Anyone who thinks that feeding feral animals or wildlife is a good idea has never had to deal with an animal that isn't afraid of humans, but instead associates them with food. I have seen this with bears in Colorado, coyotes in California and now hog in Hawaii. The outcome is never one that is desired, usually with the animal paying with their life. The animal doesn't know any better, they are doing what they were taught by their parents and are following their natural instincts to survive. I don't blame the animal, but the ill-informed, ignorant people.
For example, a friend of my mother who lived out in the dry scrub area of Westcliffe, Colorado thought she was doing something good by putting food out for the birds. Hummingbirds and the sparrows appreciated her thoughtfulness for a while, until the bears started raiding her feeders because they were starving due to drought conditions. There had been warnings about the bears and she had a near run in with a bear on her porch trying to get in to her house to get at the cat food or cats when she didn't get the doors closed down one night. She came face to face with the bear and was lucky enough to get the door closed in time. You would think that would scare her enough to not feed the birds, but no. On a visit a few days later I spotted a mother brown bear 300 yards out from her house. She wasn't a big plump bear just out for a stroll, but a scrawny mother bear looking for her meal at the ladies house. This time she got scared enough to finally take action.
I have enjoyed my island adventure and have seen some wildlife in my own back yard. At times I feel I live on a farm. The chickens start crowing in the middle of the night. What person said that they crow when they see the sun hasn't ever been around chickens. They crow all the time! I have been up at three in the morning letting the dogs out and the chickens are crowing! They seem to cease some in the middle of the day, I guess that is when they are sleeping! I have numerous birds that visit my yard and several that visit the gutters on my house to get a drink or feed off of whatever is in there. There is a flock of turkeys that roams our neighborhood. I had one roosting in the yard and decided to run it off so the dogs wouldn't chase it. Little did I realize that it was a hen with babies. She didn't like me trying to help her babies over the fence and decided I needed to be chased. Good thing there was a palm frond laying nearby!
We have a cane field behind our house that is leased out to a local rancher. He will put his horses or cows in the fields periodically. I prefer the horses and have a favorite or two. I like to give them carrots and apples when they come up to the fence. I sometimes see the pheasants. They are Kalij Pheasant which were introduced on the island in 1962. They are a short rounded tail pheasant that almost look like a chicken at first glance. They come into the yard periodically and I like watching them until the dogs see them and run them off.
Here on the island there are a few feral animal problems. First, there are the Indian mongoose that was introduced in 1883 in hopes of combat the rat problem in the sugar cane fields. Good idea, bad research. The mongoose is a daylight animal and rats are nocturnal. OOoops! At least Kuai heard of this little problem on the Big Island and headed it off there. No mongoose on Kuai. We also have a problem with feral cats and hogs. The cats are cute and people feel sorry for them, so they feed them. The cats keep breeding and producing more cats and are infested with flea and disease. Plus they tend to raid and kill the birds that are native and the non native birds. At least they hunt the rats and mongoose. The hogs, well that is a whole other story.
While pigs were first brought to Hawaii by the Polynesian ancestors of the Hawaiians, these animals were kept penned and probably didn't do too much damage to local ecosystems. When larger pigs were released by Europeans in 1778 they invaded the native forests and have since caused perhaps the greatest ecological damage of any of the invasive species. They can have three litters a year, which left unchecked would decimate the island. They are a destructive, tearing up native plants, killing ground nesting birds, rooting big waddles in the ground, which then fill with water and draw mosquitos and spread invasive plants through their dung. They get to be agressive and are sometimes dangerous animals, especially sows with babies or big boars that are trying to protect what they consider to be their territory.
