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 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.
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.
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…Â 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…
Earlier this week, my grandmother had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital. The stroke was the largest stroke she has had to date. At the time, she was entirely paralyzed and could not speak. Fortunately, she is able to speak coherently and move around. Oddly enough, her mental faculties seem to be slightly improved compared to how she was before the stroke. Fortunately, she lives in a wonderful assisted living facility and can get help for any problems she might have because of the stroke. She actually went home this evening and seems to be in good spirits. I am just glad that she is all right.
I am having some knee problems that I have ignored for far too long. It appears that I may have a meniscus injury. Not surprisingly, it is most likely from doing cardio kickboxing. I had stopped for a while and had started swimming instead but the pain has not receded. I definitely noticed it when Brian and I went to AkakaFalls this past weekend. I knew when I felt pain on such a short and ridiculously easy hike that I could no longer pretend like nothing was wrong especially since I have not been able to straighten my right leg for a long time. I will be going to the doctor soon to see what can be done.
Things are getting back to normal around here… Since we have moved to the Hamakua coast I now have a huge yard to garden in - I am thrilled. I was going to post a picture of the house but the camera has to be charged - oh well. Our house is 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and we have a basement. We also have an ofuro - it is a traditional Japanese soaking tub and we have a plantation shower complete with a concrete floor and exposed plumbing in the basement. We have about a 1/2 acre to play with too! I am also anxiously awaiting the delivery of 40 orchids in a flask that I am excited about working with.
Brian and I have both been immensely busy with work and fun things too. Between gardening, orchids, the house, day trips, work, school, reading, Powerlifting, and everything else I scarcely have time for anything especially since Brian has urged me to get back into web design… Brian has been super busy working and training to climb Mauna Loa on his 30th birthday. His family is coming to visit for his birthday and he and his dad are going to climb Mauna Loa on the *big day,* July 28, his birthday. I am glad he is doing it, I think he will have a lot of fun and remember it always… I am cooking a huge meal for everyone the day after when he and his dad come back.
My grandmother asked me today to find a recipe for Waldorf salad. My first thought was of Fawlty Towers… Nonetheless, I told her that I would give her a recipe for Waldorf salad and I asked when she needed it. She said immediately because she wished to make it right away for the family reunion that is not taking place until August. She then asked if I would be attending with the entire family and partaking in the party and festivities the night before the reunion. I explained that I will be out of town during that time and will be unable to come. She started to cry and told me that everyone would miss me. Who in the family would miss me? She probably does not understand and most likely thinks that I am moving to Botswana to be a pirate, a single pirate, no less. I think her life revolves around the family reunion and around me not being married…
I had to go shopping today since my mother burned a hole in my new shirt with the iron. No, I don’t do my own laundry Yes, I’m lazy and cheap. So, I went and bought a new shirt, did I mention I loathe and detest shopping? The salespeople are the worst they always want to talk to me and I always want to go about my business. I also never go shopping in the mall, however, my mom bought this shirt for me as a birthday present and then she burned a hole in it then I got to return it, something is wrong there…
I had to go shopping today since my mother burned a hole in my new shirt with the iron. No, I don’t do my own laundry Yes, I’m lazy and cheap. So, I went and bought a new shirt, did I mention I loathe and detest shopping? The salespeople are the worst they always want to talk to me and I always want to go about my business. I also never go shopping in the mall, however, my mom bought this shirt for me as a birthday present and then she burned a hole in it then I got to return it, something is wrong there…
I had a discussion with my mother this evening about religion. I asked her if she would kill me if God told her to. She said “Yes, if I was certain God was telling me to do so.” I asked her, “How would you be certain without doubting God which is a sin?” She said, “I would seek counsel before I did it.” I said, “That’s doubting God and also you would locked up in a mental institution.” She said, “If God appeared here and said to kill me would you do it?” I said, “Hell no, I’d kill him. If he wants it done so badly he should do it himself” Then I proceeded to go off the deep end with my comical antics on religion about the Yates woman killing her kids (not that I find it at all funny) but I used it to prove a point. I said, “What if God told her to kill her kids? Did she do anything wrong?” My mom says “Yes, of course.” We got into a heated discussion, although, mildly amusing I must admit. So amusing that I was driven to put red paint over my door and print the words “Passover” on it. I told her that I was taking up all the keys to the doors in the house and running her through a metal detector before she ever came in. Religious zealots are psycho. My own mother who is typically full of rational thought is too a zealot that can be nuts if God so inclines to tell her to murder her own child. And yet she’s still my best friend…
