Tuesday, September 2, 2008

MAN OF RICHES (So.Cal Hunter/Gatherer)

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While checking the waves this morning... Had the pleasure of hanging out with this dude that was camped out on the beach with his bike rig and board. In his usual circles he's known as "The Gemologist". He was easy to talk to and had an air of confidence and comfort for his lifestyle on the periphery.
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He rides an average of 50-60 miles a day (his longest in a day being 170 miles) and hunts/gathers things along the way. He was happy to take the time to show me the spoils of yesterday's ride:
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Dead crow and caged live tarantula hanging from his rig.
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The large crow feathers will be plucked and affixed to a strip of leather that he'll wear as a mohawk-like headdress.
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Didn't catch what his plans were for the dead humming bird he found.
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He pulled out a t-shirt tied shut at both ends and asked if I'd like to see the live rattlesnake he captured on a 2:30am hunt in Carbon Canyon yesterday.
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The Gemologist admitted to having more gums than teeth behind his mustache, but that he still had plenty of luck with the ladies— lady charmin' abs!
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A quick pack up and ready to start the new day's ride, he said, "As long as I keep moving, I'm usually always 5 minutes ahead of the cops."
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Keep on Truckin' Gem!
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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

a millionaire of time

ras said...

rad post!

pushingtide said...

What a gem!

pushingtide said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Dig it! A true Critter.

yessum RT, this is the Elias you think it is. Fall will be a beautiful dream come true. I can hardly wait. I'll send you pictures... Or better yet come up and surf-em with me!

-elias

resintint said...

Super post R.T.
-fsacto

Danimal said...

that is mental.

R.T. said...

Corduroy Jonz, Ras, Pushingtide, Elias, Fsacto & Danimal,

i count myself lucky to have crossed paths with The Gemologist, and i'm super stoked i was given the chance to share it with everyone— couldn't keep myself from making a mammoth post of it... really glad to hear all your stoke for the man, a Gem indeed!


Elias, rad to hear that's you! figured it was in some of your other comments— glad to know for certain. i'd love to join you for a surf. i'm overdue for a long drive to your parts. my schedule is lookin' kind of dodgy but i've been hoping for a window to get up there. seen some pics of the boards you're making. dig your work!

Anonymous said...

Thanks man! they are getting better. Its a sweet learning curve. -elias

Dr. Robert said...

a Dweller on the Threshold..

these are the folks who challenge and transform..through their holding up a mirror to our day to day..
if we take the time to look..not be afraid..listen and learn.

as someone said.."Know ye not ,I have sent Angels among you.?".

however,

I sincerely wish the dude would return the 'rattler to it's own canyon..it's not meant to be carted around..

a great slice of life..great post.
Rock On!

R.T. said...

Elias, sweet is right— one of the funnest learning curves i've ever experience.

Dr. Robert, good point about the rattler being carted around. i was so taken by the moment that i failed to ask what the Gem's plans were for it. who knows, maybe it will be a little meal? I've always heard rattler was good meat. though the Gem's catch does seem on the small side of proper for that. i myself would rather see it eaten than carted around. if he does eat it, i'd guess that the skin will be used for something as well. he didn't seem like the wasteful sort— though i might just be romanticizing. a more realistic version is probably that he'll kill it and make something out of the skin without cookin' up the meat.

on a humorous note... anyone else think that Donavon Frankenreiter looks a bit like the Gem in the abs pic?

Patch said...

R.T.
I was thinking the crows feet would make a great back scratcher. I enjoyed this post as much as you enjoyed crossing paths with Gentleman Gem.

R.T. said...

"honey, will you scratch my back?" "sure, babe!"

—or a foot tickler. thanks, Patch. stoked you enjoyed the post... definitely a lucky path crossing for me.

M.N. said...

Gem! I had a run in with this guy at my skate shop in Garden Grove randomly, we had a show with My Pet Saddle and the Living Suns and he cruised by and stuff. That guy is such a nice dude!