Destructive, yes, I am realizing that. They have come into my yard and torn up the same place several times. I have tried making noise to scare them away. The dogs have even cornered and chased a couple of younger hogs, which luckily didn't turn on them and were ready to be out of my yard. I have tried putting Cayanne pepper in the areas that they like to root and dig. I have been told that human hair or urine will keep them away. I HAVE NOT tried that method yet! Being the industrious person that I am I decided to make my own alarm. I call it HERS. That creative name stands for Hog Early Response System! It consists of 60 lb fishing line and about 3 fishing bells (aka cow bells on a smaller scale). You see they have these bells at Wallyworld and other fishing stores for the fisherman to put on their poles ( yes, they usually have 3-5 poles they fish with at a time). They are not dainty little bells, think fist size. I have strung the line across the area where the beasts are making an easy entry into my yard via the house next door and hopping up the little retainer wall. Thank goodness for palm trees and steel poles put up by someone else for probably the same purpose. The HERS has worked fairly well. The hogs hit it and then quickly retreat and grumble into the yard next door. One hog got through the system and stood frozen like a deer in headlights while we spotlighted it with the flashlight and spotlight. After yelling at it the dumbfounded beast retreated over the wall.
Most of the attacks from the Baconater happen at night, so I have felt fairly confident letting the dogs out during the day. That is until Duke decided to go over the wall after a Baconater. I heard a commotion and jumped and ran to see what was going on. Sarge was on the back wall intently watching and Duke nowhere to be seen. I finally spotted him in the corner but the porker was still out in the cane and grunting and chuffing at me until I yelled before it finally retreated. Duke stood in the corner and was ready to keep going after it. I called him over to me and tried to get him to jump back over the fence. He snagged his back on the wire and I made him go back. He was three feet below the wall and at 92 pounds there was no way I could lift him up and over. Getting him back over the fence was a chore. I had to deconstruct part of the wall and pull the barbed wire up for him to carefully crawl up and over the wall. Dukester was ok, except for some wounds from the barbed wire. After enduring another early morning invasion attempt (12:51 by my clock) by a huge Baconator, luckily deterred by the HERS, another chasing of hogs in the yard at 4:30 (Go Sarge Go) and seeing my lawn torn up in a new place and an injury to Sarge (don't know if it was barbed wire or hog, but an inch long fresh wound on his chest and a yelp in the dark makes your heart beat faster.) the big guns have now come out. The hog trap sits in the front waiting for the guy to come and set and bait. A paintball gun purchase is next. I figure that they won't like getting hit by a high powered ball. It won't kill them, but it sure will pack a punch (especially if frozen)! Oh the joys of living with nature. The saga will go on, but this too shall pass.
Kalua pork anyone?
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
An Attitude of Gratitude
How often do we have an attitude of gratitude? Are you satisfied with what you have or do you require more? Why do we feel the need to have more "stuff"? This is something that I have been pondering for a while. In my life as well as my families life. I think that we are a society driven by consumerism that feels that if we don't have the newest and best new "toys" that we can't live. The commercial hype drives us to want it more and more. Sometimes it is like a disease, the want keeps spreading to our brain and making us crazy thinking about it. We need to detox from all of the hype and get back to a simpler life. I think in the end that we will be happier.
I have been reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It is an interesting book so far. It is a dare to live fully right where you are in life right now. She talks about Eucharisteo, thanksgiving. Chara, the greek word for Joy. Joyful thanksgiving. It has gotten me thinking. Do we always thank Jesus for what we have? Do we thank him for the bad as well as the good? Jesus gave thanks in every situation he was placed in. Ultimately he gave his life for us to have a joyful thanksgiving. God wants us to be happy. He wants us to be thankful too. I like in Philippians 4:11-12 where Paul talks about being content for what he has. How he has learned to be content whether his cup is full or empty. Wow, is he talking to me or what?
When you see a task at hand do you sigh and get mad because you have to do it or do you thank God that you are able to move and be able to do the task? I am guilty as everyone else is. I am trying to change this. Once again, not always an easy task when I come across the banana peel left on the counter and the knife with Nutella all over the handle. Instead of blowing up and yelling at the offender child I try and take a deep breath, throw the peel away, clean the knife and move on. When I see the pile of dirty dishes scattered in the kitchen I am reminded of a poem that hung in my mother's kitchen.
Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.
I try and teach my boys to be thankful for what they have and not to always be coming to me with their hand out for something more. Sometimes this is harder for all of us than not. Do we really need to have that name brand shirt that is three times the price of the store brand? Not really, but we WANT the name brand because we are worried about what people will say if they find out we are wearing the not name brand shirt. This is society and commercialism talking. I would rather be able to buy three off brand shirts and something else I need or want rather than the high dollar name brand. I don't get so upset then when I get something on that shirt either! When the boys want a name brand item I try to gently remind them of this too. I make my boys do chores around the house as well as cook every so often. They are not going to think that they need to be waited on hand and foot for everything. Just because I don't work outside of the house on a full time basis doesn't mean that they are free of chores. They both know how and do their own laundry. They can both successfully and quite tastefully cook a meal. One day they will appreciate this skill that I have taught them!
Every day I try and remember to thank God for even the little things, not just the "big ticket items", but the "add on items" that makes life more enjoyable. The color of the clouds as the sun kisses them with it's first or last rays, the silly antics of the birds in my back yard as they look for food. The smell of my coffee as it brews. The cool breeze that comes through the window cooling my house. The aching muscles after walking. The nudge of a wet dog nose on my leg. These things are the things that we need to remember to be thanking God for too. The "big ticket items" are easy to be thankful for, but can you imagine starting your day and looking out and the world was just black and white? We wouldn't like that too much! Be thankful for the little things that God has done for you to make your life more enjoyable. If he does this for us here on Earth, can you imagine what Heaven will be like? Wow! It blows my mind to think of what is in store for us there. I don't want to miss that show. Thank you God. Thank you God for the "add on items" that you think of to "upgrade" my life daily. Please help me Lord to always have an attitude of gratitude. Teach me daily to live fully in the moment where I am now.
I have been reading a book called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It is an interesting book so far. It is a dare to live fully right where you are in life right now. She talks about Eucharisteo, thanksgiving. Chara, the greek word for Joy. Joyful thanksgiving. It has gotten me thinking. Do we always thank Jesus for what we have? Do we thank him for the bad as well as the good? Jesus gave thanks in every situation he was placed in. Ultimately he gave his life for us to have a joyful thanksgiving. God wants us to be happy. He wants us to be thankful too. I like in Philippians 4:11-12 where Paul talks about being content for what he has. How he has learned to be content whether his cup is full or empty. Wow, is he talking to me or what?
When you see a task at hand do you sigh and get mad because you have to do it or do you thank God that you are able to move and be able to do the task? I am guilty as everyone else is. I am trying to change this. Once again, not always an easy task when I come across the banana peel left on the counter and the knife with Nutella all over the handle. Instead of blowing up and yelling at the offender child I try and take a deep breath, throw the peel away, clean the knife and move on. When I see the pile of dirty dishes scattered in the kitchen I am reminded of a poem that hung in my mother's kitchen.
Thank God for dirty dishes;
They have a tale to tell.
While others may go hungry,
We're eating very well
With home, health, and happiness,
I shouldn't want to fuss;
By the stack of evidence,
God's been very good to us.
I try and teach my boys to be thankful for what they have and not to always be coming to me with their hand out for something more. Sometimes this is harder for all of us than not. Do we really need to have that name brand shirt that is three times the price of the store brand? Not really, but we WANT the name brand because we are worried about what people will say if they find out we are wearing the not name brand shirt. This is society and commercialism talking. I would rather be able to buy three off brand shirts and something else I need or want rather than the high dollar name brand. I don't get so upset then when I get something on that shirt either! When the boys want a name brand item I try to gently remind them of this too. I make my boys do chores around the house as well as cook every so often. They are not going to think that they need to be waited on hand and foot for everything. Just because I don't work outside of the house on a full time basis doesn't mean that they are free of chores. They both know how and do their own laundry. They can both successfully and quite tastefully cook a meal. One day they will appreciate this skill that I have taught them!
