PoP! Goes My Heart – Music & Lyrics

The best and funniest movie I’ve seen in the past year. Definitely a Valentine’s Day movie…

Restaurant review – DeDutch Pannekoek House.

Well, I finally set foot in DeDutch Pannekoek House. I went today for breakfast/brunch to the Oak and 16th Avenue location. Now, before doing my restaurant review, I should say that I am actually grateful, not so much for the restaurant, but for the friend who took me there (I was feeling quite depressed and thus it was very nice to go for brunch with her — again, thank God for friends!!!).

Anyhow, I digress… We ordered standard brunch fare (scrambled eggs, sausage, toast) and I got garden salad as a side. Salad. Ok, that was VERY weird. But I was so hungry (and the dressing was so nice) that I ate it all. Then I went to my brunch items. You can’t screw up scrambled eggs, really. The coffee was great, but as far as brunch goes, I was, quite frankly, unimpressed. Maybe it was the fact that I did not actually order pancakes (the house specialty) but the prices seemed steep for what we get. I would not go a second time unless absolutely pressed.

Cleaning up (a.k.a. getting rid of garbage/baggage)

The last couple of days have been actually kind of depressing. One of my former students died in an accident. She was intelligent, full of life, she transformed herself and turned her life around, and in that process, she turned many other lives around. That’s why I went on a shopping spree yesterday (thank God for my friends, I went to XCess Cargo, Winners, Future Shop, Best Buy with a couple of them)… Retail therapy, I tell you!

So I decided that I needed to follow a grieving process that acknowledged my former student as well. I started cleaning up my life and getting rid of many things. So I thoroughly cleaned my apartment today. Bathrooms, living room, kitchen, counter tops, dining table… everything. Threw garbage away, got rid of a number of things I really didn’t need. I guess that’s part of the process of getting rid of garbage (and baggage, in the process!)… in the end, I think this reflective and cleansing process will be good for me.

Charlie’s Angels Full Throttle trailer

Honestly, I laughed so hard when I watched this movie I just had to post this!

Competitive volleyball

I used to be a varsity volleyball player and after knee injuries in undergrad, I completely abandoned the sport. I played here and there, particularly when I lived in residence. This year, I am playing again (at a level called intermediate-competitive, which is really good enough for me to get back into the groove. I have decided that in 2007, I will be playing again at the competitive level. It’s good exercise, I have always loved volleyball, I bought new knee pads and I’m hitting quite hard, so why not?

🙂 I found this really cool picture of a volleyball player hitting [as a power hitter].

It’s all about the equipment!

Ah, retail therapy… the best solution to winter blues…

I was raised with the firm conviction that you should never be cheap in buying whatever makes your life easier, even if it expensive. You should always strive to buy the best clothes, the most nutritious food, the nicest furniture (within your budget, quite obviously).

I happened to do exactly that this weekend (treat myself to whatever I needed). I needed a printer (I didn’t have one before), so I bought an HP laser printer. I have been playing volleyball since a few weekends ago, so I bought a set of knee pads. My brother bought me a new pair of work boots (those that have the metal toe and all) to avoid me falling on the ice (something that happened about a month ago while Vancouver was still snowed).

Hence the title of my posting. It’s all about the equipment. You can’t be an academic these days without a printer, Internet access, a good computer, software… You can’t be a competitive volleyball player if you are afraid to dig balls (and you most definitely need knee pads for that!). You can’t walk in rainy Vancouver and expect not to trip at some point. So that’s why I now have the gear to carry out my day-to-day activities. I am quite happy 🙂

Mourning the loss of a loved one

Eight years ago today (February 1st, 1999) I lost my second mother to lung cancer. My aunt, who had been the closest thing to a mother I ever knew, wasn’t sick for long. Her demise was swift, a reward perhaps because she had been such a good individual. She did not suffer much, I believe.

Good natured, loving, nurturing and intelligent, my aunt always had a word to encourage me, she provided me with emotional, financial, even logistical support (I will never forget how she’d have all my dressy clothes ready to go out while I was in high school). I am who I am largely because of her.

She drove me to class, made me breakfast whenever I stayed at her place, and she was always with me and my brothers in good and bad times. I have never recovered from losing her, quite frankly. Since 1999, usually the last week of January and the first week of February are horrible for me. I have learned to cope with losing her, but I have never fully recovered.

Tia, thank you for making me who I am… wherever you are, I will always have you in my heart.

Gentrification again – damn it! Soma closes its doors…

I was taking a break from writing and checked Beyond Robson, which is a local, Vancouver-based blog. I read Beyond Robson mostly when I am not in Vancouver (e.g. when I was in Mexico I read it non-stop). I like to think of myself as a well-acquainted Vancouverite, so I go to their site every so often, only when I feel that I’ve been isolated from the outside world for way too long.

