Jest grudzień, a ja zachorowałam na jesienną grypę. Jednak wszystkie ważne eventy muzyczne z wpisu poniższego (i nie tylko) zaliczone, do wady słuchu jakieś +20pkt. Zdjęć nie będzie, bo za dobrze się bawiłam. Mam jedynie  skrawki z człowieka aka chodzący lolek (czytaj Freeman, którego zresztą serdecznie pozdrawiam). Obiecuję, że jak stanę się powrotnie osobą posiadającą aparat oraz zdrowie, to wezmę się do roboty i zrealizuję kilka zaległych sesyjnych terminów.

Tymczasem zapraszam was do galeri mojej zacnej siostry:  klik

Na koniec zachęcam odpalić jako kompana na szary wieczór:

Chill and bass, robaczki.

Hot on the heels of Woolworth’s announced entrance into the Australian hardware retailing space, it would seem that fellow grocery player Metcash wants to follow suit.

Metcash, who run all the back-office (and sales and marketing) for the independent supermarkets group IGA has launched a bid for Mitre 10, a cooperative group of over 400 hardware stores.

This would mean the three largest supermarket brands, Coles, Woolworths and IGA would now be the dominant players in the Australian hardware market.

In a strategic sense, this opens a significant likelihood of an outcome referred to as mutual forbearance. This has been defined as

“tacit collusion as a consequence of firms competing in many markets and the resulting increase in their interdependence” (Jayachandran, Gimeno & Varadarajan, 1999: 51 as cited here)

Put simply, operating in to parallel competitive spaces means these firms may well realise the futility of excessive competition and seek some stable détente (a.k.a. a Mexican standoff).

It will be interesting to what the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have to say about this one (although it is hard once the horse has bolted).

I attempt to get all my grocery needs in one monthly shop,  because I despise grocery shopping,    So I decided on IGA at Waterloo Sydney to pick up some milk.  The rest are ‘impulse’ buys or things I could recall on my list at home.  Truthfully only the tomatoes and cucumbers were on the list.  I really prefer the 3L bottles of milk as we go through a lot of milk.

Kellogs Special K 360g  $3.79

Mrs Brunt’s waffles 6 pack 2 x @ $4.25 ea

2 x 2 L Daisy Lite milk @ $2.79 ea

De Costi fresh cooked peeled prawns 325g $12.01

Cucumber 525g @ $5.49 kg

Trussed tomatoes  @ $8.25 / kg = $5.26

We cleared the final pre-transplant hurdle today.  During the Summer, Alex had a Thallium Isotope test to check out his heart and it came back with an indication that there was some damage.  The test “revealed” that part of his heart was not receiving oxygen.  This could have been a major setback.  However, the Doctors felt that the test was “inaccurate” due to a number of things:

a) They had to use Thallium instead of Molybdenum (thank you AECL!)
b) he had just come out of ICU
c) his body was going a little nutso trying to heal itself

His Cardiologist also said that if the test had been correct and that his heart was as damaged as it “appeared” to be, he would have had to have been treated for it already or would have been dead.  So, we had a strong indication that the test was incorrect.

He was sent to St. Mike’s today to undergo a Cardio Chemical Stress Test.  Basically this means that they fill him full of drugs to make his heart think he’s running on a treadmill when he’s really not.  They said there might be some complications.  Here’s how his day went:

• We got there at 1:00.
• His test was booked for 2:00.
• They took him in close to 2:30.
• Around 3:30 the Doctor came to tell me they couldn’t get the IV in.  (Lately Alex has had problems with his veins, the needles tend to go right through instead of into.  They are very fragile.  Four different Doctors jabbed him trying to find a vein.  They had to page the Phlebotomist and ten seconds after she appeared, she had the IV hooked up.)
• They finally pumped him full of drugs, the first to get his heart rate up and the second to get it “excited”.
• His blood pressure shot up to 240/170.  Normal is 120/80. 
• He got a splitting headache, which he equated to the pain I had when I had the “stroke” (Eclampsia) after Lexy was born and the blood vessels in my brain ruptured.  If that’s the case, I’m so sorry honey that must really hurt.
• He said as soon as the drugs went into his body and he could feel the rapid beat of his heart, it felt like someone was banging a drum with a sledgehammer inside his head to the same rhythm as his heart.
• It took him twice as long as normal to recover from this test.
• We finally left after 5:00 (this was only supposed to take an hour, it took four).  Thank goodness I had my iPod with me (I watched “Coraline“, played countless games of Gin and Euchre while listening to a lot of music!).
• I thought he was going to pass out on the train platform.  At one point, his eyes rolled upward and his eyelids closed, he was pale, in excruciating pain and just wanted to be in bed.  I so wish he didn’t have to go through this.

