I'm "Home"

Last weekend marks the anniversary of the weekend we came to Hawaii for our house shopping visit. We've been here almost a year.

When we decided to move, I worried. Worried that keeping in touch with friends and family would be increasingly difficult. I worried that I would miss out on so much in your lives, that it would never be the same.

I worried that poor Jeff would get tired of spending SO much time with me (us both working at home, and not having as many separate social outlets) and that his new wife would suddenly not seem so shiny and new.

I worried that I wouldn't make new friends in Hawaii that "got" me (after all, it takes a brave soul to count me as part of your Entourage). I worried that so much of what was important to me to be wouldn't find me important anymore.

Honestly, it wasn't really "worry" it was fear. I was afraid. I have never been the one to get up and go to another place. I have always lived in the same place as my parents. My friends who moved away always knew where to find me: in Scottsdale. I think I have lived in about 5 zip codes in my entire life...and to move to an island in the middle of the Pacific..suddenly, after we had decided to go, that seemed really, really scary.

Over the last year, however, I have come to appreciate my friends and family more than ever. Even though it means some planning, I talk to so many of you so often. Sometime I talk with you more now than I ever did before! You call me when its too late to call your local friends, you call me on the weekends when you know you might reach me. You leave me messages on Facebook and you keep me in the loop with pictures. Sometimes, you even come to Hawaii and allow me to enjoy my new home through the eyes of people I love.

And indeed, having a life where I rely almost exclusively on my husband for friendship, support and love has made our relationship stronger. We spend more time together than ever before, and I love Jeff's company more than I ever did.

While we don't have lots of friends here in Hawaii, we do have them. Our friends here are good, warm people, who have opened their lives to us with warmth.

I have come to realize that "home" is in my heart. I am very much looking forward to visiting Phoenix next week and catching up with so many of you and giving (and getting) a huge hug...but you are always in my heart. Your smiles, your laughter...everything is already there...and seeing you again in person is the icing on the cake.

I do miss you. And time together is short.

But this holiday season, I am so grateful for my wonderful, loving family and friends who continued to make me feel important, allowed me to still be part of your lives, even from Hawaii. Sometimes, when I am in a funk...I think about you and my heart warms up and a smile comes across my face...and I am ever more grateful for you all.

Love to all.

Fall has come to Hawaii

The flight that we took to move out here, I remember a woman commenting to her travel companion, "I could never live there..there is no change in seasons." This gave me pause, as I wondered how I would deal with the same weather all of the time.

I needn't have worried. While its true that we didn't really note much of a difference between spring and summer here, there WAS a difference, we were so busy appreciating the difference between summer here and summer in PHX that it didn't matter much.

However, the difference in the fall, while subtle is definite. The winds are from a different direction and that brings bigger waves to the entire island, but especially the North Shore. Very soon, our world famous surfing competitions will begin there and I personally, can not wait to see it happen. Wind coming from a different direction may seem like a small change, but in fact, it effects everything here on our little island. With the wind, comes wetter weather. Our very own extinct volcano, Kokohead looks lush and green when only a few weeks ago, she looked withered and dry. The clouds are lower, and so they hang on the small mountain range near our house. Even where we are , the rain has come more frequently. And on days that it isn't raining, we have clouds which threaten rain, if only a light smattering. In comparison, I think it rained at our house 2X this entire summer.

The water looks different too. Due to the stronger winds and the waves they create, she looks less azure and more steely blue. Its easier to imagine how treacherous the crossing from island to island might be right now...on the other hand, this water will soon give bear to whale watching...and we are hopeful that we will see plenty this winter.

The thing about living here is that you become more aware of the world around you..including the most gentle of weather patterns.

Mahalo.

And you thought Shark Diving was crazy

Check it out....

Snake Spa

Yes. Its true.

Swimming with Sharks

For Jeff's birthday this year, I gave up trying to figure out what high-tech gadget he hadn't bought yet and have him something that he has been wanting to do since we moved here: shark diving. Well, its not really "diving" its more like snorkling in a cage while sharks swim around you, attracted to the cage by chum (dead fish) and the electrical impulses that are transmitted through the alumnium cage. Yah. People actually do this..enough that on the north shore there are TWO companies that do this and only this.

Also, you should know that since moving to Hawaii and reading about numerous Tiger Shark attacks around Oahu this year...the face-to-face encounter I had with a 4ft reef shark in the dark has suddenly taken on a life of its own and made its way into several nightmares. I have never had shark nightmares before moving here. So, its only sensible that I would then jump into the ocean with sharks swimming around us. Ogh, did I mention that Jeff further tormented me by telling me that we had to swim to the cage?!

So this weekend was the weekend that we did the unthinkable. And guess what?! It totally rocked. The sharks that swam around us were stunningly gorgeous animals. Quick and agile, lean and muscular with totally amazing cat eyes. The sharks that were swimming with us were Galapagos and Sand Sharks. They were not aggressive towards us at all, maybe curious, but not scary. After they pulled the cage back to the boat, and we climbed out and safely back into the boat. The next group climbed in. And then.

Da Nah. Da Nah. Da NA NA NA NA NA........The Tiger sharks showed up. Uh. Huh. And from the safety at the boat they were really damn cool. Huge. But cool. The fool on the boat kept teasing her and when she came out of the water (which she did so she could get that huge marlin head sitting there), he would put his hand on her nose (which apparently sends them into some kind of temporary coma) and push her back. Our Tiger shark had to be over 11 feet long and she was huge: 1000 pounds?!! THUS, I am calling this guy a fool.

Doing this was like BEING in a National Geographic special.

Anyway. It was good for me, my phobias and I can not wait to do it again.

We'll be posting video on YouTube once I get it all edited. In the meantime..don't let those 1000 pound predetors get to you. Once you see inside their souls, you'll see, they are just hungry too. Throw 'em a femur and they will totally take your other.

I can't STAND IT ANYMORE

Ok. After my last soapbox stand about voting, I know you are all tired of political tirades. In fact, Meredith reminded me that the reason no one commented is b/c they are not bruising for some big political online shouting match. Ok. Point well made.

BUT I CAN NOT STAND IT ANYMORE.

After tonight's debate, I must say: Please vote...DEMOCRAT for this election. I am begging. Pleading. Down on my knees like Henry Paulson. Grabbing your pant leg and dragging behind you as you walk.

I can not take 4 years of "You betch'a" from a VP.

America the Great

Well, its that time again. We have an election impending. I LOOOVE election years. Its so exciting, you just never really know what is going to happen. Interesting conversations abound and once again, I get the chance to argue with Adam again over politics (which is'nt at ALL diminished by the phone, BTW.)

Now that the conventions have kicked off - its all ON now! I always watch the conventions-both of them. I love the hoopla, the optimism, the glimmer of hope; I also love listening to impassioned speeches by party leaders and candidates. I am a TOTAL sucker for democracy. I'm almost always struck at the conventions by the people who attend - talk about middle America. These folks are people so excited by a campaign, a cause, an ideology that they take 1/2 of their annual vacation to go sit in a conference center. WOW. But that's what makes this country great. Personally, I just want to go skiing or diving on my next vacation...

