The Bird Spot: May 2009

Climate Change summed up

After sailing in unusually light winds for the past week, I hope that things improve and we have wind for tomorrow! And that the changing climate does't mean loss of the tradewinds :(

The Memorial Day Race is here :)

It's 3 days around Oahu and if the wind doesn't pick up, it will be a long weekend!

Solar Planes take off :)

Alps Crossing from Solar Flight on Vimeo.

Discrimination still exists for gays

It's bad enough when homosexuals cannot legally commit to marriage, but to get fired from the military after 18 years of service.. it's crazy! I spent the week trying to convince my aunt that slavery wasn't ended by the slaves complaining.. and gay people should have the same rights as everyone else, especially in a country that was founded on the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! Unfortunately the holier than thou Christians and the homophobics in this country won't live and let live :( We should be ashamed of ourselves!

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Dad, Let's get a duck to feed the fish :D

Stewart brought the new filter today and it works great! I even set up the frog :)

Skydiving in Hawaii

Had a busy week.. finished it off with jumping out a plane :) Not a scary as you might think. The free fall was fun and floating in the sky was fun with the view and looking for whales.. didn't like the death spiral coming down and landing on my butt :(

Ashley had this guy as an instuctor.. She got to stay up longer and soar thought the clouds... I'm so going again and requesting Marc ;)

Happy Mother's Day Mum!

So what do a bunch of women do on mother's day? Have a luncheon and talk about the new sport that seems to attract only men:

Extreme Ironing! I am so not kidding!

Snorkeling at night under a full moon :)

Saw an octopus tonight.. and a bunch of sleeping fish :) Haunauma Bay is open every 2nd and 4th Saturday night till 10pm.. The beach is lit up with torches.. highly recommended!

This is what it is like in the daytime :)

R.I.P. Wes Peterson :(

The world lost a really great person today.. my heart goes out to his family :( Enough cannot be said for all of his contributions and his dedication to teaching..

Memorial Service for Wes Peterson (5/22/2009)

Friday, May 22nd, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the East-West Center’s Hawaii Imin International Conference Center

Dear Friends of Wes Peterson,

You are invited to join members of the Peterson family and the Department of Information and Computer Sciences in celebrating the life of Professor W. Wesley Peterson, who passed away after a very brief illness on May 6th, 2009. The gathering will be held Friday, May 22nd, from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the East-West Center’s Hawaii Imin International Conference Center at Jefferson Hall in the Garden Level rooms.

Please forward this message to relevant lists and individuals who might be interested in attending.

In lieu of flowers, the family has set up an scholarship fund for students :)

Use the following link to make a donation on-line with a credit card to the Peterson Endowment Fund: http://www.uhf.hawaii.edu/petersonendowment

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. ~ Samuel Johnson

Happy Cinco de Mayo and Boy's Day :)

So I guess this is why Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo ;)

Why Boy's day is celebrated is still a mystery :) In Japan and other parts of Asia, flags of carp fish are flown for each boy in the family. The carp has become the symbol of the Boys' Festival because the Japanese consider it the most spirited of fish, so full of energy and power that it can fight its way up swift-running streams and cascades. Because of its strength and determination to overcome all obstacles, it stands for courage and the ability to attain high goals. The carp is an appropriate symbol to encourage manliness and the overcoming of life's difficulties leading to consequent success.

I guess this guys carp was near my place in Utrecht.. would be nice to visit ;)

Van Gogh lost his ear in a fight :(

Now the Art historians say that Gauguin, most likely sliced off the ear with his sword during a fight, and the two artists agreed to hush up the truth Read it here

The other Hawaii... not the one in the tourist books

The Hawaii Book and Music Festival probably won't have these participants.. I'm amazed that this video was put together to show the native viewpoint.. even on the UH campus ;)

What you need to know about oral cancer

After visiting Archie today in the hospital.. I hope all goes well from the surgery and possible complications :( Here's a important PSA from Oscar...