Some cool southwest travel photos

Tomasitas...

This door is carved by artist Russell Moore of Santa Fe, Nm

Happy Ocean Day! Go green and blue!

It is time to Go Green by using re-usable, preferrably non-plastic containers such as

Kleen Kanteen water Bottles

Filter your tap water, and avoid bottled Spring water

Try a nifty Stainless Lunch Box or a handy Stainless Food Jar for Kids

Go Blue! Eat sustainable seafood only! 75 percent of seafood species are maxed out or overexploited and catches of nearly a third of these species are less than 10 percent of what they once were. Ninety percent of the big fish -- sharks, tuna, swordfish -- are already gone

Be aware of what is happening in our ocean! The chemistry of the oceans is changing as they absorb 11 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide a year, acidifying waters will making it impossible for coral reefs, the nurseries of the sea, to grow. At the current rate of acidification, corals, sea snails and other calcium-carbonate-requiring life forms could begin to dissolve by the middle of the century, with potentially catastrophic results. Shellfish and fish will be in deep trouble as well.

May your spirit live on in the waves David...

David you were a wonderful person, full of smiles with a genuine Aloha spirit, sharing the waves, and the love with your positive attitude. You are missed...with your red fish...which you rode so well...so many days out there at Blackies...

From OC Register

Memorial Paddleout video

Sunday, April 5, 2009

2 paddle outs, 2 ocean lovers remembered

David Kitagawa and Lucas Campanaro were eulogized in 2 memorials.

By LAYLAN CONNELLY

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

NEWPORT BEACH - Seconds after Ron Kitagawa finished thanking the surfers who gathered in the ocean to remember his brother David, a baby sea lion popped up out of the water in the center of the circle.

It hovered around David's red surfboard, which was covered in colorful flowers.

The surfers hooted, and splashed the water. Tears flowed.

"It was something really magical, everyone felt it," said longtime friend Dino Caderao. "We could not believe it. It was a sign. Dave was out there."

The pup then decided to stay a while, hopping on surfer Barry Mycorn's board for the remainder of the memorial service, even coming to shore with the rest.

The remembrance was the first of two held in Newport Beach Sunday, where loved ones came together to say goodbye during an ocean ritual called a paddle out, where a circle is formed around the lost loved ones' board, and memories are shared.

It's unclear how long this ritual, called a paddle-out, has existed, but many believe it's a Hawaiian tradition that came to the mainland with the introduction of surfing here. Surfing is often thought of as a spiritual activity because of its connection to nature, and paddle-outs let loved ones say goodbye in a place close to the late surfers' hearts.

One was for David Kitagawa, the other for Lucas Campanaro – separated in age by a quarter century, but joined by a love of the surf.

SELFLESS SURFER

About 100 surfers paddled out on the north side of Newport Pier on Sunday morning to say goodbye to David Kitagawa, who made many friends at his local surf spot "Blackies" through the years. Kitagawa died from alcohol-related health issues on March 26. He was 43.

"He really loved this lifestyle," said his mother, Keiko Kitagawa. "I had no idea it was going to be this big. This is a wonderful tribute."

Kitagawa, of Huntington Beach, was described by many as a selfless surfer who would give up waves to others, always smiling while out in the water.

Dick McCoy had surfed alongside Kitagawa for about six years. For years, they knew each other just by the nickname "bro."

It was only last year – after having a great surf session together – that they found out each other's names.

"That's all it takes – a few magical waves to bond," McCoy said.

As friend Michael Long came back to shore from the paddle out, a nice left-hand wave came in.

"Thanks, Dave," he said he thought as he caught the wave. "This one's for you."

'BEST GUY'

Later in the day, friends and family of Lucas Campanaro gathered near the Balboa Pier, a favorite beach spot where the former Newport Harbor High student and surf team member could be found on any given day summer day.

Campanaro died on March 24, his 18th birthday, after his second bout with cancer.

Lucas was a water lover who grew up in Costa Mesa and spent summer days bodyboarding on the Balboa Peninsula.

His best friend Evric Aragon, 17, said he was the life of the party wherever he went.

"He was the best guy in the world," he said. "It's not going to be the same without him."

About 50 people on surfboards and bodyboards formed a circle around Campanaro's bodyboard, cheering and splashing in his memory. Another 100 lined the pier, with more watching from the sand.

His Spanish teacher Kelly Mitchell remembered him as an "old soul" who kept the mood light in class.

"He truly had an energy to him," she said.

Friends and family said that despite his struggles with cancer, he always kept positive and never let go of his sense of humor. Longtime friend Anthony Sanchez, 17, said Campanaro was blessed to have so many friends who showed up on the sand.

"This is exactly what he would have wanted," he said.

Through the years, Campanaro, had strong support from the community and high school, with donations that helped Lucas live his last days doing things he enjoyed. He grew up in Costa Mesa, but was living in Maui when he died.

"They had their hand out for us to grab at a second's moment," said his older brother, JJ. "It was unbelievable. I don't know what my brother did, but he did something. He affected them so much."

The Blue Man Group

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June 3rd

I enjoy seeing artists at work in studios, and how they have it all set up
Hanks Mc Cordy - some weaved piece reminiscent of tangled fishing lines

Milwa's recycled wonders made with heat guns and soldering irons and PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is natural, \made from oil, cis highly recyclable, can be re-transformed again, and again in many ways.

"Compelling design can move millions and transcendent art can inspire a generation." - anonymous

We all need to have something that we do, that keeps us growing in our philosophies, evolving, and living life, art is one of those things. Hobbies are important. I guess I named my blog surftopia, because for some, surf obsessed individuals, that would be their utopia, a surftopia, a nod to idealism, and the absurd pursuit of recreational sport. Forget a box of chocolates, how about a chocolate city...Should I surf some sloppy crowded beachbreaks, or some supercrowded pointbreak perfection, in surftopia, you don't make those decisions, it's all right there, glassy, 80 degrees, and offshore, like Costa Rica twenty years ago. Not everyone surfs, but surfing is a metaphor for so many things you could be doing in life. Surfing and art go hand in hand since there is so much creativity involved in both. You have to have style, and grace. You have your own personal space, your own world, in the water, and in your head. Your surfing together, but your really surfing with yourself. Blogging could be a lot of things to alot of people, a good read, nice pictures, links, and ideas, sharing what is important to ourselves to find other people who are too.Maybe this blog can be a list of things I find groovy, intermingled with waves, life, and world news

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