Global Warming

It seems at every turn, global warming is to blame. Is it responsible for the hideous lack of surf we have endured? I did get some waves early last week at the Ranch, and before that a few days at the Steps and Tiburones. But it seems near impossible to string more than a few days of surf together. Yes, there was the great mid-week pulse that saw Second Bowl get shredded by pros and amateurs alike. I think I counted 50+. As is my MO, I skirted around the edges and had a good time. The swell quickly scurried along its way, and we were back to rumors of surf. I lucked in to some south swell surfing the upper part of Hollister Ranch on Monday and Tuesday last week, looked for surf during the intervening period, and had a cold, chilling surf at Bol Segundo today. My Ranch trip got me to thinking about traveling - something recommended vigorously in comments to past posts.

First there's the preparation. You want to go de minimus, but you have to be prepared. Above all, there's the question of what board(s) to bring. It's not like you can go back to the house and grab another board if the one at hand is not suited to the conditions or breaks. In the end, you pack to much, struggle with more than one board, and loose sleep contemplating all the barrels you're going to score.

Next, there's traveling. Off to the airport at some sketch part of the night; a ton of shit in tow. Or how about the drive to a nearby, out-of-the-way spot. For example, my Ranch trip had me up at some ungodly hour, 3-1/2 hours on the road, few hours of surf, some sleep, more surf, and another road trip. In contrast, at home I can roll out of bed at any time, cruise only sixty seconds down the road , and get good surf - comparable to many great spots around the globe. In addition, I don't have to lug my baggage around, the trip home is short, and I can quickly hit the couch after a hot shower.

Once the initial journey is complete, the surf awaits. For some reason, I have been lucky on most of the trips I've gone on. But nothing is for certain - especially surf. One can travel to the ends of the earth - and find a lake. Of course, when you get back home, you can't let the crew know you struck out, so your story becomes embellished. Usually, it was at least overhead. Pictures help - especially ones with you ripping - Hot Dog. Remember, I am talking about us commoners. When the pros travel and strike out, there's always golf at some swank country club, hanging with the stars, outing with sponsors at sponsored events, and the inevitable secret spot that's holding waves when everywhere else is flat. At home, when you arrive at the spot and find the surf is flat, you can make the quick trip back home to hit the couch, no worse for wear.

Lodging. The surf trip usually includes some form of lodging - typically proportional to the amount of money you spend. Camping is at the low end - but great fun until you reach the age where your back needs more than a flat surface to lie on. Then, there's the high-end resort. Three squares a day, ceiling fan/air, a bed, and maybe even netting. Cocktails extra. In any case, it's not like eating and sleeping at home. I don't know about you, but my bed at home is a sacred place in which I worship the back of my eye lids for extended periods of time. There's no place like home.

Don't get me wrong - I love traveling, hanging with friends, surfing new waves, meeting new people, and expanding my horizon. I just want balance the adventure with the work.

Corpgov - the rhetoric from Corpgov never ceases to amaze me - arrogant and condescending at the same time. I am not stupid, but Corpgov must think I am. For example, consider this exchange from Ms. Lice. - "I think that there is too much concentration of power in the Kremlin. Everybody has doubts about the full independence of the judiciary." Rice after meeting with Putin - amazing coming from an administration puppet who is complicit with the largest grab for executive power in our nation's history. Independent judiciary? Lets consider the actions of our own judiciary - Hypocrisy - an understatement.

Lice goes on regarding government in Russia and the notion that citizens rights are threatened - "the rights of individuals to liberty.. the right to assembly, the right to not have to deal with the arbitrary power of the state", Ms Rice said. - Right to assembly - Republican Convention in NY - police arrest and hold protesters for over 24-hours, not fitting the infraction. Reason: control right to assembly - just one example of tactics being used. Arbitrary Powers of the State - special renditions? Consider the recent supreme court case I mentioned in an earlier post, or how about Blackwater? What about warrantless spying on US citizens or Corpgov media control and spin?
Dude, Seriously

Another thought - It dawns on me that as corporations merge, the options consumers have for dealing with companies that aren't linked to the government get fewer and fewer. While it is apparent that mergers have not benefited the consumer with better service, cost, or competition, the underlying benefit to Corpgov in gaining control over the masses is large, but mostly obscured.

The pic above shows a wave at Newport during the recent SoCal fires - it was firing onshore and offshore.

OK  ¶ 9:42 PM 1 comments