'I AM NOT HOMELESS, JUST HOUSE LESS'

Robert and James Sharing coffee

"I am not homeless, just house less".  In response to the question asked of James, was just one of the many surprises to be revealed by James to the old geezer.

Some nine months ago, I walked up on James sleeping on a bus stop bench, in the wee hours of the morning.  It is my habit to go for a walk and have a cuppa, most times long before the sun rises in the sky.

Getting the courage to approach, armed with a hot cup of coffee, I walked up to James and introduced myself.  I was curious as to why an older man would be in such a situation.

Over time, like peeling back the layers of an onion, I have come to know James rather well.  Truth be told, I consider James my friend, and I look forward to seeing him each morning.

James is 70 years old, has lived in Hawaii for 28 odd years, and until 6 years ago maintained an apartment.  James is retired, gets a social security check, is not a drug addict or alcoholic.  I have learned much of the 'why' as to his present situation, but still do not entirely understand it.  What I have learned, is that being homeless is due to a variety of reasons and there are no easy answers to solving the situation.

James does not beg for cash, buys his own meals, washes his clothes, bathes and deals with the mean attitude of some folks directed at him due to his 'luggage' and weather beaten appearance.  Right clever James is.  He has a membership to a gym, allowing him to clean up, pays for a storage area to store the belongings he can not carry with and has a tarp to cover self when the rain comes.  However clever James tries to be, some aspects of living uncovered can not be solved.

James does not really sleep at night.  He 'rests', to get up when the park is open and try to sleep during the day.  Like many homeless, James feels somewhat 'safe' to be sitting at a bus stop.  If one can really be safe living on the street, dealing with the weird folks who wander the night looking to rob and abuse the weaker homeless.

James is well aware of IHS and the shelter offered. James does not feel comfortable being around the rough characters that seem to populate the shelter.  James is not overly fond of folks who do drugs or are alcoholic.  Being an older gentleman, who walks with the aid of a cane, the ideal of trying to get down on the floor and sleep on a mat is scary.  James is also aware of programmes for former members of the armed services.  James served honorably in the Army.  The idea of living in a shared room with someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, in the middle of nowhere, at a cost of $700.00, is not an option he feels works for him.

There will be folks who feel that James is the creator of his own horrid situation.  He has cash and should be able to get a place and not live on the street.  Like I said in the beginning, there are no easy answers.  James feels that he has as much right as the next person to be able to 'enjoy' some of the delights that Hawaii, or more specific Waikiki, has to offer.  The bright lights and constant action draw his just as easily as the tourist or the local day trippers visiting in Waikiki.

Sitting with James every morning has been a real education.  I have seen folks move away from the area due to his 'homeless' appearance.  I have seen James mistreated in a restaurant.  I have seen James forced to get up from a bench, on 'private' property, due to his 'homeless' appearance, while I am not asked to leave.

I have witnessed tourists and locals alike, come up to James in the early morning, giving small amounts of cash and food.

I do not know why there has to be anyone sleeping on a bench.

IHS, local non-profits, newspaper and local government bang on endlessly about the homeless problem on Oahu.  Many promises are made, but few are kept.  The old guard, IHS springs to mind, collect data, continue to operate redundant shelters, perhaps to collect endless streams of cash to continue programmes that have never solved the homeless problem or properly addressed the needs of folks like James.

James does not have much.  That does not stop him from sharing what little he has with others less fortunate than himself.  Like providing for daily needs of another homeless person who has nothing.  Sharing his cash with others.  Giving to his church that he attends twice a week.

James is my friend.  I worry about him every time it rains all night.  I worry about his lack of proper toilet facilities.  I offer a little 'tea and sympathy' each and every day.  I care.  I just wish there was an easy answer to James' situation.

Truth be told, folks like James are ignored so oft, the very agencies offering help do not see him.  It is so much easier to troll the usual places that draw the homeless, than really look at different sides to the homeless condition in Hawaii.

RON LOVES HIS VOLCANIC 'BIG GULP', ROBERT IS GOBSMACKED HE DRANK THE WHOLE THING

Ron sips his "Volcano" and Robert is gobsmacked

As promised, the photographic proof of the fun time had last night is here.

That massive pineapple Ron is holding is loaded with juice laced with alcohol.  Mind, when it was first placed on the table, it spewed out smoke, hidden in the bottom of the pineapple.  Having had one on me birthday, I knew it was the perfect drink to get Ron in the mood to celebrate.

The hotel we went to was not properly named in the previous post.  The hotel was the 'Pacific Beach Hotel'.

Please note the Panama.  Somehow, Ron makes it all work.

BIRTHDAY REQUIRES TWO DINNERS

Ron, Shawn and Robert Celebrating "Ron's 72nd"

There are times when the event is so large, it takes two celebrations to make it.

Ron's birthday was the 29th of April.  Feeling that one dinner would not do, Shawn took Ron and MOI to Kobe's Steakhouse.  That is the place where they cook the food in front of you, with the chef putting on a show as he slices and dices his way to preparing your order.  The chef also makes a volcano out of onion rings, does some magic and the whole thing lights up and blows alot of smoke.  Sadly, the chef who did his thing for us, was not in a good mood, and the volcano was very 'lame'...

As you can see from the photograph, Ron was decked out for his 'night out'.  Bling to the max.  Don't you just love the dark glasses with the diamonds???

