Cooking With Gas

"December is about to end. January is starting off with a new year - a new year

with a new beginning and new hopes. A new year hoping to be successful and

hoping all our efforts and hard work will pay off. Yes, this is a chance of a

lifetime - a chance to start all over again."

Cooking With Gas

"December is about to end. January is starting off with a new year - a new year

with a new beginning and new hopes. A new year hoping to be successful and

hoping all our efforts and hard work will pay off. Yes, this is a chance of a

lifetime - a chance to start all over again."

It's Rolling

We shall have a new beginning for us all.

"We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to

be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk

through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential."

 

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

George Carlin

A Message by George Carlin from Google Plus:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

"Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" by Ella Fitzgerald & the Ink Spots

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Pub's Side Note: We have a whole new year in which we may be able to do something constructive. Happy New Year.

The Bottom of the Pile.

But I  have hopes for the New Year. The truth is that if the hits are not there I will have no choice. But it is mainly in my playing field for now. I must get out and try to get more information from this section. Pearlridge will have to be first. Kapolei is pretty busy on their own. But there may be a new club forming there this coming year.

Probably came from the Greeks but well known to have been said by

the famous Indian leader. Mohandas K. Gandhi

 "First they criticize you, Then they ignore you. Then they laugh at you,

Then they fight with you, Then you win."

The territory is from Makaha to the Stadium. Covers a lot of territory but few dancers that wish to be part it. So I will have to work at it. Ewa Beach is coming up and Pearl City. Line Dancers are a possibility, this coming year will tell. We must look for new blood. Many of the old simply do not wish to be part of our endeavors and they certainly have that right. We will respect.

"When You Wish Upon A Star" by Glenn Miller

The new Ewa Shopping Center shows promise. We may have some action there too. Village Park on the other side of the Freeway has a good studio. Perhaps? Whatever, this is a dancing blog and we must try to include all those that wish to be included. The choice is theirs and we will respect those that are not interested and leave the door open.

This past week I communicated with several for the "third time" to try to get them to contribute information and/or photos to share with their fellow dancers. They may not be aware that I will never, ever bring it up again. They will still be welcomed, of course, and perhaps next year they will be ready. No hu, hu, it should be up to them. Meanwhile, I have work to do. Mahalo.

Pub's Side Note: Just got into Google + and made my first "circle," it is a little complicated but the simple stuff seems right up my social alley. You don't need an invite you can just ask to be let in. It seems to be better than Facebook or Twitter. I dropped those a year back. Guy Kawasaki has just written a terrific book "What the Plus!" Paperback on sale at Amazon for only $8.

The Bottom of the Pile.

But I  have hopes for the New Year. The truth is that if the hits are not there I will have no choice. But it is mainly in my playing field for now. I must get out and try to get more information from this section. Pearlridge will have to be first. Kapolei is pretty busy on their own. But there may be a new club forming there this coming year.

Probably came from the Greeks but well known to have been said by

the famous Indian leader. Mohandas K. Gandhi

 "First they criticize you, Then they ignore you. Then they laugh at you,

Then they fight with you, Then you win."

The territory is from Makaha to the Stadium. Covers a lot of territory but few dancers that wish to be part it. So I will have to work at it. Ewa Beach is coming up and Pearl City. Line Dancers are a possibility, this coming year will tell. We must look for new blood. Many of the old simply do not wish to be part of our endeavors and they certainly have that right. We will respect.

"When You Wish Upon A Star" by Glenn Miller

The new Ewa Shopping Center shows promise. We may have some action there too. Village Park on the other side of the Freeway has a good studio. Perhaps? Whatever, this is a dancing blog and we must try to include all those that wish to be included. The choice is theirs and we will respect those that are not interested and leave the door open.

This past week I communicated with several for the "third time" to try to get them to contribute information and/or photos to share with their fellow dancers. They may not be aware that I will never, ever bring it up again. They will still be welcomed, of course, and perhaps next year they will be ready. No hu, hu, it should be up to them. Meanwhile, I have work to do. Mahalo.

Pub's Side Note: Just got into Google + and made my first "circle," it is a little complicated but the simple stuff seems right up my social alley. You don't need an invite you can just ask to be let in. It seems to be better than Facebook or Twitter. I dropped those a year back. Guy Kawasaki has just written a terrific book "What the Plus!" Paperback on sale at Amazon for only $8.

