Lazy Time

These past two weeks I've experienced a crazy, alternating spell of work and sleep. I feel like a light switch, subjected to a cruel child's playing. On, Off, On, Off.... STOP IT! I haven't had a moment to think, let alone to sit and write. It is kind of unnerving. I like to write and need to do it for my sanity. So having the time and brain power to blog is a bit precious.

Working at a vegan café is definitely cool. I love that so much time, care, love, and peaceful effort is put into the food we make, and that the ingredients are sourced locally, organically if possible. It makes me inwardly relaxed, because I'm selling products that I can support, so at least there's no ethical barrier between myself and the work I do. It's not a farm, it's definitely not Rosenhill (and I'm dying a bit inside that I'm not there right now...) but it's a good start. I'm learning quite a lot and making some money... hmm... if only it were outdoors and involved chard and goats...but hey, I'm lucky that I get to choose my work, at least for now. For that, I feel quite privileged.

My little roof garden is doing quite well. I transplanted the chard sprouts into their very own containers, as well as the arugula. Most of the lettuce died, I suppose because we're nearing the middle of June, and infant sprouts just don't like the strong Hawaiian sun at this time of the year.... I don't have a greenhouse, so it's difficult to keep them protected. Since I'm on the south-west facing side of our house (and most of our windows are) they only receive the hot afternoon rays when placed on a windowsill... ONE single survivor lettuce is still growing though. Hopefully he'll make it. Yes, it's a he. Two tomatoes have sprouted out of the six I planted. But one sprout just arrived this morning and it's been 3 weeks since I've planted them, so maybe they just need time.

I went fig hunting yesterday, after hearing rumors of amazing fig trees in Portlock. I didn't find the ones mentioned to me, but I was shown to some others by a neighbor-pal. Three figs are now ripening in my kitchen. They're a green variety, so I have no idea how they'll taste....

Waimanalo Lychees and Figs from Portlock

Figs from Portlock

I'm a bit antsy though. I really want to be on a farm. I want to be out in nature more. Four days a week of kitchen work is kind of annoying. I notice my skin turning paler. Again.

 I just want some land already. I don't even need a house on it yet, a tent would suffice. And a forest fire. I feel like going out and catching my own game, even though I don't really eat meat.... I just want the self sufficient lifestyle.  Some goats, chickens, maybe even some pigs... I have a strange urge to go to the Big Island. I really feel like it's calling me... I'll go with the flow if I can.

For now, I'm here on O'ahu. There's not much I can complain about. Being here is awesome. I witnessed the transit of venus, which many people in the world couldn't see. It's pretty crazy to be in this part of the world sometimes. No harsh seasonal things to worry about, hardly any crime, not really any deadly animals, a pretty chilled-out enforcement of the law, cool astronomical happenings, awesome fruit, the ocean and mountains at the same time.... yeah, life is pretty good.

Lunar Eclipse

Transit of Venus

It's kind of funny, so many primitive cultures dream of the whole "big-shot" city life, cash-avalanche, high-rise type of lifestyle... but I dream of the other thing. I want a modern take on back-to-the-roots living. Solar powered and low-carbon-footprint...with internet and telescopes and that sort of stuff, but outdoors and more or less communal, or at least inviting of others to come participate. Maybe I should go wwoof again....