disconnected

Today I spent my lunch hour in Aldi carpark, watching the waves. I should have got in there. Three feet, clean, calm and sunny, and actually peeling for once. A handful out down beyond the baby waves of Towan. It was beautiful.

My initial reaction? Not to belt it back to my van, fight into my suitbootshoodrashyglovesplugs combo and race in, but just to stand and watch. How often do I do that? Rhetorical question. Never. Neverever. I live here, surf here and work here, so there's always something to be doing other than gawping like a tourist (best way to insult a local, tell them they look like a visitor).

What I did do, in fact, was drag out the iPhone and tweet. I had the urge to update my Facebook status as well, but then another set rolled in and I just watched it. I am always updating endless accounts wherever I go, mostly for work, but sometimes I don't want to. I just want to keep it to myself (and the crusty hanging off the railing next to me). This view and these 20 minutes of peace, chin resting on hands resting on fencepost, eyes resting on horizon, are mine, just mine.

Half-asleep in the sunshine, I idly thought about SUPpers (why, no really, why do they do it?), where bomb sets come from, and other questions that only occur to me when my fingers (cut-paste-tap-tap-slide) are forced to cease fidgeting, lulled by rare sunshine on rare unglovedness.

Then NatWest texted me to tell me my balance. Why do they call it balance when it's always sliding hellishly towards a Mines of Moria darkness? I was jacked back in. So I bought the Super Six in Aldi (RedLasering a few things as I went) and came back here to write a randomness. Now my cut-paste reflex is revving up, so I must get back to work.

…I should have got in there.

OceanDaze and Whoopsadaze

Two more ace surfs…one was at the Bay, and boy was it crowded - loads of spongers left over from the Wedge Air Jam, all DKing and paddling around people on the peak………anyway I had loadsa waves and one long left with a cutback and a re-entry as well as a few turns…it won't last but it's good!

Then Whoops last night, 'Don't even bother to check it Kat just get in there, you'll love it' and I did. Along with Lev and home, I just can't decide which is my favourite. Good surfers out there yest, good waves. Whoops teaches, but yesterday it just served them on a plate. Yum.

Also waiting to get paid so I can reserve myself a ticket for the OceanDaze festival in Sennen, a perfect end to the (so-called) summer. Going to be sick.

three lil things

Lovely morning on Fistral beach (though that Boxer was mad – why don't owners say sorry when their dog harrasses yours?). Found some sea glass.


These appeared from eBay, part of my Masked Ball outfit - the photo does not do them justice!

Got pooped on by a seagull, so it's my lucky day. (Er, no photo of this one.)

a few reasons i is quite happy today

lovely perfect surf
sunshiiiiiine
fun last weekend down south
more to come this weekend, north and south
been paid
am the Country Life centrefold (not seen it, sure it's hilarious)
being left to work in peace
scored tons of freelancing work
going to a birthday party tonight with my girls
goin' dancin' tomorrow night (and maybe sign painting?)
think have scored a new 5/4/3

Divers in a RIB.

Pednvounder, mind the nudies

aw, fanks

Best bit of spam ever received.

What the Welsh can do with sheep

This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen!

Snowy Newquay

Today is Imbolc, traditionally 'the quickening of the year', when winter first begins to lose power – not so much in Cornwall today! There is surf…but I'm not getting in it. Maybe tomorrow…

Vic Pool

Since building some new decking which leans further over the tram tracks, the Hotel Victoria has given the casual (trespassing?) surf-checker a better view of their (?) abandoned pool. Almost as big a waste of cliff-edge as the Aldi being built next door.

Doesn't it just make you dream of what you could do with it? Parties, training, and a fast-track to the waves…

what to do…

Hard to know what to do on the last day before Xmas when there're only three people in the office, and none of them making any pretence at actually doing any work…so here's the list of the things I have done…

