Ghost on Town Lake
June 10th, 2009Was doing my normal run on town lake the other day, on a normal late after noon. I was passing one of the small bridges when I noticed a guy standing just below it. The man looked like a transient, but my mind locked onto the image of an old friend. A very good friend of mine from high school, who transplanted to Hawaii from Northern Canada, and ran into some trouble in his life along the way. Its been years since I have seen him, but last I was told he may not even be among us any longer. This man brought back his memeory with a rush of overwhelming emotion. I don’t fully understand what it did to me, but it was if I wanted to laugh and cry all at the same time. I almost wanted to stop and go back to see if it was him.
I want to never forget friends like him, seems the older I get the harder it is to make those kind of friends. He was a great artist, and I have been thinking of adding a new tattoo, think his art work would be a great way to never forget.
Paddle into it!
March 13th, 2009
Sitting on the beach, stretching, watching, looking for rip currents and set sizes. Looks good, think I will paddle out. Small burst of excitement as I walk towards the water, and the chill of the cold as I first make contact with the ocean. Walk my board past the inside breakers… its deep enough now, think I can paddle out. Wait for the right moment to jump on my board and start the battle against the sea, no sets in sight, let’s go.
The first time the water hits my face it stings of cold, but then numb, then warm shortly after. First couple of inside waves hit me head on, they are small and I duck them with no problem. A few more paddles and I pass my first wave without duck diving, it’s an easy paddle to the outside from here.
Ahhh… relax. Sit up on my board and just take in the calm of the ocean. So smooth, not a ripple in sight… man I have not seen it this glassy in weeks. Look back at the beach to check my position, looks like the current is not as strong as I thought. I see a small set on the horizon, act like I don’t see it and maybe the others won’t notice.
Slowly paddle outside, but try not to make a scene. The lines are getting closer. Yeah… that’s definitely a set coming, how big are they? Okay, shit I think I am too far inside, I don’t know where the sets are breaking, I notice others paddling out past me… maybe I should follow suit. Oh crap, that’s a big set, small panic, butterflies, paddle your fucking ass off, and get over this first wave!
It’s a wall, it casts its own shadow… the off shore breeze blows over the forming lip. The gentle lift as I start to paddle over, look down the line to see the lip form, like a cover of Surfer Magazine… this wave is beautiful, yet ugly all at the same time.
Looking back the spray off the lips smacks my face, and just for a moment it stops time.
Oh Shit!! Panic! There is another set wave, and this one is bigger!! Paddle! Paddle now, and paddle fast! I think I can catch this one, only if I can just get a little further. I turn now, as if I changed my mind, but I know exactly what I want… this wave is mine!
It’s big enough and steep enough that I don’t need to paddle hard to catch it, she catches me. The drop is steep, big bottom turn.. get into the pocket and just maybe I will get a little barrel action. I get my few seconds of adrenaline (they feel like minutes) and pull out the back…. Man that was Fucking awesome. Let’s do it again.
Moments before SXSW 2009
March 12th, 2009
Well it’s here again, the week of all weeks for geeks around the globe to come together and share in Austin, TX. Another year has passed, and so fast. Did I learn anything from last year? Did I take home any inspiration? I think I did, but it wasn’t in the panels or the trade show. It was the large masses of people, geeks like me, but better.
In my daily tasks I am alone in my inspiration, constantly searching the inter-web for little sparkles of greatness. I see all these great designs, but they don’t speak to me, yet I know what they are saying. I look beyond the “wow” and ask “how”, and SXSW is my one chance to meet some of these creators of WOW. So many great minds, so many people who think like me, yet none of us are the same.
Being different is really what makes us great, but having a common interest is what brings us together… and that is what the internet is all about.
The 100 Mile Challenge
October 1st, 2008I decided that it was time I kicked my running up a notch. I have been running about 2 to 3 times a week for the last year. When I started back in October of 2007 I was running about 2 miles. The last few months I have started doing 4 miles. I recently found a website that tracks your routes and times, lets you set up goals and tracks them. Its a pretty handy site, and I think I am going to enjoy following my progress. I have already entered 2 of my routes on Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake), Austin TX. On a side note, my new route that I ran with my friend Rob nearly kicked my ass, he is in better shape then I and it was a good motivator just trying to keep pace.
Any way, the point of this post is I have started a 100 mile challenge today. I am going to run 100 miles in 30 days. I have always tried to set physical goals for myself, but always seem to cut them short or fall off the plan. I have challenged other areas of my life, and have broke wall after wall. Running has started to become my replacement for surfing (or lack thereof). I get excited after work with the thought of running town lake. I load my iPod with any track that has a heavy beat to help me keep pace. Don’t laugh but techno seems to help, well Drum n Bass, or what ever the music geeks call it.
So please check my progress, and keep me on track. I will need the motivation of my friends and family to keep me running. I need this to set a bar, something I can shoot for.
Flyin Hawaiian
September 27th, 2008Thought I would post a few pictures from the company boat trip this last Thursday. Everyone had a good time, lots of food, beer, and perfect weather.
