68: The speed of time
Posted: November 29, 2010 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in Life, Autumn, Earth, home, NaBloPoMo, nature, Photography, Spirit, travel, Walking, water | Tags: California, Mission Bay, San Diego, surfers, surfing 14 Comments
(Floating in Mission Bay.)
Every now and then time drifts by slowly, the day seeming to stretch out forever. On other occasions, it speeds right on by and you wonder what happened to the day.
(Riding the wave.)
It can be difficult to keep your balance on busy days. The waves of busy-ness can knock you over if you’re not paying attention.
(Tipping.)
I’m on my way out for my outdoor time. I’ve had a lot to do today to make up for lazing around all weekend and the day has flown by. I still have lots to do but need a break. Being outdoors will slow things down a little, allow me to regain my balance. It’s a nice day for a walk. Sunny again. And mild, with temps in the 50’s.
(Making a splash)
I’m posting now — before my walk — because I’m not sure I’ll have the time later. The next week or so is going to be a little hectic, I think. With one holiday just behind us and another coming up, I suspect time is going to speed right along at a merry pace.
I’m going to try to go with the flow and keep up as best I can. Hopefully I’ll have some things to share with you tomorrow from my walk today. I’m going to try adding an hour or two to my day by not being such a lazy slug in the mornings and getting up at a decent time. Sleeping in has become a mini-habit of late. I don’t regret it, but it is time to change that habit. I like early mornings, and getting up a little earlier will give me more time for my yoga practice and morning meditation. I don’t like to rush my way through those things.
Getting up a little earlier might also allow me more time for blogging. Priorities, you know? 😉
60: Sunsets, shadows, and silhouettes
Posted: November 21, 2010 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in art, Adventures in Life, Autumn, Earth, Fire, goals, home, NaBloPoMo, nature, Photography, travel, water, weather, yoga | Tags: beach, Diane Ackerman, quotes, Silhouette, sky, sunsets, surfing 10 Comments
(La Jolla sunset.)
You are standing in the sky. When we think of the sky, we tend to look up, but the sky actually begins at the earth. We walk through it, yell into it, rake leaves, wash the dog, and drive cars in it. We breathe it deep within us. With every breath, we inhale millions of molecules of sky, heat them briefly, and then exhale them back into the world.
~ Diane Ackerman
I read this quote last night and thought how cool that is: We live in and breathe the sky. I should think about that the next time I’m on an airplane and way up in the sky. It’s comforting in a way.
(Embarcadaro sunset)
My yoga practice this morning was lovely. Energizing, in a “I can feel the energy moving throughout” kind of way. Although there is something to be said for all of the poses (or asanas), tree pose (Vrksasana) was my favorite today. I was balanced and felt rooted to the earth while reaching up towards the sky.
(Surfing at sunset.)
Some days my balance isn’t as good and I almost topple over. Some days it’s really bad and I do topple over. Today I found my center, where the balance comes from.
(Wading.)
When we get back into the warmer months, I think I’ll move my mat and practice outside. I imagine it’s a wonderful thing, doing yoga outdoors.
(On the deck)
I’m going to spend my outdoor time at a soccer game later this afternoon. It should be fun. The weather will be nice (unseasonably warm again).
(Having dinner during the golden hour.)
I am stretching (s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g-!) for something to write about today. It’s one of those days when I seem to have lost my words.
(Sunlight and shadows on sand.)
So I think I’ll give up on the words and just post some photos. Maybe tomorrow I’ll feel more inspired to write. Today I just want to feel and luxuriate in the good energy of the day.
(Walking on sunshine.)
(Walking on sunshine II)
53: Sunday Signage San Diego Style
Posted: November 14, 2010 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in Life, Autumn, Fire, NaBloPoMo, nature, Photography, Sunday signage, travel, Walking, water, weather | Tags: California, Green Flash, Mission Beach, Pacific Ocean, rowing, San Diego, Signage, surfing 10 Comments
(The obligatory surfing shot from this morning.)
I spent a little time on Crystal Pier watching the surfers this morning. Looks like the waves were pretty good, but what do I know? I go by how many people are out there. The water was looking a little crowded in spots today.
Since it’s Sunday, I thought I’d bring you a few signs from my walks and adventures in Mission Beach and Pacific Beach.
Yesterday M and I finally (yay!) saw the famous Green Flash at sunset. I have to agree with M when he said it was more like a green squiggle. Unfortunately, my attempt to photograph it was a big FAIL. That’s okay. At least we got to see it. I enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie on the beach, too, when everyone cheered at the flash. It reminded me of watching the sunset on Key West, a ritual that draws quite a crowd each evening.
