August 30th, 2014

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of a wonderful man, my Grandpa. I have no words to express how I feel other than numb. I still have not yet the news fully sink in. I think I pressed it down into the deepest part of my brain so that I may deal with it when I’m ready.

5:45 came way to early this morning. Always needing to be absurdly early to almost everything, I woke myself up 2 hours before I was supposed to be somewhere 1/2 mile from my house. I took a shower and reheated the breakfast I had cooked yesterday in preparation for this morning. I rode to Starbucks and got 20 ounces of liquid rocket fuel and headed to the college for a pre-employment psychological examination. I arrived promptly at 7, a full hour before the test was scheduled. While I was standing there trying to calm my nerves and appear professional, I got a text from my sister telling me to call her once I woke up. I figured I had a few minutes before the test so I called to see what was up. She informed me that my grandpa had passed away in his sleep last night. He had just turned 96 back in June, and thankfully I was able to be there for his birthday party. I talked to my sister for a few moments and then had to end the call to line up for the exam. I wanted to grave, but I knew that I had to push the emotions away for the time being.

The test was almost 500 true or false questions. I am not allowed to divulge any of the actual questions, but some of them were quite odd. One that threw me for a loop was “I believe that President ‘X’ was a better leader than President ‘Y’ (I can’t use the names of the presidents from the test)”. I finished the exam in just under two hours and rushed to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription that I was told would be ready by 10am. I arrived just after 10 and was told to come back on Tuesday. I went home and broke the news about my grandpa to Rebecca and then I called my dad. It was not a sudden loss as he has been slowly loosing his health and mobility over the last few years, but that didn’t make it any less tragic.

I needed to get out of the house so Rebecca and I went to the grocery store where I could distract myself. After the store, I changed and then picked up my friend Brandon. He is in town on a prayer retreat, and to go to the University of Washington vs. University of Hawaii football game. I had been planning on going to the game ever since they posted the schedule last year. There was almost no traffic on the way to the stadium, and then we got in the parking lot and sat in line for about 75 hours. The parking lot was a sea of both purple and green as supporters for both teams were tailgating. We found a spot and Brandon asked the tailgaters if we could park there. They agreed to move their BBQ grill and I squeezed Rebecca’s tiny car into the spot. No sooner had I turned off the engine did I hear “Hey, its Travis!” I looked up and instantly recognized the group as customers whom I had served last night at work. I must have left quite an impression as they gave us high fives and offered us BBQ and sodas. We headed into the stadium and headed right to a stand where they were giving away trinkets for entering their raffle. I won a water bottle that I later knocked over with my foot and broke. We found out way to our seats, 13 rows up from the 20 yard line on the Hawaii side. The major difference between a UH game, and a Seahawks game was the fact that right up until kickoff, the majority of the seats were empty. Most of the fans were still in the parking lot tailgating, plus everything here runs on Island time. The Huskies ended up winning 17-16 in one of the sloppiest games I have ever seen. We left the stadium once the game ended and actually got out of the parking lot fairly quickly. I dropped Brandon off at his hotel and went home to spend some time with Rebecca. I ate way too much food because I hadn’t eaten since 6 this morning and spent the rest of the night feeling bloated and gross.

Now that I am back home, away from all the distractions, I have stated allowing myself to process everything. He was the only grandpa I knew. I met my mom’s father a few times, but he was never really in my life that I can remember. My grandma and grandpa would spend every Christmas Eve at our house so they could be there when we got to open our presents from Santa. I remember countless camping trips to the beach in their airstream camper. I remember sitting down with him about 10 years ago and having him tell me about his experiences during the war. He was injured by shrapnel and ended up leaving the hospital without permission to join up with his unit. I remember seeing the tears well up in his eyes as he walked in to his surprise 90th birthday party with a huge room of his family and friends. He would crack a joke at your expense and in the same breath say something lovely…. sometimes. He was always there for us, he was always praying for us, he loved us, and he will be greatly missed.

I know that he was constantly praying for me, and I know that now he will forever be watching me and the rest his family. My only regret is that I hadn’t talked to him since June. I could never reach him, but if he can figure out his voicemail in heaven, he will hear about 75 messages from me telling him that I was thinking about him, and that I love him.

