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four twenty

Ahhh.. April 20th. A special day for those who enjoy the herbal refreshment.

Roll a spliff and let your mind drift.
Roll a cone and get in the zone.
Roll a dooby and dance the shooby.?

One 4/20 during college a few of my friends were studying for the MCATs. They stopped puffing January 1rst in an effort to prepare for the exam. They continued to collect little nugs of various strains of ganja during their 4 month hiatus. The MCAT was actually on 4/20, which also happened to be the weekend of this huge Spring Fling party. My friends rolled this humungoid 7-paper cone with about 15 varieties of kind bud and at around 4:15 on 4/20 the MCAT-ers came sprinting out of the test to the field where all the heads were gathered for 4:20 4/20. We blazed that sucka! About 150 people right in the middle of campus puffed freely. Stony. Then a bit of Love for Son and Daughter and an evening of reality pulsing exploration.

This morning's surf conditions, however, were the polar opposite of stony surfing. Messy, topsy-turvy, angry, FREEZING, up-chucky ugly-ass waves. Man. really bad. Lerm and i hit it for no good reason and got basically denied. It looked farking shitty from the lot but we just suited up and went for it. SSW onshores blew pretty strong. It turned out to be even MORE shitty in the water than it looked from the beach. After about 20 duckdives and some brain-searing ice-cream headaches we decided to just surf the inside reforms. There was this impenetrable wall of close-out doom before getting to the outside that we couldn't get past. So.. we kind-of lolled about in the middle for a spell, not catching much. Lerm caught a little belly ride. Then i just got it in my head to keep paddling out.. and somehow found a hole in the wall of mayhem and made it outside. A few minutes later this nice-enough right reared up and i stroked in, took off, bottom turned, cruised down-the-line, pumped a little and then kicked out. Then of course i got punished by the dark, brown spitting gnarly wall of death while trying to get back out, unsuccessfully, and just turned around and bellied one in. 1 ride session!! kinda psyched though.

anyway. enjoy your 4/20.

--------------

Aqua Fashion show tonight:
Aqua Surf Shop is pleased to announce the arrival of their new women’s buyer, Consuelo Moreno. This spring, Consuelo brings her experience in fashion merchandising and fashion show production to "Playa Aqua" -a summer fashion event showcasing the season's hottest trends in swimwear and sportswear.

Grab your friends and head out to the new Park Chalet for a drink and music from Toph One, and to see the killer collection that Aqua has put together for spring and summer. The event also supports and introduces- "Friends of Ocean Beach", a new foundation that will help keep Ocean Beach enjoyable for all.

Come see gorgeous bikinis from L.Space, Vix, and Salinas, eyewear from Electric, exclusive pieces from Volcom's P.O.V.D. collection, and a great new sportswear line from Aaron Chang.

Whether you're headed to beaches beyond or hanging out in the city, you won't want to miss this event. Be transported from the fog and into paradise at "Playa Aqua" at the Park Chalet.

Brought to you by Aqua Surf shop, SF Bay Guardian, Stoli, L-Space, And Cowboys and Angels.

Wednesday, April 20th, doors open at 7pm
The Park Chalet, 1000 Great Highway, San Francisco CA
$8 at the door
For more info call 415.242.9283 or visit www.aquasurfshop.com

--------------

Also, there's a party at 2-mile surf shop in Bolinas this weekend:
All day sat, surf and beach debauchery till late aft then BBQ at shop 3-6pm, then more surf(?), THEN it kicks into high gear at Smiley's bar w/Jenny Kerr band OR BETTER yet at the Community Center it's Jr. Reid (of Black Uhuru), 'nuff culture in the house!!
2-mile party

bong rip

Jack Herer

selection

bush bong

weird

smack smack smack!
( vans slip on to the cranium.... )

"did you hear that?"

"that was my skull!!"

"you're ripping my card."

happy 4.20 jeff spicoli, i believe you know where
the principal's office is.

Posted by: korewin at April 20, 2005 10:21 AM

Sounds like a good time on campus. Happy 4/20!!

Posted by: tsm at April 20, 2005 10:35 AM

My favorite was rushing home on the 21 Hayes, ripping off my finance suit, flip flopping up and hanging on that hill just at the entrance of the park. It was a full on party there, frisbees, food, brownies, bongs, dogs, good people, happiness, fog, more fog.

Ahhh SF.

Irie to all de niceness crew!

Posted by: Hb at April 20, 2005 10:42 AM

Happy 4:20 Niceness Crew - Now pass that thaang!

Posted by: dubby at April 20, 2005 10:50 AM

Posted by: That's not a joint that's a toothpick at April 20, 2005 10:56 AM

The melvins are now doing pepsi commercials...what next?

http://www.hardscratch.net/Buzzo_Sox.mov

Posted by: cosmo at April 20, 2005 11:13 AM

I was wondering why Fast Times was on last night. I had to watch the pizza part and of course the pool scene. Classic movie....I got a good bag right now as well......

As for this morning, there was a satelite crew that ventured further south to see what they saw. Upon parking, the scene looked pretty bad. After starring at a little right working here and there, the posse of 3 headed out. Just as E encountered up north, it was worse then it looked. It was also really COLD. Due to the fact I was wearing a cap, I had Ice Cream Face this morning. There is a first for everything. Got 3 waves, paddled around a lot, got a few donuts to boot.

Roxy Pro Fiji:

Posted by: Kaiser at April 20, 2005 11:17 AM

Poor girl (top pic)

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 11:19 AM

listening to the Mermen right now. They rip!

nice on the session Kaiser. we were wondering what it looked like down there with the south-ish wind.

surf!

Posted by: e at April 20, 2005 11:23 AM

yeah, it was so cold! what are the water temps like right now? i saw something about 50 degrees somewhere. is it due to the abnormally cold air temps coupled with the upwelling?

Posted by: lerm at April 20, 2005 11:32 AM

It looked like crap and surfed like stinky crap....

But, it was SURF...

Chopes starts in 15 days!!!

Posted by: Kaiser at April 20, 2005 11:33 AM

Went out south this morning and can confirm it was farking freezin. Was jonesing to get wet coz I just borrowed a retro Diffenderfer 6'10" fish and wanted to try it out. Was basically denied -- got one right, a rail grabber. Man that thing's a cork, tho'

Posted by: limevoodoo at April 20, 2005 11:34 AM

Man, do I feel OUT OF IT today:
I don't smoke-it anymore.
I ain't been surfing in a month.
And I'm so old that I had to ask my kid what all this 4/20 stuff was about!
Oh, well I got a new wet-suit for my birthday and we're one day closer to fall than we were yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jimmie at April 20, 2005 11:37 AM

that second teahupoo photo is just ridiculous.

Posted by: e at April 20, 2005 11:43 AM

Hey Jimmie, What'd your kid tell you?

Three things happen that make the water cold but it's all caused by the strong north winds. The colder water from up north is blown further south but that's a minimal cause. The wind causes the surface to circulate mixing the surface water with the colder water below, also reducing the temperature. The biggy reason is a thing called the Coriolis Effect. As the wind from the north blows, the surface water actually moves west causing upwelling. The Coriolis Effect is produced by the Earth's rotation. The closer to the poles, the greater the effect. North of the equator, the water is pushed to the right of the wind direction. At the equator, the water moves in the direction of the wind. In the southern hemi, the water moves to the left of the wind direction. Actually, the CE has the same effect on air movement.

