Reverse Progression

It has been a while since I wrote something. After returning back to Massachusetts I was graciously offered a summer job for a TRiO Upward Bound program. I was quite happy to have things line up so nicely so that I wasn't left struggling to find a more permanent source of income just yet. At the same time I only spent 3 weeks in my old room since I had returned from Hawaii. I had to pack back up and move into a college dorm because the summer program I was working for was residential. This was to give the high school students enrolled in the program the chance to see what dorm life on a real college campus is like. The seven weeks I spent living and working with 60 or so high school students at Wheaton College was both highly rewarding and demanding. Pictured above is the dorm room I spent most of my summer in. The first few weeks were a bit difficult due to the lack of air conditioning along with a serious heat wave. There a few other issues that arose along the way, but I truly enjoyed this experience. I also really appreciated the staff members I got to know while working there.
Being in the dorm was quite strange at times because I never lived in a college dorm during my time as an undergraduate student. At first it was incredibly hard to sleep because I'm a very light sleeper and the students, well they were just students so lets just leave it at that. As I thought about my temporary home I realized that 2013 has been a year of moment. It felt very nomadic. A few calculations made me realize that I had spent almost 6 months sleeping outside of my own room. Then again when I read that last sentence I begin to wonder if such a place really exists at the moment.
Since the summer program has ended I've been playing the cover letter-hand shake-interview game, but nothing has come to fruition. Although, I have been surprised by the fact that I have had a fair number of interviews since my return. As I progress through this experience I can slowly feel the tension rising. My mind has started to churn quite quickly once again. As my reserve funds are gradually melting away I find myself caught in a thought cycle revolving around student loan payments, retirement plans, credit card debt, groceries, transportation, and everything else that comes with being an adult in society. Just have to stay grounded.

(Dis)Orientation

Before heading off to the airport to catch my flight back to Boston I retired my local brand slippers. We had a good run for almost 2 years, but alas I couldn't find room to stuff them into my bag. Besides it seemed only right to retire them back to the place they came from. I knew I was in for quite a trip with a red eye flight ahead of me. My flight departed on a Tuesday morning and arrived early Wed Morning. I didn't have much of a choice, and I can never sleep on these flights.
Upon my return to Boston I was lucky enough to have a ride waiting for me at 7am when I stepped off the plane. I was graciously escorted to the Neighborhood Restaurant for breakfast before taking a long overdue and greatly needed nap. However, something I noticed after being back for a few days was how disorienting city life was. Even sitting in the passenger seat while driving on route 93 after being picked up at the airport was a bit overwhelming. Once we hit some of the city traffic that morning I felt myself tensing up inside. I became aware of how I had disconnected from the city so quickly. A few days after being back I went to lunch with a close friend at restaurant over in Kenmore Square. Upon entering I felt so overwhelmed I could barely speak let alone take in all the sights, sounds, and sensations that instantly hit me. Everything is so familiar, yet so strange to me right now...

Road To Hana

A few days ago we woke up early to drive the road to Hana, which takes about 2-3 hours each way. It's one of the biggest attractions on the island of Maui, and people come from all over the world to experience it. I drove this route the first time I came to the island. The first time I did it the drive was bright and sunny from start to finish. But, this time was much different because it was raining when we got up, and it had been raining steadily for the past 2 days. It was so interesting to see the difference along the drive in comparison to the first time I was here.

It was incredibly foggy, yet 80 degrees. I felt so thrown off by this because back home in Massachusetts its only foggy when its cold out. I felt like someone was playing a strange joke on me. The views along the road weren't quite as clear obviously, but the vegetation was extremely lush and overgrown. I had never seen anything quite like it.

As we continued our drive we encountered mud slides that were so bad the road was down to one lane (because of all the rain over the past few days). I wish I had snapped a photo, but clearly I wasn't thinking. The road to Hana also has 49 or 50 bridges that one must drive over, and most of them have waterfalls, which offer some amazing views. Pictured above is one of my favorite ones I managed to take a photo of. The first time I saw this waterfall it was barely anything, however, the rain was so heavy that this thing was a monster. We could barely hear each other talking over the sound of the water crashing down. 

As we continued on our way we also made a stop at Waianapanapa State Park, which is home to this beautiful black sand beach. We walked down to the water and let the waves wash over our feet, but that was about it. I was quite hesitant to go swimming because there were signs everywhere warning about the undertow and the water being full of man-o-war.

The black sand beach also had this cool little cave that led down to the water. I had a moment to myself in it and enjoyed the crashing of the waves against the shore.