Another thing that makes this country great: this year, we have made world history. We have nominated a man of color to be candidate for President. NO OTHER WESTERNIZED COUNTRY HAS DONE THIS. Bill Clinton said it best tonight: "people have always been more impressed with the power of our example, than an example of our power." This is the kind of history you can be proud of. Whatever you think of the candidate, you have to say --its about damn time. I was so proud to be an American today.

I just hope there is a woman president in my lifetime.

I'll watch the Republican convention next week too. Wait until you see the hats that the Republican delegates wear! I am absolutely SURE that I will not see woman in an orange pantsuit walk across the stage. Kind'a makes you wonder how the Republicans can top it, doesn't it?!

See what I mean?! The suspense is killing me.

No matter what you think of one candidate or another - please, please, please vote. Never before has it been more important to vote. Our country is indeed at a crossroads, and if you believe we should turn right, then vote that way - if you think we should turn left, then vote that way....but VOTE. Contribute to what makes this country special: the fact the we VOTE. Even if you want to go skiing on your next vacation..its OK...you can still participate in democracy.

"You Better Get On It - Your Getting Old"

Let me begin this posting by saying I have always believed that age is in the brain more than the body. Celebrating birthday's for me has always meant a celebration of past and future. I look at my birthday as my own personal "New Year's Eve", all to myself. I even set "resolutions" each year on my birthday. Every year, I review my "To Do" list of items that I want to do in my lifetime. I must say, the list gets longer faster than items can be crossed off.

This is why I have never understood people getting sad on their birthday's.

Perhaps this explains my shock at my doctor's statement that if I wanted children, "You Better Get On It - Your Getting OLD." I tried not to kick her when she said it, and I must say my self restraint was admirable and only a function of my increasing maturity (not AGE).

Now, I understand the body and its inherent female limitations. I got it. This isn't news to me, and its not the first time I have considered it. I have had many conversations about this very topic with many friends over the last couple of years. Believe it or not, being called "Old" isn't actually what got me. (although when I shared this story with Jeff, he did ask: "did you have to go to the doctor so close to your birthday?")

What sent me off the deep end, I believe, is the idea that I should have children before I feel mentally ready, simply because my body says so. You can see that this is the antithesis of my personal beliefs about age.

I'm mad. I'm mad that I don't get to have 5 or 6 wonderful years of marriage to my best friend before our lives are changed by children. I am mad that although people are living well into their 90's today, child birth is a requirement in the first 1/3 of life. I'm mad because I don't get to choose when I am ready for this incredible journey, but rather need to take it based on TIME CONSTRAINTS. Nothing seems so ridiculous as making this choice based on age, rather than mental readiness.

Half of my friends blow vodka through their noses when they think of me with kids, and the other half (the half with kids) just say "well, you'll make a good mom" in this meek, unconvincing tone, while secretly thinking to themselves "thank god my kids will be too old to play with hers by the time she has them." So is it any wonder that I TOO have a hard time wrapping my brain about this particular life-changing event. C'mon people, I have barely just gotten over the shock of planning a wedding and getting married. Give me a little time to adjust here.

Anyway - I'm going to see my regular doctor soon too. Think I will find someone who specializes in geriatrics, so I can be the "young pup" of the group.

Madonna Turns 50

Surely you have heard the news: Madonna is 50.

To an entire generation of girls who were somewhere between 10-14 when Madonna first presented herself to us, this seems impossible. I remember watching the material girl writhe around the MTV screen in black lace gloves and jelly bracelets panting "Like A Virgin" and thinking she must be the coolest woman in the world. In a shameful moment of fashion faux-pas and complete lack of my own creativity, I immediately ran to Claire's boutique to get my own. I felt connected to her: she was a Leo. Her birthday only 3 days after mine. Her father was repressive (aren't the fathers of all young teenage girls?!) and she endured the constant chant of Catholism.

Later on, when Madonna crooned about "Isla Bonita" which seemed like the ultimate summer song, in the year before my freshman year, I thought she looked so cool rolling around in the sand, I promised someday, I too, would go to an island and roll around in the sand looking that cool. Well, at least the first part came true. That summer, thanks to "sun-in" I became a blonde too (and rarely have I been anything since).

Those were the days of relative innocence of Madonna. And for much of my generation.

As she became the Material Girl, and then the anti-christ, girls in small towns going to Catholic Schools hid their Madonna albums but could not resist them, not the message or the curiosity of what she would say next. As we moved into college, Madonna "Expressed Herself" in every single way possible, publishing her journey in very public forums, including a very sexy book. Suddenly, empowering yourself as woman in a very complete way, emotional, sexual, social, seemed nothing to be ashamed of, it seemed possible.
Perhaps its because we were already coming to that conclusion, or perhaps it was because Madonna dared all of society to deny her. Its as if we needed Madonna to show us why Women's liberation was so important, because at the time, we weren't sure why it was so important anymore.

Madonna got married, but she didn't settle down. She was the "Ray of Light" showing women all around the world how to do it all: be a Mom, a Wife and a breadwinner. She lifted and posed and strutted and remained timely and relevant.

In a way, Madonna is more like my generation than her own. We grew and evolved as she did. We chased her down a path of boundry testing, exploration and maturity. We watched with awe as she showed us how to MAKE the rules, rather than break them.

As terrified as our parents were of Madonna, in the end, she wasn't responsible for any of our problems, if we had them, they were ours. Madonna would be the first to tell you that you have to sleep in the bed you didn't make that morning. And in the end, time got an icon that won't be soon forgotten. She will be remembered for the way she pranced over convention, showed women what a "voice" was and laughed and learned the entire time. And honestly, her outrageousness doesn't seem so dangerous anymore does it?

Each in our own way, we should be so lucky to make a difference, if only on the lives of our daughters. Maybe by the time I have daughters that are 14, they will find that Retro Madonna chick cool and I will get to re-live it all over again.

Visit by Diane and her girls

What a treat! Diane and her girls stayed with us in mid-August (thus the absence of blogging). Although I have gotten to know Diane, particularly through my wedding where so was such a participant, this was also the first time I have really gotten to know the Diane's girls too. What a treat. Diane's three girls are a pleasure to be around, and such great company. At 14, 11 and 8, they are they type of girls you wished you were cool enough in school to hang around.Well, maybe YOU were, but I sure wasn't.

We had such a great time with them. We took them to the North Shore to see the Turtles; luckily the turtles were there and VERY active! We also went on the Dolphin swim with them. The Dolphin swim is pretty cool, but very pricey for the 30 second dolphin ride, 10 second dolphin kiss and 5 minutes of various interaction. But - at least we can say we've done it, it WAS cool, just not sure its the life changing experience I hoped it would be. Although I kept poking around at all the girls to see who would be willing to fullfill my dream of becoming a marine biologist (since they are actually smart enough to pursue said dream)...but it appears as though none of the three girls were interested in pursuing MY career ambitions for their own. I hiked Diamondhead with them too - Jeff and I hadn't done that yet..so it was pretty cool. Now I understand why people do it - the view is staggering. The walk up isn't as bad as I thought it would be, and its totally unforgetable once you get to the top.