(What happens if you fall while skiing? Do you obey the sign and let yourself sink?)
This morning we were up early to go to Ski Beach to attend the San Diego Fall Rowing Classic. Because we’re weird that way. Any other couple would probably be doing the touristy stuff. Not us. Nope. We go to Portuguese parades and rowing competitions and pipe organ concerts in the park. (Actually, I think we’re going to miss the pipe organ concert because M probably won’t be able to fit it in this afternoon.)
(Refereeing the rowers and recreational boaters.)
To be honest, I like that we do this sort of thing. It’s the first time I’ve seen a rowing competition. Rowing looks like fun. And hard work.
(Rowing, with the city of San Diego in the background.)
I’m just back from a long walk. I need all the exercise I can get. We have been eating a lot of good food, most of it of the healthful variety but still a goodly amount of calories. I need to burn some of them off before we eat out again tonight.
(A good thing to do before stepping out into traffic.)
After lunch I’m off for another walk and then an hour or two of sitting on the beach, relaxing, maybe reading a page or two of the book I’ll carry with me.
(A view from Ski Beach this morning.)
(Graffiti on Joe’s Crab Shack.)
I’m not sure what the rest of the day holds in store. Depends on what M wants to do. The only plan I know of is to sit on the beach and watch the sunset.
(Volleyball net post.)
For those inquiring minds that want to know, a little trivia about today’s weather, tides, and Mission Beach:
- It is sunny with a few high, thin clouds that seem to be burning off. Today’s high is expected to be around 74 degrees. It’s not nearly as windy as it has been the past few days, making it seem much warmer.
- Low tide was at 10:23am. (Next low tide is at 11:53pm.) High tide will occur at 5:04pm.
- Water temperature is 60-63 degrees (F).
- Surf is 2-3 feet high.
- Sunrise was at 6:18am. Sunset will occur at 4:48pm.
- The community of Mission Beach is built on a sandbar between Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the city of San Diego.
52: Scenes from San Diego
Posted: November 13, 2010 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in art, Adventures in Life, Autumn, food, NaBloPoMo, nature, Photography, travel, Vacation, Walking, wandering, weather | Tags: boogie boarding, California, Pacific Beach, Pacific Ocean, parade, San Diego, Souplantation, surfing 18 Comments
(Is this one of the Happy Cows of California??)
Most of these photos were taken in Mission Beach or Pacific Beach. I might mix in a few from the city, depending on where I go with this. (I almost never know where a blog post will take me.) The cow pictured above was on the porch of one of the houses/condos on the bay side. I have seen similar cows in Ohio but never expected to see one here in a beach setting. It just goes to show you that there may be some truth in advertising. The cows of the Midwest really are trying to move to sunny California.
(A Pacific Beach mermaid.)
It’s another gorgeous day. I hear I have Christina to thank for that. She ordered in a week’s worth of lovely weather just for us. We’ll be getting together on Wednesday so I can thank her in person. In the meantime, thank you so much, Christina, for the mild Santa Ana winds that are making this perfect beach weather.
(Beachfront fortress.)
We had dinner last night at The Fish Market and lunch today with the parents of a friend at the Souplantation. I wish (I wish! I wish!) they would open up a Souplantation in our area. They have such a wide variety of veggies to choose from on their salad bar, the soups are always delicious, and the Focaccia breads are freshly baked.
(Bird of Paradise)
This morning we went to Point Loma for a parade.
The parade took place on the Avenida de Portugal. It was the 7th Annual Festival Das Bandas (Festival of Bands). 14 bands playing Portuguese music marched down the Avenida de Portugal to the United Portuguese Hall where they held a concert. It was a short parade route. Only 2 blocks long.
In case you’re wondering, neither of us are Portuguese or know anything about Portuguese music. We just thought it would be interesting and fun.
We were a little under-dressed for the occasion. Almost everyone there was dressed as if for church or some other important event (women in dresses and high heels, many of the men in suits or, at the least, dress slacks, shirt and tie).
This is one of my favorite shots from the parade:
See those little guys lying on the platform? Here’s a close-up:
The one guy in front looks so serious!
M has gone to the conference he’s here to attend. I went out to the beach for a little while. I took a book but didn’t do much reading. I was busy watching the surfers and boogie boarders and just enjoying the sun and surf.
