My girlfriend, Akemi, is a firm believer in cosmic balance. Basically, it holds that if you run into a spate of bad luck, then a run of good luck should be just around the corner (and vice-versa). Maybe, but this philosophy begs two big questions: 1. How do you know when that bad luck series…
August 13, 2013: Some good thing will happen to you soon!
"It's wet here!"said Akemi as I was preparing to head downstairs to do my workout. Uh oh, I thought. Poor Lulu. My gal was up (meaning I was also up) at 3:00 a.m. this morning for over an hour, dry-heaving and vomiting, and I assumed she'd had "an accident". "Uh oh,"said Akemi, seemingly reading my thoughts.…
August 11, 2013: The best laid plans of mice and men and dogs! Next time, I’ll just go out for pizza! Do your off-world exploring AND make it home in time to watch your favorite t.v. shows!
We had our Sunday all planned out. I would wake up early, get in a workout, then head on over to the park with Akemi and Lulu for the monthly French Bulldog Meet-up. After an hour of fun and frolic (definitely Lulu, possibly Akemi, certainly not me) we'd drop Lulu off at home and then…
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…
August 4, 2013: Japan Fest! How Many…?
Today, Akemi and I (and Bubba!) took in the annual Japan Festival on Powell Street... Bubba enjoys some kasu-sake ice cream: How Many... Have you seen? http://www.listchallenges.com/50-must-see-science-fiction-movies?ref=share. I've seen 40. Have you read? http://www.listchallenges.com/hugo-award-winning-novels-1946-2012-in. I've read 43. Have you watched? 100 Best TV Shows of All Time. I've watched 48. Have you eaten? http://www.listchallenges.com/foodie-list. Whoa! I've eaten…
August 3, 2013: Yes. AGAIN! Far East T.V.!
My oven is broken. "Ho ho!"you say. "Joe is running out of ideas for his blog! He did the old "my oven is broken" blog entry five months ago!" February 28, 2013: The Not-So-Lonely Maytag Repairman! True, but my oven is broken again. "Ha ha!"you say. "Joe is REALLY desperate for writing material. He already did…
August 2, 2013: An Atypical Day! News of Note!
People are a constant source of disappointment, and its because they're either psychotic, opportunistic, or just plain stupid. Chances are, you'll have to put up with at least one of the aforementioned on a daily basis and learning to deal with them has become a necessary tool of survival in today's society. As time goes…
August 1, 2013: Quest for the Akemi Cup!
Akemi loves a good Starbucks cappuccino, but the taste of those foam-topped semi-espressos is invariably laced with a touch of (non-coffee) bitterness due to the fact that the baristas can never seem to get her name right. "Akemi,"she tells them. "A-ke-mi!". And they'll nod and head off to make her drink and then, when it's…
July 31, 2013: Upcoming Under the Radar Movies to Look Forward To! Or Not!
THE ARTIST AND THE MODEL Release Date: August 2, 2013 What it’s about: In 1943 occupied France, a beautiful young refugee changes the life of a famous sculptor. What it’s got working for it: Great reviews. What’s it’s got going against it: Potentially painfully pretentious. EUROPA REPORT Release Date: August 2, 2013 What it’s about:…
July 28, 2013: Summer in Vancouver; Christmas in Tokyo!
Vancouver is beautiful in the summer and, given the choice, you wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Of course, a couple of months down the line, and things change. Mainly, the weather. September kicks off "the rainy season" here that runs through, well, most of the year, ending sometime in May, April if you're lucky.…
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 26, 2013: It’s simple really. Just don’t get on my bad side…
"How long are you going to be?"asked Akemi as I parked the car. "Ten, fifteen minutes,"I said. "Okay,"she said. "I'll wait in the car." "No, you'd better come with me,"I said and then proceeded to tell her about the article I read this morning concerning a woman who was charged with animal cruelty for leaving…
July 24, 2013: Your embarrassing childhood photos!
When Akemi sent me the above pic, my initial reaction was: "Who's that goofy pudgy boy on the left?". Well, I'm sure you can guess. That goofy pudgy boy blossomed into this - not so pudgy though no less goofy girl: Yep. People change A LOT between ages 2-5 and 21+. A quick visit to…
July 21, 2013: A 17 (actually, 21) Question Science Fiction Book Meme!
The gang at http://www.sfsignal.com/ have launched another one of those irresistible SF-themed memes, what they're calling a " 17-question science fiction book meme for a lazy Sunday". I wrestled over a few of my responses, struggling with the relative worthiness of some of the titles, and finally decided to solve the problem by adding four extra questions to…