We had our moments in the sun. Smiling caressing waves floating swollen heads onto fluffed soft cotton.

Conflict would have her day. True character is exposed by such timbres of the suffering seeking relief.

Dennis Mantin

I got sick on the last day. I am so ready for home. The flights delayed 3 hours. 5 minutes in a loud bang comes from outside the plane that has me wondering wtf was that? Apparently static discharge.

The ice cubes melt into the gingerale. The child in 21A mysteriously stops crying. The light outside goes to dark from purple pink.

The smoothest landing ever…

Home. Gratitude. Happy New Year’s!

Dennis Mantin

Zylia at the age of 7 climbed onto my back in the swimming pool and peed on me… she thought this was hilarious and I was not as amused. In an effort not to express my outrage I said… ” As my Dear Sweet dearly departed Mammy used to say, ‘ if you can’t pee on your Daddy then who can you pee on? ‘ ”

She laughed.

Dennis Mantin

I found a way to make Zylia laugh… I put on my best southern voice aka Frank Underwood of house of cards fame and make a comment about something going on around me and always to Zylia.

The first time it occurred is when her mother was being less than complimentary towards someone: ” As my Dear Sweet dearly departed Mammy used to say, ‘ if you can’t say so nice about someone… then PLEASE! Just shut the fuck up. ‘ ”

Not original but delivered to perfection- she howled!

I got sick on our last day on vacation and she had a look of concern, not used to seeing me anything other than healthy…

” As my Dear, dearly departed Mammy used to say, ‘ If you can shit through the eye of a needle at 100 paces than you might have the diarrhea…’ ”

More howls. I suspect this will be an ongoing series…

And my first of several bold predictions : “Keyser Soze will rise again!!!”

Dennis Mantin

Alex has been surfing since he was 4. He was born in Costa Rica to a single Mom who taught him how to surf; he’s 47.

He’s a brilliant teacher with kids. A gentle soul and a good businessman and owner of the Surf Factory.

Dennis Mantin

Like a wave it flushes over you…

Out of nowhere

Thundering, rumbling, searching for a toilet.

This to shall pass.

Dennis Mantin

I like work… I like the order of it. I have been fortunate enough to be doing something I like for 20 years now.

It’s not that its such a great job however the financial remuneration is very good.

I remember the opposite of that… washing dishes, shoveling shit, making hay, shoveling snow, washing cars, planting trees, spiking railway ties, digging ditches, pumping gas, line cook, dj, bouncer, pizza deliveryman, window cleaner, male model ( that was ok ) …

All made me wonder at times if I should have stayed in school.

I never think about that being a driver in the film industry.

Dennis Mantin

” You are to never lie. Always tell the truth. ”

Really Mom? You don’t see the flaws in this methodology? – I didn’t say that because I was too young. I just said, “Ok.”

Careful what you wish for.

Dennis Mantin

I feel her freedom and her stubborn disposition…

“No!”

I will provide, try to stay out of the way while keeping her safe as long as I can and always remember gratitude for her!

Dennis Mantin

I am difficult.

I’ve been this way forever…

Perhaps an underdeveloped emotional failed ideology from youth, however the cause is debatable.

Regardless I confess that this is what it is.

I can’t put on the false face and have never admired that quality in others.

I see this now as a weakness.

I see the challenge that lies ahead of us…

Dennis Mantin