Sketches, musings, and other stuff from my perspective. I’d love to hear from you (because I don’t know if anyone ever sees this) so please let me know if you’re out there.
Well, I haven’t done squat with this blog in a year so hopefully, the 3 month creative challenge will inspire me. Here are 3 sketches and a drawing. I think I’m still behind by one week but at least I’ve got something going.
The first are two from my favorite bakery in SF for incredible chocolate chunk cookies, Specialty’s.
I have to bring a sketch pad to work and get whatever time I can on it. I also have tried my time on the bus for this, as you can see with my next sketch.
The Golden Gate Transit bus is pretty great. Generally, I get a seat by the window and can watch the incredible scenery of the Marin Headlands and the GG Bridge which looks different every day. It takes me 45 minutes to get to my stop in SF so I have plenty of time to read or email or listen to music. Sketching is challenging, due to the very bumpy ride but I don’t mind. It’s a quiet ride as, amazingly, most people don’t use their phones on the commute.
The drawing is from our wonderful vacation in Tahoe. The snow situation was sad but we still had a fantastic, fun time with our friends Leila and Ron and Ron’s sister, Rhea.
The last week or so in Hawaii went really fast so I didn’t have time (or the inclination) to get on my computer to finish the section of my blog. So, here it is, 2 weeks after returning to CA and I’m putting in the final touches. It’s important to include them because it already feels like a whirwind time and a blur. This blog helps to parse it out into the many little inanities and adventures that made it a wonderful 2 months.
So, we’ll go back to that last week…we had the Waikiki place through 1/31 and then moved to Kailua to the Treetop studio. But in the meantime, Judy and Lee came for a visit partying ensued. Friday night was dinner at Kiawe grill when we all experienced the sublime pleasure of a huge Korean BBQ meal for 2 for only $9. There was choke traffic on Beretania, especially around Bishop, where it crawled. I got out and went to meet Carolann and Corky at the historical Hawaii Theater to see Ladysmith Black Mombazo.
Mitch keeps seeing this scarf in the water.
They are delightful to see and hear–their songs a sort of wavelike drone. After the show, I stayed with Corky while CA got the car and then went on to meet the gang over at Cafe Che Pastas where they were in the final stages of a gig. There was talk about shots but we all left before that could put us under the table (as it certainly would have).
Saturday, I surfed Diamond Head first thing in the morning. Not the worst session but certainly not the best. That evening was a party at Podolske’s. Fun! Kayaking in Hawaii Kai, great food, and kanikapila. They got an electric piano for Lee and I sort of went off with come Carole King songs–mostly because I wanted to pick up the pace of the music 😛
Things I've Picked Up in Hawaii
Sunday we went up to Malaekahana with Judy and Lee. Body surfed up there for an hour and a half. It was BEAUTIFUL, clear water and BIG waves. Fun! Judy was fearless–taking those big waves. Lee didn’t want to lose his contacts so was wearing a snorkel mask (which promptly got ripped off his face) and then some goggles (also ripped off by the strong surf)! After shining sunshine, it clouded up and started to rain.
We headed up to the North Shore to have mahi sandwiches at Kua Aina and then to the Coffee Gallery for a revel bar (that place was choke with Japanese tourists). Then onward to Honolulu for a great dinner with Azeema and Steve.
The next day we moved to Kailua. Had lunch at Boston’s, a quick swim at Kailua, Drove to the Osorios to sell our car and then had dinner with Lee and Judy at a place called Asian Fusion on Waialae (great cha gio, the rest was only okay). Tuesday we finally had a lazy day.
Wednesday we had dinner at Helena’s with Mitch’s buddy Richie, who was here for a conference from NY. The restaurant has the best Hawaiian food and is one of the great holes-in-the-wall out in Kalihi, a local neighborhood west of downtown. I worked in Kalihi in 1989-1991 at Hawaiian Graphics, which is no longer there). The funniest thing was getting out of the car and Richie saying, “Hey, I saw this place on TV!” Turns out it was on a show called “Man vs. Food.” I have no idea what they had but we broke da mout’ on pipikaula, luau chicken, lau lau, steamed butterfish with watercress, lomi salmon, kahlua pork, two scoops rice, and poi (of course). Ugh, roll us home!
