Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

So I heard this on NPR the other day - the "16-word novel contest." They read some of the top entries. The idea intrigued me. I consider myself primarily a nonfiction writer, but a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I started out writing short stories and bad poetry. Maybe, I thought, I should write a 16-word novel. At first I had trouble coming up with anything. Then I decided it would...

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My previous photo series probably gave the impression of a vast, beautiful beach upon which one could frolic and splash in playful waves. This is a false impression. First of all, the series depicts three beaches that are part of Point Reyes National Seashore: North Beach, South Beach, and Drake's Beach. None of them are really fun-in-the-sun, let's-play-beach-volleyball-style beaches.  North has a particularly ominous reputation because the shape of the sea bottom creates a vicious...

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  The 3 cents covers the cost of the electricity you're using to look at these photos. 

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I just wrote a long post, with pictures and links and everything, and then a blurp in the internet swallowed it. I'm going to cry a little before I type the damn thing again.In the meantime, here's a cool video of Lake Superior surfing. Keep in mind, most of these shots were probably filmed in the winter, when the water -if it's not frozen- hovers around 33 degrees.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPhbaAYWnek&mode=related&search=Please note: this image is of Lake Superior, but clicking...

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In case anybody cares, here's the answer. A few days ago, I posted this photo:This photo depicts a surfer (my boyfriend, actually) carving an ice-cold wave on Lake Superior in January. No, seriuosly. You can surf in Minnesota. Although the best surf tends to be in the fall and winter, so you have to watch out for ice chunks and wear a very thick wetsuit. The water was 33 degrees that day and there was...

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 Here are ten tongue-in-cheek tips to avoid turning into a shark biscuit. 1. Stay out of the water. This is 100% effective. 2. If you're bleeding, stay out of the water. Again, 100% effective.3. Don't hang out with seals. Sure, they're adorable. They swim under you and play in the waves and look at you with those big liquidy eyes. They're like dogs except you'll never have to throw them a slobber-dripping tennis ball or...

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