28 February 2017

Someone I met today is from New Zealand.

I love New Zealand. I will tell anyone who wants to listen how much I love New Zealand. It's beautiful, the people are nice, and it's just so amazing to see such a place. Anyhow, the guy and I got to talking. We shared things we love about New Zealand and what we love about Hawaii. I told him about my trip there, and it turns out he was from Hamilton... The exact same place we visited. 

"You know, the people here are so nice."
"Totally, I just love how welcoming everyone is here. It's such a nice place to live."
"Yeah, so you know... I was walking on the North Shore, and this guy threw me a shaka. You know that's a gang sign in Hamilton? I was like a little confused because you don't do that here. I can't even wear red because it's like a gang color."
"The shaka is a gang sign?!"
"Yeah!"

Well. Now I know. 

27 February 2017

Someone I met today had a tattoo.

I mean that's pretty common here, so it wasn't anything super interesting. Though, he had a watercolor tattoo which is pretty rare considering most people here have tribal or old American styles.

"Can I see your tattoo? I noticed you have a watercolor one."
"Sure."

The man had a heavy Russian accent... His pale skin wore the tattoo well, and the blues contrasted his auburn hair.

"The tattoo isn't done, but I'm still working on it. There is a jellyfish on my chest and it extends into a tree on my back."
"That's cool. Sorry for asking you about it, it's just not a style I see often."

He proceeded to tell me he went to the Tattoo Expo last year to find someone who did that style. He found someone, but he's not based here. The man flew to Vegas and the tattoo artist met him there, and tattooed him for 8 hours in a hotel room.

The tattoo still isn't done, but they're looking to finish it around this year.

I mean that's cool and all, but is it legal to just do it in a hotel room? I guess it's only illegal if you get caught. 

26 February 2017

Someone I met today was very polite.

I guess I'm not used to polite people in retail. This man asked about his product and I mentioned he needed an appointment.

"How would I make an appointment?"
"If you don't mind waiting, I can give you our business card."
"I don't mind waiting, I would like the business card."

So I gave it to him.

"Thank you very much, I really appreciate you helping me out."
"No problem."

It was like the most ideal and perfect interaction. So bizarre. 

25 February 2017

Someone I met today... Was sitting next to me.

I didn't really meet them. It was more of an encounter. Last night, I went drinking. Problem is I drank my codeine cough syrup, AKA sizzurp, before drinking alcohol. I could not handle, and also went home early because I needed to get my car serviced at 7am.

I got to the service center at 7am, and took a seat in the lobby. I was so tired, so I allowed myself to doze off. I could still hear the tv going, I wasn't in a deep slumber. I leaned my head against the wall, and slouched in my seat quietly.

Then, I let out a small, mild, snore.

I sat up really quickly, but the damage was done. The guy to my left looked over and I tried to pretend I didn't just wake myself up.

24 February 2017

Someone I met today is a waiter.

"Hey, I know you, you also work at MW!"
"That's right. You found me!"

He gave me a high-five.

A month ago, my friends and I went to MW for their Afternoon Tea. It was pretty fun, but our waiter was a pretty serious and proper guy. While of average height, he was stocky, and his cheeks drooped slightly. His well manicured beard and perfectly combed hair added to the sternness that his uniform afforded him. When he spoke, it was less casual than any place I've ever dined at here... addressing my companions and me as a "miss." He was so calculated in his movements, you'd think you were at a fancy French restaurant. We were not, but it was appropriate for that particular restaurant.

Last night, we were at REAL: A Gastropub... A considerably more casual location. Similar to a dive bar, this was no place for a man of such manners... And yet here he was.

23 February 2017

Someone I met today... Well I guess I didn't really met anyone today, but I have been interacting with a caregiver over the course of a few days. 

But as you know, my parents are on vacation in Japan. Because of their business, we need someone at the house to watch the patients. Based on what my dad said, her experience in other carehomes is super bad. Like people accused her of mistreating patients, taking stuff, and other less than savory things.

It made me sad to hear. Being a caregiver is hard work and takes an immense amount of kindness to do, especially for stranger. Thinking of people who are less kind than this woman and my dad is insane. And disgusting. 

