'Tis the Season...

...of the same ol' holiday films & TV. We're all too familiar with George Bailey maniacally hollering yuletide cheer through the streets of Bedford Falls, and Ralphie Parker scoring a Red Ryder carbine-action, 200-shot Range Model air rifle with a compass in the stock...I'd even go as far to say that South Park's Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo is played out.

So to fly in the face of convention, here are a few clips from some of my favorite holiday films (warning: some vids NSFW).

This brilliantly-shocking cinematic moment from Female Trouble brought to you by the eminent John Waters:


It is truly rare to successfully combine horror with the holidays, yet in 1974, Bob Clark (who is more famously noted for his direction of A Christmas Story) pulled off such a feat with Black Christmas:


Though not a great flick, Silent Night, Deadly Night provided us with a wonderfully-creepy scene where crazy Grandpa Chapman (played by Will Hare) scares the beejeezus out of young Billy (Danny Wagner):


Certainly, television has also offered some golden moments...who can forget Anna Nicole Smith's dentally-challenged cousin Shelly belting out her karaoke rendition of 'The First Noel'?


And as a sucker for nostalgia, I must post this classic '69 Brady Christmas clip (not from that awful 1988 TV movie):


Hang in there, folks...it'll be all over in only two weeks.

Meles!

Ciao4Now.

Far Out!

As mentioned in my profile, I love conspiracy theories...in many ways, it's like extreme sci-fi. And when it comes to things intergalactic...well, I eat that shit up like a pack of junkyard dogs on filet mignon. Not to be skeptical (in fact, I actually lean toward the belief of extraterrestrial intelligence), but some of the 'proof' presented is just outrageous. But deliciously outrageous, nonetheless...

This YouTuber, DAVIDMICHAELROBINSON, is my fave...far out!




I mean, how fun is that?! I could watch these kind of crazy clips all day long!

Perhaps some time in the future, this subject will either be undeniably proven or debunked, but big props to believers like DMR who devote so much time & energy to seek the truth...& provide gobs of entertainment for conspiracy junkies like me.

Happy Gobbleween.

Ciao4Now.

Boyhowdy's Hawaii Foodie Excursions - Episode #4

Foodwise, when one thinks of Waikiki, gaudy bars, swank eateries, & a few popular fast-food chains to entice a visitor's appetite may come to mind. But inconspicuously tucked in the middle of those tourist traps exists Da Smoke House BBQ & Pub. Though seemingly blue-collar, this is a place where all walks of folk rub elbows - old timers, construction crews, nearby hotel & restaurant employees, etc...you get the picture. I wouldn't call it a 'dive' (for that revered title should not be so loosely tossed around), but if you enjoy cold suds or stiff cocktails in a more gritty environment, this haunt is right up your alley. Also, the weekend karaoke is a hoot, albeit a bit cheesy.
But what about the food? Let's just say that you won't find any arugula or endive garnishes served here. The straightforward, 'no-frills' menu succinctly encaptures the establishment's free spirit...meat, starchy sides, and very little to offer in vegetables. Of course, barbecue is Da Smoke House's signature dish - ribs, chicken, brisket, & hot links. While not the best, in this reviewer's estimation, certainly very delicious. As I prefer more tang than sweet in my BBQ sauce, this one hits the mark on taste. And talk about quantity...pictured below is my half-order of ribs (w/ sides of macaroni salad & fries included in the meal):

My good friend who introduced me to this restaurant ALWAYS orders the huge slab of sirloin steak (shown below w/ macaroni salad and cole slaw):

Pricing is reasonable when portion size is considered (e.g. $9.95 for my rib plate), and specials are often featured (on our last visit, 1/2 BBQ chicken + 2 sides for $6.95). All in all, a great place to kick back, enjoy a frosty one, and get stuffed. A respectable 3-and-a-half poi bowl rating from me!

Ciao4Now.

Da Smoke House BBQ & Pub, 444 Hobron Lane, Waikiki, 808.946.0233.

My New Roommate!

Isn't she adorable? Her name is Geica, and she's very helpful in keeping our room tidy of any stray insects - what I call 'pests', she calls 'dinner'. Though definitely a night person, Geica considerately pitter-patters on her footpads across the walls & ceiling without disturbing my slumber. All in all, the ideal roommate...except for the lizzy grumpies she drops wherever she pleases. Nobody's perfect, I guess.

Ciao4Now.

More Flora from the Yard....

Another pleasant day somewhere under the rainbow.Plumerias are in full bloom......as is the bird-of-paradise plant.Part of the overgrown aloe patch:Fruits are beginning to ripen, like the strawberry guavas......and the bizarre-looking soursop.Young orchids almost ready to burst open.Ciao4Now.

Congratulations, Kaiju* High School Class of '08!

This year, only a select 224 completed the challenging & rigorous curriculum to become bona fide superbeings...hats off to all of you!

(Actually, this is my collection of Japanese action figures that I used to play with as a kid - no wonder I'm warped! Evidently, these are now collector's items. But instead of selling them off for profit, I thought it might be kinda cool to feature a few of them every now & then...after all, a blog cannot survive on food alone! I posted a mega-megapixeled pic, so if you click on it, you may be able to see the figures a little better...some of 'em are downright freaky-looking.)


*kaiju = Japanese word meaning "strange beast," but often translated in English as "monster."

Ciao4Now.

Boyhowdy's Hawaii Foodie Excursions - Episode #3

One of Hawaii's Korean restaurant pioneers, Jin Joo has been serving up the spice to hungry Islanders for over 30 years. Modestly tucked in between an impressive row of eateries at the old Waimalu Shopping Center, its no-frills atmosphere (about seven plain booths & a lunch counter) suggests that your purpose there is solely to chow down without looking up from your plate of food. And that's exactly what we did....
Like most Korean restaurants, an array of side dishes is served with all meals. My fave is the kimchi tofu (top right).My friend ordered bibimbap, a fairly popular dish consisting of beef and sauteed & pickled vegetables served over a bowl of rice topped with a fried egg. Gochujang, or chili pepper paste, accompanied the entree.I went with the mandoo (deep-fried pork dumplings)/meat chun (marinated bulkoki beef pan-fried in a light egg batter) combination served with rice, sauteed bean sprouts and greens.SLAMMIN'...all that great food for under $17 (not including tip)! No alcohol, but huge glasses of ice water (and tea) available, always important with spicy Korean fare. I give it a solid 4 poi bowls out of five!
Next time on the Leeward side of the Island, check out Jin Joo Korean Restaurant, 98-020 Kamehameha Hwy, Aiea, Oahu, HI 96701, 808.488.3355.
Ciao4Now.