SILLY LOVE SONGS...

You think the world would have had enough of silly love songs... I look around me, and I see it isn't so - Paul McCartney

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - The Dalai Lama

This seems like really good advice.. So keeping with the Dalai Lama's sage advice, I have used this reckless abandon approach, and accidently fallen completely in love with this absolutly perfect woman. Who's going to argue with Paul McCartney?? So, Jenny, who btw, is quite reckless in the kitchen, this Reckless Love Song is for you.. Now, I am not going to sit here and say my singing or playing is all that great but, I loved writing this song, and it feels really good to sing... and that's what counts! Who really knows what I'm thinking, but there only so many words that rhyme with life.

However... Love Kamakaze and Keepin' it Natural by Michael Franti are really great songs.. So stay tuned..

Regular bloggers... I will try to get back to my usual rambling blogging as soon as possible.

LOVE KAMIKAZE...

Michael Franti... The lost sex singles album..

JUST TAKE A MOMENT...

I just happened to visit La Conchita today checking on a rental for a friend.. I realized that it is the one year anniversary of the Slide.. I was surfing Rincon a few days after the slide, and it had just really begun to clear up down here. There was a beautiful rainbow that came out and just came straight down in the middle of La Conchita. It was pretty magnificent... and some sort sign from above.. a good sign!

I hope everyone takes that the right way,

don


Music By Ben Harper... In the Lords arms

You could steal the download at my podcast station.. Buy it at iTunes, or make a Donation to La Conchita.. Or just do what feels right to you..

iTunes

La Conchita

SUBJECT: SURF FORECAST(Tue) NW BARING DOWN ON COAST...

It is big again today and, it's suppose to even bigger tomorrow. It's still not as big as Big Wednesday, but then tomorrow will be Wednesday again, so who knows?? Here are some pics of Pitas Point in Ventura County. That is Chris Malloy in the photo getting set to paddle out. Of course, as usual the pictures don't do it justice as far as the size or power.. Plus, Chris is a world famous pro surfer who surfs waves way, way, bigger than this anyway...

However... it was refreshing to see him just get completely worked over, paddling out there.. The difference is when he gets worked, he comes up, and paddles even harder, kind of like the energizer bunny, he just keeps going, and going, and going, until he's outside. When I get worked, I think, fuck, do I really even want to get out there? I then drift swiftly with the current south until maybe there is a lull in the action, and I make it. That is exactly what happened to the guy paddling out right before Chris. Jumped off the rocks, made a good solid effort, to get out, and quickly disappeared with the current, out of sight to the south.

Well, Chris seemed to make it out pretty easily, and did not get swept quickly to the south but, he was paddling his ass off!!! Paddling your ass off sounds like a great idea, and is often the only option available but, the problem with paddling your ass off is... You run out of breath. Now, I quit smoking, One year, three months, three days, 20 hours, 27 minutes and 48 seconds. I have avoided smoking 15175 cigarettes, and have saved $3,756.18, have no idea where the money is, and still run out of breath...

Some of you may know exactly what I mean but, if you don't, picture this.. Imagine someone is chasing you... Now run as fast as you possibly can, keep running, now swallow some salt water, ok, keep running, faster.. are you out of breath yet?? good, keep running... OK, here's the wave.. now try to push yourself, and that piece of high price flotation equipment, underneath a fifteen foot tall wall of churning, spinning, explosive, frothing, water and foam...

Did you make it? Of course not. You were blown completely off your board, thus losing your only connection with, which way is up, relaxx.. Wait a bit, and it will release you as you crawl through air, foam, and water, to the surface. Did your leash break? No.. Too bad, otherwise you could have proudly swam in towards the rocks and get the hell out of there. It didn't break so.. quick get on your board and... START PADDLING YOUR ASS OFF!!!



So, there were only two guys out at Pitas when I was there. Not counting the two guys who were swept quickly to the south, out of site. Lot's of cool looking surfer dudes were checking it out, and then sheepishly driving away. Pussies!! It is too bad I did not have my board in the van, or I would have paddled out there for sure.