As we continued on our way we stopped by a small stand to purchase some slow roasted coconut chips. I did this the first time I came here so I made sure to bring plenty of cash to stock up since I knew this might be my last time here. There were also a few chickens roaming around the area as well as this fantastic rooster, who had a beautiful plumage. he was fairly friendly and let us get up close and personal with him at one point. We continued on and stopped for some Thai food at a small stand near the Red Sand Beach, however, the beach was inaccessible because of all the rain so we couldn't go. I was pretty disappointed because this was one of the most amazing places I have ever been.

Yet, after our disappointment we discovered something just as amazing. We stumbled upon a beautiful salt and pepper (black and white sand) beach. Hamoa Beach was truly stunning! This was hands down the most beautiful beach I have every set foot upon. The sand was super soft and the water clear as crystal. When I stood at chest deep I could still see my feet. The waves were also quite impressive here too, not quite as big as Baldwin Beach, but worthy of mention nonetheless.

I figured I would end this post with a picture of myself at Hamoa beach because this will most likely be the last major exploration for me here in Hawaii. It seems as though my time here is coming to an end at least for the moment, and I will be returning home soon. At first I had no intention of posting this picture because I hate being photographed. But, I decided to post it not only to prove I was there, but because of the very fact I don't like pictures of myself. As I examine the photo of myself I find appreciation in the fact that it is me in my simplest form. A mere man standing on the shore. A small glimpse at a moment in time. Some day this will be but a memory of time long ago. I am so thankful for to have had this opportunity to explore this place and myself; to have reconnected with friends I deeply missed, and to make a record of my travels.

Quality of Life

The past few months here have been amazing to say the least. I have certainly had a great opportunity to explore and experience the many different aspects of Maui. I know I have spent a fair amount of time writing about food, which has been so good here. However, I noticed that much of it is not the healthiest choice. In fact, when we drive down the street the majority of places to eat in the more urban areas of the island are cluttered with fast food joints. I heard public announcements on the radio every day about eating healthy, and I also noticed a number of jobs in public health. My initial reaction to this is that many people there do not eat healthy because of the high cost of living. Pretty much everything except for coconuts, pineapples, lilikoi (passion fruit), and bananas has to be brought to the island. When I thought more about this my mind connected this to something I had seen on the department of Education website: Click Here to read and learn more about the statistics on Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders. Through my own experience in conjunction with the fact sheet I would guess that Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders face some of the greatest challenges in regards to not only eating healthy, but quality of life.
Thinking more about myself and my own quality of life leaves me questioning how to define that based on where I live. I mean shoveling 2 feet of snow versus a sunburn in tropical climate seems like a no-brainer. But, when you start to add up the good in comparison to the bad things don't seem so easy...

Get It Together

As of lately I'm realizing the fine line between passion, obsession, addiction, and attachment. I feel so blessed to have had the experiences that I have had. To travel to so many different places, meet so many people, and then some. But man do I miss playing records. Since February I have cut myself out of the loop because I know I can get so caught up in looking for the perfect tune, and being unemployed without a steady income while looking at records can be a dangerous combination.

With music on my mind I thought it would be a good time to mention something about next week when Boston's Together Festival is in full force. Please take a moment to check out what's going on and support if you can. I was lucky enough to be part of it the first year back in 2010. A lot people have put in some major work to get this to where it is today.

And, finally my own self promotion. For the week of the festival the crew and I have reached out to bring in Distance all the way from the UK. His tunes are super heavy, and his mix downs are just insane. I don't know how he does it, but his tunes are just straight mental. Some of the craziest stuff I have ever heard.  Here's a few to check out.

Grindz

It's been a minute since I posted something so good as this. One of my favorite spots to eat around here is called Da Kitchen, over the past few weeks I've had the chance to sample some of their well known cuisine. The food is so good there I would eat there everyday if I could afford it and I knew it would give me a heart attack. Luckily, we spaced out trips there and I had plenty of friends to share with. Here's a few more definitions to give you an idea of what each dish is...

Grindz: Food, especially local food.

Spam Musubi: Spam musubi is a popular snack and lunch food in Hawaii composed a slice of grilled Spam on top of a block of rice, wrapped together with nori dried seaweed.

Chicken Katsu: Katsu is a Japanese food which consists of a breaded, deep-fried cutlet (usually made with pork, chicken, or beef).  

Loco Moco: Loco moco is a traditional meal in Hawaiian cuisine. The essential loco moco consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty, a fried egg, and brown gravy.