The good news is that the Cardiologist said that he is going to recommend that they proceed with the Transplant.  They just want to get his blood pressure stable first, as it’s still high but normal for him (150/90 range constantly).  The test today was our last hurdle.  His Dad has been cleared as a donor.  Alex is being cleared as we speak.

Maybe Christmas is really coming.

I have been reading a blog that I found when trying to find some more information on Kidney Transplants.  It is called My New (Transplanted) Kidney.  It is written by a man named Allan who lives in British Columbia.  He found out he had Polycystic Kidney Disease and was about a year away from Dialysis.  His Brother-in-law donated his kidney in a kidney swap and this in turn gave Allan a new kidney this past July.  It’s a pretty scary (as in learning the real truth) blog site, but it has been an eye opener.  The thing I really like about it is that he holds nothing (and I really do mean nothing) back.  He writes what is “numbers” are at each blood test.  He showed a picture of his incision site.  It is really informative and helpful.  It helps to see what we will and could be facing.  Thanks Al for your blog, please keep it up if you are able.  I wish you the best in your recovery.

Kudos to Al’s Brother-in-Law for his altruistic, selfless act.

Kudos to Alex’s Dad for the same reason.

Kudos to everyone who has (or will) donated an organ.  Organ donations save lives.  Please support the green ribbon campaign.  Please sign your donor card.

That’s right, a stupid cup of coffee has forever changed our industry and you don’t even realize it….or do you? I am sure you are asking yourself, what does he mean by this? Are you ready for this? I mean really ready to read the truth?

As you may be aware, trade shows rely on sponsors to offset the cost of things such as printed materials, cocktail receptions and you guessed it, coffee breaks. What you may not be aware of is the special treatment these sponsors receive in return. Don’t get me wrong, this happens all of the time and to a degree, the sponsors do expect some favoritism but they should never expect unilateral bias. I’m talking bias in the media, discussion boards, industry organizations and so on.

There are plenty of great companies and individuals who attend and exhibit at these trade flops (I’m just too witty!) who don’t believe in “greasing the wheel” but others take no shame in doing so. Right now you are probably saying to yourself, this guy is just angry or jealous that he didn’t do the same but this is where you are dead wrong. Before I dose you with reality, let me paint the picture for you.

• Every AGRR trade flop has had the same format in the last 10 years – no joking here. Panels and speakers on Steering, NAGS, Internet Marketing, Sales Training, Air Bag Demonstrations – Apply, Rinse, Repeat! See where I am going with this?

Attendees spend, on average, $1200 to attend these flops while the poor exhibitors spend well in to the thousands in both travel and booth related costs. Shouldn’t both get more for their money?

And speaking of money, where does all of that money go? Does the association(s) see any? No. Does the money go towards the establishment of standards or committees to establish standards? No. Then where does the money go? Most likely to the organization managing the spectacle!

Back to the bias real quick. The greaseballs as I will call them, serve you up a hot cup of coffee with a smile and in return they get to keep their competitors and related messages out of your reach. All you get is one side of the story and since the money isn’t flowing into the right areas from these shows or organizations, the status-quo is allowed to thrive. Wait, by thrive I mean slowly kill this industry! Do you really think social networks like Twitter and Facebook are going to save you? Dave does!

Ok, back to the trade flop for a moment. Check this out and then ask yourself, why have we let this continue for so long?!

• Average booth space runs for $2250. Multiply that by the average 13 exhibitors and they gross $29,250.00.

