Boozing and Blogging
It’s Saturday night, and I’m sitting here with the Desk app open while drinking wine from Costco. A new habit of blogging and boozing?
Passion
MyFab5 Hawaii’s 25 Most Instagrammed Restaurants of 2014
MyFab5 collated Instagram pics and put together this list of Hawaii’s 25 most Instagrammed restaurants of 2014. Some of these make sense and some are surprising (to me) like Duke’s Waikiki for coming in at number 1. I guess lots of tourists making their mainland friends jealous? Breakfast is a popular Instagramming time with about 11 of the 25 pics. Only four pictures of “desserts” from Duke’s, Mama’s Fish House, Bubbies, and Leonard’s. The only pizza on the list is a yummy, hearty shot from Buca di Beppo, courtesy of @abaggy.
Looks ono for sure! And if you want more onoliciousness, check out the rest of @abaggy’s foodie-focused Instagram feed.
Overcoming My Hangup with Desk.PM
As I write this blog post using the Desk app, I’m beginning to understand my hangups using this dedicated blogging app full time. It’s the learning curve, dummy.
Years back when I got in to blogging, I used MarsEdit as my blog authoring tool of choice. As Internet connectivity became faster, more ubiquitous, and more stable, an offline app for writing wasn’t as critical. That started my transition of using the web-based WordPress interface for blog posts. Over the years and versions, the WordPress interface changed and improved, most recently adopting a distraction-free look in Version 4.1.
So there I was, surrounded by connectivity and familiar with authoring posts in WP. I knew how to tag and categorize posts. I knew how to set featured images and place and resize images. All of this basic stuff I didn’t know how to accomplish in Desk. Even titling a post was strange for me using Desk, so why change?
It’s about the writing. As I learned more about using Desk, I started seeing how this app allowed me to focus on writing by truly removing any distractions and barriers. Typically when I log into WordPress, I immediately see the blog stats that I spend time analyzing, looking at popular hits and searches. Did I also mention that I secured my WordPress authentication which poses another (necessary) hurdle to get to writing? Even with my intent to write a blog post, there are enough distractions getting me to that point. Not so with Desk. Fire it up, get a blank page, and write.
However, I can’t say that I’ll stick with Desk forever. There are times I need to get into WordPress and muck around. That and there’s still that learning curve with Desk to understand what it can and cannot do. But in the meantime, I’ve been writing more and more using Desk.
Checking Out Apple CarPlay
Like me, you may have heard of Apple’s CarPlay “system” that links your iPhone with your vehicle but never saw CarPlay in action. Today, I got a first hand look at CarPlay via the Alpine iLX-007 in-dash receiver. An aftermarket car stereo replacement, the iLX is CarPlay personified. Connecting your iPhone to the iLX brings up the familiar iOS screen on the 7-in display. Everything looks and behaves similarly to regular iPhone interactions. The apps, the home button, iTunes music, maps, Siri – it’s all there.
I had to admit seeing CarPlay in action was pretty cool. The learning curve of operating the iLX is negligible since it is the iOS that you’re already comfortable with using an iPhone. No need to figure out how to set music stations, make a phone call, or otherwise operate the unit. The Maps application for navigation was the most compelling since it eliminates the need for any other in-car navigation system.
But there are some limitations with the fledgling CarPlay. For the iLX-007, you have to physically connect your iPhone to the receiver via a USB-Lightning cable. And if you’re ever without your iPhone, the iLX is essentially non-functional. There’s no real built-in capabilities since mostly everything resides with the phone.
The one aspect of CarPlay that I found underwhelming is its overall implementation, or really, lack thereof. CarPlay seems like a literal translation of iOS from your phone to your car’s in-dash display. While there are some changes to the user interface to accommodate the attention of drivers, it still looks like and feels a lot like iOS.
I was hoping that CarPlay would do more like become the central processing unit of your vehicle, maybe even its soul. Currently, CarPlay doesn’t revolutionize or innovate the driver’s experience. It reminds me of the Motorola ROKR E1 aka the Apple iTunes phone. If you remember this iPhone precursor, the ROKR could play music by including iPod features. Useful? Yes. Innovative? No, not compared to the revolutionary iPhone.
So while I’m digging the concept of CarPlay version 1.0, I’m already waiting for version 2.0.
