Happy May in Leucadia.

I don't even know where to start...Finn's first swim lessons, solid food, a nice visit with Grandma Diane and Grandpa Dan, Mother's Day, Swine Flu, the idiot who hit & run my car, our storage shed rat infestation....ahh yes friends, another fine week in Leucadia.

So Finn and Momma Finn got hooked up at the Ecke Y for his first baby swim classes.  Being the good little stalker that I am, I bailed out of work early to sneak a few pics of the boy's first outing in the pool.  Finn totally dug it!  After only 25 minutes on the first day, the instructor started dunking the babies underwater with no problemos-not even a peep! We're stoked he's turning into a good little fish (as if he had a choice).

Finn also helped his good friend Anto sell some handcrafted pottery at the Encinitas Street Fair, while Momma Finn and buddy Rachel checked out the Cardiff Garden Tour.  Anto was one of the few true artisans selling original handmade designs amidst all the other poop being peddled.  Check out her Etsy site at cobblestoneclayworks for some pics.  

  

Finn loved the pottery, but really wanted this:

Giddy up.

All this action was making Finn hungry, so he decided on a nice supper of organic sweet potatoes and a milk chaser.  

I think some made it in the piehole.

Getting in touch with his primate side, Finn decided to check out the playground at Moonlight Beach and went for his first ever swinging session. His parents had a blast.  Finn, not so much.

Hanging out at Moonlight. You talkin' to me?

So I'll keep the drama short, but in between all this fabulosity, Mrs. Finn got a gnarly flu (don't worry, it wasn't the swine), some drunkard whacked into my awesome family heirloom '97 Honda ("The Champagne Supernova"), our other car crapped out (thank goodness for Hugo's), and the neighborhood rats moved in to our Halloween decoration bin.  C'mon...first raccoons, then Mr. opossum, toss in a few skunks, and now rats? Really??? What are we, the Leucadian freakin' Hillbillies?  And what is the wookie doing to combat our vermin issues? Oh yeah, this:

Thanks pal. 

Finn invades the Bay Area.

I busted my wrist at work last week, so I'm a bit gimpy on the keyboard.  Finn's going to let the pictures do the talking for his big trip to the Bay Area....

  

Finn apparently was not as thrilled as I was about the pints of Racer 5 at the Bear Republic Brewery, but he warmed up to the scene at the Navarro Vineyards in the Anderson Valley.

Navarro Vineyards has a staff of sheep and chickens to weed the vineyard and poop on the grape vines. Check out the CBS news piece on them and Gracie the sheep dog-complete with critter cam (titled "Sheepish" Labor)

Navarro Vineyards and the lavender garden.  Yep, Mrs Finn was going nuts.

After the buzz wore off, we headed up to Grandpa How's place in beautiful Irish Beach, about 45 minutes south of Mendocino.   Finn got stuffed in his survival suit to brave the elements. 

The gnarly surf rocked the little dude to sleep. Or maybe it was one too many Racer 5's.

  

Finn had a gas hunting for abalone shells with Grandpa How along the rugged coastline, and got pinched by a stinky crab claw.

  

On Easter Sunday, Finn scored some nice eggs with his cousins, and we scored some nice weather, a killer Easter supper, and a hot tip that the crab boat was coming in to the Point Arena Pier:

The cooler filled with crab quickly turned to this:

Monday crab feast.

Ok...backing up a little to the crab pickup day on the pier...I couldn't help but notice that a stand up paddle surfer was on the outside along with 2 other surfers.  Not even isolated Point Arena is immune to the stand up invasion.  I'm still not quite sure why that pisses me off, but it does.   They do have some serious huevos to go out however-that is some cold, gnarly, sharky water.

Kickin' it in Tiburon.

On the tail end of the trip, Finn wanted to see his Pop's old stomping grounds in Tiburon, located just north of the Golden Gate.  Mrs. Finn booked us a bargain room at The Waters Edge hotel, which just happens to be built on the piers Mr. Finn and Uncle Matt used to scramble under and go fishing as young juvenile delinquents.  This is also the site where Matt and I thought the best way to get a fish home when you forgot your bag, might be to put it in your pocket headfirst.  Have you ever tried to get a fish out of your pocket? No really, have you?  It's not pretty. Ask Matt.

Give us a break, we were 9 or so. Maybe 10. Ok 13.

Finn had a great dinner with his Gaga at the best damn place in Tiburon, Sam's Anchor Cafe, and quickly decided that he was finished visiting and traveling for a while.  After a short flight back to Leucadia and reuniting with the wookie dog Jake, Finn was back at Stone Steps watching momma Finn surf during this last spectacular Leucadian weekend.

Bronzing at Stone Steps.

The Finn Speed Round-the last 2 weeks in 60 seconds...

Finn's giving me some heat for not keeping up with the blog action, so here's a quick update before we leave manana to see the family in the Bay Area....

