Santa Cruz Island

I have been wanting to go check out the Channel Islands for years now and finally the weekend came. The lady got the trip for her birthday and she let me tag along too. The boat ride out was rough going. Swell was sizable from the wind equaling still bodies, shifty eyes, blank stares and nervous grimaces all around. It was a pretty big boat so it wasn't horrible but I did get a little sick.

The water was so clear out there. You could see to the bottom almost everywhere, including fish, sea lions, urchins and plants. A perfect time to realize the camera was in fact finally dead...and not just sick. Other pictures were taken and they may end up here sometime but this is the only one I have from my phone. This is actually looking over a 100 foot cliff even though it doesn't really look like it.Anyway, we had an awesome time hiking around the island, kayaking all over, and just getting out and camping.

Domepiece

The house I am working on has a really cool dome. The original house before the fire had a tower with a dome and so that, along with a lot of other characteristics were carried over. I've never built a dome before but we worked our way through it and it is coming along great. It is now on the top of the tower and is being waterproofed. Next will be the tiling process which should be interesting. Here are some shots of when it was still on the ground.
Ja was added for scale.

Bouldering

Lately I have tried my hand at bouldering a bit. Honestly, I don't think I have ever said to myself, I really want to learn how to boulder. But, I work with a guy who lives for climbing so the opportunity came and I took it.

I didn't get it prior. Why wouldn't you want go higher? No Rope? How much time could you really spend on one boulder....if you made it to the top wouldn't you just move on?

These trips have really opened my eyes to a lot of things. This is really hard, technical, a lot of fun, nice and cool people.

Additionally I have seen some really amazing parts of this area that I didn't even know existed. There is something pretty cool about being high in the mountains, gazing out and seeing the ocean and then the Channel islands beyond that. It doesn't seem right but it is.

The strangest thing about these experiences has been the presence of FEAR. It's been a long time since I have felt that feeling. As I have aged, I have stuck with the hobbies I know and occasionally will experience fear but nothing like this. I am not sure if I like it but its different. I like the sport so far though. I reckon I had the same feelings when I was learning to ride a bike, learning to snowboard, walking alone in the dark, job interviews, talking to girls. Maybe the fear will pass overtime...unless its like job interviews.

Downsizing

In 2009 alone we made some pretty drastic living changes. There have been job changes, space changes, I've lost a lot of weight...the list goes on.

We are now in our third living space this year and size has dropped drastically each time. We have gone from around 1400 sq ft, to 700 sq ft, to now living in just over 400 sq ft. It has been an interesting transition. While I will admit this place IS really small, it works for us right now. It forces simplicity and meticulous space planning. So below is our new place. I am sure we'll make adjustments here and there but we have been here about a month now and it seems to work out alright.

Typical

Okay so I have been running errands after work the past two days and when I get home its been dark. Not so good for taking pictures of the place. I will get to it before this week is through.

Here is a nice pic of the job though...while sitting on the jon. Its the best seat on the mountain. The house is coming along and of course the aforementioned Kerwood Blog does generally give a better update on the happenings there. Architecture is still cruising along too.


The days are getting shorter. Ohhhh, who else longs for the days of waking up in the dark, working and finding oneself heading home...in the dark. Those days are coming.

Pictcha Show

Things have been busy. There are so many things I always want to write about but it just doesn't happen. It is a sign that I am not in front of a computer nearly as much as I used to be...which is awesome....for me. So instead of writing, I will sum things up in poorly taken phone pictures and potentially a few notes.


Ben Harper on the Beach


Not me but someone I know.....
Serious Bocce

Brand New & Manchester Orchestra in Hollywood

And the Tarantulas have been coming out....Halloween is coming. My favorite holiday....wrong. Oooo maybe tomorrow I will post a few pics of our "house".

Labor Day Weekend

Well I finally made it down to the beach yesterday. Still didn't touch the sand or anything because I was on a bike ride but I did stop and hang out a bit. You'd think the beach was really far away...it seems like this happens quite a bit around here. Folks live a couple minutes from the beach but get caught up doing other things. I guess its the same anywhere though. I am sure there are tons of people in the Denver area who never go to the mountains...probably some who have never even been to the mountains. The pic isn't actually too bad for a phone pic.

It was a beautiful day though. The ride was great and I got to explore some new areas of Santa Barbara. The concrete is now completely done on the house and its now time to start framing the floor!