"Island style New Years..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen



To all our dedicated readers, Mahalo Nui Loa for all your comments , guest blogs and support.
Hawai'i is like a war zone on New years eve, I am always happy when the explosions cease.
New years day is like the calm after the storm, so enjoy and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Kimo & Obama  ( Kimobama)  ;D)

Hawaiians say Hau'oli Makahiki Hou, Happy New Years. New Year's is a time to dream of how you can better yourself in the coming year. Many make resolutions to lose weight, quit smoking, and to just be a better person, these resolutions are well intended but most resolutions do not pan out.

 Almost everywhere on this planet whistles blow, sirens shriek, bells ring, horns toot... However in Hawaii fireworks explode, light up the skies and sparklers sparkle everywhere making paradise look like a war zone. 

Every year emergency rooms across the islands are filled to capacity with injuries, and the fire departments respond to a  record number of calls, buildings are damaged, people are killed and injured. Many with chronic illnesses such as people with breathing difficulties, COPD and asthma reach for their oxygen tanks before it's too late.   People indulge in alcohol and drugs and are are hungover on January first, somewhat of an irony to a fresh start.

 To all the injured and hungover people, remember to let old acquaintances be forgotten, that's easy if  your hungover or were prescribed pain pills for your injuries.

For me I will be happy when all this holiday insanity is over and we can resolve back to the way we were.

 Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!

Please note, this blog also ran in today's (12-31-11) Kaua'i Garden Island news as an opinion article titled; "Hau'oli Makahiki Hou!"
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-january/article_f110c20a-3366-11e1-aa22-001871e3ce6c.html

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.



"As 2011 comes to a close..." (Inspiration Monday on Saturday)

Judith Whitehead  from Amherst N.Y  is back guest blogging about  how another year has flown  by... Due to the timing of New years dakinetalk is posting this blog on Saturday in lieu of it's normal Monday schedule...Judith has worked as a health-care  professional for over 25 years.

 AS 2011 COMES TO A CLOSE…..

Here it is, another year flown by and as we quickly approach the year 2012, we begin to reflect on all that has happened this past year.  We ask ourselves what we have experienced, what have we accomplished and what goals do we have for the coming year. 

There are always the same ole new Years Resolutions…losing weight,  getting a better job, getting any job for some people…becoming a better person are a few of the favorites.  Many of us have New Years eve traditions; I for one usually always celebrate the beginning of the new year with friends that we have know for almost 40 years.  We always get together whether it is for dinner, entertainment  or drinks…its our tradition. 

 Traditions  are important to many and serve as comforting reminders that all is well with the world.  They are things we can count on no matter what else is going on in our lives, they ground us.  

This year I am not making any New Years Resolutions; I have decided to just do the best I can to make each day count and hope for a brighter future for all those in need.  My wish for my family and friends is for each of them to have a wonderful 2012, full of good health and happiness  and to live their lives to the fullest. 

 As many of us have figured out, life is very short and each year flies  by quicker than the previous.  Make it count,  and Happy New Year to you all.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Next -to-last day of the year..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday with some wisdom of what it means to be next to last,  enjoy this next to last day of the year... Make sure and check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

ALOHA FRIDAY

December 30, 2011

It's the last Aloha Friday of 2011 and the . . .

NEXT-TO-LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

Aloha folks. What does it mean to be next-to-last? Is that a good thing, or is that a bad thing? I guess it depends on what you are next-to-last to.

It seems evident that next is a good thing to be. Especially when the teller at the bank calls out "Next?". Suddenly it's your turn. But next-to-last? Not quite the same.

For instance, if your car is the next-to-last car in a traffic pileup that's okay, because you'll be responsible for the car you hit in front of you, but the last car in line will be responsible for your repairs.

If you are the next-to-last to board a full plane that means you at least get a choice of two seats. Whereas if you are last to board you know you're going to sit between a crying infant and a 500 pound person with extreme flatulence.

However, if you are the next-to-last in line for the throne, you need to watch your back. That 5Th cousin behind you might be looking to move up by sticking a knife in your back. Okay, wave at all the people now.

If you are the next-to-last in your class to graduate from med school, you at least have the consolation of knowing there's one doctor less competent than you.

If you are getting the next-to-last donut in the donut case at the supermarket, you know you at least have a choice between that stale glazed one and the chocolate-covered one that's full of fingerprints. With the last donut you have no choice, other than to go to another store, or to scrape off the chocolate fingerprints.

So, which would you rather be, last or next to last?