Above: Deep Fried Spam Musubi

Above: Loco Moco with Chicken Katsu Cutlet

Loco Moco Notorious BIG (Loco Moco with spam, Portuguese sausage, chili, and bacon along with the standard Loco Moco base. Not for the timid!)

Push and Pull

I think it's quite amazing how the world exerts the force of push and pull on different planes. For the past two and half months I have been blessed to say that I coud call this amazing place home. Almost every morning I sweep the floor of my friend's place. When I reflect on this sweeping it seems to lie somewhere between a personal ritual and a form of gratitude. As a ritualistic practice I deeply appreciate the way not just sweeping the floor, but the act of cleaning seems to calm my mind. The simple act of cleaning seems to bring forth a peace of mind based on two reasons. The first reason lies in performing the act itself because when I focus my attention on the task at hand my mind seems to settle. The second reason that brings about calmness is in the result that comes from cleaning. As a form of gratitude this act is one simple way I can show my friends just how much i appreciate what they have done for me in giving me a place to stay for a while. But even as I clean, observe, eat, swim, or take in the sun I feel a pulsing inside. It's moving to the beat of the hard pavement and sidewalks I remember so well. The comforts and familiarities of the city. The heightened sense of alertness that comes with being there. I can feel myself being pulled back to where I came from.

Tune: Magnetic City by Kode9 out on Soul Jazz Records

Personal Freedom

Lately I've been thinking about how we hinder ourselves in achieving happiness and freedom. What exactly do I want to be free from; debt, stress, chores, pain, obligations? As I've sat going through job listings, writing cover letters, and mailing out resumés I've wondered if I'm doing the right thing. What if I was just being naive in choosing to leave Boston on some wanderlust adventure? There have been moments here where I felt like I'm still stuck in this strange stand still. As though the world continues to move while I'm just sitting. But then again I recognize how hard it is for me to take a moment and relax some times because I'm always moving on to the next responsibility or task. When I stop and think about where I was just one year ago I can recall the weight I felt upon my shoulders. I was on the last leg of the race towards completing my M.Ed. program at UMass Boston. I was running at full steam putting the final touches on my capstone paper and powerpoint presentation. Upon further reflection I realize that until just recently I had been running full steam since I began my master's program back in 2010.

At the moment I find myself going back and forth. Sometimes I can easily relax and unwind while other times I feel a deep sense of discomfort in not being in control here. The tension in waiting for a call back or email to schedule a potential interview that might not even amount to anything is something I'm not unfamiliar with. I am totally cognizant of the fact that I have only been here for just over a month, but at the same time my inner Mass-hole is screaming at me to get things moving in some way. I can hear the voice in the back of my head telling me I'm not doing enough, or that I should be doing more, but what is it I should be doing? Should I even listen to that guy, I mean he's kind of an asshole yelling at me like that right?

There's a small part of me that has been thinking I could easily just turn around go home, and return to the familiarities that I know so well. But, I wonder why these thoughts arise. When I reflect upon my current situation it is perfectly clear that there is nothing wrong with me or where I am at in my life. Sometimes I ask myself where these thoughts and emotions come from, or what is the underlying cause behind them? What are they grounded in? Most of them seem to lose their foundation once that happens. As I thought more about this transition I've made half way across the world I noticed my mind putting it into some form of understanding. I began to see this situation in the format of DJ'ing. It's like the transition from one record to the next. As the outgoing record is coming to an end in the mix the incoming record is building up. Although they are two separate songs they become deeply intertwined in the mix. Sometimes these mixes or transitions are short and fast, while others can be long and ride out for quite some time. So as my time in Boston has come to an end for now I hope that my time in Hawaii isn't too short lived so that I can continue to learn and explore this amazing place.

*Photos: First one is from a trip to Iao Valley State Park the other day, and the tall rock is the Iao Needle. 2nd pic is sunset on front Street by the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina. 3rd pic is from a friend's porch in Wailuku Heights looking towards Haleakala.

Good Reads

reb • el [ré-buhl]
One who questions, resists,  refuses to obey, or rises against unjust or unreasonable control of an authority or tradition.

bud-duh [bü´-duh]
The awakened mind.