• Surf check (8am).
• Stole toast from housemate.
• Poured Malteser fudge into a tub. Didn't set. Brother won't care.
• Surfed 2-3ft clean South Fistral. Three nice waves, a few rubbish ones. Paddlefest - can't bear all the neoprene. Love the earplugs – can't hear shit but the sound of my own breathing Vader-magnified, they're uncomfortable under a hood and they're yet another thing to remember, but as I no longer have to shake my head like an inbred puppy to dislodge water every time I surface, 'tis all good.
• Entered work approx. 1 hour late and dripping. Good going.
• Popped enough pills to keep me vertical for next few hours.
• Chatted with Steve about surf.
• Swiped pair of boardies out of eBay pile.
• Refused to take part in office cleaning rampage.
• Reset tide watch.
• Checked Facebook.
• Texted Laura re: missing her in the surf and her new Adams. Not jealous. Could not stand a boyfriend who bought me a surfboard for Xmas…
• Read +1, an odd but good skate/music/stuff mag. Pinched a few ideas.
• Went to charity shop for trashy novel.
• Went to Subway for trashy food. A Veggie Delight is apparently one of the lowest fat ones they do – no shit, it's got nothing in it. Then they ask if you want any salad. Better had, hadn't I? (Serves me right for going there.)
• Updated my about page – wrong text been on there for ages.
• Checked my balance. (Jesus' birthday is expensive. As are ale fests.)
• Listened to Jason Feast rave about his new fisheye.
• Listened to Rob talk about sharks in Cape Verde.
• Brushed teeth. Subway is yuk.
• Created a page for SurfGirl website. Think am turning into a hippy.
• Wondered if the boss would let us off even five minutes early :-(
• Made a few stars.

I am the master of frittering time away.

Where will it end?

I don't know what upsets me most.

Is the the blatant disregard for what might flatter oneself?
Is it the unimaginitiveness and ubiquitousness of these fucking hoodies in this town?
Is it the missing apostrophe?
Is it how much money No Worries are making off these things?
Is it ginger Mike?

At least she wasn't wearing fucking Crocs.

dry

Well, it's been just over two weeks out of the water and I'm SO DRY. I miss being in the ocean…but once this mad swell has died down I'll get in just for a paddle. No surfing for about another month though. I am worried that my fitness will vanish (especially with all the summer partying going on) so I have to get back on it after Glasto.

A cool thing:

Your Vitality type is... Your dominant Vitality type is Roots “Some see me as shy but I have hidden depths.” Roots people are: Artistic * sensitive * practical * idealistic * patient * structured * tenacious * profound thinkers * persistent * good at detail Element: Earth. You’re a Roots type… thoughtful Roots people are often creative and artistic. Think of the roots of a tree, how far they spread and how they provide strong foundations, structure and stability. You share many of those characteristics; you’re full of profound and far reaching thoughts. Capable of seeing through superficial reasons for things, you seek out the true cause and connections instead. You love silence and solitude and your interior world is of tremendous importance as you find great pleasure in reflection. You’re not a socialite but you are extremely loyal to the friends you do have. However, too much reflection can make others see you as daydreamer, your strong connection to the interior world can leave you easily hurt by others. You have a tendency towards stubbornness and you can become pessimistic which leads to worry. You may often experience insomnia as you lie awake brooding on the day and you can be inclined to depression. Roots people rebalance with uplifting herbs and by indulging their creative side. Life Coaching or counselling can help you focus on the positive. They optimise their Vitality by creating a peaceful environment where their efforts are appreciated and they are free to reflect and create.

madness

Check these two drunks, swimming in their underwear on Sunday morning!

And a foam-covered rock, because I like it.

storms leave surf

Storms are over, and there's surf!

It was big and crumbly at Fistral this morning, but surfable. The wind's dropped, it's the most miserable rainy grey day you've ever seen, but there are 2-3ft waves (yeah, and lots of closeouts) in the Bay.

I should be on it! But I left my gear at home. I didn't think it'd be any good…that'll teach me.

I didn't even bring my camera with me today. Other things are getting in the way, but I'll surf tomorrow.



Here's a pretty pink flower from St Mawgan churchyard, taken last weekend.

surfing is dangerous!

Gosh, better cut down on the elevator-ing as well.



From the superlative XKCD.com, via P

never enough

Ahhhhhhhhhh I know I'm lucky to get to surf at lunchtime but AN HOUR IS NOT ENOUGH! Not when it's blue sky, light winds, so many places to choose from, so few surfers in the crispy cold water, clean lines at all the spots, two foot to double overhead, shall I go eek or play it safe, why is there no-one in at Whoopsadowndasies, my favourite, why do I have to end up in the Bay again? Why is my first wave always the best - ah racing the wall and two clean lazyily drawn easy easy turns, like I actually know what I'm doing out here. A few straighthanders, I give those little dragons a talking to. Hot blonde boy and hot Irish boy start chatting in the lulls, always nice to have something to, er, spectate on…

Then a little visit from that nice Mole, looking like he's been hidden underground for a while with that facial growth! Telling us the Cribber may be 10ft tomorrow and there might be some tow action to watch, feast your eyes.

