LINDA VILLA OWL SEES ALL - STORY RETOLD

The Owls are the order Strigiformes. Most are solitary, and nocturnal, with some exceptions.  The Linda Villa Owl must love us as it can be seen flying from one tree to another during the early morning hours, as well as watching over the complex during the night.  Though owls are typically solitary, the literary collective noun for a group of owls is a parliament., which suggest that MOI should try to get more to come here...


Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ear-holes, a hawk-like beak, a flat face, and usually a conspicuous circle of feathers, a facial disc, around each eye. Although owls have binocular vision, their large eyes are fixed in their sockets, as with other birds, and they must turn their entire head to change views. Most birds of prey sport eyes on the sides of their heads, but the stereoscopic nature of the owl's forward-facing eyes permits a greater sense of depth perception necessary for low-light hunting.


Owls are farsighted and are unable to see anything clearly within a few centimeters of their eyes. Caught prey can be felt by owls with the use of filoplumes, which are small hair-like feathers on the beak and feet that act as "feelers". Their far vision, particularly in low light, is exceptionally good.  It can turn its head 135 degrees in either direction; it can thus look behind its own shoulders, with a total 270-degree field of view.  With aid of more lamps in the night, our owl now sees much.

Most owls are nocturnal, actively hunting for prey only under the cover of darkness. Several types of owl, however, are crepuscular, active during the twilight hours of dawn and dusk; one example is the pygmy owl. A few owls are also active during the day; examples are the Burrowing Owl  and the Short-eared Owl.


Much of the owls' hunting strategy depends on stealth and surprise. Owls have at least two adaptations that aid them in achieving stealth. First, the dull coloration of owls' feathers can render them almost invisible under certain conditions. Secondly, serrated edges on the leading edge owls' remiges muffle an owl's wingbeats, allowing its flight to be practically silent.

The Linda Villa Owl sees it all.  The Palm trees add to the ability to view from on high the nightly activity that some would believe is un-noticed.  How wrong they be.

The Owl sees the endless traffic that passes through the patio gate of a soon to be departed tenant.  How odd that they do not know that the quick stop visits are very odd indeed.  The owl notes the large volume of traffic into the car park that the unit in question has all the day long , even notes small children playing in the vehicle with no supervision and just might set the motor to rolling and cause great harm.

The Linda Villa Owl never misses the endless flow of night time visitors to another flat.  Poor chap is clueless that 'friends' are using his flat as a 'hang out'.  Mind, the days are numbered as 'friends' have brought drugs onto the property and that will not be allowed.  The owl will see the departure of another tenant who thought that 'drug free' was a joke told to on move-in.

The good Linda Villa Owl also sees much to be right pleased by.  He sees tenants digging in the dirt and planting flowers to make the Linda Villa more brilliant AND to possibly capture the grand prize on May 8th.

Our owl also sees lovely tenants having a good time on patios, a little food and drink and chat with mates, all done with consideration to others.  No tossing of butts over rail or causing noise to drown out neighbour under flat.  How lovely that young blokes can be so considerate.

The Linda Villa Owl caught sight of this old geezer, Murray, Paul, James, Chandra invited to the patio of Della & Michael to partake in a cook-up with potables!  Fancy that.  All carried out with good grace. No riot of drink in the car park or loud noise.  Truth be told, even the wee ones were on best behaviour.

The Linda Villa Owl has seen another weekend come and go at the complex.  True, there be one day left, but it will be quiet, considering the amount of drink SOME had until the wee hours.

This morning as I watched OUR owl fly from tree to tree, I hoped that it would get comfy and take position again this night and watch over us.  What grand things folks miss when they write off a road, a community or complex based on what was and not was is at present.  More's the pity that...

"Flowers really do intoxicate me.

Robert - 2010 -  Lord, I was HUGE

Robert - 2010 - Playing in the dirt

Where did I get them shorts?

2010 STORY RE-VISITED

What a difference 4 years make.  Hard to believe I was so large back then........



