Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Snowbunny Surfing/Costa Rica Top 10
Things you should NOT attempt to do...
10. Check your blackberry. It really (really) doesn't work. It DOES however, make for a GREAT morning high tide alarm clock.
9. Haggle with the local merchants. Really, it's a 3 dollar bracelet. Is there really a moral victory to be made it you get the vendor to come down .50 cents? This isn't Eastern Market, it's a developing country and chances are they need the money more than you do.
8.Order the “Nachos as big as you’re ass”. It is way too many nachos and they aren’t that good. Order the Betty Breakfast instead. (Granola, yogurt, papaya, pineapple and bananas.) The fruit smoothies are pretty darn good too.
7. Dry your hair. My hair was wet from 6:00am to 8:45pm one day. Just put it in a braid and call it good. No sense in bringing a blow dryer to the rain forest.
6. Attempt to cover every part of your body with sunscreen. You will always miss a spot and it will remind you what you WOULD look like if you didn’t use sunscreen at all. Ok, well maybe try – but don’t be too disappointed if you have some random red burnt spot on your shin.
5. Bother with a short-sleeved rash guard. It only takes one time out with the super cute pink ROXY rash guard to f-up your fore-arms and promptly go back to the black one. (Even though you look like surfing Darth Vader.)
4. Try to get your board shorts dry. Enough said. (They are going to be wet in 5 minutes anyway. Savor the knowledge that you are hitting both high tides in one day in Costa Rica.)
3. Surf in a storm. Rain is fine and even kind of hard core, but wind and clouds make for shitty waves and that is not so fun. Throw in a short-sleeved rash guard and some salt water up your nose and you have a REAL good time. Just say no.
2. Not stand up. Just stand up. Even if you fall off the board. Kneeling only causes you pain when you hit the sand and rip the s*#t out of your knees… and you look goofy.
And the thing you should really NOT attempt to do…
1. Freak our when you realize you are out too far and can’t touch the bottom… and are in a rip tide and a rip curl all at the same time… heading for the rocks. Just point your board into shore and let it take you in. That’s what it’s there for after all. And after all that is the point.
10. Check your blackberry. It really (really) doesn't work. It DOES however, make for a GREAT morning high tide alarm clock.
9. Haggle with the local merchants. Really, it's a 3 dollar bracelet. Is there really a moral victory to be made it you get the vendor to come down .50 cents? This isn't Eastern Market, it's a developing country and chances are they need the money more than you do.
8.Order the “Nachos as big as you’re ass”. It is way too many nachos and they aren’t that good. Order the Betty Breakfast instead. (Granola, yogurt, papaya, pineapple and bananas.) The fruit smoothies are pretty darn good too.
7. Dry your hair. My hair was wet from 6:00am to 8:45pm one day. Just put it in a braid and call it good. No sense in bringing a blow dryer to the rain forest.
6. Attempt to cover every part of your body with sunscreen. You will always miss a spot and it will remind you what you WOULD look like if you didn’t use sunscreen at all. Ok, well maybe try – but don’t be too disappointed if you have some random red burnt spot on your shin.
5. Bother with a short-sleeved rash guard. It only takes one time out with the super cute pink ROXY rash guard to f-up your fore-arms and promptly go back to the black one. (Even though you look like surfing Darth Vader.)
4. Try to get your board shorts dry. Enough said. (They are going to be wet in 5 minutes anyway. Savor the knowledge that you are hitting both high tides in one day in Costa Rica.)
3. Surf in a storm. Rain is fine and even kind of hard core, but wind and clouds make for shitty waves and that is not so fun. Throw in a short-sleeved rash guard and some salt water up your nose and you have a REAL good time. Just say no.
2. Not stand up. Just stand up. Even if you fall off the board. Kneeling only causes you pain when you hit the sand and rip the s*#t out of your knees… and you look goofy.
And the thing you should really NOT attempt to do…
1. Freak our when you realize you are out too far and can’t touch the bottom… and are in a rip tide and a rip curl all at the same time… heading for the rocks. Just point your board into shore and let it take you in. That’s what it’s there for after all. And after all that is the point.
