Tyler Colins's Blog, page 68
April 1, 2018
Koo-Koo for K-Pop
Yeah, I’m no longer a spring chicken—or “gum snapper” as a retired friend often says. Not sure if that makes me happy or sad. Like having the maturity and wisdom; don’t like having the wrinkles and crinkles!
Having bored of listening to the same music, I opted for trying some new genres. Ech. Most didn’t do much. Then, I came across K-pop. Wow. Wish I’d discovered it much earlier, though from what I understand, when I was 20, it hadn’t yet come to be. <big sigh>
For those not in the know, K-pop is short for Korean popular music. It originated in South Korea and leans toward bubbly, upbeat, catchy. English words/phrases are prevalent, as are English names for the bands/groups. Most of them are <bleeping> attractive and seem extraordinarily young (but maybe that’s because I’m now extraordinarily old).
While there are lots of K-pop sites, www.allkpop.com appears to “be the premier source for all the latest K-pop celebrity gossip and news.” The stats are pretty impressive, with 10,000,000+ followers and fans.
If you’ve not heard any, take a listen. Have fun, be young, and—as they used to say once upon a time ago—trip the light fantastic (d-a-n-c-e)!
March 25, 2018
Great Quacks Alive
Last week, I posted about my new little friend, Ducky. (He’s doing fine, thanks.)
This week, it’s about the 20,000 rubber duckies that floated in the Ala Wai Canal for the 31st Annual Geat Hawaiian Duck Race.
How I miss “home” . . . the Duck Race, SPAM festival, Aloha Parade . . . the aloha spirit . . . and, generally, everything Hawaiian. It’s the first time in a long time I've not been there—18 months, but who’s counting? <big longwinded sigh>
But seeing pics of those little lemon-yellow fellas brought a huge and happy smile to my face (it ain’t had many these last few months, I readily confess).
Held by the United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii, I’ve been blessed to attend a few of these. “Launched” from the Kalakaua Avenue Bridge, a massive bobbling, wobbling island of yellow floats 50 yards down the canal. Watching them is cheering, fun, and uplifting . . . and it's all for a very worthy cause.
"They're basically racing for people with disabilities," said Donna Foutz, an event organizer. "Each duck gets adopted and the top 50 winners win their adopted owners wonderful prizes."
Hopefully, God willing, I won’t miss out on the next one. And I’ll make sure to bring Ducky; he’d love to befriend a few fellow waterbirds.
Aloha my friends.
March 19, 2018
Say Hello to My Little Friend
No, not quoting Tony “Scarface” Montana. <LOL> Talking about Ducky, my new little fuzzy friend.
He’s a tad shy, which is why he caught my fancy. Poor little guy was stuck at the back of a bunch of Easter confreres who thought they were cuter and more buyable.
Not so. Who could resist that little blue face buried under the behinds of fat Freddy Teddy and portly Pierre Rabbit? Not I! Into the cart Ducky went.
We’ve bonded since his arrival home on Saturday and he’s settled in nicely. Ducky’s already made a new buddy; he and Karen Kitty enjoy napping together. And he loves to brush his bill! He looks so comfortable/adorable snuggled beneath the covers (no complaints when it’s beddy time). Oh, and get this—he enjoys ironing (who knew?!).
Ducky’s a dear. He’s quiet, no moans or groans, grumbles or mumbles. He’s simply happy to be. Wouldn’t it be grand if we all were?
Here’s to a happy week.
March 11, 2018
Lotto Dreamin’
The odds of winning in a lottery, according to Wonderopolis.org is 1 in 14 million—that’s the estimate for 6 numbers in a pool of 49. In 2009, CBC stated that you had a better chance of being struck by lightning than winning big in one of Canada’s lotteries. And according to CBS, in the U.S. the odds of winning Mega Millions is one in 259 mill while Powerball is one in 292. Not too encouraging, is it?
The pool at work has been playing for a few years now (it’d probably be better not knowing how many $$ have been laid out over time). A number of free tickets have been won, but the highest dollar prize collected: $100. I ask again, not too encouraging, is it?
Still, as they used to say: you can’t win if you don’t play. You truly never know—that one ticket in your wallet, drawer, or gym bag may just be the winning one.
