Bi-Polar...

I love living at the beach. I really do.

Sitting in our beach chairs, watching the ballerinas play in the ocean, there isn't a beach day that goes by where BSD and I don't turn to each other and say, "How lucky are we?!?!"

It's a lifestyle. An easy-going, laid-back way of living. It fits. And I love it.

But...

every now and then...

I miss the snow.

I know. Shoot me.

I grew up in New York. And went to college in Vermont. I know snow. I know the dirty, slushy mess it leaves inside the front door. I know scraping the windshield in the frigid temperatures. I know about black ice. And sliding off the road. Tapping the brakes gently like I was taught. To no avail.

I know better.

But then I get these damn Sundance catalogs and all that I know. And have. Goes out the window.

 

I want to be that girl. Looking so cozy and chic at the top of a snowy mountain.

 

Romping around in my cute, fur-lined Sorels. 

 

Snowshoeing with a big, slobbery St. Bernard. And dressing like an adult version of Cindy Lou Who.

Yes. I miss the snow. And the mountains.

Damn you, Robert Redford.

Hurry up and send me the summer catalog.

Surf Chicks

I know it's October, but there are still those two summer events that I have yet to document. I really need to get them posted before I can move onto pumpkins and sweaters and boots. If you're completely over swimsuits and sunshine, I apologize upfront for this annoying reminder.

This summer BSD resurrected his surf camp. When the neighborhood kids were all younger, BSD took them out in pairs and taught them all to surf.  This was the group in 2005. Just to give you a bit of perspective, the boy directly behind BSD holding the board is now a senior in high school. Boy, how time flies!

The boys above are now all very proficient surfers. So this year surf camp was just BB and her friend, S.

Surf camp always starts off early in the morning with a nutritious breakfast.

So that campers are strong enough to carry their own board.

They learn to survey the ocean to decide if it's safe to go out.

Some days the waves just don't cooperate.

And some days they do.

This year the girls were able to paddle into their own waves without help from BSD. 

So now there can be more days like this.

Yes. Both BB and her friend, S earned their diplomas. They are officially "Surf Chicks" now. And to celebrate we ended the week with a sunset dinner on the beach.

The Big Ballerina may have earned her diploma. But we still have one more ballerina to go. Somehow I don't think it will be long now though.

A Fair Trade...

I've mentioned many times that BSD makes surfboards. Old news. But the best thing about this hobby of his is his desire to have nice photos of the boards he makes.

And since his skillz as a photographer are not as mad as his skillz as a shaper. He comes to moi. And when he does. I make him do things like this...

And this...

And this...

When what he really wants is just a photo like this...

or this...

or this...

 

Those last three photos are so much cooler to him than the first three. I, on the other hand, would have rather opened up the lens more. A little more DOF would be my preference. But after a few "vision" difference of opinion "discussions," I've learned to just close down the lens to showcase more of the board's details.

In the end, it's a win-win. He gets to show off his boards. And I get to have a semi-willing model. And I think he makes a pretty darn good model at that. 

The icing on the cake? When I say I need a new lens, he's right on board.

Note: This is not a surfboard. It's called a paipo. It's like a boogie board on steroids. Made just like a surfboard but meant for riding the waves on your knees or your belly. Someone from the west coast contacted BSD to make it for him.

Ohana means nobody gets left behind...

I've mentioned before that BSD was born in Hawaii. Of two haoles. Whom I'm not sure can even swim. Yet in his mind. This is BSD's family.

When we were dating. And relatively young. And living on the North Shore. BSD never missed a paddleboard race. He'd see that race posted on the bulletin board at Foodland and he was always the first one to turn in his registration form. The opportunity to paddle among pro surfers. To get a t-shirt with an "official" Da Hui logo. Not one of the "fake" ones you could buy in a surf shop. Gave him such a major woody.

To his credit, these races were pretty hard core. Paddling from Sunset Beach to Waimea Bay. While laying face down on a massive surfboard. For four miles. Often in some pretty choppy seas. Was not an easy task. BSD definitely earned those t-shirts. And wore them proudly.

Now remember, we were dating at the time. Which means you do things you wouldn't normally do. Just to impress your date. See where this is going?

Yes. I did. I signed up to paddle in one of these races with BSD. Me. The non-surfing, non-ocean swimming girl from New York. We drove down to Waikiki and BSD rented me the longest surfboard he could find. He was such a sport. He stayed by my side the entire time. Even as every last entrant paddled by us. I know he was chomping at the bit to get on with the race. Yet he patiently paddled beside me. Cheering me on.

After many grueling hours. OK, maybe about one mile into the course. Water safety rode up on his jet ski. Told us I was drifting too far out to sea. Then towed me to within yards of the finish line.

