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Analyzing HammerTime

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It’s been four days since HammerTime started broadcasting on 96.3FM KRTR in the mornings. You’ve tuned in by now, right? Truthfully, after four days, I’ve listened to about four hours of the trio of Davey D, Gregg and Shawnee Hammer. While I’m elated Hammer’s back on air, I ain’t that infatuated with the man. 😉

I know this is just the very beginning with rough spots expected, but from my limited sampling, here is Pulpconnection’s analysis and breakdown.

But before that, if you missed the launch of HammerTime, listen in to the first two minutes of HammerTime. So what if they started about 5 minutes early?

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116972762″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

The Name

Just nitpicking here, but the name HammerTime is appropriate but small kine confusing. Thanks to MC Hammer, HammerTime is part of our vernacular. Gregg Hammer is a marquee draw and since two of the three members of HammerTime are Hammers, the name fits. But there’s Davey D who seems like the team’s radio lead but gets unequal billing. No, I’m not trying to disrupt the team, just pointing out an observation.

The Music

KRATER 96 plays adult contemporary music, and at my age, I don’t mind this music since it’s all familiar. Rihanna is as hip hop as it gets around here. There’s a good mix of 90’s and newer music. Trivia fact: if you listen to the launch of HammerTime, the first official song played is Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn from 1997.

The Traffic

Fortunately, KRTR has the best traffic reporter assigned to their station with Danielle Tucker and Traffic on the Fives. Danielle’s reports are thorough and tweaked just enough so they don’t sound like she’s repetitively reading the same report for several stations.

The Jocks

HammerTime Jocks
HammerTime Jocks

Let’s start with the jockette, Shawnee Hammer. Since her departure from the I-94 Wake-Up Crew way back in the day, I’m not sure what she’s been up to. But she hasn’t missed a beat. Her news delivery is a bright spot for the fledgling HammerTime. She has a quick, precise delivery with enough inflections to stress words and convey vibrancy.

Davey D is a name I’ve heard before, but I’m not familiar with his style. I’m guessing his role is the experienced point man/facilitator of the program. The problem I have is telling the difference between the voices of Davey D and Gregg. When Hammer is in caricature-mode, it’s easy to discern, but in straight up regular dialog, I can’t immediately tell. Their voices have similar qualities unlike the former pairing of Gregg and Rory Wild.

Now, the main show, Gregg Hammer. Yes, I am a fan and believe Gregg belongs on the airwaves as one of the most talented entertainers. His range is wide and his speed of improvisation is unparalleled. But… these are new times, a new station, and a new team.

The Team

At times, it feels like Gregg is a one-man show. He goes into character but has to play all the parts. Listen in.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116910650″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

While he can pull this off, the effect is more compelling when the team complements or augments the stories and jokes. Yes, the team is still adjusting to one another and will get better over time; I understand that. I’m not sure if Gregg’s team knows how to react to his skits or can’t keep up or can’t lead him to the next segment. Again, Rory Wild was the master of this. With a few, well-placed comments, questions, or even a sigh, Rory would be directing the discourse giving Gregg a new path for hilarity. The team just needs more time, more repetitions, more exchanges before everything comes together. My basis for comparison is Gregg’s time with the Wake-Up Crew that spanned years. Seemingly he’s known Rory even longer. So it’s with this bias and expectations, I listen to HammerTime.

The Format

Ugh, okay, this has got to be the worst aspect of the show. It’s no fault to any HammerTime member, just the format of KRTR. But I really hate it. It’s the whole “right after this…” teasing. What celebrity was arrested last night? Find out right after this. Where “this” is typically one or two songs and a commercial. Then there’s some banter followed by another song, news, or traffic report. Then another teaser. Now follow this format for hours. There’s just no flow. Staccato is a rhythm but not a desired flow for this morning show.