Posted by: Dennis at April 20, 2005 12:00 PM

I heard that one of the reasons that the salmon season hasn't been that great recently is because the water has been too warm -- they like it nearer to 50 degrees, apparently. So it'll be interesting to see what kind of catches the party boats get this weekend......

Posted by: limevoodoo at April 20, 2005 12:04 PM

I don't remember it being so cold at this time last year - maybe an effect of 4-20. Apparently many seal pups have been born prematurely this year cuz the water temp is actually 4 degrees warmer than normal....hmmmmm

o-yea - shout out to Bagel - that game looks rad

Posted by: traut at April 20, 2005 12:07 PM

e, I was listening to the Mermen too when I read your post. But then I realized it was not that big a coincidence though because I listen to them a lot.

Posted by: con at April 20, 2005 12:11 PM

a friend in oregon used to study upwelling...

upwelling is an effect of the NW winds
er i should say that upwelling is accelerated
by northwest winds. surface water blown away
and the upwelling currents have less obstructed
route to the surface bringing the water temperature
down down down. also the water moving prevents
the sun (or the air) from having any affect on the temp.

bottom line lerm—that cold ass water is fresh from the
bowels of neptune's dark and ass farkin cold depths.

Posted by: korewin at April 20, 2005 12:21 PM

Is that Teahupoo wave a solid two footer on the Hawaiian system of measuring the backside?

Posted by: kloo at April 20, 2005 12:29 PM

Ooooohhhh. http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.htm

Posted by: Dennis at April 20, 2005 12:30 PM

4/22 is Earth Day!

Posted by: Dennis at April 20, 2005 12:34 PM

"Party at the Moon Tower!"

"Martha Washington ...behind every good man is a good woman."

"Workin for the City."

Posted by: Jack at April 20, 2005 01:14 PM

ZZ Top - Rio Grande Mud
classic album!

Posted by: e at April 20, 2005 01:14 PM

Earthday is everyday. just like 4/20.

Posted by: stoner #1 at April 20, 2005 01:16 PM

Dennis - my kid tells me it's "code" for sparkin' up & came from some high school kids who used to meet at 4:20 pm to smoke - or so the story goes. I think that by the time it came into parlance my personal drug use had become so asocial, that I never heard about it.
Anyhow ... regardless of conditions, I'm finally gonna get back in the water in a couple of days -probably late Friday. Nowhere between ... and ... will be safe from my overly agressive paddling style! Hey, maybe THAT'S how I got hurt in the first place!!!

Posted by: Jimmie at April 20, 2005 01:16 PM

your Gold Coast Shuttle is ready:

Jan 19 2005

Posted by: Airplane Freak at April 20, 2005 01:17 PM

cool, thanks traut!

cabo tomorrow yay

i heard 420 came about cause there are 420 chemicals in pot, or something like that..crazy stoners

Posted by: bagel at April 20, 2005 01:23 PM

have fun in Cabo Bagel

Posted by: e at April 20, 2005 01:24 PM

What would Randaaaallllll Pink Fllllloyd do?

Posted by: Confused at April 20, 2005 01:29 PM

correction, ZZ Top - Tres Hombres is the farkin album!!

Jesus Just Left Chicago - that song's got soul.

Posted by: e at April 20, 2005 01:33 PM

http://www.snopes.com/language/stories/420.htm

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 01:34 PM

Check out they gently float these birds down into the Netherland-Antilles. Awesome!

Jan 19 2005

Jan 19 2005

Jan 19 2005

Jan 19 2005

Posted by: Airplane Freak at April 20, 2005 01:35 PM

Speaking of cold water, after voluntarily freezing yourself in the Coriolis Effect I seriously advocate extra antioxidants and vitamins. There's a nasty bad fever going around and I got nailed. You DO NOT want it. On Monday I flipped on the tv to put in a video...but what popped up was a skin care infomercial with Vanessa Williams, Jessica Simpson, Alicia Keys, and P Diddy swearing by the miracle of acne cream formula. It was totally fascinating. I was like, "Wow, this stuff really works! I can't play the vcr until I see P Diddy interviewed about his acne problems." 25 minutes later I looked up and realized I'd been sucked into an infomercial. Took my temp and it was clear over 100. Evil, evil disease! Beware!

Therefore the surf has been looking really great lately ;)

Posted by: s.s. sharkbait at April 20, 2005 01:54 PM

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 02:13 PM

I just found a buddy up in SF has a med marijuana card that lets him dispense it even. Was told by another friend so didn't get the first hand story, but I guess it was really easy to come by and he just went to city hall or something. Seems not right, but hey, he has it now. Anyone know anything about those cards?

Posted by: Hb at April 20, 2005 02:17 PM

A friend of mine went to SF city hall to get a copy of a birth certificate for one of his kids at lunchtime and found himself standing in a line with a bunch of what he termed "Lower Haight" types.

After a few mins, this one guy turns to him and says "Dude, I think you might be in the wrong line." Turns out the line for the medical MJ cards is right next to the one for birth cetificates. Apparently, all you need is a scrip, you stand in line, get a card, and then you're good to buy from all of the local SF clubs.......

Posted by: limevoodoo at April 20, 2005 02:26 PM

Is there some kinda conspiracy to keep the Girl Scouts from selling their cookies on 4/20 day? Blimey, I'd kill for some samoas.

Posted by: Andrew on 57th at April 20, 2005 02:39 PM

4/20 fact: all the clocks in Pulp Fiction are set to 4:20.

4/20 rumor: It was said that Jerry Garcia would try to wait until 4:20pm each day before he started partying.

Posted by: mr. knowitall at April 20, 2005 02:42 PM

sorry for all the posts but i is bored at work.

Oldie but goodie.

http://www.tuffproductions.com/resources.html

check out the sc harbor one. give me just one of those!

Posted by: Hb at April 20, 2005 02:50 PM

hi!

Posted by: j at April 20, 2005 02:52 PM

True story? Well, it's at least the most elaborate..:

"According to Steven Hager, editor of High Times, the term 420 originated at San Rafael High School, in 1971, among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking wiseacres who called themselves the Waldos. The term 420 was shorthand for the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to smoke pot. ``Waldo Steve,'' a member of the group who now owns a business in San Francisco, says the Waldos would salute each other in the school hallway and say ``420 Louis!'' The term was one of many invented by the group, but it was the one that caught on. ``It was just a joke, but it came to mean all kinds of things, like `Do you have any?' or `Do I look stoned?' '' he said. ``Parents and teachers wouldn't know what we were talking about.'' The term took root, and flourished, and spread beyond San Rafael with the assistance of the Grateful Dead and their dedicated cohort of pot-smoking fans. The Waldos decided to assert their claim to the history of the term after decades of watching it spread, mutate and be appropriated by commercial interests. The Waldos contacted Hager, and presented him with evidence of 420's history, primarily a collection of postmarked letters from the early '70s with lots of mention of 420. They also started a Web site, waldo420.com. ``We have proof, we were the first,'' Waldo Steve said. ``I mean, it's not like we wrote a book or invented anything. We just came up with a phrase. But it's kind of an honor that this emanated from San Rafael.''

