Florida Baseball

Back in my younger days I was a decent baseball player.  I think I was getting better as I aged, so it was unfortunate that I had rotator cuff surgery and was never able to recover.  However, along the way I went some great places and met some awesome people and I have fond memories of my baseball days.  Some harsh memories, but fond ones mostly.  Also, if I had continued to play baseball, I never would have gotten to live so many places and teach so many faces.  God's got a plan for everyone, so be grateful for what you have and what you don't have.  You never know what could be a blessing in disguise! Go Gators!!!!

Balloons at the Yahoo! Dome

This picture was taken inside the Yahoo! Dome during the 7th Inning Stretch of a baseball game between the Softbank Hawks and the Chiba-Lotte Marines.  Everyone gets a balloon and releases it at the same moment.  When they go off it's a uniquely interesting sight!  You'd be surprised at how quickly the field gets cleaned up.  The Japanese are a people who value efficiency and diligence and their society reflects this.

Chicken in the Corn

This is Andrew Chin aka Brushy One String.  He is the son of famous Rocksteady singer Freddy McKay.  McKay died when Brushy was young and he grew up poor and illiterate.  He received a break when a filmmaker who was making a documentary about Jamaica filmed this song, "Chicken in the Corn".  Now Brushy is an internet celebrity and it touring in the West Coast of the United States.  Go Brushy, go!

Home is Where the Heart is

This picture was taken in 2009 in Anna Maria Island, Florida.  Florida's Gulf Coast is home to some of the best beaches in the entire world.  Florida is famous for its warm clear waters and white sand beaches. Anna Maria Island is located west of Bradenton, Florida and has over 7 miles of pristine beach.  I've been going to Anna Maria since about 1989 and Mr. Bones BBQ Restaurant is STILL there.

Set Fire to the Rain

This is a short surf snippet that I love.  Garrett McNamara, owner of the world record for largest wave surfed, Joel Parkinson, and the legend Kelly Slater are some of the surfers in this video.  Kelly Slater, from Florida, is an 11 time world champion and still going strong at age 42.  Widely regarded as the best competitive surfer ever, Kelly Slater will also drop in on some big waves from time to time.  Big wave surfing has gained popularity and is a lot safer than it was in the past with the advent of jet skis and sleds, spotters, and inflatable life vests.  Big wave surfing has claimed the lives of big wave legends like Eddie Aikau, Mark Foo, and Sion Milosky.  It is a sport that requires dedication, training, strength, skill, and bravery. 

Tire Tracks and Rice Fields

Khanh Hoa countryside.  Khanh Hoa Province is located on Vietnam's South Central Coast.  Nha Trang is Khanh Hoa's capital city and also has one of the largest ports on Vietnam's South Central Coast. 

Surfing Vietnam

This is my friend, Eric at our surf spot here in Vietnam.  Eric, from NY/California/Vietnam/Philippines and Albin, from Orebro, Sweden, are our only regular footers.  The left is a little short and gets you right into the washing machine, so it's mostly rights. Consequently, I've gotten pretty good at riding on my backhand.  Surf is sparse in Vietnam, but when it gets a pumping swell, it's definitely a fun wave.  There are several reef breaks all up and down the coast.  China Beach is a famous beach break.  Never been there!  Photo credit to Diana.

Mui Ne Sand Dunes

Ok, Ben is back. This shot is from 2012, just outside of Mui Ne, Vietnam at the sand dunes.  This little dude was our guide and showed us how to enjoy the dunes.  I was really sandy after doing a few jumps and rides down the hill on mats.  Mũi Né is a little beach strip in South Vietnam.  It's mostly resorts and restaurants, but there is a burgeoning kite surfing industry.  An interesting place and worth a few days in Vietnam.