peaces

My new obsession is bodyboarding. We started on a whim - a last-minute invite from a friend. She had family in town who bought a handful of bodyboards for their visit. Of course, the bodyboards were left behind and now she’s inviting all of her friends to play at the beach.

We did. Our first day out was scary. I got thrashed. I drank a bunch of water. It shook me to the core. But I knew I had to keep trying or I’d never get back on the board. It was so worth it. We bodyboarded twice that week. The second time was even better.

On our third time out - yesterday - PBX and I stopped at the sporting goods store in search of our own bodyboards. Turns out, the ones we were learning on were the smallest child size foam board ever made. We laughed at the comparisons as the sweet surfer-boy helped size our personal boards. I had my choice of pink, blue or red top. I had the pink one in my hands the entire time while admiring all the other colors. For some reason, I was drawn to the pink. Whoda thunk?

We also bought fins and booties for our feet. If I could have afforded them, I would’ve bought the better quality fins but it was my first attempt, so I stuck with the fifteen-dollar type. Not the best decision.

You have no idea how many muscles do not get used on a regular basis till you try walking and kicking in “good-sized” waves. The outside edges of the arches in my feet were screaming with pain within 15 minutes. The fins came off after 40 minutes. They really do help catch the wave but they also trip me up when I’m trying to withstand a mess of crest knocking me around. I kept the booties on though.

The boards. OMG! It was like riding a boat compared to the kiddy boards we used previously. When we caught a wave a wave caught us, there was no going back. It was fire-power. I’m learning how to steer and pump too. I’m looking forward to spinning and flipping, as soon as I feel comfortable being pwnd by the all-powerful ocean.

So I was completely wiped out last night. I feel sunburned but actually, it’s more likely rash-burn. Salt, sand, waves and wind do a number on the body. We couldn’t afford our rashguards just yet. But that’s next on the list. Wetsuits too. Oh yeah. The bug. I’ve got it bad.

I can’t believe I never did this, all the years I lived on Venice Beach. I spent every day on the beach. I could see the ocean from my yard. I never had to drive and get sand in my car. The sand and ocean were my backyard playground. Oh, I’ll be back. This house, 10 miles inland, is just temporary. I need the ocean and she needs me.

Hey guys!  Come join us tonight at 7PM (pacific time) and 10pm (eastern) for a live show.

All you need is a computer and you’re in!  I’ll be doing a live chat/show on BlogTV.

What does this mean?  I’m still not exactly sure, except that we’re having a lot of fun on BlogTV.  YouTubers like Shaycarl, DJzoey, Pickles2626, vanillawave4peace, max9183 and so many more have shared the monitor over the past week.  Sometimes there’s an appearance by pbx6319.

No worries if you’re camera shy. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ON CAMERA.  The room is for chatting via text. It’s like being in a chat room with a host and sometimes a co-host on camera. That’s all.

Come Join Us!!

Is it sad that I want all my blogging friends to start vlogging?  Don’t you guys-n-gals know how much fun we’re having?  I can hardly stand it!  C’mon, pleeeeeez.

Donna’s doing it! Right Donna?  I’m linking to her blog.  From there, you can check out her YouTube channel.  She’s already done two vlogs and getting warmed up.  I’m LOVING IT!

PBX is even vlogging!  She started a blog ages ago and updates it regularly - every four months or so. (ahem)  But so far, this vlogging thing is a hit with her.  And she’s good at it.  Not to mention, her daughter, who already has over 30 subscribers on her new channel.  She’s really good at this stuff.  Go vanillawave4peace!

Come on … who’s next?  Heather? Becky? Shelli? Gigi?  OK, the last one was a long-shot, I know. But hey, a girl can dream can’t she?

Coming up: Live video shows!  Oh yeahhhh!!  A place where you don’t have to be on camera but you can interact with the host and guests in the room, via text chat.  We’re having so much fun, it’s exhilarating and exhausting! I’ll keep you posted.

I’ve been working like a mad-woman. When I’m not working I’m writing, editing, recording or watching videos. When I’m not doing that, I’m hanging out by our new pool. Kind of an adult-style kiddie-pool. See how the pool got from the store to our backyard. What can I say, we’re having fun!

