WATCHING THE TELLY

I am not keen on the telly, all of the adverts tend to annoy me, but I do watch a programme on occasion.

Recently, I watched for the umpteen time a film I am quite fond of, "Ladies in Lavender". It was on one of the channels that is advert free, and as my best mate would say, it is a "British film", hence, I adore. Not quite that bad but do tend to love British films.

I digress.

The film is about two old English ladies who find a young lad washed up onto the shore near their home. He can not speak English, and has a broken leg to boot. One of the ladies takes a keen like to the lad, has something to do with her searching for lost love. The lad mends and goes off to London to be discovered as a violinist, leaving the two old ladies heart broken. It is about music and love, love sought and love of life given. Were it just for the music it would be worth a watch, but it also has performances by Judi Dench and Maggie Smith that are well worth the time.

The film strikes a deep cord inside of me. Perhaps it has to do with the sharing of two ladies with a lost soul. I am an old bugger, there might be some who would think 67 is not that old.  It is.

Youth has flown and one clings to the past tighter than when one was young. You remember things in a different way, perhaps appreciate life more fully, less apt to be quick to judge or hasten one's path through it. Each time I have sat through this film it has brought back memories, good memories tinged with a measure of sadness. It may seem a bit of a stretch but in many ways that is life as lived at present, older showing hope to the younger. We each in our own way gain from the association, each is rejuvenated and renewed. That is the way of it.

Mind, I do not see myself as an old lady or for that matter the young lad, it is just that one can place one's self in their position and relate. No clue why I am banging on about this, may well add fuel to the feeling I am a right nutter. Since I have taken to writing my thoughts in so public a fashion, thought I would just share.

Have a brilliant day...

OLD GEEZER TRUTHS

Perks of Being an Old Geezer

1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you. OAP's have no cash.
2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.  Bit hard for clever clogs to provide loo time...
3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.
4. People call at 6 pm and ask, did I wake you?
5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.  You really are falling apart...
6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
7. Things you buy now won't wear out.
8. You can eat supper at 4 pm.
9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.
13. You sing along with elevator music.  Barry Manalow is a God...
14. Your eyes won't get much worse.  Just your hearing...
15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.
19. You can't remember who sent you this list.

Forward this to everyone you can remember right now!

And Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

'OLD GEEZER' HAD A STROKE

Stroke turns Robert into Hillary

Friday past, the old geezer had a stroke, a Ischemic Stroke, to be exact.  However clever MOI thinks he is, when the first signs of the stroke hit in the am of Friday, they were ignored, it was not until the second wave hit round Tea Time, that it was taken serious and a trip to emergency was needed.

The staff at Renown Emergency were brilliant.  The old geezer was rushed in, stripped naked and hooked up to devices and a source for IV and blood draws.  Doctors and staff, did all the right things to calm down and start the recovery process.  Had the old geezer gone in at first signs, there are drugs to be got that can make other waves not happen and make the effects of a stroke less harmful.  That was big mistake on me part.

Quick as you could say 'Nurse Ratchett' it seemed the old geezer was made calm and stable and on way to room on ward.   Or so it seemed.  all Moi knows is that he no longer felt scared.

Right, most who follow me blog know that the old geezer tries to find a bit of humour in all things.  Mind, a stroke is no joke but one has to see the light side of tragic.  No, Robert did not turn into Hillary Clinton, is is a giggle, Hillary trying to show self as stroke victim.  I can relate, biggest fear was how one would look.

Rather think we need a little music to lighten the mood of the post and the gentlemen of the orchestra agree with me selection.

Before you roll eyes and this the old geezer has gone balmy, allow MOI to explain.  The staff at Renown were going to have to sort out the old geezer and one came to appreciate their support and positive outlook each day.

Now, pray read on...

Unless one is bizarre, no one wants to be in hospital.  My stay was for 6 days.  There are endless tests to be done, medicines to be taken, and doctors play detective and try to sort out why the stroke happen and how to prevent another from happening.  That is the sign of good doctor, he is also a good detective.

What can one say.  The staff on the ward assigned were brilliant.  Acting as as fine tuned ensemble, they completed one another in making sure that the old geezer was well looked after.  Had the old geezer the power, he would give the staff of the ward, The Golden Enema Gong, they flushed out the wicked illness and made one feel flush with new hopes....   For all of you wicked readers who are thinking of other meaning for the gong,  wicked you be.....