When I left home I only had enough room to pack 2 books into my backpack. "Rebel Buddha" by Dzogchen Ponlop, was the latest book i had purchased, and I had been saving it for quite a while. I knew the moment I bought my plane ticket that this was the time for it. I first opened it when I boarded my flight to Los Angeles ,and this evening I reached the last page. I thought I would share a few notes I marked that really stood out to me:

1. The desire for freedom-not just external freedom, but the state of being free-is transformative.

2. One of the greatest contributions we can make to our world is to learn how to live in harmony with each other.

3. The best approach is to sit without any expectations, without any hope or fear about the result.

4.  In many cases, kindness is all you can offer - and all you need to offer.

5. As long as we're here, we might as well learn from the child we once were.

6. You must respect the integrity of each individual and your own limitations.

7. If we can look at our own mind more positively, with a sense of appreciation, then there is no way not to appreciate the world.

8. Real ignorance is not knowing what you don't know.

9. Knowing clearly what you don't know is already a form of wisdom.

10. If we're ever to understand who we are as individuals and societies, then we need to see the interdependence of culture, identity, and meaning.

Acid Trip

This past week has been so intense with everything that was going on back home in Boston. Even though I'm 5000 miles across the globe I found myself running on East Coast time. I sat glued in front of my laptop waiting for updates from family and friends with the police scanner playing in the background. My state of mind had me trapped in doors on lock down. I felt as though I was still in my place back east. As I reviewed the events of the week I had a hard time digesting them. All these photos and videos came from places in Boston I knew so well. The glasses I'm wearing came from the Lens Crafters that was hit by one of the explosive devices. Throughout my undergraduate years at UMass Boston I worked on Newbury Street just around the corner from where that device went off. I can still vividly recall the sidewalks, restaurants and boutiques I would stroll by on my lunch breaks back then. I also know the streets of Cambridge and MIT where that police officer was shot and killed. I know the neighborhood in Watertown where they captured the suspect because I lived just a few minutes down the street from there back in 2009. Everything has been like some sort of bad...

Tragedy Strikes

This morning as I was on my way to Honolulu for a job interview I received word from back home about the tragedy that took place during the Boston Marathon. It put a monkey wrench into my entire day, and I was deeply saddened by these events. I am fortunate to say that none of my family or friends were injured. However, tonight my thoughts and prayers are with the city I called home for the past 11 years. I must also add that I had great difficulty in staying focused today. In times when my heart is heavy I turn to music. With that I'll leave you with this song. Eyes down, heart open. Stand strong Boston.

One Fine Day

Yesterday morning I turned 30 years old. It was the first time I was celebrating my birthday outside of Massachusetts. Around 11am my friends took me to one of my favorite beaches here on the north shore; Baldwin State Park. The waves here are always intense, and the shore break is not for the timid. Swimming in the ocean here is a real work out. Most days when I come here I'm usually left winded. After that it was time for lunch so we headed to the leeward side of the island to the historic town of Lahaina for lunch at Star Noodle. I've posted pics of everything we ordered. I'll keep descriptions short and simple. Everything was fantastic, and I will definitely look forward to going back again!

Tempura Shrimp with Garlic Aioli (Prawn)

Local Saimin (Spam, Noodles, Kamaboko, Green Onions)

Cranzu (Cranberry juice & Yuzu)

Vietnamese Crepe (Shrimp, Pork, Bean Sprouts, Cilantro, Lettuce)

Garlic Noodles w/ Mushrooms (Garlic, Dashi, Scallions, Mushrooms)

Local Green Salad (Mixed Greens, Shiso Dresssing)

Mango Pudding (Senbei, Lumpia Crisp)

After lunch we drove further up the leeward side of the island to Napili where we did some snorkeling. The ocean is much calmer on this side of the island, which makes it great to snorkel because you're not getting tossed around in the water like the north shore. As the afternoon came to a finish and I thought we would be heading home I was thrown a curveball. After leaving Napili we stopped in Lahaina once again. We parked the car and walked down Front Street. But, to where I had no idea. My friends found this quite hilarious. Then we finally reached our destination, Hula Cookies & Ice Cream. It was ice cream sandwich time, and I nearly lost my mind!

Ice Cream Sandwich (Kona Mudslide ice cream with Chocolate Coconut cookies)

Of course my day didn't end there. My friend Laura from back home had sent me a care package. I knew it was coming, but I had no idea what exactly was in store for me. So when we got home I jumped on Skype so that Laura could watch me open it. I was totally blown away! Laura made me these amazing coconut shortbread cookies (she is an excellent cook btw), folded me an origami four leaf clover for good luck, and got me some wonderful Japanese candy! She knows how much I love Japanese Kitkats, and she sent me one as you can see. It's dark chocolate, but in Japanese it literally says "chocolate for adults," which Laura and I got a good laugh at. She's coming out to Hawaii this summer so I hope I can return the favor to her for being so kind to me!

