Château Nîce - Groovin' in the Grove

A clean sweep!

2011-07-15T16:24:00.002-04:00

July 2, 2011

two...

2009-09-01T16:21:00.004-04:00

Saturday, August 29, 2009

one...

2009-05-25T21:15:00.006-04:00

May 23, 2009

PunkinPalooza 2007 - Gourds of Fire - Sun Oct 21 at Noon

2007-10-12T14:50:00.000-04:00

What: Punkinpalooza 2007 - Punkin-carving Contest + Rock Concert + Good Eats

Where: Chateau Nice

When: Sun Oct 21 at Noon O'clock

Why: Because the Chateau must raise the bar (and the roof!)

Weather: Rain or Shine

Musical guest: Ninja Funk Orchestra

What can you bring: Punkin + carving knife

Come!

Going out of business...

2007-10-01T16:47:00.001-04:00

Unlike Ana's Tea House, the rumours are true: we've notified the landlady, and on December 1 - the Chateau closes its doors.

After ~3.5 years of togetherness - Friends-like longevity in flighty T.O. - we're winding it up on highly positive terms, as Voula plans for a move to the suburbs, Flavio mooches his family for more permanent digs, and Ming cruises into a bachelorette pad.

I for one have been insanely busy this year, and apologize to our blog readers (and indeed to my fellow Chateauvians) for lack of Bonhomme-initiated Chateau action of late. The non-Chateau universe has been calling, and I had to answer. Although this is a very sad announcement, the blog archives speaks for themselves: it's been a blast, and I when I think about what we've accomplished, I am EXTREMELY proud to be a Chateauvian in what was heretofore a Chateau-deprived city.

Stay tuned for housewrecking party announcements, including PunkinPalooza 2007 - Gourds of Fire (Sunday, October 21). The end is coming but there's two months to go out in Chateau style!

(also trying to break records for most usage of 'Chateau' in a Chateau Nice blog post)

Snails!

2007-08-20T15:55:00.001-04:00

Every time I go to Kabaki, our "compound" in Ios, they ask me what I want to eat. And every time, I answer, "SNAILS!" Here's my cousin showing Ilias how to get them out of their shell. No fancy grippy tools for us.

hey chateauvians

2007-08-06T02:28:00.000-04:00

I just realized that we've made it past the 3-year mark.

Happy Anniversary :)

2007-08-05T15:13:00.000-04:00

Ελλάδα, η πατρίδα μου

I had been taking photos all week to post here and yesterday, I realized that since I don't have my cable with me, I can't upload them. Now what.

I've been in Athens since I arrived last Sunday. The weather, if you're into hot and sunny, is pretty amazing. It's not muggy and humid like it can be in Toronto, it's just hot. For the first couple of days I was at my aunt's house and I'd meet up with Ilias at night. She lives in Alimos (Greek: Άλιμος), a coastal suburb of Athens. The main street is lined with beach bars and restaurants. It's sort of what our Harbourfront should aim to be more like if they decided to do away with crappy patios furnished with plastic chairs [insert photo here].

The thing that kinda blows me away about this city is the fact that you run into ancient history the way you run into doggie doo in Paris. We had dinner at this restaurant Pil Poul (Greek: Πιλ-Πουλ) and behind us, was a view of the Acropolis (Greek: Η Ακρόπολη) [insert photo here]. We walked through the downtown area called Syntagma Square (Greek: Σύνταγμα) and came across an old church from the 16th century, squeezed between the Zaras and D&Gs [insert photo here], not to mention the artifacts on display in the subway. We took a bus to the village Ilias' mom is from, called Nemea (Greek: Νεμέα), made famous by the myth in which Hercules slays the Nemean lion. Ilias likes to say that he's a decendant of Hercules, but as his uncle (who offered me a one-way ticket to Greece) pointed out, he's actually a decendant of the dead lion. His grandparents' neighbour (literally down the street) is the temple of Zeus and the stadium of the ancient Panhellenic Games [insert photo here - I didn't actually take one of this].

Tomorrow, we head to Piraeus (Greek: Πειραιάς), where, by the way, I had the best seafood I've ever eaten [insert photo here] at this restaurant called Ammos (Greek: Άμμος) - means "sand" in English - to take a boat to the island my dad is from, Syros (Greek: Σύρος) (Ok, I know this sentence has some serious punctuation errors, but I'm on vacation). We have a small house in the village of Galissas (Greek: Γαλισσάς). It'll be the first time Ilias meets my extended family. My uncle has been waiting for this moment since the White Oaks Spa accidentally sent him our confirmation letter back in June. I'm sure he and my dad will be waiting with baited breath at the harbour to pick us up. If I manage to find an internet connection, I'll let you know how it goes.

Gateau Slice - BACK ON! - July 15

2007-07-03T22:40:00.000-04:00

Ok - it always take a family dinner to decide on these things; so let's make it happen.

At dinner tonight I believe we decided on the afternoon of Sunday July 15 for Gateau Slice, a DESSERT MAKING CONTEST. Brunch may or may not be not included, although I'm sure coffee will be provided.

Gateau Slice - a day of full bellies and empty calories, of expansive tastes and expanding waists. Whose stack of Jenga-waffles will take the prize??? Also, I hear that Voula's triple-C curry-chocolate cupcakes may make a comeback. And - is Ming promising a tort-ed affair?

Be at Chateau Nice on July 15 to find out. As AC/DC may have sang, You sugar me all night long!

Pls. forward to friends of the Chateau and post on your Facebook!

So many days, so many possibilities

2007-06-27T22:28:00.000-04:00

A four day long, long weekend and not a drop of rain in the forecast!
It's time to start thinking about how to fill those days. The obvious answer would be to go swimming every single day (duh!), but if the temperature is in the low to mid 20s, that won't be an option for my mediterranean blood.
I'm thinking berry picking on Friday and perhaps a picnic on the island or the lovely west end waterfront on Saturday. That leaves Sunday and Monday.
What I need are some suggestions and activity partners. The more the merrier!

Pun-Off Story in today's National Post

2007-06-26T03:59:00.000-04:00

Hey, they finally printed my piece about going to Texas this year (and losing)! The story is in Today's Post Arts & Life, so please spare 75 cents and buy it, or go here to read. Fun!

For my full 2007 Pun-off 'Punniest of Show' routine (puns about punsters), go here:

Date needed for Gâteau Slîce - Sat July 7 or Sun July 8 - discuss

2007-06-18T18:26:00.000-04:00

Aka Pat's 29th Birthday party aka the Chateau Nice dessert-making contest.

Rules to come:

Who will take the cake??

How does Saturday aft, July 7 sound vs Sun July 8?

2 days until....

2007-06-13T22:37:00.001-04:00

And I'm sooooo excited! Of course, I'm also excited for...

More family gossip

2007-04-23T10:47:00.000-04:00

Dragonette mentioned by Perez Hilton? Nice!

The Winner

2007-04-14T19:35:00.000-04:00

From non-competitor to naan competitor: a delicious chicken peanut curry by Ming!

