Big Isle Adrift

So, I wanted to post this back in October but work has been sucky and I've been too busy to even think about the blog...but this album is still awesome. Even after downloading the album months ago from the Radiohead's website: inrainbows.com, I still find hours upon hours of enjoyment from it. Although you still can get it free, without legal hassle...i suggest you put up some cash for this remarkable achievement in audiocentricity and distribution. Check it out...

-J

For those who I haven't spoken to since I stole Sarah and ran off with her, we're finally settling in and doing fine. We're still trying to develop a routine but excited that we finally have a chance to get into one together.

We spent last weekend recovering from the moving madness by resting on the sands of Hapuna beach near Waikoloa. Although the skies were glum for most of the day , it didn't dampen our spirits and patience finally prevailed as the clouds lifted for a few hours toward late afternoon. I played around with my snorkel gear as I tried out my new flippers and although Sarah wasn't able to get the tan she wanted, she had a good time nonetheless. We left close to sundown and headed south to Keahou and pigged out at Kenichi Pacific, my favorite sushi restaurant. Not a bad way to spend our first weeked together in our new home on the Big Isle.

This weekend we have been taking it easy, doing chores mostly. Since Sarah got off the plane she's been taking up a new hobby, cooking. Before we left, Sarah's family showered her with cookbooks and I've been reaping the benefits since. With that we headed out early on Saturday to the Farmers Market and stocked up on all kinds of fresh vegetables. I've never been so excited over something so stoopid as vegetables before. What can I say...I'm in good hands.

Well if Sarah can pull me away from the games today, we'll go check out some homes for rent; our new project. Wish us luck...we'll be in touch!

J

The past 3 days I've been hearing on the radio that Flossie was churning out there in the Pacific and gaining some strength. Now, I didn't give this much thought really as most of my attention has been dedicated to work and moving Sarah over at the end of the month. After a nice Saturday of Golfing and a night at the movies, I wake up this morning to a "Beware of Hurricanes" text from my friend Tim back in AZ. I hop on CNN to see this...



Looks like Flossie is a much tougher ol' broad than her wimpy name would indicate. From what I found on Accuweather, she's about 735 miles away from Hilo and has a maximum sustained winds near 135 mph with gusts reaching 165. Its traveling about 14 mph heading NW...basically heading straight for us here. My friend Cory has told me that it's something I shouldn't worry about. The rule of thumb around here is if the Hawaiian Civil Defense gives the hurricane a Hawaiian name...then I should start to worry. Think it wouldn't hurt to hit the Safeway and stock up on some food today to be sure. Should probably develop a disaster plan for work too...great, like I got time for that shiat.

-J

Howdy All!!!

So the big news around here is the Father's Day eruption of Kilauea. Although Kilauea has been doing this for quite some time, what's so special about this is that recent multiple earthquakes have caused a change of the eruption as multiple fissures were created. These fissures have caused a drainage of the lava that once resided in the Pu'u O'o vent resulting in a river of lava heading East out of the National Park boundary. Below is a map that displays the current eruption of Kilauea as of August 10th. The red section represents the current area of the flow to date.



As you can see, since the creation of these fissures, the river of lava has continued to push Easterly for a total of about 6 miles. Below is a fairly current pic of the event.



Kind of reminds me of the times where I use to leave the horses water trough on as a kid and it would flood and create rivers all over the yard. Ah...how I use to piss the parents off with that mistake. Anyway...I digress.

True, this might not be all too exciting for you mainlanders, but it's definitely a hot topic (bad pun) around here for obvious reasons: no one knows where it's going and who knows when Pele will turn the faucet off. Assuming it continues on a relatively Easterly direction, it could jeopardize a few subdivisions...remnants of Kilauea's destruction of Kalapana back in 1990. Hopefully, it will just head south and the only thing it'll really do is just attract more tourists. In case you're wondering...no, I'm not anywhere in the path of this thing...it's too far south of me.

