No more advice

I have decided to stop giving advice that includes expressing my opinion. I have officially decided that I know nothing. Absolutly zero. I am not doing this out of spite or the fear of engaging in controversy. I am not doing this because I am bitter or giving up. It is just that I have recently began looking back on some of the advice I have given people over the years. Looking back on it, it wasn't really that good of advice. I also looked back on some of the things that I thought to be true and they have since become false. I am sure, like everything else in life, I will at times fall back into old patterns. However, if you ever hear me giving advice or trying to argue my position, please, do me a favor and tell me to shut up.

Rare Pictures of SUP world champion

Well its been a while since I've posted anything on the blog. In order to get the creative juices flowing again I took a much needed hiatus. It seems that in the last 5 months the title of my blog has become a bit outdated. While it is outdated, the premise behind it is still very much applicable. My writing a blog was about as ridiculous as 3 bucks a gallon. I have a blog and gas is 5 bucks a gallon - go figure.

The reason for my return is that I have recently acquired some very interesting photographs. It seems that stand up paddleboarding (SUP) has taken off, and that most my friends either own a board or are going to purchase one soon. It is all the rage. It turns out that about two months ago the SUP pioneer and current world champion was spotted in Jalama practicing his art. It is very rare to get pictures of him SUPing as he is very elusive and has been in hiding since his victory at the 2007 SUP world championships. Some say he went crazy when he was thrust into the media spotlight, others say he failed to pay taxes on all his endorsement deals and was hiding from the French government. Whatever the reason, I think these pictures show that Kieth (he only uses his first name) still has his mad SUP skills and is ready to defend his title.

forgiveness

Well I got a call from google, yah the same guys that threw that chinese guy to the wolves now the poor guy is doing time somewhere in a chinese work camp, they flagged my blog for excessive use of profanity. Much like Duane the Dog Chapman I had a dream. And there is no way I am going to loose my blog over a bunch a people cussing at each other, can't we all just get along. I know that Johhny go fast's comments were a bit inflammatory - but the guy really loves his pebbles, you should see the neckless he races with. He must of polished those rocks in his rock polisher for at least 3 days. And as for all the name calling, come on he just loves his pebbles as much as some of us love our salmon. I mean I'll come clean, I drive a big old deisel truck and just liked the video. Nothing more, nothing less, no agenda. Please forgive me, just like Ben forgave the Dog. I promise no more articles about the environment.

a serious note

link to the the pebble mine debate

3 bucksagallon scoops la times

Turns out 3 bucksagallon picked up the story before the la times.  Who knew I was on the heartbeat of Southern California, I guess I just didn't realize how wide my audience had become? At first I was a little pissed that they stole my story, I even went as far to contact my lawyer about pursuing a legal course of action. But upon further reflection I'm rather flattered that it was stolen.  I mean, this blog just started has an outlet for some of my humble opinions and stories of adventure.  I suppose its turned into a pipeline to the reporters of the la times and various other news organizations.  Thankfully, I don't need the recognition.  So if your out there keep on stealing the stories - I got a good one about some high sea adventures with lobsters, jaguar sharks, and some crazy hijinks.  And for those of you who want to know the story before the story - just keep on reading.

 

Link To LA Times article - New Developments Mask Wild land's Threat

southern california

The news media and these so called experts are insane.  First, we are not in the middle of a drought. True, last year we had a very low level of rain the lowest ever recorded, however, the previous 5 years were over average years of rainfall.   In fact, 3 years ago Southern California had it's second largest rain season ever recorded.  The last "real" drought in Southern California was 1986-1991.  I'm sure those so called experts don't remember that drought because they hadn't moved here yet.  

Second, these Santa Ana winds were no different then the ones I have felt my whole life.  They happen every year and cause damage every year.  They start in October and end in April.  There were news reports that these were unusually strong and early, anyone who has lived here their whole life knows that is not true.  They were strong, but no stronger than ones I have felt before.  I work outside, my livelihood is attached to the weather, I know when Santa Ana's start.

Third, we did not have the resources in place to fight the fires?  I'm sorry all the planes in the world and all the fireman in the world could not have prevented what happened.  It is a force of nature that can not be controlled.  Get over it people, we can not control everything.  Life is filled with uncertainty and we prepare for things best we can, however, some things are unavoidable.

No one talks about the real problem.   There are to many people living in areas that fires can not be controlled in.   Most of them were not told or don't understand this.  Southern California is a desert, are water comes from other places.  This area was not meant to be inhabited by so many people, we created it.  As more people move here and growth becomes a necessity people will move to areas that are on the fringes of uncontrollable wilderness.  We must live with the consequences of what we built and where we live.  The only people we should blame our ourselves.  If we don't want to live with fire danger than we should move. But no amount of spending will solve the problem of us living in an overcrowded desert.

the reluctant competitor

Since Tara, Drew's wife, has chosen to make a competition out of the lobster diving , I have decided to keep a tab of who is leading the race.  I myself do it for the love of the sport and the camaraderie of braving the dark waters. 

Mind you, drew is 7 years my junior and impervious to cold as evident by this picture.  He feels no cold, thus, he is able to stay in the water longer.  I'm not making excuses, just stating the facts. The picture is from the Klamath River on the border of Oregon and California - it's cold.

Jonas - 2

Drew - 9