Manhattan Beach surf trip

I went to Southern California this past weekend to celebrate my 30th birthday. Dirty 30. Manhattan Beach. Big ups to Cyrus and Carrie for letting me crash on their couch for three or four days. We watched the Olympics (congratulations, Phelps) but mostly we drank and ate and drank some more. Occasionally Carrie and I surfed. Cyrus was recovering from a brutal long-boarding accident, and therefore spent our beach time under the umbrella. His exertion was limited to pints, "Phelpsies" and Wii. In this photo, Carrie and I enter the water with her brother Brian, who actually surfs well. Unlike Carrie and I. We're getting better, though, and like Cyrus says about the crowded SoCal waters: "If you finish your session without hurting yourself or another surfer, consider that day a success. "