Sucker Punch

The State's messed up economy strikes again...

A while back, the Governator threatened to close some 200+ State Parks. I asked my district supervisor about the possibility and he replied we had enough money to pay lifeguards through Labor Day.

Fast forward to last week, when I hear we'd be receiving schedules for the 1st half of September only (a week longer than I expected. Good news). When schedules came out, we'd been scheduled for all of September ( more good news, but I had to run around changing shifts since I was supposed to work on days I'll have class. Oy!).

Yesterday, we all get told that the September schedule is now only valid through Labor Day (as before) and there will be NO lifeguards at all during the week for the duration of the Off Season (Labor Day through Memorial Day). Whoa...

No seasonal staff at all except weekends. No roving guards. Nothing except Permanent Staff. Crap.

So let's do some math:
-no financial aid from school
-no guarding in the off season
-bike shop pays minimum wage and I'm limited to 20 hours per week during the school year.

Anyone hiring?

Eric

Back in the Saddle

From last post, you learned I'm not going to the Academy for the State Park Lifeguard position due to the State's budget shortfall. This week, I learned my District Supervisor didn't receive a budget for September and we're only being scheduled through the 15th of the month. Scary. I'll keep you posted, but swimming and surfing at State beaches might get a lot more dangerous after Labor Day.

Meanwhile, I've started training exclusively on the bike. I'm still running and swimming on my breaks at work, but I'm all about getting ready for the Collegiate MTB series that starts Sept. 26th. Today I hit up Daley Ranch for some climbing.

Singletrack. Mmm....
Some tasty switchbacks...

More singletrack all to myself. The pace was pretty empty.

The climb I love to hate. Steep, loose and seemingly never-ending. I cleaned the whole thing (didn't last time I was here); a feat I have yet to repeat on the SS 29'er.

I made my customary stop at Del Taco on the way home and chilled the rest of the day since there was no lifeguard work for me today.

Back to work tomorrow (supposed to get some swell this week) and more riding Sat and Sun. I love riding my bike! :D

E.

The Best Laid Schemes of Mice and Men...

...go often askew.

I got some unofficial news this week that the Academy for Lifeguard/Peace Officer scheduled to start in October has been cancelled and might start up in January. Considering the current state of California's economy, I'm not holding my breath.

This is good news/bad news for me: it looks like I'll be able to finish my degree after all (YAY!), but that Holly and I have to suffer through some more financial hardship (boo).

It also means I get one last chance at whooping up on some college kids on the collegiate MTB circuit (tee hee!). That means I'm scrapping the 50K plans. I'm disappointed since it's on my "bucket list", but the strain training for the race and lifeguarding puts on my previously injured soleus worries me. It's not injury pain, but it's definitely tight, painful in the mornings and takes a while to warm up during training.

I've been jonesin' for some MTB love for quite a while and putting it off in favor of run training; getting back on the bike will definitely make me a lot happier.

So life now looks like:
Sept-Dec:
-Finish BioChem degree
-Race collegiate MTB

November:
-apply for PA school (in case State Jobbie gets put off until next year)

Jan:
-take last pre-reqs for PA school at Community College OR
-Begin State Peace Officer academy

Meanwhile, I'm spending lots of time in the ocean learning how to surf (also on my bucket list) and working my butt off lifeguarding for the State. No major worries, really.

E.

Eat, Drink and Be Married

Not me, but my little sister got married this past weekend. The cool twist? I performed the ceremony!

Friday night Holly and I headed up to El Torito in Zooport Beach (Fashion Island). Turns out we were an hour early for the rehearsal dinner....but right on time for happy hour! I call that awesome timing. Some bloody marys, chips and salsa and taquitos later and we hooked up with the rest of the party. By the time we rolled home and crawled into bed, it was way past our bedtime.

Saturday, we got up and went for our long runs in Penasquitos Canyon, got ready and headed back to the OC. Laguna Beach Surf and Sand Resort this time.

The g/f all dolled up... Like I said, I got ordained as a minister after my sis and her then fiancee weren't too thrilled with the minister they had planned on using. I was stoked to step in! I can also do funerals :/.

Sister Christine wanted to get married with sand between her toes. The high tide meant a few of the guests got their feet wet, but we made it work. Christine started crying during her vows and I choked up a bit too. I held it together, though. Note the bare feet!

Yay! All married and stuff!Me, Christine and brother Steve (AKA: Big Rig).Me and the g/f chillin' at the reception. I was lucky enough to sample the 40 y/o rum sis got her hubby as his groom gift (Pyrat 1623). At $240 a bottle (!!!) it was quite the tasty sip.

Throw in some bomb-ass cigars and I was feelin' pretty good. A great weekend overall.

Sunday we were both beat from multiple days of being up way too late and we took the day off.

Monday, I got cleared to go back to work. I called in to let them know I was available and got a call 20 mins later to staff a tower. My doc cleared me at 9 and I was in a tower by 11. Ha!

No sooner did I finish opening the tower when the tower phone rings and my supervisor piles a bunch of shifts in my lap. Nice to be needed! I'm getting caught up on all the work gossip and definitely missed getting paid to boogie board/body surf on my breaks; I tried surfing last year on the paddle board and it didn't suck. I know a guy selling a short board for cheap...

E.