festivals, festivals, festivals.

A couple of days ago, I planned to go to a bunch of places where (some) activities were only taking place in May. First, I decided to go to the Honolulu Swap Meet. The Swap Meet takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, but I couldn't pass it up any longer. It's a huge event at Aloha Stadium. From 8am to 3pm, booths are set up chalk full of new and used goods that you can buy or trade. Bargaining is FIERCE and you have to be good at it. I'm not really, but I consider myself a beginner. Besides, it's so much fun to explore anyway.

You can buy just about anything. From purses, to shot glasses, clothing to baby gear, plants, fruit, food. You name it, they have it. It's kind of like the biggest garage sale ever.

 

Aunt Lynn was speaking to someone at work about my wish to go. Her colleague's advice? "If you want the good stuff, you gotta go when they're setting up at 5." Five. As in, five in the morning. YEAH RIGHT. I may love this sort of thing, but I don't love it that much. Getting up that early means I'd probably have to board the bus by 4, which means I'd have to get up at 3am. I just don't have the strength, but I admire how hardcore some people are. You have to pause and marvel at the motivation. Because of my insanity, (What is wrong with me? It's crazy to get there by ten) I missed out on the garage sale items. That's okay though, I wasn't TOO interested. I made out like a bandit anyhow, and all of the stuff I bought came at a bargain. Can't tell you what those said items are right now friends and fam, because they're going home to you.

Don't worry. I'd never keep stuff on a bench like that on purpose. One of the bags broke.

As for me, I found these:

Finally! Rings that fit my fingers! I'm not a fancy girl. I don't care for fancy rings or diamonds. (These are made of stone or something) I just want costume jewelry that fits. I would like to take a moment though to say to that future guy in my life that I am a size 3/4. And if you happen to propose, I'd prefer it if you got me a big drooly puppy instead of a big rock, but I would really, really appreciate the added bonus of said puppy included with non fancy ring. Just sayin. What? No I haven't thought about that. Not at all.

Anyway.

After the swap meet, it became too sweltering hot to walk around the statium, so I left for the Honolulu Book and Music Festival.

I love books. I always have. As I've gotten older, life has gotten in the way of me sitting down for 5 to 6 hours at a time with my nose in one, but I still enjoy a good novel. The Honolulu Book and Music Fest takes place once a year in May for two days. There's all kinds of genres to look at. From books on Hawaiian culture, spirital books, fiction and non fiction novels and the Hawaii PBS kids tent.

Yeah, y'all. Clifford was there. Don't tell my nephews Dean and Matt, but we're BFF. We go WAY back. In fact, I remember reading his books when ~*I was their age*~ Caillou was there too, but I didn't want to talk to him. I hate to tell you this boys, but he's kind of annoying, and frankly, he's just weird. Don't play with him. His giggle will drive you up a wall, he whines till he gets his way and his sister Suzie ALWAYS seems to be sick. I think she may have leprosy.

After bidding adou to my PBS friends, I grabbed some lunch and listened to a live concert. I have no idea who was performing, because the schedule on the Hawaii Book and Music Fest is incorrect. The music was pretty and engaging though. I'll try and find out who was playing for you guys.

The musician was onstage was also pretty funny. When one of the strings on his steel guitar broke, he just quips: "That's okay, I got plenty more," making the audience laugh.

I should add that over at the Barnes and Noble tent was Roseanne Barr, signing her autobiography. I'd have taken a picture for you, but she left pretty quickly, not staying for the entire event. (In fact, the schedule said she'd be there from 3pm to 4pm, but she left a little before 3:30.) She did buy a book and stand next to me though. (I know, I know, wow.)

My most favorite part of the day though? Heading back on the bus with my treasures and going home to relax in the pool. Pretty rad weekend, if I do say so myself. I managed to get one of the musical performances on video for you to enjoy. Sorry for the shaky camera quality. It evens out after a few seconds. It was pretty windy. Aloha all!