Wait a minute though, 13 companies on average exhibit? But they always list a bunch (116 to be exact) of previous exhibitors so why only a baker’s dozen? The economy? No, wait a minute, the swine…err H1N1! Don’t even get me started with this lame excuse floated by management this past spring at the IGA show. Still, almost $30k in just booth space is pulled in; whereas, the show net for this should be around $20-22K.

• Let’s say, and I’ll be nice, that 40 people suckers register and they pay $199 for the unfortunate “privilege” (they actual write that in the flyer) to sit through the Apply, Rinse, Repeat.

Here you have another $8k of which the show net should be around $4k.

• Now, what would a trade flop be without a room special? I’ll tell you what it would be, Queen Bee without her comped room and managers fruit basket. Oh, and if the block sells out, certain items like ballrooms and meeting rooms get comped or come with very reduced rates! Book early to keep the hive happy.

There are some other areas where money is made, not to mention the indirect media commitments and in all, a single trade flop should net $25-28k if managed and negotiated correctly. After you take away a modest management fee (30%), the industry association should be receiving about $17.5-20k. Do you think they are – NO. How do we let this happen? Why do we allow the wrong people and organizations control our now and then?

Look at the IGA for a moment. Go back in time and look at what you got at these trade flops and you’ll just have to laugh but cry at the same time!

• 2003 – https://www.billspro.com/order/iga/pdf/IG03-w.pdf
• 2004 – http://www.usglassmag.com/AGRR/Backissues/2004/0404/igashow.htm
• 2005 – Held in Orlando in conjunction with the IWFA. BOMB
• 2006 – Oh, let’s combine this mess with NACE. Hello 18 people!
• 2007 – Vegas May snore in conjunction with the  AGA. A high school gym would have been a better venue! http://www.americasglassassn.org/pdfs/aga_brochure07.pdf
• 2007 – NACE again and maybe 3 more people show up. The seminars had the same 24 people day after day and no Molloy group guy, I can answer my phone just fine!
• 2008 – Back to the Vegas crack den!
• 2008 – NACE again and I think 3 people went out of business who attended the previous year. Guess they couldn’t answer their phones or their Internet marketing sucked.
• 2009 – BFE, Florida. No one showed because of the swine flu. Ha!
• 2009 – NACE again and all I saw was the same 20 people again along with a few old faces who run TPA’s now. Uh oh, what are they doing here?

What I am getting at here is we need to stop this crap now. We need to take back control and start over. Greed allowed total deconstruction of our industry, community and our identities. Shame on us, so let’s clean this up boys and girls.

I can’t wait for my next blog because I will call out the “industry  management” year by year and put their achievements high on the pedestal or mantel, your choice. Nah, I say we post them in effigy!

Fed up but truly yours,
Junius 1772

byłyśmy dzisiaj z Majką u Sylwii zobaczyć małą kotkę Igę:) Była Sylwia , Jadzia , Aurelka , Maja ,ja , Iga oczywiście i delicje a to kilka obrazków z tego fajnego przedpołudnia
sylwia : ” zaraz wsadzę Ci ten aparat w D…:D “
inrygująca zabawka tak wiem głodnemu chleb na myśli
heh pomoc dydaktyczna przy odpowiadaniu na pytanie ” z kąd się biorą dzieci “

Giant Buddha at Todaiji Temple, Nara

So far I’ve spent a lot of time talking about what there is to do in Osaka, but this time I want to give a quick overview of places that can be visited as day trips from Osaka. It is, in fact, the perfect city for this, because of its central location and its function as a transportation hub for the Kansai area.

The obvious destination is Kyoto, which is by far the most popular tourist destination in Japan among both domestic and international tourists. Then is nearby Nara (the imperial capital  from 710-794, before it moved to Kyoto), which like Kyoto is home to a number of famous temples and shrines including Todaiji, Koryuji, and Kasuga Taisha. I prefer Nara over Kyoto because it feels more genuine and is not as crowded. Kobe is known as a pleasant, cosmopolitan city with an international feel–I recommend the waterfront Meriken Park, which is a romantic hot spot at night. Then there’s Himeji, with its soaring castle that is more famous and impressive than any other in the country.

