Ahhh, I finally have some breathing room and a little more leisurely schedule. I'm done with substitute teaching and coaching the local high school swim team. I've moved on to bar-tending the day shift at the local watering hole and surfing/fishing as much as possible. I was pretty much done dealing with the local school system here, I was getting thoroughly disrespected money-wise. I mean, it's absurd that I make more bar-tending than I did teaching and coaching for 50 hours a week. What kind of horse crap is it when a guy makes more money pouring beers than shaping minds? I guess it helps when people are constantly sliding $1's and $5's your way for stiff drinks and good pours. Teaching would be more lucrative if kids were sliding you dough after a solid lecture on the finer points of realism in Sherman Alexie's writings on the plight of Native cultures of the Pacific Northwest. But then again, most jobs aren't rewarded monetarily equal to the value they give to society. Think about it...teachers, social workers, cops, firemen, etc...make so little money compared to the guy that warms the bench for any pro sports team. I guess it's just a reflection of priorities within society. But the beauty of the free market is that it's technically possible for anyone to make that jump into the 'filthy rich' tax bracket, but until that point I'll make sure to watch my budget.
Bartending has its perks, mainly cheap beers and no early mornings. I've been lucky enough to enjoy a number of good morning surf sessions lately. There is just something amazing about hitting the water before your day starts. It's so pleasant to cruise the coast with coffee in hand and AM talk shows on the radio. Our coast here is so rural, it's almost absurd that I'm able to take in all of this beauty in one morning drive. A five minute drive takes me through the donut shop, over the bridge and to the crazily fickle beach break in front of Eureka. I'll stop there, for a quick check, and then 90% of the time I'll head north to Camel Rock and reliable waves. The 15 minute drive north through cow pastures gives me a chance to catch up on NPR and Neil Boortz, two polar opposite opinions on the radio waves. I don't know if you guys ever listen to Neil Boortz, but you probably should (www.boortz.com). He's a staunch Libertarian and Constitutional law expert. He gets pretty heated about stuff these days. He is all about personal responsibility and personal freedom. It's interesting to compare him to Amy Goodman, who is a host for NPR. Amy Goodman has a show called "Democracy Now" and it is the pinnacle of bleeding heart liberalism. Most of the shows revolve around the mantra of "Bush lied, people died" and other topics which involve expanding the government's influence in our daily lives. I don't know if it is my Hoosier up-bringing or my distaste for government involvement in my daily life, but I really don't want Uncle Sam's hand guiding my life any more than it is. In the essay 'Civil Disobedience', Thoreau states that "Government is at best but an expedient". He further states the government that is best, governs least. I heartily accept that statement. I would much prefer that free market principles shape our society, rather that the heavy hand of Uncle Sam.
Sorry to go from surfing to politics, but that's the way it goes sometimes. It's just about two weeks until the Lady and I are able to enjoy a solid month of vacation time. Nothing but lazing about in the Hoosier sun for a couple weeks and then some more beach time on the Outer Banks. I know it sounds funny, but it seems like life is one long vacation right now. Don't get me wrong-we work all the time, but after growing up in Indiana, there is just something about looking out the back to mountains and being a few minutes from the ocean. It just seems unreal, even after a year or two. Last Monday, for example, I spent the morning catching waist high peelers with views of cliffs, coves, and the best Northern Pacific wildlife everywhere around me and then in the afternoon I went sailing with a good buddy (also a former Hoosier) for the better part of 5 hours. I mean, it's no wonder that I walk around with a permanent grin.
