San Diego and South Mission Beach

I visited San Diego, California, sometime back in the 80's. San Diego is located by the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, the second largest city in California and the eighth largest city in the United States. It is a pleasant city with access to some beautiful beaches, the largest of which is Mission Beach. It has a pleasant, mild and sunny weather throughout the year with average monthly temperatures of about 14°C in January to 22°C in July.

San Diego is very near the Mexican border with the United States sharing a border with Mexico at Tijuana, just approximately 16 miles or 25 kilometers south of San Diego. Americans and tourists go to Tijuana to buy prescription drugs, fake brand-name clothing and accessories plus for entertainment. There are many night clubs at Tijuana. I went there, but didn't buy anything.

The residents of neighbouring states of Arizona and Nevada flock to San Diego in the Summer when temperatures reaches into the 100s. They would seek San Diego Beach Rentals for their sojourn there. Mission Beach Rentals are popular with the beach lovers. Mission Beach is a stretch of sandbar along the Pacific Ocean east of San Diego. There are many well-known bars in Mission Beach which are relaxed, beach-style gathering places for residents as well as visitors. The more popular one are The Sandbar Sports Grill, The Beachcomber and The Pennant.

If you are going to San Diego with a large of extended family, a great option would be Togethering, vacations with extended families. You can get accommodation for groups of approximately 12 to 27 people. You can then spend a relaxing time with the uncles and aunties or nephews and nieces, etc.

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Marijuana Smokers: Tell me about your first time!

So, I've always wondered about everyone's first time smoking marijuana. If you've smoked and/or still smoke marijuana, how did you finally pop your cherry?

1. Where did you get it from?
2. Who introduced you to it?
3. Did the marijuana have a name?
4. How did you smoke it - joint, blunt, pipe, bong, or other?
5. Who rolled/packed it?
6. How did you handle your first hit?
7. Do you remember the kind of high it was - heady hallucinogenic high or a couch lock body stone?
8. Did you get munchies? What did you eat if you got the munchies?

Important. Don't answer the questions line by line. That's BOOOORING. Answer them in story format. I'll go first.

I'll have to say that I had three first times. The first first time was back in high school when I was around 14. If any FDA folks remember, Darron aka Ratboy introduced me to it. But, it was both our first times. Supposedly some kid in the school sold it to him. Anyway, after school one day, we go around my way which was 155th Riverside Drive. We went to the underside of it which was the ramp to the Westside Highway by the water.

Side Story: Now, the reason we even did it in the first place was because when I went to go get condoms, I asked for Easy Riders. The dude gave me "e-z wider" which are rolling papers if you don't know. I was too embarrassed to ask for what I really wanted and I took the papers and left.

Anyway, we're sitting on the rocks and he pulls out this little nickle bag of green shit. We break up the bud to put in the e-z wider. Damn it all to hell if the wind aint pick up and we lose about a third of the stash. Still enough for a joint which I ended up rolling. We puffed on that shit and got NOTHING out of it. Not a damn thing whatsoever.

Note: This was also the time I found out I was violently allergic to common cigarette smoke. It's gotten better over time to where I could tolerate it. But, there was a time where I'd get really sick. I blame this on Corey R. (yeah you but not all you) for using my furry ass face to get cigarettes and cigars. We tried that shit and I think we learned our lesson. Smoking cigarettes is horrible!

The second first time was about two years later. This is after Darron had left school but we still hung out and shit fromt time to time. All I remember was them, Darron and L, picking me up after school and hanging out in St Nick projects. They already smoked before they came. Now they smoking some more. Peer pressure with a generous shot of unfulfilled curiosity got the better of me. So, we go see Quatesha (few grades below me). We hung out in the stairwell to smoke some before we came over. This is where I made the biggest mistake of my days. I was smoking and it was getting me buzzed but not high at all. I took this deeeeeeeeep puff and ended up coughing like a maniac and then throwing up in the stairwell. Needless to say, I got harassed for that shit and I deserved it. Word travels quite incredibly in one night. I get to school the next day and everyone is coughing and making fun of me.

