MY YEAR OFF
AST FALL, I LIVED IN HALF MOON BAY. My parents moved to Irvine and I lived in our house on Central Avenue. Each year, Half Moon Bay holds a pumpkin festival, which includes a pumpkin growing contest. This year, the winning farmer grew a gnarly, 1,180 pound, somewhat hideous gourd (center). Fortunately, there was also an award for most beautiful pumpkin (left of the giant).