I almost choked when I read that Soma is closing its doors. For those of you who don’t live in our neighborhood, Soma was a really cute cafe (very well known for their Mac users – I felt bad every time I worked there using my PC laptop!). Strategically located between Broadway and 10th Avenue, Soma was always one of the best spots to work (Waves on Main is the other one).

But according to BR’s Krisztina, it will re-open where Wink was (151 East 8th Avenue). Cool. I can still walk from my place to Soma. Incredibly, I never set foot at Wink. Not because I didn’t want to. I just didn’t get around to it. And now, Wink is also kaput. But hopefully this trend will stop!

Restaurant review – Paul’s Place Omelettery

My brother was in town this past weekend and we went for brunch. He was clearly appalled at the paucity of good brunch places around my neighborhood. Quite apparently, we had exhausted all the good haunts (Cafe Main, Slickitty Jim’s, Crave on Main). And we both are sort of picky (ok. admittedly, very picky) when it comes to brunch. It has to be perfect. Since we both lived in Kitsilano in our early years living in Vancouver, we are pretty much very knowledgeable about where to eat there. However, since I now live in this side of town, I’ve tried to get to know my stomping grounds. And my brother (sweet as he is) has been kind enough to try some of these places with me.

Well, after an hour searching for a good spot for brunch (and nearing 1 pm on a Sunday!) we just gave up and traveled to Granville Street, heading to Paul’s Place Omelettery (my friends and I simply call it Paul’s). Now, I said “gave up” because we wanted to eat around Main St. We just didn’t find a spot that didn’t have a 30 minute wait! And we kind of didn’t want to go back to our old neighborhood (South Granville as they call it now). But we were forced to…

We were not disappointed. Paul’s is by and large the best omelettery in town, hands down. Crave on Main is a strong competitor. Both have amazing eggs. Gramercy Grill is perhaps third on the list (though I wasn’t that impressed with their brunch items – but that restaurant will have to wait for another post). Prices for brunch items hover in the range of $9-11 . They make excellent coffee. I have eaten at Paul’s at least six times that I can think off the top of my head in the past two years and the food has always been amazing.

Since one of my good friends just moved from the US to Vancouver, I try really hard to take him to new and awesome places for brunch. I will take him to Paul’s for sure. Highly recommended!

Sunny side up…

These past few days have been so sunny it doesn’t even feel like Vancouver. I should probably not say this, otherwise I’ll jinx it. Admittedly, the weather has been rather conducive to work. Two weeks ago I was super depressed because of the ugly clouds, snow, slushy roads and my tendency to fall every three steps. But this weekend and beginning of the week has been nothing but awesome. Still very cold, but I have been able to actually walk out looking fashionable. Nice jackets, nice scarves, nice shoes… ah, the old days of modeling 🙂

Writing like there’s no tomorrow, still teaching, things are going well. I can’t complain at all. Haven’t been to the movies but I can inform the general audience of my blog that Empire 7 Granville Cinemas have decided to lower their prices to $ 6.50 any time of the day. Now there is an incentive to go!

And on the movies note, Mount Pleasant opened in theatres this week. I saw it when it showed at the Vancouver International Film Festival, but I wouldn’t mind seeing it again. It is a Vancouver-centred movie, and it depicts my own neighborhood so I have many incentives to go see it again. Click here to read my movie review.

Hectic week and weekend half-booked but still looking forward to doing a lot of work. Academia, here I come!

Green Arrow – The new hero in town

Justin Hartley is a very well deserving Green Arrow. And whomever did this video deserves my kudos!

David Beckham is a class act.

Surprisingly for those of you who know my ethnic origins, I do not follow soccer (football). I rarely know who plays for whom. For some reasons (my connections to Madrid, particularly), I happen to be aware of the fact that David Beckham plays for Real Madrid, though apparently he’ll be moving to the US soon to play for an American team.

Since I live in Canada, anything Canadian usually draws my attention. While reading Canadian news, I was touched, to say the least, when I read this newspaper article (the link directs you to The Toronto Star). The story describes how David Beckham took time out of his schedule to find out the phone number of an ill girl in Hamilton, Ontario. He called her himself. As in, he dialed her number so that he could talk to her. Moreover, he sent her an autographed jersey. What a great guy! Honestly, regardless of whether you’re a soccer fan or not, his behavior could warm even the coldest heart. That was a touch of class. Kudos to you, David Beckham. You earned my respect.

