Someday I will wear sneakers

K.I.T.T.: Ben, what are you doing?

Rainman: Well, I would say that I'm just drifting. Here in the pool.

K.I.T.T.: Why?

Rainman: Well, it's very comfortable just to drift here.

9 of 9 blisters sealed by firm and sacred scab for 7 full days now (new sabermetrics!) Yes, you freakin' know it!, my suspension is officially lifted (although with some restrictions.) Still can't wear sneakers or cleats, however, my search for wearable footwear which allow me to enjoy life finally ended thursday evening. Purchased a pair of water sandals made of neoprene with rubber soles. I have since attended Michael's kickboe class (the real test), threw an 18 hole round at Dela and played in today's throttling loss to Monty's Log Cabin (17-6). I went 3 for 3 with three well hit singles. Couldn't run well (and looked ridiculous) in my ninja-styled shoes but that didn't matter much....the point is I'm back! I can be me and do all of my activities once again...and once again the world is righteous!

Beach Day VIII was phenomenal! Didn't hit the sands till 3ish but it was an ideal session indeed. KB was in attendance and I must say he has developed quite an affinity for the 'spot under the peace flag.' Enjoyed hot sands, cold beers, and, of course, the amazing and lovely sea birds.

I need to stop drifting soon.

The ranger never showed on Beach Day VIII and I almost felt like a free American...welcome to enjoy my day responsibly. How 'bout that?

this might be my favorite!

I miss you a lot Chris Farley.

his genius crossed my mind today

one word...ok, two words

I'm consistently having visions of landfill, especially when I see brand new plastic products...sometimes I experience a mental zip through the product's life to where it will rest indefinitely. Sweet and Sour landfill, you are an eternal home of decomposition. We beg of you an impossible process...and hide our collective irresponsibility well.

Although I hate to admit it, I often feel a similar sensation when I meet a baby; wondering upon the tiny soul's lifelong waste burden (while thinking how damn cute and alien s/he looks.) As of now the average American tosses up to 4.6 pounds of trash each day, over 1400lbs. a year. If a pretty baby lives to 74 and makes quota that's almost 52 short tons of refuse. That to me is completely stunning!

We can "green up" as individuals and make conscientious decisions about the way we live and consume and also pass these values to the youth we love and hope they embrace a new ethic and still we have a terrible problem to contend with as a culture/society. We are drowning in our own trash and thoughtlessly killing off grand ecosystems as well as tiny sections of our communities. The global push to 'americanize' (a force more powerful than gravity itself) grows our problem with exponential magnitude.

The chattering child in me says shoot it! Blast it into outer space. Let's make a trash halo that spins with mother earth, it would be like a defense system for when the alien ships finally make their attack....or better yet crash it into the moon. Lets make the moon a tRaSh SaTeLLitE (read with frenetic goofiness.)

The mindful ecologist (I'm trying to conjure) says lets discover a way to reuse everything! And then let's notch it up and reclaim all the areas our descendants destroyed. Let's right the wrong because we are a smart animal that has the magnificent ability to adapt.

The nihilist sits back, snickers and laughs while pointing at his doomsday watch. Can you ebay that yet?

Individual angst indeed. Change starts with me though! Maybe for earth day this year I will begin to mindfully live as if I might make it to 74. I can hone in on even better lifestyle choices and perhaps I can contemplate a promise for each earth day I have left. May I live out all my promises.

Doesn't landfill look so innocuous in .gif?

Baby too.

Charles Nelson Reilly agrees

I refuse to watch, 'scenes from the next..' segments. It's like surprises aren't worthy, or something we shouldn't have to wait for anymore. 'S-F-T-N Mentality' screws with my 'Chattering Monkey Syndrome'...and besides, I love surprises!

Beers 15-Sandbaggers 11

More like silly child. I just couldn't do it! Leaving Beach Day VII I was so fed up I said fark it...packed my $24 flippy floppies that felt so good in the store but has since left two new blisters (blister count is at 9) and made the decision to walk home barefoot...after all I had good scabs going and I was officially over it.

For the first time in a week walking felt good again! Freedom from shoes was just what I needed!! I felt so damn good I tailed it to the gym and said fuck it a 2nd time....I'm gonna have a boxing circuit, BAREFOOT! It felt fantastic!!! Bout 45 minutes in I eventually bumped the big one and it started bleeding so I left, washed it out and sprayed it down with napalm....or some other burning/healing agent from my new and improved first aid cache.

