I will let Emma explain.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Problem with Snow!
When I was growing up in Hawaii I dreamed about heading up Mauna Kea to gather Hawaiian Snow. We would four-wheel there with coolers sliding in the bed of the pick-up for storage of the famed ice. Once there there would be the snow ball fight and ice down the back. Heavy breathing and headaches, due to the altitude (13,000+ feet) on the peek. We would fill our coolers and make the log journey back home. We would enjoy snow cones made form the "snow" (it is mostly ice) by putting sugary flavored syrup (my favorite being strawberry) all over; fun and joy.
I attended college in Oregon. My first year there while sitting in my Computer Science Class, it began to snow. My first real snow. Of course I wasn't the only Hawaiian there and on this day it was not hard to find us. Since most of us had never seen snow fall form the sky, we stood outside, looking up trying to catch a few flakes on our tongs, all the while wearing our shorts and slippers. After a while in the frigid air, most of us went looking for a heavy coat and shoes to protect us from the cold. After a few days of freezing, this white stuff is not so fun after all.
I returned to Oregon in 2001. By this time I had forgotten about the dissatisfaction I had with snow. We had wet winter and no snow. Never crossed my mind. We live at 500ft we should not get snow. I was wrong. This is why I hate snow. It is dam cold. It turns bad drivers into people who should not have a license. It is the only thing people talk about. I have to scrape it off my windshield. Did mention it is cold. Not everyone shows up for work. the people who come to shop think the end is near. It is cold. My child won't stop sining "I love snow, I love snow....etc. samui des nei. (it is cold in Japanese) The same people who complained when it was too hot now complain that it is too cold. etc. etc. etc.
So my problem with snow, I need to get some syrup, throw a few snowballs, and put some snow down someones back and have some fun. I just wish that after I was done playing in the snow I could sit down in Kailua-Kona and enjoy the heat.
Harry
I attended college in Oregon. My first year there while sitting in my Computer Science Class, it began to snow. My first real snow. Of course I wasn't the only Hawaiian there and on this day it was not hard to find us. Since most of us had never seen snow fall form the sky, we stood outside, looking up trying to catch a few flakes on our tongs, all the while wearing our shorts and slippers. After a while in the frigid air, most of us went looking for a heavy coat and shoes to protect us from the cold. After a few days of freezing, this white stuff is not so fun after all.
I returned to Oregon in 2001. By this time I had forgotten about the dissatisfaction I had with snow. We had wet winter and no snow. Never crossed my mind. We live at 500ft we should not get snow. I was wrong. This is why I hate snow. It is dam cold. It turns bad drivers into people who should not have a license. It is the only thing people talk about. I have to scrape it off my windshield. Did mention it is cold. Not everyone shows up for work. the people who come to shop think the end is near. It is cold. My child won't stop sining "I love snow, I love snow....etc. samui des nei. (it is cold in Japanese) The same people who complained when it was too hot now complain that it is too cold. etc. etc. etc.
So my problem with snow, I need to get some syrup, throw a few snowballs, and put some snow down someones back and have some fun. I just wish that after I was done playing in the snow I could sit down in Kailua-Kona and enjoy the heat.
Harry
Monday, November 17, 2008
QBQ
Why am I angry? Well I could blame it on the people who did not send information out on time. I could blame technology for not getting the message across in time. I could blame the person who writes up the reports. I could do a lot of blaming. Does that get me in a better position? No. I need to ask the QBQ (question behind the question). What could I have done better to facilitate a better outcome? How could I have better communicated what I wanted, when I wanted it done and the consequences of lack of action?
This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was not a pleasant experience and this time is not looking any different. I have let down my family and now need to do something to fix the situation. The first thing I am going to do is to be on top of the people who are supposed to be helping me. Sounds silly that I need to supervise people that are supposed to be providing me with a high level of customer service. In the end it is my responsibility to insure that everything goes according to plan.
In all seriousness I hope that I will help this group of people learn what it is to be accountable. I know I see them for a service. Now I need to take it into my own hands to get the best service that they can provide.
Harry
This is the second time this has happened to me. The first time was not a pleasant experience and this time is not looking any different. I have let down my family and now need to do something to fix the situation. The first thing I am going to do is to be on top of the people who are supposed to be helping me. Sounds silly that I need to supervise people that are supposed to be providing me with a high level of customer service. In the end it is my responsibility to insure that everything goes according to plan.
