First Friday

So Hawaii REALLY likes their Fridays.  EVERY Friday is 'Aloha Friday" around town which I guess just means TGIF.  Its said on the news, at theStarbucks when you buy your morning coffee, when you buy your first beer after work, etc.  Everyone so looks forward to their weekends here.  Probably because we work all week in paradise and finally the weekend comes and we can enjoy it!  Occasionally, the office embraces "Aloha Friday" which means its causal day as well.  On top of that the city celebrates a "First Friday" each month which, if its not obvious, happens the first Friday of every month.  The city turns upside down!!  I came in town the Sunday after the first "First Friday" so experienced it for the first time tonight.  I've been told it's something you want to do once and that will probably be enough.  They were right.  WOW.  We got off work after a late meeting, around 4, and the office opened a tab until about 7.  By the time I left around 8 every person that even looked over 21 was packing the streets trying their hardest to get as drunk as possible.  It was fun to watch.  Two funny stories - 1) I was sitting at the bar with co-workers when a random guy walked up and gave me a big bear hug and kiss on the cheek.  He was the guy I see every day behind the check-in counter of the hotel I stay at - haha.  Good example of Hawaiian behavior at its finest.  2)Kelly, my coworker, almost stopped breathing next to me when she realizes that the main actor from Hawaii 5-0 was sitting next to us.  Alex O'Laughlin was sitting with his family eating pizza.  As he was walking out Kelly grabbed him for a photo op.  He was super friendly and gracious.  I like how Kelly looks like she is his wife in the pic, haha.  Fun night in all.