Pau Hana Sun in My Face
Wednesday, the waves were also HUGE on the North Shore and they were close to having the Eddie Aikau surf competition which, like Mavericks in northern CA, only occurs when the waves are monsters.
Protea
Turns out, they weren’t big enough—need to be consistently over 25 feet. The good news is that the high surf made waves (so to speak) on the other shores of O’ahu too, so Diamond Head on Thursday was messy but fun and breaking all over the place. I caught a few waves and saw this massive turtle head peek up about 10 feet ahead of me. Woah!
Baby Makapuu
The weather’s been great and I’m still being a maniac and making sure that we surf or boogie board or snorkel or hike every day. I only just realized that my attitude is—I can sleep in San Francisco. If there’s light out here we should be outside!!! Needless to say, we’re exhausted.
Friday night we had Steve, Azeema, Sue, Rob, Liz and Susie over for margaritas, which became mangoritas after Liz showed up with frozen fruit. Yummy! Mitch really knows how to mix those puppies. Yum!
More Baby Maks
Yesterday, we tried to replay last weekend’s fun by driving around the southeastern part of the Island, past Hanauma Bay, Sandies, and Makapuu to Baby Maks. I love it there—it’s so haunting and majestic and captivating with the bright aqua water and 2000 foot Koolaus looming right over the beach. We snorkeled there again but the water was murky and rough so didn’t see a lot of fish. Did follow a turtle around for a while, though. That was really cool. Ate at the inimitable Sweet Home Waimanalo, which has the best plate lunches (get the lemon chicken and corn bread—actually get anything there—it’s all good)!
Waimanalo beach study
The high surf wrap persisted to Waimanalo beach where the shore break was pretty big and fun. We played like kids there, even after the bust –a-gut lunch. Yes, I’ll be returning to CA with a couple of extra lbs. on my butt)!
Last night we had a great time back of Palolo with the Osorios and their friends. Good food and nice folks. Re-learned how to play cribbage, which I always liked when I played it twenty years ago. And some lovely singing to guitars, ukes, and a harmonica. Lots of fun but we had to wake up at 6:15 to get ready for a trip up north.
After two hours of body surfing...whew!
My old friend Mary Woollen picked us up and we drove over the Pali and northwest from Kaneohe to Malaekahana. The Koolaus were glowing in the morning sunlight and we could see way up the coast. I hate waking up that early on a weekend, but the view was worth it. The water was murky but the waves were fun and we body surfed for about two hours up there.
Next day we went to see Maria Muldaur and Dan Hicks. All I knew of Maria was “Midnight at the Oasis” which was never a favorite of mine, but Mitch said that she’s a great musician and would be fun to see. And besides, Jorma and Barry had opened for her on Maui so that spoke for itself.
The venue was Hawaiian Brian’s, a pool hall in a parking structure on Kapiolani (no lie). We got there before the door
Earring Dude
opened so we could get a good seat but when we saw that they’d covered the pool tables and added chairs around them and there was only this odd looking couple from Molokai ahead of us, we went out to find dinner. We ended up at a place called Angelo Pietro, a Japanese/Italian restaurant (to add more surrealism to the evening). Mitch had a spaghetti salad for dinner which he said was good because they didn’t overcook the pasta. Huh.