Every day I try and remember to thank God for even the little things, not just the "big ticket items", but the "add on items" that makes life more enjoyable. The color of the clouds as the sun kisses them with it's first or last rays, the silly antics of the birds in my back yard as they look for food. The smell of my coffee as it brews. The cool breeze that comes through the window cooling my house. The aching muscles after walking. The nudge of a wet dog nose on my leg. These things are the things that we need to remember to be thanking God for too. The "big ticket items" are easy to be thankful for, but can you imagine starting your day and looking out and the world was just black and white? We wouldn't like that too much! Be thankful for the little things that God has done for you to make your life more enjoyable. If he does this for us here on Earth, can you imagine what Heaven will be like? Wow! It blows my mind to think of what is in store for us there. I don't want to miss that show. Thank you God. Thank you God for the "add on items" that you think of to "upgrade" my life daily. Please help me Lord to always have an attitude of gratitude. Teach me daily to live fully in the moment where I am now.
Monday, March 5, 2012
The Wonders of God's Creation
When was the last time that you took time to stop, sit still and listen to the world around you? It had been awhile for me. I couldn't be anywhere without having music on, a TV on or some kind of noise. I think that we become so busy in this life that we have truly forgotten how to just sit and be content with what God has given us.
My pre-island life was so hurried that I would wake up at 5:30, just so I could get the dogs walked before getting ready for work and rushing out the door by 7:30 each day. I would have to have the TV on to listen to the news as I got ready upstairs. Then I would head downstairs and as I would eat (if I got a chance to eat) I would have my iPad out to read the news, or catch up on email. Usually the oldest son would be on the couch eating while watching TV. At work, I always had music going at my desk. I couldn't function unless there was music. It helps to soothe the soul. In the car, music was always on. Sometimes it would be turned up louder if boys were arguing or someone wouldn't stop talking. There was always some type of exterior noise until I collapsed into bed at 11:30 or later.
Now, I am content to wake up and get ready with no music or TV. There is no TV in our bedroom as of now and I think I could handle it staying out. I still have a hard time weaning myself off the news on the iPad, but I am getting better. I like to work around the house while simply listening to the birds outside or the wind blowing through the palm trees. God's music is heavenly. I like listening to the horses nickering in contentment after they get some carrots and apple. I like listening to the shy western Cardinals that hide in the bushes and sing the prettiest songs, the sweet little song of the finches and even raccous chatter of the funny black birds as they argue. Even just listening to the dogs breathing as they sleep is enjoyable. I have finally learned I don't have to always be tuned in. Don't get me wrong, I still love music, but I don't have to have it on all the time. Life is so peaceful that I can enjoy it without adding more to it.
I love on Sunday's when we sit outside at the church we have been attending. Being able to praise God with our voice and to hear him answer in the crashing waves beside us is amazing. The songs I don't always know, but they are always ones that I need to hear that day. The words seem to talk to me, as if the song were picked for me and me alone. I like listening to the preacher speak as I ponder the lesson that more than not pointed at me. Hearing the birds singing as he preaches just adds to the lesson. I find myself talking to God and thanking him for the little things. I love when my family is all together and able to enjoy a meal together. The quiet moments (few as they are) together brings us closer together. I love that my boys still want to do some things with their Mom and Dad.
I could sit at the beach for hours just watching the waves and seeing the whales pass by. It baffles my mind to think of just how big those whales are that I can see them from over a half mile a way or further. To see them propel themselves out of the water is a feat to behold and be amazed at. These creatures are as long or longer than a school bus. For them to breach takes so much strength and power. To be so lucky to see one of those amazing creatures is what I am thankful for daily. God made some amazingly beautiful creatures for us to enjoy. The colors of the fish just a few feet out in the ocean is amazing. The colors are so vibrant and saturated that you just want to touch them to see if it is real. The colors and shapes of the different fish never leaves me bored. Then, to see a turtle, now that is pretty awesome too. I never thought that I would be so amazed at something that is not particularly the cutest, snuggliest thing on this earth. But, there eyes are like looking into an ancient wised old man. They are dark and piercing, like they can see right into your soul.