"Can we conceive what humanity would be if it did not know the flowers?" Maurice Maeterlinck

My dears, for far too long the path leading to the rental office at the Linda Villa was a patch of barren soil, devoid of life and colour.  The whole world saw in a tick that there was no life at the Linda Villa, save a hard mean existance, populated by folks who did not care and had no pride in selves.

Murray Kay's dream for the Linda Villa was as moribound as that patch of earth.  The only thing of note were the rocks placed to keep the dead soil contained there.  Mind, the rocks could have been handy missiles to be hurled at windows of the office by tenants who had been sold a horrid place to live as well.  You pick the purpose.

No more!  After much think on, this old geezer did what had to be done.

Getting down and dirty, MOI, with paid help, dug up soil, added plant food, and started placing plants in front of and round office.  Being full of the spirit, MOI did much to bring life back to the area in front of.

Where there was once dearth, now gathers a plethora of God's smile to man.  Plants!

There be Verbena, Pansies, Marigolds and soon to be added stock.  Bags and bangs of brilliant bark set off the majestic Magnolia tree in the middle of the newly planted gadren.  On both sides of, there is more brilliant bark.

"I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance."
William Wordsworth

You, the dear reader, may well feel that this old geezer has gone 'gooey' over a few plants.  You be right.

The Linda Villa is leading by example.  Sponsoring a "Tenant Garden Contest", to be judged by Supervisor Vasquez and Sheriff Durfor on May 8th, the day of the "LINDA DRUG OUT BLOCK PARTY", this old geezer is passionate in belief that what speaks louder than the actions of.

Evil folks who do drugs, cheat benefits and lazy layabout scroungers are no longer welcome at the Linda Villa.  Planting life in the soil tells one and all that a new day has dawned at the Linda Villa.  The evil creatures of the past need to pack and move on.

My dears, there always be the risk that some evil creature will destroy the lovely garden planted.  Why allow a few evil folks rob one of the joy of beauty?  Why allow yobs to dictate how one will live?  What is life lived in fear and in a prison built by fear?

I will go to me grave believing that one must place one's self at risk to fully appreciate the freedoms placed about.

"If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom." Terri Guillemets

NO ONE SHOULD DIE ALONE

When Eloy Timothy Tafoya died alone there was no-one to claim his body.

He had no known relatives, friends and even his neighbours had barely spoken to him. He was a stranger.

The 60-year-old, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, had been a solitary man who never revealed much about himself to the people around him.

But yesterday his comrades and his community turned out in their hundred

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2557482/Semper-fidelis-How-Marines-showed-loyalty-former-comrade-military-honours-died-alone.html#ixzz2t8VKY3pU
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"Like the Cover of an Old Book"

"Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author." Epitaph penned by Ben Franklin


My dears, this old geezer does not presume to be as clever as Dr. Franklin, but the words of do make this old geezer think.

We, each of us, is like the cover of a book. MOI took a neighbour out for breakfast the other day and our chat got MOI to think of how folks in Marysville mis-read the covers of so many book covers here. That be the road lived on and community a part of.

The road lived on, is like a 'used' book store. The road contains many brilliant reads, but due to being found a bit 'worn' in a shop not new, folks tend to discount the contents of the books found here.

My dears, how very sad that time has turned us all into 'comic' book readers. If the cover does not have a brilliant 'superhero' displayed, or loads of pictures, it is not bothered with. In such a rush we, be that we do not get comfy and settle in for a right good read that is to be found with our neighbours. What adventures are missed. What knowledge is lost.

Loads of metaphours today! Surely readers who are 'au fait' with MOI will catch the drift of this post.

"People have discover that they can fool the devil; but they can not fool the neighbors" Edgar Watson Howe

Might be a good time for folks to stop and listen to their neighbours, a bit might be learned. There is not a day gone by that MOI does not learn more about road lived on due to chatting with neighbours. The story told at times may not be entirely to liking, but it is one that is important.

