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Friday, September 30, 2011

"local Politics..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Life is alot more fun picking fruit than discussing politics... I have become somewhat of a watchdog in local politics, wherever you are in the country politics are politics just substitute your city and players names...

I have become somewhat of a watchdog in local politics, wherever you are in the country politics are politics just substitute your city and players names

Editors note; This blog also appeared as an opinion article inthe Kauai Garden Island News  on 09-30-11. The URL is enclosed below.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_26e6e248-eb45-11e0-8a85-001cc4c002e0.html 

I would like to respond to the recent article in TGI, "Stalemate ends in salary resolution becoming law..." http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_d149e630-e9b1-11e0-8665-001cc4c03286.html

Ironically all of the county council members are overpaid at $56,000 (an additional $7,0000 for the chair) a year for a part time job with the only requirement is to attend meetings, some do more some do less, along with $500.00 a month car allowance great health insurance and being able to ride the bus for free as county employees, and these people are concerned about freezing wages so other county elected officials are not overpaid? Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!

 I'll tell you what I think the council is concerned with, they want wages frozen so their salary is not changed. Freezing salaries for elected officials means they  just voted to keep there overpaid salaries in these recessed times when many are taking pay-cuts.
  The article points there was a huge discussion on  the word  'SHALL,' this reminds me of of the famous Bill Clinton line,"it all depends on what your definition  'IS', is?"
 
Straight across 20% pay-cuts for all elected officials, then we 'shall' see what 'is?'.  However  not before having another council meeting where most repeat themselves numerous times, and lack any public speaking skills.   No joke, I watched this on TV, actually it was a joke....

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

"The 9th Island..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about  Hawaii's largest suburb! Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/


People always tell you how much they win in Vegas, not how much they lost....


ALOHA FRIDAY
September 30

It's Aloha Friday.

The 9Th Island

Some years back people from Hawaii started referring to Las Vegas as the ninth Island.

That seems appropriate in many ways. The Hawaiian population in Las Vegas has grown, and continues to grow. The weather can be hot, very much like Hawaii . . . but at times it can be quite cold causing Hawaiian visitors to pack a jacket or a sweater that, unless they live up by Mauna Kea or up by Haleakalau, they rarely have use for at home. And, Las Vegas is an island. An island surrounded by sand and desert rather than ocean.

Several of the casinos and hotels in Las Vegas have learned which side of their Portuguese sweetbread their guava jam is on. They cater heavily to Hawaiians. They're the place to go for saimin, kalbi, ox-tail soup, etc etc. These are the places where aloha shirts look totally at home.

Every-time the issue of permitting gambling in Hawaii comes up, rumors fly that the casinos in Las Vegas are contributing heavily to make that issue disappear. Well, why not? Tons and tons of money flies over to Las Vegas each year as Hawaiians go to play Wheel of Fortune and other one-arm-bandit type games. Flights are kept cheap from the original eight islands to the ninth island. Hawaiians return home, pockets a little lighter, but suitcases stuffed full of pipikaula. And they also bring back the stories of how they just missed the big jackpot. Or of how they did hit a big one, "but put 'em all back".

The ninth island needs to stay just where it is. If it's attractions were brought to the other eight islands, people would lose even more money. Right now the ninth island is a dreamland. A place Hawaiians look forward to going to each year. A place where they wander the streets and casinos, take photograph after photograph to post on their Facebook or Flickr pages, and chow down on the grinds at the buffets. And when they return, they can start dreaming about their next visit. And on that one maybe they'll finally hit the Big One.

Much aloha.


check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/  buy all six books for only $18


The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

"Be all you can be..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen ( A true story)

4
James "Kimo Rosen remembers the past and how destiny  got him  where he is now...
Artillery in Hawaii does not always mean a physical thing, it can be symbolic as well, although above was definitely physical.
The Vietnam war was coming to an end and the draft was a lottery system back in 1974 when I turned 18...

My lottery number came up in the high 200's., making me not worry to much about being drafted. One year later the  draft was abolished and the United States has had an all volunteer armed services for the first time, and remains all volunteer to this day....


It was back in 1975 my father began telling me stories of his war days, back in what he called , "The Big one," (WW-2)


I was just back from a cross country sojourn with my high school sweetheart that included the United states and Canada by means of Greyhound bus with the 'Greyhound Ameripass' that let's one travel unlimited miles all over Canada and the US for a small monthly fee, we went  for two months.


