Friday, December 01, 2006

The year ends in a month and though the year trembled with all this activity, it seems like nothing has been accomplished. Oh yes, there have been met goals, but the main project, the Condo, is far from completed.

Last night, the newly, partially installed wall bed (Murphy Bed) finally gave up the ghost and buckled under my grandoise body. We are back on the floor . . . practically. I was fit to be tied. Sorry about the cliche.

It does nothing for the morale, let me tell you.

Dwane tried to soothe my feathers, but I would not have it. I had to take a walk. That was around 1 A.M. I finally had to opt for the couch if I was going to get any shut-eye. I managed to work in one hour of sleep before coming wide awake again at 3 A.M. It's going to be a jungle of a day. Yikes, another cliche.

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Oh, all right . . .

Politics . . . Gawd, I hate it, yet I can't escape participating in it. As an American citizen, I must participate. If I don't, then how can I complain, right?

It's election day (night), and the Democrats look to be winning the Federal House of Representatives. In fact, I think they just got the majority in the House. Bully. I hope they do a better job than the previous yahoos who were voted out.

You have to admit, the Repubs made a mess of things Why? Their leanings toward the religious right? Maybe. I mean, the legislators brought up a bunch of bills pertaining to individual's rights, the Terry Schiavo thing, the gay thing, and so on, all with the religious being involved. I got tired of the podium being turned into a pulpit.

Iraq? How's that for a mess? So many young kids dead or maimed because of a lack of material and quality equipment and because of bad decisions, lies, oil, big business. Can we win this war against terrorists? Maybe, if terrorists were attacking America. So far, the only terrorists are attacking their own people. The Dems had better have a plan. If not, then we may have to boot them out too. Maybe we could try Perot's party . . . what were they called?

Dems dominate Hawaii's political scene. This bunch is a real disappointment. Aimless and fat and sassy. They are so indecisive on issues that a snail can beat them in a race. The Republicans are as pathetic as their compatriots on the mainland, catering to the store front Christian sects who use tactics that cause most honest Christians to blanch in disbelief!

Let's see how the voting tallies tomorrow. I wonder if it will be a stunning show like when Bainum thought he was winning when, instead, Muffy won. I see comedy on the horizon.

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Waikiki Sand Bar

was finally rebuilt in a different part of the lobby, farther toward the pool.

Athena was desparate for a kahu to bless the bar, she had it was christened by a Christian priest of the Nazarene sect. Interesting the Nazarenes. They were so pentecostal once, now they act like they are Methodists, or Presbyterians. They aren't the Nazarenes of the 1st Century Jewish sect, just goyim.

Mom is Nazarene, so was Gramps, her daddy. If Gramps were alive today, he'd shake his head in disgust because they were into "forms" of religion and did all for show and not from the heart. Is it any wonder I returned to the Hebrew practice?

It's all clanging cymbals to me.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Happy Birthday To Me

It's not often someone turns 56 and end up having it shaken apart.

I was lucky yesterday. Living in Waikiki is a long way away from the Big Island. The quake shook us up a bit, but no real damage really.

I saw birds taking off in droves just before the shaking began. I didn't realize the portent of it until then. Spooky. The building shook and swayed and standing was next to impossible here on the eighth floor. No, I wasn't drunk though that happened much later in the day when I joined some friends at the Sand Bar.

I saw pictures on the news. The devastation was really minor, compared to some of the stuff I used to witness in California. Still, it was sad for the people who have to deal with it.

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Too Much To Ask For

I suppose it was too much to expect for this vacation.

Utz has yet to finish the bedroom. We're putting in a Murphy bed and the parts are either not right, or there isn't a hole here, or there and there is something wrong with the bed size. It goes on and on and poor Utz is about to have a heart attack.

Of course, Dwane and I are sailing through all this with heads held high, sleeping on the floor of our bedroom on our brand new mattress, sans the bed's platform, and a working Murphy bed. (Sigh)

My gawd, has this been going on since May? Oy.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

The Long Hot Summer

When Utz and his bunch finished the kitchen and bathroom work, they started on the living room, adding the entertainment cabinet, then in the bedroom, working on the closet modules and more wall cabinets.

Looks like a good job to me, the Murphy bed, however, is proving a lengthy, drawn out task, not just for us, but for Utz. I'm surprised he's not buried a few suppliers along the way. If he did, I don't wanna know. Never tick off a German contractor. You could lose your life! I speak this because I really like Utz. A real character, this man.

