The Mans Playground, a non-religious America, and the washing machine March 9, 2009

I have been missing days of blogging, mainly due to a lack of interesting news or lack of interesting life events out here in Hawaii.  Yes I may be in “paradise,” but it is raining, and raining, and raining some more. Which means beach days, fun in the sun, and even venturing out is limited. Since I walk everywhere, if i go out, then i look like a drenched rat the rest of the day.  While not a stop all to my social life, it does make me think twice.  Oh well, I love the rain, just not when I have someplace to be.

In a recent study, the level of those Americans claiming to be religious is on the decline, while those claiming no religion (not necessary atheists) is on the rise.  Which I find enlightening! Since I am not religious in any way myself, it is noceto see the cultural ideology in America slowly shifting away from evangelical principles.  Who knows, one day there may even be an non-religious President!

I am loving that a hoax on the web has led to false reporting by major media outlets, including Fox news! Apparently someone posted online that you can get Herpes from playing beer pong, which wsin turn picked up by a college newspaper, which continued to be picked up by larger and larger news organizations, and passed off as valid!  Um…hello!…you may get a cough, but Herpes?!  This is just too funny! Too bad it wasnt April 1 yet!

Liberating women the most was the washing machine?  Really?  While yes it may have been a time conserving appliance for the household, it didnt exactly liberate women, well not in the sense that the Vatican is implying. they believe women were more liberated by the washing machine, then the pill and the right to work!  Hmmm, im going to have to respectfully have to disagree. Washing machine may have saved time, but it still meant that women lived in a patriarchal society where family responsibilities were the primary  focus. the pill and the right to work meant family planning on the womans terms, and a capability to leave the house for more opportunities…but it doesnt surprise me that the Vatican would choose the washing machine over the pill….

There is a new playground…for the men. In Germany, there is a new Mens Playground where testosterone-fueled office workers can get in touch with their “inner ditchdigger” and play all day long on 29-ton backhoes, 32-ton front-end loaders, jackhammers and various other vehicles for a cost of admission of $280/day.  Yep, Im somehow guessing that Germany didnt get the memo that the world is in a recession!

In case anyone hasnt seen the new trailer for Public Enemies…check it out!  Johnny Depp as a bank robber…who could ask for more!

Updates on Sally for anyone interested….she has been to Disney and ridden the tea cups, been to New Orleans, and is next on her way to Italy, specifically the Vatican and Rome…shes doing more traveling then me! And Im jealous!

Later!

Sally’s Blog-more wierd classes October 16, 2008

Sally and the Statue Joy

Sally with the Statue of Queen Kapiolani

Sally at Kapiolani Park

 

Sally’s Blog:

“Today I spent time at the Loa campus again. I went to that crazy class where the professor makes no sense.  Im not sure I will ever understand philosophy.  I learned some interesting things today, but not in class.  First, not everyone is nice to talk to…Kristina and I met some homeless today who were a little scary.  Second, I got to see the Phillipino Embassy in Hawaii…in fact its just down the road from where Kristina lives.  Third, there are such things as suicidal ants apparently…Ive decided Kristina takes classes because they are wierd, not because they are helpful to her degree.  Well Im excited because I get to go to a grass skirt party next weekend!  But Im disappointed because Josh told me that Id see UFOs on Wednesday..and I didn’t! Maybe one day I will meet the little green guys!”

Sally

Sally’s Blog-A day at the beach October 15, 2008

Sally and Waikiki Coastline

Sally and Diamondhead

Sally and the Pacific Ocean

Sally’s Blog:

“Today was fun!  I got to sleep in and then went to the beach in Waikiki with Kristina.  The bus ride was long, but I got to meet all kinds of people!  Kristina says it only took about 40 minutes with all the stops, but it seemed longer!  I understand why she likes the pier so much.  You can watch the locals pier dive and boogy board, and relax.  Today a couple of local kids were teaching some of the tourists how to pier dive, and everyone was having fun doing it.  I wanted to try it, but didn’t want to get my veil wet, so I didn’t.  Also, there were really big rocks down there and I didnt want to get hurt!  I have more travelling to do!  I was able to get a postcard to send back to Aubrey, so hopefully Kristina will help me write it tonight.  I also got to see Diamondhead, and Kapiolani park.  Its really nice there and everyone was friendly!  Kristina is looking a little red, but I came away with no sunburn!  Good, it wouldn’t go with my complexion anyways!  Well Im off to write to Aubrey.  Enjoy the pictures over the next couple of blogs…we took alot today!”

