Aaron Riveroll | Photographer

Today was spent mostly at the bowling center…and the reason why will become apparent in just a bit.

First things first…last night we meandered around the streets and actually did a little shopping. My goal was to get a couple different Aloha shirts and the really nice lady at the shop was so friendly and assisted us in our selection and purchase. I decided to wear one of those shirts today.

Yesterday at the practice session, I saw the most beautiful girl working behind the counter of the snack stand. She was gorgeous, exotic, and really nice too. I had ordered a Philly cheese steak sandwich and she offered to help me carry something since she saw that I had a lot of bags. But in that brief moment, I got the feeling that I’d known her for years.

We got to the lanes this morning a little after seven for the first round of the tournament. As soon, and I mean AS SOON, as we walk through the door, we are greeted by a REALLY attractive girl in a flower-print skirt and bikini top. She gently placed shell leis around our necks (she had trouble with mine for a split second, but her apology and the fact that she called me “baby” seemed to make everything alright). It was almost like whiplash coming through the door…it was so unexpected, yet so amazingly wonderful. The perfect wakeup call. A wakeup call named Tina.

The tournament was a bit interesting. Sir Mounts did well and was close, but unfortunately didn’t make the cut for the next round. He is going to try again tomorrow at the next tournament. Alas, Tina won’t be there so it will be hard to stay so attentive.

Amidst all the bowling, I made my way to Pearl Harbor and snapped a few pictures. Brian and I both ended up going back and visiting the Arizona Memorial, which was a very amazing experience. History is definitely interesting to me, but it was especially emotional to hear and remember all the events of December 7, 1941.

After the visit, we headed back to our hotel and ended up trekking up the beach here in Waikiki and jumping in the water. On our way back, we stopped at another hotel and utilized their ultra-hot hot tub. I would have also made a move on a cute girl that was there (see, I’m growing…), but the timing just wasn’t right.

Now, I think we are pretty much going to call it an early night. Our time here is dwindling and I will have to rejoin the real world once again. But it’s the weekend…time to relax! Oh wait, that’s what I’ve been doing. ;)

Waikiki has officially made my favorite place list. We had a blast cruising the strip last night…there was a comfortable breeze in the air, so shorts and flip flops were the attire. There were so many people out that made people-watching fun. You can see everything and pretty much buy anything you want along the side of the road; everything from sketches…artistic, spray-painted renderings…massages…girls. Whoops, did I just say that? Yes, some of the most beautiful, yet sketchy, girls come out in some of the most questionable clothing and, yes, sell themselves. Right in front of the 5-0 too. It’s quite interesting. And all of this while a local church choir is singing on the street corner next to them. But there is definitely a lot to do. We window shopped a bit, had a couple local brews in a local watering hole while listening to a short set by this guitarist. We watched some of the older folk cut a rug on the dance floor. I had Cold Stone. :)

And after sleeping in this morning we woke up a little late, threw on our board shorts, and headed back out to the beach. I was seriously like a little kid again…I threw my shirt and flip flops in the sand and got in the water. I had a grand old time dodging waves for the longest time. It was awesome! The water was so warm, the waves were HUGE, and the scenery was nice too. ;) I think I’m starting to discover a new-found fondness for girl surfers. I enjoyed checking them out. ;)

After playing in the water, we walked back to the hotel and got ready for the practice round at Hickam Air Force Base. And that is where we are now. Brian is rolling while I’m typing this. I’m starting to get hungry, so I think I might grab something to eat. Check with you later, homies.

Well, I should have prepared myself for this night, but for some reason I didn’t. Not sure why. I mean, I totally and absolutely adore Kellie Pickler…but after watching and getting to know all the Idol contestants, I know that eventually we would have to say goodbye to her. There are so many good contestants; and although it’s hard to choose who is going to stay from week to week, the choices of who should stay are getting smaller and smaller. Eventually, you have to say goodbye. And this week, we sadly say goodbye to Kellie.