My day was filled with numerous calls, emails, and messages from so many people wishing me a happy birthday. I don't think I could have had a better day. So I would just like to thank everyone who took a moment to get in touch some way. It really meant a lot. Thank you.

Back In A Groove

Before I left Boston I had a little bedroom studio set-up. However, I hadn't really put much time into music as of late because I was feeling very uninspired. But, since I've been in Maui I've spent some time with Alex, and started making music again. This time around though its more about having fun, exploring, and experimenting. I stopped letting myself get stuck on all the little hangups when it comes to audio production. If I do find myself getting really hung up I can just let Alex jump in front of the screen and take over. Furthermore, leaving all my records behind has limited my creativity and expression here in a way. Through dialogue with Alex and Jo I have come to see I love music more than ever at this point in my life. By leaving my haven of vinyl back on the east coast I have created a free space to fill with new music, and now I feel like I have the chance to really explore different sounds.

One Month

As of yesterday April 5th, its been exactly one month since I left Massachusetts, and three weeks since I first landed here in Maui. Upon arrival I have spent most of my time sitting in front of my computer scanning through the potential job ads. When I'm not doing that I've been sweeping and cleaning the house, or trying to find some meaningful way to contribute or give back to my friends who have been all to gracious. Of course, I have also found myself sitting and looking into my own mind. Revisiting that space. That vast emptiness that exists somewhere. Then my friends come home from work and we come together and cook dinner. The kimchee fried rice above is from the other day. This coming together brings me a lot of joy. When we all sit down to eat there's always a moment of silence. That moment when we're all in unison appreciating the sensation of taste.

Spending the last 10 years in Boston means I'm no stranger to Chinatown and all the wonderful tastings it has to offer. One of those tasty treats I had on a number of occasions was called Cha Siu Bao. However, the ones pictured above are the Hawaiian version called manapua. The pork filling on the inside is Char Siu flavored. I can only describe it as a sweet barbecue-like flavoring. We ended up having Char Siu last night as well, but this time it was with chicken and some fried rice as you can see below.

I had another interview this morning for a position at one of the colleges on the Big Island. I think I did really well. However, I wonder if it would be the right fit for me. The Big Island is quite rural and very different from what I've been used to. But, then I wonder if it's what I really need. A place where I can be free from distractions, free from the hustle and bustle, free from...

A Little Way Different

This morning as I was pouring my coffee I thought about the slight nuances between the process here and back home. For example, back home I always add cream to my coffee (milk just doesn't cut it), but here because milk/cream has to be shipped in it costs quite a bit more. Last time I checked at the local Sack N Save a gallon of milk was about $7, and if you want organic you're dropping at least $10 minimum guaranteed. So my friends do something a little different here and add coconut milk to their coffee instead of using milk or cream. Even though its not as rich as cream its still much sweeter than using milk. While I was thinking of this I was reminded of this old reggae tune by Errol Dunkley called "A Little Way Different" that came out in 1978. Last year Scotch Bonnet Records released a remix of that song by Henry and Louis (feat. Pacey). I love both versions, but each has their own feel.

So in the spirit of doing things a little way different I started this blog. I purposely gave the link out to a lot people; family, friends, mentors, people who I respect and admire. In doing so I felt that I've forced myself to think and reflect more critically than if I were to simply write in a journal. At the same time I can stay connected with everyone. I can share my experiences and maybe they can take something from them. At the very least I hope everyone enjoyes the pictures. This public presentation of myself is something very different than I have ever done before. I was really uncomfortable about it at first, but after sharing this space with a few close friends the feedback I got was totally unexpected, and extremely positive. So here's to doing things different.

On a side note since I've got Mungo's HiFi on my brain (they founded Scotch Bonnet Records) I figured I should share this tune "Musically Mad" featuring Mr. Williamz. Its been in rotation on my speakers a lot lately. I love the mixdown and production on this tune, and Williamz voice just sits so well on top of everything. Their use of auditory space is beyond proper.

Food Gone But Not Forgotten

So as I was flipping through my photos when I realized I had forgotten about the lunch Rob & I had after body boarding last Tuesday. After riding those crazy waves we headed down the street to the Paia Fish Market to grab a bite. Man, this place serves up some of the freshest fish around, and I know from my first visit here there is only one thing you need to order; the Obama Burger. As you can see pictured above the Obama Burger is a beautiful piece of Ono covered in cajun spices and grilled to perfection. It's topped off with wasabi butter, cheese, tomatoes, and a little cabbage slaw. Order it with fries and it's a combination guaranteed to leave you satisfied. I just had to post this up for all the foodies back home because it's just too good not to let people know about it. Happy Monday.

