Another Perfect Day

All Photos by Jennifer Mench

The waves were so fun this day. And even better we had a little company. The dolphins hung out during our entire session. They never do that. They were very playful, jumping out of the water, and splashing around.

I guess it could have been a little warmer. I'm used to surfing in freezer water. But the poor photographer on the beach wasn't prepared for the cold of Carmel, though it didn't stop her from getting some great shots. Thanks Jenn!

"It's colder here than Alaska!" says a fisherman on the beach.

I know that probably isn't true, but sometimes, it seems this is the coldest place on Earth.



Rich Mosley ripping!


Left hander.


What on Earth, am I trying to fly???


The dolphin whisperer.

American Idol Top 5 Results Goodbye Matt Giraud

As I've mentioned before I don't bother watching the American Idol Results show. I was getting the results off Twitter, but lately I've been relying on my Facebook Friend.

She gives me the play by play. And she often has lots of commenters. All this activity makes me feel as if I'm watching it live, except it's better. Plus, my Facebook Friends are entertaining.

"Adam, Kris and Matt are in the bottom three!" writes my Facebook Friend on my wall.

"I cannot believe Adam is in the bottom three!" I write. "No way!"

"I know!" says my Facebook Friend. "I will keep you posted. I am sure he will be safe."

I started to wonder if American Idol is rigged. Adam Lambert in the bottom three makes no sense at all. Or do voters feel the same way about Adam, as I do. He's great, but it's turning into the same old, same old, every week with him.

My Facebook Friend is on East Coast time, it's 9:30 pm there. 30 more minutes and I'll know who is going home tonight. Ahhhh! Thirty more minutes.........I can't wait.

I checked on my friend's status update for comments. From the comments I can tell Taylor Hicks is a guest on the show. My Facebook Friends don't seem to like him.

"Ear plugs anyone?" comments my Facebook Friend.

"Wow!" comments another Facebook Friend. "I really don't like Taylor Hicks."

Hmmmm? Isn't Taylor Hicks a past Idol winner......Just checked wikipedia and he is, but they need to correct his age. There's no way that guy is 6 years younger than me.

I check my email, another update from my dedicated Facebook Friend.

"Kris is safe! Adam and Matt are the bottom two. I cannot believe it! We have to wait for Jamie Fox to sing."

"Ahhhh!" I exclaim. "Jamie Fox really?! But why? Is he an Idol winner, too?"

Remember I am new to Idol. This is only my second season. And I don't even start watching til they're down to 10 or 12 contenders. I suppose I lack dedication and commitment on some topics.

Back to the bottom two, now that it's down to Adam and Matt, I can relax. I predicted Matt would be going home tonight. And the commentary on my Facebook Friend's status update confirms what I'm thinking.

I can't believe this! Kris is safe and not Adam?!


Setup for sure.


I like Kris- Adam is safe- it just makes for good tv

Finally, the last update from my Facebook Friend, "Idol says goodbye to Matt. Adam is safe."

Phew! Now, maybe, Adam will step up his game. Or maybe it was another dramatic Hollywood setup, sort of like Kenny Chesney and Renee Zellweger.

Sunshine Freestyle SurfAbout 29

The logo, designed by Burke Boynton,
for this year's Surfabout t-shirt rocks!

Hey all you surfers and watchers of surf, it's that time of year again! The annual Sunshine Freestyle Surfabout at Carmel Beach is happening May 16th and 17th.

Get ready for two long days at the beach. We're talking 6 a.m to 8 p.m., folks. Please pray for sunshine, surf and good times. Actually, no matter the weather, we always seem to have fun! And we seem to go through every season at least four times through out the 15 minute surf heat filled weekend.

I can hear the air horn blaring now.

I've been surfing in this surf contest, for Monterey County residents only, since 1988. Yes every year, minus a few years due to a honeymoon, conflicting vacation plans, and a pregnancy or two.

The festivities are kicking off Friday May 1st, with a contest sign up party at the Pelican Tavern, located in the American Tin Cannery Building. There is no cover charge for the party. The party starts at 8 pm.

The $40 contest entry fee gets you an awesome t-shirt, there are even ladies, t-shirts this year! yay!, and as many events as your arms can paddle in. Don't be late for your heat, there are no make ups.

To be eligible for the coveted All Around Waterman's Award, surfers must enter surfing, longboard, the distance paddle, and either bodyboarding or skimboarding.

So come down to the tavern, sign up for the contest, get your t-shirt and check out Ron Triplett's band, Blinding Nemo.

"Rock on dude."

The more people that go to the sign up party the better the waves are going to be for the contest, even if you don't surf!

Also Rich and Rob, co-owners of Sunshine Freestyle, will be taking orders for anyone that would like to purchase an extra contest t-shirt or sweatshirt for themselves, or friends and family.

For more info contact Sunshine Freestyle at 831-375-5015. If you miss the sign up party, no worries, you can still sign up at the surf shop after May 1st.

American Idol Recap Top 5

It's rat pack night on American Idol. Tonight's secret host: Jamie Fox.

Kris Allen gave a modern and amazing performance of "The Way You look Tonight." He snuck in a bit of that boy band thing he does, but it was a great performance overall. He has really stepped up his game, I'm happily surprised.

Allison Iraheta turned 17 yesterday. Wow! She's an amazing baby girl! Allison performs a powerful rendition of "Someone To Watch Over Me." Yes, boys, y'all should be watching out for Allison, because right now the heavens are watching over her!

Matt Giraud's performs "My Funny Valentine." He didn't look confident up on stage and it came across in his performance. Though there wasn't really anything wrong with his vocals. Maybe I just don't care for that song. It's kind of mean. Not his best night, he's in trouble.

Danny Gokey sings "Come Rain Or Come Shine." Yes! Danny's back! He's right up there with Allison. As cliche as it sounds, D-Man was in the zone.

Adam Lambert gave a spine tingling performance of "Feeling Good." He's head an shoulders above the rest of the competition. But I do feel he's the same week after week after week. I'd be worried that if I bought his album, every song might sound the same, or at least end in that rocker scream.

My top three are Matt, Allison and Danny. My bottom two are Kris Allen and Matt Giraud. With five people left in the race for Idol, it's getting harder and harder to send someone home. However, having made it to the top 5 is reason alone to celebrate.

Carrie Underwood So Small

Anyone need a little inspiration today? Well, here it is. I am new to Carrie Underwood fandom. And I have to say, not only is she awesome, but I believe we have matching auras.

Carrie has a serious set of pipes, in addition to her pretty face. And she can write songs, y'all.

Carrie co-wrote, "So Small." My favorite 3 lines in the song are, "Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand. What you've been out there searching for forever, is in your hand. And when you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything else seem so small."

In other words, everything we will ever need is right inside our hearts, if we only look. Sometimes it's difficult to see our own boundless beauty and amazingness.

Often, it's much easier to see our own beauty in other people. But when we fall in love with someone else, we are really just falling in love with ourselves. Isn't that amazingly cool?!

When we throw caution to the wind and give away our love freely, we are just loving ourselves. However, it's always more fun to have someone to play with, rather than playing solitaire all alone......

Stay tuned tonight for the American Idol Top 5 Recap. Will American Idol ever dish out another Carrie Underwood(2005)? Time will tell. Adam Lambert could be that big. Especially since he appears to be haunted by Elvis's ghost.