Cheers – Revisiting a Classic Sitcom

So, I’ve begun re-watching Cheers since it’s on streaming Netflix, and also because of a really excellent blog posting on LanceMannion.typepad.com that analyzed Shelley Long and the Diane Chambers character  in such an interesting light I decided to take another look at the series.

The article starts out:

“I’ve always thought Shelley Long’s been given a bum rap.

Her name’s become a synonym for really bad career move because of her decision to leave Cheers to pursue a movie career that never amounted to much, unless you think the two Brady movies are masterpieces of high artistic camp.

But given the information she had to work with at the time, a good case can be made—and I’m about to make it—that hers wasn’t a bad decision at all, just apparently unfortunate.  In fact, all things considered at the time, it might have been the smart decision.”

Read the rest here: LanceMannion.typepad.com

I was a kid when this show was in syndication, so my memories are foggy and underdeveloped at best. Watching it now is sort of like my first real look at the show that spawned Frasier, (a show I do remember, and really enjoyed growing up).  My clearer memories of Cheers revolve around the Rebecca years and the Woody years. So far, I definitely prefer Coach (Nicholas Colasanto) to Woody (Woody Harrelson), and am unsure if I prefer Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley), or Diane Chambers (Shelley Long) — I’m sure when I finish watching all 11 seasons on Netflix, I’ll have a verdict.

I’m currently on episode 6 of season 2. But check out this screen capture from S02E02, of Rhea Perlman playing Carla Tortelli’s sister Annette on the show. Annette was so different in demeanor and appearance from Carla, it was  a testament to Rhea Perlman’s versatility as an actress:

Rhea Perlman

Do you remember Cheers? Who do you prefer? Coach or Woody? Diane or Rebecca? All of the above or None of the above?

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Dailymile – A Fitness Social Networking Site to Keep You Active

Since I reviewed GetGlue recently, I thought I’d share another Social Networking site I enjoy, Dailymile.

Dailymile allows you to post various types of workouts, and you can share your activities with friends on the site. If you’re not feeling too social, you can always opt not to add any friends, and just use the site as a log for all your activities instead. Admittedly, I had an account that had so many friends, the problem I had was that I couldn’t keep up with the aggregated feed… I accepted anyone who friended me, and in the end, got overwhelmed and found it impossible to keep up with the workouts of my closest friends. I deleted my old account, and started anew, and keep it simple with only three friends.We are able to compare our training with each other, and in that way, friendly competition and motivation can occur. For example, my friend Lori and I have been challenging to see who can log the most mileage in 2012. (I’m way behind).

Dailymile allows me to keep an online fitness journal, for which the site produces weekly emailed reports, and many useful charts showing my progress which can be viewed in days, weeks, or months. The interface is easy to use, and allows me to choose the type of workout, distance (if applicable), duration of workout, my mood, and additional details like the level of effort put into it, any gear I wore, heart rate, and customized key words.

In addition to posting workouts, I can also post notes. My notes usually consist of excuses for why I haven’t been working out.

They also have an import tool, which allows Garmin users to import batches of workouts at a time.

One thing I think is really useful, is the ability to add mileage to your gear used during workouts, like shoes. So, I’m able to get a general idea of how many miles I’ve run in my shoes and can figure out whether it’s time to retire them.

 

 

 

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GetGlue – An Entertainment Social Networking Site Where You Can Earn Free Stickers

There are a few social networking sites focused on interests that I like. One cool site that focuses on entertainment, is GetGlue.com

GetGlue logo

GetGlue is an Entertainment social networking site, which allows its users to check in to TV Shows, Movies, Music, Books, Games, and interests (or Topics) as they’re experiencing them. Anyone following your stream can see what you’re checking into, along with any comments you post. This can lead to some pretty cool discussion with random members on the site as people reply to each other. You can also write reviews, and follow other GetGlue users’ feeds, which all show up on your personalized dashboard. There’s also the ability to link your GetGlue account to Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, so you can further share your Entertainment activity.