Really, $2 here and $5 there isn’t much in the grand scheme of things. Instead of indulging in a special coffee or cupcake, you buy a ticket. Nothing wrong with having a dream or three . . . but knowing/respecting your lotto spending limit is vital.
Speakin’ of, I’d better run out and buy one. I’m feeling a need to envision myself buying a condo (or two) on Oahu . . . . <LOL>
Happy winning!
March 4, 2018
Milestones by, and for, the Many
Milestone = a noteworthy event or stage in the life, progress, development of a person or nation, etc.
The world has had countless milestone moments that have shaped and defined it . . . much as every one of us has had.
Certain birthdays are considered milestones and I’m having one this year. Who, truly, would have thought I’d make it this far? Not I. Well, not if you’d asked me this a few years ago. <LOL>
When I was in my teens, I thought 35 was the end of life. It seemed so incredibly old. When I turned 30, I went on a two-day bender because, for some inexplicable reason, I simply couldn’t deal with it. It seemed so-o incredibly old.
Funny, but turning 40 didn’t faze me in the least. I felt great, looked great (ate well, exercised, wore make-up), and was in better shape than people half my age. You know, 50 was pretty good, too. I still felt great, looked great, and yes, was in better shape than people half my age. <LOL>
Now, another b-day is coming up. I can’t quite bring myself to type the number, but you can guess which one it is. Ambivalent is what I’m feeling at the moment. There are so many things I [still] want to do, but the sense of time becoming [more] limited is quite prevalent.
Thankfully, the one thing I can do is count my blessings, be grateful I’ve experienced enjoyable moments and met some remarkable persons. My dreams haven’t died. Nor has my faith (despite some challenges).
The world is a giant classroom and each precious life (every milestone moment) encompasses a multitude of lessons learned and teachings shared. It’s all good, my friends, it’s all good.
February 25, 2018
Naught / Nada / Nil
Some days, finding a topic to post about is a true challenge. It’s not that you can’t think of an idea . . . it’s that you think of too many! <LOL>
We’ve got politics (never good to touch upon, unless you’re some sort of political analyst), sports (can you spell y-a-w-n), sad news and happy news, products tried (liked and disliked), celebrity tidings (double yawn), and . . . the list continueth.
Haven’t posted about “The Journey” with Mom lately. Just going with the flow. Still writing e-books. Nearly finished the fourth in the series (taking longer than intended, but it’s all good).
Keeping the faith is a struggle some days, but that’s okay. Challenges strengthen. It’ll all work out.
Having a milestone birthday in May. Can’t say I’m looking forward to it (in my head, I’m still 29!), but I’m in better shape than a lot of people half my age. So . . . <LMAO>
Yeah, some days, finding a topic to post about is a true challenge. It’s not that you can’t think of an idea . . . it’s that you think of too many! <LOL>
Here’s to a great ending to a short (but oddly long) month!
February 18, 2018
Trivia Tidbit(s)
The news is chockablock full of, yeah, news. Tidings and reports. Events / ideas / concepts / hearsay to share. Or condemn or rationalize, support or debate. I’ll pass. For today.
Given it’s a long weekend—it's Family Day on Monday—here’s a tidbit about how it came to be. 
In part, Family Day was initiated because of the lack of holidays between New Year’s and Easter. More importantly, it honors families and family life. This “holiday” is actually only celebrated, or “observed” as the case may be, in Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. This occurs on the third Monday of February. In British Columbia, it falls on the second Monday of February.
Nova Scotia Heritage Day is a day off for Canadians in, you guessed it, Nova Scotia. It aims to recognize cultural or historical contributions to the province. Prince Edward Island celebrates Islander Day on the second Monday in February while Manitoba celebrates Louis Riel Day on the third Monday in February (Riel, by the by, was a Canadian politician, founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political leader of the Métis people of the Canadian Prairies).
There you have it—a tidbit or two. Whatever your holiday, enjoy!
February 11, 2018
Hi Handsome!
There are days where nothing nice or decent seems to happen. And just as another sigh of world-weariness floats across the room, an image, a photo, a flash of absolute cuteness catches you off guard. A smile tugs at your lips and a tear (of joy) trickles from an eye.
