Spank My Wookie

Couple of poker hands I remember tonight. One that switched my fortunes for a while and made me chip leader.I have jacks in the hole. I limp in. Get raised 5 dollars...I call. Flop comes J77. I check, the other guys bets 10 dollars, I call. He is probably thinking I have a wired pair to make two pairs. Next card comes a garbage card. I think to myself, "I have best hand, go all in" That's what I do. The other guy shows ladies, but I have Jacks full over 7! Very nice double up. After that I get to play bully for a while. I made it to the second table before a turn of events and loose to A high. That was just bad timing. Oh well. It was fun.

Posted by Baldwin at 01:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What I really want to do is play some online poker since I am not sleepy. That usually can calm me down and if I am lucky, I can fall asleep playing cards! Betcha didn't think of that. But before I get to cursing the animated icons yelling "3-7" offsuite, I am going to just scratch some notes on this blog. Monday is always a bummer at work. It's usually the calm before mid-week hell breaks loose. This usually happens so it's a predictable pattern where I am relieved of stress Monday, but by Wednesday, all I want to do is throw chalk erasures at fellow insignificant and incompetent aquaintances I call co-workers. But then I think about the upcoming weekend, and start to plot how my surf adventures will play out. Ingenious and fun... I get so giddy when I think about surf. It's feels like when I was kid asking for toys from my parents. It puts this grin on my face that people question whether I am sane or just de-sensitized with the cubicle surroundings.I just finished reading surf blogs of different experience levels. My gosh, how I can relate! All the complaining about not being able to paddle into waves, plotting to surf on the weekends, attempting morning sessions before work! Nice to know there are others out there like me. What other junk can come from my brain before I try to play poker half asleep? umm...I got an indo board. See, there's another surf related item I bought. Even if I cannot get to the beach at 9pm, I hop on the indo, and just pretend I'm riding knee high peelers under a sunny sky with small clouds blowing outwards due to the offshore winds, and glassy, warm waters....man I'm turnining into a beach bum.

Posted by Baldwin at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today I got pounded. Most of the them came from trying to punch outside, but at times closeouts fell and other times, it broke right before I had a chance to get over. Today was far more choppy than Saturday, but not nearly as bad as Friday afternoon. I surfed by myself, but still bumped into some people and am really starting to see a lot of familar faced at the beach. I still did not have that great of a day today. Only caught one rashy ride, and paddled for a bunch of them only to have them pass underneath me. But towards the end of my session, I started to sit more on the inside since there were quite a few waves breaking there. I nearly dropped into a nice 3-4 footer, only to fall off. The crowd was pretty nomial considering it was still a little sunny. While lounging around this afternoon, I tried to make it out for a second session, but at the beach, I determined it was a little too windy and the ski is also starting to get mad. E for effort, but no play time this afternoon. I ended up re-waxing my brother's surfboard. Gosh, I love the smell of new surf wax!Things to work on:sitting positionpaddle hardand pop upThings to get stoked about when surfing:Having to not think about anything for a good two hoursNo matter how bad a day you are having, it is still funI love the smell of fresh surf waxAnticipating jumping in the water while driving to the beachShit eating grim when coming up after a 5 foot wave flips right into your face and the next one 3 feet apart closes out on youIt's just fun, fun, fun

Posted by Baldwin at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

alright, so two more times in the water makes 20 and a start to crack that 100 mark this year. Today was a windless day at Taco Bell beach. Semi-croweded but really manageable. I went out with my brother today. I was able to catch my first ride on the first wave i dug for. Fairly short, but fun. After that, I am again hitting the no-wave wall. I'm not sure if it is where I am sitting or if I am not paddling hard enough. I stroke about 5 times, kick the feet, then the wave just goes under me. I could of made a few more today, but I either had to pull out because of on-coming traffic, or I just slipped, and one time as I was going down the face, I plant my hands to pop up and my hands slip; that was on my brothers board. We traded boards midway through the session. Although his 9 foot roger hinds is more stable paddling, I am really liking the Hynson a lot. It's lighter and seems a little faster. I think I will ride that one for a while before switching back to my coletta; that is if I get it back from the Log Shop. I hope soon, cuz I really miss that board.So if I end up making it out tomorrow, I will experiment with different sitting spots, and hopefully I will not loose many waves.

Posted by Baldwin at 12:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Morning confusion besets when I realize I was late for my tax appointment. I made a quick call to make sure he was not in the phillipines and then started to head to his office. Dashed from the car, and ran to the front door, but I noticed his name was not on the directory anymore. Damn...ah...I remember something about him moving. So I find the correct directions and plow down 280. Seeing my accountant brings back memories of going to grade school. Ducked out of work around 3:00pm in search of surf. But today, it was really junky and blown out. Lindy sucked, but the jetty looked doable, however we were eating fried calamari instead of dashing for the water. Tomorrow is surf day!

