"As 2011 comes to a close..." (Inspiration Monday on Saturday)

Judith Whitehead  from Amherst N.Y  is back guest blogging about  how another year has flown  by... Due to the timing of New years dakinetalk is posting this blog on Saturday in lieu of it's normal Monday schedule...Judith has worked as a health-care  professional for over 25 years.

 AS 2011 COMES TO A CLOSE…..

Here it is, another year flown by and as we quickly approach the year 2012, we begin to reflect on all that has happened this past year.  We ask ourselves what we have experienced, what have we accomplished and what goals do we have for the coming year. 

There are always the same ole new Years Resolutions…losing weight,  getting a better job, getting any job for some people…becoming a better person are a few of the favorites.  Many of us have New Years eve traditions; I for one usually always celebrate the beginning of the new year with friends that we have know for almost 40 years.  We always get together whether it is for dinner, entertainment  or drinks…its our tradition. 

 Traditions  are important to many and serve as comforting reminders that all is well with the world.  They are things we can count on no matter what else is going on in our lives, they ground us.  

This year I am not making any New Years Resolutions; I have decided to just do the best I can to make each day count and hope for a brighter future for all those in need.  My wish for my family and friends is for each of them to have a wonderful 2012, full of good health and happiness  and to live their lives to the fullest. 

 As many of us have figured out, life is very short and each year flies  by quicker than the previous.  Make it count,  and Happy New Year to you all.

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.

"Next -to-last day of the year..." 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday with some wisdom of what it means to be next to last,  enjoy this next to last day of the year... Make sure and check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

ALOHA FRIDAY

December 30, 2011

It's the last Aloha Friday of 2011 and the . . .

NEXT-TO-LAST DAY OF THE YEAR

Aloha folks. What does it mean to be next-to-last? Is that a good thing, or is that a bad thing? I guess it depends on what you are next-to-last to.

It seems evident that next is a good thing to be. Especially when the teller at the bank calls out "Next?". Suddenly it's your turn. But next-to-last? Not quite the same.

For instance, if your car is the next-to-last car in a traffic pileup that's okay, because you'll be responsible for the car you hit in front of you, but the last car in line will be responsible for your repairs.

If you are the next-to-last to board a full plane that means you at least get a choice of two seats. Whereas if you are last to board you know you're going to sit between a crying infant and a 500 pound person with extreme flatulence.

However, if you are the next-to-last in line for the throne, you need to watch your back. That 5Th cousin behind you might be looking to move up by sticking a knife in your back. Okay, wave at all the people now.

If you are the next-to-last in your class to graduate from med school, you at least have the consolation of knowing there's one doctor less competent than you.

If you are getting the next-to-last donut in the donut case at the supermarket, you know you at least have a choice between that stale glazed one and the chocolate-covered one that's full of fingerprints. With the last donut you have no choice, other than to go to another store, or to scrape off the chocolate fingerprints.

So, which would you rather be, last or next to last?

If this were the next-to-last Aloha Friday article of 2011, it would probably been much more interesting. As it's the last Aloha Friday article of 2011, well, you can see what happened.

Okay folks, see you next week in 2012.

Aloha and good news. Michael's fifth book in the Kohala Coast Mystery series is now available for the first time "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" in paperback from  http://www.lulu.com/  or as a Kindle ebook from http://www.amazon.com/  Just type in the title either place.  The book took Michael 2 years to complete this highly anticipated sequel.

Michael pens a  new article every week for dakinetalk, these are not stock articles but articles written specifically for dakinetalk! Mahalo Nui Loa to Michael and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou to one and all....
http://www.michaelherr.com  or order his new book "The Old Queen and the Maui Maiden" from www.lulu.com 
 
"Eat -- Sleep -- Golf -- Travel
           Write More Books !!
But Take It All One Day At A Time !!"   Michael Herr
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"I'm rich..!" 'Marvin Gross' ( shared from the internet)

Marvin Gross a financial planner from the suburbs of Western N.Y. Is back blogging about being rich, Enjoy...

I'm rich!
Silver in the Hair
Gold in the Teeth
Crystals in the Kidneys
Sugar in the Blood
Lead in the Ass
Iron in the Arteries
And
an inexhaustible supply of Natural Gas.

I never thought I'd accumulate such wealth.                                

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!" 'Obama Da Dog'

"Many electric companies across the country want to install smart meters, to help them save time and money but many believe smart meters have ill effects one ones health..." http://stopsmartmeters.org/ /

Smart meters have been a hot topic in the  news the last couple of months especially on the Garden Island of Kauai.

Imagine instead of smart meters, we could initiate 'smart politicians!'

If we had smart politicians  there  would be no need for smart meters, since the  'smart politicians' would do their homework before installing thousand of devices that may not be safe.

I guess I am just fantasizing about smart politicians, somewhat of an oxymoron like jumbo shrimp.

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.

"Ban cell phones while driving..!" 'Chester "Unc" Lau'

Chester Lau, aka "Unc" was  one of two cinematographer in the US Army who  filmed the 1952 summer Olympics in Helsinki,Finland for the military. He has walked amongst 40,000  on the Nude beach at Cape D'agde in the French Riviera in  1996 &1997 , and was one of  Jack Lords favorite crew members and camera-man on the original Hawaii Five O. "Unc" currently is retired on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. We see both sides of Unc today,  the serious and the not so serious, enjoy...

This blog originally appeared in the opinion section of the Honolulu Staradvertiser on 12-22-11 http://staradvertiser.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx


I am for full ban on cellphone use while driving.

To save lives, the state should adopt a full ban and collect a hefty fine from lawbreakers to balance the state budget: $1,000 for the first offense; confiscate and sell the vehicle on the second offense.
In an emergency, one can park and call for help.

Dump the politicians who do not make enforceable laws to protect the public.

