"Ann Druyan and Me..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Inspiration Wednesday)

Guest-blogger Bettejo Dux is one of Kauai's most colorful people, she has lived on the cosmic island of Kaua'i for over 40 years... She is an animal lover, people lover and enjoys life to the fullest.Today's blog  talks about Carl Sagan's widow, "Ann Druyan."  A real classic I am sure everyone will enjoy!

Ann Druyan and Me

In November, 2003, Ann Druyan, Carl Sagan’s widow, wrote a brilliant piece in the Skeptical Inquirer in which she talked about Science, religion, wonder, awe…and Carl Sagan. This incredible woman with her incredible mind has always been a favorite of mine.

You can still find this wonderful piece in your search engine. On the Ann Druyan page, it’s at the top of the list. I promise you it’s well worth the read. it was written after the death of her beloved husband and so touched my heart I wrote a letter to the magazine dedicated to science and reason.

In the next edition of the magazine Volume 28, No.2. March April/2004, I was astounded to find my letter published in their letters to the Editor section. Two years ago about this time, I sent a copy to The Kaua'i Garden island news and it was published  and that’s when I discovered the infamous discussion line.  I would like, as a celebration of my second  year on this discussion board, to publish it again. It begins…

After reading Ann Druyan’s article (some thoughts):
At a time of terror, turmoil and terminal greed, the thought of a better tomorrow, for most of us, is as fragile as a reed.  Man cannot live without hope and therein, perhaps, lies the key to a brighter future. Not hope in the sense that we need it, but hope in the essence that we have it. It is that which all of us have in common that will, I believe, see us through. It matters not what race we are, what gender, what nationality, what social or economic status, what faith we have or haven’t, but our common sense of humanity that will prevail. Like the reed of hope, we are, on this planet, fragile flowers battered and bruised and tossed about by the wayward wins of fate. None of us know-neither the prince nor pauper, saint or sinner-what the future holds. Illness, accidents, ill-begotten whims of nature or man, beset us all. Our very next breath may be our last and no one knows.

We live with fear. We live with courage. We live with happiness and sorrow, expectation and failure, flaming success and brilliant anonymity. It is the game of life we play, some of us better than others. An infant in a back alley and a prince in a palace have one thing in common, they both took their first breath, and, in the end, it is the same for them, they breathe their last.

I think, from the depths of my human condition, we need love and peace and truth and justice. The winds of war and madness may blow us off course, set us apart and at each other’s throats, but, in the end, the very essence of what we are-goodness and right, decent and caring-will bring us back together. We will be brothers and sisters on this small planet, ready to move on to a better tomorrow.

Humbly, I submit this, once again,  to all the minds I've touched this year. I renew my trust and hope the words of my letter come true.

Hana Hou, (Encore)
Please listen for 2 minutes about the opening of A Starbucks in a Funeral Home! Dis for real!  http://bethadam.org/coffee-to-go/  

 Turn up your volume and listen to this podcast for 2 minutes, it's about the opening of a Starbucks in a funeral home!

Rabbi Barr's latest podcast is on Starbucks opening in a funeral home. What do you think of that? http://bethadam.org/coffee-to-go/

Today's second  Hana Hou is a Facebook share, Mahalo Facebook!



Bettejo  also  publishes her own blog column.
You can check it out at ;  http://www.bettejo.wordpress.com .   Besides her blog she recently published and authored the humorous fiction book, "The Scam," check it out at(www.bettejodux.com) or  on Amazon.

http://www.bettejodux.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.

"Kimo Therapy..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

Kimo-Therapy includes hugging my dog...

I took on the moniker name "Kimo" when I first moved to Kaua'i and was employed by Kaua'i Magazine. I was hired as the vice president of sales and marketing and found it peculiar that Kaua'i Magazine  was one of numerous Hawai'ian publications with no Hawaii'an names on the masthead. So it was during a staff meeting that my former boss and former state Senator Gary Hooser said.  "OK Kimo."  Hence Kimo was born.

