ParkRat's Playground

Wasting a vote?

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:40:35 +0000

I had a very brief Twitter conversation the other night about this upcoming election which got me to thinking about who am I going to vote for and am I better off not voting just because I can’t choose one over the other.
The conversation started with a statement by the other person saying something to the effect that neither candidate is the clear choice in his mind. To which I responded that I have been having the same thought. I also said that he should remember to take a coin with him when he goes to vote so that he can toss it up and let chance choose for him. His response was that he was probably not going to vote at all because he wasn’t the type to vote based on a “lesser evil” (my interpretation not his). This got me to thinking, is that really a good thing? Isn’t that “wasting” a vote?

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging that person with this post. I am in fact grateful for the conversation because it did get me thinking about the subject that I have kind of been avoiding. Who am I going to vote for and am I better off not doing so since I can’t make up my mind, especially in the Governor’s primary race.

To understand where I am coming from and why I would even consider not voting and just letting the chips fall where they may is because not one of the candidates have distanced themselves from each other in my mind. I think they make valid points on both sides about their qualifications and I think they both take jabs at each other in their own ways that I don’t necessarily like as well. Those in either camp will probably say that there are huge differences and they have been pointing them out to me for months on end now and I am just being lazy and stupid. And that very well could be, but that is neither here nor there. The fact remains that in MY mind, they are essentially the same.

So both candidates being the same and say equally good and bad, does it really matter who wins? So no sense vote right? Well, here is where I have to say I don’t think that is going to be my choice. I think there is another factor and that is relationships. I have a number of friends who are involved in the campaign and although none has outright asked who am I going to vote for or how can they get my vote, I think my relationship with them requires my participation in this election by voting for the person who they are supporting.

Now, is this right? I mean, my friends aren’t the ones who are getting into office. How could voting based on who they are supporting be the right thing to do? I think this is the right thing to do because:

1. I don’t see a difference, but these people obviously do otherwise they wouldn’t be supporting one over the other.
2. They are my friends. My friends must share some of the same values that I do or we really couldn’t be friends. Not for the values that “count” and I would think that those are some of the ones that come into play when talking about something that affects all of our lives here in Hawaii.

3. Ultimately, if I am going to “throw something away” (like my right to place a vote for a candidate) then why not “give it” to my friends? After all, if I had something that I totally wasn’t going to use at all and I knew my friend wanted it and could use it I would give it to that friend. Isn’t it a little rude to say, “I know you want this, but I’d rather throw it away than give it to you.”?

So I WILL BE casting a vote this election. Who it will be for I am really not sure of yet, but at least I know my vote will not be thrown away. How about you?

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Late Night Ramen @bigcitydiner (@bcdlane @mel808)

ParkRat — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:18:29 +0000

We’ve been trying to get the late night ramen meal at Big City Diner almost since Lane first tweeted about it. But most of the time we’re actually too early (it isn’t available until 10:30pm). Which is saying a lot because we typically eat “late” by most people’s standards.

Once we were almost there at the right time,10:00pm-ish! But were rebuffed and told that the special starts at 10:30pm. Sigh. Oh wells, give Lane some crap online and hassle the waiter a little and then enjoy the meal. I don’t even remember what I had that night already.

In any case, after a day of @mel808 saying that we ARE going to get the ramen Saturday night and starving me up until we could get it. Our kids all ditched us that night too so it was just the two of us watching the clock. But we finally succeeded in having what I’ve been referring to as DA BIG Ramen (late night only)!

This one was Mel’s and had just about everything that they put in it in it.

This was mine. It had just about everything that they put it in it NOT put in it.

Oh and then we also decided to have dessert.

YUMS!

Dinner at Choi’s Family Restaurant

ParkRat — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:11:29 +0000

Soup

BBQ Pork Plate

Combo Chicken Katsu/Meat Jun Plate

Dinner at The Ranch House (@ranchhousehi)

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 07:01:31 +0000

Corn chowder

These garlic buns were ONO!!!

Huli huli chicken

Mauna Kea – two brownies, Lapperts ice cream, hot fudge, strawberry, macadamia nuts. YUM!

Dinner at Da Kitchen – Shout out to @susieschmoozee and @bigbadpig

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:10:03 +0000

Our first trip to Da Kitchen! Bumped into @susieschmoozee and @bigbadpig finishing their meal. And of course in true Susie fashion. She sniped a pic! Although I think @bigbadpig was the photographer for this one not her.

Iced Tea

Chicken breast sandwich with fries. Plain.

Teriyaki chicken plate

Grandma’s chow fun

Fried spam musubi with teriyaki sauce. MAJOR YUM!

Breakfast at Subway @waikikibeachwlk (@davekozuki shout out)

admin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:29:31 +0000

I think @davekozuki and I were channeling each other yesterday because we both went to eat at Subway. Just different ones and unlike him I was NOT recognized at Subway.

Black forest ham and turkey sandwich with shredded cheese and add bacon. Toasted. NO VEGGIES! Side order of BAKED (gotta be healthy) bbq chips.

And this buggah was staring at me through the case at the register yelling “Eat me! Eat me!” so I did.

My New Yoobao iPad Case

ParkRat — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:58:38 +0000

I’m loving this case! I just had a hard shell for the back before this and couldn’t get the Apple iPad case because it wasn’t available so I went to eBay and picked this puppy up.

Dinner at Goma Tei with @melissa808

ParkRat — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 07:35:28 +0000

What can I say? @mel808 is very happy that @melissa808 knows where to go to get some good food and at places we’ve never tried. After the @rrmobile launch party last week we went to get a late night meal at Goma Tei. Much to @melissa808′s horror neither @mel808 or myself had ever been there. The food was great (although a little spicy for my sensitive tongue) and of course @melissa808 knew one of the owners.

Their menu

Tan tan ramen

Seafood tan tan ramen

Wakame tan tan ramen

Dinosaurs at Pearlridge! (@pearlridge)

ParkRat — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:34:29 +0000

Went out to Pearlridge to take a look at the location for our Mix It Up Hawaii! show and snapped some pics of the dinosaurs they have out there. It is a pretty cool exhibit and the kids that were riding the train seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Myself, I was a little worried that dinos eat rats.

Happy 15th Anniversary @koalohauke!

ParkRat — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:09:01 +0000

@mel808 and I were lucky enough to be invited to the Koaloha 15th Year Anniversary party at The Willows Restaurant and as expected at most local parties. The food was ONO and of course the entertainment was incredible! If only I had thought about video taping the event more than eating. Hmmm…oh wells, next time. Maybe.

Congratulations @koalohauke and thank you! May there be many many more anniversaries in your future.