I’ve blogged about how it looks almost as though some particular cultural groups and ethnicities seem to be able to say “I love you” more often than others. I am the kind of guy who will say “I love you” way faster and way earlier than other folks will say it to me. Saying it (and obviously meaning it) comes naturally to me, and I’m not sure if it’s my Latin blood or just the nature of who I am.
My brothers are very loving too, but they aren’t that particularly affectionate. They will often do stuff that clearly demonstrates how profoundly they love me, but they don’t usually say to me “I love you” or at least, not as often as I do.
This weekend, while at dinner with JT and one of his very best friends, we talked about saying I love you”. It occurred to me today that, while I definitely appreciate the gestures (and in particular, the grand gestures), I’m quite fond of being told “I love you”. As Valentine’s Day approaches, I usually tend to be more ‘mushy’ and affectionate towards my friends, because V-Day to me is more about the friendship than it is about romantic love.
I’m not saying that actions are irrelevant. Words without actual meaning or actions, don’t really show much love. But I think there is value in saying “I love you” as much as meaning it and doing stuff for your loved ones (friends, family and/or romantic partners).
Theatrical performances at their best. Spectacularly well done. Impeccable acting and flawless storytelling. That’s how I would summarize August: Osage County. I recently went to see the wonderful production August: Osage County at the Stanley Theatre, invited by The Arts Club. I’ve been always keen on plays that portray dysfunctional families. I don’t think mine is particularly dysfunctional (much to the contrary, it’s a pretty normal family) but I can always see family conflict as fodder for good stories.
Directed by acclaimed actress and director Janet Wright, the Arts Club production features an all-star cast led by Shaw Festival veteran Nora McLellan as the Weston matriarch, with Karin Konoval, Megan Leitch, and Wendy Noel as the daughters caught in the family tumult.
By Tracy Letts. Director Janet Wright. Starring Sean Allan, Mackenzie Gray, Karin Konoval, Megan Leitch, Brian Linds, Gerry Mackay, Susinn McFarlen, Nora McLellan, John Murphy, Wendy Noel, Quelemia Sparrow, Anais West, Andrew Wheeler. Set Designer Ted Roberts. Costume Designer Barbara Clayden. Lighting Designer Marsha Sibthorpe. Sound Designer Brian Linds. Stage Manager Caryn Fehr. Assistant Stage Manager Ronaye Haynes.
Photo credit: David Cooper for The Arts Club. Used with permission.
August: Osage County tells the story of a controlling, domineering, dysfunctional mother to three daughters who have, on their own, enough problems already and aren’t particularly thrilled with having to deal with the death of their father and how that will affect their matriarch’s future. Amazingly, despite the fact that it’s a black humour play, August: Osage County manages to make audiences laugh ALL. THE. TIME.
While the play touches on somewhat taboo topics, and may make audiences squirm at two or three points during the play, this is perhaps one of the best demonstrations of fine acting I’ve seen since Glengarry Glenn Ross (also staged at the Stanley and also an Arts Club production). How do you escape the iron ruling of a controlling parent when you have to deal with your own personal issues and dilemmas? That’s one of the central themes I saw permeating throughout the play.
Nora McLellan is absolutely, entirely and totally spectacular. She steals the show, despite very, very strong performances by the rest of the cast. Megan Leitch, Wendy Noel, Karin Konoval are impeccable as the three sisters, none of whom wants to really take care of their mother but feel inexplicably attached to her. Konoval particularly makes her role as Barbara, the oldest sister (from what I can tell, not sure if she’s the oldest but she does behave like the older one) who needs to confront how she feels about her father (who is now deceased) and her mother (who continues to want to control her).
August: Osage County is a powerful examination of modern times’ dysfunctional families. A superb work of acting and a wonderful production you should totally check out. Because it is certainly worth it.
Disclosure: The tickets to attend the play for me and my guest were sponsored very generously by The Arts Club. While I did not pay to attend the show, I would gladly pay to attend, as it is a great production. This post hasn’t been paid for either. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times, and producers and publicists are well aware of this. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
From my experience, human beings are creatures of habits and routines. I am certainly not the exception. I love routines. Routines are also part of the stuff I do research on (I study institutions, rules and norms, and routines are part and parcel of the processes that establish rules). And I love studying myself. So I began thinking this morning about being disciplined, my own habits and what my Sunday morning routine consists of.
