Corners
A “corner” can be defined as “a part, region, or area, especially one regarded as secluded or remote.” As a verb it takes on a different meaning to “force (a person or animal) into a place or situation from which it is hard to escape.” The land of Carnitas has traditionally had many secluded corners to seek refuge, including but not limited to, the Root, Box Canyon, Elfin Forest, Cardiff Trench, Speed Tunnel, Seaside Jumps, the Water Tower, the Che, as well as many other locations of seclusion. As these spaces dry up, the few that remain have become impacted with those who seek refuge, making the corners less secluded, more surly, and very difficult to let go of and escape.
In the water, very few corners are left in existence. The corners of the sea tend to exist on the backside of bigger known surf spots. Are usually shorter and more fickle than their better known cousins. Think of the difference of say, Seaside Market, and Nopalito Market. Both in the same town. One is jam packed with beautiful yoga devotee specimens filling their luxury cars with top quality goods (including salsa from Nopalito Market). Seaside Market is the Shangri-La of markets, and it comes with a price. Where as Nopalito Market has its own vibe, is smaller, more cluttered and confusing to the outsider. I tend to prefer the latter. I think there is a different breed of those who seek the corners of their town, whether it is in regards to markets, trails, venues, skate spots, surf spots, or flower shops. Those who seek the margins of society are a tribe of their own.
Summer has ended and the Fall Equinox is only 24 hours old. I now feel the rumbling in my belly for the familiar corners to reappear. To run into my fellow corner devotees. The night air has cooled and I know the time is near. Like Punxsutawney Phil’s glimmer of hope that he bequests on the northern regions, the corners of Carnitas emerge at the right time to save us from the post summer hoards of madness that had descended upon us like an army of Tommy Bahama clad dentists with fists full of viagra and cash. Serenity now…
