I have returned!  I have been extremely busy and have not had much of a chance to update nor have I had much desire to do so.  I am in the midst of preparing for a couple of shows that are coming up over the next two weeks as well as trying to fulfill several custom & wholesale orders.  Nonetheless, I am back.

I will post more of an update later when I have the time and energy.  For now, I am simply posting that I have returned…

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I have not posted in quite a while since things have been kind of crazy here.  I got back from a big show in Honolulu (Honolulu Festival), Brian had a colleague in town, and then his parents came for a visit.  Now, I have several shows (Merrie Monarch et al)  coming up this week through next month.  I haven’t been getting much sleep lately but at least I am getting a lot done!

One of my main hard drives decided to stop working today.  I think the MBR is fried but I’m having trouble diagnosing the problem since I don’t have any other MBs that support SATA that I can hook up to to diagnose.  I am having fun installing a fresh OS on a separate drive that is IDE.  I even had to put in a temporary floppy drive just to get everything to work - fun fun.  Hopefully, I can copy everything off the drive.  I’m really annoyed that the drive is not working - it’s such a bad time for this to be happening.

Anything exciting going on with anyone?

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I have just returned from a two week trip to Georgia to visit family and procure new business and personal goods. I had a nice time and was able to spend several days in Savannah and Tybee. I had a nice visit with my parents and grandmother…

I was able to do quite a bit on my trip and had a really good visit with everyone. As usual, I was able to go shopping and get all the things that are impossible to find here. After a long 10 hour flight to Honolulu from Atlanta I was able to get home to Hilo in just under an hour and finally arrived here ready to fall asleep.

I will probably write more about this later when I am not so restless and agitated…

I also received an email today from the company that is searching for my birth parents. It would seem that I was not born in Florida but rather that I was born in Colorado. My parents knew nothing about this - they were shocked when I told them. This is just totally out of left field - we had no idea. I even have a Florida birth certificate (not original, of course).

I am dumbfounded. casino et bonusplay keno onlinejeux de casino gratuitementjeux casino sans depotbonus de casinojeux de casino gratuitsgamme com jeuforum bonus casinoonline black jack gameles r?gles de la roulettejeux de la roulette russetop casino en ligneblack game jack onlineplay free slotsjeu onlinemeilleures promotions en lignejouer seven card stud gratuitesjeu flash poker gratuitesstrip poker en lignepoker 3dtexas holdem flashpartie de poker gratuitesjouer online poker tourtelechargement jeu poker gratuitesregles du jeux pokertelecharger poker 3djouer poker omahapoker gratuites ,poker holdem gratuites ,jeux poker gratuitespoker en reseau gratuitesjeu de poker gratuites texastelecharger poker starspoker texas hold hem gratuitespocker texas holdemworld of series pokerpoker a telecharger gratuitementtexas holdem en lignejeux de poker onlinepoker en ligne et gratuitessalle poker onlinejeu world pokerpoker en ligne sans depottexas holdem,texas holdem download,texas holdem no limitwinamax pokerworld tour pokerjeu pro poker tourpoker comlive pokerpoker gratuites hors lignela r?gle du jeu pokerregles poker hold hem This whole situation has me wondering what other information surrounding my birth is untrue. I don’t even know what to say about this. Everyone around me keeps telling me it is not important but no one understands - they aren’t adopted , they know without a doubt where they were born, no one keeps their birth certificate locked up in a courthouse that would require them to go to court for months just to open the record, no one told them that they were born in one state when they were actually born in another, and they don’t have to wonder if everything they knew about how, where, when, and why they were born is entirely untrue. I’m irritated, frustrated, casino game online,casino game online roulette,online casino gamevideo poker machinefree casino slots,casino free slots download,free online casino slotsonline casino gambling sitevideo poker payoutblackjack money online play,play blackjack online free,play blackjack online30 free game slots,free wheel of fortune slots game,free slots gamefree casino slots,free slots,free on line slotsonline casino blackjack,online casino bonus,online casinolearn to play crapshand held video pokeronline video poker gamestournament backgammonplay black jack for fun,play black jack for money,black jack playcasino no deposit bonus codeinternet roulettefree on line slotscraps game rule,craps game,craps online gameno deposit casino bonus,no deposit sign up bonus casino,no deposit bonus online casinovirtual casino gamblingplay free online slots game,play free slots,free slots play for freefree casino cash no depositadd casino link onlinenew online casinoonline casino slots,free online casino slots,online casino slots gamblinginternet casino onlineplay free online slots,free online slots,arcade free online slotsonline roulette strategy,best gambling online roulette,online rouletteblack jack online playvideo poker,free video poker,video poker softwareinstructions to play backgammon,how to play backgammon,play backgammon freebest craps onlinevideo poker oddsvideo poker downloadinternational online casinofree casino gamesfree online black jack gameonline blackjack,online blackjack game,best online blackjackno deposit online casinobest casino online web,best casino slots online,best online casinoplay craps for fun,craps free online play,play crapsplaying video pokerfree no deposit casinoplay free black jackfree blackjack game download,free blackjack download,no download free blackjackfree video poker downloadsfree bingobest online casino bonusonline roulette gambling,best gambling online rouletteroulette game free online,free roulette game,free roulette game download and angry. But what can I do?