I knew for softball today I would be a game time decision at best and didn't plan to play but then I said fark it again...wrapped up and got my keister to Michael Gray Field. Although I entertained the idea of playing barefoot I just knew that would be a terrible idea unless of course we were playing in the Dominican Republic where it is expected. See, sensibility can be found in my thought process.

It's a great ting I showed up...not only did we win I went 4 for 4 with 4RBI's (it's agreed that the new bat kinda rocks!) Yes, I did open 7 of 9 blisters in the game and that should be added to my stat line but now I smell like naplam, or benzocain, or victory, or gangreen, or something toxic, beautiful and unfamiliar.

So much for my suspension I guess. Just couldn't follow through. Please add that to my stat line and don't laugh at me when I Kickboe barefoot tomorrow night.

Happy Spring!

I hope my farkin ankles and heals seal soon so I can start enjoying it more. silly man.

Seabright Beach Society

Wanna join? All are welcome of course. There are no membership fees or dues. No oaths, promises or prerequisites (although you should commit to packing all your trash each and every time you visit.) You don't even have to visit. Admire from afar if you wish.

During the VIth beach day of the year I had a vision and began furiously scribing notes that detail the 'Anatomy of Leisure Warriorship' (which will eventually be made into a PSA campaign if I can recruit some help from Dabee.) A soldier of slack battles in no war but rather fights the calendar crunch by committing significant portions of his/her time to the sandy soils of their favorite local beach. Being the bum of the beach though involves a protocol I've stumbled through over dozens of sessions. Dare I say I've nearly achieved mastery of the art? A master does not sit on his art though, that just hurts...instead he shares it and this is my intent. Art is free.

Still in brainstorming mode but thus far I've envisioned upwards of seven (2 to 3 minute) PSA's the Society will produce including:

* Anatomy of a Beach Session-detailing the critical gear the leisure hound might need during extended stays

* Etiquette- what does responsible beach citizenship mean to me

* Fuzz Repellent- how to enjoy yourself while avoiding the attention of beach rangers

* Litter- focused look on a tremendous problem which infringes upon the joy and well-being of all beach denizens

* Fire- how to do it right!!

* Sustainable Transportation Tips- Getting there can be half the fun...well maybe 5%-10% of the fun.

Yeah, some of these can be consolidated or expanded upon. The storming and forming will continue.

On the very important topic of logos...after all, if you ever want to have cool shirts and stickers you need to have a kickass logo, I'm honing in on a dandy. The iconic jetty jacks referred by the locals as, "The Jacks" has a steeped local history. Since the inception of the harbor, boats and boards have battled for the coveted space surrounding the man made harbormouth. From what I can discern, when the harbor was dug and dredged in '63 it immediately became a favorable surf break and even more so during weather. I believe the jacks were laid down in '83. These concrete forms are also called 'quadripods' and 'dolos' which is derived from the word 'dolosse' which is a contraction of 'dobbel osse', or 'gambling' (Afrikaans) 'bones' (Latin). This is a completely fitting derivation as any local surfer can attest to the fact that surfing 'The Jacks' is always something of a gamble and often the sanctity of your bones are at risk.

The logo will be a single jack and each of the three prongs will be engraved. "Seabright" "Beach" "Society". It'll be killer and you will want to display it on your massive chest.

I know I said I would never join the cult but in starting one I'm flirting with the idea. I need to publicize...get the word out there. I have a sushi bet on the line that says I don't join Facebook though so I really can't. The Society needs a Facebook Quartermaster. Who will take this on?!?

Postscript: Beach Day V was difficult to achieve. Did you know it took 12 years to conduct the 5th winter olympiad? WW2 shut down the Sapporo and Cortina d'Ampezzo attempts. It was finally staged in St. Moritz on January 30th, 1948. I tried to stage Beach Day V at Seabright. It was one of those days with sunshine and warmth but impending clouds of doom threatened from the Northern skies. Said screw it and jammed anyway. Got to the beach and it was closed!! It was the day after the Chilean Earthquake and tsunami warnings were posted. Said fark it and trucked down to the cool sands anyhow, after all, if it was my day to go I couldn't even dream of a better way out (maybe that's not true.) Not 10 minutes later, as I sat and cracked a cold one, the pitter-patter starts which quickly accelerated into down pour. Retreated to the cliffs and under the trees hoping to wait it out (but couldn't..vertical water did what horizontal threat should've.) I finished my brew and enjoyed a semi-long walk home in the rain. Poseidon's almighty wrath never did hit the shore of SC that day. Not my time.

