A Billion Dollar Bet Against the U.S.

Someone dropped a bomb on the bond market Thursday – a $1 billion Armageddon trade betting the United States will lose its AAA credit rating.
In one moment, an invisible trader placed a single trade that moved the most liquid debt market in the world.

Helloooo Mr. Tilapia

This is our one and only Tilapia in a 650-gallon aquarium. We started out with two but I think it was the female that died. We're looking for fingerlings or grown Tilapia in case any of our Big Island friends have any they would like to sell. We're also looking for something called Duckweed.

Volcano Watch: Farewell to legacy seismic systems—welcome to ARRA upgrades in Kilauea Caldera

Volcano Watch: Farewell to legacy seismic systems—welcome to ARRA upgrades in Kilauea Caldera

What do you mean I'm your best head cleaner?

Ron and I were re-introducing ourselves to our studio equipment after three long years. There's so much to remember that it can get overwhelming. At least I didn't forget how to play my bass. The jungle rocked!

Anyway, we started coming up with "sound studio" jokes. Yeah, I know...but that's what happens with the two of us in the jungle and while...

slightly inebriated.

"insert groan here"...

Growing Fish, Vegies and Prawns with Aquaponics

Home

Sacred Waipi'o Valley

On Sunday, August 29th, Ron and I visited friends in Honoka'a Town and took a side trip to view Waipi'o Valley.

Green Lake Crater

Some pictures from our trip to Green Lake Crater yesterday.

Pictures from Big Island Ohia House

Aloha! These are a few photos that I posted on our Facebook page. Posting links is easier than uploading pictures in two places. My bandwidth is limited as well as our energy.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=212116&id=678702072&l=f8894261f5
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=211967&id=678702072&l=fe23c7ac11

I hope this finds everyone happy and healthy! We've been working outdoors most days and Ron got the windmill up yesterday but it won't be putting out energy until he raises it another 8 feet. He needs friends to help him do that. I'm not strong enough to raise it with him.

Jungle Kitties have been coming out to greet us. I give them a bowl of Meow Mix and off they go again. I think they're making the rounds up here. There's about three acres between each of the homes up here so I would imagine they take advantage of it.
Off to paint the porch and haul out old drywall from under the house.
Much love, Jen

And So It Begins

Aloha kids! Just a quick update to let you know I'll be scarce for awhile. We just got the word that we're moving to the other island during the first week of May and all the advertising, rental forms, ordering office furniture and supplies, packing and moving has to be done within the next three weeks. Then all hell will break loose as we start taking rental applications. I think Ron and I will be sleeping on the floor for awhile as we don't have a stick of furniture.

It's a little overwhelming to be handling this 25 million dollar project all of a sudden. We've been twiddling our thumbs since December and all of a sudden things are progressing in a short time frame. It's very exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Ron and I are just glad to be moving forward. I will check in on occasion (until my internet is canceled).

Aloha Nui and much love, Jen

P.S. ~ The photo is one I took last week during our Sunday walk down Waikiki to go to breakfast. Diamond Head in the background. The Hilton's lagoon beach (next door) is in the foreground.

Buoy Runs

Ron in the Boston Whaler off the stern of our boat this morning

Frank leaving his slip on Blue Hawaiian with Ron standing by in the Whaler

Frank and Bud realizing they'd lost their steering ~ it's always one of those F#@$%^!!!*# moments

Ron’s booked every day this week to assist fellow mariners do their buoy runs. The State now requires every boat to leave the marina and circle the buoys to prove they can, at least, leave their boat slips. 

I just took the pics (above) off the stern of my boat as our buddy Frank (who’s never left his slip in 7 years) was going to try his buoy run. He backed out of his slip and put it in forward only to find that he had lost his steering. Ron’s riding in the Boston Whaler and was able to maneuver the houseboat back into the slip. I just checked and all three guys are bent over the engine, scratching their heads. Aaaahhh boat life. 

