isn't that special?

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19 march 1997

11:23 p.m.

Dear diary, I'll take an all-cover girl band over bible-thumping maniacs any day. I practically tripped over Greg on the Campus Center steps this morning. He was waiting for "High Tide," a local band with which he's apparently well-aquainted, to perform. I had a lot to catch up on. The boyfriend, the family, the possible music reviewer's post at the Star-Bulletin... essentially the details of the life only sporadically touched-upon in his journal. He was sick and generally worn out. To get away from it all, he was planning a trip to Kaua`i over Spring Break. He even invited Derek and I along. (Hmm. Pay taxes or relax on a remote beach? I'll have to think on that...) I also discovered who one of the nameless characters mentioned in one of his more extensive entries was. I hadn't heard from this friend in months, and I guess I've figured out why. Now, I'm worried, and I don't know how to get in touch with her. You know, there's something seriously fucked if you're getting news of your friends through someone else's web page. In due time, the "Tide" came in. Four girls, with the lead singer -- Greg's friend -- on four-string bass. They quickly headed into Blondie's "The Tide is High." They played R.E.M., CCR, Sheryl Crow, Alanis... It sounds like pretty standard fare, I'm sure, but they were quite good. And even though Alanis at times gives me hives, I have to admit hearing "You Oughtta Know" live was pretty cathartic. (I wonder if every woman has a "That One Guy" in mind when they hear that song?) Greg headed back to work, but I stayed to see what else was up. Unfortunately, the fortune of the fates turned... the next band was "Na Leo Pilimehana," which coincidentally is perhaps the only so-called "traditional" Hawaiian group that I simply cannot stomach. I mean, this is a group that released an overpriced "Super Limited Special Edition Anthology of the Very Best of Na Leo Pilimehana" after putting out only two albums. (I sometimes want to call them "Na Leo Pilimehauna" -- hauna meaning spoiled or rancid -- but then I realize each of them could probably wipe the floor with me and keep my yap shut.) They can sing, they can occasionally write, but yet for some reason I'd rather listen to aluminum siding get dragged along a chalkboard. Finding no aluminum nor a chalkboard within reach, I decided to subject myself to the next worst thing: a Marriott meal. And lo and behold, it was "Customer Appreciation Day." There were suited Marriott execs -- who obviously don't much enjoy milling among the lesser paying public -- standing outside the cafeteria handing out little plastic eggs. One was pushed into my hand, so I smiled and headed inside. "Wait," he said, "Open it here... we need the egg back." Charming. Turns out they were giving out discount coupons. Given Marriott's history of corporate generosity, I was thinking something like "Five percent off any purchase totaling over $20." When I unfolded my crinkled, obviously recycled coupon, however, I found I was entitled to 45 percent off. Too bad I wasn't that hungry, I thought. After choking down a mushy mahi filet and dry rice (with surprise crunchy grains inside!), I was glad I wasn't that hungry. I think if Marriott really wants to show students their appreciation, they should close all their outlets for a day and give everyone Whoppers. That way, at least the impending heart attack tastes good.