Is Analog Dead?

**poached photo

I just bought my first music online, I have really been digging these guys (and they're about to hit the road). I know, I know, I am a little off the back in this regard. To my defense I have been downloading free live music for years here, and more recently here. But like a lot of people, I am slow to change and enjoy the interactive and informative nature of holding something physical in my hand while listening to a new “album” for the first time. Almost embarrassingly I admit, I still have all of my cassettes tapes, mostly bootlegs, something's Phishy and anything Dead. I pull them out from time to time just to hear the crackly white noise and the atmospheric magic that only exists in a good audience recording. But I wonder, is this form of audio slipping away for good...is analog dead?

Winter Warmer

Mexican color swatch

time slows, air flows, frigget shows

amphibious friend, hopefully headed for cleaner waters in the spirit world

the last of my vitamin D treatment for the winter

As the wind howls and the thermostat out the window reads 19F these shots from last week seem like an eternity has past. I am thankful to have soaked up as much as we did. My skin is brown, the fire inside is rekindled and my heart feels lighter. Sometimes I think all I need are empty waves, warm water and fresh fish. Then responsibility hits me over the head and I remember... "time to make the doughnuts"

A Year Ago Today

journal entry: Saturday Jan.17th, 2009,

"Oye! checked a south river jetty at dawn. Thick, walled and 2x over head. My head cold and 7-2 left me feeling undergunned ( or I just lack the sack to paddle out at this spot alone today). So I pointed it further south to check a cove I've been eyeing for just such an occasion. Turned out glassy, looooong, headhigh, fishalicious rights. A loc paddled over to introduce himself and thank me for not being a dick and not paddling right to the top of the point (as this spot doesn't exactly regulate itself like up north) he then proceeded to call me into waves. Never experienced that before. We shared the sets w/ 3-4 others until my arms went to jello and the tide filled in. 4 hrs. of strong winter sun and perfect whackable rights passed. I tapped my booties together 3 times to make sure I wasn't dreaming but the S.Ore. coast was reeeeeeel...ing"

This was the 1st day of a spontaneous 5 day solo road trip. One where absolutely everything fell perfectly into place. One that left me dropped jawed and speechless at the sheer beauty and good fortune I have experienced in my life. Though it is impossible and foolish to deem one road trip as "the best", this one surely contained a few of the most memorable go-outs I've had to date. One at a spot "with not a soul in sight, chatting it up with bull kelp between sets, big (enough) and perfect, driving down emerald green faces with VW size boulders inches below the surface"

I guess I reminisce because my current (day to day) life is so far removed from a year ago. And keeping it fresh reminds me how important it is to find my way back. Create my own reality. I guess.