Check out the many 'books' you have not read, am sure you will be gobsmacked at what has been missed.

CARE-A-VAN REPLIES

I want to reassure you that we do provide outreach every other week in Waikiki to our clients and all homeless we see while doing outreach. We also do night outreach once every two weeks in Waikiki. During outreach, we provide social services and referrals to different service agencies. We also inform them of the shelters that are available and pass out hygiene and snacks. We let new clients know about our services in our drop-in center and at our other locations. Many of the homeless in Waikiki are familiar clients to us. Our services are for all homeless, regardless of mental state or addiction as we aim to service all homeless that we encounter.

All of our services are free and voluntary. We can provide and inform individuals of our services, however, if they take our services is up to them.

Please, let me know if you have any other questions.

MICHELLE IP

Homeless Adult Coordinator

The Waikiki Health Center is responsible for operating an outreach programme to the homeless.  That programme is Care-A-Van.  I rather think that the reply received was from that part of their operation.

Waikiki Health Center is a wonderful resource for poor people to us to gain access to medical attention and on-going care with their health problems, physical or mental.  I have no argument with that.  

I wonder about the outreach programme to the homeless.  Does it really solve problems or does it pander to the homeless?

The reply received is so very "PC".  Does it really answer any questions?

It still bothers me that an outreach worker from Care-A-Van, visited a 'client' on the street and rang up an ambulance for the individual.  The 'client' may well have been feeling poorly, but he had a wheelchair, probably a bus pass, and could have got to hospital on his own.  I know of another homeless man who had a severely swollen leg, infected, and barely able to walk, and he was able to get self to hospital.  It did not cost hundreds of dollars to do that.

Makes one think that the 'bright young things' that do outreach, are pandering to the homeless and not mindful of the cost of rides in ambulances for individuals who might not require.  Mind, it is only 'public monies' and there is an endless stream of that...

The homeless in Waikiki are a clever lot.  Do you not think they already know where there can go?  They know and pick and choose what they want.  Mail service, EBT, free clothes.  The good stuff to be had with no strings attached.

OK, SO I OFFEND

My post about the homeless brought loads of emails.  Not all were kisses, some were bricks.

I am in on the trick, am well aware that my style offends some folks in non-profits and local government.  Even the Fourth Estate...

Lots of folks wanted to know why I was so harsh with IHS and US Vets.

After years of providing help to the homeless, they are no more able to sole homelessness than anyone else.  Truth be told, there is money to be made in collecting an endless stream of cash to provide services.  Directors of the two programmes make a good living doing good.  Regardless of mistakes, they have folks convinced that they are on the cutting edge of helping the homeless.  They have data to back them up.

Folks who are 'au fait' with this blog know quite a bit about the old geezer.  I am at my best when adding personal experience to the story being told.  This story should be no different.

I have dealt with mental illness the whole of my life.  PTSD and Bi-Polar.  Two big issues to deal with.  I have been lucky.  When times were darkest, there were folks who loved me and got me to doctors.  I have been in hospital, done years of treatment and come to accept the reality of taking medication to control my mental illness.  I am honest with myself.  Facing the stigma of mental illness was not easy to come by, but when it was faced, it made living with mental illness more easy to cope with.

Every day I sit and listen to homeless folks talk.  Every day I meet folks who are mentally ill, some more ill than others.  Many of the folks living uncovered are mentally ill.  Many of the homeless do not have the courage to face their illness.  Most do not have anyone left who cares.

Years past, Hawaii had loads of places that helped the mentally ill get help in coping with the struggle of life.  Most of the programmes that helped the mentally ill have had monies taken from and the ability to service this very needy homeless group is under served.  Trained professionals who knew how to reach troubled souls are not so readily available.  Programmes that helped the mentally ill homeless get help getting off the street find funding hard to come by.

