A mild surprise

So I stepped on a scale recently. I wasn't surprised that I had gained some weight, but the amount of weight was a bit of a shock. So I have started running again. But I don't want to run for a bit and then stop again, so I have set a goal for myself. I am going to train to run the Honolulu marathon next December. Crazy? I think so. But it will certainly be interesting. I have been a sprinter since about 3rd grade, so it will really be a whole new world for me. I am looking forward to it. Wish me luck.

Upon Entering My Thirtieth Year

Sunshine rages through curtained windows on the warmest birthday I have ever experienced
islands remain intact two weeks after the earth shook
Scandinavian women discuss American politics in fluorescent light

I blink

maybe Hawaii has too much light
but the days are short
my birthday gets shorter as my life gets longer

29 years and people wish me well
it is not my accomplishment
I give them my mother’s phone number

she deserves the plaudits
I am just a product
a continuation of evolution

a solution to a practical problem
standing upright
a manner in which fore-limbs can be freed
can build tools
can find answers

inquiries
senate hearings

my birthday last year featured an Irish pub in Honolulu and a technical writer from Kentucky
my 22nd birthday featured an Irish pub in Bolton and a computer programmer from Holland

the cake was like a brick
hurled through a window
into my world

my world then and my world now share no windows
only poems
passed back and forth between winters

theorists and experimentalists
life and something just like it
emotions and sensations

one is physical
for all of my studies I never took a physics class
never saw a true demonstration of gravity
gravitas

I thought Dr. Holt had gravitas
until I saw him get drunk and try to pick up a 17 year old girl
what else can one expect from a man named after the Greek god of wine and fertility

Neruda was responsible for MSN’s quote of the day
I will never share this honor with him
but I hope to share a glass of Chilean wine with my companion

her eyes may be the color of love,
or the color of Hawaiian beaches
and her body is not far away

in fact,
she is closer to me than Neruda
or his mermaid
will ever be

November 9, 2006
Honolulu, HI

Kensington Palace Gardens

A big
fat
gray squirrel ran across the walking path on the north side of Kensington Palace Gardens

A big
fat
gray squirrel

I looked at his fat hind legs
swaths of brown fur mixed in with the gray

I never much noticed squirrels growing up
they were everywhere
I never bothered them
they never bothered me

It is odd living on an island in the south Pacific
eighty degrees the whole year through
sunny the whole year through
devoid of squirrels the whole year through

living on an island in the south Pacific has made me appreciate
a windy
fifty degree day
an island in the north Atlantic
and a fat
gray squirrel

June 1, 2006

London, UK

Saturday Afternoon

I played soccer at Kapiolani Park today. It was about 80 degrees, with a lovely ocean breeze coming from the south and a rainbow over Diamond Head to the north. I didn't play especially well, but my team still managed to win 4-2. It was great fun, just a really nice day. Sometimes I need a day like this to remember what living in Hawaii is all about.

RIP - Palomino's

Last night I attempted to go to Palomino's for Friday night happy hour, something I have done several times before. To my surprise they were closed, and all signage was removed, save for a piece of white paper taped to the door announcing that a new restaurant, run by Chef Mavro, would be opening soon. I always found Palomino's to be one of the best, and busiest, happy hours on the island. Several new happy hour options have appeared in downtown Honolulu over the past few months, which is a good thing, but I hope it does not lead to the departure of older, reliable destinations.

Bolton Wanderers

As most of you know, I am a follower of football (soccer), and the club I support is the Bolton Wanderers. Important match this weekend against Tottenham for the Trotters, and I must admit that I am rather pessimistic about our chances of getting a result. If we do get three points though, we will keep the pressure on Arsenal, and to some extent Liverpool, as we still remain within striking distance of those clubs for the ever more prolific fourth spot in the table.

That's all for now, but check back next week, depending on how the match goes, I may have quite a bit to say about events at White Hart Lane over the weekend.

A (very) Short Story

I was thinking about London a bit today. I wrote this on my first trip there.

British Expressions

She was leaning over the wash basin, brushing her short brown hair. She had her trousers on. I admired the arse, remembering it from hours before. She doesn’t know I’m awake, watching her through one eye. She finishes, and gathers her kit from the floor. I close my eye, sensing she is about to look at me.

When I look again she has a white jumper on, but no bra. I know this because I can still feel it next to my leg. I wonder if she’ll get it before she leaves. Will it hold sentimental value for her? Will she tell her mates? “This is the bra I almost left behind in the hostel in London where I shagged the American whose name I didn’t know, then left before he woke up. Almost left the bra wrapped around his right knee. It was quite dear though, and I would have been gutted to lose it.” Then they’ll giggle, tell stories of similar encounters and brush each other’s hair.

She’s back at the wash basin, trying to get her hair sorted. Her arse is sorted. Round like an apple. I wonder if she’ll be back here again tonight. I don’t know her face, it was dark, but I could pick that arse out of a line-up. Testify against her in front of the magistrates if I needed to.

My eyes were closed when the door slammed. I reckon she’s coming back. She left the bra.

London

20 December, 1999

Barcelona - Liverpool

Bit of a sucker punch here, I thought Barca were the better side for long stretches. Puts the scousers in great shape heading back to Anfield, as long as they hide the golf clubs...

Today's George W. Bush Moment of Brilliance

The administration is trying to claim that the impending withdrawal of British troops is a positive development which reflects the improving situation in Iraq. Yet they neglect to mention that 1,700 departing British soldiers will be replaced by 21,000 American soldiers, most of them embarking upon their third or fourth tour of duty in this particular war zone.

How has this president not been impeached? They don't even attempt to tell the truth anymore.

Hawaii just needs to secede from the United States. It was illegally annexed anyway, so secession shouldn't be a problem. Most Americans seem to think it is a different country already, so there would be no public outcry. Somebody should at least do some research into this.

PSV Eindhoven - Arsenal

Absolute cracker of a goal. Arsenal just never seemed to be that interested in the match. The passing was still phenomenal, and the talent is obvious, but they just lacked commitment. If PSV's other striker had been fit the Gunners may have come back with a severe deficit. This should be another fun second leg to watch.

Celtic - AC Milan

A compelling match without being well-played. Milan showed their quality in a few brief spurts, but for the most part they looked content to play for the draw at Parkhead. Milan is an aging team, so I can understand why they might want to pick their battles, but Celtic's tactics were a little odd. Sometimes they seemed content to sit behind the ball and absorb the pressure from Milan (a dangerous tactic), but once in a while they would rush forward and leave themselves exposed. I think they could have used a more balanced approach, especially given the fact that they were at home, and have a woeful away record in the Champions League. I think Celtic have a decent chance, this was one of the best match-ups they could have got. I suspect the second leg at the San Siro will be a bit on the boring side. Both sides sitting behind the ball and wanting to counter-attack. An early goal will bring the game to life, let's all hope for one.

Britney Spears shaved her head!

This is not the lead story on CNN.com, but it is disturbingly close to the front of the queue. Does anyone really care? It is all just to distract people living in wealthy western countries from the fact that another hundred or so people died in Iraq, another fifty kids died of starvation in Somalia, and a thousand other human tragedies around the world. But if these events were covered extensively people would actually have to stop and think about the world, jolting them out of their sheltered little existence.

Other than that, have a good weekend.

Mid-day Saturday

My friend Richard's birthday is coming up, Monday to be precise. Getting the time difference right between Hawaii and England is always a chore, but I will try to call him this weekend.

I haven't written anything this week, but I hope to post some fiction and/or poetry relatively frequently.

Don't move backwards. In life, progress is paramount.

Today

Welcome to the 21st century.