Journey Down the Block

We are remodeling our offices at work. At the present moment we have no restroom. The whole remodel has been a challenge to work in. We've had to deal with hammering, sawing, jackhammers, dust, dirt. I thought the bathroom being gone was going to be the biggest problem, but maybe not. As I've written about before, everyone deals with the construction and change in a different way.





We have several choices at this point for using a restroom. We can use the porta-potty with the construction workers, go across the street to Mac Dutra Park where the day laborers hang out or take a walk about a block away to a restroom in a small shopping center, you could also take a quick drive home if you live close enough or drive over to Starbucks or McDonalds. I have chosen to walk the block away.

So you're probably asking why I'm blogging about walking to the restroom everyday. I thought I would take the opportunity to make it a positive experience. I brought my camera and decided to look through my lens on my way there every day and see what I come up with. I walk by the familiar every day, but people come to this town as a destination. I thought I would record some of the details and find the beauty and uniqueness of downtown Half Moon Bay on my journey down the block to the restroom.

I hoping to post several times a week with what I find on my walks.

Shard of the Day-May 17, 2009

Marble! Not just your regular small marble but a giant marble. The shooter. Cool! It's light green when you hold it up to the light and it's got that twirly thing inside it. Ok, I didn't find it, but my husband did. It rolled up at his feet in the surf in Half Moon Bay. Talk about awesome.

Lady Washington

This weekend my family took a three hour cruise on The Lady Washington. The ship was visiting Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay, California. They will be in Half Moon Bay all week and will still be giving sailing tours November 22 and 23rd before the set sail for Moss Landing.

We had unusually warm weather for November. The seas were calm and alas there was no wind. But not to fear the Lady Washington now comes equipped with an engine! We saw a whale, dolphins and seals. We watched the sunset from the deck of the ship. The crew was dressed in vintage costume and unfurled the sails, climbing up the ropes to the top of the sails. They sang us sea shanty songs as we bobbed along in the calm ocean.

It was quite relaxing. I wasn't sure how I was going to like being out in the ocean on a ship as I'd never been before. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well I did. My daughter on the other hand didn't like it when we were just bobbing along. As soon as we were moving again she started feeling better. The minute we had cell phone coverage and were almost back to shore she called in an order of nachos from the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company and ran to pick those up. I didn't know that nachos cured sea sickness but apparently they do. You learn something new every day.

Another perfect day in paradise! To see more of the photographs from this glorious day please go to my photo website at www.KimRitnerPhotography.smugmug.com

Pastoral Half Moon Bay

I went for a walk the other day at lunch up to the Our Lady of the Pillar cemetery in Half Moon Bay. This scene was what I saw on the other side of the cemetery. The purple flowers were full of honey bees and bumble bees. The flowers were very fragrant and I love how the fog was hugging the hills. A very Half Moon Bay scene.

The Man with the Funny Hat

My inspiration for the day is Auri Naggar. This is Auri at the haunted house at the Pumpkin Festival 2007. He is the director of Young Actor's Workshop. My kids went to his classes when they were younger and I'm still on the board of directors. He teaches through improv theater and has brought so much talent out of kids that didn't even know they had it. He showed me that in the midst of chaos lies creativity. He also hosts the OpenMic at Cameron's Pub in Half Moon Bay, Calif every Thursday night. I've seen him encourage people to get up on stage for years and let what's inside come out. He is an inspiration to all who meet him.

The man with the funny hat said,
“What number do you want?”
“None I cried,”
my fear of speaking spoke.

He pushed on,
“What number do you want?”
Brushing him off, without a thought,
the thought seeped in.
What number do I want?
What do I want?

A piece of me upon the stage,
my twist on life to be known.
What number do I want?

The number that lets me
speak out loud, without fear.
The number that opens
up my world.
The number that assuages
my fear.

But, oh, that is the way he works.
I’ve seen it time and time again.
I love the wonders that he brings out.
His purpose, his part, his role,
to get those to take their number and
spill their soul.

Oh, the man in the funny hat.

-Kim Ritner
January 17, 2008