Dancing in the Dark

Last night my friends and I went over to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center (aka the MACC) to check out this event called Art=Mixx, which was a "multi-sensory interactive event filled with art making, video displays, music, dancing, and performance art. The best part was that is was free! So after eating dinner the three of us (Jo, Alex, & I) rode over to the MACC. As we walked outside to the car I saw the stars in the sky. One thing I noticed was the position of Orion's Belt. Its positioning was so different in comparison to back in Boston. I was amazed at how different my perspective of the night sky was, and how vast that space is.
As we walked from the car over to the MACC we were greeted by pink, blue, and green palm trees glowing under the night sky. There was music, laughter, lights and so many people. We walked through the crowds in single file weaving and bobbing around the circles and cliques that had established themselves on the lawn. I quietly followed as Jo and Alex searched for their friends hidden among 2000+ people who had gathered. Can you say "Where's Waldo?" We eventually found our companions and enjoyed the sights and sounds the night had to offer. At one point i turned around and I was standing next to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. I found that to be quite hilarious because he was wearing this silly hat that looked like a lion's head. We had an amazing time taking in the sights, sounds, and performances that took place throughout the night.
I'm so thankful to have such thoughtful friends who have shared their home and hearts with me. For having faith and providing me with space to take such a risk and explore. I guess that's why I've been thinking about space in different forms and how we use it. This morning I woke up to Jo & Alex making an easter breakfast that was off the charts! Jo made her chocolate chip / Walnut / Banana pancakes and Alex made some eggs and sausage! After that I hit up my family to say Happy Easter and I love them. It also seems that most of my post cards have started to reach their destinations, which is really exciting! I hope everyone enjoys them!

Return II Space

This morning I continued my job search until I received a phone call from my good friend Damian back home. He was getting in touch about sharing some music files we had started working on before I left. For those of you who are curious as to how thats done we use something called dropbox to transfer files back and forth. But, to look at the files I needed to open up a music program I hadn't used in quite a while called Ableton. When I opened it up I found some old audio files I had pretty much forgotten about. Some of which I thought were pretty good. It was a pleasant surprise to find these little explorations in sound.

This experience sparked another thought in my mind that tends to come and go. The idea of returning to space(s). The space isn't defined as a specific area or place. It's all relative. Lately I've found myself returning to and re-examining the space in which I found myself in regards to my love and work with music. In all the time I have had to myself recently I have spent a great deal of time listening to and examining how artists have defined the auditory space they use when creating music. It's helped me to understand that I have a strong awareness in what I like when it comes to my own taste in music. As I've gotten older I've noticed my desire to find works that become increasingly more minimal in sound and subtle in their transformations and transitions. I also really enjoy when an artist has mastered the art of creating space between sounds so that a push-pull tension is created. I know how obsessive I can be when it comes to a tune I really like, and how I can listen to it over and over again examining each individual sound layered within the mix.

What about the use of visual space? Our environments, ourselves, our work spaces are all part of the visual use of space. Thinking back to my time in San Francisco and Los Angeles recently I am reminded of the artwork and graffiti I saw. But, sometimes visual spaces can be deceiving, such as an optical illusion. Visual spaces can also be uncomfortable. Everything here at the moment is so new and different that takes up my visual space it's been a bit overwhelming/stunning/can't fully conceptualize it all. Then there is the visual space we can't see or are unable to use. I'm not sure I can define all this exactly at the moment.

What about having a lack of space? How do we define spaces that aren't physical like the mind? How do we define our own space? I'm still trying to figure this out. What do I want to put in this space? Of course if you haven't noticed yet I've posted videos between the paragraphs. The songs are from the album "Return II Space" by Mala of Digital Mystikz. It's one of my favorite vinyl EP's, but I left my copy back in Boston. It still has the cellophane sealed wrapper on it because I couldn't bring myself to open it when it first arrived in the mail sometime back in 2010. I find myself wondering whats better at this point. Is having a pristine copy of the album worthwhile, or should I open it and enjoy each tune as it's meant to be heard on my turntable with the needle tracking the groove? I feel like this brings me back to where I started. How do we use and define our space? This entry has me feeling more confused than when I started. I hope you enjoy this music as much as i do.

