Day 1. February 1, 2021

There have been many times that I wanted to write a book. Something that I felt I could share with the world that would help someone like met better understand their place within it.

I've started many times, in fact, I found the beginning of a book that I started 7 years ago that has this exact beginning.

So here it goes. I'm not starting a book. I don't have the patience to write and brain dump only to have some one edit and pick it apart. Instead, I'm going to try and blog daily, for 365 days.  

I could have started on January 1 - so that I could cover an entire year, but that is so passe'. I figured I would start on February 1 instead. Ok, that is not completely true. I have procrastinated to just this exact moment. The fact that it happens to be the 1st of any month is truly coincedental.

This blog is not truly going to be anything more than a place for me to hold dreams, goals, ideas, but most importantly stories. I have lots to tell. Some are 100% true, others will bend it a bit. Whenever possible I will use real names as I think that is important to do. But I won't include last names so that no one comes after me for input or updates.

Read and follow if you think you need a break for normal daily routines. I can promise that none of the posts will be all too long as I am not that creative. In fact, they will most likely be 365 days of short stories and ramblings. 

I am not writing this to be famous, studied or quoted. It's just something I've always wanted to do and today felt like a good day to start. Follow if you want, share as needed, or just pass over and find someone more profound to spend time with. That will make no difference to me...

Story 1. Seagulls.

I was outside today shoveling out our mailbox and roof raking the house. For those of you not from snowy climates, roof raking is something you do to keep your house from becoming an indoor shower of melting snow. I've never had this happen even without roof raking, but I don't want to take chances since now that I've mentioned it, it will most likely happen.

As I finished I noticed a bunch of seagulls circling overhead. Thank goodness they weren't vultures or this could have been a completely different story all-together. Anyway, they reminded me of my one and only encounter with seagulls. Suffice it to say - it taught me a valuable lesson. I'll share that at the end.

It was a number of years ago, I was in Cupertino, California at Apple Campus learning how to be an instructor for Final Cut Pro (video editing software). I had never been to California before and really wanted to find the beach so that I could stick my toe in the Pacific Ocean. It was March, so of course, me being from Wisconsin I envisioned a beach full of swim-suit clad people enjoying the sun. Even though it was cold and rainy in Cuperinto, it had to be sunny and warm on the ocean - right? I mean every television show I have ever seen set in California showed beautiful sunny beaches.

Nearing the end of my time in California I decided it was the day to go check out the beach. Uber really wasn't a big thing yet so I called a taxi to take me to the bus station that would take me to the beach. En-route to the bus station I struck up a conversation with the driver and found out that he lived near the beach and would be happy to drive me all the way there if I could just go the next day. He was working and didn't want to miss out on fares.

Well, of course I took this complete stranger up on his offer. He looked friendly and we had talked about his grand kids so he was honest....right?  Don't fret - he was a genuinely nice person who really wanted me to get to the beach. We headed back to the hotel and I made plans for my next day. I called the hotel clerk and had them make me up a bag lunch I could take with to sit on the beach and relax. I should have guessed something was up by the way they looked at me when I said I was excited to be on the Pacific side and see the famous California sun.

The next day came and the driver showed up at the agreed to 8am. We headed out to the west for the beach. It was a lot longer than I was used to, I mean, isn't all of California close to the coast? Go on Google and see where Cupertino is, then map directions to Rio Del Mar - that will give you some idea. It wasn't bad, just not as quick as I had hoped.

The driver pulled up and let me out at Seascape Park Beach. The sun wasn't out and the beach was deserted. It was about 56 degrees that day. OK - second myth about California blown in the same day. 

I walked to the edge of the dry sand and sat down, took off my shoes and put my feet in the Ocean. Quest points unlocked (if you're not a gamer - ask a kid to explain that one).

I wasn't going to let the cold grey day ruin my adventure. I was from Wisconsin and days like this are plenty. But how often do you get to spend your time on the beach with a lonely seagull?

A LONELY SEAGULL. That is a second non-reality statement. There is no such thing as a lonely seagull. They lurk and wait for suckers like me to come along. I talked with the seagull for a bit, getting to know it and letting it know I had traveled from Wisconsin. Would it mind if I took a couple of rocks home to remember the trip? I explained to him that I had a jar where I kept rocks from all of my travels. He looked at me and I figured since he didn't make any comment it was okay.

In return, I offered him a piece of my sandwich. Wait, what? What did I say? Was I insane? Offer food to a seagull? 

I mean - it was just one----lonely----seagull. Or was it?

Before I knew it he had made the announcement to every seagull within earshot about the offering. And they told their friends, and they told their friends and before you knew it - the seagull was no longer lonely. Not only that, but all of those friends and family members thought it was quite nice of me to share my sandwich-WITH ALL OF THEM!!!

I started gingerly backing slowly towards the boardwalk while I tossed bits of my sandwich to the left and right of me. It occurred to me that I was going to run out of sandwich way before I made it the landing and inside area. My steps became faster and wider as the birds continued their quest for food.

I took what food I had left from the chef at the hotel, and with all of my years of baseball outfielder experience balled it up into a - well - a ball. I threw that thing with all of my might aiming for the end of the surf, but actually hitting about 20 feet from me.

I turned and ran the rest of the way screaming as only a Midwesterner who was tricked by a lonely seagull could.

I made it inside and turned just in time to see all of the birds fighting for what was left of my sandwich. It's a good thing I wasn't all that hungry.

So that is it - the moral of my story for today is be careful when assuming someone (or something) is lonely. They could be the look-out for a bigger group waiting in the wings.

wings - see what I did there?

I wasn't completely disappointed though, the boardwalk (although mostly closed for the season) was just as I'd imagined it. Lots of little shops and the required arcade, complete with claw machine. I attempted and actually was able to grab a small toy from that machine. I wish I could tell you my memory was strong enough that I remembered what it was, but those days are past.  However, the fact that I won it made me smile.

I met up with my driver and he took me back to the hotel, safe and sound. I gave him the toy I had won for his grand child and although I offered him money for the trip he refused beyond what it cost him at the gas station to refuel his tank. 

I love the fact that I am trusting and outgoing and meet so many wonderful people. I will never forget his kindness and hope that I can pay it forward someday when someone I meet wants a ride to Lake Michigan. I will just give them fair warning about feeding any lonely seagulls. 

That's it. That is today's story. Now back to work with you!

But before you go, I hope you return tomorrow. You never know what kind of adventure or rant I am going to share. If you don't - I hope you enjoyed today's story. 

Feel free to twist it a bit and make it your own. I don't mind -  a story left un-shared is a very lonely thing indeed.