UYE Primo Popcorn

Thank you Li! What a great event! I also realized what your full name is. Lol. You may have told me once but short memory and I didn’t remember.
Anyhoo, I was unable to make it to popcorn but I’m so glad this event also extended to Dinner at Ming’s restaurant cause I was able to make that! :) It was great seeing some faces I’ve been seeing often: Wayne C, Victoria M, Paul C, Maka K. Also nice to meet Darryl & Sophie P. as well as sisters Jenny & Anita! We had such fun conversation in the middle of stuffing our faces with food and wine. (well, for those that drank the wine). It was also great to see Janice out and about. Lol, missed her face! thanks for sharing your popcorn! Delicious!
I don’t know all names of the dishes brought out at dinner and I didn’t take ANY food pics, I just ate. There was a tasty green bean dish, sizzling beef, dumplings that you ate with ginger and vinegar, pot stickers, walnut shrimp (which i can’t eat), cake noodle w/​chicken (i think? Thanks for getting that for me Li!), stir-​fried mochi, and I know there were at least one or 2 more dishes. Most everything was pre-​ordered for our UYE but a couple dishes were added on. And as Victoria learned, amazing fried tofu! I saw that she had to go back! :) I was happily content with everything we had and I don’t believe there was anything leftover at our table! At least I didn’t see anything.
Of course what night would be complete without dessert? By popular demand, we picked Bubbies! I’ve only had mochi ice cream there, even though their desserts have such fun names! I’m a little traditional… and had mochi ice cream again.
This night had lots of laughter, lots of delicious food, and great company. So much fun and Li was a wonderful hostess! Again, sad that I missed out on the popcorn but I’m so glad I attended the «continuation»!

I have never been to Primo Popocorn, but then again, I have never attended a UYE either! Two firsts for me and I loved both. Primo Popcorn doesn’t just have interesting flavored popcorn, but there is an interesting story behind each flavor. I loved having Rylen’s background story on the flavors, and why he paired them with certain wines. His background in the food industry really gives him an excellent insight into flavors and pairings. We tried Dried Aku (my fav!), Prime Rib/​End Cut, Raging Crab, Spicy Poke and white/​yellow cheddar mix. Of course we had to buy a basket full of popcorn after tasting all the wonderful flavors. The other flavors I enjoyed were the haupia, the poi dog (white/​dark/​milk chocolate), and the Grumpy Old Men (salt & vinegar). Definitely need to go back to try some more flavors!
After we were done with our wine/​beer tastings and trivia game at Primo Popcorn, we headed on over to Ming’s for a fabulous Shanghai style dinner. I have been to Ming’s before but I had not tried any of the dishes we had that night — except for the pot-​stickers of course, which are always a «must have» for me when eating at Ming’s. I really enjoyed the stir-​fried mochi, the stir fried beans with pork, and especially the shanghai dumplings. Thank you Anita R. for teaching me how to properly eat a shanghai dumpling — a little ginger, a little vinegar and then slurp it all up! The burst of flavors in your mouth is amazing! Serious Yum!
For the final leg of the night the last of the Unilocalers met at Bubbie’s. I buy their mochi ice cream from the grocery store and love it. But now I know there are way more flavors to choose from when you actually go to Bubbies. The lilikoi and green tea are my favorite because they are not bland — not at all. For something different, I tried a strawberry malt which was good but not the best I have ever had. (ha! We went back the next day for more mochi ice cream and a banana split which was super ono! You choose 3 scoops of ice cream, and 3 toppings, and it comes with whipped cream and nuts. We had strawberry, blueberry cheesecake and vanilla macnut ice creams, with butterscotch, chocolate and pineapple toppings. They also threw in a few gummy bears which was a cool surprise! definitely recommend the banana split but you might want to share it because its pretty huge.)
When discussing where to get desert, Paul C. shared with me that he had had a multiple orgasm earlier in the week and he wasn’t sure if he was able to handle another so soon. I shook my head trying to get the cob webs out of my ears because I was sure I heard that wrong. «Excuse me?» I asked. Paul repeated himself, and I politely informed him that that was TMI as we had *just* met! Aiyah! «ohhhh, you haven’t been to Bubbie’s have you?» said Paul C. Very funny moment. Bubbies definitely has some eyebrow raising names for deserts — such as the «come here little girl». It was a lot of fun hanging out, chatting, enjoying desert, and making jokes about Paul’s «Maybe the bag broke» to end the evening we didn’t want to end! As my new friend Janice H. said, UYEs bring people together that might not otherwise have the opportunity to do so. This may have been my first UYE but I am sure it won’t be my last.
Mahalo Li for putting this evening together and for being such a gracious and fun loving host!

