> Which island are you staying on? Ava and I are thinking of staying on the big island because she is all about the outdoors and less likely to enjoy the touristy beaches or say still.

We are staying in Honolulu on Oahu. Oahu is a busy island and is the center of Hawaii's business and military.

The big island is a great choice if you want to be more outdoors. So is Kauai. At work, over lunch, we discussed the different Hawaiian islands. We concluded that if you want to hike or camp then Kauai is the best island. Maui and the big island are tied for a close for 2nd.

So much of that judgement depends on specifics. The big island has active volcanoes. For some that's a big attraction. For others it's a reason to stay away.

Maui has the best undeveloped beaches. Big & little Makena beach in particular. Also Black Sand Beach near Hana

The Kauai coast has fewer beaches and more cliffs. It's fun hiking along the cliffs. 

 

In Hawaii we are up early owing to jet lag. We are not alone.

This morning I wanted to have good coffee. I walked to a coffee shop. Hugh line. The picture is the lineup at the coffee shop just before it has opened at 6am. 

So I thought "This early, there most be a coffee shop nearby that doesn't have a long line." I looked a few up and went for a walk.

No. No there are not. Three other coffee shops near me all had similar lines.

I've been working 6:30 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. This gives me a few afternoon hours to enjoy the beach.

We are in Hawaii for the week. The husband has business here and I found a cheap flight.

I will be working as well. With the time difference, I think I can end my day by 3pm, then do a little beaching.

Sunday, we hiked up to Diamond Head crater.

A robin is obsessed with my roommates car. For a few days now we've observed it sitting on the driver mirror and trying to get in. The roommate is reading this as a sign of luck, though she doesn't appreciate the poop it leaves on the mirror and door. 

I've done a bit of googling on this. Apparently they are territorial. The robin is trying to chase off the other robin in the reflection. 
 

C2's father passed away. C2 is fine with that. He has always thought his father to be a selfish asshole. 

C2 is concerned for the happiness of his step mother and wishes her well though he expect he will hear less and less from her as time passes. C2's side of her family was tolerated, not loved. I get the feeling they had a marriage of convenience. 

Tuesday evening the husband and I went out for dinner with C2. The husband suggested that maybe C2's father was mentally ill. C2 became very confrontational about that. C2 deeply believes his father was a selfish asshole by his choices, and not because he wasn't all there. 

C2's father did make C2's life needlessly tough and put him through much unnecessary pain. C2 is not ready to forgive his father for that, or to see him as anything but trash.

Family and friends were over for easter. It was a nice get-together. We had too much ham and chocolate. 

After dinner, and after too much wine, the mother-in-law and W talked politics. It was interesting to watch. Both worked hard to be respectful. Neither gave an inch. Such are political discussions.

It's easy to say what you feel, what you think. We rarely say what would change our minds. 

Allen couldn't make it. He is in a thirty day treatment. He had been sober for years. Recently we learnt that he'd been struggling-- drinking behind the back of his boyfriend. 

Good for him to seek help.

At work we had an "Onsite" meeting. Coworkers from all over the country met at the local office. We had a good couple days together.

I've received a promotion and have graduated from Senior Manager to Director. My boss's organization is also growing. He has started sending more work may way.

A friend asked me how I wanted to celebrate my promotion. She was recently promoted to partner at her company and celebrated with a trip to Arizona. 

I don't think I'm going to celebrate in a big way. More than stuff, or trips, I want fewer obligations on my free time.

Over the weekend, the husband and I went to a sobriety convention hosted along the Oregon coast. We attend most every year and catch up with old friends.

Yeah, somehow, over the years, a good chunk of my gay friends joined AA.

I've said this joke too many times-- Cannon Beach Oregon is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world... and it has a constant, cold, 20mph wind 

C6 and QJ where also there. We spent part of the weekend hanging out with them.

Years ago C6 had a heart transplant. Late last summer C6 had COVID and recovered from it. Afterwards, his rejection numbers for his heart started to go up-- his body has started to reject his heart. He has had several changes in treatment since then. Still his rejection numbers are going up.

This winter, C6 and QJ are planning a trip of a lifetime. Tierra Del Fuego, Patagonia, Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu and more. They asked us if we want to join them, even for just a few days. I seriously think we should. C6 may not be long for this world.

The World is returning to normal for both of us. The husband has started regularly traveling for work again.  Next week, I have an "Onsite" day at the office with the other leaders/managers in my organization. 

Simple problem like "who takes the dog for her afternoon walk?" are starting to complicated things. There used to be a doggie day care near us. They unfortunately closed during the pandemic. That leaves us scrambling when we need to find a dog walker for an afternoon.

First world struggles.