Thursday, December 16, 2010
Pieces of My Mind
Well, I enjoy doing this blog so much that I thought I would make a second blog--one for the creative things going on in my head all the time. And I also enjoyed doing the NaNoWriMo challenge so much that I thought I would make this blog a challenge to me as well. Basically I plan to write something create every day for the year of 2011 (a year I have taken to calling "The Year of Awesome"). It doesn't have to be poetry necessarily or a short story or anything like that, although it can be either of these things. It just has to be a create bit of something. A piece of my mind, if you will. And yes! I realize this is nothing new. It has been done and redone by just about everyone under the sun, but it has not yet been done by me. So, starting January 1st, look for my new blog entitled: 365 Pieces of My Mind
Monday, December 13, 2010
Wish you guys could get this on the mainland!!!
Reading this blog, you've probably already realized that I am obsessed with food... I can't help it! Good food is one of those things that makes life worth living! And one of the tastiest treats I have had in a long time is the Haupia pie at McDonalds here in Hawaii.
I realize the picture is not very appetizing but please do not be fooled. If you like coconut, this thing is a piece of heavenly delight. Only problem is, it's also a heart attack wrapped in a deep fried shell. I can't even imagine the amount of calories and saturated fat. Thankfully, this is a limited time item. I just wish you all could try it on the mainland. I remember eating haupia (coconut pudding) as a kid at a neighbor's luau. It was so good, I use to dream about it. I did not eat it again until our first visit to Hawaii. It's just one of those things that you cannot help but love. But to put it in a pie and deep fry it, man, that's just plain evil!
I realize the picture is not very appetizing but please do not be fooled. If you like coconut, this thing is a piece of heavenly delight. Only problem is, it's also a heart attack wrapped in a deep fried shell. I can't even imagine the amount of calories and saturated fat. Thankfully, this is a limited time item. I just wish you all could try it on the mainland. I remember eating haupia (coconut pudding) as a kid at a neighbor's luau. It was so good, I use to dream about it. I did not eat it again until our first visit to Hawaii. It's just one of those things that you cannot help but love. But to put it in a pie and deep fry it, man, that's just plain evil!
The Marvelous Kindle!
Kindle and I have been together for almost three weeks now, and I have to be honest that reading-wise this has been one of the best three weeks of my life! Why you ask? Well, first of all I have already downloaded four books--for a grand total of approximately 5 dollars! And these are books that in physical print would easily cost between 9.99-15.99 for paperback copies. Because it 'tis the season, I started with "A Christmas Carol" which I have only read in parts. It was free! Next, I stumbled onto a Christmas story I had never heard of before--"The Bird's Christmas Carol" and it cost me a grand total of 2.76. After I read that book, and because I had enjoyed reading "A Christmas Carol" so much, I was seriously considering reading more Charles Dickens. Then something odd and coincidental happened. Oprah put a couple of Dickens books on her reading list for her reading club, or group, or whatever she calls it.
Let me just say that I am not particularly an Oprah fan. I can take her or leave her, and the most enjoyment I get out of her is the occasional SNL sketch lampooning her crazy give away shows by making the audience members go so nuts they end up exploding.
*Here's a link to one of those hilarious SNL sketches:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JpXZ6xOvuE
But I do admire her for having the largest reading group/club/thingie pretty much ever--because it translates to more people becoming interested in reading. I also have to say that the majority of her picks hold absolutely no interest for me, some even seem down right bad. I have however read about a quarter of her selections, because she occasional does pick something very interesting. So, all things considered, it seemed like fate that I was to pick up and read some more Dickens. Oprah has "Great Expectations" and "A Tale of Two Cities" on her list, so I figured I would start there. I browsed around on my Kindle and found the Oprah copy for 17.99--both books in a set. I browsed a little more and found a copy of "Great Expectations" for free!, and a copy of "A Tale of Two Cities" for the whopping price of 2.25--thus bringing my current book buying total to 5.01! Awesome if you ask me, considering that this is at least 50 dollars worth of books. Best of all, Dickens is weighty and will slow me down from purchase more books for the time being.
As for features, the ink screen technology is great, my eyes don't get tired like they do staring at the computer screen. And getting the extra 3G was the right choice for me. No worrying about finding a Wi Fi source. I just turn the thing on and go. I suppose living in Honolulu would make finding Wi Fi pretty much a moot problem, but what if I get to move somewhere more remote one day? Well, I don't really have to worry because I have the 3G.
It's also slim and easy to handle. The case I bought has an elastic band to hold it closed or open, as well as a slot on the inside cover to put you hand inside for easy handling. It has a style look and a fairly simple interface. I learned how to use the thing in like less than 5 mins.
Anyway, Kindle is like one of my new best friends and definitely here to stay! I totally recommend it.