Give me a beach chair, a bottle of water, sunscreen and a secluded beach and I will be happy for hours. I don't need anything else, I am content. Thank you God for such a beautiful place to live.
My pre-island life was so hurried that I would wake up at 5:30, just so I could get the dogs walked before getting ready for work and rushing out the door by 7:30 each day. I would have to have the TV on to listen to the news as I got ready upstairs. Then I would head downstairs and as I would eat (if I got a chance to eat) I would have my iPad out to read the news, or catch up on email. Usually the oldest son would be on the couch eating while watching TV. At work, I always had music going at my desk. I couldn't function unless there was music. It helps to soothe the soul. In the car, music was always on. Sometimes it would be turned up louder if boys were arguing or someone wouldn't stop talking. There was always some type of exterior noise until I collapsed into bed at 11:30 or later.
Now, I am content to wake up and get ready with no music or TV. There is no TV in our bedroom as of now and I think I could handle it staying out. I still have a hard time weaning myself off the news on the iPad, but I am getting better. I like to work around the house while simply listening to the birds outside or the wind blowing through the palm trees. God's music is heavenly. I like listening to the horses nickering in contentment after they get some carrots and apple. I like listening to the shy western Cardinals that hide in the bushes and sing the prettiest songs, the sweet little song of the finches and even raccous chatter of the funny black birds as they argue. Even just listening to the dogs breathing as they sleep is enjoyable. I have finally learned I don't have to always be tuned in. Don't get me wrong, I still love music, but I don't have to have it on all the time. Life is so peaceful that I can enjoy it without adding more to it.
I love on Sunday's when we sit outside at the church we have been attending. Being able to praise God with our voice and to hear him answer in the crashing waves beside us is amazing. The songs I don't always know, but they are always ones that I need to hear that day. The words seem to talk to me, as if the song were picked for me and me alone. I like listening to the preacher speak as I ponder the lesson that more than not pointed at me. Hearing the birds singing as he preaches just adds to the lesson. I find myself talking to God and thanking him for the little things. I love when my family is all together and able to enjoy a meal together. The quiet moments (few as they are) together brings us closer together. I love that my boys still want to do some things with their Mom and Dad.
I could sit at the beach for hours just watching the waves and seeing the whales pass by. It baffles my mind to think of just how big those whales are that I can see them from over a half mile a way or further. To see them propel themselves out of the water is a feat to behold and be amazed at. These creatures are as long or longer than a school bus. For them to breach takes so much strength and power. To be so lucky to see one of those amazing creatures is what I am thankful for daily. God made some amazingly beautiful creatures for us to enjoy. The colors of the fish just a few feet out in the ocean is amazing. The colors are so vibrant and saturated that you just want to touch them to see if it is real. The colors and shapes of the different fish never leaves me bored. Then, to see a turtle, now that is pretty awesome too. I never thought that I would be so amazed at something that is not particularly the cutest, snuggliest thing on this earth. But, there eyes are like looking into an ancient wised old man. They are dark and piercing, like they can see right into your soul.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Service with a Smile?
That is how life used to be. Service with a smile. Now, you are lucky to get just the service at some places. Living in a tourist town I am amazed at how the majority of people that you run into at places of business are so rude. Maybe they don't mean to be, and maybe tourists are a bit annoying at time, but come on, at one time or the other we all are annoying. When your livelihood depends on these tourists wouldn't it benefit you to be more friendly? I have walked around town and popped into several shops to browse, usually with one family member or another in tow. I may love the products in their shop, but if the salesperson is rude I won't shop.