Goodbye Grandpa, thank you for everything you taught me, thank you for being there when I needed you, thank you for your prayers, I miss you.

August 29th, 2014

I woke up and started a load of laundry and then rode to Kinko’s to print out a bunch of forms for my background check. I went home and began the two and a half hour online personal history questionnaire. I basically had to list everything wrong I have ever done, even if I was not caught. Once I finished, I quickly began thinking of additional things I should have put down.

I headed to work and started the day off in a descent mood, there was enough business to keep me occupied, and the tables weren’t so bad. I talked to my manager and explained that I had an important meeting at 8 tomorrow morning and asked if I could switch sections with someone else so I would be the first to be sent home. I am usually the first one there and one of the last to leave, but tonight I got home around 9:30. There was no lollygagging, or dilly-dallying on my part, I went straight to bed. Unfortunately no one told my brain that we needed to go to sleep because I was up past midnight.

August 28th, 2014

I woke up at 9 and spent an hour waking up. I rode to Starbucks and got my fix and then went home to make dinner for Rebecca.

I had an orientation meeting for a job way out past Pearl Harbor. The meeting was at 6 so naturally I left at 2:45. It took me about 90 minutes to get there on my moped. The majority of the drive was poorly maintained highway with 45 MPH speed limits. The combination of spending cars whizzing past me, bumpy roads with pot holes and the wind which kept making me drift out of my lane made for a very scary ride.

I got there around 4 and sat in the breezeway waiting. I was dreadfully bored and hungry because I forgot to eat lunch. Other people showed up around 5 and we all sat there in silence until we were let into the class room.

The orientation was all about filling out paperwork for the extensive background check. They told us to fill out everything we have ever done wrong, no matter how long ago or how minor. For the rest of the night my transgressions flashed in my head, like the time I was 3 and put a fishing lure in my pocket to purchase but forgot about and left without paying for it. Or the time I trespassed on private property to look at sets from an old tv show.

The meeting ended at 9 and I had to ride back home on unfamiliar highway in the dark.

I got home just before Rebecca went to bed and I started filling out my paperwork.

August 27th, 2014

I woke up and did my usual morning routine. I kept falling asleep while I was working on my writing so I rode to Starbucks where the barista understood what I was asking for. I went home and did a load of laundry and got ready for work.

I was exceptionally slow today, and my first set of tables didn’t help my sinking morale when they all left under 10%. I found stuff to do to keep myself occupied and out of trouble. My very last table was from Japan, but a few of them spoke enough English to order and get everything sorted out. When I was picking up the cash, I asked if they wanted change. All of the sudden none of them spoke English. While I was getting their change which was $0.71 off a $160 check, they made a rush to get out the door, almost as if they knew what they were doing. I managed to stop them and give them their change. When I have tables do that to me, I like to give them their change so they can look me in they eye as they screw me over. It make it more personal. It felt like they had just dive-bombed my heart.

I ended unmaking the least amount of money since I started and was only working two tables. On the plus side, I had a table return to the restaurant and sit in my section that was in a few weeks ago. I recognized them immediately. They said they found the coconut peanut butter that I had suggested and they loved it.

I got home late and Rebecca was sleeping. I might not see her again until Sunday.

August 26th, 2014

I woke up around10 and made breakfast. I left the house right away to get started with my day. My first stop was Starbucks. I went to a store near the movie theater and I whisked I hadn’t. I placed my very simple order, “vent drip coffee and a vent cup of ice please.” The male barista pulled a cup off the stack and stared at it for a couple seconds trying to figure out what to write on it. He fumbled with the sleeve and couldn’t figure out which nozzle to pour the coffee from. He then proceeded to ask his associate for help getting the ice. No matter how many times I ask, they refuse to take the 30 ounce glass and put just enough ice in it to cool down the hot coffee. That is why I get the two glasses. The lady barista then told me that they couldn’t give me a 20 ounce or 30 ounce glass of ice but she offered to give me a “tall” glass. I accepted and poured my coffee in the “tall” glass, drank the 12 ounces and then poured the rest of the coffee onto the few remaining ice cubes.