Wakaura Tenmangu Shrine, Wakayama City

If you’re looking for something new, why not try Wakayama City? It has a number of gorgeous old temples, some great food, and lovely beaches and hot spring areas. Iga, one of the two great ninja towns of Japan (the other being Koga in Shiga Prefecture), is located in Nara Prefecture and features a ninja museum that you’re sure to get a kick out of. Kumano Kodo, a pilgrimage route that has been celebrated since ancient times, has recently become popular after being named as Japan’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Yoshino is famous for its autumn colors and spring cherry blossoms, and also has a number of lovely old ryokan and baths. Further east is Ise Shrine (in eastern Mie Prefecture), the most important Shinto shrine in Japan. It is connected to the imperial family, and it has been rebuilt every 20 years on alternating lots using the same architecture and materials since the beginning of Japan as a unified civilization.

Ninja train, Iga

Yes, there are even ninjas inside the ninja train.

Heading north from Osaka, you will find Uji, which is famous for it matcha powdered green tea, and also for Byodoin, a graceful temple that is meant to be an earthly re-creation of the Buddhist paradise (you can find it pictured on the ten yen coin). Fushimi-Inari Shrine is a complex winding its way up a mountainside, featuring paths lined with thousands of bright-orange torii gates that create an impressive tunnel-like effect. The Lake Biwa area is also a treasure trove of great places to see and delicious foods to eat (read about my journey around the lake here).

There are more options available, but the places listed above are all great destinations for day or weekend trips out of the city. With the autumn leaves reaching their colorful peak, now is the perfect time to experience the many faces of the Kansai region.

I spent the day driving around the Iga/Ueno and Shigaraki area. I first stumbled on a guy firing a kiln while his father looked on. He was firing without any temperature reading devices. I felt much better about the condition of my kiln after seeing the condition of his kiln and  chimney. There are also pictures of his father’s work.

The second place I went is to a guy named Kyono. He does Bizen type work. The pictures are of his house. All the wood is black from smoke from a wood burning stove.

The girls and I got vaccinated this afternoon.  We went to my Doctor’s office at 1:00 and we were out by 1:05.  Much more civilized that having to wait in line at the clinic.  We were very fortunate  and thankful that our Doctor was providing this service.

So far, to dispel more rumours:

a) My head hasn’t fallen off.
b) I’m not walking/talking backwards.
c) I did not feel the needle (I actually felt the cotton swab of alcohol more than I felt the shot).
d) I did not feel the fluid entering my system.  There was no pain.  The vaccine was not thicker than normal.
e) I did not get dizzy.

I’m also fairly confident that the Government did not put any mind controlling drugs into the shot.

For those of you who haven’t heard about our situation either personally or through this blog, the reason we chose to get the shot for our family is simple.  My Husband has a compromised immune system.  He is in the high-risk catetgory.  He could die if he caught the H1N1 Flu.  I’m in a position to prevent transmission of this virus to him, as are my children. 

It has nothing to do with the mass hysteria that is currently encompassing the world.  It is a simple matter of choice.  I choose to keep my family safe.  I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.  I don’t think it makes me a bad parent.  I think what would make me a bad parent is if I didn’t take the health and welfare of my children seriously.  I have it within my power to protect those who are closest to me.  It is my right. 

One thing we have in this wonderful country is the freedom to choose.  My choice was to vaccinate.  I respect others’ decisions to not vaccinate.  It’s your choice. 

I am reminded of a line in one of my very favourite movies:  Choose wisely.

We’re off to the hospital in a few minutes.  Alex is having his PD Catheter removed because the silly thing never worked and it got infected.  They want him healed before he has the transplant.

Tomorrow I’m taking the kids to the Doctor’s office to get their H1N1 shots.  My doctor is holding a ‘clinic’ for his patients only on Wednesday (for high risk) and Saturday for the rest of us.  I’ll go on Saturday.  I’ll likely have to bring the kids too because Alex has Dialysis on Saturdays and Lord knows how long we’ll be at the office.

My Sitter’s daughter is really sick, fever, sore neck – don’t think it’s H1N1 but I’m kind of worried about her being there with the wee ones running around … She even has one of the babies sleeping in the sick girl’s room … eek.

Other than that it’s been three days I think since I’ve last visited Facebook.  Apparently that’s the right amount of time to get over an addiction.  I no longer think about having to check it all the time.  Finally some peace.

