World Wide Ed

This one’s a kinda combo platter kine post: Combination Survey Thursday & Fun Day Monday. Hopefully, you’ll participate as if it were both days, meaning double the comments. *sigh* A fella can dream right?

So a few weeks ago, a co-worker told me that the sign of true love is if a man buys his woman (for lack of a better word) “pads”. OK, sorry, “feminine products”… I’ve actually heard this several times before and was wondering why in the heck women always want their men to buy them ”pads” to prove their love?

Me? I’d rather not. I’m embarrassed enough to have to buy a risque magazine on my own… (That is, of course, if I were to even be that kind of sleazy pervert to begin with!) Actually, I do have to confess. I did have to sleaze it up once when we bought a friend (who was getting married) a dirty magazine. Of course, we even threw in the obligatory pack of gum, as if it were going to throw the cashier off or somethin’.

My co-worker then posed an interesting twist to this. Since her hubby does this for their daughter, she asked if I’d buy these wondrous products for my future daughter. Eeeeenteresting. That’s a tricky one, but I actually think I would. For some reason, that’s a different story. Strange eh?

So where you at? I’m curious to know where all of y’all stand on this topic. Here are the many combinations, depending on your sex and marital status:

* If you are a guy:
- Would you buy the FPs for your girlfriend (if you were single)?
- Would you buy the FPs for your wife (if you were married)?
- Would you buy the FPs for your future daughter?
- Have you ever bought the FPs for any girlfriend?
- Have you ever bought the FPs for your wife?
- Have you ever bought the FPs for your daughter?

* If you are a gal:
- Would you make your boyfriend buy you your FPs (if you were single)?
- Would you make your hubby buy you your FPs (if you were married)?
- Did you ever make any boyfriend buy you your FPs?
- Did you ever make your hubby buy you your FPs?
- Do you think this is a sign of true love? Why?

*Here’s mine:
- Would you buy the FPs for your girlfriend (if you were single)? Nope.
- Would you buy the FPs for your wife (if you were married)? Rather not.
- Would you buy the FPs for your future daughter? Perhaps.
- Have you ever bought the FPs for any girlfriend? Nope (thank the heavens!).
- Have you ever bought the FPs for your wife? Nope.
- Have you ever bought the FPs for your daughter? N/A

Whew! What a way to start the work week yeah? Someone’s gotta spice things up around here… Have a great week y’all!

Talk to me!
* Thoughts on Tiger Woods’ crash? Something’s fishy yeah?
* Any “New Moon” reviews out there (good or bad)?
* Other movies you wanna see? I kinda wanna see Ninja Assassin (though not a big fan of Rain playing the lead role) and This Is It.
* Thoughts on Adam Lambert’s AMA performance?
* Christmas plans? All set?

Holla!

So during my trip to Alaska last month, I strangely broke out in hives after taking a jog after dinner. In trying to figure out if it was the shellfish I ate just prior, I set up an appointment with the allergy specialist at my doc’s office. For anyone who’s ever done this kinda test, it’s very strange. They poke your arms up and down with known allergens. The ones that get puffy are the ones you’re allergic to. Pretty old school, caveman-kine testing, but hey, it works.

Turns out I’m rather allergic to mold, grass and dust mites (but I’m thinking “who ain’t”!?), and fairly allergic to cockroaches. Yeah cockroaches! What the? How the heck did they test that!? Did they prick me with some of their juicy goodness? Yikes!

This interesting life experience led me to today’s survey question:

Is yous allergic to anything and if so, what?

Wifey is lactose intolerant (does that count?), and I know of some peeps who are highly allergic to shellfish. I know when I dive around during softball games, my legs and arms get all itchy kine, so grass for me, is one fo sho. And, after that crazy test, I guess I can’t mess around too much with any more B52s! Awww, that makes me sad. I’m gonna miss those cute lil’ buggahs! Hehe!

K, your turn! What you be allergic to yo? ;)

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

In speaking with many peeps, I notice that we all tend to bank at varying locations. With interest rates at an all-time low, I’m curious to know where erryone banks and why (e.g. rates, loyalty, convenience, etc.). So… without further ado…

Where do you bank and why?

