Mormon Temple frenzy

So you may be surprised to learn that Hawaii has a really large Mormon population (I had no idea). Living here has also done wonders for my perception that all Mormons are the whitest people alive. Not so much the case here. Who knew? Anyway, as a result, there's a temple here, which has been undergoing renovations. Before they rededicate it, they allow the general public to take tours. (Normally, you have to be a member to be allowed to enter). So, on Tuesday, that's just what I did. It was interesting, I kept my inappropriate comments to a minimum (I was with my Mormon friend who's a real trouper about my swearing like a sailor and enjoying adult beverages, so I try to be equally respectful to her beliefs), and we finished the afternoon by having lunch at a North Shore shrimp truck, so all in all, a good day.

No pictures allowed inside. The grounds outside are the nicest parts, though, so you're not missing anything.
 

 

This is my friend Lauren.  The conversation went something like this when I picked her up:

Me:  "The tickets say 'appropriate Sunday attire requested.'"

Lauren: "Yeah, 'requested.'  They don't say anything about 'required.'  I'm not changing."

Sure enough, while the people who were obvious members of the LDS church were in suits and dresses, the general public were in slippers and shorts.  It's Hawaii, man.

Warning: graphic content

So there are lizards all over the place here.  It's weird; at my old apartment, I had the really beautiful bright green with red teardrop spots geckos (just like the Geico mascot).  At my newer place, I only have the boring brown geckos.  Still, I have gotten attached, and have named several.  (My favorite is Henry, who I think is sometimes bullied by Frank.)

Cut to this morning, when I went to take out the trash, and found a sad, completed flattened gecko stuck to my front door. I think it was Joe. I imagine when I got home last night, I didn't see him, and he was totally in the wrong place at the wrong time. RIP.

And, the close up: