Yes (3)

Because the best strategy is certainly flying first class to San Francisco, waiting around for an hour and a half, and then flying back next door.  I'd suspect that's a good plan, except for the fact that the return trip is 24 times shorter.

Yes (2)

Because if I'm going to Austin, I want to bike my way there.

Yes

Because if I'm looking for grocery stores in Honolulu, I'm also certain to be wondering about grocery stores in New York City.

Still no animals

via

Cynical political theory

While waiting for some test code to run today, I ran across this editorial about the right-ward shift in the Republican party.  The bit that struck me was the note at the end about a paper (which I wasn't able to actually read since it looks to be stuck behind a paywall that I don't seem to have access to) that notes that economic recessions tend to lead to an increased vote for right-wing political parties.

This would be easy to ignore, if it weren't for the fact that conservative economic policy is widely considered by most sane and honest economists as a ploy to divert wealth to the already-wealthy benefactors of the conservative movement.  The past decade has largely shown that these policies do not work to the benefit of regular people, create "jobless recoveries," and basically fuck over the fiscal well-being of the country.

Now, given these two points, it would be possible to create a very cynical reason why these discredited economic policies have stuck around: not only do you enrich your cronies, but you trash the economy enough to prompt the rightward shift in the political climate.  This is certainly a short- to moderate- term solution, as in the long run, you loot too much out of the working class to favor a wealthy elite, which could cause economic collapse.  One would expect this to be a deterrant, but I would offer the recent Goldman-Sachs/Wall Street debacle as an example of people completely ignoring a catastrophic long-term effect for short-term gain.

In any case, it struck me as an interesting point to consider.

Slow down!

You're driving like a maniac! Are you trying to kill us?

Oh, Batman

What are you doing, Wozniak?

You don't even know Gray Powell!

Now you can sing along

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

while pretending you're devouing storm troopers that have strayed too far from base.

Found a bit too late

to help Julie with her talk.

What are you doing, dog?

You're not even a....

...

Ok.

You get a pass because that's just super cute.

Fuck you, bear!

I spent hours on that, and you lumber over and smash it five minutes later!

Fuck you, bear!

You're not even real!

Fuck you, bear!

Just because you don't like the art, doesn't mean you can just destroy it!

What are you doing, corgi?

You're not a businessman! You don't even have a business plan!

Could it be?

I've been spending this weekend reorganizing and cleaning my apartment up.  This was started by the purchase of a cheap flatpack bookshelf ($30, able to accommodate something like 150 books), which allowed me to move almost all of the books that were piled up off the floor.  I then spent this afternoon rewiring my surround sound system, so that it would actually work correctly (turns out the problem was bad speaker wires). Now I'll be able to watch DVDs and play video games again, something I haven't done since moving in. Yes, I'm lazy.

I felt that the way to celebrate this weekend of accomplishment would be to go out and get one of those death sandwiches they're selling at KFC. I googled up the location of the easiest to reach KFC, and set off on the journey. However, less than a block away from my destination, I saw something that I had believed to be non-existent in Hawaii.

A stand alone Little Caesars.

All of the other ones that I've seen before have been in K-marts.  There are no nearby or convenient K-marts to my house.  I had therefore resigned myself to never getting a Hot'N'Ready again.

I immediately changed plans, and stopped off at this newly created Caesars.  I bought my HNR, plus the crazy bread, only being a little dissappointed that Hawaiian HNRs are mediums instead of larges, and cost $5.50 in any case.  It tastes exactly the same, though, which is really the important part.

I hope that this is a sign that some of the other places I miss from Michigan may show up here in the pacific soon. I can't imagine how someplace like Boston Market wouldn't make a killing here.

Fuck you, trombone player

Fuck your shitty ass instrument, too.

Ouch

PASSENGER ANNOUNCEMENT

PAIN PROGRESS

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

I wish vacations were longer

Cute puppies can still be terrible monsters of teeth and claw, though, so be careful not to get fooled.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Fuck you, tree!

I fucking hate you!

What are you doing, panda?

You're not a cowboy! You don't even have a hat!

I miss Bennigan's

I mean, it's a deep fucking fried sandwich that is served with jelly to dip it in. How is that not the best thing you've ever put in your mouth?

Topical Humor.

Via Warren Ellis

I spent the weekend watching Harry Potter movies

This is like the only person who doesn't fuck shit up, and that's probably only 40% due to the fact that he's Gary Fucking Oldman. Gary Fucking Oldman makes any movie better.

(It's totally 60% "everyone else in these stories/book/movies sucks at making a real plan, and kind of just hopes things fall into place without direct action."  Sirius-ly. Dumbledore couldn't plan his way out of a paper bag.)

What are you doing, squirrel?

You can't sleep there! That's not even a bed!

What are you doing, kitties?