Happy Holidays

Sorry, that's all for today Folks.

Sincerely, Joseph Martel

Happy Holidays

Sorry, that's all for today Folks.

Sincerely, Joseph Martel

Happy Holidays

That's all for today folks:

 

Sincerely, Joseph Martel

 

Christmas

In these days when we are getting less religious prejudice, some are neglecting their own Christianity. Christmas is one of the most important festivals of Christians. It is celebrated every year all over the world on 25th December.

"Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. 1857, "We Three Kings of Orient Are" also known as We Three Kings and The Quest of the Magi is a much loved and sung carol during the holidays. It reminds people of the lengths that the kings went to in order to get to our Lord and Savior on the day that he was born. It is a song of hope and giving and makes many wish that they

could have made that trip with the Magi to give gifts to the baby Jesus."

It was on this day that Lord Jesus Christ was born and we all respect it as that special day. Christians wear new clothes and attend special prayers in the church on Christmas. The churches are lit up an evening before Christmas.

Preparations are made a month before, usually on the day after Thanksgiving. The commercial section goes all out, and the schools are bringing the subject up in their teachings. Christians have made many mistakes but Christianity continues with a straight forward purpose.

On Christmas, Christians sing carols and pray together in the church. All the family members decorate Christmas trees with toys, decorative lights, balloons and candles. Children believe that it is Santa Claus who brings gifts for them. Christmas is a festival of joy and peace.

In the Dance World it is recognized and dancing moves a little to the background and other things are more important such as relatives, friends and their own personal Christmas world.

Pub's Side Note: Just got into Google + and it is a little complicated (too much available for me) but the simple stuff seems right up my social alley. It has just about everything as social media to supplement our blogs. Guy Kawasaki has just written a terrific book "What the Plus!" Paperback on sale at Amazon for only $8.

Christmas Eve Tomorrow

Like all the rest of us I have so many things to do, I may as well get this one over with. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope to make more contact after Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas as they usually do.

"Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall.

We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space." ~ Dave Barry

Most people are going to their own private parties which sounds pretty good to me. And there are not too many dances scheduled for this time of the year. Then I suppose too, that many will be preparing to welcome the new year in. All indications are that it will probably be a good year for all and the world did not end after all.

Isaac Watts 1719 "Joy to the World" the Lord has come, the words that fill the hearts of Christians and others around the world with joy during the Christmas holidays. This song explains all that is Christmas.

 

It tells of the birth of the baby Jesus and

the reason for the season. Not the commercialism that is so associated with the holiday today, the true reason that

Christ was born to

save us all from our sins.

 There are plenty of parties for New Year's in Waikiki. I don't know too much about the West yet.

Pub's Side Note: Just got into Google + and it is a little complicated (too much available for me) but the simple stuff seems right up my social alley. It has just about everything as social media to supplement our blogs. Guy Kawasaki has just written a terrific book "What the Plus!" Paperback on sale at Amazon for only $8.

Christmas Eve Tomorrow

Like all the rest of us I have so many things to do, I may as well get this one over with. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope to make more contact after Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys their Christmas as they usually do.

"Once again we find ourselves enmeshed in the Holiday Season, that very special time of year when we join with our loved ones in sharing centuries-old traditions such as trying to find a parking space at the mall.

We traditionally do this in my family by driving around the parking lot until we see a shopper emerge from the mall, then we follow her, in very much the same spirit as the Three Wise Men, who 2,000 years ago followed a star, week after week, until it led them to a parking space." ~ Dave Barry

Most people are going to their own private parties which sounds pretty good to me. And there are not too many dances scheduled for this time of the year. Then I suppose too, that many will be preparing to welcome the new year in. All indications are that it will probably be a good year for all and the world did not end after all.

Isaac Watts 1719 "Joy to the World" the Lord has come, the words that fill the hearts of Christians and others around the world with joy during the Christmas holidays. This song explains all that is Christmas.

 

It tells of the birth of the baby Jesus and

the reason for the season. Not the commercialism that is so associated with the holiday today, the true reason that

Christ was born to

save us all from our sins.

 There are plenty of parties for New Year's in Waikiki. I don't know too much about the West yet.

