Spank My Wookie

Tack another surf spot visited to the list. In addition to LM, Jetty, Cowells, the Hook, I have now surfed at 38ths in Santa Cruz. It's a great spot for mello waves away from the boardwalk crowd and NO paying for parking. I only caught one wave as the tide shut down the already infrequent breaks travelling through. My sister was introduced to her first surf session as well. I think she liked it, but wasn't able to catch any waves, just a lot of paddling. I should have paddled around to where the breaks were happening, instead of sitting at one spot waiting for waves. It was not too far of a paddle to the hook, or over to the other spots lining the 38ths beach.The one wave I caught, I turned again on my backside, and was able to travel all the way into the beach. That was fun! I am still pearling a lot, so I need to pay more attention to where I am lying while crawling for a wave.

Posted by Baldwin at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

All the forecast sites called for no surf, 1 footers, flatness from SF to Santa Cruz. I decided to hope for the best and headed out to see if I can get any. Small windswell peelers, close to the beach and some lull between sets, but there was some action and I did get in on it.I made about 40% of my rides today, bailed, pearled, wrongly planted and just kooked it on the other 60%. Still a fun day, as there wasn't much of a crowd where I was sitting. I got to meet a few more people today and all had smiles on their faces from ear to ear! This was part of the stoke. I think my next major hurdle is to bottom turn, as I am trying to figure it out today. Again, I did some more snowboard like carving turns, that eventually got me going parallel to the beach, but not the turns I am hoping for. The fast, once you pop up turns that you can then cross step on. Don't know how long before I figure this out, but I need to keep telling myself to look up and turn my head and body towards where I want to go. More practice next time!I think I need to rewax the coletta. It's starting to wear off and the combination of sticky bumps and sex wax don't really mix. Plus the sex wax just looks a lot better on the board. No surf tomorrow, but I'm hoping to pay a visit to our neighboring town of S.C to try to catch some mello stuff!

Posted by Baldwin at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Man, most of my posts lately have been about surfing. cool, and dandy, but i should write about something else. I've just looked through a bunch of my old posts and they were a little more interesting to the non-surfer. So here goes:I take muni to work now. It's great that I don't have to drive and I can zone out for an extra half and hour before wsalking the 5 blocks to my building. When I can, I hope onto a train with a view of the tunnel. It can be the front or the back. Imagine the network of track running under the city. 14 -16 hours a day, some train is shuttling people to and front different parts of a place I call home. I use to take muni when I was in high school, but that didn't last long, till I drove.Back to what I like to do on the train. I want to just stare into the black abyss that the train is moving in. It would speed up, slow down, and then a shiny little light would emerge. As I stare some more into the tunnel, I see another station coming up. Sometimes, the train would climb a small hill before pulling into a station, other times, it would run along a curved track, at which point you can hear the screetching wheels colliding with the tracks to make the journey into a bustling train port.All this happens day in and day out. So cool, so mysterious to the casual observer, and so interesting to a tech geek.

Posted by Baldwin at 01:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I ran to the beach with my eyes dialated from an eye dr appt. Squinting, i decide to jump in. A sea of choppiness was hiding the infrequent breaks showing up. Windy and foggy, but just another summer day in the bay area. I caught my first ride down the face and rode it pretty long. Fun ride! My brother was with me today as well. He was having trouble getting into waves, and his board would slip out from underneath him all the time. Not too sure what it was. We drifted north, allowing the current to push us to uncharted territories. I've never really gone north of the showers before. I got a few more rides there. One memorable ride was when I carved it back side, down the face. Notice, I did not say turn, but I don't think it would qualify as a turn. It was just a slow carve under I hit the soup. Then we proceeded to sit in the wrong place and was not able to catch anymore for the evening. I had a fun time, being that no swells were coming in , and it was blowing onshore and the sea was choppy.

Posted by Baldwin at 01:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sloppy combo of wind and ground swells todaybiggest ways to come through was about 5 foot, with me being on the outside holding onto my board for dear life. Timed the paddle out well, key is to be patient, made it out unscathed a few times. So cool!Rode some wash, rode the first one in from the outside, then took a while until I could paddle back out.Mellow vibe among jumbled madness. Continuous breaking whitewater, all afternoon long.Clear blue skys and nice weather, not much wind blowing.Watched the sun take it's nightly dip into the horizon. Great to witness such things that we take for granted.

