Sunday, April 29, 2007
My bad timing
The Vancouver Orchid Society has their show & plant sale on the weekend of May 5-6 at the Richmond Curling Club.
Today, April 29 I invited Trisha out to Richmond to check out the orchids. Because I am a fool that can't read dates, the curling rink was dark and empty. However, we did find a little Vietnamese restaurant (strangely decorated in Mexican style) for a small bite, including deep-fried banana with vanilla ice cream. Yum!
The Van Dusen Gardens had their annual plant sale from 10-4 today.
Since we were denied plants in Richmond, we arrived to Van Dusen Gardens at 4:10 pm. Because I am a fool that didn't pay attention to closing times, the plant sale was finished. However, we did get to wander around the gardens. Huge!
Today, April 29 I invited Trisha out to Richmond to check out the orchids. Because I am a fool that can't read dates, the curling rink was dark and empty. However, we did find a little Vietnamese restaurant (strangely decorated in Mexican style) for a small bite, including deep-fried banana with vanilla ice cream. Yum!
The Van Dusen Gardens had their annual plant sale from 10-4 today.
Since we were denied plants in Richmond, we arrived to Van Dusen Gardens at 4:10 pm. Because I am a fool that didn't pay attention to closing times, the plant sale was finished. However, we did get to wander around the gardens. Huge!
Set them free
Based on the current videos featuring the Wainwrights, the name of Rufie's upcoming album is maybe too appropriate: "Release the Stars".
The Snow Patrol-Martha song always leaves me feeling somewhat unfulfilled, even on repeat listen. It seems to be building throughout the song, the vocals getting stronger and more urgent, but it never quite reaches the places where I think it is aiming to be. Maybe I just want to know that in the end, the one-way mirror gets removed for both sides.
The Snow Patrol-Martha song always leaves me feeling somewhat unfulfilled, even on repeat listen. It seems to be building throughout the song, the vocals getting stronger and more urgent, but it never quite reaches the places where I think it is aiming to be. Maybe I just want to know that in the end, the one-way mirror gets removed for both sides.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 20, 2007
Some weirdos travel by foot
Date: This afternoon, ~5 pm
Transit line: #3 and #25 travel it, but this was in the west crosswalk across King Edward Ave on Main St
Description of weirdo: Middle-aged woman with shopping bags
Weirdo behaviour: The weirdo crossed King Edward on a flashing red hand pedestrian signal, so that when the traffic signal turned yellow she was still midway across the street. This held up the car turning right off of Main St, though it was making advances into its turn. She screamed "Wait!" at the car, finished her crossing, then laughed stating to herself (or to me), "I like scaring them."
Conclusion: More sun/warmer temperatures = more people outdoors = more weirdos out on the streets.
Weirdo rating: One-third of a pickle in a pill bottle.
Transit line: #3 and #25 travel it, but this was in the west crosswalk across King Edward Ave on Main St
Description of weirdo: Middle-aged woman with shopping bags
Weirdo behaviour: The weirdo crossed King Edward on a flashing red hand pedestrian signal, so that when the traffic signal turned yellow she was still midway across the street. This held up the car turning right off of Main St, though it was making advances into its turn. She screamed "Wait!" at the car, finished her crossing, then laughed stating to herself (or to me), "I like scaring them."
Conclusion: More sun/warmer temperatures = more people outdoors = more weirdos out on the streets.
Weirdo rating: One-third of a pickle in a pill bottle.
4... 3... 0... 2. Poop!
A little sister for Custard almost came home with me today from Agilent's LC/MS tour seminar. My ticket -- a second ticket that was given to me -- was numbered 4301. The ticket pulled from the basket was number 4302. So close!
However, I didn't go home empty-handed. I won an envelope full of $2 coupons for Baskin Robbins in an earlier draw. Ice cream date? It's on me!
On a more professional note, the seminar was a bust, but they did feed us well and I got to sit at the University Golf Club patio in the sunny Friday-shine.
However, I didn't go home empty-handed. I won an envelope full of $2 coupons for Baskin Robbins in an earlier draw. Ice cream date? It's on me!
On a more professional note, the seminar was a bust, but they did feed us well and I got to sit at the University Golf Club patio in the sunny Friday-shine.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Maybe I Just Don't Deserve Nice Things?
For the last few weeks, I have been tuning into Global at 10 pm expecting to see the Black Donnellys. Each time, I have been disappointed to find that some other show was being aired. This week, I checked the cable listings (and did the necessary channel conversion to rabbit ears) and it won't be on tonight. Did the show really take a mid-season break? I wanted to find out what is going on.
Poop! The Black Donnellys has been cancelled by NBC. It sounds as if there are some remaining episodes that I want to see, but when I went to nbc.com to find them, I received the message "We're sorry, but the clip you selected isn't available from your location. Please select another clip." I don't want to watch another clip! I want to watch my Donnellys. Then I went to iTunes to find the episodes. There I received the message "The item you've requested is not currently available in the Canadian store." Argh!
I waited over a year to watch the final episode of Six Feet Under, but that was when I was younger and more patient. I also knew what I would see with the episode from reading all of the internet chatter. I can't find much about the BDs except comments expressing sadness from my companions that enjoyed the show - only 5.5 million of us.
