Pulpconnection - Addicted to Passions and Pulp

The New Face of Hawaiian Style Cooking

2008-11-17T22:17:00.002-10:00

Props out to Eugene "Gene" Villiatora for representing Hawaii in Season 5 of Top Chef. Although born and raised in Hawaii, the self-taught Gene is doing his thing in Vegas, the home away from home for Hawaii residents.

Just based purely on superficial looks, I woulda never thought Gene was a local boy but whatever. His first foray into Indian cuisine, and Gene unknowingly makes a classic Indian dish to Padma's delight. Even though Gene was outdone by Stefan in the first elimination challenge, I hope Gene becomes the new face of Hawaiian style cooking on Top Chef.

Technorati Tags: television, Top Chef

Nelly's Country Grammar Is Old School?!

2008-11-17T20:21:00.002-10:00

So says I-94's old school mixes at noon. It's official, I am now ancient.

So Close to Winning Twilight Movie Tickets, Part 2

2008-11-16T23:32:00.002-10:00

On Saturday night, we headed to Pearlridge to check what was left after a Toys R Us sale and Gap's Friends and Family. We also caught a Twilight "party" at Borders that was giving a lucky winner tickets to the Twilight movie premiere on November 21. To enter to win, all you had to do was submit a Twilight word search game and hope for the best. There were other activities planned for this party, but we didn't stick around, returning only at the time of the drawing.

The event was pretty empty and the Borders staff didn't even didn't know what was going on with this Twilight promotion, but a fair amount of people did gather, mostly teens. For the prize drawing, there were three prizes - two Twilight posters and of course, the movie tickets.

And whaddya know, I won a poster, the name called right before the tickets were given away! So close! Not sure what to do with the poster. But anyways some pictures including my Twilight prize.

Technorati Tags: twilight

Dancing with the Six Pack

2008-11-16T23:03:00.002-10:00

Who knew that Dancing with the Stars cohost, Samantha Harris, is ripped with a six pack?

Technorati Tags: Dancing with the Stars

Global Cuisine and Scatology

2008-11-16T15:45:00.004-10:00

Our world is a vast place with rich cultures and aged histories. And at the same time, our world is getting smaller through cuisine and scatology!?

Even around the world, common cuisine exists for you and me. A Starbucks in Thailand has the same look and feel (and prices) as a Starbucks in the US and even Hong Kong.

You never knew this was on the Pizza Hut menu, did you?

After consuming all this global cuisine, you do what comes naturally.

And hope you don't mistakenly walk into the naturalness of yaks (for comparison purposes, that's a nalgene 32-oz bottle).

Cuisine and scatology - making our world a smaller place.

Technorati Tags: Starbucks

So Close to Winning Twilight Movie Tickets

2008-11-15T23:31:00.001-10:00

Oh so close to winning movie tickets to the premiere of Twilight next week. More later... with a few pictures.

Technorati Tags: twilight

Where's Tuck?

2008-11-15T18:19:00.000-10:00

Linny and Ming Ming. Where's Tuck?

Got the Gold

2008-11-14T08:37:00.002-10:00

Had to keep up with Wayne's World and got myself a Starbucks Gold card (and a free drink - venti Peppermint Mocha Twist).

The Reverse Psychology of Len Goodman

2008-11-13T08:22:00.002-10:00

Len Goodman, you are one crafty old chap! I have been blind to your shenanigans on how you manipulate the vote as the Head Judge on the Dancing with the Stars. Very devious, very simple, but very effective.

For those of you who don't know Len Goodman, he's the Head Judge of DWTS and the traditionalist ballroom dancer amongst the other judges, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. But don't be fooled by his age. He is like Jedi Master Yoda who you don't want to face in combat/competition or else get whooped on.

Like Yoda's strong mind tricks, Len Goodman is a master of reverse psychology and easily gets fans to vote for the dancers he thinks should be in the DWTS finals. All Len has to do is provide negative comments to his favorite dancers, rile up the fans, and watch as the people defend the chastised dancers with their votes, ensuring their passage to the next round. Don't like the fact that Lance Bass wasn't wearing shoes? Lance and Lacey's ticket to Week 8. Give Brooke Burke an 8 when Carrie and Bruno give her 10's? Brooke and Derek Hough are guaranteed to move on. Comment about Warren's footwork, but he still moves on.

The dancers in danger are the ones who Len has some good words for. Guys like Maurice Greene who pleasantly surprised Len in Week 8 but then was dismissed, and Cody Linley who Len talks about improving throughout the season. These words of encouragement are lukewarm fodder for the fans that don't do much to generate public votes.

So sneaky! I love it!

