Gee Why
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Mahalo Marcus
Nike is starting its marketing machine for young Marcus Mariota. No, Nike is not making Marcus’ draft day kicks a reality for all, but the brand is starting to sell Mariota merchandise. You can pre-order Marcu’s Titans jersey or pickup this “Mahalo Marcus” shirt that says “Pride of Hawaii” on the back.
Major Props to Marcus Mariota
Major props to Marcus Mariota for his collegiate football career that led him to the second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. But that’s not all. I’m very impressed with this commercial highlighting the ohana aspect of Mariota’s life.
Did you see that brand lineup? Yes, this production is from Beats by Dre, now owned by Apple. Marcus palms an iPhone in preparation for his workout while garbed in Nike and wearing swoosh-y cross trainers. It would have been totally over the top if Marcus beach workouts using rocks and coconuts flashed an AppleWatch on his wrist. Only that would be able to top these crazy sick Nike Lunar Force 1s custom made for Marcus for the NFL Draft event. Only two of these were produced to include the all Koa wood box. Props Marcus, props.
The Brady Bunch and the Starbucks S’mores Frappuccino
I’ll be honest and say right up front that the Starbucks S’mores Frappuccino is an absolutely great tasting drink. Calories and fat content aside, the drink throws various textures and yummy flavors at you. But here’s the big “but” – I don’t taste the s’mores in the S’mores Frappuccino. While the s’mores components may be there, the drink itself just tastes like a good Frappuccino, not a S’mores Frappuccino if you know what I mean. On top of that, I’m not in the s’mores target audience and can’t relate to the nostalgia the drink is supposed to evoke.
Nothing says summer like the laughter and memories shared around a crackling campfire.
But you know what? Experiencing s’mores by the campfire is something I’m sure America’s favorite family, the Bradys, must have done. In fact, this S’mores Frappuccino reminds me a lot of the Brady kids….
Starbucks describes their limited seasonal creation as follows:
The layered beverage starts with marshmallow-infused whipped cream and milk chocolate sauce; adds a creamy blend of graham, coffee, milk and ice; and is finished off with marshmallow whipped cream and a graham cracker crumble.
And here’s how Greg, Marcia, Peter, Jan, Bobby, and Cindy match up.
Marcia, Marcia, Marshmallow! You don’t have to brush your hair 100 times before realizing that the S’mores Frappuccino is all about Marcia, Marcia, Marshmallow! The visuality of this drink starts and ends with the marshmallow whip cream.
The milk chocolate sauce is for the only brown-eyed Brady, Peter. Peter’s kind of messy and all over the place just like the layer of chocolate sauce. And trust me, when you inhale that chocolate sauce, your voice will crack like a pubescent Peter Brady.
Greg Brady is the Frappuccino in the drink, bringing in the core of coffee, milk, and ice but with the s’mores graham giving some Johnny Bravo sweetness.
Then it’s more Marcia, Marcia, Marshmallow on top with a graham cracker crumble of Bobby Brady.
Sure, Bobby was around but somewhat overlooked, just like this crumble. It’s there, but once in the mix, you easily forget about Bobby.
The edible cookie straw embodies pigtailed Cindy Brady. Purse your lips to coo about Cindy’s lispy cuteness and purse your lips as you drink out of this cutesy straw.
What about middle sister, Jan Brady? Where is she in the S’mores Frappuccino? Well, the bespeckled Jan has a special place as the bottled version of the S’mores Frappuccino. Of course, the bottled version doesn’t have the Marcia, Marcia, Marshmallow and is a step-down from the prepared S’mores Frappuccino, but that is Jan’s existence.
So as you’re enjoying your S’mores Frappuccino, sing along with the theme song you already know by heart.
Air Jordan 1 Mid Black History Month 2014
Found this unusual Air Jordan 1 version at Ross the other day. The AJ1 silhouette was apparent, just not the makeup. Then I saw the “BHM” insignia that goes along with shoes specifically designed for Black History Month. These Jordans were part of the BHM 2014 collection and meant for the ladies??? So this size 13 may be a WMNS 13. Still big for a men’s equivalent of 11.5 though. It’s a catchy colorway with nice details and accents and only $50.
S’mores Frappuccino T-0, Launch!
Today’s the launch day of the Starbucks S’mores Frappuccino. I don’t have my review ready yet as I’m still drinking my too-early-in-the-morning Frappuccino. Don’t forget to ask for your free edible cookie straw.
And yes, the drink is good, very, very, very good.
S’mores Frappuccino T-1, Bottled Version
The countdown is at one day before the American public is reminded of their youthful summers via the S’mores Frappuccino. Until the crafted drink is available, there’s the bottled version that has to be just a specter of the real deal. I mean how can this premade version of the S’mores Frappuccino go up against marshmallow whip cream, chocolate sauce, and graham cracker syrup and toppings?
Let’s do a quick taste test of this S’mores Frappuccino that’s available at groceries right now. Visually, this Frappuccino is lighter in shade, more like the Bottled Vanilla Frappuccino, and expectedly, you don’t see any of the unique qualities of the prepared Frap (meaning the graham cracker sprinkles). You just see a light brown liquid. It’s 290 calories in 13.7 fl oz.
First sip. It tastes graham-y. Yes, really. The scent of the drink throws me off a little. There is a graham cracker like smell to the drink, so your head is thinking of a solid cracker but then your tongue feels a liquid.
I’m getting a aftertaste/feel after a few sips. My tongue feels kinda dry, not sure why. In general though, this bottled S’mores Frappuccino tastes like the other bottled Frappuccinos. Somewhere in between vanilla and caramel. I don’t taste the chocolate and maybe that aftertaste is supposed to be the marshmallow. In fact, I think it is indeed that.
