"Nature always wears the color of the Spirit"Not really being a fan of her blog, which mainly consists of collectively hyper politicos trying desperately to get the dirt out of the system (can't blame them there), The Huffington Post however does at times have some links to creatively enjoyable cyber time. Today was a report on yet another Digital Conference, in my old stomping ground Southern California, where Bill Gates is starting to show signs of weariness in the bloodied software battleground, and a renewed passion for his philanthropy. Not a bad career choice if I do say so myself.
Another of my regular jaunts to the sunny isles of Hawai'i comes to a close this week as I head back to the other corner of what is oft described as the "Polynesian Triangle", namely Aoetearoa. Winter can be a bit long and challenging in the elemetal sphere, however it does definitely bring a certain sense of being alive to the forefront of existence. If indoor activities are necessary, the World Cup will be starting, and as this NYTimes post describes, perennial sentimental favourites England will once again have an opportunity to show what, if anything they can do with all that ridiculous talent.
Nothing indoor about the Isles of Hawai'i though, and that is one of the joys of being here. Any time day or night, people are out strolling on the beach, listening to the hypnotic local music and enjoying the tropical air. One of those famous "south swells" should be reaching our shores today, after a trip up the Pacific from Aeotearoa, and the surf will be once again the center of attention for those who live for the water. A clan I must admit, is very near and dear to my heart.
Can't leave here without making the most of some of my "Only in America" head shaking moments. Once again, the demographic gods have decided that there is a new target to market, and they are the LAT's (Living Alone Together). You don't want to get me started, and this article sums it up in good fashion sense for you. At least they have decided to take out the soda drinks from the schools, and many kudos for that brainstorm!
One of the many and varied situations I have managed to get involved in whilst here has to do with a friends dying mother. The care and attention we are able to give those who are about to make the most important transition of their life is indeed a worthwhile and important service. Fear of the unknown can be tremendous, so the comfort of the known is all that more precious. Hospice is a big organisation, and although helpful in this case, the real story has been the volunteers who come and sit, with all their various beliefs (or not) just out of generosity with their time. One of the ladies calls herself an "escort", and would be disappointed not to be there upon the passing. Whatever. It has worked well for my friend who finds himself in a growing category of the "sandwich generation", who have multiple responsiblities caring for their elderly parents as well as grown offspring.
And just so I can feel at home returning to little old NZ, this acerbic piece from the Australian paper The Age, poking a bit of Trans-Tasman fun at us now that we have reached a hefty 4 million population and finally decided to put PostCodes into the mail system. Post Modernism is what we are apparently approaching. Goodness, whatever will they think of next?
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