TEDxHonolulu Videos on YouTube
Some of the presentations from TEDxHonolulu are coming online via the TEDxTalk channel on YouTube. You can now watch Henk Rogers.
Henk Rogers (not sure what’s up with the video).
Have Mercy, Another Meeting
Just taking a break from yet another set of meetings at work. Some, okay most, of these are simply painful.
Break’s over, bring on the suffering.
Is Dancing with the Stars Done?
Season 9 of Dancing with the Stars is over in my opinion. For me, my favorites have been eliminated leaving a DWTS Finals of Mya, Donny Osmond, and Kelly Osbourne. I wondered if the fans would pick Osmond or Osbourne. They picked both in the Week 9 semifinals, leaving Joanna Krupa as a surprising elimination.
Very discouraging. If Mya doesn’t win it all then even more discouraging for the DWTS series. Seriously, Donny and Kelly better than Joanna or Mya? I don’t think so, but what’s clear is that popularity is cresting. Forget actual ability. What would you think if Donny or Kelly won the mirrorball trophy? The show’s credibility would be shot, perhaps even jeopardizing the show’s future. Yes, Dancing with the Stars wants fan votes but so much so to disregard the quality of dancing?
Sadly, watch Joanna and Derek dance their final dance.
Some notes. Since Derek hinted at his Finals Freestyle routine, he and Joanna should do it, record it, and share on YouTube. There will be a new DWTS pro champion joining the ranks of Derek Hough, Julianne Hough, Mark Ballas, Cheryl Burke, and Alec Mazo. Even though Season 9 is over for me, looking ahead to season 10, how about picking a blogger to compete? Sure, not a mainstream musician, actor, or athlete, but it would be interesting to see the fan force from social media. Could a top blogger garner enough online votes to keep up in the popularity contest?
Peer News Wants Hawaii’s News
Hawaii-based startup Peer News, founded by eBay’s Pierre Omidyar, announced some big news today.
We are creating a Honolulu-based local news service that will produce original, in-depth reporting and analysis of local issues in Hawaii.
One of the first steps for this endeavor is finding an editor. So if you have the skills and passion, an opportunity awaits!
2009 Word of the Year: Unfriend
The New Oxford American Dictionary has named its 2009 Word of the Year, and it is “unfriend.”
unfriend – verb – To remove someone as a “friend” on a social networking site such as Facebook.
That wasn’t already a word? Unfriend beat out contenders like netbook, tramp stamp, and tweetup.
Welcoming Farmers Insurance Hawaii in January
Starting January 2010, AIG Hawaii will change its name to Farmers Insurance Hawaii. That’s the exciting change hinted at in their commercial.
I guess their blue Prius will be black and red following the color scheme of this Farmers Insurance Hawaii lunch bag.
Love Food? Love Pictures of Food?
If you love food and especially love sharing pictures of food then Foodspotting is for you. Submit pics of your favorite dishes and check out all the other yumminess. Like dishes you see? Then “nom” it.
Currently Foodspotting is in its early stages and is available via the web only. An iPhone app is expected in December to make food spotting even easier.
All You Need Is Love
Since you’re ready for love & peace and unity, you know that All You Need Is Love. That’s the name of the Christmas CD you get at Starbucks with a purchase of $15 or more. This four-track CD features:
- Playing for Change
- U2
- Dave Matthews
- John Legend
With your purchase and CD gift, Starbucks will donate $1 to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. Go ahead and indulge. It’s not that hard to spend $15 at Starbucks. Why not try the new Caramel Brulee Latte and get a bag of the Christmas Blend? Like this.
I got my love, how about you?
The Difficulty of 3 on Dancing with the Stars
In competitions, “threes” are difficult and somewhat elusive, hitting a three point shot in basketball, getting a triple in baseball, scoring three goals for a hat trick, bowling a turkey, winning a triple crown just to name a few. In the semifinals of Dancing with the Stars, the four remaining couples had to perform an unprecedented three dances to see which three would make it to the DWTS Finals.
Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson fought off wardrobe problems in their ballroom routine but came back in their Latin and Knockout numbers. Scoring wise, Donny finished last, but you never know how the fans will rally.
Or will more fans vote for Kelly Osbourne who had solid scores throughout the night. Kelly’s not perfect with her performances, but she connects with the people. I’m really interested to see whose fan base is now stronger, the Osmonds or the Osbournes?
Mya and Dmitry are in the zone, near perfection in the semifinals.
Their salsa was succulent and drove white dudes wild!
But you know what? I don’t care. For me, the couple has no draw power, no appeal. I don’t await their performances with anticipation. That anticipation goes to…
Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa. With dances like the futuristic paso or shirtless lambada, you don’t know what to expect from Mister Hough, but whatever it is, you know it’ll be excellent and entertaining. And did you catch his strategy at work? During the semifinals, Derek dropped hints of their freestyle in the Finals. How’s that for creating anticipation?
It was a tough night, but what’s obvious is that Mya and Joanna Krupa belong in the Finals. The last spot in the Finals will be a popularity contest between the old guard, Donny Osmond, and the new guard, Kelly Osbourne. Whose fans will vote their stars on?
Holiday Gift Guide: Edward and Jacob Life Size Cutouts
Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner in your house? You wish! Or maybe not…
Celebrate this Christmas with Twilight’s Edward and Jacob with these life size cutouts! Available at Nordstrom for $33 each, you can get your hands on your own dreamy vampire and hunky werewolf. Whatever fantasies you enact with Team Edward and Team Jacob is purely up to you.
Merry Christmas!



