"Split personality..?" 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

 Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday about the battle of split personalities...
Michael is happily retired and pursuing his dreams of writing and publishing books, he currently lives in Walnut Creek California.  (Michael is pictured above with his latest book,"The old Queen and the Maui Maiden." To purchase this book or any of Michael's 6 other novella's go to; http://www.michaelherr.com

ALOHA FRIDAY

March 2, 2012

It's Aloha Friday.

Split personality? Let me check with my other persona.

Aloha folks.

At times I'm sure I have a split personality. You know, part of me likes something, but another part of me doesn't. Part of me wants something, but another part of me says "No". Actually the part of me that says "No" most often is my rational, smart-thinking, wise self. The part of me that wants something, well that's my fun-loving impractical side.

Example: I really would like to eat a quart of Rocky Road ice cream, says my impractical fun-loving side (which is located at times like that in my abdominal region). No way, says my rational self. You just spent a half-hour on the treadmill. If you eat that ice cream you'll have just wasted that half hour. But, says my ice cream-loving side, that half-hour on the treadmill helped me burn enough calories so that I can indulge in that ice cream without worrying about the consequences. Seems my impractical fun-loving side knows how to argue too.

But it's not my fault that I have this split personality. Just check out the world around us.

Yesterday afternoon I saw a commercial on television touting the benefits of the California lottery. Buy a scratcher ticket and win big! Got in my car and turned on the radio only to hear an ad telling me where to go to get help if I have a gambling problem.

When I got home I read an article online about the growing problem of our obsession with sex. Then I watched a slide-show of the women at the Oscars, all showing off their surgically enhanced bodies — and showing off lots of their bodies (did you catch Angelina's leg???).

The mail came, bringing with it my prescription cholesterol-lowering medication. Along with that prescription the mailman delivered lots of coupons offering me really great deals on pizza and KFC.

I want to pay my taxes so that I'm a good citizen. Then I see all those loopholes, just sitting there waiting for me to use them.

I'm pulled in opposing directions all through the day and evening. I don’t know which way to turn, which one of my selves should I listen too. But knowing me, I'll probably take the path of least resistance. I think that quart of Rocky Road is still downstairs. And I can always walk a little more on my treadmill tomorrow.

Okay folks, one of me will see you next week.

For more of Michael's writings go to http://www.michaelherr.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.

"Talking dog for sale!" 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

Marvin Gross a financial advisor from Western N.Y. shared this interesting story of the talking dog with us, Mahalo Nui Loa Marvin!

A guy is driving around Oklahoma and he sees a sign in front of a house: "Talking Dog For Sale." He rings the bell and the owner tells him the dog is in the backyard.

The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the Lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The Lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running."

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn't getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security wandering near suspicious characters and listening in."

"I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars," the guy says.

"Ten dollars? This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?"

"Because he's a damn liar. He never did any of that stuff."

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 whole world comes to Kaua'i..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesdays)

"THE WHOLE WORLD COMES TO KAUAI"
About Bettejo Dux, pronounced "Dukes"
http://www.bettejodux.com/

http://bettejo.wordpress.com/

Bettejo Dux left her native state of California, of which she is fifth generation, when she was eighteen and began her wanderings. She has lived and visited in many strange and unusual towns in Central and South America and the Far East. When she and her husband were “romancing the stone,” she stayed in places where no other American lady had ever stayed. A resident of Kauai for over forty years, but an expatriate at heart, she thinks Kauai is about as far out as you can get and still be in. A professional actress, she performed at the Manila Theater Guild and at the Magic Ring Theater in the Hilton Hawaiian Village, at the time the only professional theater in Hawaii. She did “Steel Magnolias,” directed by Arnold Meister, and “Gin Game” on Kauai. She is a writer. She was Woman’s Page Editor of the Pali Press and wrote a featured column for the Honolulu Star Bulletin Advertiser Sunday Edition. She has had several pieces published locally. A political activist and devout non-believer, she writes a blog she calls a “column” under the head bettejo. She can be a royal pain in the ass - ask any of her detractors. She loves to tweak their tails and watch them wiggle. To many, however, she is personally known as a witty and humorous, delightful and engaging lady. She loves to dance, sing and party, and is very happy pixilated. She loves chardonnay and cheese and crackers. A former member of the Mokihana Club, the oldest women’s club on Kauai, and the Poipu Rotary Club, she is presently an honorary member of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens, her neighbors up the hill in Kalaheo. She is an off-island member of the Waikiki Yacht Club. She and her husband sailed and raced the channels around Hawaii for years. She still practices yoga and her measurements are the same now as they were forty years ago. She says, as Gypsy Rose Lee did, “I’ve got everything I came in with, only my cargo has shifted.” Her favorite woman writer is still Dorothy Parker. Her favorite male writer is James Thurber, followed by Dean Koontz. THE SCAM is her first novel, but there are three fantasies to be published soon.