Beach Day V was finally achieved Saturday March 13th, 2010 on the very public beachfront of Cowell's. The highlight was a gathering of misguided teens that had spiked their cokes from a massive bottle of cheap whiskey. They attempted to toss and then bury the empty bottle but I stopped them and told 'em I would recycle it (which I did). They seemed almost thankful!

Couldn't help but listen into their loud conversation about how they sneak into the pools and hot tubs of the Dream Inn by shouting to the balcony for someone to come let them in because they forgot to bring their door key. I will never try this but I thought it deceptively clever!

They can join but they will need to learn how to pack their trash.

although...

I've imagined retiring to an earthen hut, built from my own hands....like Yoda in exile. If I died in there you could just crush it down into a tomb and plant a Dr. Seuss tree on top (an invasive, non-native of course!)

Perhaps Sir Walter Harris will allow me to squat on his land in my final days so I can live out the dream. I would bring a car to leave.

Suspended!

Oh come on! It's not that bad....but yes, I'm suspended from aerobic activity until my heels heal. On saturday night I enjoyed my time at Monica's 80's rollerjam in celebration of her 28th birthday. It was a blast! Goose from Top Gun was there, Macho Man Randy Savage was there. I was hoping B.A. Baracus would show but he don't fly or skate apparently.

I was told I was a ringer for the karate kid (bwhahah) but for two and a quarter hours I looked more Anton Ohnoish. I was like a speeded-out retro inline crack monkey flying on cheap ($8) blades and the only thing I could stop for was to jam more sugar/pizza down my throat. Must of spun 500 laps. Short track glory, now I know how you feel!!

I knew I was getting blisters but somehow it was worse than that. What I really have is shredded heel. I've spent about $60 so far on ointments, bandages, and mickey mouse looking crocs but I have yet to get good scabs so I am hereby suspended from active life until further notice. No kick boe, softball, disc, bike riding, boxing circuits, cross training exercises...no nuthin'!!! Well exceptions for pilates, weights and work. blarg.

It's funny how life has a natural way of slowing me down when I just get way too fast. I had it coming.

Killer soundtrack btw!

I want to live in a shipping container!

Super eco-tacky, yes! Practical, versatile, affordable you bettcha!! These modulars fold up and can be shipped anywhere. The concept has been around awhile but the green revolution is kicking it up a notch. Perhaps someday I will be able to afford my own container. Ah, life is but a dream.

In other news

This bad boy (or softball bat if you will) is racing toward San Pablo in a boxcar as I write. A new season, a new bat is what I say! The Bad News Beers were blindsided at the beginning of last season when an edict on bat type came down from the league office which in effect banned any bat of value in our bag. We never quite recovered until fall league when this kid named Miles let us borrow a choice piece from his arsenal. Instantly our batting averages improved. A lot in life I say, "Right job, Wrong Tool" and what I mean is that you have the right friggin' job to do but wrong friggin' ass tools to do it. I think pretty soon Miles is gonna want his bat back so I got proactive and ordered one that meets all specs...I hope it helps us find glory. BNB starts its spring campaign today against 3 Sheets at Michael Gray Field, 10:45AM

But don't worry...I fixed that!

Woke up the other morning and something didn't seem right, but in a morning haze that can be difficult to discern. As I came to the waking world I could pinpoint with better clarity what was going on...and the revelation was startling, I felt no pain, no soreness in my legs. Didn't feel the tired sensation that has somehow become normal. Rather than feeling comfort because of my sublime condition, I felt uneasy.

I do realize there may be a heavy toll to pay somewhere down my road for the whimsical folly of my decision-making process today and only then will I know if it was all worth it.

Best Story II

...gets a prize!

Turbo's right...

....I luv it!
http://hackedirl.com

Donora-Paper Planes Cover

Sometimes I wind up liking the cover better than the original. Found out about this Pennsylvanian trio from Post Secret. Their single, 'SSHHH' was featured in a Valentine video....it's a good one too!

I love there poppy 80'sness and I think I already have a cavity.

Olympic Leftovers (yum)

Ah, the hangover! The 21st winter games have ended. Somebody mix me something strong and snappy. How thoroughly I enjoyed the show in Vancouver! All the haters out there fixated on the glitches and what went wrong should just keep hating because that's what they do best. Loud applause for Canada and the olympic spirit. Great show, job well done!!!

