Boozing and Blogging
It’s Saturday night, and I’m sitting here with the Desk app open while drinking wine from Costco. A new habit of blogging and boozing?
MyFab5 Hawaii’s 25 Most Instagrammed Restaurants of 2014
MyFab5 collated Instagram pics and put together this list of Hawaii’s 25 most Instagrammed restaurants of 2014. Some of these make sense and some are surprising (to me) like Duke’s Waikiki for coming in at number 1. I guess lots of tourists making their mainland friends jealous? Breakfast is a popular Instagramming time with about 11 of the 25 pics. Only four pictures of “desserts” from Duke’s, Mama’s Fish House, Bubbies, and Leonard’s. The only pizza on the list is a yummy, hearty shot from Buca di Beppo, courtesy of @abaggy.
Looks ono for sure! And if you want more onoliciousness, check out the rest of @abaggy’s foodie-focused Instagram feed.
Order an Ariana Grande from Starbucks
Are your childhood memorizes scarred after watching a dark remake of the Power Rangers? Need something to pick you up and restore your sweet memories of the colorful rangers not shot up and bloodied?
Head on over to Starbucks right now and cleanse yourself by ordering the “Ariana Grande.” Yes, the pop singer’s name naturally fits into the Starbucks menu, but what will you get with this off-menu custom order? How about a drink that’s going to have extra everything? As in:
- Start with the base of a grande-sized “Cotton Candy
- Frappuccino” (which is a vanilla bean and raspberry Frappuccino from Starbucks’ secret menu).
- Add extra mocha syrup.
- Add extra mocha chips.
- Blend.
- Top with extra whipped cream.
- Finish with a generous caramel drizzle.
From Buzzfeed.
Extra? Check. Sweet? Check. Feeling better? Check. Until that is the sugar high is replaced by a precipitous sugar low that draws you to search out the even darker NSFW version of the Power Rangers remake…
Power Rangers, Rated R?
Yes, please. Ready to see the old school Power Rangers redone and reimagined? Then watch this 14-minute mature rendition. It’s morhpin’ time!
Overcoming My Hangup with Desk.PM
As I write this blog post using the Desk app, I’m beginning to understand my hangups using this dedicated blogging app full time. It’s the learning curve, dummy.
Years back when I got in to blogging, I used MarsEdit as my blog authoring tool of choice. As Internet connectivity became faster, more ubiquitous, and more stable, an offline app for writing wasn’t as critical. That started my transition of using the web-based WordPress interface for blog posts. Over the years and versions, the WordPress interface changed and improved, most recently adopting a distraction-free look in Version 4.1.
So there I was, surrounded by connectivity and familiar with authoring posts in WP. I knew how to tag and categorize posts. I knew how to set featured images and place and resize images. All of this basic stuff I didn’t know how to accomplish in Desk. Even titling a post was strange for me using Desk, so why change?
It’s about the writing. As I learned more about using Desk, I started seeing how this app allowed me to focus on writing by truly removing any distractions and barriers. Typically when I log into WordPress, I immediately see the blog stats that I spend time analyzing, looking at popular hits and searches. Did I also mention that I secured my WordPress authentication which poses another (necessary) hurdle to get to writing? Even with my intent to write a blog post, there are enough distractions getting me to that point. Not so with Desk. Fire it up, get a blank page, and write.
However, I can’t say that I’ll stick with Desk forever. There are times I need to get into WordPress and muck around. That and there’s still that learning curve with Desk to understand what it can and cannot do. But in the meantime, I’ve been writing more and more using Desk.
Checking Out Apple CarPlay
Like me, you may have heard of Apple’s CarPlay “system” that links your iPhone with your vehicle but never saw CarPlay in action. Today, I got a first hand look at CarPlay via the Alpine iLX-007 in-dash receiver. An aftermarket car stereo replacement, the iLX is CarPlay personified. Connecting your iPhone to the iLX brings up the familiar iOS screen on the 7-in display. Everything looks and behaves similarly to regular iPhone interactions. The apps, the home button, iTunes music, maps, Siri – it’s all there.
I had to admit seeing CarPlay in action was pretty cool. The learning curve of operating the iLX is negligible since it is the iOS that you’re already comfortable with using an iPhone. No need to figure out how to set music stations, make a phone call, or otherwise operate the unit. The Maps application for navigation was the most compelling since it eliminates the need for any other in-car navigation system.
But there are some limitations with the fledgling CarPlay. For the iLX-007, you have to physically connect your iPhone to the receiver via a USB-Lightning cable. And if you’re ever without your iPhone, the iLX is essentially non-functional. There’s no real built-in capabilities since mostly everything resides with the phone.
The one aspect of CarPlay that I found underwhelming is its overall implementation, or really, lack thereof. CarPlay seems like a literal translation of iOS from your phone to your car’s in-dash display. While there are some changes to the user interface to accommodate the attention of drivers, it still looks like and feels a lot like iOS.