Unshackle the Hammer. When things start getting good, the format kicks in, stifling the creativity of Gregg Hammer. Remember the days of the Wake-Up Crew when they would talk for minutes, not playing any music, just doing the obligatory bill paying commercials. The dialog would carry and engage the listeners. I would stay through the commercials so I wouldn’t miss out when the conversation picked up. The current show format doesn’t allow for this, letting me leave knowing I won’t hear from Davey, Shawnee, or Gregg for some time. And when I do hear from them, it’ll be for a scant few minutes before another mandatory music interruption.

It’s the beginning, and I’ll keep listening to HammerTime. You just never know when Gregg will talk about his Instagram selfie.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/116972604″ width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Oh, one last thing. Develop characters. Gregg needs to redefine and develop characters. Gone are the days of Tufi Claus, Robert Crazymero, Manyo the Janitor, Bubba Fujimoto, the old Japanese couple, Officer Sherman Botello, and others. Gregg needs a new cast and fast. I’m not sure if Bubbles is it though.

JUICIES+ for 2013

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Remember the Kickstarter-based Juicies project back in 2011? These playful iPhone and USB cables took the scenic route to ship, but they were and still are colorfully distinctive. My green USB extension cord lengthens my Lightning iPhone 5 cable for a daily charge.

Fast forward to 2013, and Juicies is back to charge up your newer gear. Meet JUICIES+. Instead of continuing their rainbow palette, JUICIES+ is going after cable pliability. You notice how the outer jackets of cables tend to keep their shape over time? If you keep winding a cable a certain way, the cable will want to stay that way. JUICIES+ answer is a “flexible tangle free woven cable.” Made of high quality, certified materials and construction, this charging cable also has the looks to match. Added to the black or white JUICIES+ is now a champagne gold to match the iPhone 5s.

juiciesplus-gold

While I don’t have an iPhone 5s, having this gold JUICIES+ is a great way to indoctrinate myself to this new Apple colorspace. Oh, and with a bin of various black and white cables, this golden cable will surely shine. You have a few days to back the JUICIES+ project so don’t wait!

Hammertime Is All Business

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There were rumblings and rumors, but now it’s known. Gregg Hammer is coming back to the airwaves starting tomorrow, Tuesday, October 22, 2013. But no, Mr. Hammer isn’t reuniting with his old gang, the Wake-Up Crew. Instead, this comedic genius is joining KRTR 96.3 FM for the morning show. Joining Gregg from 5am to 10am weekday mornings will be Davey D and Shawnee (Hammer).

What’s with Gregg’s return? Who knows, but it has to be an all business affair. I hoped the return of the Hammer would be with his partner-in-crime and point man, Rory Wild. The world is a better place with Rory and Gregg on the air waves, but it’s not to be as Rory is still leading the revamped Wake-Up Crew on Island 98.5. So yes, both will be broadcasting at the same time on different stations. Doesn’t that pain you too?

Also, if you’re not a KRTR listener, morning deejays Dave Lancaster and Sister Sherry have been gone for about two weeks. Again, another business matter to seemingly open a time slot for Hammer’s return.

I don’t know Davey D’s style and haven’t heard from Shawnee since becoming Mrs. Hammer, so I don’t know what to expect. Tune in tomorrow to catch the return of Gregg Hammer!

My Yelp Review Criteria for Shave Ice

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I’m simplifying my Yelp review criteria for shave ice places. I’m rating them based on two main questions:

  1. Would I go/eat there again?
  2. Is the shave ice too hard or too much to eat?

Really simple right? Sure flavor and consistency of the ice counts, but that factors into point #1. Then again, so does parking, seating, and cost.

For point #2, I view shave ice as a treat, not a heavy meal. So if it’s so dense, so huge, or so overwhelming, I’m rating it down.

Because I settled on these two points, I changed my recent Yelp review for Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes, going down a notch from 4 to 3 stars. Don’t get me wrong, Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes is a solid choice. But I doubt I’ll go back on my own choice. I’m more of a traditional shave ice fan, not the snow ice type.

