[] Favorite Things []

Ahhh, is that time of year again for me when California welcomes me with breezy, open arms...this trip is especially great for many reasons...I left the week of record high temperatures where I live (think 100+ degrees) only to be living among the 85 degree digits and lower, and getting to wear my white, zippered hoodie at night...it is blissful...


Another great aspect is having 6+ hours during each day to explore on foot and bike...Anna, my friend that I visit, works 20-30 minutes away from her home, so instead of staying at her house the entire day while she is gone, I catch a ride with her and then head out from there...how often do you get to explore, out on your own, venturing out into the unknown? Make a plan soon to do this, it's the absolute, necessary fun you should be having...

I've made a photo block of my favorite things from yesterday...I was on foot in the city of Orange, and anytime I saw something I really loved looking at, I took a photo.  I choose my favs and make a block out of them, kinda like a visual summary of the day.  But obviously, I cannot fit everything that I love...Anna is so great to me out here, it would impossible to show you everything.  I've met two of her "new" friends, David and Ann.   They are two wonderful, insanely special people to Anna, so now they are a part of my heart as well...

And just to be totally clear, I do work when I am out here, honestly! I spend hours and hours in coffee shops, parks, and the beach editing client work, culling images, answering emails, booking new online clients, and all other behind the scenes things good business owners do...it just happens that I love business and its easier for me to keep up with it on a daily basis, even while on vaca...

So, what are you going to explore today? a new website, a walking trail, a relationship, a conversation?

[] underwater self []

Megan is a friend of mine that has knack for outdoor adventure.  She's the type of friend that will walk across the rotten, soggy fallen tree to "test it" for the rest of us waiting to cross the river.  She is usually right about everything nature, and so is her boyfriend.  He can spot an ant on a tree from miles away and can handle a canoe like nobodys business.  They are a great team. They are also gracious enough to invite me with them on their adventures.  If it weren't for them, kayaking would have never crossed my mind as something fun to do.  But it is.  Unlike the wild canoes I get into, the kayak is easily, completely self controlled.  Well, for the most part.  Megan is super good at it, while I am ok at it.  I have a way better time in the 'yak maneuvering and exploring the rivers than I do in canoes. 

Megan is fearless, (thats her on the right jumping off) which is amazing to watch.  She will float down a rocky path, jumping from rock to rock, very confident and sure of her footing. This is just not me, I place one foot, make sure- triple make sure- its secure and then place the next.  She never seems bothered by my lameness, which really allows me to be comfortable being me.  I think we all want this in some way, in every part of our life.  Over analyzing and being too critical with others comes way to naturally to us.  I try really hard to let people be, and I love when I get that in return.  But don't get me wrong, I love challenging people to figure out some way to become better versions of themselves: to use their Starbucks money for the day to bless someone, or to take their huge helping of leftovers to the homeless people that sit outside downtown, to flip people off less often, to stop talking so much about Hollywood and more about real life...

Anyway, all that to say, I took a underwater camera with me this past summer to the rivers and then had left over film for my parents pool.  It was an experiment, and with the learning curve of film, I doubt my next set will be any better.  For now, enjoy!

Side note: Its 30ish degrees outside as I write this, and to think of my parents pool as warm and inviting isn't easy, but I love their pool.  I remember as a kid taking the mandatory swim lessons in 5th grade.  Do you remember taking lessons? During the testing phase, I swam the entire width of the pool, putting me into the "well now what do we do with this kid that already knows how to swim?" category.  They figured something out.  For the rest of the sessions I got to hang out with the high school dive team at the other end of the pool.  I felt so cool, so knowledgeable about swimming or something.  Sitting on the edge of the 1970's style pool, I can remember listening to the highschool girls talk about smoking and cute boys.  Neither appealed to me at the time, however cute guys are definitely on my radar now...