November 25, 2006
Progress … and the beach
I’ve released about thirty books in the last two or three weeks, and I’ve registered many more. Books are making their way out of the boxes and stacks under my bed, into my office to be registered for release. The box of books I keep in the car is being frequently refilled. I’m beginning to see space where once there was clutter.
Today I went to Makaha Surf Beach to release a book, by special request of a friend. Something a bit perverse about releasing Shark Bites - True Tales of Survival at a surfing beach, don’t you think? Actually, sharks aren’t much of a problem here. Makaha Beach has a lovely reef, not a hundred yards away from where the surfers straddle their boards waiting for the right waves. I did see a shark there once, dozing in a cavern, when I descended for a night dive. I’ve snorkeled there hundreds of times, usually where the waves break a little closer to the shore, and see dive boats over the reef and surfers in their spot each time I go. I’ve never heard of a shark attack, so I guess the hungry guys lurk elsewhere.
Today our lovely, quiet, little country beach was not so quiet, as a Menehune Surf Competition was going on. The Menehune is for the keiki (children) but the big sponsors and a number of sports broadcasters were there, along with families, friends and spectators, to cheer the kids on. I was lucky to find a parking spot, and celebrated by staying awhile to watch some amazing kids, many of whom will undoubtedly be on the championship circuit in years to come.
Makaha Beach wasn’t my primary destination today. I also went to Maile Beach Park, just five minutes from my home. There are hundreds of people living there, mostly in tents, some in cars or other unconventional shelters. They’re my neighbors, part of my community, and there is little I can do to ease their plight. Their shelters will not be packed up tonight, along with sound equipment and beach towels, to be stored away for another day. Their shelters are semi-permanent fixtures on the landscape, their homes until they are told to move on again. Today I released books that I hope will help relieve the tedium that must fill many of their days. A small thing. Not enough, considering the magnitude of the problems they face in surviving from day to day.
Posted by skeet @ 9:36 pm • Recreation, Society & culture
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November 25th, 2006 at 10:15 pm, Dirk_Star Says:
Nice site!
You write well.
I don’t see enough of that on the web.
November 25th, 2006 at 11:17 pm, hyphen8 Says:
Thanks for the assist, skeeterbess! You did a good thing.
November 25th, 2006 at 11:26 pm, hyphen8 Says:
By the way, I think leaving the shark attack book at the beach was originally suggested by someone else - don’t blame me!
Since it’s about survivors of shark attacks, I don’t think leaving it near the ocean is all that twisted anyway. Jaws would be another story…
November 26th, 2006 at 12:20 am, skeet Says:
True, Ms.8, but I think I’ll be keeping my eyes open for a copy of Jaws anyway. Just so you’ll know I’m more bent than you. ;0)
Mahalo for visiting, dirk, and for your kind words. They’ve purchased you a fan for life.
November 26th, 2006 at 4:41 pm, hyphen8 Says:
Well, you’ll notice I didn’t object to the idea…Peter Benchley books should definitely be left at the beach, to keep it from being too crowded!
Bent, who me? I just finished reading another Joe Lansdale.
November 26th, 2006 at 7:08 pm, skeet Says:
Ah, but Joe Lansdale is not bent. He’s … quirky.