Category: The DayBook

Vive la France Malama Pono. Paix.

 

Went swimming out by the harbor today. You can see a fishing boat going out when we were swimming out to see the fishes.

Lots and lots of fish – but they were too far away for the GoPro.

My wetsuit (and bodyfat) makes me too floaty to get down much past 10 feet. So, I couldn’t get down to where fishes were. But, they were there.

There is a boat that goes out to feed the fish in the fish farm. It came by. I did wonder about sharks. I mean, wouldn’t a shark follow the food truck? Not to worry, my swimming buddy is armed and dangerous – he always takes a butter knife out.

It was a fine swim. We were out for about 50 minutes.

I took a few videos. And, edited one using GoPro Studio.

It isn’t worth looking at. Trust me. I’ll do better. Maybe.

Note to Carlton: I am starting to get used to you not being here at meal time. I was in the grocery store this afternoon and my hand instantly went to the small bottle of salad dressing. And, I must tell you – I have sort of given up cooking. I am still a killer hunter-gatherer – but, I hunt and gather stuff that is ready to eat. Fruit, salad, veggies, cheese, hardboiled eggs, oatmeal, granola bars, tuna.. I figure I fixed at least 25,000 meals for us over the years. 50,000 if you count it as 25,000 meals per person. And, that doesn’t include breakfast. Or snacks. So, I don’t cook any more.

I still seem to accidently set the creature off while I am swimming around. And, it happily snaps away.

Now for a few fish.

and finally,

Dengue fever cases: 33 now. But, no new shark problems.

Note to Carlton: Kona is the same. Other than dengue fever and sharks – the most serious problem seems to be the coral bleaching. At least 1/3 of the coral has turned pure white. The ocean was so warm this summer that the coral sort of ejected its friendly alge. Only time will tell if the coral recovers or dies.

Sort of laid back time here. The social season is starting to crank up. And, I try to remember your “Misery is optional” guidance.

Trying to figure out how to get the damn thing started – it decided to take 30 unflattering pictures of me.

Then, while I am swimming out – must have accidently fired off another 30 shots of me. I had the thing tethered to my left arm.

But, in less than an hour 345 photos were taken – either accidently or on purpose. Nothing fantastic or even very good – but a couple that are OK.

and

And when swimming in – saw a fine big eagle ray. Nope, no photo of it. Too far away.

And no, this wasn’t the GoPro – it was the google telephone.

The day was spent puttering around with a GoPro. I think I am too old to understand the GoPro concept. But, I don’t like that line of thinking. That is old person thinking. Don’t mind being an old person – since there doesn’t seem to be any good alternatives to being an old person – but – I don’t want to think like an old person. Might take some real pictures (stills) with it tomorrow. We all know I don’t do video.

That being said – the GoPro is just a strange camera. I even tried reading the fine manual.

And now – a little Kona

Nice day. Finished up some chores. Played with my Nexus “camera”. Even the video.

But the car was with the real camera – my photographic weapon of choice.

Plan was to do some serious experimenting with the Nexus camera. But, I wasn’t focused enough to patiently change settings etc. Maybe tomorrow.

Today… Mostly walking, snapping pictures of signs, little swim, tweaked a friend’s computer (windows10),  grocery shopping, nap, read. Watching football on tv and sort of pretending that Mr C was watching it too.

Carlton was quirky, fussy and a tad high maintenance, but he was damn good company.

Remember all that deacquisitioning that I did since Carlton died? I figure I got rid of 150 years worth of “stuff”. About 70 years of my stuff and 80 years of Carlton’s stuff. NOW, how do I keep from starting a new collection of stuff. More stuff will not make my life better. But, acquiring stuff is what Americans do.

 

An all around fine day. Saw Saddle Butterflyfish and Reticulated Butterflyfish on this morning’s snorkel run. Made the fitbit happy.

Spring rolls for lunch. I haven’t felt the need to do any “cooking” yet. Veggies and cheese on tap for dinner.

Dengue Fever count up to 23 cases on our island. But, no shark bites.

Thinking about Erma Bombeck’s oft repeated quote:

Seize the moment. Think of all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart.

 

Trade winds came back today, so the weather is better. Still hot. But nice and breezy.

Started off the day with snorkeling and wave watching. Didn’t do much else except reading. But, that is OK.

Got an email from my tax guy. Moving into the old ladies asylum has huge tax consequences and I wanted to have someone else crunch the numbers. The expert numbers were within 10% of my numbers. Happy that we are that close. I’ll use the expert numbers.

A little local news: at 50 something man was swimming the other morning at a “clothing optional” beach. Shark bit his legs. Maybe he’ll wear a Speedo next time. No just saw him on TV, he isn’t going to start wearing swim togs.

Oh, 19 cases of dengue fever on my island.

And, I have DO have shark attack and a dengue fever plans.

Shark Attack Plan: Don’t get bitten by a shark.
Dengue Fever Plan: Don’t get bitten by a mosquito.

Today was much like yesterday. Both in activities – or lack of activity and hotness. I went out for a walk about 3PM and decided that it was just plain hot. And, there was no reason to go out for a walk – fitbit be damned. Only a really dumb haole would take their vampire white skin out for a walk in the sun for no apparent reason when it was 88 degrees.

Oh and this big bear of a dog is for Melissa… He was on the pier but didn’t seem to want to get in the water.

Great early morning in the ocean. Swimming with a flounder. Amazing fish, flounders… More fun to look at than to eat. I sort of stopped eating flounders after watching them in person.

A fine day. OK – some of you wanted to know what I do here…

Well today

• Wake up at about 5am – first breakfast – coffee and cheese sandwich
• Sit on a picnic table with a friend and drink coffee
• Go snorkeling
• Eat second breakfast – bacon, eggs, potatoes, toast
• Walk to grocery, post office to mail a box, and wander down to the thrift shop (I resisted the urge to buy something)
• Stroll by Hulihe’e Palace and visit
• Back to Hotel – have to get my haole vampire white skin out of the sun – and read
• Then walk around – not my idea – the fitbit’s idea
• Back in hotel room at 4:30PM-ish. Had some nuts and grapes and coffee.
• Washing my hair and a small dinner – then read some more. That is what is on tap for my exciting evening.

Had such a fine time snorkeling today that I am considering getting another underwater camera. But, I am into keeping my life simple and another camera – especially an underwater one – is not keeping it simple.

Not the greatest flower photos. But, not too shabby for a telephone. Especially a non-iPhone telephone.

Getting myself settled in. Figuring out what I am going to do. Both this winter and for this phase of my life. For the last year I have sort of been living a Carlton-less version of the life that Carlton and I shared. And filled up my time dealing with “stuff”. Last year was all about “stuff”.

Reading an old John D. McDonald book, Condominium, again. I remember reading it years again when Carlton and I were hanging out in a ratty condo in Ft Pierce Florida. I think I found the book in the laundry room. That book (and the ratty condo) sort of ruined condos and Florida for me forever.

I haven’t started “cooking” yet. So far, cereal, granola bars, yogurt, salad, cheese, and take out or eat out. Tuna sandwich with avocado in on tap for dinner tonight. When I get back to Kona – it takes me a week or two get used to the price things at the grocery. On the other hand – papaya, avocado, bananas … very reasonable.

Temperatures in the high 80’s. With chance of jellyfish later in the week.