"Tastes like old taxi driver."  - Akemi on the gazpacho we had at Origin "Tastes like Santa Claus's socks." - Akemi on foie gras. While in Toronto, we were visiting my elderly aunt when the conversation turned to cell phone plans.  Mom, miffed, suggested my sister and I change the topic of conversation to something…

Today, I turn this blog over to my east coast arch-nemesis, Tara Yelland for her much-anticipated Q&A.  Tomorrow, I hit the mailbag to answer your questions. Hopefully. Over to Tara... TY: A note on the portrait: I'm not sure all of you fully realized this, but I drew that thing WITH MY EYES CLOSED! Try…

I can lie awake in bed for hours, waiting to fall asleep, but put me in a meeting and I can doze off in no time at all.  In addition to meetings, I've found that other snoozy-worthy environments include the back seat of a bus, during a late afternoon viewing of a mix, and any…

I'm not the only who's enjoying the time off.  My dogs seem to be having a grand old time at mom's place, making the most of her comfy couches... Today, we headed east to pay a visit to my Auntie Jeanette.  At 93, she's still as chatty as ever.  I remember, back when my grandmother…

A full day today.  Let the pictures tell the story... Some of you have asked how all the dogs are getting along.  Well, I'm happy to report: "Great!".  We adopted a go-slow approach, introducing members of my gang one at a time, starting best behaved to worst... Anyway, yes, my dogs get along well with…

Yesterday, I receive an email from my old friend/onset nemesis Tara.  She wrote: "o pass the time on set, I'm playing a game called "Blind Portrait"; I approach people on set and ask if they would like their portrait drawn by me--but it has to be done with my eyes closed. I'm quite brilliant at…

Yesterday, Akemi had her first good night's sleep in a long time.  The news that she'd been approved for an extension of her visitor's visa had wiped away months of anxiety.  Until early this morning when, while showering, she suddenly wondered if I'd made a mistake.  Had Immigration Canada's automated call center really informed me…

What a difference a day makes.  Well, a day - and a decision. Yesterday, I briefly outlined the problem we faced regarding our desire to extend Akemi's visitor visa. In short, we'd made a mistake by applying online rather than going through a lawyer - a mistake that, I feared, could result in Akemi being…

After eking out a two point opening week win, my Snow Monkeys are 1-0 in this young Fantasy Football season.  Despite injuries, poor player performances, and suspect managerial decisions, they got the W - marking the first step in what I predict will be an undefeated season. Spoke to the immigration lawyer to with regard…

Our friend Tara Yelland leads the blog in her sassy steampunk attire.  This pic taken, last weekend, at - where else? - a steampunk-themed wedding. Apparently, it was a beautiful ceremony.  Up until they were attacked by a giant mechanized squid.  Happily, Tara was saved by airship pirates and will, thus, be available for a…

Well, our Toronto Farewell tour officially kicked off tonight.  Not sure when, exactly, we're leaving, but I imagine it's somewhere between next week and December, depending on how quickly several outstanding issues can be addressed and put to bed.  In the meantime, I've lined up a slew of goodbye and see-you-later dinners that, if necessary,…

Planning a road trip to Montreal next weekend, Akemi and doggies in tow.  Looks like my visit will coincide with the Montreal Comic Con (Montreal Comic Con).  "You excited to meet Stan Lee and Adam West?"my sister texted me.  Yes, would love to meet Adam West and check out the original batmobile (was and still…

Hey, check it out.  My sister, Andria, recently received a card from Satan.  He professes his love for her and then, rather ominously, vows to never forget her. Well, truth be told, it was a card from one of the kids at her daycare - a kid who, apparently, has trouble spelling his real name.…

I woke up this morning unable to move, my dogs clustered around me like a Cruella Deville topcoat.  I figured it was one of two things: 1) Like animals who sense earthquakes or similar natural disasters, my super-sensitive dogs were consoling me ahead of inevitable catastrophe, or 2) Winter had arrived.  Today's weather convinced me…

The other day I received an afternoon text from Golden Boy Martin Gero: "Are you and Carl free for dinner tonight?". "Will check with Carl,"I responded.  And then, before I fully committed: "Where to?" "416 Snackbar?" "Great." I'd heard good things about the place, a restaurant that specialized in comfort finger food.  Apparently, it was…