Everything was peaceful as I watched another set of waves break against the shore.
So far, today was going exceptionally well as we were able to find a parking space near Law Street public beach access, several semi-clean, open bathroom stalls as well as a small patch of unclaimed sand that was surrounded bya mote of kelp. Sand flies attracted by the rotting kelp seemed to sense a better meal had arrived and immediately began to devour me from top to bottom.
Everything was peaceful as I watched another set of waves break against the shore.
So far, today was going exceptionally well as we were able to find a parking space near Law Street public beach access, several semi-clean, open bathroom stalls as well as a small patch of unclaimed sand that was surrounded bya mote of kelp. Sand flies attracted by the rotting kelp seemed to sense a better meal had arrived and immediately began to devour me from top to bottom.
Quickly, I unfurled my fold-out sand chair, slathered myself with zinc oxide and sat down to begin a long stretch of “people watching.” My wife had accompanied me and was busy getting her boogie board ready for the surf. She insists that my highly developed skill of “people watching” can really be condensed down to ogling young women in skimpy bikinis but that is just simply not true!
It is actually very enlightening to watch people at the beach as they engaged in activities that one would only do while running around half naked on the sand. Some of these activities probably resemble games Stone Age people played as they discovered sticks and round stones and began to bat them around on the ground.
Take paddleball for instance. Has anyone actually seen this game being played at home, in the park or at any other public place? Usually a typical paddleball scenario goes like this: player one hits rubber ball towards player two but the ball veers off and hits a total stranger who was sleeping stretched out on their towel. Player two says “Oh, I am so sorry” retrieves ball, blushes and returns volley in the direction of player one. The ball veers off again into the surf and on and on this ritual goes until player one gets tired or player two decides he is hungry.
Next on my list of favorite people watching skills is the appreciation of “body art” that is unabashingly displayed as one strips down to enjoy the ocean’s shore. Now, just before I alienate a good portion of my younger readers, it is a fact that my generation did not have the opportunity to enjoy organ piercings, body art or snot and lint catchers of any kind.
While sitting in my chair I soon became fascinated by some of the art I saw. Some designs were really quite beautiful, being carefully positioned and originally created, while others took on a sort of silk screen print image that one might duplicate a hundred times for a long line of unsuspecting customers.
The one I especially liked depicted a full set of angel wings from shoulders to waist. The design’s dark rigid straight lines must have cost a fortune, been extremely painful and taken several weeks to complete. I will stop to say that I am extremely grateful that no one has thought to reproduce Darth Maul on their face.
I will say this, in defense of all my unsuspecting victims, that at least they were doing something. Walking, running, playing, just having fun while I just spent my entire day at the beach just sitting covered from head to toe desperately trying to escape the fury of solar radiation. How pathetic is that, right?
So let wisdom ring from the fool’s choir and let us fully enjoy the life that God has granted us. Play paddleball, get body art and exercise to the fullest. Do not wake up someday at ninety-eight and realize that life has passed you by. Be kind to one another, esteeming others more worthy than yourself.
Take a deep and long breath only to let it out slowly. Smell several roses as you pass by while you allow their fragrance to elevate you to higher thought. Praise your Creator for how fearfully and wonderfully made you are. Admire swimwear and the all forms that fill them.
