Oh No, Not Again!

I haven't been surfing in over two weeks now! Just when I think some waves are building, I look at the webcams on Friday and realize there is no way I'll find waves -- not Friday, and probably not Sunday. I'm desperate for waves and surfing these days. I have some stressful things taking place these days and could really use some waves to help me unwind. I kept/keep hoping something will change, but it hasn't. Not only was there no waves on Friday, but the forecast for flatness continued today. After looking at SwellInfo and reading the forecasts on g-townsurf.com, waves should come back one day this week. I just hope that when they return, I'll be able to squeeze in an hour or two of winter surfing one evening.  

The only wave in Galveston
lately is the one painted on
this bench located on the
seawall.

Although I didn't get to surf, I am glad to report that I was able to participate in my other sports, though I must admit in a rather limited way. Heavy fog didn't stop me from getting in an early morning five-mile run on Saturday, but it did stop me from cycling. I was forced to spin at the gym instead of cycling outside with my cycling club buddies. Of course, I was set to go out on my bike alone after the fog lifted, but as I was walking to the back of the house to put on my cycling clothes, I heard a large popping noise and hissing. I ran back to the front, panicked looking everywhere, but finally realized that it was my back wheel. Not really sure why it popped/flatted, but decided it was probably a sign to skip cycling. So, instead of taking 30 minutes to change the  back tire, I opted to go to the gym and finish the last 30 minutes of a 9:30 a.m. spin class.  I was so glad I made it, but even more glad that the fog was gone by this morning (Sunday). I was able to actually get in a quick 26-mile ride today. But, oh how I wish I could have surfed! I need/needed it.

Looking for Excitement, Waves and Miracles

Life seems a little crazy right now... again. I'm in the process of moving, which I may have mentioned before since I will finally have a great place for my boards in the garage instead of in the dining room. In fact, it looks as though my new garage has a special place just for the boards. (Of course, I may have already written about this since I'm a little excited about it.) I digress. Moving is crazy especially when you've lived in one place for 28 years. Going through boxes and boxes of stuff you don't even remember having can be overwhelming. And, then trying to decide what must be kept is even worse. Do I get rid of the hospital identification bracelet I received when I was six and had my tonsils out? (haha) What about the small, square school pics of my best friends from the fifth grade? And, what about all the photos of family reunions from the '80s? Or the certificate my grandmother received in 1922 for reading all of her school books?  My struggle with holding on to "stuff" is a lifelong one that I'm trying to break myself of so that I can move into my new place.

I definitely wish I could have taken a break and surfed this weekend. Unfortunately, there are no waves lately. On Friday I was prepared to take a break and head to the island. But the surf cam proved it was flat. I kept my fingers crossed for a few waves to pop up Saturday afternoon or even this morning, but none materialized. So, I continued to sort through my stuff.

During some late night free time, I've been investigating my next surfing destination. Although my funds are somewhat limited these days, I'm wondering if I can't squeeze a few dollars together for a quick trip to a warm place in March or April...maybe Panama. I've seen/read/heard good things about it. And, there are almost always waves. I've done a little research but haven't nailed down exactly where I might want to go. I have a little while to think about it.  But, yes, Panama might just be my next surf destination.

Judging

This January seems colder than some of the past. I may just be imagining it, but it seems not only colder but also damper, which in turn, makes it seem even colder. I was excited to see several surfers out at the jetty on the webcam early Friday morning, but even more excited to see people surfing when I got off of work. I made my way down to 36th early in the afternoon on Friday. By the time I got there, the sun was hidden by a thick layer of clouds and the breeze had picked up just enough to make the temps seem cooler than they actually were. I was sure glad I had my 5/4 wetsuit yet again. Some of the surfers had on booties, but I opted not to wear mine. I knew my feet would be cold, but I was hoping that I would be able to last two hours before I lost feeling. I believe my feet had feeling for about an hour and 45 minutes before I had to get out of the water. In fact, during my last pop-up, I couldn't feel the bottom of my feet at all. I decided that it was time to get out of the water. I had only a three or four rides, and, of those, only a couple that were halfway decent. I pearled numerous times -- more times than usual. I just had a hard time judging the waves Friday. I would see them coming, get in position and paddle, but I either paddled too hard or not hard enough, which would cause me to get caught in the break of wave and then to pearl. It's strange; I go for a long time without pearling, but then I have a day like Friday when I pearl three or four times. It makes me realize that I just haven't surfed long enough. Several of the people I surf with have been surfing 40 years or more, and they also live close enough to the beach that they are able to surf just about every day there are waves. I have too far to drive, a full-time job and several other activities that steal my free time, and I don't see that changing anytime soon, which means that I will just have to be satisfied with my slow learning curve. No matter what, I'm having fun! And, I'll just have to realize that in order for me to get better fast, I will have to either stop some of my other hobbies, or realize that it might be a few years before I can do everything right when it comes to surfing.

I definitely watch the beach for waves!

I've had a really disappointing week when it comes to a judgement. I'm in a situation with a close friend where my judgment skills are being tested. When someone doesn't act or do something I think they should, I need to try not to judge them. I don't have to agree with them, but I do have to accept them if I want to keep them in my life. I'm not sure how my situation will be resolved, but I'm hoping the outcomes are good. I really need to think about all of this, and learn to find acceptance.

Sunday is my other usual surf day. However, since I had signed up for the Houston Aramco Half Marathon back in June, I knew that on one Sunday in January I would be running instead of surfing. Today was the day. Seems like it was a good day not to be surfing since, not only was the weather bad, but the north winds blew through and flattened shore. Unfortunately, that means I ran in bad weather. And, it was bad! I managed to run and make it through. I even completed it in a decent time. I wanted to run a little faster, but I'm glad that I finished in under two hours. I'll have to look for another run to set my record. It'll take a little time to select the right run. I'll have to use my best judgment.