Rorschach.net

It’s been over three years since I’ve moved to San Diego. This morning was the first time I’ve ever surfed.

Oh, I’d like to say it was easy and fun and I’m a natural but the reality of it is much more mundane. Think about a slightly rounded slab of foam and fiberglass as wide as your shoulders and as tall as you are. Now lie down flat on it. Now put the whole thing in water and don’t tip over.

Most of my first time out was just finding my balance. I could blame it on the time (7 am on a Saturday) but mainly it was because I’m out of shape and a total newbie. So once you’re on the board then you have to move. This involves pulling yourself by your hands through the water (quaintly known as “paddling”). This will involve muscles you haven’t used before in your life.

Then there’s the whole art of catching a wave. I understand why there’s a whole language to waves (much like eskimos and snow) considering the variety. I am proud to say I was pushed towards shore by something other than my own paddling so I guess you could say I surfed.

But there was a real surfer out there this morning. He was thin but healthy. Looking like Sam Elliot in Road House with his hair down. He barely touched the water the whole time. He’d calmly kneel on his board (so that’s front to back balance not just side to side) dipping his long arms into the water to effortlessly paddle out. He’d catch every wave he wanted to walking back and forth on his board while shooting down the beach. As the momentum slowed he’d kneel back down and start the cycle over again.

I’ve got a way’s to go before I reach the Sam-Elliot-Zen mastery of surfing, but the morning was beautiful, the water was warm(ish) and I’ll be back to try again soon. Next time I might even catch a wave.

• Day after a 3 day weekend
• One of the brothers is moving into his new house
• Spotty attendance in the last few weeks
• Last one of May

Prognosis: not good. Please feel free to discuss in comments and pick a game for June.

Anyone want to help me do some multiplayer testing this weekend? If you’re willing to sit in front of your PC for a few hours this weekend playing a strategy game drop me a line.

Although I take my caffeine cold more often than not. I do prefer tea to coffee.

When I say “Herbal” you say “No Thanks”.

Sounds like the general concensus is to return to Call of Duty 4 for the month of May. Get your map pack downloaded and I’ll see you online around 8pm/6pm.

“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”

NIN’s latest album is for free, for realz. Music GET!