From Phish.net go figure

Posted by: artifact at April 20, 2005 03:01 PM

sorry to rain on the stoner's parade, but I wonder why people worship weed and smoking weed in a semi-cultish manner. Can't get high on life alone? All those photos of buds at the top of the page are typical stoner masturbation. DUUUDE!!! Look at the purple head on that one!!!

Yawn.
Weed? What is the big deal about smoking and then sitting on the couch?

Perhaps one of you stoners could shine some light on the situation.

Also, I've noticed friends who smoke ganja every day tend to get over-grumpy when they're straight or when they're off weed for a couple days. Sounds like a waste of time to me.

Posted by: the anti-dope at April 20, 2005 03:55 PM

Regarding Medical Herb in SF:

If you are serious about your weed and don't have a card yet you need to get with the program. There are pot doctors around town who will perscribe medicinal to you. The appointment is usually about $125. Just call or visit one of SF's 35 or so clubs and ask for a reference. Once you have the perscription from the DR that is good enough to get you into the clubs. But you may want to spend and extra $25 and go to City Hall where you can get the actual card. It will have your picture on it but no name. Just a number.

My favorite club is SF Alternative Patient Care Givers. It's in the mission and owned by one of my good friends.

There is no reason any of you guys should be buying off the street anymore. Head into a club and you're presented with over 30 types of Kind Bud, edibles, oils, Js, and clones. Buy it there or grab a clone for $8 and grow your own. It's a stoners dream come true. Trust me, I've been out of CA for six months now and am happy just to find any kind of bud at all. When I was in CA I could get my hands on some of the best bud that exists, LEGALLY.

Now go get yourself a medical card and spark one up for me.

Keep burnin'
egp

Posted by: EG Pimp at April 20, 2005 04:00 PM

nothing wrong with folks getting their buzz on. i smoked daily for longer than i can remember (actually for 9 years), and stopped last fall. smoking is fun, feels good, allows one to appreciate the world from a different perspective. not smoking is fun, feels good, allows one to appreciate the world from a different perspective. it's all what you make it there anti-dope.

and yes, purty buds are porn.

for me, buds became something negative, so i quit. still smells damn good tho.

take a puff for me everybody... happy 420, 19 minutes early by my clock.

Posted by: oaktown daddy at April 20, 2005 04:01 PM

Oak-Town Dad, thanks for the insight -- interesting. Why did pot become negative for you??

Posted by: the anti-dope at April 20, 2005 04:10 PM

dude, pot, grateful dead, phish, buds, spiccoli, ganja, herb, so natural, brah,
jerry, phish, bob weir, ratdog,
dude, all my music sounds the same, dude, drum circle, brah, buds, dude, so trippy, stoneee.

Posted by: i am so different at April 20, 2005 04:33 PM

The Anti-Dope, let me ask you a simple question: Do you drink alcohol? Socially? Daily? Never? Occasionally? Etc.

My comments upon your response.

Posted by: Kaiser at April 20, 2005 04:41 PM

thanks for the tips on the upwelling fellas. i understand the affects of the wind and such, but i feel like the water is the coldest that it has been in the time that i've lived here. i have crazy blood circulation and don't usually get cold or get ice cream headaches, but recently i've been getting them like crazy. maybe i'm just getting old.

i'm stoked that people can enjoy the herb, although I have to agree with anti-dope on his point about obsessing over it. oaktown daddy, at one point in my life, i too indulged everyday. now, i just get stupid and paranoid. now i just drink beer. i love beer.

EG good to hear from you. no waves, no buds. that sucks man. i'm sure that you sacrificed for something more important though.

Posted by: lerm at April 20, 2005 04:43 PM

lerm,
you're not alone. I went out near Waddel last week and it was the coldest I ever remember. My face and hands really hurt!
--MM

Posted by: moss_man at April 20, 2005 04:49 PM

at one point on saturday i thought i was going to puke from an intense ice cream headache. i thought i was just getting soft, i'm relieved to hear others think it is especially cold now too! great morning though even with the cold agua.

Posted by: vons at April 20, 2005 04:55 PM

great morning last saturday i meant, not today.

and anti-dope you sound like a bit of a judgemental busybody. live and let live man.

Posted by: vons at April 20, 2005 04:58 PM

hi kaiser! hi EGP, how's the midwest?!

Posted by: j at April 20, 2005 05:00 PM

Kaiser, the occasional glass of vino or cold beer after a long surf.

But I don't worship my alcohol, stare at photos of beer, or get cranky when I don't drink.

I have smoked before and it doesn't really do much for me. Surfing stoned doesn't work for me either. I have seen friends become so obsessed with ganja that it clouds their whole life.

As a non-stoner, I have always tripped out on the mari-worship.

Your thoughts?

Posted by: the anti-dope at April 20, 2005 05:01 PM

I'll tell you one thing I ended up at this party at some pot club on 6th street, bags of weed on the table, joints, vaporizors, bongs, pipes, everybody was completely baked, no one dancing, black light. I havent really had the desire to set foot in one of those places again. To each his own and too much of anything is bad.

Posted by: wise man at April 20, 2005 05:03 PM

yeah, live and let live mons I mean vons! Dude, pass that dube on the left-hand side! Keep the tempo on the congas!! drum cirlces and jerry forever!!

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 05:06 PM

Basically that party really sucked. Everyone was locked in thier paraniod stoner zones unable to break free.

Posted by: stoned wise man at April 20, 2005 05:06 PM

lerm: leaving CA was one of the hardest decisions my wife and I ever made. We were living the coastal dream: house 1/4 mile from water, worked from home, surf whenever, music everywhere in the hood, good friends, smoke, etc...We used to pull out of EG on a Saturday morning, left onto HWY 1, waves of the right, hills on the left...We said we've found everything we needed.

Then the twins came. We had no family in CA at all. We didn't want to raise my kids that way, not knowing any family except on rare visits. That's not how my wife and I grew up. So we cashed it all out. Bought 1.5 acres, 4K sq foot house, no cookie cutter bullshit either. Even had a few dollars left over. I really miss CA and the lifestyle but it's great being close to family. I've seen my mom and dad every day this week. Used to see them twice a year. They're in their mid sixties. Life is too short and the kids are too young. Peace too all and keep pimpin'.

egp

Posted by: EG Pimp at April 20, 2005 05:08 PM

EGP

Midwest? Ouch. Stoked you got some space around you though. Is it really that much cheaper out there (aside from housing cost)? I know you get more bang for your buck on a real-estate standpoint, but what about everything else?

Had a friend who was in SF for 10 years, got laid off, freaked out, and moved family back to MA where he was from, and he is regretting every minute of it.

Glad you are making the most of it. Enjoy family. Nothing beats it -- even surfing.

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 05:14 PM

It's Hitler's and my wife's birthday today as well. Thanks for reminding me; I need to wrap her present.

Anyway, I quit the weed a year or so ago. Made me too self consious when interacting with others. I think I have some schitophrenia underlying and weed, beer and other drugs bring it out big time. It would be fun if this shit didn't happen, but then again my lungs are clean and I'm hanging with olympic athletes at my other endevours.