If this were the next-to-last Aloha Friday article of 2011, it would probably been much more interesting. As it's the last Aloha Friday article of 2011, well, you can see what happened.

Okay folks, see you next week in 2012.

Aloha and good news. Michael's fifth book in the Kohala Coast Mystery series is now available for the first time "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" in paperback from  http://www.lulu.com/  or as a Kindle ebook from http://www.amazon.com/  Just type in the title either place.  The book took Michael 2 years to complete this highly anticipated sequel.

Michael pens a  new article every week for dakinetalk, these are not stock articles but articles written specifically for dakinetalk! Mahalo Nui Loa to Michael and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou to one and all....
http://www.michaelherr.com  or order his new book "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" from www.lulu.com 
 
"Eat -- Sleep -- Golf -- Travel
           Write More Books !!
But Take It All One Day At A Time !!"   Michael Herr
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)

"I'm rich..!" 'Marvin Gross' ( shared from the internet)

Marvin Gross a financial planner from the suburbs of Western N.Y. Is back blogging about being rich, Enjoy...

I'm rich!
Silver in the Hair
Gold in the Teeth
Crystals in the Kidneys
Sugar in the Blood
Lead in the Ass
Iron in the Arteries
And
an inexhaustible supply of Natural Gas.

I never thought I'd accumulate such wealth.                                

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)

"Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!" 'Obama Da Dog'

"Many electric companies across the country want to install smart meters, to help them save time and money but many believe smart meters have ill effects one ones health..." http://stopsmartmeters.org/ /

Smart meters have been a hot topic in the  news the last couple of months especially on the Garden Island of Kauai.

Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!'

If we had smart politicians  there  would be no need for smart meters, since the  'smart politicians' would do their homework before installing thousand of devices that may not be safe.

I guess I am just fantasizing about smart politicians, somewhat of an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp.

Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"Ban cell phones while driving..!" 'Chester "Unc" Lau'

Chester Lau, aka "Unc" was  one of two cinematographer in the US Army who  filmed the 1952 summer Olympics in Helsinki,Finland for the military. He has walked amongst 40,000  on the Nude beach at Cape D'agde in the French Riviera in  1996 &1997 , and was one of  Jack Lords favorite crew members and camera-man on the original Hawaii Five O. "Unc" currently is retired on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. We see both sides of Unc today,  the serious and the not so serious, enjoy...

This blog originally appeared in the opinion section of the Honolulu Staradvertiser on 12-22-11 http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx


I am for full ban on cellphone use while driving.

To save lives, the state should adopt a full ban and collect a hefty fine from lawbreakers to balance the state budget: $1,000 for the first offense; confiscate and sell the vehicle on the second offense.
In an emergency, one can park and call for help.

Dump the politicians who do not make enforceable laws to protect the public.

For more information on the danger of driving and cell phones check out the recent December 15, 2011 editorial in the Chicago Sun Times;" http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/9467105-474/story.html


Now for the not so serious side oif "Unc!"
Enclosed is "Unc's" seasons greeting card to all, see below!  ;D)

This man makes love to his wife almost every night... Almost on Monday, almost on Tuesday, almost on Wednesday..."  :D)

True Love

To All my cyber friends and a Special wish for my loving Kauai Mafias: @>----

I wish True Love and HAPPY EVERYDAY, FOR YOU !!! Better
than endless senseless WARS !!!! N'est-ce pas ?
From :Unc C the Oahu Godfadah >:-}

(Unc has studied french for many years and enclosed is another one of his season greetings in french...)
Chers Mes Amis @>----
Joyeux Noël et Bonne anné e
Meilleurs Voeux de fin d'année et que 2012 vous apporte á tous PAIX,
bonheur, succès, santé, prospérité, et bien plus encore  !

L'oncle Chester :-D


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)

"To Mail or E-mail…that is the question..."'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this Inspirational Monday talking about good old snail mail verses our fast paced drive through mentality... Judith lives in Amherst N.Y.  She has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for almost 30 years...

To Mail or E-mail…that is the question…..

Recently, I read an article that was so disturbing and sad to this generation. The US postal service is in great financial trouble; they are millions of dollars in debt and could become obsolete some day.

What has this generation done to the mail service? Between e-mails, electronic payments, text messaging and face book we have begun to phase out a great part of our history. I can remember back when there were even no zip codes; back in the 1960’s our address would have a zone number such as Buffalo 23 New York. I remember the excitement when we had a full zip code that would get mail to us even faster than ever before. When my husband and I were dating, we lived miles away for several months. We would actually sit down and write letters to one another. Phone calls were too expensive and we would save that luxury for the weekend rates. Each day we would check our mailbox for a treasured letter from each other.