For more information on the danger of driving and cell phones check out the recent December 15, 2011 editorial in the Chicago Sun Times;" http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/9467105-474/story.html


Now for the not so serious side oif "Unc!"
Enclosed is "Unc's" seasons greeting card to all, see below!  ;D)

This man makes love to his wife almost every night... Almost on Monday, almost on Tuesday, almost on Wednesday..."  :D)

True Love

To All my cyber friends and a Special wish for my loving Kauai Mafias: @>----

I wish True Love and HAPPY EVERYDAY, FOR YOU !!! Better
than endless senseless WARS !!!! N'est-ce pas ?
From :Unc C the Oahu Godfadah >:-}

(Unc has studied french for many years and enclosed is another one of his season greetings in french...)
Chers Mes Amis @>----
Joyeux Noël et Bonne anné e
Meilleurs Voeux de fin d'année et que 2012 vous apporte á tous PAIX,
bonheur, succès, santé, prospérité, et bien plus encore  !

L'oncle Chester :-D


The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"To Mail or E-mail…that is the question..."'Judith Whitehead' (Inspirational Monday)

Judith Whitehead is back guest-blogging on this Inspirational Monday talking about good old snail mail verses our fast paced drive through mentality... Judith lives in Amherst N.Y.  She has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for almost 30 years...

To Mail or E-mail…that is the question…..

Recently, I read an article that was so disturbing and sad to this generation. The US postal service is in great financial trouble; they are millions of dollars in debt and could become obsolete some day.

What has this generation done to the mail service? Between e-mails, electronic payments, text messaging and face book we have begun to phase out a great part of our history. I can remember back when there were even no zip codes; back in the 1960’s our address would have a zone number such as Buffalo 23 New York. I remember the excitement when we had a full zip code that would get mail to us even faster than ever before. When my husband and I were dating, we lived miles away for several months. We would actually sit down and write letters to one another. Phone calls were too expensive and we would save that luxury for the weekend rates. Each day we would check our mailbox for a treasured letter from each other.

Does anyone even write letters anymore?? Now the preferred way to communicate is with e-mail or texting. Cell phones and computers have put the postal service out of business; something we tried so hard to make International in the 1950’s is about to become history in a matter of years. I know we all have to go along with progress, but I never thought that the U.S. mail would become a part of history that our young children will learn about only in history books.

I for one do still send real cards through the mail, not e-cards and like to pay my bills writing a real check at my desk. If computers all crash some day we will be s-o-l……Hang on to this piece of Americana and send a letter to someone once and a while. It may shock them and you may enjoy actually sitting down with pen in hand for a change.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)

"Why Jews eat Chinese food on Christmas..."‏ 'Obama Da Dog'

"Obama Da Dog wishes everyone a Joyous Holiday season and to remember that everyday is Thanksgiving even though today is Christmas..." Note; This blog also appeared as an opinion article this same day of Christmas in the Kaua'i Garden Island news; under the title;" A holiday tradition...." http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-saturday-december/article_a5e97f0c-2dfc-11e1-b984-001871e3ce6c.html

The big question this time of year is why do my people (Jewish people) eat Chinese food on Christmas?

 It's a tradition that started since most Chinese people are not Christian and do not celebrate the holiday, therefore those in the restaurant business stay open when literally everything form shopping malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, sporting events, public libraries, public pools, even grocery and drug stores are closed on Christmas. 

On December 25Th, the United States is pretty much closed down, but 90 years ago, things were really closed . It was either church or family and friends at home. Therefore  Jewish people had nothing to do until they discovered Chinese restaurants were open.  
Chinese restaurant owners did not discriminate. They did not care whether they served blacks, Jews, Portuguese  or space aliens. They treated all their customers with due respect. This was unique at a time when a Jewish person could be turned away at the door of a restaurant since anti-semitism was a real thing. The Chinese restaurant owners didn't care and  the more people meant more  money.  
 
One obstruction for Jews to get over was that Chinese food was filled with non-kosher ingredients like shellfish and pork. Some just held their nose and ate it. In the late 1950s, there evolved this humorous concept of “safe treyf.” (non kosher food) Obviously, treyf (non-kosher food)is forbidden but “safe treyf” means it’s prohibited but OK. If you can’t see the pork in the won-ton soup stock, Or if the shrimp in the shrimp chow mein is chopped up into little tiny pieces  that you really can’t recognize then it’s OK.

 
The irony about all this hoopla of Jews having nothing else to do on Christmas is that Jesus himself was a practicing Jew and I would bet my matzo ball soup he would most likely had eaten kosher Chinese food on December 25Th with a message of peace and aloha to one and all.

 Merry solstice, Happy Christmas and rejoice in Chanukah!

Now as an encore or as in Hawaii we say Hana hou, enclosed is a poem and joke to go with today's blog!

"Twas the night before Christmas and there was hardly a sound,
As Jews jumped in their cars and drove to Chinatown.
Their orders were given to waiters with care,
In hopes that won-ton soup soon would be there.

The children finished their noodles and nestled in their beds,
While visions of fortune cookies danced in their heads.
Now, Moment takes an inquiring look,
At how this love affair with Chinese food took."—Nonna Gorilovskaya

A Chinese / Jewish Restaurant Joke

A Jewish man and a Chinese man were conversing. The Jewish man commented upon what a wise people the Chinese are.

"Yes," replied the Chinese man, "Our culture is over 4,000 years old. But, you Jews are a very wise people, too."

The Jewish man replied, "Yes, our culture is over 5,000 years old."

The Chinese man was incredulous, "That's impossible, he replied. Where did your people eat for a thousand years?    

Mele Kalikimaka & Haouli Makahiki Hou!

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this blog site do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Publisher of Dakinetalk the blog, but they could? ;D)