Aloha Hawaii

As promised, here are some photos from my last night as a resident of the 50th state.

I had the blessings . . . Yeah the blessings, at the moment I was most alone . . .
And they said, 'Here have some coffee, it's straight, black and very old,'
And they gave me sticks and rocks and stars and all that I could hold,
I had the blessings, a moment of peace even when the night ends,
Yeah the blessings, can we meet? Can we meet again,
At the crossroads of disaster and the imperfect smile,
With the angel in the streetlamp that blinks on as I walk on a mile, the blessings.

--Dar Williams, The Blessings from Mortal City album
 

Molly and me 

A rare photo of a hatless Mr. Evans 

Julie, Molly, me, Tom, Mark 

San Diego Harbor - Isn't it sad to see boats in the harbor? All that money sitting idle. 

What's that Katrina and the Waves song?

I moved into my new apartment with roommate and condo owner Ivan (pronounced ee vonne) Wednesday night. He helped me with my bags and then sad,

"Do you want to go to a party?"

He's since learned that's a rhetorial question.

The birthday girl and most other guests were members of the San Diego Symphony. I learned two things at the party. I no nothing of classical music and that California public schools have no music education. None. Through eighth grade I had music class one hour a week and I still remember some of those lessons. That just ain't right. I bet the football teams get new jerseys every season. Why did taxpaying parents allow that to happen? VH-1 had that 'Save the Music' campaign but I just thought that was in horrible land locked states like Iowa or something. Who knew that crunchy California would do away music? Sorry to go on about this but it's really disturbing.

My first week at work went really well and I learned that I was the first person that interviewed for the position and,"You set the bar."

How often do you get to hear that? Turns out the funding for the additional four tech writers on the project was cut down to two writers and I made the cut. Guess I'm not getting picked last in gym class afterall.

Yesterday I discovered the wonders of the organo friendly and CHEAP grocery store Trader Joe's and I got my library card. Register my car in California, heck no, I've got my priorities straight.

Mmmm . . .Mekong

Mekong

Will I ever again taste green curry with fish (mahi mahi) so hot that I sweat and tear as I smile at my dinner companion?

My second to last night on O'ahu necessitated a farewell visit to Mekong, the best Thai restaurant this side Phuket. Many mahalos to my sister Meg for opening my palette to this culinary wonder and to Mark as I was his willing taste-taster as he tried to recreate these dishes.

I've lived with four people pictured in the picture above

Chris, the two week house guest, turned Scrabble playing housemate of many months.

Mark, perfection in a 6'3" package, comes with gardening tools and witty banter.

Rich, post-sister roommate before he up and fell in love and is now a father. What a difference a year makes.

Phil, T.G.I. Friday's regular, turned great friend. Did someone say Jaeger?

Melissa, gym buddy and life coach/cheerleader. Everyone needs a Melissa.

Megan, the second time in my life I've lived with Meg & Chris