We had our first ever Triad Christmas party (sans Braddah Lance) on Saturday night. It was a modest turnout what with lots of folks busy with other parties and shopping. Now I know you folks want to see the pictures, but first - we have to give a Super Mahalo to Irwin "Superman808" Santos and Karen for hooking us up with this event. And for taking good care of us too.
Eileen Lee photo
Thanks Supes and Lois!
This was the first time we've held a get-together at Hawaiian Brian's - and it was fun! Pool, ping-pong, dancing (ok, one song), and a live band. Yes, Shining Star provided the tunes. This was my first time hearing them play and they were hot. Unfortunately, I didn't get the female singer's name (Irwin?), but she had great stage presence and a nice strong voice.
Eileen Lee photo
They played music from Lipps Inc. to Rihanna to Nora Jones and a cool Earth, Wind & Fire medley.
Here's a short clip of Shining Star
Shining Star
Supes and Karen did an outstanding job dressing up the place. Eileen Lee photo
M & Masako were the first ones there - we were late. Eileen Lee photo
NKHEA's famous pose. Eileen Lee photo
Opso was busy on the ping-pong and pool tables. Eileen Lee photo
NKHEA needs to change his name to NKSEE. Eileen Lee photo
Between games, Opso was chillin' with a cool beverage. Eileen Lee photo
IKHEA waiting for more challengers. Everyone was scared play IKHEA.
Eileen Lee photo
Then came the lucky number drawing. Paula won some soda. Eileen Lee photo
I scored 1,000 points for video game prizes. Eileen Lee photo
And IKHEA took home the grand prize. Eileen Lee photo
Then came the Grab Bag. Eileen Lee photo
Eileen Lee photo
Eileen Lee photo
Here we are opening our Grab Bag gifts. Eileen Lee photo
Everyone got a kick out of Opso's scone mix gift. Eileen Lee photo
But being the gentleman that Opso is, he gave his gift to the rightful person. Eileen Lee photo
What was funny was that Paula and I got Irwin's and Karen's grab bag - and they got ours. Except that Irwin and I got the fem gifts while Paula and Karen got the manly gifts. Eileen Lee photo
Eileen Lee photo
Then there were a couple of little plushies (like BananaFysh's Koala Bear) that wanted to pose with some pictures. Eileen Lee photo
Eileen Lee photo
Eileen Lee photo
And Rodney (another one) from Soulz band joined in on the fun. Eileen Lee photo
Here's a pic of Opso and me as we pause our game for a photo. Eileen Lee photo
And here's the losers pose. Eileen Lee photo
After the band wrapped up, the party wasn't over. It was on to stage 2 - karaoke!
Supes warmed up the crowd with some singing. Eileen Lee photo
The Creative took the mic. Eileen Lee photo
Paula serenaded us with some Karen Carpenter. Eileen Lee photo
And we were treated to Karen and Rodney singing a duet. Eileen Lee photo
All in all, we had a great time. Eileen Lee photo
Again, a great big mahalo to Irwin and Karen for hooking us up. And to Hawaiian Brian's and Shining Star for making this night happen.
And one more person to thank. Someone who never gets enough recognition because she's always on the other side of the camera. Mahalo Eileen Lee for snapping all these memories and sharing your photos with us. Thanks for joining us and hope to see you at more get-togethers.
And to view the rest of the pictures from the party click here.
Already looking forward to our Spring Fling, Summer Jam, and Fall Ball.
I got a few Christmas song links in the last MLC blog entry ~ so, I figured it was time for an MLC Christmas Music entry.
But not just any ol' Christmas music. No, this is MLC. I'm looking for Christmas songs over 20 years old. Update: Open to all Christmas music. But we can still leave out the Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas song. Please.
Here's a few to get you started:
So start hunting around You Tube or think back of the Christmas songs you used to hear during your small kid time. Or maybe even the songs you sang at your Christmas programs.
