"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.

"Hurry up..!" 'Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

 Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday about stopping to take the time to smell the roses...
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

February 24, 2012Ó

It's Aloha Friday.

Hurry up !

Aloha folks.

I know people have discussed this before, maybe you've even commented on it to your family or friends.  But almost everyone seems to be in such a big hurry these days. 

I was in my local post office earlier this week.  Two clerks were working with one window closed.  Another clerk came out and started getting ready to relieve one of the other clerks.  A woman came in and saw that there were three people in line ahead of her.  She noticed the clerk with his "Window Closed" sign and loudly asked him, "Can't you open up?"  He was polite.  I was aghast.

The clerk politely explained that he was getting his drawer ready so that he could, indeed, open up.  I was leaving so I didn't get to see how she would react when he did open up, and the clerk he was relieving left.  I love it when people like that are behind me.  That's when I ask "who was the artist who drew this stamp?  Do you have any others by the same person?  If I put two stamps on this envelope will that mean it weighs more and I have to put extra postage?  Do you have those stamps in a different shade of green?"

When a clerk apologizes for making me wait my standard answer these days is, "If I was in a hurry I would have been here yesterday."  I do so love to mess with some people.

Leaving the Post Office and getting onto the freeway I was bowled over, almost literally, by the drivers who were all in a hurry to get somewhere, and the sooner the better.  I have learned to stay out of the fast lane, but now I think I may have to learn to stay off the freeway altogether.  Folks, the limit here is 55 mph.  The only time anyone goes 55 is when they're following a Highway Patrol car.

I have seen people weaving in and out of traffic at speeds approaching, or reaching, 100 mph.  I want to yell at them, "What's your hurry?  Do you just want to die sooner?"

Faster and faster we go.  We try and speed up our lives.  To what effect?  Will going faster add even one minute to our allotted span?  Look at it this way, when you are making love does speed count? (ladies, no answer that)

Ah, well . . .

Ooops, just noticed that I'm late for my appointment with the geniuses down at the Apple Store.  My computer is taking too long to warm up in the morning and I hope they can correct that.  Gotta go !

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.

"Free Ride..!" 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

"The County of Kauai is offering free bus rides for the next three 3 weeks in hopes of gaining ridership..." This blog also ran an an opinion article in the Kaua'i Garden island news on Sunday 02-26-12, titled"Free bus rides all year?"

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-february/article_1e7b1554-6055-11e1-970d-0019bb2963f4.html

Christmas in February and March! The County of Kauai' is giving out free bus service for the next three weeks to everyone who wishes to use the bus! What a fantastic idea, encouraging people to use free bus service in lieu of their gas guzzling vehicles.

Just tell your friends you hired a driver to chauffeur you around in a $500,000 vehicle!
The hopes are high for an increased ridership, which will help curtail traffic and save fellow residents money on out of sight gas prices. You don't have to worry about being pulled over by the police, no insurance worries, no worries about flat tires or vehicle maintenance, in fact you can bring your favorite book and read as your driver takes you to your destination.

County employees can ride the bus for free year round, Lifeguards, Policeman, County council people, the county attorney, the mayor, the guys who place the cones in the road, the guys that repair sidewalks, etc., can all ride the bus for free by simply flashing their county ID card to the bus driver.

I find it ironic that Kaua'i county employees can ride the bus year round for free but most do not take advantage. How ironic that well paid county employee's can ride for free but the taxpayers that pay their salaries must pay.

Free bus rides are great for three weeks, however it is discriminating to give county employee's free bus rides all year, while everyone else pays.

Why not continue with free rides full time? The county could sell advertising on the sides of the bus to make up for lost revenues, in fact the county might even save money by not having to count all the change and single one dollars bills which must be an accountant's nightmare.

The bus can be fun too, "Is everyone in the bus? The driver asked before he closed the door. No, called a lady, wait until I get my clothes on. All the passengers in the bus turned towards the door to look at the woman. She got on with a bag full of laundry.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-february/article_1e7b1554-6055-11e1-970d-0019bb2963f4.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.
Breaking news if you live on Kaua'i!

http://www.kauai.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=VBY0yMzp2I4%3d&tabid=346&mid=1449

"Warren Buffett for President! 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source) -verified true on snopes...-

"Unc" is back talking  Warren Buffet's plan to end the deficit in 5 minutes... Chester Lau, (L'oncle Amusant) is a retired cinematographer enjoying his golden years on the island of Oahu. "Unc"  also served in the Korean war  as a Master Sergeant, and enjoys the naturist lifestyle.

Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling:

      

       "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC "You just

         pass a  law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more        

         than 3% of  GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible

         for re-election.

         The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds)

         took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified!  Why? Simple!

         The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before computers, e-mail,

         cell phones, etc.

        

         Of the 27 amendments to the Constitution, seven (7) took one (1) year

         or less to become the law of the land - all because of public pressure.

          

         Warren Buffet is asking each addressee to forward this email to

         a minimum of twenty people on their address list; in turn ask

         each of those to do likewise.

 

         In three days, most people in The United States of America will

         have the message.  This is one idea that really should be passed

         around.

 

    Congressional Reform Act of 2011       

         1. No Tenure / No Pension.

 

         A Congressman/woman collects a salary while in office and receives no

         pay when they're out of office.

 

         2.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social

          Security.

 

         All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the

         Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into

         the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the

         American people. It may not be used for any other purpose.

 

         3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan,  just as all

        Americans do.

 

        4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.

         Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.

 

        5. Congress loses their current health care system and

         participates in the same health care system as the American people.

 

         6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the

         American people.

 

        7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen/women are void

         effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this

         contract with Congressmen/women.

         Congress made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in

         Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers

         envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their

         term(s), then go home and back to work.

 

         If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will

         only take three days for most people (in the U.S. ) to receive

         the message.  Don't you think it's time?

        THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!

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.