Paddle Sport Staff Meetings

One June 24th there was a staff meeting for all of the Harbor staff of Paddle Sports of Santa Barbara.  We had to discuss a few things to get ready for the 4th of July and then we went for a nice fun paddle in some of the kayaks down at the dock.  It has certainly been awhile since I've had that much fun surfing kayaks in nothing but ripples at Sand Spit.

Tuesday Catch-Up!

Gap Fire Starts

I know this was supposed to be done on Tuesday night.  But as the fire caused by ex some stress and has opened some very interesting questions.  She lives only a few miles away from where the fire was burning and during the first night her place was put under evacuation warning.  I was there with her that night and helped her pack a few things incase the worst happens.  But as we were packing, I thought about what I would pack in the event of a fire or natural disaster.  What is it that I prize the most?  My possessions, my dog, my life?  The fire did never come as it's Monday July 7th now, but if I had 5 minutes to take what was necessary to exist and survive in human society and this world, what would it be?  

I really don't know.  I guess it would come down to which world I would have to chose, mankind's world or the earth.  Would I simply have to survive or survive in human society.

What do you think you would choose?

Starting over!

It certainly has been awhile since I've done this.  February 2007, wow that feels like two lifetimes ago.  Since then so much as changed.  I think I'll just make a list to see how big it will be:

1) I was accused of cheating on my girlfriend with no proof.

2) I had to take a medical withdrawl from CSUN due to severe depression.

3) I came back to Carpinteria.

4) I got a job working in a high-end sunglass store.

5) I got myself out of $3,000 of debt.

6) I turned 23.

7) I photographed five weddings since I came back.

8) I wasn't accepted into Bella Pictures as a contract wedding photographer.

9) I went back to SBCC to finish my AA in Graphic Design: Photography.

10) I didn't go up to Mammoth Lakes, CA at all during the winter.

11) I was dumped by my girlfriend two weeks before Christmas.

12) I spent all of Christmas and New Years alone.

13) I was pulled back in by my ex for a five days then dumped again.

14) I entered into my last semester at SBCC, hopefully.

15) I worked by butt off for the new college magazine ICON as a photographer and contributer.

16) I was appointed Photo Editor for ICON's final issue and the next fall semester if I stayed in SB.

17) I did a few short films for a class at SBCC.  One of which had a taxi cab driver with a lot of gas. (Fart, Fart)

18) I re-connected with a fellow Warrior, who I thought might be interested in me.

19) I went on a family vacation to Turks & Caicos in the Eastern Caribbean for a week.

20) I met a whole bunch of people, mostly women.

21) Came back with presents for 'the interested warrior,' some fellow co-workers, my ex, and myself.

22) I made a Facebook account and started maintaining it on a daily basis.

23) I cancelled by subscription to BIGFolio who were hosting my website.

24) I signed up and paid for David Jay's Freedom Tour in early August.

25) I got a job working for Paddle Sport of Santa Barbara doing rentals at the harbor and kayak sales.

26) I got my CPR for the professional rescuer certification.

27) I have got myself back into debt with two big photographic purchases.  One Nikon 70-200mm VR lens and one Olympus 1030 W point and shoot, waterproof camera.

28) I have started building a new website using ShowIt Websites, a program launched by David Jay that is in its beta development stage.

29) I have stopped eating cereal for breakfast in favor of fresh organic fruit and soy protein smoothies.

30) I have lost 10 lbs. and got myself back in shape.

31) I have re-discovered my love of mountain biking.

32) I have discovered a love of ocean kayaking and can't wait to try river kayaking.

33) I have applied to Humbolt University in Northern California and need to send my transcripts off into order to be accepted.  I'm going for a BA in Journalism with Environmental Ethics as a minor.

Wow, that was a little longer than I suspected.  I apologize if that was long and way to much information, but I think I have to get it out if I'm to learn from all that has happened in the last year.  This past year was supposed to be my 'golden year.'  As I turned 23 on the 23rd of August.  Yet, on the eve of my 24 birthday I've been having a hard time finding all that much to feel golden about.

I think I should stop feeling so lost and start feeling more free.  Because that is what I have, a lot of freedom.  I have the freedom to choose where my photography is going to go instead of being tied down by my contract wedding photography work.  I have the freedom to be healthy in the outdoors and not constantly being nagged to go to a gym by my ex.  I have the freedom to actually have the time to go and do things in the outdoors.

Which reminds me.  It's a beautiful day and I should get outside and enjoy it as should you.  That is today's advice:  Make some personal freedom today to go enjoy the beauty around you.

-BT

Jill Marie -Creative Songwriter/Musician/Actress-

Tonight I was looking through a 'theKnot' magazine at possible locations to network with when I thought about my fellow CHS Warrior and talented musician/songwriter Jill Marie. My few good thoughts about my 4 years at Carpinteria High School generally envolved her smiles and kind demeanor.

Now she's got her own CD out called Free and has a part in a major motion picture by Group 8 Productions called Flying Free. Two years have gone by since I've seen her at SBCC when I we were both struggling to get footing; she was trying to sing and write music and I just wanted to find myself and what life I wanted. I guess she's beat me to the punch by a lot.

Her music reminds me of Bonnie Ratt, but a little bit more soft. I know I can't talk in music notes.

Check out here music and creativity at http://www.jillmariemusic.com/index.html.

YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED!

'H.S. It's 3 am and I'm still up'

Terminator Came Through

Sorry, I know I'm off by a few days. Actually nearly a week.

This was the post I had set up for Monday, but I'm getting around to it now.

I came back Monday to find that the exterminators had come through my room. I had packed everything up the Friday before in this pile and covered it with sheets and a quilt.

When I came in it was rather disconcerting seeing everything material in my life in a small pile 6 feet in diameter and 4 feet tall. Then it made me realize how most of the stuff I don't even use anyway. The main thing that comes to my head is Mel and all those around me who are helping keep me focused on my goals.

Even though I know I've said it more times to count, but thank you for all the support guys.

Back to CSUN

After a lot of relaxed time in Solvang it's back to Northridge and back to the books. Geology, Hazards, & Film Aesthetics. After class ended I decided I wanted to go for a bike ride to try and catch the sun set. I was only able to get the last few minute of one on top of this hill near a dog park.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Melanie & I went to the Wine Valley Inn in Solvang for Valentines Day

We got a very quant little room for the two of us for the evening. Then had one of the most fabulous meals ever at Cafe Saint Angelica on First St. Mel got the Salmon special and I got a Filet Minon Penne. SHE GOT THE BETTER MEAL, but a lot. Mine was good, but her salmon was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than mine.

After dinner we went back to the room and exchanged valentines day gifts, then out of nowhere, the toilet begins to overflow. Not like normal overflow, but gushing out and it flooded the bathroom.

For the inconvience, we got moved to another, bigger, room downstairs and got the night's stay for free.

Man I love being with Mel, never a dull moment in my life with her. AND MAN DO I LOVE THAT GIRL NAMED MELANIE BETH ELKIN.