Funny’s on the money

If I could have another job, any job, anywhere, I would pick being a writer for "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." If only I were funny. And really, really smart.

I’m sure there’s regular workplace drudgery at "The Daily Show," but I choose to believe it is a happy place, where motivated, superintelligent people parse the news, break it down to its why-should-we-care parts and then figure out how to make it hilarious.

"The Daily Show" is the smartest thing on television and Stewart is one of the smartest guys, which I judge by the way he interviews people, from Drew Barrymore to King Abdullah II of Jordan. He’s respectful but relentless, funny but not mocking, pursuing insight even when there are no laughs in sight.

"The Daily Show" airs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central, with repeats the next day and at thedailyshow.com. That site also offers clips from the show — I’d suggest any on the Ground Zero mosque controversy or the recent Mideast peace talks. Really, you’ll learn something.

And then, search YouTube for "Jon Stewart 9/11" to see his first monologue after the 2001 tragedy. No laughs. But you’ll be hooked. — Betty Shimabukuro

Vodka with a tang

Flavored booze, like Trix, is for kids — or so I thought, lo these many years. Then a friend served up some lychee-infused Kai Vodka, distilled from rice. The aromatic vodka is refreshing, not too sweet, and smooth when served alone on the rocks. The award-winning bottle design makes Kai Lychee Vodka a great gift choice, too. About $37 at Foodland, Costco, Longs, Times and Tamura’s. Oh, and please drink responsibly. — Christie Wilson

Zoo keeps things lively

You know how when you tour the zoo and find all the animals asleep in their enclosures? Not a lot of fun.

The Honolulu Zoo has found a way to maximize the animal-viewing experience by using one of its habitats to display baboons in the morning when they are most active and hyenas in the afternoon, when they are up and about. Visitors have a better shot at seeing lively animals and the zoo saves exhibit space by sharing. Zookeepers make the animal switch daily in the late afternoon.

I like to keep the kids guessing by alternating the time of our visits. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. General admission is $12, kamaaina $6 and children $3. — Donica Kaneshiro

Hygiene on the go

I never leave home without my antibacterial hand-sanitizing gel from Bath & Body Works. The 1-ounce bottles are my favorite since they are easy to toss in any bag or backpack. Numerous scents are available, including seasonal varieties like Vampire Blood and Candy Corn. Sweet Pea is one of my preferred fragrances.

Colorful rubber holders that can be attached to a purse and backpack make certain the gel bottles are easily accessed.

The sanitizer costs $1.50 (or five for $5); holders are 50 cents; shipping is extra. Available at www.bathandbodyworks.com. — Nancy Arcayna

It’s a hoot of a website

The best websites do one thing well, and yet keep you coming back. That’s the case with www.woot.com, a site that sells something every day.

Actually, make that "some thing." What woot does is have a single item that is up for sale every day through its site, ranging from high-end computers or electronics to cool clothes to screaming, flying monkey toys that are only a couple of bucks. They get these items in huge, remaindered lots, and the whole shebang is sold off within 24 hours. Often, the entire allotment is sold off before the day is over because the items are good quality and the prices are excellent.

You never know what’s up for sale, so woot.com requires a daily check-in. It’s worth it, though, because the product descriptions are hysterically funny.

Even if you don’t buy anything, the site is always good for anything from a deep, satisfied chuckle to an obnoxious, braying knee-slapper. — Burl Burlingame