JAMES PRIBRAM
Well the fish have come and gone for a day or two -- at least for
this week's column. Gone with the brand new north wind that blew in
today for the first time in weeks. I was taught at a very young age
that the south wind was our friend who sent us warm water and almost
daily sunshine came along with it.
But it was the cruel north wind that brought us that undesirable
cold water and perhaps a marine layer or two to boot.
Reflection. Summer is certainly creeping upon us very quickly and
school is almost out. Some will graduate and some will become
soon-to-be-freshman. There is nothing like spending your summer days
here in Laguna Beach.
I can remember my first years I spent down at Pearl Street Beach
just tormenting the lifeguards with pee bombs and ice plant wars. My
dad used to get so mad at me it was insane. I would have to tuck my
tail between my legs and have to deal with the consequences.
But as much torment as I dished on the lifeguards, they were all
big brothers to me in one way or another and my mom never had to
worry because she knew I was in good hands.
I lived on the beach and not just any beach. It was Pearl Street.
Still is today. My favorite part of this town is that beach and
the friendships that were made there.
The "Arch" is probably one of the prettiest sights in our town. A
place that forever changed my life. The exact place where I learned
how to surf and the reason why I teach surfing today.
The ocean and that particular beach is where I learned the most
about life and the different paths that one can take. Some are better
than others and some can just flat out be the wrong one. I've seen
many choose that wrong one and wonder why.
Decisions -- how to make the right decisions? The question goes
too deep to address completely here, nor I am I qualified to do so.
I was lucky because the path that I chose through surfing was the
same path that always kept me from choosing the wrong one.
Choose your own path.
Peace.
