The Adventures of LitBoy: Bill Brent's Blog

2008.04.06, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2008

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 2 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, March 30 to April 7, 2008. I have many lovely ho'ike pictures here for you to enjoy, from both 2008 and 2007 — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

This is my second set of photos of the evening's events. Here are more pictures of the traditional hula kahiko, performed by Halau O Kekuhi:

The kahiko is the ancient hula with mele, or chant, which are records of cultural information. By contrast, the 'auana (not pictured here) is the modern, song-accompanied hula. Kahiko portrays the raw life force. Highly primordial, kahiko conveys power, sensuality, sexual prowess, and a deep reverence for natural balance. It is a worship of the gods.

Above and below, we see the 'olapa, who execute the dance movements. They are accompanied by the ho'opa'a, who chant the text and provide the percussive accompaniment for the dancers.

This group is Halau O Kekuhi, who also opened the ho'ike at the 2007 Merrie Monarch Festival; my pictures of that ceremony (with better lighting!) are HERE.

The kumu hula (source, origin, teacher of hula) of Halau O Kekuhi are Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele and Nalani Kanaka’ole. You can learn more by clicking HERE — it's a lovely site.

I have also found a summary of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (You may have to register to view the summary. But the pictures are right here!)

This continues my series of photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival. If you enjoy this blog, please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[PLEASE NOTE: I respect the cultural traditions of indigenous dance forms and strive to provide accurate information and context regarding those traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors of fact, or wish to supplement my posts with additional information, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions, corrections, or enhancements. MAHALO NUI LOA!]

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2008.04.05, 3:35 p.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

20.00 / $199.90 (10.0%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2008.04.05, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2008

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 2 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 45th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, March 30 to April 7, 2008. I have many lovely ho'ike pictures here for you to enjoy, from both 2008 and 2007 — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

This is my first set of photos of the evening's events. Here is a traditional hula kahiko, performed by Halau O Kekuhi:

The kumu hula (source, origin, teacher of hula) of Halau O Kekuhi are Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele and Nalani Kanaka’ole. You can learn more by clicking HERE — it's a lovely site.

I also found a summary of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (You may have to register to view the summary. But the pictures are right here!)

This begins my series of photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival. If you enjoy this blog, please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[NOTE: I respect the cultural traditions of indigenous dance forms and strive to provide accurate information and context regarding those traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors in fact, or wish to supplement my posts with additional information, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions, corrections, or enhancements. MAHALO NUI LOA!]

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2008.04.04, 8:30 p.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

20.00 / $199.90 (10.0%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

BOOK REVIEW: INFERNAL DEVICE: machinery of torture and execution, by Erik C. Rühling

What a wicked little book. It's just the thing for an apartment-sized coffee table, at a price that won't break your budget. In terms of torture gear, all the usual suspects are depicted and described within, along with a dungeon's worth of obscurities you've probably never heard of.

Rühling taught himself 3-D rendering in order to create his lovely (and gruesome) little book. This petite yet substantial volume (40 full-color photo pages) deserves some kind of design award. A few, perhaps. He renders his gallery of torture tools in a stark museum-exhibit style while his text, an impressive feat of condensed scholarship, vividly evokes images of the poor souls who were subjected to their horrors. It's a jarring and effective contrast of the mechanistic and humanistic. I am struck by the degree of brutality extended toward women in particular via these devices. Also an awareness of how, contrary to popular belief, we have not really evolved at all from the times and places in which these devices were employed. Hence Rühling's book also serves as a handy little reminder of how man's inhumanity to man is never more than a government directive away ... if that. Trenchant thoughts in these torturous times.

Among the book's highlights are some pithy and amusing treatises on the origins and history of various well-known devices such as the rack and the guillotine. As with most of the devices in Rühling's book, the guillotine underwent various manifestations and has borne many names in many countries at many times. This popular device's employment was often more grisly (read: less instantaneous) than most of us think. Yet my personal favorite is the ear chopper. Whether or not it was actually used, it is fun to contemplate the psychological torment value. No doubt, this says more about me than the ear chopper itself. Heh heh.

INFERNAL DEVICE: machinery of torture and execution, by Erik C. Rühling

Hardcover: 87 pages

Publisher: Disinformation Company (November 30, 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1932857893

ISBN-13: 978-1932857894

Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches

CLICK HERE to buy this book at Amazon.