And since we're talking about music...
How about a Triad Christmas Party with a live band: Shining Star!
(Yeah, I know Braddah Lance is away, but snooze - you lose)
Here's the info:
Flyer courtesy of Superman808
The party starts a 7:00. Shining Star will be playing until 10:00. After that, FREE karaoke up to 1:00. Maybe we can get Paula to sing.
No cover charge. Buck quarter for parking. Just pay for your food and drinks. Dance, shoot pool, listen to the live music, play ping-pong, or just talk story with us. But come on by and have a good time with 2/3 of the Triad. If you'd like to participate in the grab bag, just bring a wrapped gift - at least $10, not to exceed $15.
I'll see if other Honadv bloggers can make it too.
Just let me or Shauna know if you can join us for this Christmas party as we want to reserve tables to make sure there's enough seats for all the Triad faithful.
Special big mahalo to Superman808 for hooking us up with this venue.
Whew! - what a weekend. Friday night was the Triad (Midlife Crisis, Wassap Wit Dat!, and Odds and Ends) blog party. Lots of fun as usual. Not all that many O&E bees, but they'll just have to work their way back up the hive. Mahalo Jack for the cakes and Anklebiters for the omiyage.
Then on Saturday night, Paula and I attended a wedding. Our close friend's daughter got married - Congratulations Shana and CJ! But this also was the first wedding we've attended that was for the next generation. MLC Reality Check.
I remember when the Cherry Blossom contestants were acquaintances that we knew from school, socials, or nightclubs. Now they're are acquaintance's daughters. MLC Reality Check.
"Age is just a number" so we keep telling ourselves, but we can't stay in denial when it comes to events - like our friends "children" getting married.
I think back at our wedding and all my father-in-laws friends that were there. Is that now us? MLC Reality Check.
Attending graduations of our friend's kids should've been a subtle hint - but we attend graduations almost every year. So many people graduate every year. Friends, cousins, nieces and nephews, colleague's kids.
But to attend a wedding - of the next generation...
MLC Reality Check x 2.
So, we had to do something to feel good about ourselves. Immediately after we left the wedding, we headed to Waikiki to dance the rest of the night away at The Beat. A charity event put on to benefit the Kaleoaloha Keiki Choir. Soulz and Powerhouse was rockin' the house.
Since we got there almost an hour before it was scheduled to end, we had some catch-up dancing to do - plus we wanted to work off the food from that wedding buffet. Here's a few pics:
Dancing off the buffet dinner
Karen, me and Paula
Paula, Annie, Roy, and me
Special mahalo to Irwin and Suzi for hooking us up. And as always, thanks Irwin "Superman808" Santos for allowing me to use your pictures.
"Lois and Superman808"
To check out more pictures of The Beat, click here and look for the links in the second post: Supes Cam and Osurman's Cam.
But back to the MLC Reality Check...
Okay, so we're growing older - but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop, right?
If you were at the Triad party, you would've seen Sally and Paula doing "air poi balls" (similar to air guitar) to NKHEA singing Masese. And opso belting out Billy Idol.
MLC Reality Check (NOT)
Maybe because Thanksgiving is coming up, we tend to reflect on where we are in life - and feel thankful that we've made it this far. Of course we hope we're living our "midlife" and have another whole half-life (at least) to live.
So as this Thanksgiving holiday rolls around, take a moment to pause and think about how far you've come and how many lives you have touched - and how many lives have touched you.
I know it's a bit corny, but if you want - go ahead and leave a comment or two about things you're thankful for. Just think of it as an MLC Reality Check.
Well the planets seemed to have aligned this past Saturday night with Halloween falling on a Saturday, a full moon, and the King Pins playing at Hawaiian Brian's.
Paula and I decided to avoid Waikiki this year and spend the evening listening to the King Pins playing oldies music with songs from bands such as Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Rolling Stones, AWB, Stray Cats, Jefferson Airplane and more.