A week ago my son and I walked through the old historic shops of old Kona. In one shop the teenage girl had headphones in and never even looked up to acknowledge that we were there. We turned around and left. Another shop had two old guys ( I can say that because they were quite
significantly older than me) in it. One guy was ASLEEP and the other guy was playing some card game on his computer. Never once did he look up from his game. Out we walked. Now another store we went into the guy greeted us, bantered with us and asked us questions. I will be back to buy from him.
I love when I walk into a store and the clerk makes eye contact, smiles and says hello. Are we really too busy in today's society to be friendly anymore? To me it doesn't matter if you work at the convenience store, or at the jewelry store I am going to smile and say hello to you when I come in and I will look you in the eye, as if you truly are a person equal to me, not below my status. Status? Who made up those rules? I don't consider myself above a worker that is hired to do yard work or a job that many people in today's society would consider menial. We are all God's children. Some may smell a little more strongly than others, but we are all one.
Also what is it with Tip Jars everywhere? What happened to just doing your job, because maybe that is what you were hired to do? Why does everyone think they should be tipped for doing their job? If you are a waiter or waitress or in the service industry where you go above and beyond in your job then it seems to be expected that we tip. How would you feel if you were getting on an airplane and you walked past the Captain who was standing by a jar that said Tips? Don't we expect that the Captain is going to fly to the best of his ability anyway? What if he didn't get enough tips? Is he going to hit every bit of turbulence to aggravate the passengers? Or what about the tip jars at the convenience store? Really, did you go and fill my soda cup or go and pick out the perfect candy for me? Did you come outside and fill my gas tank? I think not, so why do you expect a tip for taking my money for something that is priced at least twice the price that it should be just because it is in a convenience store.
Speaking of waiters and waitresses, I don't have a problem tipping someone who provides excellent service, but what about the ones that don't? Why is it that we as a society feel that we should be tipping them no matter what. OK, they didn't refill my water once, I had to ask twice for the side of ranch that I wanted and I waited forever for them to bring me my bill. Then, on the bill is their name with a cutesy little smiley face that says "Have a great day, it was a pleasure serving you!" Really, a pleasure? Maybe because you didn't do anything!!!! I will not tip if the service isn't there. Sound mean? No, just trying to say in my own way that if you give good service I will appreciate you, if you don't then you get your minimum wage and nothing more from me. I had a porter at the airport that assisted me with the two dogs, their crates, my luggage and frazzled nerves when I was trying to fly out of LAX. I expected that he would load the crates, take them inside and dump them and leave, expecting a tip. Not this gentleman. He waited patiently after we unloaded the crates while I drugged my dogs with a Valium and then helped me load them, took me to the line where I needed to be, waited with the dogs and told me to get in line. He stayed there patiently, not seeming to care that there was several passengers in front of me. He even assisted the gate clerk by putting the stickers on the dogs kennels and prepping them for her, not his job, but doing it anyway. Not once did he look around impatiently, roll his eyes or have his hand out for a tip. Needless to say, he did get tipped rather well for doing his job. I appreciated his effort to make my morning a bit less stressful.
I love the concept of service in Europe. At restaurants, most tips are already included in your meal price. So if you feel that you got particularly great service, you can tip 1 to 2 euros more, but it is not expected, nor are you treated any differently if you don't tip. In Europe also the most that people tip is 10 percent. Any more and it is almost considered offensive. Waiters there are friendly, chatting with you for a bit when they check in on you. Much different than our society here. Maybe we need to rethink some things here. Time to slow down and enjoy life more people. Life isn't about the money you make, it is about the memories you make.
I used to work in an industry where I had to deal with people daily. I tried my best to always be smiling, helpful and courteous. I think that I did my job well. I managed to help everyone with their problem, sometimes I had to ask them to come back if I didn't know the answer right then, but I usually had the answer for them when they returned. I also loved learning about the families that I interacted with. There were some people that were harder to deal with than others, but that is what makes the world go around. Nobody said I have to like them, but be polite and serve them, yes.
