SAY THIS THREE TIMES FAST

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUAA

This is the name of the official state fish of Hawai'i.

Its pronounced:
HOO-moo-HOO-moo-NOO-koo-NOO-koo-AH-poo-AH-ah (meaning "triggerfish with a snout like a pig". Locally called "Pig Nosed Fish").
Genus: Rhinecanthus
Species: R. rectangulus
Binomial name: Rhinecanthus rectangulus

Thats a mouthful!

It was made the state fish in 1985 but lost the title when the "sunset" clause of the law took affect after 5 years. Now 16 years later, the state legislature is attempting to address this oversight.

ARTICLE
==============================================
BLOGSPOT STILL NOT FIXED

Still cannot add a title to my posts. This problem isn't even mentioned in the system status file. In fact the system status file has lost all reports since November 14, 2005.
==============================================
¥ £ € © ® ½ ¼ ¾

Ever try to find these on your keyboard?

Here's an excellent site where you can learn about some "alt" key features or to just CC&P the symbols.

WIL"S NOTE:
OBVIOUSLY THIS HAS A PROBLEM, AT LEAST IN MY BROWSER.
I GET AN "A" WITH A ROOF OVER IT BEFORE EACH OF THE SYMBOLS. DIDN"T SHOW THAT WAY WHEN I PREVIEWED BEFORE POSTING.
hmmmm.
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SPEAKING OF BROWSERS

If you haven't done so already, Download the MOZILLA FIREFOX browser when you get the chance. It is a sharp improvement over MSIE-6 and MSIE-7.

Just click the link to go to the download site. Its FREE and you'll still have your MSIE available.
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ANOTHER WORK DAY

It's about 9:40am here. Time for bed. Another week starts at 7:00pm tonight.

==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

MELLOW MONDAY

BLOG HOUSECLEANING

A nice quiet day off here in paradise. Every time I felt an urge to do something productive, I would just lie down until it passed. :)
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I've added the CIA World Factbook to my "RESOURCE CENTER" in the right sidebar.

I have also linked each of the flags, under the banner at the top of this blog, to the corresponding CIA World Factbook page for that country. Hope you find this interesting and/or helpful.
==============================================
Blogspot is having problems again. The TITLE section is missing when you create a post.

I'll have to edit this post and add a title when that feature reappears in the "create" function.

Wishing all of you the best week of your life to date.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

HAPPY EASTER

RIDE THE WAVES

Boogie boards are sold everywhere, even in supermarkets.

These are kinda pretty. Looks like some of Wyland's artwork.

==============================================
SPF-70

There are only a few places in the world where this much protection is needed. I think you are protected upto a "X" level solar flare. Very popular item with our "snowbird" visitors.

==============================================
LASER ACUPUNCTURE

This is Kristy Plonsky. She owns an acupuncture business that uses lasers rather than needles. She specializes in helping people quit smoking. Whether it works or not is debateable. But at $299.00 per session, she's obviously laughing all the way to the bank.

I dropped her in Makena, in a "gated" community about 500 meters from Clint Eastwood's home. She was going to go hot tubbing with a friend.

==============================================
LAST NIGHT

First really good shift in a long time. Came on at 7:00pm and didn't get a run until 8:30pm and that was to OGG. Followed that up with a run from the Mau'i Prince Hotel (way south) to Sugar Beach at the very north end of Kihei. And then I made a trip from The Grand to the Hyatt, in Kaanapali (north of Lahaina, on the westside of the island).

Three really big $$$ runs in a row. The airport run tipped me $17 and the westside trip brought a $42 gratuity. Not bad at all! :)

Other than perfunctory radio traffic, I had no conversations with the drivers who were a pain the prior shift.

As usual for a saturday night/sunday morning, there were no requests for a cab during my solo part of the shift.
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SACRIFICE THE CHOCOLATE BUNNY

Strange, I don't remember seeing any TV ads for CADBURY this year.

I live at the end of the world's day, just one time zone east of the International Date Line, so I hope everyone had a great Easter. Sunrise services are just starting here and my days off have begun.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

SOME NIGHTS JUST GO DOWNHILL

ROUGH NIGHT

I logged on at 7:00pm and didn't get my first dispatch until 8:00pm. Sat at the Four Seasons until 8:26pm, when I made pickup to OGG. It was a pleasant run with a lady and her daughter, who were returning to Santa Monica, CA, USA.

