2024-12-21 17:12:22
2024-12-19 08:17:18
2024-12-19 08:16:54
7709140
Why howdy there #Checkin people, it’s me, Rod again. I’ll be here for the next week.
As some are likely aware, Val and I recently spent a week on Hawaii. It’s nice to travel, and I can see the appeal of Big Island for some people and all, but to be honest, it wasn't great. I hate flying for starters. The flights there and back were not only worse than usual, but the in-flight meals were inedible, and we were overcharged for our luggage. Good thing I always pack PBJs and snacks.
And while that Big Island lifestyle thing may be appealing for some, it seems a total bore to me. Everything on the island is sooo far apart that one can spend all day in a car. Sure, the big attraction sites like the volcano and lava tube were interesting, and tiny Old Town Hilo was charming and all, but damn. Give me Oahu any day. At least Honolulu has a decent China Town, and Leonard’s malasadas are the best anywhere. Sure, Honolulu is a big tourist trap, but I’m a tourist, ya know? And Kona’s waterfront tourist district is rather sad. And there is really only so much snorkeling one can do.
I liked Maui too, but the part I liked best burned down. So much of the Hawaiian Islands' attractions seem geared specifically toward old people and their parents. You know, Boomers. I mean, I'm older than Hell, but damn. Plus so much of the Hawaiian cultural stuff is kitschy and stale. I mean, I like Hawaii okay, but on the whole, I’d rather stay here in Califas.
If I remember correctly, (and I probably don’t,) it was that intellectual vaudevillian H. L. Menken who smugly referred to Hawaii as “Rube Heaven.” (Wait: was it Mark Twain instead?) There are so many better tropical locals in the world that one can visit is all I'm saying. Like Singapore. And if I ever crave slow island life, I'll go visit my sister on Guam.
The best part of the trip was being totally free to wallow in my natural uxoriousness. I only came along because Val wanted to go on this trip with her sister and husband. And of course while there was our requisite quest for the best shave ice. It’s my habit to request the preparer's personal favorite on the assumption that they would know what flavors are best. Only one server did so without first asking a bunch of questions about what I liked, only saying, “Don’t worry, I got you.”
It. Was. Epic.
BTW, "Laptops in Paradise" is the name of my upcoming album.
I didn’t see the point of putting the wheelie bins out as we were gone for a week and as we take a few weeks for us to fill them, they’re basically empty. I must get the "We're On A Trip" feral cat feeder off the front porch. Otherwise I have plants to feed and a lemon tree to prune. How about you? What's in store for you today?
As usual, the topic is open.
Greetings… Ahoj! Aloha! Bom dia! Bonjour! Bună! Ciao! G’day! Geia sas! Günaydın, صباح الخير , בוקר טוב 你好! Håfa Adai! Hi! Hei! Hello! Hallo! Hei! Hola! Howdy! Halō! Kamusta! Kia Orana! Kon’nichiwa! Mabuhay! Moi! Namaste! Ni Hao! Neih hou! Pagi! Saluton! Sawasdee! Shwmae! Γειάσας! Talofa! Terve!😄
@Andrew Pam
@tomgrzybow
@Tom Wroblewski
@stefani banerian
@smellsofbikes
@su ann lim
@libramoon
@Cass M 👋🏽🍁
@Richard
@pianomad
@Nora Qudus
@Muse
@Mark Wollschlager
@Peter Lindelauf
@Lee Rothstein
@Lisa Stranger
@Lisa Stranger (Friendica)
@Klaus Lademann
@Karl Auerbach
@((( David "Kahomono" Frier )))
@Joyce Donahue
@Joseph Teller
@Jon Alcibar
@Joltrast
@John Hummel
@Jodi K
@Sam Smith
@Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️
@Isaac Kuo
@Griff Ferrell
@gregg taylor
@Guy Geens
@Paul Ferguson
@Don Little
@Lewis Luminos
@Dean Calahan
@David Calderon
@Cade Johnson
@Bob Lai
@Amanda Gordon
@Kenny Chaffin
@Christoph S