Over the years, I’ve somehow accumulated accounts at most local banks in one form or another (checking, savings, credit card, etc.). Now that I’m hitched, it’s probably a good idea to try and consolidate it to those I really need.

BOH is probably one of the most convenient banks. Their ATM locations are in the most usable places: Costco, Longs, Safeway, and their brick and mortar locations are pretty accessible as well. ASB is the other one: Foodland, Sack N Save, etc. Anyone go strictly online like ING Direct, Emigrant Direct, eTrade, etc.? Those buggahs used to have the bestest interest rates but not so much anymore these days.

K, your turn yo! What say you? Perhaps if we make enough noise up in hurr, the local banks will give us some special kine WWE hook-ups?

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

K homeys, we’re back on the reminiscing tip this week. Y’all ready for this?

Last week we got CHOKE feedback about some of our favorite, now-out-of-business, businesses. This week, we’ll pay homage to those who sharpened our minds and molded our futures. Das right’chall, it’s time to give mad props to our favorite teacher(s) of yesteryear! I know ya got um! Here’s your chance to send some love to them! So, without further ado…

Growing up, who was your favorite teacher and why? 

I have two. Mrs. Carol Teruya at Wilson Elementary and Ms. Lori Sugimura at Kaiser High.

My memory’s a bit foggy for the elementary school daze, but I do remember that Mrs. Teruya was super nice and sweet and took a liking to me for some reason. I think she had a hand in sending me to A.T. (Academically Talented) classes as well. Big ups to Mrs. Teruya.

Ms. Sugimura was my Japanese language teacher as well as my sensei when I was her T.A. She was a super laid-back and an in-tune-with-the-students kinda teacher. She was on the younger side so she could relate to us a lot better, which made for a fun class. I think she took a liking to me as well. Probably didn’t hurt that I spoke Japanee. Shout out to Ms. Sugimura.

K, your turn yo! Who be your fave teech and why?