Maybe next time I’ll be able to take those surf lessons. If not, it might be time to go boogie boarding.
That’s something I’m sure I can do. It’s only a matter of getting up the nerve to put on a wet suit. The Pacific Ocean is cold.
51: Here and there
Posted: November 12, 2010 Filed under: 365 Life in the Bogs Challenge, Adventures in Life, Earth, goals, home, NaBloPoMo, nature, Photography, pond, Spirit, travel, Walking, wandering, water, weather | Tags: Crystal Pier, fog, frost, San Diego, Seaport Village, Southern California, surfing 7 Comments
(Morning fog at the back of the pond.)
I put these photos aside in case I didn’t have time to upload or post photos during our first few days in San Diego. They were taken the morning of the frosted spider webs. I thought about leaving them for another time but today seems like a good day as they are quite a contrast to this morning’s walk on the beach.
(Sunrise this morning on Oceanfront Walk.)
It hardly seems fair, though, to contrast the two since they are so different. There is beauty to be found in the Bogs as well as here in southern California.
(The world looks almost black & white in the fog.)
Getting in my daily outdoor time here will be no problem. I spend most of the day outdoors when at the beach, any beach. It’s hard to believe I’m already more than 50 days into my outdoor commitment. Time flies when you’re having fun.
(Sunrise pastels)
M and I were up very early this morning, having gone to bed very early last night. We made it to about 8pm and then couldn’t stay awake anymore. I was awake and ready to go at 4:30am. I’m thinking I might as well stay pretty much on eastern time. I like the early morning hours. It’s a peaceful time of day.
(Lightly fogged woods.)
M and I took a walk together before he had to go to the conference he’s attending. Once he left, I went out for another walk, getting in about 5 miles all together before 9:00am. Pretty good mileage.
(Birds of a feather flocking together.)
One of my favorite things to do here is to watch the surfers. Some of you may recall that I was going to take surf lessons this time around. Unfortunately, I didn’t develop the appropriate strength and flexibility needed.
(Frosted meadow.)
I walked up to the Crystal Pier in PB (Pacific Beach) and watched the surfers from there. It was a great morning for it.
(View from Crystal Pier this morning.)
As you can see, it was sunny and clear. It was a little chillier than I was expecting, mostly because there is a good strong breeze blowing.
(Walking into the fog.)
I’m off to Seaport Village to do a little shopping. Maybe. Maybe I’ll just look around for a while. I usually don’t buy much there. I like to walk out by the water and look at the kites. It’s a good day for kite flying.
M and I had lunch together and he’ll be going back to the conference for a few hours. Then we’ll meet up for dinner. I won’t be here at the beach for sunset but might catch it over there somewhere.
(Surfing into the sun.)
In my dreams
Posted: January 27, 2010 Filed under: Adventures in Life, exercise, goals, home, Photography, snow, Spirit, The Bucket List, travel, weather | Tags: Pacific Beach, San Diego, surfing 12 Comments
Last night I dreamed that I ran a marathon (and managed to complete it!). That was followed by a dream in which I was chain smoking. I’m glad I ran the marathon first. I might not have been able to do it after all that smoking.
Nighttime dreams aside, I have decided to try to fulfill one of my lifetime dreams. I’m going to take surf lessons the next time we go to San Diego. We’ll be going later this year so that gives me plenty of time to get in shape because apparently you need to be in good shape if you want to surf.
I bought a Core Disk (GoFit Core Disk and Training DVD
Push-ups are the number one exercise. I’m okay at the girly type of push-ups but they aren’t mentioned at all so I take that to mean I need to man-up and do real push-ups. I managed four very shaky ones this morning. That’s better than none, but the author of the book recommends that you “build up to doing three or four sets of 20 reps three days per week.”
Yikes.
Well, four is better than none and it’s a start.
In other news…
(Yesterday morning.)
Winter has returned to the Bogs. The rain and warm temperatures have departed. Snow, cold, and wind have returned. No surprises there.
(Yesterday afternoon.)
Morning walk
Posted: May 5, 2008 Filed under: Photographers and Other Photography-related People & Websites, Spring, travel, Walking | Tags: San Diego, surfing 1 Comment
(Father and son with boogie boards. Mission Beach. April 2008. © Robin)
If you know me well enough, you’ll know that one of my favorite activities is watching the surfers. One of these days I’ll stop watching and take a few lessons. In the meantime, here are a few photos I took while out for a morning walk.
(Early morning surfing. Mission Beach. April 2008. © Robin)
Life in the Bogs 