On Sunday mornings I usually sleep in until about 7:00am (yes, I know that for some people I wake up every day at Insanely O’Clock aka 4:45am) but being up this early helps me accomplish all my consulting, academic and research goals and also, my social media tasks.
I usually stay in bed until about 7:30am and then start my coffee maker. Sunday mornings are the days when I call my parents (who live in Mexico), my brothers, nieces and nephews (who live in Canada and the US), my cousin (who is like my sister and lives in Mexico too) and some of my friends in different time zones. I chat with them for about an hour (not each of them, but overall) as I putter around and do some apartment cleaning. I exercise 6 days a week, so on Sundays I don’t go to the gym.
I then usually have a light breakfast and proceed to begin doing some work. I’m trying to be more disciplined and not come into my office (neither at The Network Hub nor at UBC) on weekends, and it’s been working out so far. This morning I’m heading to West Vancouver for the Barking Mad Tweetup, but otherwise, I’ll be doing work, so I’ll be schlepping my laptop.
Actually, technically you can’t head out for Valentine’s Day with me given that I am going out on Valentine’s Day with someone else. BUT since some of my readers suggested I should do a giveaway for singles who (obviously) wouldn’t be out and about with a partner for Valentine’s Day, I partnered with Milestones Crossroads (on West 8th and Cambie, and one of my absolute favorite restaurants in town) to give away a $100 gift certificate for dinner.
Milestones Crossroads’ owners (Colin and James) have been incredibly nice to me and you may remember that I celebrated my birthday last year there with a bunch of my friends. I definitely have a soft spot for Milestones Crossroads. And you can use the gift certificate to treat a friend, or take a group of friends out on the town and have dinner while enjoying the amazing view from the Crossroads area (Broadway and Cambie). My photo doesn’t really do justice at how pretty the view from this area is.
To enter my giveaway, you just need to tell me who would you take out for dinner on Valentine’s Day (of course, if you are single, you can take your Mom, Dad, friends, etc.) Tell me who and why you would take them for dinner. I will be drawing a random winner from all entries (Twitter and blog) on Friday February 11th at 2pm. I will count a comment on here as a first entry and a second entry if you place this sample text on your Twitter stream:
Who would I take 4 dinner @milestonesxrds if I won @hummingbird604’s contest? Read my answer: http://is.gd/cTrz2X (who would YOU take?)
If you know me well enough, you’ll know that I am a fan of all things England. One of my best friends is English (Andy Peatling), I did one of my graduate degrees in Manchester, and in general, I am fond of the English traditions, especially afternoon tea. I think high tea and afternoon tea are rare opportunities for friends and loved ones to spend time with one another in a peaceful atmosphere while sharing a nice cup of tea.
Photo credit: Mark Ferris for The Urban Tea Merchant. Used with permission.
I am thrilled to announce that The Urban Tea Merchant decided to partner with me to give a lucky reader of mine (and their sweetheart, or a good friend, or whoever they choose) a chance to experience a Sweetheart Afternoon Tea For Two for the Downtown Vancouver location. I’m a big fan of local companies, and in particular, I have turned to tea lately. And who can say no to Afternoon Tea, seriously? 🙂
A Sweetheart Signature Afternoon Tea for Two [$48 per person (includes special tea gift $29.95 value)] Sittings: 11:30am-1:00pm, 1:30-3:00pm, 3:30-5:00pm
1070 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, B.C.
(Entrance also from Alberni Street)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday: 10am – 7pm
Thursday & Friday: 10am – 8pm
Sundays & Holidays: 12pm – 7pm
To make a reservation:
Photo credit: Tom James, The Urban Tea Merchant. Used with permission.
I asked Tom (CEO of The Urban Tea Merchant) to share some of the history of this wonderful tea salon. Here’s what he told me:
We opened our first pilot store in West Vancouver in September 2004 and our vision has begun to unfold. We are in the experience business, reflecting the lifestyles of exotic cultures, experienced through the rituals of tea. The business has enjoyed a substantial continuous natural growth.
In 2009 THE URBAN TEA MERCHANT designed a web site for e-commerce and began its wholesale division, focusing on upscale lifestyle stores, French patisseries and exclusive department stores. At the same time, the first flagship store opened its doors in Vancouver on Alberni Street – home of many luxury brands – Shangri-La, Fairmont, Burberry, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co, just to name a few. The downtown Vancouver location serves a thriving urban community of residents, businesses and distinguished travelers from around the world. Within the 3,000 sq ft store, there are three interdependent businesses, each contributing to the success of the whole.