I had a discussion with my mother this evening about religion. I asked her if she would kill me if God told her to. She said “Yes, if I was certain God was telling me to do so.” I asked her, “How would you be certain without doubting God which is a sin?” She said, “I would seek counsel before I did it.” I said, “That’s doubting God and also you would locked up in a mental institution.” She said, “If God appeared here and said to kill me would you do it?” I said, “Hell no, I’d kill him. If he wants it done so badly he should do it himself” Then I proceeded to go off the deep end with my comical antics on religion about the Yates woman killing her kids (not that I find it at all funny) but I used it to prove a point. I said, “What if God told her to kill her kids? Did she do anything wrong?” My mom says “Yes, of course.” We got into a heated discussion, although, mildly amusing I must admit. So amusing that I was driven to put red paint over my door and print the words “Passover” on it. I told her that I was taking up all the keys to the doors in the house and running her through a metal detector before she ever came in. Religious zealots are psycho. My own mother who is typically full of rational thought is too a zealot that can be nuts if God so inclines to tell her to murder her own child. And yet she’s still my best friend…
Oh what a day. I went to the hospital this morning VERY early to sit through grandma’s surgery. She came through just fine. She’s doing better than I thought but they want her to come home tomorrow. My dad isn’t in the country, my mom is dealing with her mom who is having health problems as well. So, I am left to deal with grandma #2. So she has a broken ankle and we have lots of stairs, what fun this shall be. She’s going to be recooperating for 8 weeks and I suppose I am left to tend to her. She’s crazy but she’d take care of me if I was ill or hurt. So, I’m alone here. I don’t really expect anything from anyone anymore, seems like a futile expenditure of energy.
I talked to my mom today for quite a while when she came over and we had our *dinner fiasco*. She’s really worried about me and how depressed I am. Nothing is really better but my mood is a little better even though nothing is solved…
I am really looking forward to Halloween this year. I have no idea why… I’ve never cared about it or wanted to do anything on that night. Mainly because I was never allowed to… I may actually dress up. Oddly enough, as “excited” as I am, I don’t want to go to a party. I have a plan for a special pigonastick front page that I am working on, on top of the site. I’ve got about 20 emails from all you guys and I am trying to answer them :o)
I just fixed myself a dinner! I actually cooked! I made Mushroom and Thyme Rice. I’m so proud, I’m all by myself and I cooked.
Today, I went house looking again with the parental units because they need a new house, as do I, so I shall be looking after they have a house. They decided on this kewl lot in this undeveloped neighborhood in Acworth. They made me look at floorplans all day and many more yet to look at. It’s been hard for them to find a house or lot since the move from the house in Vinings. We moved out of a 10,000 square foot house plus a 5,000 sq. ft. basement that was partially finished. Now they think they are going to squeeze all the stuff into a 5,000 sq. ft. ranch house with a basement. I think that’s going to be funny when they find out the stuff won’t fit but they are in denial. My dad says getting rid of me freed up a good 5,000 sq ft. Looking at floorplans with my parents is a pain in the ass. My dad says anything with a 4 car garage and a boat door with a basement and a study with a restroom is perfect. It could be the ugliest atrocity to man and he’d still love it. My mom on the other hand is extra picky. I believe the architect has his work cut out for him. She keeps thinking I’m going to move in with them, she wants me to anyway. There will be no room for me! Then I will have to look for a house that is within my price range and will still be large enough to house my furniture. I think my furniture which my parents bought for me as a Xmas gift was really a plot to keep me from moving out. That bed is like 10 ft long, the dresser is like 7 ft long, the other dresser is not huge but big enough that when they moved the furniture in we had to buy a new door for my room and it’s all heavy as lead. They have all my furniture now, when I moved I bought a bunch of contemporary furniture that I will be moving to the office soon, of course now I basically live in my office with a bed
Yes, I’m lazy and cheap. So, I went and bought a new shirt, did I mention I loathe and detest shopping? The salespeople are the worst they always want to talk to me and I always want to go about my business. I also never go shopping in the mall, however, my mom bought this shirt for me as a birthday present and then she burned a hole in it then I got to return it, something is wrong there… 
Looking at floorplans with my parents is a pain in the ass. My dad says anything with a 4 car garage and a boat door with a basement and a study with a restroom is perfect. It could be the ugliest atrocity to man and he’d still love it. My mom on the other hand is extra picky. I believe the architect has his work cut out for him. She keeps thinking I’m going to move in with them, she wants me to anyway. There will be no room for me! Then I will have to look for a house that is within my price range and will still be large enough to house my furniture. I think my furniture which my parents bought for me as a Xmas gift was really a plot to keep me from moving out. That bed is like 10 ft long, the dresser is like 7 ft long, the other dresser is not huge but big enough that when they moved the furniture in we had to buy a new door for my room and it’s all heavy as lead. They have all my furniture now, when I moved I bought a bunch of contemporary furniture that I will be moving to the office soon, of course now I basically live in my office with a bed 
