Grand Opening 9-27-08
Free T-Shirt for the 1st 1,000 People.
Updated again TODAY 11-14-08 at the end of this Post - Scroll Down   

I didn’t need the T-Shirt, but I decided to go to Waikiki this morning to see how long the line was, to hopefully be able to make another point about the economy and that people are buying.

The Line
Sure enough, the line was several blocks long. Apple had their own security people as well as the Honolulu Police Department on hand to control the crowd, and to be sure that nobody got in without waiting in line. They had their employees at the front door cheering for people entering the store. It was like the finish line at the Honolulu Marathon.

Uh Oh!
Those people not in the line for Apple were forced to walk in a narrow section of the Royal Hawaiian Center sidewalk. One would not think that an unfinished section of the flagstone sidewalk would be there to walk over without some sort of warning cone. At least I didn’t.

Poor Footing
It has been suggested that I warn of some graphic images ahead.

As I stepped into the area shown in the prior photo my ankle twisted and down I went like a ton of bricks. My Apple laptop went one way, my iPhone the other way, and I found myself lying there in pain. Most amazing of all was that no one seemed to notice or care. I looked up at the Apple security and HPD people, and they just looked the other way. People were just walking by me; one guy even stepped over me. I felt like they thought I was a drunk laying there unable to get up. I gathered my computer and iPhone, opened up the phone and took the above photo while still on the ground. After what seemed like a very long time a Japanese man came over and asked if I was alright. I asked him to help me get to my feet, and he did. He had me assure him that I was okay, and then he went on his way.

Skinned Knuckles
I looked down at my knuckles and noticed they were severly skinned by the ragged, sharp edge of the unfinished flagsone. I was able to walk, so I proceeded to get in what I thought was the line for T-Shirts. That’s when the Apple security came to life and told me that the end of the line was down the block. He was doing his job; making sure nobody got out of order in the line. As I started to walk (slowly and painfully) towards the end of the line, I looked down at my hand and saw that it was now covered with blood. I went over to one of the HPD officers, showed him my hand and said, “I think I need some minor medical attention.” He looked at my hand and directed me to the Royal Hawaiian Center restroom on the 2nd floor of the building. I said, “I think I would like to talk with someone in Apple, perhaps they have a closer restroom where I could wash the dirt out of this wound.” He said, “Okay, wait here” and he walked into the Apple Store. 
In a few minutes a man wearing shorts and lei came over and asked me what the problem was. I said, “I stumbled on that hole in the sidewalk over there (pointing to it) and I need to wash this blood from my hand.” He said, “Our property line only goes out for 10 feet. That is Royal Hawaiian Center property.” I told him that I didn’t really care whose property it was, I just wanted to wash the dirt and blood out of my wound. He then called for Royal Hawaiian Center Security.

Ouch!
Royal Hawaiian Center security escorted me to the 2nd floor restroom and told me to wash my hand in the basin. As I did that I was amazed at how much blood can come from three little knuckles. I also removed my shoe and saw that my foot was beginning to swell.

More Blood
That’s when I looked down at my jeans and saw the knee area was blood soaked. I rolled up my pants leg and saw that the damage exteded to both my knee and shin. The security person (David) sprayed some anti bacterial solution on my leg and my knuckles.

Elbow Too?
That’s when I noticed that my left elbow took a beating as well, so he treated it too.

Mummy Wrap
David applied a tourniquet type bandage to my leg to stop the bleeding and some ice to my ankle to slow down the swelling. I commented on the amount of bandaging, and he said something like, “They call me the Mummy Maker”. I must point out here that the three or more Royal Hawaiian Center secuity people were extremely helpful and kind throughout this ordeal.

Not you too?
I thought they might have been even too concerned when I saw the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) show up. They wanted me to come out of the restroom, but I refused, knowing how many tourists were most likely attracted by the ambulance and probably followed them up to the 2nd floor to gawk at someone in trouble. ERS took all of my vital signs, changed the bandage on my leg, and asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital. They emphasized that it would be a free trip. I declined and they made sure that I signed a statement saying that if I decide to go later it might be at my own expense. Expenses were at the bottom of my list of priorities at this time. I just wanted to get out of there, but not until after the curious crowds followed the EMS people back down the escalator. I was disturbed that they were not willing to clean the wounds or apply any medication to them. They told me they didn’t have anything to do that, and to do it myself at home. I got the feeling they were maybe irrtitated that I was not interested in an exciting ambulance ride through Waikiki. I called my dermitologist from the restroom and made an appointment to see him on Monday morning. 
The Royal Hawaiian Center Security staff asked me to complete a written statement as to what happened. I obliged, and asked that a copy be faxed over to me. He said he would, but I did not get it, so I decided to document it all here while it’s fresh in my mind.  

