I'm all Smiles!!!

Went up to Ventura and Santa Barbara this past weekend to check out some a new surfboards. Had looked at and planned to stop in at Waldens Board Shop in Ventura. Turns out Saturday was my lucky day. Steve Walden the guy known as the father of the modern longboard was in the shop. I was lucky enough to spend a good 1/2 hour with Steve going through all of his boards, and must say there is nothing like getting advice straight from one of the legends himself. After hearing about my surfing style (which is fall down, get up and fall down again), Steve helped me narrow down my choices, I finally settled on this baby... the Walden Mega Magic 8-0. If you look close at the picture you can see a reflection of me with a great big smile. I have to say it's shorter than my last board a 9-0 but floats like a much longer board and is much lighter with its EPS (Epoxy and Polystyrene) technology. It's built for people like me who just want an all around board for fun. I took it out to the cliffs in Huntington on Sunday. On the paddle out I had such an adrenaline rush, you would have thought I had a boat motor on it, I dont even think I got wet heading out in the surf. I would love to say my first outing was epic but I have to admit I was a little cautious and spent the couple of hours in the water paddling and catching just a few waves. It felt good though and the feel of the board was great.

I'm going to have a lot of fun on this baby.

One thing to be said: With so many surf shops and board styles, I think the thing that really helped me in deciding or even considering making the drive to Ventura, was the level of customer service when I called. I already had an idea of what I wanted based on the website. Brandy who works in the Shop was very nice, she asked questions that made me feel like she truly wanted me to make the right choice and the level of customer service was better than any shop I had visited. It did not hurt that Steve took the time to help as well. That sealed the deal for me in feeling like I was dealing with a shop that wanted me to pick a board that would best suit me.

Start your day feeling like Superman

Last night I was out shooting images of the full moon. I thought it would be fun to shoot some night shots using existing moonlight only, and after playing a bit, I decided to send a few shots over to my nephew who enjoys photography as well. The image above was a test shot taken with about an 8 second exposure at F/2.8 (I'm pointing out the constellation Orion and no I was not wearing a cape)
The cape came later...courtesy of my nephews humor and photoshop skills. I have to admit I thought it was pretty funny, and when I received it in my in-box the next morning, it was a great way to start the day.

Thanks Bud.

Broken Boards

Went out surfing last night and broke my surfboard. Was out in Newport and the waves were pretty big (at least for my own taste). I would love to say that I did it dropping down a nice big wave, but I actually did it turtle diving, a maneuver you do to force your board under a wave when you are paddling out. You basically flip the board over (fins up) and hang on vertically in the ocean below it, holding on with your hands as the wave passes (think of the letter "T") over the top. I knew something was wrong, cause that normal heavy pull you feel on your leg when you and your board are being tumbled through the rinse cycle was not there. I came up and found half of it connected to my ankle and the other half floating in the whitewash about 30 yards away. I'll have to see about getting it repaired. Bummer -- I've had a lot of fun memories with this board.

Shells

Went up to visit some friends, who have been vacationing with their kids in the Morro Bay area for the past week. I had only a day to spare but decided to make the drive after work from L.A. on Wednesday and head up the coast to visit them. After driving up late Wednesday night and then sleeping for a few hours, I was awaken by their two youngest sons, who were laughing and talking with enough energy to take on the world. The goal for the morning was to head out early and pick up sand dollars and shells on the beach. It was fun walking the shoreline and watching the kids run around collecting things and taking in the sea life. Seeing their faces light up when they would find a new shell or sand dollar made the whole drive worth it. All in all it turned out to be a fun relaxing day topped off with a fun dinner of burgers and looking at photo's of the week on the beach. I will definitely have to do it again next year, but this time, for a few days rather than a few hours.

34 and Counting....

Today is a good day for me. Our Live Surgery in Atlanta today marked the 2nd installment of live surgeries for the 2010 year. As a team we have come a long way in a short time and it is clearly evident in our commitment and successes so far. Our jump in participation over our last event with more countries represented from all around the world, now totaling 34, is something to continue to be proud of. I am thankful for everyone's hard work and for all that participated. It feels great and I look forward to the next event and building on this success.