There’s a reason for the new buoy run rule ~ which you’ll see in the pics below. There are many “floating vessels” that one can loosely describe as a boat but would not be capable of any seafaring. These are the boats that usually sink or wash up on shore after a storm and the rest of us have to pay for the clean-up. They’ve managed, somehow, to find loopholes in the inspection rules but no more. Everyone does a buoy run or they lose their boat slip. Since several boats crashed and burned while doing their runs, folks have asked Ron to assist in case the engine fails and they start heading for the rocks. For many of us, our boats are our homes and leaving the tranquil waters of a secure harbor can be a nail-biting situation. 

I think this one could cross the Pacific, don't you?

This one might be able to fly across the Pacific...dunno

Two story floating...something

Viruses and Telephone Warnings

April 1st has some folks worried about the conficker computer virus. I have 3 computers, 2 of which are PC’s. I’m unplugging them  from the internet today and tomorrow just to be careful. I think my Mac is okay, though. I make sure my computers have updated virus software because our business data and financial information is at stake so I hope that I’m not at risk. It may turn out that the worm won’t cause any problems for you but it may be setting you up by protecting itself and disabling your protection for a future attack where the hackers could use millions and millions of computers to attack the internet.

http://www.symantec.com/norton/theme.jsp?themeid=conficker_worm

Every morning, the call comes in on my cell. I know it’s a computer generated call with the area code “866”. Before I answer any unknown caller, I get online and check out the area code. It’s good advice to follow. My niece works for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Anti-Fraud Call Centre.  She forwarded this information this morning and thought I should pass it on:

'Missed call' scam could put erotic chat charges on your phone bill

Ring, ring. (Silence.) Oops, you missed that call. Maybe you should call back and see if it was important.

Do not fall for this scam, especially if the number is in the 649 area, a U.S. group warns.

The warning is from MyWireless.org, a Washington-based advocacy group with ties to the U.S. telecommunications industry.

"Wireless companies have detected a pattern of calls that ring their customers' number once or twice and then disconnect," the group says in a statement.

"When the number appears on the customer's cellphone as a missed call, it appears to be a typical domestic three-digit phone number starting with the 649 area code."

Customers who return such calls may find themselves connected to an adult entertainment service, it says, "and end up being billed for expensive international call and chat line charges."

"MyWireless.org urges wireless consumers to always check an area code first before returning a call to an unknown caller. Be skeptical about area codes you don't recognize, especially: 649 (Turks and Caicos); 809 (Dominican Republic); 284 (British Virgin Islands); 876 (Jamaica); 758 (St. Lucia); or 664 (Montserrat)."

'If you return the call, you may be unwittingly putting money into the pockets of scam artists.'—U.S. Federal Trade Commission

Fastest Street Legal Car

This video was really cool ~ especially if you're into racing.

This is a 1972 Datsun ~  winning races against Corvettes and any other vehicle that it comes up against.   To me, it sounds like a pimped out Black and Decker drill.  LOL! This gives you a perspective on the power of electric versus gasoline, though. Much love to you and keep safe this weekend. Jen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=369h-SEBXd 

Stingrays, Weddings and Avian Flu

In central Thailand an enormous freshwater stingray was captured, tagged and released during a National Geographic expedition.

This is a big ass ray!!! 

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We just found out that our son and his fiance’ (Kris and Christine) have decided to fly out to Hawaii to get married. How cool is that? 

I barely blundered through my own wedding and, undoubtedly, owe apologies to the entire Catholic Church, the whole town of South River and a multitude of other people.  I wonder if the kids know who they’re trusting...

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Avian Flu News

The story below has some interesting and upsetting aspects to it. Apparently, an American company sent out the live Avian/Human Flu Virus to 18 regions in Europe. The fact that both the bird AND human strains were combined leaves people worried that, either it was intentional...OR if it was accidental, all the protocols that the CDC use to protect us are horribly ineffective.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/02/27/8560781.html

Slideshow from March 7th, 2009

Last weekend, Ron and I took a drive up to the North Shore to visit Jerry and his family. They live right across from Leftovers Beach surfing spot. Here are a few pics from last weekend. 