Skull Hat
Anyway, the gig was fun and Maria and Dan were great. Most entertaining was the colorful crowd of finely aged baby boomers with their various versions of facial hair, and the old babes who were all dolled up for a night on the town. We were sitting at the bar and were additionally amused by the train wreck of having only one bartender, four waitresses, and fried whatevahs continually coming out of the kitchen with nowhere to go. Seems like they didn’t write down the table numbers for the food so it sat around on chairs or the bar before being served. I think Brian’s has some kinks to work out…
Sunday, I went over to Kailua to meet with Carolann, stopping first at Boston’s North End pizza for a slice. I had no idea that I was walking into a scene as the Patriots were being trounced by New York and the crowd there was not happy. Ah well…the subsequent walk on the beach was wonderful even if the water west of Kalama Beach park was as brown as chocolate and not nearly as appetizing.
Trying to recall last week—I haven’t done enough drawings but I’ll just say that we’ve been in the water pretty much daily. Most times we’re boogie boarding at Walls or just snorkeling there. It’s so fantastic to be 3 blocks from that place where there are either waves to catch or fish to see.
Waikiki Fishes
Mitch has been talking about this potato head fish. [Holding up a papaya he points to the top] “It’s got eyes right here on top and this big body and it’s got little excuses for fins on the side that looks like they’re good for nothing. Maybe the big head is its defense.” I didn’t draw this fish but here are some of the ones I did see.
Went out to eat with the Osorios at a great Italian place called Sabrina’s. Shared two bottles of wine and got a little carried away with the ordering. Somehow, we couldn’t decide which dessert we wanted so ended up getting four out of five. The profiteroles came in a big pile and would have been enough! So to add to the mix the proprietors ended up giving us the fifth dessert. Needless to say, we were more than stuffed.
Mitch Playing
The days have been flying by in a whirl of waves, reef, beaches, hiking, and local food. I’m so behind in this blog that I can’t quite remember the full story.
Mitch has been seeing all kinds of fish at Waikiki. Taking advantage of his prescription mask and snorkel, yesterday he found something he’s calling the Potato Head fish.
Cool fishes at Waikiki Beaches
[Holding up a papaya he points to the top] “It’s got eyes right here on top and this big body and it’s got little excuses for fins on the side that looks like they’re good for nothing. Maybe the big head is its defense.” I didn’t draw this fish but here are some of the ones I did see.
The hair just didn't match
Waikiki has really changed in the past 10 years. The Lewers side feels like Rodeo Drive with all those high end designer stores. Kinda nutso. It’s nice being on the Diamond Head side because it’s still got a little of that honky tonk feeling: old buildings, quieter streets. And of course, there are characters. I saw this Japanese lady on Ohua the other day. Man, she had this hair that just didn’t match–it was BIG and fluffy and red. I couldn’t get her image out of my mind.
First Friday
For “First Friday” concert at the Art Museum this month, they had some of the Hawaiian Grammy nominees. Cyril Pahinui was there and Amy Hanaiali’i. Also Dennis Kamakahi, who I’ve never seen play before. He wrote some of my favorite Hawaiian songs, including Kokee and Wahine ‘Ilikea. And his middle name is Kahekilimamaoi-kalanikeha which you just gotta love. His rendition of Kokee, about one of my favorite places in the World, brought me to tears.
My last day off before 2011 so I did some errands. Got my surfboard ding kit at T & C in the International Marketplace. Now I remember why I haven’t been there in over 20 years–it’s a bunch of junky jewelry shops and places that sell ugly aloha wear. It was a gorgeous day so I hung out at the surf racks for a while, watching the waves and the Japanese tourists. Met a couple who at the picnic tables with ukes who told me that there’s a kanikapila every Monday and Friday from 1-2:30. I went to get my uke to join them.
Yeah, his hat says SF
About a dozen old futs in their 80’s and 90’s playing old timey tunes, cowboy ditties, Hawaiian and hapa haole songs with a mike and amp. Several just couldn’t hit the notes but sang with heart. One guy was playing a steel guitar which somehow made everything sound good. I loved it!
This guy gave a little intro saying the his next song was about Hanalei Bay and then belted out “Some Enchanted Evening” in a rich baritone. A lady went up and sang “All of Me.” One woman only sang Hawaiian songs and they were great.