That the whole world comes to Kauai is one of the joys of living here. The house up the Alexander Dam Road was remote but, partly because of the kids, at least half the world ended up there. Also partly because this monster lava rock abode had five bedrooms, four baths, a huge living/dining room, and a mammoth 'party' kitchen. Everyone Bill and I had known since the beginning of time suddenly remembered us and came for a visit.
That's one of the reasons why this house has one bedroom, one bathroom, and one interior door. I love people and house guests but after a while hotel keeping grows tiresome and tedious. Now when friends come calling I say, "Bring a tent. Camping gear You're welcome to stay on the back forty." I only have four acres but it's a steep traipse to the back side and when you get there you'd think you were a million miles from anywhere. No roads. No street lights. No sounds, except for the birds and the feral pigs snuffling. My neighbor to the east is the back-end of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens. When John Allerton was alive- the vast estate and the Garden was his baby-I teased, "You walk ten miles. I'll walk ten feet. And we'll fight over the back fence."
The most interesting house we lived in was the house on Kukuiula Harbor. Our boat floated in the bay, our horses hung out across the street, and millionaire's row was a bit scruffy. All the rest was green stalks of cane-grass at its tallest- and miles and miles of bridle paths called cane roads by others. Our air was the softest. Our stars the brightest. The bay the cleanest. And it was my country all the way to Shipwreck at one end and Allerton's red gates at the other. I taught Beau how to open those gates. I wasn't allowed to enter- but of course I did-and was always getting caught. I'd flash the peace sign, wave a big wave, and gallop off in all directions.
At this end of the road, too, is the Spouting Horn. One morning as we stopped to hear it roar and watch it burst and bubble, I caught sight oi a guy with his butt in the air and his head in the hole.
"Sir," I hollered. "Don't..."
When he stood up and turned, my heart skipped a beat. This was really good-looking guy. His name was Terry Mulligan, a Canadian Mountie and movie star, and he walked my horse and I home. He stayed with us. Sailed with us. Taught me Mountie horse stuff. We baby sat his daughter, met his girl friend, fed them Portuguese bean soup made in a tub and feasted on for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This memory is for all my new-found Friday world-wide friends, Krista from Kalamazoo, Marlene from Hanapepe, Susanjane and Don from Canada, Mike from new York, Peter from Oregon, Sid from British Columbia, darling Julie-who loved Scam-and came back to say so.
Hope you have a happy stay, a safe trip home and hurry back.
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.

"Photography is a cakewalk compared to writing..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"One needs thick skin to be an opinion columnist or writer, photography on the other hand is definitely more zen like..."

I had a career as a professional photographer for 30 years before retiring in 2003. I did everything from commercial, weddings ,portraits, passports, travel, photojournalism  and freelanced for numerous national publications.

In all  my years as a  professional photographer I had many compliments, people never went off  on me or quit talking to me because they didn't like a photo I took.

Fast forward to my retirement years where I fancy myself a blogger and an opinion writer with many letters to the editor along with a daily blog.

People will  comment things like, "move back to where you came from," or "go drink Manischewitz wine and complain with your own types."  (actual comments) Writing is  a passion in such a different way than photography.
Nobody ever looked at one of my photos and said, "move back to where you came from,"  "or  next time I see you on your bike, lookout..!" 

This blog for example, nobody will get upset with the photo I have accompanying this blog, but some will be upset with the content of words, the writing."One needs thick skin to be an opinion columnist or writer, photography on the other hand is definitely more zen like..."
I have discovered that writing takes thick skin, whereas photography is definitely more of a cakewalk with  people responding to writers so much different than photographers. They say each picture is worth a thousands words, however words get you in trouble not photo's. For now all I can say is,  "smile and say cheese!"  :D)

"The eyes have it..!" 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this awesome Inspirational Monday about one of the many ways that "These times they are a changin!" Judy lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the medical profession for over 30 years.

"The Eyes have it..!"

