Life
Ace of Cakes LOST in Hawaii
Duff and the creative cast of Charm City Cakes are in Hawaii filming for their Food Network hit, Ace of Cakes. Through clandestine means, I learned about the filming at Tropics Community Activity Center on Schofield Barracks and being a fan, headed there to find a mass of cake fanatics.
We waited in the long line that wrapped around the Community Center but got to see Duff give an interview in the back of Tropics.
Surprisingly, the line moved quickly, and we were packed inside in a matter of minutes.
Duff, Geoff, Mary Alice, and the rest of the cast were introduced, and the show was underway. Duff explained that Ace of Cakes was in Hawaii for several reasons. First of all, the show was invited to Hawaii by Army fans stationed here. Still though, the cost to bring the cast and crew to Hawaii would be too much both for the Food Network channel and the Army. This is where the mega-ABC hit, LOST, stepped in. You see, LOST members are also big fans of the creativity of Charm City Cakes, and you know where LOST is filmed right?
So the big budget of LOST paid for Ace of Cakes to come to Hawaii! During their stay, Ace of Cakes filmed an episode, Duff and the crew accepted their Army invitation to Hawaii, and Hawaii fans benefitted. Not only that, but of course, Duff would need to work his cake magic while in the Islands and he did so, twice.
Going back to LOST for a bit. To return the generosity, Duff created a cake for LOST to be unveiled sometime soon. Sources say Duff met Jorge Garcia earlier this week, but the LOST cake is still a shrouded mystery like the show itself.
Back at Schofield, Duff designed a cake dedicated to the servicemen and women in the Army, and it looks like this…
Spoiler Alert! Don’t watch the video if you do NOT want to see the cake.
http://www.youtube.com/v/7PcYLw6wrTI&hl=en&fs=1
It was too crowded, so I didn’t stick around to try to meet Duff, Geoff, or Mary Alice or get closer pictures. I did get a picture of the non-big-three.
A few more pictures in my Picture Gallery.
https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf
Thanks Ace of Cakes (and LOST)! And thanks to Schofield security and the staff of Tropics for keeping everything under control and accommodating all fans.
SDV Tuning Adapters Come to Oceanic Cable
Looks like the Switched Digital Video (SDV) tuning adapters are now rolling out in Hawaii. After an expected availability of December 2008, Oceanic Cable (Time Warner) is sending out letters to interested SDV customers to schedule installation of tuning adapters. Here’s the letter I got in the mail.
I scheduled my appointment with some confusion since this is a new offering from Oceanic. First, there was a installation charge of $32, but that was waived after lengthy discussion with the customer service representative. With the SDV tuning adapter, additional Oceanic channels are now available for ordering. However, there are still some issues with the free digital SDV (but non-HD) channels. They’re not yet available even with the tuning adapter. Supposedly though, once these channels are available, the tuning adapter can be remotely updated to receive these channels.
You can order your free SDV tuning adapter from Oceanic here. More to come after my installation in early February (the first available install date).
Breakfast at Cinnamon’s
If you happen to be getting breakfast at Cinnamon’s in Kailua, try their special, the peanut butter chocolate chip pancakes.
The texture is a little doughy because of the peanut butter, but it’s really tasty, and the strawberry compote pushes it over the edge. If you can, get there before 9:00 when the crowds start rolling in.
Starbucks-Inspired Chinese New Year
As Chinese New Year approaches, you can find customary (and yummy) gau throughout the Islands (check Kin Wah Chop Suey for some freshly made gau on the Windward side). But, what if you were to take this traditional treat and spin it with modern day influences such as those served at Starbucks? You’d get a coffee-infused gau!
A great combination of old and new that offers an unique flavor and a caffeinated zing.
No Ka Oi Runs Deep!
Wow, I didn’t realize how strong my No Ka Oi background was until I scanned my current rotation of kicks. Take a look. See the strong influence of red, black, and white colors?
Dang, No Ka Oi runs deep!
YouTube to the Presidential Rescue
I didn’t have an Obama Day today, but at work, Barack Obama’s inauguration was playing on a television in a conference room. I checked out part of it, but didn’t watch everything since I programmed my Tivo to record the “Presidential Inauguration” figuring I can watch at home.
Playing back my Tivo recording, it recorded everything leading up to the swearing in of the 44th President, not the actual inauguration. What happened?
Fortunately, Tivos can now access YouTube content and guess what was number one on YouTube’s recommendations? Yup, Barack Obama’s Inauguration and Address. Here is all 20+ minutes of Obama’s address in pretty darn good video quality.
And yeah, he musta been nervous, flubbing several lines of his oath.
Sidenote: At around 8:00, the YouTube view count was in the 800,000 range. One hour later, the views are above 1.2 million.
Pics from the Zoo
Went to the Honolulu Zoo over the weekend to see the baby tigers who weren’t so baby anymore.
These guys always look freaky.
The zebras were grazing.
The peacock was in full effect.
The animals were a lot more active in the morning time.
Shirokiya Electronics Closing
Economic times continue to be tough, especially in the electronics arena. First, all Circuit City locations closed their doors. Now Shirokiya is shutting down its electronic department.
What to do with the 3800 square feet of space? How about more seating to eat my bento so that I don’t have to jockey for tables? I know, along with more seating how about bringing the bird cage back? Not as huge as the old school Shirokiya, but have a good sized bird cage next to the additional seating area so patrons can watch the birds as they peacefully enjoy their meals.
DUI Up the Street
Saw a DUI arrest go down on Friday night on my street. A car ran into two parked cars and tried (unsuccessfully) to drive away. I didn’t witness the actual event, but did hear the crash and saw what looked like the driver trying to dislodge her car from the parked vehicles. After gunning the engine and with wheels screeching, the car got free and puttered along until the engine wouldn’t go any more. About 6 police vehicles arrived in a matter of minutes and got the situation under control.
Fortunately, no one was hurt, but there was significant damage to the parked vehicles. And it even appeared the the driver was in an earlier accident with her car showing additional signs of damage.
Don’t drink and drive.
Not Surprised. Bye Circuit City
Somehow I’m not totally surprised all Circuit City locations will be closing their doors. Whenever I went there for sale items, the Hawaii store would be sold out.
Wonder what will take it’s place in a somewhat visible area in Pearl City right next to Pearlridge and Starbucks?
Frak, Did I Miss the BSG Start?
Whew, nope. It’s on Friday. That Sci-Fi ad had me for a moment saying new episodes tonight. Only 10 more episodes in the Battlestar Galactica story.
Who’s the last remaining Cylon?