Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 450

August 16, 2013: Good things will happen…Oh, come on. Seriously!

Confident in the belief that my recent string of rotten luck was well behind me (see last few issues – editor), I began yesterday with a positive outlook.  Things were about to get a whole better!  My regular repair guy would be contacting me about fixing my ceiling, I was catching a matinee with my buddy Ivon, I was having dinner with our friends Steve and Jodi (and daughter Gemma), and, best of all, my writing partner and I had a conference call scheduled for the end of the week that would finalize some outstanding issues and have us one giant step closer to a series commitment!

Unfortunately, things did not quite go as planned.  Or hoped anyway.

First off all, my repair guy didn’t get back to me.  Not a big deal, I suppose.  He could be busy or out of town.  I’ll give him until next week and then try someone else.

Ivon and I caught an afternoon showing of Fruitvale Station, the well-reviewed movie about the shooting of an unarmed young man by a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer on January 1, 2009.  In a word: meh.  A middling effort all around.  Average performances, uneven direction, and a pat script that doesn’t offer much in the way of subtlety or depth.  I left the theater feeling like I’d just sat through a t.v. movie of the week.

On the bright side, I was treated to 20 seconds of hilarity after the movie when a wasp took an interest in Ivon.  His subsequent freak-out was reminiscent of that time a bee chased my then 12 year old sister for a full block.

For dinner, we headed over to Granville Island to check out the menu at the hilariously misnamed Edible Vancouver (henceforth to be referred to as, take your choice: Inedible Vancouver or, if you’re feeling kind, Barely Edible Vancouver).  The company was great but the food! I felt like I was a contestant on a local version of the reality series Dinner Party Wars.  Think I’m being too harsh?  Check out the overenthusiastic plating of my main course:

Cibucide. Is that a word?

We did finish the meal with a variety of home made donuts that, while perfectly fine, weren’t particularly distinct in flavor.

Did I mention the company was great?

Well, at least there was that conference call this morning that finally settled…Oh, wait.  That’s right.  There WAS no conference call this morning.  It was rescheduled to Monday.

August 15, 2013: So sick!

In preparation for the upcoming fantasy football season, I’ve been taking part in mock drafts.  They are essentially dry runs that allow you to hone your drafting skills with a bunch of anonymous fellow online fantasy football enthusiasts.  It’s very informative and a lot of fun but, every so often, you get saddled with someone looking to chat in the little texting window at the bottom of the screen.  When that happens, I try to discourage conversation – as was the case last night:

Player 7: i saw jay z in concert 2 weeks ago, so sick

Me: Maybe it was something you ate at the concert.

Player 7: No, HE’S sick.

Me: Maybe it was something HE ate at the concert.

Player 7 (weary exasperation almost palpable): Maybe.

Thus concluding the chat.

After what I went through last year, Akemi is dubious about the whole Fantasy Football thing.  ”Last year, you said you were going to stop playing,”she reminded me.

“Right.  Last year, I said I’d stop – and I did.”

“Because you were already eliminated!”

I told her I didn’t want to discuss it.  My premature exit from playoff contention is still a very sensitive subject and the emotional wounds have yet to heal.

*

Well, we discovered the source of air conditioner issue: a blocked pipe! $450 later, the problem has been addressed.  Next up: my ruined ceiling.

So, the results are in for next week’s Supermovie of the Week Club pick and – to no one’s surprise – it was a landslide win for:

Galaxy Quest!  Watch now and weigh in with your thoughts when resident film critic, Cookie Monster, joins us on Monday with his review.

Today’s entry is dedicated to blog regular, Chev.

August 14, 2013: Something good thing happen to you! Eventually.

My girlfriend, Akemi, is a firm believer in cosmic balance.  Basically, it holds that if you run into a spate of bad luck, then a run of good luck should be just around the corner (and vice-versa).  Maybe, but this philosophy begs two big questions: 1. How do you know when that bad luck series has run its course? and 2. How far away is that corner?

So, as many of you blog regulars know, I ran into a spot of trouble yesterday.  Actually, several spots of trouble in the form of ominous water stains that suddenly appeared on the ceilings of two floors of my home.  I assumed it was a plumbing issue but the plumber who came over to investigate informed me it was actually an air conditioner issue.  I wondered aloud what the next step should be and he effectively shrugged his shoulders and answered: “Beats me.  I’m a plumber.”