Posted by: accountingNut at April 20, 2005 05:14 PM

dude, JERRY!! HE WAS SO GREAT, AND HE STILL IS!! JERRY FOREVER! SANTO JERRO!!!

Posted by: un-different at April 20, 2005 05:15 PM

WISE SUCKS!!

Happy hippy day you stoners!!

Posted by: Bob Wise at April 20, 2005 05:15 PM

egp....nice work. it's very cool that you did that for your family. I've got two of my own and they only get the occasional visits from the G-parents because everyone lives so damn far away. Extended families living close to on another seems rare these days...or at least that's my experience. Good on you. You kids are stoked that they can grow up with and learn from your parents. Your parents are stoked that they get to grow down with and learn from your kids...new perspectives.

Posted by: jdz at April 20, 2005 05:17 PM

Yes, Santo Jerro! The best twinkly, high treble, no bass guitar riffs ever! Epic song lyrics even though his voice sounded like a seal stuck high and dry on seal rock!

Like the doo-daw-man! Together!!

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 05:17 PM

but there ain't no way I'm moving to New Orleans to be closer to the in-laws...that's fo damn sho.

Posted by: jdz at April 20, 2005 05:19 PM

Posted by: white stripes at April 20, 2005 05:25 PM

Re; CA costs -vs- Midwest

Yes, we're feeling the cost differences from all sides. Housing and prop taxes mainly. Things become much easier when your house triples in size but the mortage is cut in half. Food and groceries is another big one. Gas, babysitters, etc... It all adds up. We're on one income now. We never could have pulled that off in CA. We finally starting losing money in CA when the kids were born because we had to have a nanny full time during the week to watch the kids. That was another thing that put us over the edge.

But I'll never really dis on CA. It gave me more opportunity than I ever would have found here. I miss it tons but am happy overall. I've been back three times since the move and got the chills each time I drove over the hill to the water. peace and burn

egp

Posted by: EG Pimp at April 20, 2005 05:45 PM

I've never had a problem of any kind with Wise in 13 years of dealing with them. I do buy boards and other stuff from other stores in town because its just good karma. They all have qualities.

Posted by: Dennis at April 20, 2005 05:47 PM

Coach stoners are lame but i am sure most would be like that with or without the buds.

Active, social stoners are the best people you could be around.

Posted by: at April 20, 2005 05:48 PM

bagel it looks like we have a mutual friend. i was just walking by a coworkers cubicle and he was playing the trailer for your game. he said he knew some people who worked on the game and i mentioned a guy named "bagel" and he said he's known you for years. his name is greg and he's the DJ for those Fallout shows... anyways just thought i'd let ya know.

Posted by: bbr at April 20, 2005 05:50 PM

Happy 4/20 heads!

Posted by: dano at April 20, 2005 05:51 PM

There was a young guy on my show a few weeks ago who kept bidding $420. I wondered why?

Posted by: bob barker at April 20, 2005 05:53 PM

bbr, sweet! greg is a great guy, one of my favorites. i was actually gonna borrow "battle royale" from him, crazy. small town. rad man!

go giants! off to puff than to the game..

Posted by: bagel at April 20, 2005 06:10 PM

Anti-dope, the reason I asked the question is merely to make the argument of weed vs. alcohol. Personally, I would rather smoke some weed then take a sip. I think weed gets a bad name and alcohol is over-glorified. Of course, I must mention I was born in Eureka, smack dab in the middle of Humboldt County.

But, the "weed" culture is just that, a culture in itself. I would rather smoke a J on my deck with friends then sit at Phish concert and watch dirty hippies prance in circles while smoking a joint.

What is my point? I don't have one really. Well, let's try this:

Everything in moderation. Too much alcohol, bad results. Too much weed, too much demotivation.

I smoke occasionally and probably drink more. Merely because our society says its "OK" to have a few pops here and there but don't get drunk. But you can't have a puff here or a puff there. I think this is stupid....

Not everyone that smokes weed is a "stoner" either. I got high last night for the first time in 3 weeks. Felt good.

EGPimp - I am feeling your perspective. My digs in SF will soon be vacant as I uproot and head to Penisula Proper to live next to the G-parents. Screw having someone else raise your kids. You did a great thing! You can always fly to surf. Besides, Quiksilver will have a surf park in your backyard by '08 for sure.....

Posted by: Kaiser at April 20, 2005 06:17 PM

hey, rock on, looks like my 4pm meeting is about to start!!

Posted by: j at April 20, 2005 08:02 PM

false alarm on the meeting.

GOOD NEWS FOR FAT PEOPLE!!!!
http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/diet.fitness/04/20/obesity.deaths.ap/index.html

Posted by: j at April 20, 2005 08:17 PM

crap....i am a fat person. GOOD NEWS FOR ME!!!

Posted by: j at April 20, 2005 08:18 PM

Good way to end the day......

WISE SUCKS

Posted by: Red Head Fro Boy (I work at WISE) at April 20, 2005 08:43 PM

Olas es poquito en Baja sur.
e, i've got some tipos for you when i get back.
hard to be bummed in the warm nearly tropical glow.
Olea is the man!

Posted by: 3to5setsof7 at April 21, 2005 07:40 AM

test

Posted by: at April 21, 2005 12:34 PM

Did our host over-do it on 420?

Posted by: Dennis at April 21, 2005 01:09 PM

nope. he's back visiting family in philly. back on monday.

Posted by: lerm at April 21, 2005 01:20 PM

This morning looked promising on paper, and it didn't look so awful from the beach, but it was a wash for me. Long and crumbly lines made it hard to be at the right spot. The one wave that was setting up promisingly for me, I though I'd caught but fucking didn't fucking dig for it sufficiently. Probably other places were better. Certainly other surfers were; I saw a cluster of people and few quick rides a bit north of me.

Posted by: kloo at April 21, 2005 01:34 PM

All this 420 stuff, but not a single mention Bicycle Day?
Has the blog picked up a nasty viral marketing infection?

Posted by: Albert Hofmann at April 21, 2005 01:53 PM

Yes. I have a nasty viral marketing infection. I think somebody pee'd in my suit and lied about it.

Posted by: Dennis at April 21, 2005 02:15 PM

WISE SUCKS BALLS!!!

Posted by: at April 21, 2005 02:41 PM

lunch report: GOOD!!!

Posted by: rza at April 21, 2005 02:54 PM

Coastal Clash
Friday April 22 9:00 pm
KQED Channel 9

This KQED Production focuses upon California's coastal conflict and its ramifications for the state and the nation. Few locations in the US rival the intense development pressure that the California coast constantly faces, or the politics that plague the operations of the California Coastal Commission. Development is swallowing up miles of California coastline; access to the beach is being cut off; and seawalls may be causing beaches to disappear. California's coast has turned into a battle zone without most people noticing.

