"It's raining cats and dogs!"

Been outside today? Holy smoke, even I decided against paddling
 on this fine blustery day which is unusual, but it is just nasty out! 

I took my Border Collie Cowgirl for a walk earlier when the rain had
supposedly "let up"and came home just drenched. She usually loves this
stuff but today was jogging right along side me when it started breaking
loose, and I started running back home!  I don't mind the rain so much,
it's that North wind driving it! Yeeesh!

Talk about lazy!

Man, I feel like a bloated fish out of water I tell ya! Don't know what's gotten into me but I haven't been out paddling in nearly a week now and that's usually not a good sign.  Of what I'm never quite sure but something is amiss, just not sure what.  Not to worry though as tomorrow is Tuesday and I will definitely be out and about the Santa Monica bay.  If you care to join me I usually leave Mother's Beach in Marina del Rey at around 5:30 pm and get back in around 8 or so. Noting too wild,  just a good workout out towards the Venice pier then back. Make sure you bring a headlamp as the Coast Guard guys like to be able to see you when they fly out of the harbor so bring one.  

                   

Hot Dog, it's my 55th birthday!

The ultimate gift!

Wow, 55 and still alive! Who would've guessed!  I was kinda dreading this one and honestly, I'm not quite sure why but, it turned out okl! I had to step back from the number and take inventory of my life thus far and I must say that things are going pretty darn well.

I finally finished my book. It's a collection of my street photography over the last 25 years and I am pleased that so many like it! I had no idea how much work went in to producing a book but here it is a year later and its done. You can check it out at www.blurb.com. Search for a book titled "Places I've Belonged" and you'll find it.  I donate all proceeds from any sales to Doctors Without Borders as I firmly believe they are one of the best organizations around and do great work. Another exciting project I'm involved with and is nearing completion is a book my wife and I are working on.

Working it off!

I must say,  the  winter of 2010 was lazy for me and I feel it now! I just laid around the house most of December and did a whole bunch of nothing which is quite unusual for me but hey, I did it! I was looking forward to the storms that stir things up but nothing really wild came a calling. And I think I had overdosed a bit on the winter of '09 and most of '10 as I put in a lot of water time. So maybe I just needed a break! Now however it's time to pay for my sins and get busy. Have gotten back in to my "twice weekly and one good day on the weekend" routine and I actually feel a bit better as a result. I think that just getting outside  is refreshing but being able to paddle the open sea...

The Greenland Movement

Isn't that a beautiful Kayak!


"Where's mine?" I asked my wife on my 55 th birthday.  That would be better than a car for me. Heck  I have a car, but a skin on frame Greenland style kayak? Seriously, how many people own one of those? I do however own 2 beautiful Greenland style paddles that are trusted friends and companions when I am anywhere in my kayak. I truly think it has to do with the fact that they are hand built and made of wood. The wood feels warm in your hands and has a really nice grip to it. I have owned both the Euro and Greenland styles and they are completely different so I say try them both before you buy. I just wound up preferring the Greenland style.