Here are some leftover thoughts I didn't get to. Please reheat and serve with a smile:

Was on the sand of Seabright the other day. It was my 4th beach day of the year (I'm curious so I'm keeping track in '10) I found myself mezmorized by an ant as it tried to scale the impossible canyon walls of a footprint I had laid in the sand. This exercise of perseverance was completely stunning! I witnessed it failing the assent at least 30 times. Failure did not compel the ant to alter it's route during the first 25 or so tries. Wind and gravity constantly and consistently impeded success. That ant was hell bent on getting to where it was going though...I was tempted to help it up (silly human) but no, and I'm glad I didn't cause that ant finally shifted it's route and after a few more noble attempts, made it....and kept trucking across the winter sand.

I realized thereafter that the olympics help me appreciate effort in magnificent ways. Watching conditioned athletes at the apex of their disciplines is absolutely awe inspiring and affects my lens profoundly. Effort is completely beautiful to witness from any and all creatures. Life is an unfolding miracle!

San Fran lost it's bid to host 2016 this past summer (I bet it was the logo!) I had mixed feelings about the possibility of the show coming to the bay area. Infastructure is already a sketchy scene here but probably just as sketchy as anywhere else. The Bay Bridge may actually be a human pyramid by 2016! It was gonna be a tall order if we won the bid...would have been fun though.

I realized, this past weekend, an opportunity that would have presented itself had the 2016 games landed here. Quickly the bay area is growing it's share of world class disc golf courses (by 2016 who even knows!) The summer olympics often host demonstration sports...you see where I'm going here? Oh, BAM! It would have been freakin' perfect!!! I can see it so clearly...the top golfers of the world congregating. 7 courses in 7 days...gold, silver, bronze and 4th place gets nuthin'!

Oh well, permission to dream.

I was totally bummed when nothing came about Carl Lewis challenging Vernon Davis to a curling match. Sure, it was good spirited banter...but I thought they should go for it. Maybe they still should. Howabout celebrity curling matchups? What genius producer is gonna take this on? It would probably broadcast on cable though so unless Mary Carillo is comissioned her own network I'll probably miss it, never mind. OH, MARY CARILLO COULD HOST!!

My god he did it again! It's official, my favorite athlete from the 2010 games is Petter Northug from Norway.

On the last day of the olympics the men's 50K cross country event was held. 30 miles of pure sprinting on skis. Any athlete who could take this on is superhuman in my book...and then there's 'The Wolf'. He didn't hold the lead much in this race and stayed comfortably behind for most of it. Not until the last klick and more specifically the last 100 meters did he strike...and when he struck it was lightning! Petter won the race .3 seconds ahead of silver and 1 full second ahead of bronze. Photo finish victory for the captain of the red army. This 24 year old's story has just begun and I will enjoy following it. Wow!

Then, of course, there is Oliver Jean's rats nest. This Canadian speed skater has some scary hair....and that's coming from someone with scary hair. It's a good thing for him the olympics were held in his home nation. If he tries to take that thing to Sochi he's gonna need to get a permit for it, or maybe even a visa! The picture hardly does justice. Just tune in to his next speed skating match and you'll see what I mean....oh, wait.

The topic was energy...

...on the disc golf course this weekend and JD challenged us to think of the cleanest, greenest source of energy (that with the smallest footprint). My response was the energy we can make ourselves. I think this is the logical answer because our waste will be accounted for in our ecological footprint regardless of our intentions to harness our mighty power.

This got me thinking about a concept I'm sure others have thought of (and could even exist!), but one somewhat ahead of it's time. I would love to have a removable gadget that stored the kinetic power created when I ride my bike, some kind of battery contraption that I could transfer to a gizmo that makes that power accessible as electricity in my home. I'm fairly certain I pedal enough to handle my voracious, American appetite for electricity. If I don't pedal enough I would certainly be willing to pedal more. I understand pedal power can be converted but I wonder if it can be stored. If not it should! Someone do this!!

There was much energy talk in Silicon Valley last week as the Bloom Box was made public. This version of fuel cell energy production sounds very promising. I'm not attuned enough to know if it could be successful/viable. I saw a segment about it on 60 minutes and of course the inventor of the Bloom Box seemed very optimistic but I read some follow up pieces that called to question its practicality and price point.

Regardless, I'm ready for clean, guilt-free energy!

Imagine if the energy of an 8.8 mag. earthquake could be harnessed somehow! Prayers and hope to Chile as this world trembles and shakes.