Weird News - Seal Attack at Princeton Jetty - 94018 - 3/2010

A couple of weeks ago I was out surfing at my local break here in El Granada, CA. I was paddling back out after a ride on my little SantaCruz surftech epoxy 6'0" when BUMP! I felt something bump into the board and a seal popped up in my face - all whiskers and bad breath right there inches away. Yikes! 

I reacted and put the nose of the board between me and the little guy and next thing I knew, CHOMP! It bit right through the skin of the board. You can see one of the 3 tooth holes in the photograph. I think the seal was as startled as I was and was trying to protect itself.

Never a dull moment out there!

Huff TV: Arianna Discusses Afghan War, Karzai's Taliban Comments (VIDEO)

Arianna:
I hate to use the term but you are espousing a cultural imperialist view.
Karzai's message is very clear.
Taliban is an Afghani movement he he is opposed to. But in choosing between an alien Western ideology and Taliban, he chooses Taliban over us.
But do not cast the first stone
After the filth of the corruption shown during the Healthcare bill, allowing even abeting Goldman and Friends, exactly what can we preach about Afghani corruption?
Ahmed Wali Karzai is a perfect example of a sucessful Afghan businessman.(see NYT mar30) Bribery is just good business. But IIRC a high US officer threatened him if he did not adhere to our way of doing things.

The real problem of course is opium. Since we do not have the will to deal with OUR drug problem we insist that others from Peru to Mexico to Afghanistan to Burma give up a valuable cash crop.
The answer of course is simple. And Cheap. We buy up the opium and if we choose, destroy it. I am sure Ahmed Wali Karzai would be glad to act as our middleman

via huffingtonpost.com

I believe that Arianna is right on both counts. The US is certainly not without our own "civilized" and institutionalized corruption. And, we are one of the world's biggest illegal substance consumers. Here's a "modest" proposal: Drastically change rules for campaign financing in order to restrict campaigns to use only public funds. And, legalize drugs.

Result:
1. Elected officials will ONLY be accountable to the citizens.
2. The biggest market for heroin will disappear.

Next Door Neighbor's House in Light of Early Dawn

This is my friendly next door neighbor's house as seen in the early dawn light. My iPhone 3G is great for taking these atmospheric shots when you want to capture the light and small detail is not a priority. This house used to be the El Granada train station, when there was an El Granada Train Line. Apparently, when the train line was shut down years ago, the station house was dragged up this hill and now is my neighbor's private home. It's a beautiful old structure covered in thick redwood siding. 

pkarnig private rant

this is my place for working things out. you could call it curating but basically, i am editing. for me.

publishing comes later.

this last couple of weeks has been amazing. amazingly good and bad. condensed life.  like that thick milk in white and red cans.