In all seriousness I hope that I will help this group of people learn what it is to be accountable. I know I see them for a service. Now I need to take it into my own hands to get the best service that they can provide.
Harry
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obama Wins
For those who don't know me, I am a very conservative person. I believe in a limited government, strong military, low taxes. I believe we should uphold laws, reject abortion, and care for others. Unfortunately many Americans were sick of the way the country was being run and wanted a change. We elected Obama as the 44th President of the United States. I say we not the liberals elected Obama, because I am not a poor looser. Unlike many liberals who said Bush was not their president, Obama is my president because I am an American. Even though I did not vote for the man or his politics, he is still the president of the United States.
So what now? Liberals will say you lost and lost big. Okay, so what? There has to be winners and losers. Am I going to cry over spilled milk? No! I propose we now need to work harder. We need to educate ourselves, look for alternatives to our arguments, be a movement of self-reliance, generate debate that leads to solutions, and most importantly stand up for our way of life. With that in mind here are my ideas for the President Elect:
So what now? Liberals will say you lost and lost big. Okay, so what? There has to be winners and losers. Am I going to cry over spilled milk? No! I propose we now need to work harder. We need to educate ourselves, look for alternatives to our arguments, be a movement of self-reliance, generate debate that leads to solutions, and most importantly stand up for our way of life. With that in mind here are my ideas for the President Elect:
- Get rid of the IRS. Our tax code is so large that we spend billions of dollars, both public and private, to complete tax returns, collect taxes, and enforce tax laws. The simple solution is a flat tax on both individual income taxes and corporate taxes. No more deductions. For example: I make $100.00 say the flat tax is 10% I pay the government $10.00 easy simple. Business taxes, my company made $1000.00 my company pays $100.00. No one gets a refund no one takes a deduction. Imagine all the trees we would save not having to print all of those forms or for that matter refund checks. How about the oil, gas and all of the other natural resources that would be saved. And lets not forget we would also lower our carbon foot print. In one short paragraph I have outlined pluses for both sides of the issues. Environmentalists get more trees, less pollution, and smaller carbon foot print, Liberals get no tax breaks for the rich and large corporations, and Conservatives get fair taxes, smaller government, and less paper work.
- Remind the courts that they are to enforce the laws not create them. When people vote on an issue the courts have no right to over turn the outcome. Remember why we had a revolution in 1775? So we could live in a free republic in which the majority rules, not one decided by a few people or for that matter one. The minority needs to strengthen their argument and convince more people to their side. And when it is voted on by legislative or individual vote, both sides need to live with the outcome and not sue the other.
- Get rid of the Death Tax. The Death Tax is a punishment on Americans who want to create a change in their family tree. The money or assets they leave behind have already been taxed. Leave it alone!
- Get the country out of debt. We need to have a country with zero debt. Need to know how? Ask me or Dave Ramsey. It is very easy. Build and emergency fund, lets say for the U.S. a Trillion Dollars, pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball, fully funded emergency fund 30 to 90 years of savings, 15% of the GDP to retirement accounts, fully funded college fund, and finally give to the poor in the world.
- No more bail outs! American companies need to follow excellent business practices. When they fail they fail. We do not bail out the millions of small businesses that fail each year why should we bail out large corporations?
- Leave successful people alone. We often punish successful people by raising their taxes. Stop it! Let everyone decide where to spend their money. If I want to support a soup kitchen let me do it, if I want to give money to raise awareness about shin splints let me. It is my money. I earned it and I can do with it as I please as long as I don't break laws or hurt others.
- Read the book "What I learned in Kindergarten", simple advice for a lifetime of success.
Monday, September 29, 2008
My New Four Letter Word
DIET. Yes the word that all fat people like me fear. Is it fear like I can't do it, is it sadness like loosing a best friend, or is it guilt like the knowledge that what I have been doing up to now has not been working. What ever form it takes it is real and starting in a week. Yes a week.
Jo Ann and I have started a weight management class at the hospital. Our first class consisted of learning the objectives, meeting the people and last, setting a goal. My goal is to log my caloric in take and output for a week to get a base line as to how much I eat and how much I burn. I am sure the intake will be more than the burn. Whatever the outcome, there will be changes.