We had a couple of OY VEY moments; perhaps the one that will probably go into the history books is when we all ran outside to get Diane's rental car on the way to the North Shore. We came to a screaching halt when we saw that her car wasn't where we left it...it had been towed. NIIIIIICE. That little situation cost us a couple of hours...and about $200.

Having 3 girls in the house only reaffirmed my personal desire to have girls...although it might have reaffirmed Jeff's desire to have boys. I love the giggling and whispering and sly smiles when they think they have one over on you...I love the insight and wisdom that these ladies showed. I love the eye-rolling, footstomping, "she took my shoes" chaos. I can vividly remember being their age and sometimes, it breaks my heart (14) all over again or reminds me of my own precipice of "tomboyness" and being a girl (11). I feel Sarah's sense of responsibility at being the oldest and see Claire's experience as the youngest through the adult eyes that I wasn't able to see as the older sister to an 8 year old. However, having 6 people in our house only reaffirmed that either we need a bigger house, or less than 4 kids. I am voting for both, BTW.

Having Diane and the girls here on my b-day was also a special treat. They made me cake, dinner and gave me my first birthday gift: girlie goodies for the feet (which is MUCH needed here with the flip-flop wearing, sand walking, volcanic rock street nightmare to the pedicure that Hawaii is).

All in all, it was a great trip - having them here was a blast.

Come one come all, we'd love to have you hear too!!

First Visitors in Hawaii

Well, this week we have our first set of visitors on Oahu. Brian and Lily and their children (two sets of twins, two years apart) vacationed as a family in Waikiki.

We've had the time of our lives with them. If you were at our wedding, you might remember the two youngest, Drew and William who stole the show as ring bearer and flower girl. (That's Drew, youngest girl, Anna and Natalie with Jeff)

This week, also, these four stole the show and our hearts. The great thing about being "Uncle Jeff and Aunt Tara" is that we don't have to discipline, we just have to be fun...and it is our pleasure to do so. We've been to the beach (with boogie boards) and the pool...and the zoo and dinner, and we haven't even done 1/2 of the things they have done! And trust me - we are WIPED!

They have an amazing amount of energy...they just keep going...and going and going. Brian and Lily are great with them, and so relaxed while regularly counting to four (1, 2, 3, 4...yep, all accounted for). I have to give them credit, they are so relaxed and clearly enjoy their kids so much, as they should - they are a total pleasure to be around.

At 4 and 6 (in October) Drew and William, Natalie and Anna (respectively) have total personality and already know that that we adore them. While spending time with them makes me think about having our own..I must admit, that having 4 might be out of my scope of ability...but I'll always enjoy these four. The picture here is Drew (with Jeff), William (with Brian), Natalie (with Lily) and Anna (with me). They are ALL lion-hearted, and we're so glad they let us into their hearts.

While Jeff had known these kids since their birth..this has been my first REAL chance to spend any consistent time with them. I have truly enjoyed getting to know them and really, really look forward to spending more time with them.

Honolulu Life - TRAFFIC

I know you won't feel all that sorry for me, but traffic in Honolulu is awful. It rates as the #1 city in terms of drive time (Phoenix is number 29) and number 38 (Phoenix is number 15) in overall traffic congestion. The reason this is so surprising and to put it in perspective, is because Phoenix, is one of the 5 largest cities in the US - Honolulu tops the charts at number 48. Can you IMAGINE how bad things would be here if there were as many people here as in Phoenix metro area? What makes Honolulu traffic so miserable is a combination of things: 1) one major freeway through Honolulu 2) there is a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the mountains on which to actually drive a car 3) no place to detour due to one way streets and dead-ends.

The infastructure here leaves a little something to be desired and the planning of the actual H-1 was either incredibly late or poorly done. Imagine my surprise at learning I had to turn LEFT to get on the freeway from Waikiki (the first 10 times I drove right past it because it is so poorly marked). Granted, its an older city (older than Phoenix), and yet, it didn't become a state until 1959 (read: no major tax dollars). The truth is, that it is a miracle that modern life can be experienced here at all. The more you realize how much work it takes to live on an island (do you realize that most of our PINEAPPLES are shipped here from Costa Rica now?!), the more you realize that you really have to love it here to make it happen-they call it the "Paradise Tax". Lots of people don't mind paying it, but island living IS a little strange, and that is why there aren't more people in this paradise. I don't think that the previous leaders of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii ever imagined that THIS many people would live here.

Here are some pictures of the 4th biggest bottleneck in Hononlulu. Keep in mind, that this picture was taken on a SATURDAY morning while Jeff and I were sitting (literally, NOT MOVING) in traffic. The first picture is the traffic in front of us, the second is the traffic behind us. You can see that we are on the OFF ramp of the freeway.

Pictures of traffic aren't all that fascinating..so let me leave you with the OTHER picture we took that day, as we were sitting in traffic, that really showcases the ironies of living on an island...a TREE growing out of the side of the freeway.

I guess if the tree can thrive on the SIDE of the freeway, with car exhaust all around, with no dirt and only water the drips down after a rain, that we too can survive the traffic. Afterall, at least I have a place to put down roots.

Aloha!

The NEW Woman

I've been a wee-bit remiss in writing. I told my friend Nicole that I just haven't felt funny lately. That's not to say that funny things haven't happened...I just didn't feel funny enough to repeat the story.

Maybe my lack 'o funniness was due to the fact that my time at GAME has been coming to a close. Leaving GAME was pretty hard for me..it was like leaving the boyfriend whose purpose in your life has long since passed, but its a little like a security blanket. I mean, really, I moved across the Pacific, I broke up with him...I mean I LEFT the job...and yet, it felt pretty strange to train my replacement. Of course, I have nothing nice to say about my replacement -- I know, that is evil. It is wrong. I know. But the new girlfriend - I mean, my replacement - is fat, has no fashion sense (the UGLIEST SHOES, which is just intolerable to me) and I think perhaps...she isn't the brightest bulb in the package...and even if she is, she isn't one of those green super effecient bulbs. ANYWAY, I wish GAME the best in its new journey with HER...I really do..hope she's good behind closed doors.. I mean...I hope she is good at the financials and driving new business...I was a little taken back that she was using my long distance security code...Did she swap my face for hers in the pictures from the company picnics too?! She's got my office, my staff, my email. Speaking of which...wonder if she is using my Amex too?
She also got the incessent emails from Eric, his wildly high expectations and moods. I did kind of laugh out loud when I saw the first email from Eric to her about the PNL, which she hadn't bothered to look at.
Anyway --I know I'll miss working at GAME. But....some things I might not miss. I realized after we moved her that I have been a little tightly wound the last couple of years. I might just take a deep breath and relax...as I dip my feet in the sand.

Father's Day Tribute - Revisited

Today is Father's Day.

Its still a day that I honor in my heart, although my own father has been gone for quite some time now.