Kimo was a type of therapy for the magazine, to actually have a Hawaii'an name associated with one of the main people of the publication would mean alot to establishing  new readership and clientele


I have not worked for the magazine since 2003, but have kept the nickname of Kimo. I like to call it the "good kine" of Kimo-Therapy, which includes publishing a daily blog, bike riding with my companion Obama Da Dog, swimming , taking long walks, gardening, live-streaming netflix on my wifi enabled TV  and sitting back with a Panda Express plate dinner...


Hana Hou, (Encore) Facebook Shares (Source)
Hawai'i people will appreciate dis da most!  ;D)

"Secret to happiness is in giving back..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Monday)

"Guest-blogger Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and has worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for over 30 years..." She talks about doing what you are passionate about and being paid for what you love to do and the many rewards..!;D) Enjoy...
http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/my-view/article940823.ece

Secret in Happiness is in giving back!

After working in the medical field for over 25 years, I think I have finally found the secret to happiness and fulfillment. Every year I try to find new things to challenge myself in my profession, whether it be a new position, new skills to learn or expanding my knowledge attending seminars. This year I felt it was time to give back.

Last summer I began to work for a large medical practice and observed students doing their required internships in their fields of study in each department. As I spoke with some of them they shared with me their uncertainty as to what they would do with their degree once they graduated.
Most of them were teenagers or in their early 20s and had not been out in the working world for very long. Many years ago I was in that same boat and began to remember how I would use what I had learned as well. I decided to contact my Alma mater, Erie Community College, which I had attended back in the 1970s, to see if I could be of service in sharing my life experiences in the working world and where my path had led me. I spoke with the department head and, to my delight, she was overwhelmed with gratitude that I had contacted her, and she took me up on my offer to address the students of my program, which was still in existence.

ECC is a diamond in the rough, and although the students don't realize it at the time, it can be a great stepping stone to bigger and better things. My degree in medical assisting opened the doors to a wonderful career in ophthalmology and also fit right into my degree in gerontology that I obtained many years later at the University at Buffalo. The workforce is not what it was many years ago and jobs are very competitive these days, even more so than when I was young. Young adults at this age need a hook; they need a skill and passion in their field to succeed. I realized that if you pursue a profession that you are passionate about, it will shine through 100 percent when you finish school. You will stand out during an interview if you exude confidence and happiness in your field.

As I spoke with the director in the program at ECC, she also suggested that I might be interested in becoming an adjunct professor and teach a class in the fall. How more perfect could that fit be? Not only do I get to give back to the students by sharing my life experiences, but I also can share the knowledge that I have gained.

I don't make a king's ransom in my field, just a comfortable living. Happiness, as it turns out, does not come from a high-paying position that you don't enjoy. It doesn't come from gifts, money or a lavish lifestyle; it comes from sharing and giving back to those who truly appreciate what you do. It has to come from within, and it doesn't matter what profession you choose to work in. If you can touch someones life along the way in some small way, it makes life worth living.

I witness people every day who are stuck in a job and feel they have nowhere to turn. They are unhappy day after day, and I see what a toll it can take on someones health. Change is always hard to deal with and dealing with the unknown is the scary part, but if you are able, and opportunity comes along your way, take it.

Life is so very short and since we all will be working well into our 60s, 70s or even 80s, we'd better make it worthwhile.