Does anyone even write letters anymore?? Now the preferred way to communicate is with e-mail or texting. Cell phones and computers have put the postal service out of business; something we tried so hard to make International in the 1950’s is about to become history in a matter of years. I know we all have to go along with progress, but I never thought that the U.S. mail would become a part of history that our young children will learn about only in history books.

I for one do still send real cards through the mail, not e-cards and like to pay my bills writing a real check at my desk. If computers all crash some day we will be s-o-l……Hang on to this piece of Americana and send a letter to someone once and a while. It may shock them and you may enjoy actually sitting down with pen in hand for a change.

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)

"Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas..."‏ 'Obama Da Dog'

"Obama Da Dog wishes everyone a Joyous Holiday season and to remember that everyday is Thanksgiving even though today is Christmas..." Note; This blog also appeared as an opinion article this same day of Christmas in the Kaua'i Garden Island news; under the title;" A holiday tradition...." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-december/article_a5e97f0c-2dfc-11e1-b984-001871e3ce6c.html

The big question this time of year is why do my people (Jewish people) eat Chinese food on Christmas?

 It's a tradition that started since most Chinese people are not Christian and do not celebrate the holiday, therefore those in the restaurant business stay open when literally everything form shopping malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sporting events, public libraries, public pools, even grocery and drug stores are closed on Christmas. 

On December 25Th, the United States is pretty much closed down, but 90 years ago, things were really closed . It was either church or family and friends at home. Therefore  Jewish people had nothing to do until they discovered Chinese restaurants were open.  
Chinese restaurant owners did not discriminate. They did not care whether they served blacks, Jews, Portuguese  or space aliens. They treated all their customers with due respect. This was unique at a time when a Jewish person could be turned away at the door of a restaurant since anti-semitism was a real thing. The Chinese restaurant owners didn't care and  the more people meant more  money.  
 
One obstruction for Jews to get over was that Chinese food was filled with non-kosher ingredients like shellfish and pork. Some just held their nose and ate it. In the late 1950s, there evolved this humorous concept of “safe treyf.” (non kosher food) Obviously, treyf (non-kosher food)is forbidden but “safe treyf” means it’s prohibited but OK. If you can’t see the pork in the won-ton soup stock, Or if the shrimp in the shrimp chow mein is chopped up into little tiny pieces  that you really can’t recognize then it’s OK.

 
The irony about all this hoopla of Jews having nothing else to do on Christmas is that Jesus himself was a practicing Jew and I would bet my matzo ball soup he would most likely had eaten kosher Chinese food on December 25Th with a message of peace and aloha to one and all.

 Merry solstice, Happy Christmas and rejoice in Chanukah!

Now as an encore or as in Hawaii we say Hana hou, enclosed is a poem and joke to go with today's blog!

"Twas the night before Christmas and there was hardly a sound,
As Jews jumped in their cars and drove to Chinatown.
Their orders were given to waiters with care,
In hopes that won-ton soup soon would be there.

The children finished their noodles and nestled in their beds,
While visions of fortune cookies danced in their heads.
Now, Moment takes an inquiring look,
At how this love affair with Chinese food took."—Nonna Gorilovskaya

A Chinese / Jewish Restaurant Joke

A Jewish man and a Chinese man were conversing. The Jewish man commented upon what a wise people the Chinese are.

"Yes," replied the Chinese man, "Our culture is over 4,000 years old. But, you Jews are a very wise people, too."

The Jewish man replied, "Yes, our culture is over 5,000 years old."

The Chinese man was incredulous, "That's impossible, he replied. Where did your people eat for a thousand years?    

Mele Kalikimaka & Haouli Makahiki Hou!

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)

"The Truth about Santa Claus..." 'Douglas Dunn'

Guest blogger Douglas Dunn on the beach with his daughter JoAnn back in 1981. Doug is a regular commenter and guest-blogger on dakinetalk... Doug runs a small publishing consulting business in San Diego county and is a   certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter (for Deaf people),  last but not least he has been a Democratic Party media spokesperson and has had  the good fortune to work with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Doug also drives a Nissan Leaf !

Santa Claus and JoAnn Dunn back in 1977, "Yes there really is a Santa!" By the way JoAnn is now   married and a  Mom to two lovely granddaughters.

THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

When my daughter JoAnn was eight years old, she came home from school one December afternoon, very upset. Some kids had been teasing her because she still believed in Santa Claus. Her Dad had told her there was a Santa Claus, and she knew that Dad would never tell a lie.

