A ‘Blue Butterfly’ Moment – Tim O’Toole
This weekend I had one of my occasional “Blue Butterfly Moments.”
I managed to swap two longtime Huntington Beach events and missed seeing friends I’ve known for more than three decades. Later, Don Kennedy reached out with a simple message:
“Everyone was wondering where Tim O’Toole was.”
That message meant a great deal to me.
After my 2006 on-duty traffic collision, these moments became part of my life. Over time, I realized something important. I may have had one to many ‘Bounces off the pavement.’
It’s not just about memory.
It’s about creating better bridges.
That realization has quietly shaped what I’m now calling TurnerUX—a simple philosophy for helping people reconnect when life interrupts them. Whether it’s a website, a community, a conversation, or a neighborhood, everyone eventually has a moment when they wonder:
“Where am I? What was I doing? What’s next?”
Instead of hiding those moments, I’ve chosen to learn from them.
That’s why LivingInHB.com has become my local “petri dish”—a place to explore ideas that help people feel welcomed, oriented, and connected. Those ideas are also becoming the foundation of Surf-Connection, where every journey begins with people.
To everyone who noticed I wasn’t there…
Thank you.
Sometimes the greatest reminder isn’t that we missed an event.
It’s knowing we belong to a place where someone notices when we do.
— Tim O’Toole (ChippyTim)
More Than a Place to Live… A Place to Belong.
Welcome to Living in HB, your local guide to Huntington Beach and the people who make it special.
Whether you’re a lifelong local, new to town, planning a visit, or simply curious about Surf City USA, you’ll find stories, events, local businesses, favorite beaches, community organizations, and practical information gathered by people who know Huntington Beach best.
We believe every community is built one connection at a time.
That’s why Living in HB is proudly Powered by Human Connection.🌊 Discover Huntington Beach
Explore:
- Local Events
- Beaches & Surf
- Restaurants & Coffee Shops
- Parks & Trails
- Neighborhoods
- Community Organizations
- Local Businesses
- Public Safety Resources
- History & Local Stories
🌳 Start in the Mudroom
Our Mudroom is a welcoming place to get your bearings before choosing your path.
Whether you’re looking for a great breakfast, a neighborhood event, a trusted local business, or simply want to connect with fellow Huntington Beach residents, the Mudroom will point you in the right direction. The Purpose of the Mudroom
The Mudroom is not here to vet you.
It isn’t a test, an interview, or a barrier to entry.
Its purpose is to serve.
The Mudroom is a welcoming place to pause, get your bearings, and discover the path that’s right for you.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time, returning after some time away, or experiencing a “Blue Butterfly Moment,” the Mudroom exists to help you feel oriented—not evaluated.
At Surf-Connection, we believe that people don’t need better memories. They need better bridges.
The Mudroom is the first bridge.
Welcome. Take your time. Find your path.
🤝 Help Us Tell the Story
Living in HB is built with the community—not just for it.
Have an event to share?
Know a local business worth celebrating?
Captured a great Huntington Beach photo?
Have a story that deserves to be told?
We’d love to hear from you.
Together we’re creating a living guide to Huntington Beach—one story, one business, and one connection at a time.
🌺 Connected Through Surf-Connection
Living in HB is part of the larger Surf-Connection family of communities.
Every branch shares one simple mission:
Helping people connect with places, ideas, and each other through authentic human relationships.
Every journey begins in the Mudroom.
Every path leads back to people.
Welcome Home.
Whether you’re here for a day or a lifetime…
We’re glad you’re here.!
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