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Empty Space .. Heavy Heart

2/16/2014

When I wanted to exercise my right to be alone in a public place with wonderful people who understood my need for quiet contemplation, Pomodoro was there.

Sundried tomato basil pesto linguini with a liberal amount of piñón .. this was Mother's Milk on days that had stretched my limits and left me in a state of somberness that only time alone, amongst friends, could remedy. I only needed to walk up a few steps to feel the comforting embrace of a place bound together by the warmest staff of true "givers" any patron could expect ..

and it's gone.

Like the natural progression of everything else in life, this place which provided so many rich moments is now empty space, perfectly garnished with total silence and a topping of joyful memories, special moments, and those incredible hosts. A rare flower that gave its beauty then dissipated with time.

I'm certain in the future I will reach for the phone to make that call, similar to the times I want to speak with people who no longer reside on this plane of existence, and I'll catch myself with the same thought I now conjure up for those people .. "damn, it's not there anymore". I will then sit in sadness .. torn at the loss of an old friend, a place of comfort, a place of peacefulness, a home away from home.

Gerry, Antonio, Rosario, and the entire Staff ..

"Mahalo Nui Loa"

You were Spectacular for 30 years and more

You were World Class
&
We mourn Pomodoro with Heavy Heart ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

"Ciao e vai con dio" !

Bill

30 Comments

I rented a car today ...

2/13/2014

9 Comments

I rented a car today and life was transformed. What had been a plan for future travel is now reality and anticipation of the highest order. This action of selecting a "chariot" that will be collected on the end of my next flight, and beginning of my new adventure, is a defining moment .. that moment of decisiveness every traveler must exercise as the prelude to wanderlust.

Once our stage is set and this first act performed, we are thrust into the play of travel, suddenly awed by the enormity of the stage itself. The time between now and then is filled with fantastic thoughts, dreams, and imaginations which transcend mundane existence. This simple deed of procuring an automobile triggers sensations that are not only emotionally pleasing .. but like the effect of an inspiring piece of music or a sunset that is ethereally enchanted beyond description, the action is physically invigorating.

Once I've solidified my decision and made that declaration to the point of no return, it's as if I'm born anew .. every single time .. and with this rebirth there are gifts of hope, energy, and overwhelming surges of happiness as I look forward to the presence of friends there who constantly reside in my thoughts here.

The act itself is nothing special .. a few clicks of the mouse .. what the act represents, I don't believe we fully realize. We suddenly know we are going .. instantly stimulated in positive ways we will never fully comprehend. Our mind, our entire psyche, moves to an elevated level that is no doubt supported by a continually light flow of adrenaline we stimulate through excitement for the upcoming trip.

I felt compelled to share this with you .. my head was spinning with thought and I've come from bed to my computer at 2:15 in the morning because I simply couldn't sleep. I know it's not a big deal, but it did inspire me to get out of bed and come share with you that ...

I rented a car today

and I highly recommend it as an uplifting activity for each of you ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

vroom vroom !

Bill

MY LAST "CHARIOT" .. RESTING IN PROVENCE

9 Comments

Get over it!

2/10/2014

8 Comments

HOTEL NOVOTEL - CHARLES de GAULLE AIRPORT

Leaving places I love is always difficult. Leaving people I love, even more difficult. Becoming attached inherently invites melancholy, pain, and deep bouts of sadness when separation occurs .. voluntarily or involuntarily there is angst. This is the nature of life. The closer we attach ourselves to one another, or that special place, the more traumatic "bidding adieu" inevitably becomes .. equal parts pain for equal parts joy .. a very real portion of the human experience.

Of course we all realize the pain of separation is momentary and actually serves the higher purpose of enhancing our next encounter .. but the immediate pain is real, and "until we meet again" is the heartbroken refrain of departure we should never suffer to experience. This is the pain I felt while standing outside my hotel at Charles de Gaulle airport, on a beautiful summer evening, at the end of my most recent visit to France.

The photograph above is sadness and loneliness epitomized. Void of any friend's face or any hope for a "great day" tomorrow .. that stark scene says it all. Three o'clock in the morning and silent, except for the occasional roar of jet engines .. a not so subtle reminder that I fly away in just hours.

My thoughts are mine ... and I know you have your thoughts when this situation appears. It smothers us like a black cloud and envelopes every memory of happiness, frivolity, and joy cherished from the past weeks or months in this place we adore .. this place we cannot bear leaving in the early morning. There seems to be no remedy .. nothing to save us from the overwhelming fog of despair. We are mentally severed, like a small child being pulled away screaming from his favorite pastime before he is completely "filled" by the experience.

Oh my, look what I've done! I've managed to paint a negatively poignant picture, void of any hope or preview of positivity to come.

"Get over it" !

You know damn well everything's gonna' be all right. You know the minute your plane lifts off you are already thinking about all the good stuff on the other end of this flight .. you are already excited about planning the next flight .. you are already reliving the joys of the last flight .. you are already looking forward to new food on the other end, and you are already looking forward to sharing stories with people you love, about people you love, and those special places where you love them. So ...

"Get over it" !