I made an appointment for an AC expert to swing by the next day and put it out of my head.  UNTIL – the water stain started to spread. Clearly, I would have to go up into the attic crawlspace and deal with the leak myself.

This is not me. This is actually a still from the movie Ju-on.

I mean, the plumber said it was the air conditioner but who knows what was actually causing the problem.  A few other possibilities for the source of the mysterious moisture instantly came to mind:

At the top of the list: Evil Spirit Urine!

Well, something had to be done – but it wouldn’t be easy.  The attic crawlspace is only accessible through a small, narrow opening in the ceiling located in a tiny closet.  In order to get up, I would have to climb up onto the top of the ladder, then step up onto the shelving unit (hoping it would support my 165 lbs…of pure muscle), then hoist myself up and in.  The bigger problem would be getting down (I could just imagine having that shelving unit collapse under my weight).  Or worse!  Getting stuck up there and waiting to be rescued…

I was preparing to make my way up the ladder when Akemi started to argue that it would be a better idea if she went up.  After all, she was significantly lighter.  We debated, decided to rock, papers, scissors for it (best two out of three, natch) and, then next thing I knew, she was heading up the ladder.

“Just look around,”I said.  ”And be careful.”

“Sure!”she said sunnily and disappeared into the shadows.  I waited.  A few seconds later, she called down: “It’s hard to see!”

“Use the flashlight!”

“I am, but the floor is covered…with THIS!”

I looked up as her hand shot out of the opening clutching a fistful of pink fiberglass.

“Don’t touch that!”I said, instantly regretting my decision to go paper over rock.  ”Come down.”

“No,”she said, defiant.  I could hear her walking around.  And then…nothing.  I waited.  ”Hello?”

“I don’t see anything!”she called.  ”Can you tap on the spot so I know I’m close.”

“Oh, you’re close!”I yelled, my certitude based on the fact that, in an instant, that pesky water stain had transformed from this:

To THIS:

“Time to come down!”I yelled.  Preferably, the way she went up and not through the ceiling.

Akemi came down and we called it a night.  ”Something good thing happen to you!”she insisted.  Presumably once we’d put this whole mess behind us.

Things should have turned around today but, alas, I’m still on the other side of the cosmic ledger.

First, the Balkan House restaurant I wanted to go to for lunch today was closed.  It’s actually closed for the entire month of August.  I found this out NOT by reading an update on the restaurant’s website (because there WAS no update on the restaurant’s website) but by driving all the way down to Burnaby, parking, walking up to the place and reading the news on the sign posted on the front door.

Then, I returned home to discover some significant damage to the sidewall of my front right tire that will require immediate attention. First thing tomorrow morning because…

This afternoon, I’ve got someone up in my roof dealing with the AC problem.  Then, on Friday, someone is going to come by to take a look at addressing this:

And once that’s done…dare I say it?….Something good thing will happen to me!

August 14, 2013: Something good thing happen to you! Eventually.

My girlfriend, Akemi, is a firm believer in cosmic balance.  Basically, it holds that if you run into a spate of bad luck, then a run of good luck should be just around the corner (and vice-versa).  Maybe, but this philosophy begs two big questions: 1. How do you know when that bad luck series has run its course? and 2. How far away is that corner?

So, as many of you blog regulars know, I ran into a spot of trouble yesterday.  Actually, several spots of trouble in the form of ominous water stains that suddenly appeared on the ceilings of two floors of my home.  I assumed it was a plumbing issue but the plumber who came over to investigate informed me it was actually an air conditioner issue.  I wondered aloud what the next step should be and he effectively shrugged his shoulders and answered: “Beats me.  I’m a plumber.”

I made an appointment for an AC expert to swing by the next day and put it out of my head.  UNTIL – the water stain started to spread. Clearly, I would have to go up into the attic crawlspace and deal with the leak myself.

This is not me. This is actually a still from the movie Ju-on.

