Ours was playing at Smith’s Olde Bar on Saturday night (last night), but I was tired because I had gotten up at 4:40 am to run in the morning. I had really wanted to go but I didn’t feel like it. I’m glad Kerry made me go out anyway.
What a magnificent surprise! I didn’t know that James Hall would be there too with Ours tonight. A friend gave me a CD of his (My Love, Sex and Spirit) back in 1993 or 1994. I loved the cd so much but never had gotten to see him play. He wasn’t announced and it wasn’t planned and I was standing there looking at the stage thinking I know this voice and then it occurred to me. OMG how awesome! I couldn’t believe it. Everything was at once good in the Universe at that point.
Ours put on an amazing performance as well. I’m so glad I went out. So much energy from this music.
At the end they all played together on the stage.
Tonight was purely magical and was exactly what my soul needed on this, the night of the powerful energy of a New Moon.
Music is life. It is the ultimate passion. It is my muse.
My trip to San Diego and Encinitas was wonderful. It’s so beautiful out there.
on the way… Flying into SAN is such a great view coming into the airport (I was on the left side of the plane) Big ships off the coast; this is a military town. It really was a beautiful view as you go right between the buildings with the water in view at the same time. I was already in love with this place by the time II landed. My first meal there was a little taco shop across from my hotel. This whole plate of fish tacos cost me under $7, and that was including over a 25% tip I love it here — in Encinitas, California.
I brought my SCUBA gear with me so I could go diving on Sunday. I went with Marissa Charters. We were going to do 2 dives, the first on the HMCS Yukon wreck and the second on Puzzle Piece wall. Once I got to the boat and started assembling my gear I realized that my backplate, a SS Halcyon backplate that I have had for over 20 years, for some reason did not fit on the set of doubles I had rented. The holes didn’t line up. Chris, one of the crew on the boat adjusted the bands for me so that the holes would line up, but then we realized that the bolts were actually too big to fit in the holes. Actually, it was just the bottom hole that didn’t fit. Very strange, I had never had that happen before. Thankfully, there was a shop there and the crew went up to the shop and returned with a different band and bolt and they fixed the doubles for me so that my backplate would work with them.
The problems didn’t end there though. My weightbelt (not pictured) that I borrowed had 2 10lb. weights on it, since I had asked for 20 lbs because I wanted to be sure to have enough for my drysuit insulation. Anyway, those 2 10lb. weights were huge curved weights and they made my backplate stick out and I could barely tighten my harness. I need to restring it with more space. That is my O/W harness from South Florida, which was always wetsuit diving and I didn’t even need a weightbelt with the SS backplate and a primary light and a set of 80s, and I didn’t need one either for open water single tank diving, so the harness was strung to be snug for a wetsuit. I plan to restring it now so that it will accommodate both options. Fine, I did get it on but my trim was not as I prefer it to be. I can adapt to that though, so I proceeded.
When we got to the dive site of the HMCS Yukon wreck, I got fully suited but then we waited on the surface for maybe 15 minutes for the fog to clear. During this time, I started to get hot and I unzipped my drysuit and opened it at the front so I could cool off. But, apparently, when I zipped it back up I missed the last couple inches and didn’t realize. I jumped in, gave the ok and waited for my buddy to get in. Moments later I realized I was getting wet. I shrugged it off at first but it continued. I alerted the boat and they threw me out a rope and pulled me in. With all that gear on, hanging onto the boat, I wasn’t really able to deal with the zipper, but I climbed the ladder a couple steps and sat on the edge of the boat and Chris and Lora fixed it for me. Whew. That sucked. Finally though, I rolled forward into the water and the dive could begin. The water was 52 degrees, and I had gotten quite wet from the flooding, but C4 insulation really does such a good job and I didn’t get cold during the dive. Other than my trim not being optimal, I was just fine and so happy to finally be in the water doing what I love to do.
The top of the wreck sits at about 65 feet. There was very poor visibility going down the line until about 40 ft. but then it cleared up to about 25 ft. of viz. I had met a couple on the boat who had cameras and asked them if they would please take a couple photos of me on the dive. They agreed graciously and I am so thankful for that and glad that I asked. I have precious few photos of me underwater. I want more of them. Too bad I don’t have any photos of all the great stuff I got to do 20 years ago. Anyway, now I have a few photos, thanks to Martyn & Thamar. The photos they took are just from the first of the two dives. After they took the photos we went on to explore the ship and did a nice couple swim throughs.
Getting out of the water was made so much easier with the help of Chris, a very strong crew member, who assisted me up the ladder. Doubles coming back on the boat is never that much fun. Especially when they are still pretty full.
I had taken Dramamine the night before and also before the trip, but there was a little bit of a swell and during the surface interval I had to be very careful with myself, standing to the side in the breeze and keeping my eyes on the horizon. Towards the end of the surface interval I was back at the stern. I didn’t puke, but I did spit a couple times. All good. I was fine.
