What is life about?
Making memories special
That’ll last forever
Always try new things
Get out of your comfort zone
Love every moment
Now’s the time to act
Life’s hourglass waits for no one
Make new memories
Life’s Haikus
Honolulu
Our Dreams
Our dreams,
define us,
brings out our passion,
unites us mind, body and soul,
shapes our character
Our dreams,
make us work above and beyond,
pushing us to the brink,
testing our resolve,
our faith
Our dreams,
create doubts,
questions our path,
instills a sense a failure,
gives a dose of reality
of something that might never be
But to not make an attempt
means eternal regret,
what ifs,
what could’ve been,
loss of purpose in life
So we remain vigilant
and stay the course,
knowing that possibilities
are within reach
If our hearts are true,
and our will is strong,
fearless,
it is then,
and only then
will we be able to reach
Our dreams.
The Cycle of Goodness
When you perform a good deed for someone, whether it be family, friend or stranger, their look of expression exhibits gratitude. Their appreciation for your generosity and kindness in giving of yourself and your time is reciprocated with a smile, a kiss, a hug, a handshake or words of thanks and praise.
And it’s a good feeling; it gives us a sense of self-satisfaction and prideful joy. Because it feels good, almost intoxicating, we tend to do more good deeds. As for the recipient of your actions, their positive experience compels them to try and do the same for others. Spreading the wealth of selflessness…that’s the cycle of goodness.
It’s the power to connect with people and let them know that there is good in the world and in everyone’s heart. Seeing all those happy people and their smiles, truly makes one proud. You can never forget the look on a person’s face when they express sincere gratitude and acknowledgement.
When we share an experience, a positive one at that, we form bonds. Perpetuating the cycle of goodness, that’s the bond…the synergy of doing something exceptional for someone in a selfless manner.
We can all incorporate this into our daily lives. A simple act can go a long way for someone in need. We must never forget the power of the human heart…goodness is the key that can link the hearts of many.
Living the “Aloha Spirit”
Hawaii is unique in the sense that we really have a multi-cultural atmosphere; yes, every state and country has a melting pot culture as well but they’re not an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with nowhere to go.
We are so isolated that the essence of good and stable relationships is important for collective existence. We think of ourselves as one big community where we just find a way to live and work together. We “talk story”, share customs and meals and influence each other. We take what’s best from each other’s cultures and fuse them together to create this place.
The way we interact and treat one another is how the “Aloha Spirit” is spread. It’s like an expression of kindness, hospitality, spirituality, cooperativeness, humility, unity and graciousness all rolled into one that we share with others, whether it be family, friends, acquaintances or strangers.
Whether you grew up here or a transplant from somewhere far, this attitude becomes engrained in your psyche. It’s a part of our life; we treat everyone like family. If you come here for a visit, just stop and look around. You can’t miss it because it’s seen everywhere, every day.
It’s the person that lets you cut into their lane during gridlocked rush hour, the next door neighbor that gives you fruits from their backyard, the people that come out in droves for a bone marrow drive for a family’s child, the person pulling over to help a stranger with a stranded vehicle on the freeway, the lady that welcomes a stranger with open arms at a party and treats them like a long-time friend, the guy that informs a tourist where the choice spots to go surfing or fishing and what to avoid, the feeling of trying to go above and beyond to help someone in need while being courteous in the process.
I could go on and on and give tons of examples but you get the picture; being hospitable is in every corner of the world. I just wanted to give a brief light into what the “Aloha Spirit” was about. Being tasked with explaining it through a blog was quite difficult for me because it’s just a way of life here.
The “Aloha Spirit” is just spreading goodwill to everyone we meet; sharing a smile, helping out, being friendly, showing that we really care about you. So if you get a chance, it doesn’t matter where you were born or where you’re currently living…maybe you could help spread the “Aloha Spirit” and increase the positivity in the world.
An Eternal Optimist
In the face of
insurmountable odds
and naysayers doubting
your ability
You have to have
faith,
passion,
know yourself
inside and out
Develop a keen foresight
and inner confidence
Have the drive
to fight and persevere
Knowing it will be enough
to overcome everything
Once you can do that,
a spark of hope
springs from an endless well
that leaves you with a sense of
unbridled enthusiasm
A beacon at the end of the tunnel
that will never dissipate
When you can truly feel this way
accept it as canon,
that’s when you know you’re
an eternal optimist.