The whole coast is stoked, racing time and tides to get some. Be happy with what you can get, be it all day, just lunchtime, or waiting for the weekend.

I am happy now. But the office seems a strange, wrong place to be. There are waves out there!

Never enough, until next time.

yin yang

icanhascheezburger

i love yin yang (taijitu)

cuddles

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

arssssh-mallows

Check out Bent Objects

I don't want to nick his photo but tis really cool. In a weird way.

Sheep Poo Paper

Paper made from sheep poop! Love it! A really good environmentally sound idea executed in a super-cute way! Can you tell there's no surf? I'm getting really random.

Panties For Peace

Female activists are sending their knickers to Burmese embassies because 'Superstitious junta members believe that any contact with female undergarments - clean or dirty - will sap them of their power'

It's called 'Panties for Peace'. The website of the same name doesn't seem to work, but I think it's a damn good idea. The sight of my buttslings would rob anyone of their power. Especially if I'd been wearing them under my wetsuit, as sometimes happens when I forget my bikini.

Mwahaha.

Social Networking - try it before you slate it

Beth wrote:
So i don’t get the whole thrill of Myspace and Facebook….I guess I don’t personally feel the need to be more interconnected with the world, especially in such a non-personal way. Anyway, a good friend just moved away and keeps begging me to join Facebook so we can “keep in touch more easily”. So these are my questions….
#1 what is the big excitement with Facebook and Myspace anyway?
#2 am i justified in just thinking he is a lazy loser and if he can’t just pick up the phone why bother keeping in touch?

Sigh. No offence, but I think those who just dismiss social networking without at least exploring it are lazy losers…

People think it's not cool, like it's some kind of internet dating saddo thing to do. (PS I think internet dating’s stigma is greatly reduced anyway.) Just not true — there are so many different types of people on there, and so many things you can be on there for other than dating. And it's not just a popularity contest. Don't be a snob about it until you've tried it.

So here are some reasons MySpace and Facebook aren’t totally saddo…

Sharing lots of photos easily (I mean really easily!) without having to pay for hosting or know anything about websites. You can also share videos and blog your thoughts, again without having technical knowledge or signing up to different sites for different things.

Creating a profile for your career, for friends to see or just for fun without having to know anything about HTML — you just need basic internet skills. It's a plus that you will also learn more, and easily, if you so wish.

Fun and time-wasting. Yeah, there are a lot of truly bored people out there. Plus, we all need a break from the grindstone sometimes. At least a bit of networking is more productive than online gambling, gaming or porn…(I have nothing against porn ;-)

Gossip! My mate is pregnant and instead of emailing a few who'd tell another few, and I might hear about it a month later, everyone knows via Facebook and they've got lots of support from friends etc.

Casual contact. How many people can you afford the time and money to call every day/week? On Facebook you can just send a quick chatty heads up (or throw a sheep) to remind them you are thinking of them. I don't feel the need to be inter connected either, but it's nice when you do want it.

Who says it's non-personal? A mate might send me a 'gift' which is part of a private joke, and let me tell you you can get pretty personal on the comments sections or messaging! It's lovely to feel that someone is thinking of you even while you are interacting with work/internet stuff.

Friends Reunited. I've found old schoolmates and friends I don't really keep in touch that much but I like to see what they're up to now and again.

Career. It can be part of your portfolio, and here I include social media like Digg. I've found potential clients via Facebook, writing comps/mags/blogs to submit things to which will help my writing, freelancing and career. It doesn't all have to be fun and games, it really is what you make of it — that's the real beauty.

Connection. Single mothers stuck at home with little adult interaction, those who work from home, people off sick long-term, people on the other side of the world who can't spend hours on the internet updating loved ones. It's an easy way to reach out and feel part of things, plus you get to choose the things.

Social life. My fave bars invite me to events, so I don't need to wade through the non-applicable listings in the local rag. Mates arrange soirees in super-quick time. Someone hot might even get in touch (or at least you can laugh at the losers). If I lose a phone number (or my phone and all of them, as a mate did recently) or email address I can find it fast, or appeal for people to send them to me!


I'm going on (I do ;-). But why ask someone else what the appeal of MySpaz or Facebonk are — why not just check it out for a month or so? You can always abandon it or delete yourself — there are plenty of negatives to go with the positives (bacn, anyone?). Just don't annoy the thousands (probably millions, I don't know) of users of these kind of sites by asking what the point is in that slightly superior way.

big brother is watching me

Um. What part of outdoor-living, ocean-addicted, book-loving, non-tv-watching, slightly misanthropic (mwah) and rather shy did she not get from my website?!