My Hero
With me throughout this entire ordeal was Justin Dradi. Justin sells art in the center and knows me from his days at Wyland Galleries. He just happened to be walking by, and saw me talking with the policemen. Justin not only stuck with me, but he was thoughtful enough to take most of the above photos with my iPhone. At one point, without being asked, he handed money to one of the security people and asked him to go get me a bottle of water. When he thought all was finished he wished me well and left.
I was almost tearful when he reappeared with an Apple T-Shirt that he went back to get for me. I asked if that means they didn’t get to 1,000 people yet, and he said, “No, they were all gone, but I talked to someone.” I’ll bet he did. Someone at one point asked me if he was a friend of mine, and I said, “He’s my lawyer.” I was joking, and Justin laughed, but perhaps I was taken seriously. In any case, I know that he was just there out of the goodness of his heart and I will never forget it.

Two for the Price of PAIN
On my way out of Royal Hawaiian Center I stopped in to see the new Apple Store. The manager (Steve Perry) that I had asked for help from earlier approached, and asked if my iPhone or MacBook Air had been damaged in the fall. I said, “No, just my body.” He told me that he is here from Apple Corporate to open the store and that he will be leaving tomorrow. I opened up my MacBook Air, took him to my Blog and said, “Go here tomorrow and read all about it”. I showed him the photos still on my iPhone, and he said. “The policeman that came in here didn’t tell me you were bleeding.” He then asked me if I wanted a T-Shirt. I said, “My lawyer already came in and got me one, but I’ll take another one for my wife.” Yep I got two.

As I type this I am grateful for the Vicodin I had left over from a past dental surgery, and am hopefull that I will be able to walk in the morning, as I cannot at the moment. I’ll surely keep you posted.

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Follow Up Sunday Morning 9-28

I think I can see most of the colors in the rainbow this morning.
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Follow Up Tuesday 9-30-08

Still Hurting; Still Bleeding; Still Crippled, but Still Working

I want to thank those of you that have posted, called and e-mailed me with your sympathy, wishes for a speedy recovery, and requests for a follow up posting on the status of my unfortunate mishap on Saturday.
Among those that called was Jeanette Castro from Carl Warren & Company.
WHO? Carl Warren is acting as the “Apple Claims Officer.” She said that her company received a copy of the incident report that was sent to them from Royal Hawaiian Center. Her concern was; yep, you got it; if I intend to file a claim against Apple or Royal Hawaiian Center.
While I appreciated the call, I had the feeling that if I had said, “Royal Hawaiian Center” that would have been the end of the call. I told her that I am undecided on this question. She then (very professionally) asked me for details of the accident, and I directed her to this Blog posting. She said that she would be sending me a letter outlining my options, and should I want to file a claim against Apple, to get in touch with Carl Warren & Company.
This call brought to light the fact that I have not heard a word from Royal Hawaiian Center, which is obviously aware of the situation, and are in fact run by people I like to think of as friends.
What I find most disturbing about this whole thing is how our society has become so “litigation fearful” that people are afraid to “get involved” to the point that they “look the other way” when someone is hurting, are hesitant to ask important questions when interviewing job candidates, and afraid to fire employees not doing their jobs.

No Fear Here!
I’m afraid that Donald Trump (Your Fired) would be in constant “deep pilikia” if it were not for television entertainment.

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UPDATE - 10-1-08
I decided to return to the scene of the accident in the “light of day” to see what happened. By “light of day” I mean with a clear mind. The “problem” became crystal clear, and can be seen in the photos below.
The lower sidewalk was seperated by stantions to seperate the Apple participants from the general public. This greatly narrowed the walking space unless you were in line for a free T-Shirt from Apple.
Add that to the design of the flower planter (without flowers) and it is easily seen what happened. In looking at this today I felt fortunate that I did not tumble out into the line of traffic alongside of the lower sidewalk and the planter box.