In honor of my Dad, and ALL things Dad, I am reposting my Father's Day Tribute from 2006:

Ode to Father's Day 2006

Its been three years since I had a reason to celebrate Father's Day...but gratefully, the celebration of all things "Daddy" is still with me...for some reason or another this week caught me pulling down the box of items that contains all the cards I received from people when my Dad passed. I kept them because many of them contained amazing wisdom and I felt that by keeping that wisdom with me - it would somehow be contained within me (you decide) but all of the cards contained exceptional kindness. If you sent me a card during that time - its still with me...and I cried as I re-read it this week. Also in the box are the cards that I gave my Dad over the last couple of years (yes, rat-packness runs in the family) which HE kept. There were Father's Day cards, and "just because" cards and truly grateful "thank you" cards. They all said the same thing: I admire you, I love you. And, I still do.Tonight I went past the house. The house where we were most a family - laughed the most, cried the most, celebrated the most...the house on Helena..its also the house my Dad passed away in. I sat there - I talked with my Dad-I asked him to be thankful for all the beautiful things in my life. I thanked him for his spirit which is still with me. I wished he were here to send me off on the next journey of my life: marriage with my soul mate.

I miss my Dad. Terribly. Everyday.

I rejoice that I still miss him. I pick the scab once in awhile to remind myself of my incredible good fortune. My Dad would be proud of my life today. He would say " I never thought it would be any different." But that's the thing: he knew it even when I didn't. He would be proud and excited for me that my future Father-in-Law is a man who I am honored to call "Dad" and would have been thrilled to share that title with a man who so wonderfully deserved such an honorific title. And he would have loved Jeff. He would have known why I love Jeff.My Dad would have reveled in being a Grandfather..and Piper would have followed in a line of "his ladies" in which his world revolved.All things beautiful are remembered once a year: love. parents. life. If we are really fortunate, we remember them more than once a year...and we celebrate them when we have them. My good fate has allowed me so much joy in my life, how can I NOT celebrate Father's Day. I hope you will all have the same joy in your hearts on Sunday -whether you are celebrating your father, a father figure or your own fatherhood.Love,-T.

You don't have WHAT?!!

There are some parts of island living that are awesome, there are some things that are laughable...and then there are things that seriously make you want to bang your head against a volcanic rock.

I have gotten used to going to the grocery store and seeing bare shelves. I am talking bare shelves like you see on TV right before a hurricane, that is a daily occurance here. On any given day, there is a pretty good chance that what I need at the store is not in stock (today, there were out of Yogurt and Asparagus). These leads to stock piling. HOWEVER, the problem with stockpiling is that you really can't do it with fresh food and produce. Alternately, there is ALWAYS fresh fish, and rice, so we make do.

Today, though there was a moment where I wondered what planet (not island) I live on. We needed to change our air filter. Now, this involves the typical drama of "what size" is it? But, in an effort to think ahead, we had already looked at the size when we went to Home Depot 2 weekends ago, and purchased replacements. Home Depot is about 25 minutes away (this little tidbit of knowledge will come in handy later). SO - Jeff climbed up the ladder today, took out the 12-3 inch screws, and pulled out the airfilter, which was...THE WRONG SIZE - the previous tenant had jammed one that was too large in there. NIIIIIIIIIICE. No biggie - just go to City Mill (the Ace Hardware/Target hybrid that is in the nieghborhood). Well, as with all "small" home projects, its not that easy. City Mill doesn't carry them - they told Jeff to look at Long's Drug. Long's Drug doesn't carry them. I looked at Safeway - Safeway doesn't carry them. I mean, are you freaking KIDDING ME? The closest place for airfilters is HOME DEPOT? Wholly cow!! THAT is craziness. THIS is when I miss living in a place where there are 3 Home Depots, 2 Lowes, 2 Ace Hardwares and 2 Wal-Marts within a 10 mile radius.

Well, at least the beach is within a 10 mile radius. I got that going for me.

Newstainment 2008

Well, if you haven't been watching the cable news channels, because of the now "official" Presidential campaign, you are probably destined to do so now. Because of our time difference, we get the "normal" post-work news analysis starting around 1pm. We obviously don't catch much of it. But by 6pm HST, its midnight EST and the quality of news is pretty pathetic, but local news is worse, and we now into reruns on most channels..thus we watch. Jeff calls it "Newstainment" - frankly, its a little sad. First of all, not everyone can be Jon Stewart. Second of all, if you are on MSNBC or CNN, you should not even try.

Let me give you my totally biased run-down on what's available in the Newstainment category.

MSNBC

Countdown with Kieth Oberman

I happen to like Kieth Oberman - but let's be clear, its his show that kicks off the on screen graphic and quick "ESPN-esque" commentary. I mean - the man throws a wadded up piece of paper at the screen each night and the TV "shatters". Its every 12 year old boy's own TV show and Keith Oberman is going to make the most of it, damn it. He even has a countdown that feels eerily similar to David Letterman. Stay tuned for more political commentary from your favorite graphics fanantic, Keith Oberman. He'll probably roll out some real doozies for the Presidential Campaign.

Up late with Dan Abrams

First all, how did this guy go from being a court room analyst on prime-time, to having his own show in the wee-hours (midnight EST)? Who did he piss off?! At this point in the evening, we no longer simply have news scrolling across the bottom of the screen - oh, no - a full 1/3rd of the screen is jammed up with the show's title, the topic, the unchanging updates regarding who has the most delegates (is THIS neccessary?! It isn't even NEWS 6 hours after the polls in SD closed and the Super Delegates have spoken). And to highlight how much the execs at MSNBC hate him: he has a jazz band, a REAL jazz band, as in Jay Leno, that starts before he finishes talking. AND - to further his humilation - his panelists have no respect for him either. Tonight's show had a "Democratic Strategist" (read: unemployed wonkette) who had on black eyeliner, a leather jacket+T-shirt. Jeff said she looked like a Vegas stripper...SHE DID! I mean, I think she looked like a Vegas stripper with clothes on...if you can wrap your brain around that visual. ANYWHO - the OTHER woman (I didn't see her title, there wasn't enough room on the screen), she wore a gold necklace that looked like a SM Dog Collar. An expensive one, but I was kind of wondering where she was headed after this "after hours" gig.

CNN

I must admit - I had to turn off CNN earlier today. I mean, yah, I feel for the guy that has to talk for 6 hours straight, but he doesn't have to make UP the news - he just has to read it. However, the early morning guy is such a bobble-headed idiot, I can no longer even have a cup of coffee with him in the morning. He NEVER, NEVER asks a smart question. He says things like "yah, uh, huh, I planted a tree this weekend too" I mean, I wish he would just shut up - I don't care about his weekend plans or his incredibly stupid commentary about the benefits of planting a tree on the environment or whether it will actually produce any oranges. I did wonder however, why he chose to plant an orange tree when he lives in the PEACH state? Do you think he maybe missed the connection? On this show - they use alot of props. That is their ratings boost technique.

Later on in the day at CNN:

Anderson Cooper360

Here we have the ultimate news biscuit. This guy got a job because he is a babe and can wear an Armani suit while standing in New Orleans reporting on Katrina without looking smug. (Ironically though, the intro into "360" shows him in out door gear looking very much in control of his Ipod earphones). But as much as I like him - and ooooh, do I Eva! - I have to ask WHY he is asking questions like "Is this even news?!" to his panelist. I want to scream "DIPSHIT, if it wasn't SOMEBODY'S idea of news, you would be out of a job!!" Again, we didn't ask you to MAKE the news, just talk about it.

