Well, the Superferry ride to Maui was awesome. Although I did get a bit queasy when we passed through the channel between Molokai and Maui and we got out into open ocean. It's kind of weird to drive around another island and be in your own car rather than a rental. The first day we went to I'ao valley and then we came over to the Lahaina side of the island to eat (Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company - MMmmmmm!). Then we unpacked the stuff we brought up into our room. They gave us a complimentary upgrade. Not sure why, but it's an awesome room (suite with a kitchen) for just the two of us. After unpacking we caught the trolley down to Whaler's Village (really overpriced shopping plaza that serves Ka'apalani) since our hotel's bar/grill is under renovation until the end of the week. Grabbed a few drinks and came back to the room. Went to sleep before 7 and didn't get up until a little after 8 this morning. Sleep! Glorious sleep, no waking up to loud noises, not fitful tossing, just pure genuine rest...

Today we got up and went to the Maui Ocean Center, The highlight of the place is a 54ft long tunnel through a giant salt water tank filled with sharks and mantas. Had lunch at Cheeseburger in Paradise. Then the adventure began...we decided to go parasailing. Now I'm not overly fond of the idea of leaving a perfectly good airplane, but after todays adventure I might be convinced to try. It was pleasant to be floating up there like a feather and the views were panoramic. I'll post photos at some point. We followed up with dinner at the Outback Steakhouse.

Tomorrow we're going on a zipline adventure up in the mountains and then we're going up to watch the sunset from Haleakela (tallest mountain on this island). Following that we're going to "The Melting Pot" for dinner, some sort of fondue restaraunt.

Thursday is still up in the air, not sure what we're going to be up to just yet, but Friday we have to catch the ferry back to Oahu. This time I'm taking some dramamine just to be safe.

From the land of peacefulness
Unknown "Bullet" Petulant - 15 years, 11 months, 21 days ago

Well, it took several days but I finally got my desktop back together after the power supply death. It seems a heckuva lot quieter now. Of course I got it finished just in time to be gone on my vacation to Maui. Figures...we leave before dawn on Monday via the Superferry. I've heard so many nightmares from folks about getting your car over there and then not being able to get it back, a lot of it is likely rumor and conjecture since I haven't seen anything about that sort of thing happening in the news.

We'll be gone from the 8th through the 12th leaving my son and mother-and-law here at the house to fend for themselves. I'm not sure which of them to feel sorry for in that scenario.

Things are finally starting to trend better at work. My new deputy/second in charge is awesome, he hit the ground running and the clue light was lit on the very first day. I was worried about taking off for a week, but my fears are almost zero now.

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Mine's getting better all the time.
Unknown "Bullet" Petulant - 15 years, 11 months, 24 days ago

Anyone on X-Box live?

Send me a note if you want to add me to your friends list there.
Unknown "Bullet" Petulant - 16 years, 2 days ago

The offer...

Well as many/some/none of you might know, I was selected for the command list recently. It's kind of prestigious to make the cut and be selected from your peers for the opportunity to lead. The downside was 57 of us were picked from 160 for 33 slots. So while making it to the list of 57, I'm not overly hopeful for the odds of being in the final 33. However there was a consolation prize offered up on Friday by the flesh peddlers down at the personnel center. They're looking for 6 volunteers to step up and take command in an austere location and you have to eihter be on the list I made it to, a current commander, or a past commander. The catch? The job is 270 days in Afghanistan commanding a Provincial Reconstruction Team. I think I'll pass this year, next year if I don't get picked up then it'll be time to re-evaluate.
Unknown "Bullet" Petulant - 16 years, 3 days ago

It's dead Jim...
My X-box 360 just died. Poor thing, it was barely two years old and it up and kicked the bucket. But not to worry Microsoft says they can rebuild it, make it better, stronger, faster...I don't think it will be worth 6 million dollars though.
Unknown "Bullet" Petulant - 16 years, 3 days ago