All Turned Around

Yes, about some things I am a total moron!

I do, however, love the thermal rash guard (warm swimming shirt) which I got for Christmas. It makes a huge difference when swimming in cooler water and really keeps me warm. It has a weird fit, though, being baggy in strange places.

Now, I am one of those majority of men who has difficulty dressing myself. I have discovered the real reason that mens pants have zippers is so we know which side faces front. Even so, there have been mornings when I've said to myself, "I didn't know I had any pants without zippers. Well, I guess that I do." Only to discover later that I was wearing my pants backwards.

Which leads me back to my new rash guard which fit perfectly this morning. You guessed it. I've been wearing it backwards all this time.

Surf's Up

Many Maui residents live here for one reason - to surf.

Employers know that when the surf is up, like today, they will be understaffed. That is a Fact Of Life on this small island. Surfing comes first.

Not a problem for me, though. I've tried surfing and it was fun, but that's all - just fun. I would much rather be in the water than on the water.

Phantasms

Have I ever mentioned how invisible whales are? Below water they blend in amazingly well. No, they don't just blend in, they actually disappear.

On my swim this morning, this whale suddenly materialized directly below me resting on the bottom. Even though it was only thirty feet down, I could barely see it. I was really worried that it might hit me if it were to surface - it was that close.

I carefully moved away from it and it vanished from sight. So I waited with my head above water, and a baby and mom surfaced less than thirty feet away. They felt almost close enough to touch (I guess because they are so big) but I absolutely could not see them when I stuck my head below water. As you can see from the photo they are nothing more than ghosts.

Oh, and for you Pink Cap swimmers, they were on the inside of our usual Sunday swim course. Bring your ouija boards this weekend and maybe we'll be able to raise some of these spirits from the depths.

Oops

My client, the architect, sent me to photograph the interior of a home this morning - but forgot to tell the home owner.

How embarrassing!

It wasn't as bad as a couple of years ago when the realtor's assistant took me to photograph a house for her boss. There I was on the lanai of a complete stranger's house rearranging their furniture getting ready to start taking photographs. Suddenly the assistant peeked around the corner and whispered to me that she had mixed up the address - we were at the wrong house. "Hurry, let's leave," she told me. Okaaaay.

Fortunately, no gun shots were fired. And, who knows, maybe they liked their new furniture arrangement.

Another Year with Friends

The first Sunday swim of 2010 set a great playful tone for another year with the Maui Pink Cap swimmers. I can hardly wait until next week.

Green Anole

This guy was keeping a close eye on me as I was getting my mail today from the box under his left foot. Although they are sometimes called the American Chameleon, they are not chameleons, but are instead a form of Iguana properly called the Green Anole. He scooted off when I tried to get a close-up.

Scraping Bottom

The hordes disperse beginning tomorrow as the East Coast families head home after spending their Holidays on Maui. For some reason this crowd is far more assertive (pushy) than our usual visitor base. I'm sure the whales will be relieved to see them go.

I couldn't believe how close to shore this baby whale and its mother were this morning - and in very shallow water as well. I wish the kayakers had given them more room to maneuver, but they did manage to squeeze through and return to deeper water. All's well that ends well.