When You Need to Lube
The belt of your Horizon treadmill like the GS1050T model, then this silicon lube is for you.
Getting Ready for A Feast of Crows
Game of Thrones Season 4 is coming up in April. Although it’s technically the fourth season of the series, the storyline continues from the latter half of Book 3, A Storm of Swords. If you want to jump forward and see what lies ahead in Westeros, there’s Book 4, A Feast for Crows
Did Peet’s Kailua Peter Out?
This is purely speculation based on appearances only, but the new Peet’s location in Kailua seems to have petered out. Previously, there had been a banner announcing the coming of Peet’s. That banner is now gone (although hopefully temporarily). The store is still not in business, but there is a piece of paper posted on the door (couldn’t see the sign from the street).
One day, I have to peek in the window to see what’s up. Online, Peet’s job listings don’t show Hawaii (at all) so that’s not telling, and the locator listing doesn’t show any in Hawaii even though Peet’s is in Waikiki. I’m hoping Peet’s is still coming to Kailua.
Starbucks Black Is Back
Remember back in the day when joining the Starbucks Gold program got you a black membership card? Then in 2009, the Gold program was revamped as the Starbucks Rewards program and with it came a new gold card. There’s even a newer, sparkly gold card, but if you’re like me, you kinda miss that simple black look. Or maybe gold is just played out with iPhones, Pop Tarts, and more.
If you’re yearning for some simplicity, Starbucks now has a special edition card that’s mostly black. The iconic mermaid is there providing some visual contrast.
I don’t know how long these will be available, but for now, Starbucks black is back.
The Meaning of Mahu Now Available
Now available on local newsstands is the March 2014 issue of Mana. The feature – the meaning of mahu.
Seemingly, the subject of mahu is highly sought after, reviewing the analytics and popular search terms for Pulpconnection. Can’t believe how many visitors view my post, 21 Slang Words You Should Know Before Visiting Hawaii (Part 1), looking for a definition of mahu.
Shoots, den! Go take a look.
Thoughts About the Fence on Kamehameha Highway
So Hawaii News Now is working on a story about fence that splits Kamehameha Highway in Pearl City. You know the one. It was decorated in March 2011 but then it wasn’t in November 2012. Now, in 2014, the entire fence line is coming down for rail construction.
What was the impetus for the fence to begin with? To prevent pedestrians from perilously crossing anywhere along the multi-lane roadway? To minimize the headlights of opposing traffic? I’m not sure. But I can understand the need if there was a long history of accidents, deaths, and other mishaps that a simple fence would alleviate. I just don’t know the background.
Why the decorative fence? I admit that at first glance I thought the fence was tacky. Maybe if the pattern was the same throughout then it wouldn’t seem like it was trying to be “artistic.” On the other hand, a plain chain link fence would probably look worse, annoying the community. Go fancier with tiles, vinyl, or a rock wall, and costs would probably be too exorbitant. So this decorated fence was probably a livable compromise. With the rail construction going on, the “fence” now looks like this which is ultimately worse.
Those are my thoughts on this fence. What do you think?
Adele Dazeem, Joey Wailson, and Theo Roberts Sing Let It Go
Late night host Jimmy Fallon, Travoltified as “Joey Wailson,” along with The Roots aka “Theo Roberts” join the wickedly-talented Adele Dazeem singing Let It Go.. along with kids classroom instruments.
My First Starbucks Vanilla Macchiato
Walked into my favorite Starbucks this morning and was greeted by this interesting sign accented by the sunlight. Hmmm, a Vanilla Macchiato now joins caramel and hazelnut. I had to try it, and yes, it is good, similar but different from the other two. I ordered my VM (not virtual machine for you techies) non-fat, stirred, hot, and short.
I didn’t take the lid off before taking a sip, so I don’t know what a fresh VM looks like. Flavor-wise, the depth of the vanilla hits you right away. For me, the Caramel Macchiato is sweet then the aftertaste follows with the richness of caramel. The Hazelnut Macchiato is more mild with the hazelnut undertones, and I prefer substituting a few pumps of vanilla for mocha to waken this drink up. But the Vanilla Macchiato is more balanced from beginning to end. Flavorfully deep with a matching level of sweetness. The new drink for spring? Yes, indeed.
Get Cronuts in the Mail
Forget finding cronuts in Hawaii, you can sit at home and get them mailed to you. Okay, so not the cronut, but a Croissonut from Williams-Sonoma.
A box of 18 for $40, shipped frozen. Make sure you have a Dutch oven and either soy or sunflower oil, and follow all the directions:
In a Dutch oven over medium heat, pour in either soy or sunflower oil to a depth of 3 inches and heat to 360° to 370°F on a deep-frying thermometer. Gently place croissonuts in oil and fry for 30 to 45 seconds on each side until golden brown. Using a slotted spoon or wire skimmer, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Gelato Is Mightier than Tea (and Coffee)
Who knew the power of the gelato? Here I thought this unconfirmed construction on the upper floor, center stage area of Ala Moana might be a new Starbucks stand. Once the site of the seemingly popular Planation Place Tea Garden, neither tea nor coffee could hold this high ground, yielding to Aloha Gelato.
(Darn you Twitpic for making your embedded images so tiny!)
Truthfully, looking at their menu, Aloha Gelato does serve tea and coffee and gelato of course, so all of these guesses are correct in a way.
Thanks to the watchful eye of @yoda808 for the heads up.
The Nespresso U Is Still Good
Say it with me, “Your Nespresso U is still good. Your Nespresso U is still good.” Don’t mind that Nespresso just launched their new VertuoLine that makes both espresso and coffee. Your recent purchase of the espresso-only Nespresso U is still a good buy at half the price of a new Vertuo.
So what if the Vertuo-made coffee features a crema top? And so what if the new hardware has a single button operation using lasers to detect what kind of drink to make? The Nespresso U is still good. I mean it has a positionable water reservoir, right?
You did capitalize on discounts and bonuses for your U purchase, right? You got those 200 Grand Cru capsules at a discounted price right? Because, the Vertuo uses a whole different capsule format and flavor lineup.
If you wanted coffee, you still have your coffee maker right? And really, the Aeroccino frother is still the same as what you got with your U bundle. So don’t head to Williams-Sonoma in Ala Moana to hear the demo and sample a full cup of crema-capped coffee. The Nespresso U is still good.
Do you really need the latest and greatest of caffeinated creations?
Well if you don’t share the sentiment that the Nespresso U is still good, let me tempt you…
Z’s Bakery & Deli Now Open in Kailua
Open this week is Z’s Bakery & Deli in the former Great Harvest Bakery location in Enchanted Lakes. When I visited, the bakery stuff was there, didn’t see any deli goods, but in their first week of business, things were still settling down. For now, cash only.
Z’s has some fancy packaging for their baked goods, a little too fancy though. I’m thinking these won’t last long, replaced by something cheaper.
The baked goods looked kinda pale, needing some color. The apple muffin was really good with apple strewn inside the middle. The scone was okay. I thought the cream cheese-infused scones of Great Harvest was tastier. They had a few more items to pick from, but I’d go with the apple muffin.
