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Homemade Ramen Burgers Are Like Lugz Zoshos

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The ramen burger is a perfect example of a collaboration of cultures – the American beef patty meets Asian noodles. Sounds simple enough that both you or I could recreate this collabo at home. Just don’t do it.

Confess. You’ve thought about it. Cook a few packages of Sapporo Ichiban and sizzle up some May’s beef patties, and marvel at your own homemade ramen burger. Or even better, prepare real ramen noodles, form them into bun shapes, and make your own hamburger patties.

Homemade Ramen Burger
Homemade Ramen Burger

But upon your first bite, you’ll realize it’s just not that simple. While you can mimic the appearance of the noodle bun around a burger, you can’t replicate the taste of the ramen burger. It’s best to leave that to the experts.

Lugz Zosho
Lugz Zosho
Learn a lesson from the kicks world where Lugz recently introduced their Zosho line. Looks familiar? If you’ve ever seen a Nike Roshe Run, you can easily spot the similarities. But yet, like your homemade ramen burger, the Zosho is not the Roshe. What’s different? Is it the materials, the construction, the details, the sole? What’s different with the ramen burger? Is it the ingredients, the technique, the garnishes, the soulful flavors?

Whatever it is, don’t try to make your own ramen burger at home without being ready to infuse it with some flavor and soul. And while going to New York to sample the real ramen burger is out of the picture, you can get a ramen burger locally from Tanaka Saimin. I hear it’s quite tasty.

Maybe I Should Fear the Jordans

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After watching Macklemore’s video Wings, maybe I should be fearful of the Jordans.

Although at my age, I’m not worrying so much about about defining my identify through my kicks. It’s more about reminiscing the past through retros and enjoying the colors and designs of contemporary kicks. Maybe I should worry about coworkers eyeing and taking my kicks, especially with @abaggy and @gquiks487 around.

Are you intrigued by the song? Read more about Wings, its message about consumerism, and Macklemore selling out to the NBA.

Do Not Fear the Jordans

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The Jordan “Fear Pack” didn’t interest me, but at Foot Locker’s House of Hoops Ala Moana, they were raffling off the chance to purchase the Fear editions of AJ3, 4, and 5. Since I happened to be there, I had to enter the raffle but only for the AJ3 and AJ5. Not digging the Oreo-look of the AJ4, and I have bad memories of the heel tab digging into my foot from back in the day.


Images from Foot Locker.

Winners announced on Wednesday. I never owned a pair of AJ3 or AJ5. I’ve missed out getting all those AJ3 retros over the years and the AJ5 never appealed to me in white. Black’s not so bad but the Fear colorway is unique. Oh, and I have Foot Locker credit so good conditions all around to add to my kicks collection. 🙂

Reviewed Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop

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No, I didn’t go to Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop in Kaimuki to get shoes repaired. Instead I needed work done on a suitcase handle that broke while packing for our Disney cruise to Alaska. Checking around it seems Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop is the place. This little local shop is the only authorized Samsonite luggage repair location on Oahu (and I think recommended for shoe repairs by Nordstrom). How did this small place get these lucrative endorsements I’m not sure, but the repair shop is full of leather goods in need of mending.

So anyways on Yelp, there’s a mix of good and bad reviews for Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop. Overall, I had a good (no great) experience so I gave my review. I’d recommend using Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop for luggage repairs but your mileage may vary. And yes, I can live with a blue handle on my black suitcase.

Read my Yelp review of Tam’s Shoe Repair Shop.

Essential But Did Not Make the Cut

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Out of the blue, Nike.com had a sale on clearance items where I found these Nike Air Max 1 Essentials. Already discounted, the sale took off an additional 20% so of course, it was a must buy. In black, grey, and orange, it’s easily wearable too.

But when I tried them on, I understood the “Essential” tag. I’ve noticed other designations on the Air Max 1 line – Premium, no designation, and Essential. I’m guessing the Essential model is at the bottom of the pecking order. Don’t get me wrong, these shoes were solidly built and were not “B grade,” but the materials were not of premium quality. The shoe itself felt a little stiff and not that comfortable. So while I loved the colorway and the price, this Essential wasn’t so, not making the cut, and easily returned to Nike.com.

Nike Engineered Mesh – Tianjin or Rio?

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Modern Nike Engineered Mesh molded to classic Air Max silhouettes? Yes, please to this mashup, but which ones, the AM90 Tianjin or Beaches of Rio?

Nike Air Max 90 Tianjin

The multi-hued grey combination is demurely alluring. Speckled midsole – Jordanesque. The Tianjin namesake on the tongue. Red flecks lacing the laces. Then the translucent Air Max bubble, in red – completes the shoe.

Nike Air Max 90 Beaches of Rio

A distinct contrast from the dark Tianjins is the vibrant Beaches of Rio. Lively turquoise with citrus orange highlights. Yes, although both AM90s, the Rios and Tianjins look unrelated. Speckled midsole still there but no signature name on the tongue. The Air Max bubble is a light, bright blue.

Only one AM90 EM make would stick, the other returned. Which one? Seemingly I have a thing for greys as seen in previous buys. Maybe, too much grey in the current rotation. The Rios are summertime loud, a little outside of my style scope, but then this happened.

Nike Air Max 90 Beaches of Rio
Agent P (Perry the Platypus) and the AM90 Beaches of Rio

Thanks Agent P, decision made!

How Does This Complete the Look?!

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LunarRidge OMS
LunarRidge OMS

Checking out Nordstrom’s half-yearly sale online, I saw these Nike LunarRidge OMS sneaker/boots. They’re kinda interesting, matching up the outdoors with Nike Lunar technology. They’re even more appealing at 33% off, but alas, common sizes are sold out.

nordstrom-complete-the-look
Core briefs

Scrolling down on the shoe’s page, Nordstrom.com recommend this to “complete the look.” Really? I don’t understand how Nike Combat Core boxer briefs finishes off the look of the LunarRidge. Perhaps both the LunarRidge and Core briefs follow the description of “Breathable mesh panels allow for maximum cooling…” I don’t know what else could be common factors. I mean the colors of the shoes and boxers don’t even match!

Three Pair Today

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If I had to buy three pairs of kicks today, these would be my choices. No, I really didn’t buy any of these today, but if I had the $$$ and absolutely needed to buy some kicks…

Air Jordan 3 ’88 Retro. A classic that’s eluded me all these years. I remembered passing on a retro release years ago at Footlocker. They were in the store, I had one in my hands, but I said nah. #regrets

Nike Huarache Free Shield (LeSean McCoy). I always had a sentimental soft spot for Huarache.

Nike Lunar Flyknit Chukka. Because it’s so new and is the future.

These were close but didn’t make my cut for the top three: Air Max 95 Dynamic Flywire, LeBron X Low, Nike Air Trainer SC II (if had in Miami colorway then might have made the top three).

What would be your three pair today?

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