July 2016 Image Backup

July has brought us a flat spell for the books. But the hot weather, 70° water temps, and epic Summer evening thunderstorms all mean that life is good around these parts. I'm in the water every day - friends, do yourselves a major and pick up some swim fins, you'll see, they're a gas.

Here are some pics - oh yeah - my house is being ripped up inside & out, new retaining walls (out with the RR ties, in with local granite -- yay!) and cedar shingles. Stoked that I'm finally getting to this, it was overdue, and I'll be even more stoked when this is all done and paid for.

Roof rack antics

I have nightmares about this happening to me, but this always cracks me up :)

Fly Away: the Necessity and Tragedy of Surf Racks from ENCYCLOPEDIA of SURFING videos on Vimeo.

Meet Marianne

A French girl you may know.
Marianne is a national symbol of the French Republic, an allegory of liberty and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty.

Marianne is displayed in many places in France she symbolizes the "Triumph of the Republic". Marianne is one of the most prominent symbols of the French Republic, and is officially used on most government documents.

Marianne is

1. Opposed to monarchy
2. Opposed to tyranny
3. 100% for freedom and democracy
4. A big supporter Liberté, Égalité, as well as Fraternité.

Leave it to the French to use a woman to represent the Republic. Maybe a feminine allegory was also a manner to symbolise the breaking with the old monarchy headed by kings, and promote modern republican ideology. Furthermore, France and the Republic themselves are, in French, feminine nouns (la France, la République), as are the French nouns for liberty (fr:Liberté) and reason (fr:Raison).

France has had a very rough go of it since last November, so keep the faith Marianne, you are bigger than all this evil that's come your way, I hope you know that.

June Closes With Fun Waves, Healed Ribs