Uhhhh... when last we met... Yeah, yeah, I've taken a little hiatus. And so I begin anew to subject the unsuspecting world to my $.02. It's only the twelfth day in 2011 and we've already been through a whirlwind of emotions.

The uplifting story of the homeless, golden-voiced Ted Williams is no longer the lead story after being replaced by the horrible tragedy of the Tucson shootings. One can only hope that positive actions and thoughts can overcome the negativity that permeates. Take a deep breath everyone. In with the good, out with the bad.

MOON MADNESS

According to Robert Roy Britt, Senior Science writer for space.com, the full moon on Saturday, January 10th was the fullest moon for 2009. The pull of the moon, magnetic and hypnotic, drew me to take pics at around 9 pm. Thank goodness it was a pleasant night in LA and there weren't too many cars traversing our street. Here's the moon through the branches of our peppertree--the pic doesn't capture the majesty of the moon that night.
Check out space.com for more interesting pictures and news about our universe.

DON'T JUDGE A DOG BY HIS BREED

At the risk of sounding like Andy Rooney... "Did you ever wonder what's
in your stuffed toy?" Well, I found out that it's not always fiberfill, after stepping on some plush pet plastic bead innards (OUCH!) that were strewn all over my hallway. I researched that these things are called polypropylene pellets or poly-pellets. Not a good thing to have around if you have curious little ones or pets who like to devour everything. Never assume that a stuffed animal is safe around a dog. Especially
if your dog is like our foster dog, Noodles -- such a non-threatening name for a big bamboolah of a dog.
He's a menacing pit bull in physical appearance but with the demeanor of Eeyore. He brings shoes/sandals/slippers to the door when you return home. And if none of those are available then watch out. Any stuffed animal, area rug, garden glove, etc. is fair game to use as a gift for his human companions. Luckily
he doesn't eat the items, he just uses them as chew toys.

Lovable galoot!

50th state news and newsmakers ...

Examples of stories with ties to Hawaii making news in January.
1) I read today that Jason Momoa (Hawaii born Stargate Atlantis actor) and Lisa Bonet welcomed their new baby boy. They named him Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa. I don't know why some media stories made a big deal saying that it was 'bizarre'. It's not unusual in the Hawaiian culture.
2) George W. Bush announced the nomination of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre for consideration to the World Heritage List. The Monument, which includes the islands and waters of the northwestern Hawaiian archipelago, is the nation's largest protected area. Check this website for beautiful pics http://hawaiireef.noaa.gov/about/name.html
3) and of course, Barack Obama becomes the 44th President!

THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT AND ENTERTAINMENT...

Nice to see the 5 living US presidents gathering together and putting aside any egos or personal agendas.

They all looked to be in great spirits. Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that closed door luncheon!

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Obama-meets-four-US-presidents/ss/events/pl/010709obamalunch#photoViewer=/090108/photos_ts/2009_01_07t124258_450x286_us_usa_politics_presidents
(Reuters photos as seen on Yahoo)

The People's Choice Awards were aired tonight; I chose not to watch the show. Instead I checked online to tally up the winners. Each year I shake my head at some of the nominees and eventual winners and this year was no exception. Some of the usual suspects won--Will Smith, The Simpsons, Carrie Underwood, etc.
But then you come across some categories and you say: WTH?
Favorite comedy movie: 27 Dresses!? Really? -- I'm still scratching my head over that one! Crikey -- there were a slew of movies funnier than that one -- no offense to the men and women who worked to bring it to the screen.
Favorite movie drama: Secret Life of Bees Hmmm ... so why did the movie not generate more buzz at the boxoffice? Interesting that Queen Latifah hosted tonite's program ...

There were a lot of competing TV shows tonite and the cable DVR box was working overtime. I recorded the PBS airing of Broadway's Cyrano de Bergerac with Kevin Kline and Jennifer Garner (congrats on the new baby daughter!), the newest installment of Top Chef: New York, Damages -- so I haven't had a chance to see all of the shows yet.

