I continue finishing up with my pictures from 2010 – especially from my trip to Japan. I really enjoyed Japan. And, I never wanted to go to Japan. There is a lesson there. I am just not sure what that lesson is.
Catching aama crabs
And why exactly are there no new pictures…
There are no pictures today, because The Airness is running out of disc space and I MUST finish up the 2010 photos so I can move them off to the USB drive. Then, new pictures will be allowed on the computer.
Time to put my liberal wallet where my liberal mouth is … no tax cuts for the wealthy. Check out Give It Back For Jobs. When the government fails to do the right thing – the people must. My share will be going to the Arlington Free Clinic. It will not create any jobs – but it will lend a hand.
Avocado and chicken salad for lunch today.
Welcome 2011
So far 2011 is looking a lot like 2010!
I am liking my Virgin Mobile Internet access. Not only is it faster than Skywave that I have used for the last few years here in the hotel, it is faster than my DSL back in Arlington. This is 3G. There is 4G service back home – just across the street from our apartment. It would be really sweet if I could tell DSL to take a hike and use 4G wireless.
But, first I have to get home. Time to start seriously shopping for plane tickets back.
New Years Resolution – finish the photos from Japan. I want to make a book. A book that I can look at when I am in a wheel chair at the old ladies home.
For our New Years Day meal – I nuked some pork tenderloin and apples. No black eyed peas. Not a part of local tradition. Going to the Shinto Temple for fortunes is a part of the tradition. But, I had to take a pass on that. No car. I got plenty of fortunes in Japan. Maybe some year of the Tiger fortunes will work in the year of the Rabbit.
Speaking of fortunes… one of our many groups of wackos – they seem to think that The End is Near. Very Near. As in May 21, 2011. Check it out. Problem is these folks said the world was going to end in 1994. If at first you don’t succeed – try again.
I thought I had to wait until Dec 21, 2012. I shall start planning my “End of the World” party soon.
New Year’s Eve
I made a little trip to my grocery store to check out the New Year’s Eve action.
A little trip down the booze aisle and a visit to the beer cooler – you are ready for 2011 – the Year of the Rabbit.
R.I.P
The very last roll of Kodachrome was processed this afternoon in Kansas. People still have Kodachrome in their freezers. But, there are no more processing chemicals left. R.I.P. Kodachrome.
R.I.P. Skywave. Today, I sprung for the “Virgin Mobile” solution. Rather than the MiFi option – I went for the USB flavor. The Airness only has one USB port – so… that is a bit limiting. But, Skywave’s WiFi service was not satisfactory in December. It was fine in November. But, I am not going to buy another 30 days of spotty service.
I am not madly in love with the Virgin Mobile solution. Gizmo costs $80 and service is $40 for 30 days. G3. I can almost get G4 at home. They have G4 across the street. Maybe the signal leaks over the street and into my windows.
Grocery store is in frantic new years mode. We are in “sandwich mode” until the crush is over. New Year’s is a much more important holiday in Hawaii than is Xmas.
Almost no internet tonite
The internet is only slightly working tonight. I really hope that Skywave can get things working smoothly. I love toys – be I really don’t need a Virgin Mobile personal WiFi device. Just one more battery charger, cable and gizmo to keep track of and tote around.
At this time of year – between Xmas and New Years – fish doubles in price. But, shark is a the bottom of the fish desirability list here in Kona. It was still affordable this morning. So, we had a fine lunch of nuked shark with pineapple scraps and salsa. Avocado and tomato salad and cone sushi.
The lead off item on this evenings news – $40 a pound for “top” yellow fin tuna.
Mal de internet
Once again, the airness will not connect, but the iPod does.
It is time to signup for another month of Internet. I might spring for a virgin mobil mifi. I am just assming that the problem is with the service and not the airness.
Not bored today. Of course Carton went back to work after 3 days off. Cause and effect maybe?
This is about all the tiny typing I can stand for now.
Dogsday #1
Over the next few days, I try to introduce you to some of our local dogs. These are not like the frou-frou purse dogs who live in the ‘hood back home.
I have almost recovered from the virus, cold, sinus infection, whatever it was. Today, the weather is cloudy, windy and very humid and I am just sort of being bored. I consider being bored when one is healthy (or almost healthy) a character defect – so, I’ll have to give myself a little talking to if I am still bored tomorrow.
Tardy Solstice Greeting…
Since I was dog sick on the Solstice… I didn’t get the regular Yuletide greetings out.
We would like to wish everyone the best of the festive season – no matter what it’s called at your house. In pagan traditions, the solstice is a time to put away the things of the old year and look forward to the new. One observance of the solstice involves extinguishing all the fires in your home before midnight on the eve of the solstice and lighting a new fire the next day. This probably won’t be quite as symbolic if you have central heating.
The winter solstice falls on December 21 – the word solstice means “sun stopping.” The winter solstice is the day on which the sun reaches as far south of the equator as it gets, and is as such the shortest and darkest day of the year in the northern hemisphere. The solstice marks the rebirth of light for the coming spring.
The winter solstice also marks, among other things, the druidic festival of Alban Arthuan – a time for bestowing gifts upon those less fortunate than ourselves. Out of this observance has grown the more popular tradition of gift-giving, last minute shopping, maxed-out credit cards and 70% off sales. May the goddess be with you during this season – but don’t blame her if you get socks again.
Happy Holidays
Better Today
I am feeling better today. I guess I “caught” what Carlton had. Why would we say, “I caught a cold.” I wasn’t chasing the cold. I was running from the cold. Wouldn’t it be better to say “I was caught by a cold”.
Dog Sick Today
I must have gotten what Carlton had. But worse. Temp of 102 degrees. Major respiratory involvement. Bah Hum Bug.