Original Sinner

I grew up in Kahalu’u on Oahu on the way to North Shore, behind The Hygenic Store. My family owned the store and we lived in the big house behind it. My Akun (Great-Grandfather) was a pharmacist and lived above the store.

I have a couple memories of him but I have many, many more memories of him from after he had passed. Huh? Lemme ‘splain.

My own Grandfather, Edmund “Papa” Chong and I would visit his grave religiously. Replacing the 2-3 day old flowers with fresh bright red torch ginger. Trimming the edge of dirt that separated the beautiful grass on the grave from the common cemetery grass.

It was my job to get a tissue from the car and wipe down Akun’s picture. When I got older I was trusted with the clippers.

I cherished these trips with Papa. We always stopped for cheeseburgers at Tasty Treat or Lee’s Drive-In or if I was lucky Maruki Tei when it was in its own building not what it was reduced to today.

Papa taught me to honor our loved ones when their gone. We always got the biggest and brightest flowers so that everyone could see how much he was loved.

My Papa passed away today around 4am HST. He went peacefully at Castle Hospital in Kailua. All I can think is who will change his flowers to show everyone that he was loved.

When I was little my Bamma embroidered denim jackets for me and my favorite was one with a mouse and a huge block of cheese with the words “Papa’s Big Cheese”.

No matter what. I will always be Papa’s Big Cheese.

The Goretorium has been open for a little more than two months and is already making a mark on The Strip. The first ever full-time horror attraction in Las Vegas has a couple things up its distressed sleeve.

First, this Friday December 14th will see Las Vegas’ first Christmas haunt. For 2 weeks the entire facility will be transformed into the North Pole and the home of Santa’s evil-twin Sick Nick who stole Santa’s naughty list and is punishing the bad boys and girls.

Second, the Goretorium is going to countdown to the End of the World at midnight on December 21st led by Vegas’ own Jenn O. Cide. The party starts on December 20 with a live remote by KOMP radio; performances by Ivana Blaize and The Balloon Master; and the mood is being set with the industrial sounds of DJ Grenadier.

The night will feature 2-for-1 haunts for people in costume and to spur participation the top man and woman dressed as their favorite dead celebrity will win a $250 tattoo from Fox & Hound and a custom corset from Bad Attitude.

The Goretorium is located in the Harmon Retail Corner across from The Cosmopolitan and the Harley Davidson Cafe. The retail store and Bloody Mary’s Bar is open from 11am to midnight and the haunt is open from 5 to midnight 5 days a week with extended hours til 1am Friday and Saturday.

The last 2 months of my life have seen some of my highest highs and my lowest lows. I got the best job I have ever had. Filmed a pilot alongside Eli Roth and my wife. Scared the shit out if Marilyn Manson and Justin Bieber. Lost my house that I had been renting and will probably have no Christmas to speak of for my children.

How did it get so bad so fast? It was already bad and had been getting worse ever since being wrongfully terminated by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. Since mid June we’ve been barely getting by.

When I got the job at Goretorium I thought our prayers had been answered (not that we pray but that’s another story) but it messed up my precarious Unemployment which basically stopped altogether and has led my family and I to stay at the Siegel Suites on Sahara, merely 2 blocks away from our spacious 3 bedroom house. How ironic.

Now the future is uncertain. I am going to a temp agency tomorrow to see if I can secure work that pays more than minimum wage. I should. I better. My kids deserve a Christmas.

Lost Angels – Tuesday, October 30 – Las Vegas is invited to experience a frightening “All Hallows’ Eve” edition of Hyde’s Lost Angels insider night haunted by the ghouls and freaks of Eli Roth’s GORETORIUM. Costumed guests will dance to the beats of the EC Twins, known for their uniquely infectious, high-energy live shows. GORETORIUM actors dressed in demonic costumes will fill the venue and give guests the scare of their lives at every turn. This party is going to be a scream.