Great. Now I think I may have pulled my solar plexus! Is that even possible? Not sure if it's the result of the heavy weights I've been lifting, stress, or some mysterious bug but it feels as though I've taken a sucker punch to the stomach. Curiously though, only when I apply pressure to the…
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!!! 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…
July 27, 2013: Books! Dogs! And foodtrucks!
My latest book haul. As I mentioned in yesterday's entry, my days of shopping at the local Indigo/Chapters mega-chain are a thing of the past. Instead, I'm supporting the smaller, independent bookstores - in this instant, White Dwarf Books (WHITE DWARF BOOKS - Dead Write Books) over on 10th Avenue. It's your one stop shop…
July 17, 2013: Contractual obligations! And an almost addition to the pack!
Akemi has "the" worst sense of direction. And that's really saying something coming from me, someone who HAD "the" worst sense of direction prior to my meeting her and relinquishing the crown. Every time she takes the dogs out for a walk, I experience an uneasy sense of foreboding, sort of akin to what the…
Sunday, June 14: Once again, this blog goes to the dogs. The french bulldogs to be precise…
Today, Lulu attended a networking meeting for french bulldogs. She made a lot of great connections...
July 3, 2013: Dog matters! What movie will we force guest reviewer Cookie Monster to sit through next? Let’s put it to a vote!
Check out Lulu, fairly bursting with excitement at the prospect of going all Risky Business this long weekend. I mean, sure, she looks like a sweet little angel lying there, but don't be deceived. Her dreams are filled with plots and schemes and twisty stings. Dog-sitter, Kerry, better be on her toes or she'll be…
June 22, 2013: The search is on!
Well, I've started my search for a new dog-sitter and so far, so slow. There are a bunch of people/places that offer pet-sitting services, but most board the animals at their homes or places of business and I'm looking for someone who would be willing to stay at my house for the four (ish) days…
June 8, 2013: Alex! John and Nancy! Jelly! And pizza!
Last night, Paul and I got together with our former Stargate script coordinator Alex Levine who, since moving to Toronto, has been busy forging a successful writing career. He has worked on a various productions, most notably Flashpoint and the critically-acclaimed Orphan Black (Check it out!). He's come a long way from his very first…
June 7, 2013: I brushed my teeth with Johnny Walker Red Label last night! Win a set visit for a series that doesn’t exist yet! My sis says thanks!
So far, this trip has been marked by seating issues, a late cancellation, general misfortune, and the mid-brush realization that what I'd packed was not, in fact, toothpaste but a topical ointment for rashes. All in all, an inauspicious start to this east coast swing. Back on the west coast, meanwhile, my pug Jelly is…
June 6, 2013: Travel Day! Cobbler!
My pug, Jelly, hates it when I travel. A couple of weeks ago, as my buddy Cas was wrapping up his stay with us, Jelly spotted me wheeling his carry-on bag out the door. She scrambled up (as best she could given her hip dysplasia) and hurried over, barking as if to say: "Whoa! Where…
May 30, 2013: Desserts – doggy and otherwise!
Back when I was working in Toronto, Akemi used to send me off every morning with my own breakfast bento box stuffed with oatmeal and fruit lovingly shaped into cartoon forest animals. Well, given the fact that I've been freelancing from home of late, Akemi hasn't had the opportunity for much creative bento expression. Until…
May 8, 2013: Dog rescue? Ask Altaïr! And a mailbag!
I was out walking my pug, Bubba, this afternoon and we were about three blocks from home when I heard the telltale jingle-jangle of a dog collar approaching from behind. I glanced back, across the street, at a little white dog scampering up the sidewalk headed in our direction and then, from the corner of…
May 2, 2013: I Make the Best Whatever! Chicken Breast with Brown Butter and Fried Sage Leaves! Dog Party!!!
Apologies. I was supposed to do this on Tuesday but between dealing with the dogs, all the hardcore waiting for word on those projects, and working my way through The Mammoth Book of Gangs, I - well - didn't. But better late than never and so, with further ado, here are MY results of Sparrow_hawk's…
April 30, 2013: Bubba on the mend! Entertaining cousin Evelina!
Following the horrible injury he suffered the other day (gruesome details here: April 27, 2013: Bubba’s Bad Day!), my pug Bubba has been keeping off his left front paw. Doctor's orders - But that hasn't stopped him from enjoying outdoors. After a day of getting used to the special bandage, he was back to his old, upbeat…
April 24, 2013: Walks with Jelly!
This afternoon, I was out with Jelly for her daily walk. Really, given her age (14) and hip dysplasia, it's more of a stagger-stroll-stop-and-snack. She scampers out of the gate and stops, waits for me to give her a snack, then forges unsteadily ahead, weaving, panting, stopping - until she gets another snack - then…