'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.

Boyhowdy's Hawaii Foodie Excursions - Episode #2

Much like tapas in Spanish culture, appetizers (or more affectionately known as pu'pus) in Hawaii are as big a part of a night out than the elixirs itself.
My partner-in-crime & I commenced the evening at the homestead with a couple of brewskis and some po'ke, chunks of seafood (in this case, octopus & tuna) marinated in soy sauce, ginger, green & yellow onions, chili pepper, sesame oil, and garlic.Our first stop: the Lily Koi Cafe, an establishment fast becoming our neighborhood watering hole. Along with more beer, we ordered garlic fries and furikake chicken (deep-fried chicken bits drizzled with a sweet soy-based sauce, then sprinkled with a seaweed seasoning).Of course, you gotta have sushi when out & about on the Islands, so off we sojourned to Tadashi. For the most part, the seafood quality and selection here are often equaled, if not surpassed, in finer sushi establishments on the mainland, with possibly the exception of the local tuna. Adhering to the evening's appetizer theme, we only ordered a few pieces, like smoked salmon:And unagi, or fresh-water eel (and a Asahi Dry lager):The night's final stop...the Chez Sports Bar & Grill. Nothing 'touristy' about this place - 100% local patronage. While perched at the bar, I noticed this particular spigoted jar of some crazy concoction. As advertised, it was lychee fruit immersed in SKYY vodka. Never one to bypass a new drinking experience, we had to try it...dangerously smooth and tasty, if not careful, this tincture will 'F' you up!After a shot of that lychee vodka (and even more beer), it was time to wind it down...and nothing caps a night like a hot plate of fried chicken gizzards!All in all, a fantastic night out...good times & good eats! Almost too much fun as I discovered this snapshot of a spam musubi (a slice of Spam served up sushi-style) between my thighs. I honestly don't recall where it came from!Ciao4Now.

Boyhowdy's Hawaii Foodie Excursions - Episode #1

Best described as a Hawaiian-style Denny's, the Zippy's restaurants have been a part of the local-dining fabric for over 40 years. With 25 locations peppered across O'ahu, anyone who has resided on the island for more than, say, 6 months has eaten here. Serving everything from your standard cheeseburger to the more-uncommon fare, like tripe stew & kalua pig cabbage, Zippy's has got something on the menu for everyone.

Yesterday, after escaping the unforgiving afternoon heat in the air-conditioned confines of a movie theater (BTW, 'Iron Man' is fantastic!), a friend & I revisited this former high-school haunt & ordered up some of our faves.

Of the dozens of menu selections, Zippy's is certainly most famous for its chili. Thick and hearty, it is served in a variety of ways - over a hot dog or burrito, atop spaghetti noodles, in an omelette, as nachos, etc.. They'll ladle it on anything you want! We went with two of the tried-&-true options...chili & cheese fries:

And the uncomplicated 'chili w/ one scoop rice':Burger combo orders include a side of either potato salad, macaroni salad, soup, french fries, or tossed greens, but my friend ordered his Mushroom Burger (quarter-pound patty topped w/ mushrooms sauteed in garlic butter) a la carte:Of course, I needed to order something that would look impressive on this blog...behold, the Zip Min! Saimin is kinda like ramen or pho - slightly-doughier noodles served in a fish-based broth. In the case of the Zip Min, it seems like everything but the kitchen sink is added...breaded shrimp, char siu pork, fish cake, pork-filled wonton, egg, Chinese greens, seaweed, and green onions!It goes without saying, there was no room for dessert.

Zippy's is the kind of place you go to when indifferent, but hungry. Nothing on the menu is truly brilliant, but everything's satisfying. On a scale of 5 poi bowls, I'll give it a 3.5, if only for the nostalgia.

http://www.zippys.com/


Ciao4Now.

'I can see clearly now...'

'...the haze is gone.' Winds from the north have restored the clean air over Oahu...you can see the difference in this pic taken a few minutes ago:
Living amongst the creepy critters in the yard are all types of flora. Here is a cluster of papayas:
This thing is the fruit of a cherimoya tree:
Lotsa different flowers, too. Like orchids:
Stephanosis:
Not sure what this is...could be a type of adenium (or desert-rose):
More later.
Ciao4Now.