Lucas Warren’s cheerful face lights up the TV screen and we’re told he’s the first child with Down Syndrome to become a Gerber “Spokesbaby”. This lively fellow seems “a natural” in front of the camera.
Bill Partyka, Gerber’s CEO and President, said this to Today: "Every year, we choose the baby who best exemplifies Gerber's long-standing heritage of recognizing that every baby is a Gerber baby. . . . This year, Lucas is the perfect fit."
Lucas' father, Jason Warren, hopes this will bring more acceptance for special-needs people with conditions such as Down syndrome. . . . So do we.
Here’s to you, my handsome little man—your smile and glee are [wonderfully] infectious.
Photo: Courtesy of Gerber / Cortney Warren
February 4, 2018
Beatin' the Blues
We endured the January blahs and now we’re embracing the February blues with the same enthusiasm a teen would an 8:00 curfew. 
I suspect, however, Feb Blues only apply to those who live in cold climates where winter seems to last for 10 months. (I truly can’t imagine anyone feeling low when they’re strolling an Oahu beach.)
Moreover, is it really the blues as in sadness or despondency? Can a month actually provoke despair? Or is it more accurately impatience and/or boredom with the cold weather, grayness, multiple clothes layers, and _________ (fill in blank with annoyance of choice)?
The various shades of blue are quite pretty (blue was always my favorite color). Blues music brings a smile to my face; my fingers begin tapping and my hands start clapping. It warms my heart and soul.
Things that pop out of the blue are unexpected and that can prove quite fun when something unforeseen transpires. Into the blue = into the unknown. This, too, can prove exciting. Who doesn’t like surprises?
There are folks who can talk a blue streak. Having met a few myself recently, it’s amazing to observe how fast those lips can flap. <LOL> And I’ve certainly seen a few who’ve been blue in the face.
For those who do experience some sort of Feb blues, look at the bright side: the second month of the year is a short one and has three special days: one honoring the winter-spring predictions of a large cute rodent, another dedicated to chocolate consumption (nummm), flowers, and l’amour, and yet another devoted to the family. Once the month is done, it’s but a hop and a skip to spring.
It’s simply a teaser of [good] things to come. What’s not to like about February?
January 28, 2018
How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
. . . if a woodchuck could chuck wood? <LOL> Haven’t heard that in while. Given Groundhog Day is around the corner, it seemed a fitting, hmm, tribute.
A groundhog, by the by, is also known as a woodchuck or a marmot, but not Chuck, who’s actually a fellow coworker. There’s also Groundhog Day the movie, which ensnares the central character, Phil, in a recurrent time warp. Phil, by the by, is no relation to little furry Punxsutawney Phil of Gobbler’s Knob fame.
On February 2nd, this large rodent emerges from its hidey-hole to “predict” whether winter will be sticking around another six weeks or spring is arriving early. Skiers and snowboarders will naturally root for the former while us bring-on-the-sun folks will certainly cheer for the latter.
As an FYI, the tradition was inherited from German-speaking regions where the badger is the predictor of choice. And the earliest reference of this auspicious day dates back to 1840 (noted in the diary of James Morris, a Morgantown Pennsylvania storekeeper).
In Canada, the concept of Groundhog Day first became popular in 1956. Wiarton Willie grew increasingly popular for his early February weather forecasts and Wiarton’s Groundhog Day festival expanded as Willie’s fame increased (evolving into a large winter festival in Bruce County).
In the U.S., Punxsutawney held its earliest Groundhog Day in the 1800s, with the first official hike to Gobbler's Knob made on February 2, 1887. Punxsutawney Phil was initially called Br’er Groundhog and scuttlebutt has it he was named after King Phillip. There’s also the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, which plays a vital role in coordinating this festive day.
Additionally, Groundhog Day:
serves as the time to [finally] remove Christmas decorations for some
is a time to celebrate Candlemas (the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple) for many Christians
happens to be the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
Here's hoping the little guy doesn't see a shadow or we may well have to chuck much wood to stay warm for the six weeks of winter . . . .