I used to watch the show on HBO.  I might even catch a rerun on TV here and there.  But I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it.  If I hadn’t already seen IRONMAN and if I hadn’t already bought theater passes a few months ago, I might have chosen a different movie to see last night.

It was okay enough for a night out.  I laughed, I cried, I cheered in a few key moments.  But it would’ve been just as fun to watch on DVD.  It might have been better on DVD because we were in the theater for 2 1/2 hours.  That’s a long movie, for its genre.

One thing I did get from this movie is the validation that 40+ is definitely HOTT.  These women are my age … older even.  And there’s no doubt that they are hot.  I wanna be that hot when I grow up!

If I had the money that these women have, I’d be at the facialist every day.  I have oily skin that still breaks out - plus sun damage from my younger years.  I’d also go to yoga classes every day.  I’d get my body waxed and have my hair trimmed every two weeks.  I’d schedule a weekly massage.  I’d eat whole foods, juices and supplements with ease because I’d hire someone to buy and prepare them for me. (yes, I’m that lazy)

I don’t know the first thing about fashion or designer shoes, clothing or handbags.  But I would totally upgrade my wardrobe — and it would probably still cost me a fraction of what theirs costs them.

It’s tough to be glamorous when you’re broke.  So I do what I can.  I use my facialist’s products.  I wax or epilate myself as often as I can stand it (not often enough).  I could do my own yoga practice.  But I’m just not that disciplined.  I don’t eat too much but I don’t eat the best foods for my body.  I don’t know if I could give up my favorite Starbucks creations.

One thing at a time.

About a month ago PBX worked as the Assistant Director on a short film starring a fairly well-known television actress who was on a hit series in the 80s.  Or was it the 90s?  No matter.  Last fall this actress joined a hit series in their fourth season.  A series I had no interest in watching.  I tried, during their first season.  It’s a huge hit.  But it wasn’t with me.

Reluctantly, I offered to show my support by setting the DVR to record the series - that Sunday night show - the one with the girls and their families living on Wisteria Lane - Desperate Housewives?  Yeah, that one.

Houston we have a problem.

I can’t get enough!  For the past few weeks I’ve insisted on watching the show from the very beginning.  Today we’re nearing the end of season one, thanks to Netflix.  And can I tell you…I’m so excited to know there are two more seasons on DVD after this one!

Yes, I’m hooked.  I may be a late bloomer, but I’m totally hooked on the idiotic dramedy on Wisteria Lane.  I want a Poker Tuesday.  I want snooty neighbors and a hot gardener and some mystery to gossip about.

It doesn’t end there.

Tonight we’re going to see Sex and the City, the movie.

What’s wrong with me?  It’s just so girly.  Like, girly-girly.

Did I mention the fun I’m having in pockets of YouTube communities? Some of us follow each other on Twitter. Some are Facebooking and MySpacing. And some have come to my blog (hi YouTubers).

My MySpace comments section was receiving too many very large images that warped the alignment of my page. They were also filled with blinkies and other pimped out bling. Because of them, my page was slower to load than usual. MySpace is slow and bogged down as it is. So I disabled the html feature a long time ago.

So, my new friend RavenSinger sent this one to me. It belongs here more than that other place anyway. Thanks Raven. So far it’s been quite an exotic week.

We skated at the beach two days in a row. I’m sore and tired but I feel blessed to be in this town. There’s nothing like the beach on a weekday evening - especially a foggy/cloudy day. We practically had the bike path to ourselves.

Then we stopped for a fresh smoothie at our favorite new place over there. Playa del Rey is becoming my new favorite area around here.

Ahhhh … What a great weekend.  No reason.  Just was.

I struggled yesterday, trying to get my thoughts together for a simple video blog.  I recorded about four different segments.  Just trying to “check in” because it had been a couple of weeks and some friends from the YouTube community were wondering where I’ve been.

It’s just not as easy to record, upload and edit video as it is to post a quick blog entry.  Especially with my older computer and free editing software.  I’m grateful for what I have.  I just can’t do exactly what I want it to do.  Perfectionist.