2rd Place: Kathryn & Karen's "Feed the Beast" (w/ mango chutney).

3rd Place: Pete & Aniko's brother-sister "Palmerston Court" veggie curry.

Shout out to all who brought their spices to the Chateau (8 competitors in all). Thanks to everyone who showed, esp for eating the highly experimental curry-almond waffles, and for humouring the sexiest novice bartenders on the planet, including special guest Holly (tremendous cookies, H).

Next up: Chateau Snail Derby.

The proof

2007-04-01T22:40:00.000-04:00

... or did Claire not complete her score, and I got a '1' in service?

Or - did she complete her score, and I got an '11'?

April 14, I'll be in the kitchen. Bring the heat.

Date of CHâTEAU SPîCE! - Sat April 14!

2007-03-25T19:24:00.000-04:00

What is CHâTEAU SPîCE! ?

It's our first ever Château Nîce 'Curryin' War' ie a curry-eating and -appreciating event, inspired by exotic Indian and Caribb traditions, and suggested by a French friend of ours. (Possibly capped with a return of a longtime favourite: Who's Waffle, Who's Awful?) Prizes for top curry will be awarded. Vegetarian curries welcome as long as they're delicious.

Methinks this is an afternoon event. Between 1-4pm.

We just need a date: [Update} AND THAT DATE IS SAT APRIL 14

List of possible competitors:
Angry Brown Man (gotta represent)
Voula
Marissa T
M. Bonhomme (only makes waffles)
Jean-Michel
Ming (strictly non competitive)
Kat (the most competitive of us all?)

CHâTEAU SPîCE - Who else is Nâan enough??

Now I know how Martha Stewart feels

2007-03-24T05:53:00.000-04:00

You may be wondering why I haven't been posting about my Parisian adventures. Perhaps thinking I was having too much fun to be bothered with blogging? Truth is, I haven't seen much of Paris at all. Nope. Instead, since Monday, I've been nursing a sinus infection and instead of partaking in an array of French cheeses, I've been feasting on a buffet of French pharmaceuticals. Antibiotics, pain killers (cause I constantly feel like I've been punched in the face by Mike Tyson) and nasal sprays, oh my. Each time I try to go out, just for a little while, I come down with a fever the moment I get past a certain perimeter from the apartment. I feel like I'm wearing those electronic shackles that Martha had to wear when under house arrest. Whenever I get anywhere close to seeing the city, the invisible alarm goes off and my body starts to shut down. Ilias has been quite supportive. In fact, just to make sure I don't miss my own mother, he's been doing a GREAT impression of a greek mama, feeding me (because I "don't eat properly"), making sure I'm wearing an excessive amount of clothing at all times, etc, etc, etc, etc. Here's a photo with a great view of the Eiffel Tower. It's hanging on the wall of Ilias' apartment and is the closest I've come to actually seeing the damn thing.

French humour

2007-03-20T08:44:00.000-04:00

i think we miss you?

2007-03-19T23:13:00.000-04:00

Who feels like going for Ethiopian this week? Wednesday or Thursday, perhaps? We can bring a life-size cardboard cut-out of M, so that it will feel like she's there with us :)

wed, hmm... perhaps i could meet you later(the likelihood of that increasing, if you pick an ethnic cuisine other than ethiopian... no offense to ethiopia of course)

i've got this Sudan craving for worldly cuisine... Kenya suggest anything else? perhaps a different continent? howzabout... Costa Rican?

ethiopian food does make me in-continent, so I would suggest european(though if european AND pooin then the costa rican will be rican a toll on my social life) but it tends to be expensive and I refuse to pick up the czech. i'm game for costa rica

I already have dinner plans with my friend R. But if you two don't mind that she comes along, then I'm sure she would love to come along too. You guys can vote and let me know! ;) I like all food. Except for hairy pig feet. That is the only thing I won't eat. Let me know!

yay! wednesday it is... don't worry, if they do serve pig knuckles, i'll make sure they're plucked and boiled.

yes, bring your friend R!

OJ! I decided that saying OJ is way more fun than saying OK. Where do we meet? I will pass along the word to Karen. She will be pleased. She likes food too. We have so much in common. It is why we are friends. If you miss M we can always bring along a brown wig for K to wear and get her to speak in a greek accent. Although M has no accent it is more fun to pretend that she does. :)

Pura Vida. 685 Lansdowne, north of Bloor on the east side. 8PM. Who else wants to come for a Hump Day Feast? You?

La vie boheme

2007-03-19T10:54:00.001-04:00

Ilias lives in the 18th arrondissement in a little building with no elevator and a staircase with old hardwood floors. Thing is, none of the floors or apartments are labelled. At all. All the doors are the same blue and all the floors look exactly the same. The only thing distinguishing his apartment (which I think is on the 3rd floor) from the others is his door mat, which apparently tends to wander when the cleaners are doing the stairs.

The neighbourhood is lined with little shops. Cheese, seafood, butchers, flower shops, grocery stores, bakeries, etc. My French accent is beyond bad. I really do think that people have an easier time understanding me when I just say the words in an American accent. Sad, I know. But thanks to the power of hand signals and smiling enthusiastically, buying food (duck sausage, duck pate with figs and stinky cheese!) has thankfully not been a problem. Oh, and JM, Saint Marcellin is EVERYWHERE and you're right, it's SO GOOD.

Dragonette lives!

2007-03-19T07:43:00.000-04:00

Read about Martina in the Star!

funny accents, funny keyboards

2007-03-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

Je suis arrivée [i would use regular paretheses but on this french keyboard, who can figure out how to type them and insert exclamation mark here, once again, can't find hyphen or bracket-oh, there's the hyphen, but where's the close square bracket thingy?

having the ability to change to english helps, but god help you if you look down. why did they rearrange the letters?? just to be different, i'm sure.

i didn't intend on complaining. there are just so many frustrations! oh, there's the exclamation mark!

yes, ilias and i are reunited. (ilias showed me where the bracket was) so far, the weather is nice and we are going out to find some cheese or something. photos and more coherent posts to come.

a bientôt

2007-03-03T01:17:00.000-05:00

You know you need to get laid when...

2007-02-22T22:28:00.000-05:00

Dear CTV,

I would like to formally complain about the way you treat viewers with respect to your programming. For the past season, I have tuned in to CTV to watch Grey's Anatomy, which I have been faithfully watching on CTV for the past 3 seasons. This season, I have become so absolutely incensed that I was compelled to do what I never do, and that is write a complaint letter. About a TV show.

