Toby!

Below are pics of my parents foster dog, Toby.  He's their first foster from All Fur Love.  They are getting very attached and from the photo below, I am sure you can see why.  Pudge, on the other hand is tolerating Toby and even sharing toys.  However, he always lets me know when he is displeased!  I mean, how annoying is it when you get a brand new red squeaky ball and some little pup comes over and claims it and then proceeds to play with it in your bed!

Beer On Ice Reunited at Kona, Hawaii Kai, O'ahu

Exactly one year ago, we had a celebratory dinner at Kona. Last Friday, we did it again. Pizzas, pitchers, samplers, laughs, Jakey, mischief, and more.

ABOVE: Val, Jon, Cheryl, Stephanie, and Sean (my camera took horrible pics so I had to be creative with the coloring). BELOW: Sujin, Angela, Mo, Val and Nicole.

Last but definitely not least, Jeff and Jakey!

Pudge and the Golden Gate

Aloha,
Just thought I'd change things up for a day or two. Hope you enjoy the photo of my favorite pup in front of the beautiful Golden Gate. More Hawai'i updates to follow shortly.

The Pacific

The view from the shore at Lanikai Beach, Saturday, December 12, 2009.

Alternate view.

Cheryl and the Pacific.

Laserlike focus or quiet contemplation?

Sunday night, the view from Kalakaua Ave, Waikiki, Honolulu, O'ahu.

Vertical.

Walking along Kalakaua, at sunset,  one of the few times in my life I experienced Waikiki without frustration.

Bachi Ball at Lani Kai Beach

Photo by Jeff Trip.

Random Imagery

This flower appeared on the kitchen table one morning. I almost never have flowers or greenery in the house but when they appear, they are lovely to look at and very calming to be around. I like round shaped flowers in bright colors. It's nice to have a roommate who enlivens the house. It feels warmer and cozier now and definitely more homier.



Below are are a few more samples of holiday cards. Unfortunately, I am falling way behind and some cards will not be ready for shipment until the week before Christmas.




I'm lying in bed in the islands right now. The sounds of birds singing is pretty nice after not hearing them for so long. I wish I could be more excited about the day at the beach that will start in a few hours, yet, I am so out of it mentally and physically. I need some kind of mental and physical detox to revitalize myself. I feel like I am sinking inward and although I want to be social and have fun, it's becoming tiring. Part of me wants to just hideaway. Part of me wants to hike Koko Head and experience the ultimate in overheating and body fatigue. Part of me wants to stay cuddled up in bed for the rest of the year. All of me wants to pretend that better days are coming and I just need to be patient for a little while longer.

86 Degrees!

Yep, I flew over a huge ocean and ended up 46 degrees warmer. Forgot how extremely small Honolulu is, especially Moili'ili. Yep, it's tiny! Everyone drives sooooo slow and it's crazy frustrating. But, being warm is nice, Kona beer is also nice. Gonna go get some Kona now. I'll try to put together something a little bit more coherent for my next post. I'm currently in the midst of anxious-overwhelming-fatigue. No beach today, but there is always tomorrow.