February 2017 Journal Photos

FRC Build Season Week Four

Week four started on Monday, January 30th. This page starts on Wednesday, February 1st.


Andrea and I went for a swim in the afternoon. Sod work at the Waikiki Aquarium.


Bill came with me again to Team Magma (Kalani High School) and participated in the "I'm excited" ritual. Photo by Anne Torige.


This is the daily status meeting.


The software team had the development robot running.


Wayland Kwok was teaching welding.

Locus Magazine Recommended Reading List

I got this reading list recommendation from a Facebook link posted by my friend Jorjeh Burello.

NOVELS – SCIENCE FICTION

I've actually already read Last year.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog day is February 2nd, on a Thursday this year. As predicted, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow so there will be six more weeks of winter.


I refurbished the little library that had blown down in the last wind storm.


After our swim at the beach, Andrea and I went to the Moana Hotel for a cocktail and some food. She had the fish and chips and I
had the classic hamburger, with mai tais.


Two Hawaiian guitars and a lovely hula dancer.


After dinner we went to the farmers' market across the street at the Hayatt Hotel. A big chrome lucky cat


Walking back to the car we stopped to look at a chess game in progress at Kuhio Beach.


We got fried zuchini and Manhattans made with Jameson's at the Kaimana, the beach hotel at Sans Souci. The guitarist was playing
Hendrix's Little Wing when we walked in and Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower when we left. In between were
some Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Eric Clapton.

Library Refurbishment

Andrea and I put the library back up and bedded it in concrete on Friday morning, February 3rd.


When the concrete hardens we'll put the books back in it.


Beach bunny Andrea at Sans Souci.


Andrea took this picture of coffee flowers after we got back from the beach.


Saturday morning Andrea put the books back in the little library.

I mowed the lawn Saturday morning, fairly early because showers were forecast in the paper, increasing to downpours through Monday. But I am prepared for barbecue, just in case the rain doesn't come. We had talked about grilling some abalone in the shell.


Andrea took Lenore for a manicure/pedicure.


Sunday morning I liked the view through the looking glass.

Fox on the Fairway at Diamond Head Theater

Andrea and I went to see Fox on the Fairway, a farce, at Diamond Head Theater on Sunday afternoon, February 5th. We met Lynn there and went to dinner at Mud Hen Water on Waialae Avenue afterward.


We arrived early and got a good parking spot in back of the theater.


I emailed the above photo to myself from my Samsumg Android phone. Photo by Andrea.


The stage set was very nice. Photo by Andrea.


At Mud Hen Water, a translation of "Waialae". It's across the street from the Town restaurant. Good food and service.


I had built the burning bro from scrap wood on Saturday. Photo by Andrea.

FRC Build Season Week Five

Week five started on Monday, February 6th. It rained an inch on Monday so we didn't go to the beach.


Monday evening: Machining bearing blocks to be installed in the robot frame.


Tuesday evening: Daily status meeting. We are four days behind schedule.


Cutting wood for bumpers.


Software development by Alex on the testbed robot.

Trip to Waimanalo

Andrea and I took Mom on a drive to Waimanalo on Wednesday morning, February 8th.


We picked Mom up at 9:15 AM and stopped at Kaiser in Hawaii Kai for blood drawing.


We stopped along the road before Sandy Beach and saw a few whales.


We got icecream at Dave's in Waimanalo, then headed back to the car for the return trip via a Waimanalo back road.


Wednesday afternoon we went to the beach and I saw two police officers come onto the sand to bust a young couple for
beer out in the open.


Wednesday evening I went to robotics at Kalani. This is the daily status meeting.


Thursday afternoon I went to the beach by myself while Andrea worked on Lenore's bedroom floor. Getting ready for the koi
show at the Aquarium.


Thursday evening at Kalani. Daily status meeting.


Mentor Wayland Kwok welding. Nearly done.

Lenore's Bedroom Floor

Andrea and I pulled the carpet and pad out of Lenore's bedroom. Then Andrea removed the tack strips, cleaned it up, and patched the concrete. She began papering the floor on Thursday. Friday morning, February 10th, she finished the first section.


