Gray Whales dance with tango challenged Chase Bank
“... a bootcamp? Are you crazy?” I asked.
“It was Mitra’s idea..”
“A bootcamp is,” I consulted my iPhone, “‘Bootcamp (n): a short but very difficult training program’. In short, it’s work. It’s difficult. It’s ...”
“It’s a Oxygen Tango Bootcamp..”
“Wait! I’ve found a second definition: Bootcamp (n):a disciplinary facility or program in which young offenders are forced to participate in a rigidly structured routine. I rest my case.”
“Isn’t it great, Dan! Mitra thinks we’re young.”
“Young offenders, Nazy.”
“Three hours of Tango, Dan. Even you will become skilled.”
“I love your optimistic view of life,” I replied - well aware that I have difficulty finding a rhythmic beat while listening to a metronome and have the musical skill of a mute barnacle.
We were delighted to find out that the bootcamp was very well attended. (I could hide easily.) Amazingly, we also made rapid progress ...
“... because,” I explained to Nazy, “of my innate ability and..”
“The word you are looking for, Dan, is ‘inane’...” Nazy interrupted.
We had dinner with Mitra and Stefan after the Tango bootcamp. Stefan quietly confessed ...
“Darius kicked my ass in the meditation confrontation.” (For background, click here) .”He was great. He did you proud. I’m training for a rematch.”
This week we also decided to go whale watching. At this time of year, California Gray Whales are migrating from the Arctic to Mexico to spawn. The whales travel between the Santa Barbara coast and the offshore Channel Islands. Historically, we’ve had mixed experience in the Whale Watching.
Flashback South Africa
The trip promised ‘spectacular views’ of the Southern Right Whale and I had prepared with my world-class digital camera. (Veracity note: World Class 7 years ago.) We saw lots of whales. A subsequent review of my photos revealed that I had captured exactly one whale spout, half of a pectoral fin and a whale eye that looked like floating debris. When we got back to shore, we hiked to the bluff overlooking Walker Bay and had a great view of a whale and calf. The battery on my camera was dead and mobile phones didn’t have cameras at the time.
Southern Right Floating Debris
Flashback - Iceland
“Minke Whales, Darius! And Killer Whales, Fin Whales, Beluga Whales and Sperm Whales. The only whales we saw in South Africa were Right Whales. This is going to be great!” The shuttle bus driver was less sanguine as he addressed us on the way to the boat:
“The ocean is extremely choppy today,” he said. “You should take the seasickness pills before we leave. And, if you are queasy about the voyage, you can get a refund and forgo the trip.”
We ignored the warning because Darius, Nazy and I were bold and courageous. (And clueless.) Nazy at least asked if they had suitable rain gear. When told that there was a limited supply, we rushed to the front of the line to grab the bright yellow rain slickers. We failed to notice the sign directing us elsewhere for the red, waterproof, warm, parka-like body suits. The Arctic Ocean flooded over the bow of the boat as we plunged toward the open sea. A stiff north wind blew salt spray everywhere. Note: ‘Spray’ insufficiently characterizes the intensity and power of the pellet deluge that pounded our bodies as we huddled on the open deck.
Unfortunately, the whales, having assessed the weather situation, did not appear. The guide claimed to see a Minke Whale 150 yards away, but the only thing I saw was a seagull and five passengers throwing up. Other tourists had lashed themselves to the seats or were cowering in the corner. Darius, unfazed, spent the trip drinking hot chocolate while he tried his Icelandic on the guide – who was from the Czech Republic.
For another whale tale check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Vmnq5dBF7Y
End Flashback
This time we were chasing Gray Whales. I was prepared with my state-of-the-art digital camera. (Veracity note: State-of-the-point and shoot-art.) I was determined to get a diving fluke photo. (Nazy agreed with the strategy: “If you get a picture, it will be a fluke.&rdquo
As we cruised toward the Channel Islands, Darius and I had time to discuss the events of the month.
We finally saw several whales as the boat drifted through the area. We were also able to cruise very close to Anacapa Island and, on the way back to the Ventura Harbor, we encountered a huge pod of common dolphin. (They liked riding the bow wave and the wake.) And, since it was California, we were able to view a spectacular sunset as well.
Darius had previously made several fruitless whale watching expeditions..
“Fruitless, Dad?” Darius interrupted. “They were whale-less.”
“That’s my point, Dar. California Gray Whales have baleen - they eat plankton.”
“What’s plankton?”
“It’s the healthy part of an ocean diet. Like fruit and vegetables. If your mother was a whale, we’d be eating plankton.”
More to the point, Darius was impressed with the whales. In fact the expedition reenergized him.
“I’ve sent a bill to Chase Bank, Dad. I charged them a $45 late fee because they promised to send me a replacement card within 4 working days.”
“And they didn’t?”
“Of course not. I hate banks.”
“Why did you need a replacement card?”
“I destroyed my card because Chase was charging me a penalty interest rate.”
“They were?”
“No. I discovered that was their standard overcharge. But they also destroyed my ATM card because it was from Lebanon.”
“Didn’t you leave it in ATM machine?”
“So?
“Just saying.. “
Other photos of the trip can be seen here.
Ventura Sunset