If the old geezer had to have a stroke, one had was not so bad.  The left side is a bit different.  Arm and leg seem to be most affected, with a slight droop in lip.  Much of the stroke is healing and if what one is left is most suffered, it is not so bad.  The old geezer got lucky.  VERY LUCKY.

Today at Tea Time, the old geezer was allowed to go home.  There is therapy down the road, and a good sign that symptoms of stroke could be even less than at present.

With undiluted pleasure, MOI waved good bye to Renown and is looking forward to being home.  If one thought there was going to be horrid details of past 6 days, you be so very wrong.  MOI is just ever so happy to be home.  There is something positive to come out of this.

Unless the plague of boils is next, there is going to no more said on the subject of stroke.

'OLD GEEZER' IS REDUNDANT - INDEED!!!

'You do know, Rob, that "old geezer" is redundant.'

This missive landed in me email box the other day and it got me to thinking, and you who be 'au fait' with the old geezer know how dangerous that be.

Truth be told, the comment made is not the first time that folks have taken umbrage with me use of 'old geezer', and no doubt will not be the last.  Ranks right up there with 'MOI' that seems to set folks off.  But let us have some fun with this...

There is another chap known to the old geezer who just comes apart everytime he hears 'old geezer'.  He loathes it so much that he has to make a comment every time.  Mind, being that the chap in question is self an 'old geezer', he is over 60, he just does not want to be reminded of age.  You know the sort of chap, he uses 'hair colouring for MEN, has gone under the knife to have face work done, and has had multiple BOTOX treatments.

My dears, MOI is in on the trick, and it would seem that many others are as well.  Bugger that the NY TIMES defines 'old geezer' as redundant.  There are plenty of other sources that seem to accept 'old geezer' as a valid usage.

Searching the INTERNET found the three images above, but there are many more than just the three featured.

No doubt there will be some who wonder how I replied to the email received that brought on this post...

Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS!!
To save the economy, on October 30, 2011, Obama will announce that he is ordering the immigration department to start deporting old people (instead of illegals) in order to lower Social Security and Medicare costs.
Old people are easier to catch, and will not remember how to get back home!
I started crying when I thought of you.

RUN, YOU OLD GEEZER, RUN!!


Well..... Someone sent it to me and I'm not going alone!

ADVENTURES CONTINUE

Multi-Sided Robert

Travel is always an adventure, and it requires a little thought before departure and some reflection upon arrival at destination.  The old geezer recently set out on another adventure and some days have past since arrival and thought it was time to share.  Fancy that...

I departed Dunsmuir, Ca., on the south bound train that departs in the wee hours of the new day.  Just past 12am on the new morn of the 1st.  Rumour has it that the train is always late, but my experience held no such late schedule.  The train pulled into the station on time and departed on time.

Allow the old geezer t back up a bit.  New found friends, Bill and Margie, lovely couple who lived cross the road from cottage house sat, had the old geezer over for dinner night before departure AND stayed up and drove to station.  Margie packed a cheese sandwich, bit of cake and beverage, as to keep the old geezer from pangs of hunger during the long journey.  What a lovely couple and ever so kind to this old geezer.

The trip to Sacramento passed with out incident and we arrived in Sacramento before schedule.  The layover in Sacramento was to be 4 hours but having made a new friend on train, there was someone to pass the time until the next leg was taken.

The train did not go direct to Reno, one had to switch to a coach.  That was OK, as AMTRAK uses a company that has rather grand coaches, equipped with WIFI and an ever so lovely driver.  We departed on time and arrived in Reno ahead of schedule.  How is that for laying waste the rumour of lateness, or was it pure luck?

Avid readers will remember that the old geezer was want to find a suitable situation in Dunsmuir and the suggestion was made that Reno might hold better promise.

The old geezer had chatted with a chap met on the INTERNET, who told of a possible housing situation in his home.  His verbal description sounded like a 'slice of heaven' as did the chap sound ever so lovely.  Mind, one never knows how things things will turn out, neither of us knew the other from a 'bucket of paint' and there was always the possibility that it would not be suitable for either.

There was some worry, not much, but one has to trust these things to fate from time to time.

The chat agreed to meet at train schedule and he did.  Ever so gracious he was and told that at very least, accept the hospitality for week end and see how one felt.  How could one refuse?