The paper is torn, crumpled, and soaked in glue and water.


Andrea spreads the paper on the floor.

Na Mea Hawaii

Andrea and I went to the blessing and re-opening Friday evening, February 10th, of Na Mea Hawaii (Hawaiian Things) in the Ward Warehouse. Na Mea Hawaii added three new stores and kept their original space for Hawaiian art activities.


Hawaiian music when we arrived around 5:00 PM.


Singing Hawaiian songs.


There was a sizeable crowd in attendance.


The blessing was at 5:30.


Then we all moved down for the blessing and opening of the art store.


Opening of the second store.


Opening the book store. We then went inside and browsed and bought some books.


Afterward we went upstairs to Kincaid's for dinner.


We had a bottle of wine. Andrea had the steamed fish and I had seared ahi. Joel, our waiter took this photo.


This is the big painting of Waikiki that Andrea likes. Photo by Andrea.

Monthly Rainbow Bonsai Club Meeting

Andrea and I went to the monthly bonsai club meeting Sunday mornning, February 12th, at the Plant Place in Waimanalo. The day before, on Saturday, we meet treasurer Scott Benis and vice president John Arafiles at the Pacific Savings Bank in Kahala to get them on signature for club checks. On the way home we stopped at Kalani High School to check on the robotics team. It began raining very hard. We ended up with three and a half inches of rain for the day.


At the robotics lab on Saturday. The robot frame is ready for assembly.


After the business meeting, Keith talked about some bonsai he brought for show an tell. This is the banyan he did the demonstration
on in January.


Keith also showed his Brazilian Raintree, a type of monkeypod.

This is Andrea's letter of update on Lenore, emailed to friends and relatives:

Sorry for the delay in updating folks on GG. Will try to get this on a more regular weekly track. It does get a bit confusing, trying to remember what has been said to which person and how. Hoping folks are sharing information.

GG continues to live in the E-ARCH facility and seems quite happily peaceful. At a recent doctor's visit, GG said quite emphatically that she would like to remain at the home as she enjoys her friends and friendly staff there. As the home is close to us and GG seems happily safe, we are going with this option, which seems to offer GG the best of both worlds. She enjoys 24/7 care from people skilled in elder care, has activities provided by the home, and we can visit and take her out to other activities, giving her more than she might have at home, even with 24/7 home care.

Physical therapy wraps up this coming week, leaving us to explore options to keep GG moving. The care home does have someone come in to do in-chair exercises with residents and we would like to continue to supplement that with out-of-chair exercise. GG's classes at the Y would be good if she would do exercises standing, which was not the case for the past few years.

Current medical challenge is to get doctors to ease GG off of sodium tablets as they seem to be causing a rise in blood pressure. We were able to get rid of the carbidopa levodopa (Parkinson's medication) as GG was showing negative side effects. Very glad to eliminate one pill! GG's primary care physician has been advised that our preference is to not move to drugs or other treatments unless they will bring significant improvement to GG's quality of life. Simply increasing the duration without a corresponding good quality of life is pointless.

One day at a time continues to be our guiding phrase. We continue to work on our home as if GG was coming home--even if it is just to visit. Carpet in GG's room has been removed; impressive crack in floor has been caulked and smoothed over; decoupage floor is being applied. At least things are getting super cleaned...for now.

Many thanks for your support and good thoughts.

Capitol Place

Andrea and I met Paul and Faye on Sunday evening, February 12th, for dinner at the pool and barbecue deck at their residence in the Capitol Place building, named for its view of the State Capitol building.


we were joined for pupu and barbecue dinner by their friends Sue, Margo, and John.


The seventh floor provides a great view of Saint Andrew's Cathedral and the Capitol.

Docent Tour at Manoa Heritage Center

Andrea and I led docent tours at the Manoa Heritage Center on Monday afternoon, February 13th.


We had Japanese exchange students for the tour.


Andrea had the group with the teacher from UH.


In the evening I went to robotics. The Maryknoll team is getting their robot together.


Our robot is nearly fully assembled mechanically.