Honolulu is trying to find answers to the homeless problem.  The mayor gets loads of advice from folks who say they are able to deal with the problem.  Right, so long as funding comes their way.  IHS is not in the mental health business.  Serving the needs of the mentally ill is not something they do well.  I hear the stories and I have personal experience as to their lack of understanding of how to deal with the mentally ill.  US Vets is capable of helping folks, so long as they can pay their own way, or the government provides a grant to cover the cost.  I doubt that either non-profit really knows how to reach out to the mentally ill homeless.  Mind, they will get it a good try if there is a grant to be had.

It may well be that Honolulu needs to run its own homeless programme.  Stop passing the buck to non-profits that clearly have not had much luck in lowering the number of mentally ill living uncovered.

When the state of Hawaii took funding from mental health programmes, it had to know on some level that the cost to society was going to rise.

There is no easy fix to getting homeless folks in housing.  Offering housing to mentally ill and abusers of drugs and alcohol without conditions is not the answer.  Mind, IHS and US Vet will roll out data that supports this approach.  What a waste of money.

TRUTH BE TOLD...

The featured filmed clip is from Matt Glickstein - Songs For A Better World.  It is well worth giving a look and just might make you think a little about homelessness.

Let's start this post with some simple truths.  'THERE IS NO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HAWAII'.  There has not been for some time and housing is hard to come by for even the folks who work long and hard.  'THE POOR WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US'.  It is just the way of it, there will always be folks who do not have cash, or so little of it, that life is an endless grind.  'THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HOMELESSNESS'.  Charles Dickens told stories of the plight of the homeless in London in the 1800's, while getting some things changed, homelessness is not one of them.  There are folks still living uncovered in London, as there are all over the world.  Hawaii is not unique.

Regardless of the efforts of well meaning individuals toiling in non-profits, regardless the massive sums we give non-profits to deal with the homeless problem, there will always be members of the community living in horrid conditions.

Non-profits in Hawaii get tens of millions of dollars to deal with the homeless situation.  There is some change, but the problem still remains.  No doubt the programs that deal with women and children who are homeless, and programs dealing with families without shelter meet with better results.  Truth be told, the plight of women and children living on the road is one that touches society deeply and great effort is made to protect this vulnerable segment of society.  Single men facing horrid conditions is not treated with the same level of compassion.

The old geezer tossed and turned all night and sleep was most troubled.  The events of the day were to blame.  Not to mention some of the comments heard.

'YOU HAVE NOT WALKED THE WALK', was the comment most haunted by in sleep.  It was hurled at MOI by one of the 'bright young things' connect with IHS.

There is ample proof to be had that this old geezer has indeed 'walked the walk'.  Has for many more years than the gentleman who works at IHS.  I may not be a 'paid professional' but have always tried to make a difference in any community a part of.  This old geezer does not walk through life with blinkers on and has tried always, to stop to offer a hand to someone less fortunate.  Daily, the horrid conditions of the homeless are observed in Waikiki and other parts of Honolulu.

I have always been curious, and that desire to learn more has made MOI stop and try to hear the stories of folks in trouble.  One comes away with an entirely different attitude about homelessness, when you learn how or way, one is sleeping on a bench, or begging on the pavement.

Not all who are homeless want help.  Quite a few of the homeless have found a way to live rent free and with responsibility.  Many get a government check and food stamps and like the idea of not paying for anything.  They like not taking responsibility for their anti-social behaviour.  That is the way of it.  They have the right to refuse help to change.  So, one moves on.

It is a whole different story to get into the mentally ill, the alcoholics and the drug addicts.  One could go on and on.  Best to leave that for a different post.

The second thing heard yesterday, that made sleep hard to come, was one made by Colin Kippen.

In his remarks to the attendees of yesterday's conference, he made strong reference to bringing all members of the community together to deal with the homeless problem.  He talked movingly about Aloha and Ohana.

In my darkest hour, it was members of the community, my 'family', that provided me with the courage to carry.  NOT a non-profit.