Yelped Bob’s Bar-B-Que, Toyota Windward, and Mexico Restaurant
Not like I’m headed towards Yelp Elite-ness or anything, but I was in the mood to review some of my recent visits. So I Yelped about:
- Bob’s Bar-B-Que. 4 stars.
- Servco Toyota Windward. 5 stars.
- Mexico Restaurant. 3 stars.
Now if a current Yelp Elite member decides to nominate me for elite status, I would not decline. 😉
HD Radio in Hawaii
So I just learned that HD radio is indeed available in Hawaii and has been in the islands since 2007. Without HD radio compatible gear, it never mattered to me. But now that I can tune into HD broadcasts, I was looking for tunes in HD. Sadly, there’s not much. Can you tell what music genre is popular?
- 92.3 KSSK. Adult Contemporary Music
- 93.9 KHJZ. Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
- 97.1 KORL. Japanese – J-Pop Music
- 98.5 KDDN. Island Rhythm 98.5. Island Music
- 100.3 KCCN. FM 100: Island Music & Reggae
- 101.5 KORL. K-Rock: Hawaii’s Real Rock
- 101.9 KUCD. Star 101.9. Hawaii’s New Music Alternative (not working for me)
- 105.1 KINE. Contemporary Hawaiian Music
- 107.5 KORL. Hawaii’s K-Pop on FM (Korean)
There’s always Pandora and iTunes Radio…
SNeaKeRS, There’s an App for That
Yes, there are now two official apps for sneakers. Adidas used their Confirmed app to secure a pair of Yeezys, and not to be outdone, Nike launches their SNKRS app today.
Right now, it looks like full functionality of the app isn’t yet unleashed. You can see mobile versions of Nike’s public launch calendar or shop the online Nike Store. I’m guessing with an access code, you’ll have the ability to go for the popular releases along with saving your personalized information like shipping address and shoe size to expedite purchases. I’m waiting for my access code, Nike.
The Kanye Yeezy Boost Debuts
Kanye West’s collaboration with Adidas comes to life on Valentine’s Day as the Yeezy Boost debuts today in New York. Later in the month, you can stand in the virtual queue provided by the Confirmed app for your chance to snatch up one of the 9000 pairs of Adidas Yeezys available at launch. Are you ready to depart with $350?
Um, no, not me. Not for these kicks that look like something a Stormtropper would wear on his off days while on the court. Yeah, they look comfortable, but the Air Jordan 11 eyelets hit too close to home making it seem like the Yeezys are blatantly copying a popular design. Now then, if I got these for free, call me a Stormtrooper on my off day at the courts. 😉
Or if Yeezy himself delivered the goods…
Are You Ready for #StarbucksDate
To kick off Valentine’s Day, Starbucks is enticing you to go on a #StarbucksDate. On February 13 from 2pm to closing, Starbucks is offering paired items at a discounted cost. Invite a loved one then share your #StarbucksDate experience online at the atstarbucks Tumblr site.
Are you ready for your #StarbucksDate? These cups will be waiting…
Is the Scheduler Working?
Not sure why but the internal scheduler service that WordPress uses wasn’t working. No wonder why scheduled posts didn’t post accordingly. Also, all kinds of trackbacks and other links weren’t updated.
As a starting point, I disabled a bunch of WP plugins. Doing so appears to have cleared the backlog of scheduled tasks. Now to start re-evaluating the plugins to really see if I need them. Then activate them one by one to see if the scheduler problem reappears.
More testing to do…
Jimmy Fallon Revives Saved by the Bell
You gotta love Jimmy Fallon and the Tonight Show, especially after he revived the classic Saved by the Bell. For eight minutes, you can relive the high jinx at Bayside High with Zack and the crew.
Makes you want to wear your Kelly Kapowski shirt right about now.
Woot Deal: Sennheiser MOMENTUM On-Ear Headphones
Happened to wander by woot.com where I saw this deal for the Sennheiser 505982 MOMENTUM On-Ear Headphones. Only colors available are red or pink with a cost of $89.99. Normally these go for $250+ and even on Amazon, they’re listed at $115.
Overall, Amazon ratings are at 4.5 stars over 361 reviews, so they can’t be bad. There are some complaints about too much bass and a muddy middle. Reviews also vary wildly over the fit and comfort of these headphones, but the general consensus is that they are well made and very stylish.
Head on over to woot.com before this deal is sold out!