Northeast Bat Die-Off

White fungus growing around the mouths of bats

Unprecedented Northeast Bat Die-off Spreading Rapidly
Insects Expected to Increase

Personal Note: I listened to Linda’s interview online about this and these bats had a ring of fungus around their mouths. Scientists are extremely worried about this die-off as it’s occurring worldwide. They don’t know if it’s the fungus that’s killing them off or whether the fungus is a secondary infection caused by some kind of immune suppressant.

http://www.earthfiles.com/news.php?ID=1529&category=Environment

Bananas Gone Bad ~ Live Sessions 2008

Welcome to the live sessions we recorded while onboard our sailboat. We are jamming with a dear friend from the North Shore of Oahu. His name is Jerry Merils ~ songwriter, guitar player and primo vocalist.

Ron Tiernay is on drums and vocals and works with me on sound.

I play bass, guitar, keyboards, mediocre vocals and sound

This Will Make the Guys go "EEeeewww"

Jugum Penis, United Kingdom, 1880-1920

Guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes, this device was intended as a treatment for "nocturnal incontinence" and to prevent masturbation. It was designed to deter nighttime emissions by causing enough pain to waken the sleeper if an erection threatened.

Anti-masturbation device, United Kingdom, 1871-1930

Worn beneath the clothes, this device was hooked onto a waistband and covered the penis and testicles.

Bananas Gone Bad ~ MySpace

I've uploaded four tunes onto our new Myspace page. Ron's family's been asking to hear what we've recorded (to date) so I put them up despite the fact they're not finished. They're uncompressed on the lower end so headphones may be a better way to listen instead of computer speakers. Don't want to blow those little buggers on ya...

www.myspace.com/bananasgonebad

If you have a myspace page, please invite me. I'm lonely...only a few friends so far (including Tom) LOL!

Friday Musings about Nothing Much...

This is a percipitation/temperature gradient of what's hitting the Hawaiian Islands. It's coming straight down from Alaska. Pretty rare...

It’s Friday! Since we haven’t been living our lives around a schedule, remembering what day it is has its challenges. Not complaining…just sayin’. It'll change soon enough.

Becky from the Pirate Coast magazine wrote and, after four years, is still after me to do an article about my dad. I don’t know what it is. I love to write. I’m not a good writer but I don’t care anymore. Such as it is with music – I don’t care if I don’t sound like Joss Stone. At my age, I’ve figured that it’s "doing it"and not always acquiring that “goal of perfection” you’ve set for yourself. One could find oneself "void" of any talent if you freeze up because you think “It sounds horrible” or “I can’t believe I just wrote that”. Yet, when it comes to dad…words just don’t come for me. Not even bad ones. Not yet, anyway.

I just read an article on Tony Hubble’s site about a soldier who escorts another soldier home ~ in a flag draped casket. The story wasn’t necessarily about our fallen brother, himself…but rather how he affected the people around him.
As the escorting officer accompanied the fallen soldier to the gravesite he wrote (regarding the moving casket):
“…I felt that, as long as he was still moving, he was somehow still alive.”
I guess I believe dad’s still moving…

Last night, we watched Horton Hears a Who! It was good to hear Ron chuckle and, I have to say, was a funny DVD. We needed it. I’m the one in charge of ordering Netflix movies. There are times when Ron rolls his eyes but our mutual agreement is that we watch what the other likes. I can only watch “blow em, crash em or shoot em” up movies for so long and he can only watch comedy, romance or science fiction movies for so long. Both of us liked Horton.

I hope you have a delightful weekend. I’ve included an opinion piece from the Kauai Garden Isle News regarding Urban Cheeekins. I thought it was a cute perspective on the issue:
Jen

The Garden Island - Cock-a-doodle-doo

I believe it was Hamlet who speaketh “To eradicate the chicken or not to eradicate the chicken, that is the question.”(Perhaps he did not.) Anyway, isn’t it a valid question, worthy of debate?

There are piecemeal solutions: with a humane rooster trap, an area can eventually be cleared of chickens (if emptying your trap of doves and java sparrows doesn’t wear you down).But once a void in a biosphere occurs, roosters and their harems would consider such an area as prime real estate and migrate to it. There are businesses that have come into being to rid us of noisy, disease carrying, environmentally degrading, noisy, noisy roosters.