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The Hilo Valentine’s Show that I did this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday went well. The Chinese New Year celebration brought in many customers to my booth. However, on Sunday business was dismal thanks to the decent weather. It was a bit early to be doing a Valentine’s show but it was fun, I made a ton of contacts, and many of my regular customers came out to buy from me.

I managed to convince many men that they should buy gifts for their wives, mothers, daughters, aunties, etc. It is rather humorous to me that men will say things like “What do you think my wife would like?” How would I know? The best men were the ones that took cell phone photos of *everything* I was selling and then waited for a response from their wives before making a purchase. That was great. Valentine’s Day is such an absurd holiday anyway…

To add to the horror of selling at a Valentine’s show, some guy informed me that he was “looking to settle down” and asked if I would like to go to dinner with him. It would seem that I found another potential husband at the show! Brian says this guy has a lot going for him – he’s well traveled, exotic, educated, has a good job, would be less annoying and demanding, and has nicer diamonds in his earrings than I have on my wedding band. Brian has proclaimed that I now have “options.” Apparently, Brian’s other “option” is about 18 and on crack. I think my option is better, thanks.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), I leave to go to Georgia for two weeks to visit my family, scope out potential venues for shows, and relax a bit. When I return, I will have a huge show in Honolulu to do, Brian is having a colleague visit for a week, and then his parents are coming for a visit. It should be a busy month!

Now, if I could just get rid of this migraine…

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Rain is generally welcome here in Hilo. After all, Hilo is the rainiest city in the world. However, about nine inches of rain fell here last night and it continues to fall day after day. It is insane.

While getting gas on Saturday morning, before taking a trip to Kona, we noticed that part of Kamehameha Ave was closed but it was not flooded. I heard the radio announcements from the Civil Defense and they said Kamehameha Ave was closed today. I really could thought it couldn’t be all that bad since we were just there yesterday. But wow, it is horrible.

Many people have flooded homes and businesses from all this rain. I really cannot even believe this is happening here - it is too surreal. Fortunately, our little neighborhood is fine. The lower part of our backyard is a filled with water but it is far away from the house. Also, we have a giant torrent of water rushing down to the ocean which is making a great deal of noise. I am always able to hear the waves of the ocean at night but not lately… I think if someone stepped into the drainage ditch behind the house they would take a quick trip down to the ocean and would most likely not be seen or heard from again. The current is extremely swift and dangerous.

Here are a couple of photos:

Kamehameha Ave / Sunday

The Wailuku River (normally quite calm)

Photos from the Ha Ha Ha! blog

More photos available here

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I am rather unsure as to the reason why I was just thinking about D.H. Lawrence’s book, The Rainbow. I think I can easily say that it is one of my top ten books. I have not read it in some time but it occurs to me how rare it is to read a book that speaks to the mechanism with which I ideate. Does anyone else have a book(s) that speaks to them in the way that they envisage themselves?

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We went to see Beowulf this evening at the theater.  Such outings make me long for the culture of a large metropolitan city.  Nonetheless, this foray into “entertainment” was my idea. We read the critical reviews of the movie and it seemed like it was well received by both critics and the common folk.  This movie was so terrible it was like watching 300 meets Shrek.  I actually enjoyed both of those films but Beowulf is not intended to be a comedy.  They glossed over everything of relevance to the story and created a nude scene with a proverbial fig leaf when Beowulf fought Grendel.  The worst thing about the movie is that it was animated but not in a way that enhanced the film - like 300. All in all, I am glad that we only spent two dollars watching that movie.  Unfortunately, we wasted two hours of our lives that we will never get back…

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While driving home from the post office, it occurred to me (as it has numerous times) that Hilo really is a special place - the whole Big Island is, really. I saw the older retired man on his bicycle that picks up trash everyday without fail in Hilo with his “Drive with Aloha” sign and his bulging bags of trash. He does a lot for the Hamakua coastline by picking up any and all roadside trash that he sees. A person like him would never be seen in LA, Atlanta, or New York and even if they did exist they would be labeled as crazy. However, here in Hilo, everyone smiles and waves at him - he’s a fixture around here. Many other people in Hilo do something to help make it what it is, however, that particular individual does something unique.