WHY do you CONSTANTLY switch the time the damned show appears? I'm not sure what your fancy studies have told you about your viewers, but I for one have a life beyond the television. I work late. I have hobbies. And I happen to like, no, love GA. I TRY to watch it every week, except quite regularly, you go and pull a stunt like putting it on an hour earlier (when they've left us with a cliffhanger, no doubt) and replace it with the garbage that is American Idol. I can't watch missed episodes on ABC because of the crime of not being American and you haven't put it on your site for those of us who have trouble keeping up with your scheduling changes. At times, you don't give us re-runs but simply different programs all together and then without warning, after we've stopped checking in each week, GA reappears, once again when I've stopped looking for it. I can't win with you people. All I really want to do is watch the show. I would be happy if you would let me, but I really do think you are trying to shake off your viewers. I don't get it and the fact that I'm even sitting here writing a complaint letter to a TV station about a TV show is an indication of how much at this moment I hate CTV.

Why? Why won't you just put it on one damned time slot and let us watch it in peace. I don't want to watch talentless middle-Americans "sing" their hearts out and if I see one more episode of CSI, I'm going to vomit. All I want to do is watch GA, and I'm about to get into a cab, go to my friend's house who has cable and watch it on ABC. Then I am going to go online and burn it and watch it, commercial free, because I, as a Canadian, cannot purchase it legitimately, view it online legitimately or even tune in, thanks to the great efforts of your programming department.

A response would be appreciated but not expected.

M.

protuberances on my neck

2007-02-13T14:55:00.000-05:00

"That's quite the pimple you've got there on your neck."
"A pimple? Really?"
"Yep."
"Ah jeez, I'd been playing with it all day -- I thought it was my mole!" I've had this body for 30 years, and you'd think I should know by now, where my mole's been affixed to my neck all my life. I thought it was a little more bulbous than usual!
"That's not a mole, it's a beauty mark."
"What's the difference?"
M shrugs. "A mole sticks out...?"
"Oh it is a mole alright. I've seen pictures where this mole has cast a little shadow on my neck." My mole sits left of center. I can feel a tuft of hair sprouting out of it already. It's that age thing again.

brand new day

2007-01-28T12:59:00.000-05:00

Our internet connection has been wonky lately. Yesterday, only certain sites were accessible and today there was nothing. So after restarting the computer and resetting the modem (with no luck), I called Rogers Tech Support and they put me through the standard process, plugging and unplugging modems, routers, etc. Nothing seemed to be working and after a good half hour on the phone and various consultations with "technical experts," they concluded that my network card was toast and recommended that I buy myself a new one. I thanked them, got off the phone and realized that even if I did buy an ethernet cable, I'd have no idea how to install it and to get a computer expert to check it out would cost me more than the card itself. So in a last ditch effort, I shutdown my computer, walked away and turned it back on again and presto, internet connection up and running without exceptions. I dunno. Since I've been exceptionally stressed lately, it's probably affected my brain chemistry but I'm going to choose to look at this in a philosophical light and use the experience as a metaphor. What did Annie say? The sun will come out tomorrow...

Coming soon!

2007-01-17T22:44:00.000-05:00

Bring your toothpicks.

look towards the light

2007-01-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

i hate being sick.
first the scratchy throat. it's nothing...really...just take some echinacea and it'll pass.
then feeling like you got hit by a bus. ok, two days off of work and in bed ain't so bad.
but then. THEN the aggravating part. my sore throat turns into itchy ears (really, from the inside) and then the drip starts. when my nose drips, i blow it. when i blow it too much, it bleeds. so much kleenex. and every time i walk into a bright room i feel like sneezing.
i don't want to make anymore ginger-lemon tea. and this cold fx business is a big scam. i shoulda bought shares. anybody got a really loooong q-tip?

Punkinpalooza pics c/o ABM

2006-12-31T10:46:00.000-05:00

See Angry Brown Man's punkinpalooza pics on flickr.

2006-10-27T18:00:00.000-04:00

Rain or shine, we're slaughtering pumpkins at high noon tomorrow. If it's raining, the action will take place indoors with Vakuum unplugged. If it's sunny, we party outdoors and rock the neighbourhood.
Here at the Chateau, the knives are being sharpened and pumpkins are cowering in the corner. Tomorrow... we carve.

Punkinpalooza 2006 - The Wrath of Squash - High Noon, Sat Oct 28

2006-10-21T15:29:00.000-04:00

Event: Punkinpalooza 2006

Location: Château Nîce

When: Saturday, October 28, 12:00pm

Even on short notice, The Château delivers gourd-throttling mayhem. We would never, ever, let Hallowe'en pass without murdering a few innocent pumpkins... and wash em down with mulled cider!

Q:: What is Punkinpalooza?
A: A pumpkin carving contest. THE pumpkin carving contest. Where agriculture meets artistry, surrounded by candy and booze. An event to shock and awe the ages. An afternoon of good times and good eats -and of lustful and merciless squash-violation.

Q: Will Punkinpalooza 2006 - The Wrath of Squash - rock as hard and loud as last year?
A: Find out for youself. Come to the Chateau at 12-noon next Saturday and watch as the neighbourhood explodes in squash-bludgeoning fury. If you're bringing little kids, make sure they pack earplugs.

Q: Are there prizes?
A: Do pumpkins exist, only to be hacked into bits? Yes.

Q: What time does it really start?
A: Noon. Really. Ok, 1pm. But arrive at 3pm and we will flay you into a steaming pulp of bones and piss. If you come at 11am to help us set up we'll spare your life and favour your jack-o-lantern.

Q: What can I bring?
A: It's a BYOB. Ie, Bring Your Own Blade. And Pumpkin. Munchies and desserts will be provided, and booze - enough to get you hot and bothered to rock the gourd. Uncork the wine and unsheathe your blade. Also bring a camera - you'll want to capture the carnage. (last year's photos: http://flickr.com/photos/lactard/sets/1243418 )

Q: Do I need a costume?
A: No you do not. Dress up if you like. Dress up as a pumpkin, and you will be murdered.

Q: Can I really bring kids?
A: Yes, but there will knives and booze. Mixed together. Yes, please bring them!

What the press says:
"Participants drink from the trough of abundance - wine flows like pumpkin juice, and pumpkins flow like water. The Palooza is a grand moment for the happy, a bewildering moment for the serious, as all gaze upon the Chateau and thank Allah that the Age is so enlightened. Gourd-throttling maniacs praise the heavens and sing hosannas, and there is wetting of floors with effusiveness of tears...."
- http://punkinpalooza.blogspot.com

Synonyms for murdering pumpkins:
Disembowel
Pulverize
Annihilate
Blast to smithereens
Stomp into pulp
Violate with extreme prejudice
Impale
Assault with knife edge
Machetify
Stab (repeatedly)
Slay
Flay
Puree (into paté)

Dragonette - Sat night!

2006-09-28T09:29:00.000-04:00

See Martina and Dan this weekend at El Mocambo!

Dr. McDreamy makes his housecall tonight

2006-09-21T12:46:00.000-04:00

The night we've been waiting for all summer.

Don't bother calling the Château between 7:59PM and 9:01PM. The phones will be unplugged.

Punkinpalooza Dilemma

2006-09-20T23:25:00.000-04:00

We need a real top-drawer hook to make PunkinPalooza 2006 (The Wrath of Squash) the most unforgettable day of the year.

