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| James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby. Above photo 1987 in my portrait studio, Real Life Images in Homer Alaska |
Where are you from?
Living in Hawai'i you will often be asked, "where are you from?"
I always respond in one of two ways, I'm from planet Earth. And you??" My other response is "let's not talk about me, but rather about you."
Why do people insist on knowing where you are from even before they know your name or are introduced?
Where are you from, goes in hand in hand with, "how long have you lived here?"
Why? Does living here longer than someone else make you better than them?
Foreigners will always respond with the country they are from. "I'm from Italy, I'm from Japan, etc." They usually never respond with a city, but rather a country.
Next time someone asks you how long have you lived here, referring to Hawai'i just say, "I've lived in America my whole life, and you?" My second favorite, longer than the average bear.
OK, any more questions? ;-)
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| This meme was used on Facebook to promote this blog! |
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...
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30 comments:
Not feeling it today. So I'll talk about me. This happened on Kauai the night of March 22, 2014.....The evening was cloudy with a few showers. Around 7pm we entered the dark magical restaurant, you know dakine.
The short round waitress approached, you know dakine. She asks,"How long are you here for."
I replied, "till after dinner" (with a small sinister smile)
"Oh she replies" (her face instantly was covered behind a fog)
"Are you enjoying your stay?" (Looking to my wife she chirps)
Quickly the wife says, "No, you look very puzzled! We live here on island he's just joking with you."
Waitress looks down at her pad asking, "something from the bar?"
Wife responds, "No ice water will be fine. We'er ready to order, we come here all the time."
We order....
Waitress comments, "good choice I hope the food is as good as your stay with us on Kauai. It's the best of all the islands. I've been here all my life, if you have any questions on the sites and the culture just ask. By the way....where did you say your from?"
good one,the poor waitress have to deal with all da FUN PEOPLE @ every
meal,it is a good idea to be funny,I did that all the time,don't forget
good tips,for good services & a Biiiig SMILE will cheer up the hard
working wait staff.. .
Above photo, yours truly in my Homer, Alaska portrait studio in 1987...
We are some of the many that love this place and bought a one way ticket. Oh no a cash flow not a homeless problem. You know dakine.
And yet it happens everywhere Jim. When you were here in Homer, you were asked where you were from... And it seems it was NY? Been here over 30 years and I'm still say I'm from Montana. If I was in Montana, I would likely be asked by some where I came from, even though it was the 1860's when we showed up there. Before that New Hampshire since 1718....but of course farther back gets fuzzy but scotch/Irish and other?.Think it may go back to the fact we all are immigrants from somewhere, and the people of the land, who have been here for maybe 5000 years or more just have to ask where we are from. Can't blame them..... (-:...... in that sense most of us are all illegal immigrants.
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Mimi, recognize that portrait on the bottom right?
Steve, recognize any of the portraits on the wall? BTW, how long have you lived there? ;-)-- Seriously the thing I loved about Alaska, stay there one winter and your considered one of them...Alaska is such a great state!
I think people just want to make conversation.
I love it when Montana Steve joins us from Alaska telling stories of islander James arrival in Homer via ferry. Like a band of gypsies fleeing religious persecution, chased by the Mormons. (i don't know where this post came from, don't ask)
Morning Steve...
I remember the faces, not all the names, but you gave me a copy of that one of the volcano going off. Morning Rick.
Fishing or plumbing today? or is the view and the toasty fire good with that coffee.....
Should be fishing because its calm, about 40 degs, and fresh salmon would beat turkey any day... but working..
So Jimbo and Stevarino..... If Alaska has turkeys, at holiday times, do you hunt them or just wait from them to freeze while standing then pick them like flowers, baste and dine.... (wishing for fresh salmon in my christmas stocking, skip the porcupine this year)
We hunt them but have to keep the bullets as warm as possible...otherwise the chill factor causes then to shatter like glass., and you have to resort to turkey calls. Just have to figure out how to say "I want a hug" in Turkey.
Never mind where I am from, it's where I'm going that really matters! I remember the day Augustine blew very well, great shot. Mimi you are timeless! Still look the same {{{:-)
You just made my day Steve. I got the picture embeded and people are going to ask me all day what I'm smiling about. Thanks and have a great Salmon Day.....
Ami Thea, I think you ,may be on to something?!
Nothing like a fresh king salmon baked in tinfoil with stuffing in the cavity. I sure miss Thanksgiving Alaska style!
I think (when having conversation with other residents), this is a common question because most of us aren't from this island. I even ask my local clients where they grew up, because often they were born & raised Oahu or some other island, or even another country. But, it's even more likely of a conversation for haoles. It's fun learning where someone is from -especially when it's an interesting place (& to talk about travels and such).
But, I do get annoyed by the competitiveness some people seem to have with regards to how long they've lived here. The only time I may "judge" someone who is new to the island is when there's an interest to form a friendship or any sort of long-term situation (such as employment). Only because new people statistically wind up getting "rock fever" & leave Kauai, and I'm really tired of taking all the effort to bond with someone -and then, poof, they're gone. I've have several "best friends" over the years and every last one of them left the island.
As for the topic of Alaska, ack! Now you have me craving salmon...
And, a fireplace would be really nice right now too. (BRRRRR!!!)
I guess the reason I don't like the question is the tone it's used in many times. How long have you lived here? Like the person questioning is rubbing their hands together saying oh yeah, I lived here longer Ha! Where are you from? as Susan Pacillo said, the more important question is," where I'm going that really matters..."
So, where are you going, Kimo?
I'm going to Costco, it's the only affordable place I know! ?
Rick, BTW, thanks for getting the ball going, you did well my friend!
I have been body slammed WWF style so many times Jimbo that after I saw you in the ring with a figure four leg lock and your hand reaching to tag off.....Well I went over the top rope with a flying elbow slam to free you. Now we're FreeBirds, Hulk style.....
Ha! were da best kine tag team, brah!
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What my wife Hates is when people ask" what are you" as if claiming a box on the ethnicity chart even begins to answer that question.
I answer that one with "Human" {{{:-)
ha,Alaska,the great unknown,just bring da pineapple syrup & wasabe for snow cone(shave ice )fresh shasimi
Bill,l I agree with your wife too...I answer the ethnicity thing with other! When you check other, they are afraid to ask what you are. after-all what difference does it make?
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