A XMAS .GIF

FOR YOU

If you need a .gif or .jpeg, just grab what you want.

ADDENDUM
Quite a few of these .gifs are animated but didn't show up that way on the post. Just click an image to find those that are in motion.

Also, the last image is a pic from inside the Vatican, taken by my co-worker, Tina, during her vacation this year.






"Let's all be careful out there!"

ROUNDING THE FAR CORNER

HEADING DOWN THE HOME STRETCH


21 runs and well over $300 on the meter. Very, very nice.

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When Europeans first discovered the Sandwich Hawai'ian Islands, the aboriginal population was divided into assorted warring tribes. The smaller islands had just one but the larger islands had many. Only after the British aided King Kamehameha-I, with firearms and cannons, were the tribes united under one sovereign ruler and the island nation of the Kingdom Of Hawai'i was born. The "Aloha Spirit" prevailed and everyone lived in peace and harmony.

BULLSHIT!

Today, the young toughs of the islands have formed the equivalent of gangs. On Mau'i, the three major groups are the "southside", the "westside" and the "central. These are names assigned by me for identification purposes only. The westsiders hate the other two and the central and southsiders have a working truce, often violated. You are born into these gangs, no application necessary. The lineage from the tribes to the gangs is easily traceable. Our Hawai'ian parallel to the Mafia uses these gangs to foster and nurture future members of their group.

These groups mix daily as life's needs demand, but change the scene to a social gathering (i.e. "nightclubs") then the true hatred of one against another becomes apparent.

Last night, around bar close, I had just taken the phone and was cruising Hapa's parking lot. As I neared the exit I could see a group of 10 young Hawai'ians, early twenties, parting ways after an apparent scuffle. I think my driving up on them may have stopped the fight. 7 headed back to the club and the other 3 going towards Lipoa Street. When I reached the street, they hailed me and we went to the Renaissance. They were from the westside and the southside and central boyz didn't appreciate their company.

We may be a State, part of a nation, but clan comes first and the tribes will continue to battle, through eternity.

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

Buzz's Wharf
Ma'alaea

Government Buildings
Wailuku

Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church

I'ao Valley
Wailuku

Ka'ahumanu Church

Kahakuloa Hawaiian Congregational Church

Kaukini Gallery

Maui Arts And Cultural Center
Wailuku

Maui Tropical Plantation
Waikapu

Mokuleia Bay - Slaughterhouse Beach

Seabird Sanctuary

The Bell Tower - Lahaina Jodo Mission

The Great Buddha - Lahaina Jodo Mission

The Pagoda - Lahaina Jodo Mission

West Maui Mountains

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

AND WE SLIDE

INTO THE "HIGH" SEASON

This is Rosie. Not much to say other than she was a fare last night and looked very photogenic.

The first 7 hours delivered 67% of my fares and 64% of my income. The final 3 hours was 33%/36%. Averaged $15.90 per trip and covered 151 miles (243 km) or $1.58 per mile driven. Thats not a bad night at all.

The weirdoes were out in full force last night. There were definite eddys in the flow of life but nothing so far out of kilter as to be noteworthy as I write this. The worst that I had was one guy who wanted to go to Lahaina but refused to put a deposit up front. No deposit, no ride. Told him to get out of the cab. He refused, so I called 9-1-1 and before the cops could arrive he jumped out, slamming the door as hard as he could. Before I could pull away from the curb, he opened and slammed the door a second time, even harder. Not that race really matters but he was a Tongan and Tongans are known for a lack of social skills among all the polynesian people. Lets just say that they don't play well with others.

Have you completed your Christmas shopping?

I haven't even started. Of course, all I have to do is send money to the grandkids so they can get whatever they want at a price cheaper than I would spend here, which means they'll get more. The only actual gifts that I will be buying will be for Judy. Haven't figured out what it will be though.

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THE PICTURE GALLERY

Pineapple Field, Maui

Polipoli Park, Maui

Ranchland

The Old Pa'ia Sugar Mill

Tedeschi Winery

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"