Caity’s sleeping in her big girl bed now, has been for the past two nights.  On Sunday night, we couldn’t wipe the smile off her face, she was so proud and happy to be in the bed.  It was very cute, seeing her all snuggled, clutching her blankets to her face, smiling.  She looked so little in the single bed, like a little baby in a crib.  My baby’s growing up – she’ll be three in February.  Eeek!

Lexy has decided that since Caity has a new bed, she wants one too.  She tried to tell me that she’s nearly outgrown her current single bed (not likely).  She said “look Mommy, my feet almost touch the bottom” … yeah almost touch the bottom in another two feet … nice try kid.  You’re keeping that bed for a bit.  At least until we get enough money to buy you a proper bedroom set.

Witamy wszystkich wielbicieli wspaniałego ciała Igi Wyrwał. W tym wpisie znajdziecie zdjęcia nagiej Igi Wyrwał. Jesteśmy przekonani, że każdy miłośnik jej ciała będzie usatysfakcjonowany jej wszystkimi walorami.

Zapraszamy zatem do zapoznania się z galerią gołej Igi Wyrwał.

I received this email in my inbox this morning.  Last year when a co-worker’s infant son passed away, I made a donation in his name to the Sunnybrook Foundation and I guess I’m still on their mailing list.  I’m kind of glad I am.   Printed in its entirety, as I received it:

“Dear Sunnybrook supporter,

The shear volume of, and sometimes conflicting, information about H1N1 that you’re receiving through the media may be leaving you a bit confused about what to do next.  We can help you.

Dr. Mary Vearncombe, the medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at Sunnybrook, has some straightforward and simple advice for you. She gave a public presentation on the subject last week at Sunnybrook. If you missed it, or if you’d like to see it again, we have posted it online so you can view it in the comfort of your home or office.

Topics covered include:

• What is a pandemic and why is it causing so much stress?
• What are the symptoms of H1N1?
• Who is most likely to get sick?
• When is it time to call a doctor?
• Who should get a vaccination, and when?
• How you can protect yourself and your loved ones?
• Behind the scenes planning at Sunnybrook

 The video presentation can be viewed here.  Just click on the title “H1N1 and You.”  You can use the controls to watch the presentation at your own pace.

 For Sunnybrook breaking news on H1N1, visit our website.

 Please note that Dr. Vearncombe’s presentation was made possible thanks to Roche Pharmaceuticals, whom Sunnybrook thanks for its support.

 Sincerely,

 Kevin Goldthorp

CEO

Sunnybrook Foundation”

I’ve heard arguments from both sides of the fence.  My daycare lady was waffling because she said the last time she got a flu shot, she got really sick with the flu.  I reminded her that she works with little kids.  She did some research and decided to get the shot.  We’re getting the H1N1 shot and the Seasonal Flu shot too.

I hope the link to the presentation above will help you come to an informed opinion.  The only thing scarier, in my mind than getting the H1N1 shot, is not getting it.

I’m interested in hearing your opinion on why you would or would not get the shot.  We’re still waiting to hear if Alex should get it.  “They” recommend overall that people with renal issues should get the vaccination, but the clinic where he has his dialysis done are waffling. 

Alex’s PD Catheter has become infected at the exit site so they moved his surgery to remove it up to next Tuesday (from mid-November).  It will be so much better for him without that thing there.  It hasn’t worked since they put it in for whatever reason.  It’s too bad he had to go through that in the first place, all the pain and suffering.  It held such promise though, the promise of an easier lifestyle. 

Now we’re waiting for the transplant, which if all goes well with the final tests the surgery could take place in the early new year … keep your fingers crossed and your good wishes coming – they seem to have helped

I FINALLY FOUND IT!!! I may have not blogged about this before but I went through a period of time where I craved for gan mien soooo much so I googled up recipes for kolo mee and well, guess what I found!!! The heavenly kolo mee recipe by studentonabudget!!! My gosh I was soooo excited, so happy, so touched (‘cos finally can eat gan mien in Australia T_T), so emo etc wtf.

BUT! I was basically thrown back to hell after being in heaven for that few minutes – because I found out that I’d need lard for the ingredients. And no, I can’t substitute it for any other oil/animal fat/vegetable fat/whatever ‘cos it just won’t taste the same!