The house turned out to be on a street that could have been out of "Leave To Beaver", lovely road and ever so charming house. Huge house, containing 4 'en suite' bed rooms, with loads and loads of room.  Back garden contained a brilliant swimming pool, lovely potted blooming flowers and TWO 'hot tubs'.  Talk about posh.

The bedroom assigned to the old geezer was on top floor, that is to say first floor, with two others being downstairs.  A 4 poster bed and comfy wing backed chair catching me eye right off.  It was quite lovely to strip off and take a lovely HOT shower before taking a wee nap before dinner.

Four days have passed since arrival and each day has been lovely.  Jack, the new found friend, is truly a lovely chap and he has introduced the old geezer to mates who have come by to swim or have dinner with.  Quite a collection of interesting chaps so far, but will get into that later.

There are three dogs in the home, not bothersome types and no real problem dealing with.  Actually, all three are well mannered.

There is another old geezer living in the house, he has been here for some years and fits into the scheme like a card carrying member of the 'family' Jack has set up in his home.  A complete lack of drama....

This old geezer is always in awe of other old geezers who kept eye on the 'golden years' and manage to have a brilliant retirement.  My education and life experiences should have held that true for self, but as one all knows too well, this old geezer has not done.  Me bad, as the young would say.  Truth be told, I used 'awe' not 'envy' to describe the great divide between Jack and self.  Rather think that sums it up best and am only ever so thankful to have landed a situation that seems suited well to this old geezer.

There are minor details to work out, all having to deal with paper work to complete to place on the on proper register for me benefits, and rather think that will sort itself in good order.

I have not taken any new snaps of yet but rest assured will fairly quickly, want to make sure that Jack is comfy with the idea first.  Not all are keen to be on the INTERNET.

It is Day 4 and this old geezer has yet to set foot into a casino.  Did not travel here to camp out in front of fruit machines, but think there will be a visit to one over the long week-end and no doubt a penny fruit machine will gobble up me offering.

As the heading told, the adventure continues and will no doubt have much more to offer in the days ahead...

'FACEBOOK' IS CLOSED BOOK

Having tried 'FACEBOOK' in the past, the old geezer thought he would give it a go again.  Odd how we tend to forget why something was left before, only to have to re-visit the mistakes made in past over and over again. 

When me blog was young, and the old geezer was desperate for readers, 'FaceBook' seemed like the perfect tool to capture the attenton of folks and get more hits for blog.  Truth be told, it worked.  And were one to be completely honest, the hits to me blog did go up again when 'Facebook' was re-joined.  The problem is how much time it takes to wade through all of the 'updates' that land on your 'wall'.  It hardly seems worth it.

The number of hits from folks has stayed constant.  The initial jump of hits from 'Facebook' is long gone and more seem to find the old geezer in a different way.  "Google" is still the biggest method used to connect to me blog, followed by folks telling other folks about the blog.

There was a clever chap who passed through the hostel some weeks past and he told the old geezer of ways to get folks aware of me blog.  Information passed onto was most excellent and am right pleased at number of folks now visiting me blog from places not heard fromin the past.  Russia, Poland, Spain, Netherlands and more locales in South America.  Who would think that one would be read in Chile?  Must be a language school or trapped miners.  The other day, there were 33 folks from Chile on the blog reading, and some stayed for hours.  Fancy that...

What drove me over the edge was a recent post on 'Facebook'.  Clever chap asked the question; 'why is Robert like a vampire'.  Clicking on the post took the old geezer to a page that made one answer mre questions to find out the answer to the question poised initially. One never did get the answer, as more and more questions about folks on 'friends' list kept coming up.   What a complete load of rubbish.

I rather think that me mates will still know how to connect with the old geezer.  'Facebook' will just have to continue to make buckets of cash without the help of this old geezer.

IS THAT ALL THERE IS?

What better use of the above classic anthem of disillusionment than the following post.

Without being too weepy, the old geezer feels the need to share some things with me readers.

Of late me diary is looking more and more like an advert for the NHS.  Entry after entry of visits scheduled to doctor's office.  Films to be taken of failing bones and new films of problems in ears.

Bad enough that the lame leg is on the mend, last thing needed was a major problem with ears.

An eruption in ear caused yet another visit to doctor.  Seems that the loss of hearing is moving rather rapid.  I have been told that I have Cholesteatoma. 

Cholesteatoma is a destructive and expanding growth in the middle ear and. It is what has destroyed my hearing and may well bring about total hearing loss.