Instead, I ended up at Miramar Beach today, a place known for it's small longboardingish style waves. It was freaking pretty big there! Sorry Mike... I called my brother and told him it looked just.. OK. So he shined it. But as soon as I got out there, I was catching the best waves I've had since, hmmm, last week. It doesn't break with the power of Pitas, but it did have plenty of good sized, overhead sets rolling through, a friendly crowd, and the by far the best waves I have ever surfed there...

WELCOME TO OXNARD...

Surf Quiz
Are you A short boarder or long boarder?	Any board will do...
Are you Goofy or Regular?	Regular
Which way do you prefer to surf, left or right?	Right hand points..
What has been your perfect surf day so far?	December 22, 2005 El Capitan
Do you surf alone or use the buddy system?	Your always alone anyway...
What kind of board do you have?	16 to choose from..
Surf Station or Blue Sky?	What?? Blue Sky..
Where do you usually surf?	Rincon Del Mar
Whats more scary, sharks or dolphins?	White Sharks
Whats the main question you ask in the line-up?	How's it going?
What kind of wax do you use?	SexWax
Would you rather be in double overhead water goin on 10ft waves or thigh high water on 1 ft waves?	Any wave will do...
Do you like winter or summer surfing better?	Winter
Do you rock your wetty?	Yes
Do you like wearing your wetty?	Yes
Do you wear a swim suit or baggies with it?	No
Have you ever not worn a swim suit or baggies with your wetty?	What???
Who is one sufer you would like to meet and get lessons from?	Greenough
Where would you rather go, Hawaii or California?	Hawaii but,I like it right here just fine..
Have you ever seen a shark in the line-up?	Not a big one
Have you ever started your own line-up?	Yes
Do you dream about surfing?	Sometimes
What would be your dream board?	I would like another 7'0 Vaquero please
Have you ever competed?	No
Do you like competing or free surf better?	Free
Where would you most like to surf when you get older?	I am old
Do you want to go pro?	Golf? I guess I should start playing
How much do you surf ever week?	3-6 days
What would be your PERFECT day of surfing be like?	Overhead El Capitan with just a few friends...
CREATE YOUR OWN! - or - GET PAID TO TAKE SURVEYS!

HAPPY NEW YEARS...

Tashi Delek! Good Fortunes and Happiness,

When I was up in Portland, I had the chance to meet a Tibetan by the name of Jampa Nyendak Lathsang.. I have kind of been following the Dali Lama and generally find his views and a lot of eastern views, refreshing compared to that of western "red" states way of thinking. Anyway.. Kalie has recently become involved with Students for a Free Tibet, so when Laura told me of a Tibetan Gift Shop, I knew I had to go. I did find some great gifts for Kalie, and I came home with a really nice knit beanie from Nepal and these New Years Prayer Flags...

Well.. I had a nice New Years Eve and dinner with the Tebo family. Greg, Julie, and the kids, Samantha, Dustin, and Annie, and Greg's Dad, and Mom. These are my old neighbors in Oxnard Shores, and even though my kids still live aboout ten minutes from them, they rarely get together. But, for some reason we always seem to make it on New Years and the Fourth of July??? It was great to see everyone. But, I cut out about 10:00 to beat the drunks and the cops, went home and probably fell asleep around 11:00. So... I guess I woke up this New Years Day, feeling a little lonely, and sad. Yes, I still have my cat, Clyde, but he really doesn't like to be touched on the paws, ouch! Then I remembered the prayer flags...

Not really knowing what the proper rituals are, I just figured I would go ahead and wing it.. So I put on my Tibetan Incantations CD, another cool gift from JNL Tibetan Gift Shop. I didn't have any incense but, I like the smell burning sage better anyway, and hung up the flags in pretty much to only place they would fit in my humble abode. So, I am going to take about fifteen minutes right now, and mediatate to the rain and music.. You can do the same if you would like...

Ok.. I made a little tea, and I'm back. I hope you had a good meditation! So, anyway the prayer flags hang directy above my couch, and below my favorite surfboard, so that's probably a good thing? Hmmm.. the music has switched to some mellow Hawaiian music but, that's another culture I can relate to just fine, so I think I'll let it play...