All of my father's war  stories got me thinking... I decided to go see an army recruiter, I was mesmerized by this recruiter promising me the world and telling  story after story of all the beautiful woman out there in the world.(in those days that's how they enticed young guys)  The U.S was beginning to withdraw troops from 'Nam' and for the first time ever the Army was offering a two year option with all the perks and benefits of what four years used to bring. They had a two year option of artillery in Hawaii!  I took it and signed on the dotted line.

I passed the written test with flying colors and after turning my head and coughing passed the physical exam with no problem.


My father seemed pleased, and the next day I met my recruiter at the Federal building in downtown Buffalo, N.Y. I'll never forget I walked into a room with a couple of hundred other confused guys, we were all told we were going to the same boot-camp somewhere in Georgia, from there we would go onto our assignments, mine being Artillery in Hawaii.


I decided to call my father from a pay phone in the lobby since we did not have cell phones back then. I told him the far out news, "I signed all the paper work and was about to make a huge plunge in life." My father asked me to please wait, he wanted to see me immediately and since his office was only 10 minutes away I waited.


My father was there in a flash with tears in his eyes said, "I thought you were joking and just fantasizing about this Army thing?" I told him I passed all the tests and signed every piece of paper they shoved in front of me, and was leaving for boot-camp tomorrow. My dad asks if there was anyway to  postpone this or get out of it? I said ,"I signed everything."


My father wanted me to stay, he promised me employment at his place of employment since he was the boss. I'll  never forgot he goes up to my recruiter and asks him, "is there anyway my son can get out of this, I think he made a mistake?" The recruiter tells my father has your son taken the oath? Until you raise your right hand and swear on the bible and take the oath of the United states Army the transaction is not complete.  Two minutes later the sergeant recruiter screamed at the top of his lungs for everyone to march into the oath room, I lagged behind.


In many ways I wish I had not stayed behind. My mother had bone cancer and eventually passed away 7 years later, my father re-married and I remained a renegade,ironically and ultimately years later moving to Hawaii...


 The army's motto is "Be all you can be."  I may have fallen short of being all I could be, but somehow still made it to Hawai'i and although I am not physically involved in artillery, most days bring on symbolic artillery one way or another. Destiny  and divinity somehow always seem to prevail!

   P.S.  Happy Birthday to Adam and Eve and the creation of the Universe! Today is Rosh Hashanah, (Jewish new Year!) It is tradition to have apples and honey to welcome in a sweet years and to say to all L'shanah Tovah, may you be entered into the book of life, Jew and gentile alike!




The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)


If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

"EATING FRUIT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.....'Chester Lau' (Unc)

Chester Lau, aka Unc who has submitted many jokes this time submits some life saving food for thought. Chester is a retired cinematographer from the original Hawaii Five-0 with Jack Lord and currently enjoys life on the island of Oahu.
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Oranges are plentiful on the island of Kauai along with tangelos and many other varieties of the orange. Irina picks her daily portion of oranges...

EATING FRUIT ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.....                                                                                                                                                    Interesting..... Dr Stephen Mak  treats terminal ill cancer patients by "un-orthodox" way and many patients recovered. He explains: before he is using solar energy to clear the illnesses of his patients.  He believes on natural healing in the body against illnesses. See the article below. Letter to original email writer:

Dear Shereen, Thanks for the email on fruits and juices. It is one of the strategies to heal cancer. As of late, my success rate in curing cancer is about 80%. Cancer patients shouldn't die. The cure for cancer is already found. It is whether you believe it or not. I am sorry for the hundreds of cancer patients who die under the conventional treatments. Thanks and God bless. Dr Stephen Mak

                                    EATING FRUIT... We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat. What is the correct way of eating fruits?IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! *

FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.
 If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.
FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.
In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....
So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals!

You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! , balding , nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.
Graying hair
There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.
When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.
But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice.