But unless the county organizes an island-wide eradication program, the rooster will rule.Now I realize there are some rooster positives as well: fertilized, free-range, organic eggs without growth hormones and other potentially harmful chemicals; a source of organic meat without much fat (a bit thinner than the Costco chicken-on-a-spit); a natural and, for some, a pleasant wake-up call; and for those who are inclined, an outlet to satisfy one’s bloodlust and betting on the outcome of the illicit cockfight.

Most people would not much mind if the roosters disappeared; as a matter of fact, block parties would erupt in celebration. Stamp out the tyrannical rooster! Perhaps then we can enjoy a good night’s sleep.

But the other day, coming home from Big Save, I stopped in time — as did the large-tired truck coming toward me — to allow a clucking hen and a dozen chicks to pass.

Charles Cushman, Koloa
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009/02/26/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/doc49a632669e516992304869.txt

Our Own Revolution

Last night, the police hauled away a guy from our marina. They arrived in full SWAT force and dozens of police officers. This fellow, Mark, called Ron an hour or so before the police came. Whenever Mark’s in an agitated state, he calls here. Ron talked to him for about a half hour but, apparently, didn’t calm Mark’s anger. Believe me, both Ron and I appreciate many of the perspectives that Mark is so passionate about.

He served his country, which resulted in a lifetime of physical pain due to his injuries. He attends every meeting that concerns this marina, is an active participant in local government and can quote the Constitution at the drop of a hat. He’s an angry man. He’s mad at our Federal and the State governments for a multitude of reasons…many of which might ring a bell in each of us…

Now, I’ll admit that Mark is rather irritating. He’s combative, cranky as hell and does not listen or play well with others. And…sometimes, I’m just not up to his anger. He lays it on me like an oppressive, invisible blanket ~ smothering me until I just have to walk away. But, deep in heart of hearts, Mark’s mostly right about things. His pain and his anger are just the outward appearance of a frustrated soul ~ the message is still righteous no matter how badly promoted it is.

But last night, Mark broke that frail piece of thread that held him together. Something happened. They pulled him off of his sailboat and took him away.

I’m writing about this because I know how frustrated EVERYONE is. Your message is righteous. You are right! The system is failing – crumbling. I don’t think there is much we can do about it or it would have happened. I know we express our thoughts in the written word and, somehow, it’s a release for most of us. I’ve learned to let Ron yell at the television and radio. It’s his way of venting. Better he argue with a talking head on teevee or an idiot on the radio then let it boil up like Mark did.

My own revolution is just beginning to to take shape. However vague it is, I sense that it’s not what we’ve been previously doing…it would have worked by now.

Maybe we should let the old ways crumble. The anger and frustration we all feel is righteous and it’s what fueled previous generations to become pioneers…to set out to create their own futures and leave the old ways behind.

We’ve spent our energies throwing blame at the “bad guys” – delivering that invisible blanket of anger to anyone who’d listen or read or comment. What does it accomplish? The previous systems of economics, science, politics and lifestyles deserve to fall under their own weight of selfishness, corruption and greed. Let them go. Don’t feel sad.

Perhaps the way to “ultimate non-violent revolution against a corrupt system” is to not depend ON that system. Somehow, as a country, we need to rise out of the ashes with hopes for the future. Sharing ideas on how to do it is important, I think. Let’s decide to be those pioneers once again and use the initiative and open-mindedness that Americans are so well known for.

The rhetoric is beginning to emerge about revolution. I worry about those who instigate these ideas while all the while working for the bad guys who have various agendas. Yes, we are a far cry from the Constitution that our forefathers created…but don’t let the emotional fervor get you hauled away in a police car. Learn to fight the battles we can win…quietly and peacefully by making certain institutions and bureaucracies irrelevant in our daily lives.

Turn off the teevee for one! Start sharing ideas at a grassroots level to create community gardens, barter systems and networks to help one another. Form networks of like-minded individuals. If the economic system falters and brings us into the 1860 financial level that economists have warned about, let’s be innovators and leaders in our community. If we are lucky to pull out of our economic chaos, none of us will be made less for it. It will have only made us better individuals. What say you?