The flags are up and flying... now what???



The flags from left to right are in a sequence of Blue for Sky, White for Cloud, Red for Fire, Green for Water, Yellow for Earth. Then, repeating again two more times, with a Special Blank Turquoise Flag on the very end. More on that one later. On each flag the line in Tibetan says, "Wish you a very Happy New Year"

Now the first thing to consider is, this is not the Tibetan New Year! Opps.. Secondly, there are days when you "should not" hang prayer flags. Fortunatly, this is not one of them. Another good thing for do it yourself prayer flag hangers, is the offering ends with the practitioners asking the deities to forgive them for any mistakes in the performance of the ritual, such as improperly or incompletely reciting the words of the text. So that's helpful also when you are winging it...

First New Years Flag, Blue with White Ink
The first flag has "Tagye Bhumsug" It is the 8 Tibetan auspicious symbols in "Bhumpa" The Great Treasure Vase. It stands for prosperity, luck and harmony. At the sides are the "7 Jewels of Royal Power" symbols in circular border, forming a V shape. Below the artwork is short prayer...

"May each day come unveil new reasons to explore many a brighter horizon, and the various joys of life"

Second New Years Flag, White with Black Ink
The second flag has "Doyon Nyenga" The Five Qualities of Enjoyment represent characteristics which, when they come into contact with our senses, give rise to craving.

1. Mirror is a symbol for visual form,
2. Lute for sound,
3. Incense Burner - for smell,
4. Fruit for taste and
5. Silk for touch.

In offering these qualities, one meditates on their nature and the intention of abandoning craving. It symbolizes the fulfillment of all wishes, brings happiness, prosperity and good fortune. At the sides are the 7 jewels of royal power symbols in circular border, forming a V shape. Below the artwork is short prayer and wish...

"May this New Years be of possibilities as endless as the sky... and a chance to meet new challenges in everything you try"

Third New Years Flag, Red with Gold Ink
The flag contains 2 horses facing each other with the flaming jewel in the center. The horses represent transformation of misfortune to good fortune, from baleful portents to auspicious signs and from poverty to prosperity. The "flaming jewel" symbolizes wealth and unfolding power and possibility. Below the art work is a very short prayer and wish, which reads...

"Wishing you a very happy and prosperous New Year (LOSAR) and may your luck and fortune prosper."

Fourth New Years Flag, Green with White Ink
The fourth flag also has... "Tagye Bhumsug" and the 7 Jewels of Royal Power Symbols. It is similar to the 1st Flag but the wishes and prayers are different...

"Hope this New Year brings the brightest moments for you, along with peace, contentment, and the best of everything, to last the whole year through"

Fifth New Year Flag, Yellow with Black Ink
The fifth flag like the second has "Doyon Nyenga" The Five Qualities of Enjoyment represent characteristics which, when they come into contact with our senses, give rise to craving. It is simalar to the second flag with this different prayer and wish...

"Just like the petals of a beautiful flower, may special joys of contentment unfold for you, day after day, not only at New Years, but always"

The Last New Years Flag... Turquoise with Silver Ink
The flag contains the 4 dignities in the four corners. The tiger roams in the forest and symbolizes the "wood" or "air" element (in a sense a dynamic energy that makes a tree grow). The snow lion ranges on the mountains and symbolizes the "earth" element. The garuda (khyung) soars high in the sky with flames emanating from its horns symbolizing the "fire" element. The dragon as per legends lives in the sea and symbolizes the "water" element.

The last flag is a special blank flag to be filled with your own prayers and wishes for the New Year.. Here is mine...

"May we all be blessed with childrens eyes.. to see the beauty, wonder, and amazement, occuring in our everday lives. Free of judgement, and open to all the possibilities of the world"

If you would like to leave your own wishes or prayers in the comments, that would be awesome... Otherwise, everyone have a great new year!!!

don...

If you would like to learn more about the 7 Jewels of Royal Power, or why I didn't have to take my Flags down check out:

History of Tibetan Prayer Flags