“Daddy,” she said, “I’m eight years old. I’m old enough to know The Truth. Is there really a Santa Claus?” Parents dread this question almost as much as, “Where do babies come from?”

But when a child asks for THE TRUTH, it is time to be straight with them.

“Okay,” I answered. “If you’re old enough to know The Truth about Santa Claus, then you’re old enough to know the truth about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy as well.”

“I want THE TRUTH.”

“Well, your Daddy is really the Easter Bunny. And your Daddy is really the tooth fairy. [Pause] Santa Claus is real.”

Her eyes grew big and round. “Santa Claus really comes each Christmas Eve and leaves presents?”

I said, “The Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy are mythical characters, made-up for holiday fun. Santa Claus is real. He really lived and is based on a real person. But it is often difficult for very small children to understand about the real Santa Claus, so over the years a lot of make-believe and fantasy have been added to make it more fun.”

We talked about the historical figure, St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, who used to go out on Christmas Eve with gifts for poor children who would otherwise have no Christmas. But like all real human beings, he eventually grew old, and died at the age of 73 on December 6, 343. But after Nicholas, others took up the role. We read together stories from newspapers and magazines of people up to the present day who spread joy by giving Christmas gifts in secret. There are lots of them! Santa Claus is not only real, but alive and doing very well in the modern world.

“If you’re old enough to know THE TRUTH about Santa Claus,” I concluded, “maybe you’re old enough to BE a Santa Claus.”

“BE a Santa Claus?” she asked, brightening.

It was too close to Christmas to make extensive plans for the current year, but we talked about ideas for the next year.

The following year JoAnn and I contacted our local Post Office and arranged to receive letters that underprivileged children had sent, addressed to Santa Claus. We found that the Post Office believes in Santa Claus, too, and takes its role seriously, and does deliver letters from children in need to real Santa Clauses.

We were able to identify three needy families, and deliver a real Christmas to each one. Instead of random gifts through large organizations for “boy—age 9” or “girl—age 6,” we responded to specific requests from individual children. What fun we had shopping, wrapping, and planning a Christmas Eve delivery route — just like any real Santa!

We felt our adventure that first year was successful. All of the children we found were in difficult situations, and it appeared they would have had no Christmas without us. But much of our energy had been spent screening the letters to choose which children were most needy. We also considered that poverty alone is no indicator of whether or not a child will have Christmas. Many families, poor but loving, will make sure their little ones enjoy holiday magic.

The following year JoAnn and I tried a different approach. We located an agency that provides care for children who had been removed from their families on account of child abuse or neglect. A social worker helped us make arrangements to be Santa for six children in a group home who needed a Santa Claus. Over lunch, she told us about the personal stories of each one of these special children who had endured terrible experiences that few others can ever imagine. We learned that the real “truth” about Santa Claus is that the “naughty” and “nice” list is part of the fantasy myth. In reality, there are no “naughty” children; that problematic behavior only represents troubled pasts cured with compassion and caring, not further deprivation. The real Santa Claus gives unconditionally. The social worker gave us each child’s list, and told us what each child had requested from Santa. Again, we provided the items on their lists, and enjoyed our merriest Christmas ever. We were hooked. We continued this tradition for several years, adapting our routine when my wife Thelma joined our family, and trying different variations such as sponsoring “Santa Claus” for children at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity orphanage in the Philippines.

I appreciate the lessons Santa Claus has taught my daughter, and the values he has shared with her. Our Christmases are celebrations of true joyfulness, and in the truest possible measure of true value. I do believe in Santa Claus! I especially appreciate the opportunity Santa Claus gave one father to pass on his values to a young daughter.

Note, epilogue; My approach to telling my daughter “The Truth about Santa Claus” was adapted from another true story that had inspired me several years earlier. It was an article in Reader’s Digest about a little Jewish boy who had grown up in New York City, feeling left out of Christmas, but felt he could not celebrate a holiday that might betray his religious and cultural heritage. But he did feel he could, in good conscience, give a gift to those who do celebrate it and BE a Santa Claus to children in need. I was so moved by the story of how he became a real Santa Claus, that I was inspired to hold it in my heart and, at the right time, do something similar. The pointed question -- demand! -- from my daughter for THE TRUTH gave me the opportunity to act on that. Just as those who come from a Christian background celebrate Christmas to remember the birth of a Jewish boy who grew up to become a great rabbi, my story about my daughter is also inspired by a modern Jewish role model.

