Sometimes Writing Is Easy...and Fun

Last night I had a lot of fun writing my article about Huntington Beach--Surf City USA. That surprised me, because as any of the many writers who read this blog know, writing is not usually fun. It's a chore, it's a pain, and it's something we keep saying we'll get around to and some times turns into an obligation that hangs around your neck like a millstone.

But last night was different. I was researching Dean Torrance, of Jan & Dean, learning about the 20 million records they sold, and the way he helped Brian Wilson improve the lyrics of his greatest hit, "Surf City USA." My trip there was brief but it made an interesting story, with my surfing lesson and my long lunch with Dean. The city sparkles with that California sunlight, and the beaches are wide and out on the break, the surfers wait with bobbing dolphins.

Today I'll finish this up, and email a link to Wendy Haase, who set up the visit for me. It will be a great relief to see that story posted on our front page, with a little surfing photo as a 'thumbnail'. Now I've only got one more due, about Melbourne, which will no doubt be finished soon, if I can manage to enjoy writing it as much as this story.

Waking Up on the Pacific Coast to go Surfing

I'm looking out at the oil drilling rigs and the misty pacific ocean from the Sun 'n Sands Motel in Huntington Beach. This is the place that I got after requesting something with 'character,' and made my host Wendy say in email that 'of course you'd think it was marvelous, that's what I like about working with you.' No four stars for this surfer dude, no, just a place right on the Pacific Coast Highway down a few blocks from the energized corner of Main St. and this famous highway by the ocean.

At nine I take to the waves, and later on today I'll meet Dean Torrence, of Jan and Dean, ("Little Old Lady from Pasadena," "Surf City") who remains a Huntington Beach resident and big booster of the city. I'm also set to meet a new writer who wants to get a crack at writing for GoNOMAD, he's set to stop by today and meet me here at the motel.

It's nice to report that the flight here on AA was uneventful...no lost bags, no delays, no hassles and no problems. The movie, called National Treasure, a big bucks action flick sequel with Nick Cage, Jon Voight and I think that was Helen Mirren was laughably improbable but held me to the final scene, in which the President thanks the treasure hunter for his amazing discovery after forgiving him for kidnapping him.