Everything back in K-Town...Almost

After having a wonderful vacation in Vancouver, Donna and I arrived back in Kingston. A week ago today. Our last few days in Vancouver were hectic, but really good. On Sunday, Dec.30 we went out for lunch with Erica and Pierre and Audrey. Erica and Pierre wanted us to see the new house they bought. I guess that as soon as you get married, you need to buy a house. Then it is all encompassing and you have to show everyone your new purchase. I get it. Showing-off is important. I couldn't believe what they spent... a small fortune. Their house is beautiful though. And they seem very happy, which is the most important part.

We spent a quite New Years between my Parent's place, and Joe and Maggie's. They were dog sitting Dweezle (a little white angry puff-ball) and Donna wanted to see it. We had New Years Dinner at my parent's house which was nice. A big ham dinner, which most people thoroughly enjoyed, but I am not a huge ham fan. I prefer it in sandwiches and quiche, rather than a big slab of it for dinner. My Aunt, Uncle and cousin Sara came down for dinner as well, as everyone had a good time.

We took my brother to the airport early the next morning, but I got a White Spot breakfast out of the deal, so it wasn't too bad. The next few days seem to fly by, and I couldn't believe I was leaving Saturday. On Saturday it was nice that we got a last minute On-Lok wonton stop with my parents, Joe and Maggie, and John. It was Joe and John's birthdays just a few days apart, so we got to celebrate last minute.

Got to the airport OK, and actually was surprised that one of the Queen's kids I coach was also taking the same flight as me. I missed Donna by about 20 minutes, as her plane was leaving the same time as mine was taking off. My flight was delayed, which was the start of a very bad set of circumstances. The flight itself was nice, we each had our own TV, but what was really nice was that I managed to sleep about 3 hours. I got to say a quick hello to Donna at the Toronto Airport between layovers, and then I landed in Kingston.

My luggage however was nowhere to be seen. Then this "women" and I use that term loosely. Angry wild beast-person might be more accurate. She had good cause, because I assume that what happened to me happened to other people as well. My luggage did not arrive. I assumed that it was coming on the next flight because of my delayed flight and the shortened layover was not enough time to get my baggage from the Vancouver flight to the Kingston flight. This happened to a lot of people, both from the Vancouver flight and other places as well.

Donna was on the flight right after mine (crazy huh, she left Vancouver before me, and arrived after me). Her luggage arrived safe and sound, mine however did not. And so the story begins. I give them my information. They say it usually arrives within 24 hours and they will call me.

Monday, 24-hours later, I call them. I get a nice man in India, where their call-centre is. He tells me that both of my bags have been found, and that they are in Kelowna. That's right, Kelowna. I call back the next day, to check on the progress of my bags, and I get another nice man in India, and he tells me that only 1 of my bags has been found and that they are not sure where it is. Great, at least we have progress. That night my Mom calls and says what a nightmare the luggage situation is and then 1000's of people did not get their luggage. In fact, piles of bags are just sitting at airports, pretty much unsupervised. Good I says to myself, now my bags are going to be stolen and sold at some trailer park to a guy with a rum and coke in his hand (watch TBP, you'll get it).

Finally Wednesday I get a call. My luggage has arrived, both pieces. I tell them to not deliver it, that way they can't lose it between he airport and my house. Everything was fine. It all got here, and everything was intact.

The moral of the story is, pack nothing important, except a GPS device.

Too Much Food

Since I've been back in Vancouver it feels like I have done nothing but eat. Here is a rundown of activities that have kept me fat so far this holiday:

I had some left-over Christmas breakfast when I got in on Christmas Day. Then there was turkey dinner at my Aunts place that night. I consumed way too much turkey, and as a result of time differences and tryptophan, I spent the evening napping and eating.