Posted by Baldwin at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Trying to find some words to describe today:Linda Mar mellowSat just above the north bathroom stallsRan into a surf buddy, who tucked into a mini barrelPaddled hard, but tired quick, not much of a session today, except for paddling exerciseslammed a few timeseasy paddle outsmall crowd on the peak I sat atfinally calm after a week of rain3 - 5 foot, some recognizable peaks, some closeoutsagain, no riding, just paddlingBest of all, still fun!

Posted by Baldwin at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Somehow I am now flapping back and forth in a full size pool, though not olympic. But still, this is a far cry from me only able to take a few strokes and rest! I remember when little; my parents would keep me from a swimming pool, saying they are dirty and you shouldn't go in. Man, now I know what I am missing out. Playing or swimming is fun and relaxing. Plus it gets me to exercise, though just a little. From the 40 hours I spend sitting on my ass, 2 out of the week is to go swimming. Not bad!Did I mention, this has helped me when plunging into the ocean?! Going surfing is not scary anymore. But the pounding from those 5 foot closeouts still hurt! but hey, no pain no gain.Tomorrow, morning session in the poo ridden beach we called Taco Bell! That's if I can wake up for it.

Posted by Baldwin at 08:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Hello and welcome to moviefone...if you know the name of the movie you like to see, press 1. Funny, how this blog suddenly turned into just a surf journal for days I get to head out. Well, since Thursday, it's been raining all weekend and with no relief in sight, I don't have any surf stories to jot down. It's monday and the usual 9-5 came and went. What did I accomplish today? A pile of sitting in meetings, and only being able to work maybe 4 hours of the day. Productive huh? But I was way more anixous today because I am supposed to hearing from my relocation manager about a possible gig in SF. Don't know what to make of this yet. I'm getting mixed signals and will need to wait this out to see what is really going on. So the question is, take cut, and migrate cubes to a closer location, with less stressful work? Or stay, and just get hammered in the brain everyday by obnoxious, selective hearing, yes droids that floods the cubicle farm? Not sure what the incentives will be to migrate, but I am willing to do it, just to get away from phonix-incompetent stand up philosophers( aka bull shitters).The conversation continues tomorrow!

Posted by Baldwin at 09:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Another morning session today at Lindy. Sky was gray, but there was not too much wind. The breaks were faily infrequent, but I suited up and jumped in anyway. There were some closeout sets, but there were also some nice peaks. Today was another frustrating day. Besides the sitting and waiting, I wasn't able to power into any of the breaking waves. I was out with about 6-7 other people. One lady I've seen before, so I made some small talk with her. She ended up dipping in for no more than half an hour before heading for dry land. I stayed out longer, determined to catch something. Afterall, I've had a wave drought the last few times I've been out. I paddled for a few of them, and I pearled on the first, and just was not fast enough for the next few. Feeling dejected, I was determined to stay till I caught something. I was able to find out the time from one of the girls out there. It was around 9:00am. I should be heading in to get ready for work, but no, I am staying till I get something. Around the same time, I noticed some of the other people powering into waves, they all seem to be using both arms for the last few strokes.Next set that rolls through, I try that. Wow! It's a little easier to get in. I fall on the first one, but was able to get up on the next two! I was happy that I got a few before I had to call it quits.I ended up getting into work at 10:30, and forgot to attend a meeting. opps! It was all worth it.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today was a good day. Played hookie at work, then had a brief afternoon session. Everytime I go to Lindy, I anticipate the crowd and conditions while driving over the hill. Today, I see a lot of people out, almost like a Saturday, except it is Tuesday afternoon. The waves were about head high on average, and there were some closeouts. I only caught some small wash waves, and sat outside for a brief period. So, I had another disappointing session. Not only that, but I lost one of my contacts today, which isn't bad since the only other time I lost contacts was in hawaii, on my first time out.I'm getting good at taking a pounding to the head and not really freaking out about it. Today, there were some outside breaks, and if I wasn't able to paddle over it, I met the lip crashing down on me. The other thing I am starting to do is turtle roll on the 9 footer. But I need to figure out how to roll it back over. Anyways, there are a lot of things I need to improve on:finding a good spot to sitavoid the crowds if possiblereally commit and paddle hard for a wave, no more half ass paddling.But regardless, it was fun to be out in the water on a Tuesday afternoon.

