September 4, 2013: It shouldn’t be this difficult!

Great.  Now my treadmill is broken.  Over the past couple of weeks, it has seemed increasingly reluctant to get going, no doubt mirroring my general attitude.  Every time I would turn it on, instead of immediately rolling like it used to, it would pause as if considering.  Again?  This guy just worked out last night?  Why doesn’t he pick on that lazy-ass elliptical?  And then gradually, almost grudgingly, it would stutter to a start.  But this morning, nothing.  It had clearly had enough.

So, I’ll just add “treadmill” to my growing list of home projects: dry walling the water damaged ceilings, fixing the bathroom skylight, recaulking the shower, installing the new oven, having a talk with the washer that seems intent on making a break for it. Lately, every time I use it, I come downstairs to find it has managed to make its way, a good half a foot from the wall, before unplugging itself and losing the volition to go through with its escape plan.

Ideally, I’d like to get most of these issues addressed before Saturday night when I’ll be hosting a party for the staff of the Granville Island Veterinary Hospital who have been putting up with my dogs for over ten years.  The plan was to follow Martin Gero’s lead and arrange for a food truck to park out front for the event, but this proved much more challenging than I’d imagined.

Given the fact that all of my guests work with animals, I thought it best to select a truck that would offer a vegetarian option.  That trimmed the list.  One of my first choices, La Taqueria Pinche Taco Truck (affiliated with the restaurant of the same name) was already booked on the night of my party – and their unavailability knocked every other Mexican-themed truck off the list since, let’s face it, there are not better tacos in town.  Two other top contenders, Vij’s Railway Express, Le Tigre Cuisine, and Roaming Dragon are also busy that night.  So are Blue Smoke BBQ and the Kaboom Box.  Mom’s Grilled Cheese Truck never even responded.  Still waiting to hear back from Burger Bus, but it’s been several days now.

I’m also considering simply ordered a bunch of sandwiches from the almost fantastic Meat & Bread:

Their signature crispy porchetta sandwich!

Only problem is they close at 5:00 p.m. every night.  5:00 p.m.!  As my writing partner Paul is fond of saying: “Well, they gotta eat dinner too!”.

Alternately, it might be fun to go with Japadog:

And, for dessert, a little something from Beta5 Chocolates perhaps?

Okay, party planners.  Thoughts?  Am I missing something obvious?