This ain’t too shabby a wat of traveling. Catching the Amtrak for a few hours. A little bumpy but climate controlled, big seats, and free Wifi.
So my bottled Starbucks iced coffee costs $3.25, but I’m enjoying it and the ride while blogging on the railroad.
Sadly, do not add watching fireworks in our Nation’s capital on Independence Day to your Bucket List. Washington DC on July 4th – can’t get more patriotic than that right? Well, yes, but in reality, it’s also a little underwhelming. Additionally, the weather conditions were not great with light showers throughout the day making the National Mall muddy and the skies hazy.
Maybe the live music of the fireworks show would have added to the experience, but we, like many others, stayed outside the security perimeter. Didn’t know if the weather would hold up, making a departure easier from the outside. The fireworks launched above the reflecting pool couldn’t break through the hazy night. There were lots of aerials, but most were muted only discoloring the night sky.
The show was decently long and after the last aerial lit the sky, the crowds dispersed. Wow, the amount of people! But with so much security and roads blocked, there was enough thoroughfare for the mass exodus.
Walking the streets of DC at night offered some nice illuminated views though.
Overall, an enjoyable experience but not worthy of a bucket list.
During our tour of the U.S. Capitol, the gun control protest of “No Bill, No Break” went down. We had started our tour of the rotunda when a group of people planted themselves on the floor and started chanting, “No bill, no break,” while holding pictures of their loved ones claimed by shootings. The media was there taking picture and capturing video footage as each protester proclaimed their loved one was not a political stunt.
All the public tours at the time were somewhat confused about the proceedings wondering if this incident was planned. But being a working federal establishment and not an amusement park, this protest was indeed real. The moment was realized when the police showed up in minutes and cleared the rotunda, warning that any who remained would be arrested. Our guide, Walt, calmly ushered us to the next tour stop where he explained that excitement can come at any time but is definitely not the norm.
Here’s more info about the protest. Here’s extra Pulpconnection coverage.
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?No, I’m no rock climber and didn’t know abou the Volcanic Rock Gym near Punahou and in Kailua. The smaller Kailua location is all about climbing. Featuring walls of varying heights and angles, this smallish space is maximized with challenges, and the climbers there are maxed out themselves. Every regular that came by was fit and well muscled – backs, legs, arms, you name it. So obviously if you want to build up your body, climbing at Volcanic Rock Gym is what you need to do.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016 is Amazon’s second annual Prime Day where Prime members get access to deals and other exclusives. But yes, you need to be a (paying) member of Amazon Prime in order to partake. Supposedly Amazon sold more on Prime Day than Black Friday. You in?
Gotta love the last episode of Season 6 of the Game of Thrones. The music truly set this episode apart, especially the opening sequence featuring the Light of the Seven. It’s so good, so full of impact. Listen on repeat, just don’t follow Tommen.
Yup, that is a piano playing in this opening score.
Roamed around Ala Moana recently, and here’s what I saw (no worries, no busted escalators in this post).
This is the first time I’ve been in Zara which I understand to be an upscale H&M. I would agree with that assessment. The most interesting aspect of that two-story location is its (working) escalator. It has to be the longest in the entire mall. Take a look back after reaching the top, and you’ll really see how far you traveled.
It was easy to recognize that Zara was definitely not my style.
Even in black or white, I still couldn’t pull this off.
It’s a good thing these are kids sizes. Otherwise I would have needed to try on a pair just for the laughs seen in the dressing room mirror.
Hold up, what’s this? Is this the first casualty of the Ewa Wing? Gloria Jeans Coffee is closed already!?!
And there’s a Pressed Juicery downstairs by the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk. More impressive was the long line at 9pm, and Shirokiya wasn’t yet open for business. Is Pressed Juicery that good? I may have to try their coffee if the line is short.
I was somewhat surprised to find the new Adidas AlphaBOUNCE running shoes at Macy’s via Finish Line. But there they were in men’s and kids sizes.
The original zebra-ish colorway is still available in kids sizes.
I tried on my usual size 10 in this core black version, and these felt narrow. Only $100, these runners feature some new Adidas tech, but they can’t compete with the more expensive UltraBoost. 
The ForgedMesh is pliable, but I much rather prefer the give of PrimeKnit. There’s no tongue and is like a one-piece bootie.
The lacing is slightly asymmetric, but I couldn’t tell if that had any effect.
The Bounce is stiffer and heavier than Boost. Not sure if that translates to better or worse cushioning. For me, I’d need a stability version like the Ultra Boost ST. Arch support is essentially nonexistent, and I could feel my arches crashing inwards with every step. The shoe offered nothing in the midfoot to control my pronation.
So a little narrow, no arch support, and slightly heavier, I’m sticking with the $180 Ultra Boost.
Both you and I know that today’s grand opening of the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk would be well received by the Hawaii public.
But did you think it’s so well received that the line to enter snakes around the corner to Old Navy?
To put this in perspective, Old Navy is from the old school Ala Moana, essentially marking the Sears end of the mall. Then the new Ewa wing extended from there. So this line queues pass Pressed Juicery, the downstairs Bloomingdales’ entrances, and the upcoming Famous Footwear. Long enough where I wouldn’t wait, but devout Pulpconnection and Shirokiya fans would. 🙂
9:45 update: Before the 10:00 opening, the line now extends to Makai Market. Makai Market!! Thanks to Kakaako Connection for the updates.
10:14 update: Getting close…
After much anticipation, the new Shirokiya opens tomorrow, Saturday, June 25, 2016. It’s going to be a madhouse, and I’m going to stay away for a long time. Sure, it’s not the Shirokiya of old where you could find an assortment of all things from Japanese culture. Instead, food and experience takes the forefront at the Shirokiya Japan Village Walk.
This new location is downstaris of Bloomingdales in the Ewa Wing, and when I went to check out the new spot, many disappointed shoppers walked by thinking the Village Walk was already open.
It’ll be like old times, walking into the store with iconic logo.
$10 for a replacement cap for a TigerSahara insulated water bottle.
Thanks yet again Uni-King (the Waipio location that is).
After the Cavaliers victory over the Warriors in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, it’s okay to be overwhelmed by emotions as picked up by Nike.
Even the King was overcome. But it’s okay to cry.
