Monthly Archive for October, 2017

End of Another Journey

Published on October 18, 2017 in Uncategorized by taro. Closed

The end of an arduous two weeks for my dad. He passed early this morning after struggling mightily against the pneumonia that struck him in the hospital. We initially came in for abdominal problems, I knew something serious was up and had a quick check at urgent care then went to ER. Turns out gallstones giving him problems and his gallbladder was removed. It should have been a quick procedure and quick healing time. There was some complications, but it went ok. Unfortunately there was more stones and blockage downstream, another procedure took care of that. There were more complication when it should have been getting better. After a total of five trips to OR, all those issues were resolved and things were on the mend. But that much stress was just too much for an almost 90 year old body to deal with, he contracted pneumonia and could not recover from that.

I just wish we could have made it easier on him. At one moment he talked about he wished he could go quick and easy, like my mom. But at the start of this this wasn’t really on my mind. We thought he might have to stay in rehab for a few weeks, then maybe come home with some assistance. That really was the picture and everyone felt that way. But as things dragged on and the pneumonia set in things got darker. Goals started changing, but we couldn’t fulfill his one overwhelming desire to go home. I wished we could have at least done that for a moment. We don’t have the resources for that. We couldn’t put him into a robot and bring him home to rest in his own house and look out over his own yard. Dammit man! Continue reading ‘End of Another Journey’

Beer is Good – New Belgium Fat Tire Belgian White

Published on October 15, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

Special release from Fat Tire, this Belgian white pours cloudy yellow with medium head. Some floral with a stronger citrus aroma and then the spice. Finishes with a nice grain. Bitter is well controlled. Medium mouthfeel. This is a great white, the coriander spice is more subtle than a Hoegarten.

4 out 4 white monkeys.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Published on October 8, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

Recently opened up in the Hawaii Kai shopping center down near the City Mill side, this east coast franchise. On my way home from a early Olomana ride, I was in need of lunch and decided to give it a try. Seeing where it’s from, I had to do it and go for the cheese steak. I did go a bit non traditional and got the chipotle version, with chipotle mayo. They take things a step further and hand cut the meats and cheeses per order. They toss the seasoned meat, onions, and bell peppers on the grill, but against what some might consider authenticity, put a slice of white American cheese on. No Velveeta, I have no complaints. Stuff it into a hoagie roll and there you have it. A gooey mess of tasty goodness, complete with occasional gristle! No processed meat product there. My only complaint would be that it was not chipotly at all. I actually wonder if they forgot.

3 out 4 cheesy monkeys.

Space Food II

Published on October 8, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

What with everything going on the past few days, in one of the evenings I was need of a easy meal. I could have grabbed some take out somewhere, but I had some good salmon sitting in the fridge that I bought before this all went down. Perfect opportunity to break out more Space Food. Grabbed another packed of the previously reviewed miso soup, and then this new packet. This one is a packet of freeze dried gomoku, “five item” rice, spoon includes! The various little squares mention disaster, outdoors, long term storage, 60 minutes with water, 15 minutes with hot water, 373 calories, spoon includes. Continue reading ‘Space Food II’

Space Food

Published on October 8, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

“Don to yasai omisoshiru” my translation? Boom, vegetable miso soup! My latest foray into what i call J astronaut food. Open the metalized plastic packet and you find what looks and feels like a block of foam, not fru fru bubbly flavoring stuff, but like styrofoam. Pour boiling hot water over it and watch it magically transform into miso soup with vegetables, this particular one is kabocha flavor. Its quite amazing, it reconstitutes into soup with recognizable chunks of kabocha, string beans, cabbage. It tastes quite good, and it even somehow retains texture! I dont know if Japanese astronauts actually eat this, but i can imagine its well suited for it.

4 out 4 space monkeys.

Beer Is Good – Sam Adams Octoberfest

Published on October 1, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

And now for Samuel Adam’s entry into this seasons Octoberfest beer. Pours clear dark amber medium head. Mild hop aroma, medium bitter that tapers. Finishes with a nice malt and nut. Medium crisp mouthfeel. Easy drinking but some substance to make for a good fall beer.

Easy 3 out 4 October monkeys.

Pie My Eye!

Published on October 1, 2017 in Food and Review by taro. Closed

Pro Bar Fuel Blueberry Pie

When you’ve been riding for 8 days straight and eating the same sets of energy bars, you run into food fatigue and don’t want to see another bar for a while. It’s been a few weeks now and were back riding at home, but I still have some of that fatigue, so I decided to try one of these that I haven’t before. The picture and name conjured up images of yummy pastries. Imagine my disappointment when I tore the package open and saw this. I didn’t expect to see a slice of pie like in the illustration, but I had at least hoped for something like a Pop-tart. What about this is blueberry pie? OK, there is the aroma of blueberry, but this is pretty much a fig bar. Not even a fig Newton with the somewhat crusty stuff. It’s not aweful, but it’s not PIE!

I’m tempted to give it less because I feel deceived, but I’ll give it 2 out 4 pie coveting monkeys.