South Shore Maui

 

Last day in Maui

I'm back in a coffee shop on Maui, sending emails and checking my blog. This is our last day on the island and I'm already a bit remorseful.

My sister and I have spent a lot of time walking along the spectacular beaches and driving around the island. We never managed to get organized for the bicycle ride down into the volcano, or a boat trip to see the whales frolic. But we did take a helicopter ride that encompassed the entire island. Since so many areas on the island have little or no access, we found it fun and educational.

Even though the big island Hawaii and Oahu has had a lot of rain. It has been warm (80's F) and dry in Kihei. The incessant tradewinds keep it pleasant.

I bought 2 books on Hawaiian history, a background on the general settlement and development of the islands and a history of the rise and fall of the local sugar plantations, both written by local authors. I'm looking forward to reading both in the next few days.

There are so many interesting and wonderful places to visit, I don't know if I will ever return, but it has been a very enjoyable and relaxing trip. We have had the good fortune of speaking with many local folks (as well as many fellow travelers) and have found everyone to be in good humor.

My guess is the fine weather and gentle dispositions of most the people who live here directly impacts the nature of ones goals and ambitions and it's easy to understand how a year could easily morph into 20.

Kihei sunset

Beach at Kihei

California Dreaming

I'm sitting in a Borders bookstore in Sand City (between Monterey and Castroville, Calif.) checking email. My sister and I have been visiting family and will be leaving for Maui Monday.
So far the trip has been great. We met at the San Francisco Airport Weds. (1-11), rented a car and drove to Castroville. We had dinner at a wonderful Basque restaurant in San Juan Bautista and got into Castroville around 7:30pm.
We have been "catching up" with family and friends and are delighted with how well things are going with everyone.
I hope to post pictures and more later.

Media misinfo update

Today as the mainstream media scrambles to explain and justify the false information widely publicized yesterday, it is of course all the coal company's fault. The Mine Rescue Command Center (obviously company stooges) misunderstood the rescue teams messages (brave people but only in it for the money and glory).

In other words, it wasn't the media's fault. Their sources were wrong. I have yet to hear or read one apology from the folks who propagated the incorrect story.

What a wonderful profession "journalism" has become, report what you wish, when you wish, regardless of the consequences and then deny any responsibilitity, because afterall your "sources" were wrong.

More MSM Misrepresentation

"The mine's owner...did not immediately confirm that the 12 other men were alive." Immediately confirm? How about never confirmed? So Allen G. Breed from the Associated Press got the story wrong and almost every paper in the country printed it. " Miracles happen", They're alive" were some of the headlines in Denver.

I wanted to believe the miner's were alive and I wanted to believe the source. Afterall the same story was everywhere, television, radio and print. I guess everyone wanted to believe it but that didn't make it true.

The whole thing is so sad. I'm sorry for the fallen workers and for all their families and friends. I'm sorry for the elevated expectations and the dashed hopes. And I'm sorry for the inevitable blame game that will surely follow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Was 2005 a good year for you? Do you hold high hopes for 2006?

Regardless of the events of the past year, I am usually hopeful that the coming year will bring good things. No matter what my future plans and commitments may be, a new calendar and all its blank uncluttered days presents to me an array of possibilities and promises, where even the unimaginable can happen. This is, of course, short lived. The hours and the days fill up with the mandatory and mundane, appointments, errands and various obligations.

The allure of what could be is eclipsed by the reality of what is. I think a lot of people are cheered and comforted by things written down on calendars, or at least what it represents; that is knowing where they will be and what they will be doing as well as when they will be doing it.

I realize that without any plans no one could accomplish much and I wonder if I planned more and made more commitments that I might actually accomplish more. On the other hand, I like the idea of allowing and accomodating various possibilities, a little like expecting the unexpected.

So whether you prefer a year jammed pack with activities and events or something less calculated and determined, I hope 2006 brings you all much health and happiness, chock full of promise and possibilities.
I'm beginning to think it may for me.