Our tsunami

Earthquake in the Queen Charlotte islands! I don't know where that is, but humom was worried -- she loves her tattooist, Bart Willis, and the wonderful Haida people he works with and hopes everyone is okay. All these rocks in the middle of the water seem awfully precarious to me -- and am I right? hmm? Here we are in Hawaii and what is that? It's a bunch of islands and whenever we want to go anywhere I have to get squashed into a crate and stuck on a plane. Is that a system? I ask you.

Anyway, over there in Canada, where you would they they'd know better, they go and have an earthquake, and that means we're going to have a big wave here. Small rock in the middle of the ocean + big wave = not good news for the Mallie girl who likes to keep her feet and fur dry. Apparently many people agree, since immediately all the roads turn into parking lots, more so than usual. We live on the 5th floor so we "evacuate in place." In other words, humom goes up to the roof to watch the mayhem, which consists of some news people and fools messing around on the beach walk.

We watch some TV -- reports of accidents on the roads and all the stores selling out of toilet paper (eh?) -- and a conspicuous absence of big waves. Then everyone gets together to exchange war stories about The Tsunami That Wasn't. Your first clue not to panic: We animals slept soundly, unlike when there's an earthquake or a real tsunami. We'll let you know.

To those hupersons who thought it would be a good idea to tie up your dogs in the yard and lock your cats in the house in the flood zone while you drive up to party on the high ground, think about it for just one second.

--- Missy out

Fire!

What a smell! Our hotel caught on fire. A cacophony of smells. My poor nose was totally overwhelmed! Even a few humans noticed that it stank! Some police cars showed up, and then some fire trucks, all of which tried to squeeze into the little alley beside the hotel. They ended up parked all over Kapahulu too, lights flashing, drivers out, malasadas in hand. A Mallie trying to go for her morning stroll did not have an easy time, trying to thread her way through all the emergency vehicles. It did not turn out to be a very big fire, but humom has been very irritable. Wiring was damaged and the wifi has been down, which has a very bad effect on the human temperament. Let's hope it's fixed soon!

--- Missy out

Early walk

Early morning walk -- the clouds in the Ko'olau range valleys smoldering red, glowing pink behind Diamond Head. The early surfers are already out hungry for the better waves, but the beach is blessedly empty. Here and there cocoons of homeless lie anonymous under a tree or behind a bush. Missy and I scoot along, past the Aquarium and the odd egg-shaped ornaments out front. We pause to admire the old Natatorium, a fine classical swimming theater, sadly dilapidated. A great old Hawaii landmark, echoing with the cheers of those privileged to watch our greatest swimmers, and with the soft swooshes of their sleek bodies slicing through the water. Now the water is still and algal within the crumbling walls.