Posted by Baldwin at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Two days in a row at the jetty. More maddness with closeout sets coming through. It wasn't as big as yesterday, but there was still some power. I was more comfortable there today, and actually paddled for a few waves. Not much stoke from the waves, but had a few small soup and one white water ride. didn't make it over the lip of one pending closeout, got smashed by it with impending force. Got smacked with my board after coming up from a wipeout, almost collided with a phantom board. Strong currents again were sucking everyone southwards. Some junkiness, but HMB held shape while LM was throwing madness at all who try to rush through the white fortress walls of whitewater.Good day, no showers, friendly and sparse crowd. I've been sitting two breaks down from the main one against the rocks. Will be a long time before attempting that, on a shortboard? I'm still learning to ride my log!But after this weekend at the jetty, I know I can handle a little more power now. Still terrifying, but was fun at the same time.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Finally tried a new surf spot. Shoulder high sectiony peaks with some small makeable corners, and many closeouts. I got pounded on the first outside wave that broke, cuz I didn't make it over the lip. It has a lot more force than what I am used to. South ward current, and some on shore winds. I went for one wave that just folded on top of me. I saw the water just fold over!!!!Not any real rides today. My brother made a nice drop and rode on his knees. Stokiness for him! I took some pounding, but was glad to be out there at a new spot.

Posted by Baldwin at 08:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I thought winter will be here in a 5 months. I forgot the winter pummeling I took last year. Today brought back memories of those times where I only had to punch through one last wall, but just couldn't do it. Progress huh? Any preconcieved notions of progress was wiped away as I tried for a playful whitewater ride, but to find the smile wiped away as I hit the shallow bottom on my ass!!! Fun though, still fun. People probably think, "How is getting pounded by 5 foot waves fun? I thought so!"No progress today. I decided to play in the white water and hope to catch some of the reforms that passed through. Met a new surf buddy today. That was my highlight of the day! Wave conditions:head high niceness if you can catch it,some closeout sets rolling through with no shoulder to rideI suck!

Posted by Baldwin at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After being denied the chance to get out all week, Saturday afternoon provided with decent non wind blown waves wich some decent power across the beach. I had a few good rides and one good wipeout. (I can call it that since it was really a wipeout). My great ride consisted of a wave which I rode in two forms; standing up and then as I though the ride was over, hopped onto my belly and the reform took over and I rode it into the beach on my belly. The wipe out was a little weird. I made the drop, but all of a sudden I see the nose dig into the water, and I was launched forward into a mild spin cycle. What happened? Not sure, if it happens more, then I can try to fix it.Not much real progress today, except that I realize I still suck, and will continue to suck for a while. I struck up a conversation with a complete newbie on the beach. She was stoked to be out there! I know how it feels. It was pretty foggy and somewhat choppy today. Some shifting peaks, a weak northward current, and a decent group of people out. All in all, a fun day, but tiring at the same time. I still need to work on those paddling muscles.see ya in the water

Posted by Baldwin at 02:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What makes 100%?From a strictly mathematical viewpoint it goes like this:What makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonderabout those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have allbeen to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. Howabout achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer thesequestions:If:A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z is represented as:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.Then:H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K8 + 1 + 18 + 4 + 23 + 15 + 18 + 11 = 98%And,K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E11 + 14 + 15 + 23 + 12 + 5 + 4 + 7 + 5 = 96%But,A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E1 + 20 + 20 + 9 + 20 + 21 + 4 + 5 = 100%And,B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T2 + 21 + 12 + 12 + 19 + 8 + 9 + 20 = 103%And, look how far ass-kissing will take you.A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G1 + 19 + 19 + 11 + 9 + 19 + 19 + 9 + 14 + 7 = 118%So, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while Hard Workand Knowledge will get you close and Attitude will get you there, it'sthe Bullshit and Ass-kissing that will put you over the top.