This documentary identifies what is at stake on the frontlines of California's coastal conflict: It travels the California coast gathering stories, pictures, footage and testimonials from property owners, environmental experts, coastal scientists, government representatives, and community leaders to examine both sides of the issues. Viewers get to understand the tension between public vs. private coastal interests, the intricacies of the California Coastal Commission, and examples of failed as well as sustainable coastal development plans. They visit Solana Beach and Pacifica to look the science of sea walls and their effect on beach environments. They stop in Malibu and Hollister Ranch to examine beach access, visit the Santa Barbara Coast to see the development, stop in San Luis Obispo and the San Mateo Coast to learn about land trusts, and look at a far reaching plan in Fort Bragg, where folks tackle the challenges to redevelop miles of Mendocino's coastline for the first time in more than 100 years. "Coastal Clash" shows viewers that they are the guardians of their future access to the beach and how the coastal lands are managed.
duration: 56:46 CC STEREO SPANISH SAP TVG

Posted by: Sander at April 21, 2005 03:01 PM

Artifact, I just booked my kitesurf lesson...I checked at 3 different places, looks like it's gonna about $350 everywhere. Weekends look to have a 3 week lead time now.

Posted by: Andrew on 57th at April 21, 2005 03:07 PM

Posted by: brian at April 21, 2005 03:21 PM

Kaiser

enjoyed your perspective on ganja. I agree that alcohol is over-hyped and weed gets a bad name. How many guys do you know look for fights when they're high? And how many look to smack someone when they're drunk? alcohol when overused can lead to some violent behavior.

Happy smoking all you guys.

Posted by: anti-dope at April 21, 2005 03:53 PM

Yeah, well, sunny day down here at the beach.

BTW, WISE SUCKS!!

Posted by: Bob Wise at April 21, 2005 03:54 PM

Anti-dope, I did have a beer last night so once again, I contradict myself. I still think weed is under appriciated and alcohol is over consumed. Whatever. Surf is decent so we should all be stoked.

Maybe a beer or 2 tonight, maybe a little puff, maybe neither.

Posted by: Kaiser at April 21, 2005 04:00 PM

I only came here to drink beer and kick ass. Looks like I'm almost out of beer.

Posted by: dazed and confused at April 21, 2005 04:02 PM

Arvo report: YIPPEEEEE!!!

Posted by: kloo at April 21, 2005 05:02 PM

an unexpectedly uncrowded and glassy days with some fun inside waves at the beach cold ass h20, sunny, and cute women at the beach. some of lifes greatest gifts are the unexpected ones! All it takes is one nice day to keep up the stoke in the spring
peace ya'll

Posted by: antman at April 21, 2005 05:37 PM

Work report: flat and blown out, looks shitty
Short term forecast: flat and blown out tomorrow, improving to sunshine, offshores and 75 degree water temps saturday

Posted by: j at April 21, 2005 05:37 PM

"... we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens only a certain number of times, and a very small number, really. How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, some afternoon that's so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five times more. perhaps not even that. How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps twenty. And yet it all seems limitless..."

Posted by: Paul Bowles at April 21, 2005 09:40 PM

Hey Paul.. crap..
It's all stored in there.. The brain. Maybe you can't track it right off on call.. but it's all there shaping future decisions. Cool quote but I disagree with it. read Stop-Time by Frank Conroy, it'll spark some child hood memories. I'm out.

Posted by: Ian at April 21, 2005 10:21 PM

Firing!.....wind and swell align daily.

Sick trip...

Posted by: tom at April 22, 2005 05:25 AM

This pic is Dan from SF surfing here with his bro Travis....good surfers.



Posted by: tom at April 22, 2005 05:35 AM

happy earthday to you
happy earthday to you
happy earthday dear eaaaaarth
happy earthday to you

Posted by: j at April 22, 2005 09:59 AM

mav big wave contest on NBC, Sun 11AM

Posted by: at April 22, 2005 10:44 AM

angola surf


Posted by: rza at April 22, 2005 10:53 AM

bet you didn't think you'd see me in the end of april

Posted by: offshore flow at April 22, 2005 11:04 AM

What a surprise to go home after work and find glassy waves! I hit the outside bars for some slightly OH fun stuff. All was good til the sideshore kicked up and jumbled the waves sumptin ugly. I was in the water for two hours and walked a mile back to the starting point. Lots of shivering surfers in the line-up too. I passed one guy and teeth where chattering. I don't know how you barefooters can stand it. My feet were numb and I had boots on.

Posted by: Dennis at April 22, 2005 11:11 AM

you're right dennis -- ooooheee, it was chilly out there this morning. was otherwise fun enough out there but i'm guessing it will be much better after the tide switch. f#@$ing work!

Posted by: loon at April 22, 2005 12:10 PM

Morning funk yet again.....

But, I think the DP was better then what the cam is showing right now! Damn, the wind just picked up out of no where......

Posted by: Kaiser at April 22, 2005 12:24 PM

nope, loon, it's already crapped out. good thing we got on it when we did.
yeah, dennis, i am wearing booties next sess for sure, even though i hate them. it is too damn cold.
this morn i blew a drop and landed with the soles of my poor unprotected feet on the rail of my board. not pleasant!

Posted by: steamwand at April 22, 2005 12:24 PM

Steamwand - if you can spring for it, I highly recommend Xcel's with the split toe. I forgot the model I bought. I was resistant to the split toe cuz it felt funky in the store, but I bought these and they are the most comfortable boots I've ever had. They really fell more natural than other boots.

Posted by: Dennis at April 22, 2005 12:56 PM

I'm not paddling out anymore. Posted by: at April 22, 2005 01:20 PM

Yup it's kiteable out there. Dennis was that you waving in front of my place this a.m?

Steamwand: had a pair of ripcurl 5 mm split toe, high ankle booties that I swear by. It was a chunk of change at first, but they took a ton of abuse, lasted a really long time and paid for themselves multiple times over. Near impossible to find now. I have a thinner split toe version now, but miss the warmer pair. Caveat, I'm always freezing and wear 10 tons of neo. to stave off shivering. 3m split toe could be the ticket for you.

Posted by: s.s. sharkbait at April 22, 2005 01:22 PM

the best thing about those airscooters is that they don't even require a license.

with tomorrow's lotto winnings i'm gonna buy a dozen of them for my closest friends and buzz up and down the coast on surf runs.

Posted by: rza at April 22, 2005 01:38 PM

It wasn't me SS. But I did a float-by then a walk-by last night.

Sorry RZA but I too bought a lottery ticket.

Posted by: Dennis at April 22, 2005 01:48 PM

thanks guys. i actually have 3m x-cel split toes, but i ripped off the little loopy thing you pull them on with trying to get them on and now it adds about 10-15 mins to my dressing and undressing time trying to get the darn things on and off. besides that, i like to feel the board under my feet for the few seconds i get to stand on it each session. but oh nelly, it is cold out there. and, just think, its likely to get worse. couple of duck dives ripped my hood off my head and i thought i was gonna go blind. god save the souls in new england. i'm ready for some tropical time.
so does anyone remember the url for that colonel or whatever blog that had the crazy posts about paddle out at ulu at dusk? i need something to read to get me through this afternoon.

Posted by: steamwand at April 22, 2005 01:58 PM

Steamwand, easy solution to your problem! Call up Excel and ask them to repair them and most likely they will just replace them and give you a new pair.

I had the same pair of booties that tore when I tried to pull them on using the loop. It ripped the neoprene. I called them up and asked them to repair the bootie. 2 weeks later, new pair come back via mail.

good customer service.

