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Where’s the Caffeine, Costco?!?

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Is this an epidemic or just bad timing? I’ve been to two different Costco locations in the past two weeks, and on both occasions, I haven’t been able to find their signature Seattle Mountain Coffee in anything other than decaf. What’s up with that?

There are other caffeinated coffee brands available like Starbucks, Kauai Coffee, Peet’s, and more, but my all around, go-to choice is missing. Hopefully, this is just a temporary outage, not a sign of permanent changes to come.

Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold Brew Is Bitter

I don’t know if I just had a bad one, but I found Starbucks’s new Toasted Coconut Cold Brew to be way too bitter. My drink was nearly undrinkable without diluting it with creamer. Yes, the coconut taste is definitely detectable, but I hope that toasted aspect isn’t the cause of the overall bitterness.

Granted I love the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, so this new flavor combination could just be so different from what I was expecting. I just don’t know, but if my second taste is the same as my first then this drink is off my list.

The Next Fashion Crush at Target

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The next fashion crush at Target will happen this Sunday on April 9, 2017. My only source of this information is this poster announcing the launch of Victoria Beckham’s clothing line collaboration with Target. 


If this is like other collaborations in Target’s past, the store will be stormed and inventory wiped out essentially that day.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #8: The Champ

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Too much Jordan. Has to be, but in any case, North Carolina barely outlasted Gonzaga in the Finals of 2017 Men’s NCAA basketball season. It was tight until the end before that 9-2 burst by the Tarheels did in the Bulldogs.

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

Of course, I was rooting for the underdog since the Gonzaga basketball program has yet to win a National Championship, but how can you fault the “opposing” team for wearing the Cool Gray colorway of the Air Jordan 11?

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four National Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 3, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

Going back to 1999, the kicks title looks like this:

That’s 16 championships for Nike in the past 19 years, upping the Swoosh’s winning percentage to 84%. Congratulations to the Tar Heels and Nike.

Researching Data Plans for Japan

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Staring up some research on mobile data plans while in Japan. A pocket wifi device is a very popular option and frompineapples has a rundown on vendors. Decent prices, fast speeds, lots of data capacity, but it’s a shared resource that also needs charging (or an extra battery).

Global Advanced Communications and the Wifi Rental Store look like solid starts. Delivery of the device to your hotel appears to be a common convenience, otherwise pickup at the airport is an option.

bmobile offers a data-only SIM card for mobile phones that are unlocked. Their plan goes for 21 days and offers 5 GB of data. But at its cost, you could get two SIMS for phones for the price of one pocket wifi. That means you’d have two phones that work independently, not tethered to the proximity of a pocket wifi. And since you’re using your own phone, you already have its charging routine down with perhaps an external battery charger. But since you are most likely using a non-native phone, you can’t connect to Japan’s super high speed data network. The hardware and network commonality is at 4G, not LTE.

Depending on the number of devices, we may have to go with a hybrid approach. One shared pocket wifi along with a few SIMs, one per family? More research to do…

Kicks Analysis 2017 #7: The Finals

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It’s over… from a kicks point of view anyways. Nike has another championship locked down with North Carolina and Gonzaga playing in the finals. Starting out, Nike had a 59% chance for one of its teams to win it all. Under Armour and Adidas were close to each other at 19% and 22% respectively.

For the Sweet Sixteen, Nike’s odds increased to 75%, and Adidas and UA were at 12.5% each.

In the Elite 8, Nike maintained its 75% mark meaning Adidas and Under Armour again had 12.5%.

The Final Four featured three Nike teams, again 75% of the teams, with only Under Armour remaining.

Now with the Bulldogs battling the Tar Heels, Nike has a 100% chance of winning.

during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.
during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Final Four Semifinal at University of Phoenix Stadium on April 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona.

On Monday, it’s Jordans versus LeBrons, Kobes, Kyries, and KDs.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #6: The Final Four

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One down, and I’m surprised (as well as bummed since that’s the end of my bracket). Kansas and Adidas are out, leaving Nike with Gonzaga, North Carolina, and Oregon. Under Armour is still scrapping on then backs of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

in the second half during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 17, 2017 in Greenville, South Carolina.

Kicks Analysis 2017 #5: Elite 8

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The odds, the percentages – forget them. It’s March Madness, baby! All shoe brands are still in it with Nike having 75% of the Elite 8. UA and Adidas each have one team repping their brand.

Check out them Kobes!
Seed: Team, Shoe
11: Xavier, Nike
1: Gonzaga, Nike
3: Oregon, Nike
1: Kansas, Adidas
7: South Carolina, Under Armour
4: Florida, Nike
2: Kentucky, Nike
1: North Carolina, Nike

This percentage breakdown mimics that of 2016.

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