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In the warm summer months a strange spectacle takes place along the Californian coast. Thousands of fish known as grunions come ashore in the hopes of mating and laying eggs to ensure future generations. Amidst their writhing copulation, thousands of spectators yearly interrupt this slimy union and catch the participants in mid coitus. Some are thrown back for good luck and some are taken home to be eaten. This is the Grunion Run. This year I went to my first.

Having lived in California for almost 16 years I hadn’t heard of the Grunion Run until a few years ago. I love fishing, but the idea of catching these fish with your hands and during their “fun time” made me a tad put off on the idea. Though having planned in past years to go, it wasn’t until Saturday that the push finally came. So, late at night with flashlights handy we made our way to Zuma Beach to go catch ourselves some Grunion. Zuma Beach isn’t necessarily the best place to go experience Grunion Run, and the times vary depending on where on the coast you want to go, but the experience was worth while. Braving the cold and the fog we hit the beach in search of fish frolicking in the sand. It took a while, and a short walk down the beach, to finally catch a Grunion. I decided that it was best to toss my catch back into the water, for good luck and to give the fish a chance to complete its own cycle of life. Good luck little guy or girl. I’m sorry to have interrupted you.

With the Grunion caught and my friends and I mildly wet with salty ocean water we drove down PCH to go visit Glow. This was an all night art exhibition taking place on Santa Monica Pier. The beach was littered with people and flashing lights. By the time we got there, most of the exhibitions had closed for the night and mostly people remained. So we did what any person would do when you go to Santa Monica Pier – stand in line for Funnel Cake. Ah yes, that pastry goodness which is the staple of fairs, amusement parks, and pier side entertainment centers. While standing in line I came to an epiphany about the situation. The reason why I couldn’t get into the spirit of the festivity, like so many others, was that I was dead sober, unlike so many others. While going to Glow was an experience that I am not so eager to relive, mostly due to soberness and arriving late it was an experience I am glad to have partaken in.

The night ended like so many nights do. Sitting in front of my house smoking a cigarette with a good friend. You tend to forget that this is the reason why I’m doing this Something New thing. It’s more about me being able to do things I can share with my friends and find things that are enjoyable than simply walking a path alone. Sometimes we do have to tread paths alone, that is the nature of things, however, sometimes we are lucky to have good people around. So, till next week.

Click here for the pictures

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