Xterra 2006

I have a motto; I don't run, I don't swim and I don't bike, but I always show up for the party! This year was no exception as I didn't even bloody volunteer! Anyway- the Xterra post race party has become quite the annual event in my social calendar. Evidently I'm not alone as Nancy asked a couple of beefy German athletes yesterday if they had come to Maui specifically for Xterra, they replied "Nine-ve came for ze party"!
A nice local touch.The pygmy, the shim and the devil in the blue dress meet again! This guy was lit up like a Christmas Tree. Hysterical, his mingling skills were limited to the length of his extension cord found defty dangling between his legs!
Look what I found underneath a Spaniards tutu! Quite a nifty little place to keep your scripps and emergency $10.00!
Oh my.......ride'um cowboy!

I was generously treated to luxury digs & nosh at the Four Seasons by Nancy and once again Jami brought me under his wing (despite my being a no-show at the scramble)! Thanks kids-I had a blast.

Just when you think you've seen it all....

Yesterday was a spectator day at Hookipa. Big sets, lots of pro’s and the grassy knoll was lined with big lenses focused on the amazing wind & kit surfing action. It was enough right there to make it an observers paradise & then in to the mix comes Laird stand up paddling. Or as I heard it called up on Kauai ‘up standing paddling”! Just imagine you’re out (and let’s face it you have to feel like hot shit in those conditions) and all of a sudden the dude shows up with nothing but his board, paddle and 42 years of experience-what the hell-that’s got to take you down a peg or two…don’t ya think? Oh and btw his rides were mind blowing & b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l.....

As an aside Laird just completed the ‘Paddle n’Pedal’ across the Hawaiian Islands with Dave Kalama to raise awareness & money for autism. Check out the press release http://www.beautifulson.com/images/LAIRD_PRESS_REL.pdf the itinerary is classic. Incidently, part of the 'paddle' was from Molokai to Oahu and my lovely friend Juan was paddling his ass off in one of the canoes during the Molokai channel race. He said having Dave in their other club boat made any kind of petulance impossible!

I win-I win!

In an effort to be festive, I decided we should carve pumpkins and have a friendly little contest in the process. I knew it was a stretch to ask my windsurfing, trials biking, hung-over, surfing, I'm out of weed and have no personality, running, jumping, skipping pals to be the crafty! So bollocks, I carved my own pumpkin and declared myself the winner!

I've got nothing to post and just couldn't look at myself sneezing any more, so here's a kodak moment from a few weeks ago.

Does anyone have a tissue?!

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My Dad used to have this same unique talent; sneezes didn't come solo, but in a veritable procession of at least ten to sixteen! I’ve spared you the repetitive boredom of my gifted gene pool and cut you off at seven!

Isn't he cute?!

Dirty floor = not my house!

Super Chick strikes again!

Let me introduce Corina Price. She’s a chick all the way, until you mention the words “spark plugs” or “head gasket” and then her eyes twinkle she drops everything and turns into Super Chick!

Today after work Nancy’s car would not start and she foolishly called ME to jump start the engine. Full of fake confidence I said “sure I’ll be right there”…..secretly dreading the moment when you have to apply the grippy sparking bits to the battery! I spotted Super Chicks truck in the parking lot and to my relief she’d not yet headed home. “Hey Corina” I yelled “Nancy needs you to jump her car”. She did that excited little “someone’s in distress and needs me” super hero shudder and nearly skipped across the parking lot to help her dweeby helpless gal pals in their moment of distress.

After flawlessly performing all possible resuscitations she declared the battery would have to go home with her to be charged, as yes, she even owns a battery charger! So here she is in all her glory performing the batteryectomy!

What a woman-there’s nothing she enjoys more than rebuilding an engine or delivering groceries, www.alohagroceryservice.com Thanks Super Chick....you're my hero!

Birds eye view.

At the risk of boosting an already over inflated ego.....I wanted to take a photo that would capture the Italian's eye lashes. What I got was this, which I think is infinitely more interesting.

And finally.....

Ely, this ones for you! How about the added touch of the ice bucket which was the bin from the condo bathroom, cheers!

From the mountains to the sea.

To get this great view of Hanalei Bay, we completed the steepest hike I've ever done (think red face, lots of sweat and pulsating brain) along one of the ridge lines.
What the hell is this?
Well, we all know what this is!
Nature is a great shape maker and as we climbed in elevation the different ecosystems of the forest were quite apparent.
Ti anyone?Back at sea level, some things never change. A surfer’s focus will only be pulled away from the waves by one thing....