Somebody is not paying attention. The sea lions are sneaking on to the docks in the inner harbor. First one comes on and then all his friends and enemies jump up. This afternoon there were only four but in my mind's eye I saw the whole wharf sinking.

Boats and piers all have temporary protective walls to keep these visitors off. Sometimes it works and sometimes the sea lions outwit the humans.

Several years ago I saw several boats slowly sink under the weight of innumerable sea lions.

I had a half hour between places I needed to be. I sat in my car, windows down on the cliff overlooking Carmel Beach. Sat and read, smelled the air, watched owners take their dogs for walks, crows cawing, and diving. Large waves crashing on the sand.

I though about getting out of my car and taking a walk but I didn't.

It sometimes feels like my car and I are one.

For a long time I have been getting notices from my cable company saying that they are going digital.

So what. I don't care.

But then I lost a channel, the Book channel.

So I called the phone number and have agreed to a package of programs and a digital receiver at the end of the month.

The rates are low now but will dramatically increase in 6 months. The American way of doing business.

I am going to have HBO for free for a whole year.

Something to watch on these dark evenings.

On the beach by the wharf this morning I saw a shirtless bulky man wrestle with a large salmon. He had wrapped it in his shirt and was teasing his barking dog. The fish kept arching and twisting. A group of men were cheering him on from the wharf.

In the distance was a flock of comerants preening and splashing in the water. The sky was blue and the water still.

In the afternoon driving by Berg's motel at Lover's Point, a convention of gulls and pigeons rested wing to wing on the slanted roof. I wonder if the visitors could hear these birds above their heads.

from 7:30 to 3pm I was in meetings, sitting on chairs, listening attentively until all I wanted to do was escape.

A strong wind came up last night and now the day is clear but I was inside listening and taking notes.

Now the time is my own and I don't quite know what to do with myself. Too much time, too little time. It never just enough. Except sometimes it's perfect and I am surprised and pleased.

An unexpected sunny day, balmy. Unexpected after days of thick cold fog.

On the wharf the "San Giovanni" fishing boat is being unloaded. Italian men standing around directing the basket of fish into the shredded ice containers.

Winter birds are here.

Crowds of people, families, friends spilling out of the downtown restaurants waiting for their turn at breakfast.

November in Monterey. I would like to come here to visit except I am already here.

A friend said that silence in Japan is peaceful and full of beauty. Silence in Christianity is the absence of God and thus is filled with grief and despair.

Certainly my attraction to Zen is silence of beauty and fullness.