Dear Comp 'Ohana,
I smiled when I typed
that out. I cherish my memories of our times together, starting in
1996, when I signed on to the Internet and stumbled onto most of you
at CompuServe's Hawai`i Forum and Yoda, a little later, at the new,
independent HI Forum.
Mahalo to Bu and Paddy
for realizing that we were overdue for a reunion and getting us
together tonight. As I watched your words fill the screen, I got
reflective.
This is 2001, making
it our 6th year annniversary as friends, online and real life. The
saying goes, "Whatever you love dearly, becomes a part of
you." Or something like that. Well, all of you
are a part of me. I was delighted to "see" each of
you.
We all live such busy
lives in different states and time zones, and yet, we intersected
at IzChAt. I still marvel over this technology that allows
friendships as ours to be birthed and these days, to endure.
- Bu in Northern
California, I didn't know you were a Dumbo fan!
Congratulations on your kitchen remodeling; I bet your ultimate
kitchen looks great. I miss you and Annie. This is the first year
that we haven't seen each other in 3D, since 1996. Your Quan Yin
keeps us connected, no matter what, and of course, we'll be
thinking of you when you're bobbing about in Kealekekua Bay,
playing with the dolphins.
- Yoda in
Washington state, I hope Kalena's broken foot is recovering well.
Now Yoda, you're still a newlywed, so here's some seasoned advice
from an old married: you must kiss each of her ten peanut toes
individually and with great feeling. Doing so revs up the
healing response of the general area, and in no time, she'll be
off those crutches. It works like a miracle, but only if you do it
with feeling. Get to work, boy. Have fun.
- Judy in Kailua,
O'ahu, congratulations on your miracle arthroscopic hip surgery. I
look forward to your next live hula performance next time we're
back to O'ahu. Big hugs to your senior dog with his
glucosamine - chondroitin pills, who, like his Mama, is doing
well. Old age is not for sissies. Talk about old age, Uncle
T and I recently made our Big Five-Oh!
- Paddy in
Canada, it goes both ways, as I think of you often too. Your
monster poiple Vancouver coffee mug evokes many memories of
happy times in Las Vegas, Seattle and O`ahu. I use it often, so know that
you're being wished many, many happy days. Cassy is adorable, and
I'm so glad she joined us. I mean it: She has an open
invitation to come visit us and go to Disneyland with us, along
with her Mama, Dad Les, Les Joonya, and Max (a Jack Russell
terrier!)
- RK in Northern CA,
you lovable warpness, you. I still lurk over at amh,
and you get an A+ for continuity and persistence. You
continue to crack me up with your slant on things and
not-so-subtle barbs. Keep keeping that used car salesman (snork!)
in check. How are your sweet nieces doing, besides loving
their Uncle Rick -- the one with the white hat -- to death?
I'll keep looking for you at E Hula Mau.
- Kit Kat in Makakilo,
O'ahu, however late your arrival, it was a JOY to "see
you.". If it weren't for you, Ma & Pa Velle, we'd
never have found each other. Mahalo again for that.
What's this about a new job? Will it be bringing you to
SoCal like your old one did? We'd love to get together with
the only cat I'm not allergic to...you.
- UT in SoCal (and you
thought I forgot you!) I'm so glad you feel a part of this
group that you joined in for your first chat. No more
looking over my shoulder! I noticed three times, we
expressed the same thought -- about Judy's vet, your computer, and
Oli's thyroid pill -- in spite of us being in separate
rooms. We're thinking like identical twins. We're turning
into each other.
Anyway, to all of you,
thanks for a much enjoyed evening. Let us know if you're in
this part of the woods, and there's always a spare bedroom for
you, as long as you can handle our very "doggie"
house. They rule.
Also, for you
Disneyphiles, Disneyland is only 10 freeway minutes away from
where we live. For our birthdays, we got each other Annual
Passes (unlimited visits to both parks, free parking, etc) and
have been rediscovering the kids in us. We got our money's
worth (and so much fun) within the first two months!
Now it's all gravy.
So if you want to go
to Disneyland or to the new park, Disney California Adventure and
Downtown Disney, we'll tag-along, if you like, and help you
minimize your waiting in line and maximize your fun
time.
Right now, the parks
are decked out for Christmas as only Disney can. Absolutely
gorgeous.
Will one of you please
e-mail (or forward this to) KitKat? I checked my address
book, and I have her old (defunct) address.
Also, my e-mail
address has changed. My other address got majorly SPAMMED
that it was taking me more time to delete SPAM than read real
e-mail. Not checking it often enough, it would also dump out my e-mail.
Stay in touch. I
love you all,
We
are Family!