Proof
So, the last day I went and surfed with the big kids. I paddled out and about died. Seriously, I thought to myself (after being pounded by a HUGE wave) 'this is not a good idea'. But I kept going and enjoyed a few minutes of sitting on my board in the middle of the ocean. Very cool.
I saw the waves coming and got ready. I paddled my little arse off and caught a huge wave (huge for me - chest high) and nailed it. It was awesome. I wish I could remember what it was like, but all I remember was 'awesome'.
It was the morning I was to leave Costa Rica and I was about to miss my shuttle to the airport, but I had to paddle out one more time just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke, and I caught another perfect wave and rode it all the way into shore.
Of course, there were no pictures that day... so I have no proof. Just me and the ocean. Surfing rocks.
Here are some 'proof' pictures. Aka: bad form and I look water logged, but I'm standing up. (Which for those of you who haven't ever tried surfing - is a major undertaking.)
I saw the waves coming and got ready. I paddled my little arse off and caught a huge wave (huge for me - chest high) and nailed it. It was awesome. I wish I could remember what it was like, but all I remember was 'awesome'.
It was the morning I was to leave Costa Rica and I was about to miss my shuttle to the airport, but I had to paddle out one more time just to prove to myself that it wasn't a fluke, and I caught another perfect wave and rode it all the way into shore.
Of course, there were no pictures that day... so I have no proof. Just me and the ocean. Surfing rocks.
Here are some 'proof' pictures. Aka: bad form and I look water logged, but I'm standing up. (Which for those of you who haven't ever tried surfing - is a major undertaking.)
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
4 days until surf camp...
Board Shorts - Check
Adequate swimwear options - Check
no-see-ums spray - Check, Check
Flip Flops - Check
Greatest Surfing Novel of all time - Check
Sunblock - Check, check, check....
Adequate swimwear options - Check
no-see-ums spray - Check, Check
Flip Flops - Check
Greatest Surfing Novel of all time - Check
Sunblock - Check, check, check....
Friday, August 10, 2007
Pink Floyd Redux
So, I went to powder my nose this morning at work, and ka-boom, there is now a wall in the ladies bathroom. I am not making this up. (See cell phone picture below.)
So random. I had one of my male colleagues scope out the men's bathroom and they have a wall too. RANDOM. Not just any wall either, a cinder-block wall. RANDOM.
?!
So random. I had one of my male colleagues scope out the men's bathroom and they have a wall too. RANDOM. Not just any wall either, a cinder-block wall. RANDOM.
?!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
This salsa was made in New York City?!
My uncle (an art director [see link to the right Rand Sagers]) came to visit a few weeks ago. He lives in Manhattan and was visibly repulsed by the apparent lack of fashion sense possessed by Washingtonians. (Whatever!?) I politely reminded him that we are fashionable people, but we are also are a practical lot. We may be a bit behind the power curve when it comes to pleated kakis etc, but that does not mean that we city folk do not think about looking fabulous!
Thus, I was happy to discover Project Beltway. What a lovely attempt to highlight DC fashion.
In short...WE'RE WORKING ON IT!
Thus, I was happy to discover Project Beltway. What a lovely attempt to highlight DC fashion.
In short...WE'RE WORKING ON IT!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Defense Approps FINALLY
We are going to dispense with this baby in record time!
Here’s the Play by Play….
We started out with a UC (unanimous consent) agreement, which means that we don't have to vote on the RULE - that shaves off an hour.
Starting with 22 amendments, 10 minutes each (5 on each side) – that’s a chunk of time.
3 amendments were not made in order - shaves off 30 minutes.
ROGERS was pulled - 10 more minutes gone.
SESSIONS - we had to debate the A-76 circular, which protects contracting-out - add 10 minutes.
FLAKE has to do his ditty... add 6 amendments x 10 minutes = 1 hour of listening to Jeff Flake create really nifty names for pens and microphones, and giving me a headache. (I appreciate his beef. But does he have to have his beef at 10:57 at night? And to make it worse he can't just LOOSE, he has to call a recorded vote and then LOOSE.) AHHHHH!!!