I paddled the last few lengths to the finish. Ran the 100 yards up the beach through the chute. Got my tshirt. And sat. Waiting for BSD to paddle the rest of the course. Poor BSD. I'm pretty sure he came in dead last. But he didn't care. He still got his tshirt. And he wore it proudly.

I never wore mine. Never felt worthy. We still have it. It's packed up in a box in the attic. Along with BSD's other race tshirts that he has since retired. So...ballerinas. When we're gone. And you're going through our old things. Keep your eye out for that box of tshirts. They meant a lot to your dear old dad.

Fast forward...15 years? BSD now sponsers his own version of Da Hui's North Shore paddleboard race. On August 21st, the third annual race will take place here in Virginia Beach. Some people will paddle the traditional prone style. Some will stand up and actually use a paddle. And this year there will even be a few kayaks. There will be handmade trophies. A custom made surfboard raffled off. And tshirts. Of course.

The Big Ballerina will be paddling a special new board.

Styled after a traditional prone paddleboard.

Complete with a fancy water bottle and chin rest.

A board made especially for her.

By her dear old dad.

As for me. We're not dating anymore. 

I think I may finally sit this one out.

Crossing the finish line in 2009.

 But I think I'll get BSD a pair of those "black shorts."

So he can continue to live out his fantasy. I think he can wear them proudly.

The Friday Night Fish Taco Showdown

Fish tacos are a main staple at our house. BSD grew up in southern California eating them regularly at John's Fish Market in Dana Point. Or heading over the border into Mexico for some 'real deal' tacos de pescado straight from the street vendors.

When we lived in San Diego we made our share of border runs for some lobster tacos in Puerto Nuevo. Complete with handmade tortillas. And the best margaritas both south and north of the border. Margaritas that knocked you on your ass when you got up from the table. Maybe it has something to do with those worms in the tequila bottles.

Since moving east, we have spent the past 10 years tweaking our fish taco recipe. We've finally landed on one that is a bit of a departure from the authentic baja fish taco. But one we love nonetheless. So much so, that we often invite friends over for fish taco fests.

I'm sure I've mentioned that BSD is quite the talker. And self-promoter. He'll tell anyone who will listen about his 'famous fish tacos.' So, after years of shameless cheap talk, it finally came down to this.

Yes, indeed. There was a Friday Night Fish Taco Showdown in our cul-de-sac. All of the neighbors, even some who've never made a fish taco before, were going to throw down. Unfortunately, the temperature that night was well into the triple digits so there were a few less entries than promised. But the diehards, like BSD, showed up ready to rumble.

A broad range of fish "tacos" was represented. From BSD's more traditional Baja fried fish version. To Chef Jim's grilled rockfish tacos.

To Miss Jan's fajita style seafood tacos. To Miss Debbie's ceviche.

There was plenty of food to be sampled.

And plenty of judges to go around.

(no, that Smirnoff Ice does not belong to these minors. pinky promise.)

 Some working very hard.

And some who took their duties very seriously.

Spanish lessons were even included. No slacking off on the learning around here just because it's summertime.

And if you were annoying in any way...

After the very official votes (tally marks scratched on a paper plate passed around the table) were cast, Chef Jim was proclaimed the 2011 fish taco king. 

With all the bragging rights that go along with the title. For one year. Giving BSD 364 days to continue tweaking his famous fish taco recipe.  Juego de!

The Joy of Love: Gift From the Heart

BSD is the best gift giver. Not only is he extremely generous, but he puts so much effort into finding the perfect gift. And then he presents it in a special way. I remember one Valentine's Day after a romantic dinner, our server presented me with a little robin's egg blue box with a white ribbon. Yep, a coveted Tiffany's box. Inside was a gold heart locket. The locket now holds a picture of each of the ballerinas. I wear it often. The ballerinas love to open it and see their faces inside.

The most precious gift he ever gave me, though, was my Christmas gift about five years ago. We were searching the Electra site for a bicycle for the Big Ballerina's birthday. I clicked on this frilly, girly, limited-edition bicycle, and oohhed and ahhed over it for a minute before continuing on.

BSD tucked that moment away, and on Christmas morning I woke up to this under the tree...

I have to admit, I was a little irritated because we weren't supposed to spend any money on each other. I think we must have just spent a bundle on something for the house. We promised, "Nothing big."

But, I have so many wonderful memories wrapped up in this sweet cruiser. Every time I hop on I can't help but smile. Because BSD knew it would blow my socks off. And I feel loved.

For Valentine's Day this year, I WISH I could surprise BSD with this beauty. I know it would blow HIS socks off. Can't you just see him cruisin' to the beach in this little cutie?

With one of his retro longboards on top?

That Bronco is parked right along my daily route. I drive by it constantly. I don't know how many more times I can pass it without bringing it home.