You're not even in college!

Tsunami-Thon 2010!

A tweet dump:

Who's ready for Tsunami-thon 2010? 11:19AM HST! WOO!

about 18 hours ago via API

Tsunami sirens! Tsunami-thon 2010!

about 13 hours ago via API

Ohs noes! The tsunami could get the soccer fields! THAT BASTARD! #tsunami-thon2010

about 12 hours ago via API

Everyone's going out to get gas? The island isn't really that big. It's a bit silly,.

about 12 hours ago via API

This has been the 9AM Tsunami Thon 2010 sirens. :-/

about 10 hours ago via API

If you drove to tantalus to escape this tsunami, you're stupid. #tantalusIsAMountainIfYouDon'tKnowHawaii #tsunamiThon2010

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

That's Piikoi St., and it's usually full this time of day. http://tweetphoto.com/12727113

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

There are way more boats out than usual, too: (sorry BBcam sucks) http://tweetphoto.com/12727301

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

I can count 68 ships/boats off shore from my lanai. I usually see maybe three.

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

Tantalus is 600' above sea level. #tsunamiThon2010 #aBitOfAnOverreaction http://tweetphoto.com/12730044

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

KITV seems to have turned #tsunamithon2010 into an advertisement for hawaii tourism #it's80degreesAndSunnyHereToday

about 8 hours ago via UberTwitter

http://www.honolulu.gov/cameras/fastcheck.htm You can see how empty the streets are here due to #tsunamiThon2010.

about 8 hours ago via web

The H1 illegal motorcycle racers are enjoying the lack of traffic today.

about 7 hours ago via API

"Even if it's safe, it's...that's...that's not even good surf!" Hawaii newscasters. Always on topic. As long as that topic is having fun. :)

about 7 hours ago via web

Quick nap, still haven't be destroyed by the ocean. All the people on Tantalus are now clogging the streets around my apartment.

about 6 hours ago via API

All over I guess. At least it made my saturday a bit more exciting than usual.

about 5 hours ago via API

What are you doing, bunny?

You're not Elton John! You don't even play piano!

I am sad for RoboSquirrel

His world is now only vengeance and pain. :(

That is not heart shaped.

This was the other thing I picked up at whole foods. It was claimed to be a heart shaped crab cake. Even with the bite taken out (I forgot to take a picture before starting), you can see that it is not heart shaped.  I paired it with a baked potato (half eaten in the kitchen because my oil was too hot, so I tucked the crab cake into the oven for a few minutes to be sure it was fully cooked), and some roasted asparagus (salt/pepper/bit of oil/splash of lemon juice, shaved parmesan once it was done).

The whole foods crab cake wasn't as good as the ones I make. It had some odd flavor choices (big fat scallion greens and celery stood out), and the crab was mostly shredded and not the good lump stuff. Still, it was quite tasty, and something I may have to look at in the future.

Meh, Valentine's day

It'd be nice if my BBcam would eventually take an in focus picture.

Anyway, since Valentine's Day was invented so people in relationships can make people not in relationships feel bad (among other theories), I decided to give a nice present to my tummy. It doesn't hurt that Whole Foods had lots of tasty things on sale (so watch for part two tomorrow).

Beef ribeye on a bed of panfried Pommes Pont-Neuf with mushrooms in brandy sauce, served with Asparagus and goat brie. I also had a very dry apple cider, which wasn't bad, but I tend to prefer ciders that are a bit sweeter.  The steak was wonderful, as were the fries.  I probably could have added more brandy to the sauce, and let it reduce more, but the shrooms were very good.  I'll have to cook the asparagus more tomorrow, as they came out a bit underdone.  The goat brie...well, that wasn't what I was expecting. It didn't pair well with the steak, as the flavors fought.  I don't know what I'll do with the rest of it, as I can't come up with much of anything it'd match.  Maybe some sort of a pasta dish with some other cheese to mellow it out.

I did totally intend to pay for it

Since someone's making me sound like some sort of stationery burgler, I wanted to tell my side of the story.  Way back in 2008, I had gone to the Barnes and Noble on Grand River for various birthday related book purchases, with the intention to stop off at Noodles afterwards for dinner.  I found a nice looking card, and then on the way downstairs to look at books, noticed a display of Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys, which was on the list.  While going down the escalator, I tucked the card into the book, as it's easier to carry one thing than two.  After picking up my remaining books, I went to the checkout, having completely forgotten about the card.  I did not remember the card until I was sitting down at Noodles, eating dinner. 

It wasn't really theft, it was just a case of me not paying attention while checking out. Part of this stemmed from the fact that I believe I was also purchasing an issue of 2600.  B&N have a nasty habit of forgetting to enter 2600 into the computer system, so when you check out, they enter it as "miscellaneous periodical." The problem with this is that when they do inventory, that purchase translates to a copy of 2600 that was stolen.  Due to the archaic way periodicals work, at the end of the quarter B&N reimburses 2600 for the sold copies. The inventory issue means that these "stolen" issues don't get paid for, despite being a valid purchase.