I mean, the plumber said it was the air conditioner but who knows what was actually causing the problem.  A few other possibilities for the source of the mysterious moisture instantly came to mind:

At the top of the list: Evil Spirit Urine!

Well, something had to be done – but it wouldn’t be easy.  The attic crawlspace is only accessible through a small, narrow opening in the ceiling located in a tiny closet.  In order to get up, I would have to climb up onto the top of the ladder, then step up onto the shelving unit (hoping it would support my 165 lbs…of pure muscle), then hoist myself up and in.  The bigger problem would be getting down (I could just imagine having that shelving unit collapse under my weight).  Or worse!  Getting stuck up there and waiting to be rescued…

I was preparing to make my way up the ladder when Akemi started to argue that it would be a better idea if she went up.  After all, she was significantly lighter.  We debated, decided to rock, papers, scissors for it (best two out of three, natch) and, then next thing I knew, she was heading up the ladder.

“Just look around,”I said.  ”And be careful.”

“Sure!”she said sunnily and disappeared into the shadows.  I waited.  A few seconds later, she called down: “It’s hard to see!”

“Use the flashlight!”

“I am, but the floor is covered…with THIS!”

I looked up as her hand shot out of the opening clutching a fistful of pink fiberglass.

“Don’t touch that!”I said, instantly regretting my decision to go paper over rock.  ”Come down.”

“No,”she said, defiant.  I could hear her walking around.  And then…nothing.  I waited.  ”Hello?”

“I don’t see anything!”she called.  ”Can you tap on the spot so I know I’m close.”

“Oh, you’re close!”I yelled, my certitude based on the fact that, in an instant, that pesky water stain had transformed from this:

To THIS:

“Time to come down!”I yelled.  Preferably, the way she went up and not through the ceiling.

Akemi came down and we called it a night.  ”Something good thing happen to you!”she insisted.  Presumably once we’d put this whole mess behind us.

Things should have turned around today but, alas, I’m still on the other side of the cosmic ledger.

First, the Balkan House restaurant I wanted to go to for lunch today was closed.  It’s actually closed for the entire month of August.  I found this out NOT by reading an update on the restaurant’s website (because there WAS no update on the restaurant’s website) but by driving all the way down to Burnaby, parking, walking up to the place and reading the news on the sign posted on the front door.

Then, I returned home to discover some significant damage to the sidewall of my front right tire that will require immediate attention. First thing tomorrow morning because…

This afternoon, I’ve got someone up in my roof dealing with the AC problem.  Then, on Friday, someone is going to come by to take a look at addressing this:

And once that’s done…dare I say it?….Something good thing will happen to me!

August 13, 2013: Some good thing will happen to you soon!

“It’s wet here!”said Akemi as I was preparing to head downstairs to do my workout.

Uh oh, I thought.  Poor Lulu.  My gal was up (meaning I was also up) at 3:00 a.m. this morning for over an hour, dry-heaving and vomiting, and I assumed she’d had “an accident”.

Lulu – feeling under the weather.

“Uh oh,”said Akemi, seemingly reading my thoughts.  I glanced over and followed her gaze, not to the floor but up, to the ceiling where I finally noticed THIS -

Yep, that’s water damage alright.  I headed upstairs to locate the source of the leak.  In office directly above, I noticed THIS -

Yes, MORE water damage!

The area above is a labyrinth of pipes accessible through a tiny closet hatch -

Seriously, it looks like that little access panel in the Japanese version of The Grudge.  I imagined poking my head up amongst the shadows and casting my flashlight about before being dragged, kicking and screaming, into the darkness.  It’s next to impossible to get up there. You have to stand at the very top of my stepladder, then step on to a wall mounted shelf, hope it holds your weight, and worm your way up and in.  No way I was testing my luck.  Besides, even if I did go up, what the hell would I do?  I’m not a professional.

So, I called one, finally locating a plumber who could come today.  In retrospect, I should have requested someone young a wiry to negotiate access to the overhead crawlspace.  Fortunately, while not young, the guy who came over was wiry and managed to squirm his way up there.

I waited for about twenty minutes, preparing myself for one of two, maybe three, worst case scenarios: 1. He never comes back down because he falls victim to the serial killer living in my house, 2. He comes down – crashing through the water damaged section of the ceiling and 3. Lands on top of me.