So I just kept giving up hope of posting a video this weekend.

Then PBX and I hooked up the webcam to send PBX-Jr. a video message and it inspired me to record a quick vlog.  I’ve been inspired to be “quick” before but this was truly a quick vlog.  No editing, no makeup, no notes, very low quality. Total old skool vlogging.  I uploaded it to YouTube and headed out the door to join the Piper-play.  When we came in, it was loaded and live.  Easy-peasy.  The way vlogging, true vlogging, should be.

Now, interestingly, I feel more free.

I can work on my sketch comedy spoofs (I wrote a great one Friday night) and music videos without pressure.  And I can post a new Freeepeace Features — featuring 3 channels I think deserve attention.  So far it’s been a hit with my subscribers.  Because I haven’t posted in a while, they’ve been asking about new features. Slacker.

I really like the pockets of communities I’ve crossed into.  I don’t solely identify with just one YouTube community which is great for the weekly features.  I’m meeting some really interesting people of all ages and videoing styles.  I like that we share our experiences and bounce ideas off each other.  I love love LOVE the collaborative effort.  Some of my future videos will include other YouTubers. Kinda cool.

I’ve also spent a lot of time learning a few cover songs.  Having fun experimenting with styles, tempo and such.  Nothing fancy. Nothing extravagant. Everything creative. Life’s blood.

Went to the beach today with PBX and the dogs.  She biked.  I skated.  The dogs were pulled in a baby trailer behind her bike.  Piper went psycho, wanting to be out running.  Sounded like a seagull … or, a tortured, suffering, dying, screaming child.  We did capture a bit on video but O.M.G. people were scared.  PBX kept telling folks we captured a seagull.  No joke about the similarities in sound.

It cut our bikepath stroll in half.  Hunny did okay in the trailer, for her first time.  She wasn’t happy with it, but she suffers silently, unlike drama queen PiperBoy!  oy.

I haven’t checked the video so I don’t know what was actually captured.  We shall see.

Still it was nice to be out in shorts and a tank top for the first time this year.  Talk about pasty white skin. Ugh.  Can anyone recommend a GOOD no-sun tanning creme?  I’m not a dog walker anymore.  It shows, in more ways than one.

Whoa. Much longer blog post than anticipated.  This is probably why I should update daily.

Donna from Along The Way left this great comment in a recent Peaces entry abut Best Survivor Season EVER:

We should go on Survivor and form an alliance. I’ll learn how to start a fire BEFORE we go and you can learn to catch fish with your bare hands. When we get back we will have some kick a$$ blog entries. Bet I’ll have readers then! Even if I was voted off first, lol!

I love it!  Makes me wonder why folks don’t learn how to start fire and catch fish before they get to the island!  Especially these “die hard” fans and folks who submit applications every single season.

I think there should be a new season of Survivor filled with contestants who HAVE NEVER SEEN THE SHOW.  They’d have to go by what they’ve heard or not heard.  I mean, come on, how fun would that be???  Like the first Survivor all over again — but with some knowledge of the whole idea of reality tv.  Even if it’s unconscious knowledge.  It’s out there.  (Fuck. I’m brilliant!)

As for the last part of her comment about having some readers of her blog - it really blows my mind how some blogs are at the top of the hits-list and how others are like silent goldmines.  I’ve known Donna as a blogger for almost five years.  We’d lost touch as many of us switched from the small pond of AOL Journals to the vast oceans of the world wide blogosphere.  Many got swallowed up and it’s not been the same.

But when Donna found me again, I was thrilled (thanks Donna).  Her new(ish) blog is personal, honest, inviting and funny.  I wish every mother would take note of Donna’s love for her grown kids.  And OMG the dogs! You’ve got to see the video of her Yorkie trying to walk by her bigger dog (golden retriever maybe?) — The big dog couldn’t care any less about the little guy who is talking up a storm.  So funny and cute!  Such a Yorkie thing.

Ok, enough. I’ll let you see for yourself.  Give her a visit and let her know we’re reading.  I would hate to see her give up just because she thinks no one’s around.  It’s not our fault she can’t read her blog stats!  (love you Donna)

Along The Way - Donna’s Blog