Surf's Up

Tuesday morning Rob and I both woke up with a touch of sunburn. Mine was tiger style across my back thanks to a friend fail at Lahaina. I won't mention names, but let's say from now on I'm only letting Alex put sunblock on my back. Rob, however, was toasted. But, today was a truly special day because Alex and Jo both had the day off so we could all spend it together as one big ohana. Rob was dying to go body boarding so that became the plan. Before leaving the house we all made sure to properly put on sunblock. Then we piled into the car and headed down to Baldwin Beach where the waves serious! I had never seen waves so big. I mean these things must have been at least 10 feet high from the ocean floor! After being in the water for about 20 minutes I was definitely feeing like I got a hardcore work out. We all had so much fun today, and Rob and I had a chance to sort of bond as we were body boarding out in the ocean. I felt like I was 12 years old except this time the waves were no joke, and hanging with Rob was awesome. He's another unofficial brother from another to me.

After a rousing day riding the biggest waves I have ever seen we headed back to Jo & Alex's place to cook up some food. We also got to meet Rob's friends who were married on Oahu. They were spending their honeymoon on Maui, and so we invited them over for dinner. I should also mention that Alex is a grill master, and not only does he cook up a mean steak he also does some serious grilled mushrooms! Needless to say the night was a success, yet Rob's time here was finally coming to an end. I want to take a moment and give a big shout out to Rob's wonderful and amazing girlfriend Mary, who I haven't mentioned at all. She is hilarious, super cool, and was really caring because Rob's back was as red as a lobster. She kept it covered in aloe all the time. I'm so glad I got to meet the both of them. They were so amazing, and now I have a reason to go check out Wisconsin!

Special Guests

Sunday evening Rob, an old friend of Jo's from high school came to visit. He was visiting Hawaii for a wedding and planned to come hang with for a few days after the ceremony . We kept it easy Sunday night and made plans to take Rob over to the town of Lahaina to do some snorkeling. We were out the door and on our way early monday morning. But, before hitting the beach we stopped at this fantastic place along the way for breakfast called Lulu's. The waitstaff there was awesome, and they brought us out an order of their malasadas to start. These things were serious! On top of that the main courses that everyone ordered were just as amazing. I went with the Cajun Ahi Benedict. It was spicy and flavorful, and the hash browns were crispy and crunchy! The staff and food were truly fantastic. I can't say how much you should give this place a try if you're out here.

Then it was off to the beach for a little snorkeling. The beaches in Lahaina are on the West side of Maui and are incredibly calm. They're the perfect place for snorkeling because the shore drops off to a coral reef about 25 feet out. We slapped on some sun block and dove in. We explored the ocean floor together and on our own. There were fish of all colors shapes and sizes. I wish I could have had a camera to take photos. At one point Jo and I were greeted by an unexpected guest. A massive sea turtle went right by us, and it was so close I could have touched it! The only way I can describe the experience was that it was like the opening scene of the original Star Wars movie where the giant star destroyer ship zooms by. Trying to put this into words doesn't quite do it justice!

After our snorkeling adventure we stopped by Ululani's for some shave ice. I went with the No Ka Oi (which I think was mango, guava, papaya) and a scoop of haupia ice cream on the bottom. It was serious business, and a whole lot of sugar. Everyone got something different and we passed them around the table. I also recommend the almond, pineapple, green tea, and pineapple flavors! (There's food bringing people together again)

We ended our day in Lahaina by walking through the shop lined streets in true tourist fashion admiring the galleries, storefronts, and all that was for sale. As we came to the end of the strip we found ourselves in the Banyan Tree Park where these massive trees rose up out of the ground with their twisted branches and dangling vines! At the entrance to the park was this wonderful "Aloha" made out of flower petals. Quite an amazing way to end an amazing day.

A Snail's Tale

Last night I saw this incredibly large snail, which I think is a Giant African Snail. It looked to be about oh maybe 4-5 inches long. I mean this puppy was easily a handful! I was definitely shocked to see thing, and it wasn't the only one. There were more than a few scattered about the lawn. After seeing these monstrous little guys lurking around I thought about adjusting to this new place. I was sort of feeling a sense of culture shock. I was a place where I knew very little about the people, culture and environment. I didn't necessarily feel scared or overwhelmed, but I certainly felt out of place for a moment.
I thought about the conversations I had throughout the week with Jo and Alex, and how insightful they had been. Their place is located in the Kahului/Wailuku area of the island, which is predominantly made up of people of Filipino and Portuguese descent. I also noticed (and as pointed out by Alex) that not all their neighbors acknowledge us (by us I mean Alex and I). However, they all acknowledge Jo, who is Filipino American. I must say that their immediate house neighbors who I met were incredibly friendly, and amazed at how I had decided to just up and move here for a while. I noticed that the many of the churches in the area held their weekly masses in Tagalog, which is one of the native languages of the Philippines. I remember Jo telling me about her neighborhood. She loved the fact that everyone in the neighborhood looked like her (which wasn't the case where she grew up). This was the first time she had ever experienced this, and through our conversation I could see how much she truly appreciated it

