Day 305 - Nonchalant Observer -Installment #9– Sullivan's Island

June 9th, 2010


Today is my 9th installment of my “Nonchalant Observer” series. On day 22, I observed (judged) what crossed my path as I sat with my coffee on my Brooklyn stoop. On day 38, I took you with me to the happenings of beach life in the surfing town of Hermosa Beach, California. On day 112, we crossed the age gap and hit a retirement community. During happy hour. You came with me to my father and stepmother’s house for brunch in Westchester, New York on day 141 and you joined me as I was being shot in a piece for Current TV on day 205. On Day 210, you were part of my Grandma Harriet’s 90th birthday celebration in Charlotte, North Carolina. Day 263 was when I stood like a hooker with Marc Jacobs sunglasses and observed the environment on the corner of 49th and Madison in Manhattan. An excursion to Six Flags Great Adventure was our journey on day 284.

I'm in Charleston, South Carolina for my Grandma Rae's 90th birthday. Just three months ago, my other grandmother celebrated this milestone. For some reason that I can't really explain(yet)...it almost seems serendipitous that both of my Grandmothers turn 90 during this year of my 365 day blog entry challenge. This birthday shindig is at my mother's beach house on Sullivan's Island in a few days. I've been coming to this divinely sunny beach since before I could swim. On day 114, I expressed that "Sullivan's Island is a 6 mile long private residential community located just north of Charleston. At low tide, the beach is wide and the sand is soft. It would seem like the perfect opportunity to discuss feminine products." Although we didn't speak women's hygiene...some notable happenings ensued...on the island...and I nonchalantly observed.

9:21 - I walked 1 block to the beach to meet my brother, his wife and two small children. Upon my arrival, I saw their deflated beach ball which had been mauled by a sassy golden retriever. Better the ball than the kids.

9:45 - My boyfriend(in the spirit of the Crocodile Hunter) went into the ocean and fearlessly picked up a beige algae-esque looking something with eggs on it's coils. We're still not 100 percent sure what it was...but I'm going with a seahorse. Or intestine.

10:21 - A Sullivan's Island "security vehicle" drove down the beach. My boyfriend is a cop so I suggested he go talk to them about brotherhood.

11:34 - We drove to lunch via a golf cart that my sister-in-law wanted to drive. It was her first time and she dated a golf pro for three years.

12:25 - We ate at Poe's, a tavern that celebrates the literary legend who lived on the island from 1827-1829. The restaurant was founded to "preserve the spirit of Edgar Allen Poe"... by serving kick ass burgers, fish tacos and bathrooms wallpapered with pages from his books.

1:25 - Across the street was an ice cream shop where my 4 year old niece got a ginormous strawberry sorbet that she said was "going to last forever!" It didn't.

3:00 - I wake up from an hour and a half nap because of the "high octane" activity from earlier in the day. Coming here from New York is reverse culture shock and you can't help but be overcome with fatigue. I never understood why intense relaxation is draining. But it is. And I like to nap. So everyone wins.

4:17 - My boyfriend and I went to explore the island(on the golf cart) and saw massive beach houses, strangers saying hello to us(with endearing southern enthusiasm) and we went to Fort Moultrie, a series of citadels on Sullivan's Island built to protect the city of Charleston. For a photograph, my special man asked me to straddle a cannon. I did not.

6:00 - We get back and my southern hospitable mom had bought a book on Sullivan's Island to give to my boyfriend. Just how she rolls. We'll quiz him later.

7:19 - I end today's entry as I'm off to eat BBQ and listen to bluegrass music. I just watched my four and five year old nieces eat hot dogs, dress up as princesses and make a replica of Fort Moultrie with ammunition, bunkers and Edgar Allen Poe books. That's a lie. I just saw the hot dog/princess part. I made the fort. Or dreamt about it.