Finally, I heard him grunt and scuffle as he lowered himself back down and into daylight.  So, what was the issue?

“I think it’s the air conditioner,”he informed me.

“You think?”

“For sure it’s the air conditioner,”he said after presumably consulting with his alternate personality.

“So, what do we do?”

“I don’t know.  I’m a plumber.  You need someone who services air conditioners.”

Fine.

I phoned up a couple of air conditioning experts and finally got an appointment.  For tomorrow.

To cap off the day, I picked up Jelly from the animal clinic where she received a stem cell boost for her arthritic/dysplasiac hips -

Jelly

As I was carrying her back to the car, she peed on me.

Akemi, as always, looks on the bright.  ”Some good thing will happen to you soon!”she said.

Whatever this “good thing” is, it’ll have to happen to me without air conditioning.

August 12, 2013: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Despicable Me 2!

Original Despicable Me a fine movie.  Fine like 7-11 wine, Dane Cook, or de Minnesota Vikings in dat none be particularly memorable but all deliver in perfektly adequate fashion.  So, when sekwel, Despicable Me 2, released, monster torn.  On de one hand, me not really tink first movie dat remarkable, find going to movies too expensive, and whenever go monster’s ass fur always get matted on account of popcorn butter and gum left on seat.  On de other hand, monster’s girlfriend, Rowena, inform him he going.  So, me went.

And be pleasantly surprized.  It be like going to a Dane Cook concert and having Louis C.K. show up instead!

Family time

Movie pick up where last one left off.  Gru now a lovable fulltime dad to tree young daughters – and about a hundred little yellow minions.  It a much harder job den being a supervillain.  But it not all sunshine and birthday parties at Casa Gru because evil afoot…

Where?  Well, dat what he have to find out wit help of undercover AVL (Anti-Villain League) agent Lucy Wilde.  SOMEbody poised to use mutagen PX-41 (side effekts include some monsterism)!   SOMEbody also kidnapping minions who be disappearing faster den audience members at a Dane Cook movie!  SOMEbody also hire away his best evil scientist, Dr. Nefario, wit promise of more villainous masterplan and dental coverage!  But who it be?!!

Love is in de air.  And cupcakes!

To find out, Gru go undercover at a shopping mall where he immediately suspekt Mexican restaurant owner, Eduardo, of being diabolically dead supervillain EL MACHO!

El Macho?  Dat you?

But tings go from bad to worse for Gru: 1. Nobody believe him.  2. Somebody else arrested and case closed.  3. One of his daughters be dating Eduardo’s son!  And de frosting on de cupcake: 4. Lucy being transferred to Australia!  Dis really bum Gru out because he aktually starting to develop feelings for her.  What a former supervillain to do?

Why, crash Eduardo’s Cinco de Mayo party and diskover his secret lair and proof dat he really be EL MACHO of course!  Unfortunately, proof consist of monstered-up purple former minions who babble and make about as much sense as…oh…Dane Cook’s career.

Side effekts incude monsterism.  And halitosis.

Lucy get kidnapped and it’s Gru to de reskue!  Wit help of a couple of minions and Dr. Nefario who have reconsidered his career opportunities.  

Action!  Suspense!  Laughs!  Disaster averted!  Gru and Lucy marry! And minions sing us out!

Little scene-stealers

Verdikt: A better skript den first movie focus more on fun, family, and minions.  Also, no Dane Cook!

Rating: 8 chocolate chippee cookies

Tagged: Cookie Monster, Cookie Monster film reviews, Cookie Monster movie reviews, Cookie Monster reviews Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 2

August 11, 2013: The best laid plans of mice and men and dogs! Next time, I’ll just go out for pizza! Do your off-world exploring AND make it home in time to watch your favorite t.v. shows!

We had our Sunday all planned out.  I would wake up early, get in a workout, then head on over to the park with Akemi and Lulu for the monthly French Bulldog Meet-up.  After an hour of fun and frolic (definitely Lulu, possibly Akemi, certainly not me) we’d drop Lulu off at home and then head over to the farmer’s market with our pug Jelly. After loading up on fresh fruit and vegetables, we’d head back home, drop Jelly off, then pick up our other pug, Bubba, and head off for a picnic at Queen Elizabeth Park.

