"The Visionary..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.
Bettejo is a regular columnist in the Garden Island news and is the author of the
famed novella, "The Scam."
www.bettejodux.com

The Visionary

1. "Characterized by vision of foresight."

2. Having the nature of fantasies  or dreams; illusory.

That's from the American Dictionary of the English Language. Third Edition. It's a thick book-weighs more than me. Full of words. An oldie but a goodie, it has 2,140 pages

That's a lotta pages. A lotta words. Writers love words.  Once an Editor called me a 'visionary'. Is that good or is that bad? Words are a writer's stock in trade. Some people buy our wares, some don't. But, I'm thinking, is it good to be a visionary?

I know the value of 'being here now'.  Love to spend a lot of time in the now. To immerse myself in the present, feel a cool caressing wind on my face.  Taste it, touch it with my tongue. Listen to the birds. I live in old Hawaii-lucky me-and birds love it. My land is alive with the song of bird songs. Songs they have sung for a thousand years. They sing most of their songs sitting on a branch or a fence or a table top between munchings

But I also love to travel in the past and adventure into the future. It's  a three dimensional world.

As one grows older, it's a temptation to live in lhe past. Indulge in reverie. All the good stuff, like cream on the top of old milk bottles, it's a treat to all the inner workings of humanity. I love human beings. I love all living things. I think that's  a healthy endeavor. But I don't think it's healthy to dwell there.

One of my fondest memories is a country horse show. A horse named Joey. Dapple gray Anglo Arab. His mama was an Arab, his daddy was an American Saddlebred. Joey could walk with any Tennessee Walker he met  up with. His was the classic American Saddlebred rack. A four beat walk that moved. The event I remember, though,  was this: the ring was in a 'sunken' amphitheater.  Horse shows were big time events in California in those days. A hundred people must have been seated above and surrounding the arena. Joey and I were standing on level ground at the top and in the ring a costume event was taking place. A cowboy on a horse and two guys in a cow costume, one the front legs, the other the back legs, were cavorting. Joey shorted, lifted his tail, arched his neck, and pranced his way through the seated crowd. I just sat there enjoying the ride. My mother almost fainted.  It was a risky business threading our way through the chairs.  We stole the show and the cowboys loved it. When Joey got close enough to see what they really were, he said, for all to see and hear, "What a bunch of goofs."

So what has this to do with visionary? Well, you can envision the past. Relive it. Write about it as I'm doing here and I think that's a delightfully healthy visionary thing to do.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"The Good Ole Days..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

 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.

 A similar version of this blog appeared in the 03-10-14 edition

of the Kauai Garden Island News;

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/longing-for-the-good-ol-days/article_f2f76370-a809-11e3-ba88-0019bb2963f4.html

If you like it please click recommend on the top right or bottom of page. The link is below.



http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/longing-for-the-good-ol-days/article_f2f76370-a809-11e3-ba88-0019bb2963f4.html

The Good Ole Days

I recently made the rounds on the Kaua'i bus to my doctor and run a few errands. I have not used the bus much the past few years and to my dismay the buses are now overcrowded. Like the airlines, seats are closer together giving you no personal head space between you and the people sitting in front, behind and next to you. My luck would have  it, the person in the seat behind me was a chronic cougher who did not cover their mouth, not a pleasant experience for this germaphobe.

My Doctors office was filled with out of town walk-ins causing a 90 minute wait.  This used to be a small ma and pa doctors office used by  the community, now with tourism at an all time high I cannot even go to my doctors office without tourists and large crowds. Great for visitors, not good for kama'aina. I bite my tongue since I believe to have the best doctor in the world, so I put up with it.

Driving is also out of control with bumper to bumper to traffic and when you do mange to gain momentum on  the open road  you will most likely be tailgated, nobody on Kauai seems to follow  the simple rule of one car length for each  10 miles per hour...

The public pool is no longer like cheers bar. It used to be a place where everyone knew your name and  they were all glad you came. No longer are there the friendly hello's, head nods and small talk. Everyone is waiting for a lane to swim laps, and yes most lanes are now occupied by visitors.

My favorite place to shop has become a mecca for visitors too. I believe the concierges at the local hotels are now telling visitors on rainy days to go to the local Big Box store and wheel around an empty shopping cart and pretend your shopping and eat all the free samples of food.

I no longer recognize as many people at the grocery store and the wait at the checkout lane is out of control.

Restaurants are charging an arm and leg and the quality of  food does not reflect the high prices being charged. The restaurants make money off visitors with no worries about return business. Most restaurants after 7:00 P.M cater  primarily to visitors. There is no incentive for our restaurants or food trucks to pass on reasonably priced meals since tourism is peaking and every night there will be new people, here today gone tomorrow. 