A fun time was had by all and it will go down as a 'night to remember'...

The Kobe dinner was on the 26th, but the real celebration of Ron's 72nd Birthday took place last night at the Waikiki Beach Hotel.  The very same place the old geezer celebrated his birthday in March.

In truth, the picking of the restaurant was easy.  I had received a coupon for a free dinner, if another was purchased at full price.  Being ever so clever with cash, two for one works, and the reservation was made and the outing planned.

Ron is not one to dine early.  The reservation had to be for later in the day.

On the day of his birthday, Ron picked out his outfit with care.  Truth be told, Ron is not someone you would miss in a crowd of people.  Ron loves to dress up with all of his bling.   That means 'large' rings and a rather flamboyant watch, that is said to cost a small fortune.  The whole outfit has to 'work', from the shoes to the pants to shirt.

Knowing that Ron is most colourful, the old geezer splashed out on a present that was sure to stand out.  Early in the month, a visit to a hat shop found the perfect addition to Ron's colourful personality.  Can you believe they make a 'pink' "Panama" hat?  Well, they do, and that was what was got for the birthday boy.

There was not a soul met on the night of birthday that did not comment on the very colourful hat.  It was a hit, both with the public and Ron.  Score one for the old geezer...

The dinner at the hotel was lovely.  Friends of Ron had sent ahead a rather nice vase of flowers for the table, and there was a massive chocolate cake for afters.

Ron being Ron had the waiter cut up the cake and share it with the folks that were sitting next to him.  One of the new found friends was a Marine, with his wife, who was scheduled to ship out in the morning for another hot spot to protect.  The Marine loved the cake so much, he ate my large slice as well.

As is the case with a restaurant that caters to tourists and folks celebrating special occasions, there was a lovely lady taking keepsake photos.  Ron had to have one, in fact he had to have two.  Right dear they are, 15.00 per...

A very 'ALOHA' moment happened.  One that the old geezer has not seen too oft.  A man, not known to Ron at all, bought the photos for Ron, to mark his birthday.  Now that is an "ALOHA" moment.

Upon returning home, it was discovered that another of Ron's friends had dropped off another birthday cake.  A rather grand cake from one of the finest bakeries in town.  Talk about having cake...

Ron promised to scan the photograph from last night's dinner but it was not available when this post was done.  Thought the one of the earlier dinner would add a little flavour to this offering.  Having said that, you need to see Ron wearing his very PINK Panama and you will when the old man scans it to me...

I AM NOT DEAD YET

Robert enjoys birthday dinner

Right, the College of Cardinals did not see fit to elect me the new pope.  I rather thought I would have looked quite grand in red loafers...

The election of Pope Francis was not the only highlight of March.  March is also the birth month of the old geezer.

The year of my birth, March 28th was also Easter.  That could explain much about my life.  I have done a lot of hops during my time on earth.

My special day was very special.  It started with MOI being taken to breakfast by a lovely friend.  We went to Denny's.  Why Denny's?  Because they still give you a FREE breakfast on your birthday and the old geezer did not want his friend to go broke doing breakfast.  Mind, that did not stop MOI from ordering a massive glass of orange juice, which was not included in the FREE breakfast.  It is always a pleasure to share a meal with my good friend James.

The post had delivered a very nice card from dear friends living in Reno, along with a bit of cash.  Always lovely to get cash.  Alan and Paul are ever so nice to the old geezer and it is comforting to know that the long distance has not dampened our friendship.

Friends from round the globe went messages to email and there were lovely comments left on my Facebook page.

During the day of my birthday, Ron, who I share digs with in Honolulu and is a long time friend, had placed a brightly coloured package out for me to find and open.  Was gobsmacked to receive a rather nice personal DVD machine to play films on.  Due to hearing loss, is nice to be able to play the sound at a very high level without bothering anyone else.

Since the old geezer does not eat cake anymore, Ron thought cupcakes would work well.  Gave me the opportunity to share my birthday cake with one and all.  Ron is ever so clever, he thought that since my birthday had fallen on Easter, the yearn born, cupcakes with Easter themed frosting would be quite nice.  The were ever so colourful and all who got them thought they were very tasty.

I also got a bottle of gin.  Boodles, very British...

The day ended with a new found friend taking the old geezer to dinner at the Waikiki Beach Hotel.  There is a restaurant there that feature a three story aquarium, with a mermaid and loads of very colourful fish.

The main draw at the restaurant, besides the massive fish tank, is a buffet.  Regular Babette's Feast it is.  There is quite the selection of food.  Crab legs, three different kind, seem to be the bit hit.  There is also Prime Rib, chicken, pork, pasta, endless salads, fruits, and impressive selection of deserts.

MOI was quite careful in eating, as you can see from the plate in the photo.  Mind, the old geezer did taste quite a few items, but really hit the salads and fruits.  OK, so I might have had a little Prime Rib and past, but it was my birthday.

The host of the dinner party treated to the massive drink you see.  Have to see it when first placed before, when the dry ice is causing it to look like a volcano.  Lovely.  Also had a massive dink in a tumbler called a Tropical Itch.  Comes with a back scratcher...

Needless to say, the old geezer was full of good cheer at the end of the day...

What yesterday made me realize is that life is never over or dull.  There is so much to enjoy.  To be thankful for.

To one and all who made my special day so very special,  my most heartfelt thanks.