I had taken over dispatch at 7:15pm and we were having a rather active evening. After the recent "dry" shifts we have suffered through, the other drivers transformed into a tiger shark feeding frenzy. They started questioning the allocation of the runs. Being real asses. I finally became feed up with the complaints and tossed the phone to the last complainer and told him to have a nice graveyard shift. I went home at 1:30am. I just didn't care anymore.

We are not compensated for dispatching, its just a duty that we all share. And sometimes the grief I suffer through, trying to make sure everyone makes money, just isn't worth it.

It's now 10:30am and I've finally calmed down.

Only took 15 revisions of this post to eliminate the profanity,

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FLAGS UNDER BANNER

Someone e-mailed me about those little flags under the banner.

They flags represent where each visitor to Paradise Driver is from.

Wouldn't it be unique to have all 160+ nations of the world represented here?

File that thought away in the WILD DREAMS folder.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

SLOW, SLOW NIGHT

$350,000!!!

This is what $350k will buy on Mau'i:

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

The average price of a home on Mau'i is now $970,000!!! STORY
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WYLAND GALLERY
"click" photo for better view

The world renowned marine artist WYLAND has a gallery in The Shops Of Wailea.
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CHRISTY O'CONNOR

Christy (CBS NEWS talkshow host/former KPIX-TV5, San Francisco, investigative reporter) and her daughters arriving for their Easter holiday.

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LAST NIGHT

Another slow night. So slow that I took an extended break from 10:30pm to 12:30am. I would rather be doing nothing in the comfort of my home than in the front seat of my cab.

My last run of the night (3 hours before the end of the shift) was the same two ladies, Natalie & Monica, from last night They are enjoying their "spring break".
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TRANSLATOR CODE

This is the code for the Babel Fish translator.

Just CC&P it into the proper place in your blog's template.

You will need to make two adjustments:
1. Change the RGB color code "triplet" to a color that will work on your blog's background. You can get all the color code HERE.

2. insert your blog's URL where it says YOUR URL HERE.

That's all there is to it! Enjoy!
<!-----BABELFISH-----><br /><form action="http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr" method="post" onsubmit="return verifyTrURL()" name="frmTrURL"><br /> <b style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);" class="m">Translate This Blog</b><br /><input size="" style="" name="trurl" value="http://YOUR URL HERE" type="hidden"><br /> <nobr><select name="lp" style="font-size: 0.8em;" tabindex="1" class="button"> <option value="">Language Options:</option> <option value="en_zh">Chinese-simp</option> <option value="en_zt">Chinese-trad</option> <option value="en_nl">Dutch</option> <option value="en_fr">French</option> <option value="en_de">German</option> <option value="en_el">Greek</option> <option value="en_it">Italian</option> <option value="en_ja">Japanese</option> <option value="en_ko">Korean</option> <option value="en_pt">Portuguese</option> <option value="en_ru">Russian</option> <option value="en_es">Spanish</option> </select></nobr><br /><input value="Translate" name="btnTrUrl" type="submit"><br /></form><br /><a href="http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://babelfish.altavista.com/"><i><b>BABEL FISH</b></i><img src="http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://not-a-real-namespace/http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7150/278/320/Babel%20Fish%20logo.jpg" /></a><br /><hr /><br /><!-----END BABELFISH----->
***ALERT***
this only works if your blog is in english
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

THERE'S A BAD MOON ON THE RISE

FULL MOON MADNESS

All the signs pointed to a good shift.

The Shops at Wailea had more people than I had ever seen.

The weather was dry and the temperature was 75f/24c. A very light breeze.

A full moon was rising.

It was so slow that the usual "die hard" day drivers didn't even stay late, trying to earn that extra dollar.

By 2:00am, I had only had 6 runs. Normally I have 15-20.

The most fun run of the night was at "bar close". Two young ladies from Danville, CA, USA. A town, now city, that I patrolled a long time ago.