 

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2008.02.03, 8:58 p.m. Hawaii time]

[keywords: Erik Ruhling]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

0.00 / $199.90 (0.0%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

A Memoir of Sexual Self-Discovery, and a History of Religious Bowling

Probably I should break this entry into two or three separate posts, but lately it's tough enough for me to prod myself into doing even a monthly post to this blog. So today you get three for the price of one.

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FIRST, I want to pass along a link to an online excerpt from ENTANGLED LIVES, the erotic memoir anthology that features my true story along with six other erotic memoirs, including MARILYN JAYE LEWIS, IAN PHILIPS / GREG WHARTON, and "Adam Greenaway" (the pseudonym for a well-known gay author who chose anonymity for his self-disclosure), BILL BRENT (moi -- just including the name for the search engines), AMIE M. EVANS, ROB STEPHENSON, and RACHEL KRAMER BUSSEL.

This piece, excerpted from Rob Stephenson's "Exuvia (1977-1980), is featured on the VELVET MAFIA website:

CLICK FOR "EXUVIA" (NOTE: for mature readers only.)

This excerpt contains depictions of gay male S/M sexual activity. What I love about it is how Rob describes the rush of discovery and sexual power from an activity that is not genitally focused.

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SECOND, here is a plug for a new book from editor Russ Kick and the great folks at THE DISINFORMATION COMPANY, who publish a series of encyclopedic books that challenge our cultural assumptions. This one is provocatively titled EVERYTHING YOU KNOW ABOUT GOD IS WRONG, and it contains my article, "Martin Luther Goes Bowling," all about the little-known connection between bowling and religion. For instance, there is substantial evidence that bowling, as we know it today, originated in part as a ritual in German churches several centuries after the death of Christ. The original bowling pins may have been some combination of walking stick and club that the parishioners used to defend themselves against "heathens" (robbers) enroute to Church.

Want to know more? HERE'S A LINK TO THE BOOK.

The book contains a plethora of articles by well-known authors, most if not all of which explore little-known facts concerning religion, religious fallacies, or other meditations on the topic, including one of my favorites, "Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing to Do With God," by my blogging pal GRETA CHRISTINA. That one's a freebie, in fact, because you can read it on her blog, RIGHT HERE.

A few other articles of the dozens in this anthology: Richard Dawkins shows us the strange, scary properties of religion; Neil Gaiman turns a biblical atrocity story into a comic (that almost sent a publisher to prison); Erik Davis looks at what happens when religion and California collide; Mike Dash eyes stigmatics; Douglas Rushkoff exposes the trouble with Judaism; Paul Krassner reveals his "Confessions of an Atheist"; and best-selling lexicographer Jonathon Green interprets the language of religious prejudice.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I've been putting up new items for sale in my online bookstore, BooksFromHawaii. Browse, if you wish, and see if there's something you like!

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Thanks for tuning in, and in case I don't post again before the Solstice, Christmas, or whatever your celebration of choice may be, have a wonderful and life-enriching holiday.

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

[this page last updated: 2007.12.08, 11:05 a.m. Hawaii time]

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $200 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do here. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

80.99 / $199.90 (40.5%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution on my next blog post.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2007.04.18, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

This is my last set of photos of the evening's events. Here is a traditional hula kahiko, performed by Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu:

This is one of Hawaii's largest schools of hula. Its kumu (source, origin, teacher) is Kumu Sonny Ching. You can read and watch more by clicking HERE — it's a lovely site.

I also found a review of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (But the pictures are right here, heh! I am posting photos of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu here in two consecutive blog posts; you are now viewing post #1 of 2.)

This concludes my series of photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival. If you enjoy this blog, please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2008.04.04, 6:45 p.m. Hawaii time]

[NOTE: This week I have been learning on the fly about the cultural context of the various Polynesian dance forms, using a combination of online articles, the Hawaii Island Journal dated 4/7 to 4/20/2007, the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui / Elbert), and the advice and information of a friend who is a long-time Hawaii resident. I strive to provide accurate information and context regarding cultural traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors in fact, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions or corrections.]

---

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2005.04.17, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

This is my first set of photos of the evening's final hula event, a traditional hula kahiko, performed by Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu:

This is one of Hawaii's largest schools of hula. Its kumu (source, origin, teacher) is Kumu Sonny Ching. You can read and watch more by clicking HERE — it's a lovely site.

I also found a review of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (But the pictures are right here, heh! I am posting photos of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu here in two consecutive blog posts; you are now viewing post #1 of 2.)

