" Weekend in the Concrete Jungle..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years... Today she talks about her trip to the Big Apple
 and realizes there's no place like home. !Enjoy! ;D)

Weekend in the Concrete Jungle

My husband and I decided to take a short vacation to the concrete jungle…Manhattan.  It was an adventure to say the least.  

Working our way across the George Washington bridge through New Jersey to the city paying $13.00 to cross the bridge we knew we were getting close.  The traffic was lined up like sardines and the horns began to blow.  Better know where you are going because there is no patience for the hesitant driver there.  

We had made plans to stay at a Hilton property in the city across from Central Park ; no longer was the car an advantage but an inconvenience as to where to put it. A parking valet was made available for a mere $50.00 a night as we were told,  and if we were to take the car out on the street again, there would be an additional charge.  The car was taken away and stacked elsewhere because space is a commodity in NYC. 

 We picked a hot steamy weekend to visit the area with 98% humidity the whole weekend.  It was as if we were in the shower all day long.  I had to take my carriage ride through Central Park even though I felt sorry for the horses and gave the driver a healthy tip who was wilting on top of the carriage as well.  

A rickshaw was also available for a mode of transportation for a mere $4.00 per 3 minutes ride.  We put on about 20 miles in walking the whole area making sure we stopped at Carnegie deli for a must relished corned beef sandwich for $18.00 and a bowl of wonderful matzo ball soup.   We toured 5th avenue and Broadway; thought we could catch a reasonable show 20 minutes before it was about to start…    no such luck…still over $100.00 a TICKET even at the last minute.  

Our last breakfast was at the famous Russian tea room.  We found the most reasonable breakfast early in the am for just $10.00 a person but neglected to notice that a cup of coffee to go with the food cost $8.00 a person.  Guess it wasn’t such a bargain after all. 

 We decided to take in the Museum of modern Art…no bargain there; no senior discount for us and each painting had a crowd in front of it which made it almost impossible to take photos.   After 3 days of walking our feet off and sweating through the streets of Manhattan, it was time to leave.  We  gave our valet a half hour notice to collect our car and off we went.  We left with a little less money in our pockets, a few less pounds from being in a sauna all weekend  and after only a few hours of driving found some peace and quiet on the open road driving through New York back to some open spaces to enjoy. 

 The city is a nice place to visit only;  yes it is exciting to see the hustle and bustle of the city but I was happy to return to a city where people make eye contact and enjoy life just a little more.   

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"Deedy, Guilty or not Guilty That Is The Question..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

If only more people gardened we'd have fewer murder trials...
James "Kimo" Rosen with a harvest of fresh carrots back in 2009

Deedy, Guilty or not Guilty That Is The Question

Hawaii is  currently going through it's own version of a Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman trial with the Christopher Deedy- Kollin Elderts trial.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/266930/christopher-deedy-trial

Christopher Deedy a special agent for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, was in Honolulu in November  2011 for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit when the fatal shooting  of Kollin Elderts occurred at a local McDonald's .

Kollin Elderts who allegedly was bullying Deedy and other customers  both physically and verbally with he term "Haole." Haole when referred to a white person is the equivalent of calling a black person the "N" word.

 Deedy being a federal agent and fretful for his life fired his  gun in self defense.  Deedy drew his gun and told Elderts to freeze, but he continued to advance.

I have encountered many people like  Elderts, that if you stare at them wrong, look out.

Everyone says these trials are not about race, yet that's all everyone is talking about. 

When an officer of the law, federal agent  or anybody is threatened for their life both physically and with verbal racial slurs, self defense is clearly the proper verdict.

Hawaii is behind the times in what is considered proper etiquette for racism  People in Hawaii will always start a sentence with the ethnicity of the person. For instance, do you know this guy John, he's a haole, or do you know Roger he's a Portuguese  , did you know Yukiko, she's Japanese  Ethnicity is always associated with a name  whether conscious or unconscious. Whats wrong with saying, the persons name without an ethnicity associated with it?

I believe strongly Deedy will not get a fair trial in Hawai'i. If the trial was  In a federal court  this  would be fair and impartial.  

I am hoping this trial has the same result with the self defense verdict as did the Trayvon Martin case.

Be prepared for a  local outrage if Deedy is cleared of all charges. 