We switched my weight belt to one with 16 lbs. of lead instead, in the form of 4 x 4lb weights, more evenly spaced out instead of 2 big 10lbs. on my back. This was a much better distribution of weight and wasn’t bulky and seemed to be the perfect amount. So, now I know. Drysuit plus C4 and my custom hood and gloves, with my SS backplate and an 18W Explorer Halcyon light and 16 lbs. and I’m good to go in cold salt water.
The second dive we were supposed to do Puzzle Piece wall but we ended up instead doing the HMCS Yukon wreck again, which was fine by me because it is such a big ship and there was a lot we didn’t get to see on the first dive. My buddy was on air on a single tank so, even though I had doubles and Nitrox, we could only stay down there for so long. I took my time on the ascent so I could enjoy it a bit longer. Anyway, the second dive was FANTASTIC. We spent the whole dive penetrating the inside of the wreck, with levels upon levels of swim throughs. It’s pretty wide open and easy to navigate, and a sea lion was so kind as to lead the way for us and he hung around for the entire dive. I forgot to mention, I was so lucky to have a buddy that was part of the crew and he knew this wreck inside and out extremely well and was a very skilled diver. I couldn’t have asked for a better buddy. Thanks, Rod!
The trip back to the dock was absolutely beautiful. The fog had lifted completely and I was elated from my wonderful dives. I was so completely happy and at peace. This turned out so wonderfully, even though it threatened not to at the start. It was a great dive trip. Marissa Dive Charters has a very helpful crew and it’s a comfortable boat and I was extremely well taken care of. I highly recommend them and this dive site and I will definitely be back for more adventures with them, whenever my next trip to the San Diego area may be.
After going back to the hotel to rinse off all my gear and take a shower, I took a walk on the 101 in Encinitas. I got some heart shaped sunglasses at a funky little retro shop and then went to have dinner at Everest Himalayan Cuisine, which I had been craving since I passed it. I ate on the patio and had Himalayan Vegetable Soup and Lukshya Ko Masu (lamb) and a Mango Lassi to drink. It was delicious.
Then I headed over to Leucadia beach to watch the sunset. I have a personal rule that any time I am on the West coast of anywhere and am able to see the sunset on the water, I must do so. Mission complete.
What a beautiful second day! Did I mention I love it here?
The third day I woke up and did my morning run along the beautiful 101 Hwy, in 64 degree temps with the ocean to my side. It was a great start to the day. I could really get used to that. I saw a monument that the locals had decorated to celebrate one of the TeamUSA Olympians.
The rest of the day was spent in the office for a meeting with the tech team. They had us choose lunch from somewhere and had it delivered and then we had a meeting for the Tech roadmap in a conference room for the whole day. Afterwards, we all walked to Valentina Restaurant for a group dinner. It was a great day. Somebody took a group photo at dinner but I don’t have it yet. I hope to get it and then be able to post it, so I can keep the memory alive. I enjoyed it and I like everyone on the team. This was the first time meeting most of them in person, since I work remotely.
The fourth day I again ran along the 101, but after a little while I decided to go down and run the rest of the way on the beach. It was so calming and wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing the surfers out there. I wish I knew how to surf. It looks so fun. I wonder if I’m too old to learn now? I’d probably want to try if I lived out here.
Then I went to the office to work in person with the person I normally work with virtually. We ordered takeout from Nectarine Grove and I had a Chimichurri bowl with Butternut noodles. I forgot to take a picture of it. It was yummy.
This place really is paradise. Running here is such a joy!
I ran along the beach again on my fifth and final day. It was a little foggy that morning, but it was still so lovely. I had to take a couple more pictures. After my run I ordered takeout breakfast from the 101 Diner. I kinda have a standing rule that if eggs benedict is on the menu I have to get it. They had about 12 different varieties on the menu there. I couldn’t decide between the crabcake benedict and the chorizo benedict, so I got one of each. They were both delicious, but the chorizo was, undoubtedly, the best eggs benedict I have ever had in my life. Chorizo Benedict with Avocado & Cilantro-Jalapeno Hollandaise, served with fresh fruit. OMG you really have to try this; it’s amazing.
Then I went back to the office for another day of in person work. TBH I really prefer working remotely. Something about being in an office makes me sleepy, which makes it harder to concentrate because I’m busy trying to keep awake. My bird at home keeps me awake while I work; maybe that is it. He’s good for something, after all.
For lunch, my work got us takeout and this time we had sushi which was again absolutely delicious. I got the X-Girlfriend protein roll (no rice, just fish) from Tomoyama Sushi with spicy tuna, spicy crabmeat, tuna, salmon, yellowtail, wrap with soy paper with soy mustard dressing. On the walk home from work I stopped at Cali Cream for a homemade ice cream. I sampled the Graham Central Station, which was delicious, but then got the Bourbon Pecan Praline. We were only allowed one sample. The Graham Central Station was way better, even though what I got was really good. Now I know for next time. When I get home I have to start eating right again, but I wanted to experience all the things while I was here.
That brings me to the end of my journey. I was sad to be leaving paradise and hopeful to sleep on the plane on my red-eye flight home. (I didn’t really, only for maybe one intermittent hour did I actually sleep.) Thank you, SoCal. It was lovely. Until we meet again…..
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