I guess better time management should be one of my new year's resolutions.

MONDAY, MONDAY

The first Monday of 2009... I need to get the serotonin levels up and at 'em!

I watched CBS Sunday Morning this weekend and the story about the friendship between an elephant and a dog just plain floored me. I dare you not to get emotional. The story is online at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/02/assignment_america/main4696340.shtml
Steve Hartman has one of the best jobs in broadcasting!

Egads -- spam emails have been inundating my email account! Just taking a look at some of the topics is a sign of the times: Cheap Cars, Government Grants, Foreclosure Filings, Job Openings, etc. Some of the spam emails are eye-catching-- for instance the ones about becoming a Secret Shopper or an EBay millionaire or Home Worker. Yeah, it sounds intriging but ya never know about all the scams online! I fluctuate between being gullible and being a total skeptic!

The start of a new year can be full of promise and evidently it is for one of my faves--Craig Ferguson.
He got married in Vermont over the weekend (he joked on his show about wearing a kilt during a Vermont blizzard!) If I knew Scottish Gaelic I would wish Craig and his wife a very happy life together....

TOO MANY MOVIES TOO LITTLE TIME

What's a movie lover to do during the month of December?

I was fortunate to be able to have seen some movies prior to national release because of promotional efforts by the distributors via free screenings. I saw Australia, Bolt, Yes Man, Frost/Nixon--but I didn't have a child between the age of 7-15 years for The Tale of Despereaux screening.

You have to be willing to 'compete for a seat' with other moviegoers looking for a free movie by getting to the theatre at least 1-1/2 hours ahead of time. Little did I know that I needed to be at least 2 hours ahead of time to get into the Defiance screening! Even if I did get into the screening, I would probably end up sitting in the front row... no thank you. So, I exhibited my own defiance by refusing to stand in the looooooong line and went window shopping instead. (The Grove LA mall was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we were also treated to fake snow flake flurries--(sorry to those experiencing snow horror stories).

Still want to see Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Marley & Me, Doubt, The Wrestler, Gran Torino--oh I could name a dozen more.

HAPPY NEW YEAR ~~ HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU ~~ NARANG-AY A BARO A TAWEN
In Hawaii, I grew up with the tradition of "busting firecrackers" to ring in good luck and good fortune for the new year. You could always tell the families who bought a whole slew of stringed firecrackers by the red paper residue in the driveways on New Year's day.
It's a brand new year, a brand new day ... and though I don't have a string of firecrackers... I hope and pray for happiness to come your way.

The upcoming Chinese New Year is the Year of the Ox. For years I thought I was born in the year of the pig, but I just recently realized that according to the Chinese calendar I was actually born in the year of the dog. But, the holiday tradition of sweets and dinner get-togethers left me still feeling piggish.

I'm not sure why changing the calendar page from December to January should be the major impetus to changing behavior. "It should be a daily occurrence" is what I tell myself, but that hasn't been my modus operandi ever since I abandoned my Franklin Planner, corporate days. Maybe a less structured daily "to do list" should be one of my resolutions instead of loftier monumental goals.

I haven't formally written any new year's resolutions for 2009. I had a small burst of enthusiasm and the intention to start 2009 year off on the right foot with all the usual determination: 1) eat right, 2) exercise regularly, 3) write every day... Then on New Year's eve I started feeling a bit rundown. I guess my body and my mind told me I needed to take some time to rest. So today, after catching up on my sleep, taking vitamins, and drinking Chamomile tea I think I've been spared from having to battle a more evil cold.

Lot of TV shows start up again this month. LOST (finally), DAMAGES, MONK, PSYCH, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS. After taking a break from my blog... (after the election of Barack Obama, I didn't feel that anything I wrote had more circumstance than that) ... I'm ready to resume the self-indulgent, yet self-affirming practice of writing this blog.

In Hawaii we would say IMUA (onward, forward) ...