January 9, 2025

Hawaii 2025, Day 2

Day 2 was an epic day of achievement. Except for the beach. Our beloved beach has wild surf right now. I think it's too windy for me to get in the water. I want to be safe. I'm kinda disappointed but trying to keep it positive.

We went to Ala Moana, cause what would a trip to Hawaii be if we didn't go to Macy's? Mrguy got a new pair of shorts that fit his slimmer hips. I found a great shade hat that was misfiled in the men's sock section. It is perfect except for a dumb patch on it which I will replace, pronto. 

Mrguy also bought two pair of sunglasses at Sunglass Hut in Macy's. Rick, of Sunglass Hut, was soooo nice. From Fresno, Giants fan. He and mrguy talked about the upcoming season's prospects, as you do. And now mrguy has his first sunglasses ever that have no prescription in them because he doesn't need it. Wild. 

My excitement was the Hoka store, where I could try things on in person. I just sent back a pair of Hokas last week that didn't fit. When they do, it's superduper. At the mall I tried on some Bondi 8s, and they didn't fit even though that's what I'm wearing right now. Ended up buying a pair of Men's Bondi 8s. I learned from the salesguy that some styles in different colors end up fitting differently. That seems darned inconvenient.

All missions accomplished, we trudged toward the parking lot. Went to California Pizza Kitchen (a family first), had lunch, talked about the reasons mrguy hates aspects of the Beach Boys and brought home a pizza for dinner.

We sat on the lanai and watched the stories that happen in the park across the street. The green parakeets who screech and flit between the trees around here. I swear that there used to be green, blue and the occasional pink, but I've only seen green. And there was good dog watching. and two boys trying to take advantage of the still-abundant wind to fly kites. But they were running in the wrong direction. One kid ran the other way and got good purchase, but the other kid wasn't as successful and, frankly, didn't seem to try as hard. I hope he comes back. In the meantime, mrguy and I were talking about him making kites, and our shared memory of the local power company's comic book about kite safety. It was part of a presentation given to children every year in certain grades. Deciding to find one on ebay, I instead came across Hi-Flier kites, and their slogan "Playmates of the Clouds". Eventually I found a bunch of the comic books. The aspects I remember in mine were Smokey the Bear, the story of Ben Franklin, and how you could die if your plane touches a power line. Also Reddy Kilowatt and a cartoon character. It was horizontal in orientation. We think that mrguy's era had a different character than my era. Here's one that I might be remembering. Sorry that the link to it will not last into the future...

Another day in Paradise.

Hawaii 2025, Day 1

Sorry but this is gonna be kinda boring. Our Lyft was mercifully uneventful. On so many other occasions there was drama. Like the taxi driver who accelerated down our steep hill and the taxi ride where I looked down to see I was stepping on the remains of a soft pretzel (with mustard). Or the Airporter driver who was a hoarder and wouldn't pull over to the curb at our house. When we looked in the back of his van it was filled with piles of paperwork and he ranted about Richard Nixon.

Our Lyft was not like that.

We went first class, on miles. Every time I take the cats to the vet and pay with my Hawaiian card I remind myself I'm just that much closer to Hawaii. I did some sewing on the rid and watched German Love is Blind.

We were stumped a bit at first. Our usual lunch stop, La Mariana Sailing Club, is closed on Mondays. Hau Tree was closed for shift change. I really didn't want to walk anywhere, but we did and Barefoot Beach Cafe provided the eats. I like their weird curry rice burger thing. I didn't like the Hawaiian Christmas music. A guy named Sam did not pick up his order. Eventually they started taunting him on the overhead "Sam, your plate is getting warm."

On the way back to the hotel we went shopping for breakfast and took a nap.

For dinner we went to Diamond Head Grill instead. It did not disappoint. Love the 'ahi wasabi shoyu plate. Never disappoints. We usually walk across Kapi'olani Park and then up the hill, but it is really nice to just drive there, which we did.

When we got back to the hotel Mrguy just said "I'm going to rest up and then brush my teeth."

January 1, 2025

New Year's Journaling Prompt

Day 1

I do not believe in magic—how could I?

I can’t but I did

Saw me in half in a box that’s gaily painted

I will show you how. The lingering warmth of a stranger’s hand, on the last grocery cart available at Christmas, transports

So nutmeg. 

Algorithms are not magic. If by magic you mean Add vaseline to coca cola and just watch

Thumbprints in Roma plastilina. I can smell you through the television during Rudolph

The best story is visible in the background