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)

"THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR " 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday  about how he spends his time during the solstice time of year...  Make sure and check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/

ALOHA FRIDAY

December 23

It's Aloha Friday and it's . . .

THE SHORTEST DAY OF THE YEAR

Aloha folks. For the shortest day of the year I'll try to write a short article.

I think I spend an inordinate amount of time reading "news" articles on the Internet. Some of what I read makes me laugh. Some of it makes me cry. So, for the shortest day, here's a brief roundup of what I've been fascinated by lately.

1) German scientists are growing new skin from the foreskins of circumcised babies. I imagine they'll get better and better until they can produce full human beings who are truly pricks.

2) A UFO spotted earlier being towed on a flatbed truck through a Kansas town may merely be an Air Force X-47B unmanned drone. Well that's good to know. But leaves unanswered the question, why are they always unmanned drones? Aren't there any unwomaned drones?

3) The Shroud of Turin turned up in the news with a report that it was possible made by a burst of ultraviolet light, like a laser. But there were no lasers back when it was made. So, space aliens you think?

4) Kim Jong Il died and the biggest problem with his death was that it screwed up a "30 Rock" subplot. How inconsiderate of him.

5) Two female Navy petty officers kissed when one of them returned from deployment . . . and no large group of hate-mongers was there to protest against them. Pretty amazing.

6) But the story of the past week that really got to me was the one about Gendercide in India. In that country boys are more highly prized than girls since if you have a girl you'll eventually have to pay an enormous dowry to marry her off. If you have boys you'll be hauling in those enormous dowries. So in India families work not to have girl babies, and abort millions of female fetuses each year. See the problem folks? With all those abortions there are fewer and fewer girls for all those boys to marry.

Anyhow, the shortest day is past and things are looking up. From now on each day gets just a little longer. I can already feel summer just down the road.

Okay folks, see you next week.

Aloha and good news. Michael's fifth book in the Kohala Coast Mystery series is now available for the first time "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" in paperback from  http://www.lulu.com/  or as a Kindle ebook from http://www.amazon.com/  Just type in the title either place.  The book took Michael 2 years to complete this highly anticipated sequel.

There's still time to order a complete set of Michael's Books for the Holiday's. Buy all 6 books for only 18.00 including P&H. The books make great stocking stuffers...
http://www.michaelherr.com  or order his new book "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" from www.lulu.com 
 
"Eat -- Sleep -- Golf -- Travel
           Write More Books !!
But Take It All One Day At A Time !!"   Michael Herr

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)

Politicians, leave your narcissistic world behind..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen

If you consider how much each political campaign costs and if all campaign monies were to be used in a pono (righteous) manner, America would be on it's way to recovery. Ironically this blog was also published in today's Kauai Garden Island News as an opinion article, check it out; http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-december/article_155833e6-2bb5-11e1-9f80-001871e3ce6c.html  

There are many elections taking place in 2012, everything from local  council's to the president of the United States.

Thousands of political campaigns will commence all over America in 2012. Why not start a special fund to help bail out America by asking all politicians to donate all campaign funds to a special fund that could be called, 'Get America back on it's feet.'

If you consider how much each political campaign costs and if all campaign monies were to be used in a pono (righteous) manner, America would be on it's way to recovery.

Politicians would need to rely on word of mouth, social media and human interest stories from the media to get their voice heard, that alone would be a great incentive for political candidates to leave their narcissistic world behind in hopes of new tomorrow.

Hana Hou,(Encore) My friend Bettejo Dux recently finished her novella the "Scam" to order your copy go to;  http://www.bettejodux.com/   tell her dakinetalk sent you!

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)

"What is the "X" in Xmas all about..." 'Davis "3-D" Danizier'



About "3-D"Danizier, This quote says it all... "Be wise. Be wild. Care for others. Love your neighbor as yourself. The mysteries of the universe are not beyond your grasp." https://danizier.wordpress.com

Guest blogger Davis Danizier “3-D” began life as a political and religious conservative, even entering into formal Seminary studies. Gradually, he became troubled by inconsistencies in factual assertions and values in both political and religious conservatism and, after deeply traumatic soul searching, reversed course in both areas. After retiring from a career in commercial property and casualty insurance, Dave has had the free time and flexibility to share with others some of the thoughts that led to his life-altering epiphanies. His book “Betrayal of Jesus” presents unorthodox (believers might say heretical) perspectives on the Christian mythology. Dave currently resides in Oceanside, California.

The Christians who complain about the "X" in "Xmas" crossing out "Christ" in Christmas demonstrate only their own ignorance of their own history.