Posted by: Kaiser at April 22, 2005 02:07 PM

After yesterday's morning skunking, the oh-so-glassy afternoon session slizz-ward and today's mid-morning mid-beach mid-fun were a very welcome redemption. Guy out near me gets a right, and I hear all this whooping; he paddles back out and is sooooo psyched about his barrel. "Did you see it?!!!" I experienced significant secondary stoke. Didn't see that one, but I did see some nicely-throwing barrels which would certainly have nicely thrown me.

I like how my booties grip the board. Until I need to move a foot, that is; then I'm sunk. Maybe that will reinforce proper pop-up positioning. Check with me in a few years on that one.

Posted by: kloo at April 22, 2005 02:24 PM

thanks kais. good call. new booties for me, i hope.

Posted by: steamwand at April 22, 2005 02:45 PM

The wind is pouring in through my office window, which faces, guess which direction. Shit! Shit! Shit!
What makes it worse is that I drove past the beach about 10-11 am on a work related errand and got ALL STOKED - shoulda gone home, snaked my son's 6'2'' Surf Prescriptions retro roundtail-pin and hit it then! Oh well, dem's da breaks.

Posted by: Jimmie at April 22, 2005 02:50 PM

WISE SUCKS!!

Posted by: at April 22, 2005 04:06 PM

WISE RULES!!!

Posted by: at April 22, 2005 04:25 PM

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/cas/69721616.html

Posted by: j at April 22, 2005 04:33 PM

WISE IS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN!!!

Posted by: at April 22, 2005 04:36 PM

i like those excel split-toe booties also. they seem to be pretty popular. apparently the gray rubber fades to yellow under some circumstances - seen some funny-looking ones - presumably from bleach or sun or both?

my current pair are hotlines split toe - a bit warmer but also bulkier.

Posted by: loon at April 22, 2005 05:00 PM

nope, WISE SUCKS.

Posted by: at April 22, 2005 09:59 PM

Can I have your attention...This Just In.......Latest Breaking News on CNN for Sat 4/23/05..........

WISE SUCKS!!!!

Posted by: at April 23, 2005 07:07 AM

Too much pot or too much info? What's making you stupid?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4471607.stm

Posted by: Dennis at April 23, 2005 01:10 PM

Mister "WISE SUCKS" you are in fact promoting Wise Surfboards with all your compulsive whining. Hope they're paying you well.

Posted by: whatever at April 23, 2005 03:33 PM

promoting? please explain.

If you visit SF or if you live here, don't shop at WISE.

WISE SUCKS!!!

Posted by: at April 23, 2005 05:53 PM

I'll explain. You're so obnxious, I figure they probably had the good taste to throw you out of the store. That would make Wise a cut above the other shops. I'm making my next purchase at Wise because you won't be there.

Posted by: at April 24, 2005 07:22 AM

Just drove by OB at about 3:30 pm today (Sunday) on my way back from Sea Ranch to catch a plane back to Oahu. It was looking schweeeet! Glassy, little curvy barrels rolling through Kelly's all down the beach. Wish I had a board and time to jump in for a quick paddle. Hope all you heads had a fantastic weekend session. Oh yeh, Salmon Creek was also firing!

Posted by: bagus at April 24, 2005 04:41 PM

Hey, any word on WISE, and especially as to whether or not it happens to suck? Thanks!

Posted by: at April 24, 2005 05:51 PM

Sure, I have the word. WISE SUCKS!! Bad boards, bad service, shitty wetsuits, old man clothing. The only thing it has going for it is the location -- nice view!

I won't set foot in that place again. No care for the SF surf community beyond trying to take you newbie surfers' money. You're better off elsewhere, newbian East Coasters and yuppies.

Posted by: at April 24, 2005 09:12 PM

I repeat -- No care for the SF surf community beyond trying to take you newbie surfers' money.

When was the last time WISE did anything for the community, like host a surf swap meet, allow you to put any board on consignment, organize a beach cleanup? The guy takes and takes from you guys and you don't even realize it. Just trying to get you to WAKE UP and smell the coffee. WISE SUCKS!

Posted by: at April 24, 2005 09:15 PM

the wise stuff is infantile.

sign your name or cry to your mommy.

Posted by: at April 25, 2005 04:59 AM

Wise is what it is. I prefer Noriega Produce to Safeway, but I still have occasion to use Safeway. I still go to Wise to flip through the discount wetsuit rack (though HMB or Santa Cruz shops tend to have better deals). I bought a pair of booties there, I ran in 5 minutes before close, and the older guy that runs the wetsuit department upstairs stayed late to help me out. I work with a woman from India, and she loves malls and Kmarts. It's all a matter of perspective.

In other surf shop news, Point Reyes Surf Shop seems to be doing well, even with their shit-tastic location. They have couches and a TV, and virtually 'tude free. It's nifty place to stop in when taking Hwy 1 through Point Reyes Station. I also noticed the entire national park staff at Point Reyes seems to surf...they have some interesting stories. Also keep in mind that the whole area up in Point Reyes is cattle ranches, and you really might want to think twice about getting near the ocean after it rains.

Posted by: Andrew on 57th at April 25, 2005 10:37 AM

fun waves this morning!

anybody hit the surf swap?

Posted by: lerm at April 25, 2005 11:25 AM

Forgot about the swap. Yesterday was allaboutsurfing. Passed on the am session. too much current and too much wind. Watched the Mavericks contest on tv. Anthony T was awesome. After that, I watched some bodysurfing at the Pipe. Then, the wind died down and the waves called. What a fun session yesterday afternoon. The current dropped dead too. Three hours and twenty waves later, I crawled home. Feeling good! Finished the day off with a veggie burrito. Oh Sunday, Sunday how could you leave and not take me?

Posted by: Dennis at April 25, 2005 11:51 AM

I'd like to publically apologize for being That Annoying Kook who gets in the way. A guy got a good right, and being a rare longish wave I happened to be inside at the wrong spot. He was well ahead of the breaking part of the wave, and I couldn't tell if he was going to head straight down the line, cutback [ there was plenty of room for that] or go up and down the face. I didn't think I could paddle straight over the top w/out cutting him off, nor was I certain I should gone to his left because if he cutback or swung farther towards the bottom of the wave we might have collided. So I made eye contact, froze in place, and clutched my board. Worked fine, doesn't happen often, but.I hate hate hate being THAT dork-in-the-headlights person! Yuck!

Pretty conditions but ... pinpointing/lucking into a takeoff zone was durned near impossible.

Posted by: s.s. sharkbait at April 25, 2005 12:00 PM

that happens... I had a similar incident yesterday too - and this aggro guy yells at me saying to "go around" duh - I was trying but he could have easily stalled or cut back to help me out - I was'nt trying to get in his way - why can't people just be peaceful when they surf - it goes with the atmosphere - assume good will everyone

Posted by: peaceful teacher at April 25, 2005 12:12 PM

Grabbed funky little ones Sunday morning--another guy and I seemed to be the first oh-what-the-hellers along the whole beach. That afternoon I was in GG Park at my kid's bday party when the winds died, and guests were remarking how fortunate we'd been weather-wise. Ah well, I figured, my kid turns 11 only once in a lifetime, whereas in my lifetime there'll be glassy Sunday afternoon springtime waves at OB, maybe two or possibly three times.

Posted by: kloo at April 25, 2005 12:32 PM

When does E get back? I so bored at work!!!!!