Saint Valentine's Day

Andrea and I exchanged cards in the morning, and I got a heart box of candy, Tuesday, February 14th.


We had breakfast with Mom at Koa Pancake House in Kaimuki.


We went to the beach in the afternoon and in the evening we had champagne and oysters for Valentine's dinner.

Bedroom Floor

Andrea continued papering the bedroom floor, applying varnish on Tuesday, and applying paper to the last portion on Wednesday,
February 15th.


Andrea at work.


Malia gave us our fourth grandchild, Lilli Noelani Malmberg.


Wednesday evening I went to robotics. The daily status meeting.


Discovering a fit problem with the gear game piece funnel. Nothing a reciprocating saw can't fix.


Cutting eighth inch aluminum stock with the chop saw.


Filing sharp edges.


Thursday morning Andrea went to the Oahu club for exercise and saw these ducks in the pool. Photo by Andrea.


Thursday evening I went to Kalani robotics lab. The robot is ready for testbed software downloading.


I worked with the Maryknoll team on their robot.


A Maryknoll student mills a part for their lift.


Friday evening status meeting.


Installing bumpers for a winch test.

Presidents Day Weekend

We flew the flag for Presidents Day weekend, through Monday, February 20th.


Saturday we took Mom to lunch at Gyotaku.


Saturday evening we had Alan, Anna, Paul, and Faye over for barbecue lamb patties. Andrea ground the lamb herself, and they were delicious.


Sunday morning: flag and bonsai. Click the image to see the full resolution version.


Monday Andrea finished Mom's room. All drawers cleaned and floor varnished.


I visited the robotics lab on Monday morning and the robot was complete and the team was packing the shipping container for the
South Carolina Regional in March 2, 3, and 4. Wayland is going with the team, but Andrea and I will stay home.

Aina Haina Prepared Meeting

Andrea and I attended the Aina Haina Prepared (AhP) meeting Tuesday evening, February 21st. The subject was community points of distribution (CPOD) training.


In the afternoon I went to the beach while Andrea stayed home and worked on taxes. Sand has built up to the puka kaimana on the
Diamond Head wall.


Danny led the AHP meeting as usual.


Wednesday morning Andrea and I went to the dentist, Dr. Wong, for our regular teeth cleaning. Afterward we went to Ward Warehouse to get a
present for Malia's daughter Lilli. After buying some cute outfits for her at the Na Mea gift store, Andrea and I went to the Na Mea book store.


Wednesday afternoon was a beautiful day at the beach. Andrea came this time.

Hula at the Moana Hotel

Andrea and I went on a date night Thursday evening, February 23rd.


We went to the beach first, saw this quadrotor flying, and then walked to the Moana Hotel.


We got a nice table near the stage.


We had mai tais and ahi poke nachos. Photo by Andrea.


We enjoyed Hawaiian music and hula.


The high clouds gave a nice sunset. Photo by Andrea.


The dancer was lovely and talented.


I don't usually take photos of sunsets but on the way to the restroom, I made an exception in this case.


Later we bought papayas and croissants at the farmers' market at the Hayatt Hotel and then walked to the Kaimana Hotel for guitar music.


A pleasant evening. Photo by Andrea.


Friday morning Andrea took Mom for a blood test and then a drive to Sandy Beach and Makapuu. Photo by Andrea.


Saturday afternoon Andrea and I took this selfie with her camera, via Facebook. Requested by Malia for Grayson.

Manoa Heritage Center Tours

Andrea and I gave two tours as docents at the Manoa Heritage Center, one on Monday, February 27th, and one on Tuesday.


On Monday we gave a tour to the Austrian Club. Sigrid was the third docent.


Group photo.


Group photo.


After the tour we went to the beach. I swam and Andrea went for a walk. Photo by Andrea.


Tuesday morning I put a masking tape bra on da braddah. Lono watches in the background.


The Tuesday tour was the UH multiculturalism class. Andrea's group. My group had 11 students.


I went to the beach in the afternoon while Andrea got her hair cut and went to City Mill. It was quite deserted.

Here are some Chess games I played against the computer in February.

Email Richard dot J dot Wagner at gmail dot com


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