From: "Sarah " <@endemoluk.com>
Date: 18 October 2007 12:42:04 BDT
To:
Subject: Big Brother
Hi,
I am working on Big Brother 9 and we are due to start our audition tour later this month. I discovered your website and wondered if Big Brother is something you might be interested in? [carries on for a while]
Best wishes
Sarah
Endemol UK

Radio Star

Anyone who knows me knows I hate, hate, hate talking on the phone, and that I'm quite shy. I used to be unable to walk into a shop to buy something because then I'd have to speak to the person on the till... I've made some leaps since then but I'll always avoid the spotlight. So having to do a phone interview on BBC Radio talking about surfing wasn't high on my list of must-dos this week, but I'm kind of stoked I stepped up to the challenge. I think I did okay. I don't know really, because I can't bear to listen to it again. However, some sliver of pride made me AudioHijack it, and if you want a good laugh, have a listen. (Also, I didn't want to be outdone by little sister in the exposure stakes - see the float. Ahem. I think I was outdone. I've never seen such exposure!)

(There's no video, just audio - this is just the only way we could figure out how to compress the audio without faffing!)

marshmallows and folded felt

or, water, clouds and light at sunset

A way, always there is one.

My little brother doesn't allow comments on his (password protected) blog. Spoilsport. However, insults must find a way, and like water finds a way, it is always downhill…

My Little Sister - Burlesque Dancer

I'm very proud.

morning

look, no hands!

bacn

Because everyone is having a bacn butty.

I iz more bord than u.

leafy

Another personality test and a good one. I'm a leafy type - I like to research, read, understand, gain knowledge. Also: 'Leafies are the most creative people on the planet and they approach every aspect of life with originality. Sometimes Leafies have extremist and nonconformist ideas. They're very interesting to listen to as they can spout details about everything under the sun. Generally, Leafies can't handle aggression and confrontation aimed at them. They can become very vulnerable to criticism. When a Leafy gets really stressed out or down, they tend to deal with it by staying at home and unplugging the phone.'

hermit crab

http://www.virgintrains-survey.co.uk/payoff-hermitcrab.html

My Destination Hotspot is: A youth hostel - anywhere difficult to get to.
You see any journey as a challenge - the more difficult the better.
You're in charge of all travel arrangements. You check and re-check everything obsessively, before providing everyone concerned with a detailed travel itinerary and a minute-by-minute timing schedule.
If you can't carry it on your back, it's not coming with you.
You're on first name terms with all the staff at your local Milletts.
Any journey is planned with military precision - the army could learn a thing or two from you.
Likelihoods:
Having ready access to a bar of Kendal Mint Cake.
92%
Your tan starts just above your sockline
77%
Your rucksack is bigger than your car
58%

Your favourite travel snap: One of you conquering anything.
Favourite travel outfit: Anything waterproof. And thermal.
Favourite mode of transport: Your feet.
Ideal travel companion: Bear Grylls.

beer

Six warm beers, one pot of cold water and ice, 2 cups of salt = cold beers in 3 minutes. So why doesn't sea water chill beers in 2 minutes? Well, I'll try it out anyway.

Can you tell I'm missing beer and seawater? Bacteria:

doga

Doga
Aww…and also, Americans are completely hatstand.

Super excited, have contacted the coach I want to coach and video me, please please don't be too expensive (but I know he's good). Trying out a quad for our wonderful summer waves, 9/10 shapers agree they kick ass. Credit card? Yep. Then Edenism for some hedonism, Rairbirds and Tom Middleton (alt Rootjoose and Aphex Twin).

darth doggie

Darth Doggie

You MUST watch this! It's the Furtle, but it's not. I'm sooo doing this with her when I can borrow a cam!

random

I want to grab that bit of the new Mac adverts where whatsisname says, “Hello, I'm a Mac,” and have my Mac say that when I boot it up, or wake it up. Can I do it? I'm sure I can. AudioHijack and that other utitily I can't remember the name of. Do I have the time to waste? Hmm.

I have such bad wetsuit rash I look like someone's been gnawing on my neck. I should be…etc.

Have decided to have more categories on here than just surfing and update it more. Just cos it's writing practice, not because anyone (important) reads it!

Fave new phrase - “I would wear his ass as a hat”