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This post is directed at the Rabbi of Leisure and his 'yes man'....

 

"Okay, so this is where you tell me all about how locals rule and yuppie insects like me shouldn't be surfing your break and all that, right? No. That would be a waste of time. We're just going to fuck you up....on the blogosphere."

 

True Story:

 On a sunny afternoon 4 guys (3 IFS members) struck out on a surf mission to a local spot.  This spot was actually featured quietly in the hit movie 'Point Break', including a famous 'localism' intimidation scene. 

Although this surf spot is no secret, it is a bit off the beaten track and I won't go into the etiquette and complexities of showing up at an uncrowded, quality surf break with only a few people in the water, but in short, you must be respectful and tread lightly. 

After the OC crew took a trip back to the car to fetch sun screen to prevent dry skin and rashes, we hit the water.  OC team leader quickly surfs a set wave, while OC towel boy cheers him on by hooting and hollering. "There's not enough wax on my board. This water is cold, I wish I had a better wetsuit, I usually wear booties, my feet go numb easy." were a few choice expressions from the guy you don't want talking to you in the lineup.

After more than an hour surfing in excellent conditions, our esteemed Rabbi of Leisure realizes he is late to take his 17 year old sister to the Kanye West concert in San Diego by 7pm.  A mid-lineup freak out ensues, "We've got to go! MOM! Art and Design! towel boy! we have to go RIGHT NOW!  I'm so late, oh my god, oh my god!" The Rabbi exclaims.

I reluctantly paddle for a wave and ride it to the beach where I proceeded to question the Rabbi about the seriousness of his public outburst.  (Direct Quote)  "My parents are going to be so pissed" he relayed with the utmost urgency.  "Can't you find someone else to take your sister to the Kanye West concert?  Why can't she drive herself, she's 17."  I manage to say without laughing at the reason for our immediate departure. 

At this point A&D and I were not prepared to leave a beautiful, almost empty lineup for a seemingly ridiculous errand.  After serious negotiation and justification I allow OC team towel boy to drive my car back to town so team OC can return home.  (I allow OC team towel boy to drive, since the Rabbi can't drive a car with a manual transmission.)  "We'll either get 'Competition' to give us a ride, or we'll take the bus."

Two OC 'tenderfeet' depart in a hurry, driving my car. "Utah! Get me Two!"

After a few more hours of empty, beautiful surfing conditions A&D and I are exhausted and content with bellies full of tasty waves.  30 miles from our house, "Gee I wish we had a car."

After a small walk to a bus stop, A&D and I bundle our dripping wetsuits into hobo packs and wait patiently for the Express #3 bus.  "How did you get your boards here?" the bus driver inquires.  "We drove a car here, but then someone took our car back without us." We replied.  "Someone stole your car?!" he exclaimed.  Not exactly.

We were placed in the back of the bus where our boards would fit in between the bench seat.  The driver had to ask a couple of day laborers to move to accommodate our equipment.  The picture above was taken on the bus and illustrates our frustration with our tenderfoot surf companions and also captures the beauty of public, urban surf transport.  'Viva los Dodgers!' A&D and I share a laugh on the enjoyable and peculiar bus ride back to town.  Competition picks us up at the local bus terminal and we return home.

Please understand, I post this story not as an example of why I'm cooler or better than our companions.  I post this story to highlight ridiculous behavior which fulfills the stereotype of everything you try and avoid.  When a 25 year old is begging his friend to help him, because of the threat of parental repercussions and Kanye West concerts, you have to laugh at yourself.  It's important to listen to yourself speak and make sure you sound sane. No harm intended, just a bit of comedy.

"Back off Warchild, seriously."

This is David Beckham's first goal from scrimmage in the game yesterday against San Jose.

I wanted to take this time to brag about my first place ranking, but with an angry Jimmy lurking in 2nd with a higher PPR I realized my top spot may be fleeting. Duke, UConn, and Vanderbilt all blew it pretty hard. It's all about UNC from here on out!

Oh, and for anyone who keeps having to go through ESPN's site to find the tourney challenge like me, here's the link for future use.

Ram JAM

With a victory over the Packers, the Giants have cemented their Super Bowl seat, and no one could be more excited than Carl from ATHF.  And with that, we must now decide where we will be watching this glorious event.  The votes on the site / poll are split down the middle, but after last weekend in LA, most confirmed they would rather watch it in LA, as SB's TV situation is questionable, and the sheer number of participants living in LA is larger.  But this should be settled now so that preperations for Feb. 3rd can be made.  Kegs, streamers, and a server all need to be lined up so let's figure this out in the next day or two.  SB people, will you be watching the game?  Is it just you Baggs?  Is Wardrobe really going to be selling shoes instead of watching the game / commercials?  The poll is up on the right now, Persons can now be called by his Flapjackian name Minister of Art Design, unless anyone wants to petition for the addition of an ampersand in between Art Design.

Well, it makes me physically ill to say it, but the Red Sox have stolen the baseball season, and the Patriots stand firmly on top of the NFL, please knock them off their high horse Indy.  Basketball season has started. The Lakers lost their first game last night against Houston, with fans booing Kobe for a majority of the game, only to be silenced by his 45 pt night.  Will he be traded, will anyone still root for the Lakers?  The drama continues...

Who's in?

Don't disgrace that day Flemming. I thought we were friends.

Download MVI_0379.avi (too big to upload)

As long as I live, I will never forget that day 21 years ago when I raised my hand and took the oath of citizenship. Do you know how proud I was? I was so proud that I walked around with an American flag around my shoulders all day long.
                                                                                                        -Arnold Schwarzenegger 

This is just ridiculous.  I know this kid is punking other 9-year olds, but he actually makes football / soccer look exciting.  There's an SI article about him over here.