• 5-7-9
• 3-Coins Restaurant -Wahiawa where Zippy’s is now.
• 9th ave bakery
• A&W restaurants?
• Aaron’s
• Ala Wai Canal rental boats
• Alex’s Drive Inn, Kapahulu
• All the bowling alleys that got shut down…
• All the Drive Ins
• All the sugar cane fields that originally existed from Waikele to Kunia, into Kapolei and Ewa
• Aloha Airlines/Mahalo/Discovery/Mid Pacific
• Andrew’s
• Andy’s (Same guy)
• Any trustworthy manapua truck
• Arakawa’s
• Atlantis
• Beacon Restaurant
• Bear In Mind (small, small shop – i think it was where the viking/sub zero showroom is now)
• Bea’s Drive inn (where Donald Duck was)
• BeeHive drive in – Wahiawa
• Ben Franklin (Kaimuki)
• Ben Ono’s Texaco (pearl city – that was my hs job)
• Big Way
• Black Angus
• Black Orchid
• Blimpie’s
• Blue Zebra
• Bobby McGee’s
• Boy London
• Brew Moon
• Bubble Gum
• Bullwinkle’s
• Cane Fields…and not fo suck face and make mufflah burns
• Canlis
• Capt’s Galley
• Carnival Carnival
• Castagnola
• Castle Park
• Catch of the Day Sushi
• C’est Ci Bon
• Chaco’s
• Charlie’s Bar and Grill – Kea’au
• Che Michele
• Cheapo (the generic Jelly’s)
• Chi Chi’s
• Chicken Alice
• Chico’s Pizza
• Chuck Wagon
• Chuck’s Manoa/Shipley’s Ale House
• Chun Hoon supermarket
• Chunky’s drive inn
• Church’s fried chicken
• Cilly’s and The Sting.
• Cinerama Theater
• Civic Auditorium – Wrassling! Handsome Johnny Barand (sic?), Ripper Collins,
• Clic Photo Kiosks
• Cobra Skateboards, that whole building is gone!
• Coco’s
• Coda
• Coin Power
• Compadres
• CompUSA
• Consumer Tire Warehouse – the one at Pearlridge is that furniture store now by Borders.
• Contempo Casuals
• Coral Reef Restaurant (Ala Moana)
• Coronet – Waipahu and Makaha
• Country Lanes in Waipahu
• Curious Porpoise
• da skate rink in waiau
• Daie pearlridge
• Dairy Queen in Wahiawa
• Dairyman’s
• dat saimin stand in pearl city that turned into a car lot
• dat theater in town dat play kung fu movies
• Delite soda
• Dennys Pearlridge used to be something else before, does anyone remember?
• Ditto’s (all UHers had to go there before)
• Donald Duck drive inn
• dunkin donuts
• Eagle Hardware – now Lowes
• Ebesu Catering and Delicatesen
• Elena’s…yes, back to waipahu
• Elephant and Castle in Waimalu
• Emilio’s Pizza
• Emjays
• Ewa Shopping Basket
• Famous Amos cookie stands
• Farm Fair at McKinley HS
• Farrell’s Restaurants
• Fast stop
• Fiasco’s (Hilo)
• Flamingo’s
• Food 4 Less
• Foremost – between Gaspro and OCCC on Dillingham Blvd.
• Foxmoor
• Francis Camera Shop–Ala Moana
• Frankie’s Market
• Game World/Mitsukoshi
• Gecko Moon
• GEMs
• Gibson’s
• Giving Tree
• Goodie Corner-Temple Valley Shopping Center
• Grace’s in McCully
• Granny Goose warehouse, right off Moanalua freeway where the coffin place is now
• Great Outdoors bike shop near Cutter Ford Aiea.
• GTE Hawaiian Tel phone mart in Pearlridge, next to Sears.
• H Saimin Stand
• Hamada Okazuya in Waipahu
• hanauma bay where you can go see toilet bowl
• Haouli clothing store at Pearl City by Longs
• harpos pizza
• Hartfields
• Hawaii Stars Studios
• Heavy Metal Barbell Co. – westridge
• Helen’s Chinese Food on Kapahulu
• Hickory Farms in Pearlridge phase II by the Hobby Company.
• Hoffman’s video
• Holiday Mart (I don’t care if it’s Don Quijote, it’s HOLIDAY MART)
• Honcell
• Honolulu Federal Savings and Loan
• Honolulu Stadium? Hawaii Islanders baseball.
• Honouliuli Shokai Store
• Honsport – I bought my in line skates there!
• HOPACO–Ala Moana
• Horatio’s
• House of Music
• huli huli chicken fundraisers
• Ice Garden at Gibson’s Mapunapuna
• Il Fresco/El Crab Catcher (where Red Lobster is now)
• Infinity
• Island infusion (Hilo)
• JB’s
• JC Penny’s
• Jelly’s
• Jet Raceway slotcars (Kaimuki Ciyt Mill)
• Jewelco
• JJ’s Diner
• Jolly Rogers drive inn (after Mynah Bird drive inn and now Kahala Zippys)
• Jumbo’s
• JW
• Kailua Drive in-theater
• Kaimuki Cue
• Kaiser Hospital when it was in the Hawaii Prince Hotel location
• Kalihi Bowl
• Kam Bowl/Kalihi Bowl/Bowl a Drome/Waialae Bowl