At first I was hopeful. I thought I’d be able to find them as long as my will is strong and my heart is determined (wtf). But most of the supermarkets I visited disappointed me. Well, I found duck fat and ducks are not pigs are they. =( So I thought oh well, maybe I’ll have to try oriental stores instead since Asians are more likely to cook & consume unhealthy food compared to the angmohs, hahahaha. But everytime I asked the owners of the stores if they sell lard, they look at me like I’m a crazy woman asking if they sell cow dung

In the end, I had NO CHOICE but to buy a block of animal fat from the supermarket WTFFFF. The result of my first gan mien attempt? FAIL. I think the animal fat was a mixture of lamb fat/duck fat/chicken fat/pork fat that I felt sick at just the thought of it. But I finished my plate nonetheless. /digs throat and vomits

Several months later…… I was browsing through the cheese and dips area in IGA one evening and suddenly, my instincts told me to look at the 38th item from the left on the top row and I just couldn’t believe my eyes ‘cos the 4 sweet letters on that white innocent tub spelt L-A-R-D.

This time, the dish tasted sooooooo much better although I still can’t find the perfect noodles to imitate the real thing.

Gan mien lovers overseas or in Semenanjung who crave for a bowl of goodness now should IMMEDIATELY RUSH OUT TO GET YOUR TUB OF LARD AND START COOKING!

A zillion thanks to studentonabudget once again!

I love my lard.

This morning residents of Long Bay and the adjoining Grace Bay Road were awakened to sound of rakes brooms and shouts of encouragement from members of the IGA Superstores who participated in a cleanup exercise.

Sorry I haven’t written in a bit, been a lot going on lately.  Last Thursday was my husband’s 30th birthday.  I don’t think he was particularly looking forward to the great event.  I tried to surprise him by taking him to Dave and Busters with our friends Candace, Greg and Sib, but he claims he “knew”.  I think he knew something was up, I mean how could I forget his big birthday?  Why on earth would I want to go to the Bass Pro Shop (that’s the line of bull I fed him)?  I can’t imagine this is what he thought it was though.  Our other friends (Scott & Jessi, Brian & Sophie and Paul & Kelly) were waiting for us when we got there and it was so nice to see everyone.  Some of our group couldn’t be there because they were working, but they were thought of nonetheless.  We hadn’t been together in a long time, too long I think.  It was a wonderful night, good conversation, lots of games and too much to eat and drink!  By the way Paul, where is my Stella glass??

On Saturday, Alex and I will have been together for ten years.  A huge milestone, especially when you consider that the longest relationship I had prior to meeting Alex lasted a total of 8 months …

In those ten years:

• We’ve had two beautiful babies.
• We’ve bought a house together.
• We got married.
• We’ve loved.
• We’ve cried.
• We’ve laughed.
• Most of our friends have careers.
• Most of our friends had either gotten married or engaged.
• Most of our friends now have children.
• Most of our friends have homes of their own.
• Most of our friends have just turned/will soon turn 30.  1979 was a popular year!

In other words, we’ve grown up.

In those ten years, I finally learned what our friends’ real names were (having being introduced and only ever referred to by a nickname:  Bear, Sib, Shrigs, Suddes, Whopper, Fox).

The best part of the last ten years is that no matter what happens, no matter how long it’s been since we’ve seen each other last – if you really need them, they will be there for you.  They truly are friends and they’ve never shown it more than over these past few months that we’ve been dealing with Alex’s illness.  Thanks again everyone!

I have a good husband.  He is an amazing father.  Our children adore him, as do I – even when he’s bad

*I let Alex read this post and his only comment:  “I’m never bad” … my reaction:  pfffttt!*

Heute möchte ich Ihnen, das letzte Aquarell vorstellen, welches nach unserem Besuch bei der Licht Klang Nacht im IGA Park Rostock in diesem Jahr entstanden ist. Im Museumshafen beim Traditionsschiff schwimmt der Kran “Langer Heinrich” auf der Warnow und gab mit den Lichtern am anderen Warnowufer ein interessantes Motiv in der Nacht. Solche Motive in Aquarell waren absolutes Neuland für mich, aber auch für viele Betrachter.

