November 2012 Journal Photos

November started as dry as October did: no rain at all. October ended up with only half an inch for the whole month, much drier than last year.

Dinner at Bluwater Grill

Lenore took Andrea and me out to dinner at Bluwater Grill. It was a Friday, November 2^nd, so I made a reservation. Andrea drove. They were quite busy when we got there just after six PM.

Friday afternoon we went to the beach. It was very calm, not much wind, not much surf.

We had a table outside as usual.

Andrea took this picture of Lenore.

Saturday Andrea and I walked down to Foodland to pick up a few things. I took this photo of the stream at the
Hind Drive bridge. November 3^rd

Thunder Lancers at the House of Pure Aloha

Andrea and I met three students on the Thunder Lancers Lego Robotics team at Uncle Clay's shave ice store to demonstrate their robot and invite the community to the Lego League Tournament next week at Kalani High School. Sunday, November 4^th.

Threee Thunder Lancers handed out fliers and demonstrated the robot in front of Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha (HOPA).

The students had shave ice later. Photo by Andrea.

HOPA co-owner Branson Chang (Uncle Clay's nephew) took this photo of us and included an image of the flier.

The following Thursday the Lightning Lancers team gave me this thank you card.

This is the thank you card the Thunder Lancers gave to Andrea.

Kalani High School FLL District Tournament

Andrea and I arrived just after 7:00 AM at Kalani High School for the Dictrict Tournament on Monday, November 20^th, Veteran's Day. Two of the NVMS teams' students were already there. The judging interviews were in the morning, with lunch starting early at 10:30 AM. The table robot competition began just after 11:00 AM. Awards ceremony was at 12:30 PM.

Both of the NVMS FLL teams, the Lightning Lancers (8726) and the Thunder Lancers (8728), did very well that day, with the Thunder Lancers winning the Robot Design Award and also winning the right to advance to the State FLL Championship.

Lightning lancers wait for Project judging. Both Lightning and Thunder were up first at 8:30 AM. They set the bar high!

Lightning Lancers together at the tournament.

Madi, a Kalani Robotics volunteer helping to run the tournament, liked my lightning bolt.

Lightning Lancers at the practice table in the pit area (cafeteria).

Iterative adjustments are made in programs by testing at the practice table.

Lightning Lancers watch table competition (at left). Photo from Hawaii Robotics Organizing Committee (ROC) Facebook page.

Lightning Lancers in competition. Photo from Hawaii Robotics Organizing Committee (ROC) Facebook page.

When the competition gets tough the team pulls together.

Intense competitors at table A.

Andrea with the Thunder Lancers at table C.

Lightning Lancers competing at table C. The Lightning Lancers scored 120 points, ranking 11^th out of 19 teams.

The Thunder Lancers are proud of their Robot Design trophy.

The two NVMS teams together.

The next day, Tuesday the 13^th, the flag from the Veterans Day ceremony at the War Memorial was still flying.

Saint Andrew's Priory Holliday Shop and Plant Sale

Andrea and I volunteered to help with the plant sale at Saint Andews Priory on Saturday, November 17^th. We arrived at about 7:30 AM and worked until nearly 11:30 AM, helping to set up and selling lots of donated plants.

All set up next to Saint Andrew's Cathedral and waiting for customers.

A statue of Saint Andrew in front of the Cathedral.

Between customers, chatting in the open air. Andrea's in the foreground hiding in the bushes!

Two days later (Monday) we met with the Thunder Lancers to get ready for the State FLL Championship on December 1^st.

Tom's Visit for Thanksgiving

Tom flew in on Hawaiian Airlines flight 9 on Tuesday, November 20^th, to spend Thanksgiving with us.

Andrea gave Tom a Lei and a hug at baggage claim C3.

Wednesday evening we went to Bluwater Grill for dinner.

This one was taken by Andrea.

Lenore had a good time.

Thomas gave sly looks to Andrea.

A flotilla of standup paddlers came by.

The drake was expectant but got no treats. Photo by Andrea.

Thanksgiving was Thursday, the 22^nd. Ron and Simina and their son Kai (next picture) came to help us celebrate.

Ron talked to our mutual friend Vince in San Diego while Kai joined us under the lychee tree.

We had a great turkey dinner. Kai just nibbled and played.

Simina took this one of us.

Later Ron joined Kai in making pictures.

One of Kai's drawings.

Simina took this one of Lenore.

We're wearing lightning bolt headgear.

Kai took this one.

Ron with lightning bolt.

Tigger enjoyed herself too.

The next day we took Tom back to the airport for his return flight to LAX.

Later we went to Lego League practice. This is the award winning robot design.

Another view of the Lego robot.

On Saturday the 24^th, Thunder Lancers worked on software for the robot missions.

On Sunday the 25^th, I stayed at home developing a light-seeking Lego robot to show the kids
while Andrea took Lenore out to Makapuu to look for whales. No whales, but great skies.

On Tuesday the 27^th, I created two new bonsai, an avocado and a hibiscus.

Later onn Tuesday, I went for a swim at Sans Souci Beach after FLL. A number of new coconut palms have been planted in the
park at Sans Souci Beach. That's the Kaimana Beach Hotel in the background. Looking toward Diamond Head.

Thunder Lancers at Kahala Nui

Andrea and I took the Thunder Lancers FLL team on a field trip to Kahala Nui, the senior citizen retirement home on Wednesday, November 28^th. Stacy at Kahala Nui had arranged for four residents to meet with the team downstairs in the media room.

Waiting upstairs (ground floor) for the meeting to start.

In the media room with the four senior residents.

The seniors listen to the students describe their concept for an artificial intelligence (self driving) car for seniors.

Later Andrea turned on the lights for the outdoor Christmas tree.

The next morning, Thursday, I took this picture of a lizard on top of the tiki in our front garden.

Later that day Andrea continued assembling the field elements to take to the State Championship for use in the design award
interview room.

Friday morning Andrea finished the assembly of the field to take to the Championship.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com