ISSA amendment - accepted - BEFORE he even stated what his amendt was - got to love Mr. Murtha.
It's like a race....I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....come on....
FRANKS - oh the missile defense. If Franks wasn't so wacky, I may actually listen to what he has to say about the airborne laser. Murtha gives a 'we'll look at it in conference' pledge... Franks doesn't budge - he wants his amendment darn it. Franks continues... UG. North Korea...long-range missile... (if only the program worked!) Oh, he's picking a fight with Murtha - he's going to go down in flames! Franks requests a recorded vote - add 5 minutes
INSLEE/Van HOLLEREN - accepted by Murtha - shave off 10 minutes of debate, and another 5 minutes because now we don't have to vote for it! YIPPIE
CASTLE - Point of order?! Why would you offer you amendment if it's going to have a point of order against it? Never mind I know the answer to that. At least we don't have to spend 5 minutes voting on it. Oh well. I guess it will be addressed in Conference. Withdrawn - NEXT.
WALBERG – Amendment eliminating preferences… what do you have against women, minorities and Native Americans and every other minority contracting set-aside??? Murtha objects, Walberg quotes Justice Thomas… blah, blah, blah… Walberg is from Michigan. Can anyone say Michigan Law School? Walberg request a recorded vote – add 5 freakin’ minutes.
CAMPBELL – “I have some questions about an earmark about paint?” Oh brother. Apparently Sherman-Williams is creating a paint shield or something? Apparently we are giving 2 million dollars to create a paint shield – I guess that is kind of fishy? Campbell is picking a fight with Murtha…eek. You know he’s bringing up some good points… too bad, he’s still going to loose… on a recorded vote…DAMIT – 5 minutes.
CAMPBELL – more paint, no, better – swimmer detection sonar equipment. Sounds groovy, let’s fund it! You see, the Defense bill is kind of a mess. I’m glad that that Obey said there will be a 50% cut in earmarks. But, just for the record it was the Republican majority in 1994 who started making the earmark process so very popular. Swimmers – no recorded vote – hooray!
FLAKE – AGAIN. I respect what he has to say. I just wish he didn’t have to say it at 11:27 at night when I’ve been at work for 14 hours. No recorded vote… I think he’s getting wise.
FLAKE – MORE FLAKE….GRRRRRRR……
FLAKE – Seriously?
AHHHHH. Ok. Deep cleansing breaths… Going home soon.
5-4-9er.
Here’s the Play by Play….
We started out with a UC (unanimous consent) agreement, which means that we don't have to vote on the RULE - that shaves off an hour.
Starting with 22 amendments, 10 minutes each (5 on each side) – that’s a chunk of time.
3 amendments were not made in order - shaves off 30 minutes.
ROGERS was pulled - 10 more minutes gone.
SESSIONS - we had to debate the A-76 circular, which protects contracting-out - add 10 minutes.
FLAKE has to do his ditty... add 6 amendments x 10 minutes = 1 hour of listening to Jeff Flake create really nifty names for pens and microphones, and giving me a headache. (I appreciate his beef. But does he have to have his beef at 10:57 at night? And to make it worse he can't just LOOSE, he has to call a recorded vote and then LOOSE.) AHHHHH!!!
ISSA amendment - accepted - BEFORE he even stated what his amendt was - got to love Mr. Murtha.
It's like a race....I can see the light at the end of the tunnel....come on....
FRANKS - oh the missile defense. If Franks wasn't so wacky, I may actually listen to what he has to say about the airborne laser. Murtha gives a 'we'll look at it in conference' pledge... Franks doesn't budge - he wants his amendment darn it. Franks continues... UG. North Korea...long-range missile... (if only the program worked!) Oh, he's picking a fight with Murtha - he's going to go down in flames! Franks requests a recorded vote - add 5 minutes
INSLEE/Van HOLLEREN - accepted by Murtha - shave off 10 minutes of debate, and another 5 minutes because now we don't have to vote for it! YIPPIE
CASTLE - Point of order?! Why would you offer you amendment if it's going to have a point of order against it? Never mind I know the answer to that. At least we don't have to spend 5 minutes voting on it. Oh well. I guess it will be addressed in Conference. Withdrawn - NEXT.
