Who needs a gym...

Hey family and friends. So, I've been super lazy lately. No triathlons or marathons this year so far and only a smattering of shorter distance runs. It's been kind of nice since I was burnt out last year after a bunch of marathons, Half Ironmans, and one full Ironman (plus all the smaller "training" ones). But now that I've admitted my laziness on my blog I should change that. I found the best new "gym." (pic below) Not to shabby, right? Took my TRX (suspension training) to work with me and found a branch on the beach to hang it from while on my way home from work. I have a marathon that I'm a little behind in training for, so time to kick it in high gear!

Sunrise at Diamondhead...

My friends, Luke and Michael, were visiting recently, and we went to see the sunrise one morning.  Below is a group of time-lapsed photos of the sunrise.  I apologize for the first couple of photos since they jump around: I moved my tripod a couple of times to get a better spot as other tourist got out of my way (ie. the 10 tour busses full of Japanese tourists left...ha).  The pictures are taken from a lookout point on the side of Diamondhead Crater.

I left the pictures small since they are all similar.  Click on the first one (top-left photo) to expand it on screen, and you can rotate through by clicking on the picture from there.  This way you'll be able to see the time-lapse.   

Mahalo for visiting!

(pictures: 18mm, ISO 100, f/12, SS range 1sec-1/20 w/circular polarizer)

One sickness after another...

Ugh.  Well I have nothing to report recently, mostly due to my random onset of evolving illnesses.  There is a flu outbreak around the island.  The unfortunate part about being a PT is always being in other people's personal space and sharing their germs.  I treated two ill clients, and later found out they both had the flu.  So, one of them passed it to me.  I felt awful for few days, but no big deal, right?  I was slowly feeling better, and was convinced I was in the clear.  Suddenly, after feeling better for 2 days, illness stuck again.  This time it was worse than my previous flu symptoms, so a visit to the doctor was necessary.  The doctor diagnosed me with bronchitis, mild pneumonia (likely caused by the bad bronchitis) and a sinus infection...all at the same time!  The doctor was impressed that I was still functioning, and assured me she would put me on the fast track to healing.  I'm finally starting to feel better after 3 prescriptions and several more days of rest.  My favorite of the three medications is the narcotic cough medecine.  It calms my lungs so that I can actually sleep (sleep was hard to get when I was constantly coughing for a few days straight), but it also makes me really loopy (to say the least!).  Luckily I'm feeling better just in time for more visitors from KY!  CJ and Danielle are here; let the adventures begin...

Festival of Obon...

It's rather difficult to have blogs about things other than water or mountains here in Hawai'i, which is why I'm excited to write this post due to it's cultural experience: The Festival of Obon!   

A new friend who works in my building, Sam, told me to visit the festival since she was volunteering at it.  Michael had just flown in to visit so I dragged him and my roommate, Dave, along too.  The food was excellent and we were welcomed, despite sticking out like a sore thumb (if only we had happi coats).  People thought we were just random tourist, which I guess was partially true.  

Nerd Alert!  Skip to the pictures if you want to avoid the amateur history lesson.  Obon festivals are common here in Hawai'i due to the large population of Japanese-americans and Buddhism.  In short, the Obon festival initially developed as a religious time where Buddhist lit lanterns in order to show their deceased ancestors 'the way.'  The literal translation for 'Obon' is lantern, referring to the lanterns hung around the temple during this time.  Hundreds of years later it has become more of a family/temple reunion honoring their ancestors.  This happens at various Buddhist Temples across the islands during the summer months.  

While rooted in religion, it is now more of a festival where they invite people of all faiths to come celebrate the general idea of ancestry.  They dress up in their happi coats (Japanese coats), don their wooden slippers, pound on the Taiko Drum (translates to great or wide drum...it's a really big drum) and dance around the Yagura Tower (a big tower the lanterns are strung from).  The music was pretty neat and focused more on drum beats and vocals/chants from singers.  There is a video at the bottom where you can hear the music and see an example of their dancing.

Honestly, it seemed like I was at a Catholic church festival that was placed in the heart of Japan, only with 2 key differences: (1) Buddha statues instead of Jesus and (2) dancing Japanese people instead of drunk Catholics.  Haha...I just could keep the thought to myself! 

I really wanted to hit the Taiko drum while we were there, but I didn't get the inclination that this would be permitted...the drummers appeared to be experts in rhythm, and lets be honest: my rhythm is a bit limited!

Mahalo for visiting.  Enjoy the pictures and a video is at the bottom.

Picture courtesy of Michael.  I'm on the side walking doing the ally to the mission.

Picture of the main dance area.

FL 18, SS 1/13, f/9.0, ISO 1600

Singer in the Yagura Tower

FL 130, SS 1/40, f/6.3, ISO 1600

Buddha Statue

FL 200, SS 1/25, f/4.0, ISO 800

FL 150, SS 1/25, f/6.3, ISO 1600

FL 127, SS 1/25, f/6.3, ISO 3200

Dancers hitting the Taiko drum.

FL 135, SS 1/50, f/4.0, ISO 6400

The dressed up kids were really cute.

This little guy reminded me of a younger "daniel-son"

FL 180, SS 1/35, f/4.0, ISO 3200

Here's a little girl in her happi coat heading out to the dance floor.

FL: 144, SS 1/30, f/4.0, ISO 3200

FL 200, SS 1/8, f/4.0, ISO 800

Here is a video of a dance with the smaller drums.  Not my favorite one of the evening, but the only one that I took video of, so it will at least give you an idea of the event.