You know I've seen a lot of little dogs since moving close to Yaletown. But I'd really like to see these guys walking around in their flip flops at 7 in the morning or the lululemon girls have to pick up their dogs bundles of joy in these designer poop bags. And if you act now, they are yours to own for the low price of 12.9 Euros.
Turn the less attractive moments in the life of a dog owner into an original happening. These 16 dog poo bags are the most hygienic and environmentally friendly way to dispose of your doggies left overs.
Not sure how this Pilot's Magic popped into our heads today at work, but I'm pretty sure that it sparked about 45 minutes of cheese ballads to be played. Needless to say, the 1974 live version kind of rules.
My Dad, trapped (his words by the way, and by trapped he of course means having smug lunch in Whistler rather than in Vancouver today.) North of the rock slide on the Sea to Sky Highway sent me these cool 'rock paparazzi' images he took. He even had one of his snaps used by News 1130. Looks like it is still going to be some days before the road actually opens again. This would never happen in Beijing. [CBC]
So after a long wait, UVA's sister joint, Cibo Trattoria (900 Seymour St.) is in soft launch mode. Instead of cooking on the way home, I figured, why not check it out. It didn't disappoint. Sebastien Le Goff, Head of Operations, treated us like gold, as usual. His serving staff was good too., ours had no pretensions. The guy is amazing, seriously.
Let me break it down for you like this. The bruchetta with pea and fresh mozza was heavenly, that is until i tried the best damned focaccia I've had. just virgin olive oil on the side, and in two kinds. Just tell me I'm wrong. I know, its bread, get over it. Shut your face.
Anyway, the Salmon was excellent and perfectly cooked, while the pasta was the perfect portion size and my pasta was stuffed with pork and served with a crazy balsamic. i really don't want to talk about the desserts, since they kind of put me into a mild coma. I'm gonna go back in the next week to make sure, but so far so good.
Despite Sam Sullivan making last Friday X-Files day, the new movie, I want to Believe failed to make much of a splash at the box office. Or as Defamer recounts, "$10.2 million
Sadly, not every beloved franchise to return to the big screen after an extended absence was greeted with the enthusiasm of a Sex and the City, as the tepidly reviewed The X-Files: You Had Me Until The Anal-Probe Business failed to attract much more than the most ardent Scullyite fundamentalists."
Ouch-y. But, for the record, it was better than just a mediocre episode of the show. Come on, here are 5 bits of awesome to behold: 1. Scully had great hair. 2. Mulder's 1st act beard is glorious. 3. One word: Skinner 4. It feels very dark and snowy. 5. Mulder's hermit lifestyle is kind rad.
*The McDonald's 2008 Beijing Olympics inspired menu from some parts of the world: "Beijing Burger—a patty topped with chop suey and ginger sauce on a bun speckled with black and white sesame seeds—along with fried "rice sticks" in lieu of fries, and caramel-and-banana sundae instead of the McFlurry."
*Speaking of burgers, not only did that above link make me read a whole bunch about burgers (burger blogs, who knew?) it reminded me of my 19$ burger last week at Metro. I think it was the perfect sourdough bun that made it so damned good, but the patio helped too.
Can I just say, thank the maker for Mad Men Season 2 starting last night? I was like resorting to watching things like Greatest American Dog and the Brit-Hills, "Living on the Edge". As a side note, do they really need to subtitle it? That's kind of all sorts of ridiculousness. The fact that they translated the awkwardness of Lauren Conrad so perfectly is rad. Lets just say that this premiere coupled with the news that Sam Rami is going to do Evil Dead 4 plus season 4's trailer for The Hills kind of ruled.
Anyway, the season premiere, "For Those Who Think Young", didn't disappoint as the rush is on to think and create younger. I just wish Don Draper didn't make creative look so damned easy. (Watch the episode trailer here.) I only mention it really, to include a quote from Slate's Troy Patterson who writes, "Roasting this chestnut of theme, the show insists upon a seriousness that it sometimes even earns. It can resemble a tragic (or at least melodramatic) version of The Office from some angles, just as Hamm can—when facing the camera straight on and making a hyperbolically flat expression—look oddly similar to Steve Carell."