Be sure to keep an eye on the blog. I will be posting progress and hopefully useful information that may help you create better habits.
Harry
Jo Ann and I have started a weight management class at the hospital. Our first class consisted of learning the objectives, meeting the people and last, setting a goal. My goal is to log my caloric in take and output for a week to get a base line as to how much I eat and how much I burn. I am sure the intake will be more than the burn. Whatever the outcome, there will be changes.
Be sure to keep an eye on the blog. I will be posting progress and hopefully useful information that may help you create better habits.
Harry
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Reduce the countries debt and taxes.
Reuse the voting booth.
Recycle The Declaration of Independence.
We are a nation built on freedom. We are becoming a nation chained to debt and taxes. We use to be a country of "Do not ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country?" Stop punishing people and companies that are successful. Encourage growth and self reliance.
Remove the citizens in power when they take from productive people only to squander their gifts. Allow productive people the choice to give their gifts to programs that they believe in and help make successful. Let the free market decide the faith of business not the government.
Let us remember the ideas of The Declaration of Independence; when a government becomes destructive, it is the right of the people to change it or dissolve it.
I am not calling people to arms, I am asking people to stop and think about what is happening. We are not following the principals that were set forth in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We have become a nation dependent on government, not independent. We rely on the government to take care of all of us; reducing our constitution.
I implore everyone to change. Debt is not the way, taxes are not the way either. Be creative, be productive, be generous, be aware. Eddy Izzard said it best "America only you and the Romans place their hands over their hearts. Lets not let history repeat itself.
Harry
Reuse the voting booth.
Recycle The Declaration of Independence.
We are a nation built on freedom. We are becoming a nation chained to debt and taxes. We use to be a country of "Do not ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country?" Stop punishing people and companies that are successful. Encourage growth and self reliance.
Remove the citizens in power when they take from productive people only to squander their gifts. Allow productive people the choice to give their gifts to programs that they believe in and help make successful. Let the free market decide the faith of business not the government.
Let us remember the ideas of The Declaration of Independence; when a government becomes destructive, it is the right of the people to change it or dissolve it.
I am not calling people to arms, I am asking people to stop and think about what is happening. We are not following the principals that were set forth in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. We have become a nation dependent on government, not independent. We rely on the government to take care of all of us; reducing our constitution.
I implore everyone to change. Debt is not the way, taxes are not the way either. Be creative, be productive, be generous, be aware. Eddy Izzard said it best "America only you and the Romans place their hands over their hearts. Lets not let history repeat itself.
Harry
Saturday, September 20, 2008
It Makes Me So Happy!
I love watching Iron Chef because I find it funny the way the judges describe the meal they are having. I thought I would never say, "It makes me so happy" after eating a meal but Yuzu changed that. Jo Ann and I went out to dinner in Beaverton on the recommendation of Portland Magazine. Of course we did not get directions and our Thomas Guide did not have a Metro Map of Beaverton. So after driving around and getting Jo sick, we found the place.
Upon entering the establishment you find your self in the dining room, yea no waiting area, no please wait to be seated sign or anything. We got there at 6:30 PM, they open at 6:00 PM, and Yuzu was full of people. The one and only server, quickly greeted us and informed us that we would not be seated till 7:30 PM. We came all this way lets get a snack and wait till our time.
The Best Teriyaki fast food place was just a few doors away in the same strip mall. Jo and I decide we can get a plate of noodles or maybe gyoza and some drinks to tied us over till 7:30. So Jo orders some gyoza and some drinks while I visit the restroom. To be honest I don't like to eat at most "Asian" Fast Food places and Best Teriyaki reminded me why. Enough said about that.
Promptly at 7:30 we arrive and there are still no tables for us to sit at. We are directed to the counter seating and at this point we are ready to have some food and from the smell we are in for a treat. Our server tells us that we will move to a table as soon as it is ready and hands us some menus. I open my binder to find 10 pages of choices. Beer, wine, sake, soft drinks and tea, appetizers, fried dishes, braised dishes, stewed dishes, noodles, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on. Too many choices!
Right after we are served our tea our table opens up. Jo and I sit and discuss what we are going to get. The duck, pork in sweet shoyu sauce, ika (squid) rings, and ramin in tonkatsu (pork) with egg noodles. We as our server if that is enough and she tells us that these are small plates and that she will leave the menu just in case we need it. Now we wait.