Aloha from Hazy Hawaii!

Been a while, no?

It's taken quite a bit of time, but my relocation to the 50th state is just about complete. Still some loose ends to tie up on the 'mainland', but I've, more or less, settled into the Island lifestyle.

To get back into the blogging swing-o-things, here are a couple of snapshots to begin.

Taken this morning from the back yard, this photo depicts the terribly hazy conditions here on Oahu due to the volcanic smog (or 'vog') blowing in from the Big Island. On any other day, you'd be able to see the Waianae Range in the background...today, fuggedaboutit!


There are all kinds of creatures dwelling in the yard, including this guy who was chillin' on the fence. Better known as the American chameleon or green anole (or Anolis carolinensis, in biologist's parlance), this lizard can change its color for camouflage. Wish I could tan instantly...compared to the local folk here, I'm as pale as a ghost!


Ciao4Now.

The Countdown Begins...

...37 days until blowing out of the city that I called 'home' for more than half of my life. Man, I'm gonna miss this place.

But before departing, there are a few things I want to do...and to no surprise, most are food-related:

1) Catch one last ballgame at Safeco Field. Along with AT&T in San Francisco, the most picturesque & fan-friendly ballpark. I'll be rooting for my beloved Mariners from halfway across the Pacific, but it won't be the same.








2) Fish & chips at Ivar's Salmon House. Mmm...need I say more? Not necessarily the best in town, but there's something nostalgic about 'em. I'll always remember to face the tartar sauce cup away from me when opening...otherwise, it'll look like you took a spooge load on your shirt!





3) Extra-pepperoni pie from Pizzeria Pagliacci. Another one of those local comfort foods, I practically lived off of 'em in college. Absolutely adore the thin-crusted NY-style pizza paired with their excellent artichoke pesto pasta salad. Hmm...may order one this weekend and get it out of the way!









4) A Deluxe w/ fries & a vanilla shake from Dick's Drive-In. Not wholly necessary since I'll be visiting Mountain View & In-N-Out on my way to the Islands, but it'd be nice to slug down one of these double-pattied burgers for old time's sake. Super-cheap & delicious...but you gotta eat 'em just as soon as you get 'em or everything'll go soggy.






Well, there's my not-so-ambitious to-do list...c'mon, I'm not climbing Mt. Rainier or any kind of bullsh*t like that! Wish I had the time & ambition to visit Vancouver, BC, but my passport expired...c'est la vie.

Ciao4Now.

'Semi-Homemade w/ Boyhowdy' - Episode #6

Remember that ham bone from my 'Semi-Homemade Holiday Special'? Well, it's time to pull it out of the freezer and put that carcass to use!

Today, we're making a pretty simple variation on minestrone in the crock pot. Other than the ham core, here's whatcha need:
1 medium potato, cubed
1 carrot, sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans
3 cubes chicken boullion (makes 6 cups of stock)
Salt & pepper to taste

Okay, in a saucepan prepare chicken stock. When done, dump it the crock pot with everything else...simple, no?

Just let it go for as long as possible, or at least until the potatoes are completely cooked through. By this time, any meat on the bone literally falls off or is easily disengaged with a fork. If desired, you can skim some of the fat off the top.

Soup's on! Yields a hearty amount, especially for one, so you can partition in containers and freeze for later consumption.

Ciao4Now.

'Semi-Homemade w/ Boyhowdy' - Episode #5

Is it possible to take a cheap cut of meat & roast it into something wonderfully palatable? That was the task at-hand in Boyhowdy's test kitchen.

