Friday, February 29, 2008

Beezlebub and Barley



This was on front page of Drudge Report today. Hillary and her pal...Beezelbub. So THAT'S how she raised $35m in the last month. I'm getting tired of the Hillary bashing, but then I'm also tired of Hillary bashing Obama. And it gets bad when I'm sick of bashing because if there is one thing I love...it's a good ol' fashion bashing.

Last night I watched The Wind that Shakes the Barley and went to bed heartbroken.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Oh to be young, nipple pierced, with huge yellow shades again...

Finally, the dirty truth about Australian youth is exposed...

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Over the line...


Last night was the first annual "Bowling for Biodiversity." This bowl down at Lihue Lanes included conservation professionals from various island organizations rallying together for a night of cheap beer, sweaty shoes (someone else's sweat to boot), rainbow birthday cake and elmo party hats. The rainbow cake and elmo party hats were to celebrate Nick's 33rd birthday. He had an overall good bowl session but did pull a butt cheek. Must be his advanced age. I can say these things because he's now currently en route to Seattle...

Our bowling team lost by a heartbreaking .4 points, but I think we were the best looking.

The Dude didn't make an appearance but I did spy one or two nihilists hanging about.

Which leads me to must see bowling films:

1.The Big Lebowski (undisputed champion)

2.Mystery Men (when J. Garofalo uses the skull of her deceased father encased in a golden bowling ball as weapon)

and...I'm spent. I can't count Kingpin, hated that one.

Photo c/o an anonymous co-worker

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Summer's a-comin'

It's so freaking hot on westside Kauai today. Headed down to Waimea Days where Nick, me and five our our closest friends took part in the annual ice cream eating contest. I lost. Decisively.

Now feel sick and think first a nap than a swim is in order.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Sometimes Living on Kauai is Really Hard

Sometimes I feel like life (the kind of life full of art galleries, music, film, good coffee, highways, deer, squirrels, bagels) is bustling away "out there." "Out there" is the magical world that exists somewhere past the waves.

But then I have days where I think, this is what I get to do at the end of the day.



My afternoon lounge spot



View from my hammock

Monday, February 18, 2008

Have you seen me?

Hawai‘i is the "Endangered Species Capital of the United States."

Last known footage of the Kaua‘i ‘Ō‘ō

Warning: Sad

Weekend in Review

This weekend I borrowed a friend's Dick Brewer up at Hanalei Bay and managed to get quite a few nice little rides! Ok so the surf was microscopic, but I managed to pearl only once which is a big achievement for me.

Later that night Nick and I used a christmas present gift certificate (thanks Kristen) to dine at my all-time favorite Kauai establishment, The Blossoming Lotus. Nick ordered a new garbanzo masala dish that turned out pretty bland but my "Udon Odyssey" was sublime as always. The B. LO was my first revelation that when done well, vegan food tops anything the meat and dairy industry can toss at us.

Yesterday I began a cleaning frenzy. The type of frenzy that only envelopes me once or twice a year and makes Nick run out the door clutching his bike without looking back. The type that moves furniture, tears about piles of junk and digs deep beneath the bed. I made great headway clearing out the workshop beside the house, this building made of rusting corrugated iron and screen has become a stockpile for Nick's "treasures." By treasures I mean molding scraps of mosquito net, random screws, broken kites and trail food from two years ago. I carved out a nice sunny corner beneath two large windows to use for crafting, reading, yoga or just plain nothing.

I also fought a prolonged battle with an anole. I really, really don't like sharing my house with anoles. I don't hate them like I do the ants or the occasional cockroach/centipede. But I do not want to live beside them at close quarters. Why? They are really brazen, hang on the wall above my head and do little chest presses to show dominance and jump like Olympian hurdlers. I am terrified of one jumping in my hair. The thought of it is currently sending tingles down the back of my arm.

So I tried to chase one out yesterday with a broom. It would sullenly move in slow inches, pausing to chew a mosquito or give me a death stare. But finally I won and as I watched him?her? run down the boardwalk in front of our home and disappear beneath the banana tree I felt the exhilaration of a soldier at the end of battle.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

My Teary Valentine

Today something is in the air, or at least the chocolate at work. Many tears being shed in furtive corners. My guess is that many different stresses are coming together in a perfect storm. Overall, I'm not too involved in any storms so relatively tear free until listening to the lovely musician, Songs:Ohia, and caught myself getting verklempt over the following lyrics:

you said every road is a good road
between the next road and your last road
every love is your best love and every love is your last love
and every kiss is a goodbye


Tonight I have to stay late for work and Nick is helping me out by giving an 11th hour lecture for the meeting (the other speaker I had lined up dropped out quite suddenly). So I owe him many coconuts and promise not to make any snide comments over his bike riding in the next few weeks.

Tonight? Reaching for a mai tai. Maybe one for each hand.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Keeping the Peace

So this morning I was going to get up at 6:30am and go for a run. Just like yesterday morning and yes, the yesterday before that. What these mornings all have in common is that I woke up, thought "What the f? Tired. Must slee...." before dozing off.

This drives Nick understandably crazy. I have always loved to set alarms for 10, 15, 20 minutes before I actually have to get up. Something about waking up and knowing I have this blissful period of time to wallow in warm morning sheets marveling over the pattern of colors that stream behind my eyelids, listening to the roosters out under the mango tree, contemplating old aretha franklin lyrics or trying to remember the name of the girl I sat next to in third grade who smelled like peanut butter (Casey Waltz).

