August 11, 2008

Sunset on the Beach 2008

Sunset on the Beach has come to the Waianae Coast again. It’s a festival of family fun, food, entertainment and community services. It all came together at Maile Beach Park on Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

Sunset on the Beach is a fund-raiser for Valley of Rainbows, a wonderful organization that benefits out local keiki (kids.) They’ve brought together a wonderland of rides and attractions for the keiki, foods, crafts, entertainment and community services. I wandered the midway and tents for a couple of hours. I bought tee shirts and made contributions to support the Valley of Rainbows and Life Foundation (education and support organization focusing on HIV/AIDS in Hawaii and the Pacific,) talked with health, community support, children and family services, alternative transportation and housing services representatives and marveled at how many family and keiki support groups are available right here on our coast. I collected so much swag that the handles of my goodie bag were cutting into my hand before the day was over.

Two stages provided continuous entertainment, from local musicians and dancers to keiki watermelon-eating and pie-eating contests. Excess watermelon was loaded on platters and passed out to the crowd and to workers in the community services tent. The aroma of smoking meats lured me to the food booths, where all of the local favorites were being served up. Some booths offered free samples. I had to buy a bottle of Pelekunu’s grilling sauce/marinade after tasting several varieties, but ended up buying a catfish dinner from my pal Ceecee of Mom’s Soul Food for my take-home meal.

Much of the focus of Sunset on the Beach is on providing a good time for the keiki, but you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the experience. The carnival atmosphere encouraged friendly attitudes and spirit of fun in everyone I met. I made a few new friends today and had a pleasant afternoon, even though I only stayed a few hours. Folks who stayed late were rewarded with a movie shortly after sunset (tonight it was The Bucket List.) The evening wrapped up with a fireworks show that was visible and resoundingly audible from my home as I sat down to start this post.

Technorati Tags: community celebrations, community services, family fun, festivals, Hawaii, Maile, photos, Sunset on the Beach, Waianae Coast

August 8, 2008

Skip the scams

I’ve long thought that advertising offers some of the best entertainment on television. Admit it - you do, too, don’t you? Gone are the days when the ads offered a few moments to run to kitchen to refill your beverage or dash down the hall the bathroom. We stick around instead and are rewarded with comic relief. You’re still laughing at that silly gecko, right - even though you’ve seen him at least a few hundred times? Don’t you find your toe tapping every time you hear that poor schmuck singing about some hacker stealing his identity, and don’t you know just where to insert your own “Yeeehaw!” into his song? If you accept all this for its entertainmant value and move on, fine. Let’s face it, though: advertising is designed to motivate you to buy something you didn’t even know you wanted. Okay, that’s fine, too. We live in a capitalistic world and everyone has a right to sell things. The problem comes when the advertising is deceptive. Take the afore-mentioned fellow selling fish to tourists in tee shirts as a for-instance. First of all, he really is a singer, but the ad is so fake that it’s not his voice warbling out the ditty. He’s got a French-Canadian accent that didn’t fit the All-American advertising campaign, so he’s a singer pretending to be a singer in the commercials about fake identities. Ironic, no? Still, that’s just a little bit of harmless deception, something we all expect in advertising, right? The real deception is in the message he’s delivering. The free credit reports that could have changed his future? Not free, despite the focus of the ads and the name of the website. If you order your free credit report and miss the fine print on the site you’ll be billed $12.95 monthly for credit monitoring. Trying to cancel the service once you discover the deception is a nighmare. Your call will be answered by someone whose sole purpose in life is to keep your $12.95 a month rolling in. New York Times bestselling author Bob Sullivan did a good job of unmasking the scam on MSNBC’s wbsite and also points you in the right direction for getting a genuine no-strings-attached free credit report. Do that. Everyone should know their own credit score. Everyone should monitor their own credit too, but let’s face it - most of us don’t. Do you have the technology to know immediately if someone has stolen your identity and is planning on ruining your life? I’ve been robbed before - twice. It’s an awful feeling to know that some scumbag has been going through your things and has taken what they wanted. That was in the dark ages, though, before we’d ever heard of the term identity theft. These days the thieves don’t have to bust your car window or break into your apartment. Your information is out there and the bad guys are sophisticated enough to know how to get it. Identity theft is a reality we all need to be prepared to deal with. That’s where the services of a professional credit monitoring service come in. Skip the scams and sign up instead for one that will be upfront with you about what they offer. Lifelock doesn’t feel any need to lie to you to get you to try their service. They sell credit protection and they’re justifiably proud of what they do. You know LifeLock - their CEO is the guy who plastered his real Social Security number on billboards and trucks and buses across the country so you could see how confident they are that they can protect your identity. Lifelock doesn’t just offer identity protection services, either. They’ll reduce junkmail and unwanted credit card offers too, and give you a $1 million service guarantee, all for only $10.00 a month. Wouldn’t you rather do business with someone who doesn’t think they need to lie to get you in the door? I would!