I’m already not a fan of these bottled Frappuccinos, and the new S’mores flavor hasn’t convinced me otherwise. My recap: typical bottled Frappuccino taste, a graham-y scent, and a marshmallow-y aftertaste for +$3.00 per bottle. I’ll pass, but I am looking forward to a more authentic experience on Tuesday.
The Dregs of Lilly Pulitzer at Target
Yes, I’m still fascinated by the successful disaster that was the Lilly Pulitzer collaboration with Target. The demand and attraction, the fanfare, the hate, the Black Friday-like lines of shoppers, the crazy resale markup – all so fun to watch (from afar). In most locations, all traces of the Lilly Pulitzer launch have been sanitized, making you question its existence.
However, at the Kailua location, there’s actually a few Lillys still available, but I’m guessing this must be the dregs of the collection.
Actually, the set of colored drinking glasses is okay but not at $30.
S’mores Frappuccino T-2, Cookie Straw
Yup, for about a buck more, you can get a cookie straw to suck up your Frappuccino. Seems like you might even get one of these straws as a gift.
I’m waiting for the day when even the cup is edible ala sour dough soup bowls. Just imagine the environmental savings of this! Well, yeah, your drink would probably cost around $8 and contain 1000 calories, but you know you’d get it.
AppleWatch Works for Lefties
When Apple made the AppleWatch available to public viewing on April 10, 2015, I was at the Ala Moana Apple Store learning more along with fellow tech geeks, Ryan and Burt. Besides the questions about specs, performance, and apps, Burt asked a simple question that stumped the Apple Store staff. Does the AppleWatch work for left handed people? Can the digital crown and touch screen operate when the axes are reversed?
The answer is yes. All the controls “flip” just with the physical crown oriented on the lower half of the watch. Apple itself visually confirmed this left-handed operation on their video Rise as a lefty answers a call from some guy named Tony Rivas. Hmmm, this is the same guy in that Siri demo for the iPhone 4S and iOS5.
Take a look at the 0:47 second mark.
Tubular Runner Shoes
Testing out the improved Press This function of WordPress. I’m not comprehending it yet…
Rooted in sport and inspired by the runway, these men’s shoes give the ’90s style of the ZX 7000 modern fashion details like a high cut and a slick neoprene upper with leather and synthetic overlays. They ride upon a big chunky EVA outsole.
Source: Tubular Runner Shoes
A Day at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
How much time should you allot to tour the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park? You could stay a few short hours or even a few days, but my recommendation is to spend a full day in the park. The park’s web site has excellent planning information so be sure to review their links and trip planner. Essentially, there are two main tracks – the Crater Rim Drive tour and driving the Chain of Craters Road. Unfortunately, both routes have must-see attractions that you don’t want to skip. Get to the park as early as you can and even bring lunch along to enjoy at one of the sites. Better yet, stay at the Kilauea Military Camp inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to get a sunrise start.
Because of our travel plans, we split our park visit, but we still weren’t able to see everything we wanted. In one afternoon, we drove the entire 18.8 miles of the Chain of Craters Road, starting in the cold, lush rainforest of Kilauea then descending 3700 feet to arid, lava-covered plains reaching the Pacific Ocean. While there are ten identified stops on the Chain of Craters Road, we didn’t stop at most of them. In our limited time, we really wanted to see the Holei Sea Arch at the End of Chain of Craters Road and the petroglyphs. We did stop off at the Kealakomo Overlook, marked by the wooden platform that gives better scenic viewing. The overlook is about the halfway point to the end of Chain of Craters Road.
About this time, you start feeling the drastic change in weather. Gone is the chilly mountaintop weather with the car’s AC now doing the cooling. Finally, we reach the end with the awaited sights to take in. The Holei Sea Arch stands with the waves slowly eroding this natural wonder.
Further up the coastline, the continuous strike of the waves carves the next formation for future visitors.
The end of the road has a small snack bar along with a few restrooms which you should take advantage of before making the drive back. On the return trip, you can now do the hike to the Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs. Don’t rush on this short but rocky trail and look for the stone markers to keep your bearing.
After a longer-than-expected 0.7 miles, you’ll come to the raised platform protecting the largest petroglyph field in Hawaii where you’ll see ancient images carved in stone.
After exploring the Chain of Craters Road, it’s time for the shorter Crater Rim Drive with its nine designated stops. Although the Kilauea Visitor Center is a good place to start, it doesn’t open until 9am. The park is technically open 24 hours a day so if you’re early, bypass the Visitor Center to see and feel the steam vents and steaming bluff.
Seemingly at every hour of the day, the steam rises as moisture evaporates due to the natural underground heat.
Park your car and crisscross the trails in the area. Don’t worry, there isn’t much of a sulphur odor.
Once you’ve inhaled enough steam, continue on to Kilauea Iki Overlook and imagine that huge crater overflowing with molten lava.
At the overlook, there’s a half-mile hike through the rainforest if you want to experience another type of habitat.
Stop #6 is the Thurston Lava Tube. How Mr. Thurston found this lava tube trekking through the rainforest is beyond me.
Sadly, we missed three stops on the Crater Rim Drive Tour. We couldn’t squeeze in a visit to the Jaggar Museum during their hours of operation. We tried to hike the Devastation Trail but was rained out, and we just didn’t have time for the Keanakakoi Crater hike. But given a half day, I think we could have sufficiently seen the sights of Crater Rim Drive. So yeah, one full day at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the minimum amount of time I would plan for. If you want a more leisurely stay or want to explore all the stops, then you’d have to stay at least two days. Kids as well as adults will find different aspects of the park to enjoy, so it’s a great trip for the entire family.