To enter this giveaway, and since I mentioned that I needed a giveaway for singles, I’m opening this for everyone. Answer on this post: which famous person (alive or not) would you want to have afternoon tea, if you were given the chance? I will count a comment on this post as a first entry, and a second entry if you post the sample text below on Twitter:
Read who I’d like to share afternoon tea at @urbanteamerchan if I win @hummingird604’s giveaway http://is.gd/pLQtSz (you could win too)
I will draw a random winner on February 11th at 2pm. And the winner will probably have to make reservations fairly soon thereafter as I’m sure The Urban Tea Merchant will be booked fairly quickly. You don’t necessarily need to do Sweetheart Afternoon Tea For Two on Valentine’s Day but it’s an option.
The Modern Cafe has been a landmark in the downtown of Nanaimo since 1946. Originally a Chinese Restaurant, the former owner transformed it into what Nanaimo knows it as of today, a truly Modern Cafe with an international style menu and fantastic brick wall interior. Many residents of Nanaimo know us for our great Modern Cafe sign, which many come down to photograph. When the new Owners took over in May they immediately set out to further enhance the style of the Restaurant and improve the menu and the service that customers receive.
The new owners of the Modern Cafe in Nanaimo, Scott Cooper and Bryan Rodier, have an ambitious goal for the restaurant. Their mission is to provide “fine dining at cafe prices” for every customer that enters the Modern Cafe, from foodies, to tourists, to local citizens.
Disclosure: My drink was paid for by Chelsea Barr (Destination Nanaimo). I wasn’t paid to write this blog post, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this post just to describe my experience at the restaurant/bar. As with any review or complimentary post I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
I am a very visual and auditive (auditory?) person. I picture my life in Kodak moments, thus it’s no surprise that I use music to define me. If there was a song that I would want to define me, this would be it. All I Need by Andy Caldwell in the CJ One Remix is a deep-house, chill song that, when I listen to it, reminds me of sophistication, style, New York, Paris, at night, dance floor, etc. You know, lifestyle! What I write about…
This past December, my friend Luba Plotnikoff and I were invited for dinner by Jenn Houtby (Director of Marketing at the Tigh-Na-Mara). It was simply superb, and I wish I had made sure to get better lighting because I don’t think my photos make justice to the amazing Caesar salad and salmon risotto I had when visiting the Cedar Room (for the third time, I might add). I never get tired of the Tigh-Na-Mara.
It was a really fun evening and reminded me of the fact that my friendaversary with Jenn and Luba (as well as Tanya Smith and Dana Hutchings from CHEK TV) is precisely coming up at Parksville Uncorked 2011. I look forward to celebrating again! Thanks so much to Jenn and to the Tigh-Na-Mara for such a delicious dinner. The menu at the Cedar Room is always innovative, reasonably priced and more importantly, the service is top-notch.
My dinner (the Fresh Seafood Mixed Grill, with Ahi tuna, scallops and tiger prawns, saffron garlic cream and citrus risotto, $29) was absolutely delicious (who can say no to saffron garlic cream, risotto and seafood), and compared to other similar high-end restaurants I’ve been to in Vancouver, the price was in the same scale.
I will definitely come back to the Cedar Room next time I’m in Parksville (which is coming up as I’ll be covering Parksville Uncorked).
Disclosure: My and Luba’s dinner at the Tigh-Na-Mara’s Cedar Room Restaurant in Parksville was complimentary. Thanks to Jenn Houtby and the Tigh-Na-Mara, as they wanted to be part of my recent Vancouver Island writing retreat (which included stops in Victoria, Courtenay/Comox, Nanaimo and Parksville/Qualicum Beach). However, I covered every other single expense I incurred during this travel, including (but not limited to) breakfast, lunch, dinner and transportation (except when explicitly indicated). I wasn’t paid to write this review, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this blog entry is just to describe and document my experience at the resort. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
I never get tired of my walks around the city with my good friend Erica Hargreave. Actually, I never get tired of walking anywhere with my friends, to be quite honest. Particularly when it comes to discovering somewhat unusual places in the city. I’m a sucker for all things urban nature, and having a water stream flow through in such a distinct manner as it does through the Renfrew Ravine makes me go all giddy for no good reason. Plus, it’s in my neighbourhood of East Vancouver. Go East Vancouver!