Smile, dear reader, Smile .. You are an Ambassador. You are carrying the hope of our world with you. With every personal sadness at departure .. smile .. in the knowledge your pain is a direct indication of the love and good will you created and left behind with those people you adore .. and it will be there next time, better because of your actions this time.

I love you, Travelers. You are the future of mankind .. spreading the truth of humanity far and wide .. cultivating the hearts of men, women, and children the world over. You realize the importance and obligation of worldwide interaction .. and I'm certain deep within your souls is implanted the intense fire of hope. I'm also certain anyone who questions the expenditure of your last resource on a plane ticket, or the decision to take off on a whim when your heart says "Go" is most assuredly going to hear a laughingly, lovingly stated ...

"Get over it" !

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

________________

Happy Trails et Bon Voyage,
Bill

FROM MY ROOM AT SHERATON GATEWAY LAX - HEADED TO KAUAI FROM PARIS .. WITH A SMILE

8 Comments

Connecting

2/6/2014

8 Comments

Tonight I visited a restaurant and bid "Aloha" to a dear friend who returns to his home in Germany tomorrow. The place was busy when I arrived .. every table occupied. My friends waved me over the moment I entered ...

and the rest of the evening was magic.

When it happens, nothing compares. It is unmistakable and the rarest of occasions in life. That "conversation" we have below the surface and above the words .. based on primal knowledge inherent to our species .. a beautiful mix of intelligence, intuition, and basic instinct. Verbalization becomes the "filler" .. unnecessary to the process when we are communicating with more advanced sensory perception than our vocal chords could ever achieve. Of course we speak and listen to recognize and honor one another, but it is the unspoken which reverberates and binds us on a uniquely higher level ...

this is connecting.

I typically shoot photos at these noteworthy events so there will be pictures to share with you .. not tonight .. one must reserve some experiences to the confines of privacy and the exhilaration of special memories .. held in common only by the participants themselves. They, after all, are the only beings who will ever recall the impact of the moment and give it future value.

I happily share these photos of two restaurants I enjoyed many times in St. Cecile les Vigne of the wonderful Vaucluse region in France .. two places I photographed before friends, families, and lovers took their place around the tables to experience one another in their versions of our intricate human dance .. floating their souls gently and passionately toward intended recipients ..

bringing life to the tables and chairs ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

8 Comments

"Move over, kid .."

2/3/2014

6 Comments

I drove to Kukuiolono Golf Course for a meeting two days ago .. what a beautiful place it is. Perfectly manicured and mown .. peaceful beyond belief, and views that must be among the best Kauai has to offer. From the moment one enters through the lovely stone gate, you know immediately you are in a special place.

When I pulled into the parking lot outside the golf course restaurant, right before my eyes was the idyllic scenario you see in the photo above. Two retired couples surrounded by nature's perfection. I had to jump out and take the shot .. even took a moment to say "Aloha" to these folks and show them their photo. They then departed in their motorized carts .. I walked to the restaurant to talk about a business deal.

The entire experience was excellent. Just picture it .. here I am on the most beautiful island on earth, having a business meeting in February with an Aloha shirt as "winter wear",  with views that enveloped me in a visually stimulating environment so rich it verges on surrealism. People talk about going to Disneyland and I laugh inside ... Kauai is the enhanced version with Aloha & Soul. A grownup's paradise for every day existence .. special every single minute of the year.

It goes without saying that golf courses are pricey little amusement centers. I recall when Chris Hemmeter developed the Westin Hotel back in the 80's, the initial cost was 880 million dollars .. that was 1 million dollars per acre and a good part of the cost was dedicated to a golf course that still blows minds under the Marriott flag. I'm certain Kukuiolono didn't cost that much to develop, but you can bet it wasn't cheap. Year after year the beat goes on .. all the courses on beautiful Kauai and the other islands are maintained and beautified, and all the grown ups continue to have these incredible places to "play".

It was a great meeting with a great person and I felt invigorated when we arose from the table, walked to our cars, and said "Aloha" to one another. I headed home.

On the way to my house, not so far from Kukuiolono, I remembered I hadn't picked up the mail so I cruised on down to the Post Office. Clearly attached to the Post Office wall is the "NO SKATEBOARDING" sign .. rather unfriendly looking in my opinion. And everyday I've collected the mail for the last year or two, the boys are there with their boards ... because it's the only place they have in Kalaheo to "ride". They also come down and treat me to jumps at the office, another of the "only places available" to them. No beautiful views, plenty of cars to dodge, and more than their share of dirty looks to deal with as they practice those awesome jumps and intricate moves only known to their generation.

What the hell are we thinking? I'm awake and vow to never, ever exhibit, feel, or say "Move over, kid .. I need MY place to play". Maybe we "Big Kids" have some growing up to do .. realizing our young people need us to provide for them, based on changing times. I'll bet you one thing ... if we do ignore that need, it will be unbelievably expensive, much more than any golf course ...

from Kauai to Paris ... and all places between

ride on, boys, ride on !

6 Comments

Empty Space .. Heavy Heart

I rented a car today ...

Get over it!

Connecting

"Move over, kid .."

Welcome ! ​

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