OLD PHOTO

I saw this OLD photo but it was rare for me to get myself in a swim photo, so I decided to post it. 

It was labeled June, 6 years ago.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Some Cold, Mildly Rough Beach Water Before Sunset

68 degree water felt cold to me late this afternoon in the south side of Oceanside Pier.  And that was with a wet suit that I had outgrown. My son surfed while I kicked with fins a little and tried to boogie board. 

It was good to get wet and cold and experience how far I have sunk in my years of health issues. For one thing, I need a larger wet suit. I'll keep this short.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Got in the Water Today--Five Years

I heard my son was going to surf a bit in Oceanside, so I accompanied him. He had a report of 72 degree water. I broke a 5-year streak of being landlocked-in my mind-and we got in the water. Beautiful, calm water, warm, clean. Like a place where you might take a summer vacation. 

We were in about an hour or an hour-and-a-half. I had fins and a boogie board. His board is 7'10", pretty new. 

My right low back gave me lots of grief. I was wearing a snug waist elastic support. But I'll call it a big success. My son did also.

No photos. Oh, crowded beaches today. But for paradise...what can you do?

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

The Paper Boys

Fifth and sixth grades...we paper boys were a serious lot.  After school let out, we met up at the neighborhood paper drops that we were assigned to.  I lived nearby, so I had time to drop the books and the terror off at home before I rode my bicycle the five blocks up a small hill to get to the paper drop.  A handful of other paper boys waited for the gruff truck driver who would hurl our stack of daily newspapers onto the sidewalk.  Most days a few papers got torn or smashed on the sidewalk.  

We didn't shoot the breeze at the drop-off before starting the paper deliveries.  The good aspect of running a paper route--in my case the 'Staten Island Advance,' was that we had cash in our pocket--mostly change--but back then banks would give you the paper coin rollers for free and would exchange your rolls for bills.  At home you were also the 'go-to' guy when someone needed cash to buy milk or a pizza.

Sundays were tough.  Thick, heavy papers.  A truck driver dropped your paper sections at your home.  Customers needed their papers early on Sunday mornings.  A paper boy had to arrange the sections together into one neat paper and get moving.  

Collecting every Friday was challenging.  Most customers were fine, and tips were generous.  A small percentage of customers were cheapskates or had no cash on hand.  'I'll get you next week.'

'Do you have change of a ten or twenty?'  I did.  I was ready for their tricks.

You owe me for two weeks.  'You sure?  I think I paid last week.'  No, I have it written in my book.  The Advance gave us a notebook for the back pocket for us to keep our customer records.  There were a few customers who would pull the window shade open a crack, and see it was the paper boy and hide.

It was a great job.











"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Neurostimulator Electrodes in the Water Today--First for that

   ALMOST A YEAR


    I bought a new wetsuit and got into the water late this afternoon in Oceanside.  The gizmo implanted in my back to decrease pain should be kicking in for me.  I have two big lumps in my back where stuff is implanted.  In 4 or 5 days I am returning for an adjustment of the Burst electrodes in there.  I need some better settings.

    No chance of actually swimming now.  Limited movement.  I think I'll hang in there...




      "The first time you quit is the last time you try."