Day 13 Rower's Barbeque

As I said in a previous post, rowing has been amazing for me.  It's been a great workout and changed how I exercise but the big surprise was the social aspect.
A few of us got together at Robert's house where most of the club cookouts are generously hosted and last night was a very familiar scene.  People cooking and preparing a meal, lots of good wine and beer, and lots of people sitting and standing around talking-talking a little rowing, a little business, a little sport.  Today was hard to choose which picture would make the cut-a first- but this one displayed how great our meal looked. _______________________ _________________________________

Day 12 Mother's Beach Boathouse and Sunset row

Another awesome summer night.  I've been rowing for almost 2 years now and tonight was summer's initiative of sunset row. LA Rowing Club has created a great gathering of a few boats and a few "races" on the marina.  After a workout, many in the group then head out and enjoy a beer and good company.
This was the view of where we wait and gather to get organized.  I have waited many a morning in the cold, asking myself why am I doing this and why do I love this sport?
For starters, it's a non impact overall workout that lets me move and be in the moment and forces me to think of nothing else-similar to my experiences as a child with dance.  I chose this sport, wanting to have something that held me accountable like a team sport but was still very individualistic.  All this came about, but the great surprise was the support and the friendships and the great social things that resulted.  I am also amazed that I am friends with people on a level where we share much but may know very little about what the career is or how they dress on a day to day basis- it's very stripped down.  I had just come to this realization when I say an interview with Judy Starkman on her public art installation the secret life of swimmers.  Maybe it's the water that is a true equalizer, not the sport. _______________________ _________________________________

Day 11 Friendly Valley Trivia and Kogi Truck-Awesome Summer Nights!

This isn't the first time I've met the SCV Tweeps for trivia and then on to a late night snack with the Kogi food truck, but I think this will be the signature thing for the summer.  It doesn't matter what you're doing, it just matters that you're out with friends enjoying those wonderful summer nights and it feels like the one you're in is the most perfect one ever until the next one with similar ingredients comes along.
I love summer and I love feeling like a teenager, where you have little worries-now for just a moment- and the company of great friends.
This was taken after I had finished my sliders and LD and I were joined by some of the trivia crew.  The line that was at least 40 orders deep was winding down and sounds of laughter and happy groups of friends filled pockets of the street and parking lot. Not a bad night out at all. _______________________ _________________________________

Day 10 Irish Times Trivia

I love playing Trivia here because I meet up with my friends from rowing and get to see them in civilian clothes.  I also love the fact that over the months that we have been playing, we have only gotten a sports question right once and it was last week when I was gone.  The drinks are pricey and the service is terrible but it's fun to see the variety of folks that come in on a Tuesday night to play and converse.  Our team has only won a bar tab once and that has kept us coming back for more.
We came in fifth tonight and it was fun laughing and complaining and sharing the hate for our nemesis teams, Ship It and Delivery's in the Rear, since Fat Kids are Harder to Kidnap has been missing in action.
It shows how much I love this since I drive down from Awesometown to Culver City Irish Times to play and the drive home has been a challenge with highway construction. _______________________ _________________________________

Day 9 Hard Shadows, Cool Breezeway

I noticed these shadows from the stair railing and wanted to capture it.  I was coming home from work and saw the hard shadows.
I've always liked patterns that shadows make and hope that this snap reads as how hot it really feels today.  It's so hot and I'm not even where the heat wave is hitting--so hot, I just want to be inside with the blinds closed, sitting under the ceiling fan and enjoying the respite. _______________________ _________________________________

Day 8 Self Portrait

Like my views, I have a collection of self portraits like this one- me, behind a camera, guessing where the framing will be in a reflective surface, usually a mirror.  I've been doing this for 20 years and suppose it will continue for another 20 or more.
I have been dealing with a lot of internal stuff and I like the idea of wearing my glasses in this besides the fact that I think aviators make me look tough.  I honestly like the lens flare and the fact that this was taken in the window of the second car I have ever had.  My truck and I had many great adventures and memories and this new car has not had the same attention since I feel like I'm cheating on the truck with the new car.  I hope to soon take this car 'cross country and have adventures like the Bullet and I had! _______________________ _________________________________