Posted by: at April 25, 2005 01:11 PM

SS, It's just unavoidable under the circumstances you described. Nothing kookish about it at all. A good surfer should just avoid someone on the inside (in this case, he could easily have faded enough to let you get by), unless that surfer is getting barrelled and has no where to go. But even so, at least you know where that surfer is going and can move to get away. I think you did the right thing--let the rider decide what he wants to do. Unless someone surfs completely alone, at some point in time they will get in someones way too. Don't sweat it.

Posted by: Dennis at April 25, 2005 01:36 PM

Best idea when you are in the way is to paddle deeper, towards the whitewash or the impact zone and take your lumps. If the surfer up and riding sees you do this, he won't cut back and hit you. Always, always paddle deeper and take a beating. Surfer on the wave has right of way, so we have to clear out of his/her way to do so.

I understand that this is impossible sometimes -- in that case, making eye contact is a good idea. What is the most frustrating is someone who just sits and watches, sits and watches, all the while the surfer on the wave is getting closer. Better to act, make a move.

Posted by: yoda at April 25, 2005 01:48 PM

SO if I sign my name, does that make my critique of WISE more valid? What the %&*#?? Whatever, dude. If it makes you feel better, my name is Frank Bywalski, I am 43 years old, and I have stopped shopping at WISE!! I think WISE should give back to the community that it takes $ from. Just "take, take, take" is no good, good, good.

Does that make you feel better, anon? You little bitch.

Posted by: my name is signed at the bottom at April 25, 2005 01:51 PM

Finally got back in the water early Saturday morning. It felt GOOD and I got some good waves and nice rides.

On the whole San Francisco surf emporium scene:

Nowadays WISE seems to cater mostly to beginners and out-of-towners. Maybe this explains the perception that WISE is not particularly invested or interested in the local community. There also seems to be an element of local (and not so local) surf-brats associated with WISE. All this seems to have evolved over the last several years since the shop has moved to its present location. Too bad, some of the staff are good guys and despite what I or other folks may think of him, Bob Wise has been on the scene for a very long time.

SF Surf Shop is where you go if you want a custom surfboard made by great local shapers. SF Surf Shop sponsors the annual Slop Fest, shop barbeques, and has a friendly "cracker-barrel" vibe going for it. John Schultz is probably more of an artist and craftsman than he is a businessman, but he's one of the most genuine, friendly and down-to-earth guys I've ever known. SF Surf Shop is an important part of surfing in San Francisco.

Aqua is where you go for everything from wax to surfboards, and all sorts of stuff in between. Friendly and helpful towards beginners and veteran surfers alike, the staff at Aqua are knowledgeable about the equipment and won't try to hustle you into something you don't want or need - they're worth listening to. Aqua sponsors LOTs of events in the community. Aleks Petrovitch and Devin Dargell deserve recognition and appreciation for the positive vibe they bring to SF surfing.

Posted by: Jimmie at April 25, 2005 01:54 PM

my two cents, since no one asked for it: i think s.s. did the right thing. everybody knows (or should know) the proper thing to do is paddle behind the line of the surfer into the white water. you should never scramble for the shoulder and into someone's way just cause you don't want to take one on the head. but if you are in that rare situation where you don't know if you can get behind the person in time or you're not sure what they are trying to do with the wave/which direction someone is going, the best thing to do is make eye contact and freeze. unless you are right in their line, which you shouldn't be, a good surfer will be able to get around you: beat it on down the line or do a deeper bottom turn to cut around you. and if they blow it, it's not really your fault.
i sometimes have to remind myself of that. i like to blame other people when i fall.

Posted by: steamwand at April 25, 2005 02:10 PM

Hey steamwand - what's your take on the sharkbait situation? Oh, sorry. You already posted it ;)

Posted by: Dennis at April 25, 2005 02:31 PM

yeah, at his trajectory and my position, if I'd paddled behind him into the wall, I don't think I would have made it...from where I was sitting it looked like I'd have ended up in his path. 99% I stuff myself into the soup, no big deal. Lord knows getting worked is familiar territory. This was one of those rare occasions he was far enough away I didn't think I could speed around behind, and he was going fast enough I couldn't guarantee bucking over the shoulder in time. Freezing in place and gluing self to board seemed like the surest option. He sailed around me and there wasn't even a near collision. I just hate feeling like that dork in the way, though, whether it's true at the moment or not. ..I don't like the idea of breaking up somebody's ride, it's not cool...it's like morphing into my own pet peeve...

Posted by: s.s. sharkbait at April 25, 2005 02:55 PM

E...come back...all is forgiven.

Posted by: R at April 25, 2005 02:55 PM

apparently e doesn't want 4/20 to end.

Posted by: bird at April 25, 2005 03:10 PM

Let's see Frank. Bob employs about a dozen locals that really appreciate the income, pays payroll tax, revenue tax, franchise tax, unemployment tax, and provides a service to the local community whether you like it or not doesn't really matter. He and his employees spend money in the nearby shops helping the local economy. Whats the matter, you upset because they don't show movies? You want to enter a local contest and can't signup in their shop? Well Frank let me ask you this, what have you done for us lately?

Posted by: Dennis at April 25, 2005 03:23 PM

WISE DOES SUCK!!!! ROB is EGO MANIAC!!! Morry and BoB rule but niether works the floor! Always apprecaited Bob's salty manner..everyone else just immitating it does not do the biz good. Dave gives an accurate report and good sales service if he's in the mood. Support SF Surf SHOP or AQUA!! Support SUNLIGHT in Pacifica now that the log shop is muscleing in!!!!

Jhon Shultze is one of the best things about SF surfing!!!!!!! BUY A HICKEY TODAY!!!!!!

Posted by: pez at April 25, 2005 03:32 PM

Have to side with Pez. This last weekend Aqua had a surf swap in their parking lot, no cost to participants, and provided a keg. Aleks Petrovich is one of the nicest, coolest guys I have ever met. He is truly a good soul. Devin ain't half bad either. That shop has true niceness spirit.

SF is also pure roots.

Wise is pure attitude. Eddie, the guy who does the website, is great. He is all smiles. But the genreal attitude at Wise is to cool for school.

Posted by: bird at April 25, 2005 04:06 PM

NOAA weather forecasts are being threatened. The article follows and contact info to voice your opinion is at the bottom of this post.

Do you want a seven-day weather forecast for your ZIP code? Or hour-by-hour predictions of the temperature, wind speed, humidity and chance of rain? Or weather data beamed to your cellphone?

That information is available for free from the National Weather Service.

But under a bill pending in the U.S. Senate, it might all disappear.

The bill, introduced last week by Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., would prohibit federal meteorologists from competing with companies such as AccuWeather and The Weather Channel, which offer their own forecasts through paid services and free ad-supported Web sites.

Supporters say the bill wouldn't hamper the weather service or the National Hurricane Center from alerting the public to hazards — in fact, it exempts forecasts meant to protect "life and property."

But critics say the bill's wording is so vague they can't tell exactly what it would ban.

"I believe I've paid for that data once. ... I don't want to have to pay for it again," said Scott Bradner, a technical consultant at Harvard University.

He says that as he reads the bill, a vast amount of federal weather data would be forced offline.

