Quad O/H@OBX: Sat, 2001/08/04

I missed the swell at Rodanthe on Friday (2001/08/03) by a few hours but Flek and SteveM scored some. After the family's siesta we headed north to check it but the wind was blowing out the GordonPalooza venue into worthless shore rumble. There were some nice peaks on the northside of Rodanthe but about 25 folks were working the avg. waves.

The GP contingent closed out the evening with dinner at the Fish House, located in the Frisco area. Food is good southern fried and broiled. I feasted on the hush puppies while Flek, Steve and my wife Beth dished on a large serving of mussels. Flek selected an excellent red wine to accompany the main course and we devoured the AS crew over the main course. We understand that a Code Yellow attack is imminent

Let me correct this slander before Myron has to <insert self-depreciating smiley face here> Ya see, Myron, the king of home brews, would never stoop so low as to have a Bud Lite; Those were mine left over from the previous evening. I think Myron was doing the Lemonades too.

and we did....The GP2K1 beta-test of Finnegan's and the foosball table went well. The space and the band

band if they (and they *better*) make it down. We even found out they are harboring a hidden dart board that they might break out to make Myron happy. They said they hadn't had it out cuz of the hazard of a bunch of drunks throwing darts.....Probably a good point <insert smiley face with a dart pierced through it here>

Later,

I was actaully too lazy to make the 30 yard dash to the truck to grab another Weeping Radish brew, so Flek handed me one of his Lemonaids.

As a followup, Steve and I (Flek was 'tired'

Whoa!!! Stop the press....er...the ascii electrons! Did everyone hear..er...read that? Yes, I, Steve, the self-proclaimed 'I hate dawn patrol and can never make them with even the best of intentions' surfer, was up for a dawn patrol. Not only that, but to *really* set the laws of nature off balance, I woke up before anyone else, and it was even *before* dawn. This was even *after* I had to hold up the reputation of the party contingent since Flek and Myron dropped off by 11:30 or 12, and I decided to head out to the sports bar the people at Finnegan's had recommended since Finnegan's closed at 11:00. It was worth the trip (just down from Finnegan's, so we may have to keep this in mind for GP2K1 if Finnegan's closes early then too, and especially if they don't break out the dart boards and Myron needs some redemption). Anyway, the place has two pool tables, a foosball table, and two dart boards. I told the rest of the gang that this must have been a good 'foosball karma' trip, cuz before I could even get my first beer (yes, a Bud Light) ordered, someone said they needed a fourth to play foosball and wondered if I would play. 'Oh, sure,' I said nonchalantly, and proceeded to have a fun evening of games. This was after some games at Finnegan's with a 9 year-old budding foosball champ, and after the previous night when I had to go back home to get ready for a test sat. morning; I got back just in time to get in a few games and timed it perfect. The place I went, ya usually have to wait forever to play, but when I walked in, someone who was next up needed a partner and asked me....Foosball karma weekend I tell ya.

Anyway, back to the sports bar at Hatteras I was typing about: At last call, I spoke with the owner outside since I had not recognized the place (Lighthouse Sports Bar) and asked him if it was new. He said it was about a year old, and his next plan was to add a kitchen soon (that was the one drawback; no food except for some bags of chips and other muchies they sold at the bar). Anyway, with establishing myself with the foosball 'regulars,' and speaking with the owner, I may have set the stage for a secondary venue during GP2K1, especially for those jonesin' for post-surfing activities.

Oh wait...back to why I started on this tangent in the first place: Even after rolling back in about 2:30 or 3 after an evening of drinks and foosball, I *still* woke up before sunrise. I timed it perfect: The full moon, high in the sky the night before, was close to setting on the glassy sound. In the east, irregular thunderhead clouds on the horizon resulted in a divergence of many faint orange-reddish sunrays across the sky, signalling the impending explosion of light. It was still dark enough that what was probably Venus and Mercury were very close to each other, low in the sky, and still brilliantly bright. Back on the sound, two large Herons reflected on the still-water's surface. *This* is why I *love* dawn patrol...I just wish I could get myself to do it more often.

Whoa!! Stop the ascii electrons again.....It was *Myron* who grabbed some more sleep. In continuation of the imbalance of nature, even though we didn't go surfing at dawn, I still stayed awake to enjoy these strange sights and phenomena connected with something called 'morning.' I paid for it later, though. With little sleep the night before, and with no power nap, the drive home was a battle to stay awake (Myron, you caught up to me at the perfect time...I had already almost nodded off a couple of times, but seeing a familiar face gave me the impetus to at least make it to the nearest fast-food place to grab some caffine and something to eat... Thanks for potentially saving my life).

Foon, if you're reading this, we had decided 'calf-high closeouts' would be a good term you would enjoy since you have been on a recent kick of using alliteration.