I took my coffee in to the theater and watched a movie about all the action stars from the 80’s and 90’s fighting together against bad guys. It was awesome.

I went home and Rebecca got home shortly after I did. We headed to the mall because she had an appointment at the apple store to get her phone looked at. It has been acting weird and not allowing her to open apps. After fiddling with it for a few moments the attendant found the problem, water damage. I believe it was from our hike to Manoa Falls back in April or May. I noticed she had a pink dot on the water indicator strip inside of the headphone jack but nothing had happened then so we forgot about it. The technician said that a rain drop most likely landed inside the opening and began slowly wreaking havoc on the insides of the phone. They tried to do a system refresh of the software, but it would not take.

We were both hungry so we decided to go to my restaurant. In the 5 months I have been working there, we have never gone there to eat. I can’t afford anything on the menu anyways. Everyone was really happy to see us and finally meet Rebecca. I ordered a side of broccoli and a steak and Rebecca got a fish dish. The steak was a little undercooked for my liking, but I wasn’t about to send it back.

After dinner we went home and watched a movie and then Rebecca went to bed.

August 25th, 2015

Rebecca texted me at the crack of dawn letting me know that she had found her wallet tucked away in a drawer or something. I was relieved that it was simply misplaced and not stolen by one of her students.

I had an apple for breakfast, I haven’t been eating as much lately, but I’m never really hungry. I think the whole 30 diet is doing the trick. I rode to Safeway to get a bottle of baby powder to battle the dreadfully humid conditions lately and I weighed my self. I lost all the weight I put on over the summer and then an extra pound. As of today I officially weigh as much as Homer Simpson. I then rode to a barber shop to get my hair cut. I have an interview on Saturday and I want to look as professional as I can.

After waiting for about 45 minutes, I was finally called to the chair. The gal cutting my hair was from Seattle and we talked about the Seahawks. I didn’t notice it until much later, but I got a wicked razor burn on the back of my neck from the clippers.

I went home and showered and made lunch. I got to work and sat in the walk-in freezer for about 20 minutes to cool off. My first table was from Mill Creek, a town very near where I grew up. They are in town for the UH vs. UW football game on Saturday. It turns out that we know some of the same people. The rest of my tables with the exception of two did not speak English so I spent a majority of my night doing busy work. Right around 7, when the rush hit, I could feel the sweat mixing with the razor burn on my neck. It made for quite an unpleasant experience all around.

August 24th, 2014

I awoke after a mere 4 hours sleep and we got ready for church. We stopped at Starbucks so I could get a glass of wake-me-up. After standing in line listening to pretentious a-holes order their 20 syllable coffee drinks, I stepped up to the counter and ordered a large drip coffee and a tall cup of ice. I like to chug my coffee and that is hard to do when it is piping hot. I pour the coffee over the ice and it is gone within seconds. The lady behind the counter smoothly remarked “You mean a ‘venti’ drip coffee”. I had no time to verbally assault her for her tone, which I did not appreciate. I would have loved to rip off her fingernails and shove her hands in rubbing alcohol, verbally and emotionally of course. She also gave me a small cup of ice. I had forgotten that in Starbucks speak, tall means the opposite. I rolled my eyes and asked for a “really big cup of ice”. I know that I work in a similar industry, and I should have patience, but make a tall the biggest cup for crying out loud. 4 sizes, that’s it, no fancy foreign words to confuse things. Small, medium, large, and colon blasting.

We went back to the same church we were at last week. The main pastor was there so we got to hear his message. It was simple yet thought provoking. I really enjoyed it. The congregation was filled with couples roughly our age, but they all had kids. I looked over at Rebecca who was doodling on her notes. She said she was bored, so I guess we will try a different church next week.

We went to the mall so Rebecca could get her wedding ring cleaned and then we went home and I caught the last bit of the Sounders game. My last 3 meals of dates, apple sauce and coffee finally caught up to me and I spent the rest of the afternoon in the bathroom with the faucet running so Rebecca couldn’t hear the awful noise.