Week 17: Big Changes Afoot!
Yes, big changes afoot! We got our own place, a two bedroom one bath and it's not in a high rise condo--yay! Of course, Christmas is coming so we are doing all kinds of Christmas activities all the time with LK. Right now, we are basically down as far as the internet goes. I can log on at work here and there, but no access at home until Dec 23... So, no pictures and brief blogs for a bit. As soon as I get a chance, I will upload pictures of our new digs. And try to figure out some interesting stuff to write about.
Monday, December 6, 2010
40 Reasons Why Turning 40 Wasn't So Bad (things that have changed and things I have learned--mostly for the better)
Okay, technically my 41st birthday is still about a month a way, but I was thinking about the past year and all the crazy things that have happened and I could not help putting pen to paper as usual and coming up with this list. Some of it is slightly bitter, most of it is very positive and upbeat (two things I am trying to be more of these days). All of it is relevant to my recent experience and therefore relevant to this blog. And so, here are the 40 (in no particular order) biggest things about my 40th year:
1) My 40th B-day party was my best birthday yet! Thanks again everyone!
2) I am a damn good BBQ chef, and you are invited to test me on that any time!
3) I may have been unemployed most of my 40th year, but at least I had some free time to do some of the stuff I normally do not get to do!
4) One of these was getting to write a ton!
5) Another of these was spending more time with my son!
6) I read more books this year than in the past five years combined!
7) I learned the hard way that money is just another object and it really and truly does not bring you happiness and not necessarily security either.
8) I lost a nice car, but gained a brand new Honda Fit! (Hondas rule!)
9) I learned more about social services as a recipient for six months than I did working in social services for six years.
10) I learned that there is no such thing as a life-long friend, but that family is forever!
11) Old friends moved aside to allow new friends into my life; forgotten friends came forward to become good friends; and some friends showed that we are all only human and often only as good as our worse faults.
12) On the other hand, I learned that we all have our faults and that only by accepting our own faults are we able to accept the faults of others.
13) I am lucky enough to be one of those people who find joy in every type of cuisine I try, and there is a lot of joy in the cuisines of the world to find!
14) I continue to love and value artistic expression!
15) I have learned that I generally do not like smokers very much... (Loong story, but blame the guy who lived down stairs from me for the last 4 months.)
16) The internet opened up an entirely different world to me--the resources here really are potentially infinite!
17) Most people who complain about stuff that doesn't really matter do not know how bad life can get--I have seen it, and they have no idea.
18) I still really love to read books!
19) I still really love to write!
20) I can draw even better than I thought I could, I just wish I had more time for it.
21) Sports are not really as bad as I once thought they were.
22) I love the ocean--in Hawaii anyway!
23) That's right, I got to move to Hawaii! (maybe that should be number one?)
24) So I learned that there really is often a profound difference in geographical areas, and that I do not miss the rat race of California when compared to the aloha of Hawaii--not one little bit.
25) Stuff is, well, just that...stuff.
26) I am much happier without so much "stuff".
27) Ice cream is my absolute favorite dessert--the flavor combos are endless!
28) The Amazon Kindle is the bomb! (can you say FREE BOOKS??!!)
29) I like talking to people about just about anything--as long as they are not overly negative about everything.
30) Yes, hard to believe, but I am finally comfortable in my own skin and really don't care about what other people think about me anymore.
31) I am a person who cares deeply about others--especially those who are suffering.
32) That type of caring person is VERY rare.
33) Life is too short, and I no longer have time for people who are selfish.
34) It's okay to take your time doing things, in fact often times the more time you take the better work you do.
35) There will always be more to see than can ever be seen and more to do than can ever be done, so slow down and enjoy where you are and what you are doing.
36) Time spent with children is more precious than anything--because people do not remain children for long.
37) It's okay to play video games--it's really okay.
38) How you define yourself is in a constant state of flux and that's what makes you interesting!
39) Trying new things is what makes life worth living!
40) Having a child or children is the single greatest adventure on Earth!
There, I said it. It will be interesting to see at 50 to what else I have learned! Keeping an open mind and willingness to always learn, that is the most important value of all. That, and the fact that living a good life will bring good things to you. I think they call that karma.
1) My 40th B-day party was my best birthday yet! Thanks again everyone!
2) I am a damn good BBQ chef, and you are invited to test me on that any time!
3) I may have been unemployed most of my 40th year, but at least I had some free time to do some of the stuff I normally do not get to do!
4) One of these was getting to write a ton!
5) Another of these was spending more time with my son!
6) I read more books this year than in the past five years combined!
7) I learned the hard way that money is just another object and it really and truly does not bring you happiness and not necessarily security either.
8) I lost a nice car, but gained a brand new Honda Fit! (Hondas rule!)