Larry King

I do not like Larry King. At all. HOWEVER - to his credit, he doesn't have any flashy graphics or pretend to be the news analyst. Which begs the question: why is he on a news channel? I mean they replayed that American Idol Winners and Talent show at least 50 times. That, my friends is the final word in Newstainment.

Now you know, you have a couple of choices. I suggest easing into it and starting with Anderson Cooper. At least while you scratch your head and wonder about whether "this is even news?" your eyes can rest on all the gloriousness of the hottest man in Newstainment.

I apologize dear readers, but I bring goodies!

I'm sorry to both of you. I've been remiss in my blogging duties.

I swear to god, though, I have been back to AZ 3X since I last wrote. While that doesn't sound too terrible (and its not) it IS roughly 36 hours in the air, not including dreaded airport time, so you can see what a "time suck" it is, and how, instead of doing that I could have blogged at LEAST 10 hours instead...and you would all be sick of me.

HOWEVER, I do have some photos to share with you. I have developed a sick, new hobby. Its really pretty mean...but OMG - is it funny. There is something that happens to people when they visit Hawaii - they lose their heads and their ability to discern what is and isn't appropriate to wear.

And so I announce a new regular feature on the blog: Tourist Photos! Yes, its true, straight from Hawaii and into your living room.

The picture at right is what started this new hobby. Take a look at this cool dude, strolling RIGHT DOWN Kalakaua Blvd, the main drag in Waikiki.

The shirt would have been bad enough, but to pair it with matching pants and loafers?! DUDE - get a grip! Who is that guy you are walking with, because he isn't a FRIEND letting you leave the hotel looking like that!

Here we have the most oft-seen fashion debacle of Honolulu: the Banana Hammock. I suspect that this guy is European, which only SLIGHTLY excuses it,

but really, even a European shouldn't wear one of these looking like this. His but crack is hanging out too!! The fish in Hanauma Bay were scarce that day, now I know why. They were terrified.

Happy Anniversary

Well, it happened..and it only took 365 days: Jeff and I celebrated our first year together as a married couple. While you'll nod your head and say "yep - congrats. don't pat yourself on the back too hard."

I would agree with you, after all, its the first of many. Like many couples, our first year as a married couple was full of adventure, and learning.

And yet - anniversaries are worth recognizing for the same reason birthdays are: its a time to take stock. Its a time to share a smile. Its a time to dream. Its a time to tell someone what they mean to you.

Jeff and I did all of that. With joy.

I am proud to be married to Jeff. I found myself telling someone this week that the reason I married Jeff is that he makes my life better, richer and more loving. I married him because I wanted to, not because I felt I needed to. I married a partner, a friend, and a lover. I married someone who makes me laugh, lets me cry, eats what I cook and cleans the kitchen. I married someone who loves me as I am and lets me love him as he is. I married someone who is emotionally honest and intellectually strong. I married a man with a twinkle in his eye, adventure in his heart and the ability to give a great hug. He holds my hair and holds my hand. I married a romantic, a realist and a life enthusiast. I married my SCUBA diving partner, my skiing buddy and world travels dreamer. I married the beach bum and the business man.

I am so glad that I married this man - who makes me a better person and who I continue to love more and more each day. With Jeff, so many things are possible, including even more love.

April is Tsunami Awareness Month

I can remember, years ago, while I was working at the Scottsdale Princess, waiting on a couple who was from Florida - house shopping in Scottsdale. I asked them why they were moving. They explained that they had just survived Hurricane Andrew (and shared their totally harrowing story about their survival, as well as that of their 2 great danes) and that they wanted to live somewhere without natural diasters. This gave me pause. Huh. You are right - Arizona doesn't have Hurricanes, or Earth Quakes or even Tornados of any strength. After this revelation, I slept better at night...not that I had ever really been afraid before, just that it felt cozier and safer and I often reminded people of our lack of natural diaster when I could.

And now...I bring you today's Tsunami Warning:

"AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ORIGIN TIME - 0754 PM HST 15 APR 2008 COORDINATES - 51.7 NORTH 178.9 WEST LOCATION - ANDREANOF ISLANDS ALEUTIAN IS. MAGNITUDE - 6.5

MOMENT EVALUATION BASED ON ALL AVAILABLE DATA A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII.

REPEAT.

A DESTRUCTIVE PACIFIC-WIDE TSUNAMI IS NOT EXPECTED AND THERE IS NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO HAWAII.THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESSADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED."

There was a similar one yesterday, and several in March. April is Tsunami awareness month. THIS is a rude, rude awakening, from my innocent slumber.

It's true, today's warning is hardly one worth staying awake for tonight..and NOAA itself seems a little embarrassed to even ISSUE this warning. But STILL - I stumbled upon this tonight and I must say...I was a little...shocked. Don't ask me what I expected, or why I was even surprised...its all a little too "ostrich with head in the sand" I know..I know...this, of course, must lead to further (obsessive) internet research.

I have learned that the last time there was a Tsunami here that Hawaii had less than an hour to prepared for was 1975 - I am not comforted by this. The Volcano on the Big Island seems ready to blow, and nature likes to repeat itself with some kind of 20-30 year pattern. The above map shows Tsunamis of significance to Hawaii, the year they occured and the number of hours before it hit Hawaii. You will, of course, because you are a practical mainlander, no where near Tsumani Central, look at this map and say "Tara, really. Take a look at that map. You'll be fine." But you have that luxury, you mainlander, you. Also, I can not seem to copy the Tsunami evacuation zone map to show you...but suffice to say, we are not IN the zone, and I am not comforted. Jeff is shaking his head - as I write. BUT tomorrow, we will have a plan. A freaking plan. And might I remind you that when I told Jeff that we didn't even know where the hospital was, not two nights later we had to go.

I will create a Cooman's plan. It will be on the refrigerator. I will not tempt the Hawaiian gods twice. I am learning.

Island Life

I have to write again about Island life. I know your tired of hearing it...but honestly, without all my friends here, its the only thing I have to report. You won't feel sorry for me, I know, but today has me in a bit of a funk. Its been rainy, cloudy here. Its that kind of cloudiness that seems to go on forever...and I have experienced today, the first sense of island fever. Mostly because with the cloud cover, it feels a little isolating. You can't see the ocean today, and you certainly can't see the horizon. Compound that with the fact that two airlines that service Hawaii hit the deck last week (Aloha + ATA), and it feels like you could get trapped here. I know. I'm crazy. I know. Quit complaining. But will find humor in my next couple of rants I promise.

5 Things About Living in Hawaii that the Visitors and Convention Bureau Never Tells You

5) Honolulu Airport is a dump. A freaking dump. While every airport on the mainland (at least everyone that I have been in over the last 5 years) has undergone major upgrades, for which you can forgive walking through a plywood hallway with wires hanging down from the ceiling, Honolulu airport has no such excuse and no such hope of undergoing such transformation. Everything has that worn 1960's feel, and the bathrooms really freak me out there (although not as much as the bathrooms in Miami International..but that story is for another time). In contrast, landing in Phoenix feels like arriving via time machine into the 21st century itself. They even have ATM's in the Phoenix airport!!! If its any indication - its better than the airport in Fiji...but not by much and only slightly more modern (HNL does have Air Conditioning and a roof over many parts of the airport, and in this way, it is much more luxurious than Fiji).