Friday the weather was beautiful so we went to the Windward side to enjoy Kailua Beach where the sun finally showed it’s face. There, we made our pilgrimage to Agnes’ Portuguese Bakery to pick up some World famous muffins (blueberry and cranberry in case you were wondering), grabbed a slice of Boston’s pizza (they do a good crust) and headed for the beach for some serious boogie boarding. The waves were big and fun and they really rolled us! We were pretty whipped by the time we got out.
Met my old bud Brett Wigdortz and his family for dinner in Waikiki and then sort of missed the fireworks–they were hiding behind the Sheraton. It was a nice New Year’s Eve, even if we didn’t dance to the Dead.
Ocean Study
Yesterday was another gorgeous day so we went back to Kailua, though it took us much longer to get out the door. The waves were smaller and I’ve never seen the beach so crowded. Not sure if more tourists are going there or if the Obamas were attracting people but next time maybe we’ll go to Waimanalo. In any case, we were still a bit wiped from the day and were starting to get chafed by our boards so we mostly body surfed.
I tried to paint the ocean–something that I’ve never been able to do. I’m going to have to find out what techniques there are for this. I’ll keep you posted 🙂
It was a slow week at work and continued to be stormy on the Island. Still didn’t stop us from going to the beach pau hana. Sans Souci beach is lovely and mellow with a sandy bottom. How luxurious to just lie in the shallow water and let the warm water lap over you. Mitch sure enjoyed it!
I was a little over-zealous on Tuesday while boogie boarding and got bad blisters on toes and my ankle so am unable to wear fins for a while.
Today, we’re off to Kailua to enjoy the sunshine (finally)! Haouli Makahiki Hou!
Friday night (that was…the 17th, I think) we went to a party at UH for the South Asian Lovers Association (or something like that). Azeema was coordinating it, so we went.
Lots of great Indian food and music. We brought a chocolate haupia cake from Leonard’s (not very east Asian but everyone ate it anyway). There was planned poetry reading after the dinner, but the readers didn’t show so reciting and song was impromptu. Didn’t quite understand the Urdu, Pashto, and such, but it sounded nice.
We went to the Pagers for brunch the next day. Sean and Sheryl are here with their kids for a few weeks so we had a nice visit. It started POURING while we were there but was quite nice to watch from the covered lanai.
Monday was regular work. We are rolling out of bed at 6:30 and turning on our computers. It seems to be getting harder and harder to do this as we live more on Hawaii time.
The advantage of starting and ending the day early is that there’s time for fun pau hana (that means after work). The Wall (or Walls) is only 3 blocks from our place and it’s a great little boogie boarding spot. It’s great fun to go after work. Woohoo!
Too shallow at Diamond HeadA doodle
We’re also only about 10 minutes from Diamond Head, my surf spot. The challenge for the last few weeks has been to get this old bod strong enough to paddle out and catch waves. Some days I can get out to the spot but that leaves me too pooped to catch anything. Ugh. I finally figured out that the spot in front of cliffs is too shallow–I could see the reef as I sailed by. A little too close for comfort.
We’ve had Kona weather for the past week or so–no trade winds and overcast. Went hiking to Makiki-Moleka-Manoa Cliffs trail on Friday (my day off) and it was MUGGY! Beautiful view of the valley, though. It had been raining pretty hard so was muddy in places and there was a huge boulder in the trail that had destroyed a number of trees in its wake on the hillside.
I have to bring a sketch pad to work and get whatever time I can on it. I also have tried my time on the bus for this, as you can see with my next sketch.
Marin Headlands and the GG Bridge which looks different every day. It takes me 45 minutes to get to my stop in SF so I have plenty of time to read or email or listen to music. Sketching is challenging, due to the very bumpy ride but I don’t mind. It’s a quiet ride as, amazingly, most people don’t use their phones on the commute.
Suzine II 