THE "GRAVEYARD"

SAVED ME AGAIN

~ last night's sunset ~
~ Island of Lana'i in distance ~

Like most Tuesdays, it was boringly slow. The major area of activity, 3 pick-ups/2 drop-offs, was Fred's "$2 Taco Tuesday" but that was pau before midnight.

My major source of "meter" were my 2 solo hour runs. The best being a roundtrip from The Prince, in Makena, to Minit-Stop. A 16 mile trek, plus a brief waiting time, to purchase a couple of packs of cigarettes. All totaled, that is more than $35 per pack. The guy was former USMC, retired from United Airlines, now working in Iraq as a civilian contractor. This wasn't his most expensive pack of cigs. A while back, in Chicago, he was part of a backstage party following some concert. Left to buy some smokes and on the exit ramp of the parking structure, he broke a "U"-joint on his driveshaft. Cook County cop gives him a ride to the nearest open garage to arrange a tow. By the time they returned, the car had been totally "stripped", including the driveshaft. A few thousand dollars, per pack!

I did learn something that hasn't been mentioned in the news out of there. Contrary to all these stories about the sophistication (cell phone detonators) of the IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), in reality, most of these devices are actually using washing machine timers. Basically, a very simple spring operated "clock". Not effective against unanticipated troop movements but the most practical method for crowded market places.

***

A tragic accident on Monday, solo fatality. I am interested in how MPD classifies it. Around 12:30p, Monday afternoon, some tourist drove his 2006 Mustang convertible rental over a cliff. He was ejected. Police responded to a report of a vehicle in the ocean and you know the rest. Bright, clear day. No wind. Sun almost vertical, no blinding glare.


Was he drunk?

Speeding?

Suicidal?

Stupid?

If I hear the "cause", I'll let you know.

***

Okay. This is "hump day". Get past lunch and the rest of the week is "downhill".

See ya tomorrow.

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

The Big Island
Due To Volcanic Activity
Gets About 36 Acres Larger Per Year

Beach Scene

Beach In Kihei

Lahaina Beach House

Diving Kapalua

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

"WISKERS!!"

Alissa, my sweetheart, turns 23 today!
She is moving to Mau'i next month. She just graduated from college.

***

"SENIOR" EYE TEST

If you see sheep

You need glasses

***

LATEST PHISHING SCAM

***

We ordered in pizza and kicked back.

Watched the season finale of HEROES. It was great!

I still can't figure out how Sylar was killed. He had absorbed Claire's regeneration power, so getting stabbed by Hiro's samurai sword should not have killed him. I must have missed something. I'll re-watch it later this morning.

The weather here remains very hot and muggy. On my way to Judy's you could not see the West Maui Mountains and the air was so visibly water ladened that even the vast blue Pacific was barely noticeable from 1/2 mile away. The action of just wiping sweat from your brow just causes you to perspire even more. The "trades" aren't expected to return until Wednesday at the earliest. If you have interest in this, just click on the Hawai'i Weather Today video or narrative links over on the sidebar.

***

I hope your Monday got off on the right foot. I'll be testing the waters later today. My Dad always said to "hope for the best but always plan for the worst". Thats how I approach each new week and shift.

Next post should be about 7a HST (UTC-10), after work. Hope to see you then

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Hamoa Beach

Kohala Coast
Big Island

USS ARIZONA
Memorial
Pearl Harbor

image courtesy:
A. Walsh

USS MISSOURI
Pearl Harbor

image courtesy:
A. Walsh

USS MISSOURI
Combat Command Center

image courtesy:
A. Walsh

Plaque On USS MISSOURI
Japanese Surrender - WWII

image courtesy:
A. Walsh

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

FRIENDS

Love comes in all sizes....

Your Friends will support you....

And respect your creativity
for thinking outside the box....

They'll be there when you need a
shoulder to lean on....

Or a great big hug....

A true friend takes interest in
understanding what you're all about....

They see beyond the black and white
to discover your true colors....

And accept you just the way you are...
Even when you just wake up in the morning

So make your own kind of music....

Follow your heart wherever it takes you....

And when someone reaches out to you,
Don't be afraid to love them back....

They may just be a friend for life....

Practice patience and tolerance.....

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave....

And impossible to forget!