I have written about the Renfrew Ravine Moon Festival before, but I wrote that post when I had actually not been there (though admittedly, my friend Tris Hussey and I gave a talk at the Renfrew Park Community Centre last year on how to grow your readership through blogging).
A couple of weeks ago, Erica and I wandered around to check it out. Walking through the ravine, we found a labyrinth, a German-Canadian monument and lots of beautiful, peaceful nature.
As you may (or may not know) my research encompasses the industrial/urban transformation of cities and its environmental effects, so I am always keen to explore urban settings and appreciate the intersection of nature with urbanization. Erica and I walked through the Renfrew Ravine Greenway all the way from 29th Avenue Skytrain station to the Renfrew Park.
Beautiful natural water streams and bodies within urban settings never cease to amaze me. I am just as fascinated with Renfrew Ravine as I am with my beloved Trout Lake. Both beautiful locations within my East Vancouver neighbourhood.
If there is a place where I have received excellent customer service and tasty food for a very reasonable price, it’s definitely Minnoz. And that was definitely completely unexpected. You know how things go. You never know when a hotel restaurant is going to be good or not, until you try. Often times, it ends up being just the ONLY option. But in this case, I did not know that it would be so good.
Photo credit: Image provided by Coast Bastion Inn, credited as indicated by them and used with permission
Elegantly decorated in a casual setting, the new Minnoz Restaurant & Lounge is located in the Coast Bastion Inn, in beautiful downtown Nanaimo, BC. From homemade breakfasts to enticing tapas, make Minnoz your number one choice for dinner & drinks before going to the show or to simply entertain friends and family. [Minnoz Restaurant website]
Both Richard Zinger, Minnoz Chef and Jon Schafer, Restaurant Director, as well as their entire staff should be commended for an imaginative and broad-reaching menu (PDF). When I was out on the town on my recent visit to Nanaimo, I realized I was out without my contacts and thus didn’t feel it was a smart idea for me to venture far away at night without being able to assess my surroundings. So I walked back to the Coast Bastion Hotel and dropped by Minnoz for dinner.
My iPhone photo does not do justice to their excellent chicken salad. I wasn’t feeling all too well and I had forgotten my camera, so I just took this particular shot. The flavours were excellent, and I couldn’t even finish it all (and it was late at night). The waiter who was in charge of my table was incredibly sweet and prompt.
Overall, a very pleasant surprise, and I would encourage visitors to Nanaimo to check Minnoz for dinner. It’s definitely not an expensive restaurant.
I have lived in Vancouver (on and off, with moves to Europe and Mexico in between) for almost 14 years of my life. So, whenever I cross Customs and Immigration Canada and I get asked “what brings you to Canada” my response is always “I’m coming home“. This is my home. Vancouver has been my home for most of the time I have spent in Canada, so I’m excited to be part in some little way of Vancouver’s 125 Anniversary Celebrations.
My good friend Rebecca Bollwitt is involved in the Vancouver 125 Heritage Committee so I asked her to tell me a bit more about the initiative and the project they just launched, Places That Matter To Vancouver. Rebecca has been writing quite a bit on the topic. She told me:
Although Vancouver is celebrating 125 years since its incorporation, this is also a time to celebrate our rich past and heritage that goes back even further. Through First Nations partnerships, community events, art exhibits, performances, and two major city festivals (Birthday Live & Summer Live) Vancouver will be reliving the city pride felt last year during the Olympics — all year long. The City has at least 125 events planned so far most of which are free to the public. 2011 will offer the perfect opportunity to get to know Vancouver a little better, and celebrate the city which we call home.
There’s a number of great events that are coming up, including “Birthday Live” on April 6th, 2011 and “Summer Live” July 8, 9, and 10th, 2011. You can also check their Event Listings.
I love the city of Vancouver, a city I’ve called home for more than a decade. So I can’t wait to start celebrating its 125 Anniversary. I’ll be covering and writing about some of the events that will be taking place throughout the city. I already participated in the launch a couple of weeks ago, when the Vancouver PuSh Festival 2011 launched in conjunction with Vancouver 125. And I will continue to participate as events come along.
