Last Weekend

So last Friday I worked till 9pm or so. I had originally planed to drive down to San Diego on Saturday morning but got inspired to leave Friday night. The plan was that I would have a “mini vacation” alone before seeing my family. I would drive until I found a beach side community that was close to a pub I could walk to and a beach I could surf the next morning.

First I pulled off at Carlsbad and was not into all the jarheads walking around so I decided to keep driving. Next town was Encinitas. I pulled off there and drove around. I liked the vibe downtown and there was a budget motel close by. I checked into the motel and walked to the nearest bar called the “daily double.” I ordered a new castle at first and that was nice. I observed all the surfer dudes and ladies. It was a nice mellow scene. Everyone ignored me and I like that. Then a women came toward the bar where I was standing. I figured she was gonna order something so I moved. I asked what she was gonna get and she said a beer. By then I had moved to the sinister looking Stone Bastard Ale. I gave her a sip and she seemed to like it but decided on a Corona. She later told me that she was a law student with a focus on Human Rights Law – that her dream was to work for the United Nations. She introduced me to her colleague and an old friend of hers visiting from LA. He was a chemist originally from Sri Lanka – a graduate of USC (but I did not hold it against him lol but we did have a good laugh about it) We all got a seat and talked till the bar closed. A very intelligent group actually. I thought it funny that I would meet the only other people who do not live there.

Next day I got up and went to the beach for a while. Encinitas had great waves – a wonderful mellow surf community. The waves were perfect hollow four footers. Not too big and not too small. Headed back to the hotel and showered and then checked out and drove into town for breakfast. I found a really nice diner and ordered waffles and eggs. Then I walked around. Encinitas has a lot of quaint little shops. I found a used bookstore and purchased Steve Martins novella “Shop Girl” for 5 bucks. I also discovered this amazing garden store called Grounded. This place really inspired me for some reason. They have all kinds of potted plants, books, rugs and furniture. All in that clean modern style that I’m always after. Someone actually joked with me the other day about my desire to be a clean cut modern guy. The truth is that I’m a “Boho” tryin’ real hard to be Metro Sexual. Dare to dream haha… 

So I drove down to the Bahia where my Family was staying. I decided to go to Ocean Beach. The waves were not as good as this morning but it was still fun. Lots of people on the beach and my sister Natalie and I checked out this pretty cool wave rider machine.

   Later on that day I got to see my Nephew Guillermo in the flesh. For most of the evening he was sleeping but there was this moment when he opened his eyes. He looked so strong – so confident. I feel like you can really get a sense of how a person will turn out even in those initial days after birth.