Fortunately, this old geezer has most excellent doctor, and that doctor is going to try to salvage what is left.  This will be done with an operation.  It will not give back what is lost, just keep what little is left going.

However tiring all of the doctor's visit have been and however vexing the health problems, one must hold onto what is most important.  I am not dead, not likely to die any time soon.  I have discovered the importance of support of friends in time of need.

Visits to chemists have been done, loads of chauffeuring to doctor's office, bucking up of spirit, drops applied to ears and so many other acts of kindness.  One must be blessed to have so many be so kind to.

This old geezer has had a few knocks of late, to be sure.  Truth be told, have we not all at some point?  The real gift of illness is that is allows one to appreciate all of the good one is given.  With luck, the good is more that the bad.

Is that all there is?  For the time being, yes...

'I enjoy convalescence. It is the part that makes illness worth while'

'A man's illness is his private territory and , no matter how much he loves you and how close you are, you are an outsider.  You are healthy.'

Having said that, this old geezer is going to share a bit of the events that have caused health to go pear shaped of late.  A wee bit...

Seems there have been too many visits to doctor and too many pills to take of late for my taste.  Ear and leg problems have this old geezer 'out of sorts' and one is so tired of it.

"It is in moments of illness that we are compelled to recognize that we live not alone but are chained to a creature of a different kingdom, whole worlds apart, whom has no knowledge of us and by whom it is impossible to make ourselves understood: our body."

I am so ready to get back to normal.  However lovely me suite is, it is not a place I wish to spend all of my time in.  There is a world out there I very much enjoy being an active part of.

I am on the mend, it just is not going as well as one might wish.  Truth be told, the old geezer has pushed it rather hard and has to come to live with life changing on.  Be thankful for what one has left.

I am still in the process of learning about the cause of my hearing problems.  It is a rather interesting condition, but then the old geezer would get a unique condition...

I will end this post with a much favoured quote from Oscar Wilde;

'Either the wallpaper goes, or I go'...

OLD GEEZER 'HULA' DANCE...

Stands to reason that this old geezer would have to do a hula for all me avid followers on YouTube. One has to spread that 'special' ALOHA unique to the old geezer.
Being ever so British, thought it would be a laugh to have Simon do the hula with.
Were any to drop in on the old geezer in Hilo Hawaii, rather think the grass skirt could be dragged out...
The image of this old geezer doing the hula is certain to haunt.....

ITEM FROM THE PAST

PLAYING THE FOOL

This old geezer has re-joined the world of 'FACEBOOK'.  One was told ages ago that nothing put on the INTERNET ever disappears, it lives on and on and on.

Re-connecting with folks known has revealed some interesting things.  Folks do remember MOI and were eager to become 'friends' with again.  AND the mail came pouring in. 'I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD', 'HAWAII?', 'STILL TRYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD', and loads of 'remember this'....

The following piece was forwarded to from one who noticed that Chuck Leonard had accepted me invite to connect.  The old geezer thought him rather colourful;

                    MOI DOES CHAT SHOW

My dears, MOI is on Facebook and used it to flog his appearance on an INTERNET chat show. This is what was written as a note on Facebook before the chat show visit;

MOI has come to believe that YOUTUBE, FACEBOOK and personal website and others allow MOI to get message out about the road lived on and community a part of like no other way possible. It is that following that has got 'Silly Hall' sitting up and taking notice. MOI is not daft, is well aware that were it not for website and YOUTUBE view, the clever folks at 'Silly Hall' would continue to ignore.

Have said before and will continue to say, each and every person has the ability to make a difference. One need not be head of a non-profit or a preacher heading a faith based effort to convert souls to do that. Mind, in Fresno if you be 'faith based' 'non-profit' you get more attention from 'Silly Hall'. More's the pity that, as it scares folks off from trying to make a difference.

Hope that all known to this old geezer tune into chat show and give a listen. Do a call in if you feel angry. Do something. Make folks at 'Silly Hall', here in Fresno and elsewhere realize that it all starts with 'We The People".

MOI did the chat show yesterday with Chuck Leonard, a cheeky sort of chap who loves to see if he can catch one off guard with his clever comments. Mr. Leonard is clever, and can see how he manages to keep the upper hand in interviews he conducts on his show. MOI is no stranger to a camera or a microphone and neither scare him. Just as natural on camera as off....too natural for some.....but that is another story.

