Our pyrotechnician promises my final fireworks show will be extra special, so come see it.

The year's coming to a close and I hear a lot of people saying stuff like, "Best wishes for a better year ahead. It can't get any worse!"

True, the stock market took a nose dive and when we thought it couldn't get any worse, it dove further to an all-time low. No striving for mediocrity there. Mass layoffs came in waves across the country. Fuel prices jacked up. And of course, there's the issue of my job.

But wait! Barack Obama was elected president of the United States, the first African-American (and Hawaii boy to boot) to hold that office. Michael Phelps won an armload of gold medals in the Olympics, while Hawaii boy Bryan Clay took gold in the decathalon. Oh yeah, and Britney Spears made a comeback.

There's a lot to be said for this roller coaster of a year, and you can't really say that it was totally bad. No matter what happened, the extreme situations helped to pull us all a lot closer.

So when you think about it...how was it for you, really? And what are your plans for 2009?

No matter what your plans are, I hope you can join us tonight for our big finale party! Fireworks go off at midnight!

As a festival marketplace, Aloha Tower Marketplace has hosted a ton of events over the years. You’ve seen my blogs about many of them, and hopefully you’ve experienced some. They’re all fun & fabulous, but few people know about my favorite one.

We have a big July 3 "Pre-Independence Day" event every year that features a lot of free entertainment as well as activities for kids, like face painting, hair painting, and balloon animals. It all culminates with fireworks over the harbor at 9 p.m., which is neat because it’s the closest you’ll get to stand to see professional fireworks in Hawaii.

Well, in 2005, my friends Wendy & Daryl Bentosino brought their three kids. We got situated in the VIP section and the moment the fireworks started, their youngest, Sean, started bawling and held on to Daryl tight. He wouldn’t open his eyes. The fireworks are so close, he thought he was going to get burned!

That was great. I’m not being mean, it just struck me that the event had now become a significant memory for the Bentosino family. That became evident the next year, when Wendy announced that they were again going to Aunty Melissa’s place to watch the fireworks. Sean remembered the trauma, and started crying! (Wendy then told him he needed to act his age—four—and be a man.)

By 2007, the Bentosino were now pros at Aunty Melissa’s big event. They knew what balloon animal they wanted, what face tattoo they could request, what designs they wanted painted into their hair. They were covered in paint. Daryl Garvin & Mei Jeanne Wagner brought their son, Eddie, who quickly made friends with the Bentosinos and painted his hair; he didn’t know what to ask for so he just got a few stars on his head.

When they got to the VIP area, Eddie happened to look in the mirror, and at that very moment he realized that he didn’t have as much paint in his hair as the others. He started having a very emotional breakdown, bawling and yelling, "I want more hair! I want more hair!" It was too late to go back in line to get more paint, so he kept crying. He’d calm down for a sec, then remember he was sad, and the breakdown would start all over.

I had to tell Eddie that I was laughing with him. That’s what grown ups do when they console those who want more hair.

But that wasn’t all! When the fireworks ended—this time, with no traumatized keiki—Scott Creel’s toddler, Taylor, ran over to the snack table to celebrate with two fistfuls of brownies. When his wife Jeanne caught her and said to put the food back, Taylor immediately had a meltdown. (I thought most girls do that when you take away their chocolate?) Jeanne tried to console her. Scott tried to console her. Finally, Scott picked her up and announced it was time to go home, so thank Aunty Melissa for the good time. "Th-th-thank…you…" Taylor sobbed.

I thought, Fabulous!

Seriously, whether you have a birthday party or a big shebang with fireworks, no event is complete without crying children. You’ve created an environment to wear them out and produce high emotions, making it memorable for them, their parents, and yes, Aunty Melissa. We all still talk about it, and I think the kids are at a point where they can look back on it and laugh.

I think. We’ll see what happens when these parents show their kids this blog!

Do you believe in ghosts? If you don’t, this blog entry will make me sound like a complete nut. Most people in Hawaii have some sort of belief system in the paranormal, whether we admit it or not. And many people will cite encounters with spirits—often because of what may have happened on the grounds at which they happen.

Aloha Tower Marketplace is built on a man-made shelf, so there are very few ghosts on property. If anything, they are relatively "new" and from what we can tell, are nice people.

As we count down to the new year, it may be fitting to tell you about someone who worked here, whose favorite holiday/event was New Year’s Eve.

R. worked here for about four years. He could have gotten other jobs, but his parents said that he really loved working at the Marketplace—probably for many of the same reasons I have. Well, he passed away last year. None of us thought anything until a series of intense, unexplained things happened in the period around his service. For one, Alex was in the office alone when he saw someone coming toward him. He turned to face the person, and there was nothing there.

