HAWAI'I: DAY 3

HAWAI'I: DAY 3

Friday November 17, 2017

Waking up at 6:00AM here is like waking up at 11:00AM back home. This is the kinda time difference I like! Especially when I haven’t been here long enough for it to become my norm. 

I changed, packed up the rest of my stuff and headed out early, anxious to check-in to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The drive, at this point, has become familiar and the traffic easy to navigate. I pulled into the street that I past last night and drove up to the valet. No one came to my car and I’ve never done this before. So, thinking they were just busy with other guests, I pulled around again, before giving up and entering the parking garage on my own. 

I parked on the third floor, close to the elevator. I knew I’d grabbed the ticket at the entrance, but for the life of me, I couldn’t find it anywhere! I searched the entire Jeep, front to back, five times even using my phone light to look in crevices. NOTHING! On top of that, my ass was burning even with a skirt! I called my mom, frantically, needing to talk to someone as I sat curled up sideways to relieve the pressure. 

I decided to explain the situation when I checked in, so I made my way to the elevator. The doors opened up inside the Grand Waikikian. I struggled to navigate my way out, going through the Hilton Grand before finally finding the lawn at the bottom of this huge staircase…with my two rolling bags. Thankfully, there was a ramp off to the left, but I gained too much speed to take the corner and lost my grip on the big bag I was dragging behind me so that and the Wal*Mart bag with all my food came crashing down in the middle of the walkway. 

I hurt my wrist as I lost my grip, but I picked everything up and continued on, embarrassed. The lawn was beautiful! Scattered palm trees and a great view of the ocean and the lagoon. The walkway to Hilton Hawaiian Village went through a beautiful garden full of native plants, it was like walking through a jungle. 

Everything here is so open. The lobby is just a giant breezeway at the front of the hotel, pillars holding up the roof and Hawaii’s natural beauty surrounding you on all sides. I found check-in and got in line, but I couldn’t get comfortable. My ass was in so much pain, just standing there became unbearable. So, I dragged my bags back to the safety of my Jeep, the only place I could hide and relieve the pressure without embarrassing myself further. 

I found elevators outside the garage, with a bathroom right next to it! I already had a plan in mind, so I went to the third floor and curled up sideways in my Jeep. Back down the elevator, I did visit the restroom to try and ease the pain with wipes and cream before going back to check-in. I became very familiar with this route over the next hour before I was finally able to stand long enough to actually check-in!

Of course, my room wasn’t ready. It was a struggle just standing there and all I wanted was to get to my room and lay down! Thankfully, they offered a one-time $85.00 charge for an upgrade to a suite that was available. I didn’t care if it was a ploy to make more money off of me, I needed a room pronto! 

I remembered to ask about my parking garage ticket and it turns out my hotel keycard allows me to exit and enter the parking garage, so my lost ticket isn’t an issue. On one of my trips back from the garage, I decided to only bring my laptop bag for convenience. 

The gave me a map of the resort, showing me where my room was from the main lobby. I’m in Tapa Tower, room 1857. SO FAR from the parking garage, and I’d be making at least four trips…

I really need to learn how to follow signs. I went the completely opposite direction from the elevators before going all the way back on the other side. My room is the last one on the right, and for good reason.

IT’S HUGE!

About 20 minutes later, I finally got all my bags from the parking garage: both luggage bags, two Wal*Mart bags with food and two with water. I started unpacking the essentials, clothes always stay in my bags. 

The balcony was a pleasant surprise!

And my left foot is now a non-issue!!

Finally able to relax, I searched for the TV remote and settled onto the bed. The hotel welcome screen came up and I tried to flip through channels, but the remote wasn't working. I kept trying for a few minutes, hitting the remote against the bed, then my hand and pushing the buttons as hard as I could. Nothing. Even getting it to switch off was a struggle, but the screen finally went black. Maybe the batteries were dead? I'd have to see if I could pick some up somewhere.

So I went  over the con schedule for the day, realizing that all the photo-ops I had today were also scheduled for tomorrow! The only panel I wanted to see was at 4:00PM and Karaoke wasn’t until 9:00PM. So, I made myself breakfast, took my meds and watched last night’s episode of Supernatural!