In large cities, people tend to be fearful of the homeless and worry that they might harm them. Here, however, I feel very comfortable about rolling down the window and giving away food without worrying about something bad happening. People here seem to be genuinely kind and good. However, they are trying to pass a panhandling ban for the whole island (like they did in San Francisco) but it leaves me wondering how these people will get the food they desperately need.

Having previously lived in Atlanta, Jacksonville, and Columbus I can definitely say that I would never have left the doors unlocked or open for any reason unless I was entering or leaving the house. I would freak out about every little noise and worry constantly about being murdered, raped, or robbed by someone. Now, living in Hilo, we tend to leave the doors unlocked (during the day) at the house and I don’t worry about people coming in to harm me.

I really think that the sort of kindness that exists around here is special and unique - this sort of thing can only exist when conditions are right - when people are not constantly threatened by crime, hatred, and cruelty. I never actually saw this sort of kindness when I lived on the mainland or special people doing things they were not asked to do for gain.

I think you can only truly appreciate Hawaii and all it has to offer when you learn to trust and embrace humanity again.

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Mike Huckabee, card carrying misogynist, says that wives should submit to their husbands. He says that women should do this because the Bible says to do so.

Well, the Bible also says to kill people from other faiths (Deuteronomy, Chap 17:2-3, 5). So, is Huckabee going to kill everyone who isn’t a Christian too?

Is he going to just pick and choose what he wants to see as “truth” from the Bible?

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Our new exercise bike just came in at Sears today. I just spent the last hour on it and it definitely beats getting hypothermia in the unheated pool or being eaten by a shark whilst swimming alone in the ocean. I will definitely be glad to see summer come around again so I can start swimming again without the threat of hypothermia! Hawaii is cold in winter - it was only 80 today! The pool must be 65 degrees though - it is covered and unheated. I am such a wimp.

I have been very busy trying to get things ready for my next show while also getting ready for tax season (first for the business then for us). Joy. Anyone else having anxiety about tax season nearing?

Brian bought a plethora of books while he was in California which necessitated the creation of another bookcase. Guests to our home will be relieved to hear that we did not put a third bookcase in the guest bedroom!

I am in the process of getting ready for another show coming up in February. I will be going to GA to visit family shortly thereafter…

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I will be going to Georgia to visit my family in February for about two weeks. I had wanted to go to a basketball game in the hopes of seeing the Hawks play the Lakers, Spurs, Warriors, or the Jazz or some other decent team. Brian said that the Hawks rarely play those teams so it would not be likely that I would get to see any of those three. Well, he was right and wrong. Interestingly enough, the Hawks will be playing all four of those teams during my visit. Unfortunately, none of the games during my entire visit are home games. The last home game is the day before I arrive and the next home game is the day after I leave. I am annoyed.

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The Superferry was never given a warm welcome on any of the neighbor islands. Many of us that live on neighbor islands would prefer to keep our islands rural, peaceful, less built up and polluted, and with less crime than Oahu. I know most polls show that a strong majority of the people that live on Oahu support the Superferry. I also don’t understand why someone would want to ride six hours (give or take) each way to go to another island just to be able to take their own car. Renting a car is often less than $20 a day so I don’t understand… When/If the Superferry comes to the Big Island I could drive two hours to Kona, board the Superferry paying a fare for myself and my vehicle, ride six hours, kill a bunch of sealife, and then arrive on Oahu. Alternatively, I can pay $39 (or less) to fly to Oahu in 30 minutes and rent a car for less than $30. I fail to see how the Superferry is a better option. The best part is the fact that they don’t seem to have thought about Hawaii’s very rough winter seas. If I board a boat in December (which oddly happens almost every December) I always vomit. Most of the people riding the Superferry lately seem to be vomiting as well because of the rough ride. Now, this taxpayer subsidized, environmental hazard, military transport, crime bringing, sea behemoth has had to cancel voyages because of the rough seas. People are being stranded and many are very angry because of this. Big surprise.

Anyone actually been on the Superferry?

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I think things will finally be returning back to normal since the holidays are over.  Brian and I went on a vacation to Kauai and had a really nice time.  We did some hiking, kayaking, and sailing and had quite a bit of fun.  It did rain quite a bit and because of it I was unable to go SCUBA diving but we did get to see a number of whales and dolphins while sailing.  We tried to go hiking on the Napali coast but it was raining, windy, cold, and muddy so we were unable to do the swamp and ridge hike.   We did, however, get to see the Napali coast from the SCUBA boat and it was stunning. Unfortunately, rough seas and a storm turned us around before we were able to see the whole thing.  We have also decided that Kauai should be renamed to the Chicken and Mud Isle instead of the Garden Isle…

The holidays were uneventful for me as I don’t really do anything for them.  Brian went to California and will be back in a week.  I have been using my spare time lately to do oil pastels and I am having a lot of fun with it.  I’ve been doing a lot of sketches and have decided to do a Viking mural of some kind on a large canvas that I bought.  It will definitely be a long-term project…

I also finally got around to watching the latest documentary by Michael Moore - Sicko.  It was really rather interesting.  We have certainly had our share of health care related issues living in Hawaii.  Interestingly enough, we have had a good experience with Kaiser Hawaii (although I have heard bad things about Kaiser on the mainland).  Anyone else see his film?  Any thoughts about universal health care?

