"My last hurrah, life going full circle..." (Kimo's world special edition from Buffalo, N.Y.)

James "Kimo"Rosen is a retired Professional Photographer

 living on the Garden Island of Kaua'i

 with his best friend Obama Da Dog.

Rosen is currently on a sojourn

in Western N.Y.

This blog also appeared in the forum section
 of the Buffalo news 'Everybody's column'on 09-19-15;

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-changes-in-buffalo-are-incredible-to-see-20150919

Because of this Letter my high school photography teacher and mentor saw my letter
and sent me a friend request on Facebook. I accepted with tears in my eyes, 
chicken skin and goose bunks. 

Kimo's world #89
My last hurrah, life going full circle

Cousin takes me to Niagara falls
after not seeing her in over 23 years.

The expression goes, Life is short, if nothing else it sure goes by quick.

Rosh Hashanah 5776
(Jewish New Year)celebration
at my sisters

I left Buffalo back in 1976 at age 20 and have not returned for a casual visit since, only for funerals and one Bar Mitzvah.

I wanted nothing more to get out of Buffalo in my youth. I went to college in California, had a career as a professional photographer and publisher in Alaska along with odds jobs as a fisherman and cannery worker.

My mom on the left
with her sister's Mary,
Evelyn and my
Grandmother (Bubby)
back in 1929...

I moved in 1999 from Alaska to Hawaii for many reasons--one being life is short  and I wanted to experience as much as possible in life, which goes so quick, like a blink of the eye.

Like many getting older I developed a few health issues and thought Hawaii would be the perfect place to retire and call it the winter of my life.

Reunited with my nephew
 Jason after many years.

Fast forward to now, visiting the remaining family and friends I have not seen in 30-40 years. I am calling this sojourn, 'my last hurrah."

Buffalo has changed, I have changed and now see why so many call Buffalo home. 
 Life it seems has just come  fill circle, It sure feels good coming home!

Go Bills!

Photo below  
My friend Richard Fudeman whom I hadn't seen in 23 years took me to the New England Patriots Vs. Buffalo Bills football game at Ralph Wilson stadium. Last game I went to was 41 years ago with dad, may he rest in peace.
Thank you Richard!!!!

Final score Pats 40 Bills 32... ;-(

This same blog ran in Everybody's column in the Buffalo News on 09-19-15
http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/letter-changes-in-buffalo-are-incredible-to-see-20150919

Sister Linda, Shark girl and
yours truly on the Erie canal

Hana Hou, (Encore) memes created by James "Kimo" Rosen

"The Trump Factor..." ~Kimo's world #88~

James "Kimo"Rosen is a retired Professional Photographer
 living on the Garden Island of Kaua'i
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog.
This blog also appeared the same day in the forum
section of the Garden Island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sept/article_fcf96916-5507-11e5-8f0a-c7f07fd015aa.html

Kimo's world #88
The Trump factor

Why is Donald Trump doing so well in poll after poll?

It's because the media is enamoured with his every move and broadcast his daily goings on.  It seems like the media is addicted to Trump.

Which makes it so ironic when the media constantly asks, "why  is he doing so well?"

Because publicity is publicity, good, bad or ugly, Trump's name is now a house-hold recognizable
 word.

 Many are smitten with, captivated by, enchanted by, fascinated by, bewitched by, beguiled by Donald Trump. Does this mean people like Trump?

Many  Americans including myself are sick of politicians. Trump is a business man, not a politician. Both major political parties are controlled by rich lobbyists. Donald Trump does not have to answer to anybody since he is not begging for campaign donations. He is controlled only by himself. He is financing his own campaign and refusing donations as of this writing.  whereas all other politicians are controlled by their richest big business lobbyists that contribute millions to their election.

 


Trump wears his heart on his sleeve. He  says what comes to mind, no filtering just a stream of  consciousness

Whether you agree or disagree--American's love reality TV, and this election has turned into the Donald Trump Show.