Plus, if you dressed up in a costume, the first round was on the house! We weren't planning to dress up, but... he, he.
First of all, Paula got into the spirit by carving a jabon. That's right, not a pumpkin, but a jabon.
Boo!
After spending the day holding a garage sale, we got ready for our night out.
Japanese tourists! Paula even had the flower on the slipper.
Fishhead and his wife were also there as they shared their table with us.
Uncle Fester and Morticia - with glowing lightbulb!
And Sally and "Lois" greeted everyone at the door.
How cute, yeah?
Lots of people in costume, including a bonsan!
That was classic!
And even the King Pins were in costume.
Check out Harvey in his tutu costume. And crown.
The dance floor was crowded all night.
Check out them heels on Mrs. Claus!
And in between dancing, some even enjoyed a game or two of pool. Who knew Uncle Fester shoots pool.
Morticia ended up kicking Uncle Fester's butt
It was a fun night with good food and excellent music. Special mahalo to Superman808 for putting together yet another successful and safe event. It was the place for MLCers to be!
Mahalo Irwin "Superman808" Santos!
After the King Pins were done, there was free karaoke. But we decided to call it a night as we were pretty tired from waking up early for the garage sale.
On the way home, we came upon a police roadblock. I said to Paula "Pull me over!" - and guess what? They did. Paula said "Well, you got your wish". The cop must've been wondering what is with these Japanese tourists! But we told him it was just our costumes and we went on our merry way. Too bad I can't speak Japanese. LOL
So, how did you spend your Saturday Halloween night? What do you normally do on Halloween night? Pass out candies? Take the kids around? Hide out in the back of the house? Go out and eat a slow, leisurely dinner? Have any Halloween night stories to share? Maybe from your past Halloweens?
I'm telling you, if you MLCers haven't been to one of these retro music dances, you're missing out! Even if you don't dance, just to listen to the music is a blast (from the past).
Here's a couple more chances to join in on the fun.
November 13 - We'll be at this one. Tickets are selling fast!
November 21 at the Hyatt. Book a room and make a whole weekend of it.
Ahh, the milky skies of September. Reminds me of the start of the school year and high school football.
Feel free to cut and paste the questions and answer them. Or just answer them by number.
Did you attend your high schools football games?
Did you sit in the student section and cheer along with the Cheerleaders and Songleaders?
Remember the pep rallies? Did you attend them or cut out?
Did you play on the team? If so, what position? Or in the band? If so, what instrument? Or were you on the pep squad? If so, Cheerleader or Songleader?
When was the last time you attended your alma mater's football game?
Bonus: Do you remember your school's alma mater?
Here's my replies:
Did you attend your high schools football games?
I attended most of the home games. A few of the away games if it wasn't too far away.
Did you sit in the student section and cheer along with the Cheerleaders and Songleaders?
Definitely not in the student section. We sat away from the student section - with the other cool people.
Remember the pep rallies? Did you attend them or cut out?
I attended all the pep rallies. Only cut out of a class once in all my years there.
Did you play on the team? If so, what position? Or in the band? If so, what instrument? Or were you on the pep squad? If so, Cheerleader or Songleader?
Nope, nope, and nope. Was a surfer in high school.
When was the last time you attended your alma mater's football game?
So long ago, I don't remember. I'd guess maybe a year or two after I graduated. Although, I would like to attend a homecoming game - just to see the old school and field again.
Bonus: Kailua High School Alma Mater (going by memory)
All hail to the blue and to the white,
All hail to the true and guiding light,
Thy loyal sons,
Thy daughters fair,
Happy memories shared,
In love and honor we will hold thy name,
Thy banners keep on high,
All hail dear Alma Mater,
Hail, Hail, Kailua High
And if you're looking for some classic rock, rhythm & blues, Surf, Oldies and Blues ~ Check out The King Pins on Saturday (9/12/09) at Hawaiian Brian's:
