Yesterday marked 30 years since the first portable music player debuted. The Sony Walkman.
CDs and solid state memory were not yet invented - or not available for the general public. Back then, the choice of recorded media was the cassette. It was compact, easy to take around and could play in your car's stereo. Much smaller than 8-track tapes and available with pre-recorded albums recorded on them.
But listening to them meant hanging out in your car in the school parking lot during lunch time or hanging out by your car at Ala Moana beach park. And it also meant draining your car's battery.
But that all changed on July 1, 1979, when Sony introduced the Sony Walkman TPS-L2. A 14 ounce, silver and blue portable cassette player that came with headphones and a slick leather case.
Now music was portable. And the Sony TPS-L2 even came with a second headphone jack so ONE of your friends could share your music with you.
But it's a far cry from today's iPods and other MP3 players. Today's kids ask their MLC dads "Did you used to have one of those huge Walkmans?" And the dad would reply "Yup, wore it on my belt." And the kids say back "Please don't ever repeat that."
I remember when my friend bought one. He was working as a valet and his co-worker turned him on the the Walkman. The very next day, a few of us went with him to Shirokiya to buy his new toy. He immediately opened it up, stuck in the 2 AA batteries, popped in a cassette and was rockin' and rollin' as we were walking around the mall. But he had the volume turned up - so much so - that when he asked a question, he yelled out "WHERE'S HE GOING?". My other friends and me just looked at each other and started busting out laughing. My friend with the Walkman quickly took off his headphones and said "What, did I say that too loud?".
Do you remember the old Walkmans? Maybe you even had one. Or perhaps you had the deluxe model with the built-in AM/FM tuner. Come on, own up. Do you have any portable music players today? I have a few iPods - 4 to be exact. What can I say - I love my music.
I hope everyone had a nice weekend. Are you all ready for the 3-day Independence Day weekend? Us newspaper folks will be working on Friday - so think of us while you're enjoying your day off.
Paula and I went to the Honpa Hongwanji bon dance this past weekend. On Saturday night, it was like a mini tweet up (without Ynaku). Melissa Chang of Urban Mix Plate was there and introduced me a quite a few new tweeple that I'm now following. I also introduced myself to TwoBeerQueers. They have a number of videos on Metromix.
TwoBeerQueers and Me - do I look a little scared or what?
Even saw Ocean Lover working in the food booth. Every year he volunteers his services. What a trooper. He also introduced us to Ocean Hater (his wife).
Wednesday is July 1 - the start of a new fiscal year for Hawaii's government. And with that comes quite a few changes.
For one, the ethanol tax break comes to an end. That means another 10¢ to 12¢ increase per gallon of gas.
I topped off my gas tank this past weekend. You might want to do the same too before Wednesday.
Let's see - other taxes that will increase will be cigarette tax, hotel accommodations tax, conveyance tax, and State income tax on higher earners.
Oahu folks will see the following changes: tax increases on Vehicle Weight tax and Real Property tax, No homeowner tax credit, increased parking rates, and increased bus fares.
Man, are we being gouged. Must not be an election year, eh?
And the biggie for Oahu folks: No use of a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Q: What is Bill 4 (2009) Relating to the Use of Electronic Devices While Operating a Motor Vehicle?
A: This is a new law that prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. The law’s purpose is to make Honolulu roadways safer for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Q: What is a “mobile electronic device”?
A: “Mobile electronic device” refers to any hand-held or other portable electronic equipment capable of providing wireless and/or data communication between two or more persons or of providing amusement, including but not limited to a
cellular phone,
text messaging device,
paging device,
personal digital assistant,
laptop computer,
video game, or
digital photographic device.
The law does not prohibit the use of audio equipment or any equipment installed in a motor vehicle for the purposes of providing navigation, emergency assistance to the operator of the motor vehicle, or video entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats of a motor vehicle.
Q: What does “use” or “using” mean under this law? A: “Use” or “using” means holding a mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle.
Q: Does the law ban all mobile electronic devices?
A: The law applies to hand-held devices. Hands-free devices are still allowed.
Q: What is a "hands-free" device?A: A "hands-free" device may be a wireless or wired connection to your mobile phone which:
Allows you to answer your phone either through touching a button on the device or voice activating for answering, and
Does not require the holding of the phone while in use.
Some hands-free devices will allow voice-activated dialing, which is allowed under this ordinance.
Q: Does the law prohibit texting?
A: Yes, it is illegal for drivers to text or engage in other hand-held uses of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Q: May I make a call on my phone while stopped in traffic?
A: No.
Q: What if I need to use my phone in an emergency, but I don’t have a hands-free device?
A: The law exempts the use of cellular phones for emergency 911 calls.