I saw on the Facebook page of a very dear friend of mine something that reminded me of this prayer. It’s attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr although I also read on the Wikipedia page that its authorship is sometimes disputed. I heard similar versions when I was in high school (attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi). With a life as hectic and fast-paced as mine, sometimes confronted with challenges that somehow seem unsurmountable, it was nice to remember this as JT himself gave me a reminder this past week about how I need to learn to be patient. Hummingbirds aren’t patient, but it’s time for me to remind myself of the need to be serene and quiet within myself sometimes.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things right If I surrender to Your Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
I love the whole Sequoia group of restaurants, having had in the past dinner at The Teahouse and Seasons in the Park. You may remember that Seasons in the Park partnered with me along with The Arts Club in December to give away a Christmas holiday package. Well, this time The Teahouse (also part of the Sequoia Group) is partnering with me to help you treat your loved one (or a friend) to Valentine’s Day dinner.
Photo credit: Hamid Attie. Used with permission from the Sequoia Group of Restaurants.
I am giving away a $100 gift certificate card to a lucky reader for dinner (the Valentine’s Menu is linked and you can make reservations here – the price is superb, $45 per person excluded of tax and gratuities). To enter my giveaway, the first mode of entry will be a comment on this post, telling me what is your favorite romantic spot in Vancouver (or elsewhere if you live outside Vancouver but within the Lower Mainland). For me, there’s a certain element of romanticism that comes with sitting on the beach, and in Stanley Park it would be the seawall, I think.
I will be drawing the winner of my contest on February 10th at 2pm. If you are on Twitter, please drop your Twitter handle on your comment on my post. A second entry can be earned by posting the text below on your Twitter stream.
Romantic spots in Vancouver? Check my choices on @the_teahouse & @hummingbird604 ‘s dinner gift certificate giveaway http://is.gd/AQfbKo
The 11th Annual Chutzpah! Festival (also known as the The Lisa Nemetz International Showcase of Jewish Performing Arts) is an annual performing arts festival of music, dance and theatre that been growing in size and profile over the past 11 years. This year there are shows at the Norman Rothstein Theatre, the Wosk Centre for Dialogue’s 2nd Stage, The Commmodore, VENUE, Presentation House Theatre and the Dance Centre.
I am particularly thrilled about the Chutzpah! 2011 Festival in Vancouver because not only does it include music (one of my loves) but also my other two passions: dance and theatre. Seeing as I am a former stage actor and competitive dancer, and given how frequently I write about the fine and performing arts, the Chutzpah! 2011 Festival seems the right festival for me.
For the 2011 Chutzpah! Festival, I am giving away a pair of tickets to Ekodoom, performed by the KIBBUTZ CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY (Israel), choreographed by Rami Be’er (Artistic Director). More information on the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company and Ekodoom here:
The Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company is internationally renowned and one of Israel’s most prominent
dance companies. Having performed all over the world to great acclaim with its exclusive and unique character, a trademark both in Israel and abroad, KCDC has been widely identified with the works of its Artistic Director Rami Be’er whose creations have been met with unswerving world-wide praise.
Featuring a company of 18 dancers, Ekodoom is an incisive and eclectic observation of and about ourselves, performed and choreographed with magnificent skill and artistry. In a penetrating and enthralling sequence of scenes, Be’er creates a world with all its component parts and possibilities; the harsh, cruel, gray world in conflict, and the world of fantasy, dreams and romance.
When: Tuesday & Wednesday February 22 & 23 @ 8pm and Thursday February 24 @ 7pm Where: Norman Rothstein Theatre (41st and Oak)
To enter this giveaway, you can earn a first entry by checking the programme for Chutzpah! 2011 and coming back here and dropping a comment letting me know about which show you would be most interested in seeing. A second entry can be earned by tweeting the text below:
Music, dance & theatre @ChutzpahFest http://is.gd/1EhSGx – I entered to win tickets to Ekodoom from @hummingbird604 – you can too!
I will draw a random winner from all entries (Twitter and blog) on Valentine’s Day night (February 14th), even though I should let you know that Chutzpah! 2011 starts on February 10th and goes all the way to the 27th of February. Hope you can get to enjoy some of this amazing festival!
Taking the train reminds me a lot of my childhoold, of the time I spent in Europe, and of many good things. I couldn’t help but be giddy as the VIA Rail Canada train I was on traversed the all the way from Nanaimo to Courtenaythis past December. I live relatively near by the Pacific Central Station (near the Main Street/Science World Skytrain station) and thus, I had some basic idea of some of the routes that VIA Rail services (side note – I’m VERY impressed with how much history is posted on the VIA Rail website – they are also on Twitter – and it should be noted that the Pacific Central Station has wireless service).