Writing Alohas

The past few days were spent working on cover letters and applications. I was basically stranded at my friends house while they were both at work, but the 3 of us all made breakfast together this morning (there's that food connection again). We made banana walnut chocolate chip pancakes from scratch with eggs and some pineapple sausage. The pinacle of it all was I discovered there is such a thing as coconut syrup! Just kidding, although it was fantastic. This was just a reminder of how great my friends here have been. They are so encouraging and supportive, and in the week that I have been here my spirit has been reinvigorated. I've had so many inspiring and reflective conversations with them. Even though I feel unsure about what direction I'm going in the ride couldn't be any more true.

Earlier today Jo took me out to run a few errands and we grabbed some lunch. I finally picked up some post cards, which was something that was at the top of my priorities list. I spent the rest of the afternoon addressing and writing them. As I did this I thought about a conversation I had with my advisor just before I left Boston. It was about quality control in relation to music; more specifically about how the quality of music has gone down because the music industry has focused on becoming more digitized.
When it comes to music and putting a release out on vinyl, (or cutting a dubplate) cost a fair amount of money so if you're going to invest the money into that you have to be sure the music is top notch. The other aspect of the digitalization of the music industry is that its created this immediate consumerism where everyone sort just gobbles the latest and greatest down their throats and then promptly awaits the next course.
I remember when I was in my late teens / early twenties going to the local record shop every week to check out the new releases. When it comes to indy labels and obscure music you have to be there often because limited copies can sell quick and you'll miss out if you're not on top of your game. But, I also remember the sense of inclusion and community I felt there. I met so many other local dj's who I learned quite a bit from. Not just about DJ'ing, but about running a club night, promotion, social and political etiquete, and much, much more. But, the record shop went under thanks to the inflating costs of importing records, rent, and the rise of digitalization. Those communities dissipated off and I was left with ordering my records from a vendor out of the United Kingdom whom I have never met and know very little about.
So as I wrote these post cards I saw this as a nod to those older days. I'm not saying they're better I'm just appreciating the experience and what I learned. I really appreciated writing out each name, address, and personal note to everyone by hand. I feel like it carries so much more weight than sending an email or a text message. I just hope that everyone can read my hand writing.

The Beach

Today we kept it simple. I spent the morning writing, reflecting, and looking into other job prospects since my schedule has been open. After that Alex and I rolled over to Kamaole Beach to  go for a swim. From when I first considered coming back to my actual arrival here I have had a strong desire to swim in the ocean. No scratch that. It's been almost more of a primal urge churning in my head as though the ocean was calling me back here.
Sitting on the beach with Alex we had a really nice talk about the beach, and how swimming in the ocean was a cleansing experience. A spiritual experience. I thought about when I was a little kid and how much I loved going to my extended family's summer house in South Kingstown, RI. Running up and down the shore and jumping in and out of the waves. But, as a teenager my viewpoint changed, and I remember hating the beach. I hated the fact that sand would get into everything. It wasn't until I was in my early-mid twenties that I rediscovered my love of the ocean. Upon this rekindling I have found deeper appreciation, inspiration, and gratitude for the grains of sand against my feet; the movement of the waves; the sun against my skin and disappearing behind the clouds; the pure experience of being at the beach.

Tuesday Tastings

This morning after Dropping off Jo at work Alex returned with some amazing goodies for breakfast from a spot called Zippys, which is a Hawaiian 24hour fast food joint. The above lovely pastries are called Malasadas, and they're originally a Portuguese dish. These ones however, had a Hawaiian twist! The far right was plain and was very similar to fried dough you get at a carnival. The middle was filled with a custard creme, and the left was filled with a haupia creme. Haupia is made from coconuts and has a sweet tangy flavor. These are definitely not something to miss out on!

Later on that day Alex and I went out to grab some lunch at one of my favorite spots I have ever come into contact with, The Geste Shrimp Truck. They have the recipe on lock! Every style they do is awesome, but hands down my favorite is the Spicy Pineapple! Its sweet and spicy, and it will leave you licking your fingers clean. The macaroni crab salad that's served up along side it is pretty damn good too! For anyone that's thinking about coming to visit Maui the Geste Shrimp truck is a mandatory stop.