Racism is still alive and well, we may have a black president  (half black)however people will be people and racism remains the  silent  subliminal bigotry that never seems to go away


A shortened version of this blog appears in the 07-19-13 edition of the Honolulu Staradvertiser, it appears as an opinion article on page A-9. The Staradvertiser has a paywall  therefore I am copying and pasting below;http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorialspremium/letterspremium/

Racism lives, even in Hawai'i

I strongly believe  Christopher Deedy will not get a fair trial in Hawai'i. If the trial was In a federal court  this  would be fair and impartial.  This is Hawaii's version of the Trayvon Martin trial.

I am hoping this trial has the same result with the self defense verdict as did the Trayvon Martin case.

When an officer of the law, federal agent  or anybody is threatened for their life both physically and with verbal racial slurs, self defense is clearly the proper verdict.

Be prepared for an outrage if Deedy is cleared of all charges.

Racism is  alive and well, we may have a black  president, however people will be people and racism remains the silent subliminal bigotry that never seems to go away especially in the so called "Aloha state."

James "kimo" Rosen-Kapa'a Hawai'
http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspxi



For the most up to date information on the Christopher Deedy go to Hawaii News Now at;
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/category/266930/christopher-deedy-trial


I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous everyone hasn't met me yet.

..................................... Rodney Dangerfield

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"Conversation with God..." Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

Unc talks  about  two of  his favorite subjects, God and money!

"Unc" is a retired cinematographer currently living 

on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu & giving the politicians a bad time...

A Jewish man prays at the Wailing  wall in Jerusalem
The Western Wall, Wailing Wall or Kotel is located in the Old City of Jerusalem at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount.

Conversation with God

Man: God? 
God: Yes? 
Man: Can I ask you something? 
God: Of course! 
Man: What's a million years to you? 
God: A second. 
Man: And a million dollars? 
God: A penny. 
Man: God, can I have a penny?   
God: Yes, please wait a second.  

P.S.
A meme from Facebook has created a lot of controversy  The Boston Marathon Bomber on the cover of the Rolling Stone. What's your opinion?

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"The Time Machine..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic garden island
of Kaua'i over 30 years. She is an animal lover, people lover and lover of life.
She will be 83 years young next month and still active in life and community.
Today she talks about doing your own thing and all the benefits... Enjoy!
You can order a copy of Bettejo's Novella, "The Scam" by clicking on the link below;
www.bettejodux.com

The Time Machine

Once someone described me as ‘ruthlessly rational’. I don’t know if that’s a complement or not, but for today I’m going to consider it complimentary.

At 82, time is running out. Even if I live to be a hundred, I will not have as much time in the future as I have had in the past. As a devout non-believer, my rational mind refuses to ‘believe’ I will live forever. My rational mind also asks, “Would you want to be Bettejo forever?”

To which my ruthlessly rational mind says, “Good grief. I’ve loved being Bettejo but to be Bettejo forever? Forget it.” And, to be sassy for a moment, there are many who ‘believe’ they will go to a place where they will live forever, is not a place I’d care to live forever. That’s putting it mildly. To put it very unmildly, to spend all eternity with these folks would be hell. A place, fortunately my rational mind doesn’t think exists.

So, okay, time is running down. One day I’ll croak, but until I do, I’d like to live happily.

Manage time as you would manage money.

It’s fun. It’s fun. Buy a new stenographer’s tablet, a pencil and a sharpener, and date it. It’s not a journal, it’s a journey. Start with today. How do you spend your time? You can spend money unwisely, you can spend time unwisely.

What is it you do? What is it you have to do? Get out of bed is first on my day’s journey. Morning ablutions are second in my book of time. How do you begin the first day of the rest of your life?

It’s a strictly personal journey. Only you are putting one foot in front of the other.

What do think you must do that you really don’t have-or like- to do? Scratch it out. I hate to clean house.  My husband taught me, “If it’s clean in the corners, it’s clean.” So I clean the corners first. That works.

Further, since my eyes are dimming, I do not see the catastrastrokes that exist when I put my glasses on and faint. But know what? I haven’t croaked from cholera, typhoid or paratyphoid because there’s a smudge on a counter so the answer to that conundrum? Don’t put your glasses on. Out of sight, out of mind, my ruthlessly rational mind says. Whatever it is it’ll be there tomorrow. Maybe bigger and I’ll see it without glasses and then I’ll attack it with a scrubber. Than again, maybe I won’t.

Please don’t come to my house with white gloves. I won’t-I can’t, without my glasses-go to your house with white gloves.

I’m not telling you how to run your life. I’m asking you to figure it out for yourself.