9) I learned more about social services as a recipient for six months than I did working in social services for six years.
10) I learned that there is no such thing as a life-long friend, but that family is forever!
11) Old friends moved aside to allow new friends into my life; forgotten friends came forward to become good friends; and some friends showed that we are all only human and often only as good as our worse faults.
12) On the other hand, I learned that we all have our faults and that only by accepting our own faults are we able to accept the faults of others.
13) I am lucky enough to be one of those people who find joy in every type of cuisine I try, and there is a lot of joy in the cuisines of the world to find!
14) I continue to love and value artistic expression!
15) I have learned that I generally do not like smokers very much... (Loong story, but blame the guy who lived down stairs from me for the last 4 months.)
16) The internet opened up an entirely different world to me--the resources here really are potentially infinite!
17) Most people who complain about stuff that doesn't really matter do not know how bad life can get--I have seen it, and they have no idea.
18) I still really love to read books!
19) I still really love to write!
20) I can draw even better than I thought I could, I just wish I had more time for it.
21) Sports are not really as bad as I once thought they were.
22) I love the ocean--in Hawaii anyway!
23) That's right, I got to move to Hawaii! (maybe that should be number one?)
24) So I learned that there really is often a profound difference in geographical areas, and that I do not miss the rat race of California when compared to the aloha of Hawaii--not one little bit.
25) Stuff is, well, just that...stuff.
26) I am much happier without so much "stuff".
27) Ice cream is my absolute favorite dessert--the flavor combos are endless!
28) The Amazon Kindle is the bomb! (can you say FREE BOOKS??!!)
29) I like talking to people about just about anything--as long as they are not overly negative about everything.
30) Yes, hard to believe, but I am finally comfortable in my own skin and really don't care about what other people think about me anymore.
31) I am a person who cares deeply about others--especially those who are suffering.
32) That type of caring person is VERY rare.
33) Life is too short, and I no longer have time for people who are selfish.
34) It's okay to take your time doing things, in fact often times the more time you take the better work you do.
35) There will always be more to see than can ever be seen and more to do than can ever be done, so slow down and enjoy where you are and what you are doing.
36) Time spent with children is more precious than anything--because people do not remain children for long.
37) It's okay to play video games--it's really okay.
38) How you define yourself is in a constant state of flux and that's what makes you interesting!
39) Trying new things is what makes life worth living!
40) Having a child or children is the single greatest adventure on Earth!
There, I said it. It will be interesting to see at 50 to what else I have learned! Keeping an open mind and willingness to always learn, that is the most important value of all. That, and the fact that living a good life will bring good things to you. I think they call that karma.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Here Comes Bento Man!!!
Every office you work in develops its own traditions, and one of the weekly ones in our office is the Bento Man visits. For those of you who don't know, Bento boxes are basically the Japanese version of a sack lunch--embraced and reimagined by the culture of Hawaii and beyond. They traditionally come with a couple scoops of rice, some type of meat in a sauce, sometimes a fried item and some veggies. They can look something like this:
Obviously, this is a somewhat "Americanized" version. Bento Man tends to have a few with a more traditional flare. And then there are the "Hawaiian" style ones with things like good ol' Spam. If you don't know, Hawaii has a thing for Spam. More Spam is consumed here per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. I think only Guam consumes more. (Note: Although I consumed it willingly when I was a kid, I cannot abide by Spam and will never eat the stuff again for as long as I live--I promise!)
Bentos, it seems, are a unique form of artistic expression as well. Google the word and you will find a) tons of nifty designs for the boxes themselves, and b) (even more exciting and interesting) a whole mess of pictures of people's fancy versions of Bento. Here are some of the one's that I particularly enjoyed seeing:
Fun stuff! And obviously a great way to get kids to eat healthier.
Obviously, this is a somewhat "Americanized" version. Bento Man tends to have a few with a more traditional flare. And then there are the "Hawaiian" style ones with things like good ol' Spam. If you don't know, Hawaii has a thing for Spam. More Spam is consumed here per capita than anywhere else in the U.S. I think only Guam consumes more. (Note: Although I consumed it willingly when I was a kid, I cannot abide by Spam and will never eat the stuff again for as long as I live--I promise!)
