Some of my favorite art.. Heather Brown

Check out the website of Heather Brown. Ms. Brown is an artist from Oahu's North Shore. I absolutely love her work, which I was introduced to in 2009 when on the island.

Please, please browse the site. Prints are $40.

Hawaii 2011: Days 5, 6, 7 and 8

(..after a busy last few days, I had no time to blog from the phone while at the hotel. So I am finishing up from my balcony here in Columbus. Enjoy.)

DAY 5

On Wednesday I was lucky enough to do some surfing down at Kuhio. Thanks 'Big Todd'. We basically used this day as a lazy day and once I finished with the waves we returned to the hotel to get some sun out by the pool and watch some basketball.

DAY 6

We were up early to leave for Hanauma Bay. A plan to stop for breakfast became harder than it had to be. So I think everyone has been told they need to "chill out". Though maybe the one handing out this wisdom should heed their own advice. Instead of picking up some breakfast sandwiches at, say, the two McD's or one BK that we're within five minutes of our hotel, we decided to just wing it and hope to find something on the way. I say we, but I'm not really sure where this strategy originated. Or why, when I questioned this decision, I was told to chill out. But I'm wrong of course. I mean, there was guaranteed to be something along the way, right? And if not, maaan who cares! The snack bar at the park will be open. And if it's not yet, aw well that's no problem. I mean it's not like each individual could be at their own level of hunger, right? Why take all five of us each into consideration? Stupid me.

Hanauma Bay was amazing as usual though. We actually convinced mom to get in the water and do some snorkeling. She was real slow and cautious and first, then she loved it. I was really proud of her! Seeing her so happy that she had done it and liked it had really made me happy and I think that was the best moment of the trip for me. Even hilarious when a 6 ft long eel swam underneath us with its mouth wide open, you could hear the screams under the water as she freaked out. But she was fine. It was really good to be out there with her.

However when returning to the hotel, once again I crossed a horrible, horrible line. As we backed through the full upper level of the cramped parking garage to exit to the street, a small boxy rental pulled up. I got out. "There aren't any spots left," I informed the car behind us. As I got back into our Crown Vic, my dad made a comment (with the window down, they could hear) about the garage attendants just sitting in the booth and chatting away, not paying attention. So as I'm sitting down and shutting the door I shouted in the opposite direction, "maybe if you weren't talking it up and doing your jobs instead!" Was it needed? Not really. Do I need my twenty year old brother to instruct me on how to live my life? Or critique me? Not really. Do you really want everyone else speaking up every time you do or say something that they disagree with? It's like I said directly after that: I'm quiet, quiet, quiet, quiet. I can never be myself around them as it is. Do you think maybe your older brother would mind sitting up front for once? Or your grandmother? Or your mother? And the laughing and calling me a "baby". Oh man. I'm not quite sure how I survive life here without the wisdom and guidance of those who are significantly younger than me. Man it's tough. And then to say to mom "worry about yourself and everything will be just fine," while at dinner one night... how about practicing what you preach. And then dad says "he's going to beat your ass." What the hell? I can't think of anything that would really warrant a father saying that between siblings, let alone when it's the one whining that needs an attitude adjustment. This isn't the kitchen at my parents house, I won't lay down to avoid damaging surroundings or others. But I'm not turning it into a bar parking lot brawl in front of my grandmother. And an adult should know better than to make a comment like that when two brothers are equally at fault. But then again, that was a difference while growing up.

I love them all and would do anything for any of them, but when you treat me like the 'Tom' of the family, I will gladly oblige you with the consequences. All I ask is that everyone take each other into consideration. Look out for your family. Do one or two things throughout the day to make someone elses day easier or make someone smile. And when I see someone not make an effort to do that, yeah I take offense and I in one way or another make it known that I am unhappy with it. Just as my parents did when I was younger. I suppose it's just another difference of growing up.

DAY 7

The last real day. We soaked up all of the sunshine that we possibly could. Surfed some more, did last minute shopping, and had an amazing dinner at the Kona Brewing Company. Sampled some of their local brews and must say I was impressed with the dark beers. Very good stuff. Bed around 11:00.

DAY 8 - LAST DAY

Jessica's graduation was at 3. We soaked up more sun, swam in the pool, checked out of the hotel, and then soaked up more sun. By 1:30 we were on our way to UH Manoa. It was a very casual ceremony but a fun and spirited one. The Governor spoke and before we knew it, we were lowering lei's around Jessica's head as it is tradition here once the ceremony is over. Her graduation party was really fun and loose. Just the type of bar that my friends and I would love back here. Our flight left at 9:40 that night, and I must say that it was a great week on the island, but I was glad to be on my way back home.

Mahalo nui loa, goodnight.

Eddie Aikau Invitational - 12.8.09

Yesterday at Waimea Bay the finals were finished up.

Check out this short vid the final round and some of the most massive waves of the comp (3:47).
Or, an even shorter one sporting some wipe outs and rackdiculous waves, here (1:47).

Hawaii Fallout? Crew VS KC = Crew W! NEW Phone.

Still have not mentioned anything about Hawaii... but we will get to that towards the end of this post. First and foremost:

JUST returned home from Columbus. Eugene couldn't make it to this game, and I couldn't find anyone to go. So even though it was the 10th Anniversary of the stadium (first professional American soccer facility EVER constructed) and there were a ton of events going on before the game, I decided not to go. THEN I read that Mr. Frankie freakin Hejduk was returning. Our Captain did not disappoint. So made the trip, got into the Nordecke during half, and watched the boys in yellow get the first win of the season over a good KC team. Now must mention, Kansas City had two corner kicks directly in front of the Nordecke. I do not know if it was the frustration over this season, the return of Frankie, the 10th Annv, or what.. but we (I must say we, although I did not throw any objects) really let Lopez have it. I saw hot dogs, beer bottles, cups with both beer and soda, streamers, and even a smoke bomb all hail down on the KC player as he tried to set the ball for a corner kick. Ref delayed the game for around five mintues as he consulted with the other officials on how to deal with our behavior and the fact that Lopez was probably scared for his life. On one hand I want to shout HELL YEAH, he will never want to show his face in our house again. On the other, beer bottles, cups, and smoke bombs really do not help our argument that throwing streamers won't lead to the throwing of other items. I really do believe this was a mix between showcasing the frustration of the fans in general added in with newbies in the Nordecke acting like idiots. Hate it or love it, the atmosphere is back.. and I for one, LOVE IT. (..but no beer bottles)

Now to the islands.. I'll have to keep this short. While in Hawaii we..

• Hiked Diamondhead
• Snorkeled at: Hanauma, Waikiki, AND the north shore
• Saw Waimea Falls and swam out to the falls.. very, very cool
• Were able to see the capitol building, and the former King's palace, the only form of monarchy in the history of the US.
• UH
• Dole Pineapple Plantation
• tons more... but I am tired after screaming my head off at game.

New phone.. BlackBerry Curve.. I actually like it for now, we'll see how much I like it after 2-3 bills.