Lucky Belly

Asked the lunch partner where she wanted to go for lunch; food is always a pleasant distraction from work. She mentioned NonStop Honolulu's column on Lucky Belly, and that she wanted to go back. Okay, but I figured it will probably crowded if we go during her regular time...

She checked. We left early. By the time we got there around 11:45, it was already filling up. But we got seated right away, as we accepted counter seats. Good thing we both like counter seats.

For those that don't know, Lucky Belly occupies the space where Mini-Garden used to be, on the corner of Hotel and Smith Sts. Door is on the Smith St side.

Took a look around. Remembering what the old Mini-Garden was like, they definitely changed the place. Remember the back wall? Gone; more seating back there.

The artwork was...interesting. Girls with phones was the motif, I guess.

The menu. Lunch menu was rather sparse; assuming it was built for speed of delivery. The blog post said the portions were large, so we decided to share. Picked the Duck Lumpia from the appetizer menu.

Geez, I need to learn how to take better pictures of menus...

  From the Plate menu, I/we picked the Ku Chu Jung Braised Brisket Tartine. Mostly because I didn't feel like chicken or shrimp. Next time, whenever that is, looking at the Karaage Chicken Sandwich. And maybe the Shrimp Kim Chee Bowl. The Tempura Shrimp Tacos looked good, too.

By the way, the bowls they use for the Ramen are HUGE! Like, stick your head in it and feel like Alice Down the Rabbit Hole huge. The portion is somewhere at the bottom; it was kind of amusing watching the lady next to me on the counter having to wave her elbow in the air to get down into the bowl. Almost chin-high...

Since we were sharing, they gave us plates. Square plates. I guess they have a problem with dishes rolling away on them...

Duck Lumpia. With Orange Sesame sauce. Menu said Bing Cherry. She forgot to tell us they were out. Pity; I think the cherry sauce would have made a difference. The lumpia was hefty, the duck was very nice. Good crunch. The orange sauce was... okay. Almost forgot to take a picture; her hand was almost in the frame, haha.

The Tartine came out in a very large serving bowl. Couldn't turn it on the counter, so I had to maneuver around to find something. This was the best I could get before getting slapped for being too slow. I kid; she's a sweetie.

It is a sandwich; there is another piece of toast underneath. Don't try to eat it like a sandwich, though. Too large, too messy. I tore it apart, and we made it a knife and fork lunch. Well, I used that to get it to the plate, then switched to chopsticks. The hands were getting quite confused, uncoordinated person that I am.

Flavor. It was there. Just not enough of it. Needed a boost. Salt would do it, but then, it is salt. I don't know. And then, there was the lack of zing; with Ku Chu Jun in the name, you have expectations. We found it as the bottom of the bowl, at the very end, still a little weak. And then there was the serving temperature. It was not hot. Rather disappointed, could have made a big difference in the reception. But the portion is very large, the meat was tender, and maybe we need to go in forearmed with some knowledge on how to attack this beforehand to help the experience along.

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We talked about the meal as we returned to work. Agreed that the temperature needed a bump. The Tartine needed work, as mentioned. But we also agreed that there is promise, and would like to go back in a few months. And then we got distracted by a certain t-shirt shop...

All photos taken with an Apple iPhone 4s. Noise Reduction with the Noise Master app, processed with the Nik Snapseed app.

Goals...

Need to set some goals. You would think I would have a whole pile of them at this point in my life, but, other than surviving long enough to retire, not really.

Surviving. That thought has been at the forefront of late. Not even surviving the day-to-day drudgery. But just staying alive. Not like I'm trying to die or anything, just feeling my mortality.

Yes, it's morbid. And at times, it wonder if I care. I mean, to "live," you need something to live for. Living for oneself is rather narcissistic. No partner, no kids. You know, meaningful life stuff. Because, if I have no life, what's the point of retiring? But that thought (not retiring out of a corporate-type job) can be rather depressing. Not in the "depression" kind of way, but definitely a buzz-kill. If there was any buzz to kill.

Dragging my head out of that gutter (because my head is forever in that other gutter, haha), I should look for some short-term goals, get those done, then try for something harder.

So. Short goals.