Bentos, it seems, are a unique form of artistic expression as well. Google the word and you will find a) tons of nifty designs for the boxes themselves, and b) (even more exciting and interesting) a whole mess of pictures of people's fancy versions of Bento. Here are some of the one's that I particularly enjoyed seeing:
Fun stuff! And obviously a great way to get kids to eat healthier.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Pizza in Paradise
One of my favorite things in the world is pizza. My tastes are eclectic, I am not a New York vs. Chicago style snob, or vice versa. Despite being born and raised in So Cal, I am not a California gourmet pizza connoisseur. The truth is, I will eat just about any pizza, any style from any where--as long is it tastes gooood. So, you might ask me where I have found such a pizza in Hawaii. Well, first let me say that one of my favorite pizzas is just down the street from where I live (thank goodness at least one decent mass made fast food style joint followed me here). Round Table is consistently good, especially their thin crust which is about as perfect as a corporate pizza can get. It's cheap and yummy, and easy to get to. I'm so glad it's here because I simply cannot abide by the other corporate pizzas dumps--Domino's and Pizza Hut yuck!
But what about REAL pizza, you say. Indeed, what about real pizza. Well, I am here to tell you that real pizza exists in Hawaii, and it is good. I should first add a caveat that I have yet to find a real Chicago style deep dish pizza, but the two I am about to mention (while not the very best pizza I have eaten) are very worth checking out should you ever hit the shores of Oahu.
First, Z Pizza:
Turns out they have a location in California as well, and for good reason. This is California gourmet style at it's best. Heck they even have a pizza called the Californian, not to mention another one called the Berkeley Vegan (yes, they have Vegan options, as well as gluten-free for you none wheat eaters). The ingredients are extremely fresh, many of them organic, and there are endless fascinating combinations to spark your interest. Plus, they have this super garlicy sauce that is out-of-this-world delicious! Their crust is light and crispy, exactly as I like it. It's a fire roasted pizza, giving it that perfectly cooked quality. I recommend the Napoli, because I love all things tomato, as well as the artichoke and capers pizza--mmmMmmm!
And, the V Lounge:
Considered by many locals to be the penultimate pizza in Hawaii, V Lounge does it's best to be authentic New York style and it does a pretty damn good job. Stalwart New York pizza fans will tell you that it's not New York pizza without New York water, and some L.A. pizzerias brag about how they ship water all the way from New York to make their dough, but it turns out Hawaii water makes for a decent substitute. It also helps that V Lounge goes the extra extra mile to add fresh local produce with authentic New York style meats, cheesee and sauces. The Margherita pizza holds its own against any other such pizza I have tried. And the Sopressatta offers thick slices of pepperoni that were entirely unique to my experience of pepperoni--very much worth trying. If you want to try something different, they offer a number of local inspired toppings such as mac nuts and Maui onions. When it comes down to it, it's a simple pizza with a great crust, tasty sauce and premium quality toppings. What more can you ask for in a good pizza?
Note: I also recent had a very good slice of pizza at the KCC weekly farmer's market, but I forgot to get the name of the pizzeria that made it. It was a pesto pizza with yellow tomatos. It was slightly bitter, but had a nice combination of flavors.
But what about REAL pizza, you say. Indeed, what about real pizza. Well, I am here to tell you that real pizza exists in Hawaii, and it is good. I should first add a caveat that I have yet to find a real Chicago style deep dish pizza, but the two I am about to mention (while not the very best pizza I have eaten) are very worth checking out should you ever hit the shores of Oahu.
First, Z Pizza:
Turns out they have a location in California as well, and for good reason. This is California gourmet style at it's best. Heck they even have a pizza called the Californian, not to mention another one called the Berkeley Vegan (yes, they have Vegan options, as well as gluten-free for you none wheat eaters). The ingredients are extremely fresh, many of them organic, and there are endless fascinating combinations to spark your interest. Plus, they have this super garlicy sauce that is out-of-this-world delicious! Their crust is light and crispy, exactly as I like it. It's a fire roasted pizza, giving it that perfectly cooked quality. I recommend the Napoli, because I love all things tomato, as well as the artichoke and capers pizza--mmmMmmm!
And, the V Lounge:
Considered by many locals to be the penultimate pizza in Hawaii, V Lounge does it's best to be authentic New York style and it does a pretty damn good job. Stalwart New York pizza fans will tell you that it's not New York pizza without New York water, and some L.A. pizzerias brag about how they ship water all the way from New York to make their dough, but it turns out Hawaii water makes for a decent substitute. It also helps that V Lounge goes the extra extra mile to add fresh local produce with authentic New York style meats, cheesee and sauces. The Margherita pizza holds its own against any other such pizza I have tried. And the Sopressatta offers thick slices of pepperoni that were entirely unique to my experience of pepperoni--very much worth trying. If you want to try something different, they offer a number of local inspired toppings such as mac nuts and Maui onions. When it comes down to it, it's a simple pizza with a great crust, tasty sauce and premium quality toppings. What more can you ask for in a good pizza?
Note: I also recent had a very good slice of pizza at the KCC weekly farmer's market, but I forgot to get the name of the pizzeria that made it. It was a pesto pizza with yellow tomatos. It was slightly bitter, but had a nice combination of flavors.
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