In order to do that - we need a top-drawer special guest.

Now, I am one Chateauvian lucky to know a couple musicians, politicians, Olympic Athletes - some of whom are related to me; some of whom are friends.

I will pull some strings, and try my best to land Bob Rae (fat chance), or Dragonette, Vakum, or even Canadian Olympic hockey star Jayna Hefford.

But there would be one guest - and one of my proudest personal acquaintances - that would make Punkinpalooza 2006 a true Toronto-wide spectacle.

You love him as much as I do. He's always the life of the party.

His name itself is a twist on the alphabet: Starts with Z. Ends with A.
Imagine it. Punkinpalooza 2006 - now, with Zant'O'lanterns.
Should we do it?

(cross-posted to www.punkinpalooza.blogspot.com - the big day approaches, Saturday October 28)

Uncle Greg in the news

2006-09-12T10:22:00.000-04:00

Check out this month's Toronto Life (on newstands but not online) for a nice article about my political uncle + family. :-)

Today I am a cranky bitch

2006-09-01T13:21:00.000-04:00

It all started last night. Well, mostly. I've been somewhat exhausted from this week of working late and last night's cold spell forced me to put socks on for the first time in months. I payed my bills, wrote a rent cheque for Flavio and put it right back into my cheque book, forgetting to give it to him. I had intended to iron the Everest-sized pile of clean clothes scattered on and around my bed but I gave in to the urge to lie down right on top of the pile while waiting for the iron to heat up. I fell asleep. Woke up around 11:30, unplugged the iron (it has auto shut-off safety feature for memory-tards like me), managed to take off jeans and put on jammie pants and crawled under the pile of clothes and went to bed. No chi kung. Nothing accomplished. Woke up late. Cranky. It's cold toay, I can feel it in my throat. Summer is over. The work load ahead of me is bigger than the pile of clothes in my room. Somebody hit me over the head with a frying pan. Please.

The Gents are at .it again..

2006-08-31T21:56:00.000-04:00

Try chickenegg.org to solve nature's most pressing dilemma: chicken vs egg.

Or willidie.org to answer the scariest question of them all: Will I die?

crawlies storm the château!

2006-08-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

Candy-moths love basmati.

Happy Simcoe Day!

2006-08-07T01:34:00.000-04:00

Things I never knew and was never particularly curious about:

When was the August civic holiday first held?
The first civic holiday was held on September 12, 1861. At the time, the mayor had the authority to proclaim holidays. After complaints that September was too busy a time of year, the holiday was moved to August. It has been held on the first Monday in August since 1899. In 1968, acting on a request from the Ontario Minister of Tourism and Information, Council named the August holiday Simcoe Day. ~ city of t.o. website

and

Each province of Canada has its own provincial holiday or holidays. They include St. Jean Baptiste Day in Quebec, Natal Day in PEI and Nova Scotia and Discovery Day in Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Saskatchewan have civic holidays on the first Monday in August. In British Columbia it is called B.C. Day, similar in New Brunswick with New Brunswick Day, while in Ontario it is generally referred to as Civic Holiday but is named differently in some cities. In Toronto it is Simcoe Day while in Ottawa it is Colonel By Day, for instance. Alberta celebrates Family Day on the third Monday of February. ~ wikipedia

Saturday morning at Dufferin Grove Park

2006-08-05T09:19:00.000-04:00

It's 8 am in the park. There's a lone man in the playground, doing his squats and lunges. A toddler attempts tetherball for the first time, squealing with delight. Three Labs (two black, one chocolate) chase each other in the field, tongues flapping, eyes smiling. Rays of sun manage to poke through the leafy canvas. A young boy is teaching his mother how to ride her bicycle. Somebody left their toy bulldozer on a bench last night. A tight, lean, smooth-skinned man, glistens as he practices on the skateboard ramp by the rink -- I try not to stare for too long.

The air is cool in the shady grove as I step into each pocket of sun, pausing long enough to feel the skin on my arms warm up, then moving onto the next one. Cicadas, everywhere. Blissy. ^_^

heat wave

2006-08-01T22:54:00.000-04:00

Now I know what a candle feels like.

Interfacing with Michael 14248

2006-07-30T16:10:00.000-04:00

(this happened a few weeks ago, but it deserves to be put up. "P" is actually Voula and me)

Michael (14248): Hi, my name is Michael (14248). How may I help you?
P: hi!
P: our router lately has been either slowing down or stopping our connection to the internet. our isp told us it may need an update
P: are there any?
P: (this is very cool)
Michael (14248): Can you please confirm the model number and version of your Linksys product?
P: WRT54G V 1.1
P: 'over'
P: it's amazing how the internet "linksys"
P: (that was a pun)
Michael (14248): How many computers do you have there? Wired and wireless.
P: 1 wired and 1 wireless but the router is currently disconnected. it was the only way to get internet access
P: you're a good listener
P: hello?
P: are you still there?
P: what do your tricorder readings tell you?
P: are you picking up any quantum flux??
Michael (14248): Sorry about the delay.
P: that's ok. glad to know you're still here.
Michael (14248): Are you asking if there is a firmware update for your device?
P: any and all updates that would make our router stop breaking our internet connection.
Michael (14248): Do you know what firmware version is currently being used on the router?
P: um...no.
Michael (14248): Are you familiar in opening the setup page of the router?
P: no
P: sorry
Michael (14248): On your wired computer, open Internet Explorer and type http://192.168.1.1
No username, the password is admin.
P: ok. hold on a sec.
Michael (14248): Okay.
P: it doesn't seem to be working. "the page cannot be displayed"
Michael (14248): Are you online wired to the router right now?
P: we unplugged the router because we couldn't get internet access. so no
P: =)
Michael (14248): I see.
P: icu2. 3p0
Michael (14248): Latest updates for this router can be download at www.linksys.com/download.
P: i think we tried there.
Michael (14248): From there, select the model number of your device, select Firmware category and you can download the firmware there. You can read instructions on how to updated the firmware from this link, http://linksys.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/linksys.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=557
P: will that make it work?
Michael (14248): Yes. Make sure to hard reset the router after the firmware update. To reset it, press and hold the reset button at the back of the router for 20 seconds. After that, turn off the router for 10 seconds then turn it back on.
P: ok. thank you.
Michael (14248): Do you have any other questions that I can help you with today?
P: no. it was a pleasure interfacing with you, Michael 14248.
P: and btw...
Michael (14248): Thank you for using Linksys Chat Support. If you have further inquiries or problems, please feel free to contact us again. For your records, a transcript of this chat session will be e-mailed to you. Again, my name is Michael with badge ID 14248. If you have any questions regarding Linksys devices, please visit our knowledge base website, it's www.linksys.com/kb. Be sure to disconnect the session so that we can cater other clients. Thank you and have a great day!
P: what country are you interfacing from?
Michael (14248): Here in Manila, Philippines. Nice to meet you.
P: WOW!
Michael (14248): Anything else?
P: Um, nope that's it. Aren't you glad Portugal lost?
Michael (14248): Since when?
P: Yesterday.
P: The soccer (football) game.
Michael (14248): How?
P: um...too many goals scored.
P: have you ever been to Canada?
Michael (14248): No. I would like to, but I can't.
P: Because you're a computer?
P: Well, you have better weather anyway.
Michael (14248): Anyway, better luck next time for the World Cup. Have a great day as well.
P: thank you. over and out.

trip to no frills with april

2006-07-21T13:40:00.000-04:00

tee-hee

haunted water?

