Esoteric Bowl

I always feel a little uncomfortable about making the blog-rounds on those days when I fail to write anything. I know it’s silly and it makes no sense, but if I visit other blogs without posting, I feel as if I’ve gone to a potluck picnic without bringing anything to share.

It’s the same way with photos. There was a time when I would visit several photo-blogs, but ever since starting anew with this site and basically losing my photo page, I don’t visit those photo-blogs very often. Strange how that is.

In other news…Tomorrow is the 3rd Annual Waikiki SPAM Jam. Nothing to do with computer spam, but rather the luncheon meat in the blue can. I know there are those who are turned off by SPAM, but in Hawai’i few things are as popular as SPAM.

Anyway, the SPAM Jam is expecting 20,000 people to attend the street festival, and there will be plenty of food, crafts, and two stages with entertainment. I’m thinking about going, but it will be a daytime decision on whether I want to face the crowds or not. It might provide some interesting photos, but then again, 20,000 people is a lot of people.

Speaking of Waikiki; last week when I was down there, I came upon some artwork by Michael Godard. He’s supposed to be real hot right now in the art community. His art is creative and fun.

Have a Great Aloha Friday

My neighbor Tommy just got back from Vegas. He takes a Vegas trip about six times a year. Whenever he returns, he always has stories to share. He often retells the same stories, but I don’t mind. He’s a nice man, and I appreciate and enjoy the interaction. Oftentimes when I’m outside tending to the potted plants, he’ll come sit in the rattan chair outside my door and we’ll talk story for a while.

Yesterday when I saw that he had returned, I welcomed him home. He smiled and slowly walked over. His walk has slowed in recent years because of age and an arthritic knee. As I asked how his trip was, he pulled an envelope from his pocket and gave it to me. It was money. There’s kind of a tradition in the islands that when you win big it’s good luck to give some to family. He didn’t give me a lot of money, but that’s besides the point. His thoughtful gesture blew me away.

I bought a bottle of White Zinfandel and put it in the refrigerator to chill. That was around a year ago and the bottle remained untouched. That is until a few weeks ago when I poured a glass during a Friday evening and sipped wine as I listened to downloaded songs.

The following Friday I poured another glass and listened to music as I cleaned the house. Although I’m not much of a drinker, I do enjoy a drink every now and then. Alcohol is one of those things that I can live without, but when I do have a drink I’m reminded that it tastes rather good. And because I don’t drink too often, a small amount is plenty for a nice little buzz. Last Friday night I finished off the bottle. Here it is Friday and I’m already pondering another wine purchase.

While I’m on the subject of alcohol, the other night I was roaming around town when I thought about having a Baileys and coffee. The recipe calls for a cup of hot coffee, a shot of Baileys Irish Cream, a little whipped cream, and a sprinkle of chocolate flakes. Nothing fancy, but it’s probably my all-time favorite drink. Not only is it a smooth tasting drink, but the buzz is smooth as well.

Anyway, so I had this Baileys and coffee thought. I didn’t want to buy a whole bottle of Baileys, so I stepped into a local pub and pulled up to the bar. The bartender greets me with a hello, and I give her my order. “Sorry,” she says. “We don’t have that.”
“You don’t have Baileys?”
“We have Baileys, but we don’t serve coffee.”
“What do you serve late at night when people want to sober up?” I ask.
“Water or Pepsi”, she says matter of factly.
Water or Pepsi? She’s definately not a coffee drinker. I’ve never been to a bar that didn’t have hot coffee.

Have a great Aloha Friday. Cheers!

A few months back when the old site was up and running, I received a friendly e-mail from a stranger. She introduced herself and explained that she was a local high school student. She was working on a class project, and asked if she could use a photo of mine in her presentation.

Absolutely. I was impressed that she would take the time to write such a thoughtful e-mail and I found it refreshing that she would actually ask permission to use the photo. I sent the photo that she requested along with good luck wishes on her presentation.

She wrote back a little time later, telling me that she enjoyed reading my journal. She also asked if I would be interested in getting together. While assuming that the request was harmless, I didn’t respond. It’s okay to help out a young person with a school project, but I would have felt uncomfortable with any further correspondence.

One has to be careful nowadays; no one is above reproach. The mere suggestion of impropriety involving a minor could damage a reputation and destroy a life. Even when I’m out taking people-photos, it’s important to keep such things in mind.

Admittedly, I sometimes find myself giving a watchful eye to strangers that are in the area of children. Perhaps like me they enjoy watching children play, but still I give them a passing glance just the same. I don’t like the uncomfortableness of it all, of looking at others that way or being seen in such a way, but like it or not the events of the day mark every stranger with a hint of suspicion.

When I hear about the case against Michael Jackson, I can’t say for certain whether he did or didn’t do the things that he’s accused of. From his past experiences, I think one can make an educated guess, but whether the evidence will convince a jury remains to be seen. Whatever decision is given to Jackson, at the very least he is guilty of bad judgment.

I can’t seem to get loose. My leg muscles feel tight and stiff, and my arms have a heaviness to them. There is a tightness in the shoulders, and a familiar dull pain in the lower back.

Thankfully it’s not flu aches, just muscles voicing their objections to the occasional strain and contortion. A massage would certainly loosen the muscles and ease the pain. There was a time when I would occasionally treat myself to a massage, but nowadays a massage is somewhat of a luxury.

There was this woman that I used to go to for massages, an elderly Japanese lady with terrific hands. She had great technique and an understanding of applying just the right amount of pressure to ease the body and relax the mind. I always felt so relaxed and refreshed from her treatments. I don’t know what ever happened with that woman, but her hands are dearly missed.

A person with gifted hands is a like a person with a talent for cooking. It’s a skill that is often underrated, but always appreciated. As refreshing as a good massage can be, a bad massage can be a little frustrating. There was this girlfriend who was often enthusiastic about giving and receiving massages, but her hands were like two left feet. I never had the heart to tell her, so I endured the massages and tried to appreciate the effort.

The last massage I had wasn’t actually a massage at all. A new place had popped up close to home, so I decided to treat myself to a massage and try the place out. I paid for the typical half-hour session, but all that the woman did was swish her hands around on my back as if she were dusting furniture. She did this for about for five minutes and then she proposed sex for hire. I declined her suggestion, explaining that all I really wanted was a massage. Somehow that offended her, and before I knew it I was being told by Mamasan that I had hurt the woman’s feelings.

April come she will
When streams are ripe and swelled with rain;
May, she will stay,
Resting in my arms again.

June, she’ll change her tune,
In restless walks she’ll prowl the night;
July, she will fly
And give no warning to her flight.

August, die she must,
The autumn winds blow chilly and cold;
September I’ll remember
A love once new has now grown old.

April Come She Will - Simon & Garfunkel
—-

April has arrived. I love the month of April, it always seems to be a carefree and whimsical month. April brings to mind the colors of the rainbow, of newly opened blossoms wet with dew. The scent of flowers fill the air, and the sound of a bat hitting a baseball can be heard. April is the taste of a shared cup of tea.

While Easter may be in March, it is April that reminds me of rebirth and new beginnings. April is first kisses, and new loves walking hand in hand. April is shared vows. April is little babies and the laughter of children. April is a name of shy sweet girls. April is soft rains and poetry read aloud.

Have a great Aloha Friday !