If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI:

Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
APPLE:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.
STRAWBERRY:

Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
ORANGE :
Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON:
Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA:

Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.
Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer!
Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks
HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!)
Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this blog sends it to 10 people, you can be sure that we'll save at least one life. 
 The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)


If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Monday, September 26, 2011

"A New 'Leaf' of Life, I got an electric car" 'Douglas Dunn'

Welcome back gust blogger Douglas Dunn, We are proud to say this is an exclusive review for dakinetalk! Mahalo Nui Loa Doug. 
Douglas Dunn runs a small publishing consulting business in which he works with individuals who are self-publishing books. Doug has been a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter (for Deaf people), and  last but not least he has also been a Democratic Party media spokesperson for San Diego County, and has appeared at numerous forums and signing for famous politicians like Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama in which multiple parties were represented. Please enjoy as Doug blogs about his new Leaf on life! This is part two of Dougs saga, part one," I'm kicking the habit can be viewed at; http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-kicking-habit-douglas-dunn-cosmic.html

NO gas.NO oil changes.NO tune-ups.NO valves, rings, pistons, timing belt.NO transmission, transmission fluid or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration.NO carburetor or air filter.NO radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain.NO regular powertrain maintenance.NO smog checks ever.
Just say NO!  Part one,"I'm kicking the habit can be viewed at; http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-kicking-habit-douglas-dunn-cosmic.html


I got the electric car!

Three weeks ago, I got a call from my dealer that the 100% electric Nissan Leaf I had ordered way back in May had arrived a week ahead of the projected delivery date, quickly cleared customs and had arrived at the dealership. I dropped everything, got down to the dealer’s, and drove home a car that will never, ever use one drop of gasoline or any other fossil fuel.

One hundred percent electric!
Plug it into my solar panels and, powered by the free gift of energy from the sun gods, enjoy amazing performance as I smile and wave past the gas stations selling terrorist-produced oil (which can refer to either our Middle Eastern enemies or the oil companies who gouge the rest of you). And yes, I do mean amazing performance. With maximum torque from a full stop and speeds up to 100 mph with ease, the car can be a monster, but most drivers of electric cars are playing the mileage game, so if you see them driving in a conservative manner, it does not reflect the limitations of the car, but the strategic maneuvers of those who look at their miles per kilowatt hour display and try to get as high a “score” as possible as if playing some kind of energy-efficiency video game.

This is no hybrid. There is no gasoline backup. It is 100% electric.
NO gas.
NO oil changes.
NO tune-ups.
NO valves, rings, pistons, timing belt.
NO transmission, transmission fluid or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration.
NO carburetor or air filter.
NO radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain.
NO regular powertrain maintenance.
NO smog checks ever.

Just say NO!

Never have to stop at a gas station!
Just get home, pop in the charger, and ready to roll the next time out!

And the quietest ride ever! No engine revving or roaring.
Just the sound of tires rolling over roadway.

Of course, there are the things we miss. The sweet smell of gasoline odor begins to fade from olfactory memory.

And the credit card bills.
A few days ago, I got my last statement from my Union 76 gas card.
I pay the balance off each month, so there was one purchase left for the last fill up to my gas-guzzling Prius. A sense of melancholy as I paid the final bill and realized that the credit card didn’t even have to go back in my wallet! Just put it away in the inactive file for such time as I need to go on extended driving for long distance travel or out of immediate charging range (about a hundred miles).

For my friends in Kauai, an electric Nissan Leaf just seems ideal, where the farthest distance is about 50 miles on country roads.

For my part, it is always exciting to get a new car. But I have never had so much anticipation or so much satisfaction from an automobile purchase as this one. I love my Nissan Leaf! The honeymoon is still in full flower, and I see the car parked in the garage and can’t believe that I have finally given up the addiction to non-renewable finite filthy fossil fuels!

Check out part one of Doug's story about his decision to buy an electric car at;  http://dakinetalk.blogspot.com/2011/08/im-kicking-habit-douglas-dunn-cosmic.html

P.s. every-one should have an electric car period!


The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

A cross country sojourn..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday)

Inspirational guest blogger Judith Whitehead from Amherst, N.Y. Decided to take time off from her health-care  career and travel cross country with the love of her life...
Judy and husband Steve about to embark on their cross country sojourn...Your own backyard can be anywhere you make it...  No that's not Richard Dreyfus, It's Steve Whitehead!

Just the thought of taking a road trip across the United States is a calculated risk, with the way the country’s weather has been affecting everyone this year. Trying to plan a drive from New York to California was sketchy, but the adventure was too good to pass up.