Totally not ashamed to share that I had a few Bud Light Limes while in Seattle this weekend. A. Didn't want to get scurvy since I consumed a lot of meat (not limited to, but including, prime rib, filet, lots of bacon, and even my pancakes had meat in them). God bless America. B. Ridiculous faux Irish pubs in a box featuring cover bands of U2 need ridiculous drinks in metal bottles to cope with the cheese. C. It was hot, sue me. D. Better than Corona, and I'll stick by that claim.
I'm not sure what shocks me more. That Matthew Sweet's 100% Fun album and single "Sick of Myself" is like 13 years old, or that his "Girlfriend" came out in 1991. Jesus. Almost positive that this makes me aged as I claim it is my favorite song called girlfriend - distant second to Avril's ridiculous song?
I know this is hours later. So hardly news. But seriously, how is it that on the first day there is a power outage, my building is in some sort of weird power eye of the storm where power has run non-stop? That is so unfair. I wanted my 'power snow day' damn it. [BC Hydro]
Flip-flops, available in a rainbow of colours for as little as a toonie, are the biggest cause of foot problems in the summer, says Vancouver podiatrist Dr. Roy Matthews. "The first thing we say is, 'get out of those flip-flops,'" he said Tuesday. "Flip-flops are meant for going to the beach, going to a pool, going to a barbecue. They're not meant for going for a long walk . . . They're not meant for wearing all day at work. Get a supportive sandal with cork in the arch if you want to wear an open shoe during the summer."
Thank baby Jesus. On Sunday Big Brother is back. That means, finally, three more nights of something on TV. Okay, for sure Hell's Kitchen was on tonight, and yes, I watched Top Chef (all hail Padma Lakshmi). But it's pretty bad when you end up watching drunk Hasslehoff on America's Got Talent.
Anyways, Dlisted breaks down what to expect, "CBS unveiled the cast of dick bags this morning. There's a gay cowboy, a blonde slut and some douche named Memphis." Furthermore, "I have already found my favorite. His name is Jerry and he's a real-life great pepaw from Texas! 75-year-old Jerry loses some points because in his bio he doesn't mention Werther's original, Metamucil or warm compresses. That being said, Grand Pepaw Jerry is going to win this bitch. Trust this."
Not sure Jerry is my horse in this race, but quite frankly how can you decide prior to episode 1 anyway?
4% sales declines piled on and caused Starbucks stock to close 61 cents lower. You saw during the day its lowest price in over a year. Now, when you only get a grande drip coffee does that hurt the green lady? But at least the comic ubiquity of the brand is alive and well.
More pundits get in on the action with where the brand might have jumped the shark. [Starbucks Gossip]
What exactly does it say about today, and me, that at 7:59, I can't decide between watching Return of the Jedi on Spike or The Bachelorette. Is it really that bad? Then again it could have been the 9 sets of flip flops I saw at Nester's at about 7:45 (I'd put that at about a 80% flip flop rate).
*Pretty sure that gas prices or no, the idea of a "staycation" is ridiculous and lame.
*NBC has bought the Weather Channel. Gawker reports, "Imagine the cross-promotional possibilities that will emerge as global warming engulfs both coasts, and their advertiser-coveted demographics, in slow but steady ruin!"
*TV spots for the Smirnoff Cocktail product have been flowing like the Fraser. These are properly mixed cocktails. These are drinks that take the guesswork and FUN out of drinking them. Bravo. [The Spirit World]
*50 Things That are being affected/blamed on rising oil prices. Bacon could be getting more expensive, kind of all you need to know. [Wall Street Journal]
This news is a week old. But it is still rad. Not sure how I missed this kind of awesome bit of nature as a lion out at the Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove chowed down hard on a golden eagle. Ah, mother nature you glorious bastard. Honest to god, eagle meat, can you imagine? I know, I'm gross. [CBC]
Photograph by Pablo Su Photography (www.pablosuphotography.com)
Does Kanye West do the impossible? Simultaneously putting nail in coffin of viral video and the marking the high water mark for trendy vodka? Can you be over something like 'vodka'? Clearly.