Gaga (grandma) cruised down for a visit and was able to celebrate Finn's 6-month birthday with us. Momma Finn busted out a surfy beachy cake from VG's, and Finn had fun smearing it on everything in site.

Then we all cruised to the new San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center to walk off the tonnage resulting from the VG-fest. The Nature Center is a little sparse on the interpretive side, but the green building techniques and architecture really steal the show. Check it out if you geek on that stuff like me and Finn do.

Ok, then on to Pelly's Fish Market in Carlsbad for some beers and Halibut sandwiches to go for dinner on the bluff along Coast Highway, followed by a side trip down to Seaside to check out the swarm of kitesurfers trying to kill the few diehard surfers still in the water.

Mayhem at Seaside.

Last but not least, my mom got to see Finn wear my 37 year-old hot pants and matching bumble bee shirt that must have been all the rage in San Francisco, circa 1971. Finn looked a bit like a Lakers Girl with some mean plumber's crack, but I think he successfully pulled off the look.

Nice crack! (Sorry Finn)

Oh yeah, Finn busted another move by holding onto his bottle when I was feeding him over the weekend. Smart little monkey he is.

If only I had a prehensile tail...

We'll be back soon with a full report of Finn's first flight, his big trip north, and other shenanigans...

Going Belly Up.

It's been a heck of a month for the Finn Family, so we had to blow off some steam by rocking out at the Belly Up Tavern.  Finn can't go however, so he either has to be taken care of by the wookie dog Jake, or a sitter.  Since the parents of Finn are still way too high strung and psychotic about leaving him with anyone just yet, we were left with one overly elaborate and nonsensical option: to each see a show solo, while the other parent watches Mr. Finn Bob Squarepants...how the heck else are you supposed to maintain your rock 'n roll lifestyle with a tot?

Greg and the rest of the Hips at the Belly Up, 3/13/2009.

I went to see my buddy Greg and the world famous Mother Hips on Friday night, while Mrs. Finn caught the Von Bondies on Sunday.  The Hips were amazing and are on their way to Austin to play 4 gigs at SXSW before ending up in NYC, then finally back home to finish up a new album.  The Von Bondies changed their lineup a bit, but sound as good if not better than the show at the Casbah 2-3 years ago.

Go to Lou's Records and check them out. Now!

Finn's latest tricks...

Once again, I was forced out of my Leucadian man-cave for a weekend of luxury.  Mrs. Finn ended her big birthday month by spending another night of swankness at the Hotel Solamar down in the big city.  Finn cruised the pool bar and dazzled a bunch of hotties, while their boyfriends glared at me for bringing him over. Finn's such a player.  And a total chick magnet.

The next morning, Finn cruised to Petco Park and decided he had had enough of the stroller.  Like a wee little vampire he rose up on his own for the first time and checked everything out!  My brother thinks he’s a little peeved though – thinking, perhaps, “why the hell did they bring me down here on a day when there isn’t a freakin’ game?".

   

The Player, working his magic.

The Finnster continued to amaze back home in Leucadia, by touching his toes (especially while changing diapers, full moon style...) any chance he gets.  He also likes flying Superman style with dad, either laughing hysterically or drooling, or both.  When he really gets laughing he sounds a bit like a jackass, which is pretty cool.

Finn, bustin' one of his moves.

Finn, pimpin' it in Palm Springs!

Mrs. Finn just had a big birthday last weekend and booked us a bargain room at the swanky Viceroy Hotel in Palm Springs.  Finn came along for the ride, and the wookie stayed home (but pets are allowed at the Viceroy, in case you're interested).  Mrs. Finn dug the mod design while Finn and I ogled over the not-so-mini-bar liquor selections and the cool pool scene:

Finn getting eaten by the couch crack.

View of pool #1 from room.  Perfect for spying on the hotties.

Oh the Maker's Mark & Bombay Sapphire was tempting, but not $40 tempting. Team Finn is strictly BYOB baby, yeah!

After the pimpy Viceroy, we got to see best friends Matt and Barbara and their incredible house in nearby La Quinta. Over lunch we caught up and showed off Finn before hitting the road back over the mountains.  Back in Leucadia we were greeted by the overexcited wookie dog Jake, who wished Mrs. Finn happy birthday by yakking up on the bed.  Thanks pal.

Laugh it up, Mr. Chuckles.

Rollin' like Diddy at pool #2.

Idiots invade Leucadia.

I need to vent a little...the Familia de Finn headed out to Juanita's on this last beautiful Sunday to grab a burrito between house projects when we spotted them in front of Pannikin Coffee:

The Idiots.  