@Whuffo
@Rob Anybody
@Michael Warburton
@Susan ✶✶✶✶
@Phil Setnik
@Peter Lindelauf
@Michele Hax
@Griff Ferrell 💙💛 diasp.org
@Nat Weaver 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@Miguela
@David Calderon
@David Sterry
@Lily J
@Phil Landmeier (ᚠ)
@Sheila Nagig
@robb
@klausman
@Katherine Bond
@John MacLeod
@John Douglas Porter
@Jess Nut
@Jay Bryant
@Alrekr Járnhandr
@Jacob C
@Holly Jahangiri
@hackbyte (friendica) 13HB1
@garpu
@That Harp Guy
@Lesley
@Doug Senko
@𝕕𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕒 🏳️⚧️
@Daniel
@debo
@Debbie D. 🇨🇦 🇩🇪
@davidamerland
@Dave Higgins [Main Account]
@Christian Nalletamby
@Cats of Commons 💫
@s banerian
@Andreas Geisler
@Alistair McHarg
@Aline
@Alexander
@roddio1
In Memoriam
@Stan McCann (Uncle Pirate)
@V. T. Eric Layton
@Corinne Howell
We hope you’ll use the hashtag to keep track of the daily post and join in if you’re not on this list. The topic is always open 💕
Welcome to #Checkin for Thursday, December 18th, 2024!
Why howdy there #Checkin people, it’s me, Rod again. I’ll be here for the next week.
As some are likely aware, Val and I recently spent a week on Hawaii. It’s nice to travel, and I can see the appeal of Big Island for some people and all, but to be honest, it wasn't great. I hate flying for starters. The flights there and back were not only worse than usual, but the in-flight meals were inedible, and we were overcharged for our luggage. Good thing I always pack PBJs and snacks.
And while that Big Island lifestyle thing may be appealing for some, it seems a total bore to me. Everything on the island is sooo far apart that one can spend all day in a car. Sure, the big attraction sites like the volcano and lava tube were interesting, and tiny Old Town Hilo was charming and all, but damn. Give me Oahu any day. At least Honolulu has a decent China Town, and Leonard’s malasadas are the best anywhere. Sure, Honolulu is a big tourist trap, but I’m a tourist, ya know? And Kona’s waterfront tourist district is rather sad. And there is really only so much snorkeling one can do.
I liked Maui too, but the part I liked best burned down. So much of the Hawaiian Islands' attractions seem geared specifically toward old people and their parents. You know, Boomers. I mean, I'm older than Hell, but damn. Plus so much of the Hawaiian cultural stuff is kitschy and stale. I mean, I like Hawaii okay, but on the whole, I’d rather stay here in Califas.
If I remember correctly, (and I probably don’t,) it was that intellectual vaudevillian H. L. Menken who smugly referred to Hawaii as “Rube Heaven.” (Wait: was it Mark Twain instead?) There are so many better tropical locals in the world that one can visit is all I'm saying. Like Singapore. And if I ever crave slow island life, I'll go visit my sister on Guam.
The best part of the trip was being totally free to wallow in my natural uxoriousness. I only came along because Val wanted to go on this trip with her sister and husband. And of course while there was our requisite quest for the best shave ice. It’s my habit to request the preparer's personal favorite on the assumption that they would know what flavors are best. Only one server did so without first asking a bunch of questions about what I liked, only saying, “Don’t worry, I got you.”
It. Was. Epic.
BTW, "Laptops in Paradise" is the name of my upcoming album.
I didn’t see the point of putting the wheelie bins out as we were gone for a week and as we take a few weeks for us to fill them, they’re basically empty. I must get the "We're On A Trip" feral cat feeder off the front porch. Otherwise I have plants to feed and a lemon tree to prune. How about you? What's in store for you today?
As usual, the topic is open.
