All the rage?

Or just plain outrageous? Fashion statements are one thing, and I certainly have my share of tattoos, but the "state-of-the-art" in personal mutilation is getting pretty extreme.

Here we have carving:


I guess tattoos weren't enough; I can't tell if there are any body piercings, but some of those get quite carried away as well.

Anyway, here's the end result:


Oh, and let's not forget the "leftovers":


Kind of makes me want to get some fried pork rinds...

I'll be back! Or will I?

Arnold Schwarzenegger will always be considered the consummate Terminator, much the same as Sean Connery is regarded by many (myself included) as the quintessential James Bond.
[I found that last URL edifying, yet amusing]

However, the "Halcyon Company has announced plans to revive the cyborg-battling movie series with at least three more films, after the production company purchased all rights to the dormant franchise for an undisclosed, though likely eight-figure, sum."

Arnold is more interested in being Governor of California nowadays, although that wouldn't prevent him from making at least an appearance in any future Terminator films.

At present there are three planned, starting with the next one to be tentatively released in 2009.

I've always enjoyed the Terminator series, and what with the state-of-the-art in CGI FX, they should still be worth the price of admission.

I know that I'll be back, to see them...

Flyin' HI...

"HI" being the postal abbreviation for Hawaii. Well, not flyin' all that high; only enough for a decent View From Above.*

I've had a number of requests for pictures, so I'm posting a few.

Many more pictures, taken on the ground, can be found HERE.

Here we have a view into the "belly of the beast":


Look closely in the caldera; you can see glowing lava.

A study in contrasts:


The desert of the Ka'u (South) District meets the rain forest of the Puna (spring) District. The island of Hawaii, commonly referred to as the "Big Island", is roughly the size of Connecticut...and all one county, with 9 Districts.

This is Waipio Valley:


Formerly favored by the Ali'i (Hawaiian nobility), but it got wiped out periodically by tsunamis. Currently inhabited by an eclectic group of farmers and recluses, easily accessible to 4WD vehicles. There's a mile-long black sand beach.

Further along the Hamakua Coast:


Towering cliffs and waterfalls. The only way to see them is by air or on a boat. There are a few hiking trails, but sometimes people go in and are never heard from again. I intend to go check it out for myself someday.
(Surprised?)

This is "Tourist Central" on the Big Island:


Commonly referred to as simply Kona, it's the "happening" place for "tourons".
(Note huge cruise ship)

Also, for most of your retail needs; other spots on the island have varying availability of basic, typical goods and services.

One layer at a time:


The whole island was built up of innumerable individual lava flows, which continue to this very day...

*My "cyber-bud" Hawkeye's blog

New in the neighborhood...

On my way home from work last week, I noticed something new:


About a ¾ mile ride down the road from "La Casa de Camo" (my rambling estate) the totem pole shown above has mysteriously appeared.

Whereas totem poles are thought by many to be a symbol of Native American culture generally, their production was actually limited to tribes in the region that is now British Columbia and southeastern Alaska.

Here's an example of one by the Tlingit tribe:


Naturally, this has piqued my curiosity...