Random thoughts

 

An odd thought occured to me as I was down at the beach this early AM. In just 7 years I will qualify for social security and retirement(at the poverty level!)Inside my own little world I still think of myself as young with my whole life ahead of me, but the reality is I`m middle-aged at best and much of society sees me as some old guy.How much longer can I make a living in my chosen field, what new skill set could I learn that will serve me in the years to come, why didn`t I save more when I was young? While I could invest a lot of time worrying about these questions, I know worrying isn`t very productive. I will try to be prepared for what the future brings while continuing to enjoy my health, family, friends, surfing, etc. and put my trust in God for the rest.

Saturday afternoon

 
I spent this afternoon decorating the house for Christmas, Thanksgiving weekend is the official start to the season at our house

post thanksgiving.

 
I haven`t been in the water for a few days now. The early high tide and the elevated bacteria levels from the rain has made it easy to do other things . I`ve spent the last day or so pulling Christmas decorations from the rafters and putting up lights outside. (I found this print in a drawer while straightening the garage. Photo class at OCC in the mid-70`s)

Thanksgiving 2008

 
We are so richly blessed in America, forgive us Lord that we so often don`t see it.Thank you Lord, for all the blessings I daily enjoy.

First rain

The first rains have fallen and the river has flushed itself for the first time in a year. All kinds of debris spread up the beach. The Santa Ana starts high in the local mountains as clear cold snowmelt, but then flows through a very crowded, very urban coastal plain, carrying all kinds of things to sea.

 
 

random images

Just a few shots I`ve taken the last 2 days. Picasa3 makes it easy to fine tune and get some nice effects

rain`s coming

They say it`s gonna rain, but it was smooth and slightly offshore this AM, The hightide is hurting it some, but it should be good later

 
 
 

back to work

 
Cold out this morning, I sipped my coffee and watched the sun come up at the pier. I`ve got to pay more attention to the job this week so probably won`t surf today. HB still has waves this AM but the high tide is starting to slow it down

Morris Day-still at it

I`ve always gotten a kick out of Morris and Jerome, since they were in Purple Rain (was that in the 80`s? ) It`s nice to see they`re still out there doing it.

hightide

The tide was way up at sunrise, and most spots were slow or plagued by serious backwash. The early morning scenery was still enough reward for being out early. If the wind stays down I`ll surf this afternoon.

 
 
 

Evening high tide

I went out after work this afternoon. The surf was still pretty weak and dribbly,but the water felt great and it was a nice way to end the work week. 
 
 

friday sunrise

Things seemed kind of slow this morning at high tide. The boardwalkers at Blackies were doing OK but it was pretty weak most spots.Another beautiful morning though . 
 
 

foggy sunrise

The fog rolled in before I could get a good look at it, I`ve a lot of work today so maybe it`s better if I don`t know what I`m missing.

 

sunrise

Our swell is on it`s way out but still looked fun this early morning. I had too much work to do so only got to watch a few minutes before getting the job going.
 
 

 

nice afternoon

It was too nice a day to work all day , found smooth little chest-highs with very few guys out. At one point I had the sandbar all to myself for 30-40 minutes and caught some nice rights and lefts. I found myself saying "thank you Lord" as one green sheet of water folded over my head, the sun shining through the back of the wave.I imagine the guy in the pics below was pretty thankful also. 
 
 

Sundown Saturday

The smoke from the Brea fire was blown out to sea and created an unusual light at sunset.Even though many people were evacuating homes inland, it was just a day at the beach for others. Life goes on. 
 
 

Tecate mission

I spent Friday in Tecate, helping our church to build a home for a young family there. As I left at 5 am I didn`t feel like going but was grateful once I got there. The drive in is scenic and spending the day working with the group was rewarding. Lots of kids from the youth group came and they worked hard. As we sat on the roof of the new home, admiring the hillside view and the gorgeous late afternoon,you appreciate how good life is.


 
 
 

warm morning

Nearly 70 degrees out as I hit the beach, high tide and backwash shut things down by 7:30. It was a great day to be out early