That WAS the plan.

The calm before the storm. This little guy could sense something was up.

I slept in, long past any hope of a workout.  By the time we got to the park, the sky was overcast and it had started to drizzle.  Then, it started to rain.  Then a thunderclap so loud it froze the dogs in their tracks signaled an early end to the festivities.  By the time we made it back to the car, it was pouring.  Jelly missed out on the trip to the farmer’s market and the picnic ended up being relocated to a friend’s home which meant Bubba’s outing was canceled as well.

Bubba in happier, sunnier times. Saturday afternoon to be exact.

I’m sure my dogs were as disappointed as I was last evening after capping off a two-night dining “extravaganza”.  My friend Tomomi was in town from Japan and I thought it would be nice to take her out for a nice meal.  She’s done the same for me when I’ve visited Tokyo so I wanted to find just the right restaurant.  Only problem – I rarely go out for dinner anymore, and certainly not to some of the city’s higher end places I used to frequent back in the day.  I am out of the proverbial loop.  And so, after eliminating the restaurants I brought her to the last time she was in town and the restaurants that were fully booked on the nights in question, I decided to roll the dice on two places: Lupo Restaurant and Le Gavroche.

Dinner at the Lupo was fine.  Solid starters (burrata cheese with garden beets and micro tomatoes, and a nice, crispy pork belly mustard croustada), followed by a couple of slid pasta dishes (a nice agnolotti and a Bucatini that, while well-prepared to an al dente bite, simply resisted any sort of melding with the tasty Amatriciana sauce, leaving them two distinct components on the plate).  We were going to split a main and I had my eye on the Short Rib Brasato with mascarpone polenta, but was talked out of it by our waiter who highly recommended the night’s special: a veal osso buco.  Well, in hindsight, taking a waiter’s recommendation is equivalent to purchasing one of those Staff Picks at your local bookstore: you’re almost guaranteed to be disappointed.  As I was on this night.  The veal was a little dry while the accompanying risotto Milanese was an enormous letdown.  Still smarting over my osso buco over brasato gaffe, I skipped the typical-looking desserts.

The Bucatini topped with pancetta. Instead of clinging to the pasta, the sauce ended up pooling at the bottom of the plate.

The following night, we ended up at Le Gavroche, a quaint French restaurant I used to visit years ago.  Since my last visit, it’s undergone some notable changes, chiefest among them being the menu that has taken on a more molecular cuisine-inspired approach.  Some of the dishes being presented at our neighboring tables looked downright intriguing – the liquid nitrogen sorbet with herbs, Hay smoked arctic char served still smoking under its glass bell – but we had opted for the a la carte menu: two soups and three mains.  As usual, I’d taken a sneak peak at the dessert menu so I could plan ahead.  I had my eye on the chocolate ganaché.  My pea soup was fine, her soup – kale and kohlrabi – was robust and delicious.  The mains were a mixed bag.  The sous-vide venison was surprisingly tough, difficult to cut and almost impossible to chew.  The Muscovy Duck Breast, on the other hand, was tender and incredibly flavorful – probably the best thing I’ve eaten in weeks.  Our vegetarian selection – wild mushroom with crispy polenta, crispy sage and parmesan crisp – was about par for a vegetarian dish.

Seared Theisson Farms Muscovy Duck Breast with carrot puree and farmer’s vegetables. Excellent.

Finally, it was time for dessert – and, specifically, that chocolate ganaché.  I’d been really looking forward to it.  Alas, it turns it wasn’t available and so, after dismissing the likes of the too-fruity blueberry parfait, apricot souffle (which would have required a 20 minute wait), and the unconvincing blue cheese mousse with figs, I settled on the carrot cake with carrot ice cream.

While the ice cream was great – subtle in its carrot flavor yet not overly sweet – the cake itself was clumpy.  And – perhaps most disappointingly – light.  It was the perfect dessert for a dieting young lady – which I am not.  I ended up satisfying my sweet tooth with a couple of aerated chocolates from Beta 5 when I returned home.