More information on VIA Rail Canada:
VIA Rail Canada operates the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada. An independent Crown Corporation established in 1977, the company provides Canadians with safe, efficient and environmentally responsible public transportation. VIA consistently ranks as one of the most trusted transportation companies in Canada. In Leger Marketing’s 2007 Top 100 Companies in Canada survey, VIA ranked 2nd among transportation companies and enjoyed the largest increase in reputation score.
VIA operates up to 503 trains weekly on 12,500 kilometres of track, and serves 450 communities across the country, from coast to coast and north to Hudson Bay. VIA carried close to 4.2 million customers in 2007.
VIA’s fleet includes 396 passenger cars and 78 active locomotives. In addition to 159 railway stations, VIA operates four modern maintenance facilities, and employs some 3,000 people. While VIA owns 223 kilometres of track, most of the infrastructure used by the passenger service is owned and managed by the freight railways, including ten different national and short-line operators.
When I took the train from Nanaimo to Courtenay, I was a bit disappointed to see that the Nanaimo train station was being rebuilt. But having previously visited Qualicum Beach and seen the train station, I felt comforted as the train passed by a familiar station.
I will fully confess that I was probably more excited about my train travel than some of the young kids who took the train (it’s well used, and from what I heard in my conversations with passengers, passing by train through the Malahat region is amazing (the Courtenay-Victoria train used to be called Malahat, according to this Wikipedia entry)
For me, taking the train was a no-brainer. It was an inexpensive, safe and lovely ride from Nanaimo to Courtenay and then back to Parksville. Next time I do a similar trip, I’ll begin in Victoria, for sure.
Disclosure: My travel expenses during my recent Vancouver Island writing retreat (which included stops in Victoria, Courtenay/Comox, Nanaimo and Parksville/Qualicum Beach) were paid out of my own pocket. I wasn’t paid to write this review, nor was I required to do so either. The purpose of this blog entry is just to describe my experience using the VIA Rail train service. In any review I write or publish on my site, I retain editorial control at all times. Should you have any questions/concern feel free to contact me via e-mail through my contact form.
A couple of weeks ago I got invited by MINI Richmond to attend a secret, undisclosed location for the launch of the MINI Countryman. This event was hosted in the London Aviation Centre air hanger. Since both Emme Rogers and I have a penchant for all things espionage (see our recent getaway to visit the InSecurity TV Show folks, including the always lovely Richard Yearwood, a personal friend of Emme’s and mine).
(Photo credit: Rick Etkin / Hope Watanabe for London Air Services – used with permission)
(Photo credit: Rick Etkin / Hope Watanabe for London Air Services – used with permission)
I know my friend Alisha Mann drives a MINI and I’ve been driven around one. I love this compact model, and I would be keen to test-drive the MINI Countryman sometime. And I loved the quote provided by Jason So, the Director of Group Marketing:
This MINI Countryman is the solution to the action-packed lifestyle, combining the DNA of a MINI urban-commuter with the adventurous spirit of a crossover. Whether you’re an outlaw on the run, or running from the in-laws – the MINI Countryman is your ultimate getaway car
(Photo credit: Rick Etkin / Hope Watanabe for London Air Services – used with permission)
Next time, I hope these events happen on a Thursday where I don’t have to meet with other colleagues in the evening. I look forward to future events that MINI may put together. Looks like I missed quite a fun event.
In my last visit to Nanaimo, Chelsea Barr (Destination Nanaimo) invited me for breakfast to Mon Petit Choux Cafe & Bakery, a not-so-little French-themed cafe in downtown Nanaimo (on Commercial Street), just a couple of steps away from the Coast Bastion Inn and the Dorchester Hotel. I was thrilled from the moment I stepped in.
A place to start your day and to savour the taste of an authentically baked French pastry, an answer to your craving for a lunch that is unique, and a take out solution for your fast pace of life. Explore Mon Petit Choux Bakery Cafe where you’ll find all of this and more. [Mon Petit Choux]
Having “petit dejeuner” in a French-themed cafe always reminds me of my time in Paris. Despite the fact that I was supposed to have French-styled breakfast, I preferred to order Canadian bacon and eggs with fresh baguette and house preserves. Absolutely delicious, and while the portions are generous, they’re not overwhelming in size as some of the other brunch places I’ve been to.
