Check it out! I'm heading to Japan where my buddy Ivon and I will embark on our new career as the hilarious Osaka comedy duo Gaijin and Tonic! Got my suit and I'm ready to go! Ikimasho! Lulu this morning was looking a little down. But, as promised, she was in for a treat today...…
November 8, 2015: Embarrassing But True!
Embarrassing things most people don't know about me but I'm telling you now because, well, you're my friends. Also, I'm not sure what else to write about for today's blog entry. I sing to my dogs. A lot. I have a whole repertoire of original compositions including such favorites as The Apple Dumpling Gang ("The…
October 31, 2015: Jay’s Birthday Bash!
It started early that morning - whispered conversations, furtive looks amongst the members of the Prodigy Pictures production staff. "Is this about me?"I wondered. And then, when I saw them sneak the balloons, pizza, and cake into the conference room I concluded: "This IS about me!". THIS, of course, being the totally unexpected "Welcome Back…
October 29, 2015: Beware bacon and sunlight!
Some disconcerting news hit the web yesterday: http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/26/bacon-ham-sausages-processed-meats-cancer-risk-smoking-says-who Yep. According to the World Health Organization, bacon and other processed meats (hell, red meat in general!) are very, VERY bad for you. They've been classified as a Group 1 Carcinogen along with asbestos and tobacco. Apparently, daily consumption (of the meats, not the asbestos or the tobacco…
October 23, 2015: On the move!
Today, I went out for a late night dessert after coming home from dinner and dessert. It was the type of gloriously irresponsible indulgence I could only dream of when I was twelve. But I'm an adult now. And, for good measure, on my way out, I picked up a pistachio macaron to go that…
October 18, 2015: Let’s hit the mailbag!
Answering your burning questions... mannas7mom writes: "Whaddya mean??? Dark Matter got a second season, and presumably you did, too, or you wouldn’t be heading to Toronto. If you got a 2nd season, why can’t you move to Toronto? What was it that didn’t work out? And is that why you were shopping for an agent…
October 16, 2015: The Birthday Highlights!
1200 - 12:50 a.m.: Watch double episode of Million Dollar Listing: New York, one of Akemi's favorites. She's particularly fond of Fredrik and even purchased his audio book. I, on the other hand, am with Team Ryan. 3:00 a.m.: Wake up with a recurring cough and congestion. A progression of that lung thing? Benilyn is my…
October 15, 2015: Lulu demonstrates her distaste for gravel!
"Oooh, is she old?"asked the fellow dog owner, looking on as Lulu trudged her way along the gravel. "No,"I told him, "just dramatic." I swear, she only does this when she's at the dog park. She otherwise walks perfectly fine... Further proof that the "cleaning" of our apartment prior to our arrival was less than…
October 14, 2015: Back in Toronto!
Wow! A pretty exciting time to be in Toronto. The Blue Jays just clinched a spot in the American League Championship Series. It was an amazing, hard-fought victory. And these were the highlights... Oh, right. I forgot. My place in Toronto only offers the most basic of channel selections. I may not get the sports…
October 13, 2015: And that’s a wrap on Vancouver 2015!
Our last day in Vancouver for the foreseeable future was marked by a lot of frenzied dashing about driving. Did some banking, visited a couple of book shops, picked up some replacement light bulbs and baby Gravol for the dogs. For my final Vancouver lunch, it was tacos at La Taqueria. Damn, I'm going to…
October 11, 2015: Don’t know what it is, but I can tell you what it isn’t!
"Excuse me! Excuuuuuse me!"the guy in the bathrobe called out to the hospital staff. "Can I have a yogurt?" When it became clear he wasn't getting one, he sighed, strolled into an examination room, turned off the lights and went to sleep. There he snoozed peacefully away - until he was chased out by a…
October 8, 2015: Home! X-ray! Script elves!
Wow! I can't tell you how nice it is to be home, back in a place with a backyard, proper t.v., window blinds, and actual dresser with drawers for storing my clothes! Nice while it lasts. I got in a little after 3 pm today and the first thing I did (after greeting Akemi and…
October 6, 2015: My hatred for my new Toronto place goes up to 11!
So, I arrived in my new Toronto apartment today. Because I live on the other side of the country, I wasn't able to visit the place first but, instead, based my decision on the specs and photos. It looked nice enough and, surely, it couldn't be any worse than the place we stayed last year…
October 1, 2015: Spider! Spider! Spider!
From the corner of my eye, I saw Akemi shuffle up beside me and stand quietly by, waiting for me to acknowledge her. I looked over and she spoke up: "Sorry to interrupt, but I need your help. There is a spider in the dryer." I chuckled. My poor girlfriend, ever prone to scares. The…
September 26, 2015: Talking to Strangers!
We were walking back to the car after dinner when I happened to notice the two women vacillating outside of La Taqueria, peering in at the menu, brows furrowed, discussing. "It's great!"I assured them. "Best tacos in Vancouver." They turned, all smiles, clearly delighted someone had taken the time to engage them. "What's good?" asked the…