Sage Advice from Chris “Ashton” Kutcher
Build a life, find your opportunities, and always be sexy.
Much respect, Chris, much respect.
Passion
Got 15 Minutes for Some Magic?
Fifteen minutes of spare time is what you need to watch some Magic, Magic Johnson that is. 6-9 point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Great Western Forum. Prime Ticket television. Chick Hearn and Stu Lantz. Showtime.
How many of these magical moments did you see unfold?
DCL Tip: Non-Tear Free Shampoo
After playing in the busy swimming pool onboard the Disney Wonder, parents may want to give their kids a good cleaning. So back in your stateroom, you’ll use extra everything – extra soap, extra shampoo, and extra conditioner. Then you’ll hear your kids scream out, “My eyes! My eyes!”
Ooops, sorry. The provided H20-branded shampoo is not tear free. Although Disney cruises cater to kids, the shampoo is for the whole family. So yeah, the Sea Marine Revitalizing shampoo stings if it hits your eyes. Just a tip to not overdo the shampoo and watch the eyes.
My Vacation Diet
Here are some of the foodie pics taken when vacationing in Fresno, Vancouver, Alaska, and on-board the Disney Wonder. Sorry, I didn’t add any descriptions of the pics. I’ll let the food speak for themselves. Do I need to say that I didn’t go hungry with this vacation diet?
The best food while at sea was at Palo (not surprising). Go for the dishes your server says isn’t available elsewhere on ship. You also need to try Palo both for dinner and for brunch. These are two different experiences with very different menus and styles.
Zefferelli’s in Vancouver was a completely lucky find. Late in the day while on Robson Street, our group couldn’t decide what to eat. Adults wanted Thai or Asian while the kids wanted spaghetti. The kids won out so we headed to the closest Italian place which happened to be the second-floor Zefferelli’s. Wow. Here’s my abbreviated Yelp review I drafted on my iPhone. In general though, Vancouver is a great place to sample different cuisines. There’s so much to pick from, all within walking distance. Biggest challenge for a large group is the small size of many restaurants.
I was not disappointed with the sit down meals we had on the Wonder. The menu featured a large variety, but some dishes really sang. The soups were surprisingly good and always save space for dessert. Our server would always exclaim “calorie time!” when he came to take our dessert orders. I’m not sure why, but asparagus had no effect on me during the cruise, and trust me, I tried by ordering several dishes with asparagus.
In Juneau, seek out Tracy’s King Crab Shack and soak it all in. Located right on the docks, this literal shack serves the biggest, freshest crab product you’ll probably ever find (I think I’ll post pics in a separate post).
Now, I’m getting hungry…
Reviewed Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop
No, I didn’t go to Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop in Kaimuki to get shoes repaired. Instead I needed work done on a suitcase handle that broke while packing for our Disney cruise to Alaska. Checking around it seems Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop is the place. This little local shop is the only authorized Samsonite luggage repair location on Oahu (and I think recommended for shoe repairs by Nordstrom). How did this small place get these lucrative endorsements I’m not sure, but the repair shop is full of leather goods in need of mending.
So anyways on Yelp, there’s a mix of good and bad reviews for Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop. Overall, I had a good (no great) experience so I gave my review. I’d recommend using Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop for luggage repairs but your mileage may vary. And yes, I can live with a blue handle on my black suitcase.
Even Behemoths Need Clean Air
If like me, your behemoth of a refrigerator, the LG LFX31925ST/Sears Kenmore Elite Model 72053, has had its air filter warning light on for some time. Initially, I couldn’t find a replacement filter at either Sears or Home Depot, but now they’re readily available. The LG air filter part number is ADQ73334008, model number LT120F
Well Played, Windward Mall
Well played, Windward Mall, well played. Revenge has been exacted, and in this case, I am its target. I’ve poked fun at this caring mall in the past, but in recent times, Windward Mall has found its groove, catering to kids, families, and the community. New stores like Charlotte Russe and Sports Authority have come in and on-going is the popular indoor farmers market.
And now, now Windward Mall is vindicated with its upcoming addition of Starbucks. Yes, Starbucks is making a return to the mall after its days inside of the now closed Borders. The Star Advertiser says this is the mall’s first Starbucks which I guess is technically true.
I do feel bad for Mocha Java Cafe which has been filling the mall’s caffeine niche very nicely for the past two years.
Sunset in Alaska
From a sunrise in Vancouver to a sunset while sailing the Alaskan shoreline.
Yeah, I know I’ve used this picture in the past, but it’s one of my favorites.
DCL Tip: Disney Crazy Shirts
Of course while on a Disney Cruise Line tour, you expect to see Disney garbed passengers. After a short while, you see the same shirts and designs again and again and again. How do you show off your Disney fandom but also be just a little bit different? Wear Disney themed shirts from Crazy Shirts.
The shirts themselves are high quality as all Crazy Shirts are, but the designs are more distinctive than stuff you see everywhere else. I rocked my Perry shirts, both in black and white during the cruise and people noticed. I had one crew member ask about the shirt and tell me about her (platonic) platypus love. Okay then.
But really, seeing the artistic Disney designs by Crazy Shirts is refreshing and breaks the monotony you’ll see on the ship.
Sunrise in Vancouver
Due to time differences, jet lag, and plain old excitment, I was up early on the first day in Vancouver, Canada. I set up my iPhone with iMotion HD and left it to record a Canadian sunrise. Here’s the time lapse result in 6 seconds.
Oh, and as a tip, try to plug your iPhone in. This periodic recording absolutely drained my fully charged battery.
Crazy Shirts Kapoho
Saw the new Kapoho design at Crazy Shirts in the marigold color, and I’m digging the old school color palette. The yellow, brown, and orange color scream classic and vintage.
If you don’t have a Crazy Shirts location near you, you can order online! Just follow this link Kapoho – Marigold Crew Neck T-Shirt.
A 50-Degree Swing in Weather
That’s what you get when you leave balmy Hawaii and its typical 80-degree weather. From warm and muggy, we went to the scorching, dry heat of the Armpit of Cali. At least 100 degrees every day with a high of 106 on our arrival. Then a short international flight to the north by way of Vancouver, Canada. 61 degrees at the YVR airport felt so refreshing. The locals were wearing shorts.
106 in Fresno. HOT!
61 in Vancouver
55 in Skagway
61 in Juneau
57 in Ketchikan and surprisingly not raining
Our first port on the Disney Wonder was classic Skagway, Alaska. Population of 800 with temperatures in the 50’s on a sunny day. Is this hot or cold coffee kind of weather? I went with a hot Americano.
Our second port was the landlocked Juneau. Even in the proximity of a frozen glacier, we experienced our warmest Alaskan temperature of 61 degrees.
Our last stop was at the rainiest city in America, Ketchikan. Amazingly, 57 degrees, and no rain while we were there. There was some drizzling but no umbrella needed. From 55 to 106 degrees, yeah, that’s a 51-degree swing, and it’s tough to pack for both hot and cold climates.