Pub's Side Note: Just got into Google + and it is a little complicated (too much available for me) but the simple stuff seems right up my social alley. It has just about everything as social media to supplement our blogs. Guy Kawasaki has just written a terrific book "What the Plus!" Paperback on sale at Amazon for only $8.

Good and Bad

Town Dancer along with the other blogs in our blogosphere is now moving along at a nice slow pace. We are in a plateau with over 400 total average hits per day in our dance blogosphere (12000 per month) we are now pretty close to the Law of Diminishing Returns.

"It's not about who stays real in your face. It's about who stays real behind your back."
 

However our blogs are still young and growing. These are not newsletters. Our blogs are much more current. In order to transfer them into social media we must have other "outside" input. Actually it is "inside" input from our friends and neighbors in our immediate dance world. We get too little, and then of course the max is the Guest Author.

For now all we can hope for is, to get a little email information now and, yes, your viewpoint is important.  And then of course. the big bonus, the group picture of six to eight people in a fun dance. Wow! That really hits the maximum of reader/dancers. Some do not want to share, it is their privilege. Yes, I know, it may be illegal or something.

"The Next Time I Fall" by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant

With enough steady contributors we can try to convince two or three to be Guest Authors. We can help them learn the ropes. Then they can blog whenever they wish. And within our parameters write what they wish and about whoever they wish, without a "pardon me" or "go to hell" to anyone. Just get in, write, and get out, all on your own.

Blogging is new and we are still learning including myself. With two Guest Authors I believe each blog could go over 100 average hits per day. This implies that people from the neighbor islands and even around the Pacific will be reading those blogs. Eventually with proper feedback, there will be a wealth of dance information exchange among the Pacific Islanders.

Pub's Side Note: Blogs are more personal, direct and more current communication, They leave an opening for comments in each blog and they are receptive to more formal answers and opinions in the blog itself. The hits go through the ceiling. Real Social Media is much different than anything we have come across before.

Good and Bad

Town Dancer along with the other blogs in our blogosphere is now moving along at a nice slow pace. We are in a plateau with over 400 total average hits per day in our dance blogosphere (12000 per month) we are now pretty close to the Law of Diminishing Returns.

"It's not about who stays real in your face. It's about who stays real behind your back."
 

However our blogs are still young and growing. These are not newsletters. Our blogs are much more current. In order to transfer them into social media we must have other "outside" input. Actually it is "inside" input from our friends and neighbors in our immediate dance world. We get too little, and then of course the max is the Guest Author.

For now all we can hope for is, to get a little email information now and, yes, your viewpoint is important.  And then of course. the big bonus, the group picture of six to eight people in a fun dance. Wow! That really hits the maximum of reader/dancers. Some do not want to share, it is their privilege. Yes, I know, it may be illegal or something.

"The Next Time I Fall" by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant

With enough steady contributors we can try to convince two or three to be Guest Authors. We can help them learn the ropes. Then they can blog whenever they wish. And within our parameters write what they wish and about whoever they wish, without a "pardon me" or "go to hell" to anyone. Just get in, write, and get out, all on your own.

Blogging is new and we are still learning including myself. With two Guest Authors I believe each blog could go over 100 average hits per day. This implies that people from the neighbor islands and even around the Pacific will be reading those blogs. Eventually with proper feedback, there will be a wealth of dance information exchange among the Pacific Islanders.

Pub's Side Note: Blogs are more personal, direct and more current communication, They leave an opening for comments in each blog and they are receptive to more formal answers and opinions in the blog itself. The hits go through the ceiling. Real Social Media is much different than anything we have come across before.

"Y Volvere"

Somewhere in the early seventies, still in Nicaragua, I heard a beautiful Indian song usually played simply with a couple of guitars and perhaps a drum. I thought it was Indian because I lived deep in the Central American jungles and outsiders just never heard of it. The name was "Y Volvere" (I will return.)

"You cannot have any successes in life unless you learn to accept some failures."

I left for the States and it took a while but I forgot it for almost 40 years. Then I found it recently when I had a little more time for the Internet due to the horrible bus situation, increasingly crowded. Very tiring to ride standing up and even worse seeing old ladies ride standing up from Waianae to town. Yoshioka couldn't care less. I copied the music, the simple version and sent it to Calvin.