• Kam Drive in-theater
• Kamaaina Coffee Shop (I think that’s what it was called, the one outside the Kahala Mall Woolworth)
• Kapiolani Bakery
• Kapiolani Bar and Grill
• KC Drive In
• Keiki Land (Ala Moana)
• Kelly’s Coffee Shop
• Kengo’s
• Kenny’s Burger House
• Kimuraya Bakery
• King Sporting Goods
• King Theater
• Kings Bakery/Coffee Shop
• Kings Garden (10th Ave)
• Kinney shoes
• Klum Gym?
• Komokata
• Kramer’s
• Kress
• Kuhio Grill
• Kuroda Chevron in Aiea
• Kwong On
• Leeds
• Liberty House
• Liberty Theater – kung fu movies
• Lippy Espinda’s used cars
• Lynn’s Deli-
• Lyn’s Delicatessen/Little Sicily Pizza
• magic island when neva look and smell like one toilet bowl
• Magoo’s (The one from da van not too good)
• Manoa Chop Suey
• Manoa Grill
• Marina theatres
• Maroney’s Pizza in Wahiawa
• Marsh Company used to be on Dillingham by Sizzler.
• Marujyu when they was a super market.
• Masa’s
• Masa’s Kitchen (across cafe sistina)
• Masquerade
• mc donalds when still had da playground by lex brodies
• McCully Chop Suey
• McInerney
• Ming’s Palace (King Street)
• Moa Moa Tei on Kalakaua near Rock-Za
• Moose Mcgillycuddy’s
• Mr. Sub
• Mynah Bird drive inn (Kahala zippys)
• NEX Toyland used to be in the Waimano Home Road navy warehouses where Pearl City Wendy’s is now.
• Nicholas Nicklas – top of Ala Moana Hotel
• Nick’s Fishmarket
• Nippon Theater
• Oaktree
• Oasis
• O’Keefe and Sons (Hilo)
• original chuckecheese was huge!
• O’taheite
• P&P supermarket (Kaimuki City Mill)
• Pager one
• Palace and Mamo theatres
• Palomino
• Palowai drive inn – Waialae McDonald
• Parker’s Books
• Pay N Save
• Pearl City Tavern (bonus points for the spider monkey display)
• PENGUINS at Pearlridge phase I
• perridge “phase one and two” now referred to as uptown
• perridge drive in theaters fo suck face
• perridge four plex
• Pink Cadillac
• Pioneer chicken
• Pioneer Federal
• Pizza Bob’s
• Player’s
• Playwell
• Primo Brewery in Pearl City where Best Buy is now.
• Primo Gardens (waimalu)
• Punani’s
• quarry parking
• Rainbow Rollerland
• Ranch House
• Reuben’s
• Rexall
• Ritz – they used to be in ala mo and pearlridge.
• Round house
• Row Bar
• Royal Sunset Drive in-theater
• Royal Theater
• Rudy’s flowers
• Runway 7
• Salerno
• San Francisco Rag Shop
• sato’s shave ice
• Scoozee’s
• Scotty’s drive inn (Keeaumoku)
• Security Diamonds
• Shakey’s pizza
• Shan’s Bakery in Wahiawa
• Showbiz
• Skateland
• Skyslide
• Slices Pizza on Kapahulu
• south seas restaurant, kelly’s bakery and tops
• Spats
• Speedy’s
• Spindrifters (Kahala Mall)
• Spud’s Laundry
• Stadium Bowl o Drome
• Stecks?
• strawberry fields (S. King st)
• Studabaker’s
• Suehiro’s
• Super Slide
• Suzuki Japanese Restaurant
• Sweet thoughts bakery (manoa)
• Sweethearts Lei Stand
• Taco Hut
• Tahitian Lanai (my friend used to work there).
• Tanoue’s Saimin
• Ted’s Drive In – Moiliili
• Tempo Music/JR’s Music Shop
• TGI Fridays
• the “old” oceans
• The Bistro at Century Center
• The Body Shop
• The Dog House
• The Huge McDonald Land playground in Waipahu!
• The Meat Market
• The Moana and The Surfrider Hotels..
• The Point After
• the pump – liquor store at pearlridge by Anna Millers.
• The Red Vest
• The Ritz
• the saimin stand on the corner of waipahu st and depot rd
• The Trampoline place next to Rainbow Rollerland.
• The Waikikian and Tahitian Lanai
• The Wave Waikiki
• Thick n Juicy Pizza in waimalu
• Thom McCann
• Thrifty Drug Store
• Tic Toc Drive In
• Timber Town
• Tower Records
• Toy Land
• Toyo Theater – samurai movies (Zatoichi, Lone Wolf, ….)
• Toyo’s Superette!
• Us is Nuts
• Varsity Theatre
• Vball Hawaii – ward warehouse
• Victoria Station
• Vis A Vis
• Wahiawa Theater
• Waialae Drive Inn Theater
• Waialae Driving Range
• Waikiki 1 & 2 theaters
• Waikiki theater #3 with the fake coconut trees inside.
• Walden Books
• Wigwam, Dillingham
• Wiki Wiki Burger – Market City
• Wildflowers
• Wisteria
• Wong’s Saimin and Okazuya (Ala Moana)
• Woolworth’s
• World Cafe
• Yong Sing (Downtown)
• yumyum tree