So the "rebuilding" of the Canucks is in full force tonight kids. Captain Markus Naslund is headed to the Big Apple to play for the Rangers.
"The franchise leader in goals and points for the Vancouver Canucks is heading to the New York Rangers. New York signed unrestricted free agent Markus Naslund on Thursday to a two-year deal. Naslund, who turns 35 on July 20, has spent the last 12 seasons with the Canucks, seven as team captain." [CBC]
For context and fan reaction on this story, we turn to the internets, and the comments section on an article at the Nanaimo Daily News:
"~ WOW !!!! the canucks are done. Brendan Morrison will be gone to. Sundin NOT i repeat is NOT going to sign with us either. I'll put money on it he going to end up in NY with his ":sweed" brother NAZI. Gillis- give your head a shake and get the hell out of Vancouver before you burn the organization to the ground... ooops you already have. Whats next move the Canucks to Oklahoma City like the sonics??????"
Um, wait, Nazi? I hate those guys. Oh, wait, it's supposed to be "Nazzy". Awkward. Hilarious. For more coverage head over to Orland Kurtenblog where they are starting with "Top 10 Consequences of the Markus Naslund Departure" (No. 9: YouTube flooded with Markus Naslund tributes using Sarah McLachlan's "I Will Remember You.")
PS: This new General Manager Mike Gillis is kind of amazing. And clearly evil. The force is stong with this one.
Honestly, I had no intention of writing about Kung Fu Panda when I woke up this morning. Then a friend in a bar after work said the following:
"Kung Fu Panda is the film of the year."
My initial response was, I'm going to smash my beer bottle in your face (I know, rage issues). But then, I decided that I wasn't sure I'd seen any movie to challenge that ridiculous. But what if I told you I didn't like Panda bears? Is that wrong? Thoughts? That is all.
"One of the amazing things about golf is how many people have been fooled into believing it is actually a real sport. All over the world people now talk and think about golf as if it's more like football or basketball than, say, bird- watching." - Michael Lewis.
Is it bad that this clip of Hellboy on Inside the Actor's Studio making me want to see the movie more than the previously panned without seeing Hancock?
Will this news make Steve Jobs lose his freaking mind? Lets see. When asked BlackBerry or iPhone Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers replied in the new issue of Vanity Fair, “BlackBerry. I had the iPhone for a little while, but I’m more of a businessman; I wanted to have a phone where I could really actually do things.”
What a burn. If you've lost the Jonas Brothers, haven't you lost like everyone under 20 or something? Seriously, did you see Camp Rock? Um, i mean...
For me, the blackberry is my least favorite thing about my job and I have an LG flip phone circa 2002 with the entire alphabet. Its kind of the best phone ever. I'm so far behind I think I'm first. Take further evidence of the fact that I am still rocking an iPod Mini circa 2005. But who needs all this stuff on their phones? Seriously, I saw a cashier at Nestors last night with a Blackberry. For real? What's that about? If you don't check your email during your cashier shift what the heck is going to go down? Is he solving Mid-East peace in spare time? Get real. I'd say the same thing about getting an iPhone.
I mean its not like those people who insist on carrying around their iPhone and Blackberry at the same time to the same meeting. Seriously, that's just a poke in the eye to me, jerk faces. it really is. I'm glad Mr. Jonas took a stand against the iPhone. Is this a tipping point? Discuss.
The annual Will Smith summer movie opened today (technically yesterday) with Hancock. "A hard-living superhero who has fallen out of favor with the public enters into a questionable relationship with the wife of the public relations professional who's trying to repair his image." Okay, drunk superhero in need of some bottom feeding media relations work. Got it. Oh, and Jason Bateman makes the movie practically must see anyway.