I sat out on the balcony until the Welcome Panel at 12:25PM, after which I panned on finally getting to a beach. Somehow I managed to talk myself out of it. I’ve been to conventions before, I know the drill. I didn’t want to plan my beach time and showering around panels all day, so I decided to free up my day completely! 

I’m nowhere near as fit as I wanted to be. I lost the weight, but my stomach is far from toned. Still, I bought bikinis for this trip and I’d be damned if I was' going to wear one on a beach in Hawaii! Thankfully, I packed two in very different styles. I’m not ready for full on bra/panty look, so I went with the skirt for a little more cover. It looked a lot better! I was really missing my full body top, and almost didn’t leave the room.

After a phone call to my mom and talking myself into it, I went through the hotel in my cover-up and flip-flops with my beach bag, following the signs for the beachfront. The resort can get pretty confusing. There were two pools in the middle of the garden, but I came for the beach! I found a spot towards the back and put down my towel. 

Taking off my cover-up was unnerving, but I’m so proud of myself for actually going through with it! I sprayed SPF 100 on myself for ultimate protection, then used the Neutrogena 100+ SPF face lotion to avoid a sunburned face in my photo-ops! 

The water was really warm and so relaxing to tread. I really wish I could’ve brought my boogie board to lay on, or bought one here but there’s now way I’d be taking it home…

I talked briefly with someone else from back east, Rhode Island or Connecticut. I’m not so good with social situations and wasn’t prepared to talk to anyone so it ended abruptly. I floated a little longer before deciding to dry off and walk the beach with camera a little.

About halfway down and a dozen selfie-attempt later, I realized why my eyes were burning. I thought the sun, sand, wind? But I’d taken Claritin so it shouldn’t be allergies. The face lotion must’ve been coming off from the water and dripping into my eyes. I only brought my beach towel, tissues were back in the room and my cover-up was covered in sand. 

Thus, my beach time was cut short due to blindness. My eyes watered and burned the entire walk back to my room and I literally couldn’t see through the tears. I grabbed tissues the second I got in and started running the water for a bath. Honestly, it was much more relaxing than sunbathing and swimming in public. Warm water is good for aggravated hemorrhoids, too. I was really hoping to alleviate the pain for the weekend with a simple bath, coupled with cream and wipes of course.

After my bath, I went through the con schedule again, highlighting all the important parts to plan my weekend. I finally went down to the ballroom to take a look around. I’d been down there for pre-registration but now the convention was in full swing!

Honestly, if I didn't need to buy the rest of my photo-ops, I would’ve stayed in my room. I wait to buy the ones I know won’t sell out before the convention to save on “shipping” fees per ticket, but I’d already waited longer than I’m comfortable with. Thankfully I was able to get all the ones I wanted and headed back to my room before going out to explore the resort and get back to the beach for sunset.

Hawaii is seriously beautiful.

Walking among all the shops, I found most to be stocked with overly-expensive items I could never hope to buy therefore don’t even bother going into. ABC Stores was different. A souvenir shop for the average tourist. They had selfie sicks by the front door and I almost bought one, but I don’t plan on needing it again this trip. I shopped around for stuff to buy later. 

I knew I wanted an artificial Hawaiian lei and definitely some kind of tiki. I really wanted a ukulele, but what the hell would I do with it? I always get a souvenir shot glass on every trip I take, but none of them really stuck out to me. I browsed the t-shirts and dresses. I found  larger version of my coconut volcano candle inside half a coconut. There was also a pineapple scented candle in a dish shaped like a pineapple. I'm so broke, but finds like this make it really hard to care!

I did pick up a set of AAA batteries for the TV remote.

I took the set of stairs across from the shop and found myself at the con vendors area! Knowing my way around from there, I made my way back to my room, passing God in the hallway…

Back in my room, I changed the batteries in the remote, but the TV wouldn't even turn on. I was more upset about wasting $4 than anything... I didn't want to call the front desk about something as insignificant as a TV remote. I'd watch Netflix on my laptop. 

