I'm dedicating this to John, a man who was there for me when I needed someone to give me a kick up the backside, or make me laugh, someone who could always motivate you to get your next temp out working and pour a glass of wine down your neck when you hadn't. John was thrilled for me when I announced my plans to come away and sent me packing, with the promise that I would be missed and would not be allowed a day off when I returned as he would have me back at my desk straight away! He rang me on New Years Day and again a few weeks later to check I was having a good time and to ask me to come back to work!! Ever the hopeful was John, but I kept saying no. I promised him I'd be back in March once I had achieved what I had set out to do and he accepted this. I know John would be proud of me for everything I have done and achieved, and no doubt a little jealous, but I'll bet one thing he doesn't know is how much he'll be missed by me, and everyone that knew him. John was a fantastic man, with a heart of gold. Sure he had his bad points, but don't we all? So, after getting the sad news of his death I made sure that I did everything I wanted to do, after all life is too short not to.
So after visiting Pearl Harbour and purchasing my beautiful Diamonds and Pearls Ring (yes - ever the true Prince fan I am!) Rich and I headed back to Waikiki and went to the beach. At last the sun was shining which believe me was a treat. That evening we headed out for dinner, and then headed back.
Saturday we were booked onto an afternoons trip out on a boat, however, as we were well used to the rain was falling and given that we had only paid a deposit and I was stricken with a bit of a cold and the worst sore throat ever we decided to bin it off. So we went to Denny's for lunch (we had seen this place on the first day and then couldn't find it for love nor money - until a taxi driver showed us where it was - RIGHT OPPOSITE THE HOTEL!!) and as we sat there eating our Eggs Over Medium (whatever that is) the sun started to shine. So we fed our faces as quickly as possible and hit the beach, where we found a friend. Along came Carl....
Carl is this short little black man from Arizona who is working in Waikiki and was on his day off and told us how he is king!! He even got a crown from Burger King and wore it on the beach. Every female that moved he was onto, despite the fact that he was old enough to be their grandfather, and then persuaded me to go ask a little Japanese girl if we could borrow her surf board for a photo - one photo. Oh no, 10 photos later and he was the Surf God of Waikiki!! He insisted on taking my email address, and bought us a beer (which is always good although incurred a telling off from an official about drinking on the beach!) and then inviting us to a barbeque the next day. Unfortunately we were busy!!!!!!!!!!!!
So after a bit of a baking in the sun we headed back to get ready to go eat at The Cheesecake Factory. So many people have told me about this place and how fantastic the food is, and the desserts are wicked and now it's my turn. It's FAB, go there if you're near one, the food is great and well I've never seen so many different varieties of cheesecake - right now there are 2 pieces sat next to the computer screen waiting to be scoffed - so I won't be much longer - either that or the keyboard will get very messy!
Sunday and again the sun was shining so we hit the beach again, after breakfast at Dennys - now we'd found it we were going to go there every bloody day!! Roll on Sunday night though - this one's for me and Lyndy. Remember those days when we used to sit and watch Grease 2 and them all bopping at the Luau - well we went to the Paradise Cove Luau on Sunday night Lyndy!! You would have loved it. It was a fantastic night and we had front row seats for everything. I made a lei for my arm and we were given fresh lei's when we arrived. I have photos to prove my following statement. We arrived and had to have our photos taken with a polynesian girl and guy and the guy - wow!! Think John, the Gardener from Desperate Housewives - oh yes girlies - he was gorgeous!!! He asked if we wanted a photo together and I replied that I would rather keep him for myself but nevertheless we had one anyway.
So the show started and they were throwing fire, dancing with coconut bras, and generally wearing not a lot. The band was great, the food was excellent and the atmosphere was just electric. Towards the end they invited people onto the stage and the people were selected by the dancers. So being me I kept my head down (I did I promise!) and just drank my drink and checked the photos I had taken earlier, when all of a sudden I'm tapped on the shoulder by John, the Gardener from DH - aka FIT BLOKE IN VERY LITTLE - and taken away from the table. As I walked away from the table I was vaguely aware that most people were already on the stage, yet we were headed around the back where it was dark - "I can handle this" I thought, until we get backstage and he puts a couple of shaker things in my hands and shows me what he wants me to do. He told me to just keep facing him, hold the shakers above my head and shake them whilst girating my hips in his direction. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me, and just kept laughing. When asked if I'd been drinking I replied yes, to which he said "just let the drink kick in baby"!! So we head on stage, and I'm ok thinking I'll be one of a few people on the stage, and he turns to me and says "by the way, I forgot to tell you it's just going to be you and me on the stage"!!!!!!!! Oh My God!!!
So in true Helen form, I let the exhibitionist side of me come through and shook my thang on stage in front of some 500 people, with this gorgeous man who made it soooo easy!! I received a certificate to say I had passed an Accelerated course in Hula and a kiss from J, G from DH!! Photos to prove it girlies!!
All to quickly the evening ended and we left with our souvenir glasses acquired on the sly by our lovely lovely waiter for us as the real souvenirs were plastic and not great. We then got out the front and I had my photo taken with J, G from DH and he gave me his lei - which I'm assured means he's going to call me!!!!!!!!
Today, once again, the sun was shining so we hit the beach for a bit more baking before heading back to get ready for the show that all our mums would love. Yes we went to see Elvis in Blue Hawaii!!!!! It was hideously tacky but loads of fun, and he was actually quite good. Very tall, but very good. And I got to sit on Elvis' lap!! So exciting!!!!!!!!
So you see John, I'm doing everything I can for you. I fly to Los Angeles tomorrow morning where I will be to say goodbye to you. I tried to fly home but the timings were so tight it would have been a nightmare, and I figure that I can say goodbye to you wherever I am, and you can enjoy some of the fun with me. My heart goes out to all of you who will be attending Johns funeral, and I am going to be there in spirit too.
So for now, I say Aloha to you all, including John, and will promise to make sure that the last few days of my trip in LA are just as fab and worthwhile as the rest.
Thinking of you
Hels Bels
xxxx