Well, I'm going to brush off for now...gonna head out to see the Bourne Ultimatum. Can't wait. Stay tuned, more news to come...

-J

In looking for a really cool place to snorkel, I came across the Wikipedia article about the Puna District, my current place of residence. Have a read...i think it'll provide you a nice overview of my hood.

Typical Speed Limit sign...place is like Mayberry on crack.


Enjoy the read...
Puna - Wikipedia

J

No...honestly, I can't say that I felt anything from this weeks 4.7, 4.1 Earthquake at the Volcano. Actually, I was quite surprised that I didn't feel it as I was sitting in my office in Keaau, bored to tears dealing with vendor reps over purchasing details. Considering that I still don't have TV in my house...it's been what...5 months since I've seen the news? So, when I finally heard about the earthquake and the activity at Kilauea, it was the day after and I was eating a pretty good burger from Blane's at the time.



Now, Keaau...where I work most of the time, is about 30 - 40 miles away from the actual Volcano and the spot of the quake. Thought something of that magnitude would at least vibrate my chair a little. Strange though, just 8 miles down south of where I was, there was some action noted. Some of my poker buddies here were telling me that their homes in Pahoa received a nice shake. So once again, I miss all the action. But, its probably a good thing that nothing jeopardized the servers at work. Just one thing more I need to be added to my list...ya damn right I just knocked on wood. Should be interesting to see what Kilauea and the South Rift Zone does over the next month, whether or not Pele gets another belly ache. Here's what the latest Hawaiian Volcano Observator report says in case you all wanted some additional facts...

Follow Me YAY!!!

Before I forget...click here for a Live panorama of the Pu`u `O`o vent...she's been fairly active in the last month...

No This Way, YAY!!!

J

A'ight! I'll stop with the video posts and really get busy writing something tangible in this thing, I promise! For now, I have to share with you my addiction to Cartoon Network's Robot Chicken. I present The RACE...with actual Cannonball Run guests, Burt Reynolds and Dom Deliuse. I thank you my darling girlfriend!

J

"Stoopid Monkey!"

Triumph Weather Dog - For more funny videos, click here

This basically sums up Hawaii's weather...

Thank you Stefan for the laugh!

Attention Friends:

A big thank you all for those who made it out to celebrate my 30th Talladega Nights Birthday Party and those who made the trek all the way out to Surprise, AZ for the "Brothers Kegger" at Pete and Johanna's. I had an amazing time at both and couldn't ask for a better way to reign in on my 30's. My apologies that I had to hurry back to the Isle and couldn't have decent 1-on-1 time with most of you. Don't think I had much energy left to do so anyway...really felt my age toward the tail end of last week. Hope to see you all soon. Will be in touch for sure.

Aloha, A Hui Ho!

J


Chi Chi's for all!

I am Jack's cellular decay...

"If we can recognize that change and uncertainty are basic principles, we can greet the future and the transformation we are undergoing with the understanding that we do not know enough to be pessimistic." - Hazel Henderson (famous economist from the '30's)

Obviously Hazel said all of this before she turned 30...what a bitch. No, I am not looking forward to turning 30 in 55 hours...big party withstanding or not (i hope there is a party). I loved the 20's...the 20's was a time of breaking out of one's shell, beyond the previous decade separation from the umbilical cord. I remember thinking about turning 30 years ago and referencing that shitty show "30 Something"...remember that piece of work? Man, they all seemed old...wearing they're shitty clothes from Kohls, going to PTA meetings, lounging around in Suburbia. I'm slowing accepting the change of all of it...still too young for a mid-life crisis. Hell, couldn't afford something like that anyway. But it sucks...the 20's were a symbol of youth with power...irresponsiblity was not only accepted but encouraged. Now, the game will have to change...cause

"Nothing is more pathetic than an aging hipster" - Dr. Evil
(Sigh)

At least I can be ridiculed in public by my friends this weekend. Looking forward to it. In the meantime, I did manage to cheer myself up some, check out my new momento:



I'm quite happy with it. It's a decent iPOD replacement (say no to iPOD DRM) with additional specs:
1. Holds beyond my collection of music...get the 60GB version.
2. Plays DIVX movies!
3. Holds Pics too!
4. ZenCast...not as good as Apple's Podcast...but it's growing.