Mahalo!
I was pleased to finally hear from Sam Shenkus of Royal Hawaiian Center today, showing concern for my welfare and asking what she can do to help me. I asked her whose decision it was to devide the sidewalk with those stantions, and she said it was made by Steve Perry of Apple.
I intend to attempt a trip to Maui today. The good part will be having an excuse to wear slippers, meaning the security experience will be more pleasant.
Stay Tuned…

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Update:
Thursday 10-2-08
I survived the trip to Maui, but realize today that it was a bit too much; lots of walking. I plan to put my foot up for the rest of the day, and watch the VP debate. That should provide an adequate “pain transfer” and a lot of good humor for me.
Here’s the latest… I got a call I got today from Todd Onaka at Kamehameha Schools; owner of Royal Hawaiian Center. He informed me that they are filing a claim with their insurance company regarding my accident. (I wonder how much that is for) He said that the sidewalk, while it’s on city land is definitely Royal Hawaiian Center’s responsibility because they got a city permit to put in the flagstone sidewalk. He said that Apple could not he held accountable for what happened. He said that they (Royal Hawaiian Center) would cover any medical or out of pocket expenses that I incur. He also stated that he thinks the center plans to plant more shrubs in the dirt area where I fell. Now that’s the most constructive comment I have heard yet.
There seems to be a lot of attention being paid to legal responsibilities here by everyone other than me. I don’t know of any way to compensate me for the pain and inconvienance I have gone through. It hasn’t been about money; maybe I am being stupid and should listen to Reality Check’s comments on this blog posting.
My goal here is letting people know what’s going on in my world, that’s what this Blog had been about since it started. The good that I have received from this is the realization that I have an audience out there. I have received many more telephone calls and e-mails than Blog comments from people I didn’t know were paying any attention to my ramblings.

Update:
Friday, 10-3-08
One week ago tomorrow I took this tumble. I don’t know if I was hurt more than I knew, or if healing just takes longer at 67 years old, but things still hurt. The most painful of all is the little finger. Isn’t that the way it is sometimes?

Little Finger - Big Pain
I sent this photograph to my dermitologist this morning and asked him if he thinks I have an infection brewing in here. I don’t know the answer yet, but am having dinner with him tonight. We are starting at his house with a martini, and if it’s anything like the last one he made me it should kill any bacteria anywhere in my body, if not me as well.

Update 10-5-08

Little Finger - Healing At Last
My dermitologist replied that I DON’T have an infection brewing in here, invited me to his home for a martini, and we went to dinner that evening. That was Friday; here it is on Sunday. While it is still quite sore, I can see it is healing.

Healing Hands
I had to cancel my weekly massage last week; too much pain, but today we went for it. My back had built up a lot of stress from both the fall and the different muscle usage from favoring the bad ankle, which I am pleased to report seems to be healing also. I still can’t get a shoe on that foot, but the swelling is going down and the pain level (1 to 10 scale) has dropped from a 15 (or higher) to about a 7.

UPDATE 10-11-08

Two Weeks Later
Well, it’s still sore but healing slowly. I cannot bend the little finger, but think I will be able to when healed.  I also went into Waikiki today to see what has been done with the potential ankle buster.

Mulch Filled
I see that they have filled the spot with fresh mulch, but have nor eliminited the hazzard. There is still a sharp edge on the flagstone and still a level difference from the walkway to the lower flower bed. I can think of numerous things that could be done to correct this hazzard. Maybe I am just more sensitive because I have spent the past two weeks inconvienced and suffering as a result of it. I have the feeling that they are no longer concerned since I have stated that I do not intend to file a claim odf any kind. I don’t think that should be the motivation. I got a call from the shopping center’s insurance company saying that he is going to send a very strong letter to Apple about this and that he feels they are at fault. Maybe they are waiting for Apple to repair it. I’m more interested in seeing some future person prevented from an accident than worrying about who’s fault this one was.

UPDATE 11-1-08

5 Weeks Later - 11-2-08 - Foot still Sore and Swollen

I was asked to update this. I visited the doctor and he said that it was a severe strain with muscle tearing and that it’s going to take quite a while before I am back out walking normally, let alone running.

Fingers Badly Scarred, Still Sore and Healing Very Slowly

Finger Disfiguration

The doctor said that the severe scarring has created finger disfiguration. I cannot close my little finger, and it really hurts when trying to. He gave me some medicine to apply twice a day for three weeks to thin out the scarring, with the risk of thinning the skin itself. That’s the latest!

Here I am Again

This Place is Looking TOO Familiar
Seven weeks is a long time to be in pain. I am still not running or power walking on my ankle, but I am getting around okay. The big problem is the little finger. It continues to be very sore to the touch, and has a huge red scar. I returned to my doctor today to see if he thinks that plastic surgery will be required, and he suggested trying some cortisone shots first.