Q: What is the fine for this offense?
A: $67 for the first offense.
Q: Does the law apply to out-of-state drivers?
A: Yes.
Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No, only the driver of the vehicle.
Q: When does the law take effect? Will there be a grace period?
A: The law will be in effect July 1, 2009. There is no grace period.
Now what defines "while operating a motor vehicle"? If you have to take a call and you pull over on the side of the street, take the call while your motor is running, you are "operating a motor vehicle". Be sure to turn your engine OFF!
Now if you pull into a parking lot on private property and take a call while your motor is running, is that still breaking the law? I would guess not since you're on private property, right? But don't take my word for it.
Now the law states that I'm allowed to touch a button on my device to answer a call. So if I press the button to answer a call and touch it again to put the call on speaker, then leave the phone on my center console, then I'm okay, right? As long as I'm not holding it with my hand(s).
And if your phone doesn't have a speaker option or bluetooth, there is a simple solution:
Last week Sunday after a nice Father's Day brunch, Paula wanted to go to the Puppy Swap Meet to look at puppies. There was this little princess Chihuahua that was for sale. Why a princess? Just look at this picture of her in her cage:
Too cute, yeah?
Earlier in June, we went to the Punahou graduation. By the time the graduates came out of the ceremony, it was almost 10:30. One of Paula's cousin's son couldn't stay up so during all the commotion, he sat down against the pillar to catch some zzzz's. Slowly things started piling up around him until he was almost buried alive. Check it out:
Can you see him sleeping under there?
Follow up: Hanafuda Cards
In the Do You Remember... Hanafuda entry, a few of you asked where you could buy Hanafuda cards. Well, this weekend I was at Ala Moana Shopping center (no surprise there, eh?) and I found them at Shirokiya:
Weird, they're made by Nintendo.
There was a sample deck so I took the cards out and they are just a stiff as I remember them. I'm sure they'll make that "pak" sound when you slam down the cards.
An update on the 70's Nightclub Reunion dance coming up on August 1st.
An email went out on June 16th to people on the 70's Nightclub Runion web site mailing list that tickets were on sale. They sold out in 33 minutes! Insane. A lot of people were upset that they weren't able to get tables, although Standing Room Only tickets were available - and may still be.
Needless to say, Rob Kimura of Greenwood and Candy Au of the Ala Moana Hotel felt awful that people couldn't get the seats they wanted. Quite a few angry emails and phone calls were taken by Rob and Candy. So the following letter was created in hopes that people will understand that not everyone can be accommodated.
Aloha,
On behalf of the Ala Moana Hotel's Catering Department and the 70's Nightclub Reunion committee, we would like to thank you for your tremendous support in making this such a successful event.
We also extend our apologies to those who were unable to reserve seats for this event. The 70's NCR has grown tremendously over the past five years and our facility simply cannot accommodate the total number of seating required for every one who desires a seat that attends our function.
This event would not be possible without the commitment, dedication and hard work of the bands that have decided to reunite to participate as most have not played together for decades. Countless hours go into preparing for this event and logistics (since many members now live abroad) make it even more challenging.
The main ballroom has a maximum seating capacity of 600 seats with an additional 250 seats available in the Garden Lanai. Reunion V drew over 900 people. So doing the simple math, we were already at SRO (Standing Room Only) status for the past event. For 2009 we decided to implement an email data based system which is tied to our website. The intent was to be able to distribute at one time, the announcement that tickets are available for sale. We had four people fielding calls for Reunion VI vs. one for Reunion V with the sole intent of taking reservations more efficiently. With the tremendous number of calls that came in within the first 33 minutes, the Hibiscus Ballroom and Garden Lanai were sold out.
This event is currently in SRO mode and will remain so until the facility is at it's maximum capacity levels in compliance with Hawaii's fire code. Again we regret and apologize that we could not provide the necessary seating to satisfy all that called for reservations. This event would not be possible without the support of all that attend and the bands commitment to reunite. For this we extend our deepest appreciation.
Mahalo,
Candy Au
Director of Catering
Ala Moana Hotel
And finally, I have a Where In Hawaii ala Ed Sugimoto's World Wide Ed.
Where did you see this?
Update: And the Answer is: Longs Drugs - Pali at the corner of Pali Highway and Vineyard
Kage got it right on his first guess. Congratulations, Kage!
Snow and opso get honorable mention.
Feel free to comment on any of the Monday Musings and have a good work week.
What a day it was yesterday. The big news was the passing of Michael Jackson. But earlier in the day, so too did Farrah Fawcett pass away.
Since everyone and their grandmother is going to blog about Michael Jackson, I chose to remember Farah Fawcett. Plus, I had the iconic Farrah Fawcett poster in my bedroom, but no Michael Jackson poster.