Overall, she's cool but quiet. Just damn, people are shit sometimes. 

22 February 2017

Someone I met today is a owner and cook?

This is the day my parents were leaving to Japan. While waiting for mom to pack, I decided going to the North Shore was a good idea. We went up to the North Shore today to try HI BBQ after seeing it in an EATER video. Daaaaamn it looked good.

We got there around 1030, but it looked like they were still setting up. Around 11, one of the other guys waiting nearby started talking to the head-BBQer (guy in video) and started lining up to order food. We got in line and ordered the 18 & Over, which includes brisket, pulled pork, and ribs...

But they were out of ribs. And Portuguese sausage.

While waiting, the head-BBQer guy approached us.

"So our smoker is acting finnicky, and we don't have ribs. Is it cool if we double up on pulled pork and brisket?"
"Yeah."

I mean the woman at the window, also in the video warned us already. Saying, "Can't leave the boys to open by themselves. 

We ended up talking a bit more.

"When did you guys move down the hill?"
"Just recently, we were getting so many people on the ranch and it can't sustain the amount of traffic we were having."
"Oh that's good, I noticed that they moved past you guys for the repaving project."
"Yeah, it worked out because they steamrolled this place. You're standing on the old Kamehameha Highway."

We talked about her business some more.

"So how long have you guys been doing this?"
"Almost a year now, it's been a learning experience. We used to have the smoker in the truck, but we almost set the truck on fire and wiped everything out, that's why it's out back now."
"HOLY SHIT."
"Yeah, it's ok though. We're actually getting another one made."
"Made here?"
"Yeah, we know a welder. It's going to be good because this one is more of a prototype anyway and we've fixed it up so much. It's especially noticeable on days like this because charcoal is so hard to manage because of the wind."

I asked her about future plans since they're not on the top of the hill anymore.

"Are you going to be leaving the truck down here?"
"We're still thinking about it, we might hire an overnight security."
"Oh that's good."
"Yeah, but I figured that if we're going to hire a security guard we might as well be 24 hours and cook breakfast burritos."
"That would be cool. I stayed up on this side for my birthday last year, and everything closed around 8. My friend and I used to night drive around this side of the island and could never find anything to eat."
"Yeah, that's the plan but we got to talk it out. Baby steps first, you know?" 

The BBQ is awesome, but you should just check the video out below yourself.  

21 February 2017

Someone I met today is a teacher. 

She's been working for a telecom company for about 15 years, but teaches on the side. She's currently teaching excel classes as a number of different places, and a bunch of different things.

"What's your favorite subject to teach?"
"Favorite subject? Most interesting was design thinking... While I enjoy teaching scuba diving, I think disaster training is probably one of the most fun."

This woman was very unassuming. She's much older than I am, maybe in her 50s, shorter and a little plump. Her blonde hair had white mixed into it, and her blue eyes were hidden behind her glasses. Based on her looks alone, I don't think you would have guessed that her interests were so broad. 

"Why do you like teaching?"
"I like talking to people. It's a nice break away from managing computers at my workplace and is definitely more fulfilling. Seeing people's faces light up when they get it is so unique."

I enjoy talking to people who genuinely enjoy whatever it is they do.  

20 February 2017

Some people I met today were economics majors.

"You guys look comfortable in your basketball shorts."
"Yeah, we actually just finished a hike." 

They were younger than me, graduating 2 years after me. The pair were friends during college in a Wisconsin university. One of them is from Samoa, and happened to be on vacation here. The other is from China, and is stationed here for the army. They met up because the pictures on facebook showed they were on the same island. 

"You're an econ major too?"
"Yeah... It was because it was the shorter major."

We all had studied the same things, but the man stationed here and I both chose Economics because we happened to be good at it. Neither of us want to continue studying it. The other fellow was working at a company doing some analyses, but hated his coworkers.

"Yeah... I couldn't do a desk job, I really just like meeting new people to enjoy it."
"Yeah... It's ok, but it's my coworkers I can't stand."