Remember:  every minute you save on things you don’t want or need to do leaves you more time to do the things that keep you happy and healthy.

Happiness is always healthy.

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A Woman's Lib Story and Trayvon Martin..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Source)

Obama Da Dog currently reside in Paradise (Kaua'i Island)
Obama is outspoken in the blogging community. Please enjoy this
liberating story on woman's liberation! And on a most serious note
 Included at the end of the blog
is Mike Huckabee's view on the recent Trayvon Martin trial.
I am including the link (URL) for all to read.
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2013/7/my-monologue-from-the-weekend-show

A Woman's Liberation Story

A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife
stayed home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed, "Dear Lord, I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through, so please create a trade in our bodies." God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man's wish.

The next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them to school, came home and picked up the dry cleaning, took it to the cleaners and stopped at the bank to draw out money to pay the power bill and telephone bill, drove to the power company and the phone company and paid the bills, went grocery shopping, came home and put away the groceries. He cleaned the cat's litter box and bathed the dog. Then it was already 1 p.m. and he hurried to make the beds, do the laundry, vacuum, dust, and sweep and mop the kitchen floor. Ran to the school to pick up the kids and got into an argument with them on
the way home. Set out cookies and milk and got the kids organized to do their homework, then set up the ironing board and watched TV while he did the ironing.

At 4:30 he began peeling potatoes and washing greens for salad,
breaded the pork chops and snapped fresh beans for supper. After
supper he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishwasher, folded laundry,
bathed the kids, and put them to bed. At 9 p.m. he was exhausted and, though his daily chores weren't finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love -- which he managed to get through without complaint.

The next morning he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said, "Lord, I don't know what I was thinking. I was so wrong to envy my wife's being able to stay home all day. Please, oh please, let us trade back."

The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied, "My son, I feel you have
learned your lesson and I will be happy to change things back to the way they were. You'll have to wait 9 months, though. You got pregnant last night!"

I agree with Mike Huckabee on his view on the recent Trayvon Martin trial. Please click on the link below for the complete story;"
http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2013/7/my-monologue-from-the-weekend-show

 Thank God the press is not a true fourth branch of government. They emphasized a race factor because Trayvon Martin was black, but were blatantly dishonest in not acknowledging that George Zimmerman was Hispanic. Should they claim that he’s only half Hispanic, then they must be equally honest in saying that our President, Barack Obama is only half black and that if he had a son, he really wouldn’t look "Trayvon Martin."

To read the rest of my monologue from the weekend show click here:

http://www.mikehuckabee.com/2013/7/my-monologue-from-the-weekend-show

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I get no respect. The way my luck is running, if I was a politician I would be honest.

..................................... Rodney Dangerfield

"The Greatest Alternative To Flying..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Shabbat dinner with my sister Linda, Brother-in-law Marvin and Nephew Jason via a Skype video call. I t was 12:15 my time (lunch time, and 6:15 east coast time in Buffalo N.Y. We lit candles said the blessings over wine and bread and just talked story (kibbutzed) while we ate. Much cheaper than the $1200.00 rt. airfare from Kauai to Buffalo N.Y.

My sister Linda and brother-in-law Marvin visiting Kaua'i in 2008
when airfares were still affordable. They found a roundtrip  from Buffalo
including 5 nights hotel in Honolulu for $700.00 each. There have been
no good flying deals since.

This blog also appeared  as my column in
 The Kaua'i Garden Island  News on
12-16-13

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/enjoy-the-holidays-with-the-greatest-alternative-to-flying/article_9dd8cf90-6606-11e3-9f57-001a4bcf887a.html

The Greatest Alternative To Flying

Where I live is one of the most expenses places to live in the United States. A loaf of bread can cost $8.00,  a dozen eggs $7.00 and a simple meal at a food-truck can cost $15.00, more than a sit down restaurant in most cities.

Airfares from Kaua'i, where I live to Honolulu an 80 mile trip can cost upwards of $350.00, a round-trip to go a mere 80 miles. All this because a few years back a select group of who we call "contrarians." (misplaced yuppies and hippies protested a ferry system Hawai'i was about to embark upon)They said it would bring drug dealers and the homeless to our island, like drug dealers do not fly? So now with the airlines having a monopoly they charge what they want and get it from the tourists, while locals on limited budgets can only dream of getting off island.

