da Kine Rising Tide

Wired, Again Hallelujah! I now no longer need to rely upon my cellphone to do email. I'm now hooked up to Internet access (and cable TV) at home. My class in New York City two weeks ago reminded me that if you want to be a good writer, you gotta write all the time. When I was a newbie journalist, one of my teachers, Lou Cannon of The Washington Post, told me that you CAN learn to be a better writer (he was disputing an assertion that writers are born, not made). How? Practice, practice, practice. Here's what film critic Roger Ebert has said about writing (from the May issue of the Southwest Airlines magazine "Spirit"): "Writing is just one way that I have survived thyroid cancer, four major surgeries and many complications. I love the process of writing itself. It affirms me and keeps me connected to people." Amen.

It's a perfect summer day on this Tuesday afternoon here in Newport Beach. Even though it's nearly mid-June, Balboa Peninsula is not yet invaded by the usual swarm of tourists who occupy nearly every square centimeter of beach, especially over the weekends. I also notice that there are still many "For Rent" signs. It seems the economic crisis has indeed arrived in Newport Beach. During a normal summer, the summer rentals -- houses along the boardwalk -- command upwards of $1,000 to $3,000 A WEEK, depending upon whether the space is furnished, contains multiple bathrooms, includes a parking space. I will remain a frequent visitor to Newport Beach, but I've decided to forsake the beach life and am in the process of moving to Costa Mesa, which is next door to Newport Beach, but inland, not on the coast. Costa Mesa possesses a unique geography, however, that permits a refreshing coastal breeze to sweep over the town at all times. This is very important to me since I ...