I'm Back....

Lots of stuff to report, I guess I'll go chronologically...

Horrible flight from SD to Detroit. Jammed packed, and I had a middle seat, with the passengers on either side spreading themselves out liberally to the point I started throwing elbows to gain back a little real estate.

Next time I fly, I'm wearing a freakin speedo and that's it since I am sick of disrobing entirely just to get through security.

Detroit to Manchester was a breeze, I had the whole row to myself. I even managed to doze a little, which I can hardly ever achieve when flying for some reason. Maybe it's the comfortable seating and clean air....

Arrived and the weather was mid 60's and pretty nice. Then it turned cold. Really cold, at least for me. Like 30 degrees at night. Cold.

Lazed around and read a lot. Did some skateboarding, but not a lot. My parents have basic cable and dial up Internet access, so those time wasters were out the window.

Took one day and drove up to Maine to check out the dudes at Grain Surfboards (see my links).

Really nice guys (thanks Mike!) and cool boards. They are working out of an old barn, and have a unique operation to say the least.

The beaches in York were flat flat flat. I mean unrideable no matter what size your board, but the scenery was nice and the place was mostly deserted, since it is "off season".

Watched my sister and niece do some horse riding, which is my sisters' passion.

Had a long (like 3 hour) discussion with my father, who is a semi-retired Episcopal minister, but is also very Liberal socially. I think we were able to find some middle ground religion-wise (I'm Agnostic, borderline Atheist). It was good for us.

Took my parents and my sister out for a night at the movies. We saw a movie I've been eagerly anticipating for a long time. We saw Borat. It was great, and my family loved it, but they were still confused about the fact that a large portion of what happens is REAL, the people and their reactions are not staged. If you're not a prude, go see it. Be sure to wear Depends or clothes that you don't care about.....

Went to Church for the first time in a decade, cuz my Dad wanted me to see where he is working on a part-time basis. Except for the two altar boys and peoples children, there wasn't anyone there under 40 years old. I don't know how they keep the place running...

I hope that was my last time ever attending a Mass. I won't go into it, but Church and the Christian religion is just not for me.

The first leg of the flight back was not that great, but the flight to San Diego that connected in Minneapolis ST Paul was a minor miracle. I got a window seat, and it was booked solid, every single seat was occupied, except the seat between me and the guy on the aisle. We basked in our unexpected glory, and further more, someone left an entire NY Times Sunday paper in my seat pocket, giving me reading material to carry me all the way home.

A tear escaped as the city of SD came into view just prior to landing. I love this place, despite it's problems and crowds. I was stoked to be home.

While I was gone, I was working out a trade for a board that came up on Craigslist in my absence, with Spork. He got my Takayama Scorpion (it's a beautiful board, but ultimately too short for it's intended purposes), and I got this in return!:

Remember this? It was posted on surfy surfy in sept 2006. It ended up at Icons of Surf, unsurfed, unwaxed and undamaged for some reason.... 7' 9 ', concave nose to rolled vee tail shaped by my hero, Terry Martin, and one of a kind artwork by local Tyler Warren. I love it.

The fish I shaped is partially glassed, and so far looks dope! Should be done this week. Progress photos pending....

I surfed yesterday in knee high but perfect little lefts and rights on the Alter II with no wind and nobody out. Feels good to be back!

Oh yeah, here's an embossed image I created in high school that my parents still have at their house, it's kind a cool... it's hard to see but....