But seriously, getting back to my previous thought, how on earth did I not mentally prepare myself for this? Maybe getting ready for it would have softened the blow and prevented tears…just maybe. I don’t know, though. I still think it would have been sad and difficult. Nevertheless, our American Idol cutie thanked everyone for the experience, as the true southern lady she is. I know big things are in store for her. If you are ever back in California, Kellie…call me. ;) You will always be my American Idol.

I just got back from hanging with some bowlers at the LBC, and I’m ready for some shut eye. Tomorrow is a semi-busy day as we head back to Honolulu for the rest of the week. We are going to *try* and get up early for breakfast…but we haven’t had much luck with getting to restaurants in time to eat actual food. Tomorrow we may luck out.

Here are a few pictures I thought I would share…

Well, I was pleased to find out that they do have wireless internet access at the place we are staying at. I did not know. I have been without internet for like 4 days, only briefly checking email on my cell phone…and then there was our little adventure last night at the resort down the road…5 minutes to myspace and email. I mean, it wouldn’t have been as fun and exciting…but still, had I *asked* the nice people at the front desk if there was internet, I would have been informed that there was wireless access in the lounge downstairs.

See…it pays to ask. :)

And now I am going to post some of stuff from last couple of days and then we are going to go out to get fish and chips. Woot!

I just woke up, so I’m a little groggy still. I can’t believe that it’s only Tuesday. Anyway, the rest of yesterday was pretty cool. In the interest of Fact Finding Missions, I headed back out to the beach and walked around snapping photos. It was gorgeous. Except for the rather large woman sunbathing on the beach, everything was picture perfect. Brian rang a few hours later and we headed out to The Beach Hut for some fish and chips and a sweet ocean view. We then decided to cruise, so we headed out to several hot spots: the former location of Whalers (which by the way is one of the most amazing views I have ever seen), and then we headed west to check out this secret beach off of mile marker twenty-one. You have to hike down this narrow, but well-trodden path to get to the beach…but once you do, it is so worth it. We also cruised as far west as we could go, stopping at the Russian fort and checking out other locales…then after the two-lane road turned into one lane and my cell phone signal went kaput, we decided to turn around. It looks a lot like California in some ways.

We headed back to the resort and thought food would be a good idea since we were both pretty hungry. However, most places shut down between 8:30 and 9. We found ourselves at another resort trying to find food and we finally found internet there for 15 cents. We put a buck in the machine and we both raced to do as much emailing and myspacing we could in five minutes. It was truly intense.

Since most places were closed, we headed to the Lizard Lounge bar and grabbed a late dinner and a few drinks. I went back to the resort a bit early to crash and Brian went back to the LBC to see what was going on there. Today is pretty much sight-seeing again. Should be pretty sweet.

Well, I’m taking a quick breather before heading back out, so I thought I would write a little bit. I slept in today on my first official “work” day of vacation. Brian had to be up and out of here to be at the lanes at 8 30 this morning. I got up and around 10 am and headed out to the beach. Unfortunately, I realize that 1) I didn’t put on any sunscreen and 2) I had to the entirely wrong lens on my camera. Oh well. What can you do? I snapped a few flows along the way, but I walked up the road about a mile or so to Wailua family restaurant for some lunch. I also poked around some of the shops and looked around a bit before heading back. Now, after sitting around for a bit, I think I will head back out to snap some more photos and look around. More later.

So we are a couple of tuckered out guys. I left the room for like 3 minutes to run out to the car to get the video camera and the lei I left out there and when I came back, he was out like a light. It’s been a long day. Technically speaking, we woke up at about 1am Hawaii time. It’s now 11pm. It feels like it should be 2am. I am soooo tired! But I’m going to try and recap some highlights…

First of all, the flight over was long, but once I saw land it was amazing. It just goes to show how little I know about our 50th state. For example, these islands are HUGE. They look so tiny on the map that it’s deceiving how big they actually are. And not only that, but they are so spread out. It took getting on a third plane to fly from Oahu to Kauai and it was a 20 minute flight. The same amount of time it took to fly between San Diego and Los Angeles. Crazy, or what? And it’s also surprising how much of the land is uninhabited (at least from the map’s point of view).