Real estate is out of control. Many locals live two and three  generations in a small home. A fixer upper home in Hanamaulu on Kauai can cost upwards of $500,000 with no garage or basement. Hanamaulu is no resort, more a working class neighborhood.

The only thing that hasn't changed I cannot write  or talk about, since soon it will be discovered by the masses and I will be neglected for a more wealthy looking visitor.

 I have only been here 15 years and can hardly believe my eyes on the changes and overcrowding. I can only imagine how those born and raised here feel.

Costco outdoor cafe is about the only affordable place to eat on Kauai. Costco knowing this makes the cafe available to all, you are not required to show your membership card to eat there. I believe this is Costco's way of giving back to the community. The long lines prove the fact that reasonably priced dining is desired and needed. 

Times are changing, it's time for more roads, more hiking trails,  more franchised restaurants like Olive garden,  and some good cheap buffets. For now I'd settle for a nice Wendy's with a salad bar. 

This past year has been a banner year for tourism on Kauai.  My friends in visitor related business are delighted. They tell me this past January and February had a record number of sales in everything from bicycle rentals to shaved ice.

Things will never be what they were, everything changes,sometimes  for the good and at times for the  bad. For   many reading this, these are the good ole days, for others and myself, the good ole days are long gone.

 Sometimes we complain about family, yet still love them. Kauai is like family to me, I Love you Kauai! Oy, the problems of living in a small tourist ridden community.  

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/longing-for-the-good-ol-days/article_f2f76370-a809-11e3-ba88-0019bb2963f4.html

Hana Hou, (Encore)  Shared From Facebook...

"The Winter Tunnel..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in
the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

The Winter Tunnel

How does the saying go?

 March comes  in like a lion and out like a lamb."---Now that March is here, there is light at the end of the Winter tunnel...with milder temperatures coming this weekend, in the 30's...and St Patrick's Day in reach.

Buffalo has already started celebrating.We have Lenten specials galore in Buffalo...fish fries everywhere and green dye being prepared to add to many foods.  The stores will be stocked with green bagels, never a favorite of mine, but I do so enjoy the many fish dinners available.  We have parades, running festivities, and many ethnic foods for the entire month.

 Buffalo still has a large Irish population who enjoy March to its fullest.  The bars are full of green beer, corned beef and cabbage...and hopefully the snow will start to thaw.  Spring is finally here!!! 

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"Minimum wage increase,It's a bust..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

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.

Minimum wage increase,It's a bust

Hawaii  State bill 2609 offering a minimum wage increase sounds great,  in reality is it really that great?

With minimum wage increase  the price of everything will inflate. Many business are saying they will need to layoff employees including  the National Restaurant Association along with the U.S. Chambers of Commerce.

 Imagine how much higher the prices will be even at  food trucks? I can't imagine them getting much higher than  the $12.00 a la carte burger.

 It's a bust, sometimes the things we were taught in grade school such as prices will increase if you have more expenses.  A higher minimum wage will only increase the cost of everything, so what's the point?

I see both sides, but do know there are always people who need to make less to balance the system.

Local activists  in Kapa'a town demonstrate 

in favor of house  bill #2609 for a  minimum wage

 increase.

pictured left to right, KipuKai Kualii, 

Kip Goodwin, Joe Carrillo and Ray Cantina

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

Kid meant goat... Obama Da Dog (Source)

Obama Da Dog lives in Kapa'a Hawai'i with her best friend
James "Kimo" Rosen. Obama is a regular contributor to dakinetalk, although at times
she is constipated too...   ;D)

When I was a KID: Kid meant Goat...

Pussy meant CAT,
Sex meant GENDER,
Bitch was a FEMALE DOG,
Dick was a NAME,
BJ was a NICK-NAME,
Bang was a SOUND,
Rubber was just like PLASTIC,
Ass was an ANIMAL,
Screw was just a NUT,
Tit was a SNACK,
Head meant a part of BODY !!

But Now...
Everything is just Damn Complicated........!!

 I also remember when sick meant not feeling good, now it means awesome or cool. That was so sick brah! I remember too when brah meant, never mind... ;D)

P.S.   Bill Maher  on establishing a maximum wage;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcKMd49wDRk

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook....