WHEW!!!!!!!!!

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

Da oddah week we were chatting up about our Wireless Carriers when tita leerz busted out the old school PrimeCo name! And pink lady Miss Priss, Erin, and mcat pulled Voicestream out. Ahahaha! Them be da memories!

So for this week’s Survey Thursday, we’ll name drop our favorite old school businesses (big or small) that are sadly no longer in bidness. Let’s see how many we can recall! I’ll start!

* PrimeCo
* VoiceStream
* Pager One
* Masu’s Massive Plate Lunch
* KC Drive Inn
* Toyo’s Superette in Manoa

I’ll be your best friend if you post each company as a separate comment!
I’ll also love you long time if you add your favorite memory for each entry.

Shoots!

• McCully: 16 (DA WINNAH!)
• Makiki: 7
• Waiau: 4
• Kapahulu: 3
• Dillingham: 2
• Kahala: 2
• Koko Marina: 2
• Waipio: 2
• Mililani: 2
• Waipahu: 2
• Waimalu
• Kaneohe
• Vineyard
• Kapolei
• Nimitz
• Pearl City

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

When the answer was revealed during one of our previous Where In Hawaii contests (which was Zippy’s), it was suggested by kuya.d to do a Survey Thursday around that particular topic… So… hurr we are…

We’ve all got our favorite Zippy’s. Our “home base” if you will. This be yo chance to sound off and represent. So without further ado… *clears throat*

Chicky chicky check if your school favorite Zippy’s is in effect – Represent! LOL!

Growing up in H.K. during those “hard core Zippy’s years”, Zippy’s Koko Marina was probably the one I identified with the most. It could’ve been the lunch-pick-up on the way to the beach, the dinner-pick-up on the way home from school/work, the midnight thang after chillin’ at the homey’s crib, or, even the 2AM-er after a long night of shooting 9-ball at Brian’s/Shark’s/Velvet’s (LOL!)… We’d be there. Some close seconds would be the McCully one (that’s usually where the “scenery” was at), and the Kahala one (new and on the way home).

Since Zippy’s is so much a part of all of our cultures, we shouldn’t just limit this survey to locations. What say we open thangs up and share our favorite Zippy’s story/stories as well as our favorite Zippy’s dish(es) while we’re at it? Bonus question: Which Zippy’s have you NOT been to (click here for help or here’s a list: Ala Moana, Dillingham, Ewa, Kahala, Kailua, Kaimuki, Kalihi, Kaneohe, Kaneohe (William Henry Road), Kapahulu, Kahului, Kapolei, Koko Marina, Makiki, Mc Cully, Mililani, Nimitz, Pearl City, Pearl Ridge, Vineyard, Waiau, Wahiawa, Waimalu, Waipahu, Waipio)? I’ll start:

Favorite Zippy’s: Koko Marina (for sentimental reasons)
Favorite Zippy’s Story: I actually applied for Zippy’s back in da high school days and got rejected! How you figgah? Well, I did get called in to their main office for an interview, but never received that final call back… so that is kinda like getting rejected right? So shame! Ah, das ok, I got a higher paying job where I got to eat poke all day (seafood department at Safeway) so it all worked out.
Favorite Zippy’s Dish: Zip Min
Zippy’s Location(s) I’ve Never Been To: Ewa, Kalihi, Kaneohe (William Henry Road location), Kahului, Kapolei, Waipahu. Just 6 out of 25? Not bad at all…

Go get um yo!

• AT&T: 9 (DA WINNAH!)
• T-Mobile: 8
• Verizon: 7
• Sprint: 5

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

Oh yeah, for you old older peeps, here’s a blast from the past (70’s) that you might enjoy! No offense!

For those more my age, hea’s a classic (starring Jade Moon). If you’ve never seen either of these two videos, zip it!

My thoughts and prayers go out to hemajang and the Yoshida family during this difficult time…

* Which wireless carrier do you use for your mobile phone service and why?