2006-07-19T23:55:00.000-04:00

at pat's cottage on saturday night
kat poured a glass of water and left it untouched
and on sunday morning, she found this

Delayed Happiness?

2006-07-19T17:07:00.000-04:00

I don't think the Happiness Party will be on. Summer heat works its inertia on me. Not all the Chateauvians have been around, so my planning has been lax. No 'official email' or evite has been sent. Consider it put on hold. Full demerits to me for raising then dashing your hopes. :-(

Happiness Party @ the Chateau

2006-07-12T17:45:00.000-04:00

Next Sunday night, July 23 at the Chateau. Bring your happiness for this special dinner + waffle-party.

Who's with me?

You have nothing to lose, except the blues.

Best part is, it's NOT a BYOB
- so DON'T Bring Your Old Baggage.

Frog in a breadbasket

2006-07-11T23:01:00.000-04:00

On Sunday afternoon, Kathryn, Jon, Des and I got together to rock out. Instead, this happened.

Ladies' Weekend at Hanlan's Point

2006-07-08T23:04:00.000-04:00

Friday night for you, you, you, you and me

2006-06-26T17:00:00.000-04:00

So, this bbq we’re having. Any idea how many people have been invited? We should post something on the blog.

i haven't given it much thought
i'm getting the pre-party jitters.

Breathe through it. Do you wanna post it on the blog?

what would we say?

I dunno. What do we usually say?
"We’re having a bbq. Come one, come all. But if you do, please RSVP."

"please rsvp" would be redundant.
come one come all? :S
we don't have a very big bbq.

Fine. Rsvp. And whatever. The point is to have it up there. You really are freaking out, aren’t you.

you can post whatever you'd like

I’ve posted the last bunch of stuff on the blog, which is why I had wanted you to do it.

what would you like me to say?

Honestly, I don’t care. Anything.

ok
if i think of something, i'll post.

Thanks.

There will be FOOD for people to EAT this Friday evening. There will be a little grill, on which we can char edibles. You may bring something, to ensure that you do not go thirsty/hungry. We will provide the lawn, citronella, some dessert and a handful of hot singles.

Questions? Send'em our way.

Please bring a hula hoop if you've got one.

luxury is time well wasted

2006-06-21T21:29:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's about 9:30pm and it's the first night in about a month where I've been home in the evening long enough to actually check email and sit back to realize I've got nothing to do. How I went from having a minimalist weeknight social life to having it morph hugely out of my control is beyond me. All I know is that reading Toronto Life (my, Jamie Kennedy, what lovely curls you have there) on the couch to the sound of silence interrupted by the odd bicycle softly whizzing by is absolute nirvana. My next day off, I'm grabbing a blanket, heading to Trinity Bellwoods and falling asleep in the sun reading whatever.

2006-06-12T00:17:00.000-04:00

Today Lolo and I saved a squirrel. We came home to the sound of what we thought was a duck quacking from inside the wine barrels our Portuguese landlord has sitting outside the basement entrance of our laundry room. Unsure how he might've gotten the ducks into the barrels (and why), we looked down to notice a little furry animal stuck in the crevice between them and the wall. The noise threw us off, 'cause he must've been pretty scared to have been channeling Daffy . Still unsure what it was (A rat? A mouse?) and unsure what to do (do we call animal control? the landlord?) we grabbed the only tools we could muster – a couple of broom sticks – and tilted the stacked barrels away from the wall to let the little guy out. After some prodding, he ran up the stairs and across the lawn.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life, little squirrel. I just hope Roscoe didn't eat you as you tasted your first few breaths of freedom.

the things we do for art

2006-06-10T13:27:00.000-04:00

I'm not really sure how I got roped into this one. But in case you're wondering, the orange lipstick is due to Pat's photoshop handiwork. And for the record, I don't usually shower with strange men...on first meeting. Thank you for being gentle.

World Cup of Toronto?

2006-06-08T23:13:00.000-04:00

This could be fun - www.torontoworldcup.blogspot.com. Or, I could get bored. Or worse, I could get a job sooner than I want to. But let's give these new ideas a chance.

so wrong

2006-05-30T16:14:00.000-04:00

Babies should never be this creepy-looking. Ever.

ah Mondays :)

2006-05-29T08:15:00.000-04:00

The Mullet of Percussion Instruments

2006-05-21T23:58:00.000-04:00

How do you tell people that you spent your day jamming with your fake band at a real recording studio, with a straight face? The place stank of stale cigarettes, beer and urine. I, having no discernable musical ability, was assigned the tambourine and the glorious cowbell. Jon played drums (and lead diva), Des the guitar and Kat, vocals. We are a rockin' fake band and total nerdiots. New word.

Sorbara out from cloud

2006-05-18T11:59:00.000-04:00

As I predicted, the RCMP does not always get their man. And good thing they don't.

The slow slow wheels of justice.

I feel very very happy for my uncle, whose life has been a nightmare for 8 months.

As a bonus - he's riding in the Giro! Sponsor him!

well I can see why guys dig Asian girls

2006-05-17T21:36:00.000-04:00

so you still wanna go clubbing?
sure. as soon as i find the right pair of panties
just wear a thong and a really short skirt. oh, and bleach your hair. that should do it.
ah decorum! thou art the bane of my existence!

2006-05-16T23:13:00.000-04:00

More pretentious than Broken Social Scene, less talent than Fred Durst.

What, your Saturday afternoon was more productive?

ABSENCES at the Premiere Dance Theatre

2006-04-26T18:21:00.000-04:00

Sebastian Mena, Linnea Swan.
Photo by David Hou. Costumes by Heather MacCrimmon.

At PDT until May 6.

"The real Easter"

2006-04-25T18:02:00.000-04:00

There are two kinds of people in this world:

those who get it and those who don't.

New term: Canadian Summer

2006-04-19T23:29:00.000-04:00

Anytime the temperature hits the thawing mark, patio parties spontaneously erupt.

The Chateau is no exception.

2006-04-17T22:09:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I do like kids...

Great Friday Indeed

2006-04-17T22:01:00.000-04:00

Okay, so we didn't catch Tricia and we missed the Jesus parade but it was a good day nonetheless.

Whiteboard Says:

2006-04-13T22:53:00.000-04:00

Giro T.O. in the news!

2006-04-10T20:49:00.000-04:00

Check out the story in the Post!