Midlife Reflections #2
I look back on my life and take stock in what I’ve done and who I’ve become. The one thing that I take most pride in is my ability to be a good listener.
I’ve always felt that if a person takes the time to tell you something of importance, then you should respect that and give your undivided attention to what he/she has to say. I try to listen without judgement and really hear the other person’s words.
Too many times we’ve had and “A & B” conversation with someone but somehow ended up with “B” starting another conversation with “C & D” who just happened to pass by. At that point, you kind of feel irrelevant and try to uncomfortably slink away without being noticed.
In my case, I stay there like a complete doofus because of some sort of self-responsibility to finish what was started. AND when “B” returns back to the original conversation, the whole vibe is gone.
In my mind’s eye, I felt as if I was not important enough to hold your attention when I was unloading my feelings, advice and thoughts.
It is for that reason, in any conversation, that I look the other person in the eye and soak in what they’re telling me even if an outside party acknowledges me. My focus on the person is steadfast. This art of listening is something that I’m trying to instill in my children.
As the days and months go by, life seems to tick away as if it were mere seconds on a clock. Time is precious. So when someone needs to talk to you, be there for them…and listen as if they’re the only person left on this planet.
Forever Strong
We wish good times would last,
that feeling of no tomorrow,
but we know that’s not the case
How does one stay strong
in the midst of the dark
When your life is riddled with
change,
crisis,
death,
tragedy,
pain,
heartache
We try to summon every ounce of
faith,
hope,
love,
courage,
support,
even false bravado
to overcome our trials and tribulations
We will never know how strong we are
until strong is the only choice we have
In the end if we do this, we’ll be
resilient in hard times,
fearless of the unknown,
eternally optimistic,
steadfast in our mind’s eye,
and
forever strong.
Anime…not just animation but a “way of life”.
Since I was a young boy, I’ve been a product of the TV generation. It was always TV, TV, TV…could never quite get into listening to the radio to pass the time away. For me it was, “What’s the latest thing on TV that’ll keep my attention for this week” scenario. I was glued to the TV anxiously waiting for the latest cartoon or live action show that really and truly “WOWed” me.
It was a time when there was no cable TV or 24 hour viewing of thousands upon thousands of channels. It was either black & white or color TV with three or four stations that had a sign on and sign off time…this meant that television stations started their broadcast day at 5 or 6am and went dark at 12 midnight. Believe me this really sucked and wished I could’ve been born in the 21st Century.
But as product of growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii in the 70’s with KIKU-TV, I was fortunate to view different types of shows that the rest of the nation were not readily exposed to. I got to see:
Kikaida & Kikaida-01
Rainbow Man
Kamen Rider V-3
Go Rangers
Inazuman
Denjin Zaboga
and
Akumaizer 3
Every week I made sure that the adults knew that Saturday’s between 6-7pm was my time to watch “my” programs. This was my world and I absolutely LOVED IT! It was such a mind trip seeing these fantastical beings doing action stuff.
I couldn’t get enough of it. Week in and week out my mind would wonder what each new episode would reveal. After their run ended, the station broadened their scope and started featuring such cartoons like:
Yuusha Raideen
Getter Robo G
I called them cartoons because back then that’s what they were known as “cartoons”; anime was not readily said in those times. Watching this was a change of pace from the “live action” stuff, but was AWESOMELY COOL nonetheless. After its run, the station starting airing more passive cartoons like
Ikkyu-San
Candy Candy
Candy Candy and Ikkyu-San; granted I gave it a shot and watched a couple of episodes but quickly decided that it was not my usual fare. A couple years after, that station soon stopped airing kids’ shows and concentrated on more adult themed programs.
As I advanced in age, I started watching the usual stuff like G.I. Joe, Transformers, Thundercats, and Silverhawks but nothing really captured my attention as “MUST SEE.” My life felt a little hollow and there were times when I longed to be fully invested in something different again.
In the late 80’s, our household got cable; back then the viewing was not like how it is in 2016, channels didn’t quite reach the 100 mark but it was different nonetheless.