After numerous false starts and many lies by the bed people (I forget the name of the store) we are now given the song and dance that we won't get our cabinet doors for the murphy bed cabinet until 9/15/06. Let's see, we begun all this back in May? Shoot me.

I doesn't help when you're enjoying a sinus infection either with sawdust everywhere and there's a pile of used kleenex on the floor next to your mattress that is sitting on the floor. Pretty picture that.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Family Reunions

Looks like we won't have one this year, as planned. I tried contacting my cousin about it, but had little luck. I checked the family website and found an email about her having some bad times. I didn't want to dig in on that one. I've learned to wait for the rest of the news, if they wanted to fill me in. And when you think about it, it is NOT my business. I just hope she is doing better now and that she's all right. Perhaps another time for a reunion.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Leaving on a jet plane

Well, it looks like the kids won't be staying on the island after all. Crap. J won the battle, though he is supposed to cover the court costs. I seriously doubt that he will come through and make good on the court order.

I could wax philosophically and say that it wasn't meant to be that my little buddy stay on the island, but that would be absolute b.s. The boy loves it here and no one is listening to him. His silent tears told us that much when he found out that he was supposed to leave.

Oy, Valerie is leaving tomorrow . . .

Kasper will follow soon after. The condo will be quiet, save for the renovation going on around here.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Last Nail In the Wall

Utz and his team of workers finished the kitchenl and bathroom, working till 7:30 in the evening. For me, that was late. For Utz, it was relief. They worked hard today, starting at 9:30am, late for them, a panic for us. We thought, for sure, they would be later. The water was turned off at 9am and set to go on again at noon. The plumber was to blame. Damn them.

Pictures of the before and after are out of the question. Had the kids not been the more important issue these past couple of months, it would have been a joy to take pictures. No, not this time.

Friday, June 16, 2006

Cabinet Mania II

Each day that Utz and Richard are here, things change considerably. Yesterday, it was good to see Utz before he left for the day.

The cabinets look fantastic. I couldn't help but grin as I inspected his work. The men are marvels! That takes talent to do this kind of work. I certainly lack that!

Dwane will go out tomorrow with them to get the rest of the stuff to get this place together. Sorry I didn't take any pictures of the progress.

One of the cabinet doors were wrong which means Dwane and the guys will have to go back to Home Depot and get a replacement. Hope they have it in stock. Rotten when you have to travel even further just for a door.

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Our Buddy Is Coming Home!

Seems like forever since we last saw you, but with the good news that your mother is returning to AZ to retrieve you makes us all happy!

Don't be bitter about all this. It really won't last forever. You'll be back and with us again. This time, for good, right?

We sure missed you.

Monday, June 12, 2006

Cabinet Mania

It starts today. I've got a bunch of cabinets to empty before Utz can start with their demolition. He said he won't be here till around 10am. Good, I can relax for now. It's almost 7am and I can relax till 8 to start the job. So much for a 3-day weekend.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Cabinets and Court Drama

With my buddy and his mother dealing with the donor on who should be the real parent, Dwane and I have a major project going with kitchen cabinets. Funny how in spite of life's big dramas, you still have to deal with small things, like when are the contractors coming? Do I have time to clean out the old cabinets before they are torn apart?

What will Tom say??? Does he know about this? Will he care? I hope he likes it! I'm so excited! New cabinets! Yipeeee! God. I need a sound proof room so I can let off steam by belching out a primordial scream.

The cabinets came today. Curb side delivery. My God. Heavy stuff. My back will never be the same.

Utz, the contractor, came by to measure the kitchen. Short guy, really nice and speaks with a slight German accent. Dwane actually couldn't get a word in. Stunning!

Oh, did I mention this is an anniversary date? I left the island 39 years ago today.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Poignant Anniversary

Happy Anniversary, my love. Though there be darts from Hell, or demons railing against us, as long as we are together, they are but minor obstacles.

For a while yet, there will be small victories here and there along with some devastating defeats. Don't let them take your joy away. We're together. That is what is important. 157 months together today. A nice mark in our relationship.

Monday, May 22, 2006

Sunday, May 21, 2006

Unbearable

The ache is excruciating at times. My little buddy is still far far away.