Yippee, sign up sign up sign up

Me and Bob

2006-04-05T00:35:00.000-04:00

I love hanging out with future prime ministers. Mr. Rae (or Bo-Ra as I call him) gives a mean three-fingered neck massage.

2006-04-03T19:08:00.000-04:00

On the Tim Horton's Flash Explosion
"It's awful what happened. We used to come here every day for bagels and now it's closed. We're going to have to find a new place to go. It's just tragic." ~ coffee shop patron on CBC radio

2006-04-01T00:49:00.000-05:00

today was your birthday.
i got a run in my stocking
and got drunk off of soju.

2006-03-30T18:46:00.000-05:00

What is it with Portuguese men and moustaches?

Nice legs... wanna ride?

2006-03-26T23:13:00.000-05:00

Resistance is futile... join the Giro. Register now at www.GiroToronto.com.

Don't have a bike? I will find you a bike.

Pun Gents photo shoot for EYE magazine

2006-03-19T18:10:00.000-05:00

Enjoy!

200 bpm does not a heart-attack make

2006-03-15T10:53:00.000-05:00

Symptoms: pain in right part of chest and shoulder. Wake up after midnight with a sense of doom, cold clammy hands and forehead; heart rate waaaaay over the limit.

Response:
"PLEASE TAKE ME TO THE HOSPITAL."

Signage at Toronto Western: Poor at best, had to drive around the block just to find the ER.

Tests: EKG was normal, blood pressure normal. Chance of survival ~%100.

Doctor's opinion: panic/anxiety episode, likely stress-related, possibly triggered by 'night-time' cold medication containing pseudoepinephrine.

Advice: Advil or regular Tylenol instead of Tylenol cold. If another episode occurs, breathe deeply; try Ativan.

Thanks to the pleasant nurse who brought me water - after 1.5 hour's lying in a bed waiting for the lone ER doctor to show up, so he could reassure me I wasn't dying.

But thanks mostly to Voula for driving me to the emergency room at 1:00 am, and shooting the shit with me till well past 4. Though I think she enjoyed talking with the cute MD - so it wasn't all tribulation.

I've got an entire day off work to scope out some happy pills, so why not also a new cookbook for V? She doesn't want flowers, but I'll do something nîce.

Things I love about the Chateau: Part I

2006-03-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

I) The Hallway.

Our hallway's the tops. Open the front door to the Chateau and you see right into the kitchen; down a pleasantly slippery hardwood floor, sheltered from above by several friendly off-white arches (the first one so lazily round and welcoming). It's a simple, direct hallway, and it takes you past everything: living room, dining room, the girls' rooms, their bathroom, the closet, until you hit the most important room of all - la cucina.

It's a two-person hallway too, plenty of room for conversation and getting the update on last night's gossip. Yeah I like our hallway.

Sorbara fights back against RCMP

2006-03-09T10:53:00.000-05:00

Hmm, as I predicted.

Problem is, nobody likes to admit they screwed up. Certainly not our state police force, who are accountable to nobody.

(warning - this blog may soon be the target of a fraud investigation)

a warmer soupy butt

2006-03-08T18:37:00.000-05:00

Some people have no sense of humour. But if you chuckle at this, then you're in our good books.

2006-03-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

Look Ma, I's 28!

Prophylactica

2006-02-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

I feel like this photo post deserves a preface. Perhaps a warning if there are small children in the room. I first learned about them while watching an episode of Degrassi. I thought they were talking about condominiums. You know, cause I lived in a 'condo'. I asked mom and she explained in the clearest possible way. Thanks mom, I appreciated it. So if there are small children in the room, you may want to ask them to gather 'round. This could be a good conversation starter. They do start early these days, you know.
We first noticed a pattern last fall. They started appearing randomly on the street, on the sidewalk, on the front lawn... And at first we thought it was the next door neighbours. They seemed slick, like they might work in 'film'. The brand is usually consistent, although the colour of the wrapper often changes. Where do they come from? Why? Do racoons like to chew them up and spit them out like a wad of gum? Maybe they like the salt...
So many unanswered questions. It's been a while since I've seen any and imagine my delight when I realized I had a camera in my purse as I narrowly avoided stepping on one in the middle of the sidewalk. I'm starting a photo-mentary. I know this isn't one of life's great unsovled, but it is puzzling nonetheless. So behold, Exhibit A:

they're pregnant (in the caymans too!)

2006-02-26T16:39:00.000-05:00

believe it or not: the cayman islands are about to get even more foolish.

why?

b/c the most foolish, rapscallionish person on the planet - aka my dear dear dear friend KW - is having a baby.

Too much!

FYI - I INSIST ON NAMING THE CHILD.

strangest thing is my brother (pregnant as of yesterday) and KW already share the same birthday, June 14!

they're pregnant!

2006-02-25T10:22:00.000-05:00

I already knew I was going to be an uncle again this year.

Now I'm going to be an uncle X2.

Congratulations C & M!

That brings us up to 5 nieces/nephews. My shopping list this Xmas will be daunting.

welcome home present

2006-02-22T20:49:00.000-05:00

After ten hours of travelling by subway, train, plane, bus and streetcar, M and I have returned.

What should greet me on my bedroom floor, but a hard turd.

Dashchund turd.

What kind of person just shows up at someone's home with their pet, assuming it's OK?

muffin tops and oyster shooters

2006-02-21T01:02:00.000-05:00

Lesson learned: chili for breakfast will land you on the couch that night.

We started the day at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street - a hearty breakfast of piping hot chili, a chili dog, fries and a milkshake. This kept our minds off of food for the rest of the day (apart from that scoop at Haagen Daz). For dinner we shared the Orca Platter at the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House. Wish I could tell you what Orca tasted like, but they brought us a dozen clams, dozen oysters, dozen jumbo shrimp, dozen crab claws and a big lobster instead. Ah well -- no complaints from me!

I think I may have ingested this year's quota for cholesterol. Oh please oh please, spare me the fate of the muffin top. But I fear it may be too late.

I will be sleeping on the couch tonight, as a courtesy to M. The gas I've been passing is almost as potent as the cauliflower splats coming from the Doberman.

Sunset on the Mall, Presidents' Day

2006-02-20T19:12:00.000-05:00

Tuesday nite triple date - ww4mm - 28 (U Street)

2006-02-19T18:45:00.000-05:00

three hot canadian women with goofy and slightly bookish tendencies seeking three socially presentable, well-mannered gentlemen (facial hair optional). must love brunettes. and food. please be 25-40 yrs old. you WILL be ID'd.

our plan is to eat some fried chicken at oohs and ahhs and work it all off on the dance floor at st-ex.

leave your narcissism at home. but don't forget your dancing shoes.

We know, we know... "You get what you pay for..."