The Idiots included 2 parents loading up their innocent non-idiot kids on Dad's crotch rocket motorcycle, and Mom's new Vespa.  So idiot Dad and non-idiot kid #1 tool off down busy Coast Highway, kid looking like a bobblehead because the helmet was so big and heavy (I'm guessing the kid was 9 years old or so).  Then idiot Mom follows on the Vespa with smaller non-idiot kid #2 (maybe 7 years old and even more bobbleheaded), but the kid can't hold on to Mom because the kid is busy carrying the non-idiot dog!  

What the hell? What were they thinking? I don't care how good a rider you are, idiots flock to Coast Highway on weekends like flies on poop. I barely ride my vintage piece of crap Vespa anymore because of the idiots doing illegal u-turns, dangerous lefts, yakking on cell phones, etc. Ok, I'm done now. 

Idiots!!! Now I'm done. Really. Sorry. It's been a rough week. Maybe I'm just getting old.

I finally simmered down after I got home and finished this masterpiece with Finn and Mrs. Finn:

Thanks for the vent session. And don't be an idiot. 

Leucadia is for Lovers!

My friend John Finkbiner once had an awesome shirt I think he made that had "Leucadia is for Lovers" written in bubbly round letters on the front...which gets us to Finn's Valentine's day extravaganza last weekend...

   

On Friday, Finn had dinner with the neighbors and caught up on the recent events.  Mrs. Paris Pants just got back from France and picked up a handsome little Frenchie outfit for the Finnster, while Uncle Neil and Charles put together an incredible meal for us all, topped off by a chocolate cake dusted with powdered sugar hearts.  Martha Stewart can eat my shorts.  Neil, Paris Pants, and Charles are the real deal, and they are a hell of a lot more fun to hang out with.

   

Finn, kickin' it Parisian style, while Neil shows off his sweets.

On Saturday we got some work done on the house, then cruised to Cardiff for a stormy Valentine's Day dinner at the beach.  The weather scared everyone away, which was nice, but it was freaking cold out.  Maybe I should have cheezed out and just gone out to supper...but alas, I pulled off some stellar bbq'd lobster and filet mignon and we grubbed out in the Vanagon.  Mrs. Finn even busted out a French red wine with a goat on the label.  I love goats. No really, I love them, especially pygmy goats. Anyway, it was a good night.  Hope yours was too.

  

Finn & Mrs. Finn with the Leucadian escape pod, and supper.

The next morning we all felt the massive disturbance in the Leucadian Force when we discovered the passing of Bob Nanninga. His passion and dedication to our community will surely be missed. Farewell Bob, and thank you for the spark and vitality you brought to Leucadia and Encinitas.

Sunset at Cardiff. February 14, 2009. 

Cheers Bob.

Every day...

I snapped this pic several weeks ago and just re-discovered it among the millions of photos of Finn in iPhoto.  It was one of those recent outstandingly epic mid-winter "summer" days in the middle of January.  

Finn and I have been thinking of the message in the sand quite a bit lately.  Ok, maybe just me.  Without getting too cheezy (yes, cheezy with a z), my "every day" thoughts today included....

1. Every day at work for the last 3 weeks has pretty much sucked, but...

2. Every day I forget all about work when I goof around with Finn.

3. Every day I wish I could go surfing.

4. Every day is a good day for Pannikin and Juanitas.

5. Every day I get a little more fat.  And slow. (this may have something to do with my recent surfing performance. See #3 and #4...)

What's your "every day"?

Finn in his Magnum P.I. Hawaiian shirt, wishing "every day" that his parents will go easy on his sweet wardrobe selections...

Superbowl Sunday Cardiff Freakshow.

Sombrero boy and plane.

Surfing dog, sombrero boy, and 12 of his stand-up friends.

The Whalerider (with stand-up grom in background, of course).

Mrs. Finn has been wanting to get back in the water since the Finnster emerged about 4 months ago.  With the piddly surf happenings this week, we decided to toss the 'yak in at Cardiff Reef to give her some saltwater action.  Finn seemed to forget however, what a freakshow the reef can be sometimes, especially on a beautiful Superbowl Sunday.....

13 stand-up paddle surfers snaking all the waves. Check. 

Guy in goofy sombrero (on stand-up board), check. 

Longboarder with dog on nose......uh, yep.  

Dude on a big fatty outrigger, check.  

Team Finn in the 'yak, with 12 other kayaks in the kelp beds, check.

Low flying airplane buzzing the line-up, uh huh.

Tandem board team practicing, check check check.

Paddleboard spear fisherman, bing!

Several RV'ers watching the game...at the beach...inside. 

That's it. We're out of here. Ok not really. We did manage to scarf down a killer chicken wrap from Ki's, look at a dead mullet on the beach (the fish, not the hair style), and see tons of dolphins and a harbor seal.  But still...should have stayed at Beacons. Leucadia rules.  Cardiff is for carnies, but we still love it.

 

Mr. Finn and his organic pet rat.

Mrs. Finn, back on the water after far too long.