Their names are Natalie and Monica

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GAS PRICES

Still on the rise

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DIE HARD

I worked until almost 8:00am.

We had 4 cabs scheduled to be on-duty by 6:00am, but we had 4 scheduled runs between 6:15am and 6:45am. That would mean no coverage for all those unscheduled walkouts that want to go golfing, etc.

Picked up the 6:15am run from the Mau'i Coast to OGG. It was my biggest $$$ run of the night.

The sunrise caught me as I was leaving Kahului.

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MOONSET

Yesterday, the 13th, was the "full moon" and the moonset was gorgeous.

==============================================
"wanna take a ride?"

This video was made on my ride home from OGG. It starts just before I enter Wailea and takes you to THE GRAND.


==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

I'VE HAD WORSE NIGHTS, BUT NOT MANY

WALKING INTO HEAVEN

When you enter the Grand Wailea you are greeted by some beautiful sculpture.

Just past the foyer there are two displays of native Hawai'ian dancers.


Three lifesize kanes (men) are on your left.





Three lifesize wahines (women) are on your right.




Just a few steps further and you are greated by the grandeur.

A mermaid awaits your beckon, while the Botero Bar behind her is ready to serve you whatever exotic drink imaginable.

Then you glance skyward to embrace the splendor.

==============================================
KINDERGARDEN CAR

Remember when you were in your 1st and second year of school?

Remember drawing and painting different scenes and images about your life?

Remember what the cars you drew looked like?

I bet it kind of resembled this:


It is a Scion xB


==============================================
THE MOON

All night long the Moon danced with the clouds.



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LAST NIGHT

At "bar close" (2:00am), I had a total of 3 runs. Thats pretty sad. The other drivers hadn't done any better and went home to "lick their wounds".

I managed to eek out three more runs during my solo hours of the night.

The most interesting, and most $$$ (this run doubled what I had on the meter for the night) was the result of a head-on traffic collision.

My passengers were the four people riding in this pickup truck.


The drunk driver of this vehicle crossed the center line of the road.

Thankfully, no one involved was seriously injured.
I took the victims home to Lahaina, about 25 miles away. The police made other arrangements for the drunk.

And wouldn't you know it. The phone rang three times within 5 minutes after I had started this run. Other people wanting a cab. Since I am the only cab in south Mau'i after 2:00am, they were S.O.L.

Ended the shift with 6 trips. The "take home" was actually decent.
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MOONSET/SUNRISE



They sort of play out Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicals.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be%

INTERNET EXPLORER

MY APOLOGIES

For the first time I have been able to view my blog using IE.

It is really "screwed up!"

I will try and find out where there is a "code" error in the template that causes the "sidebar" to drop way off to the bottom of the page. It may take a while.

Time to hit the shower and head off to work. :)

==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

TUESDAY "TV" TEST

TEST VIDEO

This is a TEST.

This is only a TEST.

In the event of an actual emergency,
bend over and kiss your ekole good-bye.

I am experimenting with the use of video at Paradise Driver. A very amateur effort.

"click" the arrow in the center of the screen to start the video.


Mahalo's to "gnightgirl" at This Just In for the concept.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

MONDAY MADNESS

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK" -
She is a "BREASTED AMERICAN."

2. She is not a "SCREAMER" or a "MOANER" -
She is "VOCALLY APPRECIATIVE."

3. She is not "EASY" -
She is "HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."

4. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" -
She is a "LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."

5. She has not "BEEN AROUND" -
She is a "PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."

6. She is not an "AIRHEAD" -
She is "REALITY IMPAIRED."

7. She does not get "DRUNK" or "TIPSY" -
She gets "CHEMICALLY INCONVENIENCED"

8. She does not have "BREAST IMPLANTS" -
She is "MEDICALLY ENHANCED."

9. She does not "NAG" you -
She becomes "VERBALLY REPETITIVE."

10. She is not a "TRAMP" -
She is "SEXUALLY EXTROVERTED."

11. She does not have "MAJOR LEAGUE HOOTERS" -
She is "PECTORALLY SUPERIOR."

12. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" -
She is a "LOW COST PROVIDER."


HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" -
He has developed a "LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY."