Greetings… Ahoj! Aloha! Bom dia! Bonjour! Bună! Ciao! G’day! Geia sas! Günaydın, صباح الخير , בוקר טוב 你好! Håfa Adai! Hi! Hei! Hello! Hallo! Hei! Hola! Howdy! Halō! Kamusta! Kia Orana! Kon’nichiwa! Mabuhay! Moi! Namaste! Ni Hao! Neih hou! Pagi! Saluton! Sawasdee! Shwmae! Γειάσας! Talofa! Terve!😄
@Andrew Pam
@tomgrzybow
@Tom Wroblewski
@stefani banerian
@smellsofbikes
@su ann lim
@libramoon
@Cass M 👋🏽🍁
@Richard
@pianomad
@Nora Qudus
@Muse
@Mark Wollschlager
@Peter Lindelauf
@Lee Rothstein
@Lisa Stranger
@Lisa Stranger (Friendica)
@Klaus Lademann
@Karl Auerbach
@((( David "Kahomono" Frier )))
@Joyce Donahue
@Joseph Teller
@Jon Alcibar
@Joltrast
@John Hummel
@Jodi K
@Sam Smith
@Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️
@Isaac Kuo
@Griff Ferrell
@gregg taylor
@Guy Geens
@Paul Ferguson
@Don Little
@Lewis Luminos
@Dean Calahan
@David Calderon
@Cade Johnson
@Bob Lai
@Amanda Gordon
@Kenny Chaffin
@Christoph S
@Whuffo
@Rob Anybody
@Michael Warburton
@Susan ✶✶✶✶
@Phil Setnik
@Peter Lindelauf
@Michele Hax
@Griff Ferrell 💙💛 diasp.org
@Nat Weaver 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@Miguela
@David Calderon
@David Sterry
@Lily J
@Phil Landmeier (ᚠ)
@Sheila Nagig
@robb
@klausman
@Katherine Bond
@John MacLeod
@John Douglas Porter
@Jess Nut
@Jay Bryant
@Alrekr Járnhandr
@Jacob C
@Holly Jahangiri
@hackbyte (friendica) 13HB1
@garpu
@That Harp Guy
@Lesley
@Doug Senko
@𝕕𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕒 🏳️⚧️
@Daniel
@debo
@Debbie D. 🇨🇦 🇩🇪
@davidamerland
@Dave Higgins [Main Account]
@Christian Nalletamby
@Cats of Commons 💫
@s banerian
@Andreas Geisler
@Alistair McHarg
@Aline
@Alexander
@roddio1
In Memoriam
@Stan McCann (Uncle Pirate)
@V. T. Eric Layton
@Corinne Howell
We hope you’ll use the hashtag to keep track of the daily post and join in if you’re not on this list. The topic is always open 💕
30 Best Tropical Vacations Around the World
Craving balmy breezes, palm trees, and your toes in the sand? Browse the best tropical vacations around the world, from remote islands to urban hot spots.Terry Ward (Travel + Leisure)
#CheckIn
@stefani banerian
@s banerian
@𝕕𝕚𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕒 🏳️⚧️
@Andrew Pam
@Amanda Gordon
@Jay Bryant
@Christoph S
@Griff Ferrell
@hackbyte (friendica) 13HB1
@V. T. Eric Layton
@Katherine Bond
@Kenny Chaffin
@David Sterry
@robb
@Guy Geens
@Joseph Teller
@Susan ✶✶✶✶
@Whuffo
@smellsofbikes
@Sam Smith
@Richard
@Rob Anybody
@Michele Hax
@Nora Qudus
@Isaac Kuo
@Dean Calahan
@Lesley
@Don Little
@Jodi K
@Karl Auerbach
@Muse
@Bob Lai
@Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️
@Paul Ferguson
@Mark Wollschlager
@Doug Senko
@Alistair McHarg
@Alexander
@Tom Wroblewski
@su ann lim
@Lily J
@Phil Landmeier (ᚠ)
@Michael Warburton
@pianomad
@Peter Lindelauf
@Griff Ferrell 💙💛 diasp.org
@Miguela
@David Calderon
@Klaus Lademann
@Joyce Donahue
@Joltrast
@Jess Nut
@Alrekr Járnhandr
@Jacob C
@garpu
@That Harp Guy
@Daniel
@David Calderon
@Corinne Howell
@Christian Nalletamby
@Cats of Commons 💫
@Sheila Nagig
@Andreas Geisler
@John MacLeod
@libramoon
@Aline
@klausman
@John Hummel
@davidamerland
@gregg taylor
@Holly Jahangiri
@Phil Setnik
@Dave Higgins [Main Account]
@Lisa Stranger
@Lee Rothstein
@Jon Alcibar
@Stan McCann (Uncle Pirate)
@debo
@Nat Weaver 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@Cade Johnson