When the courage was found to make the call to a long time friend, it was met with the disbelief that the old geezer would not believe that some cared about and wanted to.  See how spot on Colin is in his belief that Aloha and Ohana of the community is valid and necessary to solve homelessness.

The worst 17 days of me life were spent at IHS.  Mind, over the years stories had been heard of the horrid place that it is.  At least the men's shelter.  Street wise professional homeless seem to thrive there.  They know how to work the system.  IHS is not the place the weak, old or different go to.  The battle to keep from being abused or robbed is too hard to fight.  Truth be told, it was not the correct place for young men with AIDS to go either, in years past.  Stories make the rounds among the homeless of a fate worse than death in going into the shelter.

COMMUNITY.  Ordinary folks doing extraordinaire things to help fellow members of society who need a bit of help and compassion.  Like my good friend.  A simple man who tries to help homeless in Waikiki.  Having jobs performed by homeless, to give a little cash to for food and toiletries ad clothes washing.

If you get the impression that no love is to be had for IHS, you would be correct.  Pray, let me explain my reasons.

Whatever IHS was in the past, is a far cry from what it is today.  Millions and millions of dollars pour into the coffers of IHS.  So completely have they convinced the powers to be that they deserve as much as they ask for.  Duplication of effort and bad mistakes seems to matter little and IHS has the 'data' to prove how brilliant they are.  More's the pity that IHS does not admit that they are no more capable in ending homelessness than any other organization.

I came away from the homeless conference, more convinced than ever, that while some do wondrous things to help disadvantaged members of the community, there are non-profits who receive far more than they should.  That turf defending is alive and well among the non-profits.  That IHS, regardless of how well and slick they self promote, do not have all of the answers.  That duplication of services offered is expensive and may well be best done by not placing all of the eggs in one basket.

Lastly, it would be so very wrong to allow the voice of a former priest of the Catholic Church, to drown out other voices.  Regardless of his connection with IHS, he is but one member of the community and when last looked does not walk on water.

HOMELESS CONFERENCE BLUES

My dears, if it was felt that the old geezer would stop sharing thoughts, this post will let all who are 'au fait' with, know that my ability to tell a story is still very much alive.  Truth be told, it took a day that was most interesting to shake MOI up and share with you.

There was a 'Homeless Awareness Conference' held in Waikiki today.  Having been engaged in the fight to enlighten folks to the social injustices that plague society, this seemed like the right point to pick up pen and share with all of the lovely folks known to or folks one wants to reach out to.

When first read in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser of the coming conference, I rang up one of the folks listed as an organizer of the event.  I told of my interest to share facts about the homeless in Waikiki.  I learned that it was going to cost $45.00 to attend the conference and was a bit put off by that.  Friends told MOI that some needed to go and tell the non-profits and other gathered interested parties that the general public might not share their view that the job being done was brilliant.  I emailed the organizer and told I would attend, even if my views were not ones the gathered good folks wanted to hear.

Early this AM, the old geezer went to the posh hotel to sign in and to try and meet folks.  I had told the organizer of the conference that it was my belief that many if not most of the attendees would be 'choir singing to the choir'.  As the ballroom filled, it was quite clear that this was indeed the case.  Not so much a conference but an opportunity for 'bright young things' to network.

Being extremely hearing impaired, the old geezer has to re lie on device in ear, lip reading and face reading.  All of my skills were in use and helped to know fairly early on, who wanted to hear what an outsider had to say about the homeless problem.  What was learned today was most illuminating and want so much to share it with you.

Many of the attendees were not interested in chatting with anyone who was not working for a non-profit, or connected to a government agency dealing with the homeless problem.  Most of the attendees felt that they and the organization they worked for were working miracles in getting folks off the street and into shelters or in a direction to get help with issues causing homelessness

There were some rather interesting exceptions.

Colin Kippen, State Homeless Coordinator for the Governor, was one of the first speakers.  Colin spoke from the heart and urged all the attendees to double their effort to try and engage 'the community' in the fight to end homelessness in Hawaii.  Only in getting all of the community involved would make the battle winnable.  He made no false promise and in some ways may well have said things many of the attendees did not want to hear.