My third first time, the REAL first time, I was 23. Already out of college working some shitty ass job on 40th & Lexington Ave. I went to hang out with my good friend Felix I. Now, college became my sort of "fuck the bullshit, I ain't here to play" mindset. I had sworn off girls and I definitely wasn't doing any drugs. But now, I am out. This only meant I'd waste a few minutes on women. It had nothing to do with drugs.

So, I am sitting on this couch as I've done plenty of times in the past. And many times in the past, Felix has offered me some smoke. I had no problem around it. But, I wouldn't smoke it. Nothing could move me. ROCK! I felt like a lot of people felt. It's not for me. Smokers are successful. They're brainless. They're ignorant. But, I see my boy is doing well for himself and he doesn't fit those bad boy stereotypes at all. Dude's a fuckin nerd to be honest! LOL.

Anyway, The first time Felix does NOT ask me to smoke, out of constant rejection, I tell him to pass that shit. He's all surprised. Felix passes me the blunt and I get my first real "I want to get fucked up!" smoke! I didn't know what I was smoking. All I knew was that it got me HIIIIGH as all hell. We got hungry and got to ordering food and shit. Since then, it's been no looking back, eyes on the prize, full steam ahead.

This is where my story ends!

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Wedding Photographers Directory by States

I am old enough to have memories of weddings of long ago. The family will just get a relative or friend who has a camera and some skills to help. Today's generation is different. They have different expectations for their (hopefully) once a lifetime event. They want something more professional. I know because I have married off 2 daughters, and both of them engaged professional photographers. I have to admit that they did a much better job at what used to pass off as wedding photographs. Not only did they produced beautiful photographs to keep memories alive, the professional photographers even produced impressive slide shows for the wedding receptions. Reluctant to admit it, but it was much better than the weddings of the past. Was nice to see myself on the screen at the wedding reception too, as the brides' father.

But how do you go about getting a professional photographer for your wedding? Some get them by word of mouth. With the ubiquitous Internet, you can now search for the perfect wedding photographer for your wedding. One way is to go to find wedding photographers. There you will find all the states of the United States of America listed. If you are looking for wedding photographers in California, go to California wedding photographers. Happened to be in Texas? There is Texas wedding photographers.

If you happen to be a professional photographer, there is a provision for you to list on that site. Unfortunately, when you click "Add listing", at the time of publishing, I got a message "Details soon....". Perhaps by the time you read this post, they will have the details up. Clicking on "Contact" produced the same "Details soon...." message. I am no professional photographer, so you may ask why I am so interested. The reason is I have a friend who is a professional photographer who do wedding photographs, and she is a member of WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International). See Mana Photo Graphics for your wedding photos, I would like to let her know about this site. Perhaps I will try again later.

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Read a book, read a book!

Read A Book

Ha! That's a funny ass video! So, I was messing around with Facebook and they have this app called Visual Bookshelf. So, I set it up to show what I am reading now, have already read, and what I want to read in the future. Mind you, I have all of these books. It's not like I am just putting shit up there just to make myself look good. I think I already look pretty good without having to pump myself up in anyone else's eyes. Besides, I've never given a fuck what other's think! This is not a total list of course, I didn't put The Cat in the Hat or Latin Via Ovid although I've read those as well and I plan to make myself look good with this short list!