4) NPR here is lacking some. Thank god for Podcasts as I am really missing some of the regular shows on NPR that I usually listen to. Science Friday, Marketplace. However, I have found out where I can listen to the BBC, which usually pisses me right off (sometimes the holier than though reporting of the US gets to me a bit) but the bitterness makes me feel alive again =)

3) Road conditions are bad here. Not because of the weather, because of the potholes! Its incredible. You really have to watch where you are going and avoid those bad-boys accordingly. When you come from a place where they re-do the roads once every couple of years, whether they need it or not (PHX) this is QUITE an adjustment. A plus to this however: I do not experience so many delays due to construction.


2) Being here is like being on an island - national news and international news are a little harder to come by and the relevant MSNBC coverage starts REALLY early here (1pm because of time difference) and I am still working at that time, so DVR to the rescue. THANK GOD!

1) Waikiki Beach. We're sitting there, minding our own business on a VERY crowded beach. A older, much too tan man and his wife plop themselves down in what feels like my rightful "space". This perturbs me..but I give it up, after all, I CHOSE to come to the crowded beach. HOWEVER. I am a little concerned when he takes off his clothes revealing a too tan, older man in a SPEEDO. Has he no SHAME?!!! But the cherry on this little story is when he bent over (about 45 times that day) and each time, I saw the effects of age and gravity on old men. It was like a train wreck -- I just kept nudging Jeff "look honey, he's doing it again!! You can see the whole package drooping!! Its so gross! OH MY GOD!!" This, my friends is the true risk of island living: Over exposure to overexposed people who have no business owning a speedo, let alone wearing it in public. Its like this:

Continued News About Beauty Pageants

Well, my obsession never ceases to amaze me...today in the Sunday paper, I managed to find TWO stories on beauty pageants, one which showcases the complete lack of interest that the public has with beauty contests...the other can only be categorized as "News of the Wierd".

The first story is about The Miss Hawaiian Tropics Contest held here last week. (Click the link here to read the commentary as it appeared in the Honolulu Star) This pageant had 14 contestents and 15 judges...this from the state which is included in the brand! PLUS -one would THINK that the candidate from Hawaii is a natural shoe-in, as they will typically exemplify the image HT is trying to impart: beautiful, Polynesian tan. The representative winner is a single mother; which in Hawaii typically means she hasn't been married, particularly given her proable age. In the past, these shows were just that: entertainment, but they came with the glossed-over attempt to make the pageant winners be pillars of society; everyone knew it was BS, it just took the whole Vanessa Williams thing to confirm it (MY how she has recovered!). In fact, she is recovered better than the Miss America pageant.. now it just seems a bit dingy doesn't it?

Speaking of dingy, a second article regarding beauty pageants appeared in the front section of Honolulu Star. Check out the contestents of this pageant (click here) that's right. As we here in the States become more and more obsessed with dog shows, CAMEL PAGEANTS are on the rise in Saudi Arabia. Yah, I know, LOTS of wierd thoughts and one-liners popped into my head too. But its TRUE. And the final line in the story that appeared in the Honolulu Star said that the Saudi being interviewed finished the interview by giving his camel a big huge smack on the lips. Ugh. Strangly though, I think I would rather see this pageant than the Miss Hawaiian Tropic.

As a final statement and to make further mockery of the whole pageant thing, I think for Halloween next year I shall BE a Beauty Queen. That's the final nail in the irony coffin isn't it?!

Getting Lost In Honolulu

Let me put it to you this way: aside from traveling (and I try to take cabs when I travel) there is only one place I have driven: Scottsdale. The nice thing about Scottsdale and its navigation is aside from a couple of key places (downtown Scottsdale, North Scottsdale) it is on a GRID. It has several key land marks (Camelback, the McDowells, some weird art on some corners -FLW/Scottsdale) and additionally, I lived there 20 years. I never, never, never got lost there. NEVER.

Those glorious, carefree days are OVER. I am now a googlemaps FANATIC (I prefer it to mapquest, personally) and find that if I do not map out all destinations, then I should leave myself ample time to get lost.

Case in point:
3 times, while venturing around in downtown Honolulu, I have found myself in the middle of China town..even on the same street all three times (I seem to always get lost coming from the same direction, as this particular street is a one way.) The one way, BY THE WAY - is the nemisis of the of the directionally challenged, city neophyte. Additionally, I have never quite known how I got to that same location (King St.), it seemed that I just kept "finding myself" there. I have joked that I have found Chinatown, but if anyone asked me how to get to Chinatown, I would be at a loss. ANYWAY - I have often noticed an open market selling fresh fish, and wished that I was on the side of the one way, bottlenecked street, over crowded with pedestrians, that would allow me to pull over and inspect. Alas, each time, from 3 lanes away, I have looked longingly at the big red crab over the Chinese named fishmarket and hoped that eventually, I would be able to get there.
Move ahead:
I learn of a fantastic fish market named: Tamashiro on King St. It's reputation is fabulous and it is quite easy to spot - as it has a giant crab hanging over the door. (AH-HA! You say!) So one day, while downtown, I decide that I will try my navigation skills, I am emboldened by the fact that this fish market is so easily identifiable, I have seen it before, and how many can there be!? Plus, I am desperate for fresh sushi. YUM! At 4:00 pm I begin my travels. I easily locate King Street. I travel it, looking for the address. Looking for my fish market. I find that I can not find my fish market or Chinatown. Ironic huh?

At 5pm (spectacular timing I might add) I locate Chinatown. I am practically dancing in my seat. I have persevered. I have navigated. I have....become lost again. I can not locate King St in Chinatown. I continue to drive through one-way streets, in crawling rush hour traffic, constantly assessing what direction I am heading by locating either the water or the mountains. I determine that I have gone too far Ewa (West), for I am certain that I have not been lost in this particular area of town before. At 6pm - I give up. I crawl my way back to the rush hour traffic freeway (another story entirely as I initially get on the highway going the wrong direction) and limp into my neighborhood Safeway around 6:45pm.
After some nourishment, I crawl to my computer to retrace my steps and find out where this fish market is. Well, well, well. It IS on King St. I am quite familiar with S. King St which is in Chinatown (I couldn't find that either) but the fish market that I am seeking (also with a giant crab over the door) is on N. King St AND, to add salt to the wounds...it is a mere two blocks from the place where I turned around to go back to the freeway. Indeed. I had NOT been to that area of town...and it was NOT the same fish market I had seen before. Not be deterred: I visited there today and triumphantly got myself there after only 2 wrong turns.

Shall I share more?
This is the "incident" that made me switch to googlemaps, by the way.