***

Are you a qualified building tradesman? If so, the construction continues apace here on Mau'i. Very few "locals" are trained (or skilled) in this occupation. Most of the building sites are comprised of workers from all over the world. Can you lay carpet? The hotels have hired people from the mainland to do this. Besides some really fantastic pay, they also provide "room & board". Not a bad set up. Live in a 5-Star hotel, for free, and get to work in Paradise.

Building contractors doing the new condos and SFR (Single Family Residence) homes are paying top dollar for their trades people. They also provide a free condo, usually shared by 3 or 4 workers, to their employees.

On Saturday night I took 3 great guys, from Bosnia, back to their residence. They do finish carpentry and their base pay is between $20 and $30 per hour. They only spend money for personal necessities and pleasures.

I have also met tile layers from Italy, plumbers from New Zealand and electricians from Australia, and thats a short list.

Another nice thing about the construction industry on Mau'i is that it is NOT seasonal. Since it is basically "Summer" all year long, the work never stops. No drawing unemployment for 6 months, like most tradespeople do on the mainland.

The only thing I can't help anyone who might be interested is who to contact. Though a call to the Hawai'i Building Contractors, Inc. (808-572-7935) might be a good start.

***

Have a tolerable Monday.

See ya tomorrow!

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Huelo Point

Kihei

Makawao

Waianae Valley

Spotted Eagle Ray

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"

"CAN YOU COME IN EARLY?"

"WE ARE SHORT ON CABS."

~ Last Night's Sunset ~

Woke up at 4:50p and was sitting at my desk, getting ready to check my e-mail, and waiting for my brain to "upload" and my eyes to focus, when the phone rang. It was dispatch and they were short-handed.

No problem!

I didn't rush, though. I wanted my body, brain and heart to all get there at the same time. Unlike yesterday.

11.25 hours later, I finished this morning with the best shift I have had in about 15-17 months. Drove 230 miles, covered 24 fares, and had a meter in the very low quad$.

Two trips to OGG and a return from Ma'alaea Harbor to Wailea. Those were the only times I left town and account for about 37% of the meter. Everything else was "south-side".

I am starved. Didn't eat before I went in and only had time for one 5-minute "potty" break during the entire shift. But I will eat right after I post this.

Must serve my loyal readers

The trade winds started dying off last week and are nonexistent this weekend. That makes for some great beach weather. However, when this occurs, it means that convectional heating of the land causes cloudiness over Haleakala, in the late afternoon/early evening, and, when the evening temperature cools down, we get very localized showers. As usual, Wailea is the place that, typically, gets the rain. Last night was no exception. Not bad though. Only had to have the wipers on the third delay indent. ONE-NINE's wipers have six different delay speeds plus the normal and high speed settings.

Even my "solo" hours were active. 8 trips!! Thats more than the total for some recent past shifts.

Almost nailed a pedestrian last night. I was running a fare from FoodLand to Kihei Shores, a residential condo in south Kihei. As I approached the traffic signal at Kihei Road and Alanui Ke Ali'i, there were a group of very intoxicated tourists walking on the oceanside sidewalk. One spots me and leaps into the roadway, in front of me, trying to "flag" me down.

Jerk the wheel hard to the left and slam on the brakes, so hard that my ABS brakes actually locked up. I didn't think that could be done. Missed him by about 1 foot. Shoved my heart out of my throat and pulled my shorts out of my ass and continued the run.

That guy doesn't know how lucky he was. What if I had been sneezing or yawning? He did cuss me out for not picking him and his friends up, though. Believe me, there is no way I would have given that prick a ride, even if I had been empty. He's the type that starts other problems when they get in a cab.

For the fourth night in a row, someone has complimented me on how "smooth" of a driver I am. Not a spendable accolade but definitely a morale booster. Something everyone needs, at times.

***

Did I mention that I am starved?

Good morning, everybody. I'll be back tomorrow with more drivel and horse droppings.

Have a fantastic day!

Mahalo

Aloha

---

THE PICTURE GALLERY

Kaua'i

Kealakekua Bay
Big Island

Lanikai Beach
Oahu
Windward side

Church In A Village
Which Was Later Destroyed By Volcanic Action
Big Island

***

"Let's all be careful out there!"