We continued to talking and I showed the Microsoft's Data Scientist Program since he seemed really interested in what he was doing and enjoyed the work. I told him it's really up to him to look at it, but it couldn't hurt.

He was impressed I knew a lot, I just told him I have a lot of time to read and that's always important to me. 

19 February 2017

Someone I met today is a parent.

He and his kid were visiting from the Big Island. They're competing tomorrow for a robotics competition. He shared with me that he is a chaperone for the group, and the group was attending the qualifiers for the VEX World Championship in Kentucky.

He said that his son gave up baseball, judo, and basically all after school activities for robotics. The team meets everyday after school, so it's a big commitment. I told him that it was cool his son was interested in coding and robotics, since it's going to be such an important skill in the future. It was even cooler that the son was in elementary school and they qualified last year!

I also complimented this man for being supportive of his kid, and he said that was the most important part. It's really great to see supportive parents all the time. I looked up the link again, and it turns out its the same competition I wrote about a month or so ago. 

It's so amazing how much talent comes out of Hawaii once you start looking. 

18 February 2017

Someone I met today was a very friendly waitress.

Chelse, Ruby, and I went to Haleiwa Joe's... In Haleiwa. To be fair, there's one in Kaneohe, but it's not open for lunch. The waitress was very friendly and very sweet. She got the stuff done, but she didn't have that rushed hurried demeanor to her. I guess I have an unconscious bias towards noticing wait staff recently because I've been listening to Waitress: A New Musical a lot. 

My friends and I were being complete goofballs. I've been sick, and I didn't want to share drinks with them so they were dropping it into my mouth with straws so I could taste it. I was like a baby bird and tweeted my thanks in response. 

I hope we were her best table. Most of the people around us were much quieter and older, so maybe we were being rowdy... But if you're day-drinking on a Saturday... Who wouldn't be?

Here's my favorite song from the musical. I recommend it highly.

17 February 2017

Someone I met today is a VP for a hospitality company.

We went to Yauatcha Waikiki for dinner. Our interest in it was primarily because it's dim sum (yum) and fancy. While there, we initially had really great service. Our original server didn't come by a couple of times but this really nice foreign man came by.

I had a hard time hearing him because there's a loud bass sound. He was from Milano and started as a bartender, and then evolved through the ranks. He opened different restaurants, bars, and clubs for the Hakkasan Group, the company of the same club in Vegas that I had visited last February.  This gentleman had lived in Dubai, Singapore, and was currently living in Las Vegas. Except he hadn't lived in his apartment for months because he was training the team here, and would be training the one in Houston shortly. He is the VP of the North American Branch of Hakkasan Group and decided not to open all the tables on Friday night because he wanted the team not to get overwhelmed.  

We spoke to another guy who had opened a few other stores as well. What was really impressive to me was the dedication these people had to the hospitality service and how much they've risen in their careers. 

Anyway, the service got shittier as the night went out because they completely forgot to fill our waters a bunch of times and I had to flag them down for the dessert menu and bill. It's a good thing the VP only opened 150 tables vs. 300. They would have gotten reamed.

Here's my favorite thing from that night. 

Pumpkin Puff?

16 February 2017

Someone I met worked at a hospital. I was sick again this day, so I didn't go to work and went to my doctor. He did the flu test on me, which was terrible and I would never wish that upon anyone. I have a septum piercing, and I had a hard time deciding which one was worse. That's not who I'm talking about today though.

On my drive, I recalled how I do random things for strangers. Sometimes. This came up because my doctor's office is down the road from another care facility.

A few years back, I was off and heading over to someone's house. I was driving down the road and I saw a man in a security guard uniform looking down the road, presumably for the bus. He had such a look of desperation on his face, I felt bad. I drove past him... Then decided to turn around and pick him up.

He was so grateful. He had missed the bus and it was the first day he was going to be a security guard at this hospital. He had never been there before. He was a security guard at a hospital on a different bus route, and even though he looked up the right bus route... He still missed it, and the next bus wouldn't come until after his shift started.

I asked him a little about himself, and he shared that he had moved from the mainland to be here. I forgot what the reason was, but I recall it had to do with divorce and family. He used to be a gardener and was writing about how to recycle trash into planters. 