 Survivor and the Gardashians  move over, 'The Donald' may just be hired!

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sept/article_fcf96916-5507-11e5-8f0a-c7f07fd015aa.html

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

"Flying across the country is an adventure.." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst New York
( A suburb of Buffalo, N.Y.)

 and has worked in the ophthalmology
 field of medicine for over 30 years

Flying across the country is an adventure

  I have flown across the country more times than I can count visiting family and friends during my entire life. Flying the airlines has not always been kind to me; many times depending on the pilot and weather conditions, I have become ill on the plane and always collect the emergency “bag” just in case.

Even though I worry about the flight and how I will react, I always cover my bases. I take my magic pill to avoid air sickness, try to fly during decent weather and plan far ahead for travel. At times it is
unavoidable to predict, especially when we have left Buffalo in a snow storm and have had to endure delays on many flights.

Judith at her favorite California restaurant,
California Pizza! 

I have found that the best way besides watching movies on my computer, to cut down on the time in the air and make the time fly by, is to talk to the people around me. Their stories over the years have given me food for thought. Hundreds of people I have met all flying to different cities for so many reasons. 

On my most recent flight this week a woman and her husband sat next to me. My husband always sits across from me because we both like the aisle seat. They were from the Buffalo area and were flying to Las Vegas. She carried with her an urn with her father’s ashes in her purse to let him enjoy one last time at his favorite slot machine before continuing to his final resting place. 

After changing planes, I sat next to a mother and daughter whose husband and father were in the service. She had moved to many cities and had flown everywhere to join her husband as he was transferred  many times. The little girl was an experienced flyer as it was evident as she perused her little I pad like a pro to watch cartoons and amused herself the entire flight; she was only 6 yrs old and I was amazed at the technology she possessed. At that age when we flew as a young family we brought small toys and
books to amuse our boys…no I pad or portable computer had even been invented yet.

I have witnessed many people who just prefer to sleep on the flight to pass the time, business men working on their next deal, and large families going on a family vacation destination with impatient
children joining them. People from all walks of life crowd on the airlines and fill the plane to its capacity. My last flight was over booked and a call out was made for people volunteering to get
“bumped” for a hefty travel voucher. Not this time, I needed this vacation too much.

I usually do fly Southwest because of the tempting low cost and travel points I have collected but I do prefer an airline that assigns seats, have larger seats to sit in, and do not herd people on the plane in a cattle like fashion. I guess that’s the price to pay for economy flight.

I do so love to take driving vacations as well, having driven across the country several times, I find it is the best way to see the country and to meet people from all walks of life.

Back to reality and work soon…I will start planning my next vacation as it always boosts my spirit to think about my next adventure and gets me through the impending winter that will unfortunately be upon us soon. 

P.S.
This Youtube shows  chef Gordon Ramsey teaching how to cook the perfect steak! Wow, looks Ono!(Ono means delicious in Hawaiian)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmC9SmCBUj4

Judy, Judy, Judy!  ;-)

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

" Football in bed..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source)

Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia

.Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

Bitos is an avid Cheeseburger connoisseur!

Football in Bed 

An old married couple no sooner hit the pillows when the old man passes gas and says, 'Seven Points.'

His wife rolls over and says, 'What in the world was that?' The old man replied, 'its fart football.'

A few minutes later his wife lets one go and says, 'Touchdown, tie score...'

After about five minutes the old man lets another one go and says, 'Aha. I'm ahead 14 to 7.'

Not to be outdone the wife rips out another one and says, 'Touchdown, tie score.'

Five seconds go by and she lets out a little squeaker and says, 'Field goal, I lead 17 to 14.' Now the pressure is on for the old man.

He refuses to get beaten by a woman, so he strains real hard.
Since defeat is totally unacceptable, he gives it everything he's got, and accidentally poops in the bed.

The wife says, 'What the hell was that?'
The old man says, 'Half time, switch sides'.

P.S. 
A great short YouTube on making 'Cheese-Stuffed Burger Dogs!'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SL1ahZtjz0

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

"Eighty Freakin’ Five..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Vintage Bettejo)

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

Bettejo is a regular opinion writer in the Garden Island news

 and is the author of the famed novella, "The Scam." 

 Her latest fiction"Children of extinction"

 is now  released and available on Amazon!
Bettejo has a gift of mingling
 the present, the past, and the future. 

www.bettejodux.com

www.amazon.com

Eighty Freakin’ Five

As a writer– and a Mick– I don’t think I’ve ever suffered from writer’s block. I’m filled with words to put on paper or shout or whisper to the wind. But I’m often at a loss as to what to write about.

I’m told I have a tendency to lecture. More truth than fiction. I’m sort of a half assed philosopher. Don’t get me started, we’ll be here ’til rapture. Speaking of which…

…Okay, I’ll steer clear of another religious harangue.Boy oh boy do I love to give the fundamentalists hell. A great guy said, “Fundamentalism is Christianity gone berserk,” and ain’t that the truth? I love to tweak its nose and pull its tail. I love to get ’em so hot under the collar it melts the baloney they spout, utter, and preach. I love to remind ‘them’ that to spend all eternity with them would be the hell they sell to the sinner they send there.  Us guys got that place air-conditioned and spend all eternity playing strip poker with Marilyn Monroe and May West,  if you’re a guy. With any good looking’ young hunk, if you’re a girl–which I will be again when I get there.

Bettejo and her favorite Editor!

Anyhow, I got orders from my Editor, ‘Write something funny about yourself.’ That’s not hard to do. Essentially I’m  a kind of funny character. Funny looking. Eccentric as all get out, always was and always will be. There’s something funny about eccentricity and eccentricity in public is a hoot and holler. To wear tennis shoes with a tux will earn you a giggle or two. Howard Hughes did it and got away with it. If you’re rich you can be as eccentric as the dickens and get away with it. But most of us aren’t Howard Hughes.

Bettejo has a gift of mingling

 the present, the past, and the future...

It used to be eccentrically outrageous  to dye your hair green but that’s not so eccentric anymore. Few heads  turn when you wear it to the mall, or  charity ball, or down the red carpet, either. Red carpets? Hey, buddy, get a load of that. Funny is funny, and humor is humor, but that stuff’s just plain silly.

Okay, I’m a chicken– a scrawny old hen, if the truth were know–but I choose to be eccentric at home.  Out in public I pretend I’m normal. Normal’s not funny. Fact is, normal is dull.

To be dull at eighty freakin’ five–which I am, in years–is a crime against posterity or prosperity or persnickety wicket.

"Happy 80~Freakin Five!"

As a writer, I love to make up words like brillig and the slithy toves.  I jabberwacky. I’m jealous of Lewis Carrol.

I must admit my sense of humor has aged a bit, but I love to laugh. Make people laugh. I wanna die laughing with a glass of Chardonnay in one hand, a magic wand in the other, wearing tennis shoes made in China dappled with red sequins. The  Lion, the Tin Woodman,  the  Scarecrow and my dumb Editor will escort me.

Now that’s funny.

Bettejo a few years back playing checkers
with her nephew...

Bettejo provided the quote on 

the enclosed Kauai sunrise meme!

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---Blogger-n-chief, dakinetalk blog---

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

"A Trip to Rome..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalk's 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...
"I am PRO-CHOICE ON EVERYTHING WITH RESPONSIBILITY..."

A Trip to Rome

  A man walked in to a Barber Shop for his regular haircut.  As he snips away, the barber asks "What's up ?"

The man proceeds to explain he's taking a vacation to Rome. "ROME?!" says the barber, "Why would you want to go there? It's a crowded dirty city full of mafiosos! You'd be crazy to go to Rome! So how ya getting there?" "We're taking TWA" the man replies.