Chuck Leonard is a cheeky chappie there is no doubt and Mike Briggs, owner of chat show, tells that Mr. Leonard is the star attraction on the INTERNET chat show. Folks have told MOI that they watched the chat show and felt that MOI held his own and that the pairing of Chuck and MOI came off well. Lovely. Even if Chuck likes to poke fun at language use of MOI.........

My dears, allow MOI to make two observations about the chat show visit.

Firstly, CentralValleyTalk.com is owned and operated by Mike Briggs. Having not lived in Fresno since dirt was planted, MOI is not 'au fait' with all of the colourful characters that live here. Mike Biggs be one of the more colourful characters met. 

Mike Briggs and MOI are friends on Facebook, that is how the invite came to be to appear on the chat show. In chatting with Mike yesterday, this old geezer was much impressed with the sort of chappie he be. Mike told that he started doing much as MOI now does to improve his neighbourhood. Graffiti bothered him and he also started doing a patrol of neighbourhood. A patrol that got him taken in by the coppers who told that it was not acceptable to do that. Times change and it is now quite normal for Neighbourhood Watch to do a patrol in neighbourhoods.
Mike tells that he has the INTERNET chat show to give one and all a forum to tell folks in Fresno what bothers them. To be true, in granting free access to one and all, there be some that even MOI backs off from. But, Mike believes in giving all an opportunity to be heard. Makes him a brick of a fellow.

Mr. Briggs is not out to do the government in, he lives the American Dream, owning a company and doing business in Real Estate. Mike told MOI that when he sat on City Council he felt his first year was the most effective, and the ones that followed only caused him to sell out soul to some degree to get things done. No 'whore to politics', Mike moved on, gaining attention in other arenas of political influence. Mike Briggs has pluck, there is not doubt and MOI admires him for it. There is hope that this old geezer is not seen as a complete nutter in Fresno. If so, sharing company with chaps like Mike Briggs suits this old geezer fine.

What bothered MOI most about the chat show yesterday was Chuck banging on about how horrid Susan Boyle looked. Kept making jokes about. MOI is of the opinion that Chuck saw it as an easy way to pander to his audience and not fall over self in admiring what has become a world wide phenomenon.

More's the pity. Chuck had opportunity to get his band of followers to accept that in these hard times, we need a hero of sorts........and Susan Boyle is. Mind, MOI is no beacon of beauty anymore, and to be true, Chuck Leonard is already beginning to show signs of wear. He should be more kind. It may well be his nature to rail against the main to prove a point.
MOI is unabashed in his admiration of the lovely lady from UK with enough pluck to float an ocean liner.
There you have it, my views on things...........not very 'EARTH SHATTERING' but...

My colourful past has a way of coming forward again and again.  Truth be told, the old geezer has nothing to hide.

CALAVERAS CRUSADER REMEMBERED

Robert DeFrees - Calaveras Crusader

Being laid up with a lame leg has given this old geezer ample time to read many more emails that pour in due to his posts. 

An avid reader with buckets of time googled me and came up with the below story from 3 years.  It was done by a featured columnist with the Fresno Bee, Bill McEwen.

Bit of a shock to see how huge meself was, and growing daily.  What a difference three years makes.  The old geezer is shadow of former self and has given up trying to save the world by living in a very wicked neighbourhood.

CALAVERAS CRUSADER THROWS BLOCK PARTY

When I made it out to the Calaveras Street block party early Saturday afternoon, the Fresno High jazz band was kicking out sweet sounds and scores of children were having fun at the Sciencemobile.
Organizer Rob Defrees had hoped to attract at least 1,000 people to his "road" and make it the biggest single-street block party in Fresno history. The crowd didn't reach four figures, but he declared the six-hour event -- a celebration of the street's efforts to oust drug-dealers and build community pride -- a success nonetheless.
"All the smiling faces and the people trying to make people feel brilliant made it worth it," said Defrees, manager of the El Capri apartment complex, just north of Divisadero.
"The U.S. Marines stayed to the bitter end even though they didn't get any customers that day. My surprise violinist was a 7-year-old boy. He brought tears to people's eyes with his performance."
The event was billed as "Evening of Music -- Hands Across Fresno." At 7 p.m., with one hour left in the party, Defrees asked the crowd to hold hands in a link of unity against drug dealers, graffiti and poverty.
"It wasn't a huge circle, but folks of all different colors and ages held hands," Defrees said. "What more can you ask for?"
Tuesday, he announced that there would be a march against drug dealers and their customers on May 27 in the alley behind 433 N. Calaveras. Wrote Defrees in an e-mail:
"This alley is important as it is being used by drug dealers selling 'poison' and is also being used by punters seeking 'poison.' The coppers are doing all they can to get them but they come back.

