Global financial markets are bracing for extreme volatility as the United States holds high-stakes midterm elections while crude oil prices surge past one hundred dollars per barrel amid escalating Middle East conflict. Back in Baja California Sur, however, the geopolitical collapse was thoroughly eclipsed by a solid four-foot swell rolling into Pescadero. Expat Chad briefly considered worrying about his 401k before remembering he sold his last pair of shoes in 2018.