Who Did It Better, USAA or Costco?
Who did the dad helping his son fish better, USAA or Costco?
Costco, Union Bay
USAA
Pulp
My Japan Education: Tokyo vs Osaka Banana
Apparently, banana snacks are a thing in Japan. I was introduced to the Tokyo Banana but then was told that the Osaka Banana was better. After wrapping my head around the concept of these banana-based concoctions, I was fortunate enough to sample both. They weren’t the freshest samples but well within the alloted expiration date.
Tokyo Banana
Many flavors are available, each with its own visual design. The Tokyo Banana feels more playful with its designs and multitude of variations.
The inside is more like a banana cream filling with a Twinkie outside.
Osaka Banana
The Osaka counterpart, on the other hand, comes from a refined point of view. It’s packaging is more sophisticated, void of the playful Tokyo patterns.
The confection itself is partitioned in indivdual containers that keep the Osaka Banana in its sliced form. The banana is sandwiched in between soft sponge cake.
My Preference
Personally, I gotta give the nod to the Tokyo Banana. I like the overall execution of this treat. I’m not a fan of bananas to begin with, and both Osaka and Tokyo Bananas didn’t really get the banana flavor quite right. The Osaka Banana flavor was more realistic but not real enough. Because the authenticity of a banana was lost at this point, the cream filling of the Tokyo Banana appealed to me more since it was like eating a banana cream pie. And for me, I didn’t mind that the design pattern was actually emblazoned on the cake.
“East Side” Girl Scout Smores Cookies
Alright, a Girl Scout troop in Hawaii needs to find a way to bring in the other Smores cookies. Sourced from two different bakeries, there are differences in Girl Scout cookies throughout America as described by the L.A. Times.
Personally, I think these chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies are way better than the sandwich version sold by Hawaii-based Girl Scouts. The sandwich version tastes like any other sandwich cookies available at grocers. If both types of Smores could be brought to Hawaii, they could to be sold regionally, like an “east side” and “west side” Smore. That’ll provide a distinguishing characteristic for the cookie and maybe stir up some preference tiffs (like the argument about who makes the best malasada). I’d definitely go for this “east side” Smore.
My Japan Education: Gudetama
What, really?!? This guy is the most popular Sanrio character since Hello Kitty? Gudetama? The lazy egg?
I can’t even imagine the appeal of this non-cutesy character that doesn’t seem like a creation from Sanrio that spawned Kerokeroppi and the Twin Stars. And Gudetama is a real downer, seemingly unable to cope and deal with the real world.
Oh well, now I’m educated about this “unstoppable cultural phenomenon.”
I Don’t Know Fashion
Obviously my fashion sense is flawed, especially when Target is involved. Here I thought the Victoria Beckham collaboration with Target would be very popular. But judging from the inventory currently available, it appears that this Spice Girl-turned-designer collection isn’t doing that well.
After looking through the line, yeah, I’m not won over. Maybe it’s just a Hawaii-thing, but I can’t picture the locals outfitted in these pieces.
That’s too bad since Target was ready to handle the (potential) sales by installing even more self checkout counters.
An Unicorn Kind of Day
Today was surely a day of unicorns where not one, but two proverbial unicorns made an appearance. First off, Starbucks really did launch their magical Unicorn Frappuccino today.
Yup, it’s pink, purple, and blue and looks absolutely crazy! But, the taste is anything but crazy. Heck, it’s even not as sweet as it looks. Sure, there’s sugar galore, but it’s not so bad that you’re done after a few sips. Despite this drink’s outlandish appearance, you’ll taste vanilla. Colored vanilla, but vanilla nonetheless. The sour raspberry swirl does add a much needed kick for contrast, but there’s not enough of it. You’ll quickly go back to vanilla. There’s a tinge of fruity flavor, but I wouldn’t have said mango if I didn’t already know that. Fun and frivolous, but it’s one and done for me.
The second unicorn of the day occurred while waiting at a traffic stop light. Check this out.
See that old school Toyota Servco bag? I haven’t seen one in years since I was a teenager. I had a black one with the silver panels. Such memories of stuffing sporting equipment and anything else in the bag. No pockets, no dividers, no compartments, just one cavern of space. Okay, really, it wasn’t the greatest bag, but the memories! I guess these bags are still made, or is this really an unicorn sighting?
Signs of Hawaii: Community Sink
I don’t know what kind of places @abaggy frequents, but he does find signs that are doozies. I mean what kind of workplace needs to post this kind of sign in the first floor breakroom?
I guess you need to rinse your mouth and spit in the communal bathroom sink.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY SINK.
Unicorn at Starbucks?
Apparently, yes, there will be an unicorn at Starbucks come April 19. This mythical drink is in the form of a Frappuccino and will be a crazy swirl of pink, purple, and blue… that tastes like mango… with sour raspberry.
Crazy. I’m there.
My MacBook Pro Saga Ends
Four months later, the saga comes to an end with the receipt of this final shipment.
The saga started in January when I received my MacBook Pro charger and charging cable. A few days later, another USB-C dongle showed up. Now in April, my USB-C dongle life is full with the ThunderBolt and Ethernet adapters.
Hawaii Ocean Expo 2017 Poke Eating Contest
A new year, a new event, a new food, but the results are well… watch and see.
This was the first ever poke eating contest at the Hawaii Ocean Expo.
Need more gut-busting amazement? Check out his first win at the Farm Fair in 2009 followed by a victory in 2014. Now add spicy ahi poke to the list of defeated foods. Simply the best.
Sleep Train Is Mattress Firm
Even through a dirty, rainy car window, the rebranding of Sleep Train to Mattress Firm is done.
Though I must admit that I prefer the former name of Sleep Train. Kinda kooky and the radio commercial with the train whistle was odd but still sounds more fun than Mattress Firm.