October 30, 2003

Toilet papering Hilo Style

When I was in High School, we would sneek out at night and go toilet papering. You know... redecorate someones front lawn with tons of paper and stuff. Some people got it all the time, others, like us (as my folks would have had a tizzy and beat the living daylights out of us as if we could stop it) never saw it. I had one friend who begged to be papered, she and her folks saw it as a form of saying "you're accepted." We were somewhat of experts and were very creative about it. Janine's parents tooks photos of the job and the snaps got into the year book.

Im being toilet papered by the females in the up stairs "apartment" above the shop. They throw down rolls of paper and in the stiff Trade Winds we have been having, it blows way out into the street. I dont care for it as its tacky, but people are forced to look at the store by the swirling distraction. I wasnt going to say anything but we nearly had an accident out here on the busy street, when a car swerved to avoid it. I hadnt said anything about it but I did call Darryl and he said hed speak to them. A guy from the building came and cleaned it up. He said that it was a stupid waste of paper and they dont mean nice by it... I know that.

We have proven that we "have juice" here. Darryl is enforcing the rules and I won a major battle and the fire lane was restriped out here now no one can park in front of my shop so I have great street visibility. To get the county to do anything for you is something. To get it done on time is a major miracle, on par with parting the Red Sea. (Red Tape Sea)... I'm sending the boss of the guy in Public Works a letter of comendation. He deserves it.

I met a building regular, Curtis today,older man who was very nice and I can tell he is plantation bred as he calls me "missus" as they do when you are a shop, or business owner, or land owner... "Missus Aleka" which is as close to Aletha as Hawaiian gets. T is K so when you see "Kamehameha", it should be "Tamehameha", or "Tahiti" is said as "Kahiki"... anyway he said that the people there are ok just the kids are "smart pants" and all the druggie people Darryl kicks out "they mad at him." I know that is the truth. It was a guy like that that started the trouble last week.

We have had some lay aways picked up which is great. I wish I had more sales but people are looking so I think I need to change up the store a bit and see if that doesnt help. I had enought to pay a few things and if we have some more sales it would really help.

I found a ISP that only charges 10.00 a month so I think I will be getting back on line at home soon. That will be nice except that I think we are a lot better off for not being on the internet so much.

Woody is in Kona for a few days of training at his new job. Yeah he did get hired at that job gifting for Fairfield. Minimum wage and maybe a bonus. It wont be enough. I dont know what we are going to do. But tonight I am going to go home and take a nice shower and relax. Got to get up early so I can get my Internet turned on at home.