People are important to me and I like to know about them and what makes them tick as the saying goes. There are some characters that I have seen here on the Big Island that are very interesting looking to me. I ran across a older man yesterday that is skinny, dried up, wrinkled and looks kind of scary. He has dreadlocks down his back, fingernails that look like three inch long dragon claws and I am pretty sure he was talking to himself when I went by him. Then there is the older gentleman that rides his Hoveround down Queen K every day. He has American Flags on both sides and wears a veterans hat, so I know he has a good story! My goal for this month is going to be to get to know someone's story. Get out of my comfort zone and approach someone and start talking. I just need to be brave and knock those invisible barriers down and learn about the people I live around.
A week ago my son and I walked through the old historic shops of old Kona. In one shop the teenage girl had headphones in and never even looked up to acknowledge that we were there. We turned around and left. Another shop had two old guys ( I can say that because they were quite
significantly older than me) in it. One guy was ASLEEP and the other guy was playing some card game on his computer. Never once did he look up from his game. Out we walked. Now another store we went into the guy greeted us, bantered with us and asked us questions. I will be back to buy from him.
I love when I walk into a store and the clerk makes eye contact, smiles and says hello. Are we really too busy in today's society to be friendly anymore? To me it doesn't matter if you work at the convenience store, or at the jewelry store I am going to smile and say hello to you when I come in and I will look you in the eye, as if you truly are a person equal to me, not below my status. Status? Who made up those rules? I don't consider myself above a worker that is hired to do yard work or a job that many people in today's society would consider menial. We are all God's children. Some may smell a little more strongly than others, but we are all one.
Also what is it with Tip Jars everywhere? What happened to just doing your job, because maybe that is what you were hired to do? Why does everyone think they should be tipped for doing their job? If you are a waiter or waitress or in the service industry where you go above and beyond in your job then it seems to be expected that we tip. How would you feel if you were getting on an airplane and you walked past the Captain who was standing by a jar that said Tips? Don't we expect that the Captain is going to fly to the best of his ability anyway? What if he didn't get enough tips? Is he going to hit every bit of turbulence to aggravate the passengers? Or what about the tip jars at the convenience store? Really, did you go and fill my soda cup or go and pick out the perfect candy for me? Did you come outside and fill my gas tank? I think not, so why do you expect a tip for taking my money for something that is priced at least twice the price that it should be just because it is in a convenience store.
Speaking of waiters and waitresses, I don't have a problem tipping someone who provides excellent service, but what about the ones that don't? Why is it that we as a society feel that we should be tipping them no matter what. OK, they didn't refill my water once, I had to ask twice for the side of ranch that I wanted and I waited forever for them to bring me my bill. Then, on the bill is their name with a cutesy little smiley face that says "Have a great day, it was a pleasure serving you!" Really, a pleasure? Maybe because you didn't do anything!!!! I will not tip if the service isn't there. Sound mean? No, just trying to say in my own way that if you give good service I will appreciate you, if you don't then you get your minimum wage and nothing more from me. I had a porter at the airport that assisted me with the two dogs, their crates, my luggage and frazzled nerves when I was trying to fly out of LAX. I expected that he would load the crates, take them inside and dump them and leave, expecting a tip. Not this gentleman. He waited patiently after we unloaded the crates while I drugged my dogs with a Valium and then helped me load them, took me to the line where I needed to be, waited with the dogs and told me to get in line. He stayed there patiently, not seeming to care that there was several passengers in front of me. He even assisted the gate clerk by putting the stickers on the dogs kennels and prepping them for her, not his job, but doing it anyway. Not once did he look around impatiently, roll his eyes or have his hand out for a tip. Needless to say, he did get tipped rather well for doing his job. I appreciated his effort to make my morning a bit less stressful.