Did you have this poster too?
Here's a touching report about Farrah's fight with cancer.
Did you know that before Charlie's Angels, Farrah Fawcett also did commercials?
"At the sign of the cat" Remember that catch phrase?
And of course, Charlies Angels
What are your memories of Farrah Fawcett? Did you girls have the "Farrah flip" hair style? Did you guys have the Farrah Fawcett poster? I did. Was Farrah your favorite "angel"? Mine was actually Kate Jackson. Do you remember in Charlie's Angels what was the relationship between Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Ladd?
And not to forget Michael Jackson, I put together a playlist of Michael Jackson videos - including some lighthearted interviews with him.
And just a note that bon dance season is here. This weekend is the Honpa Hongwanji bon dance. The Honpa Hongwanji is the one on Pali Highway just pass the freeway as you're heading up the Pali. There is parking at the YBA which is across of Pali Highway. Enter from Nuuanu Avenue into the skinny lane next to Bangkok Chef restaurant or the next lane as you're heading up Nuuanu Avenue. There is a cool underground passage from the YBA that takes you right into the Honpa bon dance. Paula and I will be there on Saturday. Maybe late on Friday.
Oh, if you do go, stop by the food tent and look for Ocean Lover.
In Monday's Dealing With Dementia entry, the replies sidetracked a bit (which I don't mind) and the topic turned to loved ones who have passed on and came back to visit in a dream.
HNL2LAS wrote:
UR: I think I mentioned what happened in a previous blog? I'm not sure. My grandma passed away on a Friday. I had gone back to LV 2 days before, and when I got the call I freaked out! I should have stayed home longer! I was to go back to work the next week, as my leave had ended, so although I was unsure if I should go back yet, I did.
Sunday morning, I woke up thinking "wow, what a weird dream." I had dreamt that I was in my grandparents house and I saw both of them outside the glass doors. They didn't speak, but grandpa had a sign, something about when bells ring(he had passed away a year 1/2 prior). They started getting smaller and smaller, floating away and I saw my grandma dancing and I swear they had wings. Later that day I realized they visited me to tell me they were ok. It also dawned on me about the bells. It's a Wonderful Life! I had never seen the movie before, but I had heard somewhere, it was said that when you hear bells it means another angel has gotten their WINGS!!!
Kage and Ducksinthewind also mentioned that they too were visited by the spirits of loved ones who came to visit through dreams.
Were they really dreams? Or perhaps the spirits communicate with us when we're sleeping - when our minds are at a calm state - so as not to scare us.
A while back, I had one of those weird dreams - not so much of someone who has passed on that came to visit, but more of a message of what's beyond life in this Physical world.
In this dream I was riding in a car with some friends somewhere around Maunawili and as we passed by this one house, standing alone around a lot of overgrown brush, I suddenly found myself in a room (not sure if it was that house). I was sitting with 2 men and a lady. One man told me to put my hands together while the other one started beating slowing on a drum. I didn't know what was going on so the lady gently grabbed my hands and put them together for me and helped me hold them together.
Then 4 people appeared before me, sitting in a semi-circle. I quickly recognized one of the 4 people as a childhood friend that had passed away. Then another person entered the room and I also recognized him as another childhood friend that had passed on. He joined the others and sat with them.
I didn't recognize the other 3 people sitting in the semi-circle. One of the 3 was a young girl maybe in her early twenties. Since I knew that my 2 childhood friends that were there had passed on, I asked the 2 men and the lady if the other 3 also had passed away.
They nodded yes.
Then I felt a strange emptiness in my heart, like it was purged. But then it was followed with a very calming feeling. A feeling of pure love.
I asked if this is what it's feels like when we pass away.
The 2 men and the lady shook their heads no.
But I knew it was.
It was a feeling like I've never felt before. Calmness and a peaceful serenity is the only way I can describe it.
Then I woke up with tears in my eyes. Tears of joy.
As I thought about the dream, I believe that the 2 men and the lady lied to me (to protect me) and told me that the peacefulness that I felt wasn't what it feels like after we die - only because they didn't want me to long for that feeling and die before my time.
Was this dream some kind of message to reassure me to not be afraid when the time comes and to let me know that it's okay when people die. In fact, it's almost something to look forward to. The emptying of the heart, then being filled with love, peacefulness, and a calm feeling of serenity.
It's not exactly a dream where I was "visited", but I just wanted to share that dream with you.
Sometimes spirits visit to let you know they are okay and to say one last good-bye.
Sometimes spirits visit because there is unfinished business and they can't rest in peace until the unfinished business is resolved. Usually a visit to a priest, clergymen, or kahuna can explain what needs to be done so the spirit can move on.