The coolest feature of GetGlue is that you can earn physical stickers for your check-ins, (yay free stuff)! usually for new movies, music, or tv shows. For example, if you check in during the premiere of a new episode of Game of Thrones, you can get a special sticker made just for that episode. Current new TV shows I’ve been watching include, Game of Thrones, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt 23, The Killing, Food Network Star, and Sherlock. Shows I’m looking forward to checking into again when their new seasons start-up: Breaking Bad, Luther, Community, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apt 23, The Walking Dead, and Parks and Recreation.

Every 30 days, you’re eligible to request your stickers to be mailed to you. When you submit an order, 20 stickers at random are sent to you. So far I’ve received 3 sets of stickers which are high-quality and pretty cool. It seems to take about a month for them to arrive here in Hawaii after I place an order.

Here’s a pic of how I used my GetGlue stickers to brighten-up my food & exercise journal, which I carry with me every day:
Lively up

If you’re interested in being introduced to new movies, books, television shows, etc., and getting free stickers, GetGlue is the site for you! It’s cool to see what’s trending and learn about new shows / movies / music, etc. So far, pretty fun! It’s all good PR for everyone involved. You promote new media to friends and followers, and receive stickers you can paste on your belongings to further promote the GetGlue service and the media being represented in the physical world… Win-win!

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Early Kama’aina Registration for the 2013 Hapalua – Hawaii’s Half Marathon!

If you’re a Kama’aina (Hawaii resident), you have until May 31st to sign up for early registration ($48) for the 2013 Hapalua Half Marathon, happening on Sunday, March 10, 2013. The price will go up after May 31st, 2012.

Click here to go to the official site to register, or for more info

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My Tea is Tepid

My tea is tepid.
The leaves fall and cats eat doves.
They cry in purple.

waipahu cultural garden: purple

– A Monday haiku

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2012 Wahiawa Pineapple Run Finished!

This morning I participated in the 37th annual Wahiawa Pineapple Run.

For race results, go here.

The 10K run began a little after 7 AM. It was a sunny and beautiful morning out in Wahiawa. The start and finish line was at Ka’ala Elementary School, which is smack-dab in the middle of a residential area. I have to say Mahalo to the community for allowing this to happen year after year.

I always enjoy this run because I love Wahiawa, and find the course to be scenic, as well as challenging since there are a few hills to tackle, and of course, there’s also the pineapple at the end — every participant gets one. It’s one of the coolest things, for someone to hand you a pineapple after a run. Hopefully everyone who participated had a great time out there today! I know I did!

Here are a few photos stitched together from today’s run, using the diptic application for iPhone:
2012 Wahiawa Pineapple Run

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Wahiawa and the Pineapple Run!

I’m mostly done being sick, which means I’m ready (for the mostpart) to do the Wahiawa Pineapple Run taking place on Saturday, May 19th, in Wahiawa. This is a 10K run which begins at Ka’ala Elementary School, and which heads north towards the pineapple fields along Kam. Hwy., then back west, towards Kemoo Pub and Schofield Barracks, and wraps back around to Kamehameha Highway, past the historic Takano Store (whose only remaining historic item seems to be the lone, old-school gas pump, and I think someone new– not a Takano family member– sells furniture out of the old general store), and back up to Ka’ala Elementary.

The first packet pickup was at Runner’s HI on Saturday, May 12th, where I got my pre-run t-shirt and instructions. There was a second packet pickup at The Running Room yesterday, and the last one will be today, also at The Running Room, from 10a – 6p. This is also the last day to register. (Just head down to the packet pickup for late registration). When I picked up my packet on Saturday, one of the volunteers told me over 700 had signed up, and they were expecting more late registrations. Last year, there were over a thousand runners.

I love this run. It gets people out of the city, and into beautiful central Oahu, and it’s always well-organized. And, of course, there’s the Pineapple. Everyone who participates gets a Dole Maui Gold Pineapple! Yummmmm!!!

I’ve done this run every year since 2008. I grew up in the neighboring town of Mililani, so I hung out a lot in Wahiawa (also did my National Guard stint at Wheeler AAF, and attended Wheeler Intermediate for middle school). I still remember dad taking us to the old Dairy Queen, which is now a Koa Pancake House… and I remember shopping for clothes with mom a few times at Duke’s… not sure if they’re still around. My mom had a couple of beauty salons in Wahiawa before my dad got too sick and needed her to be home… Artistic Hair Studio near Coronet, and in another location above what is now Molly’s Smokehouse. Dong Yang had the best Korean food. Period. (Not sure if that still holds true today).