It has nothing to do with the secularization of Christmas or the incorporation of Pagan tradi...tions that long pre-date Christianity or the birth of Jesus.

The letter that we use as "X" was, in the Greek alphabet that was used to write most of the New Testament, the letter called "Chi" and, because it bore the closest resemblance to a cross, often used as a substitute for the word "Christ," especially in a time when paper and ink and other writing materials were scarce, as was literacy itself. The letter "chi" ("X") was widely used to mean "Christ."

Even today, it is a symbol often used by Catholics to mean "Christ," and most Popes have used it to represent "Christ" as part of their signatures, as did Mother Teresa.

Using the Greek letter "chi" ("X") in lieu of spelling out the entirety of the Greek word "Christ" (which was the equivalent of the Hebrew word "Messiah") was not to cross out the reference to Christ, but to express it in a form more accessible to more people. MERRY X-MAS!

for more insights into Dave's thoughts check out his blog at; http://danizier.wordpress.com 

 Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

"The Reason for the Season..." 'Davis "3-D" Danizier'

Guest blogger Davis Danizier “3-D”  began life as a political and religious conservative, even entering into formal Seminary studies. Gradually, he became troubled by inconsistencies in factual assertions and values in both political and religious conservatism and, after deeply traumatic soul searching, reversed course in both areas. After retiring from a career in commercial property and casualty insurance, Dave has had the free time and flexibility to share with others some of the thoughts that led to his life-altering epiphanies. His book “Betrayal of Jesus” presents unorthodox (believers might say heretical) perspectives on the Christian mythology. Dave currently resides in Oceanside, California.

About  "3-D"Danizier

"Be wise. Be wild. Care for others. Love your neighbor as yourself. The mysteries of the universe are not beyond your grasp."   https://danizier.wordpress.com

The Reason for the Season

It’s beginning to look (and sound) a lot like Christmas! And that means it won’t be long before the religious conservatives commence their paranoid fantasies of a mythical “war on Christmas” while they try to justify using public resources to make everyone else participate in their religious observances and rituals, pursuing their ultimate goal of socialized religion since they apparently don’t trust that their churches, homes and religious schools are up to the task.

And of course, they will go around telling us that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” But what of this season? Certainly Jesus joins Santa Claus as a favored icon of this jolly time of year.

Both of these myths originate from actual persons who supposedly existed (though there is no certainty of documentation for either), Jesus of Nazareth and Saint Nicolas, Bishop of Myra. But from what sketchy facts we have about either of these men, much myth, legend, fantasy and magic has evolved.

Both of these myths represent legends in which they offer free gifts — Jesus brings salvation and Santa brings toys to children. In both cases, the gifts are unconditional, well, with the exception that in each case they do have the requirement that you believe in them. At one time in my life, I believed in a real, literal Santa Claus who brought me presents for Christmas. Still later, I believed in a real, literal Jesus as savior who magically makes my “sins” disappear in return for accepting a human sacrifice. While I have outgrown the literal belief in the magical, fantasy aspects of both mythologies, I continue to embrace and celebrate the spirit of joy, love and (almost) unconditional giving represented by each.

But is Jesus (or Santa Claus) the “reason for the season”? Actually, not even close. There are four seasons, summer, spring, fall and the current approach season of WINTER. And the REASON for this approaching winter season is the winter solstice! The Solstice was celebrated long before Jesus' birth, in all parts of the world, in different ways.

In the Roman Empire, the Solstice celebration was a drunken orgiastic bacchanal celebrating all the earthly pleasures on December 25, in recognition of the lengthening days, called the Saturnalia after their god Saturn who, even in modern astrology (which originates from ancient times), is the ruler of the winter season. (More people who read their horoscopes each morning are actually worshiping the Greek gods than Christians do.)

When Rome converted to Christianity, the Romans had two problems: First, people may change their beliefs but, like me and many former Christians, we're less willing to give up our favorite holidays, even when the religious beliefs behind them change, and neither were the Romans. Second, the new church was honoring various saints on their birthdays, but the most central figure of the entire faith, Jesus himself, had been born in a humble stable and no one knew the exact day, though most scholars suspect it most likely sometime in the Spring.

Assigning Jesus' birthday to December 25 and making it the biggest holiday of the new religion, addressed both of these problems. And as Christianity spread north, it imported many pagan traditions, including traditions of holly wreaths that bear their fruits in the depths of winter and evergreen trees that stay green when others are bare. Also added were yule logs for winter warmth, Father Winter, who was blended into the mythology of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra, to evolve into Santa Claus, and pagan myths of elves and a magical North Pole, along with some leftover revelry and drunkenness from the old Saturnalia.