Having you ever heard of a floating crap game? It’s a game that changes locations often to keep ahead of the law. Well, Unilocaler Li Y. hosted a floating UYE, and while no one called HPD, the fun we had was absolutely criminal!
On a rainy Saturday afternoon, our outlaw gang met at the showroom of Primo Popcorn on Sand island Road. I recognized Janice H (3 years on Unilocal’s most wanted list). Then two time offender Darrel «the Dude» P with partner in crime Sophie P arrived. Lurking about with evil intent were Victoria M (also a two time listee) and the infamous Maka, an aspiring Unilocal crime boss. For extra muscle Li brought in the «innocent» duo of Ashley and C. S — secret hell raisers — and from her own crime family nieces Christine, Nicole, and Jasmine. You don’t want to cross these three in a dark alley (actually you do!) Other Unilocalers filled out our sinister mob.
The crime spree began. Co-​conspirator Rylen, the creative genius behind Primo, offered us paired combos of popcorn with wine or beer. My favorite was Chilean Carmenere matched with (I believe) the Raging Crab. Carmenere was new to me and became one of my favs of the evening.
Laughter and good cheer filled the room. Li fed the flames with popcorn trivia questions. They baffled me until this one: Who were the first people to use popcorn? Victoria M shouted out the Inca’s but she should’ve been disqualified. She wasn’t even eating popcorn because she belongs to a strange sect that practices Veganism in months that begin with M — you know, March, May, Muly and Moctober.
I knew Ms. V was wrong so I didn’t object. The correct answer is the first inhabitants of Mexico. They were eating popcorn and watching cave wall flicks 80,000 years ago, long before the Inca’s had ever set foot in Inca-​land.
I knew this because the only class I attended during my last semester at W&M was Meso-​American Archeology (Look, I had already graduated, ok. So what was the point, right?)
Wrong. Incredibly, the victory went to V. She started her victory dance, I started another cup of Carmenere. Good thing too, because the alarm bell rang. Laugh police coming! Run as fast as you can!
We fled to fled to Kahili, each taking separate routes to confuse the coppers and hid out at Ming’s Chinese. Awaiting us were outlaws Paul C and the seemingly sweet but deadly Arynn I. She goes about life with crossed fingers, and we all know what that means. Trouble!
Mings stuffed us with dumplings, several pork entrees, delicious stir fry snow peas, and a cake noodle dish. Victoria shared her stir fried tofu which we all marvel at. Li brought the wine (did you think we would leave evidence behind at Primo?) and we all ate and talked and laughed.
Highlights. (1) Victoria M. introduced us to a Spanish wine which she discovered while hiding out in Spain a while back. «Marques de Caceres … Crianza Rioja 2009». Hard to pronounce for some (like me) but not hard to like. All were sad when the bottle was empty.
(2) I entertained our table by dropping my chop stick and picking it up quickly (5 second rule!), but my fellow diner to the left — a confirmed germophile — would have none of it. A second pair was handed to me with the look of a disapproving mom. It was so much fun I did it again a few minutes later. I learned this trick when I was two but my mother was never amused. (She wasn’t a Unilocaler). This time I was given not one, but two wooden chopsticks, so I decided not to play around anymore. I knew when I am pushing my luck.
But there was no rest for our merry gang. Soon we scattered into the night once more to rendezvoused at Bubbies except for Victoria M, who decided it was safer to hide out at 24 Hour Fitness.
Now talk about criminal activity! What can you say for a place that offers «Multiple Orgasms» — that’s an ice crème dish (what were you thinking?!). I was fortunate to have Arynn as my guide. She explain everything about mochi ice cream, and even convinced a group of mainland visitors behind us to also try., With my ice crème in hand, Darrel and Sophie graciously made room for me at their table. We sat across from Arynn, and ringleader Li.
A wonderful 15 minutes followed. I’m not going to tell you what we talked about. If you want to know you must come to the next UYE. After some of our posse called it a night, Paul C and Janice «She’s a Riot» H joined us. More good conversation followed. We planned a scone and wine UYE, but I won’t reveal those details either. If you want to join the gang or similar outfits (and please do!) just check «I’m In» at the next UYE.
As the relentless laugh police drew closer, we soon made our get-​away too. But not before hugs in the parking lot and SYOY good-​byes.
Li Y is one of my fav laugh-​world masterminds. What a wonderful afternoon and evening filled with criminally happy hours of fun and good times with great friends! SYOY indeed. You couldn’t keep me away if you paid me.