The #4 mango and passion fruit combo we got was so large, three of us easily split it. I can’t imagine eating all of it myself, so that’s a negative for reason #2.

Mango and passion fruit combo
Mango and passion fruit combo

Sorry, Aloha Crepes & Snow Flakes, but I gotta set and stick with my rules.

Great Customer Service from Strong Like Bull Magnets

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Now that’s great customer service by Spoke Design, makers of Strong Like Bull magnets. After Kickstarting this project, I was so pleased with the resulting product that I ordered more (in the new colors).

Anyways, there was an order mixup that was resolved. But besides the fast resolution and apology, I’m getting additional magnets! Yep, that’s delighting your customers right there. I can overlook a delayed order when there’s even more goodness that’s being delivered.

So if you want great magnets (seriously, these stick to anything) and exceptional customer service, you need to check out Strong Like Bull.

slbmagnet

Welcome Granny and Saxy

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Welcome Granny and “Saxy” to our LEGO family. Opened up two more packs of LEGO Minifigures Series 11 and got the elusive Grandma and the Blue Brothers-looking Saxophone Player.

LEGO Grandma and Saxophone Player
LEGO Grandma and Saxophone Player

The only minifig left from Series 11 that I want is the Welder. I have a few more unopened packs, and I really hope the Welder is in one of them. Otherwise, I’ll have to pass since I’m done hunting for any more Series 11 LEGO.

That’s 3 Stars

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That’s three Starbucks rewards stars right there in that bag.

Starbucks Breakfast Sandwich Inside
Starbucks Breakfast Sandwich Inside

For a limited time and if your account received the promotion, any purchase of a Starbucks breakfast sandwich yielded you three rewards stars. Not a bad tradeoff, $3-4 for breakfast and extra stars earned. Unfortunately, the promotion ended on October 15, 2013.

What about the breakfast sandwiches? Well, they’re okay. Nothing great, and they do remind me of breakfast from McDonalds. There’s not a whole lot of new breakfast combinations out there you know. An egg, sausage, and English muffin combination is pretty similar wherever you go. Anyways, two sandwiches and six stars later, I’m glad this promotion has ended.

Apple and Nike At It Again?

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You think Nike and Apple are at it again, sharing playbooks? Read about the updated Nike+ FuelBand SE, and you’ll see what I mean. The dead giveaway is interfacing with iOS only. With all its resources, of course, Nike can make an Android app, but they haven’t yet.

Nike+ FuelBand SE
Nike+ FuelBand SE

Then there’s the adoption of Bluetooth 4.0, aka Bluetooth Low Energy, aka BLE, aka iBeacon. NFC is still a technology looking for traction, but Nike’s decision to go BLE is another nod to the way of Apple.

Old time Mac fans will recognize the SE moniker from the olden days of the Motorola 68000 series microprocessors in the all-in-one Mac SE. When updated, will Nike have the bravado to call the revised SE, the SE/x, or will they flinch like Apple’s SE/30 (back in the day, Apple hardware with a math coprocessor had the suffix “x” appended on).

And don’t think when Apple’s iWatch finally surfaces, Nike won’t be one of the first to interconnect with this personal ecosphere.

Checking Out Themify

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With an on-going Cult of Mac deal for two Themify WordPress themes for the mere price of $19, I had to check it out. Normally priced at $60, this deal for two themes is hard to pass up at under 20 bucks.

And Themify has some impressive looking themes. I’ve never used their themes before and am not sure how the backend interface is. For my two themes, I might go with Magazine that so much potential though I’m sure customizing it will take some time. Parallax is really cool but doesn’t fit my needs. Responz looks fun and clean but in general, I’m not a fan of “z” words.

In either case, if these themes don’t work out, $19 is a minimal investment. Go ahead and check out the deal that’s expiring on October 20, 2013.

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