Statrix Redux

Sadly(?), I just couldn’t resist and had to order an iPad. No, I didn’t stand in line for the WiFi only version, I want the real deal 3G version. My rationale is simple, I cycle a lot and may not be near a WiFi hotspot, but there are few places on the island I can’t get a phone signal; they do exist though.
In any case it seems like it would be whole lot more fun to lug around an iPad than a netbook, especially since mine weighs several pounds. No, the iPad isn’t a featherweight, but it’ll be a much better fit. At least I should be able to answer my email more easily than with my iPhone (which is really past due for an upgrade).
Of course I probably won’t get my iPad (late April) before I go camping this month, but hey, you can’t have it all. In the meantime here’s the answer to the question everyone must be asking…

Aloha!

I’ve been debating getting a bicycle to use on the Big Island while I’m visiting. My folks live there so I spend several weekends a year there and often wish I could get in some riding time. I’d take my BF NWT with me but getting it too and from the airport is the problem. Generally I’m leaving from work and need to stay as late as possible to avoid using up vacation time. In addition I often ride my moped to the airport because I can park it cheaply and avoid a $35 cab ride. So…
I decided I’d keep my eyes open for a used bike while I was in Hilo last weekend. No luck. I couldn’t find anything on Craigslist that even came close to what I want and I couldn’t find any used bike stores. I recall one used to be able to buy used bikes at actual stores, but no longer it seems.
That leaves me with sending one of my bikes over to Hilo and leaving it, which would be okay, or doing the same with a new bike. I’m not really up for giving up one of my bikes in Honolulu so now I’m thinking I should be looking for an inexpensive bike I wouldn’t mind leaving in Hilo.
Luckily it seems I can get a bike to Hilo for only about $35 if I fly Hawaiian…I’ll check both GO! and Mokulele next, but here’s Hawaiian’s current policy:

# Bicycles and Attachable Parts
1. Bicycle Characteristics
Carrier will accept non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats and bicycles with tandem seats.
2. Conditions of Acceptance
1. Bicycles must have the handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed or pedals and handlebars must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar material.
2. Bicycles and any attachable parts must be adequately packed in a box or hard case.
3. Passenger must sign a waiver of liability upon airport check-in for HA to transport bicycle and any attachable parts. HA will not be responsible for damage to or loss of inadequately/unsuitably packed, uncrated or unprotected bicycles or attachable parts.
4. Acceptance of Bicycles and attachable parts is subject to availability of space and conditional on aircraft size and load conditions.
Exception: If the bicycle only is less than 62 dimensional inches and weighs less than 50 lbs, the above condition does not apply.
5. HA shall not be responsible for the ground delivery of bicycle or any attachable parts that are not accommodated on the flight on which the bicycle or any attachable parts were accepted as checked baggage.
6. Maximum weight for bicycle and attachable parts and container is 70 lbs and 115 linear inches.
3. Charges
Bicycles and any attachable parts will always each be subject to a charge, whether or not presented as a single piece:
1. Between points within the State of Hawaii: $35.00 USD
2. Between Hawaii and points in the Continental USA: $100.00 USD
3. Between points within the Continental USA: $100.00 USD
4. In addition, items exceeding 50 lbs (not to exceed 70 lbs) will be subject to the following excess weight charges:
Between points within the State of Hawaii $25.00 USD
Between Hawaii and the Continental USA or wholly Within the Continental USA $50.00 USD
Note: Excludes unicycles, break-apart bicycles or any other type of cycle which can be packed into a standard suitcase. When in excess, each suitcase will be subject to the excess baggage charge.

I’ve added a few more…

Enjoy!
Aloha

I just got back the first roll of film shot with my new Rollei 35SE. It took some really sweet shots limited only by the skill of the photographer, damn him. It’s quirky to say the least, but it does have a great lens. I was really impressed, even considering the relatively small scan size done at Sam’s Club.
Here’s a typical shot:

That image has not been corrected by me, though I’m sure the developer did something or another as that stuff is pretty much on autopilot. It’s pretty darn good in my opinion though (maybe not the image itself, but the clarity and such).
Aloha!

It’s been a while since I played around with my collection of old rangefinder cameras. A while back I ended up buying way too many of the darn things, cleaning them up, and then shooting a few rolls through them. For the most part I’ve not used them a lot, tending to stick to a batch of Nikon SLRS I picked up the same way.
On Saturday, due to the tsunami keeping me home, I took out a few and checked which ones needed batteries I didn’t already have around. Later, when it was all clear – thankfully there was no damage anywhere – I picked up the batteries I needed.
But that got the bug going again. Apparently, just like bikes, one needs n+1 rangefinders. Thus I found myself on EBay again indulging that part of me. I lost out on a couple of FSU (former Soviet Union) models and perhaps that’s just as well. I may still order one from fedka.com. What I did win were these models:
Olympus Pen EE – Not a rangefinder actually, but a fun camera that uses half frames to double your pleasure.
Olympus XA – I have two, neither are reliable. I’m hoping this one actually works.
Rollei 35 SE – Again, not a rangefinder, but supposedly has a superb lens – we’ll see.

And today, I’m turning in a bit of film from another camera of mine, an Olympus Trip 35. It’s not a rangefinder either…hmmm…but is a cute little beast with zone focusing I’ve just run a roll of film through. Perhaps in an hour I’ll have a shot to put up!

Aloha!

It’s just a few minutes until the islands most likely will be hit by tsunamis generated by the devastating quake in Chile.
Hawaii has, of course, been hit before. Warnings have been going on since before sunrise. The warning sirens first went off at 6:00am (HST) and are, in fact, going off now. The island of Hawaii will be hit first, in about 30 minutes, Oahu, where I live, sometime later.
There’s really not much to say about it. I hope and pray there will be no loss of life here in the islands. Indeed, I hope the wave proves to be tiny and not the 6-8ft that may hit.
Aloha!

My smaller, but deluxe, rainfly from Hennessy Hammocks arrived yesterday. I’d originally gotten mine with the larger “hex” model, but I’ve found that it blocks off more air than I’d like and is a bit harder to pack as you can’t simply roll it up into the “snakeskins.”
I pulled out my hammock when the rainfly arrived and put it all together and packed it up so it’s good to go! I’d love to try it before I go out to Malaekahana, but I may or may not get the chance…can you say Sand Island?

I’ve used it at Malaekahana before, but I guess I really should give them a call and ask if it’s all right. They didn’t say anything the last time. Of course if I ask, I give them the opportunity to say no. Sigh.
All in all, my bike is ready, especially with it’s new Platrack (more on that in another post). I’ve also got a very light cooler I can use while camping that is light enough use on the bicycle, especially if it’s filled with my hammock and blanket on the way out.
Add to that my new cookset, the Trangia 27-7 UL/HA and I should be styling!
I’m still sort of debating the whole thing, 250 miles in 4 days and all, but I’m really almost there. My big worry is they won’t allow my hammock if I ask. On the other hand, getting out there after cycling 60 miles and not being able to camp because they don’t like my hammock would be a bigger problem. And to top it off, I really should be making my reservations soon just in case it’s a popular thing to do. My fallback position would be to try for one of their “Li’l Grass Shacks“, but that sort of defeats the camping deal.
….breaking news….
It’s all good. I called, asked about my hammock, and was able to make a reservation and secure my site! Sweet. I can even have 5 friends!
Aloha!