I had a long chin wag with Colin and came away with the feeling that this was a man who could make a difference.  Colin knows full well that he has his work cut out for him and that there will be folks out to get him.  I rather think that Mr. Kippen is prepared to rattle a few cages to get things done.

Darryl Vincent was another person met who made an impression on.  Wrongly, the old geezer believed him to be another that works in the non-profit he is with.  I did not like that person two year ago and was prepared to fire me guns in anger about my feelings towards.  It takes a big person to stand ground and correct a wrong impression.  Mind, Darryl has a massive toothy grin and the personality of a slick used car salesman and loves to 'close the deal'.  Darryl may not have shared many of my beliefs about the failure of non-profits to deliver change, but he heard me out, which was more that many were prepared to do.  I still believe that his organization could do more, but he made me believe he is at least willing to listen to a different view.

State Senator Josh Green,MD, from West Hawaii, was another presenter who spoke true to the attendees about Healthcare for the homeless.

Dear reader, you who have followed this blog for some time know that the old geezer share his life with the world at large.  You, who are 'au fait' know that I have shared my mental illness, my fight to save what little hearing is left, my battle with food, my stroke and the brief period hope was lost and I was homeless.  You know of my community activism.  When it comes to the problems of drug abuse, alcohol abuse, troubled mentally ill folks and 'professional homeless'  the old geezer is no dilettante.  I may not be a member of a non-profit', but I have tried to make a difference in the world I live in.

It came as a shock to hear so many folks today tell that I did not know what I was talking about, 'you never have walked the walk', the old geezer was told.  What I had to say about failings on the part of some non-profits was completely antedated and of no value.

One of the individuals in an exalted position at IHS, was one of the least approachable folks at the conference.  Mind, his real value is in his being very politically connected and unless you have value to IHS, he really doe not have to listen to what you say, regardless of how you say it.

Throughout the day folks at the conference used 'data' and 'numbers' to support how brilliant of a job they are doing.

Data can be wrong and numbers can be played different ways.  A report in the newspaper today used numbers and data to tell of changes in the homeless problem.  Have no doubt that the attendees used them to show how the fight is being won by their efforts.  How interesting.  Like Colin said of the data, it depends on how you look at the glass, half full or half empty.

If you have come to think that the old geezer sees this day as a bust, you would be wrong.  The opportunity was had to tell folks in positions to help homeless folks, that not all felt that they were doing the best job possible to end homelessness in Hawaii.

The conference opened with a presentation by Matt Glickstein.  It was a musical video of a song sung by students from a local school.  "Dream What Could Be Done" is the name of the song and it can be found on YOUTUBE.  You need to watch it.  The children of this world are our hope, and this video makes one believe that the children just may get it right.

The snap used to start this post is not meant to demean anyone.  It does serve to show that not all of the folks who are homeless want to be saved.  Personally, the joke is on them.

The old geezer is back...

ANCIENT 'GAY' VALUED MEMBER OF SOCIETY

The ‘gay caveman’ was buried with household jugs, and no weapons.

Archaeologists do not think it was a mistake or coincidence given the importance attached to funerals during the period, known as the Corded Ware era because of the pottery it produced.

From history and ethnology, we know that people from this period took funeral rites very seriously so it is highly unlikely that this positioning was a mistake,’ said lead researcher Kamila Remisova Vesinova.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2141904/The-gay-Stone-Age-village-Scientists-Czech-long-houses--male-skeleton-buried-women.html#ixzz1uU5o8ODR

It would seem that being 'gay' and accepted as valued member of community is not so new.  Mind, the old geezer always knew he was 'special' and did not need President of US to give his approval of.  What a load of rubbish for members of lavender elite to suggest that comments of president will help some poor young gay see self as having value.  Should think having the chaps on playground treat with civility would mean more...