Crazy story…we got to Honolulu a tad late because our flight out of LAX was a tad late. So we missed our island-hopping jet. We were hopping mad. But, had we not missed the jet, they would have never put us on the next flight out. So, we they call our group and we start to board the aforementioned later flight and I see a woman I recognize. I don’t give it a second thought, but I look at her again and I KNOW I recognize the girl standing next to her. The girl was Courtney Smith. And I *knew* that if I looked around some more I’d find…yes…her sister, Caroline. Caroline is a friend from high school…and I actually was hoping that she was there. Sure enough. Tell me what a small world this is…it seems I’ve been running into her at the most random places. At the movies in Mira Mesa, for instance. Anyway, it was good to see her…her family is vacationing on Kauai too. Total coincidence.

We got to Lihue and drove right over to the bowling center, or the LBC (Lihue Bowling Center) for the practice rounds, which Brian was already late for. He bowled until around 4 and then we drove out to our resort and checked in. The place isn’t bad. Right on the beach, nice ponds. The Jacuzzi could use a little work, but that’s okay. After laying around for a split second to catch our breath, we headed back to the lanes for a luau for the bowlers. It was actually really nice: quite the variety of Hawaiian favorites and some entertainment by this guitar dude and his REALLY hot daughter. I fell in love. She did a few hula dances with another girl and it was amazing to watch. The story they tell with their hands is amazing…but the way they move in other places is amazing too. This girl had the most amazing smile and bright eyes that could light up a room. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Alas, the night did come to an end…I met a few of the bowlers and then we cruised around the south side of the island a bit before heading back to the resort. We hit the hot tub, which is filled to capacity with people…but it was awesome when the rain started coming down on us. Everyone got out, but a few of us stayed in and enjoyed the rain. The droplets, along with the gentle Pacific wind, made it quite relaxing.

And now I’m about done for the day. I’ve been awake for nearly 22 hours and I need to get up tomorrow for a day of exploring. Good night, all!

Well, I did not lie…we in fact woke up at the butt crack this morning to head out to the airport. I was awakened by the song Holiday…and it’s still stuck in my head, even at this very moment. We got to Lindbergh at a little after 5. Our cab driver went on about Schwartzenegger and some other stuff that I couldn’t really understand since he was of a different ethnic variety. So I nodded and laughed at what I could understand.

Check in was a breeze, with the exception of Brian’s balls that he carried on. They gave him strange looks and ran his balls through the scanner a couple times. It was exhausting. They made me take off my shoes and belt. You have to realize that this is my first flight in many years (my last time in the air was back in 2000 when I went to Scandinavia). Things are much different now. But you would think that they would carpet the area where they make you take off your shoes. But nooo, there is nothing but cold tile. Definitely not foot-friendly.

We decided to take an earlier flight out of San Diego to get the ball rolling…and now we are sitting at Gate 77 at LAX waiting for our flight to Honolulu. Our first leg was fast and friendly. Brian and I were the emergency door handlers. I definitely think my leadership skills would have paid off had their been an emergency. Also, the fact that I’m buff also would have helped. Our flight attendant was totally hot too. She looked sort of like Kristin Davis (a.k.a. Charolotte from Sex in the City). I was going to ask for her number, but considering the fact that I’m a wuss and she’s from Utah, I don’t think it would have been a good idea. Besides, long distance relationships just don’t work…especially when they are with hot flight attendants.

More later….

Well friends, I depart for the Aloha State in approximately 6 hours, which means I have to wake up in about 4. Ugh. The best part is I don’t have to work for the next nine days. Woohoo!

Had an AWESOME photo shoot with model friend, Jennie. We were going for a Maxim sort of look and shot at Doug D.’s cool downtown pad. I think we got some really sexy and classy images…

Well, I’ve just reduced my sleeping time by about 3 minutes, so I think I’m going to get going now. Stay tuned for adventures from Hawaii…if I have internet connectivity. Otherwise, you’ll hear all about it when I return. Later!