Bringing it back

So with this new job there have been some challenges. I now have 80,000 (not exaggerating) square feet of showroom to cover all while carrying a tape measure, cell phone and notes at all times. I am like a moving desk. And of course NONE of my dresses have pockets in them and really sticking a tape measure in my bra is uncomfortable plus it looks bad in front of clients. So instead I decided to bring this back.....
the fanny pack! Seriously it kicks ass. Now, if only I could wear denim to work...

SK808

Something else worth sharing is this graphic design competition that I entered for a big Roller Derby tournament that is being held here in Honolulu in January, 2010. The competition was to design a logo for the t-shirts, banners, marketing materials, etc. I just found out today that I won! Woot! Here is my design I submitted.


I win 1 million dollars, 56 new packs of fish nets and a new set of skates. Okay not really but I do get my design plastered all over Honolulu and recognition at the event. Mom, I'll save you a t-shirt.

Hiking Nuuana Pali

I had the day off today so I decided to go for a 3 hour hike. Working and living in a dense city can start to get under your skin so I have found that the best cure is to get a way from it for a few hours. It was so refreshing and one of the most beautiful hikes I have been on. I climbed to the very top of the mountain and the payoff at the end was awesome! I didn't die from a heart attack or get lost. Oh, and the view was pretty spectacular as well.

Apparently I really am a giant.

Dude, if I had a quarter for every time someone asked me "Wow, how tall are you?" since I have been here I would make Oprah look poor. It's like I'm in Munchkin Land. I guess it doesn't help that 85% of the population here is of Asian descent who love their flats and then there is me who pushes 5'8" and then throws a 6" heel on top of that. But still, it's like I am a freak of nature. This was me at the mall yesterday.

Back to School

Yesterday was my first day back to work and at my new job. I was of course nervous going in mostly because this is the keystone to our move to Hawaii. The minute I walked into the showroom I remembered every reason why I was so excited to be working for this new company. John Judy if you are reading this you are going to salivate over my new office. This place drips with sexy furniture. Here is just one of the lines I will be working with B&B Italia.

Everyone greeted me with a smile and there is a good handful of people that already have invited to me social functions with them and their friends. Tomorrow night I am attending a fashion show with a couple of the girls after work. Our showroom also has a fancy restaurant in it, wine bar and event hall that turns into a club during the weekends (I know, weird) so I am feeling quite confident that I will be able to meet lots of people just by being at work. A couple of my co-workers are from Seattle and Portland so we have had a chance bro down about NW living.

Fun Hawaii fact for the day: Hawaii is a billboard free state. State laws prohibit any type of billboard or large signage and advertising anywhere, even on street signs. I think even Wal-Mart's sign is in an 8pt font. Searching for street signs, addresses and building names has really been fun. I have become a master at U turns.

Culture Shock

I was warned before moving here that being blond haired and blue eyed would make me a minority in Hawaii. That is of course unless you are in the high tourist areas and then we are still a dime a dozen. Outside of that though I don't necessarily blend in. I have been asked a lot where I am from and of course there are those that try to guess. My favorite is one guy said I looked Hispanic. Really? I always thought I leaned more African American. I was also told today that I have nice elbows. What? Where am I? Oh yeah....paradise.

Day Two

You know you are in paradise when you wake up to a rainbow over your bed. I always tried to convince Shannon that she and John should move with us because Hawaii has rainbows and unicorns. Well Shan, here is proof #1.

I woke reddy to seek and destroy. My mission is to find a permanent place for Nic and I to live before he gets down here in October. I ventured out to several different areas and districts and then I hit jack pot...China Town.

During the day it's like farmer's market on steroids. All types of vendors line the streets and fill the stores with the delicious produce, fresh fish, meat, etc. It also has giant food courts where you can buy anything from pig's brains to shaved ice. Nic is going to love it. The night scene in China Town was aslo a treat. Some of the most adorable bars I have been in to with live music and martinis for $4. I have a feeling that we will be spending a lot of our time in this area. Mostly because Nic looks Chinese.

After a full day of exploring I went home to get ready for a bachelorette party for an ex-coworker of mine who is getting married here on Saturday. I am getting way too old for these type of things. I was by far the oldest one there...by like 100 years. I did make good use though of my penis straw by donating it to a homeless lady. I am sure some how she will figure out how to transform it into a crack pipe.

By 1 am (and I am still on Pacific Standard time so like 4 am) I decided I had enough Abercrombie and Fitch and called it a night. Now, there a good things and bad things about Hawaii. One of the good things is that there are not any spiders and very few snakes here. The bad news is there are cockroaches that you could probably put a saddle on. This was waiting for me when I got home.

Touch Down!

I am not sure what to be more shocked about. The fact that I have actually created a blog or the fact that I now live in Hawaii. This is for the countless times that Shannon has said, "Dude, just read my blog!" Okay and let's face it. Blogging really does become effective for long distance relationships.

Speaking of which today is my first day on the island. I won't go into detail on how I got here or why as this canvas is intended to document this journey from this day forward. I do anticipate, however, that much of my cherished life I left in Portland will be revealed through many of these entries.

I landed in Honolulu at 11:43 am (Hawaii time) from PDX. The flight went great other than the old lady next to me who snored for five hours. I picked up my rental car which is about two points better than a golf cart. (I swear the maximum speed this thing is about 75 mph before parts start flying off.) That probably is a good thing though considering my stellar driving record.

Anxious to see my temporary apartment I headed straight for Waikiki where I will be staying for the next month. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in as I was expecting to share a bed with the roaches for the price I paid for this place. As most of you know, Hawaii is not a cheap place to live. It only took me about 20 min. before I took down half of the decor. I am pretty sure they decorated this place in 1985 and haven't touched it since. My favorite space of the apartment is of course the lanai. I have a view of the canal, city and ocean! Plus, at 36 floors up I am pretty sure I can see Portland from here too.

After I unloaded my 1000 lbs of luggage I headed out to Safeway to get some snacks and household goods for my new pad. It is a good thing they sell hard liquor in grocery stores down here because the cost of food in Hawaii will make you want to drink yourself stupid. You might as well give your first born away for a gallon of milk. The good news is that they had a sale on hot pockets.

After Safeway stole my money I headed back to 3618 to enjoy the sunset and a cold Coors Light. Although the sunset was beautiful, it's lonely here. I am considering buying a volleyball that I can later name Wilson so I have someone to talk to.