"Drug dealers hate the bright light of television cameras and the noise of angry neighbors. Doing a very public march will draw attention to them. More important, it will let their punters know that they are being watched. If the drug dealers have no punters for the 'poison' they close up shop."

KITCHEN CHAT AT HOSTEL IN HILO

The guests come and go, but the questions always remain the same.  Makes for interesting meetings in the kitchen with new guests.  Slice of life at Hilo Bay Hostel with a British sense of humour...

OLD GEEZER VISITS LOCAL CASH & CARRY

VENTURING OUT FROM THE HOSTEL, THE OLD GEEZER VISITS PAM, A FORMER EMPLOYEE AT HOSTEL.  SHE NOW OWNS AND OPERATES A SMALL 'CASH AND CARRY' IN HILO.
WICKED SENSE OF HUMOUR OUR PAM HAS AND IT IS MISSED AT THE HOSTEL.
ANOTHER ADVENTURE OF THE OLD GEEZER

BREAKING NEWS - 'I am NOT Dead Yet'

Dear reader, have a laugh at me expense.  Above cartoon is animated 'slice of life' of the old geezer's world.

Yesterday saw the old geezer do a "Death March of Bataan' like crawl to various doctors and health facilities.  The NHS does not make it easy to be laid up and in pain.

Nevertheless, the old geezer has insurance and folks were ever so kind to during the day.  Took from 10 in the AM til just past 3pm to sort all things out.  Still not done, have to see another doctor today.

My fall has not gone well.  Not listening to good advice has made problem linger.  I do have bone disease and at times feel it is just to be dealt with.  Were it not for that silly chair breaking, this old geezer would be just fine.  Right, not fine but better.

I am to stay off leg, keep to suite and pop pills  This old geezer does not do 'sick' well.  Bed is for sleeping and sex(latter is forgot matter).

Am blessed to have such lovely folks concerned about.  The Big Kahuna was right all along.  Obtuse the old geezer can be at times.

Truth be told, 'Life is Beautiful', what matters a little trouble, me day is still brilliant.

Makes one way to end post with a Broadway tune...

'SPITTING IMAGE' OF THE OLD GEEZER

Caveman Has Been Retired

 Without so much as a hint, this old geezer has sprung a real shocker on avid readers of me blog.  Clever readers will have noted that the Caveman 'MOI' did not stare back at this AM, when you settled in to read your daily fix.  There is a story, and just know that the old geezer is going to tell it...


The 'REAL' MOI Captured

 There will be some who read these pages who will forever believe that a hostel is but a pit stop for the 'great unwashed' frugal traveller.  It has become me passion to educated you.

There booked into the hostel a chap from the UK,  fancy that.  This chappie is quite the story and only hope that me loaf does not fail me in details.

Simon does moving murals.  That is to say that his works of art can be found on wheels.  Simon is just recently returned from a stay in Norway, where he was hired to do a bus that had been entered into a competition.  It would take far to long to tell just what he did so am going to provide you with a link to Simon's YOUTUBE channel;

Needless to say the bus Simon decorated, placed FIRST...

Chatting with Simon, the old geezer quickly knew that he had got it right when first laid eyes on at the computer table.  Simon is from Cambridge, mind, he did not go to college there.  He did managed to get a superior education and went about perfecting his ability to tell a rather COLOURFUL story in pictures.  He is multi-talented, being able to practice his wizardry at the computer to bring life to clay or canvas.

MOI wasted no time in telling Simon that he, the old geezer,was on YOUTUBE and kept a public diary .  Made sure that Simon went to both places and saw me efforts.  Of late, the old geezer has been trying his hand at animation and wanted to get an opinion from an expert.  Simon was kind, there is much room for improvement in my ability to create a clever film bit.  I do rather think that the dialog is good...

For a lark, Simon asks the old geezer to sit a spell and allow him to get a sense of.  Simon felt that it was time to splash out with a bold new look to the blog.  The caveman, while clever, had seen best days and it was time to join the 21st century.  Simon wants to see the old geezer go viral...