• Camera-stuff: Get off your fat ass and get out to shoot. And not with the phone, either.
• More camera-stuff: Get going on your Dragon project you said you were going to do.
• Food: You know you are a "Live to Eat" type. Look for more things to wrap your tastebuds around.
• Crowds: One of your bugaboos. Have to find a coping mechanism. Deal with it.
• Dealing with your head-case: Get yourself a new head.
• Work: Hmm...

Other than the last two items, this is doable. Just have to make it happen.

Nikki Jennifer Photography Promotions

Nikki Jennifer Photography has opened their End of Summer and Holiday Promotions. A great opportunity to get work done by a good "natural light" portrait photographer. Locations are Oahu-based, only.

Please go to their blog post for details

A Good Dinner, with Good Friends

The "Yokohama," AKA "Kalama Oof." A calamansi-based cocktail. Dangerously easy to drink.

I mean, good friends. Real friends. People you can depend on being there for you. Amongst other things.

Dinner was a catharsis. Talk about things that would take far too much effort to even discuss over the phone, much less texting or messaging. The good food helped to carry the conversation, inserting needed breaks and sidebars, and filling "dead air." Not to mention the sound in my own head of the juices flowing, haha.

Good for the soul. Good for your health. Really need to do this kind of thing more often.

Step back. Look around.

Some recent events have led me to believe that I need to reassess the circles I run in. It is tearing me apart, but, at the same time, the path is not that difficult.

Find those that genuinely care about you. Are concerned for people. Have good character. Not about "things." Keep them close.

Then comes the harder part. Letting go...

Grand Finale of the Nikki Jennifer Photography Anniversary CelebrationGiveaway!

First order of business: The Winner of Part 1 of the 2-part Week 4 Giveaway has been announced. Please check, if you entered

And now...the Grand Finale of the Nikki Jennifer Photography LLC "Oh My Lord I Survived 2 Years" Anniversary Celebration Giveaway! A session with the fabulous Nikki herself! I understand she's pretty good at this photography thing, by the way.

Go to the blog posting for the Anniversary Celebration, Week 4, Part 2.  READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! Enter! Good luck!

**MAJOR UPDATE** Whoa, upped the ante! If you can get her to reach some goals, she will sweeten the pot! Read about it at her blog!

Spread the word! Tell your friends about this! Tell your family about this! If you know someone that can use this (who can't use a totally awesome set of pictures of themselves?), tell them about it! Please?

Week 4: Final Week (x2!)

Okay folks. Final week of the Nikki Jennifer Photography Anniversary Giveaway. Please spread the word!

For Part 1 of this weeks Giveaway, a photo package from the fabulous Simply Baby Photography. Wow!

Good luck!

It's the 4th!

Happy Birthday, America! And a fun and safe 4th to it's people!


Please take a moment from your daily lives and quibbling for internal dominance to reflect on what it is to be an American. Give a moment to those that have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the rights and freedoms we too often take for granted. Give thanks to the few places that have given up their holiday to stay open for YOUR convenience.


Then...HAVE FUN!!!



(Reprinted from my Facebook page)

Making the rounds...

(photo from ljholloway photography)

This statement is making the rounds on the Interwebs. You may agree or disagree; you have that right.

I am posting this not so much to agree or disagree, but to make a point. It's about making a living. It's about "no free lunch." Basic economics. Opportunity costs. It's about "freedom is not free." It's about "value." Competition. It's about business.

When you decide you desire something, you put a price on it, a value. Likewise, when you work and produce something, you expect to be fairly compensated for the effort, a value. So, before you complain about how much something costs, and that you can get it somewhere cheaper, consider what you are getting. If you still think you can get a better deal elsewhere, fine. Go for it. Just remember, you get what you pay for.

Related posts:

Towel Day, and things less fun

Professional photographers: they are people trying to make a living, like the rest of us

Okay, Week 3 at Nikki Jennifer Photography is On!

C'mon, folks in the Hawaii area. Especially if you are on O‘ahu island. Good stuff, fun times!

Week #3 of Nikki Jennifer Photography's Anniversary Celebration Giveaway is in full-swing!

Ola at Turtle Bay. Killer food. On the North Shore. Oh my. Get out there

A Little Bit of Everything. Great shop. Freakin' awesome owner. Check it out.

Read the instructions. Follow the rules. Have fun! But the clock is running; Saturday is the closing for this week! Good luck!