The coffee is fantastic, and of course, they had a very broad variety of treats including the very traditional Nanaimo Bar. The Mon Petit Choux Cafe & Bakery is part of the Nanaimo Trail, and soon I’ll get around trying everything there.
Disclosure: My breakfast was paid for by Destination Nanaimo, but I could definitely and easily have paid, as this is a great little cafe, and next time I’m in Nanaimo I’m definitely coming back.
I’m writing a little print piece (e.g. it will be published in print, not online) and I want to use a few words from my actual readers to describe my blog and its storytelling style. So, if you would not mind volunteering a few minutes of your time, I’m looking for 5 words that describe my blog. I appreciate any and all help.
There are few periods during a year’s 12 months that hurt more and when I experience an immense amount of sadness and grief than the first few weeks of the year (January) and February 1st. For the past 12 years, I have known exactly why this happens: because these were the weeks leading to my Auntie’s death. My Auntie was my Mom’s older sister. Never married, she took care of us (and especially me).
My Auntie would make my breakfasts and lunches on days when my Mom and Dad were too pressed for time and had to take care of my other four brothers too. I stayed at my Auntie’s all the time and she drove me everywhere: from theatre and dance practice to volleyball practice to school, to my best friends’ houses, etc. She was, for all practical purposes, my second mother.
So when we found out that she had lung cancer, my world disintegrated in a matter of hours. I felt so impotent. I spent countless hours studying about cancer research trying to figure out if there was something we could do. I called and emailed doctors, begging them to let my Auntie into experimental treatments. Nothing was enough. My Auntie was Stage IV and thus there was pretty much nothing to be done. And when she finally passed away on February 1st, 1999, I crumbled.
Year after year, I feel the same sense of loss and grief right after December 31st, and all the way leading up to (including) February 1st. And then, for some reason, I seem to recover emotionally after February 2nd. I think about my Auntie every day, and as I was walking to the bus stop this cold morning, I thought to myself “well, one thing is certain – my Auntie would be proud of what I have accomplished and how far I have come.
We make up words, I admit. Heck, I am a wordsmith for all I know! So it was fun to have a chance to chat with my good friend Jason Sanders recently and mention about the fact that our Friendaversary is coming up. Yes, I made up this word (or maybe we made it up together?)
I don’t really think Rebecca and I actually have a friendaversary date set in our calendars, although I would fathom that perhaps our friendaversary would be the end of July every year (as we both did Blogathon 2007 and that sort of triggered our friendship).
With other good friends, like Arieanna and Ianiv Schweber, Derek and Airdrie Miller, Beth Snow, Tod Maffin, Isabella Mori, I’d say my friendaversary falls around Northern Voice (as is the case with many of my other friends from the blogging community).
With my friends Gus and Russ I don’t have a specific friendaversary date, but I do have a very fond memory of when Gus took Russ and I for dinner after my 2008 Blogathon.
And of course, I do have a specific friendaversary with Minna Van and Jay Catalan and the rest of the team at The Network Hub, which is April of 2008. Almost 3 years I’ve been at The Network Hub. Can you imagine? My, how time flies! I can even remember the very first time I set foot at The Network Hub, which was in April of 2008 when I liveblogged one of the very first Third Tuesday that I ever attended. I am so glad I did, because I managed to build a very strong friendship with the whole Network Hub team (even more so with Minna and Jay). So here is my question to you – do you ever celebrate your ‘friendaversaries’?
There’s something about Cafeteria that doesn’t completely fulfill me. It’s not the fact that it’s a “posh-ish” restaurant on Main Street. On the contrary, I think it’s a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood. I had been really looking forward to trying Cafeteria but it wasn’t until a couple of weeks ago that JT and I had the opportunity to test-drive the food. Tasty, but I think that a wee bit on the higher end of pricing.
I found this particularly dumbfounding for a neighbourhood that prides itself in affordable grub. To enable myself to really check it out, I went there without reviewing any of my foodie friends’ reviews, to see it for myself. I got the crispy chicken with olive oil mash and roasted garlic. Absolutely delicious. I may have been way too hungry but I found it slightly pricey ($18) for the portion size. We shared a chocolate tart with kumquat marmalade ($7.50) for dessert. Again, I might have just been way too hungry, but it was great food (as I noted on Twitter).