Then I did a little more research and found a nice version by Los Bunkers, a Chilean band, beautiful arrangement. And right after that I ran into a Philippine version and music by Lydia Lau, another fine arrangement. And then one Mexican Mariachi version. I posted them in the blogs.  And I got more curious as Calvin Ota emailed that it reminded him of an old Carlos Santana song.



I can do research but this is the first in depth research I have ever done using only the Internet. It can be done. Apparently it was published by a Frenchman, Alain Barriere, under the name "Emporte Moi" (Important To Me) which he wrote in 1968. Aside from five notes in the beginning of Europa by Carlos Santana, the lead guitar is identical to the melody of "Y Volvere," by Los Angeles Negros, (the Black Angels, Mexican group) recorded in 1970.

Carlos is a great guitarist but at least the Los Angeles Negros credit French singer/composer Alain Barriere as composer. It was kind of a let down for me. I admired Carlos for so many years. He never said he wrote it but he allowed others to think so. It seems as though there is plenty of this going on.

Most of it is inadvertent, they pick up the sheet music from somewhere and they don't know who wrote it, but they like it and may make a few changes. I like the entire song but somehow it has a special flavor with a Rumba-Bolero rhythm.

Pub's Side Note: Now I am doing a little research on another one of my favorites, Dime by Morris Albert, which he wrote first in Portuguese, (he is Brazilian) and then wrote it Spanish, very similar. Then he renamed and rewrote the lyrics in English, "Feelings," when he came to the US on tour. It then became a smash hit in the US.

Luis Miguel - Contigo En La Distancia - Vidéo Dailymotion

Luis Miguel - Contigo En La Distancia - Vidéo Dailymotion

So I try something new, just click Luis Miguel and see what you can do with it. I think it requires a fast internet connection, good speakers on your computer or good earphones to grasp all the sounds available in the digital. I am trying to find a way of downloading the one without the commercials.

Busy Season

So many things to do. But my health is first, so Monday I had to bleed at the VA. A few details like breakfast, computer, shower and I was ready on the Beach before 10:00 AM. The "C" bus, aka the "Cattle Car" was a little late and packed to the gills. They sure know how to make the users of public transportation "uncomfortable" (a term unknown to them.)

"Your life in now, seize it and make it amazing."

But everybody is paying for the rail right now and it is going to get worse. We are talking billions and billions of dollars in pure profits. Property Taxes, gasoline taxes, parking in town going up to $500 per month. Those crooks knew what they were doing when the "bought" the election with lies and dirty tricks. And the voters fell for it. Now the suckers have to pay the piper - through the nose.

The articulated bus (one tandem) being used increasingly in China, South America

and Europe. The "shortie" buses still have a use for them but in small areas

such as Kalihi Valley or Nanakuli Valley, but the rail is out.

Got to the Kalihi Transit Center just fine, The bus drivers are OK. But fortunately the VA shuttle showed up and I was at the VA by 11:30. Went through my routine, and got the bus back at almost 1:00 pm. Then, the #2, (another cattle car) to buy some goodies on School street. Then the #2 again to town, more goodies at Love bakery and then a cup of coffee with part of the goodies from the bakery.

Was at the Alapai Transit Center just a little before 3:00 and the #93 (a shortie) was ready and left about half full. People still unaware of this particular bus. Much different than the "Cattle Cars." Almost full by the time we got on the freeway. But we all fully realized that a lot of cars were missing right in front of the bus because the drivers are "sitting" in the bus "comfortable."

These beautiful buses cost more but they do the job, as long as they are not used as cattle cars. Public Transportation for people in comfort not cattle. That was in the last century. With a couple of industrial parks on the Waianae Coast, why do we need rail?

First stop Honokai Hale, past Kapolei, and I was home in Nanakuli before 4:00 pm. I thanked the driver, told him they should charge us extra - Comfortable ride. The rail ain't gonna beat that in a million years. He smiled nicely and shakaed.

Articulated (one tandem) buses on the "C" and the #40, and on the morning and evening express buses, 91, 92, 93, and 94 and the rail would be superfluous. Nobody would be on the freeway and it would cost less than one tenth. But the big bucks conned everybody. They paid plenty to many of our key legislators too. For sure, all over the world, there will be no more rails. There will be more buses and there will be more industrial parks. Da Way Tuh go!

Busy Season

So many things to do. But my health is first, so Monday I had to bleed at the VA. A few details like breakfast, computer, shower and I was ready on the Beach before 10:00 AM. The "C" bus, aka the "Cattle Car" was a little late and packed to the gills. They sure know how to make the users of public transportation "uncomfortable" (a term unknown to them.)

