Hi, phoaks. We're back, Tomie's fine--the flight back didn't do her in as the flight there had done. Mark Cohen greeted us with a call the first night; I wish we had been able to work in a trip to the big island to connect with him (saw your picture in the resources, Mark--thought even a Hawaiian would have the sense not to wear an aloha shirt in Portland, Ore., in February...may have to initiate you into the dimbulb society).

I did find a Ukulele Shop in Waikiki--dropped in several times, once with my banjo; didn't buy a uke, but stained some with slobber (from both sides of my mouth: the floor was level). Shot a brief quicktime video of one of the salesmen playing the uke, but was using a still camera with video capability: I composed it as a portrait but in video that just means the guy is floating on his side playing--there's no flip command in the movie mode of the camera software).

Had some great Japanese food there: one of the best restaurants was in our hotel--Kacho, where we ate a couple of times, aut also found two other great ones within walking distance.

I didn't find a jam there, but sang at a Karaoke bar in one of the beach hotels (the Beachcomber?)--without banjo, of course.

My modem's still on the fritz at home--my usual repairman had the flu last week, but, obviously, I can get online from my school computer, Joe, so you can send me the pix (I have some, too, from there, mostly from the chanty sing--I'll scan them and send you and the other attending Muddies some).

Yesterday afternoon I went to the open house at Chez Swan; great food (Dave's pizza) and great music, with PJ and Muddies Chantyranger and RiGGy and much of the jam group from the Starry Plough and many talented others. Oak, Ash, and Thorn (Dave, Doug, and Tom--aka DDT) sang well (they had performed at the Freight and Salvage on Saturday night but when I arrived at 7:40, the show was sold out--there was a notice that there might be some standing room available after 8 p.m. and the Freight is a long, narrow venue, and standing room is a hell of a long way from the stage so I plan to get my ticket early next time).

Bonnie, I heeded your warning and left all the rocks there. I did get a little sand in my shoes but I think I shook it all out before leaving the island.

Back here in California we seem to be in another drought, which probably seems like a good thing to those homeowners whose houses narrowly escaped sliding downhill in the last two rainy winters. Gawd, 29.5 inches in one day!

--seed