Rocio Banquells – Dentro

I feel so old posting these awesome songs from, like, the 80s! Rocio Banquells was one of the top singers in Mexico.

Music review – Park Jam by Doctor M

Available on Julius Papp’s awesome latest release, Montreal Departure, Park Jam is an absolute delight for those of us who happen to be lovers of deep soul. This is a tune that will not allow you to sit down and relax, this is music made for dancing. I hadn’t listened to a tune that made me want to shake my body as much as Park Jam does. Doctor M should be congratulated 😉

Restaurant review – The 5 Point

Located near one of the landmarks of Mount Pleasant, and in the uber-hip neighbourhood of Main Street (which happens to be my stomping grounds) is The 5 Point. Basically on Main between 15th and 16th Avenues, you will find a hip bar/restaurant whose clientèle’s usually mid-thirties, late-twenties, not-so-wealthy-but-definitely-working-class males and females. While noisy, I think the food is ok (I wasn’t hungry after a burger and fries, and it was tasty but definitely smaller burgers than I expected). Specials to look for: Wednesdays – burger and booze for 10 bucks and Thursdays Martinis for 5.50 (you know I love martinis!). Bartender and waitresses, very friendly and good service. Good food. Loud music. You can watch hockey here, for sure. And get drunk.

Restaurant review – Sodas Diner

Located in the heart of Dunbar, in Vancouver’s west side, Sodas Diner (or Sodas, as we all know it) is a no-frills, no-holds barred 50’s diner. According to what we heard, it’s been there for over a decade. I do indeed remember that, when I used to live in Kerrisdale, I would take the 7 Dunbar bus and would always pass by Sodas. It is located on Dunbar and I think between 26th and 27th Avenues.

Recently, one of my very good friends and I have taken to go there quite often (I think we’ve been there at least 3 times in the last two months!). Their burgers are quite big, their fries are to-die-for and overall, it’s an inexpensive treat if you are feeling the blues. Dinner for two was well below $ 30 Canadian dollars. I go back to Sodas all the time, not only because I usually happen to go there with very close friends, but also because the food and service are amazing.

Furthermore, and as I am re-reading my posts [and editing], I should note that I rarely eat at chain restaurants. I prefer to support local business [hence the label!]

The Stone Roses – Fools Gold

I personally don’t completely love The Stone Roses but learned to like this tune… surprisingly! Judge for yourself… is this tune my style?

Music Review – Sand in my Shoes – Dido

Sand In My Shoes – Dido

First time I listen to Dido sing something that isn’t broody or depressing!

Damien Rice – The Blower’s Daughter

A beautiful song which makes me cry every time I hear it. Not for the faint of heart or anybody chronically depressed.

Of needles and threads

Today I had to sew two buttons back into two of my European jackets. Now, these are quite expensive jackets and thus I had no intention whatsoever of screwing up. So I kept the buttons and I purchased a portable sewing kit. I am still a mamma’s boy in that most of my button-fixing was done by my Mom. Unfortunately, Mom lives in a different country than I do and thus I am left to my own devices. And I found out today that I can use a needle-threader. I had never used one, but I seemed to vaguely recall how my Grandma used it.

So, I figured it out, and in five minutes I did what could’ve taken me an hour (insert the thread into the needle’s eye). I feel so proud of myself! Despite the fact that many people have done this and consider it a non-vital skill, trust me – when it comes do sewing your own buttons, it’s handy to know how to do it!

Superheroines

Ok, much as this looks as though it is a foreign-made film, it is Mexican-made. It’s a commercial for El Palacio de Hierro.

Michael Buble’ – Moondance

Dealing with depression at all levels

For the first time in more than two decades, I felt depressed today. I hate cold weather, and Vancouver thermometers are marking -5 oC. I am sorry, that’s just unfair. I can’t leave my house without thermal underwear, a shirt, a sweater and two jackets, gloves and a toque. Thank God I don’t live in Calgary or Montreal!

So, I discovered that in addition to the damn rain that Vancouver has, I also feel depressed whenever the weather is way too cold to do my normal routines. This is not exactly Seasonal Mood Disorder as understood by shrinks. The thing is, I rarely get depressed. For more than two decades, I never even considered the possibility.

Today, I was feeling down, bored, frozen, etc. But I used the best therapy of them all : retail therapy! Ah, the healing powers of a shopping trip. I feel so much better now!

Happy New Year 2007!!!

Still enjoying a wonderful vacation in Mexico, I just wanted to wish my two or three readers (not sure how many I got yet!) a great New Year!

Robbie Williams – Lovelight

While I’m a fan of Robbie Williams, I’m more used to his “pop rock” songs, but I just found this one and I really like it!