Hello, from the future! November 7th here in Tokyo; November 6th back home for most of you. Having advance knowledge of the day ahead, I wish I could tell you all what is in store for you but, alas, like most travelers to Asia, I had to sign a non-disclosure form while going through customs…
November 5, 2013: Things I’m most looking forward to on this Tokyo Trip!
Picked up my sister at the airport last night and was treated to this wondrous sight: And this was the surprise Akemi had waiting for my sister upon her arrival: Well, off today. We're flying Japan Airlines and will be getting in at 4:30 p.m. Tokyo time - following an 11 hour flight and 90…
November 2, 2013: Porchetta, Snow Monkeys, Brunch, and Presents!
Look at what Akemi made! Yesterday, she stuffed, seasoned, rolled, and trussed a pork belly. Then, this morning, she woke up at 6:00 a.m. to slow-roast it for five and a half hours before finishing it off with a 30 minute broil to render the skin extra crispy. She served it for lunch with her…
October 27, 2013: Just like Zelenka used to bake!
It was an up and down day for my Snow Monkeys in fantasy football league play today (thanks for asking). On the one hand, my Snow Monkeys #2 fell to a record of 2-6 in Stargate league play, meaning they'll have to sweep their final five games to have any hope of making the playoffs.…
October 19, 2013: I don’t mean to complain but…
Well, okay. Since you asked... MINAMI RESTAURANT My sister in Montreal wanted to do something special for my birthday so, after consulting with Akemi, she made reservations for us at one of my favorite Vancouver restaurants: Minami. In addition to booking the table, she also sent me a check for way more than the cost…
October 13, 2013: Turducken! Piecaken! Fantasy Football Misery!
Akemi and I set our alarm for six a.m. this morning so we could get an early start on the turducken. According to the instructions: 4 1/2 hours at 325 degrees covered, then another 45 minutes at 375 uncovered. Tent and let sit for half an hour, then serve! While I was setting the oven…
October 8, 2013: Celebrating in the grand American tradition! In Canada!
To the casual observer, Canadians and Americans are practically indistinguishable from one another. I mean, sure, there are the odd physical disparities (ie. our eleventh toe, the fact that our hearts are located approximately three inches lower than that of the average American's) but, for the most part, it's very hard to pick a non-sandal-wearing…
September 20, 2013: A Portrait of the Girlfriend as a Young Culinary Artist!
My girlfriend, Akemi, is a culinary artist. Those of you who followed our adventures in Toronto may recall some of her inspired bento box efforts: Like other artists, she works in oils - mainly olive. And her creative endeavors aren't limited to breakfasts alone: Hell, she even has to improve on food that doesn't…
September 13, 2013: If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again! Especially when it comes to chocolate souffles!
Akemi has been chocolate souffles lately. A lot of chocolate souffles lately. It started the other day with her attempt to recreate a successful chocolate souffle she'd made. "So, how is it?"she asked as I cracked the hard top, dipped my spoon into the soft chocolate center, and tasted her creation. "Amazing,"I told her. "Is…
September 10, 2013: Fearless Food! Cotechino!
When I was growing up, my parents would split dinner duties. On weekdays, my father would handle suppers. His meals tended to be typically North American (steak, roast chicken) with the occasional classic upscale surprise (Oysters Rockefeller, Duck a L'Orange). My mother's weekend meals, on the other hand, consisted of Italian and seafood-themed plates (eggplant…
August 28, 2013: Artistic Expressions!
The day after my bout with what I suspect was food poisoning, my breakfast and lunch consisted of two hardboiled eggs, a bowl of chicken stock, and a bottle of ginger beer. So, when dinner rolled around, my appetite was back. And good thing too since we had reservations at Raw Canvas, a unique, art-themed…
August 27, 2013: A tale of two dinners!
Last night, Akemi made some beautiful home made orecchiette, "small ear" pasta, following my mother's recipe. Getting the cooking time right was a little tricky. When first served they were clearly undercooked, so they went back in the pan with the tomato sauce and grown chicken and, ten minutes later, they seemed dense but ready.…
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…
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…
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…