So, while I’ve been busy writing, rewriting, pitching, re-pitching, doing meetings and conference calls, Akemi has been taking English classes, taking care of the dogs, and cooking cooking cooking! Last week, she made siu long bao’s for the first time.
Then, last night, she tried her hand at a Chuck Hughes (owner of my second favorite restaurant in Montreal after Au Pied de Cochon = Garde Manger) recipe: rock salt shrimp. It’s fairly simple: fill your cooking vessel with about two inches of rock salt and roast in the oven at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, marinate your cleaned shrimp in olive oil, pepper, and chopped garlic. Once the 30 minutes are up and the salt is nice and hot, transfer the shrimp onto the salt (you’ll hear them sizzle), drizzle the marinade on top and pop back into the oven for another three minutes. Flip ’em, roast for another three minutes, and serve.
We’ve also ventured out a little. The other day, we checked out the new Japa Dog restaurant, an off-shoot of the insanely popular Japanese-themed hot dog cart. We went for lunch and the place was packed. It was standing room only. I usually do the kurobuta pork dog but elected to sample a couple of new (to me) menu entries.
JAPADOG – JAPADOG – Japanese style Hot dog in Canada
After lunch, we went for a walk and stopped in at a little pet shop where Akemi made a new friend:
Finally, I couldn’t resist snapping a shot of these shoes I saw on display recently. They’re both stylish and potentially lethal.
Spoke to mom today. She’s in bed with one of her recurring migraines. I’ve heard that magnesium helps and suggested she pick up some supplements. Any migraine sufferers (or friends/relatives of migraine sufferers) out there? What, if anything, helps? Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Mailbag:
Tam Dixon writes: “It can be sad watching a kitten/pup playing and then seeing them age through the years. Now my big cat (Harry) sleeps most of the day. I remember when he used to try and catch the sheet while I made the beds.”
Answer: Yep. Jelly used to be a burrower, digging beneath the sheets and lying there until she’d get so hot I’d have to rescue her. Now, she prefers to sit atop the pillow by my hide and, once she’s assumed the position, she won’t move until sunrise. And, speaking of sun, it was a beautiful day today. I couldn’t help thinking about Maximus and how much he loved lying in the backyard on days like these.
sparrow_hawk writes: “Dang! So how the heck are you going to wrap this up in just one more volume, Joe?”
Randomness writes: “If I were to guess, the ending will be open ended to allow room for a tv series. And that these comics are one small segment of an overall story.”
Answer: Correct. Issue #4 will wrap up the opening story arc, but many questions will remain unanswered. For now.
Line Noise writes: “So, I’ve just been offered a job in Vancouver. […] Do you and The Blog Collective (dibs as the name of my Goth Hipster New Wave Thrash Metal band) have any suggestions of where to live? Nice neighbourhoods and places to avoid?”
Answer: Congrats. I have no doubt you’ll love Vancouver. In terms of neighborhoods, I think Kitsilano and Kerrisdale are quaint little neighborhoods. The downtown area, Cole Harbour, and Yaletown are also nice – but noisy, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
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