This past weekend marked the beginning of the end. Of course I speak of the greatest show in modern television history, LOST. For those who follow the show, you will agree that this is one engaging show, for those of you who tuned in too late you yourself just might be lost as well as this is one tangled web of characters, histories, and theories all rolled into one epic television drama. Well all those tangled stories and web of ideas will sort itself out in the next coming months as the final season of LOST begins.To mark the final season I, along with some friends, attended the Lost premiere in Waikiki where the debut episode is shown to an evening audience on the beach. Besides catching a glimpse at the show before the rest of the world the big draw is actually meeting the cast as the meander the red carpet. Now this wasn't my first LOST premiere and red carpet event. In fact a few years back I was quite successful at not only meeting our favorite actors but I'm assured I left a lasting impression. In fact Dominic Monaghan, better know as Charlie to you LOSTies or to the rest of the world as one of the hobbits, well he told me that I have 'quite an infectious personality' - Can I get that in writing?? Well needless to say, this years red carpet even did not disappoint. Not only did I get to mix and mingle with all my favorite stars but the highlight, most deffy, was snagging another kiss with LOST's Kate played by the naturally beautiful and sooo stunning, Evangeline Lily. Yes you heard me right- A KISS with Hollywood's hottest actress. And Yes this was our second kiss - I think I'm ready to take it to the next level!As if quipping with the Hollywood stars on the red carpet wasn't enough, we of course managed to attend the VIP cast party that followed. This meant walking the red carpet ourselves and yes sipping cranberry juice and getting down on the dance floor with the Hollywood elite! It's a surreal feeling sitting in a swanky lounge with the characters you know all too well from television but this time they're right next to you sipping drinks and TALKING TO YOU! Wow. This night may have marked the beginning of the end for LOST but for me I think it's only the beginning! Click the link below to check out my appearance on the official LOST podcast
Another Christmas season and this year finds me on a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico celebrating this special season with my sister and her family who live on a tiny Navajo school compound where her husband Anselm is a teacher. Dzilth Na O Dithle (try say that five times fast) is a school, a tiny cluster of houses and a clinic situated right in the middle of nowhere, nestled between barren mesas on the New Mexican high desert.
Despite the rural nature of our surroundings however, we still found plenty of activities to enjoy this festive time. Upon my arrival we were greeted by a white-out snow storm that left plenty of the white stuff perfect enough to make a snowman with my nephews and little niece. Samuel was anxious to take me on a sledding adventure and he was thrilled to show me his favorite neighborhood spot to ride the powder. And of course one cannot revel in the flurries with out an epic snowball fight!
After thawing out from the winter wonderland we continued our family tradition of making candy gingerbread houses and delivering treats, carols, and Christmas cheer all around. Santa delivered a joyous Christmas morning full of presents and delight but the season belongs to Christ and our annual nativity pageant kept Christ as the reason for the season. Samuel played Joseph and Elliana took on the role of Mary, but this year we were honored to have little Jacob, just a month old, playing the part of baby Jesus.
It was a beautiful week full of festivities and of course I documented the merriment in the video below. Enjoy! We did!
For the Navajo people the ritual butchering of sheep and goat is a deep and long held tradition passed down through the ages. A traditional slaughter and feast are the focal point of any Navajo family gathering. Being on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico this week called for such a family get together. Herds of goats and sheep intermingle on the reservation and after obtaining the perfect one for the slaughter the family came together to all take part in the butchering process. The whole process started with Julia, Ac's mother, offering up a Navajo prayer on behalf of the animal. Then the knives were sharpened and the slaughter began. When a sheep or goat is slaughtered the blood is retained for the preparation of blood sausage. The animal is then skinned and the viscera removed and rapidly cleaned. After cleaning, the intestines are wrapped around strips of fat, broiled and eaten while hot. Julia made some delicious Navajo tortillas called The Navajo people treat the land and it's creatures with deep respect and these animals are vital for sustaining life on their vast and deserted homelands. What really impressed me was how resourceful they truly are! Virtually every part of the animal is consumed or used and not a bit is wasted. Everything is devoured from brain, intestines, hoofs to tongue and everything in between. Watch the action in my video below. Viewer discretion advised.
