Graphic representations of offbeat quantifications

OK, those of us in the information business are likely biased, but pie charts are a way of life, summing up complicated concepts into easy-to-digest slices of percentage. A website called GraphJam (graphjam.memebase.com) takes the concept even further, into the realm of personal issues, and it’s often hysterical. You can make your own chart using their online software, which is pretty easy. And you can vote for your favorite graphs — the opening page is always the top five picks.

The subject matter is what makes it. Graph subjects include stuff like “What I Think Of After a Romantic Movie,” “Cat Ideology” and “Males I Find Attractive.” That last one has only two pie slices: “boys I know” and “actors twice my age who live in different countries.” Which slice is bigger, do you think?

— Burl Burlingame

Avoiding gluten becomes easy with Pamela’s mixes around

Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix is key to my gluten-free survival kit. The mix is a wonderful substitute for flour in many recipes, allowing me to enjoy my favorite cornbread recipe and pumpkin cake, which is one of many recipes posted on the Pamela’s Products website. In fact, a scone recipe that’s also printed on the bag, which I make with Silk creamer instead of milk, is so light and delicate it has earned fans among gluten eaters. Find the mix, along with other Pamela’s mixes and prepackaged baked goods, at health food stores around Oahu. A 4-pound bag runs about $16 at Vim N Vigor at Ala Moana Center; it’s also available at Down to Earth and Whole Foods Market. Visit www.pamelasproducts.com.

— Joleen Oshiro

Reverting to paper, but at a computer

It seems whenever I’m checking my email, there’s always some date, phone number or other bit of information I need to jot down. Sure I could use a bit of scrap paper, but finding one and keeping the scrap from getting lost can be a challenge in my household. Besides, a scrap of paper isn’t nearly as pretty as the graphic designs of memo mousepads by Papaya! Firmly sealed on two sides of the tablet, the paper on the 50-sheet pad stays put until you want to tear it off. No more searching for notes. Now if only I could find a pen. Memo mousepads are available at Cinnamon Girl for $14, or ogle the entire line of products at www.papayaart. com.

— Donica Kaneshiro

Kit Kat bars come in a bevy of exotic flavors, like wasabi

I love Kit Kats. They’re my favorite chocolate wafer treat. You may not know the bars also come in myriad flavors, including chocolate banana, watermelon and salt, blood orange, sweet corn, shoyu (yes, shoyu) and potato, just to name a few. But don’t bother looking for them in your neighborhood convenience mart. These exotic Kit Kats can be found in Japan, where fans have resorted to collecting them. Many flavors are released and then discontinued. My friends recently came back from a trip with almond tofu, flan, tea and wasabi versions, pictured at right. But you don’t have to jump on a plane to buy them; if you’re lucky you might find some at local Marukai Markets, where I bought cheese Kit Kats. You think I’m weird, don’t you? They’re Kit Kats. Gimme a break.

— Joe Guinto

Graphic novel called ‘Habibi’ celebrates Arabia

One of my favorite graphic novels in recent memory is the critically acclaimed 2003 love story and memoir “Blankets” by Craig Thompson. Last week saw the release of his latest work, “Habibi” (Pantheon Books, $35), and while it still features Thompson’s wonderfully expressive line work, it tells a tale of a much broader and ambitious scope about a couple of Arab refugee child slaves and orphaned lovers, Dodola and Zam. Well-researched (Thompson reportedly worked on this project for more than a decade), this dark and mature adventure tale melds the modern Middle Eastern world with its rich mythology from the Quran, and is detailed with its mix of the area’s landscape, people, symbology and particularly the Arabic calligraphy in all its ornamentation.

The gorgeously designed hardcover book is a hefty 672 pages, but it’s a page-turner that might be best consumed in smaller bits to better appreciate the depth and breadth of the story.

— Gary Chun