My husband and I had made this drive many years prior, when we were much younger. We always threw caution to the wind at that age. We decided to awaken the teenager in us and take the plunge. Several days before our trip, we had to change our course dramatically because a tornado and floods overtook the southern route we were used to traveling. So we redirected our attention to the northernmost route we could take without adding too many miles.

We were given a GPS to use but, being the skeptics we were, we decided to use the old-fashioned Triptik from AAA. It had worked so many times before, so why mess with the tried and true?

We left Buffalo on a rainy day; one can always count on rain in Buffalo in the spring. We got a late start and decided to stop in Toledo, when darkness threatened our sight and judgment.

We tried to make this trip as economical as we could, looking for hotels that we could use our reward points with, and that included a free breakfast and services. We found that hotels are in great competition these days and are more than willing to please.

Waking early the next morning, we were determined to make up the extra time and drove nine hours to Nebraska. Surprisingly and pleasingly, all the gas prices were lower than in good old New York. We paid as little as $3.50 in some states. When we drove across the country 30 years ago, the price of gas was about 75 cents.

We decided to make a short stop and tour an original sod house built during the prairie days. It was amazing to see how hard life was then.

Our most memorable state to cruise through was Colorado. To our glee, it was off season in Vail and the hotel rates were a quarter of the price. With snow still visible on top of the mountains, it was very beautiful and we wished we could have stayed longer.

Las Vegas is always an amazing sight. You drive through miles of endless desert and dust to almost suddenly come across an oasis of hotels and lights in the middle of nowhere. We stayed outside the city limits and were able to settle into a Hampton Inn, again collecting our points and enjoying a free breakfast buffet.
Determined to make it to Los Angeles in four days, we started out early the next morning. We knew we had arrived by the inversion layer of smog that surrounds the city when approaching.

I guess we still have the adventurous nature in us, because we thoroughly enjoyed our road trip, driving on a budget and seeing the way the rest of small-town America lives. I took 600 pictures, topped off the gas tank 10 times, partook in four free breakfast buffets and got to reconnect with my husband with no interruptions except for a few cellphone calls.

This was a trip we will always remember. We were able to reconnect with old friends, visit with family and revisit all of our old favorite places.

So to all you baby boomers out there, if you have the gumption, the time and a few extra bucks, don’t just think about doing an adventure — do it. You only go around once, so check out how the rest of the world lives. America has much beauty to offer right here in our own back yard.

Below Douglas Dunn pictured with his New electric Car!(The  Leaf) We are looking forward to his upcoming blog....
NO gas.NO oil changes.NO tune-ups.NO valves, rings, pistons, timing belt.NO transmission, transmission fluid or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration.NO carburetor or air filter.NO radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain.NO regular power-train maintenance.NO smog checks ever.
Just say NO! This coming Tuesday September 27Th, Doug will tell us about his new Leaf on Life!


The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

"The Wooden Bowl..." 'Anonymous'

"This  blog was sent from a friend in Homer Alaska who wishes to remain anonymous, Mahalos friend..!"

"Who knows when it's their turn for the wooden bowl..."

The Wooden Bowl 

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, 
a year from now. 
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and
 failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. 
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son.
 
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor..'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.
There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
 
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
 
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
 One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. 'The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.
 For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, 
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
 
a rainy day,the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.You need to be able to throw
 something back sometimes. 
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.
But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others,
 
your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about. I just did!



Below Douglas Dunn pictured with his New electric Car!(The  Leaf) We are looking forward to his upcoming blog....
NO gas.NO oil changes.NO tune-ups.NO valves, rings, pistons, timing belt.NO transmission, transmission fluid or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration.NO carburetor or air filter.NO radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain.NO regular power-train maintenance.NO smog checks ever.
Just say NO! This coming Tuesday September 27Th, Doug will tell us about his new Leaf on Life!

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)
If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!




Thursday, September 22, 2011

"The Cab Ride... 'Obama Da Dog'

"Obama da Dog tells us one of her favorite stories about a cab ride..."

Obama Da Dog with the lady she calls 'Mom..'