2006-02-19T01:19:00.000-05:00

The Chinatown Express for DC was scheduled to leave 88 East Broadway at 7:30. We got there at 7, with just enough time to get ourselves some more of those tasty morsels of lamb on stick. But alas, with the kebab vendor within sight, we were herded onto the bus by the crabbiest of surlypants. No meatsticks for us this time :(
Everything happened so quickly, we stowed our bags underneath then packed ourselves onto the bus, our e-tickets in hand.
"No good. No signature!" she barked at me. M got on fine because hers had been initialled when we left DC. Mine wasn't -- but I never thought of asking for one because there was no indication that this was required on the website. I did find it od d that no confirmation number was provided either.
"But this says here I've paid in advance for a round-trip ticket. I need to get back to DC."
"No good. No signature. You pay me $20 or you can't ride."
"I am NOT paying you extra."
"But this no good. No signature. You must sign in."
"How was I supposed to know that this was supposed to be signed? Why would they sign my friend's copy but not mine?"
"I don't know. You give me money now."
"Unbefuckinglievable. I've paid you already." It's hard to stay calm when you're being barked at. I start barking back in my best Mandarin.
The operator and the driver insisted that I pay them $20 and that I would be reimbursed when I got back to DC. The elderly man in the first row assured me in Chinese that they would pay me back, that they were not here to screw me over.
What choice did I have? I handed her the money and got into the seat in front of M.
Dozed off as the bus sped through the Holland Tunnel. A woman two rows back was barking into her cellphone about real estate or something. I was so exhausted, all I could hear was noise, not words. Cellphone Lady finally hung up somewhere in Pennsylvania and stared horking and gagging, close to M's head. Rather than leaning back to do it, she leaned forward into a bag right by M's ear and proceeded to honk and hock away -- it was too dark on the bus to detect any chunkies landing in M's hair.

The bus stopped in Philadelphia and we were all told to get off -- that the bus to DC would be there in ten minutes. We waited for about 40 with a crowd of irritated travellers. "I guess that's what we get for opting for the cheaper way," mutters some dude in front of us.
We were relieved to get back on a bus and back to DC. This one was less full and we were able to stretch out/curl up in our seats, no phlegm-throwers on board. M and I quickly dozed off once again after inhaling our bus station chicken nuggets.

I came to as the lights on the bus come on. We were at a huge gas station just off the freeway, in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, in the outerouteroutskirts of Baltimore (what I gathered from the sign on a building). The bus parked at the station brought me back to our Grade 6 trip to Val-Morin, Quebec. The driver had to fill the tank and made everyone get off. He'd said something about it unsafe for people to be on a bus while the tank was being filled -- this he explained to us at the pump, a cigarette dangling from his lips. Ah, those crazy French-Canadians smokers.
I waited for the bus driver on this bus to order us off the bus. Not a word. A cellphone rang. Aren't we not supposed to use cellphones at gas stations? Another cellphone went off. I'm totally paranoid, but in a way relieved because a bus explosion at the gas station could only mean a quick and instant death.
The bus driver bolted off to pay, the passengers were anxious to get moving -- I held my breath until we pulled away from the station. I blog today, from the house on U street, with all my digits and limbs still attached to my body.

When we got back to DC, I inhaled deeply, exhaled deeply, preparing myself for the face-off with the barking bus people. Twenty bucks. Was it worth the aggravation?
It had taken us four hours to get from DC to NYC -- six hours to return.
In the office, there was a couple ahead of us, clearly frustrated. They'd been on the bus with us. The woman behind the counter was barking at the couple. The woman in the couple was yelling back at her -- then threatened to call 911. I was relieved that I wasn't the only disatisfied customer on that bus. Barkie didn't give a shit -- just wanted to watch television.
I never got my money back -- just a face full of yelling and spit. She was yelling at me in Mandarin. I was yelling back in Mandarin. M was yelling at her in English.
Barkie tells me to tell M to back off -- "I know she's saying bad words to me! Tell your friend to shut up and mind her own business!"
"We are both frustrated because you're yelling at us when we're trying to explain the situation to you."
"When did I yell? I'M NOT YELLING AT YOU!" she hollered.
The bus driver came in and Barkie started to tear into him about the couple that had been in front of us. Apparently they were upset because the bus driver never told them to get off in Baltimore (he had simply filled the tank) and so they stayed on the bus. It is easy to assume that a drop-off point would be at a bus-depot like site. They waited and waited, but he never announced the stop. Now they were back in DC -- and were likely going to miss their flight flying out of Baltimore. While Barkie yelled at the bus driver, I translated the scene for M.
Barkie heard me telling M and re-directed her screaming at me. "What are you telling your friend? It's not our fault they didn't get off in Baltimore! I'm GIVING them a free bus ride back to Baltimore at 2am! Isn't that enough?"

"You should have just taken the Greyhound. They've got reduced fares now," we're told as we stumble through the door on U Street at 1 am.

Châteauvixens in the Big Apple

2006-02-17T02:22:00.000-05:00

Food breaks every other hour -- the best way to plan your visit in a city that has pretty much everything to eat!

Meat on a stick to start this visit, meat on a stick to end it. Rice pudding, decadent brunches (poached eggs on yogurt in browned butter... pork belly and chick pea stew -- OMG), Ethiopian food, shrink-wrapped pastries, bananas, more sugar and even more cream in-between.

Scruffy boys in corduroy on every street corner. Most of them younger than 23. Sigh.

Partied with a crazy girl from Queens. Those Greeks. Gotta love'em. Somebody was a little hungover this morning...

Major shopping damage done today -- but we're both still high from it. We've got another kitty in the house.

Overheard in the lingerie department: "I want something that makes it seem like I'm not trying too hard."

Missed the 5PM bus... and will most likely miss the 6PM -- time for one more gallon of rice pudding perhaps?

That is it for now.

Huggles from Harlem.

Dear Canada...

2006-02-15T19:33:00.000-05:00

We're not coming home.

Buffalo is just as depressing as we remembered it -- even though the locals sure are friendly! One lady offered us a ride to the airport for real cheap. Sure, only $5 plus our skins and teeth, right?

Washington DC is not as sterile as ho-hum Ottawa. Civil servants and transit workers are incredibly helpful. Admission to many museums/galleries is free. Almost everyone has a dimple and/or regional accent. The men in DC are super cute (though our hostess swears they're super gay). They're handsome, well-mannered, sharply-dressed AND they eat well (cottage cheese in their shopping baskets)!

The snack vendor has already promised me a green card if I stay and marry him. Voula will stay on with Biddy as her creative organizational consultant/dog walker and I will be her appointment-setter. The two of us can share the bubble bed in the cozy little house on V Street and eat scuppernongs all year long! Maybe Voula will luck out and meet a hot environmental lobbyist with one of those Bostonian accents she so loves!

Tomorrow morning, we catch the Chinatown Express to New York City -- only $35 US! We've been told the Hasidic Bus is just as cheap, so we'll have to remember to check it out on our next visit. Must-buys: rice pudding, Hebie Nats and panties (though not necessarily in that order).

Smooches from the capital.

our house, through the eyes of jasper

2006-02-13T18:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to Take a Dump! Pics to follow. The group was a fabulous mix of old-timers, newcomers and of course, Rashmanga and the Châteauvians.