I was meeting a new friend for lunch. She suggested a museum, which I have actually been to. I knew that I would need to look up directions, but I was also fairly confident in my ability to get there. Strangely, when I print out the map, I do not review it, or my directions. I simply jump in the car, and go. While in the car, I look at which exit to get off the freeway. I follow said directions. I turn Right On University, Right on Dole...SMACK in the middle of the University..as class is getting out...and many unrushed, casually ambling students are taking much advantage of the favorable pedestrian laws here. I have plenty of time to ponder..."I do not think that museum is near the University....I do not remember it being on this side of the freeway..." I turn right on St. Louis and as the directions say...I get right back on the freeway. WTF!?!!!! WHY?! WHY?!! WHY?!!! Did it make me do that useless detour?!! WHY?! Gratefully, I left myself the requisite 20+ "Late minutes" and arrived in time for my lunch.

This is a map of my journey in these two stories. Notice the detour at the University and the dark blue lines where I kept driving over and over like an obsessed terrier hunting for the rabbit.

View Larger Map





So, you can see....I adventure. I pay much in gas. I find sushi. Eventually.

Here's One Keeping Me Out of the Water

"We're gonna need a bigger boat...."
Um. Yah. Caught off the coast of Molokai. Why don't you stop now and see where Molokai is...what the HELL?!!!!?? Its a small, SMALL consolation that this 18' bad boy was caught on film at 3200 feet. Apparently, this little fella is amazing for more than his size, he is also a freak of nature: 6 gills instead of 5. Yah. THAT'S what I noticed too.

The Truth About Hawaii ..and my rambling impression of it

So, its true. There are lots of fabulous things to do here and we aren't anywhere near done. BUT..as joyous as that is...

Here are the dirty little secrets about Hawaii that you won't find in the travel brochure:

TOTALLY true that food is so damn expensive that you will lose weight simply by moving here (how much asparagus from Costco can a girl really eat in a week?!).

TRUE: Its CRAZY here. Its funny crazy, but crazy. This is the 70th largest city in the country (PHX is the 5th), and yet the 4th most expensive place to live (damn international land investors) and its also very insular. By that I mean, its a small damn island and I get the feeling that its a little like living in Green Bay again..eventually, you realize that everyone knows each other...

TRUE: There is no Target here. Nope. Not One. None. Nada. Neg-a-tive.

TRUE: its also a little weird that the first thing everyone asks you (who is from here) is where you went to High School (and the newspaper ALWAYS publishes that info when referring to a co-islander.) The High School thing is their way to weed out the newbies who are much hated for buying previously mentioned overpriced real estate.

TRUE: The funny thing is, people are quite nice (despite hating you). For instance:today I went to the post office. The dreaded postal worker. But MY neighborhood postal worker doesn't hate me - oh, no. He went OUT OF HIS way to suggest that I package my shipment more compactly, saving me $20 and then, letting me "butt" to the front of the line when I was done repackaging. THEN, I asked if they needed appointments for passport photos...he said yes. I asked what days and he said "well, do you have a minute? I could do it now." WOW. THAT would NEVER happen at my post office in Scottsdale. The post office for 85254 in had postal workers who could best be described as HOSTILE. To the point that I used to get chastised when I had to pick up mail there because my angry postal carrier refused to stop stuffing my mailbox with more mail and just left me a card telling me that its too much work to put all the mail I didn't ask for in a larger postal box, and that I need to drive to the post office to pick it up. Essentially, my postal carrier would go on strike.
But I digress...(my bitterness still lingers though)...

TRUE: its also funny that there is one freeway through Honolulu.

TRUE: (according to a new friend) that my husband is the only white man in Hawaii Kai to have married a white woman (as opposed to the old white man - young Japanese pairing so oft seen at our Safeway.) This same friend went on to tell me about teen pregnancy and meth use here, which left me unfazed as I have just arrived from the capital of those two things. Additionally, "island time" is not a myth...but that doesn't faze me either as I have just landed from the "land of manana"

TRUE: Barak Obama (Punahou '79) is from Hawaii and you will never, NEVER, see an article about him here that doesn't tell you that.

TRUE: If you are not from here, people will view you with suspicion, assuming that you will not permanently reside here, leaving me to ponder: "do I tell them I am renting" (so they know that it is not I who is driving up the real estate) or not (as they will view renting as an impermanent situation?)

AND the FINAL TRUTH ABOUT HAWAII:

You get to hang out with the turtles who really make you glad you came:

Hawaii Photo Update

Well, well, well - moving to Hawaii is the blog equivalent of winning an Academy award...suddenly, people are visiting the blog, (rather than being guilted into doing it). For those of you commenting on the fact that I haven't posted anything...you know..my life wasn't TOTALLY boring in AZ. Although, the weekends are totally worth living for here, and so here's an update.

Last weekend, Valentines Day. Jeff made me a beautiful dinner and brought me a lei, instead of flowers (see photo). We learned that this type of lei is the kind you get to wish you well on a journey. Since we are on a journey of sorts, we thought that was kind of cool. Its still beautiful and a very "Aloha" greeting to opening the fridge. I wore it all evening. Well. Not ALL evening.

On Friday evening, we went out with some people from Jeff's work. Roopal, who Jeff has known for years, and was instrumental in his move here, has been incredibly welcoming. We went to a place called "Pearl Ultra Lounge" - I found it kind of funny, because it was very "Scottsdale", sos we felt right at home. It was at the Ala Moana Mall, which is the big mall in downtown/Waikiki. Its the mall that has it if it is to be had here (Nordstrom's opening March 5th). We got lost, and I kept telling Jeff if he would just listen to me, I could find the mall, dammit, and..I did. We had a nice time at Pearl, made some friends, (Roopal sitting next to me in picture); we met another nice couple, the girl is from Moscow (I don't know, but I wondered the same thing) and she "gets a little chilly" here; the irony there is rich indeed. The other thing I learned at Pearl...is that unlike Scottsdale, being a blonde is unusual...almost no one else was blonde (except the Moscowvite turned Hawaiian) All in all, a nice night, until we had to leave because Jeff was wearing "slippers" (flip-flops) which kind'a made me laugh for two reasons:
1) he was all dressed up everywhere else (nice shirt, nice pants)
2) when you wear ANY kind of shoe here its a big step towards dressing up.

On Saturday, we took our hike (the lighthouse one), which we have vowed to be able to run up and down and on Sunday, with the "Pearl gang" we went on a Catamaran ride. THAT was cool, we saw Waikiki from the ocean, saw some dolphins (even jumping out of the air!!) and even the big daddy: humpback whales. Although the whales were about a football field away, but we COULD see the tails. It was amazing. Now, naturally, I no longer had memory on the camera but I did get some great shots anyway:

Jeff - the Catamaran behind him. It holds up to 80 people!!


Weather on the water is GREAT - raining on island

And the GRAND DADDY Photo: Look CLOSELY...DOLPHINS!! It was DAMN hard to get that picture...there are about 8 pictures of just the ocean...


So that was our 2nd weekend here...next weekend, North Shore!! Hoping to see (but not catch) some of those legendary waves!!

Mahalo!!

1st Weekend in Hawaii

Well, I have to say, it was pretty awesome...it was so awesome that I am not in the least bit bothered about the fact that our house is still no more unpacked than it was on Friday. Instead of unpacking, we got outside and did somethings.