@Debbie D. 🇨🇦 🇩🇪
@Lewis Luminos
@Cass M 👋🏽🍁
@((( David "Kahomono" Frier )))
@tomgrzybow
@Lisa Stranger (Friendica)
@Rod Mesa
@John Douglas Porter
@Chele
@⭐ Vinny ✔️
@((( David "Kahomono" Frier )))
2 people like this
David Calderon and Lisa Stranger like this.
Rod Mesa •
Typo: 19th, not 18th, damn it.
2 people like this
stefani banerian and Lisa Stranger like this.
Rod Mesa •
2 people like this
Christoph S and stefani banerian like this.
Andreas Geisler •
In the land of mordor, where the shadows tell lies.
2 people like this
Christoph S and Rod Mesa like this.
Karl Auerbach •
We stayed at a place in the Kona area .. well, a very nice place, a Four Seasons. I like to vegetate and it was really good for that. We did spend a couple of days driving around, swimming, and hiking and stuff. The volcanoes were quiet. I wanted to go up to the telescopes, but the car rental contract said "fuhget about it". So next time I will try to arrange a visit to telescopes (they are run out of UC Santa Cruz) and make sure I rent a car that is allowed to go up there. I do hope that the protests don't block the road.
I do like the Pacific islands. I kinda like the Tahitian/Society Islands - they seem like California with a French accent. But as I mentioned I like to vegetate in comfort - and that has become rather expensive on my favorite island, Bora Bora. (I rather liked Vanuatu but I hear it has changed a... show more
We stayed at a place in the Kona area .. well, a very nice place, a Four Seasons. I like to vegetate and it was really good for that. We did spend a couple of days driving around, swimming, and hiking and stuff. The volcanoes were quiet. I wanted to go up to the telescopes, but the car rental contract said "fuhget about it". So next time I will try to arrange a visit to telescopes (they are run out of UC Santa Cruz) and make sure I rent a car that is allowed to go up there. I do hope that the protests don't block the road.
I do like the Pacific islands. I kinda like the Tahitian/Society Islands - they seem like California with a French accent. But as I mentioned I like to vegetate in comfort - and that has become rather expensive on my favorite island, Bora Bora. (I rather liked Vanuatu but I hear it has changed a lot since it was used for one of those dumb reality shows.) I do need to get back to the Cook Islands.
My neighbors keep inviting me to visit them and their family in the Seychelles. That is really on the other side of the world!
Rod Mesa likes this.
Dave Higgins [Main Account] •
Rod Mesa likes this.
Andreas Geisler •
As I recall, at one point a shadow even told the truth where the One Ring would have deceived the poor Orcs.
Rod Mesa likes this.
Cass M 👋🏽🍁 •
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and stayed at the modest hotel with a kitchenette a couple blocks from the beach. We were very on a budget - ended up eating Mac and cheese a couple of times. It was nice but not world shattering.
2 people like this
Christoph S and Rod Mesa like this.
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ •
4 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa, Lisa Stranger and Muse like this.
Mark Wollschlager •
4 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa, Cass M 👋🏽🍁 and Lisa Stranger like this.