Here is the super cute timing chip I got for the run:

wahiawa pineapple run timing chip

Hope everyone participating has a great run on Satuday! I’ll post some pictures on this blog after the race.

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Stopped my workouts due to a cold

Last Wednesday, I came down with a cold that seemed mild at first, but then became pretty awful. So, I haven’t worked out since Thursday. I googled, and have also heard from other people, that it’s not good to workout if the symptoms you’re having are below the neck, which, unfortunately is where it’s been at for a while now. I canceled training with Kirstyn until Friday (don’t want to get her sick), and I’ve just been cleaning out my apartment and resting.

I’ve also been taking my BCAA’s first thing in the morning. I take 5 grams, and also try to get protein into my diet even though I cannot taste a thing because I’d hate to lose muscle during this downtime.

I have antibiotics I’ve been taking, but am not sure how long it’ll be until this congestion clears up. My doctor felt I was a bronchitis risk. Hopefully I can get back into things again.

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Anime Crushes: Robotech Edition

Robotech was an interesting import, because it consisted of three totally separate anime series in Japan, that were re-written to be interconnected stories in America, by Harmony Gold. (Big ups to Carl Macek)! It wasn’t the first anime I’d ever watched, but it was the first, really good, anime I’d ever watched… it had drama, great voice acting, an interesting storyline tying the three shows together, and awesome character designs.

Robotech – Macross (Generation 1)

My #1 anime crush during the Robotech series, goes to Max Sterling because he had a great voice, and he was humble, and the Ace pilot, and wore those cool blue glasses and had the blue hair… and he scored the hottest chick in the whole seires, Miriya! (Who was also the Zentraedi’s ace pilot, and had green hair)! Max and Miriya also tie the first generation to the second, since the writers made the main character in Generation 2, their daughter, Dana Sterling. This irked me since Dana didn’t seem anything like them and was blonde instead of the green-haired baby shown in Macross… but being as they were the only main characters to have a child in the first generation, I suppose it was the most logical tie-in for the writers.

Robotech Southern Cross (Generation 2)

Even though Dana Sterling was the leader of the group, she was one of my least favorite characters. My anime crush in this generation would have to go to Sean Phillips because he was the romeo of the crew, and fell in love with Marie Crystal in a weird way, by pretending to be interested in her, and then actually becoming smitten in the process. His character design was also pretty cool and often comical. People seemed to hate on the second generation the most, but over the years, I grew to appreciate it. I dug Nova Satori’s character design, and Marie’s as well.

Since I mentioned them, here’s Nova Satori and Dana Sterling:

 

Robotech The Next Generation (Generation 3)

This one is tough. When I was younger, it was probably Rand who was a big deal, because he was one of the younger members of the group, so I identified with him, and he had red hair and was overall a cool member of the team. He’s also introduced in the first episode as a resourceful survivor. His goggles and jacket were also cool. Him and Rook Bartley were good together.

And of course, I have to include Lancer, because of the purple hair and the fact he had the same voice as Max Sterling! And it didn’t bug me that he dressed up as a woman and sang songs as a rebel fighter on the run, and in disguise. It made him seem even cooler. Lancer fell in love with the Invid alien, Sera, with the bright green/yellow hair. :) Lancer was pretty bad-ass, especially in the novels that came out later.

 

My list remained pretty constant over the years, until I watched the third generation again not too long ago, and I had to add Scott Bernard to the list. I found Scott Bernard’s character attractive, because he was always so tragic and tightly-wound. He also had the cool blue hair. (What can I say, I was a sucker for colored hair from way back). Yes, it was pretty weird that he named the young woman with amnesia they found Marlene, after his dead girlfriend… but hey.

 

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Bride in Profile

I loved her plumeria haku lei-inspired headdress that was attached to her veil. Also, she looked great in all those ruffles. In the building I work at, there’s an agency whose clientele consists of Japanese couples coming to Hawaii to be married and photographed. Ah! To quote Lynn Minmay: “To be in love must be the greatest feeling that a girl can feel”
*as i shrivel up into a ball of dork for quoting a robotech song*

bride in profile

Taken with iPhone 4 and instagram.

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