Technorati Tags: Dancing with the Stars, television

Maurice Greene Out at 8

2008-11-13T05:15:00.001-10:00

On the 8th week of Dancing with the Stars, Olympic sprinter Maurice Greene was eliminated after repeated scores of 8. I think someone didn't explain the rules of the competition very well to Maurice. Maurice, unlike track meets, it's better to get the high numbers for your performances. It's not like running 60 meters in a mere 6.39 seconds.

With Maurice's departure goes former DWTS champion Cheryl Burke who's been fighting controversy over her weight gain. Cheryl, you look just fine!

One of my favorites for Week 8 is Warren Sapp's Spy Hunter-ish tango. Once I heard the music, I had a feeling the dance would be good.

My next favorite is Cody Linley's foxtrot, well the intro segment to his foxtrot with Edyta. You see, Cody was bummed being in the bottom two in Week 7, so his teenage friends came by the studio to cheer him up... and bask in the radiance of his new temporary partner. Around the 48 second mark, watch his friends ogle Edyta then all volunteer to cop a feel dance with Edyta.

Only four couples remain - a Super Bowl champion, a teeny bopper, a gay pop star, and a TV host/model. Who'll bring home the mirrorball trophy?

Technorati Tags: Dancing with the Stars, television

Tivo Season Pass to the Rescue

2008-11-12T21:18:00.001-10:00

What?! The new season of Top Chef debuted tonight? I missed it! Oh no, I didn't. Tivo's Season Pass had been set previously to record all new episodes of Top Chef.

So Head Chef Tom and delectable Padma are waiting...

Technorati Tags: television, tivo, Top Chef

Go Digital, Save the Petrels!

2008-11-11T22:57:00.003-10:00

"What's gonna work? Teamwork!" is the motto of the Wonder Pets, Linny, Tuck, and Ming-Ming, and they need our help! To save the Hawaiian petrel bird, the Wonder Pets need you to go digital. As in digital television.

The Hawaiian petrel nesting season starts in February, but the plan is to destroy analog television towers in the same timeframe, making it tough for the endangered petrels to get it on. Instead the Wonder Pets have convinced the State of Hawaii (wonder if they personally know Mufi?) to switch to digital television on January 15, one month before the mandatory national conversion. After the early switch, the analog towers will be destroyed, well before the petrels start nesting, giving them a chance at survival.

So all you analog television viewers, you need to go digital before January 15 to save the petrels. This is serious!

"We're not too big, and we're not too tough, but together, we got the right stuff! Go Wonder Pets!"

Technorati Tags: Hawaii, television

The Minimal Sweetness of a MacBook Pro

2008-11-11T01:39:00.002-10:00

The new glassy MacBook Pro laptop with the Aluminum unibody is sweet. See for yourself!

The box is very minimalist (and therefore small) but still retains Apple's elegance.

Technorati Tags: Apple, MacBook Pro

What You Learn from the Radio: Moose Knuckle

2008-11-10T22:27:00.003-10:00

The things you learn from listening to the radio, or more specifically, the I-94 Wake Up Crew. Today's lesson was about "moose knuckle." I had never heard that term before, but in context of the discussion, I kinda had an idea of what they were talking about.

If you don't know what moose knuckle is, you can read its definition on Urban Dictionary. You can even get suggestions on how to avoid moose knuckle from this eHow article.

If you need a visual, flickr and its many contributors are there for you. Witness the moose knuckle.

Twin Tumblebuses

2008-11-10T19:01:00.002-10:00

There are actually two Tumblebuses! I passed both of them on the road one day. Always thought the Tumblebus was a sole vehicle operation.

Boxee Has Moxie

2008-11-10T14:10:00.002-10:00

I finally got my invite to try out the entertainment center software called Boxee and boy, does it have some moxie! You install Boxee on a Mac or AppleTV and get access to movies, television shows, music, pictures, and content from online sites like YouTube, Hulu, and more.

It sounds pretty basic, and in some ways it is, but Boxee gives users a more powerful interface to content. Boxee is very much like Apple's Front Row but with way more options. And even in its alpha stage of development, performance of Boxee just screams. Apple's tiny Remote Control is also compatible with Boxee for easy navigation of its menu system.

I'll have to try out Boxee's additional features, but I already like what I see!

Update: Just some points to clarify. You need an Intel-based Mac to run Boxee, and it runs as a regular old app. Boxee doesn't hog your Mac and make it a dedicated entertainment center. Boxee also has some social networking where you can follow friends and their Boxee activity (what they recently watched, etc.)

If you want a Boxee invite, let me know.

Hidden Stars in X-Men's The Last Stand

2008-11-10T05:33:00.005-10:00

The X-Men movie series has a lot of celebrities playing the lead roles. Mega stars like Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammar, Rebecca Romjin, and more have all been mutants. Only now, have I just noticed how many hidden stars there are in X-Men's The Last Stand (read my somber review).

