It is all in your head...

I took surfing lessons ONCE. It was disastrously perfect. I was honored to be taught by the great Jefferson Wagner (Zuma Jay). Sadly, even he was unable to help me because, news flash, SURFING IS REALLY HARD. I sat on my board for almost three hours on the "other side" of very large waves waiting for the perfect one (read 'smaller one') to bring me in. It must be said that his approach was A BIT gonzo: Take me out and just expect me to get in. But if you have ever met Jay, you would do whatever he told you to do. Besides, I was surrounded by the best of the best, the tannest of the tan, the saltiest of the salty (not Kelly Slater types). But I kept waiting, straddling my board, facing away from the shore while basking in the sunshine. I made friends with guys who would come back to my calm spot after their forth, fifth and sixth ride. Watching as they paddled away with the hopes of a great wave in their souls. I have never had so much fun...Then I was forced to finally take a wave and go towards the shore. Calamity. I was standing for 3 minutes (it seemed like three minutes, more like 3 seconds) then fell AFTER I cut one of my new friends off. I then plummeted to the bottom of the ocean, hit my head on my own board and cut my knee. Dazed, I broke through the water and cried with happiness. I HAD SURFED!

I was Gidget for all of three seconds. But what meant the most to me and confirmed my lifelong love of the ocean was the time I spent on the board and in the water. I discovered that you don't need to "Surf" to be a surfer. Being a surfer girl is truly a state of mind! By the way, I still take great pride in the scar on my knee, my moments hanging with the real surfers and my seconds riding the"Big One".

Moral of this story? Before the summer is over take surfing lessons and tap into your inner "Surfer Girl" (then go for drinks at the new Cafe Habana in Malibu).

Not me.

Not me.

A great day...

The sun finally decided to make an appearance (before 1pm!) in southern California this weekend. So I took FULL advantage and headed down to Manhattan Beach. So much to do and see. Growing up I always thought you had to be a Republican (nothing against Republicans, I have a friend who is a...) to enjoy this little community. Boy have things changed! The place is alive with beach energy. Bike riders everywhere, not a leather soled shoe to be found, bikinis as outerwear, not a blow dried lock for miles, the delicious blend of coconut oil and salt water wafting in the air and the best part...Everyone had a smile on their face!

Took some time to catch up on back issues of the New Yorker...And the new Us magazine!

Brunch at North End. I had (no judging please) the "Zachary" hard fried egg, brie, bacon and raspberry jam! I went in thinking I would eat half...best laid plans, ate the whole darn thing. You would have thought it was my last meal. I fancy myself a bacon connoisseur...this place is the best (more on my favorite subject, bacon, in blogs to come)

Then Sloopy's, a great dive that has been around since 1989. They deliver which in my mind could not be more decadent...Having a chocolate/banana milk shake brought to your door? Come on!

Took a bike ride down to the pier...I had to after the sandwich and milkshake! Note: Nothing screams "California" more then riding along the beach in a bright bikini on a bike.

Took a quick look at some furniture and "things"

Stopped to watch some surfers...obviously not these surfers. But nothing has changed except the length of the board shorts.

Had a one hour $49 massage...not a typo!

Then dinner at Katsuya. If you can call two orders of crispy rice with spicy tuna and a Burning Mandarin (jalepeno and mandarin vodka) "Dinner."

A great day. So great in fact that I have every intention of doing the exact same thing next weekend.