Boxing day was awesome. I went down to the rugby club and surprised a bunch of guys by showing up ready to play in the annual John Latham Over-Under Game. I had a great time and the Unders continued their winning streak by pounding the overs 25-10. We had a few snacks after the game, a few bevies after the game, and the Unders even won the boat-race. It was great to see everyone and a really good day. Then we went out for dinner with my parents. It was good to get my Chinese food fix in early, so there is time to have it again.

On Thursday we finally got to see Jen and baby Jayden. He is the cutest Asian baby ever, despite the fact that he does not have Chinese-Baby hair. He is a bundle of energy, already twitchy and trying his best to be mobile. His legs actually never stop. I on the underhand was tired and sore after rugby and had a little a nap while at Jen's. I don't feel too bad because Carlton was also sleeping. Then more delicious turkey at the Lee's. Can you eat too much turkey? I think not.

Yesterday was pretty quite for most of the day. The lack of a vehicle was
not really a problem, since moving to Kingston Donna and I have learned to walk everywhere anyway, I took the SkyTrain to Dinner with Donna's Family. Donna's Uncle was treating. Too many older people who didn't eat much, and many courses later, I was very, very full. Jeff even took a few pictures.


We started with somewhat traditional appetizer platter. Mixed meats, jellyfish, but it also came with honey garlic ribs and spicy prawns. Sweet.











Then came this hug plate (30 or 40) of massive prawns, down with candied walnuts and mayonnaise. Not sure about the mayonnaise, but I ate 4 anyway. We also had a huge plate of sugar peas with geoduck and scallops. Then came the soup, crab and fish maw.






Next we had this masterpiece of crab and lobster. A couple of lobsters and at least 1 crab. It was ridiculous. But also very delicious.












Next came the Drunken Chicken. Really good with the garlic and ginger and green onion dipping sauce.














At this point I lost track of what we actually ate, but I know we had a broccoli dish with mushrooms and crab sauce. I had never had it before and it was tasty.










We also had this fish and gai lan dish... very tasty as well.











The meal finished with sticky rice, I remember that because Jeff spent as much time picking out the little dried shrimp as he did actually eating it. and what meal would be complete without the less than scrumptious red-bean soup? We were served that as well, but I took a pass.

Like I said at the beginning, too much food.

In Vancouver!!! Best Chistmas this Year.

Well I finally made it to Vancouver. It took a little effort, but here I am. After my flights were cancelled on Christmas Eve, I was getting a little stressed, but both Donna and I got away cleanly at 7:00am on Christmas Day. So it ended up being nice because Donna and I got to travel together, which was nice for us both (especially her since she got a really big pillow for the airplane) and I enjoyed having her beside me on the plane instead of some fat smelly guy.

There turned out to be a couple of other perks flying home a day later. We ran into Jeff Brown, a guy my brother graduated with. He and his girlfriend were leaving Kingston as well, so it was nice to say hi to him. And then, we got a couple of free bevies on the plane ride. That was a nice treat. Made the flight a lot better. Getting into Vancouver was great. Nice to see my family, even if my brother did arrive with a sign saying: "Welcome home Dumb-Ass." Got home, opened some presents, dozed for a few minutes, ate some food (nice to be home to a well stocked fridge) and then went out for Christmas dinner.

It was very tasty, and I ate too much since I had to make up for a lack of Thanksgiving turkey. I am just glad to be home.

Still in Kingston

Hey Everyone. I hate travelling. OK, that's not exactly true. I like going to new places, old places, I like going on vacations, I like going home for Christmas. Unfortunately the weather doesn't always cooperate. My 3:45 flight was cancelled due to runway conditions (we had a nice big storm). Then the 6:45 flight out of Kingston was also cancelled, this time due to cross-winds.

Both times the plane actually left Toronto, but couldn't land. Those people must be pissed too. I am just waiting to see if the last flight gets into Kingston. I and Donna are supposed to be taking it out tomorrow morning. If you here from later tonight or tomorrow, there is a very good chance I have just broken something to help quell my rage.

Merry Christmas.