Who else has the mutant X gene? I never paid attention to Anna Paquin (Rogue) before until I started watching her as Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood. Eric Dane (Multiple Man) now plays the popular Dr. Mark Sloan aka McSteamy on Grey's Anatomy. Ken Leung (Kid Omega) is the wise guy, spirit seeing visitor on the LOST island. Juno's leading teen mother, Ellen Page, is the phasing Kitty Pride.

Go check out the credit list for X-Men: The Last Stand and see if you recognize other hidden stars.

Technorati Tags: movie

My Digital Plan: SDV Tuning Adapter Pre-Order

2008-11-09T17:34:00.002-10:00

After a successful CableCard install from Oceanic Cable, I just got a letter explaining Oceanic's upcoming shift to SDV (Switched Digital Video). The letter is actually pretty good, clearly explaining the benefits of SDV and why the current CableCards will not work once the SDV change is made.

To compensate for the SDV change, Oceanic (and Time Warner Cable) is expected to offer Tuning Adapters later this year (which is coming up quick). "It is currently contemplated that the Tuning Adapter will be provided at no additional charge."

To be eligible for a Tuning Adapter, the letter ways to visit www.timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter or call 643-2337. The web link doesn't do much and is the same one I used previously. I called the phone number which took me to Oceanic's Customer Support. The night crew didn't know a thing about this offer, but I got a call back today asking me to fax or send in my letter to reserve my spot for a Tuning Adapter.

I scanned a copy of my letter and sent it to csrsupport@twcable.com. Let's see what happens next (and when it happens)...

Technorati Tags: Hawaii

Jack O' Bama

2008-11-09T14:18:00.002-10:00

Seen on Facebook on Halloween - Jack O' Bama!

The carver got some mad skillz!

On the Covers

2008-11-08T11:21:00.000-10:00

Barack on the covers.

Holiday Gift Guide: Battlestar Galactica Gear

2008-11-07T22:32:00.003-10:00

So you may not be a geek but a sci-fi nut instead. If you like your science fiction then how about frakkin' unbelievable gifts from Battlestar Galactica? As BSG starts its final concluding run in 2009, you can own part of the series like Starbuck's flight suit or even a life-sized Colonial Viper by participating in the Battlestar Galactica Props and Costume auction.

Starting January 17, 2009, thousands of items from the series will be auctioned off each week as new episodes air. How about some election propaganda for Baltar's presidency? A Viper pilot helmet from the Cylon Wars? A model of the Cylon Resurrection ship? Your own DRADIS radar console?!

Technorati Tags: Battlestar Galactica, gift guide

I'm No Geek

2008-11-07T13:42:00.001-10:00

Are you a hardcore geek (or even a mild one)? Take Gizmodo's quiz of 50 skills geeks must have to see how you rate.

I didn't even finish the quiz with some truly geeky skills needed, therefore proving that I am not a geek. Although I do know how to watch TV shows on the internet for free...

The Power of Positivity on Dancing with the Stars

2008-11-06T11:31:00.003-10:00

On the week when DWTS Judge Carrie Ann Inaba instructed Susan Lucci to stand up and positively profess her dancing success, the daytime soap star was positively eliminated from the competition. Kinda brutal, but it was her time. Maybe it was all my positive thinking about Susan needing to go that did the trick? Even with small improvements each week, Susan clearly wasn't in the top tier of dancers.

Who had the best performances in Week 7? Lance and Brooke (again). Lance's barefoot rumba riled up traditionalist Head Judge Len Goodman while Brooke Burke got the first perfect score of Season 7.

In Week 8, the stars will dance solo along with a normal routine paired with their professionals. Lots of gimmicks this season - scored group dances, team dances, and now solos. Five celebrities remain - Cody, Maurice, Warren, Lance, and Brooke, but the only female left is leading the pack.

Technorati Tags: Dancing with the Stars, television

Christmas Wish List

2008-11-06T00:12:00.002-10:00

Looking for great Christmas gifts for kids? How about these recommendations?

Amazon.com Widgets

Free Pics on Election Day

2008-11-04T23:48:00.006-10:00

Pictures from today's Election Day with the victories of the tall and dark Barack Obama and Mufi Hannemann.

Tall and dark reminds me of the free coffee I got from Starbucks for voting.

Which also launched its Starbucks Gold membership described in this tall and dark pamphlet.

The Starbucks Holiday drink lineup is now available.

The reaction on television when Barack was named President-elect.

Finished the night with free ice cream from Ben & Jerry's for all registered voters.

Congratulations to Barack and Mufi. Stop crying now people. ;)

Technorati Tags: Ben and Jerry, coffee, Starbucks