Maybe you have heard the expression, ”the eyes are the window to your soul”. Actually, that is not far from the truth because going for an eye exam can prove to be very informative when your health is at stake. The eyes are the only body part where someone can view the bodys’ health without being invasive.
The eyes can give a snapshot into what is happening with the bodys’ circulation and health. Starting at the front of the eyes is the cornea. The cornea is the clear window to the front of the eye. When someone has high cholesterol, there is sometimes a faint white ring on the cornea which can indicate that fact. An Eye Doctor can easily see that during an eye exam by using what is called a Slit Lamp at the beginning of your eye evaluation. Maybe you have an eyelid that has suddenly started to droop. It’s not always birthday candles that make our eye lids become heavy, especially if it is only one eyelid. This can be an indication that there is a more serious problem such as a neurologic finding; IE stroke, palsey, brain event etc. With the eyes dilated so that the pupil becomes paralyzed and stays open, the Doctor can view the back of the eye which is the retina. He can see a small window of the the circulation in the arteries and veins that give him an idea what is going on with the rest of the body. Sometimes a piece of plaque or cholesterol can be viewed which can indicate a larger problem in the body. If the patient has high blood pressure, there may be a hemorrhage in one of those vessels. If the patient is diabetic and the blood sugar is not controlled, there will be damage in the back of the eye. If the retina looks damaged, then you can only imagine what the rest of the body looks like. Poor circulation can be viewed in the eye which is also an alarm. If the blood vessels are cracked and bleeding there may very well be a problem in the rest of the body.
The optic nerve can tell a story on its own. Swollen nerves can indicate pressure building up in the spinal fluid. Not to mention that the size alone of the optic nerve will put you at risk for developing glaucoma if it is enlarged.
It takes just a small amount of time to have your eyes checked; it’s an investment of time and money that could save your life.
Everyone that is healthy should have an eye exam every 1-2 years; young children should have an eye evaluation before they start school to detect any problems such as amblyopia or lazy eye that needs treatment if detected immediately. A lazy eye that goes untreated will stop working after a few years and the brain will “turn off” the vision in that eye. The child will be destined to have poor vision for the rest of their life if not treated.

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.

"Human Body..." 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

"The Human body has been studied by many scholars over the years , the enclosed is an important piece of information on human anatomy... Mahalo Nui to Marvin Gross a financial advisor from Western N.Y. for this bit of history!"

Human Body.

The 6Th grade science teacher, Mrs. Parks, asked her class,
'Which human body part increases to ten times its size when stimulated?'

          No one answered until little Mary stood up and said,

  'You should not be asking sixth graders a question like that! I'm going
to tell my parents, and they will go and tell the Principal, who will then
                                fire you!'

          Mrs. Parks ignored her and asked the question again,
    'Which body part increases to 10 times its size when stimulated?'


    Little Mary's mouth fell open. Then she said to those around her,          'Boy, is she going to get in big trouble!' The teacher continued to ignore her and said to the class,


                             'Anybody?'

        Finally, Billy stood up, looked around nervously, and said,

  'The body part that increases 10 times its size when stimulated is the
                            pupil of the eye.'


Mrs. Parks said, 'Very good, Billy,' then turned to Mary and continued.

          'As for you, young lady, I have three things to say:

                        One, you have a dirty mind.
                    Two, you didn't read your homework.
  And three, one day when you get married you are going to be very, very disappointed.'


Encore; You-tube from Uncle Chester"Unc" Lau,"Look at yourself..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc4HGQHgeFE&feature=player_embedded

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

"Food Trucks..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"Food trucks need to quit charging 5 star prices in a fast food environment..."

"Every Food truck I have visited on Kaua'i is priced way to high..."
This blog was published as an opinion article on 03-14-12 in the Kaua'i garden island news.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_018dbf4c-6d92-11e1-ac45-001871e3ce6c.html  

Food trucks are known and famous for large portions of ono grindz (delicious food) at very reasonable prices.

Food trucks do not have the overhead of a conventional restaurant, therefore one would think the savings in overhead would be passed onto the consumer as I have witnessed on Oahu.

Every Food truck I have visited on Kaua'i is priced way to high. There's a relatively new food truck I pass by everyday, however after looking at the menu, it was the same old story,  expensive! prices.  
The only thing that looked reasonable was  the kids menu, however you must be 12 or under, isn't that discrimination?
 The icing on the cake is  the audacity to have a mayonnaise jar on their counter in sloppy handwriting that  says "TIPS!". My only tip to these food trucks is lower your prices and think volume or go out of business  trying to get five star prices in a fast food environment.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-wednesday-march/article_018dbf4c-6d92-11e1-ac45-001871e3ce6c.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.