"Your life in now, seize it and make it amazing."

But everybody is paying for the rail right now and it is going to get worse. We are talking billions and billions of dollars in pure profits. Property Taxes, gasoline taxes, parking in town going up to $500 per month. Those crooks knew what they were doing when the "bought" the election with lies and dirty tricks. And the voters fell for it. Now the suckers have to pay the piper - through the nose.

The articulated bus (one tandem) being used increasingly in China, South America

and Europe. The "shortie" buses still have a use for them but in small areas

such as Kalihi Valley or Nanakuli Valley, but the rail is out.

Got to the Kalihi Transit Center just fine, The bus drivers are OK. But fortunately the VA shuttle showed up and I was at the VA by 11:30. Went through my routine, and got the bus back at almost 1:00 pm. Then, the #2, (another cattle car) to buy some goodies on School street. Then the #2 again to town, more goodies at Love bakery and then a cup of coffee with part of the goodies from the bakery.

Was at the Alapai Transit Center just a little before 3:00 and the #93 (a shortie) was ready and left about half full. People still unaware of this particular bus. Much different than the "Cattle Cars." Almost full by the time we got on the freeway. But we all fully realized that a lot of cars were missing right in front of the bus because the drivers are "sitting" in the bus "comfortable."

These beautiful buses cost more but they do the job, as long as they are not used as cattle cars. Public Transportation for people in comfort not cattle. That was in the last century. With a couple of industrial parks on the Waianae Coast, why do we need rail?

First stop Honokai Hale, past Kapolei, and I was home in Nanakuli before 4:00 pm. I thanked the driver, told him they should charge us extra - Comfortable ride. The rail ain't gonna beat that in a million years. He smiled nicely and shakaed.

Articulated (one tandem) buses on the "C" and the #40, and on the morning and evening express buses, 91, 92, 93, and 94 and the rail would be superfluous. Nobody would be on the freeway and it would cost less than one tenth. But the big bucks conned everybody. They paid plenty to many of our key legislators too. For sure, all over the world, there will be no more rails. There will be more buses and there will be more industrial parks. Da Way Tuh go!

Not Ballroom?

By Jeffrey Felton, Kunia.

I haven't had much teaching but in over 60 years I have learned an awful lot of dancing. People would say I have loved music. True. The thing is I have never danced International Style and yet I haven't really danced American Style either. I have danced, a kind of street dance learned at home parties, school gatherings, bars and night clubs.

On the Mainland: "Our dance society is like a stew, if you don't stir it up

once in a while, then a layer of scum floats to the top."

When one dances with a variety ladies in a variety of places, one must stick to the basic movements so that we can both enjoy moving to the music. The step, step, step is very easily learned and with a little body action you can feel the music. And with the slow, quick, quick or quick, quick, slow, you get a little more variety with the appropriate music.

"Dime" by Morris Albert

Learning the rock step and the chasse, gets you into feeling your oats in any dance and most ladies, bless their hearts, are very good at following. To top it off a few lessons at some social clubs like on Oahu and you can learn some easily led figures. Just be careful of teachers with LAGS.* You can wait months for the few good movements to become part of your routine, then if you feel like it take another course in bronze some where else.

I have seen the syllabi on the American, Country and International. They are mostly grouped the same because they took from each other. This was created by teachers a century ago and how they have perceived dancing mostly from the income perspective and make sense of their teaching to the prospective buyers.  It is not strictly social dancing.

"Y Volvere" by Los Bunkers

In our social, street, cultural, recreational or whatever our group dances, the basic or "Bronze" is twice as big as the disciplines. And those are the basic movements used in social dancing. When and if you get a steady partner or one that you dance with more frequently, then you begin to branch out into the intermediate class or "Silver." But you are not going to dance that with just anyone.

Anything beyond this is "ballroom," exhibition, or competitions, contests, professionals or whatever but it ceases to be "Social." For most of us, it is not the same fun anymore. When they say they have to "work" at it, then you know, it just ain't da reel teeng anymore. However if anyone wants to get into that, they have a right to their decision and we should respect that. Meanwhile, let's dance.

Pub's Side Note: *LAGS = Latest And Greatest Syndrome.