I will continue to post my photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, so please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2007.04.19, 9:35 p.m. Hawaii time]

[NOTE: This week I have been learning on the fly about the cultural context of the various Polynesian dance forms, using a combination of online articles, the Hawaii Island Journal dated 4/7 to 4/20/2007, the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui / Elbert), and the advice and information of a friend who is a long-time Hawaii resident. I strive to provide accurate information and context regarding cultural traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors in fact, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions or corrections.]

---

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2005.04.16, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

This is my second set of photos of the evening's Maori dance, or haka, performed by the Maori ensemble, Te Wharekura Kuapapa Maori a Roheo Rakaumanga:

You can search on "haka" or "Maori dance" for details. HERE is one site that features an animation of the haka, if you dig a bit.

I also found a review of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (But the pictures are right here, heh! You can see below how these folks work up a sweat doing haka — it is a vigorous dance form including body slaps as percussion, among other features.)

I will continue to post my photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, so please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2007.04.19, 9:35 p.m. Hawaii time]

[NOTE: This week I have been learning on the fly about the cultural context of the various Polynesian dance forms, using a combination of online articles, the Hawaii Island Journal dated 4/7 to 4/20/2007, the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui / Elbert), and the advice and information of a friend who is a long-time Hawaii resident. I strive to provide accurate information and context regarding cultural traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors in fact, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions or corrections.]

---

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2005.04.15, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

And now for something completely different. Here is Maori dance, or haka, performed by the Maori ensemble, Te Wharekura Kuapapa Maori a Roheo Rakaumanga:

When these folks take the stage, they are fierce! This style of haka has its  origin as war dance designed to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. The extreme facial expressions are part of the deal — they represent the face of death! You can search on "haka" or "Maori dance" for details. HERE is one site that features an animation of the haka, if you dig a bit.

I also found a review of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (But the pictures are right here, heh!)

I will continue to post my photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, so please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2007.04.19, 9:35 p.m. Hawaii time]

[NOTE: This week I have been learning on the fly about the cultural context of the various Polynesian dance forms, using a combination of online articles, the Hawaii Island Journal dated 4/7 to 4/20/2007, the Hawaiian Dictionary (Pukui / Elbert), and the advice and information of a friend who is a long-time Hawaii resident. I strive to provide accurate information and context regarding cultural traditions whenever possible. If you feel I have made any errors in fact, feel free to leave a comment with any suggestions or corrections.]

---

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2007.04.15, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

Here is a Tahitian dance, as part of a mini-revue performed by the Japanese ensemble, Halau O Mehanaokala:

I am delighted that my photos could capture the glow, beauty, and excitement of the Halau O Mehanaokala performers. The Japanese dress is worn by Kumu Ku'uleinani Hashimoto, above.

You can click HERE for an explanation of the role of the kumu in the hula halau. I also found a review of the evening's show, which you can read HERE. (My pictures are better, though, heh!)

I will continue to post my photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, so please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2007.04.15, 8:40 a.m. Hawaii time]

 

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Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.

2007.04.14, Picture of the Day, Big Island of Hawaii

MERRIE MONARCH HULA FESTIVAL, 2007

ALOHA! These are pictures of the April 11 ho'ike (in essence, a show or exhibition) from the 44th annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, April 8 to April 14, 2007. I have many lovely pictures here for you to enjoy — to see them all, just click the "hula" category tab in the sidebar to the left.

We experienced examples of both Tahitian dance and  'auana (" 'auana" means to wander, to drift, or to go from place to place), or modern, song-accompanied hula, as performed by the Japanese ensemble, Halau O Mehanaokala:

Halau O Mehanaokala portrays the freedom and humor characteristic of the modern style of hula. Hawaiian dance or Tahitian, it's all beautiful. BELOW: the musicians, always an integral part of the experience.

I will continue to post my photos from this year's Merrie Monarch Festival, so please check back, or sign up for email updates (using the sidebar element beneath my picture and bio) to see what's new.

[last updated: 2007.04.15, 8:00 a.m. Hawaii time]

---

Wishing you a beautiful day,

Bill Brent

LitBoy.com is a professional blog. Keeping it online costs me $179 per year. That's before paying me for my writing, photography, or anything else I do. If you enjoy this blog, please use the Tip Jar at the top of this page. Your two-dollar minimum donation helps keep this banner-free site alive. It's quick and easy!

31 / 179 (17.2%)

This meter displays this year's contributions to date in U.S. dollars (after the funds processor takes its cut). Make a donation, watch the meter rise! Usually I post your contribution within 24 hours.

All original materials here on LitBoy.com (writing, photos, drawings, graphics, etc.) belong to Bill Brent. If you want to re-use something here, please ask. Higher resolution images are available.