Frappula 2016 Is Confused
Starbucks has brought back its Halloween-themed Frappula for 2016, but this year’s version is confused. The 2015 version featured a mocha base, various layers, and a “bloody” raspberry syrup. On first glance, the 2016 version has the same recipe according to the official Starbucks app.
But in-store, the Frappula has strawberry instead of raspberry.
While it works, I’m liking the mocha-raspberry combo over the mocha and strawberries of 2016. Or maybe it’s because the mocha is accidentally missing from my Frappula? I had thought my drink looked a little too whitewashed.
I asked about the strawberry substitution, and the answer given made perfect sense. Currently, the raspberry syrup used by Starbucks is clear, so it wouldn’t impart that bloody look like red strawberries.
Windows 10 VM Finally Under Control
I hope. That was an ordeal. Not exactly sure why, but my Windows 10 virtual machine in Parallels went crazy one day, slowing to a glacial crawl. I thought it was actually not functioning, but really, it was operating, really, really, really slowly.
I thought I did something to Windows so I tried migrating back to a month old backup. But then I fought with macOS Sierra’s optimzed storage. Luckily, this free/unfree space issue seemingly was resolved after updating to 10.12.1.
So with space available, I tried working with an older copy of my VM to no luck. Still slow. Then I found this forum post describing a common problem with the combination of Sierra, Win10, and Parallels Desktop 12. None of the recommended fixes helped.
I tried downgrading to Parallels Desktop 11 but still slow. I even moved products, trying out VirtualBox and copying the .hds file from my Parallel’s VM file. With Gary’s help and his supercharged MacBook Pro, he encountered the same slowdown so it wasn’t just me and my MacBook Air. He did notice that my VM was woefully out of space, so he created another disk image and cloned content to it.
Then I found the Windows reset feature. This nuclear option begins Windows 10 like it was brand new (but with data files retained). This had the biggest effect. The VM started behaving “like normal.” For me, having a functioning OS is a worth lost apps, but that’s fixable since I only have a handful of app to re-install.
I did move back to Parallels though due to Windows activation. Using VirtualBox deactivated my Windows with the underlying (virtualized) hardware changes. But back in Parallels, Windows was still activated. I even learned to link a Microsoft account to Windows 10 to store my Windows 10 digital activation information.
I’m hoping this ordeal with Windows is over…
Fighting with macOS Optimized Storage
I’ve been fighting with the new macOS Optimized Storage feature today. I accidentally enabled this feature while trying to free up space on my drive. Optimized Storage does make it easy to see what’s taking up all the space and then free up that space.
But then you end up with this Purgeable space that isn’t living up to its name. See that cross hatched section? That’s the purgeable space weighing in at 104 GB. The actual free space is that blank section at 32 GB.
I’m trying to restore a Time Machine backup of a virtual machine, and that single file is roughly 55 GB. But when I start the restore, my Mac complains that 23 GB of space is needed to complete the restoral. Doing the math, 32+23=55 GB makes sense, but there’s all that purgeable space that can easily cover the additionally needed space. So what’s up with that?
I’m trying to see if I can deactive Sierra’s Optimized Storage which I’m hoping deactivates the Purgeable space, immediately making it free space.
The Best Halloween “Costume”
While it’s not yet October 31, 2016, I’m calling this the best “costume” of this Halloween season.
Yup, that’s a humongous roach on the side of the house. But, no worry! There’s a big can of Raid waiting…
Costco Hawaii Kai Get Mad Kicks
Well, the workers there anyways. But yes, if you’re ever at the Costco location in Hawaii Kai, check out the kicks of the workers, especially those working at checkout. For the most part, the workers, both men and women, are wearing nice shoes.
On a recent outing, I saw these Adidas Ultra Boosts and NMDs. Oh so pretty!
Amazon Music, I Don’t Get It
Obviously I have research to do about Amazon’s new music service, but I don’t get it. The service is a competitor to Spotify and Apple Music. But it’s different than the music available from the Amazon Prime subscription. And although I already pay for Amazon Prime, this doesn’t give me access to my this separate service.
So not only do I pay an annual fee for Prime, I have to pay a (discounted) fee for this new music service. And there’s another payment tier for Echo use only.
But like I said, I have more research to do. In another vein, what is somewhat telling is the non-mention of the Google Play music service. In articles, The Amazon music service is compared against Spotify and Apple, not Google. Nothing major but just a hint of what’s in the mindset of the general population.
I Suffer from Tsundoku
I kinda suspected there was a term for my condition, and I now know its name. I suffer from tsundoku which is defined thusly:
The acquiring of reading materials followed by letting them pile up and subsequently never reading them.
Yes, I have a collection of books that maybe, just maybe, I cracked the spine on. Otherwise, they are in pristine condition (just a little dusty). I intended to read and learn from these books, but history has taught me otherwise, and now I acknowledge that I won’t read them.
I have gotten better over the years with the stagnant books acting as a reminder of this wasteful habit. Okay, okay, I did have a relapse buying (and not reading) that Sports Illustrated issue on Kobe Bryant’s career.
So while I suffer from tsundoku, I acknowledge it and vow to stay away from Amazon Prime Reading.
Went with the Caseology Vault for My iPhone 7
While there was a surprising number of cases available for the iPhone 7 at its launch, I was drawn to Caseology’s Vault case with its carbon fiber styling. At roughly $10, the case doesn’t actually have carbon fiber in it, just a facade that mimics the look of carbon fiber. Hey, it works for me!
The case offers sufficient protection, but it’s not heavily padded against serious bumps and bruises. The styling plays into the feel of the case with the carbon fiber accents offset by matte black paneling. None of the case materials is slick or slippery. The back of the Vault is smooth yet grippy.
Although I like the case overall, I do have two concerns with its design. In general, the case doesn’t seem snug enough. When the iPhone 7 gets hot, it feels like the case expands, getting a little looser. Second, the cutout area for the mute switch is frightfully thin. It definitely seems like the weak point that’ll break first.
But for now, I’m happy with the look, feel, protection, and value of the Caseology Vault.
Asked to Leave… Again
It’s been a few years since I was asked to leave a store, but it finally happened again. Well, to be clear, I wasn’t directly asked to leave the store, but I could not have my drink in the store, so I took it as an indirect request to leave the store. And I did, but this time, this incident was at the Halloween seasonal store at Windward Mall.
The store moved into the old Children’s Place location near the former Sports Authority and relocated play area, now dubbed the Zen Pen.
Walking through the store, the worker told me no food or drinks were allowed and offered to hold my Starbucks. I wasn’t about to give up my $5+ SBUX crack, so I walked out the door where I only then saw their fair warning sign.
I’ll give them that much. They did warn their customers though I’m not quite sure of the reasoning. I should have stuck around to see what happened to the family with young kids (everyone holding some kind of drink) that entered as I left the store.
Ala Moana Parking Stall Counter
Recently, I noticed that Ala Moana now indicates how many open parking stalls are in the various parking areas. As you go up the Keeaumoku entrance ramp, you’ll see the big board counting all the open spaces (sorry, I don’t have a pic). I had seen this on the mainland but never in Hawaii.
I wondered how it got its data then I finally (and painfully) looked at the new-ish LED lights in the structure. Nestled between the left and right LED lights is what I’m guessing to be the sensor.