Sally

Sally’s Blog-Talking to Stella October 14, 2008

Sally’s Blog:

 ” Today I got to talk to Stella, one of Kristinas friends back in Ohio.  She was really nice, and agrees that Kristina is weird sometimes.  Apparently, she really likes my blog too!  Im glad people are enjoying it!  I also eaves-dropped on her and Kristinas conversation, and all I can say is that it was way over my head, well at least Kristinas portion…something about eurocentric war and Africa ( I wonder is Stella understood her), and then how Kristina should join the CIA.  Im not sure how I feel about Kristina becoming a spy!  It might be fun to travel with her though if she became one!  I wonder if I would get a bullet proof vest?!?  Thats a must if Im going somewhere dangerous…or maybe we can take some of the military guys like Erik with us to protect us!  Im enjoying Hawaii so far, Im definitely getting a non-tourist view, and hopefully tomorrow will be able to mail a postcard back to Kettering telling everyone in class where I am and how fun it is.  Hawaii is definitely laid back and I am getting plenty of rest, but also headaches from trying to follow class lectures when Im there with Kristina.  Well I hope Aubrey doesn’t miss me too much!  I will see her soon!”

Sally

Sallys Blog…Football lessons October 12, 2008

Sally decked out in Green Bay gear

 

 

 

 

Sally’s Blog:

“I have learned alot here in Hawaii, but even more with Kristina.  For one, her classes are tough, and also she tends to be a little ecclectic and obsessed with football.  Today was no exception.  We were woke up at 7:30 am by Stella who wanted to give us an update on the Bengals game…apparently she misses Favre, although Kristina reminded her he is still playing.  I wonder if Stella remembered the time difference?  After that we watched the Chicago/Atlanta game which was wild.  It came down to the last second attempt, which Im told is rare, although by all the games today, I wouldn’t have guessed that.  Then we watched the Arizona/Dallas game on TV as Kristina watched the Green Bay game online.  Im not sure why she does that, its kinda boring…she must really like football!  It wasn’t all boring, I got to get into the festivities of the day and wear Kristina’s Green Bay Bling Bling. Alos, we spent time with Eric and Josh again.  They like me, and feed me good food!  No more of the odd sushi with wasabi.  Tomorrow, I will get to explore the Downtown area some more, and then on Tuesday, get to see the Fort Street area and maybe, on Wednesday some UFOs (at least thats what Josh says are coming).  Can’t wait! “

Sally

Sally’s Blog…Saturday update October 11, 2008

Sally’s Blog:

“Yesterday was tiring.  Kristina and I spent almost the entire day at the Loa campus. Today however, was spent relaxing and a little traveling.  Kristina took me to a park/garden, and I saw a Pagoda!  It was really big, but not as big as the Giant Jesus in Ohio.  We also went and explored Chinatown too.  I was never sure where we were because all the signs were in wierd characters, but luckily Kristina never got lost.  Im not sure how she was reading everything though…maybe she has a secret super power or something.  Hawaii is really warm, even in October!  I heard her tell a friend on the phone that if it ever got cold here she would let her know, otherwise to assume it was warm.  I think Kristina is missing the cold.  Maybe I will have to send her some snow from Ohio when I get back to Aubrey. Well Im off to watch a little tv and then sleep!  More pictures to come!”

Sally

Sally’s Blog…Day Three October 9, 2008

Sally’s Blog:

“Keeping busy while Kristina is reading has been interesting and challenging at times.  I have chased the geckos, frogs, and odd bugs that I find around the house.  Ive played with Mani, her landlords 3 year old, who really likes me, and Ive even hung out with an air force officer on break from class.   I got my first sight of Keneohe and Hawaii Pacific University’s Loa Campus today.  It is beautiful, surrounded by mountains on one side and the the ocean on the other.  I will say that riding the bus over the Pali Hwy is a little scary because we are riding over air for a good portion of the trip to Keneohe. 

I sat in on Kristina’s philosophy class on Military Ethics of War, and I was soooo confused!  Im not really sure where the class started and how it ended. but the porfessor was funny, but a little wierd.  He was wearing these cowboy boots with a hawaiin shirt which was funny.  I was told he in originally from Montana, and he actually reminds me of a Hippie Santa Claus.  The walk back to the house is tiring!  I don’t envy Kristina at all, but I will endure it so that I can see more of Hawaii!  I have been learning some hawaiin…like Aloha which means Hello, and Mahalo which means Thank You, and I also learned how to say Merry Christmas too…but dont ask me to spell it because I can’t.  I can’t wait to get home and show Aubrey all I have learned and show her pictures of all I have seen!  Well Im off to bed, and boy I need it!”