Many will tell you that all a bottom round cut's good for is pot roast. In my attempt to disprove this popular belief, I began w/ my little-over-2 lb. chunk and marinated it overnight w/ a premium herb rub (Tulocay's for Beef), sea salt, & pepper. Now, there a few important steps in the cooking process that make all the difference in the world: First, brown all sides of the roast in a hot frying pan. It'll be a bit clumsy, but the searing seals in the juices from the start.
Preheat the oven at 200 (yes, only 200!) degrees. The slow-roasting method allows the meat to cook through evenly, resulting in a consistent color & texture from the crust to the center. Yup, it'll take twice as long than the conventional method (little over 2 hours for this roast), but it's totally worth it. The key is to watch the core temperature...when it gets to about 125 degrees, crank the oven up to 500 (!), and let it go for about 15 to 20 minutes. This burst of heat will create a nice crust, & also raise the core temperature to around 140 degrees.
After removing from oven, let the roast sit for another 20 minutes...the resting period redistributes the juices within. Always carve against the grain!
And they said it couldn't be done! Great with mashed potatoes & lotsa gravy, or as a French Dip. Yeah, it's very time-consuming, but you'll swell with pride should it turn out perfectly!
Ciao4Now.

2008 Oscar Predictions!

While just about everyone agrees that Daniel Day-Lewis & Javier Bardem are locks to snag the golden statuette in their respective categories, the rest of the field is wide open. Though on the side of the actresses, the theme of the night may be 'respect thy elders'.

Well, here goes nothing...my picks in bold.




BEST PICTURE
'Atonement'
'Juno'
'Michael Clayton'
'No Country for Old Men'
'There Will Be Blood'
For the most part, a two-horse race...rather than flip a coin, I'm thinking that the Academy will award the Coen brothers in the directing category, but honor Anderson's masterpiece with the evening's Big Prize.

BEST ACTOR
George Clooney, 'Michael Clayton'
Daniel Day-Lewis, 'There Will Be Blood'
Johnny Depp, 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'
Tommy Lee Jones, 'In the Valley of Elah'
Viggo Mortensen, 'Eastern Promises'
I don't know what else to say about this category. It'd be just awesome if JD shocked the world here...but looking outside, I see no flying monkeys. Clooney probably with the best chance to derail the seemingly-unstoppable Day-Lewis locomotive.

BEST ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age'
Julie Christie, 'Away From Her'
Marion Cotillard, 'La Vie en Rose'
Laura Linney, 'The Savages'
Ellen Page, 'Juno'
In my Golden Globes predictions, I said that Ellen Page would win the Oscar...umm, I need to retract that statement. Christie as clear a frontrunner in her category as Day-Lewis is in his. Fellow GG winner Cotillard admirable competition...but let's face it, the Academy adores Julie.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Casey Affleck, 'The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford'
Javier Bardem, 'No Country for Old Men'
Philip Seymour Hoffman, 'Charlie Wilson's War'
Hal Holbrook, 'Into the Wild'
Tom Wilkinson, 'Michael Clayton'
I was so tempted to fly in the face of popular convention and choose 82-year-old Holbrook here, predicting that the Academy would honor his entire body of work with a 2008 Oscar. But in the end, Bardem's brilliantly-brutal performance frightened me into this selection.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Cate Blanchett, 'I'm Not There'
Ruby Dee, 'American Gangster'
Saoirse Ronan, 'Atonement'
Amy Ryan, 'Gone Baby Gone'
Tilda Swinton, 'Michael Clayton'
The most wide-open of all the major categories, I wouldn't be surprised to see anyone other than Ronan win the Award. For all intents and purposes, this is most likely Ruby's last nomination, and the Academy may elect to honor her here (perhaps like Holbrook for Supporting Actor)...Ossie would be so proud. And whether it matters or not, Ms. Dee is the only minority actor nominated this year.

BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Thomas Anderson, 'There Will Be Blood'
Joel & Ethan Coen, 'No Country for Old Men'
Tony Gilroy, 'Michael Clayton'
Jason Reitman, 'Juno'
Julian Schnabel, 'The Diving Bell and the Butterfly'
Like the Best Picture category, two contenders to do battle for this award. What a score for either Anderson or the Coens if one of them sweeps both Oscars!

There it be...I'll be content with 4 out of 6. We shall see in about 30 hours or so.

Ciao4Now.

EDIT (2.25): Yeesh...a little off-the-mark this year. Although not necessarily an upset, Cotillard's triumph took me by surprise. 3 of 6...pretty lousy.