Fat City
Did you know that St. Catharines, Ontario is the fattest city in Canada? and London is right up there too...not surprising then, that I gained 30 pounds in the 3 years that I lived there...
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August 31, 2003
August 30, 2003
Sexy Saturday - Week 26
Do you shave, trim, wax, or practice any other kind of hair removal 'down there'? Have you ever done it just because a partner asked you to? If you haven't, would you try it?
Yes, I mow my lawn on a regular basis. Partners always appreciate it but no one has ever asked me to do it. Even when I don't have a partner, it's nice looking and nice feeling once you get used to it. I agree with Jen that it's a little high-maintenance, but you have to get into a habit. A word to those who complain about The Itch: be persistent...it goes away eventually. Baby freshly shaved skin with aloe gel followed by baby powder.
August 29, 2003
August 28, 2003
review: Kom Jug Restaurant
Mega-cheap: $7.20 including tax for 2 people. We had a bowl of wonton noodle soup (large, with 5-6 flavourful wontons) and a bowl of thousand year old egg and salted pork congee (large, lots of meat and egg)
Decor: horrifically ghetto.
Food: mighty tasty Chinese comfort food.
The rather unfortunately named Kom Jug makes me giggle every time I see or hear it. According to Mom, it actually means "Golden Duke", a rather majestic name. It's also not pronounced like in English.
From Toronto.com:
Neighbors, budget-conscious students and lucky passersby know they can get an inexpensive, no-frills, nutritious meal at Kom Jug. Specials are written on day-glo bristol board, and the menu prices are charmingly Liquid-Papered and changed to reflect inflation. Small in size, and made smaller by the huge red Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling, the restaurant is cozy, especially in winter, when a steaming bowl of noodles topped with delicious bbq pork or duck does the trick. It's not licensed for liquor and be forewarned: the basement washrooms aren't for the fainthearted.
371 Spadina Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
:spork:spork:spork:spork/5
August 27, 2003
My own boss
I got 'fired' today. Well, not exactly.
For 2 years I have been the sole employee of an impromptu music school. The boss lady got me the students while taking half the student rate as her fee. Now the students are all my own! Which means I will be making twice as much money from these students without having to work one bit more.
That is good news in the music teaching department after yesterday's hell.
August 26, 2003
Flunkee..again
The good news (if it can be called that) about the supplementary exam is that I only have to take the technique section again, since that's the only portion that I got below 70% in. :bang Unfortunately, the next exam session isn't until December. So, no Sweden for me...yet...
August 25, 2003
A note to parents of prospective students
No, I will not teach your 3-year-old kid unless they are a fucking prodigy. There are programs specifically geared towards pre-school children that they should be in, not formal piano lessons.
August 23, 2003
Virus worries
I've gotten 2 emails so far from ISP's saying that the Sobig.F@mm virus has been sent from my cam@lq.net email. I have run the removal tool and it says the virus is not on my system. WTF is going on?!
August 21, 2003
Pass...I hope
I'm supposed to get either 75% overall OR 70% in each section. (repertoire, technique, teaching skills) There's still a chance that I failed since I fucked up a couple of scales. I won't know how I really did until I get the mark breakdown and I don't know when that will be. So don't start celebrating just yet.
August 20, 2003
WiW - 8/20/2003
What is your favorite on-program recipe? Please share it with us...
Yoga Journal's Miso Noodle Soup
You can basically substitute whatever veggie you have on hand in this recipe. Tofu is also a great addition. I usually omit the sesame oil because I don't think the flavour meshes very well with miso. And you don't need 2 different kinds of miso, whatever one kind you have will do nicely!
August 19, 2003
End of summer
I finally got a new bathing suit, after agonizing all summer. The only nice ones at a decent price I saw were at Bikini Village. Unfortunately, this uber-bitch who once called me fat works there, and I was determined not to give her any commission. So I went in there again, tried on half the store, rejected everything, left a mess in the changeroom and really couldn't bring myself to buy anything from BV. Desperate, I head to Boathouse, where they have lovely but very very expensive suits. Fortunately, there are things called end of season sales. And this baby, although not at all what I had in mind originally, is quite suitable.
Damage: $59, tax included. I got an extra 15% off because the sizes were mixed - the top is M and the bottoms are L. I would have preferred vice versa, and obviously someone else agreed with me.
August 17, 2003
Not again
Ontario's Independent Electricity Market Operator said on Sunday the province had enough capacity to produce just above 20,000 megawatts of electricity on Monday, below the demand level of 22,000 megawatts to 24,000 megawatts.
So if you don't see me updating, I'm probably sitting in the dark again. Or I just don't have anything to say. :crossfingers
August 16, 2003
back in the light
So I'm sure you heard about the big blackout, we had no power Thursday night and it wasn't restored until late Friday afternoon. When the lights went out I actually thought it was the W32.blaster.worm, because it seems that your computer randomly shutting down is one of the signs that your system has been compromised, and I had just installed the patch, thinking, "WTF?!"
The hotel had power Friday and it was hot as hell so I went swimming and saw Shayne Corson working out as well so I got a nice picture with him. :leafs
Then I went over to the geekhaus because Dan said they had power in the morning but when I got there in the afternoon it had gone out again. Dan and Andy had just got back from rescuing Chris from Oakville because the GO trains weren't running and Steph had her latest boy toy over from Philly. Then we had to go find beer, and Chris and I went to 2 beer stores which were both closed before going to Steam Whistle. Steph had ordered pizza so we got pretty stuffed and drunk, then Tyler invited us over, which was good because it let Steph and Boy Toy have the house to themselves. :wink Tyler didn't have any beer, the only booze he had in the house was Dew and wodka so we drank several of those before going back to geekhaus and drinking MORE beers.