TL;DR: I was paying attention to something else at the time, and didn't count my purchases.

Closeface

There’s a blurry girl at the end of my nose.
Her name is Closeface.
And when she backs away I don’t know where she goes.
That crazy Closeface.

She’s really different, but she’s kind of like you,
But her eyes are bigger and there’s not always two,
When I lay in bed she appears out of nowhere,
If ever was not Closeface, I would be so scared.

But if she got a little smaller,
And a little more in focus,
She’d have to legally change her name,
And there would be no kiss.

We kind of need Closeface,
Closeface, we kind of need Closeface.

There’s a dirty girl and she whispers to me,
"Closeface, we kind of need Closeface,"
I don’t know how much she weighs but she's as big as I can see,
Closeface, we kind of need Closeface.

I think she thinks that I’m her perfect match,
‘Cause I’m just her type when we are attached.
And when she goes away, you are always right there.

When she and I get together, I tell her all my secrets,
And yes I do talk about you and I have no regrets.

There’s a blurry girl at the end of my nose,
Her name is Closeface.

(Mp3s here. These are the lyrics to the acoustic version. You can sort it out from there.)

No. Leave them to me. I will deal with them myself.

Dr. Chase-y McMurderington

We really need Dr. Chase-y McMurderington to take this patient to Murdertown.

Yoink!

What are you doing, panda?

You're a panda, not a bird. You don't even have wings!

OH HAI!

Hey cool, emergency rescue boat!

On what is the cloudiest day I've seen in Hawaii yet.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Food Network Humor

.com

Making a commercial?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

There is nobody here today

And they're testing all the alarms. :(

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kung pao!

I made way too much, so I'll be eating for dinner tomorrow as well, I'm guessing.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Apparently we're trying to eat healthy now

At least that's what Julie is telling me. While I was at work today, she mentioned that she was going to make something with "chicken and whole wheat pasta," because that's healthy for you. Everyone knows what that means: 今日のテーマは chicken and whole wheat pasta!

• One chicken breast, labeled as a "chicken steak" because my grocery store doesn't understand the names of food.
• Some whole wheat spaghetti. Basically tastes the same as regular, I think.
• Garlic and shallots, because duh.
• Four nice looking mushrooms.
• Some sun-dried tomatoes in oil. Like seven. Maybe eight. Go with seven, see if that looks right to you.
• A glass or so of some cheap riesling I bought today. It's not great, but it's a decent enough wine to cook with.

Put the pasta on to boil. While that's happening, butterfly the chicken breast, salt and pepper, and then pan fry in olive oil. When done, remove to cutting board, add minced garlic and shallots, and cook until translucent. Add thinly sliced mushrooms, and cook until the water is gone. Add chopped tomatoes, add a bit of the oil, toss the drained pasta, and spin it around a bit. Add wine, reduce slightly, slice chicken, and add it back to the pan to warm.  Plate, top with shredded parmesan, especially over the chicken to add a nice flavor to what would otherwise be a slightly wimpy meat in a rather flavorful sauce.

I do have to admit that I totally stole the concept for this dish from the pasta Julie made for dinner on Sunday. The difference with this one is that it does not have any of the cheesy-creamy stuff in it, so it's much lighter, and therefore, more healthy.  As for the "eating healthy" thing, we'll see how that works out.

Hawaii

Four of the islands of Hawaii. On the horizon is the Big Island, Maui covers most of the middle of the image, Molokai peaks in from the right hand side, and Lanai is visible just above that.

First class

Luckily for my SFO->HNL flight, the upgrade did work, which meant I got to sit in a nice comfy big chair, and that I got to have breakfast.  As shown above, there was coffee and OJ, a pair of sausages with a team of tiny roasted gold potatoes, a slightly odd spinach/artichoke omelet, croissant, and fruit bowl.  Not the best breakfast I've ever had by far, but certainly good for an airplane.

Perpetual dawn

Flying from Austin to San Francisco on the 6:00AM CST flight offers the weird phenomenon in which you are continually experiencing dawn for a large fraction of the flight.  This is kind of a cool thing to notice when you're trapped in a middle seat behind some dumb girl who immediately pushes her seat back and then leans forward to play some stupid beeping iphone game, and next to a hyper-pretentious douchebag who gets upset when the flight attendant brings him exactly the coffee he asked for, and not the coffee he wanted. Unfortunately, the flight was full, so my upgrade to first class didn't go through.

Buddha loves dim sum

It's the enlightened Sunday lunch.

Stevie Ray Vaughn