The new traditions co-opted and replaced the Saturnalia and a new super-holiday was born, still centered on the Solstice, and still based on the reason for celebrating that season, the wither solstice and the lengthening of days it heralded.

Christmas was here before Jesus, and while the addition of the Christian tradition is one important component of Christmas, the holiday still goes on with or without him. Jesus is not the “reason for the season,” and Christmas is but one of many holidays celebrated during this season.

About  "3-D"Danizier

"Be wise. Be wild. Care for others. Love your neighbor as yourself. The mysteries of the universe are not beyond your grasp."

For a shorter version of this blog check out "3D's" opinion article in the North country Times(serving North San Diego and Riverside counties) on 12-09-11"The reason for the season." http://www.nctimes.com/news/opinion/letters/letters-nct-dec/article_f3a56b52-0f5c-5d9f-90b4-d71c0874f605.html

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Editor's note, Dakinetalk guest bloggers do not necessarily represent the opinions of dakinetalk. Guest bloggers are given space to express their beliefs and or opinions. We feel there are many roads and like to give people space to express their thoughts,after-all that's what dakine is...Aloha, James "Kimo" Rosen, Publisher.

for more insights into Dave's thoughts check out his blog at; https://danizier.wordpress.com

"Does size really matter..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this Inspirational Monday talking  about it's not the size of the gift but rather the remembrance...  Judith lives in Amherst N.Y.  She has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for almost 30 years...

Is It Better to Give or Receive and does size really matter?

It is during this time of year that we are witness to gift giving and gift exchanges everywhere; we give gifts to co-workers, bosses, postal workers, hairdressers, friends and family to name a few. It turns out, it isn't the size of the gift that counts, it is the remembrance that matters most. I decided this year to give my co-workers lottery tickets this year. They are a little something to let them know I remembered them without spending a whole lot of money. It made them smile the whole day, especially since some of them were winning tickets! The corporation I work for gave all the employees large gift cards to Target; that put a big smile on my face, guess where I will be doing my grocery shopping this week. My son and and his fiance bought me a red fry pan that I was in need of for my morning feast. It was small but meant a lot since I really needed one and they remembered that I had mentioned it long ago. Our mail lady really appreciates the small gifts I give her every year and sends me a profuse thank you every year; it's not the size of the gift, but the remembrance. So, for those wanting to give gifts to those loved ones this year, give it some extra thought. Anything hand made or heart felt is what counts the most.

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)

Hana Hou; Encore posted by James "Kimo" Rosen, I think you will really enjoy this skit on Saturday night live about Tim Tebow meeting Jesus in the locker room!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul2dhNaQgxM

"G-d Loves Drunk People, Too... 'Anonymous'

"G-d Loves eveyone, including you!"

G-d Loves Drunk People, TooA man and his wife were awakened at 3:00 am by a loud  pounding on the door. The man gets up and goes to the door where a 
  drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a  push.

"Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3:00 in the morning!"
  He slams the door and returns to bed.

"Who was  that?" asked his wife..
"Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.

"Did you help him?" she asks. "No, I did not, it's 
  3am in the morning and it's bloody pouring rain out there!"

"Well,  you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember
about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys helped us?

I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!
"God loves drunk people, too, you know."

The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out in the pounding rain.

He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"

"Yes," comes back the answer. "Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.

"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.

"Where are you?" asks the husband..

"Over here on the swing," replied the drunk..

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)

"The sound..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Liaison for the worlds jokes)

Uncle Chester is back with yet another piece of humor to hopefully make you laugh, smile or just feel a little better. 'Unc' is a retired cinematographer from the original Hawai'i Five O TV series and currently resides in Honolulu Hawaii...

"A good man with his electric car..!"

A man visiting  Kaua'i is driving down the road with his brand new E-Car called the 'LEAF,' breaks down near a monastery. He goes to the monastery, knocks on the door, and says, "My million dollar car broke down. Do you think I could stay the night?"

The monks graciously accept him, feed him a sumptuous kosher dinner, and even fix his car. As the man tries to fall asleep, he hears a strange sound; a sound like no other that he has ever heard . The next morning, he asks the monks what the sound was, but they say, "We can't tell you because you're not a monk."

The man is disappointed, but thanks them anyway and goes about his merry way. Some years later, the same man breaks down in front of the same monastery.

The monks again accept him, feed him, and even fix his car.

