"Family can be many things..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years...

Bettejo is the author of the famed novellas "The Scam."

and recently published  "Children of Extinction..." 
Both books available on www.amazon.com

Family can be many things

Family is such a nice word, don’t you think? But, like everything today, it has a dark side. One can think of the Italian Mafia. The Christian Mafia. What a nerve. Stealing a perfectly good word.

I think all of us who love animals want them to become part of the family. A loving family. Some of us have bigger, and more varied, loving animal families than others. Mind you I’m not recommending you become an animal collector. Who needs three hundred cats in a two-bedroom house? The smell alone would not sit well. But, if the house is big enough-half a barn for an example-it’s okay to have a horse, a Macaw, an over-grown puppy and two kittens. Don’t you think?

Okay, I’m trying to rationalize my family. My zoo. It’s an enormous project but a fascinating, wonderful, delightful one. Sometimes.

I think, in so many ways, animals are much smarter than people. I mean, they don’t have any religious hang-ups. They don’t go to church. They don’t wage wars. Never knew of one animal who built a nuclear weapon. They don’t need telephones, computers, microwaves, pots and pans and hotplates. They don’t even need a Vitamix.

Oh, they do eat each other. Occasionally, but usually only when they’re hungry. There are predators and prey but they get along at the watering holes which is more than a lot of human beer drinkers do. No animal I ever knew participated in a brawl in an Irish pub. If you know of such an instance please let me know and we’ll talk about it here. Should be fun.

There is a decided scientific factor in such a family structure. Observe. Observe. Observe. Beats getting glued to the tube, except for the excellent episodes filmed and projected here on Ho’ike. Rosa and Reba stole the show last time. It went to their heads. The next morning, right after breakfast, they bounced into the cat carrier. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out they saw stardom on the horizon. As their manager, I’m working on a six-figure contract with Kai and Jay and Jule. I get a whopping hundred percent of when a settlement is reached. Paper makes excellent tinder.

Reba and Rosa aren't interested in money. That’s smarter than people, too, don’t you think?

In our family there won’t ever be a conflict about the long green stuff but, of course, I've promised them the best food, shelter and playground money can buy. The only thing I ask is that they don’t eat Boots-the grown up puppy- or Duke-the noisy Macaw who has already learned to call them.

“Here Reba. Here Rosa. Where the bleep are you?”

We do communicate. Dysfunctional families don’t communicate.

I’m teaching them to sing. They have pretty voices. They eat well and bounce and wrestle and stalk make-believe prey. I don’t buy toys. They have to learn to play with long strings and flying leaves and navigate tree trunks and branches.

They are peaceful, playful, and loving.

Here is the video link:
http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01393&video=205423

or http://www.hoike.org Arts and Entertainment

*SUPPORT LOCAL ACCESS!!*

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"The new Hawaii motor vehicle safety checks..." ( Kimo's world #37) '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...
It may be time to take the bus again... 

Kimo's world #37

The new Hawai'i safety checks

I lived in Alaska for 30 years and  safety checks on vehicles were never required. You would not believe what people drove. Jed Clampett's Beverley Hillbillies vehicle would had be legal tender in Alaska back in the day. Now?

Hawai'i, the state that is the polar opposite of Alaska has adopted computerized digital safety checks that has everyone from the  mechanics  to the customers saying, "Wednesday, Thursday and Friday." (WTF?)

So far I have been to three safety inspection locations. The first also changed my oil. While my car was up on the rack they noticed a CV joint that might need replacement. In the past CV joints were never even looked at.  The irony is that  they don't do mechanical work, so finding a CV joint that needed repair wasn't going to pad their pocket books. My car failed.

The next day I go to another place, they have a sign up that says no safety inspections today. The owner told me they lose money on inspections and being that his head mechanic was out sick, he had zero time for inspections. Inspections can take 20 minutes  give or take. I was told by the time they pay the state they only net approximately $3.50. out of the $20.00 they charge. Time could be much better spent on a real mechanical problem.

The state really needs to set up it's own safety inspection stations. Unless the place doing the inspections is also finding things wrong they can charge for, like new tires, they wind up losing money. 

All three places I went to had a sign advising customers of all the other places to go for inspections. The only reason a business does that is because they do not want your business.

I  go to place number three where they said it would be a 45 minute wait. I think they said that only to discourage me to go somewhere else, although I was the only customer there. Fine. I will wait. Ironically I only waited  10 minutes. I called their bluff.

The new safety inspection has the mechanic or shop owner utilizing  a state issued I-pad with webcam. The mechanic or safety inspector must do all the work themselves. It used to be you took your vehicle in for your annual inspection and they said, "right signal, left signal,. hit your brakes, OK you passed..."   Not so quick anymore muchacho.... The state is putting the burden of inspections and liability on the mechanic and or motor vehicle repair place. You no longer hit your own brakes, they tell you to leave the vehicle and do everything themselves while photographing everything form the VIN number to the tread on your tires.

