my new friend, Jawbone UP

Meet my new friend, the Jawbone UP bracelet.  I had read about the UP over the past few months on the tech blogs and thought it sounded like a pretty cool device.  And someone tipped me off that they had hit the stores, so I immediately picked one up.  You know I'm a sucker for a new gadget. Especially when it's supposed to make my life better!  I have had the UP for just over a week now and have to say... I love it.  

The UP is supposed to help you 'move' more - it tracks your steps, distance, pace, intensity level and calories associated with those activities.  You can tell it to remind you to move - like when you're sitting in front of the computer working all day, it will give you a gentle reminder to get up and move around a bit.  I find this super useful - it's so good to know what calories you're burning on a regular basis and then you can really  see when you need to pick it up and get moving more.  

The UP tracks your sleep too!  This is probably my favorite feature of the UP.  It tracks hours slept, when you're in deep vs. light sleep, if you wake up in the middle of the night and then gives you an overall picture of the night.  Honestly, I have no idea how it does this, but it does.  And it sure seems to be right!  I program it to wake me at a specific time and it will wake me within a 20-30 min window before that time.  It wakes me in light sleep and I feel Sooooooooooooo much better when I wake up.  See, I had gotten into this horrible rut of setting my alarm and hitting the snooze a couple of times before I actually drag my butt out of bed.  By looking at my sleep patterns, I totally get why this was such a bad thing!  When I fall asleep, I fall direct into deep sleep, so if you wake me up 5 min into that I am going to be much more groggy than if I just get up a few minutes earlier but while in light sleep.  This has seriously been THE. BEST. FEATURE. for me!! 

So the only feature I don't love is the food tracking.  You're supposed to take a quick photo of your food and the UP will ask you a little while later in the day how that food makes you feel (via smiley faces).  The idea is that you can see what foods energize you and those that make you feel yucky.  Well... for me, since it doesn't also track calories and such, I find that I don't really use it.  Maybe they will do something to expand on it in the future that will get me a little more interested ... but despite this feature, the UP has been a fabulous addition to my life!   Snap one up and let me know how you like it! 

hawaii deux :: five

THE. PERFECT. BEACH. DAY. Yep. Finally the day I have been looking for in Hawaii. We met another one of our high school classmates, Wendy, at Hickam Air Force Base beach to catch up and catch some rays! It was super to see Wendy - don't think I've seen her in 20 years - she's just as crazy as I remember!

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So, Hickam beach was great - two lifeguards on duty (most beaches have none), kayak and sup board rentals for super cheap, bathroom facilities and shaded picnic benches. It's a small beach, but pretty and not crowded - well not on a Thursday morning anyway. The only problem is that the end of a runway is right along the water and while normal jets are loud, F-22 fighters are insane! They were taking off in pairs and the sound literally vibrated inside my chest it was so loud. Pretty cool to see and like a free air show as they flew overhead, but not the best for sitting and chatting with friends. But Bethany finally got to SUP (stand up paddle) and popped up the first try. She didn't actually fall off the board till she tried to move her feet inline rather than wide. She paddled a little way out and back and practiced some footwork and totally rocked it. They tried to get me out there, but I don't think there is any way in hell I could pop up with my bad knees.

Picked up G and headed back over to Paradise cove where I almost tripped over a green sea turtle - he crept up on me when I was wading about, I turned around and he was right there. Scared me and I hear if they hit you it really hurts because they are heavy!! I sat it in the beach chair along the shore with the waves lapping up over my feet. The sun was getting low in the sky and the people at Paradise Cove were preparing for the luau. At one point I heard a Dave Matthews Band song (One Sweet World) in Hawaiian - or at least I think it was. Had the exact same tune.

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Since I had been sitting but the water I was starting to pink up… so banished myself to a shady spot under a tree while B & G continued to play for a bit. Fortunately I saved myself, only a tiny bit burnt on my forehead and scalp and chest is a little pink, but should be good by tomorrow. G was so cute, he ran up to me and said "um, Miss Yvette are you OK up here? I just wanted to check on you." I said I was all good and he ran back to the water. He's such a beach bum.

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We left just before sunset - I'm sure it was stunning, but the beach closes at sunset and we needed to clean up to get dinner. It was the perfect beach day! Ahhhhh.

hawaii :: four

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Up early and took the doggy for a beach run to the local beach.  I gotta say the sunrise over the ocean produces the most beautiful silver, shimmer over the water and when it washes up on the sand and draws back leaves bubbles that just glisten.  Completely amazing.  I just don't think I could ever tire of this.  

And the local surfers are out riding the waves.  These are the guys that B sees every day when she comes to the beach with the dog.  They all know her and the dog and wave and give a little "aloha" as she passes by.  