Posted by Baldwin at 12:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

10:00am jump in. Big crowds, long sets, chest high. After commiting to a wave, looking at the wall building behind you is cool and scary at the same time. Did not have any rides today. Close to having two, but saw there were others too close to me. Continuous poundings...Said hi to the guy I beat out to buy the pin tail this weekend. More crowds...I'm beginning to like the early morning sessions during the week. There's a lot more room to practice in. Turned my Coletta in for ding repairs. The bottom has a lot of stress cracks, and dings which will soon start to take water, if I didn't do anything about it. Hope the two week wait will be worth it.Bought Broke down Melody as a stoke booster for the lack of waves today. Saw about half of it wishing I can do some of the stuff shown. Also wish I could just surf for a living!Will try again Tuesday afternoon. New set of swells, not too much power, South end of Lindy here I come!

Posted by Baldwin at 07:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I used the surf rack today! I also was able to drag my brother out today. It wasn't sunny, but reminicent of summer time, with fog and light drizzle. It was about 3-5 feet today, not closing out, and the usual saturday crowd. Today, I tried out the new pin tail and was surprised that the lightness made the paddling easier. I caught one nice once today, complete with the drop. The rest were slight reforms, but nonetheless, fun. My brother got knocked in the nuts with his possessed board today. Not sure if he will be joining me tomorrow!Tomorrow, I am going to try not to dip my entire arm into the water when paddling. Also, will try to stay low, pop up fast and attempt to turn the board. Hopefully, the snowboarding skills can be used.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There were blue skies on the drive to Lindy. The onshore winds were blowing, but the sun was out! That's all I wanted! I got to the beach around 8:00am. It was pretty much closing out at head high, so it was kinda not what I wanted to dive into. 8:30 rolls around, I say to myself, "Fuck it, I'll regret it if I don't at least jump in."Suited up, and headed down to the water. I swear everytime I jump in, a neverending set seems to roll through. I wait, and wait, try to punch out but fail, wait some more, and then finally get outside. There were not too many people out today, so I have some space to move around. I end up not catching any more than two reform waves and ride them to shore. In terms of being stoked, today was not a high one. However, paddling around was way more fun than just turning my back and head to an unsatisfying day in the office!Tomorrow is Saturday, and I just picked up a backup board to use until my 9'6" gets fixed. It's a 9'0" pin tail, kinda narrow, but I'm excited to see how it works. Who knows!

Posted by Baldwin at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Blue skies, warm spring breeze, light wind is how I'm going to describe what today is like. I managed to get some of the sunshine in today, in between periods of coding. Short but brief, but happy to preview what is to come in the next few months as we roll towards the summer solstice. What to look for then? hmm...the list is countless morning after morning of surf sessions maybe some after work sessions bbqs the beach countless number of watermelons hot summer nights lounging on the deck foggy haight street fair crowded cowell's beach fort funston walks with the obnoxious dog trips to so-cal (malibu, san onofre, here i come)

Posted by Baldwin at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I had session 11 at cowells beach on saturday. A friend of mine and his girlfriend came out bodyboarding with me. I got there just in time for low tide. However, a lot of white water was showing, and there were constant breaks. I suited up and paddled out closer to the pier and not where the crowds where. I thought by avoiding the crowds I will find some peaks. Nope, that didn't happen. Instead, I found myself in a eastward current and I started drifting towards the pier. So I decided to paddle towards the actual breaks. Then I started getting tired from paddling. Sucks...everytime I end up at cowells, I cannot catch any waves. I'd paddle for them, but just somehow miss them. With the slower moving waves, I need to paddle harder, but with all the work moving to the right spot, I was tired already. I think I should swim more laps to try to maintain shoulder strength.So next time I head to cowells, I need to remember to line up with the breaks, and paddle as hard as I can. Even though the breaks were about 3-4 feet at times, they are still slower moving than Lindy is. Maybe I'll try again next week. I am determined to catch some waves at a spot where people actual learn to surf!I did see a bunch of longboarders cross stepping. I'm jealous because I do not know when I will be able to start doing that. Most of those cats didn't surf with leashes! I just saw some styling cross-stepping and some hang fives! One day..One day!!!

Posted by Baldwin at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Only corporate slang will include something called hump day! Just got back from playing cards. Lost, but it wasn't a bad beat. Went all in with KQ off-suite. Two people called me; one with pair of 10s and another KJ suited. KJ suited pulls a flush on the river. Ah..you win some, you loose some. I didn't play bad. Was winning and perhaps was one of the early chip leaders in the game. I just wanted to play a little more agressively, because normally I won't play KQ offsuite in a 4 handed game. Now, I need to find out the details on both the WPT and WSOP tourney. I will need to go through satellite for both tourneys, but it won't be a bad choice. I think I might be able to perhaps get in the money. We shall see.

Posted by Baldwin at 01:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)