Posted by Baldwin at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here are a few things to think about that you probably have never thought about:Can you cry under water?How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?If money doesn't grow on trees then why do banks have branches?Since bread is square, then why is sandwich meat round?Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. . but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?Why does a round pizza come in a square box?What disease did cured ham actually have?How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?If you drink Pepsi at work in the Coke factory, will they fire you?Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty for Miss America?Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to see you naked anyway.If a 911 operator has a heart attack, whom does he/she call?Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet soup?Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out!"Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?When your photo is taken for your driver's license, why do they tell you to smile? If you are stopped by the police and asked for your license, are you going to be smiling?If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!What do you call male ballerinas?Can blind people see their dreams? Do they dream?If Wyle E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?Is Disney World the only people trap operated by a mouse?Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?Why did you just try singing the two songs above?Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Posted by Baldwin at 11:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I dashed out of work at 5 hoping to catch some waves before the onshore waves blow everything out. I should have trusted pacificwaverider, but my hopes outweighed some scientific wave and wind prediction model. As expected, LM was junky, blown out. You can make out a break but it might be a blown out wind peak.So we decided to drive further down to the jetty. What a difference 10 miles make. It was glassy, with a strong southward current, semi closeouts at low tide. By the time we got there, it was too late to suit up for some water time.I did figure out that if LM is blown out, the jetty could be a safer bet.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Went out with the massive weekend crowd today. There were some good waves to be had. I got a few of them, botched a bunch of them, and tried getting out of peoples way. Others in the water were not paying attention. Saw another seal, but perhaps it's the same one from yesterday, still cruising around. In terms of progress, I've been able to pick out peaks and recognize when they shift to other locations. It's like a grade schooler running after the kick ball after it gets launched in a direction you were not anticipating. I managed to botch rides I knew I could of had, from either being too far back on the board, or not paying attention when a nice 3 footer rolls right under you and breaks, with me saying "Shit, i just missed it." All in all, still a great time. Again, I surfed without booties today. No big deal, I actually like it more. Now, I really need to concentrate on trying to angle the takeoff and crank a turn out, so I am in front of the waves.Tomorrow calls for rain, but if it is not too big, of if I wake up before it starts, I headed back to the beach. Umm...my curiosity of other breaks are starting to run through my mind. Yeah right! I still suck major ass. I need to conquer the north end first.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

sunny and blue skies...screw the surf reports saying it was only 2 feet, there were some nice size on the outer bar, but I didn't sit far out enough to get it. the inner break was nice!caught three good rides today, by my standards cuz I sucksaw a small seal playing in the surfturned the board 90 degrees for the first time, but in white water, at the end of a ride,one ride included the drop, then some push from the reform...warm waterbrought 2 right foot booties with me,4 people out at most,I didn't sit at the correct location today,not much poundings...great session!

Posted by Baldwin at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last weekend in Vasona Park in Los Gatos, I bumped into a bunch of unfriendly, asshole bikers, who yell at everyone that crosses their path. One old fart was like "Lady, I'm passing on your left, move!" Well, maybe not that mean, but mean enough. Fuckers.While stumbling around downtown on my lunch break, I popped into a bicycle and snowboard shop. That is a weird combination. But anyways...i wanted to look for a Timbuk2 bag, which they didn't have. I saw a rack full of cycle clothing and those prices were off the charts! Biker shorts for 99 dollars. Get real...you could of bought thought at the blue light special at K-Mart when the latest heavy metal CD went on sale; as they were a promotional deal. The 80's...gotta love them.How do you spend 100 bucks on a pair of spandex? Oh, wait, they have padding! Big friggen deal, stuff a pillow down there!So, if I was a cyclist and was forced to buy a pair of barely there shorts which just makes you look like the bigger geek trotting down Nob Hill, I would yell at everyone too. Better yell at them before they make some type of joke! Ya know, gotta keep that mean biker image.

Posted by Baldwin at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Your Japanese Name Is...

Yoshiyuki Karasuma

Posted by Baldwin at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I think I have made some progress. Today I was able to catch two waves from the outside before it broke and rode it all the way in!First off, Edlyn came with me today. She just lounged around on the beach while I made a fool of myself out in the water. When I first jumped in, I wasn't able to catch much of anything. I don't think I was paying attention to where I sat and when I should start to go for a wave. It was pretty crowded too, when I got there. The crowd started to disappear by 5:30 ish, leaving a few of us to sit and wait for things to come by.I managed about 5 rides again.(I stopped counting today, cuz I was having fun on them) The first few where more on the white water breaking to aid my paddling types. They were fun though. I tried to turn on one of then, but couldn't muster the board to do anything.Finally, I paddled for the outside, and today I felt comfortable waiting for one of those to break. I saw another guy ride these and I was like, I think I will try. As he was paddling back out, he pointed to one that was coming, and I went for it. I popped up before there was much walling and rode it pretty far in!I caught another one like that to end the day!Stoke meter is starting to RISE!

Posted by Baldwin at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)