Mortal Combatant

Usual Hawai'i Kai visit. Moms had an appointment at the clinic this morning. So, while waiting for moms, I purchased a cup of coffee at the nearby fast food joint and accessed the wireless Net "hotspot" to compose the "blog." I also called (not using my "smartphone") and left a message with the landlord of Chaos Manor (read: rental housing) to postpone my move to Waimanalo for at least another week. The reason is a matter of commuting convenience. Sadly, I don't expect Alan or I to find alternative rental housing during that time period.

The sheer number of senior citizens at the fast food joint in Hawai'i Kai was mind boggling. I shouldn't be surprised. Most of Hawai'i Kai is populated by people in my parents' generation. Yeah, senior citizens on parade. I was able to observe and interpolate my near future, all within the 30 minutes that I was there. Not a good experience at all. In fact, I felt a tremendous surge of anxiety. Mortality became even more pronounced in my mind. I also felt a sense of urgency ... but, to do what?

At the gym this afternoon, I observed the latest example of rampant stupidity yet again. People in the weight room are using the various weight machines as chairs to lounge upon while they fiddle around with their "smartphones." Some people spend twenty minutes or longer engaged in the sedentary activity. Just before exiting the gym after my workout and shower, I noticed a number of Saturnalia decorations hanging from the perimeter of the front desk. I looked more closely and noted that there were small notes on each one. Various needy children were requesting small gifts. I was overcome by grief. Here I am, surrounded by greed and moneygrubbing daily, trying to make sense of it all. The greed of the few has caused the pain and suffering of the many.

When I returned to Chaos Manor late this afternoon, I was able to chat briefly with the landlord's husband. Apparently, the landlord's son has been changing the plans for Chaos Manor regularly at his whim and fancy. There's no need to detail the stupidity, but his latest brainstorm for the renovation is the reason why I must move to Waimanalo soon. The new plans require the rerouting of the existing plumbing, most of which will have to be done by ripping out the ceiling in my squalid room. Even the landlord's husband was exasperated by the constant change of plans.

I was an hour late when I finally arrived in Kahala for my evening outing. As usual, the scheduled bus didn't arrive at all. Most likely, it broke down somewhere in Hawai'i Kai. Happens all the time. So, I ended up dining at the fast food joint. Greasy "value menu" items. Yum! Fortunately, the iPad® tablet computer was at my side. I decided to loiter at the fast food joint and finish composing the "blog" by accessing the wireless Net "hotspot."Of course, I will be riding a later bus back to Chaos Manor.