When I received a message frim Li Y to come to her UYE she was hosting, I couldn’t pass it up because I had passed up a invite prior to that and promised I would go to the next one. So when she posted her event we sent our RSVP. Being this would be my wife and I first UYE, we didn’t know what to expect.
When we arrived at Primo Popcorn we were greeted by our host Li Y. The only other familiar face I saw was Maka K. but that would change by the end of the night. They were just about to get started with the wine/​beer/​popcorn pairing. I have to say my favorite popcorn was the dry aku paired with the Stella beer. I didn’t know they could make popcorn taste like dried aku.
Afterwards we, went to Mings for our second leg for some Shanghai style food. All the dishes were pork themed and they were all delicious! We got to sit down and share a great meal with Janice H., Arynn I., Jenny and Juanita. Paul C. Dropped in just before we were done eating but was still able to enjoy something to eat. Li Y Victoria M would come over from the other table now and then to talk story often which is great.
On our final stop just a few of us ended up at Bubbies Ice Cream. We ordered our deserts and sat down and talked story for a while with Li Y., Paul C., Janice H., Wayne C and Arynn I. Yes we did talk about some things that won’t go as far as the table we all sat at. It was great to get a feel of everyone’s sense of humor and a chance to make new Unilocal friends. Thank you Li Y. for the invite and being an awesome host for our first UYE!

Why did the Iowa farmer get assigned lead on the operation? .
…because he had the most «kernels» under him! :)
Why do corn hear so well?
…because they have big ears.
Ok, ok, a little «corny» still tons of fun …which captures the mood of this popcorn and wine/​beer pairing adventure. The afternoon started off with an introduction to Rylen and his Primo Popcorn business. Learned so much from the introduction as well as popcorn trivia played… for example, didn’t know Primo Popcorn has only been in existence since 2011/2012…seems like I have been enjoying Rylen’s delicious popcorn for at least a decade! Interesting tidbit shared: Rylen has background in the restaurant industry in such notable restaurants such as Roy’s (Yamaguchi) in Las Vegas and Kincaids. He credits this background as well as his love of food for the innovative, the delicious, and definitely fun flavors of popcorn he creates. The final prize during popcorn trivia was given for the most tempting new «local phrase» for t-​shirt consideration. Thanks to Dad Patrick Sato we have a winner… Victoria come up and claim your (one of many) prize for…“KANAK SNACKS!” Love it! We will see if it becomes a new t-​shirt slogan for Rylen’s Primo business!
We enjoyed the most delicious samplings of «dried aku, spicy poke, raging crab, prime rib end cut, and, a cheese platter» of popcorn. The most memorable «chocolate framboise» popcorn finished our tasting and topped off a most delicious afternoon!
The afternoon was quick and fast paced and seemed to end almost as soon as it started even though it was a solid hour of fun, food, and drinks. The UYE was attended by 25 fun Unilocalers. So great to see many familiar faces and a few new ones. The one criticism that I had heard a few times was, too bad the event wasn’t longer. That’s a good thing right? .leaving your guests wanting more. Still, we needed to let Rylen and the Sato family go home… after the long work day that they had just finished. Besides, we had another engagement just a mile down the road and… those Shanghai juicy dumplings and more wine/​beer were waiting for us at Ming’s Chinese Restaurant… off we went for another adventure!
Thank you Rylen, thank you (Mom) Leo, thank you (Dad) Patrick, thank you Primo Popcorn… for a most memorable afternoon. We will be back, that’s a given! Your popcorn is not only fun, it’s addictingly delicious!

When I first saw this UYE posted I wanted to attend but due to previous family obligations I had to skip today’s AIDS Walk Event and was bummed my schedule also conflicted with this one. But after reaching out to co-​host Li Y. of my late showing I made sure to take part.
Sadly I was NOT able to attend the popcorn and wine/​beer pairing taste testing at Primo Popcorn and pretty much missed the dinner at Ming’s (super sad face :() as the group was just about done settling the bill. I was delighted to find 2 round tables of mostly familiar Unilocalsters sitting down and some sipping on some wine! I immediately sat down next to fellow Elite Janice H. as there was an empty seat and encouraged to eat some food.
After taking a couple of bites (regardless the food was cold it was sure yummy!) a cool group of peeps headed to post UYE dessert at Bubbie’s where we spent over an hour eating ice cream and other goodies.
I need to behave myself in front of strangers. Today was the first time to meet Darrell P. and Sophie P. where I started off on the wrong foot. As we were about to leave Ming’s heading to Bubbie’s I was telling them how I had a «Multiple Orgasm» earlier this week and because I’m an old man now I cannot handle another orgasm too soon. Sophie’s response to my comment — — «TMI!!!» It really didn’t bother me because I immediately found out Darryl and Sophie are Bubbie’s virgins!!! o_​O
Guess what I had tonight? I Think I Had My Bag Broke — — it was kinda messy and it oozed here and there. Because it was too much for me to handle I encouraged Janice H. and Li Y. to eat it up!!!
During the tail end of this post UYE celebration, I was able to bond with Wayne C., Arryn I., Janice H., Li Y., Darrel P. and Sophie. We chatted away and exchanged some great good eats info! Some very interesting topics and stories popped up during this intimate gathering but the content should remain a secret to us!
Before parting, there was a discussion of having a «Scone and Wine Pairing» UYE which sounds like a lot of fun. I am hoping to make it to this UYE as I just LOVE LOVE LOVE my scones! And did someone mention WINE???
Thanks Li for thinking about me for post UYE eats and attracting cool Yeeps to your event!