This blog also appeared in the Buffalo News on July 8, 2012;

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial-page/from-our-readers/my-view/article940823.ece


Hana Hou (Encore) -"Facebook shares-source"

"Make Love, not war..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau'

Chester "Unc" Lau  a retired cinematographer living his twilight years on the Hawai'ian island of Oahu
and retired Master Sergeant who happens to enjoy the naturist lifestyle is guest-blogging about people's obsessions
with private parts. Unc reviews in this blog a recent article that appeared in the Huffing Post and many other periodicals across the nation in an article by author Jocelyn Noveck titled, " Women stumped by discomfort caused by saying 'vagina.'  or Unc's version he calls,  "P-word OK? The  V-word, that's trickier."enjoy and make sure to link onto the article

 For the mature minded,this is an article from Author Jocelyn Noveck of the Associated Press as  appeared in the Huffington Post June 25, 2012 . It reminds me of the old expression of "Make love, not war."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/vagina-v-word_n_1625429.html

 
 should be revered & not condemned.  Responsible sex is  not  lewd , it is a necessary part of life for pleasure and reproduction of the species.
 
I agree totally on her philosophy in this article which brings out why our country is  obsessed with condemnation on speaking or showing of  sex organs for educational purpose and  for health and the prevention of sexual diseases. The article tells us how obsessed out nation is with just saying the word Vagina, however Penis is more acceptable. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/vagina-v-word_n_1625429.html
 Sex is part of life...

Why is it  OK  to show the daily killings  of  wars  for  profit & empire building. Why is it  OK to show war & killings on TV but not P & V.

P & V kills no one,  Profits from senseless wars has  killed millions. Which is more harmful to mankind ?  where will the world or any of us be with out the P & V ? Please read and link onto  Jocelyn Noveck's article," Women stumped by discomfort caused by saying 'vagina'  or my version I call,  "P-word OK? The  V-word, that's trickier." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/25/vagina-v-word_n_1625429.html

"Wake up cable company, it's 2012..."‏ James "Kimo" Rosen

No-body's "Winning" now...
Customers and advertisers
both lose on blocked cable.

Hawai'i Oceanic Time Warner cable is in negotiations with the local ABC affiliate KITV. Last Monday(July9,2012) at 11:59 P.M. KITV blocked their signal to Time Warner cable affecting approximately 300,000 plus viewers statewide because the cable company says KITV wants too much money to broadcast their signal. Ironically just two weeks prior Hearst Television, the parent company of KITV said, "blackouts are unfair to customers."

What is the cable company thinking? What is KITV thinking? What is KITV doing to calm their advertisers down for loss of viewership? Why would a cable company want to alienate half the State's population?

Every month when my cable bill arrives I am always alarmed at a new charge for something. One special has expired and another special went up, while they now charge for what was once free. At this time in history for the cable company's to be raising prices is ludicrous. Ludicrous because 99% of all network shows are available via streaming on the Internet for free.

My cable  bill is  outrageous and Oceanic cable cannot even guarantee me a major network TV station? The same station can be picked up with a rabbit ear antenna if you live within broadcast range.

It's time to tell Oceanic Time Warner were not  gonna take it!   There's always Direct TV, Dish, Hawaiian-tel, Netflix and the Internet.  The cable companies unlike many commodities inclusive but not limited to the VCR, DVD, digital camera's, microwaves , etc, have all come down in price after the novelty and newness dissolves. It's time the cable companies lower their premiums or go broke in the new world of live streaming.


 Remember just about  any 8 year old can connect a HDMI cable  from the family computer to your TV and start live streaming unlimited  shows, newscasts, sporting events and movies for free from the Internet right onto your TV screen.

Wake up cable company or you may be blocked out yourselves very soon from the very viewers your abusing right now.

This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the 07-15-12 edition of the Kauai Garden Island news, "Wake up cable company..."
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-sunday-july/article_47ab5e3e-ce55-11e1-83ba-0019bb2963f4.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2012/07/hearst-time-warner-cable-dispute.html

"Got to go..." 'Michael A. Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back guest-blogging on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about   the number one  problem, that's right you got it! "To pee or not to pee," That is the question? check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/



 　
It's Aloha Friday.

Got to Go? Which to use? His or Her's (Herr's)? Right to Pee.