Moving on, I spread out all my photo-op tickets to post a pic on Facebook. I went through the con schedule, grouping them together by day. I couldn’t find my Misha ticket! I searched anywhere I’d put my tickets, and then everywhere else. It was just gone. I thought back to the first place I put it after pre-reg. I put all my tickets in the tiny paper bag I got with my merch, brought them back to Pacific Marina Inn, then transferred them all to another location, together. I threw out the bag before I left. Misha’s ticket must’ve still been in that bag, but there was no way to check now…

Creation's lost ticket policy is very strict, but I had to try. I couldn’t even buy another one because his ops had sold out, never mind the financial hole it would put me in. Registration closed a half hour before at 6:00PM, and I was just down there! I went down anyway, just to see, hoping to get this over with and not let it fester over night. No such luck. So, I tried to put it out of my mind for now, deal with it in the morning and relax a little before getting ready for Karaoke!

I immediately started getting ready for Karaoke, there was a lot of work to do. I’d shaved my legs before going to the beach earlier, but my eyebrows were a disaster. I brought my Tyme iron for photo-op curls, so I decided to straighten my hair for the night.

I don’t even recognize myself.

I joined the line around 8:00PM when it was already about halfway down the hall. I stood for a while, but ended up sitting very carefully on the floor in my short-ish dress. I don’t wear dresses, so I was figuring it out as I went. I didn’t flash anybody, so I call that a win.

The line started moving around 9:00PM. I’d gotten there soon enough to be second row from the stage! The ballroom was packed and I realized there was absolutely no way for me to leave for photo-ops and get my spot back. I didn’t worry about it. I’d catch Kim and Brianna tomorrow.

The Theme for the this year’s conventions was Old-Time Circus Character, but Hawaii is apparently a special case. This Karaoke Party was Hawaii theme. 

Rich was a hula guy.

Matt was a crab!

I love these guys so much!!

The song choices were all over the place. Classic karaoke songs, P!nk, Backstreet Boys - admittedly Matt’s favorite boy band. This song Africa was a crowd favorite. Everyone knew it and I…felt like Cas. lol. 

Gil and Branna were the first special guests. I think Gil has an album or something…maybe he sings opera? Anyway, he can SING! And he's HOT! Brianna also has quite the voice! She’s amazing, actually! She’s such an inspiration, her charter Donna is on the hefty side. Brianna’s much thinner, but still not a stick. I love that she’s so confident.

Osric came out next. I’ve heard he’s a hit at conventions, especially for his cosplay, but I’ve never met him. He seems like a really great guy. I might catch his panel tomorrow…

Kim is absolutely gorgeous and I’ve always loved her voice. 

This entire cast is so freakin’ talented, I love them all! I am so proud to be part of this fandom! Apparently, the Karaoke Party got shut down by police last weekend in DC! They wanted it to happen again, but we weren’t loud enough, lol. 

Karaoke was definitely the best way for me to start this convention!

Matt kept the claws on for the whole show, constantly telling us how sweaty they were. Later, he took one off and showed us just how hot it was in there by literally pouring sweat out of the claw. It was so gross!!

The Party was over around 11:00PM, and I was out of water bottles up in the room. I brought one of the Wal*Mart bags folded up with me to Karaoke so I could run out to the parking garage and pick up another bagful. I got to my Jeep, opened the back and leaned against it. Sitting there, looking out over resort, I had to take a moment. 

Looking in the mirror while getting ready today, for the first time, I honestly didn’t recognize myself. And in the mirrored elevator walls of the hotel heading out there, it occurred to me: I’ve become the person I always wanted to be. I’ve got the hair and the body I always wanted throughout my adolescence; I laid on the beach in a bikini and wore a colorful sundress for the rest of the day. Being there, leaning against the open back of my rented Jeep Wrangler - my dream car - livin’ it up in Paradise… I wasn’t just content, I was happy. I am happy. 

It’s such a foreign concept, I don’t know how long I stayed there. Reflecting. Savoring the moment, taking it all in. 

Enjoying the view.

Eventually I got back to my room. I had my pictures from today uploading while I was at Karaoke and set up my camera to charge the batteries overnight. My con day doesn’t start until noon tomorrow, so I’ll at least be able to get some sleep. It has been a long day! My bed is big enough to fit me and my laptop comfortably. That ‘70s Show on Netflix to help me drift off. 

This is the first time I’ve been able to stay up past midnight since I got here. I’m going native!