I love the concept of service in Europe. At restaurants, most tips are already included in your meal price. So if you feel that you got particularly great service, you can tip 1 to 2 euros more, but it is not expected, nor are you treated any differently if you don't tip. In Europe also the most that people tip is 10 percent. Any more and it is almost considered offensive. Waiters there are friendly, chatting with you for a bit when they check in on you. Much different than our society here. Maybe we need to rethink some things here. Time to slow down and enjoy life more people. Life isn't about the money you make, it is about the memories you make.
I used to work in an industry where I had to deal with people daily. I tried my best to always be smiling, helpful and courteous. I think that I did my job well. I managed to help everyone with their problem, sometimes I had to ask them to come back if I didn't know the answer right then, but I usually had the answer for them when they returned. I also loved learning about the families that I interacted with. There were some people that were harder to deal with than others, but that is what makes the world go around. Nobody said I have to like them, but be polite and serve them, yes.
People are important to me and I like to know about them and what makes them tick as the saying goes. There are some characters that I have seen here on the Big Island that are very interesting looking to me. I ran across a older man yesterday that is skinny, dried up, wrinkled and looks kind of scary. He has dreadlocks down his back, fingernails that look like three inch long dragon claws and I am pretty sure he was talking to himself when I went by him. Then there is the older gentleman that rides his Hoveround down Queen K every day. He has American Flags on both sides and wears a veterans hat, so I know he has a good story! My goal for this month is going to be to get to know someone's story. Get out of my comfort zone and approach someone and start talking. I just need to be brave and knock those invisible barriers down and learn about the people I live around.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Where Did All this Stuff Come From?
I have now been on the island for two weeks, but it seems shorter. I have been unpacking, OK, maybe not so voraciously, for a week now. Darn those distractions of Facebook, Pinterest, and wandering from one room to the next hoping that the unpacking/organization fairy has been here. How in the world did I fit all this stuff in that small townhouse in California? I have found stuff that I forgot I had! So of course I need to find a new home for it in the new house! You know I might need that Kitchen Aid Sausage Stuffer attachment one day for when I make my homemade pork sausage. Or maybe those thirty something cookbooks. Really, it is time to let loose of some things. But yet my garage sale box isn't getting very full. I guess that is what the garage items will be in! There are some boxes that I don't even want to open up, for that means there are more hidden treasures.
Since being here full time I have gotten to go snorkeling one time. Of course we picked a day that the surf was very rough. We swam for an hour and felt like we had gone for four! Note to self, check the tide charts and watch for the warning signs at the beach! At least I have the snorkel mask basics down and am getting to where I don't feel like I am going to drown. The water here is amazing and the undersea life is incredible. I do not tire of seeing yellow tangs, butterfly fish or even the slightly ugly needle fish that hover on the top of the water. The turtles are so intriguing to me. Some I have seen are only the size of my printer and some have been the size of my dog! They are such docile animals and graceful as they swim. They don't even seem to get too upset when you almost run into them due to tide surges! Now to brush up on the swimming skills to feel more confident in the water. Still a bad day snorkeling is better than a good day in the office.
I have been in search of the ever elusive great sunset picture. It teases me with a gorgeous start, but when I jump on my scooter to go find the perfect spot, free of power lines, alas it settles in behind the layer of vog. Yes, I said vog and no it's not a typo. Go look it up on Wikipedia if you are interested. Southern California we had fog and smog, here we have vog. This shot was taken just down my driveway, looking down the hill. Darn power lines. Soon, that perfect sunset will be mine.
I have been in search of the ever elusive great sunset picture. It teases me with a gorgeous start, but when I jump on my scooter to go find the perfect spot, free of power lines, alas it settles in behind the layer of vog. Yes, I said vog and no it's not a typo. Go look it up on Wikipedia if you are interested. Southern California we had fog and smog, here we have vog. This shot was taken just down my driveway, looking down the hill. Darn power lines. Soon, that perfect sunset will be mine.
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