I’ll definitely have to come back to Cafeteria for a second try. The menu changes almost every day, so it’s a great opportunity to not get bored and try something new.
Photo credit: Michael Pereckas (Beige Alert) on Flickr
I’m good friends with Steve Anderson and Jacqui Macdonald, both of whom work really hard on the Open Media initiative. Their most recent project, the Stop The Meter Campaign had about 200,000 signatures from the last time I checked. Apparently, from what I read on the news and on Twitter, both parties (NDP and Liberals) are in favor of stopping metered internet.
Frankly, as a water specialist, I am in agreement with having water metered and users pay for overuse (thus preventing a tragedy of the commons). However, I fail to see how paying ‘overuse fees’ will actually be positive and improve innovation. I’m open to be convinced otherwise, but in the mean time, I’m throwing my support behind the Stop The Meter Campaign.
Dating in Vancouver seems to be equally bad for straight and gay people, from what I can see (at least, from what people seem to tweet all the time!). I follow some of the GLBT online reporters, as well as Out TV, and so I noticed a contest that Gay Compatible was runing featuring my friend Sean Horlor. I caught up with him over coffee last week and asked him what Gay Compatible was and what was all this contest about. We took the opportunity to catch about everything we hadn’t been able to (we probably last chatted when we both covered the Winter Olympics 2010 Pride House). Sean emphasized that Gay Compatible is NOT about “the hookups” as commonly known, but more relationships.
It was interesting to see the contest, as it asked “where would you take Sean on a first date“. Seeing as I’m always keen to find new places in the Greater Vancouver area, I jokingly said to Sean “I know about 40 different places I could take you on a first date that wouldn’t be your standard, run-of-the-mill first-date“. I’m glad to see a dating website that at least purports to cater to dating and relationships. It’ll be interesting to see how Gay Compatible fares in the gay men dating market. And it was, as always, good to catch up with Sean.
The contest that Gay Compatible and Out TV have sounds like it has some really kick-ass prizes.
Some people ask me where I go for lunch whenever I need a quick bite to eat. If I want to stay really on the inexpensive side of things, I go to Spin Roll. They have the tastiest, most filling and least expensive sushi I have ever tried. And they’re literally 1 minute away from my office downtown at The Network Hub.
My favorite combo ($6.50) is the Sushi Roll combo, pictured above. I definitely love the California roll and their various vegetarian rolls. As far as inexpensive and tasty sushi that is close to my office, hard to beat Spin Roll.
Who doesn’t love chocolate? Certainly, I do. And I could almost bet that my readers do too. It’s become a bit of a tradition for my good friend Chet Woodside and I to have chocolate beverages at one of our absolute favorite places: Mink Chocolates Inc. Mink is a short walk from The Network Hub.
Being so close to my office means that Mink is always a very strategic location to meet friends for a quick chocolate break. I certainly have no qualms about recommending their chocolates (and in fact, they have a Valentine’s Day promotion). And they are partnering with me to sweeten YOUR Valentine’s Day celebration at home.
I am giving away (in partnership with Mink) a price package consisting of one boxed set of personal fondue pots and a jar of fresh milk or dark chocolate ganache, retail value $47.00, so that you can prepare a home-made chocolate fondue date with your loved one (or heck, with yourself, why not?)
To enter my random draw, simply drop a comment on this post indicating what is the sweetest thing a partner, boyfriend, girlfriend or even a friend has ever done for you?. In my case, I can tell you many, but one of the sweetest things that always warms my heart is when my offline friends invite me to do stuff “just so that Raul can blog about it“. Knowing how integral blogging has become to my life and making sure that I succeed in the field is an example of some of the awesome things my friends and loved ones have done for me.
This is your chance to tell me your stories of sweetness, and win a great prize package. I will draw a random winner on Friday February 11th at 2:00pm. You can earn an additional entry by posting on your Twitter stream:
For Valentine’s, @hummingbird604 & @minkchocolates will give away a chocolate fondue set. I entered 2 win, u could too: http://is.gd/ZHMSlt
A third entry can be earned by posting a short note on Hummingbird604’s Facebook Page Wall indicating what is your favorite chocolate (milk, dark, white, or any combinations thereof). If you do all three (comment, tweet and Facebook wall post), I’ll count 3 entries in total. I’ll deal with this once I deal with Facebook Promotions and set up my contests there, heh.