Sally

Sallys Blog…Day 2 October 8, 2008

Charlies fish…Im not sure why Kristina so scared of it?!?!

Sally with her first surf board

Sallys Blog:

“Well today was a day of much needed rest.  Both Kristina and I were able to sleep in and take a nap!  Its nice being lazy sometimes!  I went to class with Kristina yesterday at Hawaii Pacific University and now I understand why she was doing all that reading on the plane!  Im glad I dont have to worry about grad school right now!  Her professor was a little wierd, but everyone seemed to like him.  I am told that I will like thursdays class, philosophy, but am not really sure!  We saw lots of homeless people yesterday and today, and also watched the debate on TV.  I got to hang out with her roommates Eric and Josh, they are both fun, and we had steak for dinner…yum!  Today I got my first taste of sushi, and it was ok, Im not a fan of Wasabi…it is toooooo hot! I wanted to dive into the sink and drink all the water after that meal!  Kristina has been helping me take pictures so Aubrey knows what I have been doing and that Im ok. Ill update everyone tomorrow on my adventures to Keneohe.”

“I am told that back in Kettering, it in after Midnight, and that time changes as we travel around the world.  Im also told it is 6 hours earlier here!  So Im sorry if some of you don’t get to read my updates til the next day!  But don’t fear, I will blog!”

Sally

Sally’s Blog…arrival in Hawaii October 7, 2008

Sally and the Blue Man Group

Sally relaxing on my luggage

 

Sally’s Blog:

“Well we have finally arrived in Hawaii!  Kristina and I had a lay over in Dallas, where I watched her scream at the tv and cheer for the Saints to win the football game.  This girl is crazy!  The exciting news is that when we landed in Vegas, I got to see slot machines, and the best yet, the Blue Man Group!  Ok, so maybe not them in person, but I still got my picture taken with them!  Luckily, to compinsate for all the delays, we got to ride in First Class on Hawaiin Airlines.  I got to watch videos of people doing the Hula, and I cant wait to see it in person!  It was a nice flight and I got some sleep while the crazy girl Im traveling with read.  Does she ever sleep?!  We finally arrived at Kristinas house, and what a hike up it is!  Im trying to get a little rest because Im exhausted!  Apparently we are going to class later, so I better get some sleep!  Ill update later!”

Sally

Missed flights, bureacracy, long night, and a little fun with Sally! October 6, 2008

Helping Kristina type

Hi Im Sally and Im at the Dayton Airport!

 

Well I am still in Ohio…not by choice though!  Travelocity messed up my reservations some how and I was unable to check in to my first flight, because somehow I was already checked in and also had no seats assigned…it was a mess.  All I can say is that I am cursed!  I am in for a long night!  Instead of landing in Hawaii at 8pm, I know land at 530am tomorrow!  I may need a slap in the face a couple times to stay awake in class tomorrow!  The only perk of this whole fiasco, I get to fly first class from Las Vegas to Honolulu!  The downside, I have to write a paper on the flight!

So, over the next several weeks there will be a new addition to the blog…It will be termed Sally’s Blog.  One of my friends’ daughter is working on a school project in which Sally (the Wedding dog) goes traveling around the world and sends letters and postcards back home (to school). Its a geopgraphy project of sorts.  Think Travelocity roaming gnome. So Sally is traveling with me to Hawaii for a while, and it should be fun.  Im looking forward to this!  So I am updating my blog daily with Sally’s adeventures and pictures for Aubrey to follow along with…hope everyone else enjoys!

Sally’s Blog:

“Well I am currently in Dayton still with Kristina.  Ive been kind of bored since all she has been doing is reading and typing a paper, but I have seen some cool planes.  Im looking forward to seeing Vegas…maybe I will get to see the Blue Man Group!  If she saw Ashley Simpson at LAX, anything is possible!  I am doing fine and looking forward to surfing and seeing the beach!  I just hope the geckos don’t get me, since I hear they are all over Kristina’s house.  Until, tomorrow, enjoy my pictures at the airport.”

Love, Sally

 

Later all!