2. He is not a "BAD DANCER" -
He is "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."

3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" -
He "INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS."

4. He is not "BALDING" -
He is in "FOLLICLE REGRESSION."

5. He is not a "CRADLE ROBBER" -
He prefers "GENERATIONAL DIFFERENTIAL RELATIONSHIPS."

6. He does not get "FALLING-DOWN DRUNK" -
He becomes "ACCIDENTALLY HORIZONTAL."

7. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" -
He develops a case of "RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."

8. He is not a "MALE CHAUVINIST PIG" -
He has "SWINE EMPATHY."

9. He is not afraid of "COMMITMENT" -
He is "RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGED."

10. He is not "HORNY" -
He is "SEXUALLY FOCUSED."

11. It's not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants -
It's "REAR CLEAVAGE."
==============================================
GOING TO DINNER

My friends, Dave and Judy, have invited me over to their house for dinner tonight. As I have mentioned before, having a "home cooked meal" is a real treat for this bachelor. Oh, I am a very good cook, also, but I just hate to cook for myself. Usually 2+ hours of preparation and then 15-30 minutes to consume the meal. Also, I have trouble just cooking for one person (me). I tend to make enough to feed 4 to 6 people and then have to eat the same thing for the next week. Boring.

Judy is my unqualified best friend. We have known each other for over 26 years. We have never been a "couple", have never been "involved". We have suffered and shined through our marriages, our divorces, helped raise each others kids and always have been there for the other when facing "trying" times or sharing joyous events. I love her very deeply.

After Judy and Dave married, in 2001, it took him a while to understand that I was not a threat to their relationship and we have become friends.

BTW - he's the one cooking tonight and he is a great chef. He actually was a chef in one of the better restaurants, now out-of-business, on Mau'i for a long time.

Aloha, 'til tomorrow. :)
==============================================
HAWAI'IANA:






==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

TRANSLATOR UPGRADED

You may have noticed that I have changed this blog's translator.

Increased the number of language capabilities from 8 to 12.

The languages now available are:

CHINESE - traditional
CHINESE - simple
DUTCH
FRENCH
GERMAN
GREEK
ITALIAN
JAPANESE
KOREAN
PORTUGUESE
RUSSIAN
SPANISH

If anyone would like to add this to their english language blog, just send me an e-mail for the code.
==============================================
Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"

WHERE ARE YOU?

ADDRESSES

Bob, over at TAXI TALES, posted about the difficulty in locating addresses. There were a lot of comments from readers relating their difficulty in the various locales in which they live.

Obviously, this is a worldwide problem.

It's no different here on Mau'i.

First, we have street names that most people really "butcher" when trying to pronounce them.

When you finally determine where they are at , you hope that the address is easily readable from the street

If not this:

Then at least this:

This is what you usually get












MY MAILBOX

It also has reflective numbers on the side of the box.

I wonder if King Kamehameha-I had this much trouble locating people?

==============================================
GOOD NIGHT

Do to unforeseen circumstances, I didn't have to start dispatching until 9:30pm. Great way to start the shift! 2-1/2 hours of peaceful driving with no phone!

Everybody stayed busy and made money.

The most notable ride of the night was a 3-pax from Tsunami's to WorldMark about 12:30am.

The two ladies were very nice. Their male companion was a loud, obnoxious, overly intoxicated boar (bore?). He had been escorted from Tsunami's by hotel security.

As he entered my cab he was yelling "Take us to 'Trend West'", repeatedly. I was busy on the phone and was involved in radio traffic with two of my drivers, trying to organize their runs. I had to tell him to "sit down and shut-up."

During the ride, we diverted to FoodLand for one of the ladies' needs. Repeatedly, I had to admonish the male that it was not necessary to yell, since he was seated next to me, on the front passenger seat. He took umbrage to my statements, but the ladies in the backseat told him to "shut up" and that he was the one being rude, not the cabbie (me).

The ladies apologized profusely for the man's belligerence and tipped me very generously at the end of the trip.

After 2:00am, the town died and I spent the next few hours photographing mailboxes.
==============================================

Later.....

Wil
=8^))
"Let's all be careful out there!"