I have to say, I am disappointed and frankly outraged with the latest issue of Honolulu Weekly. As Hawaii’s premier alternative weekly, they’ve carved a niche out for being bombastic and supportive of diverse subject matters. But this, this is just downright not right.

It’s gay pride time in Honolulu, which is always cause for celebration, but it coincidentally is also the premiere of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Manoa Valley Theatre. While I have no problem with these two separate topics (I am a hardcore Rocky Horror fan!), I do have a problem with Honolulu Weekly juxtaposing these two happenings in a way that suggests that gay men/women like to dress like Dr. Frank Furter.

The contents of the weekly treats the two separately, with their respective articles touching upon the issue of gay pride and another about Rocky Horror. My concern is that small-minded twits who don’t bother to read the paper (because of all the big words) will assume Dr. Frank Furter, the sweet transvestite, equates gay pride.

In the same monumental month that gay marriages got the greenlight in California, it shocks me that they would crassly publish a cover such as this without any regard to the implications.

xierra152.jpg,
originally uploaded by spudcheyne.

from a 70’s themed photo shoot I did with a local model.

This series was inspired by blaxploitation films of the era, specifically Foxy Brown. I scouted for the perfect locations that would convey the time period and lucked out with two buildings one block away from each other downtown.

The first was a medical building (seen here) and the other was a life insurance building that, to me, resembled an airport in the 70’s.

While she was getting her hair and makeup done, the model was showing me photos of her parents in the 70’s she had uploaded to her phone. It was cute that I made her basically look like her mom, just much hotter and with more leg :-p

jasonloo107.jpg,
originally uploaded by spudcheyne.

From a photoshoot I did last night. Inspired by 1930’s depression-era Newsies.

It rained and various slow-moving pedestrians kept getting in the way, but I am very pleased with the final shots.

After months of observing everyone else having fun, I finally attend my first Flickr Friday meetup. Unlike past FF’s this one took place indoors, graciously hosted by James Anshutz.

It was incredible to be surrounded by so many photography enthusiasts, ranging from the most earnest novice to the most humble expert. From the most tech-savvy digital photographers to the slickest film shooter. I learned so much. As polished as my images look, I am still but a budding novice. Apertures and shutter speed settings used to intimidate me, but nothing is a better learning experience than being out and actually shooting stuff. I also got to ham it up for other people’s photos, which is awesome because it yielded great photos of me and my camera. I spend so much time shooting others that I never get any good photos of me.

I highly encourage you all to participate in a community event like this one. It encourages learning and no one walks away with nothing, you always get great memoirs.

I definitely look forward to the next meetup!

Sadly, this is a true post about how my little Jack Russel was given away without my permission; I wish this was fiction.

The arrangement was this: my ex would watch and take care of my little Jack Russel Squirt after our breakup. He was to keep the house we once called home and I was to vacate and live in an apartment alone. Because apartments that allow pets were beyond my budget, he would take care of my dog until I found one that I could afford. We thought it wise if we didn’t separate our two dogs, since they grew up together and would find it difficult to stay happy once separated. This was last December.

Recently, my ex went on a trip to the mainland and asked if I could watch Squirt for the duration. His mother (who lives on the same property) couldn’t handle watching all the dogs herself, so it was agreed I would watch Squirt while he was away. It was only fair and I accepted it. Unfortunately, I still couldn’t have Squirt stay with me. I hired a friend who was a dog-sitter to care for her for the one week he was gone. It was great to be able to play with my dog again!

After his trip was over, the dog-sitter returned Squirt to my ex. He mentioned his mother had some friends who might be interested in keeping Squirt. He asked if I would agree to letting her stay over for a night — sort of a trial run. I begrudgingly agreed, reminding him that I was still looking for a pet-friendly pad.

Shortly after that discussion, my boyfriend and I signed a lease on an apartment that allowed pets. This was a great turn of events and I called my ex right away to inform him I’d be taking Squirt soon. For the next three weeks, he never returned my phone calls, emails or text messages. This was downright not right and I was getting frustrated.

During our transition to the new apartment, I tried not to think about it. It wasn’t until I got a call from the Hawaii Humane Society that I was confirmed something was wrong. Apparently, my ex’s mother had given Squirt away to the trial family. What was supposed to be temporary has become permanent and I was pissed. They were trying to register her microchip info, erasing me as her owner. — the nerve!

I’ve called multiple times, demanding an explanation, but all I’ve gotten was an email saying the family who has Squirt is being contacted. I reminded them that I am still legally her owner and they will never be able to change her microchip information as long as I am. I had the right to be bitchy.

It’s been weeks and I haven’t heard back from either my ex or the Humane Society.

We currently have inherited two dogs from our friend who moved to Boston. They’re two adorable medium-sized dogs. They’re very well behaved, but they’re still a handful. All the work that goes into taking care of them has made me reconsider pursuing the custody of Squirt. Maybe it’s a sign that I should let her go. Maybe she is happier at this new place. Maybe I’m going against my Taoist beliefs by not accepting things as they are.

I still feel cheated and it still shouldn’t have happened this way.