Longer Term Plans

I broke the news to Mom that I plan on staying on Kauai for longer than originally planned.  She agreed it was the right decision.  Now I have to tell Jen.

Having her here reinforced what I only tend to notice when people come visit.  The tourist experience on Kauai is miles away from the kama'aina experience.  The way we were ignored in various shops and restaurants was appalling.  Kauai service industry, lose the entitlement.  I'm used to getting fussed at by the local women and now find it a bit comforting.  It's like an Auntie whom you drive batshit insane, but who secretly loves you just a little bit.  That's what I feel like at the PO, grocery store, at the cafeteria at work, when calling public offices, and in most stores in Lihue.  Smile, smile, smile and you'll wear them down eventually.

I had a shitty day yesterday, full of cancelations and bitchy coworkers, and punctuated by missing my mom.  After work, I fled to Grandpas, texting Jenny on the way.  I parked, put on my bikini in the car, kissed the drunks on the picnic bench, and ran with my new friend into the Pacific Ocean.  Swimming as the paddle boarders circled us and the sun set behind the ridge was more reward than most experience on their honeymoon.

A local surfer boy has been pursuing me, which is confusing and exciting at once.  He drives a boat for a living, born and raised on Kauai.  We are as different as two people can be and still have a shot at anything.  Last night we are sitting in the local dive bar and he lets it slip he is 24 years old.  Such a weird feeling of ancientness, fear, and a little bit of pride.  We were sitting about 15 feet away from another man I have a date with later this week.  He's in his fifties.  So with the boy, I can admire his beauty and energy and laugh off his utter lack of sophistication.  He means well and does stuff like text me at 7 am to say good morning and show me pictures of the big fish he caught yesterday.

The older man requires a slower hand and perhaps none at all.  When I kissed him hello last night, he looked at me with a twinkle in his eye that read, "good job and good luck with that one."  The local boy was oblivious.  I have now hooked up with someone who actually lives on the island, and need to proceed very carefully.  Living in such a small space has taught me well what battles to fight and that sugar will get you far more than spice.

Mom's last night at Black Pot.  She was looking at real estate by her last day here.

Aloha.