That night, he hears the same strange mesmerizing sound that he had heard years earlier.

 The next morning, he asks what the sound was,  but the monks reply,

  "We can't tell you because you're not a monk."

The man says, "All right, all right. I'm dying to know. If the only way I can find out what that sound was is to become a monk, how do I become a monk?"

The monks reply, "You must travel the earth and tell us how many blades of grass there are and the exact number of sand pebbles. When you find these numbers, you will become a monk."

The man sets about his task. Some forty-five years later, he returns and knocks on the door of the monastery. He says, "I have travelled the earth and devoted my life to the task demanded and have found what you had asked for. There are 371,145,236,284,232 blades of grass and 231,281,219,999,129,382 sand pebbles on the earth."

The monks reply, "Congratulations, you are correct, and you are now considered a monk. We shall now show you the way to the sound."

The monks lead the man to a wooden door, where the head monk says, "The sound is behind that door."

The man reaches for the knob, but the door is locked. He asks, "May I have the key?"

The monks give him the key, and he opens the door.

Behind the wooden door is another door made of stone.... The man requests the key to the stone door.

The monks give him the key, and he opens it, only to find a door made of ruby. He demands another key from the monks, who provide it. Behind that door is another door, this one made of sapphire . And so it went on until the man had gone through doors of emerald, silver, topaz, and amethyst.

Finally, the monks say, "This is the key to the last door."

The man is relieved to be at the end. He unlocks the door, turns the knob, and behind that door he is astonished to find the source of that strange sound. It is truly an amazing and unbelievable sight .

 But I can't tell you what it is because you're not a monk.

DON'T SWEAR AT ME;

I'M STILL HUNTING FOR THE S-O-B WHO STARTED THIS   !!!

  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)

"Laugh a little..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday. This is Michael's 25Th consecutive Aloha Friday blog (Mahalos Michael) and since he is short on time this week here's a little humor instead of his normal scholarly teachings...  Make sure and check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/

ALOHA FRIDAY

December 16

It's Aloha Friday.

LAUGH A LITTLE

Aloha folks. I'm short on time this week and heading out of town with it. So instead of a scholarly thesis, here's a little Aloha Friday Humor.

First up, a little religious humor.

A couple of nuns who were nursing sisters had gone out to the country to minister to an outpatient. On the way back they were a few miles from home when they ran out of gas. They were standing beside their car on the shoulder when a truck approached.

Seeing ladies of the cloth in distress, the driver stopped to offer his help. The nuns explained they needed some gas.

The driver of the truck said he would gladly drain some from his tank, but he didn't have a bucket or a can.

One of the nuns dug out a clean bedpan out of their nursing equipment and asked the driver if he could use it. He said yes, and proceeded to drain a couple of quarts of gas into the pan. He waved goodbye to the nuns and left.

The nuns were carefully pouring the precious fluid into their gas tank when the highway patrol came by.

The trooper stopped and watched for a while, then he said: "Sisters, I don't think it will work, but I sure do admire your faith!"

Second, some asylum humor...

During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director

"How do you determine whether or not a patient should be institutionalized?"
"Well," said the Director, "we fill up a bathtub, then we offer a
teaspoon, a teacup and a bucket to the patient and ask him or her to empty the bathtub."
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor,  "a normal person would use the bucket because it's bigger than the spoon or the teacup."
"No, said the Director, a normal person would pull the plug.  Do you want a bed near the window?"

Finally for the Hana Hou... (Encore)

It was a small town and the patrolman was making his evening rounds.

As he was checking a used car lot, he came upon  two little old ladies sitting in a used  car.

He stopped to ask them why they were sitting there in the car.  Were they trying to steal it?

"Heavens no, we bought  it."

"Then why don't you drive it away."

"We can't drive."

"Then why did you buy it?"

"We were told that if we bought a car here we'd get screwed ...so we're just waiting."

Okay folks, see you next week.

Aloha and good news. Michael's fifth book in the Kohala Coast Mystery series is now available for the first time "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" in paperback from  http://www.lulu.com/  or as a Kindle ebook from http://www.amazon.com/  Just type in the title either place.  The book took Michael 2 years to complete this highly anticipated sequel.

There's still time to order a complete set of Michael's Books for the Holiday's. Buy all 6 books for only 18.00 including P&H. The books make great stocking stuffers...
http://www.michaelherr.com  or order his new book "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" from www.lulu.com 
 
"Eat -- Sleep -- Golf -- Travel
           Write More Books !!
But Take It All One Day At A Time !!"   Michael Herr

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)