Flattery Will Get You Everywhere

I attract them like moths to a flame, like flies to you know what. It.never.fails.

I surfed a local localized break today. Prior to the knee replacement, I'd surfed this break all of one time. Call me a wimp. In many ways I am one. I don't deny that when it comes to surfing with the overly aggressive. The place always scared me. I'd heard too much, read too much, thought too much, and knew I never wanted to go back there.

Since the knee replacement, I've been there three times. When I got there today, it was somewhat crowded. My first inclination was to leave.

I stayed. And I surfed. I left Surfsister the Shrinking Violet in the car. Surfsister the Bionic was the one who paddled out. My first wave started with a paddle battle. Normally, I won't battle. Today was different. I was in no mood to give up waves. My wave! So I kept paddling. I popped up. Then I gave the stinkeye to two guys who wanted to drop in. I wasn't having any of that today. My wave!

It was a good session for my confidence at unfamiliar breaks if nothing else.

After the session, a guy beamed when he saw me emerge from the water. He greeted me as if we knew one another. Interesting, I thought. I don't normally surf there. So how did he know me?

Once I got to the car, the guy waited for Soul Brother #2 to walk away before he approached me. He extended his hand. I shook it.

"You are probably the most beautiful woman I've seen in a long time. I just had to come over and tell you that." I was gracious in my reply.

(Sigh) I'm not lying when I tell you I think the guy was blind in one eye. He was slurring his words and I swear I detected a missing tooth or two. Upon returning to the car, Soul Brother #1 told me he'd seen the guy approach me. Once I described my admirer to him, he was laughing too hard to do the jealous husband bit. Then he gave me a sincere compliment—smart man—and we left.