So, overall – meh.  I think that, next time, I’ll just say screw it to the fine dining and head on over to Campagnolo’s for some terrific pizza.

Interesting to see all your responses to our “Which space program will you be joining?” poll.  Yes, you can only pick one.  I mean, really.  How the heck can you work in the Pegasus Galaxy AND serve on the Battlestar Galactica?  Not surprisingly, joining the Atlantis expedition and becoming a member of the SGC lead the pack.  Given the choice, I’d probably join an SG team as well.  As several of you have pointed out, it would allow you to do your off-world adventuring AND make it home in time to watch your favorite t.v. shows.

Take Our Poll

August 10, 2013: On milkshakes and space!

Look at them all, all smiles, pretending like they all get along.  From left to right: my former nemesis Ashleigh, Birthday Boy Carl “Ghost Writer” Binder, my gal Akemi, Ivon, Kerry (with a Y), and Lawren.  The other night, we met up for dinner at Stackhouse Burger (slow service, okay burgers, way too much bun to meat ratio) followed by milkshakes at the What’s Shaken Milk Bar.  The shakes were good, but I much prefer the version served up at Moderne Burger.  For some reason, it’s one of the few burger joints in Vancouver that actually offers milkshakes.  Romers Burger Bar, for instance, offers the inferior ice cream float.  At Stackhouse Burgers, you can get a double bourbon instead that, while good, isn’t really AS good.   What gives?

I’ve been testing out milkshake recipes at home lately, making use of varied ingredients (multi-flavored ice creams, syrups, milks, booze, etc.) with equally varied results.  The biggest issue I’ve come up against has been consistency.  While all delicious, none have quite achieved that maddening thickness that makes it all but impossible to suck through a straw.  I think I may start experimenting with thickening agents like wondra, agar or xanthan gum.  Come on, you milkshake experts.  Any suggestions?

I thought this was interesting.  Apparently, more than 100 000 people have applied for a one-way ticket to Mars, part of the Mars One project to colonize the red planet starting in 2022.

http://www.clickorlando.com/lifestyle/technology/More-than-100-000-want-to-go-to-Mars/-/2242398/21404096/-/vmqh3az/-/index.html

Seems like a lofty goal, but that hasn’t deterred the tens of thousands of prospective candidates who have paid the application fee ($38 dollars if you’re American) and completed their profile in the hopes that they may be among the lucky 40 selected to form the multinational crew.  Now, before you start rolling your eyes, let me point out that while an average of $38 for every one of the 100 000 applicants (so far) may seem like a cash grab, it’s estimated that the first four-person mission will cost approximately $6 billion dollars.

I imagine this blog would have more than its fair share of space-minded adventurers.  So, do tell.  Given the choice, which of the following “space” programs would you volunteer for?  And, most importantly, why?

Take Our Poll

Tagged: milkshakes

August 9, 2013: Counting down the days! Bottled vs. tap water revisited! Chef Douglas Keane!

Gross insults.  Name calling.  Petty squabbling.  Perceived slights blown out of proportion.  Yes, it’s that time of year again!  Time for…

FANTASY FOOTBALL!!!

SNOW MONKEYS!!!

Even though we’re 11 days away from draft day, the excitement is palpable.  Adding intrigue to this season are a couple of controversial rule changes (we’re going with 3 starting wide receivers instead of 2 if you can believe it and the new waiver wire rule will reward teams for showing patience and restraint rather than sucking).  Also, the long-standing 14 team league managed by my good buddy Tio split into two 10 team leagues this season, one, The League of Apathy, made up of mostly former Stargate cohorts (ie. Robert Cooper, Mark Savela, Alex Levine, Ivon Bartok, Lawren Bancroft-Wilson), the second, whose name decency prevents me from stating, is made up of the more spirited and colorful rabble-rousers of previous years (Daryl, Derek, Steve, and, generally, whoever has managed to stay out of prison in the off-season).  Tio, Alex, and yours truly will be pulling double duty, participating in both leagues.