The first dish is sliced roasted duck breast served with a Japanese spicy mustard and green onions. Presentation is simple and a quick explanation from the chef allows us to full enjoy the duck. From the first bite I knew this was going to be a dinner to remember. The duck was a perfect medium rare and the spicy mustard added just the right amount of spice. I want more. Remember she did say small plates.
Next comes the pork in sweet shoyu. Just six one inch squares of meat and fat simmered in a sweet sauce. One bite and I think I have gone to food heaven. The Pork is tender and sweet and fatty and and and oh so good. Yes it is food porn at its best. I keep looking a Jo and the bowl of pork, back and forth waiting for her to turn away just for a moment so I can steal her portion. Then I remember the menu.
I quickly tell Jo to order more, "More of what? she ask. Anything I know I will love anything this guy makes I just need more. So be fore our ika arrives, we order chicken and tempura. The server takes our addition back to the chef and just like that my smile becomes bigger, hey you can even see some teeth.
Golden brown and delicious our ika is here. It is served with tonkatsu sauce on a bed of shaved cabbage. I did in and enjoy. My hashi (chop sticks) not missing a beat between plate and mouth. Perfectly cooked, the ika is tender not chewy and the sauce tangy. It isn't till Jo points out the sweet Japanese mayo that I realize I missed out on a flavor that would have enhanced the flavor of the tonkatsu sauce. There is always next time.
Before the last ika ring is eaten the chicken show up. Hot, not spicy, temperature hot, I care not, I use the reverse blow and chew. Crispy and salty goodness sears the roof of my mouth and I still stuff more in. I have gone food lust crazy. I must have it all. Jo tries a little lemon on her chicken. I thought it was just for decoration and I was wrong. A few drops of lemon juice changes the flavor and makes it even better.
Tempura is not my favorite Japanese dish. Jo loves it and she ordered it so I better have some. A first for me are peppers in tempura batter. They are great. I try them because Jo does not like super spicy food. The pepper turns out to delicious and not spicy at all. Besides the peppers, shrimp, carrot, and yam are served along with the usual dipping sauce. I have to admit for tempura it was very good.
The crowing jewel of the night, egg noodles in tonkatsu broth. Unbelievably good! It reminded me of a ramin shop in Osaka I went to over 23 years ago. No where in Hawaii or any other place on the mainland have I had noodles that tasted like I was in Japan. This was the best meal I have had in a long time. And I plan on making it to Yuzu a lot.
Dinner for the two of us was around $50.00 with tip. Oh I forgot to add gas and time, maybe a little more but worth every penny. If you want Japanese style dishes that are excellent, Yuzu will not disappoint. And I am sure it will make you say "It makes me so happy!"
Harry
Upon entering the establishment you find your self in the dining room, yea no waiting area, no please wait to be seated sign or anything. We got there at 6:30 PM, they open at 6:00 PM, and Yuzu was full of people. The one and only server, quickly greeted us and informed us that we would not be seated till 7:30 PM. We came all this way lets get a snack and wait till our time.
The Best Teriyaki fast food place was just a few doors away in the same strip mall. Jo and I decide we can get a plate of noodles or maybe gyoza and some drinks to tied us over till 7:30. So Jo orders some gyoza and some drinks while I visit the restroom. To be honest I don't like to eat at most "Asian" Fast Food places and Best Teriyaki reminded me why. Enough said about that.
Promptly at 7:30 we arrive and there are still no tables for us to sit at. We are directed to the counter seating and at this point we are ready to have some food and from the smell we are in for a treat. Our server tells us that we will move to a table as soon as it is ready and hands us some menus. I open my binder to find 10 pages of choices. Beer, wine, sake, soft drinks and tea, appetizers, fried dishes, braised dishes, stewed dishes, noodles, etc. etc. etc. the list goes on and on. Too many choices!
Right after we are served our tea our table opens up. Jo and I sit and discuss what we are going to get. The duck, pork in sweet shoyu sauce, ika (squid) rings, and ramin in tonkatsu (pork) with egg noodles. We as our server if that is enough and she tells us that these are small plates and that she will leave the menu just in case we need it. Now we wait.
The first dish is sliced roasted duck breast served with a Japanese spicy mustard and green onions. Presentation is simple and a quick explanation from the chef allows us to full enjoy the duck. From the first bite I knew this was going to be a dinner to remember. The duck was a perfect medium rare and the spicy mustard added just the right amount of spice. I want more. Remember she did say small plates.