I was hoping that CarPlay would do more like become the central processing unit of your vehicle, maybe even its soul. Currently, CarPlay doesn’t revolutionize or innovate the driver’s experience. It reminds me of the Motorola ROKR E1 aka the Apple iTunes phone. If you remember this iPhone precursor, the ROKR could play music by including iPod features. Useful? Yes. Innovative? No, not compared to the revolutionary iPhone.
So while I’m digging the concept of CarPlay version 1.0, I’m already waiting for version 2.0.
Yelped Bob’s Bar-B-Que, Toyota Windward, and Mexico Restaurant
Not like I’m headed towards Yelp Elite-ness or anything, but I was in the mood to review some of my recent visits. So I Yelped about:
- Bob’s Bar-B-Que. 4 stars.
- Servco Toyota Windward. 5 stars.
- Mexico Restaurant. 3 stars.
Now if a current Yelp Elite member decides to nominate me for elite status, I would not decline. 😉
HD Radio in Hawaii
So I just learned that HD radio is indeed available in Hawaii and has been in the islands since 2007. Without HD radio compatible gear, it never mattered to me. But now that I can tune into HD broadcasts, I was looking for tunes in HD. Sadly, there’s not much. Can you tell what music genre is popular?
- 92.3 KSSK. Adult Contemporary Music
- 93.9 KHJZ. Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
- 97.1 KORL. Japanese – J-Pop Music
- 98.5 KDDN. Island Rhythm 98.5. Island Music
- 100.3 KCCN. FM 100: Island Music & Reggae
- 101.5 KORL. K-Rock: Hawaii’s Real Rock
- 101.9 KUCD. Star 101.9. Hawaii’s New Music Alternative (not working for me)
- 105.1 KINE. Contemporary Hawaiian Music
- 107.5 KORL. Hawaii’s K-Pop on FM (Korean)
There’s always Pandora and iTunes Radio…
Secretly Proud
You know the old school duo, Kid and Play, are secretly proud of this ‘do.
Enlarged Meeting of Political Bureau of C.C., WPK Held under Guidance of Kim Jong Un http://t.co/sCLIBL57WG pic.twitter.com/dte6KS012G
— KCNA Watch (@KCNAWatch) February 19, 2015
Seize the Weekend
How was your long weekend? Was it eventful with Valentine’s Day, strong gusty weather, Chinese New Year celebrations, the SNL 40th anniversary, oh, and the NBA All Star weekend? I hope you managed to get out there and seize the days of the extended weekend.
Valentine’s Day started off ugly as wind and rained marred the morning. As the day progressed, the sun started to peek out as we went car shopping. The night was topped off with a nice family cookout.
On Sunday, the sun was out and so were the people. The Makapuu lighthouse trail was absolutely packed as we drove by. Instead of hiking, we went exploring the tide pool areas of Sandy Beach. The kids managed to catch some fish then went swimming. A trip to Ross yielded some cool wall clocks.
Dinner that night was at Mexico Restaurant. Highly recommended, it was crowded at an early hour – a good sign! Sadly, I was unimpressed as my Mexico Burrito arrived cold.
President’s Day was a catchall kind of day. Running errands, we ended up in town. Unfortunately, Hawaiian Pie Company was closed, but next-door Saveco was open. Saw some interesting goods like Sony AV receivers, but I didn’t pull the trigger.
Lunch was at the old time Bob’s. My loco moco was okay, but the hamburger patties were pre-made.
A visit to Marukai always brings me surprises. You never know what you’re going to find there like this Stainless Steel soap and Tony the Tiger appearing with Hello Kitty.
All in all, a simple but fun-filled weekend. 🙂
The Tiramisu Latte from Starbucks
Today, Starbucks has two additional drinks on their menu, the Tiramisu Latte and the Caramel Flan Latte. The Caramel Flan Latte actually debuted last year but is back as part of the caramel motif at Starbucks. So while I initially thought the Caramel Flan Latte didn’t really taste like its namesakes, I think the Tiramisu Latte is spot on. After my first sip, I instantly recognized tiramisu.
The price of the Tiramisu Latte is a whole lot of fat. I went with non-fat milk and light whipped cream, and it’s still a loaded drink. But I think you really need some whipped cream for the full tiramisu experience, just not the same without it. I’m thinking this drink is a great seasonal addition. I can’t imagine this as a full-time menu option since it’s kinda too sweet.
Glow in the Dark Car
Okay, I still think the upcoming version of the Nissan Leaf that glows in the dark is more gimmicky than anything else. But, I also admit that the end result is cooler than I would have guessed. Covered with StarPath, the car’s exterior supposedly stays lit for eight to ten hours and over the years retains its “glowability.”
Now if only the rims got in on the glowing action…