The Roomate, The Neighbor, The Partner and Angelina's Cold

Aloha everyone! Well, I'm happy to report that my life has slowed down some since the holidays. In fact, I've actually taken time to do things like go to the beach, go to the movies (saw that King Kong-ish movie Cloverfield and loved it, despite its mixed reviews), host a few dinner parties (last night I had a great 'pau hana pupus and cocktails' get together) and even had time to dip into my cook books that I got for Christmas. I resolved that every month I'm going to select a different cuisine (Thai, Asian, Italian, Indian, etc.) and learn a bunch of dishes from that style (via cookbooks or Food Network). What a great way for me to practice my cooking and do something I really enjoy, in addition to hosting dinner parties where my friends can sample the cuisine, without having to go to culinary school - which is just not a possibility right now. Last night I made Chicken Curry Satay with Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce (Thai is the featured cuisine this month) and my Green Curry with Chicken and Basil is fantastic I have to say! So outside of that, I was entertaining the idea of having a roomate back in November and since then one of my friends that I've met since my return told me he needed a place to stay and since he's a great guy (and cooks), we seem to have a lot in common and he can pay me what I'm looking for, he's going to move in Feb 1st! Part of me doesn't want to give up my freedom, but I think the greater part realizes that there is an opportunity here to make a great friend, save a ton of money (which I have been blowing like its my job since I returned from Iraq) and live with someone who cooks like me. So his name is Tim and I'll keep you posted if it turns out to be a complete disaster or an amazing experience. I'm confident in the latter. So get this - last week I had a few people over for cocktails on a Saturday night and we were playing music and chatting. Mind you, it was late (about midnight or so), but the volume wasn't exceptionally loud. Anyway, I get a ring at my doorbell, and my neighbor, this crusty 70ish year old drunk, starts pointing his finger in my face and yelling, "If you don't keep the noise down I'm going to call the cops!! There's no reason for you to be making this much racket at 1 am!" Can you believe that this was our first meeting? So I was thinking to myself, "Oh hell no!" (Mind you I had a few cocktails). So I raised a finger in the air and said, "First of all...I do NOT appreciate being yelled at in your tone. SECOND, if you ask me politely like a normal human being, I would be more than happy to turn the music down and ask my guests to keep quiet, BUT I DO NOT respond well to people yelling in my face!" So he turned around and shut the door. Well, as it turns out, he e-mails one of the building managers about me without my knowledge. So last week I was leaving for work one sunny Waikiki morning, when as I'm waiting for the elevator, his door opens... Out comes this adorable little Asian woman of about 50 years. She greets me with a "Hello, Good Morning!" and a smile. I struck up a chat with her and discovered that she owns the apartment, and he husband passed away last year and the old crusty guy was one of her husband's friends who helped with the funeral. Since then he hasn't left and she gave me the distinct impression that she felt it was long overdue for him to say Adieu. So as the elevator reaches the bottom, the doors open and this 72 year old Scottish guy says with a heavy accent to me "Don't I know you?" I replied "I don't think so." Then he turns to the Asian woman and says "Hey - did you ever get that situation straightened out with the noisy neighbor of yours?" I was like "I'm the neighbor!" lol. He replied "You're in trouble." But I followed up by stating that the man she was living with was downright rude, yelling at me, and he handled the situation very poorly. The Scott then said "I think he drinks a lot. Don't take it personally." (One of the Four Agreements if you've read that book). So I gave the Asian woman my phone number and said that if she ever has a problem in the future, please call me and I'd be happy to do what I can to resolve it. Just then the Scott asked me what I do for a living (he saw me in uniform with a stethoscope in hand). When I told him I was a Doctor and that I liked Star Trek (it just kind of came up - don't ask me how), I became his new best friend. So bottom line is - my drunken neighbor can (as my Grandmother would say) - pound sand up his ass for all I care! Angelina has a cold! In case you don't know, Angelina is the name I gave my beautiful car, the Acura TL Type S. She's been coughing and running at less than peak efficiency because I accidentally put low Octane Gasoline in her last week instead of Premium (91) as I was instructed. So she's a little sick. Sorry Angelina. First Do No Harm is my motto and I got her sick, but she's almost cleared the infection and I'll soon fill her empty tank up with a full tank of the good stuff. And finally, as for my relationship issues. Well, I'll sum it up Horoscope Style, how about that: Ok, Dear Sagitarius, you've realized that you still care very very much for your ex, but is it too soon to forgive and forget? Heed the advice of your friends and proceed with extreme caution - don't forget you've been in this honeymoon phase before. Are things truly different this time? Be smart, take it slow. Its okay to enjoy the wonderful feelings you're having, just don't fall head over heels - keep both feet on the ground! (That about sums it up) That's it for now gang. I can't believe my mom actually posted a comment - after all this time! You never cease to amaze me mom!!! HERE IS A GUIDE TO THE PHOTOS: Friends Billy and Jacintha followed by shots of my hike up to Diamond Head last weekend!