DJ; Then and Now

Recently Hubby's cousin went on a mission to convert her videos to digital. Lucky me because a few months ago she sent us a DVD of the video she shot at Hubby's and my wedding reception. It was a lot of fun to look at. There was a lot of "Wow she looks so young," and "Oh, I was so skinny there," and "Who is that?"

Fast forward 17 years.

In December I organized my company's holiday party. It was super fun. One of the things I did was hire a DJ. I hired DJ Tom Thump. I have to admit, I picked his name off of yelp solely based on his name; Tom Thump. Of course I read all of his ratings on Yelp. Of course I googled him to find out more about him. Of course I talked to him to see if he would be the right fit. Of course I looked online for some samples of his stuff. (I found this by the way. I listen to it when I am working on expenses or when I'm knee-deep in excel files).

So it's a week or so after the holiday party. I'm sitting on my couch watching the wedding DVD that Hubby's cousin had just sent me and I stopped in my tracks. This is what I saw.
Tom Thump was the DJ at my wedding reception.

How strange is that?




Anyway, my wedding reception was 17 years ago and I don't remember every detail about Mr. Thump's performance, but at my company's holiday party, he totally rocked it. You should hire him for your next event where you need a DJ.

The Kaona of Rain

It rained last night. 

I can't verify it, but in my head it's only rained twice on hula night. The first time it rained, Kumu gathered everyone and spoke about how we had turned the ritual of hula into a routine. That we had become lazy and needed to remember why we dance. We needed to remember to be present, both physically and mentally or spiritually. That class stayed with me. I think about it frequently.

Like I said, it was raining that night. The rain was washing away the malaise our class was experiencing as a whole, giving us a new chance to reconnect with hula, and each other in class; a clean puka to dance in.

That was the last time it rained on hula night, until last night.

It poured on the way to hula. I knew it meant something. Just like last time, it was a sign, an `ōuli if you will. Something was being washed away, making room for something new.

We're getting ready for a Ho'ike Nui 'Elua. 

Four years ago at this time we were preparing for Ho'ike Nui `Ekahi. It was an amazing experience to dance with so many of my hula brothers and sisters. But most of the time I was really disappointed in myself. I was in the back rows for most of the pieces we danced. I knew it was because I wasn't giving my hula dancing the respect it deserved. I wasn't practicing enough. I was getting by. I was disappointed not with the spot that Kumu had given me, but rather because I knew I wasn't doing my best. I knew I could do better but I wasn't doing it.

Last night's rain reminded me to dance harder, practice more. Last night's rain reminded me that I feel great when I dance well. I feel great when I practice. Dancing doesn't come naturally to me. I know that I struggle with learning a dance. I know I'm stronger at memorizing chants and pules than I am at picking up a new dance. But when I do get it, when I do nail that particular move, my dancing changes. I'm happier. I'm more confident. I don't throw anyone off.

It took the rain to remind me that I can do this. I just have to do it.

Please and Thank You - Conversation I had with a Cashier

Today is payday.

On payday I usually treat myself with lunch, a bought lunch, not leftovers. Don't get me wrong. My leftovers are usually pretty yummy. Hubby is a good cook and I've been known to produce a pretty good meal or two. Anyhow, today I got myself a sandwich and a bottle of Ito En green tea.





The following is a conversation I had with the 20 year old kid with really bad, not quite grown in facial hair.

Him - Hello
Me - Hi
Him - Do you need a bag? (then he looked away)
Me - Yeah, thanks.
Him - A bag?
Me - yes
Him - (in a tone similar to the one I use on my kids when I want them to use good manners) Yes Please?

He rang my stuff up. I handed him my card.

Him - Do you need a receipt?
Me - No
Him - No Thank you (again with the "you need to use good manners" tone)

I smiled/smirked and rolled my eyes.

I left the store. I went back to my office, found a sunny spot in the bar and ate my sandwich.

Whale 'n Chz - Conversation with my 5 year old.

The scene - 
I had just gotten home from work. I was sitting on the couch. The Boy was snuggled into the crook of my arm. He was happy I was home, but equally content to be mesmerized by the Wild Kratt's show.

The Conversation
Me - How was your day?
The Boy - Good
Me - What did you do today?
The Boy - (can't talk. TV)
Me - Why does your breath smell like mac 'n chz?
The Boy (clearly not paying attention to me) - It's a Sperm Whale
Me - You ate a sperm whale?
The Boy - No
Me - Then why does your breath smell like mac 'n chz?

We have a lot of conversations like that.

Yes, I Cheat

"Hey Andrea, do you want some snowman poop?"

That's what one of my coworkers asked me this morning. I gave him a funny look. He smiled and told me what it was.

You take some oreos and separate the cookie from the creme filling. You mix the cream filling with cream cheese and grind the cookies into a powder. Then you combine all of that, make little balls and then dip in white chocolate.

I told my coworker it sounded like a stoner-snack. He said it could be, but it's his wife's specialty and she made enough for 50 people so he brought them to work.

I ate 3.

I feel sick now.