Technorati Tags: credit reports, free credit reports, identity theft protection, LifeLock

July 11, 2008

Shared Bond

Quite a few years back I was up one night looking for something to watch on TV when I came across an amazing music video. Four girls with stringed instruments were making a sound that I’d never heard before. Their hair was flying, sweat was flying from their faces and the music was electrifying. I bought Bond’s first album shortly after that and I’ve been hooked ever since. If you’ve never experienced Bond before, click on the video above, turn your speakers as high as they’ll go and hang on for an exciting ride.

In looking for a video for this post I’ve been a little disappointed. I couldn’t find that first sweaty video (I think I saw it on A&E or PBS) and the speakers on my computer are not good enough to project the volume I want when I listen to Bond. I keep their CDs in my car and ususally listen to them when driving. I suspect that’s probably a dangerous practice. I’ll tell you about it, but here’s your disclaimer: Don’t try this at home, folks!

I crank the bass and the volume of my car stereo to about half past obnoxious. Victory is always the first cut I listen to. About the time my speakers start vibrating, the adrenaline begins to course through my blood and exits through my right toe, which is firmly affixed to the accelerator pedal. I like to do this when I’m on one of the two stretches of interstate on the island where the posted speed limit is 60 MPH. That means everyone drives seventy, of course. If I’m really lucky there won’t be any cars near me and my speedometer zooms up to around seventy-five or eighty. I’m not a thrill-seeker and I don’t court danger, but when I ‘m listening to Victory, I must have speed! I can listen to it twice in the time it takes me to go from one end of H-3 to the other. I have to turn the volume back down and ease off of the gas pedal once I’m back in traffic and around other cars (pity!) but I’ve been known to play the same track over and over until I reach my destination. Yes, it’s that good. It’s that addictive.

I should mention that the Bond girls are all trained classical musicians, but any similarity to others of that sort will not be evident. These aren’t stodgy old maids. Sssssssssssizzling hot is what they are. There’s blatant sexuality oozing all over the place in each of their videos. No, not oozing! Splashing! Exploding! Erupting! Yeah, more like that. I’m as hetero as they come, but if any one of the Bond gals beckoned to me I’d pack my Rimowa and be one my way. Your libedo has got to be as dead as a doorknob if you don’t feel it, too!

Here’s a bonus video for you. Victory is my favorite, but Bond doesn’t have any bad music, so any choice is a good one. This one is Duel. Remember Dueling Banjos, back in the seventies or eighties or whenever it was? This one is a battle between violins and it packs a real punch. Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: Bond, music, music video