Outta here for now...to my friends...see you in a few days, have beer in hand ready.

Yo!

So yesterday i booked my flt back to Phoenix for some Microsoft SQL training the week of the 19th. Hit me up if you wanna get together over a beer. Maybe we can even disect the Superbowl...if it's even worth it. Here is my prediciton because everyone else seems to be qualified in making one.

Colts 31
Bears 20

Superbowl MVP -
Reggie Wayne

Budlight will have the funniest commercial (safe bet)

Hope to see you in Phoenix!

J

Hello freinds and family,

My first week (and a half or so) has ended here in Hilo, Hawai'i and what an experience it has been thus far. Sarah and I had a wonderful time vacationing while she was here, but unfortunately she couldn't stay any longer and had to jet back to AZ. Thanks to her, she made my first week so much easier by doing little things such as buying me pillows, towels, and decorations that made my apartment here a little more home like. With her generocity and support it gave me some real confidence in my first real week of work at the Bay Clinic. Thanks baby...I owe you so much.

So how was work you ask? I think overall, it went very very well. I'm starting to fit into a grove and feel like I have a good feel on the Director of MIS reigns . I'm excited because there are a lot of projects that I can undertake this year and it seems that the Executive staff is very supportive and committed to growth. I won't kid ya, there is a lot to do here. But I couldn't ask for a better supporting structure to aid me. Can't get into the details of all of it now, but just know that it's "so far...so good".

My weekend has come and gone...flew by before it even started. Still looking for a new place to live...have a few ideas and will be looking at some of them today. Got a chance to hike Mauna Kea which was amazing. I'll post some pics here in a few. Speaking of posting pics...finally purchased a digital camera. Yes it's true, the IT dude finally dives fully into the digital pool . I've always wanted one but the prices were always, well...pricey, and why buy one when I can borrow Lisa's everytime I take a trip anyway. My new prize is the Canon 6 Megapixel Powershot SD 630. It performed brillantly through my rough tests this past weekend. Went on the Kona side again yesterday but arrived late. Couldn't get any beach pics like I wanted but I did take a nice pic of the Costco while I was there...so that's something. Found a great sushi restaurant...if you have a chance I highly recommend you sampling some of the cusine at Kenichi Pacific. Get the Kona Special Roll! Still looking for anything resembling a volleyball or a softball league and having no success. Tried the Y and online and nada. Hoping the Parks and Rec Dept here can point me in the right direction. Wish me luck.

Oh before I forget, considering this new land that I'm living is always undergoing some sort of radical environment changes, I've decided to sign off by giving you a Geology and Meterology update to my environment, I call it J's "Holy Crap what's going down now!" update. Now mind you, i'm not a paranoid person and believe the worst may occur...a.ka. a Doomsday clock or something. It's just things are constantly going on here...and it's much different than the sleepy-nothing-ever-happens-but-heat environment in Phoenix. I'm hoping it will make me appreciate and give you an idea where I am now and where you are and all of that jazz. So here it is...enjoy.

Holy Crap what's going down now!

Earthquakes?: Nothing in Hilo...some baby one's down in in HVNP like always.
Tsunamis?: Hawai'i was under TSUNAMI WATCH on the 12th from the 8.2 earthquake off the coast of Japan. I heard it caused a 4" wave that hit the Islands here. Ya, nothing to really make any note of.
Volcanoes?: Ya, there are a bunch here. Only Kilauea is still brewing and churning and spitting out some lava in the park.
Hurricanes?: Not quite the season for it.
Floods?: It's been rainy but not like that.
Landslides?: Nuttin...
Rosie O'Donnell?: No sitings to report

Aloha for now...

J