"Interview with a Breatharian..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.
Bettejo is a regular columnist in the Garden Island news and is the author of the
famed novella, "The Scam."
www.bettejodux.com

Interview with a Breatharian

The sun was shining all about, shining with all its might and I was whistling in the barn with a pitchfork in my right. I'd filled the wheelbarrow with straw and droppings from Ari's stall and raked dry bedding away from the middle so wet spots could dry.  I wheeled the wheelbarrow to the compost heap and forked it inside. Ari and Boots, my grown up puppy,  love to watch this task, I don't know why.

When the rapping came from the red gates, I was annoyed. I looked a mess, probably reeked of  a ladylike glow-some folk call it sweat-it's healthy to break sweat- but it's not a  good time to welcome company. When the rapping persisted, pitchfork in hand, I stomped, again in a ladylike fashion, to the gate. "Nobody's home," I said.

More rapping.

I  opened the gate a crack.  The sight that greeted  me took my breath away. A handsome golden Palomino with a gorgeous bare torso, shoulders arms and a handsome human head, smiled sweetly down. "You wanted to chat?"

"I did?"

"I'm a Breatharian," his tenor charmed the birds.

"You look like a centaur."

"I am. Call me Art."

"Art. How appropriate.  Please come in. I'm cleaning the barn." He nodded. I opened the gates wide, then closed them.  Boots and Ari went east as Art and I moved west.  " Aristotle is my horse. He eats. Poops. I've a clean stall. Perhaps he won't mind if we chat there."

"He won't." He lay down in the fresh straw.  We were suddenly staring eyeball to eyeball.

"Where on earth did you come from?"

"From  Sirius. In the constellation Canis Major the brightest star in the winter sky."

"Why are you here?"

"You called me."

"No. I mean on planet earth?"

"I'm here to teach you how to clean up the mess you've made of this beautiful planet. "

"If you could teach Aristotle not to eat and poop that'd help.   Tell me about yourself."

"I live on light. Vibrations. Composite vibrational aspects can collectively be thought of as having one composite quality. "

"Of course."

"You'd  love my planet. The sea and the sky are pink. Vibrant froth that smells like Shalimar.We loved that scent. We took it home with us. Grass is blue and many trees are shimmering silver. We've kept our planet gloriously clean.'

"Are there lady centaurs?"

"Yes. But when they come to earth, they come as human ladies. They're Avatars, Ascended spirits. Life loving maternal beings. They teach humans  to let go stress and greed and hate and depression and heart-ache and addiction to violence."

"That sounds good. Healthy. I'm not surprised they come as women. I think I've met some. Many women on earth today seem so much wiser, kinder, stronger  than men."

"These women naturally, spontaneously manifest  themselves emotionally and spiritually to a place that resonates peace and love…"

With that he  vanished.

I love fantasy. Kids should be taught to fantasize from the get go. It's a healthy human condition.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"A rebirth..." James "Kimo" Rosen (Best of dakinetalk)---Original run date 07-09-2011

SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011

"A Rebirth..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Today's guest blogger is James "Kimo" Rosen (Me!)  A Big Mahalo Nui Loa to all the guest bloggers that have inspired me, made me laugh  and have made this blog a hell of alot more interesting.  Aloha

Writers block was leaning heavy on me, I needed a good brainstorm and guest bloggers were born. Inviting readers of my blog to blog themselves was a rebirth for dakinetalk. At first I envisioned guest bloggers as a way for me to post everyday with very little work, the irony is having guest bloggers is much more time consuming than being a one man band. I need to layout and write or encourage my guest bloggers to write a short bio, and send a photo. Many times I am emailed numerous photos and numerous changes after I have laid out the graphics. Now I see why my graphic artist always got so upset with me when I published 'Alaska People Magazine.'

Dakinetalk has many more hits since guest bloggers send their blog onto their friends, and many times post it on one of the many social networking sites like 'Twitter,' 'Facebook,' 'My-space' and 'Google.' Dakinetalk is becoming more and more popular with more and more readers.

This blog has become an electronic blog magazine about nothing and everything. This blog is about you, your neighbor, your pet, your religion, your jokes, your rants and inspirations, but most important is everyone has a story, not just the guy who posts the blog. Everyone has something to share and that's what's making me motivated, writers block may have set in, maybe it hasn't but the main thing is I have you guys. Please continue to send dakinetalk your most inner thoughts, and maybe we will post them, maybe they will go viral, maybe they won't, but either way let's enjoy the future which is now in electronic publishing.

Epilogue,We are currently looking for guest bloggers. Everyone has a story, we want to hear yours..! Send your guest blog submission of 200-500 words give or take to; jrsensei@hotmail.com

http://www.dakinetalk.blogspot.com/  (a blog about nothing and everything. We are currently looking for guest bloggers. Send your submission, 200-300 words to; jrsensei@hotmail.com