Anyway, here goes:
Present:
Quitting America by Randall Robinson (which I still haven't finished)

Future:
Introduction To African Civilizations by John G. Jackson
Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

Past:
Maybe You Never Cry Again by Bernie Mac
Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible by Jorge Cervantes
Fresh For '01... You Suckas: A Boondocks Collection by Aaron McGruder
Grown-A$$ Man by Cedric the Entertainer
Introduction To African Civilizations by John G. Jackson
The African-American Century : How Black Americans Have Shaped Our Country by Henry Louis, Jr. Gates
Race Matters by Cornel West
The Bondwoman's Narrative by Hannah Crafts
The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah (first and last time I'll ever read urban fiction)
The Complete Art of War by Sun-tzu
The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks by Randall Robinson
The House That Race Built: Original Essays by Various
Things Fall Apart: A Novel by Chinua Achebe
Tribal Scars and Other Stories by Sembene Ousmane

So what are you reading?
High School and College required readings do not count.

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Waterfalls location map for United States of America

Waterfalls are great places to visit. They give a sense of peace and serenity. The sound of falling water can be considered white noise which promotes relaxation. It will lull your babies to sleep. Negative ions are also aplenty at waterfall. As the falling water breaks up into small droplets, electrons are knocked loose from the water atoms and combine with oxygen atoms in the air to create negative air ions. Many believe negative ions promotes good health, mood, and energy and also affecting serotonin levels in the brain. Negative ions also bond with impurities in the air and remove them. Air around waterfalls are thus purer.

There are lots of waterfalls around the United States of America. And if you believe visiting waterfalls is good for you, here is help - Waterfalls By Location. With that aid, you can easily locate waterfalls plus nearby lodging options. For example, if you want to look for waterfalls plus nearby lodging options in California, click on "California" at the side of that location map and you get to California Waterfalls and Hotels By Location. Click on one of those numerous pins, and you will see a tool tip like for example "Huntington Falls", and below that is a link "Search hotels nearest to this waterfall. Click on that and you will be taken to a list of Hotels near Huntington Falls.

What a tool if you are a waterfall lover!!!!!

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Siesta Key, Florida

While there is the word "Key" in it, Siesta Key actually is not located in Florida Keys, but is a barrier island off of the central western coast of Florida between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, just below Tampa, coordinates 27°16′31″N, 82°33′9″W. Portion of it lies within the city boundary of Sarasota. Siesta Key is best known for its beaches, especially Siesta Beach. There are a few beaches in Siesta Key, all comprising 99% pure white quartz sand with a texture like refined sugar. Visitors says the sand never feels hot. Beaches include Crescent Beach, Siesta Beach and Turtle beach, but the most well known is Siesta Beach. The beach has won for itself numerous awards including being named the “Best Overall” in the "1987 International Sand Contest", the “Best Sand Beach in America 2004” by the Travel Channel, rated one of the best for walking by National Geographic Traveler, ranked third in the Top 10 US beaches in a poll by USA Today.com reader poll ranked and voted Number 3 in its list of Top 10 U.S. beaches Best Beach 2000 by Florida Living Magazine.

Other beaches in Siesta Keys include Crescent Beach and Turtle beach, but they are not as well know or popular as Siesta Beach. Further, there are lifeguards on Siesta Beach all year round, but Turtle Beach has no lifeguard. However, parking is often full in Siesta beach, but you can be sure of find a parking space at Turtle Beach. The sand is also more coarse in Turtle Beach with more shells which may attract beach combers and shell collectors. You may also find petrified sharks' teeth to take home and treasure, especially after a storm. Crescent Beach is harder to access and is more quite and secluded.

Crystal lovers has called beaches on Siesta Key as crystal beaches because the beaches
consists of quartz crystals. These crystal lovers believe that quartz crystals have physical, mental or emotional healing properties. However, these claims are not backed by any scientific studies, so you will have to take it with a pinch of salt.

You can find numerous wild life in Siesta Key with its lush tropical forest and sparkling ocean which is inhabited by wild rabbits, herons, wild parrots and other native birds, gulls, terns, plovers, pelicans, egrets, herons, ibis, spoonbills, storks, cranes, manatees, dolphins and a large varieties of fish species in the Gulf, bays, lakes, rivers and streams.

Getting accommodation for your vacation in Siesta Key is no problem as there are many types of accommodations there, including hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, beach resorts, houses, cottages and suites.