Received a lovely email from an even lovelier individual, which I felt compelled to share with our amazing legion of good-time-lovers:

good afternoon L,

there is a scene common to many woody allen movies that always gives me a warm comfortable feeling. at some point during the movie, at some crazy hour when woody and his love interest du jour, someone realizes that sleep is creeping away from them or someone makes a telephone call to see what the other is up to at the aforementioned ungodly hour, and cut to the next scene where woody and pals are gathered around a large table in some swinging restaurant and they are eating and downing wine and chatting about love, plays, murder mysteries on the brink of unfolding, and anything goes. the table always seems to spin as if it was on a large lazy susan but it's just camera trickery i'm sure.

it took me some time but what i wanted to say was this:

as i stood on your porch looking in for a moment before i rang the doorbell, i could see what kind of home you lived in. it looked warm and inviting and i could see you down the hall in the dining room with your hand on someone's shoulder and a smile on your face. and it felt the same way when i entered. i always feel shy about meeting new people, especially by the loadful, but everything was cool. just genuine, decent, intelligent people gathered to eat and talk and laugh. i had such a relaxed calm night.

and if you could do me a favour, i neglected to say thank you and good night to Monsieur Bonhomme. would you please extend that for me?

happy travels and safe return
bye for now
J

Truly the sweetest compliment we could ever hope for -- and the best part is that we barely made an effort! Everything's just that much easier when you surround yourself with good people -- and you can never know too many.

Take a Dump(ling)

2006-02-08T14:39:00.000-05:00

Mom tells me that in the old days, when new Chinese immigrants wanted to meet other new immigrants for dating/courtship/mate selection, they'd throw dumpling parties. Everyone sitting around the table, kneading dough, scooping meat, chatting about home away and the new home here. I do agree that it's much easier to chitchat when your hands are busy and your mind isn't forced to only focus on conversation.

Is this a theme party? It's a little too late to celebrate the Lunar New Year -- and not as hip as the upcoming slew of Valentine's Week singles parties... Let's make Take a Dump(ling) an IT'S-TOO-COLD-TO-DO-ANYTHING-BUT-EAT event -- and while you're here you can wish M & L "bon voyage" as we head down to Washington DC and NYC next week for a gallery-hopping scrapple-hunting holiday!

Les Deets:
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Prep time: 3PM-ish
Eat time: 6 or 7PM-ish

The plan: to make dumplings, cook them, eat them

Feeling ambitious. Will attempt to make dumpling wrappers, but ready-made will also be purchased as back-up.

Marz will experiment with brown rice flour.

Will make the standard pork and napa/chives filling, as well as a vegeterian one.

You may participate in the filling/folding/pleating, or you can just come and sit and chat and watch. (But really, it's all about the process than it is about the result!)

Bring your own friends. Drop-ins welcome.

We don't have very much room in our freezer to hold uncooked dumplings, so be prepared to bring some home with you ^_^

RSVP by Thursday afternoon so we have a number to work with

Disclaimer: A delicious meal is not guaranteed -- but you know the company will be pretty awesome.

2006-02-05T09:12:00.000-05:00

I am so bored.
I am so bored.
B-O-R-D
I mean, B-O-R-E-D.

Bored, bored, bored, bored.
Bored, bored, bored, bored.

Crappy Sunday, rainy weather bored.
Lazy, lazy, nothing to do bored.
Housemate gone to work, bored.
Housemate out of town, bored.
Milling around the house, bored.
Dunno what to do.

triple dog dare

2006-01-26T23:22:00.000-05:00

Today I put Voula's balled-up booger rag in my mouth because she dared me to.

Apparently I dress like Velma :(

amnesia at level

2006-01-21T13:17:00.000-05:00

Despite my protests, M and A greased the bouncers anyway and got us into the club, shortly after midnight.
M: It was great. I had fun. No one tried to dry hump me.
L: I liked how I was the only person who knew all the words to the Rick Astley songs.
M: Uh, I knew some of the words. [Sings a NKOTB song, in falsetto, instead. You know the one -- with Joey and the ferris wheel. Sigh.]
L: I'm just irked that there seems to be some kind of conspiracy, keeping me away from the Devil's Martini.
M: You're not missing out! You would have had to do a lot more than to grease these guys up to get into the bar. The bouncers there are so not polite, not like the the gentlement at Level. PLUS one of them gave A $5! Cuz he liked her DIMPLES!
L: I want dimples.

notice in my mailbox this morning

2006-01-20T11:43:00.000-05:00

AUDITIONS - NON-UNION COMMERCIAL
~~ Looking for CAUCASIAN ONLY male and female.
~~ Females: Should have blonde hair between the age of 20-30 years of age.
~~ Males: Shouldn't look Italian between the age of 20-30 years of age.
~~ All dancers must be able to do tricks and lifts and also have a partner; as well be as able to do club style dancing.

pays $500/shoot day
too bad we look so ethnic.
and that we can't dance club-style.

a smoothie a day...

2006-01-19T11:09:00.000-05:00

guess who filled the bowl this morning? ^_^

2006-01-17T21:17:00.000-05:00

we should post more often.

a wonderful gift

2006-01-08T10:58:00.000-05:00

Dearest Fabio:
Thank you for such a memorable meal. I cannot even begin describe the scrumptulescence of the food, the amazing company, the pants... Looking forward to another 18 months of housemate bliss!
^_^

counting down...

2006-01-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

32 hours and 47 minutes to go...

2006-01-01T23:17:00.000-05:00

In case you were wondering...

Elections Canada: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is someone allowed to eat a ballot?

A: Eating a ballot, not returning it or otherwise destroying or defacing it constitutes a serious breach of the Canada Elections Act. These rules are part of a system of unobtrusive checks and balances that are intended to protect the integrity of the voting process and Canadians' trust in the integrity of the electoral system.

Democracy: 1
Gluttony: 0

10:02 p.m. OR this post is gonna ruin us, you know

2005-12-31T22:14:00.000-05:00

It's the night before 2006 and the residents of chateau nice have nothing to do. Oop, 10:03 p.m.
Oop, 10:04 p.m. The good news is that there's no cover at the chateau. The bad news...this post is gonna ruin us. There will be no sheesha tonight. No wine. No brunch. Just the strumming of Pat's guitar and the hopeful anticipation that 2006 will be...

We've got high hopes
We've got high hopes
We've got high, stick a knife in your eeeeyeee, hopes.

We've got snow covered slopes
We've got prohibition against those who elope
We've got snoop dog's funky dope
We've got a castrated antelope.

Manuel is a voodoo doll
He's so hangy hangy
He's so hangy hangy
Manuel is a little doll
He has got to ride the tree.

Drinkle drinkle new year's bar
where can we go that's not too far
we don't want to take the car
up above this new year's crowd
it's too gross and it's too loud
drinkle drinkle in my yard
watch the stars and star trek and tasha yar.

10:10 p.m.
10:14 p.m.