Then it was off to Lanikai Beach for us - it's on the east coast, which means we basically had to cross the whole island by going through the mountain.  It's insane how different the two sides of the island look.  The west being much more dry and the east being lush and green.  B pointed out the "stairway to heaven" (a staircase basically straight up the mountain) and it makes my knees shake just looking at it.  Seriously insane!!! 

We found the beach and parking easy - it's in a residential area and only has a few access routes to the beach for public.  It's supposedly the beach where most Hawaiian photoshoots take place because it's so beautiful.  The sand is so tiny and soft - some describe it like powered sugar.  The colors of the ocean are intense, the water is clear and surf was gentle.  I can totally see the draw to this beach, but be prepared to be cleaning sand off of everything you own for some time to come. I had to take a close up photo of my toes to illustrate just how fine the sand is… crazy! 

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No more than an hour into our beach time, the gray clouds rolled in… We stuck around and I walked along the beach just taking in the sights and snapping pics.  I just cannot seem to get a day full of sun… what the heck Hawaii??  Help a poor pale northern girl out would ya?

hawaii deux :: three

We started the day with a HUGE breakfast at KOA Pancake House (yum!) and then headed to Ko'Olina beach (lagoon 4) to catch some sun… it was stunning and beautiful for the first hour we were there and then this giant gray cloud moved in *frown."  We met our friend Mark and just sat on the beach chatting, hoping that damn cloud would leave… but it didn't.

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So we packed it up and headed to pick G up from school.  We tossed some sandwiches into a cooler and headed for the North Shore.  Stopping at the Dole Plantation to pick up some goodies along the way.  

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We had shave ice at the Aloha General Store and I picked up a couple of touristy gifts for people. Oh how I love shave ice - I get blue hawaii flavor.  Sooooooo good! 

We wanted to catch the sunset along the beach and since we made so many pit stops along the way (totally my fault) we didn't make it to Waimea Bay, but stopped just out of town at Hale'iwa Beach.  It's simply lovely.  I mean just look at these photos… 

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How could you not be completely moved by this landscape?  And just when I thought the guys paddling on the surf boards were amazing … along comes one of those boats with multiple people paddling.  I could not have paid to have the scene set any better.  Seriously.  This happened.  

So while I snapped iconic photos of the Hawaiian sunset, B & G explored the tide pools finding all sorts of wildlife.  B found an eel, and fortunately this time from afar.  No medical attention needed unlike my last trip.  Wheew!  

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And then the magic started to happen… fire in the sky.  Seriously stunning.  

Don't you just love it when the edge of the clouds light up like this?  And then voila… the perfect sunset moment.  

I have about twenty shots in various angles and such of this beautiful spot and honestly they barely do the real thing justice.  The light.  The surfers paddling along the still water.  Palm trees make the most beautiful sound with a little wind blowing through the branches.  And then there were these assholes - mucking it up!   

Then kept climbing on top of that stump talking about how the other person(s) should take their photo.  Laughing.  Being loud.  "Now take a video of us down here and pretend we're mermaids."  Really?  Come on people.  Let the rest of us enjoy this stunning sight in peace.  It not only annoys me when people disrespect this type of moment, but makes me sad that it's completely lost to some… Look around you.  Take it in.  This is nature at it's purest and most magnificent.  Aloha! 

hawaii deux :: two

SPA DAY!!!  We headed to the new Disney (yes, Disney) resort called Aulani for spa & salon treatments at Laniwai.  I went for the lomilomi massage which gave me use of the Kula Wai (outdoor hydrotherapy garden) and the whole experience was superb!  

It's Disney, so I know everything is very customer service focused, but every single person we came in contact with was crazy nice and helpful!  Valet parking is free with a salon or spa service if you spend $50 or more and stay less than four hours - excellent!  Our greeting upon arriving in the Laniwai Spa was so enthusiastic I was taken back a little bit.  I was then escorted back to the spa treatment area and along the way was given a bit of a story. 

Choose a rock inscribed with a word that will serve as a focus for my treatment for the day.  I chose harmony (Lokahi in Hawaiian).  You carry the rock through this long hallway that has only the sound of rain.  It growss louder as you get closer to the spa center.  As you reach the center, you find this glass orb suspended by a single line with water trickling down, creating individual drips into the water below.  I was to place my rock into the water before proceeding into the locker rooms.  

I was given a full tour of the locker room and let me tell you they have covered ALL bases.  Big fluffy robes, comfy rubber slippers, private changing areas, roomy showers, towels galore and every single product to use post shower you could think of.  I was then taken to the hydrotherapy garden and a custom scrub was mixed to match a scent I chose.  Rain showers are located at the entrance to the garden that houses two hydrotherapy pools, five different rain showers and jacuzzi tubs.  It's the most peaceful setting with the sound of water falls and lush green plants with winding paths and illuminated glass orbs in the trees.  As a spa guest you have use of this area as long as you want.