I arrived at the address and honked the horn. After waiting a few
minutes
 I walked to the door and knocked.. 'Just a minute', answered a Frail,
 elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.
 After A long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood
before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil
 pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no
one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with
sheets.
There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the
counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and
glassware.
'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase
To the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.
She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her.. 'I
just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated.
'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
me an address and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'
'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly..
'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice...
I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't
have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice.. 'The doctor says
I don't have very long.' I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.
'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.
For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
 building where she had once worked as an Elevator Operator.
We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in front of a furniture
warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a
girl.
Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or
corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing..
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said,
'I'm Tired.. Let's go now'.
We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
building, like a small convalescent home,
With a driveway that passed under a Portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her.
I Opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman
was already seated in a wheelchair.
 'How much do I owe you?' She asked, reaching into her purse.
'Nothing,' I said 'You have to make a living,' she answered.
'There are other Passengers,' I responded.
Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly.
'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said. 'Thank you.'
I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light.. behind
me, a door shut.. It was the sound Of the closing of a life..
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost
in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that
woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient To end his
shift?
What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven
away?
On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more
important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what
others may consider a small one.
PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID BUT THEY
WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

 Below Douglas Dunn pictured with his New electric Car!(The  Leaf) We are looking forward to his upcoming blog....
NO gas.NO oil changes.NO tune-ups.NO valves, rings, pistons, timing belt.NO transmission, transmission fluid or shifting gears to interrupt acceleration.NO carburetor or air filter.NO radiator or coolant or hoses to maintain.NO regular power-train maintenance.NO smog checks ever.
Just say NO! This coming Tuesday September 27Th, Doug will tell us about his new Leaf on Life!



The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Do it Now..!'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about  doing things now! Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

Putting the duties of life ahead of the pleasures of life all too often brings about a wasted life...

 ALOHA FRIDAY
September 23

It's Aloha Friday.

Do It Now

Has anyone ever said one of these things to you?

"Daddy, can we go to the park?" "Mommy, can we bake cookies?" "Honey, would you like to go see this movie?" "Shall we take a vacation this year and go to (fill in the blank)?" "Your parents have invited us for dinner, shall we go?"

Did you ever respond with . . . "Maybe later." "Not right now." "I'm too tired." "We can't afford it." "That's not convenient."

Or the worst response, "We'll get around to it someday."

At times each of those responses may be appropriate, but they should not become the norm for your life. Putting the duties of life ahead of the pleasures of life all too often brings about a wasted life.

Recently a friend told me about a wonderful vacation he and his wife had aboard a sailing ship; a Tall Ship cruise. I checked out his recommendation and found it was indeed a wonderful thing. Just the kind of thing I would love to do. And then I realized the problems my wife would have getting on board this ship and moving about on the ship. You see, she's recently in a wheelchair. And our horizons are so much more confined now. Then I started thinking, if only we had done this a few years ago. Back when she was not bound to her wheelchair. How she would have enjoyed this. And I remembered that I had thought about this type of trip back then. But I'd told myself that we had plenty of time to take this trip later. Time ran out on us.

I remember also many years ago when my son was so much younger, how he loved to take piggyback rides. I would hoist him on my shoulders and we would jump around whooping and hollering. But so many times I came home from work with a load of stuff (what a good word for things that at the time seem so important, but later on don't). And when he asked for a piggyback ride I gave him one of those responses above.

And then one day my eyes opened and I saw how big he had grown. So big that I could no longer physically lift him onto my back. So mature that the idea of a piggyback ride would embarrass him. And I realized that a part of my life was gone for good. That I could never get it back. No more piggyback rides with the young boy he had been. Now I can only hope there's enough time left to give some piggyback rides to my grand-kids.

Don't let time run out on you.

Much aloha.

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/  buy all six books for only $18
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)
If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"Old Blue..." 'Marvin Gross'


Guest blogger Marvin Gross a Financial planner from Western N.Y. is back with another hilarious blog...

 
Ol’ Blue  actually learns to talk...
A young cowboy from Wyoming goes off to college. Half way through the semester, he has foolishly squandered all his money. He calls home.

“Dad,” he says, “You won’t believe what modern education is developing! They actually have a program here in Laramie that will teach our dog, Ol’ Blue how to talk!”

“That’s amazing,” his Dad says. “How do I get Ol’ Blue in that program?”

“Just send him down here with $1,000” the young cowboy says. “I’ll get him in the course.”

So, his father sends the dog and $1,000.
About two-thirds of the way through the semester, the money again runs out. The boy calls home.

“So how’s Ol’ Blue doing son?” his father asks.
“Awesome, Dad, he’s talking up a storm,” he says, “but you just won’t believe this - they’ve had such good results they have started to teach the animals how to read!”