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Florida for Nature and Beach Lovers

The United States of America is a huge federation of 50 states covering an area of 3.7 million square miles which put it as the third largest country in the world in terms of land area. Its climate ranges from severe cold polar in Alaska to warm tropical in South Florida and Hawaii. It is not uncommon for residents in the cold north to escape to the warmer weather in the south in winter. It is also not uncommon for retired residents in the north to move south to spend their retirement years in warmer weather. Many also journey to the south for their vacation

A prime candidate for such move is peaceful Kissimmee, Florida. Kissimmee is a peaceful town boasting of a few resorts, museums and art galleries. Nature lovers will love Kissimmee for there are some a wide expense of wetlands. Those who are interested in conservation of the environment may be interested in how Kissimmee restored the Kissimmee River. For the majority, probably the reason they go to Kissimmee is because it is very near to Orlando, the world capital of theme parks. The world famous Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios, etc., are located in Orlando. Orlando is an easy drive from Kissimmee. There are hotels here that provides shuttle bus services to the resorts in Orlando. Plus you probably can get cheaper accommodation here than in Orlando. For accommodations, try Kissimmee vacation rentals.

Beach lovers can check out Panama City Beach with its 27 miles of beautiful white sandy beach. They call it sugar sand. The sand is white because quartz crystals were washed down from the Appalachian Mountains centuries ago. The ocean water crystal clear and great for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. You may also be interested in skiing, parasailing, diving or fishing. College students and other youngsters will love the annual Panama City Spring Break with its concerts, contests, giveaways and beach parties.

You will love Panama City Beach if you are a golf enthusiast because there are plenty of golf courses.

Panama City Beach lay claim to the title of "Seafood Capital of the World" and you can actually find a wide array of seafood restaurants in Panama City Beach where you can enjoy fresh seafood newly harvested from the ocean.

Other attractions in Panama City Beach includes theme parks. Shipwreck Island is the largest water park around. From Panama City Beach, you can also join cruises of every kind, enjoy the beautiful scenery visit the Zoo World Zoological and Botanical Park which features a wide variety of animals, including rare and endangered species.

There is also St. Andrews State Park adjacent to Panama City Beach. St. Andrews has more than 1,000 acres of spotless sugar white sand, dunes, and emerald waters. You can snorkel, swim and do other things you normally do on a beach. You may be lucky and catch a glimpse of some wildlife like foxes, deer, coyotes, and other animals. There are two fishing piers and jetties which provide excellent vantage points year-round for casting your lines if you are interested in fishing. You may get spanish mackerel, red fish, flounder, sea trout, bonito, cobia and bluefish.

Remember to book your accommodation at Panama City beach vacation homes.

Another interesting place to visit for family vacation, nature and beach lovers in the Florida Panhandle is Fort Myers Beach. You can escape the crowd here. Watching loggerhead turtles laying eggs at the Lovers Key State Park during the nesting season (Spring and Summer). Bottlenose dolphins, West Indian manatees, marsh rabbits, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles also make their home here.

Matanzas Pass Preserve is a wetland eco-systems containing one of the last maritime oak hammocks in the area. There is 1.25 miles of trails that wind through the canopies of mangroves and the oak hammock for your hiking pleasure while you enjoy a nice view of the Estero Bay. You will probably spot plenty of wildlife ranging from dolphins, manatees, herons, egrets, pelicans and snowbirds, and also the native plants.

An unique place to visit is the Mound Key, constructed with shells left by the Caloosa Indians over 1,000 years ago. However, it is accessible by boat only.

Or visit the Thomas Edison and Henry Ford winter homes for a glimpse into the life of these 2 great personalities. Or take a stroll on the Fort Myers Beach Pier, which reaches about 600 feet into the gulf. Cast a line here and get a catch you can take a photograph with to boast about at home.

For accommodation, chose and book yours online via Fort Myers Beach vacation rentals.

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