Recently, I read somewhere that the BlackBerry Curve outsold the iPhone. Kinda surprising to hear, but then again, not really. Even though it may seem that errryone and their momma has an iPhone, the Blackberry line of products have the luxury of not being tied to a single wireless carrier (like the iPhone).

And I know it stems from some kind of early, boardroom contract-winning loyalty thang, but why Apple doesn’t open up their iPhone product to ALL the wireless carriers once the contract is fulfilled is beyond me. They are shooting themselves in the foot by just sticking with AT&T. But I digress…

Getting back to the topic, I’m with Verizon Wireless. In my personal experience, they have the best network, both here in Hawaii (all major islands), as well as during my travels. Aside from that periodic dropped call coming down Red Hill (east bound), I’ve never had a problem with coverage and am routinely the only guy whose phone has bars when in remote locations. And although their phone selection could use some work, the main thing to me is that I can make calls and surf the Interwebs.

K, before you think I’m a Verizon employee in hiding, I’ll end it there. Who you use cuz?

* Do you Facebook? If not where do you call (social networking) “home”?

Lately, the old older peeps here at work have been asking me about this strange new thing called “Facebook.” As the resident “Web Expert” I guess I’m the go to guy for these types of questions and boy, have they been a-comin’! First I smirk (at how late they are to the party) and then I proceed to explain to these newbies what it’s all about. How you use it, why people use it, privacy concerns, etc. The look on their face is priceless. It’s the same as that of someone who just watched TV in color for the first time. (at least I think that’s what they looked like. )

Facebook, at least to me, is where it’s at. There are so many features to control privacy, friends, microblogging/notifications (ala Twitter), and, as evident by the interest from the old older peeps here at work, it’s catching wind. I’ve gotten back in touch from old friends from yesteryear that I haven’t spoken to in years, and all the company and corporate peers are there as well! There are so many more relevant people up in thurr than say a MySpace. If I had to compare the two, I’d tell someone that MySpace is more for kids and ‘tweens and Facebook is more for adults. (No, not that kind of “adult” you perv. )

There is a downside though. With so many of your professional contacts up in the heezy, you really have to watch what you say and post. It’s not like I have anything to hide really, but posting that drunken party pic from the weekend (I don’t do this – just an example) is probably not something for your boss’ eyes. I’ve heard of stories of those kinda things coming back to haunt employees, and that doesn’t really surprise me.

How did we get to this point? I remember the good ol’ days when these social networking type sites were strictly for us “young” peeps? Let’s turn back the clock a bit shall we… Remember these?

Chat/Talk on UH’s Unix system –> HCU –> Asian Avenue –> IM/Messenger type services (AIM/Windows Live/Yahoo!/Google Talk) –> Friendster –> LinkedIn –> MySpace –> Facebook

Oh YEAH! I bet ya forgot about some of those gems eh? Ha!

And that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what other sites are out there (Yelp, Flickr, Twitter, Bebo, Hi5, YouTube, and yes, we even have one on AroundHawaii.com).

Is there something after Facebook? Probably, but for now, this is where the party’s at yo. Holla if ya hear me!

Talk to me!
* Do you Yahoo! Facebook?
* If so, how many friends ya got?
* Do you add anyone or just the people you know IRL?
* Are your bosses or company’s executives on there too?
* What’s your favorite part about Facebook?
* Your least favorite?
* What other social networking sites do you frequent?
* If you’ve never joined Facebook or any other social networking site, why or why not?

Possible Hijacking Topics :P
* American Idol dish
* Hell’s Kitchen dish
* The Office dish
* Survivor: Tocantins dish
* CSI dish
* Grey’s Anatomy dish
* Harper’s Island dish
* Southland dish
* Dancing With the Stars dish
* The Biggest Loser dish
* Lost dish
* NBA Playoff runs
* etc.

Happy Survey Thursday… Woo Hoo it’s almost TGI(F)F!

Back in the glory days of the web, us peeps with email addresses were few and far between. As students, we  were hooked up with one by default (with an ugly @uhunix.uhcc.hawaii.edu suffix), but that was back when we had to log into a UNIX shell and check it via a program called Pine. Good lord! uhunix? Pine!? I’m choking myself up with all the memories! LOL!

