I've never been one to be fearful of aging... but there was something different about turning 30. I still can't pin point what it was exactly but the word "uneasiness" might come somewhat close to explaining how I was feeling. Maybe it's just the paying attention of time and realizing it continues on whether you're ready for it to or not. I've sometimes taken issue with New Year's Eve for this very reason.
So, yes, the anticipation of turning 30 made me uneasy... However, when I awoke on my birthday I felt great. Being 30 is just dandy. I was even inspired to go for a morning run at the marsh.
To mark the special occasion I ate sushi (the real stuff), and followed the meal with some bowling with great friends. Fuego insisted I take a photo expressing how I feel about turning 30. I've posted a couple.
Check out how wasted I am... NOT! I'm just talented enough to look like I am. With age comes skills.
As the Free Will Astrology guy says:
A full week... It all started with two nights of couchsurfing followed by a trip to Chico to see the parents for TG. My friends Garnabus, Fuego, and their daughter EMj came for the day from Cow town. We spent the day hiking in upper bidwell park and returned to a wonderful feast prepared by my amazing parents.
Saturday night at College Cove in Trinidad. A mere 15 minutes from where I dwell. I've been spending a lot more time in this dramatic seascape lately.
It's quickly becoming tradition to have Friday bagel dates with Mr. Plover and Rootcrop. Plover demonstrates the appropriate method of indulging in a Los Bagel.
Lately I've been enjoying weekly bike rides along narrow, country roads lined with Himalayan blackberry bushes. The fact that they are a non-native invasive species only makes the picking and eating of the berries more enjoyable. But that's not what I'm here to chat about. This is about the smell...
Last week I was forced to go to the coastal town
When I finally had time to take a photo all of the European beachgrass in the background was dead due to restoration efforts. Uuggggghhh! Could my job get any worse?
I found another caterpillar walking along the sidewalk near my office today. I looked up to find caterpillar heaven in a pine tree. Pictured on the left from top to bottom is some type of egg sac from which the babies are hatching. A baby caterpillar > even cuter than the adults. And finally, caterpillars creating cocoons. Hopefully I'll see some moths soon. A great day of discovery just outside my office.
Picture this: a small room filled to the brim with ~60 white chairs, south and west walls are full windows; the windows are overlooking coastal bluffs, a lazy ocean and a setting sun. (Photo on left is taken from just outside the room)
the Dar Williams concert I attended not 24 hours ago in Little River, CA. Intimate, beautiful and better than I had anticipated. Dar has been on my list of "must see before I die" musicians for years. She rarely tours, and if she does it's usually on the east coast. I by chance found out about this little show from Fuego. Thank you Fuego! Dar played two long sets, played every song I was hoping to hear, and delighted the crowd with her candor, wit and impressive knowledge of recycling.
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If only I could post the sumptuous aromas wafting up from these yummy, organic veggies...
While picking blackberries this morning I came across this beauty. This spider is commonly known as the Halloween spider because the females abdomen becomes large and bright in the fall. Not only is this a beautiful spider but her web design immaculate!
Last week Friends of the Dunes went through escrow on 38 acres of dune property along with a bunker style house as seen in the top left corner of the photo. This means that I get to fulfill my dream of managing and restoring land (presently I work with land managers to restore their land). I spent all day walking around the property today getting to know the lay of the land and what plants are present where. I start writing the restoration management plan in August. A big endeavor that I can't wait to begin.
After a long and yet very rewarding day of work at Friends of the Dunes 12th Annual Sand Sculpture Festival
I started the day burning large piles of beachgrass at the Manila dunes this morning at 7am. Playing with fire is currently the best part of my job. 
I made one stop on my way home from Chico today and came across this Barred Owl. It was sunning itself on the side of a back country road. Upon my arrival it flew into a nearby tree and we curiously watched each other for quite some time.
Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters.
I've been avoiding Crocs for a long time now. Not only are they kind of ugly but they're completely made of plastic. Yuck! Then I thought about my shoes... Chacos > plastic/rubber. Boots > leather. Flip flops > synthetic foam stuff. All of my shoes are killing the earth so why not one more pair? Bad theory eh? But where are the eco-groovy shoes that actually last longer than a year and are comfortable? Do tell.