We went to Sandy Beach on Saturday, after telling Jeff that I could stay there until 6pm, he insisted we come home, and it good we did: Hawaii's sun did get us both! No swimming here, the tides are incredibly strong and only the locals, brave or stupid go in the water here. It is a

popular surfing and body surfing place, and the "Beach Biscuts" are out in full force! I didn't miss swimming, the sand was perfect, the breeze was awesome and the "talent" kept me watching!! The life guards here are said to do more rescues on this beach than anywhere else on the island. After our tour at the beach, we took a quick drive to Kaneohe. The bay there is absolutely stunning and you'll see pictures in the near future, I promise! The weather there was rainy, so we didn't get out of our car, but we did see some amazing cloud/mountain action.



On Saturday evening, I made dinner: Ahi with Wasabi, Rice Vinegar and Soy Sauce dressing on a bed of lettuce, and the starch of the islands: rice! That dinner was SO yummy. On Sunday, we went to Makapuu Lighthouse Road for a walk with Rudy. Its a good 3 miles up and down; its paved and we expect that we will take all of you there - it features some BEAUTIFUL scenery, it overlooks the whale sanctuary (and supposedly, its a good spot to whale watch). Its also got some history: still remaining are WW2 bunkers. From the top, you can see the lighthouse and Kailua. One of the more bizzare discoveries of our walk was the realization that Cacti grow here! We had heard that this was the "dry " side of the island, but at 70%+ humidity, it didn't feel all that dry to us and yet, the Cacti flourish.



Our walk took about 1.5 hours, but it was beautiful and we stopped in several places along the way. In fact, I think it will be a joint goal of ours to be able to run up and down it...something neither one of us feels in shape enough to do right now. After that, I guess Jeff was sort of "done" because we went to a movie. It got out too late to take the bike ride around Hawaii Kai that I wanted to take. Its OK, though, because there is always next weekend! Who KNOWS what adventure it will bring.


Here are 5 things I learned about living in Hawaii this weekend:
1) Pineapple is cheaper than oranges (per pound)
2) Locals DO say "Aloha" and "Mahalo"
3) "Hang Loose" symbol is an acceptable way to say "Thanks"
4) Everything is in limited quantities, EXCEPT at Costco
5) Haunama Bay appears to be less crowded on Sundays, judging by the fact that the parking lot was never closed today.


Here's a little map of this weekend's adventures (you can click on it to see our notes of each location and zoom in/out:


View Larger Map

Year of the Rat

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Chinese New Year always creeps up on me, but this year, several things converged to make me notice more: Mom is in Singapore for Chinese New Year, we are in the Pacific and in a place with a heavy Asian population, my Singapore client is planning CNY celebrations and unable to speak with me, and I missed the deadline for ordering my ducks (from our factory in China) before CNY and thus will probably have to wait until May to receive them, and finally, the reason its of particular note this year is that it is the year of the Rat, and I am a "Rat". Quit snickering. I mean it - quit snickering, I am in EXCELLENT company: Shakespeare and Mozart were both Rats.

Here are some facts about the year of the Rat and the noble traits of those years and people fortunate enough to be a "Rat" (this always reminds me of the paper placemats that Chinese restaurants used to put out with the Chinese Astrology definitions and dates.):
The year of the Rat is the first of the 12 Chinese Astrological signs, generally one of activity,
and financial abundance, for those who have worked for it or are positioned for the abundance.
Rats are typically hard workers, pioneers and leaders (much like LEO's), they are also very loyal to their "pack" and although considered thrifty, can be quite generous with the selected few. Rats are quite fair in their dealings, expect the same from others and are deeply affronted when they feel their trust has been abused. Rats are keen, can be slightly manipulative, gossips and shameless promoters of their own agendas. They need to learn to relax sometimes and tend to be slightly obsessed with controlling the people and environment around them.

May this year bring you much financial abundance, activity and goodness and may you encounter many "Rats"!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR to MY PACK!!

Never Say Goodbye...Venture On...

My Dad used to spend alot of time in their backyard, it was actually a passion of his to take care of the yard and along with that came an appreciation for nature, especially birds. Many times I would walk into my parent's house to be immediately greeted with an update on the avian visitors.

One night, my sister, Brooks and I were sitting in my parent's backyard and a HUGE barn owl flew over the backyard and landed in one of the trees. His wingspan had to have been 3 feet. I told my sister and Brooks, "Wait until we tell Dad! He'll be amazed!" My Dad passed away the next day, very early in the morning. I never got to tell my Dad. That night, we knew my father was terminally ill, but we did not think his passing would come that night. The owl flew over our house just as my Mom rushed out of their bedroom to get a towel because my Dad was coughing up blood. It was probably then that he started dying, then that the owl flew over.

After I moved into my place on Bell Rd, which was right around the corner from my parent's old house, the house he passed away in, I heard the owl -- regularly. I always thought that it was my father saying goodnight. The owl came throughout the second year after my Dad passed and he tucked me in. He gave me peace. He gave me an on going connection to my Dad. It was as if he saw me through the darkness. Then, he left, just as Jeff and I were falling madly in love.

The night before Jeff and I left, he made a reappearance. He came once more. I have been wondering what my Dad would say about our leaving..and I had decided that he would support it in the name of adventure. I felt the owl's visit was my Dad again. I felt it was him seeing us off. I felt it was him reminding me that "good-bye" is only what you make of it...it is only good-bye, if it is so in your heart.

With this blessing from my Dad, I am reminded to appreciate the journey, empower the heart and go boldly, with his blessing and love into the next stage of my life, and spread my gigantic wings.

HELLO QUINN

HELLO: This week, as we prepared to depart from AZ, we were blessed with Quinn Malaina, Mia and Brook's newest daughter. Mia and Quinn were both healthy and doing well; in fact, went home after only 2 days in the hospital. This is practically a miracle as for Mia to stay pregnant this long (37 weeks) she was on bed rest for 12 weeks. But we are past that now...and we celebrate with joy the reminder of a new life. The reminder of all things possible. The reminder of innocence and opportunity. I for one, celebrate that Piper, my Leo soulmate, should know the joy of a little sister.

Miss America

One of the blogs in my first "blogging year" was about Miss America (click the link to read it). Tonight, I saw a commercial for Miss America '08 - its on TLC this year. The tag line for the ad was quite clever: "Before there were TV dance contests and TV singing contests, there was a show where you had to be good at everything." To which I quickly said to myself "I am already inundated daily with images of incredibly beautiful but talentless women."

THAT'S IT! That is what has changed in America. Its why we aren't really all that interested in Miss America. We like the singing and dancing shows BECAUSE it isn't overly polished...and we like to root for the little guy - and we enjoy the experience of watching them get better..oh, and we like that the judges are even more catty than we are. Miss America lacks the human experience, the drama of evolution and the opportunity to "root for the little guy" and it TOTALLY lacks catty judges.

Even TLC knows that: they have another show on regularly (that I haven't watched): Miss America: Reality Check. I haven't seen it...but now I understand, showing Miss America TLC is a cross promo to market the show they created to mock the insanity of Miss America. Its all a little TOO camp for me.

I'm curious though, what my personal obsession is with Miss America.