Life's short, make art & let it be seen

Friday they tried to trap me in the office in front of my computer, but I escaped by assisting in a kayaking trip (actually my direct supervisor suggested it) Sorry - gotta cut the kids out of pics, don't think I have permission to use them.

Learning the ways of the paddle

Kayaking to Tidelands Park for lunch - Coronado

San Diego - Coronado Bay Bridge: 2 mile bridge ascends curving 80 degrees toward San Diego

We kayaked out and under the bridge to the Park, ate lunch, paddled back (enjoyed reading the ridiculous things people name their boats) and then soaked up the sun.  I feel a little more prepared for the kayaking adventures with the military youth, although, I am surprised at how people can be confused about how to turn a kayak. If you want to go left, paddle left. If you want to stop or slow down, paddle backward. How is this confusing?  Also learned that my communication with the kids needs to be better - when they can actually understand my thick Midwest accent. It's weird, it's like once I get around a group of Cali kids, my accent gets thicker. "Oh my GAWD" and "Oh YEA?" which was pointed out by Instructor Ben.

First weekend off from work - Get out and see Saint Diago.

I would like to note that gas here can go to hell - now that that's out of the way, I packed up beach clothes and headed to North Park.  North Park is an artsy fartsy neighborhood of San Diego. Downtown North Park contains the Ray Street Arts District, which holds a gallery walk the second Saturday of every month (check it out). Here's some of the street art you will see on Ray: 

Stopped in at Cirello Gallery on Ray Street, which I recommend to anyone who is awesome (if you're not epic, then don't go). Matt there is pretty boss and willing to talk about any artwork and make suggestions. He makes the jewelry and owns the shop and I was drawn right into Sarah Stieber's artwork. Let's be honest, it's because it looks like a mural which in my mind is a more artistic and refined version of graffiti (neo-expressionism, baby!).  She's from, I believe, Philly - of course - and since she's from the East Coast, I already like her, and her artwork is, well, for lack of a better descriptive word, incredible. She's only 22 years old - impressive!

Crazy Dreams

Pace & Love

The Kava Tree by John McDavid

                

Matt also suggested the Kava Bar where an artist had created this amazing tree. Stole this picture off-line because me walking around taking pictures with my phone for my blog just points out how lame I am. Apparently, Kava is a ceremonial tea consumed in the South pacific Islands that has scientifically proven anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxing properties. It is a sacred tea that when taken over time brings a feeling of happiness and well being. I don't know about all that, but I DO know that it smelled like massive amounts of pot to me when I walked in (which could just be the fact that it is a root/herb) TRUST that I will be back to sample this tea.

Checked out a few other studios, gased up Blue Steel, and headed to PB. Ben was correct, as far as downtown Pacific Beach goes, it is way too "brosefy" for me. Frat kids everywhere, which in my mind was going to be awesome, but in reality, was the total opposite.  I went the cheap route and had a fish taco at Cojita's and it was pretty good for $1.49 (yea, it was under 2 bucks). There is no way in god fearing hell I would EVER go in there if I hadn't seen the Yelp reviews. It's pretty plain and bland from the outside, well, the inside too, but I'll tell you on a budget, this place is select (and tasty). I have a white trash palette, so I figure that if I think it tastes really good, others will have a higher level of expectation, but many of the reviews say good things too. C'mon, there can't be that many people that eat the trash food I do on an AmeriCorps paycheck!

Although I missed the artwork, I would say this was a great day (minus having to charge my cell phone off the laptop in my car). I really need to buy a REAL GPS and map and stop relying on my cell phone. Next Post: CORONADO BEACH!