June 9, 2008

Confessions of a Cher wannabe

Kathy B was one of my closest friends when I was in junior high school. Every day after school one of us would bike to the other’s house and we’d spend the afternoon dialing the phone continuously, trying to win radio contests. We got through often enough and on Saturdays we’d take the city bus to downtown New Orleans to pick up our prizes at the radio stations. All of the popular DJs knew us and our social reputations were greatly enhanced whenever one of them would dedicate a song to us. That started one Saturday when the DJ saw us in the hall outside his glass booth, singing along to the record he was spinning. Was it WNOE or WTIX? I don’t remember, but I remember what he said. “That was Sonny and Cher’s new hit, I Got you, Babe, and I’m dedicating it to Kathy and Skeet, their biggest fans.” Bam! We were more popular than the cheerleaders by Monday morning, and we worked it for all it was worth. We brought homemade cookies and handcrafted pillow dolls to the stations on later visits, assuring that the mentions would continue. Kathy got rid of her feathered do and ironed her long hair straight so she could be Cher when we sang our duets. I was frumpy even then and always played Sonny’s part. Their hits kept coming and we worked diligently at creating a routine for each one. We sometimes performed them for gatherings of friends, basking in the glow of their admiration (though I suspect now they may have been laughing at us instead of wishing they could be us,) but mostly we just sang into hairbrush microphones behind the closed door of one of our rooms. I wanted to be Cher, of course, but there was no way I could pull that off. There was not an ounce of glamor or sophistication in me - there still isn’t - and I didn’t have the skill or the hair to make myself over into a passable Cher lookalike. Has anyone ever done glamor better than Cher? She had it in a fringed vest in the old Sonny and Cher days and has taken it to ever-higher levels throughout her solo career. Her outrageous wardrobes have kept folks talking, but it’s the music of course, that keeps us all coming back for more. Her voice and the vitality she packs into every performance create sell-out crowds wherever she goes.

Recent news out of Vegas stimulated a cascade of memories of Kathy B and my adolescent fantasies of someday being “just like Cher.” The fantasies fell by the wayside long ago, but I’m still a huge Cher fan and still take notice of the goings-on in her life. The announcement that she’s replacing Celine Dion at Ceasars Palace caught my attention and is good news for all Cher fans. No more waiting for her to announce a new tour schedule, because her fans know they’ll be able to go to her instead of waiting for her concerts to come to them. And it’s Vegas! Can you imagine adding the Vegas glitz to the already over-the-top Cher image? If it’s possible for her to be even more dazzling, Vegas will be the place that happens. People are structuring their vacations around Cher tickets at Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas months in advance because they’re selling out that far ahead of time. I won’t be going to Vegas this summer, but Cher’s schedule at Caesars Palace already extends well into the fall, so I might just make it some day. Good thing I have that extra time, too. I’ll want to be in the best possible shape when she calls me up on stage to help out with a duet perfomance of one of her oldies. Not that I’m still living in fantasyland, you understand. I’m too old for that, but it could happen, so it’s not really a fantasy, right? I need to be ready, just in case. Now where’s that hairbrush?

Technorati Tags: adolescent fantasies, Caesars Palace, Cher, entertainment, Vegas

June 7, 2008

A wedding song

A few years back my son was in love with a local girl. They were together for several years and had plans to marry some day. He wanted two girls and she wanted two boys, so their hopes included (at least) four children. It seemed idyllic, but in the end they each moved on in their lives, following separate paths.

A few days ago when I was looking for the music for my post about Waimanalo I stumbled across the video above. It’s not great quality, but the audio is fine. The song is one I was learning way back then, hoping to present it to my son and his bride at their wedding. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

There’s another copy of the same video on YouTube that is of better quality. It’s labelled “embedding disabled by request.” Listen to there or here, but, either way … enjoy! The singer is Kealii Reichel, one of the most beloved and well-known Hawaiian musical artists (and one of my favorites, but most anyone who knows his music would say that, I think.) The lyrics are by Jim Kimball. I don’t know much about him, but you can purchase the sheet music and keep it handy if there’s a wedding in your future. Believe me, once you hear it you will want it sung at any wedding you have a hand in planning. You’ll want it to be a part of everyone’s memory
of that day.

Sample some more on Kealii’s site. One song from him is never enough. If you’ve fallen in love with his music (Duh! Of course you have!) you can buy it on his site while you’re there.

Technorati Tags: Jim Kimball, Kealii Reichel, music, The Road That Never Ends, wedding music

May 18, 2008

Have you been to Branson lately?