I got to work and stretched. I was in a closing section on the lanai, it looked like it was going to be a god day. My first table were some youngsters who’s eyes were glossy, bright red and half open. If I could make a profile chart of people who don’t tip well, stoned teenagers would be very near the top of the list. They actually surprised me and left $2 on a $50 tab. The rest of the night went well, I was very busy because my tables had a great view of the ocean, and then the sunset. I finished around 11:30 and then my manager wanted to talk to me. He told me that because I have expressed an interest in training, they were all going to be watching me closely to make sure that I am qualified. I got home around midnight and went straight to bed.

August 23rd, 2014

We woke up around 9:30 and headed over to Rebecca’s school. While she was taking her students to work on the school’s farm, her wallet seemed to “fall” out of her zipped-up backpack. At first she thought she had simply left it at her desk, but after further investigation we discovered it was not in her classroom. We zipped over to the bank to cancel her credit cards and then we came home where she had to call our bank back in Washington as well as Macy’s. We looked all over the apartment as well as in her car, and believe the only conclusion is that a student might have liberated it from her bag. Not a very pleasant thing to think about. I prefer to believe that a student found in on the ground and is waiting until Monday to give it to her.

I got ready for work and on my way I took a pill which is an herbal supplement which is supposed to improve focus. Mixed with 30 ounces of black coffee, this pill did wonders. I was “on” all night, I was determined, focused, and I had more energy. No more auto pilot for this guy. Even my managers commented on how hard I was working. The side effects of the pill are a little scary. Increased blood pressure, and mine is already too high. Depression and schizophrenia symptoms are also listed as being more severe on this medication. I don’t have either, but I don’t want them either. I finished work around 11:30 and went home where despite taking a sleeping pill, I was wide awake until 4 am.

August 22nd, 2014

I woke up, had the last egg in the fridge for breakfast and went on my way. I rode to the post office to deliver a package, and buy stamps, next I went to the hardware store to buy some safety glasses to wear when I ride my moped home at night in the rain. The sunglasses are too dark, and I can’t see with the rain blowing in my face. I then ventured to the hippie store to buy snacks for the movie tonight and then I went home to make lunch. Rebecca came home around 3:30 and I was settling down to watch the Seahawks game when she informed me that some friends of ours were on island visiting family for the weekend.

We drove down to Waikiki and hung out in a hotel lobby talking story and making fun of people’s outfits as they walked by. It was really fun. It is always nice to be able to hang out with people we know.

They went back to be with their family and we went grocery shopping. We put the food away and relaxed for a bit before going to see a movie about a group of misfits who protect the galaxy from evil doers. We got home after midnight and Rebecca went straight to bed and I stayed up for a while.

August 21st, 2014

I woke up around 10 and spent the morning doing what I normally do. I made and ate breakfast, prepared a lunch to take to work, tended to my garden, fired off a few angry emails to celebrities who keep ignoring my invitations to hang out, got ready for work and then left for work.

Once I got to work, I ate my lunch and stretched out for the shift. Most people have stopped making fun of my stretching, and a few of them do it with me. I’m hoping I can start a trend.

My first table was a couple from Italy. This was my second Italian table in a week that did not tip, I’m beginning to see a trend. I can see now why we invaded them in World War 2. Now that I think about it, every country we have gone to war against, and every country we have not gone to war against, tip horribly. Although I can’t think of any Iraqi, or Afghani customers. Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever serving anyone from the Ivory Coast. I don’t know the tipping policy for sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of my tables were from Asia, and we communicated by them pointing at pictures in the menu and grunting. I passed my time with my buddy Dylan by thinking obscure movies to make restaurants after. My best ideas were “Ice Age” where the entire restaurant was chilled to 20 degrees, or “Ray” where there in absolutely no light in the restaurant and you have to rely on your other senses to eat. I don’t think I am legally allowed to publish the other ideas because I might get sued, or locked away in a loony bin.

I went home after work and locked my moped up on my lanai. I tried locking it to the tense, but I tripped on a tree root in the dark, and when I came back in the morning, it looked like birds had been using my moped for target practice.