Crazy things we did when there was no power:
- Plugged in the stereo and speakers to the battery in Dan's car.
- Dan realized he had no coffee so he plugged the coffee grinder to the UPS. It didn't work very well, plus this was kind of unnecessary because Starbucks was actually still open.
Anyways, this morning I drove Andy to work because the subways aren't running until Monday and there is power here at home and my modem is working so hopefully this adventure is over until the next rolling blackout.
August 12, 2003
This is it
I'm already starting to get nervous, and there's still 12 hours to go...
More good thoughts from you are needed tomorrow morning, 9am EST as I do the practical exam. I will be thinking about that trip to Sweden to get me through! and please don't say 'break a leg' as I fell off my step at the gym today and twisted my ankle. But it's my left ankle, I only need my right to play piano!
review: Harry Potter
So I've joined the bazillions who stayed up till the wee hours reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Amazing considering I read Philosopher's Stone on the way to Detroit less than 3 weeks ago. Anyways, I think you can count me among the addicted. I've eaten the Every Flavour Beans, I want my own wand, and I want to travel by Floo Powder.
August 08, 2003
Princess and the Pea
My new mattress is gi-normously fl00ffy. You can't see the headboard at all now, compared to this old picture. Look at the amount of headboard visible to see the difference.
Friday Five - 8/8/2003
1. What's the last place you traveled to, outside your own home state/country?
Detroit, Michigan.
2. What's the most bizarre/unusual thing that's ever happened to you while traveling?
In 1994, my family went to New York City, and my dad wanted to see The Pierre. We walked over there and got turned away at the door by Secret Service types in dark suits, sunglasses and those earpieces. Turns out that Clinton was in town for Jackie O's funeral.
3. If you could take off to anywhere, money and time being no object, where would you go?
Sweden. Then I'd go other places in Europe afterwards.
4. Do you prefer traveling by plane, train or car?
I don't mind either one actually. I like the train for short distances, although I've always wanted to go across Canada on VIA, I don't mind cars as long as there are good tunes and I'm not driving, and I don't hate planes but I don't like them for the usual reasons.
5. What's the next place on your list to visit?
If all goes well on the piano exams, SWEDEN! :sweden
August 07, 2003
Exam Time
My written teacher's exam is tomorrow morning from 9:30-12:30am EST. Think good thoughts for me then, will ya? :crossfingers
P.S. It may be amusing to some (especially Vin) to know that the next comment posted will be #666. :evilgrin
August 05, 2003
He's gone too
Last night, I went to see my oldest friend, CJB, before he goes out east for university next week. His parents moved their home base out to NB as well, so I am feeling sad not knowing when I will see him again, it might not be for years. :frown
August 04, 2003
He's gone
I'm physically, emotionally, mentally, and to a lesser extent, financially drained. :dead
August 03, 2003
review: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans
Definitely not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach.
They are infinitely more fun when eaten with company, since you'll take a bite of one, and want to see your friends' expressions as they partake of the utter grossness of some of the flavours included in the box. You also want to have some kind of beverage to clear your palate. (I had beer.)
Black Pepper: Since actual black pepper was listed on the ingredients, this was very realistic and had a nice spicy zing.
Booger: Salty, just like you remember as a kid.
Dirt: Tastes just like Demeter's Dirt perfume smells.
Ear Wax: I suppose this tasted like ear wax. Vaguely citrusy with weird aftertaste. But I've never tasted ear wax. Have you?
Grass: Herbal, like a freshly mowed lawn.
Sardine: Disgustingly fishy but very accurate.
Spinach: Also very true to reality, due to actual spinach paste content.
Tutti-Fruitti: It resembled the tutti-fruitti bean on the Flavor Guide, so that's what flavour I'll assume it was. But OH GOD IT WAS FUCKING DISGUSTING. It tasted exactly like week-old spaghetti that had absorbed the flavours of everything else in your refrigerator.
Vomit: Nowhere near as bad as I expected. When I bought the box of beans, the guy at the candy store (appropriately called Suckers) asked me if I was sure I wanted to try them. I think vomit is a very personal thing. No one else's puke should taste the same as mine, dammit!
Suggested flavours for Jelly Belly: grass (the non-lawn variety), beer, ass
I give it :spork :spork :spork/5 for the taste and :spork :spork :spork :spork :spork/5 for the entertainment factor.
August 02, 2003
Sexy Saturday - Week 23
How did you know you had an orgasm the first time you had one? Are you upset if you don't orgasm during sex?
I didn't know I was having one until the guy told me afterwards. I guess on some level I am disappointed, but I'll get over it. I find it much easier to orgasm when masturbating so as long as I get off somehow, I'll live.
August 01, 2003
Left Out
Do any of you gwai lo feel out of place when going to a Chinese mall or restaurant? Tonight Vin and I went to Congee Wong for dinner, had juuuuust enough cash to pay for dinner, so we paid and ran out like the place was on fire.
Afterwards, I went to teach.
"AGGGH! there's an earwig!" screamed my student.
"Well, go get rid of it." said I.
"No!"
"Fine, get me a Kleenex."
I then crawled under her grand piano and caught the bugger then gave it a burial at sea.
"That's not in my job description."