“Read!?” says his father, “No kidding! How do we get Blue in that program?”

“Just send $2,500, I’ll get him in the class.”
The money promptly arrives. But our hero has a problem. At the end of the year, his father will find out the dog can neither talk, nor read,so he shoots the dog.

When he arrives home at the end of the year, his father is all excited. “Where’s Ol’ Blue? I just can’t wait to see him read something and talk!”

“Dad,” the boy says, “I have some grim news. Yesterday morning, just before we left to drive home, Ol’ Blue was in the living room, kicked back in the recliner, reading the Wall Street Journal, like he usually does. Then he turned to me and asked, “So, is your daddy still messing around with that little redhead who lives down the street?”

The father exclaimed, “I hope you shot that SOB before he talks to your Mother!”

“I sure did, Dad!” “That’s my boy!”
The kid went on to law school, and now serves in Washington D.C. as a Congressman.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)
If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

"All bags look alike..." James "Kimo" Rosen

James "Kimo" Rosen is back nitpicking , natpicking, blogging or whatever you want to call it about the plastic bag ban on Kaua'i...

Plastic bags at checkout stands were banned on Kaua'i, being replaced with paper and imitation cloth bags made of plastic bottles in China, go figure...

The county of Kauai has a plastic bag ban at grocery, retail stores, and take-out for restaurants. The irony is the stores have reverted back to using paper, the ban was suppose to be to get people to use reusable cloth bags. The ban has failed dramatically because it was never intended for paper to replace plastic thus taking us 100 giants steps backward.

Grocery stores continually run out of paper and when they do have paper bags they take up many  times the space of the old plastic bags. People re-used plastic, the paper breaks and is garbage as soon as you take your groceries home and now many people are buying commercial plastic garbage liners during these recessed times when  they can least afford it.

The biggest problem is Wal-mart; the largest retailer on Kauai and the social  gathering place of many, sell blue imitation cloth looking bags made out of used plastic bottles. ( seriously check the label)  The icing on the cake is these bags are made in China and everyone on the island and many visitors now have  hundreds of these blue cloth looking  bags made of plastic bottles in China. The  ban was to get rid of plastic, but these  beautifully designed blue bags that look like cloth are made of plastic.

To make problems worse every time I see someone walking with one of these bags I think it is my bag, (because all bags look alike)  believing I have been ripped off since I also use these bags...

The environment did not make out off of this ban, Wal-Mart did because wherever one goes, to the beach,  the grocery store, or to the farmers market people are  carrying large blue bags made of plastic with large type displaying the Wal-Mart logo.

The Advertising team at Wal-Mart made a great move by discounting these bags to .25-.50 cents each. People now parade all over Kauai displaying Wal-marts name and logo, it used to be  business's paid people to walk around displaying their ad, Wal-Mart has us doing it for free! 
Most people wind up purchasing new bags every time they go to Wal-Mart, who remembers to bring their bags especially visitors? The country of China makes out again, we replace another American product with a product made in China  out  of Chinese plastic bottles.
In conclusion, what was the county council thinking?

This blog also appeared an as opinion article in The Kaua'i Garden island news on 09-21-11, "Plastic Chines bottles."Ironically the blog and article both appeared the same day, check it out at;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/article_581a3fc8-e428-11e0-b337-001cc4c03286.html



The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!

Monday, September 19, 2011

"Dancing in the rain..." 'Chester Lau'

Mahalos once again to dakinetalk's friend, Chester Lau,aka Unc for submitting this anonymous forwarded message.
'Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.'

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born

A Death Certificate shows that we died

Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . . . Relax . . . And read this slowly.
**********************************
I believe ... That just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I believe... That we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I believe ... That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe.... That true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe ... That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I believe ... That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe..... That you should always leave loved ones and friends with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe ... That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I do believe ... That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe … That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe ... That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe.... That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe... That my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe... That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe... That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe... That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe..... That it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...... That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe...... That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become.

I believe ... That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I believe ... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I Believe....... That your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe...... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I believe...... That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe ... That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)
If you would like to express yourself about any subject you feel passionate about, please  feel free to submit a guest blog to dakinetalk. Please limit guest blogs between 200-500 words, along with a short bio and photo of yourself. Send all blog submissions to; jrsensei@hotmail.com  who knows your blog could go viral!