Ouch!
The shots got the bleeding going again, so I am back in “bandage mode.” He said to call him in 5 days to see if the scarring and soreness has subsided any. We take our health for granted until something like this happens, and then it becomes quite apparent how sensitive something like a little finger can be. I suffer most when reaching into my jeans pocket for money. I guess some people find that painful anyway, but I usually enjoy it.

The Next Day
The corisone fluid seems to have made it even worse. I’m hoping this is one of those “looks worse before getting better” things.

19th Annual Memory Walk/5k Run
I was pleased to join a fun loving group of people who gathered this morning to supprt the Hawaii Alzheimers Association.

Peter Skaaning
The Honolulu Design Center and Peter Skaaning sponsored a team of about 30 people to walk the 3.1 mile course around the scenic Ala Moana Beach Park. We were blessed with good vibes and warm weather.

Ready, Set…
Hundreds of people lined up and took off at the sound of the cannon at 7 AM sharp, and then crossed the finish line in 40 minutes to one and a half hour later to enjoy music and food.

Maui Bans Plastic Bags
Read the complete story in today’s Honolulu Advertiser. The only bothersome part of this is that the ban won’t take effect until January 11, 2011. The reason given was to give businesses time to use up their plastic bag supplies. Considering the deadly impact that these bags have on our ocean wildlife, perhaps the $200,000 spent annually for a contractor to pick up stray bags blowing around the Central Maui Landfill could be used to buy them up. Or, possibly those merchants still using plastic bags could be enlightened about their danger and they would voluntarily stop handing them out.

They Are Deadly
Ignorant behavior is tolerable until enlightenment occurs; after that it becomes stupidity or selfishness. I can remember a time when cigarette smoking was fashionable and even allowed in hospitals. Everyone had ash trays in their homes, even the rare non-smokers. But once it became known that cigarette smoking and second hand smoke kills, things changed. Imagine a doctor telling a patient, “You have lung cancer and should stop smoking, but go ahead and finish up the carton you have on hand first.”  
The yet to be enenlightened will no doubt fight this law as they did the smoking ban. For example, the president of Retail Merchants of Hawaii was quoted as saying, “There is good reason to resist the call for a ban on plastic bags.” She said, “It will have unintended consequences for consumers, including higher costs at the checkout stand as businesses pass along higher shipping costs for bulkier paper bags.” She claimed that it takes seven truckloads of paper bags to carry the same number of plastic bags in a single truckload. I ask, “How much are the lives of our turtles and whales worth?” “Consumer acceptance is another issue,” she said. “It’s going to take quite some time to get everyone to use (reusable bags), and to expect people to leave the house and remember to bring five to six of those bags is just not practical.”

It’s Easy!
I stopped by Foodland on the way home from my walk this morning to buy some fruit juice. I simply purchased a cloth bag. As I did, I shuddered as I watched the checkers stuffing things into plastic bags for the uninformed.

No Need!
Some other justifications offered for continuing the use of plastic were “the ease of carrying leaky plate lunches, dry cleaning, potting soil, hardware items and other goods.” She even said, “People use it to pick up dog poop — what’s your alternative, newspaper? That’s just gross. Plastic bags are very practical in our busy lives.”
I am sensing a big opportunity here for someone to come along with a solution to that problem. Some actually have already. Here’s one bag that feels kind of like plastic, but it is actually made from corn!
Assuming that dog lovers may feel some empathy for other animals, if not the environment itself, I think they will buy in to better solutions once they are made aware of the consequences of the convienece of plastic. There are not very many people fighting for asbestos anymore.
The story said that violators of the bag ban will face administrative fines of up to $1,000. That’s a great deterrant, but let’s hope that the enfocement of the law is done better that the smoking law has been.

Honolulu Star Bulletin Headline
The front page of the business section of today’s Honolulu Star Bulletin quoted Macy’s Inc. as saying that their second-quarter earnings show a slight decline from a year ago as they face a challenging economic environment.
The photo used said more than that to me. This shopper in New York leaving a Macy’s store highlights the fact that they haven’t got the message yet about plastic bags and what they do to our environment and wild life. I couldn’t help but think, “KARMA” as I saw the photo and read the headline.
Nordstrom and other planet friendly department stores have moved to paper, and while it is not as “green” as cloth, it’s a lot better than plastic. Yes, plastic kills and Karma is real!

