The View From Space

Been listening to / watching those Kaiser Permanente commercials about finding your motivation and figuring out what type of exercise best suits you. While hilarious, they also ring true to me.

After being on and off with my martial arts training throughout the years I can relate to the lady in the commercial as she tries various forms of exercise. Having earlier trained in Kenpo Karate, Choy Li Fut and Hung Gar, I now spend my lunch breaks practicing Chen Taijiquan. Like running and high impact exercises, the earlier styles I practiced were external and extremely hard on my body. And, similar to the lady in the commercial, I couldn’t keep up and soon lost interest (I too passed on pole dancing).
Finding Taijiquan was a blessing (as my aging body will wholeheartedly attest to). The movements may look slow and gentle but they belie the inner strength and martial skill behind it. As an added benefit, numerous studies have shown that performing Taijiquan (or Tai Chi for you westerners out there), provides a myriad of health benefits, from arthritic pain relief to overall physical fitness and increased balance in the aged.

And as an exercise for both my brain as well as my body, I’ll be documenting my Taijiquan journey here on my blog.  Hopefully you’ll be able to join me (even if only vicariously).

Imagine my surprise finding this at my door after a hard day at work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve been PERK’D

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must be somebody (at least in my own mind)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What an adorkable gift!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the legaleese:

I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

On a recent evening visit to the Honolulu Aquarium, one exhibit in particular caught my attention: The Jelly Fish tank.  Totally mesmerizing.  If it wasn’t for the guide pushing us on to other exhibits I could have stood there all night just watching them.

At the prodding of @geewhy, I had taken up a most noble endeavor.  One that is on par with King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail … the search for … SCHWEDDY BALLS!

But alas, having returned from the land of the mega power outage, I must admit, I … have… FAILED!

Cool weather, long work days and an ample supply of powder, conspired againt’s me in setting out to look for the elusive Schweddy Balls.  I hereby announce my failure.

I HAVE NOT FOUND NOR DO I HAVE SCHWEDDY BALLS!

 

 

Imagine my surprise when I got an email notifying me of my Klout Perk! Not only did I get an advance viewing of the premiere episodes of FOX’s ‘Terra Nova’ and ‘New Girl’, I also won a Fox VIP hoodie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Fox VIP hoodie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Klout and Fox VIP Disclaimer:  I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I was under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

Courtesy of Fox, I  will also be among the first to have access to the premiere episodes of FOX’s ‘Terra Nova’ and ‘New Girl’. #FOXVIP, #TerraNova, and #NewGirl!

While celebrating our 26th Anniversary at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (@hawaiianvillage) we were treated to dinner at Bali by the sea by our friends Ed and Kiki Kaanehe.  Ed is known affectionately and respectfully as “Chief” to everyone here at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

We had no idea what they had planned for us.  Turned out it wasn’t just dinner, it was a wonderful culinary experience.   Meal preparation was under the direction of Sous-Chef David Shue and consisted of 3 appetizers with the main course of our choosing.

Naturally we started off with drinks.  This one’s called a Hawaii 5-O and was created by one of Hilton’s in-house bartenders (notice that I started on it before I thought to take a pic of the drink).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first course was an oyster with a host of great ingredients that I didn’t catch during Chef Shue’s presentation (You were expecting some sort of food critic write-up?  I was overwhelmed by the experience and savoring the moment).  All I can tell you, and this is coming from someone who NEVER eats oysters, is that this dish was absolutely delicious.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second course was Beef Carpaccio.   Again Chef Shue provided a running commentary on the exact ingredients and preparation, and again I sat there in awe of the artistic culinary delight placed before me.  (That means don’t ask me what all the other stuff was on the plate because I don’t have a clue).  All I can say is that this dish too was wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the third course I was actually paying attention.  This one consisted of lightly seared Tombo on a sliver of pineapple with 5-spice and some sort of wasabi sauce (Okay so I wasn’t REALLY paying attention).  What can I say?  The fish was nicely done with a slightly cooked outer ring and an oh-so-tender sashimi interior.  The slightly spicy wasabi was nicely balanced with the pineapple and 5-spice.  This was my favorite of the 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now it’s on to the main course.  I chose the Pepper Seared Sashimi Grade Ahi.  While similar to the above appetizer it presented a totally different taste adventure.  This was much more spicy with the pepper seared into the outer ring of the fish.  One thing that did remain the same was the quality of the fish used.  It was outstanding, firm yet tender and vibrant with color.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And after all that, Chef Shue graced us with dessert.  A Pineapple Tart (topped with an Almond Creme and Macadamia Nut ice cream), a Chocolate-Chocolate cake (ok that was my description, I couldn’t find it on the menu), and finally what I think is the Waialua Farms Chocolate cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least was the Green Tea Creme Brulee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Big Mahalo goes out to our friends Ed and Kiki Kaanehe for such a great evening out.  Special thanks to Bali Sous-Chef David Shue for treating us to such a wonderful culinary experience.  Finally, the night wouldn’t have been such a wonderful experience without the efforts of the staff at Bali’s.  Our waiter Andreas even took the extra effort in getting my wife Laurie and her friend Kiki a front row spot on the lanai to watch the Friday night fireworks.  Mahalo and Aloha to all that made it such a special night.

Oh and just to let you know, the appetizers weren’t on the menu.  So don’t spend too much time looking for them.

 

 

Okay I don’t get out much, this was my first visit to Side Street Inn EVER! All I can say is WOW! Talk about great tasting food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pork Chops were my Favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Snow Crab legs weren’t bad either

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lup Cheong fried rice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The old standby Teriyaki Chicken

 

Now on to Dessert:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Peanut Butter Crunch ala mode

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bread Pudding ala mode of course!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but certainly not least …. Creme Brule!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gotta love the posters our Japan division puts up.  Can you guess where this one is located?

Got my first tattoo done while on vacation in Vegas. Here are some pics following the progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First the design was stenciled on my back (just like carbon paper).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Almost done!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished product.  Newly inked.

It will take several days for the skin to scab, peel then heal.  Meanwhile the process involves massive amounts of itching (and you can’t scratch or else you’ll cause the design to lighten in the areas you scratch away).

Oh and if anyone tries to sell you the “Brain releases endorphins so that the pain is either pleasurable or minimal” deal, SLAP THEM!

Some portions (like the design outline) was no problem.   Others, like the shading, hurt to high heaven.  I think I left my grip marks in the chair I was sitting on.

So if it hurt so much would I opt for another tat?  In a heartbeat.  Like others who’ve been inked, once you get the bug you cant stop.

 

Now, where was that new design I was looking at….

Celebrated our son’s college graduation by having dinner at the Crab Pot in Bellevue.  Here are some before pics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crab Legs, Shrimp, Corn and Potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

Crab Legs, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Corn and Potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salmon Fillet (This was oh so good!)

And ….. Steak???? (Didn’t have the heart to take a pic of a steak in a seafood restaurant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Aftermath! Only a few potatoes survived the onslaught.