Tsai-ko Autobiography: gigi-hawaii
Name: Glenda Hinchey
Bonafide Tsai-ko
High School: Roosevelt
Tsai-ko Lunch Size: N/A
Original Tsai-ko caricature:
first row, 3rd from right
Other: Author of
Like a Joyful Bird and
Love, Life and Publishing
From the Warrior Beat blog November 4,
2007:
ST's Intro:
She plans parties.
Some say she is the party.
Gigi-Hawaii also has been one of our most loyal, entertaining and
prolific bloggers.
Here's Gigi-Hawaii:
“Interception!” I yell at the
TV as a basketball player grabs the ball and runs in the opposite
direction.
“That’s a steal, honey,” my husband gently corrects me.
So I get confused when it comes to football and basketball terminology,
but I must admit that sports excite me. This is a statement I could not
have made before I married David. Prior to our marriage, I found sports
boring, treated jocks with disdain because they weren’t intellectuals,
and never read the sports section of the newspaper. In fact, during the
early years, I would make David mute the TV and use headphones so that
the din from the arena or stadium and the endless chatter of the
sportscasters wouldn’t disturb me.
After many years of marriage, however, I am a convert. Through osmosis,
I have gained interest in sports. David’s excitement when his favorite
team makes a touchdown is infectious. Now, not only do I watch football
and basketball on TV, but I also take in golf, tennis, and volleyball.
I routinely check SportsCenter on ESPN to know what’s going on in the
sports world. Who was the number one draft pick? Who was traded? How
much is his new team paying him? Who was injured and how badly? As soon
as my husband gets home from work, I give him the latest news.
But if I’ve watched a game, I’ll cautiously ask, “Do you want to know
who won?”
Almost invariably, he’ll shout, “No, don’t tell me the score! You’ll
ruin it for me!”
David thrives on suspense, and hearing the score beforehand would kill
his desire to watch his DVR recording. So if I don’t want a row, I try
to keep my mouth shut.
Good wife that I am, I’m also his personal secretary. I note all of the
University of Hawaii football, volleyball and basketball games on our
calendar, so we never miss them on pay-per-view cable TV. We are always
prepared to root for our alma mater.
I was never a UH football fan until that night in September 1999 when
David and I were in a posh hotel room on Maui. He turned on the TV to
watch UH play against Boise State University. The first half of the
game was a debacle and it looked like UH would be slaughtered.
But then, a strange thing happened. We learned later that new coach
June Jones pleaded with his players to “make just ONE big play, just
ONE.” Quarterback Dan Robinson was so inspired he came back after half
time to lead the UH Warriors to victory! Sportscaster Jim Leahey stated
it was the most “schizophrenic” game he’d ever witnessed.
Ever since that magical night, I have never missed a single UH football
game. Before pay-per-view began showing games live on TV, I would
listen to them in progress on the radio. And if UH won, I would enjoy
the game again on TV later that night or the next day. We are both
happy that there’s PPV now.
You might be wondering why David and I have never attended the games at
the stadium. It’s no fun sitting on those hard, uncushioned seats and
having our view blocked by fellow fans standing and cheering in front
of us – not to mention having to brave the wind and the rain. We prefer
to recline on our sofa and see the athletes’ and coaches’ faces up
close on TV. Also, you know, it’s easier to get refreshments and go to
the bathroom at home rather than stand in long lines.
Please don’t think less of us. We are still rabid UH Warrior fans.
* * *
Gigi-Hawaii is a third-generation Korean-American, born and raised in
Hawaii. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of
Hawaii (B.A. Sociology) and then traveled solo around the world for
seven years, living in California, Thailand, Europe, and New York. She
taught English at Thammasat University in Bangkok and was a graduate
student in music at Columbia University. Now a Honolulu resident and
former Hawaii Public Radio commentator, she has published an anthology,
two memoirs, and many newspaper columns. She is married to an
accountant, who also happens to be an excellent clarinetist. They have
two adult daughters and are expecting a grandchild later this month.
Please visit her blog at gigihawaii.wordpress.com.