Next comes the pork in sweet shoyu. Just six one inch squares of meat and fat simmered in a sweet sauce. One bite and I think I have gone to food heaven. The Pork is tender and sweet and fatty and and and oh so good. Yes it is food porn at its best. I keep looking a Jo and the bowl of pork, back and forth waiting for her to turn away just for a moment so I can steal her portion. Then I remember the menu.
I quickly tell Jo to order more, "More of what? she ask. Anything I know I will love anything this guy makes I just need more. So be fore our ika arrives, we order chicken and tempura. The server takes our addition back to the chef and just like that my smile becomes bigger, hey you can even see some teeth.
Golden brown and delicious our ika is here. It is served with tonkatsu sauce on a bed of shaved cabbage. I did in and enjoy. My hashi (chop sticks) not missing a beat between plate and mouth. Perfectly cooked, the ika is tender not chewy and the sauce tangy. It isn't till Jo points out the sweet Japanese mayo that I realize I missed out on a flavor that would have enhanced the flavor of the tonkatsu sauce. There is always next time.
Before the last ika ring is eaten the chicken show up. Hot, not spicy, temperature hot, I care not, I use the reverse blow and chew. Crispy and salty goodness sears the roof of my mouth and I still stuff more in. I have gone food lust crazy. I must have it all. Jo tries a little lemon on her chicken. I thought it was just for decoration and I was wrong. A few drops of lemon juice changes the flavor and makes it even better.
Tempura is not my favorite Japanese dish. Jo loves it and she ordered it so I better have some. A first for me are peppers in tempura batter. They are great. I try them because Jo does not like super spicy food. The pepper turns out to delicious and not spicy at all. Besides the peppers, shrimp, carrot, and yam are served along with the usual dipping sauce. I have to admit for tempura it was very good.
The crowing jewel of the night, egg noodles in tonkatsu broth. Unbelievably good! It reminded me of a ramin shop in Osaka I went to over 23 years ago. No where in Hawaii or any other place on the mainland have I had noodles that tasted like I was in Japan. This was the best meal I have had in a long time. And I plan on making it to Yuzu a lot.
Dinner for the two of us was around $50.00 with tip. Oh I forgot to add gas and time, maybe a little more but worth every penny. If you want Japanese style dishes that are excellent, Yuzu will not disappoint. And I am sure it will make you say "It makes me so happy!"
Harry
Friday, September 19, 2008
What Makes a Good Picture
I have been asked many times what makes a good picture? It depends on a lot of different things. Is it people, landscape, or special occasion? It it indoors, outdoors, or studio? etc. etc. If you are a professional it matters. For everyone else not so much. The question you should be asking is what kinds of things can I do to make my photos better?If you want to make things look bigger shoot your photo vertical and from a lower position than your subject. You will get a perspective of a person looking taller and more important.
Frame your shots with a tree or other elements. Great for groups and individuals.
Forget the zoom, move closer. The closer you are the better the light.
Use a tripod. It is a stable platform and allows you to be in the photo.
Take lots of pictures. The more you take the more you can choose from. We don't have time machines yet, so you can't go back and redo a missed photo or a photo that is out of focus.
Most important have fun.
I have taken many photos, from bugs on flowers to pictures of the stars and moons. Most were bad, some were good, and a few worth framing. Like any art it takes practice. Get your photos graded by another professional or artist. You won't win awards if you are the only one that likes your pictures. Opinions of others and suggestions to make your photos better, give you the edge to produce fine art.
Harry
Thursday, September 18, 2008
In The Beginning
I finally did it. I started my own blog. Yes, now I enter the ranks of millions of others who tell tales, give information and try to sway opinions. A voice seeking an audience to be understood, to debate, to share, to inflame, to help and to be heard.
Who am I? What am I? Does it matter? In the end it only matters to those who remain. The ones who seek answers. The people who need a voice. Someone to echo their thoughts and feelings. What matters most is the seeking of righteousness.
This is Rice Village.
Who am I? What am I? Does it matter? In the end it only matters to those who remain. The ones who seek answers. The people who need a voice. Someone to echo their thoughts and feelings. What matters most is the seeking of righteousness.
This is Rice Village.
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