Simon knows a thing or two about good story telling, having been a part of the 'Spitting Image' telly programme that was massively popular in UK some years back.  He also has travelled a bit and the bus was not his first project.

Simon has a 'Terry Thomas' grin that belies that he is really a 'kettle on full boil'.  Simon fancies self quite the 'vagabond traveller' having been to OZ and other exotic places to rest a spell and ply his magic.  He is going to travel to very exotic locales when he decamps from the hostel.  What to say about a chap who walks into a travel bureau in London and asks for a 'round-the-world' ticket and when queried as to where to land first, picks Hawaii as a good enough place to collect self.

Simon appreciates money, just refuses to become a slave to it.  He sets his own agenda and most defiantly marches to his own tune.  Staying at a hostel suits Simon, what better place to meet other interesting people.


Bold Look to Future of Blog


What seemed quick, Simon had captured the old geezer on his computer.  Gobsmacked I was to see MOI staring back at MOI.  Quite unnerving to know that one can be 'read' that well by one only just met.  The finished product was brilliant, no strike that, it is LEGEND....

Simon even did a filmed bit of the whole bust, that he made of the old geezer;

For some strange reason, the thought of readers being able to hurl objects at, is not flattering.  One wonders what curses will be set to that filmed bit by me enemies...

Simon Buck is the brilliant chap's name.  Look at his works.  Can not believe that he did this commission for the old geezer to while away time as he waited for a package.  One can only imagine how dear such must be and am flattered to have been given such a rare gift of friendship.

I am feeling rather grand about the new look and me bust.  One could almost put a copy on a stand and pass them out as an award by the old geezer to folks he remembers in his blog.  We could call the award 'The Bobby'... (RIGHT, A BOBBY FROM A BOOB)

There you have it, another adventure had by the old geezer due to his willingness to say 'Hello' to another met on the path of life.

WAIKIKI 'HOME and GARDEN'

Queen Victoria medal collection

 Stands to reason that a 'collector' and Ron does collect, would have something this old geezer would adore.

This collection of commemorative coins dating back to the reign of Queen Victoria would look rather smart on me wall in Hilo.  Mind, hardly think Ron is going to part with.

Colourful screen and ancient sword

 If you are going to cover a wall, what better way than to put up a brilliant screen.  Truth be told, it does catch the eye.  Takes up one whole wall in living room area.  Gives a perfect place to 'hang' things from, like the sword from the film "300", such a deal it was.

Tutti-Fruitie shoes from Glagla

 My dears, this old geezer has been known to be right colourful but never so colourful that he would set out on pavement with such footwear.  "But they are from France." Ron proclaims.  This old geezer does not care if they are from the dark side of the moon, would not be caught dead in.  Top it all off with the title of the bleeden shoes, 'Tuttie-Fruitie', like MOI needed any help drawing attention to what most pick up on unaided by colourful footwear.

Helmet from '300' movie

 Who needs a helmet?  Weight is heavy upon head and is bloody hot.  Mind, it comes from one of them 'gladiator' type films.

Ancient Pot to Pee in?

How here is a piece the old geezer can relate to.  One must have a 'pot' for 'lolly'.  Mind, one would have to find a dark corner to hide it, as folks would tend to 'help' selves to.  Bit too heavy for carry on or it might have journeyed back to Hilo with the old geezer.

Sign of Times

Just down from 'Casa Ronaldo' is complex that has been turned into 'tourist accommadations'.  The 'to let' advert does not lie.  You get but a small room, one would hardly call it a 'bedsit', it is that small.  One shares the loo and shower.  The chappie that has the small 'hotel' makes no apology for what is lacking, knowing full on that many will love being close to beach and all.

The chappie is well known to the old geezer, met when he was quite young.  Life has been kind to and he has aged well.

If This Tree Could Talk

This massive Banyan tree sits on the corner of Kuhio, just down from 'Casa Ronaldo'.  Provided much shade to a host of Waikiki characters in its day, I have no doubt.

What better way to end, than with a colourful snap of me gracious host.  Sitting in the laundry area of his flat.  No better way to get rid of the soiled linen...

This old geezer could have gone on and on about the treasure filled flat, why would be the point?  How much can one say about Afghan carpets, bronze busts of Aristotle and Socrates, baroque chairs and gilded mirrors?  Let us just say that Ron adores surrounding self with finer things and not nary a piece of Hawaiiana to be found.

All in all, a most enjoyable visit...

JAG TALAR SVENSKA!!