Have you experienced these "visiting" dreams? Or if not you, maybe your friends or relatives and they've shared their stories with you? Or perhaps you had a dream similar to mine where a message of some sort is trying to be relayed to you? Share your stories with us.
First of all, I hope all the dads out there had a great Father's Day.
Now on a more serious note, I've been contemplating this entry for some time now. And with Melissa Kamakawiwo'ole and Kevin Kawamoto starting up the Caring For Hawaii's Elders blog, I thought this might be a good lead-in to their new blog.
My mom has dementia.
It's not Alzheimer's (which is just one form of dementia) but dementia nonetheless. She has no short term memory and doesn't always recognize me. For example, on my last visit with mom, she asked me about 3 or 4 times where I'm living now. I always give her the same answer, but she doesn't remember. But when I ask her about growing up, she can recall everywhere she lived and what my grandparents used to do. So I try to ask her questions of long ago to keep the conversation going.
She is also paranoid that people are stealing from her - which is another symptom of dementia. Because she can't remember where she placed something, she thinks someone stole it. And for that reason, she doesn't like people coming over to her house.
One night when Paula and I were over visiting, we were sitting at the table talking with my big brother (Rod's Big Bro) and my mom would get up from the living room every few minutes and pace around. My brother said that she doesn't recognize us and thinks we're strangers in the house. Until finally she said "It's getting late so you folks better be going soon." (it was only about 7:00 pm and we were there for maybe a couple of hours having dinner with her). So now I make it a point to sit with her and keep the conversation going so she knows it's still me there visiting. I always tell her who I am as soon as I get there and give her a hug, but it's still tough trying to keep the conversation going for more than an hour.
We're fortunate that my big brother is now living with her. He's retired and single so he can be there during the day to make sure she takes her daily medication and prepares food for her. We've unplugged her stove as a precaution.
One co-worker of mine told me once that her father who suffers from dementia almost burned down his house and luckily the fire was contained to the kitchen area. That was a wake up call and her and her husband decided to move in with him to make sure he's safe.
But living with someone with dementia can be tough. I didn't realize how wide-spread this was until my mom came down with dementia and I talked to other people about it.
J was sharing with me that when her mom came down with dementia, they had her move in with her and her family. But the stress was getting to her - and destroying her marriage. She told me that she spent many a night sitting alone in a dark bathroom, crying because she couldn't take it anymore. They had to have her mom put into a care home to save their marriage. And their family.
I asked another person about her father who was living alone and suffered from dementia. She goes over every morning and take care of him until the early afternoon when her sister comes over to relieve her so she can go to work. She too said that she spent many a times crying on the drive to work after leaving her father's house because the stress was just too much.
Then she read a book that opened her eyes and helped her. So much so that she recommended this book to me and said to be sure to read the chapter on Dementia.
The chapter on dementia explains that it's important to understand that dementia is a disease. And the person with it can't help what they're doing because they have this disease. And once the caregiver can understand this, they can then cope with it better. The actions of the person with dementia is not meant to be taken personally by the caregiver or the people visiting. It's the dementia that causing them to act in such a manner. They might lash out or question and accuse one of something, but won't remember it in the next minute or two. And because of the lack of being able to remember, they get frustrated or paranoid and say things. But again, it's the dementia that's causing them to do it. It's not they've lost their loving personality and have become hateful and bitter, it's the damn disease.
It requires patience. Tons of patience to deal with the constant repetitive questions and accusations. And for those caregivers, I admire your strength and courage to be able to deflect all these harsh barbs and still give the person the best care possible. I can't image how tough it is and know that you need a break every now and then to keep your own sanity. And that you too have a life to live.
So, Thank You Rod's Big Bro for stepping up.
There is a term called "Care Gap". It's affecting a lot of the baby boomer generation as they have aging parents that need their help as well as children to tend to or their children's children that need to be watched. And the Care Gap folks are getting overwhelmed between helping out caring for their parents and their grandchildren.
And as we start getting up there in age, what happens if we too start falling to the dementia disease? Are you prepared to deal with it if your spouse is diagnosed with dementia? What if we start falling to it? What can we do to prevent it? Are you scared? I am.
On a sadder note, I'm sorry to announce that MLCer McLovin has passed away. Back in March of this year, he shared with us that he had terminal cancer. Through Midlife Crisis, he was able to hook up with childhood friend opso. Although they had only a few months to catch up, I'm sure it was time well spent. Maybe it was fate that brought McLovin and opso to MLC, but I'm glad that they were able to connect again before his passing.
So sometime today, please take a moment to remember McLovin and say a little prayer for him and his loved ones. Thanks.