Nowadays, every Bill, Sergey, and Jerry Tom, Dick and Harry has an email account from such free services as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo! Heck, even my momma has not one, but three that is checked on the regular. ISPs like us, offer accounts as part of our services: up to 10 accounts per Road Runner customer (via the sexy @hawaii.rr.com domain ) to be exact.

Whereas this question would’ve been “Do you have an email account?” in a past WWE column in the Ka Leo, today, I gotsta up my game and stay current with what’s happening on the world wide interwebs. Errrbody pretty much has email. It’s just a matter of provider. With that said…

* Which service do you use for email and why?

I’m a Gmailer fo sho. Their flexibility with forwarding, filtering, sorting, account management, header privacy, etc. is off the chain! There’s no comparison. And I didn’t even mention the searching aspect! Plus my account ties in nicely to the billion other Google “products” I use. I honestly don’t know how/if I’d survive without my Gmail and Google Calendar. Scary!

K, your turn! Share, share!

Have a good weekend y’all! Das right! I get tomorrow off. Wahoooooooo!

Didja file your taxes yet? You are aware that it’s due in 13 days riiiight?

Well, for those of you who waited until the very last second, you may be in for a little treat, WWE style: Filing your taxes for FREE!

A friend sent over this little tidbit so I figured I’d post it for da `ohana as it may very well help a few of you. Check it:

If your Adjusted Gross Income for 2008 was $56K or less, you can file your taxes for free this year. No gimmicks, no catch, the IRS just wants those with AGIs $56K or less to e-file which saves them costs and saves you a couple hundred bucks. Even if your AGI topped $56K, you can still file for free. You just won’t get tax-preparation software, though. Just the forms.

How?

1) Go to www.irs.gov,
2) Click the “Free File” link
3) Choose which company’s software you want to use (including the biggies like Turbo Tax and H&R Block)

If your tax filings are a little more complicated than the average or if you file your own Schedule C, it’s probably best to just stick with a tax professional.

Hope this helps at least a few of you. Remember, getum in by the 15th!

Have a happy Thursday y’all!

* What high school you went?

On the radio they (used to?) have a thing called “High School Shout Out” where you could call in and rep your high school over the air. Let’s see if we can one-up em, using technology as our friend. Haha, nah! I figgah, like kuya.d said in a previous blog, the first thing we ask when we find out someone is from here is the question above. Why not do it hurr? We get to rep our alma matter while learning a little more about each other at the same time. Win-win. Include your grad year if you dare!

(C’mon fellow Cougars! If you’re out thurr, don’t let me us down! )

• Vibrate: 2 (DA WINNAH!)
• “one of the default ringers”: 2 (DA WINNAH!)
• the same ring tone of the phones in CTU on 24: 1
• Jump by Van Halen: 1
• Boogie Wonderland for the Wife: 1
• Crazy Train by Ozzie: 1
• Frankenstein by Edgar Winter Group: 1
• standard verizon: 1
• santeria by sublime: 1
• Tune Bach Fugue D Minor: 1
• one of the train station chimes on the JR Yamanote line in Japan beleive it or not: 1
• trill: 1
• Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”: 1
• Daytripper by the Beatles: 1
• the Katamari Damacy theme song: 1
• More by Sisters of Mercy: 1
• the Benny Hill Show theme: 1
• “A Thousand Miles”: 1
• “Hot N Cold” by Katy Perry: 1
• gloria estefan’s “conga”: 1
• 2 live crew’s “shake a lil’ something”: 1
• lupe fiasco’s “daydreamin”: 1
• flo rida – “in the ayer”: 1
• 2 legit 2 quit by mc hammer: 1
• “Nova”: 1
• japanese rap group called m-flo: 1
• the opening riffs on vh’s “aint talkin bout love”: 1
• “shake a lil something”: 1
• michael buble singing “this thing called love”

… R.I.P. to Charles “Mask” Lewis of Tapout

* On your mobile phone, what do you use as your default ring tone?

(Mahalos to soogs for suggesting this one.)

My default ring tone is set to “Ringtone 10″ on my LG Voyager because it’s loud, catchy and unique. Loud because I’m deaf, catchy so I don’t get irritated at it whenever it rings, and unique so I no get confused when somebody else’s phone stay ringing.