Jag talar svenska. Var annars men ett vandrarhem skulle ge möjlighet att tala med män och kvinnor från Sverige och Norge? Nyligen återvänt från Honolulu, hade denne gamle man chattar med underbara kvinnor och män från Stockholm och Oslo.

Jag kommer att berätta sanna, har denne gamle man glömde mycket av språket lärt mig så många år sedan. Men det kommer tillbaka.
Det gjorde denne gamle man mycket glad att kunna hjälpa besökare till Hilo upptäcka den verkliga Hawaii. För många år sedan var människor i Stockholm samma sak för mig.
Den Hilo Bay Vandrarhemmet är den perfekta platsen för människor från hela världen att lära känna varandra.

 Möte den vackra damen från Stockholm kom tillbaka många glada minnen och låtit denna gubbe för att ge ett gott skratt eller två på egen bekostnad.
Jag lovar en sak, i tid, den gamle mannen kommer att få hans språkkunskaper tillbaka. Tänk dig att ...

Right, outside of Sweden, who in bloody hell is going to understand the above?  There be some who think the old geezer makes it too difficult already.  MOI will translate;

I speak Swedish.  Where else but a hostel would provide the opportunity to talk to men and women from Sweden and Norway?  Recently returned from Honolulu, this old man had chats with lovely men and women from Stockholm and Oslo.
I will tell true, this old man has forgot much of the language learned so many years ago.  But it is coming back.
It made this old man very happy to be able to help visitors to Hilo discover the real Hawaii.  Many years ago, people in Stockholm did the same for me.
The Hilo Bay hostel is the perfect place for people from all the world to get to know one another.
Meeting the lovely lady from Stockholm brought back many happy memories and allowed this old man to provide a good laugh or two at own expense.
I promise one thing, in time, the old man will get his language ability back.  Imagine that...

Ha en underbar dag....

Listen

Read phonetically

Dictionary

WAIKIKI REMEMBERED

They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys, sailors and marines.
And they tell me you are dear and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the prices in your ABC stores kill and 
kill again me desire for a ciggie or snack.
And they tell me you are dirty and my reply is: On the
faces of some denizens of, I have seen the signs
of wanton filth.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my Waikiki, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another place with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive.
Flinging magnetic greetings amid the toil of job,
here is a tall bold island set vivid against the
little soft cities.
You are my Waikiki remembered...

Truth be told, the old geezer apologizes to Carl Sandberg for mucking about with his poem 'Chicago'.  It works, you think??

MAHALO - FROM ONE OLD GEEZER TO ANOTHER

My dears, you be 'au fait' with the old geezer to know that life lived is not always reported on in order lived.  Being of an age that feels driven to get 'thank you's' out soonest, it followed that reports of me trip to Honolulu would have to wait until me duty had been done.

Wednesday past, this old geezer departed Hilo to spend some quiet time with a dear mate.  A mate that goes back some twenty years.

The Big Kahuna allowed the old geezer to go on trip if the promised was made and kept, to stay off the lame leg.  I can report with complete truth that me word was golden.

Ron met the old geezer and made sure that all was done to make comfy, even went out and purchased new pillows for.  Fancy that.

Being a house guest can be a bit of a bother.  Routine is broken and one has to put one's self out to a degree.  Truth be told this holds true for the guest as well as the host.

Ron could not have been a more perfect host.  There were cocktails, snacks, books and endless hours of 'talking story'.  Even Ron's two pussies seemed to welcome the old geezer.  So much so that one of the lovely pussies, peed on me clothes and bedclothes, and went so far as to deposit 'poo' on the guest bed.

I will tell true, the stay in Ron's home was lovely. 

One would hope that many of the readers of this blog will be curious enough to tune in for the reports that will follow.  This old geezer can promise that it will be a most interesting reportage.

Leaving Honolulu on Saturday was not faced with undiluted pleasure.  Ron had been so gracious to, and one wondered if the favour could ever be returned in full measure.  It is a bit dear to island hop, so it may be some time before my return.  I will have to savour each memory of the visit.

So gracious was Ron that he made sure that gift was made to the Big Kahuna.

This old geezer is blessed.  With folks like The Big Kahuna and Ron pulling for, what is there to feel put out about?

“A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart.”

MAHALO!  To Ron and to The Big Kahuna.  Mind, one wonders if Ron could let his pussies know that being splashed on and dumped on is not a Hawaiian greeting...