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 I was given mint tea, pineapple lemongrass water, muffins and they had a spread of fruit and gummy bears (no idea why gummy bears) in the relaxation room.  You also have the option to order room service to the spa!  

Chuck, my massage therapist, was very good.  And the massage rooms were quite roomy with tables that actually move (like a hospital bed) to put you in just the right position without the addition of pillows under knees and neck.  I know, it's Disney and they think of everything... right?  My only complaint about the massage is that it was just your basic massage... they website makes it sound like it was going to have some sort of Hawaiian spin, but it didn't.  

Overally I give it an A for sure.  A wonderful experience.  Pricy, but I expected that and with all the extras you get, worth it I think. 

hawaii deux :: one

Took G to school, he introduced me to his friends and teacher and showed me where he sits in class. He introduced me as "our visitor" to his friends, which I thought was funny. We hit starbucks so I could grab another insulated Aloha cup for my tea. I love that they say "Aloha from Hawaii" on them.

Spent a couple of hours back at Paradise Cove beach - it's a most lovely beach. Quite. Very few people. Green sea turtles just hangin' out. This is Bethany's "go to beach" and can't you tell why? I slathered on spf 85 and didn't get any sun, so I guess I will go back to my normal 35 with multiple applications. :) We're trying to log a little bit of beach time each day so that I don't end up fried like a lobster.

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We picked G up from school - early day because of conferences - he played on the playground with his friends, we chatted with the other moms and then headed back to the homestead for lunch and a nap. The weather was beautiful today - but it did rain tonight. Seems the rain just follows me to the island… time for me to go wash the sand off. Aloha!

hawaii deux :: leica lesson

I made the bold decision to bring only the Leica D-Lux5 with me on this trip - no DSLR!  It's wonderful to not be bogged down but the weight of all the SLR equipment, but I did find myself having one small problem with only the point & shoot… no viewfinder.  *humph*  

Problem #1, I wear polarized sunglasses and that makes viewing anything on the screen almost impossible, so I have to pull them down on my nose to even see what I am shooting.  Problem #2, when it's bright and sunny I can't see a damn thing on that screen, even without the glasses!  So I guess I will be purchasing the viewfinder that mounts to the hot shoe.  

That said .. the results I've gotten from this camera have been fabulous.  We took the dog to the local beach (One'ula Beach Park) where she romped around, we watched morning surfers and waded around shallow reef peeking into tide pools.  The sun was just coming up and the haze burning off… And, of course, I cannot go anywhere without taking photos on my iPhone (last two).  I still have the 4 (no "S" yet) and it amazes me how great they turn out.  I think they rival my Leica RAW images.  

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just your average Saturday

Simply a beautiful Fall day today in Chicago.  Met my BF for a late lunch on Southport then visited my friend's new store (Fixture) on Roscoe.  Snapped a few pics of Selika's outfit for her blog ... she turned the camera on me for a good comparison - chic and sporty ... 

Tried for a couple of quick selfies and my friend held up bunny ears ... what's that all about?  Silly, silly girls running around the city.  Oh and yes, it was a little windy today too.  :)

mam :: hear no evil

I love the front gallery of the Milwaukee Art Museum and always leave it till the end, because they always have something really cool in there.  More of an experience rather than just art on the walls, like other areas of the building.  Today it was Yue Minjun: Chinese Contemporary Warriors "hear no evil."  They're pretty powerful. I just love it when I can get up close and personal with sculpture like these. MIngle.  Contemplate.  Admire.   

As I wandered among the sculptures, I thought hmmm...   That's a bit how I feel these days.  Sometimes we get too wrapped up in our own shit to listen.  Maybe it's time we open ourselves up.  Do more than listen.       Hear. 

twenty seven of thirty :: milwaukee

(27) from a distance :: Lots to choose from - I spent the day in Milwaukee at my favorite museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum. It's the 10 year anniversary of the Calatrava building and they have an exhibit going on thru the end of the year about the design process and construction. The scale models are sick! And it was super cool to see the different iterations of the design. I have photographed this place maybe four or five times, and just cannot get enough.

I wandered around the museum and then out along the lake front - there were a ton of boats on the water. It was the perfect day for sailing... a little windy. My hair was a bit of a nest by the time I got back to the car. Yikes!

Despite the wind, it was the most beautiful day. Sunny and warm. I love warm Fall days. The colors in the trees just seem so rich and full. Hope you had a beautiful day where ever you are!