Langer Heinrich

Für Fotofreunde in Rostock gibt es am 06. und 07. November die nächste Chance illuminierte Motive zu finden, denn die Rostocker Stadtwerke organisieren die 8. Rostocker Lichtwoche in der Innenstadt.

Let me tell you- my niece, Ashley and I have been loving flavored honey sticks. My personal favorite is lemon. But the watermelon, cherry, and raspberry are equally as yummy. Plus, they make a great little, healthy treat.

Click here to purchase all your favorite flavors from Marshall’s Farm, $15 for 50

Ich hatte Ihnen in den vergangenen Tagen von der Licht Klang Nacht im Rostocker IGA Park berichtet. Was wirklich Klasse war, war die Illuminisierung des Museumshafen und des Traditionsschiffes. Hierbei waren der alte Dampfschlepper Saturn und der Lange Heinrich als Kran in einem ganz besonderen Licht zu sehen….

Schlepper im besonderen Licht

He had one job to do tonight.  One.  I even made it easy for him.  I went to see the Symphony with Michael Burgess tonight (more on that in a bit) and I set up the recorder to ‘tape’ three shows for me, “Flash Forward”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice”.

I told him, just turn the TV to Channel 18 by 8:00.

“OK”.  He said.  “Put the reminder on the channel”.

I did.

I called him after dinner tonight.  Don’t forget to change the channel.  “OK” he said.

I called him before the concert started at 7:30.  Don’t forget to put the correct channel on for me.  “OK” he said.

I get home from the concert, he comes up stairs looking rather sheepish.  “I think I recorded the hockey game”.

“Pardon?”

“Yeah, Greg called just when it started and I forgot.”

“I gave you one job.”  I said, miffed.  That’s it, no more UFC recordings for him … *sigh*  Seriously honey, one job …

Time to get a PVR… 

——————

Back to my earlier comment.  I had a fabulous night tonight, it was so great to get out.  One of my favourite tenors, Michael Burgess was singing with the Ontario Philharmonic Orchestra.  He did a selection of music, mostly from Andrew Lloyd Webber, and it was fantastic.  The Symphony was amazing, our seats were amazing (thank you Jacqui!) and I even got to meet him after the show and received my very own autographed photo

The first act was awesome, Michael came on after the Symphony played a selection of songs from “West Side Story“.  So good.  I love the score from this musical.  The Symphony also played Gershwin’s “An American in Paris“, which was great too but I’m not familiar with the music.  Some of my favourites also were the selection of Beatles music.  Who knew that music from four guys with guitars and drums would translate so magnificently into a fully orchestral piece?  Awesome.

The best, however, was saved for last when Michael sang from “The Phantom of the Opera”.  His rendition of “Music of the Night” was powerful, his voice filled the theatre – an incredible range of deep tenor and soft falsetto.  His version of Gethsemane from “Jesus Christ Superstar” was inspiring.

But oh. my. god. when he sang “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables, I was in tears – practically from the first note.  I’ve seen Les Miz about ten times, seriously.  It’s what I measure all other musicals against, to me it’s sublime perfection.  I know every word, every note from that play intimately, but I had forgotten how powerful that song was.  The words made me think about my husband “Bring him peace, bring him joy, he is young, he is only a boy”, the prayer a “father” makes to save his dying “son” (althogh Marijus wasn’t Jean Valjean’s son), thinking of all the things my husband is going through – I lost it.  I was sobbing.  Unashamedly.  My friend Elizabeth, who joined me for the evening, knows what I’m like and she was dreading the song for this reason.  Her friend, reduced to a pile of jello.

Tomorrow night’s performance is sold out, which is fantastic for the Symphony (who apparently are homeless by the way – kind of a wandering minstrel they are).  For those of you going to tomorrow’s performance, enjoy, it’s fabulous.  Michael could have probably sold out many more shows if given the opportunity.

I’m thinking of getting more tickets to later performances, they were so wonderful – and local too (Markham and Sheppard).  They have Welsh Tenors coming up and some other amazing guest musicians.  Go see them, you won’t be sorry.  If you want to know more about their upcoming shows, go to www.ontariophil.ca.