I remember the first time I heard of Branson. I was watching country music Christmas special and several of the artists mentioned performing there. I’d never heard of the place, but that was a long time ago - maybe as much as two decades? We’ve certainly all heard of it today, haven’t we? If you were raised on country like I was, you’ve thought about going there. If you’re tired of the same old Florida theme parks for your family vacations, you’ve probably already done your research for this summer.

There’s never been a better time to go. Country music fans plan their vacations around the concert schedules of their favorite artists, but there’s so much more to do. Check out the Titanic Museum with its faithfully reproduced half-scale replica of the tragic ship. Enjoy the amazing feats of the Incredible Acrobats of China. Silver Dollar City will provide you with over thrity thrilling rides and attractions, and is home to the amazing Marvel Cave. The whole family will enjoy your visit to Branson. Want to know the best part? It’s affordable! There are numerous lodgings to chose from, so there’s sure to be something to fit your budget. Vacation packages and specials are always available, so do a little advance planning and save a bundle.

Have you been to Branson lately? If not, what are you waiting for?!

Technorati Tags: Branson, family vacations, vacation packages, vacations

April 15, 2008

TV Tuesdays #1

Ou gal Sarafina over at Speaking My Mind has started a new weekly meme called TV Tuesdays. I don’t usually do TV things online because they expect you to know all kinds of trivia, which I don’t. This meme is a little different and you don’t have to know stuff to play, so give it a shot. Write a blog post answering the questions below and then link your post to the comments for the meme over at Sarafina’s place. My answers are below. Now it’s your turn. Come play!

1. What TV provider do you use? (ex: Time Warner, Dish, Direct TV)

Oceanic Time -Warner

2. What’s your go-to channel when nothing else is on?

Bravo! There’s almost always something fun on, though I do wish they’d drop those prissy housewife shows.

3. What’s your favorite game show (current or past)?

I don’t really watch game shows anymore, but Jeopardy has always been a favorite.

This is not a private party where you need birthday invitations to join in the fun. Anyone can play, so take your best shot!

Technorati Tags: meme, television, TV

March 18, 2008

Have you been to the rodeo lately?

We have a saying here: Lucky we live Hawaii! Sometimes we say it in joyous affirmation that this is truely paradise on earth. Other times we’re being a bit sarcastic. Yes, the scenery is lovely, the weather is almost always heavenly and the food is an exotic adventure. And the people - surely the most beautiful people on earth live right here in our islands. There are some difficulties that come with living here, though - primarily the cost of living and the distance from everywhere else we’d like to be! No impulsive road trips for us, other than circling the island. I miss the freedom to travel! I miss seeing family and friends and I miss being able to go to special events that were, at one time, a routine part of my life. If you’re not a long-time reader you might be surprised to know that one of those events is the rodeo. See, I spent my pre-school years in a small Texas town where rodeo was a way of life. There was a rodeo practice grounds there, so there was no “off-season.” We could go year-round to watch the cowboys and cowgirls putting themselves through their paces and honing their skills. After we moved to Louisiana we’d go back every summer and the rodeo was always on our vacation agenda. We always had front row seats so we wouldn’t miss a thing. I haven’t had a mainland vacation in a few years, but I went to the rodeo the last time out. I had front row seats again, and was close enough to the riders that hoof-flung mud landed on my face a few times. Ah, that’s okay - it’s all a part of enjoying the show! That same fascination was still there. I felt like a kid again, adrenalin pumping as the action heated up. When I was a kid the participants were mostly amateurs, squeezing in rodeo events when their farm and ranch chores allowed them the time. Nowdays they’re all professionals, and their dedication shows. The livestock are seasoned athletes, too, and bring their drive and enthusiasm to every event. They all work the circuit year round, and the best of the best end up a the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas each year. They’re not just riding for belt buckles these days, either. The payoff at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for 2007 was five-and-a-half millions dollars. I’d love to see the champions claiming their shares of that purse! If I could just jump in my car and go, I’d be in the front row this year. I’d roll into Vegas, pick up my pals Julie and Techie, and get us all Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tickets for the big show. I don’t know if they’re fans now, but they would be by the time the first event finished. You can’t watch the amazing teamwork of man and beast (or woman and beast) and not fall in love with rodeo. What do you say, Jules & Techie? See you in Vegas in December? I’ll buy us all matching bandanas to keep out faces clean, and we’ll cheer and hoot until our voices fail. I’m game if you are!