As a person gets older they leave many problems behind them — "Am I pregnant?" "Did I get her pregnant?" "What will I do if they fire me?". But new problems crop up. One that I've had to deal with more in the last couple of years involves restrooms. Toilet facilities. My wife is in a wheelchair. When she has to use the toilet, into which facilities do I wheel her? Men's Restroom or Women's Restroom?

In some places the decision is easy. At San Francisco International Airport, after you pass through Security, there is a Companion/Caregiver Restroom. It's wheelchair accessible, has a curtain you can pull once you're inside so that no one can see anything through the frosted glass of the door and it has good grab bars. In fact it's so attractive that once I had to reprimand another traveler for using it in order to change his clothes. I'm not sure he spoke English, but I think my frown conveyed my message even if my words did not.

But at other airports, and other venues such as theatres, there are no similar Companion Restrooms. So, I'm faced with the question — Men's or Women's bathroom?

So far my answer has been to push my wife's chair into the Women's Restroom, head straight for the largest handicap staff, get inside and lock the door behind us. I get some looks at times, but so far no screams and no calls for Security. I choose the Women's Restroom for two reasons. My wife is more comfortable around other women, and the chances of us seeing something we would rather not see are much less there than in the Men's Restroom.

In deciding not only which restroom to use I also have to decide when to enter. So, like a stalker, I try to estimate the number of women left in the room from the numbers I count entering as compared with those leaving. Last time I got very lucky and there was no one in when I pushed my wife's chair inside. But there were many women there when we exited the stall. At that point we skip the hand-washing exercise.

It's a small inconvenience, but it's a question that I and my wife have learned to think about whenever we go out.
And it's so much better over here than in other parts of the world. Right now in India there is a movement gathering momentum. The "Right to Pee" movement. It seems India has fewer restroom/toilets and while men working out in the fields can simply step behind a bush or tree, women have much more difficulty relieving themselves. And part of that problem is that many of the men think it amusing to watch, and sometimes even assault, a women who is forced to relieve herself out in the open. Do an Internet search for "Right to Pee" and see what you find.
Oops, another aspect of growing old has just hit me. I have to end this article and go quickly to our bathroom myself.

Okay folks, see you next week.
http://www.michaelherr.com/ 

Hana Hou (Encore)  http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2012/07/hearst-time-warner-cable-dispute.html
Local cable company blocks out ABC affiliate from all Time Warner cable customers in the state of Hawai'i.
 "Oceanic Time Warner rips me off for close to $100.00 a month on cable and I cannot even watch my favorite show for the hot topics "The View." I will wait one week and if this blackout is not resolved I am cancelling my cable. Most network shows like "The View,"  "Bachelor," etc. are available for free online anyway, so Oceanic, get your act together, otherwise remember what goes around comes around, and my crystal ball is telling me you are going to lose many customers." 

James "Kimo" Rosen

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/morning_call/2012/07/hearst-time-warner-cable-dispute.html

"You can always find self gratification elsewhere..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'



"The journey of political office was short lived..."






A good politician needs endorsements from many, not something you just want to do for self gratification. One can always find self gratification elsewhere.

 The last two years I thought I would give it a try, however after a market survey conducted by reading comments about myself in the Letter's to the editor section of the local paper and just asking people point blank what they thought of me running for political office, was found to be mostly negative. I didn't have to hire a consulting firm, I just stood on the street corner for 2 hours with a sign displaying my name for county council, and I received one honk and many one fingered peace signs.

I feel relieved I did not take the plunge.  The handshaking  is especially hard being a germ-phobic and declining hand shakes is  not going to win elections, plus lying is something I find hard to do.

 The other thing I find hard to do is something most woman politicians and some men politicians do, they make campaign posters and literature with head shots of themselves from 20 years ago.

I met a woman running for public office a few years back and had only seen her campaign posters, when I saw her in person I thought I was seeing her mother.Thick skin is a must to run for a political office and I am proud to say my skin  is not thick although my waistline is another story.