Hari ini, saya berjalan-jalan ke PIK (Pantai Indah Kapuk). Setelah puas melihat- lihat perumahan di sana, saya bersama keluarga berhenti di sebuah tempat makan bernama “warung tekko”. Letaknya cukup strategis karena berjarak sangat dekat dari waterboom. Di sebelahnya juga ada beberapa tempat makan lainnya.

Warung tekko ini mempunyai spesialisasi di iga. Kami pun memesan iga goreng dengan sambal, dan iga goreng dengan kuah kacang. Tak lupa untuk pelengkapnya gurame goreng dan kangkung.

Untuk iganya, saya rasa rasanya cukup memuaskan. Untuk penggemar pedas, pilihlah yang pedas, karena kalau tidak sambalnya lebih terasa manis. Untuk yang menggunakan saos kacang, rasanya tidak kalah enak. Harganya cukup terjangkau yaitu hanya 25 ribu per porsi. Hanya saja untuk porsi kangkung bener-bener seperti “edisi terbatas”.

Jika anda masih merasa kurang, anda pun dapat berjalan-jalan disekitar sana dan membeli jajanan ringan seperti kue serabi, sate padang dll.

Proving that while all of my desires are, in fact, flagrant, but not all of them are 72% cocoa, I must admit a weakness for the Flagrants Desirs brand of chocolate my local IGA grocery store sells. Available in a variety of flavours, the dark 72% cocoa is my favourite, as I like my chocolate dark, but not too dark. The 72% cocoa is just milky enough to be sweet and creamy, but dark enough to satisfy my craving for that more bitter, earthy taste. There’s an extra-dark 85% cocoa, but I’ve found that anything above 80% is too dark for my tastes. I may be noir at heart, but not that noir.

Also available from this line are chocolates with dark cocoa nibs, as well as the dark orange, dark pear, and dark mint flavours.

Cocoa nibs (image via Gourmet Sleuth)

So far I have also enjoyed the dark cocoa nibs variety, which I find tasty but sort of troubling, since the cocoa nibs are pretty small and tend to come off as random grit in the chocolate. I didn’t really expect them to be hard, since I always visualize cocoa as a powder, but the nibs are actually hard specks of cocoa beans (as per the photo at left). The chocolate itself has more of an earthy dirt-like flavour, thanks to the nibs and the cocoa levels, which is interesting, though not quite the flavour profile I prefer.

As a fan of the original Terry’s Chocolate Orange (the one you have to whack on the table to split into individual orange “wedges”), I am very intrigued by the Dark Orange, but have not yet sampled its wares. I think this may be a winning combination, though the lack of whack may prove to be a liability.

The Dark Pear confuses me, since I’m not a big chocolate-with-fruit combo type of gal (and, in fact, tend to find this type of pairing quite abhorrent, barring the inherent deliciousness of the chocolate covered cherry and aforementioned chocolate orange), but in the interests of science, I may have to investigate this option. I just fear that it will go uneaten, as my husband hates the thought of sweet & savoury together, as well as chocolate plus fruit, so anything I don’t like in this department is definitely going to end up in the trash.

After Eight bar (image via Nestlé)

Dark mint? Obviously delicious. I mean, the York Peppermint Pattie and After Eight mints are proof that chocolate plus mint equals success, and anything darkly chocolatey is clearly a winner in my book.

Overall, I really like this line of chocolates, both for its dark chocolate and willingness to break out of the typically “acceptable” chocolate flavours, and also because it’s hella cheap. The grocery store near me sells these 100 gram bars for only $2.59. Comparably gourmet types of chocolates in this size range often retail for three to five dollars, so this is a rather nice bargain for those with a sweet tooth. I’m also addicted, so I tend to pick one of these suckers up once a week. As far as bad habits go, this one’s pretty cheap, so I’d encourage you to check out the Flagrants Desirs line if you see them at a grocery store near you.

In case you’re having trouble finding the Flagrants Desirs line of chocolates (I’ve noticed they’re not necessarily available at all IGAs), you can currently find them at the IGA at 5144 Bannantyne in Verdun, and you can also order them online for home delivery at the IGA online grocery website.