The phases of a surf pirate's career

[bdahunter]

I've been thinking back over the years I have been hunting the surf and the different phases of the hobby that I have gone through.
1) curiousity - working the wet and dry sand with the ACE250 but all the while wondering what was out just a little deeper
2) biting the bullet and spending a few thousand dollars on gear to get into the water, this was a big step and it took me a while to take the plunge
3)excitement - the thrill of pulling those first few pieces of gold from the briny, the satisfaction of proving this was the right decision and the naysayers all think that you're very clever now that they see the loot (a few weeks ago they thought you should have your head examined)
4)gold fever - the loot is starting to pile up and now you are looking for items that are special instead of just plain gold bands - the need to find more gold is like a hunger that drives you to keep hunting just to feed that need for more gold
5)complacency - you go through a major slump or another part of your life takes you away from the hobby and this doesn't bother you too much, you already have a big stash of loot, you don't really need more so you hunt less often
6)veteran pirate - you hunt for different reasons now, success isn't measured by the amount of gold you find but how much fun you have during the course of your spin - you're still happy to find gold but it is not the goal anymore just part of the experience
7)professional - you know enough people in the hobby that you start to hear about various lost treasures and part of you thinks - maybe I could do this for a living and a very good living at that
8) ??????

[Dugday]

Very well said.

[Mikey]

Funny.. in just 16 months.. i know them all.. Mikey

[Buster]

Good post Eric...Chuck............

[Shufu]

Great post, I'm not to far behind you ! Bob

[EBCIII]

Good post Eric! I do understand for sure, Beale.

[bootybay]

You always have such a wonderful way with words... well written dear friend.

[warsawdaddy]

I was going to say for #8,that the alarm beside your bed goes off.But,I too,have those phases.Great post of your thoughts,eric.

[woodwizard]

keep telling yourself its only a hobby-and show them naysayers/onlookers nothing but the trash

[kennyui]

I would be the same way if I lived on the coast....
Great post....