Holy Crap!!! (Nearing the end of unemployment)

So - I guess the complete dearth of posts belies my state of blissful unemployment that began on October 1st. I've spent my time well - hanging out with Eingy, playing Guitar Hero and doing a lot of "activities".

In late October, I took the Amtrak up to Seattle to visit a good friend of mine, who introduced me to the joy of indoor rock climbing. I had a great time, went as much as my poor muscles would let me, and continued to go until my Thanksgiving Day Cankle accident.

In the interim (between late October and late November), my brother and his wife came to visit me, I started doing yoga, and walked my godmom's dogs at least three times a week. I had a wonderful time doing all of it.

On Thanksgiving Day, I stepped into a teeny, triangular hole in my sidewalk and incurred a terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad sprained ankle. After much tearful boo-hooing about my ruined Thanksgiving Day, and most of the afternoon spent with my foot elevated and iced, the sprain had receded to 1/2 tennis ball size.

I spent the next two weeks or so on my couch, driving myself absolutely bat-shit crazy.

I left for Hawaii on December 14th. Two weeks thereafter were spent helping my parents at the family business - mostly computer stuff, and miscellaneous "get ready for the new year" stuff. Lots of cleaning.

D arrived on December 31, and I immediately took her to my aunt's NYE party. Then over to my brother's house for much firecracker popping. His vantage overlooked all of Pauoa, Papakolea, and Kalihi Valley, along with most of lower Alewa Heights. There were HELICOPTERS searching for people shooting off aerial fireworks. Good luck to those guys. They can't possibly have busted more that 0.00005% of the people doing it.

The next days that followed were very vacation oriented. Lots of spending time at Ala Moana beach park, Lanikai Beach, and surfing. We went to Kauai on the 17th.

Here's what I can remember of that trip:
1/17
- arrive Kauai 2:30pm
- pick up rental car
- wait for surfboards to come out of the NEXT scheduled flights baggage
- grocery shopping
- surfboard rental - I got a 9'6" Velzy epoxy board - noserider, soft rails
- YUMMY dinner of bbq scallops, salmon and salad

1/18
- Surfing at Pavillions - no wind, beautiful day, a little closed out, but super fun!!!
- Fishing at a secret place near the hotel.
- I catch a mini-papio (literally - about 6") and throw it back

1/19
- Dawn patrol to Middles (no surfing for me. Surf looked too big, current too strong, and water too sharky looking)
- Fishing for me!!!
- Two VERY SMALL hinalea caught, but thrown back
- Hiked Kalalau trail to Hanakapi'ai Beach

1/20
- High surf advisory for all north facing shores
- Eddie Aikau big-wave invitational is rumored to start
- northerly winds make conditions in Hanalei bay HORRIBLE
- WATER LOOKS VERY, VERY dangerous, even at the pier
- Card playing at the airport
- Return to awesome Sunday Dinner at Aunty B's

Today, great surfing, and lots of computer work at the store. I have a tentative job offer from an old boss.

I am NOT looking forward to rejoining the ranks of the employed. More on my wonderful time off in a bit.