Saturday, December 27, 2008

Thank You, Al Gore

Well, my last post was about the cold, cold temps we were suffering through. NOT ANY MORE!!!

The current temperature is 56 DEGREES!!! YUP, in the last 24 hours, a warm front moved up from the south and we're being dumped on by rain from thunderstorms. Most of the local area around our neighborhood is flooded.

There's a big retention pond at the end of our side street and it's up to the top and overflowing. The houses across the street were flooded this morning and the Clarendon Hills Fire Department was there pumping out the water.

I tried to get to our favorite bakery this morning for fresh donuts, but couldn't get down the major streets as the intersections were in 2-3 feet of water. I was following a Ford Explorer and got through one "pond" but when the water went over his BUMPERS, I made a u-turn and took a different route.

Our family room flooded, AGAIN. Of course, as we had just put in two new area rugs. Still, my brother rolled them up before they got soaked. It's drying out now. Thanks, G.

The Chicago area may set all time HIGH temperature records for today. Some places downstate are in the 70s already!

SO, after all my criticism of him, I do want to thank AlGore and his Global Warming for this tropical respite in the middle of our winter. THANKS, AL.

Now to go and buy some carbon offsets...

Hey, Bears pulled out that Packers game. Too bad. Now they still think they're going to make the playoffs...yeah, right.

Oh, and condolences to our Hawaii Warriors football team and the loss to NotreDame. Charlie Weiss and Jimmy Clausen should send UH champagne and roses for saving BOTH of their jobs. Still, I think the Irish over-achieved at 6-6. They're really NOT that good.

Now with a year with a new coach, coaching staff and players, UH should be set up for next year. Maybe back to the WAC Championship. GO WARRIORS!

Make sure you go read Steven Tsai's Blog at the Advertiser online. It's da bestest...

Dat's all folks! Gotta go dry stuff off...

A hui hou...

Monday, December 22, 2008

Cold? Cold? You can't handle the cold...

Whoo whee...on our way to 29 tomorrow. Time for shorts and flipflops...which we called "rubba slippas" in Hawaii...where our Prez-Elect is sunning himself on da beach.

I wish him nothing but the best and hope he rests up for the struggles he will face starting next month. Yeah, it's the most powerful jobin the western world, but I don't envy anyone having that job. Just look at how GeorgeW aged in his 8 years.

BTW, there was a "big story" today reported by FOX News about how President and Mrs. Bush would privately and quietly visit the wounded troops and the families of those fallen. Well, I've been reading some of the MilBlogs over the past few years that were written by some of those guys and occasionally they'd mention a visit by a "very special VIP" to Walter Reed Hospital. No publicity, just kind words, hugs and comfort.

Whatever you think about the President and "his" war, I do respect the man and would not want to have had to make the decisions he's had to make over the last 8 years. God Bless President and Mrs. Bush.

OK, on to more mundane things.

Late 2nd Quarter and it looks like Green Bay is going to put da Bears out of their misery. Just sayin'...

More snow tomorrow. Some places around here could get up to a FOOT of snow. Where da heck is AlGore and his friggin' Global Warming when you REALLY neeeeed it???? Jeez...

Christmas in a few days. We don't do much here. No big gifts, or small ones. Just family and food and quiet reflection. Trying to remember those no longer with us and hoping and praying that all our ohana (that's extended family)will have a happy and holy holiday.

So to those who read this, if anyone does, Merry Christmas. Try to remember Whose birthday this is and the REAL reason we celebrate the Light in this time of darkness and cold and look forward to the warmth and rebirth of the coming Spring.

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou

A hui hou...

Monday, December 8, 2008

Ok, back for a minute... UPDATED

I'm glad no one is reading this blog, so no one misses it when I get lazy and don't write anything.

Sooo...good news...I'M EMPLOYED!!! Yes, after more than TWO YEARS, I got a job. Tech writer for a VA project. Gotta drive...but the commute should be short...11 miles from da house. So, good for me.

Now to save up all da pennies to go back home next year! Oh, Uncle Lyle, we going par-tay and grind. Can't wait.

So to all of you who may be having tough times, keep on keeping on. Don't give up. Just believe in our Creator and his wisdom and persevere. You CAN do it. Believe.

Hey, even UH went undefeated last year...Sugar Bowl no count...was this year.

God Bless and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Hey, for a look/taste of what my Hawaii hometown/island is like now, go to these two blogs I found today:

Damon Tucker's blog is really a good one.

Big Island Video News has high quality video of the happenings on the island. If you want a taste of how Hawaiians go about confrontations with authority, watch the video "KAWAA Standoff" - it's the top video on the right side of the home page...very educational.

A hui hou...