One of the biggest realizations I've made about long-term relationships (marriage, de facto, etc) is that sometimes compromise is necessary. In this case it's a simple cost benefit analysis. The benefits of my bed wallowing do not outweigh the benefits of my honey getting undisturbed sleep.

So Nick, as an early Valentine's Day gift, in a public forum, I vow to never set my alarm earlier than I need to again (while you are home-when you're doing field work doesn't count).

Deal?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

I know, I know...enough with the YouTube already

This will be the last one for awhile I promise. But c'mon I can't resist a Backstreet Boys lip sync!

My friend Kristen pointed out that what makes this clip rock even harder is the kid on the computer in the back. As she says "He doesn't even flinch."

I have not missed going off meat (39 days but who's counting!)at all except for this afternoon. Why am I suddenly craving a spicy meat snack made with beef, pork and poultry by-products. Yes. I will admit it. I feel like snapping into a slim jim.

Why god? Yes, sometimes I disgust myself. I better go dig through my fridge and eat some more deliciously chewy...red chard.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Charlie the Unicorn

Ok, so I know I'm behind the times on what's cool on Youtube. I do try to, I don't know...get outside regularly, work a full-job and keep up with my school work. But yesterday during some marvelous slack time I stumbled on this gem.

Thank you YouTube.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

A perfect Saturday

1. Getting the news (i knew it the moment i saw the missed call on my cell phone) a great friend is getting hitched. Congrats Cherlyn!

2. Eating a tofu breakfast wrap and soy chai at the Kalaheo Cafe with my mister while trying to explain how a caucus works (hurrah for February 19th Hawaii Primary!).

3. Taking my new heart rate monitor (valentine's day gift from Nick) out for a nice three mile run. Also, how did I EVER run before I bought my cute (it's purple) ipod shuffle.

4. Watching Rome in bed (2 politically backstabbing, ripe-with-intrigue, toga disfunction episodes) with Nick in the middle of the day.

5. Finding the internet is working again.

6. Cleaning the shower curtain..at last.

7. Having the house to myself while Nick's on a bike ride to sing old Wilco songs at the top of my lungs.

8. Prepping curried lentils and kale for dinner.

9. Wikipedia-ing the Caesars.

10. Reading a passed along New Yorker (thanks Pauline).

Friday, February 8, 2008

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Conversation over a bowl of cereal

"If I had a zombie I wouldn't call it Fido."

"What would you call it?"

"I think just Zombie. What would you call your zombie?"

"Lea."

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Thinking today...



I hate, hate, HATE ants. Really. Hate them. Hate. Ants. Hate.

Hate.




Munroidendron racemosum=purty



I love these shoes, I don't care what anyone says.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Thanks Sir Paul McCartney, Thanks Alot

I can't get Listen to What the Man Said outta my head.

I don't even like the man...

Fat Tuesday



Goodbye hair, goodbye. I am currently bucking the trend of moving to Kauai and growing my hair out. Instead mine is creeping away in furtive inches.

Here is a little somethin' to celebrate Mardi Gras with: UBC numa numa explosion adventure ride fun

I'll be partying it up by finding a TV and watching the "Super Tuesday" results fly...and maybe I'll wear some beads. I know, crazy.

When I was little Mardi Gras or "Fat Tuesday" was the last day I could eat candy before Lent. My mom made me give up something I loved deeply (picking up the dog's poop or lima beans didn't count).

My deep love was candy, in particular Big League Chew (shredded bubble gum I would attempt to shove in my mouth until I couldn't close it anymore) or Fun Dips (pure sugar that you ate with, what else, a sugar stick).

But I was also a good catholic girl. I read my book of saints, i daily wished for the virgin mary to appear to me like the kids in Fatima, i would secretly size up the other kids in my first communion class and think to myself snidely when they would stumble on an answer, "maybe they should appeal to saint jude" (the patron saint of lost causes, and according to my mom, someone I should make a close personal friend).

So this would be the day I would ruefully chew my last Big League Chew and lick my last Fun Dip for 40 days. Any candy I got would be religiously piled on top of my refrigerator and I'd check on it every day, just to make sure it was still there.

Maybe I'll try to find some Big League Chew and blow a bubble in support of Barack.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Superbowl sans the football

Pics from the All-Girl Clothing Exchange we held in honor of the Patriots and the Giants yesterday...



Self portrait after waaay too much red wine (I even divulged my attraction towards the serial killer from No Country For Old Men. NOT because I like killers, but I thought he was hunky if he lost the bowl cut).



Can it rain anymore?



Red wine and used clothes makes for a perfect Superbowl party (sans football of course)



Some swag from the clothing exchange

Friday, February 1, 2008

Even the Tamarind Margaritas Couldn't Help

Last night had a "girls night." First it was ceviche and tamarind margaritas at a waterfront Mexican restaurant. Then it was suggested we catch a "girlie" movie together. So we did. 27 Dresses. I had never heard of this flick and had no idea what I was subjecting myself too. Maybe this Venn Diagram can illuminate:



Pink: Those who sometimes like to watch a bit o' the old romance on the big screen

Purple: Freaks who think movies like 27 Dresses fulfills them on some deep level

Green: Sane folks who would rather have a date with Sweeney Todd then another viewing of 27 Dresses

As the credits rolled one friend leaned over and said, "My husband would have KILLED me if I'd taken him to this."

I leaned back and said, "I'm ready to kill myself."