Oooono(delish) icecream cake and cupcakes for all! Mahalo guys!
Well my birthday came once again! This year it found me in Maui where my hanai ohana gave me special treat! Of course my birthday week was filled with my favorite activities including a trip to lush hana for some swimming in sacred pristine pools, hitting up the mall and my favorite beach, and strolling the little shops of paia. Then to top it off da Watson ohana gave me an unforgettable birthday surprise! This was the best birthday I've had alll year!
In the wake of the recent tsunami that rocked the pacific, my first concern was for my family members in Samoa. After talking with uncle Lilo I learned that our family in the tiny coastal village of Aua were all accounted for and safe. He told the story of one relative who woke up early in the morning to sweep the porch of her humble coastal home where her family and her reside. It was in those early morning moments where she was astonished to find that where the blue pacific waters usually greeted the shore outside their home, there was nothing! Even where the darker, deeper-blue waters of the pacific she saw nothing! The tide had retracted as it does in the moments before a disastrous tsunami strikes inland. The quick-thinking islander hurriedly woke up everyone in the house and the whole family fled to higher ground and thankfully all were spared. Sadly though Uncle Ila lost his mother to the surge, she was taken at the age of 107! It took a tsunami to take her after a long full life. So to do our part we recently took part in a tsunami drive filling a cargo container with needed goods for our brothers and sisters and friends in Samoa.
Here is a video of happier times in Samoa taken during the festivities from our family reunion in the tiny island village of Aua.
So the tradition continues! This is my second year attending the Texas Renaissance Festival which is arguably the biggest and best Ren Fest America has to offer. Some one commented on my album that the festival is like playing dress up with a whole community! Of course donning Renaissance garb is only half the fun, delighting in medieval food and entertainment, enjoying melodic stylings of roaming musicians and interacting with a host of merry characters is the true attraction. When you enter the Festival grounds you leave behind the modern ages and take a trip back in time! This year my crew and I attended on Pirate weekend and as you can see in my video below, we had quite a time!
Ok so as you can see we really enjoyed the elves this year! I'm glad to know that I am Mimi's bestest friend in whole world! Hehe YAARRR!!
This past weekend marked the beginning of the end. Of course I speak of the greatest show in modern television history, LOST. For those who follow the show, you will agree that this is one engaging show, for those of you who tuned in too late you yourself just might be lost as well as this is one tangled web of characters, histories, and theories all rolled into one epic television drama. Well all those tangled stories and web of ideas will sort itself out in the next coming months as the final season of LOST begins.
To mark the final season I, along with some friends, attended the Lost premiere in Waikiki where the debut episode is shown to an evening audience on the beach. Besides catching a glimpse at the show before the rest of the world the big draw is actually meeting the cast as the meander the red carpet. Now this wasn't my first LOST premiere and red carpet event. In fact a few years back I was quite successful at not only meeting our favorite actors but I'm assured I left a lasting impression. In fact Dominic Monaghan, better know as Charlie to you LOSTies or to the rest of the world as one of the hobbits, well he told me that I have 'quite an infectious personality' - Can I get that in writing?? Well needless to say, this years red carpet even did not disappoint. Not only did I get to mix and mingle with all my favorite stars but the highlight, most deffy, was snagging another kiss with LOST's Kate played by the naturally beautiful and sooo stunning, Evangeline Lily. Yes you heard me right- A KISS with Hollywood's hottest actress. And Yes this was our second kiss - I think I'm ready to take it to the next level!
As if quipping with the Hollywood stars on the red carpet wasn't enough, we of course managed to attend the VIP cast party that followed. This meant walking the red carpet ourselves and yes sipping cranberry juice and getting down on the dance floor with the Hollywood elite! It's a surreal feeling sitting in a swanky lounge with the characters you know all too well from television but this time they're right next to you sipping drinks and TALKING TO YOU! Wow. This night may have marked the beginning of the end for LOST but for me I think it's only the beginning! 
Click the link below to check out my appearance on the official LOST podcast
Oooono(delish) icecream cake and cupcakes for all! Mahalo guys!