"TWA?!" yells the barber. "They're a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly and they're always late !  So where you staying in Rome ?" The man says "We'll be at the downtown International Marriot." "That DUMP ? !" says the barber. "That's the worst hotel in the city ! The rooms are small, the service is surly and slow and they're overpriced !  So whatcha doing when you get there?"  The man says "We're going to go see the Vatican and hope to see the Pope."

"HA! That's rich !" laughs the barber. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on THIS trip. You're going to need it !"

A month later, the man comes in for his regular haircut.  
The barber says, "Well, how did that trip to Rome turn out ? Bet TWA gave you the worst flight of your life! " "No, quite the opposite " explained the man. "Not only were we on time in one of their brand new planes, but it was full and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a beautiful 28 year old flight attendent who waited on me hand and foot! "

" Hmmm," says the barber , "Well, I bet the hotel was just like I described."
"No, quite the opposite! They just finished a $25 million remodeling. Its the finest hotel in Rome, now. They were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us the Presidential suite for no extra charge! "
"Well," the barber mumbles, "I KNOW you didn't get to see the Pope ! "
"Actually, we were quite lucky. As we toured the Vatican, a Swiss guard tapped me on the shoulder and explained the Pope likes to personally meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into this private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, after 5 minutes the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand. I knelt down as 

he spoke a few words to me."Impressed, the barber pleads, "Tell me, please ! What did he say ?"

The Pope asks " Where did you get the horrible hair cut ?

 A note to Unc from Jack Lord star of the original Hawaii Five-O,
where "Unc" worked as a cinematographer

"The ultimate way to start the day, with a Kaua'i Sunrise meme"

If you would like to see your own personal quote
on a breathtaking Kaua'i sunrise photo please contact
James "Kimo" Rosen

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

"Hawaii, sewage spills and the junk state..." 'Kimo's world #87~

James "Kimo"Rosen is a retired Professional Photographer
 living on the Garden Island of Kaua'i
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog.

Kimo's World #87

Hawaii, sewage spills and the junk state

What is Junk?

The descriptive adjective is  cheap, worthless, unwanted, or trashy. There is also junk mail and email.  

The younger generation uses  it as a noun to describe their private parts. Junk  can also be drugs.

Always check with authorities before
going in the water.

For me junk is  the recent numerous sewage spills. The main dumping on August 24,2015 over 500,000 gallons of raw sewage on the worlds most popular beach. A beach I used for many years, Waikiki beach and Ala Moana's Magic island beach. A few days earlier on Friday August 21,2015 more than 30,000 gallons of raw sewage  flooded Kailua Beach, Kaneohe Bay and Waimanalo. All this on one island, Oahu, in a 3 day time- frame.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/4593570/raw-sewage-spills-into-ocean
Similarly  on Kauai the  day after Waikiki beach was closed .  The St. Regis Princeville Resort  is  keeping guests out of the water fronting the high-end hotel while authorities investigate another  2,000 gallon raw sewage spill. Health officials are  awaiting  water sample test results.
http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/sewage-spill-on-north-shore/article_91ed1cd9-4d16-51d1-b7e7-ca329fd959e9.html
Sewage spills are junk. Sewage spills are happening on a regular basis. New residents and tourists are putting a strain on a sewage , septic and cesspool systems that were originally constructed for far fewer people.

With all the new developments statewide, it won't be long before surfing, snorkeling , fishing and your favorite water sports will be a thing of the past--to tell stories to your grand-kids, "I remember when..." 

Will we still be able to fish  in the
near future with all these sewage spills?
That's Joe Olivos fishing Kealia!

These sewage spills can cause major infections, even death with flesh-eating bacteria ...

Whatever your definition of junk maybe, mine is sewage spills that must  be addressed immediately, otherwise the state will no longer be the 'Aloha state' but the 'Junk state.'

Ironically with a heat wave like we have never experienced in Hawaii--and now we are not allowed to swim in the states most popular beaches.

Hawaii has just showed the world it's junk, and it ain't pretty.

James "Kimo" Rosen back in 1976
with purebred Old English
Sheep dog,"Kamala."

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