It’s Creeping Back In

On November 16, 2006, The Department of Health made Hawai’i the 14th state to go smoke-free and enacted a comprehensive law that protects workers throughout the state from exposure to secondhand smoke.
The very next day the air and shopping experience at Ala Moana Shopping Center became much better.
Now, just a year and a half later the security people at the mall do nothing to stop violators of the law, and the mall has even begun returning the ash cans just outside the doorways of many stores; this one at Long’s.
At the time of its announcement The Department of Health said, “This law will result not only in better work environments and public places throughout the state, but it will reduce tobacco–related illnesses and save lives.”
While there’s no doubt that things are better than before the law, I must say that a walk through Ala Moana Shopping Center without smelling smoke is becoming highly unlikely.

It Gets You OUT THERE
“Branding” is a powerful form of marketing that makes your company recognizable, as it did domestic cattle roaming about in the Wild West. It is a cost effective way to make your logo visible to people that may not be reading your print ads or watching your television commercials. This is an especially good tool here in Hawaii where we have anti-billboard laws.

It Says Who You Are
When the marketing team at Foodland designed or approved these plastic bags I’m sure they did not want to say, “We don’t care about our environment and wildlife.” I stopped to take this photo this morning while walking around Ala Moana Beach Park. If I had tongs or gloves I would have picked it up and placed it in a near-by trash can, but even that would not make it safe.      
Our society is becoming aware of how destructive plastic is to our environment and wildlife. Now is the time for companies that are using plastic bags to STOP, and convert to cloth. I wonder who the first grocer will be to take that step.

Shop Green
UPDATE:
I have been so moved by the comments on this post that I have moved the whole thing up so that it doesn’t get missed. Please read the comments and feel free to add your own. We absoultely must put a stop to this!

In case you missed my daily quote link about the damage that plastic bags do to our environment, you can see it by clicking right here.
If you already know, great, but are you doing something about it?
If not, it’s easy, just get a shopping bag like this one and use it. The environment is more fragile than you may know. We need to respect it or lose it. You can get your own green bag (and much more) at Down to Earth.
Mahalo for caring!

Only $5 a Pack

This story on NBC News today tells us that ever since the 1960s, cigarette makers have tried to seduce smokers worried about their health with products labeled “light,” “mild” or “low-tar.” They’ve been basing such claims on so called US Government tests that measure tar and nicotine levels.
I still have a vision of my father lying in a hospital bed, dying of lung cancer while smoking hospital provided low nicotine and tar cigarretts. That was almost 30 years ago and he was only 62 years old.
Today, 42 years after the US Government endorsed those tests, the federal government essentially called the test bogus.
Now the Federal Trade Commission wants tobacco companies to remove its stamp of approval for those tests from their ads and packaging.

Uh Oh!
Here come the lawyers!

Pathology Report
I am touched by those of you that expressed interest, concern or sympathy for my recent eye sugery. The good news is that the pathology report is in, and the growth on my eyelid WAS NOT cancerouus. It is also good that whatever it was (I cannot remember or pronouce it anyway) is gone. The plastic surgeon said that he approached it as if it were skin cancer so that if it was, I would not need to repeat the procedure. I guess that I am appreciative of that, as it is still sore, and still healing. The injection of a “pain killer” and removal of the stitches were among the most painful experiences of my life. If anyone ever tries to talk you into any sort of cosmetic eye surgery, say, “NO WAY”. It is not an area where you want needles and stitches.

Natural Aging
If some bags and wrinkles are okay with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, they are okay with me.

Temptation
As I woke up this morning, looked out my window, and saw the great surf, my first thoughts were my wonderfull memories of being in Waikiki, surfing the day away.

Blue and Beautifull
It doesn’t get much better than this. The warm sun, clean waves and blue water are inviting to say the least. I wanted to paddle out there and catch a few waves.

#@!~
Then I looked in the mirror to get a close-up of the damage to my eyelid from yesterday’s skin cancer sugery by plastic surgeon “Dr. PenKnife”. I share these less than flattering photos of myself to remind those who might underestimate the effects of the sun on their skin. 20 Years ago we didn’t have the protection available today, and I am paying the price. My dermitologist told me that sun damage is like the odometer on your car; “cummulative and irreversible”. Keep that in mind. He also said, “If you have had so few as two major sunburns in your life, your chances of skin cancer after 50 are doubled”.
Wear sunscreen, rash guards, and a hat. Had I done that I would reaching for my surfboard this morning instead of the Vicodin.