I dropped him off at his work place early, and he was thankful for the whole ordeal. I didn't think much of it personally. Sometimes people need help, and you do your best to help them. Right? 

15 February 2017

Someone I met today maybe owned a restaurant.

I say maybe because Kayte and I went to eat at OverEasy in Kailua. Brunch spots tend to be popular anywhere, and this one was no exception. We had gotten our table just as a wait was forming for the tables. We got seated a few feet away from the waiting area. Our waitress greeted us and took our orders and asked if needed anything.

"Ketchup please!"

Kayte and I continued to eat our breakfast. She ate faster than I did because I was still a little sick. We went over a bunch of different topics as I slowly finished my pancakes. Eventually another woman came over; she wasn't our waitress. She wasn't wearing the uniform, didn't have any indication she was one of the waitresses. I was mid sentence when she interrupted.

"Are you almost done eating? Do you need a box for that?"
"....................."
"Oh, no rush, I'm just asking."

Kayte and I exchanged glances. I looked behind her at the waiting area, and there weren't any people waiting for a table.

"Oh it's ok, you can just ask for a box when you're ready."

She left the table after taking our ketchup bottle, and I was really confused. NO idea who she was, if she was the owner, or whatever. If she was the owner, would you really want to bother someone mid-sentence and make them feel rushed?

The waitress came over smiling, a little awkwardly (to me at least), and asked if I was done. At this point, I was pretty over my food and asked for the bill. I was still really confused by the non-waitress waitress?

If she just wanted the ketchup, she should have just asked.

Post #valentines girlfriend date! ❤️😛

A post shared by Maxx R (@chococow280) on Feb 15, 2017 at 1:18pm PST

14 February 2017

Someone I met today was a woman with a handsome husband.

Her husband had already come in and out of the store a few times, so I already knew he was attached. The final time, she came in with him because he wanted to try VR. She eventually decided she wanted to also. I had her fill out the waiver.

"Great, so you'll be able to try it after the gentleman finishes."
"Oh he's my husband."
"Ok cool."

I walked away and thought it was a weird response? I guess most people would feel offended if you assumed they were attached to someone. The way she spoke to me was defensively, so I wonder if it's because people don't think they're together. She was a good looking, but of course, her husband was much better looking. Enough that I'm sure women probably wouldn't have given his wife a second glance before hitting on him. 

If that's the case, I feel bad because it's not something that could be helped... But I would have been ok with a thank you.

13 February 2017

Someone I met today is an insurance agent. I went to work but I didn't have much of a voice so I was still pretty sick.

"Why do you like being an insurance agent?"
"I know it's not the most sexy of professions but I like it. I have a friend who... If there was an accident, and everyone is running the other way... He would look towards where they're going and ask how he can help. I like that and admire that. People who need insurance don't really look into what they have until they need it, and I want to help them before they get to that point."

Huh. Well, he sold me on his pitch. It was a convincing enough story for me. He had a hard time understanding me because my voice was still pretty shot. 

12 February 2017

Someone I met today is an engineer. 

"What kind of engineer are you?"
"I'm a media solutions engineer... Which means I do their facebook and stuff."

I must have given him a puzzled look because I've never heard of that kind of engineer before. Turns out though, that the guy does more than that. He works at Mayo Clinic and has been working on a system that's going to be piloted in the next few months, and then extended to other Mayo Clinics in the country. I don't want to specify, I don't want to cost the guy his job in case someone happens to find this blog.

He was very precise in the way he spoke, which could come off as abrasive to some people. It wasn't rude, just very direct. I suppose it can be unnerving since most people here like to beat around the bush. His friend was hanging out with him nearby.

"Are you staying at his house while you're here?"
"Yeah, we used to be in the Army together. Then I got out, and he stayed."
"Why'd you leave Hawaii?"
"Money."
"Good point."

He asked about me, and I told him about my college life and what I like to do. I shared that I like to meet new people and I get a lot of that at my current job... And I love it.

"How's your vacation been?"
"It's been pretty good. Ate at Stripsteak, went to the beach, played some Magic."

I remembered I had asked him about that. 