(Replaced by a reality show? Must. Find. Stress. Relief.)
Poop! The Black Donnellys has been cancelled by NBC. It sounds as if there are some remaining episodes that I want to see, but when I went to nbc.com to find them, I received the message "We're sorry, but the clip you selected isn't available from your location. Please select another clip." I don't want to watch another clip! I want to watch my Donnellys. Then I went to iTunes to find the episodes. There I received the message "The item you've requested is not currently available in the Canadian store." Argh!
I waited over a year to watch the final episode of Six Feet Under, but that was when I was younger and more patient. I also knew what I would see with the episode from reading all of the internet chatter. I can't find much about the BDs except comments expressing sadness from my companions that enjoyed the show - only 5.5 million of us.
(Replaced by a reality show? Must. Find. Stress. Relief.)
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Channeling JBM
My tickets for last night's ballet came as a prize for a contest.
I bought new shoes at a sample sale.
This grasshopper has lots to learn and is enjoying the outcomes from lessons already passed on.
I bought new shoes at a sample sale.
This grasshopper has lots to learn and is enjoying the outcomes from lessons already passed on.
Balleh
I saw Ballet BC's presentation last night, entitled Legends of 20th Century Dance. The show consisted of four separate dances, which I made me react in severely different ways.
The four dances were:
Allegro Brillante - I enjoyed this short vignette immensely. A man, a woman, a piano, and several pages of sheet music. In a few scenes, showers of red confetti fell onto the dancers. This reminded me of one of the most beautiful scenes that I have seen on-stage, the cherry blossom showers during Madame Butterfly.
Baker's Dozen - Classic ballet.
Appalachian Spring - The centrepiece of the presentation. My knowledge and appreciation of dance is lacking, and my reaction to this dance probably makes that severely obvious. I thought it was a ridiculous combination of classic American folk-country music, costume, and set design with impossible body movement.
Inspiration - Fun, quirky dance. Ballet for Dummies maybe. Live piano performance, little stories of singles, couples, and groups in a contemporary setting (though the setting was a blank black canvas with white-costumed characters).
I like that living in Vancouver allows me to do a diverse range of activities. On a Hockey Night in Vancouver, having the choice to watch the playoffs and cheer for the home team or attend the ballet makes me appreciate living in a city.
The four dances were:
Allegro Brillante - I enjoyed this short vignette immensely. A man, a woman, a piano, and several pages of sheet music. In a few scenes, showers of red confetti fell onto the dancers. This reminded me of one of the most beautiful scenes that I have seen on-stage, the cherry blossom showers during Madame Butterfly.
Baker's Dozen - Classic ballet.
Appalachian Spring - The centrepiece of the presentation. My knowledge and appreciation of dance is lacking, and my reaction to this dance probably makes that severely obvious. I thought it was a ridiculous combination of classic American folk-country music, costume, and set design with impossible body movement.
Inspiration - Fun, quirky dance. Ballet for Dummies maybe. Live piano performance, little stories of singles, couples, and groups in a contemporary setting (though the setting was a blank black canvas with white-costumed characters).
I like that living in Vancouver allows me to do a diverse range of activities. On a Hockey Night in Vancouver, having the choice to watch the playoffs and cheer for the home team or attend the ballet makes me appreciate living in a city.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
The Joy of Having Gas
On this day of great brunch in the morning -- Raincity Grill may serve up my favourite brunch in Vancouver (thank you, Alyssa) -- I decided to make brunch in the evening. I followed this guy's technique for scrambled eggs for dinner.
My meal was slightly different than presented. I cooked eggs without creme fraiche to finish them off, button mushrooms instead of the big-ass mushrooms, tomato slices instead of cherry toms on the vine, and cranberry nutted sourdough toast, but the final dish was good.
Are the eggs better than whipped and seasoned beforehand, cooked in a frying pan without constant stirring scrambled eggs? Yes, but it did make one messy pot to wash up and I don't think that you will get the same heat on/heat off that you need to cook the eggs with an electric stove.
My meal was slightly different than presented. I cooked eggs without creme fraiche to finish them off, button mushrooms instead of the big-ass mushrooms, tomato slices instead of cherry toms on the vine, and cranberry nutted sourdough toast, but the final dish was good.
Are the eggs better than whipped and seasoned beforehand, cooked in a frying pan without constant stirring scrambled eggs? Yes, but it did make one messy pot to wash up and I don't think that you will get the same heat on/heat off that you need to cook the eggs with an electric stove.
Signs that you are a science geek
The first text message that you receive on Saturday morning of a long weekend reads "Colonies - all plates."
Thanks, Madalene, for taking my samples out of the incubator.
Thanks, Madalene, for taking my samples out of the incubator.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Glowbal satisfaction
The Glowbal restaurants in Vancouver are doing something to try and build customer satisfaction and loyalty that, to be the best of my knowledge, is unique. They are very consistently following up with customers to thank them for visiting and providing them with an opportunity to provide feedback.