BBQ Pics

Hey everyone, I just found these pictures of my friends, taken at my going away BBQ back in July. Here are the best of them (pictures, not friends... hehehe).

Congrats to Jen and Carlton who had their Baby a few months ago. Baby Jayden is pretty cute.

Congrats to Pierre (to the right of me)...

and Erica (in the middle) who got married over the summer. Sorry I wasn't there to help you celebrate.




Sonia (on the left) is busy planning her wedding as well. Her Hubby-to-be wasn't there.

Not sure how these to put up with each other. Actually its more like the guy on the left (Mike) putting up with the guy on the right (Lannon).






Joe and Maggie. Don't ask me why Maggie looks so happy (and you can only see half of her face) and Joe looks so dejected.













Post-meat-consumption lounging. And there was a lot of meat (that's what she said).













Steve Swan before he started drinking. Always better to get a couple of photos of him early, because pictures of him later in the evening may or may not be postable.









Rob (left) and Lannon chilling out by the pond.


Enjoying a drink with Amy (left) and Chamyli (right).



No more St. John Ambulance now that I have moved to Kingston. Funny enough, neither Audrey (left) or Erica are in SJA anymore either.


Joe and Marijan having a good time. Not that they ever don't have a good time when were all together.


Now the important question is: Who invited this guy? More importantly, why did he arrive to a BBQ in his "good coveralls" when he wasn't actually working in them before hand? I had no idea I was related to redneck, trailer-park folk.

See all you people in 8 more days!!!

Good times in Toronto

Donna and I just got back from Toronto, where we spent the last vestiges of our vacation relaxing and enjoying the smog-filled city that is Toronto. We left Saturday afternoon, after my failed make-over attempt at the mall, and the drive into Toronto was actually quite good, not too much traffic or anything.

That night we had dinner at a local sushi place, all-you-can-eat, and I had, all-I-could-eat. Since I can't get sushi all the time anymore, I prepared myself (no lunch, liquid only in the afternoon to keep my stomach from shrinking) and then ate copious amounts of assorted seafood (they have a really good selection of sushi for dinner and a lot of cooked seafood as well) rice, and other tasty cooked food (chicken and steak, enough for two people really...). I wasn't sick later, but I was Christmas dinner full.

What happens when garbage men and elephants have babies.

Can't remember where this is, somewhere in Toronto

We went to bed fairly early as we were both tired, and wanted to get a lot done the following day. We met Donna's friend Tanya and her friend Christine for breakfast at this place called BOOM. Donna was delighted to see that you could get caramel-nut french toast for breakfast, complete with ice-cream and chocolate syrup.

What women all over the western world want for breakfast... dessert.

After that we started walking. First through Little-Italy, which I forgot is totally full of "pizanos," people who fit the stereotypical description of Italians (well dressed, real smooooth looking, sitting at local cafes sipping their cappuccinos...). There were lots of shoe stores and produce grocers interspersed amoung the cafes and restaurants.

Huh...ironic?

We then walked to Kensington Market. Its a combination of 3 or 4 square blocks where the street is shut down and there are stores everywhere. For you Vancouver people reading this, I thought it was a combination of Granville Island and Granville Mall - very alternative lifestyle type stores and people, combined with strange,eclectic clothing stores, eateries, and groceries. Lots of ethnic feel as well. Not really my thing, but definitely worth a look.

I really have no idea how these things stay on the road, but last time I saw the driver actually stop in the middle of the street, on his route with people in his car, get out and get a slice of pizza. The world is going to poo.

We then walked to China town, which is not so much an actual town, but about 4 or 5 blocks along Spedina Ave. Nothing much here except stores that sell small garments (to fit small Asian people) and restaurants.

After that we walked to the University of Toronto Bookstore, where Donna wanted to look at some medical texts. She complained that it was poorly organized and not set up as well as the UBC health sciences book store (what a surprise), but she did manage to purchase a book. Instead of splurging and getting the large book, she bought the smaller version that has size 2 font. Never seen size 2 font? Me either, it just looks like a blur and you pretty much need a magnifying glass to use it.