This  place had inspected my car the last 3 years in a row and it never failed.  Since the day I purchased my vehicle it always had a ding in the passenger side tail light housing. This time they failed me for it? I begged them just let it go. They explained it's not like the old days, they already took a photo of it and  once it's in the computer they are liable. 

So, I need a tail lamp housing that nobody in town stocks.  The place is kind enough to shop on eBay for me. Maybe I will have the tail light housing in a week or two? 

 I have a paid receipt but no safety sticker. In the interim if stopped by an officer of the law they can still issue a ticket. There is no guarantee just because you have receipt you won't get ticketed even though you allegedly have 30 days to correct the infraction. Weird law...

 Until such time as  my part comes in its time to take my chances  and drive with  an expired safety inspection sticker, or  take the bus.

The Bus, no worries of tickets, gas, repairs, insurance, maintenance, registration, auto club memberships etc. It's like having your own personal chauffeur

I think it may  be time to retire my vehicle for good! Big brother is everywhere. Life just ain't what it used to be.

Epilogue; 
The best news is the safety inspection place called and said they found a used tail light housing for half of what it would had cost on eBay.($25.00) They sold it to me for what they paid for it and installed at no additional charge.Plus they issued my inspection sticker! Now that's ALOHA!

P.S.
More information on the new Hawai'i motor vehicle safety checks;
http://www.civilbeat.com/2013/12/20599-bumpy-road-for-hawaiis-new-high-tech-vehicle-safety-check-program/


http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/24759018/exclusive-new-safety-check-stickers-easily-erased-altered

P.S.S.
I also had an opinion article published in today's (10-13-14) Kaua'i Garden Island news;
"Getting harder all the time to discipline children..."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-october/article_b6ebb6a8-52a7-11e4-bde1-73bc665d3141.html

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

"Touring the newer Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York and has worked in

the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years.

One of the exhibits at the Holocaust museum in Los Angeles.
Another example of mans inhumanity to man.
Photo by Judith Whitehead

Touring the newer Holocaust Museum of Los Angeles

Recently we were visiting my son in L.A. and thought we would drive down to the old Jewish Section of  Los Angeles. It has changed quite a bit from years gone by and has been greatly populated by other  ethnic groups along with closed down properties. In the middle of the area was built a new Holocaust museum about 4 yrs ago which is a fortress of concrete and security checkpoints. You are buzzed in for  underground free parking and follow an elevator to the entrance inside the building, questioned as to your reason for entering and given a pair of headphones and an I-phone.

 The museum is much smaller than ones we had been to before; the museum in Washington is much bigger. So much concrete 
surrounds the museum that an I-phone has no signal down there. Each picture was numbered and you were given the option to listen with your headphones about the story behind the photo. It took us 1-2  hours to listen to many stories and we didn't even hear all of them. There is a testimonial wall of those  that have recorded their stories as well. They do have free tours during the day to follow. 

It is set up much differently than our Washington museum with more talking and less artifacts but still very informative. A donation is suggested but not required. Since it is located around the corner from Cantors Famous Deli we felt the need to stop in and sample the great deli food they have to offer; can’t pass up a bowl of matzo ball soup and a lean corned beef sandwich. 

The Deli looks like it too was  preserved in time; it still has the look of the 50’s but the food is fresh as ever...

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"Free ten dollar gift if you ever drank Redbull..." '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 hobbyA light-bulb just went off on how to receive$10.00
if you ever drank a can of Red bull  energy drink!

Free ten dollar gift if you ever drank Redbull.

Has any one of you ever needed a quick pick me up and  purchased a can of Red bull energy drink?
I never personally bought a can but was given a sample  can at a Kauai Mayorathon walk back in 2009. I am guessing having one in my possession qualifies me  to receive approximately $10.00 in a class action lawsuit that will have a payday of allegedly 13 million in payouts.

The lawsuit claims that false claims were made saying "the drink gives you wings." really? Did someone actually truly believe that? Did anyone ever hear of a metaphor?

I think this is marketing ploy from Red bull . Maybe they sued themselves? This is cheap advertising to get publicity on every cable news station, network new stations, almost every newspaper in the country and many blogs such as this one.

I actually did grow wings after drinking the can, that's why I stopped.

crazy world we live.

  Since everyone knows  lawyers are always honest,  we hope everyone who files a claim is honest, since proof of purchase is not necessary to get a payout.

"The company denies it misled people, saying it settled to avoid further lawsuits.To receive a $10 cash payment or $15 in Red Bull products, you have to submit a claim form, or call 877-495-1568 and ask that it be sent to you by mail. No proof of purchase is necessary to receive payment."

There are four ways to submit a filled-out form:

• Online at http://energydrinksettlement.com/claim (filed online by no later than March 2, 2015)

• By e-mail to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at energydrinksettlement@gcginc.com (by no later than March 2, 2015)

• By fax to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at 844-553-1373 (by no later than March 2, 2015)

• By mail to the Class Action Settlement Administrator at Energy Drink Settlement, c/o GCG, P.O. Box 35123, Seattle, WA 98124-5123 (postmarked no later than March 2, 2015)

There will be a hearing on May 1, 2015, to decide whether the settlement will be approved by the court. The money and products will be distributed within 150 days if the settlement approved.

