MLC poster Ocean Lover sent me this picture that brought back some old memories of small kid time.
Do you recognize it? We referred to it as "the mosquito truck".
Growing up in Coconut Grove in Kailua - 2 houses away from the Kawainui marsh - we had a mosquito problem. Flies were a big problem too with the Kapaa dump, but that's for another blog entry. Mosquitos were abundant where we lived. Maybe that's why my mom always had us play in long pants.
But every so often, around 7 or 8 o'clock, we'd hear that familiar "pfft, pfft, pfft" sound out in our neighborhood. Then we'd look outside and see the flashing orange light up the street. Immediately we'd yell out "MOSQUITO MAN!". Everyone would sprint into action and close up all the windows in the house. We'd stand by the windows and watch as the mosquito man drove pass our house. Some of the other neighborhood kids would be running behind the truck or riding their bicycles behind it playing in the smoke. We'd ask to go outside too, but thankfully my parents refused to let us outside.
You see, within that smoke spewing out of the back of the truck was DDT.
DDT use was banned in 1972 in the U.S. as it was suggested that DDT causes cancer.
I wonder whatever happened to those kids who used to run after the "mosquito truck"...
I remember when a mosquito would sneak into our house - and into my bedroom. Just as I was about to fall asleep, I'd hear that irritating buzz of the mosquito. Logically, since I could hear the mosquito, I assumed it was next to my ear - so I'd wait patiently for it to land and when the buzzing stopped, I slapped that whole side of my head hoping to have hit that pesky mosquito. Then after a few minutes, I'd hear that buzzing again and repeat the whole routine.
After about 4 times, I'd finally give up and go to the kitchen cabinet, get out the trusty "Hadabug" bug spray and spray my room while closing the door behind me. It must've worked because I never heard a mosquito again after I "Hadabug" my room. (I wonder who thought up of that name - Hadabug).
And if we ever left the front door open too long, we'd hear "Eh! You letting the mosquitos in!"
Speaking of mosquitos - did you know there is a ringtone called mosquito? It's a high pitched sound around the 17KHz. See, most MLCers can't hear sounds at that range, but kids can. So kids use that ringtone so they can hear their phone ring in class, but the teachers can't. Well, most teachers. Some teachers who can will hear it and immediately tell the students to turn off their cell phones. The students are always shocked when that happens.
In fact, as a deterrent from having teenagers hang out in front of a store, the store owner will blast the mosquito sound outside of his shop on speakers. Don't believe me? See The Mosquito™
Here, take this test and see when you can hear the high pitch sound:
I hear it at 12 KHz. How about you?
Special thanks to Ocean Lover for getting me the picture of the Mosquito Truck aka mosquito man.
Did you have a Mosquito truck driving around your neighborhood when you were small? Remember seeing the red truck with the yellow flashing light and the "pfft, pfft, pfft" sounds it made as it passed by your house? And how do you deal with a pesky mosquito in your bedroom?
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.
Sometimes your job dictates when you go to sleep and when you wake up, but I think everyone has a built in clock that identifies whether they are a morning person or a night person.
First of all, let's clarify the titles - in general terms.
A morning person is one of those people that wakes up when the sun comes up. They open their eyes and "bing", they're up and ready to go. But on the other side of the coin, they're struggling to watch the K5 News at Nine. Joe Moore at 10:00, forget it.
A night person is one of those people who not only stays up to watch Joe Moore at 10:00, but the K5 News at Nine rebroadcast at 11:30. And the hardcore night owls even watch the 1:30 AM rebroadcast of the K5 News at Nine. But the flip side of their coin - they only buy alarm clocks that come with a snooze button.
My friend Ryan is a morning person. Coming home from socials or nightclubs, he'd be passed out in the car before we'd even reach the Pali tunnels. Once he even fell asleep mid-sentence! But by the time we'd just be starting out our surf day, he'd be back home already from an early morning surf session out on the North Shore.
Me, I'm definitely a night person. An early night for me is maybe 11:00. Usually, my head hits the pillow around midnight. But come morning - I'm dragging. My alarm goes off at 6:10 AM when I hit the snooze button. Then again at 6:15. And 6:20. And I'm finally out of bed at 6:25. I brush my teeth, shave, and make a pot of coffee in my sleep. This being my Monday through Friday routine.
Come the weekends - I'm up somewhere between 9:00 and 10:00, mostly because my back starts to hurt.
Luckily, Paula is a night person too. But she gets up before me on the weekends to feed the dogs and start the coffee. My favorite line to her is "Wake me up when the coffee's ready". But that's just the weekends. Weekdays, I'm the one going back to the bedroom telling her "7:15!".
When I think about it, I've always been a night person. When my mom used to wake me up at 7:00 to get ready for school, I used to get out of bed and walk directly to the couch and lie down again. She'd ask me "What do you want for breakfast?" and I'd answer "I don't know". She reply with "Do you want eggs?" and I'd answer "No". She'd ask "Do you want toast?" and again I'd answer "No". Then she'd ask "Do you want cereal?" and yet again I'd answer "No". Then she'd say "Sorry boy-san, but I can't help you" and I'd mumble "But I'm hungry".
What a rotten kid, yeah?
Most times I'd just skip breakfast. I guess what I really was hungry for was sleep.
So how is it that when I sleep-walk outside to get the morning Honolulu Advertiser, I see all these retired folks out for their morning walks. Don't tell me they're all morning people.
I remember reading someplace that the older we get, the less sleep we need. So since retirees are older people, then it must be that they need less sleep, thus they wake up earlier, and that's why I see them walking and talking and laughing during their morning walks. And they look at me and see a sleep-walking zombie, still in pajamas, getting his morning newspaper.
I wonder if I'll be walking around the neighborhood that early in the morning when I become of retirement age - or will I be still be hitting that damn snooze button 4 or 5 times before I decide to just turn off the alarm and sleep until my back hurts.
Now, take Ocean Lover. He's definitely a morning person. He gets more done before I wake up than I'll get done in the whole day! And there's nothing wrong with that. In fact, the few times that I did have to wake up early on a weekend felt good that I had accomplished so much with still a full day ahead of me.
I remember one Saturday that I had to take daughter #1 to the Ala Moana hotel by 8:30 AM, then I headed to Ala Moana shopping center. The stores weren't even open yet! But the air was so fresh, the mall still wet from a washing and everything seemed so clean and brand new - like the start of a brand new day. I must admit, it was very refreshing.
How about you? Are you a morning person or a night person? Were you always that type of person from when you were little or did you change over the years? Do you think when you become of retirement age that you'll be walking around the neighborhood or SUP'ing with NKHEA at the same time the sun just starts to rise? Or will you still be up late watching Korean dramas, commenting on blogs, or reading your favorite books, then sleeping in late?
