Trip 2005

I met up with the kids, and we all had a desire to enter the waters of the mighty Pacific. We didn't think of the consequences, but when do we ever? We're a bunch of Recks (and a Butler) that are so out of control that you might as well just let us run rampant and do whatever we please without interference.

The kids' bodies started tingling, and they immediately knew that something was going on nearby that they needed to be a part of. Turns out that every weekend night around sunset, a large group of individuals gather together to engage in loud drumming and free spirited dancing. I believe it's called a drum circle, and they just bang on stuff and spin around in the sand. I'm in no position to judge other cultures or ways of life, but I just couldn't get into the drumming and dancing. I really don't understand the point of all this. The kids loved it though, and they stuck around for a while and danced.

I did the best possible thing that I could think of on short notice - I passed out on the beach. It had been a long and tiring day, and I was exhausted. I tried to rest in the soft sand, but I couldn't get the incessant banging sounds out of my head. Those drummers never stopped. I guess they listened to too much Todd Rundgren, and didn't want to work, instead choosing to bang on the drum all day. The relaxing sound of the waves, the soft sand and the cool ocean breeze were not enough to overcome the the rhythmic thumping of the drummers. I couldn't take it anymore, so I went closer to the water, something that I would later regret. I now wish that I had 'chilled out' and spun around in a circle, feeling the music in my soul.

I bet this apartment building is a real hole on the inside. I've lived in the ghetto (actually Riverwest in Milwaukee, but it's close enough) and I'm guessing that my building was better in every category except one - the location. That alone probably skyrocketed the rent on this place through the roof. Not even Rip Taylor could afford to live here, and he's a god in my country. He can't walk the streets without being mobbed.

On the Travel Channel's Top 10 Beaches in Southern California, they listed Venice Beach as #4. They talked about some of the sights, and also interviewed some of the people who make this place a tourist destination, including the World's Greatest Wino. During the interview, he mentioned that he was in fact sober for the last 7 years, meaning that his entire angle as the World's Greatest Wino was indeed false. He just uses it to attract attention to himself and to solicit money from tourist eager on passing out their disposable income. World's Greatest Wino exposed! You can't fool me!

Chris Rock said that if a homeless man has a funny sign or t-shirt, he isn't really homeless because a real homeless person is too hungry to be funny. The guy on the left has a 'Jesus is my homeboy t-shirt. If Jesus really was his homeboy, he would help him carry that sack of cans. On the right is the World's Greatest Wino. He's proud that he's a bum and a drunk, and will gladly share his story or tell jokes if you toss some money his way.

Venice Beach is a great place to be a bum. If I ever decide to give up on school, work and life, then I'm going to head out West and take up permanent residence along with the other randoms that occupy one of SoCal's weirdest hangouts. Think about it - the weather is great, the food is cheap, and you can make money from the tourists by doing random things like singing, reading palms, and holding signs that you need money for beer/drug research. These guys really have it made.