Joyce Donahue •
Waiting for snow, but luckily I don't have to go out. May do a bit of cleaning today. The vacuum seems lonely.
And points, @roddio1 for using "uxoriousness" in a sentence! Double points to anyone who didn't have to look it up!
2 people like this
Rod Mesa and Lisa Stranger like this.
Andreas Geisler •
Indigenous peoples pushed into enclaves to contend with poverty and exclusion, hidden behind a Potemkin-style facade of corporate-grade happy native fantasy.
5 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa, Muse, Cass M 👋🏽🍁 and Lisa Stranger like this.
Mark Wollschlager •
If a place has been on a list like that for decades it is either a "luxury" unattainable without substantial financial resources ( or debt ) or a hyped up facade with poverty hidden behind a curtain.
Entertainment as a god given right has really taken over a big chunk of the zeitgeist.
3 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa and Lisa Stranger like this.
Joseph Teller •
2 people like this
Rod Mesa and Lisa Stranger like this.
Joyce Donahue •
3 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa and Lisa Stranger like this.
Andreas Geisler •
The Struggle For Hawaiian Sovereignty - Introduction
www.culturalsurvival.org2 people like this
Christoph S and Rod Mesa like this.
Christoph S •
2 people like this
Rod Mesa and Cass M 👋🏽🍁 like this.
Joyce Donahue •
Rod Mesa likes this.
stefani banerian
Rod Mesa likes this.
Muse •
I wanted to acquire a proper Hawaiian shirt. I found mine at the place where the first such shirts were sold. Andrew then wanted one as well and our B&B host said, really you could get good locally made Hawaiian shirts from the Sears not far from them. They were right! The shirt Andrew bought is good looking and long-lasting.
2 people like this
Lisa Stranger and Rod Mesa like this.
Rod Mesa •
2 people like this
Muse and Christoph S like this.
Rod Mesa •
3 people like this
Lisa Stranger, Andreas Geisler and Christoph S like this.
Karl Auerbach •
I tend to prefer the tapa patterns.
Anyone have suggestions?
I have a friend who made me a really great Hawaiian shirt, but she seems uninterested in making more of them. Sigh.
2 people like this
Christoph S and Rod Mesa like this.
Richard •
At work most of the cars in the parking lot had their wipers up. I laughed and felt proud to be part of the Minnesotan experience. (In case you're wondering, what happens is that after you park the snow turns to slush on the warm window and slides down to freeze where the wipers park. To avoid having your wipers frozen into chunks of ice and rendered impotent you put them up.)
Then, when I came home I had to park on a side street and shovel out the plow berms (x2 one from the street, one from the sidewalk) before I could even get in to park.
4 people like this
Joyce Donahue, Lisa Stranger, Christoph S and Rod Mesa like this.
Richard •
So as I'm coming up to this intersection I notice a bunch of cars having trouble so I slow down. Turns out there was a cop in the opposite lane and the drivers of the cars were messing themselves to try and stop at the intersection.
I had a panel truck behind me. There was no traffic coming from the sides. It was not safe. I rolled through the intersection. Showing up to court to contest a ticket was still better than being rammed from behind and not getting to work.
5 people like this
Kenny Chaffin, Joyce Donahue, Muse, Lisa Stranger and Rod Mesa like this.
Cass M 👋🏽🍁 •
4 people like this
Lisa Stranger, Christoph S, Rod Mesa and Richard like this.
Muse •
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/NinthIsle
I think I'm also in love with this
3 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa and Richard like this.
Jay Bryant •
4 people like this
Cass M 👋🏽🍁, Rod Mesa, Muse and Kenny Chaffin like this.
Lisa Stranger •
(as a Bawlmoron I am obligated to correct that 🤣)
and I love your description of him... he was both wise and cringe
Seeing a volcano would be cool, but other than that I've got ocean and palm trees here 🤷♀️ and I don't have to get in a flying toothpaste tube to see them.