And lets be clear, Will Smith is like the 'King' of 4th of July weekend so he's so supposed to eat the box office. Sure, P. Diddy loves it but will it be any good. Defamer asks if Hancock will be half-cocked and then drops this bomb, "It managed to scare up a scant 34% at Rotten Tomatoes and that's only slightly better than Drillbit Taylor!". Ouch. But it's Jeffrey Wells who really spoils the fun over at Hollywood Elsewhere:
"Hancock is a cloddy but decent-enough thing at first but then -- wait for it -- it shoots itself right in the face with a .44 Magnum. It does this at the two-thirds mark with (a) an astoundingly ridiculous plot turn, (b) a totally absurd abandonment of logical behavior concerning a certain character, (c) an introduction of a tediously loathsome fat-faced villain who does nothing but bring everyone down and spoil the vibe, and (d) a ludicrous (and suddenly introduced) back-story dependency that is ridiculous in its complexity and certainly makes no rudimentary sense."
An even bigger mystery than Will Smith's Scientology school of xenus robots or whatever he's cooking up with Tom Cruise, is how Charlize Theron has been almost absent from any marketing of the film. Is she Hancock's secret love interest? Does she has super powers also?
So will I actually see it: Maybe when it hits cheap daytime prices and no crowds at the Granville 7.
Meanwhile I can report that the blended lemonade drink I had today was damned refreshing and way better than the coma inducing mint-mocha frappachino awesome I had yesterday. But here's a quick question, my barista had a mohawk today? Doesn't Starbucks stamp out that kind of faux individualism in employees? At least that's what I always prided my purchases on. You've changed big boy. Then again, someone was walking around my office in a shirt seeming to praise Mao, so what do I know.
Yes. I know its July. Yes. I know it was actually summery today. Yes. I was "over" hockey blogging. But seriously, what is with the news that the Canucks have offered 37-year-old Mats Sundin $20 million over 2-years to play. That's more than the top scorers in the league. Can you say Nuke-The-Fridge? [CBC]
*That there is a song called 'The Village Green Preservation Society" (via Smodcast)
*That you can make anything into bacon. Had octopus bacon at C Restaurant last Saturday. It was amazing wrapped around scallops that were super sized. Also, they have the best sourdough bread I've tasted, like ever.
*That Shakespeare can be twice as hilarious with crotch shots. Doubly so with fart jokes. Seriously, two crotch shots in this year's Bard on the Beach rendition of Twelfth Night. It was damned good. Particularly the guy who reminded me of Buster from Arrested Development. Trust me.
*That Stephen Spielberg is making video games with EA. Boom Blox.
*That at Benziger wines they have the following positions listed as part of their wine growing team: Executive Winemaker, Director of Winemaking, V.P. of Winegrowing and Director of Gardens. Also, their 2006 Sauvignon Blanc is decent on a patio night at Glowbal.
*That Lego has a secret vault which contains a wrapped version of every set they have ever created. [Gizmodo]
*That X-Files regular Cigarette Smoking Man (William B. Davis) recently starred in an episode of NBC's Fear Itself playing priest. It was not filmed in Vancouver. It was filmed in Edmonton.
Seriously, how did Gordon Campbell and the Liberal government not think about just saving the polar bears with some sort of cute bombs rather than the lame carbon tax. Too easy, right?
Huzzah to us. It's Canada's birthday and today to honor our nation's birthday, we celebrate day one of the carbon tax and $1.50/L gasoline! Yay us! [Globe and Mail]
To do my part I spent my rebate on dvd's and video games. Take that Gordo! There's probably more damage from the packaging than from the carbon. What I really like to see is that three out of five in B.C. oppose the tax, which pretty much confirms to me that at least two thirds of those are total "green imposters". Which, I have to say, kind of warms me a little.
I think the best thing I have heard yet about the carbon tax rebate ridiculousness was something like this:
"I'm going to go fill up some jerry cans with $100 worth of gasoline and light them on fire to celebrate."