Meanwhile, one night I was alone and was checking to make sure the lights were all out before I left. I peered down the dark hallway when I heard a loud *CLICK*. I didn’t know what it was, but booked it out of there! As I passed our office front door, I saw the lamp was on—a lamp that is never used, just there for decoration. Apparently that was the click I heard. The next day, when I was going home, the elevator stopped on my floor but wouldn’t open. I stood there for a minute, and realized it might be R. So I said, out loud, "OK, I get it. You’re here." And suddenly, the doors opened.

The guys in his department were catching more intense incidents. Escalators being shut off. Mysterious messages appearing on the computer (remember the movie Ghost with Patrick Swayze?) while they watched. Someone touching you in the darkness when you’re alone.

We still experience him on property every so often. None of the incidents, even those mentioned above, have ever, ever been malevolent. After the computer screen incident, their supervisor and I advised the guys to simply talk to him—R. was obviously messing with them from the Great Beyond, in a way that only people in that department could do, and having a good time at it, too.

Most of the incidents happen on his regular shift….which, ironically, was the graveyard shift.

So on New Year’s Eve, his favorite event, I fully expect to have him around—especially at midnight when my fireworks go off. If you’re sensitive enough, maybe you’ll experience R. that evening, too.

As promised, I am telling you why we we’ve been cleaning our offices these past couple of weeks. I wish I could be telling you something entertaining, but unfortunately, I can’t.

The owner of Aloha Tower Marketplace has decided to change management companies. I technically work for MMI Realty; as of January 4, PM Realty Group will take over. My last real day of work at Aloha Tower Marketplace will be December 31 (or January 1, depending on how you look at it!).

It’s sad for me—and all of us—because this isn’t really about the loss of a job. It’s about losing coworkers who have become friends who have become like family. I guess it’s easier this way, though, with all of us scattering at once. Kind of like ripping off a band aid.

It’s been an amazing four years, and it’s hard to believe that I’ve been here that long. Along the way, I met some of the quirkiest characters, learned some unusual things, and participated in what I've called the best freak show in town. More than that, I got to work with some of the best team players of my life, and made the denizens of Aloha Tower Marketplace my community. My friends & family became their friends & family, and vice versa. Coming to work wasn’t really coming to work. I was "on" 24/7 because, although I joked about it, coming to work really was like coming home.

Just so you understand how MMI Realty/Aloha Tower Marketplace restored my soul: When I left my last job, my blood pressure was at stroke levels and my doctor put me on medication. When I got here, my blood pressure plummeted and I haven’t been back on the medication since. A lot of times, you’ll find me crying here at work…because I’ve been laughing so hard.

People have been asking what I’ll be doing next. Well, this blog will remain. I’ve been freelancing for Metromix.com and some other publications, so I’ll continue with that if there is a need. There’s also an incredible amount of flack work. So, while I may not identify with a particular company, I’ll be working on my own identity for now.

During my final week, I will probably count down to the new year with reflections on some of my notable (printable) memories from Aloha Tower Marketplace with you. In the meantime, I hope you’ll be able to join us for our going away party on New Year’s Eve. We’re going to have fireworks and everything! How many people can do that on their last day of work?

If I sound optimistic amidst this sadness, I am. Things happen for a reason.A few months ago, Marshall Hickox of Homeworks Construction wisely commented on his business move in this tight economy with, "This is an ideal time to take control of your own destiny."

I'll let you know if he's right.

I was confused. Today's business section's lead story was about how more people are vying for fewer holiday jobs, and due to the economic downturn, there are fewer opportunities.

While the story was true, I thought I should comment on another side of the situation.

You see, we had been looking for a part time Ambassador of Aloha for Aloha Tower Marketplace for a while. Don't get me wrong--we're blessed with the ones we now have, but at first it was like pulling teeth to get qualified people to apply.

I guess it's because the Ambassador job--although it pays higher than a retail job--doesn't have the "glamour" appeal that a department store might have. Our crew works mainly in a kiosk at the front of the mall, answering the phone and helping customers. In the morning, they put out the fish food machines, and in the evening, they bring them in. They set up the sound system for performances. They direct people to places around the mall.

During the holidays, they help with all of that, plus our holiday needs. We have a trolley that runs every night from December 13 to 24, and we give customers free tickets with every $20 purchase from Aloha Tower Marketplace. We also have two big events, the Boat Parade and New Year's Eve, for which we need evening help. We need just one temporary part timer! It's ideal for students!

I guess I'm wondering: if there are so many people looking for part time holiday work, why don't they apply here? By the way, you still can. Wink.