Technorati Tags: memories, rodeo, Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

February 13, 2008

Uno is Numero Uno!

Uno the beagle took top honors at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, becoming the first beagle ever to take Best in Show. That bit of information shocked me, because beagles have been one of the most popular breeds in the US for a very long time. I guess the criteria for selecting a pet are quite different from the criteria for selecting a champion. Like my scampy little Lance, Uno apparently loves being the center of attention:

“With fans calling out his name and clapping, he soaked in the cheers as he paraded around the ring, the cheers becoming more thunderous with every step. And when he made his final stop in front of Jones, Uno went to town, baying over and over.”

That refers to his behavior before judge J. Donald Jones, who made the final call for Best in Show. It’s typical beagle behavior. The working beagles I used to be partnered with behaved with professional dignity while on the job, but once their business day was over they all loved to play with puppy-like abandon. You just can’t be in the same room with these guys for long without laughing at their antics.

I told Lance about this great honor bestowed on his breed. He was impressed.

Photo credits
Top: Lucas Jackson/Reuters
Center: Peter Kramer/Associated Press

Technorati Tags: beagles, champion dogs, Lance, Uno the beagle, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

February 1, 2008

Super Bowl 2008 Ads = pop culture in the making

I love my kid. He’s a great guy, very thoughtful and loving. I’ve missed him a lot since he moved back to California a few years ago. We stay in touch, though, mostly through frequent phone calls. I always have to brush up on the latest happenings in the sports world before we talk. Otherwise our conversations will founder when he starts raving about his favorite teams or player contract negotiations or whatever else sports-related is on his mind. The fact is that I’m not much of a sports fan and it’s something of a relief not to have to have those conversations on a daily basis anymore. I’m hopelessly befuddled by pop culture, too. I just don’t follow that stuff, so I end up saying “uh-huh” and “I see” a lot when I talk to my son. I am “with it” enough to know that the Super Bowl ads and halftime show will be subjects of conversation soon, though. Pop culture happens at the Super Bowl each year, so I’ve been doing my homework, getting myself primed for those earnest heart-to-heart talks that I’ll enjoy with the kid soon. I’ve already gotten a sneak peek a the Sunsilk campaign that will be introduced on Super Bowl Sunday. I’m sharing that with you in the video above. I like the premise of the campaign - women sharing the things that inspire them - but I’m glad I still have some time to do a little research before the big day. I know who Marilyn Monroe is, of course, so I’m good there. And Madonna? I’d know her if I ran into her on the street, but I haven’t exactly kept up with what’s going on in her life. Madonna taught a whole genearation of little girls that it’s okay to go out in public in your underwear and she divorced Sean Penn and then … dropped off of my radar. Yeah, I think I need to brush up on her. Who is Shakira, though? I heard and saw a little of her performance in the video, but that’s pretty much all I know about her. Will I need to know all about Shakira before that in-depth post-Super Bowl conversation with the boy? Maybe if I download some of her Playphone.com ringtones onto my cell phone I’ll learn to recognize her singing and start to feel a little less hopelessly lost. They’ve got selections from all three gals actually, plus other Super Bowl 2008 ad campaigns and a whole catalog of today’s hottest artists. You get ten downloads for only $9.99 a month , but you also get ten bonus downloads when you start the service. Playpone.com has videos and wallpapers and games too, so there should be enough material there for my crash course in pop culture, right? I know I’m out of step, but I’m willing to work on it for the sake of a good mother-and-son relationship. How much time have I got? When’s the Super Bowl? Oh, yikes! That soon? Guess I’d better grab those downloads and start my cram course!

Technorati Tags: Playphone.com, pop culture, ringtones, Super Bowl