WALBERG – Amendment eliminating preferences… what do you have against women, minorities and Native Americans and every other minority contracting set-aside??? Murtha objects, Walberg quotes Justice Thomas… blah, blah, blah… Walberg is from Michigan. Can anyone say Michigan Law School? Walberg request a recorded vote – add 5 freakin’ minutes.
CAMPBELL – “I have some questions about an earmark about paint?” Oh brother. Apparently Sherman-Williams is creating a paint shield or something? Apparently we are giving 2 million dollars to create a paint shield – I guess that is kind of fishy? Campbell is picking a fight with Murtha…eek. You know he’s bringing up some good points… too bad, he’s still going to loose… on a recorded vote…DAMIT – 5 minutes.
CAMPBELL – more paint, no, better – swimmer detection sonar equipment. Sounds groovy, let’s fund it! You see, the Defense bill is kind of a mess. I’m glad that that Obey said there will be a 50% cut in earmarks. But, just for the record it was the Republican majority in 1994 who started making the earmark process so very popular. Swimmers – no recorded vote – hooray!
FLAKE – AGAIN. I respect what he has to say. I just wish he didn’t have to say it at 11:27 at night when I’ve been at work for 14 hours. No recorded vote… I think he’s getting wise.
FLAKE – MORE FLAKE….GRRRRRRR……
FLAKE – Seriously?
AHHHHH. Ok. Deep cleansing breaths… Going home soon.
5-4-9er.
I blame the Republicans - Part II
It's Saturday and I'm at work.
It's not so much that I'm at work on a Saturday, lots of people work 2 and 3 jobs on Saturday, Sunday and every other day. The annoying thing about it is that we don't have to be here today...and tomorrow...
The annoying thing about it is that the Democrats don't know how to lead, and the Republicans don't know how to loose. I guess there is a small and vocal (and petulant) group of Republicans who missed the memo that they LOST the last election.
Now, I'm not saying that the minority doesn't have a right to voice their opinion, they do. But if you add up the numbers, the R's will ALWAYS loose. There are just more of us then there are of them. It just doesn't serve any purpose to keep throwing sand in the gears and whine.
Now, I know my Republican friends will say that they are fighting the good fight and doing what needs to be done, but I respectfully disagree. They really aren't doing anything productive. Even the Republican leadership is annoyed with the young and idealistic (and very conservative) pups who keep taking stands on ideology alone.
Ideology doesn't get you anything. It doesn't pass bills, it doesn't solve things, it doesn't move the ball forward. These members are sitting down with the ball at the 50 yard line when every other player on the field wants to play ball and get something done.
So, I am here on Saturday and perhaps Sunday.... for what?
It's not so much that I'm at work on a Saturday, lots of people work 2 and 3 jobs on Saturday, Sunday and every other day. The annoying thing about it is that we don't have to be here today...and tomorrow...
The annoying thing about it is that the Democrats don't know how to lead, and the Republicans don't know how to loose. I guess there is a small and vocal (and petulant) group of Republicans who missed the memo that they LOST the last election.
Now, I'm not saying that the minority doesn't have a right to voice their opinion, they do. But if you add up the numbers, the R's will ALWAYS loose. There are just more of us then there are of them. It just doesn't serve any purpose to keep throwing sand in the gears and whine.
Now, I know my Republican friends will say that they are fighting the good fight and doing what needs to be done, but I respectfully disagree. They really aren't doing anything productive. Even the Republican leadership is annoyed with the young and idealistic (and very conservative) pups who keep taking stands on ideology alone.
Ideology doesn't get you anything. It doesn't pass bills, it doesn't solve things, it doesn't move the ball forward. These members are sitting down with the ball at the 50 yard line when every other player on the field wants to play ball and get something done.
So, I am here on Saturday and perhaps Sunday.... for what?
Friday, August 03, 2007
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