One fateful day, I flipped the channel to Fuji Television and stumbled across Hokuto No Ken (Fist of the North Star).
With eyes widened and mouth agape; I stood there in silence. I was completely floored; the animation wasn’t as crude like it was in the 70’s and the action was off the charts. As soon as it ended I had an “OMG WTF just happened!!!” moment.
Something stirred from within; that hollow space was now whole again and I had to watch another episode, and another, and another. This became “MUST SEE” TV for me again. It was my first exposure to the world of Japanese animation…I became invested in a series once again and I LIKED IT!
The series ran for a couple of years and ended to my dismay. I was starved for more and eagerly scoured their listing for any and all new animation but no such luck. More adult themed shows popped up again and I was back to feeling empty inside.
Fast track to the 90’s…with the advent of the internet and the progression it made, I soon stumbled across internet sites where they featured Japanese “anime” for viewing entertainment. Now this was where I first came across the term “anime” and was awed at all the types of series that were out there.
The graphics were more refined and the movement and action were almost human-like. This was mind-blowingly insane and there were no words to describe my thoughts. I viewed a whole bunch of anime but was somehow drawn at the time to a series called Naruto.
Naruto
I liked the concept and idea of the shinobi and their fighting aspects AND I thought the hand gestures to use certain jutsu’s was remarkably cool to boot. I followed the Naruto series religiously and all of the movies in-between.
When it ended, I was depressed that I would follow the same pattern as before BUT was pleasantly surprised that it continued on in the form of Naruto Shippuden…AND there were more movies to follow as well. I was in absolute heaven…so, this was “anime”…it was purely orgasmic to be a part of this world.
Naruto Shippuden
Living in the 21st Century and having two kids who are into “anime” helps to broaden my horizons as well. They introduce me to shows that they think I might like:
One Punch Man
Attack On Titan
Parasyte
With a cornucopia of anime programs out there, it’s impossible to view every single one. Having extra pair of eyes helps to filter the awesome ones from the not so interesting ones. Such a time saver.
I’m glad that I went on this journey of discovery (and evolution) of Japanese animation. AND through all this, I learned that “anime” was not just a thing…but a way of life. It was a lifestyle that I had to experience to fill a part of my soul.
Strolling down memory lane.
It’s funny how a person, place or thing will trigger memories of long ago; most of us will reminisce the best or worst part of that experience and revel at the fact of how we’ve improved from that moment in time. We all at some point in our lives will stroll down memory lane, not because we have to but because it’s an inherent trait in us as humans. The reason why I bring this up is because my family and I stopped by Ala Moana Shopping Center last night and for once I was totally clueless as to what stores were left from my childhood. It used to be you’d pull up the ramp into the parking lot and you could see the stores but now you almost need a map to maneuver your way around the center. As we strolled about the place, the pantheon of glitzy and glamorous stores there were staggering. The sight of “local” people hanging out had now been replaced by the cornucopia of tourists from various countries scuttling about like busy bees. Being in the middle of this mob, I couldn’t help but be flustered.
What happened to the good ‘ole days where Ala Moana Shopping Center looked like this: 
As we passed store after store, a sense of nostalgia crept into my somnolent mind.
“Damn, I really missed this place.” 
“Didn’t there used to be that big ‘artsy’ stuff here?” 
“Wasn’t there a sand place here?” 
“There had to be a Woolworth’s here right?” 
“I remember shopping here for my clothes.” 
“Didn’t we have a cooler more inviting koi pond structure here?” 
I was questioning myself, searching every image that I could find in the recess of my vast memory vault as if to piece together some mythical place that only a few select were given access to. I know change is inevitable but sometimes it can be detrimental as well. What was once my haven had now become something unrecognizable; something I now avoid like the plague. The sense of everything “local” had now become a multi-million dollar conglomerate catering to the tourist…SIGH. But alas, that’s just my personal view…or wanton need to cling to my childhood past. Although unsettling, it was truly great to walk down memory lane and see how Ala Moana Shopping Center was in my mind’s eye.
Our family now goes to Kahala Mall 
where the “localness” still exists;
hopefully this’ll be the place where my children can add favorable memories to their “nostalgic vault”, I know that I’ve added it to mine.
Midlife, Maniacal & Me 