Two Images of October 2017 Harvest Moon Over Okinawa

Last Night We Celebrated

There was a big festival, known as Kangetsusai, in Kin Town, under the almost full moon.

Of course, I was out there, with a camera and, extremely busy.

Everyone kept offering me alcoholic spirits to enjoy, along with them.

But, I don't drink, when using the camera. It's against my religion, I guess.

The moon, wasn't quite 100% round. It was 98 or 99% if, you ask me.

Knowing, it would appear more full tonight, I got outside early.

This photo was taken at 6:23 PM using the Pentax 300 MM and a 1.4 converter.

A Few Minutes Later

Clouds would come and go and, a second series of shots might not have happened.

Going back downstairs, I switched to a Sigma 50-500 MM lens with a converter.

Stretched out all the way, the lens gave me 700 MM of focal length.

It was 6:39 PM, when this photo was taken. Notice, the change in the color of the moon.

If, you want to catch the moon, appearing orange, don't be 16 minutes late.

More about the Harvest Moon

Wordless Wednesday

GIF: Okinawa Dance at Beiju (米寿) an 88th Birthday in Japan

Grand Event in Okinawa

The 88th birthday celebration takes on a new meaning in Okinawa, Japan.

Friends, family (from Hawaii and Washington state) and, I was even there.

A hall, down in Gushikawa, hosted the event and, Kin Town, provided bus transportation.

Normally, you would never catch me in a suit and, wearing shoes.

But, I got all dolled up for this because, it was a formal event, in honor of Mrs. Yamashiro.

She's the sweetheart, who's always smiling and gardening behind my office.

Lots of bugs, butterflies, flowers and vegetables become subjects for my cameras.

She's always trying to give me vegetables, to take home but, I politely refuse.

The Camera Stayed at the Office

The reason, the town provided transportation, is some serious drinking might be required.

And, that's the reason, I didn't take along any expensive camera equipment.

It was an all-you-can-eat-and-drink type of affair. So, that's what I planned on doing.

While relatives and family, did performances on stage, I consumed plenty of refreshments.

Snapping a few hundred images with the iPhone,  they got sent to the cloud.

When I got back to the office Sunday night, an idea struck me. "You're drunk, go home."

Seven Day Work Weeks

Monday, I decided to spend the day at home and, rest the weary bones.

The wife agreed, it might be a good idea and, the dog loved it. We slept a lot.

Apple's iPhone and that iCloud  are some strange characters.

The camera takes, alright photos and they are fairly large, in size but, need work.

Once a GB of storage in the cloud, gets used up, they want you to pay for more.

The rest of the week I'll probably, decide which photos to keep and process.

Then, a Facebook album, may be created, for Mrs. Yamashiro's friends and family, to see.

Standby for more.....

Last Conversation with Apple's Siri

It was a Beautiful Day

The sweltering summer heat and humidity, sort of, got blown away.

There hasn't been a better day, in the month of September, to go for a long hike.

A quick check of emails and, I'd be out the door with the cameras.

Beeps and bings, started going off on the computer and charging iPhone.

Some sort of update, needed to be installed, the iTunes told me.

After going through all kind of frustration, even fingerprinting, I was all set.

Push the Start Button and Here Comes Siri

A long time ago, I got rid of that useless witch but, the update brought her  back.

Every time, I turned the phone on, I couldn't get my home screen to show.

Siri, would turn herself on and, ask the same stupid question. What can I help you with ?

First I asked, "How can I get Siri off my iPhone?"

She said, "I can't help you with that."

Apple Should Get Rid of Siri

People who want to impress themselves with, talking to robots, can buy phones elsewhere.

They want to act like some kind of astronauts or something. Join NASA.

Regular earthlings, like me, don't need stupid robots, to talk to. 

Almost a whole day was wasted, trying to get my phone, working again.

Finally, I caved and played Siri's stupid game because, there was nothing left to do.

I explained to her, the update made my usual iPhone home screen disappear. 

The witch goes, "That's an interesting question Michael."

And, she never came back with a solution. Just left me hanging, smoking and cussing.

Finally, I went and Googled "How to turn off Siri."

Got rid of her and,  learned some new stuff along the way.

Triple clicking, rebooting and punching the phone around the office, it began working again.

Since Apple got my fingerprint, I figured I'd better not cuss at Siri.

So, I toned it down a bit and, sent her my last message. I really wish her a fertile future !

End of rant

Travel Agent Academy: Croatia - A European Hot Spot

Another One Bites the Dust

Just the other day, I was wondering how I got into the Taiwan travel agent program.

Checking with the Travel Agent Academy, it wasn't listed, there.

As long as I had logged-in, I figured I'd look around, for anything new.

There, I discovered a new course on Croatia. Went back and, checked it out today.

After some grueling, culture, geography, history and language studies, I took the tests.

What the Hell Has That Got to Do with Ryukyu Life ?

Well, I've been taking travel agent courses around the globe and, I'll tell you.

The most successful travel countries, do the best marketing, of the country's features.

So, I kind of know, which places, are most likely to get the most tourists.

Pick out what's unique about a place and, tell folks, where, when and why, they should see it.

Snow festivals and skiing probably, wouldn't go over big, on these islands.

But, water sports, karate, UNESCO sites, culture and foods, might interest some folks.

Telling the travelers, the best and worst months for activities, is important, too.

Visa requirements, transportation, lodging, shopping, museums, all kinds of stuff.

Adventure, amusement, entertainment, camping, cycling and hiking, the list goes on and on.

I take, what's good and, ignore what's poorly done, by every country, I take travel exams in.

One of these days, I might make my own exams, for Okinawa Travel Specialists and Experts !