Jamie's March favorites

1. Fun Easter brunch at Mom's (mmm, her crepes!)
2. Jay's birthday dinner (I made this)
3. Ventura - the surf contest, and morning coffee on the beach with Jay and the dog
3. Santa Cruz with Jay (we ate here)
4. Going to the gym with Mom (a few times each week!)
5. My first Zumba class
6. Voice acting class
7. Dinner at NOLA with my boss and coworkers
8. The Hills premiere with Jess and a bottle of red wine (funny recaps here)
9. Goofing off with Dad on the phone
10. Tea at the Ritz
11. Watching an octopus eat a shark (shivers)
12. Watching Rock of Love on Sunday nights (I won't say who watches it with me)

Ventura

Surf Fridays!

evening to morning at Surfers Point, Ventura

Ventura highway

The time is finally here!

I've probably mentioned that I've been needing a road trip for awhile. Back in January I was feeling a bit cranky and my dear friend Jess reminded me, "Don't you usually take a road trip about once a year"? It had been so long (maybe 3 years!) that I'd nearly forgotten about it.

On previous road trips I've typically driven up to 8 hours either north or south. I've been to Ashland, OR a few times and San Diego a few times. Road trips wash my entire soul. They clear everything in my head and give me fresh ideas. I come home feeling completely renewed and happy.

So today, in just a couple of hours, the husband and the dog and I are heading on a trip to celebrate Jay's birthday. We are heading to Ventura, which is about 30 mins. south of Santa Barbara. It's 70 degrees there and though the water is cold due to spring upwelling, we will bring our wetsuits and surfboards. I haven't surfed for too long and I'm a bit nervous, but I'm going to jump in.

We found a little mediterranean casita not too far from the beach. I happened to notice it has wi-fi. So for this week's edition of Surf Fridays! there will be a real time photo and story of surfing in Ventura County. Maybe something from Rincon or Surfers Point...oh boy!

And if any of you need a road trip or some sort of break, start planning it. Mark your calendar and make it real. You'll start to feel good by just visualizing and concocting your plans. A little hint - For the past 2 months, I've had a beautiful photo of Santa Barbara on my computer desktop, and seeing it every day truly helped make this trip happen. Thoughts really do become things!

I'm leaving you with a hearty wish for a wonderful weekend, and a few of the lyrics from one of my favorite 70's tunes. Jay, time to wake up and pack! See y'all real soon!

Ventura highway in the sunshine
Where the days are longer
The nights are stronger than moonshine
You're gonna go I know...

Hoping you had a nice Easter

Devo, shake!

Devo is my first dog that I've had as an adult. I grew up with two Australian Shepards, Beau & Vader (yes, named after Darth Vader). So far, Jay has taught Devo how to sit, roll over and bang! (play dead). I really wanted to teach him a trick on my own, and I'm so proud because by golly I've done it. "Devo, shake! Good boy".

Surf Fridays!

Kelly Slater once said about the surfing bug -
"It's like the mafia. Once you're in - you're in. There's no getting out".

Cars in my neighborhood: 04

Olds Cutlass Supreme
Old County Road, San Carlos

An Irish blessing

May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Dedicated to Emma M.

Surf Fridays!

Waves keep coming, that's the one thing you can count on in life.
- Gerry Lopez



That's right, you can count on waves that keep coming, and you can count on Surf Fridays, each and every Friday here on out.

Stay cool and keep it real...Jamie

Cars in my neighborhood: 03

Chevy on Old County Road, San Carlos

Cars in my neighborhood: 02

Plymouth Duster on Arroyo, San Carlos