Definitely fun. As Myron mentioned earlier, we were kinda indifferent and lackluster about the surf, but deciding to go was worth it, and it resulted in the birth of a new theory...Here's the background:

Earlier in the week, Flek and I had incredibly irregular eating habits. Every time we knew we should eat something, we were just like, 'Are you hungry?...Nah, I'm not hungry...let's just surf.' That brought to mind a condition I think everyone has experienced where you don't think you're hungry, but once you start eating, you realize how hungry you really were, and devour everything.

The new theory is that this concept applies to surfing; Myron and I were talking ourselves out of going surfing cuz we were tired and the waves didn't look that great. Once we saw the surf picking up some, we still thought breakfast would be better to have first, then check the waves out again. After breakfast, the waves did pick up a little, and although we were still half-hearted about it and could just as easily taken a power nap, we committed to going out.

That's all it took...Being out in the water and getting lots of good rides even though they were only about waist high made me just want more and more. I was devouring the ocean. How could we have even *thought* we weren't hungry for this?

It was definitely one of the funnest sessions of the trip (I missed the 'Lion's Den' on Saturday cuz I was driving back from taking my test Sat. morning). I experienced the full spectrum of surfing: missed some waves, wiped out on some waves, caught some good, and caught some perfect. Usually, my favorite ride is when you think you're gonna catch it too late, you go over the falls, catch some air in the drop, and still hold on at impact and make the bottom turn and surf on. In this session, two of my favorites were when I caught the wave in the perfect position where I was right at the top of the wave, going down the line right at the lip where it was just breaking on the board and I stayed just enough ahead of it that I didn't get caught in the whitewater. No carving along the face, smacking the lip, or bottom turning. Just riding along the crest of the wave and letting it break along my board. Schaweeeeet!

Ditto, especially to Rod for trying to culturize me with some 'real' beer, and also for the food when I was starved when I returned Saturday. Flek gave me some Mike's Hard lemonade and water, but I'm not sure if that is culture <insert smiley face here>

Later,

Steve says... <Nippped>

A profound and prolific effort from the Mind. Kudos Steve.

What I'm enjoying more is the picture of you two wrestling a baby cow into the surf to do the measuring You boys are very dedicated. I am honored to be planning an event with you two.

My appreciation to the GP2K1 Advance Team, Rod, Myroni, Steve and Flek. In your capable hands the footstones have been set to construct an even more fantastic Guidopalooza then has ever existed before. I'm beginning to actually feel sorry for those who are not coming, but then that will leave more waves for.....Sarge.

More surfing, planning, beer tasting, Mike's guzzling, eating and theory formation should occur in two weeks at the Bunker where Rod and I will put brains to the board and develop a final roster, list of events, supplies and equipment list, participants car logo (last years was cool) secret handshake, tattoo design, recipe book, and contest prizes. Plus selecting the mystery guest. Obscure clues will be sent in your event packets, the first one to gues gets to.......narrate the Panamasolas2000 video. How many birthday boys we got again that weekend Rod, 4??!!

-Foontonio Foonarelli (Whada YOO lookin AT?!!)

Ping! Fun was had by all on this GP warm-up. Thank you, too, for the company and excellent home brew!

GP2K1: http://www.bcpl.net/~rrodgers/gp2k/rod_gp2k.html

Ouch! No damage intended... just a desparate soul. Haven't sampled any of the Weeping Radishes (FYI: think they want $140 for a 1/2 keg but will have to recheck that price, Heinies only $105). Lemonades in honor of

If it's during the blues fest or taste of Chicago, you may...

How many birthday boys we got again that weekend Rod, 4??!!

Not just boys, Foonarelli MacFoon, during our Oct 4-9 GuidoPalooza 2001 Festival of Birthdays:

ASBD Guido 9-28 DeeDee (corrall) 09-28 Jane Moody 10-04 Rod Rodgers 10-06 Foondoggy 10-10 Myron 10-10 Rico Bates

the Finnegan's (we hope!) is Foon's birthday; Myron & Rico are one day outside of the official GP2K1 so in keeping with the alternating days we will have to celebrate their major events on Oct 8th.

Plenty of toasts will be in store for the following Honorary Guidos ASBDs: 09-29 Mongolian Horde 10-01 Cam Scott 10-03 Tom Keener 10-05 John Hermesman

Rod Rodgers

Homepage: http://www.bcpl.net/~rrodgers/rodpage1.html GP2K1: http://www.bcpl.net/~rrodgers/gp2k/rod_gp2k.html

rodNDtube

Guys, things are looking better. The band is all clear to do it.

We're just waiting for the word whether or not we are playing at the National Motorcross Championships. As soon as we get clearance, all is good!!! Keep your fingers crossed.

If this is the event in Branson, MO over Oct 5-7th, I can guarantee you don't want to do it: