Sunset December 31, 2009

I joined Morrie and Cathy with 40”+ others to watch the sun setting on the decade.

Happy Holidays!

This is a pic I used for my holiday card. No snow in southern California so I made a sandman. The pic was taken at Cardiff beach.

Costa Rica Surf Trip 2009

Rob & me at WRSC, having Imperials and wondering Where’s Bert?

At Witches Rock

Rob and Bert joined me during my usual 2 weeks during Thanksgiving. On this trip I brought surfboards, and as I am dragging the surf travel bag through Liberia airport, I hear women screaming ‘Randy!!’.


No one at my local CA break knows my name but two returning WRSC guests (Courtney & Ginger) remember me from a year ago. I am NOT that impressive.

Returning guests was the theme of the trip. Over 50% have been there before, and most travel during thanksgiving (like myself).

No crocodiles this time. Terrible surf at Ollie's. Great stories especially from Ginger (“I’m old, and she’s bitter”). Met some newbies (Julia, Sasha, Zen) from Canada; good to see the newbie excitement. The NYC girls (Martine, Natalie) had their usual penthouse deck party, which reminded me I need a nap if going to a party AND surfing the next day. Good times.

Great Big Sea @ Anthology

Great Big Sea played at Anthology. This was a strange venue for GBS – while they were on stage, waiters were serving dinner, drinks, and dessert in front of the stage. Typical GBS concerts have standing room only in front of the stage. And what’s with that obnoxious screen behind the band?

I hope GBS realizes the Belly Up is a better venue for their playing style for future San Diego concerts.

Richie Furay @ Belly Up

One of my first concerts was Richie Furay in 1977 and now I see him 32 years later. Great show even though I didn’t remember any of his songs. Richie played with passion then and now.

I met Donald Takayama at the Scared Craft surfboard show today, and he noticed my Bill Holden shirt. Donald said it was sad that Bill passed on, and that Bill has a good man. I certainly agree with that – RIP Bill.

As Donald and I parted ways, I realized I had my camera in my hand. Missed an opportunity to have my pic taken w/ Donald. DOOH!

Pathological Liars Are So Much Fun

Shawn Colvin said that, referring to a life episode. I saw Shawn at Anthology this evening. Obviously, not many people buying tickets on a Wednesday since I was upgraded to the first-floor bar – SWEET! A rather short show (1 hour?) given that Shawn has 2 decades of material. She didn’t really cover her hits either. As for the venue, Shawn made a few comments about having dinner while a show is going on. I agree that it is somewhat strange.

Great Big Sea @ Clayton, NY

Wednesday, September 2. I left The Place West for a red-eye flight to Syracuse. I forgot to empty the garbage, which should be a ripe smell when arriving back home. However, United Airlines changed aircraft so bumps were offered. I took a bump when realizing a hotel stay near the airport was included.

Thursday, September 3. I called Bill early to cancel leaving an auto at the Syracuse airport. We need to work on an alternative plan both for airport pickup and if plans go awry. I arrived on time at Syracuse and Bill picked him up after his workday. We traveled to Borio's, expecting to see sailing Hobies and Collins later. Beers were bought. Collins emailed, and plans were set to visit Collins home after the beer. Then I received a call from the airport, asking if I left a duffel bag. No, I don’t have a duffel bag. Then I realized I did not have the backpack. I left the computer backpack on the airport curb! It was the airport police calling. We promised to get to the airport after finishing the beer soon. We drove to Collins place after picking up the backpack. Collins had the hardware (6 rifles) on the couch, including a 50 caliber. We checked out the firing range, AKA the backyard, and the garage. The garage had the Lotus Elise and 5 motorcycles. Lots of toys. Back to Borio's for dinner. ‘The Boys’ were also having dinner there. Teresa came over to say hello and hugs for everyone.

Friday, September 4. Bill and I met at Onondaga Park for lunch and a walk. Back to The Place East, load up the RAV4, and off to Clayton. Surprisingly little Watertown traffic when going thru Dunkin Donuts for the obligatory coffee. The tailgate party was going on when we pulled in to the hotel. Checked in, and visited the tailgate party. Saw a number of people from the Ottawa GBS trip, including Steve and Chantal O’Shaughnessy. After some food/beverage, Bill/Randy/Kathy walked over to the venue to pick up will-call tickets. After Sweet Betty (the cranky old lady at the will-call window) said she did not have my GA ticket she came up with one. Steve was there and had 2 extra reserved tickets. He also had to deal with Sweet Betty to return the 2 extra tickets; I bought 1 of the tickets and he returned the other one. Sweet Betty, what a trip. Bill/Randy worked the crowd to unload the GA ticket. No takers. We did talk to a couple looking for two tickets, so I gave him the GA ticket, and asked that he pay forward whatever Karma he got from it.

The opening act was solo and bantered about picking the wrong harmonica and not having a car. At intermission, I spoke with Amy, the person responsible for getting GBS to the venue. It took her 3 years, and she was surprised I came from San Diego for the concert. She asked the photographer to take a picture of her and me. GBS took the stage. My seat was in the next to last row in the balcony. Bill left the rest and joined me in the balcony. GBS was great. In the last part of the concert, I discovered the rest were in the second-row center stage! Gave Bill a hard time about leaving that for being in the balcony. GBS came back for two encores, with the last encode acapella without microphones. Worth the trip.

View from my seat

View from Bill's original seat

Met most of the party at the nearest bar for a couple of Tangueray and Tonics ($4 each!). Then went back to the tailgate. At the tailgate, some of the party joined us and said that Alan Doyle was at the other bar. I grabbed the GBS poster, and Kathy/Bill/I walked to the other bar. Alan was there but in deep conversation with 2 attractive women – surprise. Steve and Chantal showed up, and Chantal volunteered to get the poster signed. She obviously had more balls than me. Alan also signed Chantal’s hat. Back to the tailgate, and wrapped up the evening at about 2am.

Chantal, Alan and me

Saturday, September 5. Rain in the early AM. Breakfast across the street for Bill/Randy/Steve/Chantal. Then back to pack followed by walking the village. Pretty village, but Bill pointed out the reality of being good weather for just 2 months of the year. Said our goodbyes and traveled to Syracuse. Napped when back home. Tracy and Andy left a message saying they were at the Park. I left to join them for a park walk, leaving Bill for more beauty sleep – and it didn’t work. The decision was to go to Wegmans for grilling stuff and another feast at Bill’s. Chris joined us. Way too much steak and wine, as usual.

Me, Bill, Tracy and Andy

Sunday, September 6. Breakfast for Bill/Randy/Tracy/Andy at B-Ville diner, then a walk around Beaver Lake. Pretty day. Apparently upstate NY hasn’t had many of those. Back to The Place East, and Tracy/Andy parted ways. We worked on Bill and Chris’s computers for 2 hours. Then Bill and I traveled to visit Wendy/Gordon. Hugs from everyone when met at the door, including Mesi (who I just met). We grilled pizzas for dinner, and Wendy made incredible chocolate cakes for dessert. A bonfire was started and Mesi went to bed. The boys retired to the treehouse and the adults talked for another hour.

Christopher, me and Mesi

Monday, September 7. 5:30am flight so the day started early. Back to the garbage that has been ripening for the past few days.

Flaming Lips @ Del Mar Racetrack

I’d never seen The Flaming Lips live before, but I’d always heard their concerts were something else. So when they rolled into town—playing less than a mile from my house—for the grand price of just six bucks, I couldn’t pass it up.

Their music alone is solid, but the show? Completely over the top. The lead singer kicked things off by crowd surfing inside a giant bubble, floating across the audience before the band even hit their first notes. From there, it only got wilder: dancing wookies, pandas, gorillas, and women in cat costumes filled the stage. At one point, about fifty enormous five-foot-wide balls were unleashed into the crowd, bouncing everywhere while an explosion of lights and visuals flashed on the screen behind the band.

It was chaotic. It was outrageous. And it was one of the most entertaining live shows I’ve ever seen. If you ever get the chance to see The Flaming Lips, don’t hesitate—go.

Friday night Counseling Session

A picture of the usual Friday night "counseling session" with Jon, myself, Tony, Tish, and Michael at Pizza Port. Usual topics are the week’s work and news headlines, weekend plans, all while enjoying a pint. Tony has since moved back to Ohio to start a microbrewery.

Happy Birthday To Me

I decided to treat myself to another new board, a Takayama Erik Sommer 9’4”. It will replace the DT-2 when the DT-2 travels to Costa Rica. It is all waxed up and awaiting some tasty waves.

Never Ski Alone

Bill & I spotted a lynx while skiing in Telluride. As if the trees aren’t dangerous enough?

Costa Rica Retirement Treehouse

So here is a pic of the planned Costa Rica retirement treehouse. After getting clipped for $$$$$$ in the market, a treehouse is all I can afford. But if the treehouse is on a Costa Rican beach, with tasty waves, then what else do I need?

And do you see the nice lefts? All lefts belong the Randy!

Andy McKee @ Lestat's

Andy McKee played at Lestat's in Normal Heights. Lestat’s is a coffeehouse so I was curious how the performance would be staged. Well, Lestat's also has the empty store next door for concerts. The opening act was disappointing since Kev was seated on a slightly raised platform and seated concertgoers were at the same level. No view at all.

Thankfully, Andy stood for his performance. His guitar skills are more awe-inspiring than his youtube videos. And the right amount of banter between songs, explaining the song’s inspiration and the guitar type being used.

San Onofre Surfing

I got an invite to join Jasmine +3 at San Onofre for some longboard surfing on Sunday. Don’t know how I managed it but I got lost getting there and had to call Jasmine. Glad I brought my booties and water hat – the surf was cold! Typical Old Man’s Beach – the waves took forever to break. I managed to catch my share of fun rides. Jasmine caught the wave of the day with her first attempt! All had a good time. Jasmine’s friends borrowed my 9’ Holden for some rides. I ran into Steve Hammon on the beach. Steve is the person that introduced Corrie Willkie to Bill Holden, and Corrie introduced me to Bill. Several Holden board owners met on the beach. I ran into Sergio and his daughter Sara (?) again – we met at the Ripcurl outlet about a month ago. Everyone swapped their favorite Holden story. Jasmine and company took off for brunch, so I put on a fresh wetsuit and took out the Holden for an hour. I forget just how fun that board is. You can rollercoaster a wave, cutback, and catch a wave with 2 strokes. Good times.