THE "HIGH" SEASON

THAT ISN'T

Okay, I'll admit that I made decent money last night. I think I was the only night driver that did. The hotels and condos and timeshares are full but hardly anyone is going out at night. I logged on at my usual time and we only had three dinner runs for the shift. Thats bad. There were a lot of people walking from the hotels to the Shops At Wailea, where four restaurants are located. This is the softest Holiday period that I have ever experienced.

After New Year's we move into our "winter" season. Normally it stays steady and active until April 15th. I have no idea how this year is going to shape up. The rules are apparently in flux this time around.

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Found this interesting story about hotel bookings for New Year's Eve. Kihei ranked 19th and Wailea ranked 20th. Waikiki (Honolulu) came in 29th, Ka'anapali/Lahaina was 27th and even Kahului made the 39th position. Of the top 50 places in America that people are headed to celebrate the New Year, Hawai'i had 5 placings and Mau'i has 4 of those.

I still don't want to work New Year's Eve but it appears that I'll have no option due to monetary constraints I am having to deal with. My final decision will be determined by how much I have accumulated come Sunday morning.

***

I trimmed my beard back from it's "Santa" look and put my Santa hat away for another 11 months. I usually keep my beard trimmed short for the first six months of the year and then start letting it grow out full so I'll have the proper "look" by the holidays. Towards the end it does become a real pain at times but I do enjoy the looks on the little kids' faces who ride in my cab at this time of year. As that credit card commercial says:

PRICELESS

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

Wouldn't You Rather Be Here?

A beach in Kihei, Mau'i

Baldwin Beach, Mau'i

It's a sunny day in Hawai'i

Front Street, Lahaina, Mau'i

Beautiful Hawai'i

Taro fields near Hanalei, Kaua'i

Ka'anapali Beach, Mau'i

This is what it's all about!

The inspiring beauty of Hawai'i

The Waianae area on O'ahu's west side

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"Let's all be careful out there!"