Congrats to the New Orleans Saints for winning their franchise first Superbowl and congrats to the Indianapolis Colts for a tough challenge. To commemorate Superbowl XLIV in Miami, here are a few songs that stuck in my head.
In the Air Tonight. When I hear Miami, I think the classic Miami Vice but this one is remixed.
Run This Town. Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West. Grammy winning. Part of the pregame festivities.
That was fast. Ninja Sushi in Kailua closed down on February 1st and already the place has been cleaned out.
And after shopping at Don Quijote, the refrigerators were gone too. Supposedly the owners will reopen Ninja Sushi in the neighboring complex by Safeway since Target is slated to occupy the Don Quijote location.
UH men’s basketball coach, Bob Nash, isn’t have a successful WAC season, and the future of his coaching career with the Rainbows is in question. Despite the team’s win-loss record, I wonder if guard Dwain Williams will determine Bob Nash’s future as Head Coach.
Williams is a long range threat hitting the most three point field goals on the team despite missing seven games, and his presence is welcomed in the current two-guard rotation. So why would Coach Nash indefinitely suspend Williams? Because Dwain Williams the person is more important than Dwain Williams the basketball player, and Coach Nash understands this fact of life.
Even though Williams is a much needed member of the team whose play could result in more UH victories, Coach Nash has to ensure that his student-athletes are ultimately prepared for life off the court. Besides missing practice while attending his cousin’s funeral, Dwain also missed classes. Upon returning to the UH Manoa campus, skipping a class is not the way to go. Coach Nash had no choice but to reprimand Dwain so he could re-evaluate his priorities and start making more mature decisions.
So although Dwain’s indefinite suspension will hurt, I think Coach Nash’s handling of this situation is admirable and worthy of an extended stay.
I admit that I like the new Lincoln commercials showing off their new cars. The visuals of the commercial are appealing and the various audio soundtracks are a welcomed change.
To match with the theme of the Grammy awards, I like how fans can vote for the best commercial and soundtrack. You can also download the songs like Major Tom covered by Shiny Toy Guns (my favorite commercial variation) and Sia’s Under the Milky Way.
Very good Lincoln! But I’m still not buying one of your cars.
Somewhere out there, Kanye West is quietly smiling. If you don’t remember, go back and read my conspiracy theory about Jay-Z masterminding the Kanye West-Taylor Swift fiasco.
Jay-Z’s strategic acumen is unreal, and Kanye played his villainous part to perfection. Oh sure, Taylor Swift has the talent and would have been successful without the extra attention. But being talented in the ultra-talented music industry sometimes just isn’t enough, right Susan Boyle? To really standout, you need that break, that moment in the spotlight. And that was the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2009.
Look what culminated five months later in the 52nd Grammys. Beyonce aka Mrs. Jay-Z with 6 Grammys, 20-year old country music crossover Taylor Swift with 4 Grammys including Album of the Year, Best Rap Song going to Run This Town by Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Kanye, and the biggest Grammy-watching audience in six years. Talk about a win-win situation all around.
But what about the instigating bad boy Mr. West? How did he win in this situation? He hasn’t yet. You know he’s quietly smiling somewhere out there with his return already preordained. He has the talent (did you notice Kanye was three of the five nominations for the Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Grammy?), and now the spotlight is waiting for his revival.
And Kanye is rising, performing on the charity anthem “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti.” When a smiling smirking Kanye does re-emerge, the millions of haters and fans will be waiting. Can you feel Kanye smiling now?
Now that Taylor Swift’s incredible musical year culminated at Grammys, Kanye West can reappear and start his re-ascent. His first showing? A remake of We Are the World for Haiti victims.
No, I didn’t go to the Waikiki premiere showing of the final season of LOST. I followed along online and watched the events unfold. There were a ton of great pictures, many of them taken by local fans. My favorite pics are of the LOST actors doing the Hawaii-unique shaka. Here are a few…
Love the Kikaida-inspired Jacket
Terry O'Quinn Cool in Black
Evangeline Lilly's Double Shakas
The pinky, Naveen, don't forget the pinky!
The Chapmans at the LOST premiere
Thanks to Ricky Li and Metromix for these great photos! And thanks to ABC for filming this great series in Hawaii and thanks to the LOST actors for being part of our community.
Apple’s new iPad is now officially iconic, making the opening act in music’s biggest night at the Grammy’s. Steven Colbert’s opening skit has okay, but then he pulled out a functioning iPad, and yes, even the music celebrities paid attention.
Update: added video.
Only 23 years old, Lady GaGa is a huge success blending music, fashion, and controversy. The Wall Street Journal takes a look at the Lessons of Lady GaGa.
LOST actress and humanitarian, Evangeline Lilly, is putting herself up for auction to raise funds to support the GO Campaign. Winning bidders will have lunch with Evangeline in Hawaii, Los Angeles, or Canada (there are three auctions, one for each locale).
The auctions end on February 4, 2010 and the leading bids are around $2500. Go [...]
As usual, the Superbowl is a time for make-it-or-break-it commercials. But before airing, all the commercials must be screened and approved. Usually, it’s the good ones that don’t make the cut for the big game.
GoDaddy.com is no stranger to controversy for its Superbowl ads. This year, their commercial once again won’t air, but if you [...]
The other day on a commute home, a little white Mazda Miata went zipping by on the H3. The driver was obviously in a rush, changing lanes to get around slow moving traffic. He was well going over 70 mph since he easily zoomed by me (naturally driving the legal speed limit).
A few [...]
I admit that the semicolon baffles me. What’s it for, when do I use it? Because of my semicolon ignorance, I never use it.
But check this out; here’s a great illustrated tutorial explaining the semicolon and uses for this feared punctuation mark.
Traffic on the H3 headed townbound is at a total standstill. I haven’t moved in about 10 minutes.
Car engine is off and all the cars are just sitting here. Here’s a view I have of a gutter.
and $7 for a 
on Amazon.