Just What I Needed ...A Little Desert Oasis

Made the trek out to Palm Springs this weekend and had a great stay at the Korakia Pensione. Started out our visit with a couples massage and then with the help of the 109 degree temperatures outside, ended up retreating and relaxing in our Mediterranean villa style room. The Korakia's approach is to offer you an atmosphere where there is no concept of time, where you just are. I thought they did a really good job at that. It was great, no TV's or radios or even clocks in the rooms, no music playing in the distance, just pure rest & relaxation at it's best. Although we did not take advantage of it, at night they offered a movie in one of the common areas where you could just go lay out on some huge pillows under the stars. Our room was very clean and looked like the images on the website. The staff were very helpful and after walking through the grounds I would say any of the rooms would be a good choice. Patricia and I both agreed we would come back and stay again and even though we weren't totally disconnected with the world (we had our cell phones), it was a good start to letting it all go. Who knows maybe next time we'll turn the phones off too......baby steps.

Jumping Meteors Batman!

Went out a couple nights back to see the Perseid Meteor showers and was able to capture this image of a meteor streaking across the sky (click on image for a larger view). Actually I wish it was a meteor but.. it's just a plane. That's one of downsides to living in a big city like Los Angeles, with all of our light pollution, the only type of meteors you catch around here are of the man made type. Last year we made the drive out to the desert and watched many meteors streaking across the sky. This year for being lazy and staying home I was rewarded with a big zero. Will have to try again in November when the next best opportunity comes along.

Leo Carrillo

Drove up to Leo Carrillo on Saturday to visit family staying on the beach. Surfed the rock and had a great day. I had so much fun I stayed out in the water until after the sun went down, then hung out around the campfire, watched the stars and ate smores. Had a great time pointing out the milky way, the big dipper and other stars to the kids and explaining to them what a light year is. It's fun when you can just sit around making stuff up. Just kidding.... I had a great time.

Newport

Came down meet up with Kachuck & surf Newport but found it kind of flat. Hanging out reading my book and listening to the Foos before heading back. Looking forward to the weekend.

I drank the Kool-Aid... so to speak

Well I hit me today and its official, I'm becoming a Starbucks junkie. I have to admit I didn't even see it coming myself. Today I walked in and without even a bit of hesitation in my thought process... ordered a Venti Passion Shaken Ice tea with easy water and 4 pumps of classic. Amazing given that just a short couple of months ago I would have never thought I would ever even say something like that. I have always been a non-starbucks, stick to the basics, Ice tea kind of guy. Now I'm saying Venti instead of large and classic instead of sugar. What happened? Those Starbucks folks are good at selling you the goods.. including the required lingo that goes with it. It's like I'm a student learning a new language, except the more I learn the more it cost me.

Lance Armstrong I am not....

Today I rode my bike up and down some hills around here. I have to say... it looks a lot easier and feels a lot better watching it on TV rather than actually doing it. I made it back though, but now I'm feeling like I was dragged up and down those hills. I have to admit it feels pretty damn good though. I have a plan and now I need to stick with it. Livestrong Bojorquez ....you can do it!

It's who I am

Well it's been a little while, but I'm back in the water again. Outside of being with Patricia, surfing is one of my true passions in life. There's nothing like riding waves. The anticipation and excitement I feel today is no different than my high school days when I used to drive my little green bug down to the beach to learn to surf. My board has stretched out a little and so has my waist, but all in all, good weather or bad, nothing beats surfing.

Some people just don't get it.

Went to Lawry's with Patricia. It was an impromptu visit and given that we were just out for a cruise in the car, we were both dressed for a day at the beach rather than dinner at Lawry's, but that's what I really enjoyed about it. I love it when we do spur of the moment things, and do them without care. We were surrounded by a group of pretentious people; one older lady was gawking at us like how dare we come to Lawrys in shorts and t-shirts. Don't get me wrong we all love the good things in life, but it's kind of sad that people let it define them and how they live their life. I loved it because Patricia and I just didn't care. We had a fun dinner and laughed at how much food we ordered. I could only imagine what that lady would have thought If I had kept eating and they had to roll me out of there. Patricia and I have had some wonderful experiences in some amazing places, I just thankful that no matter where we are we can be ourselves in our own skin and clothes. Life is too short.

Harajuku Crepe

Ok so Patricia and I found this place one night after cruising home from dinner. I have to say I don't get to B.H. very often, but would go there in a heartbeat just for this ice cream. It's hands down the best ice cream place in all of Los Angeles. Take a freshly made crepe, add some Nutella, fresh bananas and then wrap it all up like a burrito and were talking pure goodness. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I highly recommend it.

I placed a link below to help you find it on yelp.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/harajuku-crepe-beverly-hills#query:crepe

Spyder Cambio Corsa

With a Ferrari 390HP engine and Formula 1 paddle shifters how could this not be a fun car to drive (no it's not mine). I've only driven it a couple of times, but when I have it's been great therapy for stress. (I'll upload some video soon)