For more information read the story in USA today;
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/09/red-bull-refund/16959529/

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

"Discipline, then and now..." (Kimo's world #36)---Special Thursday edition---

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... 

Kimo's world #36
This blog also  appeared as an opinion article in the 10-13-14 edition of the Kaua'i Garden island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-october/article_b6ebb6a8-52a7-11e4-bde1-73bc665d3141.html

Discipline, then and now

I would like to politely disagree on  the Kauai Garden Island newspaper's  recent opinion article  "A grown man should know better."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/editorial/a-grown-man-should-know-better/article_873e00ba-4dec-11e4-9c57-eb88e5b91dc3.html

A 51-year-old adult male allegedly walked onto a school bus at a bus stop in Anahola and threatened to punch a juvenile male if he bothered his child again.The man  was arrested for making a second-degree terroristic threat. An investigation continues.  Mahalo tgi for having  the respect to not mention this man's name. 

The articles main point is there are other ways to deal with such situations? Yes there are other ways, however when I was a kid this method would had been acceptable and would had scared the morning breakfast out of the bully.

In the mean time the father of the boy being bullied is arrested and the bully is further encouraged by knowing if he continues to bully and this happens again somebodies parent could again be arrested. 

Parents can no longer spank their kids in horror of their offspring reporting it to the department  human services. A father can no longer protect his child with good old punishment that would most probably work. 

This reminds me of the case not to long ago where a man was arrested for making his son walk home form school as a punishment.

 When I was a kid when I was threatened I straightened right up. Nobody ever followed through, just a scare tactic. "Just wait till your father get's home," was a threat my mother and mothers of that generation use that worked.
"OK, sorry mom, please don't tell dad, please."

We are raising a nations of wimps that as adults will not have a clue.

Most parents of my generation would be sitting in jail for disciplining their children.

 Let's face it, time out's and talking about it doesn't work for all.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.

My parents back then. Nowadays parents cannot
 discipline their childrenwithout the fear of going to jail...

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-monday-october/article_b6ebb6a8-52a7-11e4-bde1-73bc665d3141.html

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"Stand together and protest Mideast wars..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years...

Bettejo is the author of the famed novellas "The Scam."

and recently published  "Children of Extinction..." 
Both books available on www.amazon.com

Stand together and protest Mideast wars

Why the be-headings?

 As the most vocal devout nonbeliever on Kauai, I could quote passages — chapter and verse — from the Old and New Testament-that would curl your hair
 (You might try Numbers 25-3-4). It’s time to move on.

Please, Christians, stop cherry picking. Your God is as fierce, maybe fiercer, than theirs. And has committed as many wrongful acts as theirs. For a longer time, too. Our troops, today, are out there with a gun in one hand and a Bible in the other. Don’t fool yourselves. Also, remember: we — you and I as American citizens — are guilty, too. 
We’re in their territory, murdering innocent men, women, and children. 
I don’t understand why good Christians are not standing with good Muslims and good Jews and even good Atheists — in the streets — protesting these insane wars in the Mideast. 

I’ll walk with you on the home-front... Been there, done that. Had hoped I’d not been forced — by my conscience — to do it again. Trust me, it takes courage. 

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

"No ordinary package..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

"Unc"  is really passionate about creating a national Caregivers day.

Any help , support or ideas would be greatly appreciated...

'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...

No ordinary package

A friend of mine opened his wife's underwear drawer and picked up a silk paper wrapped package:
 'This, - he said - isn't any ordinary package.'

He unwrapped the box and stared at both the silk paper and the box.

'She got this the first time we went to New York , 8 or 9 years ago. She has never put it on , was saving it for a special occasion.

Well, I guess this is it.

He got near the bed and placed the gift box next to the other clothing he was taking to the funeral house, his wife had just died.

He turned to me and said:
 "Never save something for a special occasion."

"Every day in your life is a special occasion".

I still think those words changed my life.

Now I read more and clean less.

I sit on the porch without worrying about anything.

I spend more time with my family, and less at work.

I understood that life should be a source of experience to be lived up to, not survived through.

I no longer keep anything.

I use crystal glasses every day...

I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket, if I feel like it.

I don't save my special perfume for special occasions, I use it whenever I want to.

The words 'Someday....' and ' One Day...' are fading away from my dictionary.
;
If it's worth seeing, listening or doing, I want to see, listen or do it now....

I don't know what my friend's wife would have done if she knew she wouldn't be there the next morning, this nobody can tell.

I think she might have called her relatives and closest friends.
She might call old friends to make peace over past quarrels.

I'd like to think she would go out for Chinese, her favorite food.

It's these small things that I would regret not doing, if I knew my time had come..

Each day, each hour, each minute, is special.

Live for today, for tomorrow is promised to no-one..

Unc- "Armed & Dangerous" for Pvt. 0 /class
 during basic training in Camp Polk ,Louisiana.

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