"The National Weather Service Web site would have to go away," Bradner said. "What would be permitted under this bill is not clear — it doesn't say. Even including hurricanes."

Nelson questions intention

The decision of what information to remove would be up to Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez — possibly followed, in the event of legal challenges, by a federal judge.

A spokesman for Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said the bill threatens to push the weather service back to a "pre-Internet era" — a questionable move in light of the four hurricanes that struck the state last year. Nelson serves on the Senate Commerce Committee, which has been assigned to consider the bill.

"The weather service proved so instrumental and popular and helpful in the wake of the hurricanes. How can you make an argument that we should pull it off the Net now?" said Nelson's spokesman, Dan McLaughlin. "What are you going to do, charge hurricane victims to go online, or give them a pop-up ad?"

But Barry Myers, AccuWeather's executive vice president, said the bill would improve public safety by making the weather service devote its efforts to hurricanes, tsunamis and other dangers, rather than duplicating products already available from the private sector.

"The National Weather Service has not focused on what its core mission should be, which is protecting other people's lives and property," said Myers, whose company is based in State College, Pa. Instead, he said, "It spends hundreds of millions of dollars a year, every day, producing forecasts of 'warm and sunny.'"

Santorum made similar arguments April 14 when introducing his bill. He also said expanded federal services threaten the livelihoods of private weather companies.

"It is not an easy prospect for a business to attract advertisers, subscribers or investors when the government is providing similar products and services for free," Santorum said.

AccuWeather has been an especially vocal critic of the weather service and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The company has accused the federal agencies of withholding data on hurricanes and other hazards, and failing to ensure that employees don't feed upcoming forecasts to favored investors in farming and energy markets.

Weather service expands data

The rivalry intensified last year, when NOAA shelved a 1991 policy that had barred the weather agency from offering services that private industry could provide.

Also last year, the weather service began offering much of its raw data on the Internet in an easily digestible format, allowing entrepreneurs and hobbyists to write simple programs to retrieve the information. At the same time, the weather service's own Web pages have become increasingly sophisticated.

Combined, the trends threaten AccuWeather's business of providing detailed weather reports based on an array of government and private data. AccuWeather's 15,000 customers include The Palm Beach Post, which uses the company's hurricane forecast maps on its Web site, PalmBeachPost.com.

NOAA has taken no position on the bill. But Ed Johnson, the weather service's director of strategic planning and policy, said his agency is expanding its online offerings to serve the public.

"If someone claims that our core mission is just warning the public of hazardous conditions, that's really impossible unless we forecast the weather all the time," Johnson said. "You don't just plug in your clock when you want to know what time it is."

Myers argued that nearly all consumers get their weather information for free through commercial providers, including the news media, so there's little reason for the federal agency to duplicate their efforts.

"Do you really need that from the NOAA Web site?" he asked.

But some weather fans, such as Bradner, say they prefer the federal site's ad-free format.

Another supporter of the weather service's efforts, Tallahassee database analyst John Simpson, said the plethora of free data becoming available could eventually fuel a new industry of small and emerging companies that would repackage the information for public consumption. He said a similar explosion occurred in the 1990s, when corporations' federal securities filings became freely available on the Web.

Shutting off the information flow would stifle that innovation and solidify the major weather companies' hold on the market, Simpson said.

Santorum's bill also would require the weather service to provide "simultaneous and equal access" to its information.

That would prevent weather service employees from favoring some news outlets over others, which Santorum and Myers said has happened in some markets. But it also could end the common practice of giving one-on-one interviews to individual reporters who have questions about storms, droughts or other weather patterns.

"What we want is to make sure that whatever information is provided to one source is provided to all," Myers said.

But Johnson said it's importanst to answer reporters' questions so the public receives accurate information — especially when lives are at stake.

"We are not interested in turning off our telephones," Johnson said. "I would be concerned that that would actually be dangerous."

Complete Article:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/epaper/2005/04/21/m1a_wx_0421.html

BTW Santorum is the same Senator who attached an ammendment in the Education Funding Bill to stop teaching evolution in our schools

Tell him what you think of his idea

http://santorum.senate.gov/public/

Posted by: bird at April 25, 2005 04:48 PM

If you feel strongly about keeping NOAA buoy and weather data free and available you may want to mail your congressman a letter like the one below. Contact info for your senator may be found at:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Dear Senator ________,

Senator Santorum's proposed bill to restrict public access to the National Weather Service, N.O.A.A., & The National Hurricane Center, is a threat to the safety & security of all American citizens who reside in coastal areas. These services are VITAL to our daily lives and the safety of our children & homes. Many coastal residents depend upon N.O.A.A. Weather Radio and it's excellent prediction services, as well as the reliably accurate information on the web sites of each National Weather Service, N.O.A.A., & The National Hurricane Center.

The safety of recreational & commercial boaters, fishermen, vacationers, retirees, and countless others is safeguarded by the N.W.S. and it's Tax Funded Services.

Limiting access to information that is FUNDED BY THE TAXPAYER, in favor of private business is at best a very bad idea. Please fight this shortsighted bill.

Sincerely,

Posted by: bird at April 25, 2005 04:54 PM

Donna Frye gets another shot:

Mayor Dick Murphy announced his resignation Monday amid a widening federal investigation into the handling of the city's deficit-riddled pension fund.

The announcement comes just months after a bruising re-election battle in which Murphy pulled out a 2,108-vote victory over a maverick city councilwoman who waged a surprisingly strong write-in campaign. The councilwoman, surf shop owner Donna Frye, said she would run again in a special election to replace Murphy.

Check it out

Posted by: robme at April 25, 2005 05:08 PM

Ahh, Dennis, I knew this question would come up. I have done a lot in our local community, including mentoring at risk kids and adults, cleaning up the beach, and being an all around friendly face in the outer aves.

However, I am NOT making a buck off of other members of my community, nor am I taking anything from anyone around here, unlike our friend Bob WISE.

I think the others nailed it on the head -- SF and Aqua really are more involved in the community. Is it because they want some of Wise's business? I doubt it -- look at SF surf shop's inventory. John is clearly not competing directly with anyone. WISE, on the other hand, repeatedly tries to squash out these competitors AND they/he also does little more than offer a surf report, which is really just an advertisement for what's on sale there.

Just trying to raise the level of consciousness here, that is all. We can "vote" and "veto" with our hard earned dollars and give them to people who actually surf the beach and who care about the beach and its surfers. Sure, WISE has been around forever, and he gets respect for that. He still doesn't try to do anything but take your $ and mine, and frankly (no pun intended), he ain't getting mine.

Posted by: Frank at April 25, 2005 09:35 PM

thanks for the good info bird. i sent my letter.

frank, it's great that you have an opinion about Wise. but is it really necessary to post a dozen messages flaming Wise and coming across as a psycho? maybe you have a problem that is a bit larger than a bad experience at Wise...

i've shopped happily at all the SF shops and believe that SF has a stronger surf scene because of them. props to all shop workers and owners.

Posted by: rza at April 26, 2005 12:13 AM

Thanks Bird. I'm sending a letter today. This is the type of information that makes sites like this valuable.

Posted by: Dennis at April 26, 2005 06:24 AM

Word on the street is that WISE has signed a lease to expand into the old Big Yank shop

Posted by: at April 26, 2005 09:37 AM
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