Meeting Gregg Hammer
Talk about getting Hammer’d for real kine. There I was watching the Honolulu City Light Parade when I heard that voice. Was that Aunty Mildred? Wayne Anzaki? Joe Souki? Yes, yes, and yes as Gregg Hammer, Davey D, and a KRTR 96.3 parade entourage rolled down King Street then promptly stalled.
I don’t know why, but the entire parade stopped in place for at least 5 minutes. During this dead air time, Gregg and Davey entertained the crowd telling jokes, poking fun at their sister station’s blown out sound system, and encouraging parade watchers to do the wave. As Mr. Hammer talked to the crowd, he noticed me filming and taking pics.
Meeting Gregg Hammer from Gee Why on Vimeo.
Talk about honored! Even in the dim lights of the parade, Gregg was able to spot and recognize me standing over on the sidewalk. He acknowledged me as “the blogger” and came over to shake my hand. Awestruck! We chatted a bit and took this pic (otherwise it never happened, right?).
Thanks Gregg! What an amazingly memorable way to meet in real life. No bah humbug here. 🙂
Ramping Up the Holiday Shopping
Went to Ala Moana on the Black Friday weekend to start the holiday shopping craziness. Here’s some of what I saw.
Free coffee from Nordstrom’s eBar (if you had an email invitation). Really though I wanted to try their Italian Mocha.
Although some of the stores were already open, the LEGO store was not. Had to wait a few minutes in the rain while drinking my coffee.
The wait was worthwhile since I found new LEGO City sets for Christmas gifts.
I then headed upstairs on the new-ish wooden stairwell. There’s now some netting to protect climbers from the rain.
Footlocker had some fresh gear like this Gary Payton “Glove” inspired AF1s.
And these socks for ballers.
In the Apple Store, it seems lighting is a holiday fad.
How about a smart basketball that retains stats? I’d rather have the baller socks.
What say you, Princess Leia or Daenerys Targaryen?
Of course, with all this shopping, we qualified for a commemorative Santa bobble head.
How’d you fare on Black Friday (weekend)?
Holiday Gift Guide: Starbucks Gold Metal Card
There was the Starbucks steel card nearly one year ago, and shortly, a more limited golden hued metal card will be available for $450 (which includes $400 in Starbucks credit).
5000 steel? Imagine only 1000 gold cards for sale.
Let’s go down the golden checklist for 2013:
- Gold iPhone 5s
- Nike rose gold FuelBand
- JUICIES+ gold cable
- Golden Pop-Tarts
- Zojirushi stainless steel mug (in champagne gold)
- Starbucks golden card (consider yourself blinged)
Cyber Monday Does Not Mean Starbucks Verismo
Did you see Starbucks one-day Cyber Monday special of $25 off of a $60 purchase? This includes free shipping as well, but alas, the Verismo systems are exempt from this offer. The Verismo models have recently come down in price, available at $99 for the 580 model. Imagine if you got an additional $25 off of the reduced price – a no brainer buy.
Maybe instead, it’s time to load up on Verismo pods?
Holiday Gift Guide 2013: YOLO Means LOLO Shirt
This one is for the Hawaii locals. You know the catchphrase, “You only live once” abbreviated as YOLO and said before doing something usually disastrous? You can now voice your opinion of YOLO antics using Hawaiian pidgin (slang) on this Hawaiian Style tee.
Lolo can range in meaning from dumb to stupid to downright idiotic. So yeah, YOLO could also mean lolo. Currently available at Macy’s in Hawaii and on sale too.
BFpulp: Crazy Shirts
Black Friday is around the corner, and if you’re going to do some shopping (virtually or in real life), it’s time to start planning. Crazy Shirts is offering 50% off of select items along with free shipping on orders over $75.
Black Friday Event! 50% Off Hoodies, Jackets & More!
Free Shipping on Orders $75 and more! Use code AFF75NOV!
Boogie Woogie Santa anyone?
Disney Aulani Tips 1
So I already gave you one tip while staying at the Disney Aulani, the infinity pool is slightly warmer, and as a surprise bonus, you can occasionally hear dolphins and whales while submerged.
Here are a few more tips for your Aulani stay.
Bring a GoPro Hero
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time at the pools or at the neighboring ocean lagoon, you’ll need to get yourself a GoPro Hero action camera. While the activities at the Aulani are not actively intense, there are many picturesque views and opportunities to video or snap pictures below and above water. Maybe you can record the sounds of the whales and dolphins in the infinity pool. Oh, and work on that underwater selfie.
Don’t Fret the Weather
Our stay at the Aulani was marred by state-wide flash flood watches and warnings. The Windward side looked like this.
Thirty minutes later, the weather in Kapolei looked like this.
As the clouds poured on most of the island, an occasional sprinkle made you look up at the skies above Aulani for a moment before rejoining the fun.
Great (and Not So Great) Wifi
While in the main public areas or even by the pools, the free Wifi network is screaming fast. Signal strength is solid even on the outskirts, but the signal may not reach your room. There is no complimentary network access in your room.
Unique Gifts
For Disney fans, be sure to check out the KÄ€LEPA store for unique gifts. I mentioned the Crazy Shirts-made Mele Kalikimaka Aulani shirt, but there were many more collectibles to be found. Some were generic Disney items, but most featured the Aulani namesake.
Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Group Games
Want to know the inner thoughts of others? Try playing a game like Apples to Apples
If you want to bump this up a notch then go for Cards Against Humanity. Same concept but more mature themed. Just a warning, you may need to reference the Urban Dictionary to understand some of the off-color terms.
Technically, Cards Against Humanity is an open sourced game and you can make your own set, but at $25 for a nicely printed, boxed set, it’s probably worth the cost.
Starbucks Espresso Tumbler Now Available
Maybe, sorta, it depends. Some Starbucks locations have been selling the new tumbler that gets you free espresso-based drinks in January 2014. Yes, although they’re supposed to be available on Black Friday (November 29, 2013) at a $10 discount, a few stores are now selling them at the regular $75 price tag. Expensive, right?
Let’s think about this. The tumbler is a grande size, and let’s conservatively assume a $4 price for an espresso/latte drink. After 19 drinks, you’ve paid for the tumbler. Supposedly it’s one free drink per day, but I’m not sure how that’s enforced, so you could get the 19 drinks in less than 19 days. Assume a higher priced grande drink, and you’ll recoup your investment faster. Yes, you won’t be earning Rewards stars while using the tumbler, but at a free drink after 12 stars, you’ll miss out on one, maybe two freebies.
Anyways, if you’re a caffeine addict and want something more than brewed coffee, you’ll rationalize the price of this tumbler. Good luck finding one!
Your Pre and Post Black Friday Spot
Black Friday shopping craziness is at an all time high with stores opening before Black Friday. But just know this. Before, after, or even both, this 24-hour Starbucks drive thru in Kaneohe is your Black Friday ally. You know you’ll need that coffee to get in gear or to stay in gear to push through all that shopping.
Good hunting!
Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Zappos.com Sh-t Product
Zappos’ response to Kanye’s claim is all wins, and therefore rightfully deserves a place in the 2013 Pulpconnection Holiday Gift Guide. But oh hey, this sh-t will cost you – $100,000!
Of course, you need to watch the informative Zappos video to understand the features of this sh-t product.