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

I found out on Christmas Eve 2018 that Lorna had passed away in the summer of 2017.

I loved her at a time when I was too immature to deserve her attention. She wanted to “take her space” and I was in my; ‘ It’s my way or nothing alcoholic phase. ‘

I was angry and separated myself from even trying to think of her. I was almost successful.

I loved her sense of freedom and fearlessness and she changed the way I viewed life.

I regret not apologizing to you Lorna for my behavior. You were right; I was wrong. I have always missed you.

Dennis Mantin

The sun rises in the east as it has forever, however here it stays light for 12 hours and an equal amount of darkness day after day which is how it rolls at the equator.

The howler monkeys scream the suns arrival and then the macaws. With daylight comes a break in the silence.

I’ve had enough now. I want to go home and be with the familiar and the short days and cold of winter in Canada.

To work and plan and think back on those fabulous waves in the Pacific.

Dennis Mantin