Page 2 - MidWeek - March 17, 2021

2 MIDWEEK MARCH 17, 2021
he recent Oʻahu sightings of a couple of iguanas and a 3-foot-long ball python are not reassuring. It could indicate that some people are looking at fauna
old mother and celebrate my brother’s birthday, brag- ging: “We have NO cases of coronavirus in New York!”
deep appreciation for the miracles of medicine, and forged deeper relationships with my patients. Despite devastation and isolation, this pandemic revived in me a sense of wonderment and an unshakeable belief in the human spirit.
Dr. Samuel Wong per- forms eye surgeries in Manhattan and Brooklyn. A graduate of Harvard Col- lege and Harvard Medical School, he embarks on mis- sions to help those who are the most vulnerable. From 1997 to 2007, he led Hono- lulu Symphony in over 100
exotica as a new entertainment outlet or esoteric adventure as the coronavirus’s impact hits month No. 12.
Of course, within a month, we would become the very epicenter, forcing closure of all my medical offices and ophthalmology practice. My wife would stop play- ing violin in the New York Philharmonic for at least 18 months, as Lincoln Center is shuttered (along with Carne- gie Hall, The Met Opera and all of Broadway). My fresh- man son, Chris, would be sent home from University of Michigan.
Evenings, I turned to my beloved Brahms, Schubert and Beethoven, playing pi- ano pieces from my child- hood and youth. First musi- cal memories in Hong Kong, piano lessons with strict teachers, high school recit- als, symphony concerts, all came flooding back, a river of blessings.
While snakes in the grass are not often seen locally, recent sightings are also a reminder and possibly a byproduct of the endangered status of a well-known amphibian that has gone unseen throughout the pandemic and with quarantine rules: the lounge lizard. It’s a term originally meant for a lothario who would hang around bars and try to get lucky, so to speak.
Due to the coronavirus, the author’s son, Chris, returned home from college. Thus started the family’s culinary adventures. SAM WONG PHOTOS
would normally be away at school—roasted, basted, stir fried his way into amazing dinners — Hainan Chicken, Shepherd’s Pie, Thai curries, roasted salmon. We cooked side-by-side over 150 dinners and ate almost every meal to- gether as a family — an im- mense treasure.
This scaly, human scavenger has been missing in action over the past year, as it’s been barred from bars, as has everyone. But if we stay cautious via vaccines and remain- ing coronavirus protocols, we might see tears of joy from these nighttime cruisers as “tiers” of joy open up in the weeks ahead.
Of course, we grieved and sulked and cursed like every- one else. We were grateful for our health, but what good could possibly come of this?
Braving the coronavirus, I entered my office with N95 masks and face shields for emergency lasers and procedures to save sight. Some patients chatted with me over telemedicine plat- forms, which we could nev- er have imagined. Others talked by phone for empa- thy and reassurance. I felt
People may rebuff the sordid efforts of lounge lizards (who often morph into “lunge” lizards after a few pops), but less than a decade ago, before outlandish, online rumors be- came the established daily norm, a theory evolved that there were “lizard people” in our midst right here in America.
concerts.
Chasing The Light is pro-
duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr. Edited by Sharon Linnéa.
Yes, real live lizard humanoids intent on world domina- tion. According to Public Policy Polling (in 2013), about 4%, or 12 million Americans, believed lizard people were real. Eight years later, lizard people haven’t completed their assumed takeover plot ... yet.
Since we had never owned a TV, it was a revolution to buy
A Helping Of Pandemic Miracles
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
TGo Away, Snakes
On Feb. 29, 2020, I flew to Toronto to visit my 92-year-
a flat screen during the pan- demic. Chris and I watched the entirety of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, 112 epi- sodes, laughing about Jimmy McGill’s legal (and illegal) antics, and marveling at Bry- an Cranston’s acting and rich character development.
Then we started a six- month cooking odyssey. Ev- ery night, I chopped, prepped, marinated, as my son—who
New Century Schoolbook bold (scaled H 73.6)
CHASING THE
LIGHT
with Sam Wong
Hopefully, you won’t bump into any reptiles at social gatherings, outdoor sports, restaurants, parks or beaches now that we’re OK to have groups of 10 gathering with safe distancing and masks still the proper protocol. Nothing says “I’m outta here” faster at a beach volleyball get-together than a coiled up ball python, a prying green iguana or a scaly lizard person.
KELLEY
Reptiles are cold-blooded characters, and we all know a few earthlings (unfortunately) who fit into that category, so maybe there is something to that lizard people theory?
About 20 years ago, non-native Jackson’s chameleons were a hot pet item here. Thank goodness that one didn’t get out of hand, or out of cages. But I digress. Bottom line: We don’t need any invasive species brought here, bored as you might be, reptile Romeos. Leave the snakes and iguanas to your big-screen, binge-watching party with nine friends (tier 3) on National Geographic.
Think about it ...
john@thinkaboutithawaii.com