My first experience with this follow-up was receiving a personally signed card by post after having brunch at Glowbal. After dinner at Sanafir, I received a letter and a coupon for Glowbal and Coast. Today, not quite 24 hours after my visit to Coast, I received a personal call from that restaurant saying that they hoped my group enjoyed their evening.
At first, I found this response cheesy and a bit desperate. However, it is winning me over. I like the personal follow-up. I like that they recognize that there are a lot of choices for dining out and that a bit of extra effort may mean that I repeat visit rather than go to the place next door next time.
This brings me back to a topic that I've discussed with several friends at different times: We are a valuable market for the service industry. We enjoy regularly dining out. We often use restaurants as our places for entertaining friends and family. We recognize good service, good drinks, good food, and exciting environments. I think this is somewhat special about our age, our open attitude towards spending our money to be entertained properly, our willingness to seek out new restaurants and new flavours, and our access to a great variety of places in Vancouver (and beyond) to make dining explorations.
My first experience with this follow-up was receiving a personally signed card by post after having brunch at Glowbal. After dinner at Sanafir, I received a letter and a coupon for Glowbal and Coast. Today, not quite 24 hours after my visit to Coast, I received a personal call from that restaurant saying that they hoped my group enjoyed their evening.
At first, I found this response cheesy and a bit desperate. However, it is winning me over. I like the personal follow-up. I like that they recognize that there are a lot of choices for dining out and that a bit of extra effort may mean that I repeat visit rather than go to the place next door next time.
This brings me back to a topic that I've discussed with several friends at different times: We are a valuable market for the service industry. We enjoy regularly dining out. We often use restaurants as our places for entertaining friends and family. We recognize good service, good drinks, good food, and exciting environments. I think this is somewhat special about our age, our open attitude towards spending our money to be entertained properly, our willingness to seek out new restaurants and new flavours, and our access to a great variety of places in Vancouver (and beyond) to make dining explorations.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Coast
For a dinner with industry scientists tonight, I suggested Coast Restaurant based on some high recommendations by the critics and my (possibly as critical) friends. As the only graduate student amongst a crowd of faculty and industry scientists, it was a privileged spot to be invited to the dinner and to be asked to select the restaurant. If Coast didn't meet the group's expectations, my name was going to be mud.
Coast didn't disappoint. They provided prompt service (maybe a bit too prompt when it came to keeping the wine glasses filled) and good suggestions for the table. We ended up with two party appetizer platters (scallops, jumbo tiger prawns, lobster poutine, ahi tuna, crab & prawn cakes, halibut), entrees (mine was the grilled halibut), a dessert platter (rhubarb-filled pastry, cookies & cream cake, pears and carmalized nuts, lemon creme brulee, chocolate mouse in a chocolate shell, tepid cocoa), and several bottles of very tasty shiraz.
A few of the faculty members grabbed cards on the way out of the restaurant, so I did good. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation. You made me look good.
Coast didn't disappoint. They provided prompt service (maybe a bit too prompt when it came to keeping the wine glasses filled) and good suggestions for the table. We ended up with two party appetizer platters (scallops, jumbo tiger prawns, lobster poutine, ahi tuna, crab & prawn cakes, halibut), entrees (mine was the grilled halibut), a dessert platter (rhubarb-filled pastry, cookies & cream cake, pears and carmalized nuts, lemon creme brulee, chocolate mouse in a chocolate shell, tepid cocoa), and several bottles of very tasty shiraz.
A few of the faculty members grabbed cards on the way out of the restaurant, so I did good. Thanks for the restaurant recommendation. You made me look good.
Monday, April 2, 2007
It was green and it was loud
My ride home from UBC today was aboard one of Translink's evaluation buses. The one I was riding was painted green, so according to the colour coding it was a Hybrid Bus: Allison Transmission.
From my limited understanding of hybrid technology, the engine combines the efficiencies of an electric engine with a secondary traditional combustion engine. The two work in concert so that efficient, clean electric engine power is generated under regular less-demanding travel, and when extra power and propulsion are required, the gas burning engine kicks in. In addition, to maximize efficiencies, the electric side of the engine pulls and stores extra energy created by the combustion engine and energy generated by its braking system.
I can tell you that it is very noticeable when the diesel side of this hybrid engine kicks in. It is LOUD! I didn't have Custard along to cover some of the engine noise, so maybe I was extra sensitive to the noise; however, I did notice that other riders were covering their non-headpiece ear when they talked on their cells, so I wasn't the only one.
From my limited understanding of hybrid technology, the engine combines the efficiencies of an electric engine with a secondary traditional combustion engine. The two work in concert so that efficient, clean electric engine power is generated under regular less-demanding travel, and when extra power and propulsion are required, the gas burning engine kicks in. In addition, to maximize efficiencies, the electric side of the engine pulls and stores extra energy created by the combustion engine and energy generated by its braking system.
I can tell you that it is very noticeable when the diesel side of this hybrid engine kicks in. It is LOUD! I didn't have Custard along to cover some of the engine noise, so maybe I was extra sensitive to the noise; however, I did notice that other riders were covering their non-headpiece ear when they talked on their cells, so I wasn't the only one.
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