October 7th - 2007
Last day of the season
On an impulse, I sped out of L.A. Yesterday when I saw the potential for wind at Belmont on ikitesurf.com. I packed my stuff in the car and headed out at 2:30. Traffic slowed me down a bit but I was in the water and zipping by 3:50- not too bad.
I decided my lesson for the day was to see how slow I could go without sinking, and practice control of the kite and board. I was able to slow it down enough to glide slowly into the shore without so much as getting my feet wet- Cool! A little more practice and I'll be getting "Miss You" cards from my Old buddy Ray. The goal of course, is to spend as little time standing in the wate ras humanly possible- kiting all the way to the shore will prevent many a sting-ray stab I'm certain of that!
I also practiced riding upwind, and I learned the goofy wind patterns off the Belmont coast. Seems if you get far enough out, the wind direction changes, and you can stay out and upwind a lot longer. I found myself in the virtual channel of veteran kiters, skipping back and forth between Buoys. It was so cool to be among them, whoo-hooing and hi-fiving and being a kiter guy. Awsome! "Hey Mom, I'm in the Club!"
I stayed out for what seemed like an hour, practicing my boarding skills, and contemplating my first jump. I'm getting more aggressive with the kite, pushing it hard to dive and get more power, and leaning really hard on my board to see just how far I can steer myself upwind. I was having such a great time, and I was so grateful that I decided to leave the office and get out there.
I know I should be home, working and making money. If I keep this up I'll be broke before the new year, but I really don't care. I'm having such a great time, I feel so alive!!
The wind was a perfect 18 mph for a good part of the afternon, and I was able to kite at the beach late in the day as the October sun was setting on the horizon. It was another Epic day, and unfortunately- very likely the last day of this kitesurfing season. Bravo though, I had an AWESOME summer, and I'm excited about next season starting in March 2008.
If the wind comes back, I'll return, but shorter days and shifting wind patterns typically means that the perfect days are few and far between. Perhaps I should focus my energy on other things for a while, Like the AIDS/Lifecycle 7-- More to come . . .
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October 7th - 2007
'Nuffa Dat SHit!
A man has got to know when he's made a mistake and pull out of a failing project.
Yesterday I saw a cartoon in the"non-sequitar" that showed a large group of tribesmen, all warriors, trapped in the mire of a tar pit with the mammoth they are hunting. From the sidelines, the generals grouply decided the problem is, (drumroll please) they need more warriors in there . .
I decided the new format for Hell's Basement was a complete and utter failer incompatible with my writing style ( style? I have a style?)
I'm back to my old format where I have better control, and more opportunites to express myself.
October 8th - 2007
Two days and a wake up.
Leaving for New York on Thursday, renting a car in watertown and currently I have NO PLANS after landing in the Empire state, which kind of feels good, kind of makes me nervous.
Cousin Jay is travelling on the exact same plane/flight/itinerary(not planned)- how cool is that?
 Here'a cousin Jay last fall during a friendly game of scrabble. Since this image, he's lost 100 lbs. Check back soon for the updated image of "bird"
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