Mr. Stranger's former co-workers would probably say he was uxorious (maybe or maybe not stopping just short of the 4-letter word they usually use to describe non-misogynistic men)... but I'm still here taking care of him and they're nowhere in sight, so he ain't wrong.you were unaware of rental cars' problems with bluetooth... I am unaware of their problem with telescopes 🤷♀️and have somebody pressing a wand into it! UGH.
hey at least post-op stretched your bladder... show more
(as a Bawlmoron I am obligated to correct that 🤣)
and I love your description of him... he was both wise and cringe
Seeing a volcano would be cool, but other than that I've got ocean and palm trees here 🤷♀️ and I don't have to get in a flying toothpaste tube to see them.
Mr. Stranger's former co-workers would probably say he was uxorious (maybe or maybe not stopping just short of the 4-letter word they usually use to describe non-misogynistic men)... but I'm still here taking care of him and they're nowhere in sight, so he ain't wrong.you were unaware of rental cars' problems with bluetooth... I am unaware of their problem with telescopes 🤷♀️and have somebody pressing a wand into it! UGH.
hey at least post-op stretched your bladder </gallows humor>
I hope it went well.and, like the wipers, if you leave them... frozen solid
we were the "T" at the bottom of a hill one year... plow dropped 30" worth from the street above right at the apron of our driveway... digging out wasn't pretty
3 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa and Richard like this.
Joyce Donahue •
Not enough snow the past several years to be any kind of challenge. 🥺
4 people like this
Christoph S, Rod Mesa, Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ and Richard like this.
stefani banerian
3 people like this
Joyce Donahue, Lisa Stranger and Rod Mesa like this.
Rod Mesa •
Lisa Stranger likes this.
Andreas Geisler •
3 people like this
Rod Mesa, Joyce Donahue and Lisa Stranger like this.
Muse •
I would wear that. Especially to one of our Linux BBQs.
2 people like this
Rod Mesa and Jay Bryant like this.
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ •
It was miserable. And my bladder spasmed, and it was hours before I was finally able to fully (as much as I ever can) empty my bladder afterwards. I was in very significant pain. I appreciate the good thoughts, and the gallows humor, from 12 hours distance.
3 people like this
Rod Mesa, Richard and Lisa Stranger like this.
Karl Auerbach •
The road up there is quite steep - it kills motors and transmissions on the way up and brakes on the way down. The rental companies don't like it when their cars get damaged that way, much less when somebody has to retrieve the broken vehicle. I think there is also a requirement for four wheel drive, with low range gearing (good ol' transfer case, not these new fangled AWD things.) There are mandatory camps on the road where you are required to stop on the way up to get acclimatized.
As for the bluetooth - I've never tried to hack into an iPhone via bluetooth or its data/power cable. I've noticed as a user that Apple has been locking down access privileges for sofware... show more
The road up there is quite steep - it kills motors and transmissions on the way up and brakes on the way down. The rental companies don't like it when their cars get damaged that way, much less when somebody has to retrieve the broken vehicle. I think there is also a requirement for four wheel drive, with low range gearing (good ol' transfer case, not these new fangled AWD things.) There are mandatory camps on the road where you are required to stop on the way up to get acclimatized.
As for the bluetooth - I've never tried to hack into an iPhone via bluetooth or its data/power cable. I've noticed as a user that Apple has been locking down access privileges for sofware modules, like Apple Music and stuff.
I'm kinda curious about the security of Apple's new thing that lets a Macbook take over an iPhone screen via WiFi.
2 people like this
Rod Mesa and Lisa Stranger like this.
Andreas Geisler •
Science should not become a tool for oppression.
Rod Mesa likes this.
Lisa Stranger •
@Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ gentle hugs
Rod Mesa likes this.
Cass M 👋🏽🍁 •
2 people like this
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ and Rod Mesa like this.
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ •
Rod Mesa likes this.
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ •
Rod Mesa likes this.
Cass M 👋🏽🍁 •
Rod Mesa likes this.
Janet Logan 🏳️⚧️ •
Rod Mesa likes this.