Is there a double championship in the cards for my Snow Monkeys?  Maybe.  The team is looking to add a couple of more of these babies -

- to the trophy case.  Yep, that’s the 2011 Fantasy Football trophy won by my Snow Monkeys following an improbable run that saw them make the playoffs on the last weekend of the regular season before sweeping aside the top contenders to take the prize.  But, of course, I don’t have to tell you this because you’ve already read all about it on this blog – and purchased the video, Snowfall and Rise: The Joseph Mallozzi Fantasy Football League Story.

So, following yesterday’s blog entry about that restaurant in L.A. that is offering up a water menu for those with (presumably) refined palates – and money to burn – two of you posted links to a Penn and Teller video in which they poke fun at water snobs. The point they seem to make is that most people can’t tell the difference between bottled water and tap water.  Alas, I’m going to have to call bullshit on that…

May I direct you to our latest Pick a Flick poll that sees the legendary Galaxy Quest running away from the mind-bending 12th Monkey and (by all accounts) dreadful Skyfall.  Make your (it’s looking like) meaningless voice heard and cast your ballot:

Take Our Poll

Is your significant other making you sit through the latest season of Top Chef Masters too?  Forget host Curtis Stone’s douchey purple sweater, the uninteresting online segments, or last episode’s baffling challenge that saw competitors effectively rewarded for their sous chefs’ inability to break down a piece of meat.  Instead, watch it for this guy -

Chef Douglas Keane who is competing for Green Dog Rescue Inc. – and preparing some mighty delicious-looking culinary creations along the way.

Read all about him here: http://www.bravotv.com/people/douglas-keane/bio and here:  CHEF DOUGLAS KEANE and read check out his charity here: Green Dog Rescue Project

Tagged: bottled vs tap, bottled water, Douglas Keane, fantasy football, Green Dog Rescue, Green Dog Rescue Project, Snow Monkeys, tap vs bottled, tap water, Top Chef Masters

August 8, 2013: Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Pane, The Hound, Polliver, The Mountain…plus a few additions of my own! Vote for our next movie! Let’s skip lunch and just have water instead! Akemi

You know what I hate?  When someone doesn’t get back to you. Especially when that someone is an individual who has, in the past, been very quick about returning messages…possibly owing to the fact that they actually needed something from you at the time.  So, I’m going to try a little experiment.  It’s been approximately one week since I emailed this person regarding a looming issue, expecting to hear back from them.  Now that said issue has been addressed and it’s all smoooooth sailing again, I’m going to see how they mind MY not returning THEIR messages – through the remainder of this month.

It’s interesting that this situation came up only a week after my “I hold a wicked grudge” blog entry.  Hell, I had the Arya Stark List thing going well before Arya Stark.  For those of you who haven’t read/seen Game of Thrones/Ice and Fire series, Arya Stark is a character who keeps a running list of enemies she plans to exact revenge on.  Every night before going to sleep, she’ll recite the list, occasionally adding names: “Joffrey.  Cersei.  Ilyn Payne.  The Hound.  Polliver.  The Mountain.”  My list is somewhat lengthier and goes: “The Witch.  The German.  The Hobbit.  The Gangster.  The Whiner.  The Rager.  The Bitch.  The Promoter.  The Chef.  The Opportunist.  His wife.” Understand, I’m a pretty easy guy to get along with.   But if you cross me – and by “cross” I’m not referring to innocent mistakes or oversights but “with malicious intent” – you can be pretty damn sure you’ll be making the list.

This coming Monday, our Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes. Cookie Monster will be reviewing the recently released Despicable Me 2.

The following Monday?  Well, that’s up to you!  Which movie should Cookie Monster review next?  Cast your vote…

Take Our Poll

This via my buddy Ivon: http://chicago.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/la-restaurant-creates-first-ever-water-menu-because-the-world-needed-more-douchebags/  An LA restaurant creates the first ever water menu.  Highlights include Danish Iskilde, Hildon from the U.K. and, if you really feel like splurging, a $42 glass of Walakea.

A couple of Akemi’s latest culinary creations:

Bruschetta (see video below for recipe)

Somewhat heart-shaped salmon burger

Stuffed zucchini flowers

And a little something from Ivon: chocolate macaroons!

And to cap off today’s entry – my gal’s all about fashion and food…

Tagged: bruschetta, bruschetta recipe