Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dry Running

A  L  O  H  A !


Still Here!



"Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist
but the ability to start over."

F. Scott Fitzgerald







Moana Surfrider. 100+ years of Aloha



"Speech is of time,
silence is of eternity."

Thomas Carlyle





"Art is the only way to run away
without leaving home."


Twyla Tharp





"If you neglect the welfare of others,
ultimately
you will be very lonely."

Dalai Lama






"Christmas waves a magic wand
 over this world,
 and behold,
 everything is softer and more beautiful."


Norman Vincent Peale



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My feet are dry.

That is no small thing.

Though we have had some Winter Rains
 here in the Islands-

(Sorry for that Pineapple Express, West Coast :(

-and my carpets here on the boat 
have been damp for two weeks or so,
slowly slowly we climb out of the slime and muck;
sometimes literally!

Those of you who know about our emergency (HERE)
know what I'm talking about.

Meanwhile. . .

First Lady Michelle Obama,
 her girls & the dog are waiting in Kailua
for the President to join them this week
on this island of his birth.

The press has taken over a ballroom
 (at least!) at the Moana Surfrider
and strange, stiff, focused men
 in slightly "off" aloha shirts
are seen around Oahu
 talking into tiny headsets.

I feel pretty safe. 
We're having a "Dry Run"
for the Asian Pacific Summit
 which will happen here in 2011
requiring coordination of several heads of state
moving about on one tiny island
converging on the Convention Center
a few blocks from here.

(Juicy: The chi chi Waikiki Edition Hotel
overlooking this harbor
is already booked solid for the event.  It's popular with diplomats - who knew?)

Folks are stoked that President Local Barry
 is coming home.
And he's sure to be seen around the islands,
golfing with high school friends.
(Our new Governor has been known to the Prez
since childhood as his parents' friend!)
I'm sure it's reviving for him to be in a place 
where he is appreciated.

It's almost as much of a thrill to see him
 and the girls eating Shave Ice
as it was to see Johnny Depp among us.
(We still miss ya, Johnny - please come back swoon -
 I mean soon.)

So yes, I'm still here! I missed you - 
but a wet boat in a rainstorm
is not the place to work on-line.

So now I'm off to see what YOU
 have been up to these few days.

Thanks AWFULLY for looking in today.
Leave me a comment so I can hear your breathing :) 
     fondly, cloudia

28 comments:

  1. How exciting! But it will surely vex the locals at the time as access to various places will be cut off and many diversions will be enacted. But still!

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  3. The first time we were in Ohau we stayed at the Moana; fabulous place and lovely memories... 1996

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  4. Glad to know you're well and dry and ascending from the proverbial slime to hobnob with the world's best and brightest, definitely a place you deserve!!

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  5. You captured the Spirit of Christmas and Hawaii as only our Cloudia can. With both words and pictures! I can now travel to Fl in Peace!

    LOVE- BAD SANTA on the Bench! I'll bet he has an AWESOME Heart- that one would pre-judge by appearances!
    wink-wink. Read 5 chapters at the Brake Dudes Shop--but I have to re-read them as they were to important to miss, and the noise was incredible in their!.

    Brrrrrua, Bruuuuurah--Lug nuts coming off, and roasting on an open...Ok--I'll STOP!!

    Tilex and Damp Rid- Sista!!! My wife sucks ALL the water out of the house and THEN uses a humidifier--Go Fiigur.....

    John

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  6. You saw Johnny WHO among you?? That could do wonders for the soul. :) I'm happy to hear you are up and running again and full of light, hope and sunshine, as always!

    Peace and joy to you, Chica!

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  7. So you can't get the leak stopped all the way, or it is too humid to dry things out.I would love to stay at the Surf, it looks nice.Like your Twyla Tharp quote, I may have to borrow that if you don't mind.

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  8. I just love Barry and plan to vote for him again.

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  9. No rain nor snow in sight over here, streets mostly filled with garbage still, people trying to reach the shops for their Christmas shopping while public transport remains 'out of order'.

    How nice to be able to escape to your island of comfort. Please have you all a wonderful Wednesday.

    daily athens

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  10. Breathing and heart rate: right here! :-D

    Love the Twyla Tharp quote and the girls in traditional blue costume. What a great blue that is!

    Happy Solstice, Ms. Cloudy!

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  11. Glad to hear you're safe and well. Thanks for sending the rain my way. Is your boat leaking from above or below the water-line? Do you have a bilge pump? Are your scuppers clear?
    Enjoy the Season. Thanks for dropping bye and leaving words of encouragement.
    Kurt

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  12. I like the boy touching his cheek. He is so cute.

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  13. We seem water tight below the waterline, but it rained in a few places = DAMP.

    Thanks for caring, commenting, coming by :)

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  14. dry feet is certainly a good thing...smiles. aloha from VA!

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  15. great to know that you are drying out! :)
    have fun in this season of cheer!!

    namaste /\ from mumbai
    aloha!!

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  16. "If you neglect the welfare of others, ultimately you will be very lonely."
    Dalai Lama

    Sadly, that is something a lot of people need to realize.

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  17. Fantastic quotes, good to hear you're drying at last ever so slowly.

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  18. So sorry that you have been wet, crawling out of the primordial slime. How wonderful that you rub elbows with such accomplished celebrities and leaders.

    I am a big Barry fan and hope that he and his ideals prevail, the world needs him.

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  19. Hopefully the Pres and his family can have a relaxing Christmas.

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  20. I loved the Twylla Tharp quote. You are probably drying out. We're still wet, but what we say around here is "Hilo can handle."
    Lots of excitement with all those celebs around, eh. I would love to be there to enjoy that!

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  21. Happy Christmas Cloudia http://wp.me/p124B5-1cJ

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  22. Oh wow! I can't believe I missed the Emergency??? Glad you are all ok, and sounds like things will dry out.

    Aloha! Merry Christmas!

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  23. Hello Cloudia

    Again a lot of nice and colorful pictures on your blog, always a pleasure to visit your blog.

    Greetings and a merry x-mas.

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  24. I love that art quotation - it is so true.

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  25. Beautiful photos, and I'm very relieved after reading your other post that your feet are dry. How frightening that must have been! Is the boat seaworthy again now?

    -----------------------------------
    My photography is available for purchase - visit Around the Island Photography and bring home something beautiful today!

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  26. Oh so nice to hear its drying out for you ...

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  27. Jolly party because Y O U stopped by!


    Thank you

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