I've cried out to gods of stone and spirit. A futile thing that. It's certainly as good as trying to convince unfeeling men of "justice" to listen to the plights of a little boy who wishes to be home with his mother.

The donor just filed a court ruling to have my friend whisked away with nothing more than a few lies and a signature. Suddenly, the life of a little boy is turned upside down. Where is the justice in that? Who hears his sobbing in the night? I can't. I can only imagine how he is crying. That seems worse.

Friday, May 19, 2006

Be Strong

Be strong, my little friend. We know you don't want to be there with the man who says he is your father. He doesn't deserve the title father. You named him rightly as the donor. He is nothing more than that, and that he is a scoundrel deserving only our richest contempt.

When asked questions by the authorities there, speak up. Tell them what YOU want. Be truthful. Maybe someone might listen. Someone must listen to the one person this is all about. That's you.

I love you, little friend.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

The Grieving

A sad day today when I found out that you were no longer on the island. You were taken away and I wept uncontrollably. Where is my buddy? Where is my little friend?

You were taken far far away by a man who doesn't love you and who was strong enough to rip you out of the lives of people who do.

Kasper still sits by the door, waiting for you to take him for a walk and we often turn our heads to the door too, expecting the same.

Monday, April 24, 2006

It's Been A While


Funny. You blink just for a moment and suddenly, time flies past you and you're into April!

It's a special day in the year for me, personally. I joined the army on this date, then ended my term of service three years later. Seemed like three centuries.

Many years later, back in 1993 on this date, I made my way to Waikiki and stumbled across Dwane, my bud and pal for thirteen years. Mary's was a jumping bar back then. Hard to believe it is a part of history now, just like Dwane and I are fast becoming. Relics, yuh know?

Am I feeling old? See my picture and you decide. Feeling old with me?

I don't know. Black and white seem to say it all.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

St. P's Day



March 17, 2006

A couple of drinks, St. Patrick's Day regalia and four tipsy guys wearing blinking green rings and what have you got . . . Power Ranger wannabes! Or more like four drunken sods.

Bruce is on the far right, wishing we'd stop, but we couldn't. We were caught up in the moment.

Jessie, the Sand Bar waitress, took this picture of us cutting up. I love it!

Saturday, April 01, 2006

April Fools' Day

I coulda' sworn that there'd be rain today, but lo and bold . . . sunshine!!! At long last!!!!

I can finally get rid of the Spanish moss hanging from my armpits!!!

Joy joy joy!!! Merci mon dieu du soleil!

What to do on a day like today? I know, I'll vacuum the water off the lanai. I'm tired of the pond outside. It wouldn't drain properly and I'm sure mosquitos have been eyeing it potential for a breeding ground.

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

40 Days of Rain

I've got mold growing under my armpits . . . ugh.

Friday, March 24, 2006

The Rains

It's been raining for a total of 34 days now more. Diamond Head won't be brown this summer. A sure thing. Hate to see the possibility of brush fires when it warms up later during the summer, though.

Several days into spring, having rains and even flood watches are quite unusual here on the island. We've had some sad news of flash floods on the island of Kauai. Seven people were washed away when a reservoir burst, sending a 20 foot mountain of water through a valley on Kauai's northern side. The scramble to rescue and find them proved futile.

I hear there's sunshine on the horizon!! Uh, huh. Yeah, right.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Waikiki Sand Villa (The Sand Bar)

Shari put her heart and soul into the preparations for a final salute to our good friend Grundy that was held at the Sand Bar. Try as she might, there was no telling how many people would show up. Those people we did not expect to attend showed up and those we thought would be easy shows ended up not being able to make it for whatever reason. Tom was still at work when it started so he missed out.

We would have had Grundy's ashes to set on his honorary stool, but his family had other plans. That was disappointing since it went against Grundy's wishes to be scattered onto the ocean from a catamaran off Waikiki and from there have his friends gather at the Sand Bar to celebrate his life. Oh well, in the end, it's always the families that have the final say, hiki no?

Odd thing about a memorial like Grundy's. Dwane and I were not feeling well, but we wanted to be at the Sand Bar to pay our respects to our friend. It was the right thing to do, you know? After getting there, we knew we did the right thing. Many of his friends showed up; some flew over from Canada just for this gathering. You gotta admit these are real friends. A good tribute to a person's life.

Athena gathered some pictures of Grundy's past visits, all of them showing how much fun he had being here. They were arranged in a collage.

