow.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

In 1984, at the age of 22, I moved to San Francisco. During this time period, I could often be found in “The Trocadero,” “The End Up,” “Buzzby’s,” “DV8,” and various other night clubs. San Francisco’s night club scene was “off the hook.” Everyone was having a good time. Yet, as the years past, I noticed that my Disco friends were slowly missing. And when I asked others about them, …the common response was …”they’re dead.” And now, at the age of 44, most of my friends are no longer here. Most have died of HIV/AIDS, or complications of the AIDS pandemic.”

So, I had the choice of either
1.) To sit and watch
2.) Do something about it

Women's Fitness Lead - Sports Basement - Josie

Name: Josie Crosetti

Education: Chico State University, CA. – BA History
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 155 lbs.
Age: 23
Birth Place/Origin: Watsonville, CA.
Occupation: Sport’s Basement – Women’s Fitness Department – “”Lead”
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94112
Favorite Book:Still life with Woodpecker

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDSLifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “I have n advice. I have never had the amount of guts /ambition it takes to endure that type of trip. What I will say is that, if you are a person that has chosen to work this hard for such an admirable cause, thank you. You will have many people rooting for you – no matter how your finish.”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

I’m not sure how to answer this question because, I have never known anyone that has had AIDS / HIV. It’s a tragic disease and needs all the funding possible.

Sports Basement - Back Country Manager - Tobias

Name: Tobias Denton Smith

Education: The Streets
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 165 lbs.
Age: 23
Birth Place/Origin: Ventura, CA.
Occupation: Sports Basement – Back Country Manager
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94121
Favorite Book: We

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDSLifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Only ‘suckas’ give up!”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– ” It makes me sad, I think education is the key. Also, people need to understand what they fear and their enemy. To All people, I send, peace, love, and kindness.

Sports Basement - Back Country & Snowboard Shop Salesperson - Randy

Name: Randy Calderone

Education: University of Hartford – Bachelor’s of Art.
Height: 6′ 0″”
Weight: 180 lbs.
Age: 24
Birth Place/Origin: San Francisco, CA. – Mt. Zion Hospital.
Occupation: Sports Basement – Back Country & Snowboard Shop
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94107
Favorite Book: One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest,

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDSLifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “Keep your eyes on the road and your hands upon the bars”

What are your feelings about the AIDS Pandemic? And, how has the AIDS Pandemic affected you personally?

– ” AIDS / HIV is one of the greatest challenges facing our generation, and things like the AIDSLifeCycle are extremely important in overcoming that challenge. Not only does it raise awareness, but it allow people to accomplish something they night not have thought possible. This is the mentality that will help us beat AIDS / HIV – eventually.

Sports Basement - Snow Board & Back Country Department - Annie

Name: Annie Sounedara
Education: ?
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 165 lbs.
Age: 21
Birth Place/Origin: San Francisco, CA.
Occupation: Sports Basement – Back Country Department
Present Location /Where do you live? San Francisco, CA 94103
Favorite Book: ?

If you had any advise and/or words of encouragement for the AIDS LifeCycle 2007 Cyclist – what would they be?

– “It’s all worth it in the end!”

 Day One - San Francisco to Santa Cruz

TO BE CONTINUED – Check back to see what others of the AIDSLifeCycle Community have to say.

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