My girlfriend enjoys cooking, studying Italian, internet shopping, and posing for photographs behind those placards with the cut-out faces... She just can't help herself. Lulu, meanwhile, loves any opportunity for a photo session... And check out these gorgeous shots taken by our friend, Nicole: I have a big Skype video conference tomorrow morning to nail…
August 26, 2014: My Top 10 Most Shocking T.V. Deaths!
I say "My Top 10" because "Your Top 10" will no doubt vary. Having read the Ice & Fire series before sitting down to watch Game of Thrones, I was prepared for moments like Ned Stark's execution, The Red Wedding, and the duel between The Mountain and The Red Viper. Similarly, behind-the-scenes developments on other shows…
August 24, 2014: The best laid plans of mice and men and french bulldogs!
Well, I had a lot I wanted to get done to day and, although I didn't accomplish everything, it was a nice, full day... 1) The Running of the Bulldogs Akemi and I headed down to Yaletown early this morning to register our french bulldog, Lulu, for "the running of the bulldogs", part of a…
August 22, 2014: Who’s in?!
Oh, it's on! This Sunday, come cheer Lulu on as she puts her undefeated record on the line (note: she's never participated before so she is, technically, undefeated) in the Running of the Bulls at Pet-A-Palooza! Looks to be a busy day because, in addition to that, there's this: And then this: Finally, here's Akemi's…
August 21, 2014: Jelly update! Japan plans!
I brought Jelly in to see a specialist last week. After a careful study of the x-rays and the my old gal, he reversed the initial diagnosis of a separated hip. Apparently, upon closer scrutiny, it looks bad - bad it isn't THAT bad. So that was great news. And then, Tuesday, she was unusually…
August 18, 2014: A Walk in the (Dog) Park!
Like me, my dogs are homebodies. Jelly is dog bed-ridden while Bubba and Lulu...don't play well with others. Oh, sure, Jelly enjoys her daily half-block walks. Bubba loves his trips to the farmer's market. And Lulu may be ambivalent to other dogs, she likes nothing better than to meet people. And so, when I heard…
August 16, 2014: Top 10 Greatest Fruit!
In order of awesomeness... #10. Coconut #9. Pear #8. Papaya #7. Miracle fruit #6. Yuzu #5. Cherry #4. Watermelon #3. Blueberry #2. Avocado #1. Banana
August 15, 2014: All Hail the Conquering (Vegetarian) Hero!
5 days into my 7 day Vegetarian Week, I've far surpassed expectations. And, by "far surpassed", I mean actually doing it. Unlike Pescaterian Week that saw me fall off the wagon four times, I've yet to have any meat or meat-derived products (ie. stocks, animals fats, or delicious bacon bit toppings). To be perfectly honest,…
August 14, 2014: Doggy updates and a mini mailbag!
First off, I'd like to direct your attention to a GoFundMe campaign organized by blog reader Lorinda. Her daughter's service dog, a 12 month old Rottie, requires surgery to repair ligament damage in both knees and it's a pricey procedure. If you'd like to donate, head on over here: http://www.gofundme.com/roxysknees. And if you're unable…
August 13, 2014: Pre-Production update! And a mailbag!
Yashaaa! * (*Made-up exclamation of satisfaction with a recent accomplishment. Yoshay! is an accepted variation). Just finished a first draft of episode #4! Initially, I thought it was going to be long but, in the end, it actually turned out a little long. I had WAAAAY too much fun with this one. I'm going to…
August 12, 2014: My June Reads!
These are outrageously overdue. Capsule reviews of my June reads. And there were a lot of 'em... LAGOON by Nnedi Okorafor When a mysterious object crashes into the waters off the coast of Lagos, the lives of three strangers are forever changed as they become intermediaries between humanity and an alien race. A mix of…
August 11, 2014: Dog bones! Awesome t-shirts! And Boxy!
Well, I got that second opinion on Jelly's hip. Apparently, she dislocated it a while ago. It's an old injury and that makes it even harder to treat. Popping it back in will be a very painful procedure - and given the deterioration of her hip bones, it's almost guaranteed to pop out again. Our…
August 8, 2014: News of note!
Well, hey - just in time for travel season! Conde Nast offers up a list of the U.S.'s friendliest - and unfriendliest - cites: http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/06/travel/us-unfriendliest-friendliest-cities/ Charleston and Savannah, two cities I REALLY want to visit, top the "friendliest" list. On the flip side, I'm reconsidering my travel plans to Newark. No wonder they had so…
August 7, 2014: Seafood! Sumo! And scripts!
Well, my Pescatarian Week was a success. To those of you who don't know, pescatarianism is "the practice of following a diet that includes fish or other seafood" (Wikipedia). I decided to give it a try and, after seven days, I have to say, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be -…
August 4, 2014: News of note!
Screen Rant's "1 Good Movies with Bad Endings": http://screenrant.com/good-movies-bad-endings/ Hmmm. I agree only insofar as some of these movies have bad endings. But to call them "good" is a bit of a reach. Maybe 2001: A Space Odyssey - and Sunshine and The Wolverine which I haven't seen. Space noise: http://www.thedailyepic.com/nasa-probes-record-sounds-in-space-and-its-terrifying/ See, this is why I don't…