Anyone do anything fun or interesting for the holidays?  What do you think of the assassination of Bhutto?

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I apologize for not posting over the last couple of weeks. I was in Honolulu for a few days visiting with my parents and going to Pearl Harbor. I was able to take a tour of the USS Missouri and that was really very interesting. It is not often that civilians can take a tour of a battleship that was recently decommissioned. I was also able to see a nuclear submarine that was in Pearl Harbor along with an array of other ships. I also spent some time shopping for new clothes in Honolulu - fun, fun. After that excursion, my parents flew back to Hilo with me. It was not a fun visit - we did absolutely nothing. My father literally would not leave our living room because he was watching TV on his laptop the entire time. They complained about it being too hot all the time (it was actually cold) and complained about the people - well everything. My father also cornered Brian and talked to him for about three hours and told him we need to move to Florida because it is so great (so great that my parents moved from there). Brian was in a horrible mood the whole time, my parents spent the entire time planning where to sit on the plane ride back and complaining about how long it takes to get here (yes, it does when you don’t take the direct flight you should have taken and instead get stuck with 6 hour layovers so you can save $5).

After all of that, I had to get ready for a “trunk show” for all of my handbags, Swarovski flip-flops, pareos, and jewelry. I had a terrible first day but the last two days were fabulous. Several people actually had me autograph the items! It was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to my next show and I was also invited to take part in a show that is by invitation only - so I am thrilled. My jewelry was also a hit and the cruise ship tourists loved it. A number of people told me I should open my own store on the bayfront and everyone was very complimentary of my products. The hours were extremely long - I arrived at 7 am and left after 8 pm and had to get up early and go to bed late to get things ready. It is a lot harder to work 13 hour days when you have to interact with people constantly compared to working 13 hours at home! I think I caught some kind of virus from the show - probably a result of being around all those people, handling money, being in recycled and air conditioned air, and keeping long hours. I have also been having gall bladder attacks again (I had a severe one in Honolulu) so I am currently taking care of that. Fun.

I am in the process of setting up my kitchen laptop since Brian just got a new laptop and he is having a great time getting it ready to use.  I finally decided on some  kitchen software - The Living Cookbook - it seems to be the most robust program in its category and it does exactly what I want it to do. I should be able to synch it with my new cell phone when I go get a new one.

Our trip to Kauai is coming up next week after Brian gives his final.  Hooray!  After that, Brian will be heading to California to visit his family for Xmas.

More later…

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I have not posted in a while because things have been quite hectic here.  I am flying to Honolulu this week to spend a couple of days with my parents, go shopping, and visit Pearl Harbor before they come back to the Big Island to stay with us and have a rousing Thanksgiving.  I have also been planning the trip that Brian and I are taking to Kaua’i in December.  In addition to all of that, I have been preparing for various exhibitions that I will be at later this month and December.  I am also in the midst of rehab for my knee which the physical therapist says that I will most likely need surgery to correct.

On Friday, Brian dropped me off in town (Hilo) and I walked around while he went to Honoka’a.  I finally went to the Pacific Tsunami Museum - it was great.  I also went to the Kress Cinema downtown ($1 theater) after I walked several miles and saw the Mr. Bean movie - bad, very bad…  I spent time in Kalakaua Park and had a lovely afternoon.

We also went up to Mauna Kea in hopes of seeing snow but it had already melted.  The standouts of the evening were seeing the Milky Way, Jupiter, and a string of comets.  The last time we were up there with Brian’s parents we got to see the International Space Station move across the sky.  Mauna Kea really is the finest place in the world to stargaze (obviously).

While hiking at Kalopa State Park, Brian and I ended up on a pig trail and both got stung by bees.  I lost all feeling in my leg and bottom that evening and then slept for about 16 hours because of the bee sting.  It has been over two weeks now and I still have pain and redness from the sting.  Brian got stung on his back but he is doing fine.

I have been reading a large number of books on the economics of the poor - very interesting reading…  I will talk about that in a later post.

Brian and I have been watching StarGate SG-1 now that we have finished Star Trek Voyager.  It is unique and interesting…

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