I’ve been exposed to the concept of potlucks ever since I can remember, with family friend gatherings always centering around the communal sharing of dishes. Just this year though, my peers and workmates have chosen this as a constant alternative to eating out, particularly to celebrate the holidays. Though it’s not exactly a sign of [...]

On a toque-optional night, a friend and I headed to the Legislature grounds to tour the holiday lights and decorations. Sadly, though I have been working in a building across the street for more than a year, I had never made the effort before Thursday to check it out. Still, better late than never. We [...]

I watched the season finale of Laguna Beach this evening, and couldn’t help but be disappointed. Departing from the usual half-hour format, this episode was an hour in length. They should have stuck to a thirty minute time limit, as the content ended up stretched and drawn-out. With the exception of two cast members, all [...]

This afternoon, my organization held it’s annual holiday party. As was the case last year, our lunch was held in one of the meeting rooms in the Sutton Place Hotel (10235-101 Street), with access to the Grande Ballroom where the main buffet was set up. At $26.50 per person, it may seem pricey on the [...]

Two of my blogging-inclined friends informally challenged me when they found out that I had started a blog of my own. The first was to maintain this blog for at least three months. The second was to reach a post count of three hundred. Well, I’m over halfway to the first milestone, but still two [...]

I couldn’t in good conscience post about Oscar and not about our first non-aquatic pet, Friend. A small grey, sweet-tempered rabbit, Friend was our family companion for many years. He stood on his hind legs to greet us, had an early habit of running circles around those he wanted to show affection to, and loved [...]

Over the weekend, officials at a Washington airport decided to dismantle their holiday displays. From the Seattle Times: “The airport managers ordered the plastic trees removed and boxed up after a rabbi asked to have an 8-foot-tall menorah displayed next to the largest tree in the international arrival hall. Port of Seattle staff felt adding [...]

I watched the animated Disney/Pixar feature Cars yesterday. I initially stayed away because I remember the movie had been quite poorly reviewed, but I think it may have been unfairly judged. The capabilities of computer-generated animation continue to amaze me: Cars is simply beautiful to look at. Stunning vistas, “how’d they do that” realism with [...]

My friend and I went to Kelsey’s (3203 Calgary Trail Southbound) on the southside for dinner last night. We wanted to go someplace casual, and Kelsey’s was a compromise between my pick (Blue Plate Diner), and his (Earl’s). Kelsey’s is part of the Cara Family of food services, which also includes Second Cup, Milestone’s, Swiss [...]

I don’t personally download music, so my exposure to new material is through a rather old fashioned medium: the good old radio. At the moment, I have become thoroughly attached to The Fray‘s two singles: “Over My Head (Cable Car)” and “How to Save a Life.” One non-threateningly upbeat, and the other saturated with low [...]