I moved to Half Moon Bay on the 11th but I feel that 1 beach day really isn't enough. I'm still unloading boxes and I've been gravitating towards IKEA, Safeway, Bay Books (I'm a serious bookie) and the Ace Hardware/Lumber store. I am going to devote myself and my red sticker encrusted bike to take me exploring soon and see what this town has to offer. 

I think once the majority of the mess is sorted out, I am going to head out and go surfing daily. I am looking for a place to safely ride my bike that doesn't involve Highway 1 and the coastside trail seems to be a little broken or I'm just not understanding the continuity of how the trail system here works. 

So far Joe's seems to be the place to eat yet I have fond tourist memories of eating at Cameron's.. I am quickly finding out that food and gasoline are really expensive in this tiny town. 

My bedroom is literally half the size of my old room so I am glad that IKEA is close by so I can replace big bulky stuff with space saving shelves, a folding desk and more.. I refuse to sacrifice my surfboards. This is an interesting test of my imaginative skills as well as my construction abilities in other aspects as I measure, alter and build things that will create a lot of little. 

Beach combing has provided some shells although I imagine I should go much earlier. I wonder what beaches would be best for a metal detector? I think I have a lot of questions and time will provide the answers so for right now, I can wake up without a Central Valley allergy crisis or bloody nose.. breathe in the fresh sea breeze and smile hard knowing that my one true love, the ocean is nearby. 

I realized that I'm mathematically challenged in some regard so I changed my major from Oceanography to Global Studies and it has been a wise decision for me. 

I'm currently watching Whale Rider and I really feel for Paikea and her father for different reasons. Paikea isn't wanted and feels different by anyone and her father experienced the loss of someone he loved deeply and it kind of seriously messed up his life too. I sadly, exhibit both of these traits and I'm crawling back uphill with little idea if I'm going to ever fit in anywhere or if I'll find love again. I don't want to get used to the idea of loneliness so I'll keep myself out in the world but it's truly hard for me sometimes. 

I know who I am and where I am going, I just understand that no one can see that so I expect to remain single for a long time and I'm okay with that. I just have to give my heart to those who never had the things that I can be thankful for so I've decided to work for the Surfrider Foundation, get whatever job I can get and be a big brother to some kid who never had the chances I've had. I see this as the best thing for me right now while I continually work on not just being the best person I can be but... 

I never knew independence even when I had an apartment of my own.. I always had strings because of my medical condition. It may sound grim but there have been days where I wanted to just walk off and if I need another operation, I'd sooner die than accept any more help.. I just hate that my life had to be tied to someone so I am doing what I can to be independent and away from all that I've known.. I may even move out of the country completely someday. Naturally, this may just be a feeling in the present but it's recurring and I'm at my happiest when I am in other countries or surfing alone. It's odd really, I just don't know. 

I have lofty goals, I always have but now they're in focus. I thought being an EMT after my fiance's death would reconcile the pain I felt in my heart but it got worse. I chose to salvage a failing relationship by becoming an Electrician to no avail but after watching my sister's mission trip slideshow.. I realized that I wanted to be a part of that.. not the religious aspect but the helping people because I want to part (and she's really not my sister, I just hold a place in my heart for her as a sister). Global Studies sure, but I dream of working for the UN or some other organization directly tied to helping humanity or the planet in some way. 

Well, back to the movie.. let the waterworks begin. 

I'm trying to sell my concert bass so I can find something portable again.. ie. a Classical Guitar. I went to the local music shop and I learned it's closing down so perhaps this is a good time to be bummed since it truly is the only shop in the area. I will keep trying and hopefully I can find a Rockabilly band that needs a bass so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I can hear Segovia playing and it's just getting worse..

(update: 1/9/12) I've traded it for some surfboards.

I'm heading up to the SF Bay Area for New Years. I guess I have nothing left to say but that :D

I love volunteerism and here's an event being hosted by the San Mateo County chapter of the Surfrider foundation. I will be bringing my surfboard so if you want to learn let me know, I'm always down to teach people. I will also be on staff during this cleanup.

Event info below:

Join the San Mateo County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and the LIVE 105 Action Team for California Coastal Cleanup Day 2009, Saturday September 19th from 9am-12noon at Francis State Beach in Half Moon Bay. This year, the Surfrider Foundation and California Coastal Cleanup Day celebrate 25 years of protecting and restoring our beautiful California beaches and waterways.

All volunteers must check in at the Surfrider table and sign a liability waiver. Those who are under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign for them. Two forms must be signed, one for the Surfrider Foundation and the other for CA Coastal Cleanup Day. Pre-registration is not required unless you have a group of ten or more participants. Please email cleanbeaches@driftingsand.com to obtain liability waiver forms in advance.

After the cleanup, we will have cool prizes for you, including the latest CDs from The Offspring and Manchester Orchestra courtesy LIVE 105 and Jack Johnson, India Arie, Owl City and more courtesy Universal Republic Records. Plus, the LIVE 105 Action Team will quench your thirst with PRE Probiotic Enhancer drinks!

We will provide garbage bags and gloves (but feel free to bring your own if you like) and we suggest wearing comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes and sunscreen. We will also ask you to fill out data cards so we can get an exact summary of the trash collected.

Francis State Beach is located at the end of Kelly Avenue (just south of the Highway 1 / 92 intersection) in Half Moon Bay. Here is the address if you want to mapquest for directions: 95 Kelly Ave, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019-1627

Thanks for cleaning up our beaches on California Coastal Cleanup Day 2009!

Surfrider 25th Anniversary

Surfer Spud
Beach Cleanup Coordinator
San Mateo County Chapter
SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

Contact: cleanbeaches@driftingsand.com