I have been wanting to visit my sister for quite a while, she lives in Buffalo N.Y, and the cheapest airfares are upward of $1200.00 to get to Buffalo from Kaua'i. The last time I was off island was in 2006 to attend a friends wedding in Honolulu. Back then Go airlines had specials of $25.00 round-trips, no such thing anymore.

How does one compete with expensive airfares? Well here's what  my sister and I did, we got together for a Sabbath dinner via a Skype video call. The best part, Skype is free computer to computer anywhere in the world!

 Last Friday I   had Shabbat dinner with my sister Linda, Brother-in-law Marvin and Nephew Jason via a Skype video call. I t was 12:15 my time (lunch time,) and 6:15 east coast time in Buffalo N.Y. We lit candles, said the blessings over wine and bread and just talked story (kibbutzed) while we ate. Much cheaper than the $1200.00 round-trip  airfare from Kaua'i to Buffalo N.Y. 

What a perfect way to use technology. I did  not have to deal with some bratty kid kicking my seat, did not have to deal with the perverted TSA agents scanning and feeling me up, did not have to deal with some drunk or smelly  person sitting next to me, or some 400 lb person cramping my space.

Skype not only saved me over  $1200.00 in  airfares but saved me a dog sitting fee,  the cost of  medication to  relieve my anxiety of flying  and days of jet lag.

We avoided  all the negativity of flying and travel, and the best part, when dinner was over we could sleep in our own beds.

This blog also appeared  as my column in
 The Kaua'i Garden Island  News on
12-16-13
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/enjoy-the-holidays-with-the-greatest-alternative-to-flying/article_9dd8cf90-6606-11e3-9f57-001a4bcf887a.html

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"A DAY IN THE CITY AT THE BUFFALO ZOO" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years... Today she talks about one great city named Buffalo, and a day at the zoo !Enjoy! ;D)

A DAY IN THE CITY  AT THE BUFFALO ZOO

Today we decided to enjoy the sunny day and visit the Buffalo Zoo and its new tenants, Luna and Kali.
Getting off to an early start in hopes of beating the crowds, we arrived when the Zoo opened.  Even
though there were events going on today, there were only a handful of people waiting to get in.  Usually
as you enter the Zoo the large bear exhibit lies  ahead; only an empty old rusty hole remained of the
area.  The large bears were no longer at the Zoo and now around the far end of the zoo near the Zebras
were the new baby bears to take their place.  Frolicking in the small water hole the babies seemed
more than happy to perform but as we watched,  a Zoo official informed us that there had to be several
more million dollars raised by the end of the summer to fund a more appropriate spot for these bears or
they were to be shipped out to another Zoo.

 It was more than sad to see several of the areas that once housed animals run down and/ or empty.  The Zoo is in desperate need of renovation and repair and needs Buffalo to pull together and save this great place that we all have gone to for the many years.  We as well as our children have grown up visiting the zoo.  It’s going to take more than a few donations to do the job; they will need some large benefactors to dig deep and help save the Buffalo Zoo.  In our world of ever changing technology that our children are involved in, there is nothing more enjoyable and educational than watching the animals in their habitat interact with each other.  

After the Zoo we decided to stop at some places in north Buffalo including a new cupcake shop near by
and a deli that enticed us to come in.  Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs are still flourishing and new
business has popped up everywhere.  We still have a lot to offer including affordable housing and great
Universities with astounding growth going on.  Our medical campus in the city has grown in leaps and
bounds recently and offer the most talented Doctors and professionals in our United States.  There are
still many sights to visit in the surrounding areas and many places are free or for  a small entrance fee.

What will it take to put Buffalo back on the map and entice people to return to this area that have left so
many years ago.  It is a very slow process that takes a lot of money, time and effort.  We can’t let this
great town continue to drop in population; we need young blood, new blood and people that have a
vision for this area along with the backing it takes  to get something done.

We have hundreds ofprofessionals in this area still making a good living and raising productive families.  I can only hope and pray that some of these individuals will have the foresight to see the value of this area and start to madea difference.  I know of many people that have left the area over the last few years that have returnedfor many reasons.  Yes our weather is very cold in the winter but pales in comparison to the tornadoes,floods, monsoons’  and earthquakes that occur elsewhere in the United states.  It may be harder forsome to seek out a living here but if we continue to build up Buffalo and add opportunities in the
medical field as well as entice business to settle here we can offer our young people a reason to stay and
raise their families here. It’s all up to us to make that happen; pay it forward Buffalo and save your city.

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