Today is the Fourth of July and for the first time in forever… like over three decades… I’ve not had a pupper to worry about with the fireworks. It does make me sad in so many ways but I also know that others are trying to keep their fur babies safe and not scared. So I hope you all are doing okay.

I’ve been really nose down trying to finish this book. I do need to get a cover for it and figure out where I’m going. It’s a bit of a two path book and whichever one I choose will change its tone. That’s always the case of things, isn’t it?

I’ll probably be messing around with this blog’s appearance at some point this month. They changed the tools and look of how my posts are done and as many of you know, change isn’t good for the spicy brained. It’s actually kind of annoying.

So if you are around anyone setting off fireworks, please be careful. Also, stay hydrated and if you’ve a chance, be sure to pamper yourself a little bit. You deserve it.

Surgery this time was rough. Came out of it sicker than I normally am but I’m at home and waiting for the cats to settle down. Everyone wants cuddles. And for some reason, my hair has just gone wild so God knows what I did in my sleep.

Catching up on watching the Japanese diners / restaurants. This one is quite interesting. I haven’t watched it all the way but the chef is classically trained in French techniques but his father passed away so he returned home to continue the family restaurant. Which is in an abandoned mall. Doesn’t it sound like a premise to a movie? So go and watch. Let me know what you think. I’m watching it now.

Today is Release Day for the Illustrated edition of Wolf at First Sight by Rhys Ford! Now available on Amazon and other online bookstores! 10 illustrations by Emily Y. Chan.

https://www.amazon.com/Wolf-First-Sight-Monster-Dads-ebook/dp/B0C3JQR4N2/

Grab the “sibling” releases…
Elf Shot by TA Moore
https://www.amazon.com/Elf-Shot-Monster-Dads-Moore-ebook/dp/B0C3J7BZNC/

And Monster Hall Pass by Bru Baker

https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Hall-Pass-Dads-ebook/dp/B0C3J6FYP5/

Angus Missouri Blue aka The Potato has joined his brothers living across the Bifröst. He was the best of puppers and a delight to love. If you ever had the pleasure of meeting him, please know he carried you in his heart and never forgot you. Literally remembered everyone he ever met and was glad to see them.

Thank you for celebrating his life with me and I am so glad you all got to know him. He was a very beloved good pupper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcQXp1FAx5c

Damn this boy goes hard. Seriously, my favourite.

It goes both ways… colorism. I’ve been told I’m too “pale” to be Hawaiian, despite very Hawaiian. Enough to attend and graduate Kamehameha Schools. But yes, I also agree Nani shouldn’t be scrubbed lighter. She is kanaka. And looks it.

But we as Hawaiians also need to have those hard discussions about gatekeeping, color, and what is cultural appropriation vs appreciation. The US overthrow of our Kingdom threatened our people’s language and culture, leading to things like grass skirt costumes and Elvis’ movies.

And even knowing all that, my own mother asked a friend I’d brought with me to visit the Big Island if he’d met a Hawaiian before he’d met my Dad 2.0. He replied; just the one that brought me. And my own mother said, Doesn’t count. Doesn’t look Hawaiian enough.

She isn’t the first one to say that. We code switch, pidgin to “proper English” both are valid. We need to fight for our culture, language and people. All of them. But yeah, Nani should be as she is drawn because she IS who we are. I’m still wondering why David wasn’t Kawika.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/23/entertainment/lilo-and-stitch-live-action-colorism-cec/index.html

You know…. I never thought about what would go into performing this piece live.