Coolest building at U of T, except for maybe the math building, but it was so cool we couldn't find it.

Then we walked through the university, up to Bloor St., and then Donna wanted to do some shopping, so we walked along the street and did a bunch of shopping. All-in-all, there was a crap-load of walking. Apparently when I was a kid I loved to walk, now not so much, at least not all day. We were staying with Jane and Richard, Donna's cousin and his wife, so we walked back to their place (yes, more walking, total distance walked 3617 km, or thereabouts). Along the way we stopped for a little sushi pick me up, and got a few pastries for desert. They cooked a delicious BBQ, which we enjoyed and then played a bit of Wii, before calling it a night.

Donna in front of the new ROM.

Monday dawned bright and early and we left when Jane and Richard left for work, which allowed us to arrive right on time T&T to do some shopping. But first we stopped for some dim sum. We were a little worried at first because although the restaurant had just opened, there was nobody else in the place. We sat down, and by the time our food had arrived, there were lots of other tables filled. The food was delicious, and we even had enough to bring home left overs (which I plan to enjoy in a few minutes actually). And at $1.87 per order, it was really cheap. We bought a good feed of Asian type food at T&T, and then made the drive home.

Dim sum, but we didn't have to cook it.

It was a really good weekend, and Donna and I had a good time.

Its Electrifying!

You inherit much of who you are from your parents. I know there has always been a nature vs. nurture argument, but looking at myself, and the hundreds of kids I have taught, I have become a firm believer that nurture is by far the stronger influence in many cases, although there are some freak shows out there that you just can't explain. This does not mean that if your Dad was a mass murderer, Little Johnny will grow up to be the next axe-wielding maniac. I just think that much of who we are, and in particular how we behave and what we like/dislike comes from our parents.

Many people like storms. My Mom likes storms. I like storms (see what the intro paragraph was for?). Kingston is a good place to watch storms, particularly the thunder storms in the summer. Last night we had a doozy. Big lightning cracks everywhere, many of them close enough that you couldn't really tell the time difference between lightning and thunder. It was really cool. How cool was it? Cool enough that I got up at 4:30 am to watch the storm. And that had nothing to do with the fact that I had to go to the bathroom, or that the thunder had woken me up.

Alas, electricity can be dangerous as well. There was a power blackout in Kingston earlier this week. Let us all have a moments silence for "Fluffy" (I just made that up) the squirrel, who on Tuesday found out first hand what happens when you fall into a transformer at the local power station. Yes, the city wide black-out was caused by a clumsy squirrel. Ironic how those little pests always seem to get the last laugh.

My Old Man

I am pretty proud of my Dad. He does of lots of things well, did lots of things for me and my brother when he didn't have to. I think he could make anything out of wood, have it look fantastic, and be presentable in any home, building or castle in the world. Lately though, he's been demonstrating his ability to grow things.

We live in Burnaby, just outside Vancouver, Canada. Its minus 6 outside right now, snow everywhere and generally a good day to be indoors. He however defies the elements, producing these:

Grapefruits, limes and oranges. I think this is pretty spectacular, especially since we live in a climate that is not tropical citrus friendly. They don't just look good, but they taste spectacular. He's been on this kick lately, trying to gather all knowledge that is citrus. It seems to be paying off because we are getting lemons and limes and grapefruit and pommelos and kumquats and just about every other citrus fruit in mass quantities.

Besides edibles (which I think are the only important things to grow, since if you are hungry, a pretty flower isn't all that appealing or appetizing) he also grows some amazing orchids.

For all the times that I've gotten frustrated with my Dad, like why he can't use basic technology like a VCR, DVD player or Microwave, there are plenty of things he CAN do that I couldn't if I tried for the rest of my life.

Remeber to be pateint with your Dads. Even if they are grouchy and look like this sometimes.