"Yeah, I mean I kind of need something to unwind after work, you know?"
"OH! That's right. One of my friends used to work for Lockheed Martin and he also played Magic. He won some regional tournament in Alabama so he visited because they pay for your trips for one year?"
"Yeah exactly! That's kind of why I'm here."

We parted ways after he complimented how outgoing I seem to be. It's true. Then I retreat to my room and bundle up in blankets for 12 hours. 

11 February 2017

Someone I met today is an electrician.

We've met a couple of times before, and he's always been a real sweetheart. Today, he was extra sweet. I usually get hugs from my regular customers, and he gave me a hug and a kiss. He was probably really drunk. 

"How's your day going?"
"I just went to Bucca di Beppo and had some wine and I'm feeling pretty good!"

We asked each other how we've been. He shared he was worried I quit because he hadn't seen me anymore. Not to worry, I was usually off on weekdays. 

"Remind me again what computer you got?"
"Oh shit. I don't even remember. Two glasses of wine shouldn't do that to you!"
"I don't know... It does it for me."

He greeted another one of my coworkers who came by. While catching up with her, he had a 'eureka' moment.

"Maxx! I remember! It's a Dell XPS 13."

He then reached out and kissed my hand. It was too late to mention I had been sick. Oops. 

10 February 2017

Someone I met today is a nurse. She comes to the house pretty often because we have a carehome. Of course, I never see her because I'm at work. Today, I was still sick and sitting in the kitchen when she came by.

 "Oh hello. I'm sick so I'm probably going back to my room."

"It's ok! You can stay, I'm just going to be in the [patient's] room." 

I went upstairs anyway. Because my parents operate their business in our house, privacy is a hot commodity. However, it is still my house, so sometimes... I just forget and happen to go downstairs with no pants on.

Fortunately, this was not one of those days. 

9 February 2017

Since I've been sick, I didn't meet anyone new today... But I could talk about someone who I encountered previously. I mentioned that I had gone to Senia in my previous post. When I went to Senia, it was an awesome experience, but this is not a food review. 

When I go out to eat, I prefer the corner chair, corner table, corner of the restaurant. Just. Corner. If I can't get the corner, I will pick the chair closest to the corner. I will move faster than everyone else in the party just so I can have the corner. I prefer it because I like to watch what's going on in the environment and the people around me. It's a nice intermission to see how interactions unfold outside of your own. 

Anyway, the table I got was the corner table of all corner tables. There were a bunch of different people here that I had the divine pleasure of observing.

The couple to my left were good friends catching up since they were here for a wedding. The people in the middle of the dinning room looked like they were on a date... And so did the woman sitting directly across from me. 

The layout of Senia's corners may be a little peculiar to some people. Whatever seat you took at the corner, you would make eye contact with someone directly across from you... And wasn't in your party. I didn't mind this because my company was fantastic. 

But I might have encountered someone doing the same thing as me. With each lull of the conversation, my eyes wandered across the room again, and landed on the woman across from me. I felt a sense of kinship with her dining partner, since we had both chosen the same beers for the evening (Echigo is my favorite, in case you were wondering). I'm not sure what was different about this woman, but she seemed rather disdainful, like she was judging me. Harshly. It didn't matter though, I was pretty buzzed and having a grand time. Eventually, the co-owner/cook approached her table and she lit up.

"Oh, it's so nice to meet you! We've been dying to try this place when it first opened. We first heard of you when..."

She continued praising him as he smiled graciously. As soon as the he walked away, her demeanor changed. 

"Why'd you have to order another beer?"

Her partner continued to drink his beer peacefully.

"Hurry up and finish your drink so we can leave."

Eventually the bill came around and he excused himself from the table, presumably for the bathroom. It was the first time the woman and I made eye contact. I was awkwardly putting an ahi topped rice cracker into my mouth, smiling. She was wearing the scowl on her face, as she had been all evening. When our eyes met, she quickly looked away. 

I continued to eat, my happiness in spite of her. In any case, here's a pic of what I'm pretty sure I ate that day. 

A photo posted by @restaurantsenia on Feb 9, 2017 at 3:33pm PST