Merry Chirstmas - 2009...

The wonders of Skype - the most amazing program in the whole wide world...
Direct and live from Honolulu to Kurihama...

After a fun party - eating all kine and too much food last night, sleeping in till late, wrapping all my presents this morning, and opening all my good presents today...I just HAD to ride...but...I was dragging.....so I got out the door after 5pm, late as usual...

The dreamy dreary overcast weather this Christmas day sort of matched my melancholy mood...and Ipod set to shuffle, when these two favorite songs came on... it felt...just...right...

The Emotions - Flowers:

BoA - Do the Motion:

...Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas (Eve) - 2009 Party...

From last night's Christmas Eve gathering at my brother's house...

The Main Attraction (Potluck - Hawaiian Style):
(Click to make big) Clockwise from bottom left:

Kalbi - Korean
Kinpira - Japanese
Lamb Chops - American
Zippy's Chicken - Hawaiian Style
Stuffed Chicken - American
Okonomiyaki - Japanese
Sushi Rice - Japanese
Lumpia - Filipino
Ige's Rafute (the best) - Okinawan
BBQ Ribs - American
K's Popcorn Chicken - Hawaiian Style
Miso Butter Fish - Japanese
Sashimi (hidden) - Japanese
Tofu Pattys - Japanese
Nishime - Japanese
Crab Potato Salad - Hawaiian Style
Chinese Chicken Salad - Chinese
Pineapple Cloude Jello - Hawaiian Style
Andagi - Okinawan
Shrimp Tempura - Japanese

On Other Tables:
Limu Poke - Hawaiian Style
Tako Poke - Hawaiian Style
Homemade Garlic Fried Tako - Hawaiian Style
Edamame - Japanese
5 Layer Taco Dip w/ Chips - Mexican

Deserts:
Ice Cream Cake - ???
Mochi - Japanese
Coconut Cake - Hawaiian Style
Chocolate Cream Pie - American
Liliha Bakery Coco Puffs - Hawaiian Style
Sugar Cookies - American
Marshmallow Puffed Rice Snacks - American
Zippy's Pastries - American
Cup Cakes - American
& A Real Japanese Christmas Cake (from Ford's Japanese Wife) - Japanese
Hi Mom!!!


This is for my brother in Japan...close up of Gregg's tender and juicy grilled Lamb Chops!
Oishi sooooooo.....

Yooooooo.....Been a While...

I've been very slowly getting my デブ arse back into bike riding again after a couple month break due to some strange sensations brought about by trying to change my riding position (way higher seat) and pedaling style (pelvis rotated forward). What were the sensations.....exactly like this: http://www.tipna.org/info/documents/BrochurePNE.htm

To "fix" the problem, instead of taking any too drastic measures, I just decided on good old stretching, r&r and time off the bike seat!!! Things have gotten a lot better, but not close to being fully "cured" yet. But, about 3 or 4 weeks ago, I just couldn't take it any more and HAD to get back on the bike.....riding for only short bouts initially, but up to over 3 hours recently...with a MUCH lowered bike seat...

Last Thursday, I got my first dose of some fast riding (due to seeing David on Lagoon) and now I can finally start to feel the fitness kicking in!

Yesterday after work was a good day. I got on the bike at 5:22 and even though I got to ride only 40ish minutes till the sun set...I rode pretty strong for the whole time. Towards the end I decided to do some super fast spinning and then this song by Orange Range came on which is PERFECT for super fast spinning...since it gives you some short breaks interspersed with some super MANIAC spinning tempo sections!

OrangeRange - Matsuri Danshaku

Although I only lasted for about 1/3 of the song yesterday...in a few weeks, I think I'll be strong enough to do the whole song!

Weekend Sporting Wins...

SUMO: Asashoryu kicked some @$$ this weekend after first loosing to Hakuho during regular time. During the OT rematch it was super exciting as it looked like Hakuho had a slight advantage for a few seconds, but Asa somehow found a way to pull it off!!!

CYCLING: I was so happy when I found out Cadel won the World Championship Road Race! After much bull in the Tour and even more real bull in the Veulta, he finally got his redemption. Plus that, I think he is one of the few guys whose really doing it totally on his own without any "assistance."

A Train In Japan...

We were leading at this point...

On the way to Shinjuku (新宿), my brother getting in a few minutes of UH football against UNLV. Unfortunately, UNLV had this super tall receiver that just out "jump balled" our smaller DB. Our guy had perfect position but there was just nothing else he could have done...

2 Casio G Shocks...

So I couldn't resist and ordered two G-Shocks from the ones I was checking out before...

Casio G-Shock AWG100: This one was suppose to be my "bang around" watch, but, after examining it in person, it looks really really too good for banging around. And, I was really surprised to find that this one HAS the World Time function...perfect!


Casio G-Shock BG011: This is one that I really had to have, and after seeing it in real life...I'm glad I pulled the trigger. That dark green background is perfect for University of Hawaii games and the faint flower-paisley style backdrop and bold roman numerals on a rectangle face is so dope. This thing is literally built like a tank and is like wearing a brick of gold. I'm glad I found it on-line at Jomashop.com for only $83 cause just recently, I saw it on ebay for $119. Apparently, this model is getting rarer by the minute as it's not being made anymore by Casio...

I Like White Seats and I Cannot Lie...

Granted...even in pimp looking white, it ain't sexiest looking seat out there. But, this 255g Viagra sounding V-Flow Max seat has a HUGE cutout for guys who need it (I'm not bragging).

$170, straight and direct from John Cobb (www.cobbcycling.com ) with free shipping and a 180 day satisfaction gaurantee, I don't see how I can go wrong to just see if this seat works for me or not...

Some G-Shocks...

I've been looking at some G's lately...and these are the ones that are perking my interest....

Casio AWG100 This is the one that instantly caught my eye at first - relatively inexpensive ($80ish), atomic w/ solar, the only thing really missing is world time. Lots of bezel protection and perfect for autocrossing.

Casio GW2500 Then this classy and expensive ($175ish) looking G REALLY caught my eye. Supposedly one of Casio's newest models - atomic w/ solar and world time. Very professional looking and the only thing I wish it had was more protection for the bezel like the AWG100 above.

Casio BG011 For some reason this discontinued metal bracelet square G has constantly been on my mind for months...w/ no atomic or solar, but with wt, I like it...don't ask me why...

Hawaii.....Happy Belated 50th...

Last Friday, August 21st, was the 50th anniversary of Hawaii becoming the 50th, and so far last State, of the United States of America. From what I hear, it was a great day in the State.

Happy 50th Hawaii...