Picture Grundy in shorts. I'd never seen him in shorts.

My favorite of Grundy hangs over by the bar clock with him sticking out his tongue (reminded everyone of the Einstein photo doing the same thing) loads of laughs. Maybe I can get it scanned and post it to this site sometime.

Happy memories. Thanks, Grundy, for the good years. Thanks for sharing a friendship I shall miss terribly, but appreciate and cherish immensely!

Aloha Ka'u Aikane.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Farewell, Good Friend


Coming home from work, I bumped into a good friend, Linda, who was on her way to work. We kissed and embraced and she asked if I'd heard anything about Grundy.

For some reason, I knew Linda was going to tell me that he was dead. She didn't have to speak it. The moment it was out, I cried unabashedly on the street in front of passersby. I didn't care. I'd just lost a good friend.

No need for details as to how he died. Grundy had a feeling, I think, that his last visit to the island was indeed his last. The hints were there as he gave precious items of his away to people he really cared about. Brennen got some of his prized coins. Some of his rare postage stamps. I hope Brennen appreciates such gifts. Grundy put in a lot of thought as he passed them on. He enjoyed Brennen so much and couldn't say enough good things about him.

People Grundy had known far longer than he knew Dwane, Tom and I are terribly broken over his passing. Poor Sheri and Joe. They really liked Grundy. You could tell they were close.

You'll be missed good friend. The world won't be the same now. Enjoy that Pearl Bar up in the sky with the nifty cushioned bar stools and free flowing beer. I'll see you when you see me.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

F F Freeeezzzing!

The office is cold. Waikiki is cold. Frost threatens to develop on window panes!!! Somebody turn up the heat!!!

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Happy Birthday Sister Mine

Jeez, are you 50 already??? Can't be. I still remember you in your little flouncey skirt, with your new shoes skipping down the sidewalk and your curly hear bouncing as you come to a screeching halt to witness the slug zooming along the sidewalk in old Aliamanu.

I still remember you skating on your plastic skates that Christmas day back in . . . 1962? . . . over at the Kaukani's and Carpio's carport going round and round and round until you wanted to kick them off because the skates were ungainly and made you look like you were about to fall over onto your face. You envied me my metal skates that day and broke down in a squalling fit. It sucked to be you. I felt for you that day.

Now you're a granny. My gawd . . . wanna skate?

Monday, January 23, 2006

Island Political Scene

Okay, I'm veering from the norm, as far as this blog is concerned, but I feel I must. I don't expect much readership of this blog anyway. I'd be surprised if anyone actually made a pertinent comment regarding this post.

Our islands are governed by well intentioned individuals. As to their being qualified when making law changes, I wonder however. What would qualify a person to be a member of the state houses, i.e. state senators and state representatives? I wish I knew. I'm sure there are prerequisites to be met in order to obtain an office at our state capitol. I still tend to doubt it, though. Some of the people we have in the state houses are real losers. Statesmen? Do they know what the word means? We have none. It reflects at the Federal level as well. I mean, look at all the in-fighting!

Hawai`i is in a bad way and I see no end to it. There are no viable candidates out here. We don't need carpetbaggers. Okay, ramble over.

Friday, January 13, 2006

Friday the 13th & Family Visitors

It's not an unlucky day, like some people might suggest. When I lived in California, it was in the news, explained in documentaries, newspapers and the topic of conversation by both believers and non-believers. I, personally, don't understand the "unlucky" aspect of the number 13. I like the number, actually.

It's amusing when you check into a hotel and assigned to the fourteenth floor. In the back of your mind, you know it's the thirteenth floor. Does it mean you're really safe? Would you still be placed in a very compromising situation? Why, it boggles the mind! What's Homeland Security doing about this???

Dwane and I are going to meet my cousin, Joyce and her friend at the Moana Sheraton for some drinks. Should be a lot of fun. The last time I saw her, it was in the last century! Funny, we don't even know what the other looks like. We could have sent pics to each other, but we didn't. A last minute email to her address with my picture attached was sent today. I doubt she has any means of retrieving it in time. They're going to shop before meeting us at the Banyan Bar, get a couple of tattoos . . . you know, girl stuff.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006






These were especially fond moments while at the Royal Hawaiian's Surf Room on the beach.

Sunday, January 01, 2006





Though the holidays are over, I managed to get some photos from April and Paul.