ManoaDNA performed Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night to start off my weekend. The weekend before was sort of a bad one (performance-wise), and I was looking to bounce back and have fun! Wednesday night we had a private reception at Punahou School, Thursday night ManoaDNA made its return to Tikis in Waikiki, and Friday night was down at Lulus. All three gigs were great fun, and a definite 180-degree turn from the week before. I was super happy to be back.

After a great week of shows with ManoaDNA, I headed over to Aloha Stadium on Saturday pumped up and ready to watch the University of Hawai’i take on the nationally-ranked Nevada Wolfpack. Thinking we had a shot to pull a huge upset, I was ready for a great game. I got an incredible game. It came down to an interception by Hawai’i to clinch the win and upset a heavily favored Nevada team. I maintain it was Hawai’i's best game since the Colt Brennan days, and I am was so happy to see it in person.

Sunday morning, the DNA boys and our friends headed to the golf course for our monthly outing. Happy as a little kid, and ready for a full day of golf, I zoned in and shot a really good round. In the end, my team lost to Dad’s team, but I was happy I did well personally. In fact, I was beginning to think I could do no wrong this week!

Cue karma.

Driving home from the golf course, with a smile on my face, I started thanking the world for a great week. BANG!! My truck blows up, and I can’t accelerate. My truck is clanking, humming and banging as I struggle to try to get it to the side of the road. Turns out, I blew out my rear-end and I am without my truck for a couple of weeks. The first real problem I have ever had with it, and it happened on my weekend.

Sitting in my car, waiting for the tow truck to come and pick me up, I was thinking about how terrible my day had just gotten. Was I gonna have to buy a new car? Was a car gonna hit me while I was waiting on the side of the road? Would help ever come? All these thoughts were running through my head, when I suddenly realized that this is life’s balance. This is life’s way of telling me that I am human, not superhuman. No matter how good the week treats you, don’t let it go to your head. Stay humble. Or else.

Now, as I sit here and reflect on the last seven days, I am more thankful for the week that I had. Even though it ended on a bad note, I can still take solace in the fact that there will be good times again.

This time, I won’t let it go to my head… I hope.

Now the title of this blog entry may seem general and overused, but a wave of appreciation has overcome my emotions when I woke up today.

Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with tedious, tear-filled, post-menopausalish details, but let’s just say I realized I don’t take many steps back and appreciate what I have. Try it, it’s weird. That’s all I’ll say about that, and leave you to create your own thoughts.

On a less-serious note (while still beautiful), Hawai’i football is unstoppable (*knock on wood*)!! With the best game of the season (so far) played on Saturday, Hawai’i keeps its slim bowl-game hopes alive. What a game though, and well worth the entire roller coaster of emotions that have summarized this season. Heck, I lost my voice! My precious music-creating voice was taken for granted and now I can barely talk. It was worth it. Now, Hawai’i has to get through nationally ranked (#26 USA Today) Wisconsin Badgers next Saturday and it’s off to the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl we go! Cross your fingers, send your prayers, and let’s go Warriors!!

Thanksgiving was a great time with the family! Plenty of turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and more. I didn’t eat as much as I usually do, but that was not due to the quality or quantity of food before me. Instead, I think I took it easy, decided to enjoy the company of my family and take the time to catch up with everyone (something I’ve never done before). What the? Beautiful Hawai’i? Catch up? Not eat? Am I getting soft in my old age?!

Anyway, that’s my report for this Wednesday (hump day) in beautiful Manoa. We have a great series of holiday events coming up this month, so check the schedule and head down!

Happy Holidays Everyone! Be safe and shop!
Nick

Last weekend was bad because the Hawai’i Warrior football team lost an embarrassing game to nationally-ranked Boise St. There is little to say about the loss, and I think I am so devastated that I don’t wanna be seen on camera in a vlog right now.

So, as I lick my wounds and heal up, I will hopefully have something for you guys later this week. Stay tuned!

On Saturday, I went to the Hawaii – Fresno St. football game at aloha stadium. We had a great time until the game started and it rained and UH lost…I was pretty depressed after the game.
Then on Sunday, a group of friends and I went to the water park and had a great time going on every ride there! It was a good end to the weekend and now on Monday I’m very slow and tired…haha!

Hope you all had a great weekend! It’s now back to work on our third CD!