Pea Soup Andersen's - Originally Published 2011

It was Nietzsche who wrote, “And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes into you.”  I’m not big on abysses.  Moreover, I’m not big on abysses staring into me.   I suppose that’s what Pea Soup Andersen’s became for me, a big black unknown.  I’ve passed it numerous times, but have never made the stop.

Recently, I decided to end the abyss’ power over me. On a dash up north, the wife and I decided to stop and shed some light into the deep, dark unknown.  Upon entering the quaint roadside stop, it would appear that my nemesis, the aforementioned abyss would again test out my will.

The challenge was thrown out to me.  For nine and a half dollars, how much pea soup could I eat?  The pea.  The Paul McCartney of the legume world.   Would I stay and play the game?  Or would I leave and let the abyss feed on my fear of the unknown?

Fear is normal, but to back down to it is unacceptable.  To do so would mean that I should turn in my Animated Meat card and go back to playing it safe.  “Waitress, bring me a bowl!”  And bring me a bowl she did.

The pea soup here is special, 100% vegetarian.  Don’t look for any pork in this soup, just spoonful after spoonful of pure pea delight.

And so I had my answer, a bowl and a half.  That’s how much pea soup I can eat.  I have looked into the eye of the beast and have not blinked.

Elephant Seal Beach - Originally Published 2010

The next time you hear some so-called conservative say that government oversight and regulation is a form of socialism, my advice is that you should tell that conservative to eat it.  There is very little conservation among the conservatives.  Those sons of bitches would use every resource up in the name of greed and profit.

Business unchecked will take every shortcut possible in order to increase profit.  Let’s take the Gulf oil spill for example.  You know why this one is setting all kinds of records?  Because BP sunk a drill a mile through ocean and two miles through the Earth just so we could all get a taste of our buddy oil.  And they never bothered to put in a relief well.  How did this happen?  Because our lawmakers have been asleep at the switch and more concerned with picking fights with sovereign nations than with real issues.  Drill, baby, drill.

As recently as March, BP tried to get Canada to soften its stance on relief wells.  The geniuses at BP stated that thanks to advances in technology, there is no need to relief wells.  Thankfully, Canada was not swayed.

Dead is dead and extinct is extinct.  The guide at the Elephant Seal Beach said that the last three years had seen an increase in the population of the Elephant Seals.  As long as the populous in our Democratic experiment remind the legislators who’s really in charge there may actually be some wildlife left for our children to see one day.

Splash Cafe - Originally Published 2008

Next time you make a run up Pacific Coast Highway, make a stop at the Splash Café in Pismo Beach.  There will be a line.  There always is.  However, it’s worth a little wait.

What makes it so special?  The serve clam chowder in bread bowls.  I know that’s not the most original idea.  But Splash Café does it right.  Their New England style clam chowder has something really unique in the flavor department.  My theory is that it’s addition of carrots that sweeten it up.  However, it could also be that mermaids make it with a touch of love.  I’m not sure, but it’s worth a stop.

The other thing that makes a visit so special is that it’s only a short stroll to the Pismo Beach Pier.  This is a place to relax and breath a lot deeper.  There is more to life than sitting inside with a remote in hand, waiting to go back to work.