The real ringtone I wanna talk about however, is the one I have set when one of my high school boys calls me: “Nuthin’ But a G Thang“! Ohhhhh snap! Makes me laugh every time! HA! (link is NSFW BTW). The sad part is I know all the lyrics by heart. LOL!

Another ringtone that makes me crack up is the one Michael Scott (Steve Carell) uses on his phone on the show The Office: My Humps from the Black Eyed Peas.

So what’s yours? No be shame? Can’t be any worse than those two above! Or can it? Spill the beans!

• Yes: 12 (DA WINNAH!)
• No: 5

Happy Survey Thursday y’all! It’s almost Aloha Friday!!!

* Are you a fan of the University of Hawaii Men’s Basketball program? More importantly, are you going to the game this Saturday?

I know, I know. It’s hard to be one after a gut-wrenching loss to Nevada last Saturday at home (*crossing my fingers for their nationally televised matchup against Fresno State today*)… but now, there’s more reason to come support the ‘Bows this Saturday at 7:05PM at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Not only is it the second to the last home game for the season (wipe back those tears!), it is the big Oceanic Time Warner Cable sponsored game! *grin* The first 1,000 fans through the gates gets a blue, eco-friendly Oceanic/ESPNU/Food Network/HGTV bag… great for grocery shopping! Check-check-check it out!

Get your eco-friendly Oceanic Time Warner Cable bag at this Saturday’s game!

Yeah, shmall kine advertisement, but come support your ‘Bows nonetheless man. They need it!

• No: 9 (DA WINNAH!)
• Yes: 3

Happy Survey Thursday y’all! It’s almost Aloha Friday!!!

* Will you be celebrating Valentine’s Day (for one, and if so will you do it) on Valentine’s Day?

OK, so this Saturday is Valentine’s Day (To all you forgetful men out there, you’re welcome for the reminder. ) and I’ve basically heard from two sides of the camp on this one:

One side believes that celebrating Valentine’s Day – in all its glorious glory – on February 14th is a guarantee must. And that includes the whole buying roses and going out to dinner thang. And if you don’t, you obviously don’t love your husband/wife.

The other side believes that it’s all a “stupid” (and I quote) marketing ploy where flower shops and restaurants overcharge for the sake of the “special” day.

Where do you stand on this one?

I’m more with camp 2 (remember the cooler group in cabin 18 at Camp Erdman ) - and thankfully for me, wifey is with me on this one – so we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day on, of all days, the night before: Friday, the 13th. Haha! We got a laugh out of that one, but, since we’re saving ourselves from the crowds and some hard earned “scripps” (thanks dews! ), we’ll be the ones with the last laugh.

Talk to me!
* What say you? Do you go on Feb 14, or pick another night?
* Do you just ignore it entirely?
* Do you agree that it’s all a marketing ploy?
* If you’re single, where do you hang out (so I know where to send my single friends )?
* Any Valentine’s Day traditions?

• Won: 4 (DA WINNAH!)
• Didn’t bet: 2
• Lost: 1
• Lost Wallet: 1

Happy Survey Thursday y’all! It’s almost Aloha Friday!!!

* How did you do in your Superbowl bets?

Please do not post your losses if it will get you in trouble with the wife/husband/gf/bf/friend/loan shark/parents. *grin* And by no means does this mean I condone betting as a regular activity. Personally, I don’t really like to do big cash bets – especially if it’s between friends – because, like they say, money is the root of all evil. I’m more of a “for bragging rights,” plate lunch bet kinda guy, just to keep things interesting.

But since I was in the betting capital of the world for Super Bowl weekend just 4 short days ago, I put a cool 100 to the test for Arizona (with a spread of 7). Zona lost, but by just 4 (27-23) so I was in the money baby! I got $180 back, netting $80. Not bad, but it was a small consolation for the $100 (and a full week of plate lunches I owe my co-worker) I lost with my Penn pick the night before.

So that’s my “damage.” How’d you do?

• BJ Penn: 14 (DA WINNAH!)
• Georges St. Pierre: 1

Happy Survey Thursday y’all! It’s almost Aloha Friday!!!