Merry Christmas, 2012.

Be well, everyone.

Oh Christmas Tree...

I must say, the Lovely Wife™ decorates a mean Christmas Tree!

Gainey Limited Selection Cabernet Franc 2009

Once had a website for wine, foodandwinefordummies.com.  The Lawyers at The Company did not like it very much and sent me a cease and desist. It was a nice site and I should post the contents here (without the 'For Dummies' tag line).  I was hoping they would offer to buy it from me.  Oh well.

Tonight, fashioned a dinner around a menu suggestion from a Wine Club that we belong to.  If you should click the link and decide to join, tell them I sent you, please.  We get a discount if you do.

The Limited Selection Cab Franc 09 was great, as usual.  Medium bodied this vintage - Gainey is often full-bodied, even their Pinot Noir.  The winemaker notes stated it would be good for three to five years.  Ha.  We received it December, 2011 and enjoyed it tonight. That is a record for us :)

Wine Notes and Menu

Enjoyed it with their own menu recommendation.  Grilled Steak with Warm Shallot Vinaigrette.  Both were delicious.  The Vinaigrette was easy to make, the bottle was easy to open, and I can cook a steak with the best of them...

Picked and ready to clean.

It being the end of the 'fall season', I picked the last of our Leaf Lettuce for a salad to enjoy with the dinner.  Not bad for a patio garden, if I may say so myself. Lite Caesar dressing, avocado, and tomato made for a perfect starter.









Wine tasting notes can be read on the image above, so I won't pretend to match the winemaker's palette.  I will just say it was medium bodied, fruit forward and softened nicely from the first glass to the last. 

Have two bottles of 2010 - wonder how long they will last.
Should you find yourself in Santa Ynez, visit Gainey.  They have gotten big and not as accommodating as they once were, but the wines still hold up.

Someone from My Little Town

Thanks to Facebook I, like many others, have re-connected with friends from the past – and long lost extended family, usually cousins.  Just the other day I watched a short documentary of one such friend, Ian Clyde.

Because I just read a collection of short stories about a wise old sage who loved to tell stories – which, coincidentally, was written by another friend – let me tell you a story about Ian…

Ian Clyde, ca. 1980

Sometime in the mid-seventies, not sure exactly when; I believe we had graduated High School. I was with Ian and at least one other guy, just not sure exactly who it was.  May have been Kevin G. or one of Ian’s friends – a guy I remember, just not by name.  It was a long time ago.

We are standing in Beurling Park in Verdun, on the east side, around the track & field area – closest to Brown Boulevard for you locals.  It was summer, early evening, so plenty bright. The exact conversation I can’t say for sure, but it was about his blossoming boxing career and his excitement in finding it. He was explaining his training program and how it all worked, which was new and fascinating to me.

At some point some other guy came over and started ‘trash talking’ boxing in general and Ian specifically (trash talking had not been defined by the mid-seventies, but describes it perfectly).  I don’t remember who the guy was, but he knew Ian and knew the rest of us.  I think he was a ‘tough guy’ that was still in High School.  I probably should mention that Beurling Park is adjacent to a High School on Champlain Blvd.

Well, to shorten this story up, being that this is a blog and not a novella, this guy continued to prod Ian about his so-called boxing abilities.  Ian, to his credit, kept his cool. He kept saying that this was a park, not a boxing ring and that he did not fight outside the ring.

The guy would not stop.  The back and forth went on for a while. Ian did his best to ignore it.  We tried moving away.  Finally, this guy went over the line by either poking Ian in the chest or threatening to (it was a long time ago, so the details are sketchy.  If Ian even remembers this incident maybe he can fill in the blanks), I can’t say for sure.

It was over in a flash.  In the blink of an eye there was a flurry of motion in front of me. Once I realized what had just happened I looked first at the guy.  His eyes were wide open, there was blood running from his nose and he was bringing his hands to his face.  When I turned to Ian, he was cursing himself, and then apologizing to anyone who would listen, saying something like, “… the guy just would not stop and I thought he was going to hit me.”

The Boxer with Angelo Dundee

Nothing further came of it. I assume we all worked everything out. But I am still amazed how fast it all occurred.  The quick blows to the face were over before I even knew what happened.  At that moment I made a note to never start a fight.

Ian went on to be a Golden Glove boxer, represented his county in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal (which I had forgotten), made three Olympic teams before turning pro, and is doing quite well in retirement somewhere in the Montreal area.  I regret not being able to have seen Ian at the Olympics in Montreal, but such is life.


Update:  I received a reply from Ian regarding this story.  As I suspected, he does not remember the incident.  I understand completely.  It was I who was astonished at the speed of a boxer's hands, not Ian.

Little Bit Country, Little Bit Rock&Roll

What the heck happened?  While I may have poked fun at my country and western fans way back when, I always appreciated the music & talent.  I get that there has always been crossover - Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, etc.
Then Kid Rock has a hit. Darius Rucker loses the Blowfish and channels Charley Pride, along with Lionel Richie(?).
And a song about the Boss is nominated for Country Music Song of the Year.

I have a Brother-in-Law that always enjoyed Country;
Helped the Lovely Wife when she arranged all the travel for the old country music station, KZLA, and their first ever County Music weekend festival (had a great time and met some great country music stars of the day - thanks Mr. Tillis);
And especially listened to a lot more country while living in the Great State of Colorado- hard not to.

So today, whilst driving about SoCal, heard the latest Taylor Swift song on the local country station - Go Country 105 FM.  Very nice song and performed nicely on the CMA's this week. A few minutes later I heard the same song on a Pop Music station  - I had heard Taylor did the Shania thing and made different versions of the same song.

Colour me country - BTW, that is the Canadian way of spelling color - but I much preferred the country version.  In fact, I did not like the music overlay of the 'pop' version.
This is odd to me because I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as a BAD version of a GOOD song.  Go figure.
Certainly, the Pop version is fine.  But I liked the Country version better.  As Donny and Marie would sing, I'm a little bit country...
Rock on...

Come Celebrate Me Home... My Little Town

A Facebook Album of a few photo's from a recent trip home.

My Little Town

Posting this without comment.

http://youtu.be/va0JCg0j3fY

 Enjoyed seeing all the sights in and around Montreal on this documentary.  Nice way to spend a rainy Sunday morning.  Yes, it does rain in Montreal. 
If you plan on watching, note that it is one hour and twenty minutes.

Getty Museum Monorail

Have you been to the Getty? If not, you should make the trip. I have photo's, but go to their website for better ones.
The entrance fee is gratis, with a $15 parking fee.  Steep, but so is  parking everywhere.  But for the fee you get to ride their monorail.  Here is what it looks like on the way down...

Hometown Street Names, including my own Moffat!

Montreal Mosaic En Route WebZine article.

My continuing "My Little Town" series...

P'tit Soleil

Nice review of Luc's grand opening.  If you have heard of Poutine, then you should stop by and enjoy.  If you have not heard of it, stop by and learn.

I should also mention that he has created his own version of Vachon Caramel Cakes, Mae West and his own homemade Tortiere.  As seen here.

Well done, Luc.  And congrats.

My Little Town...

Another edition in this series. This is only the second, but when I find things about Verdun, I will post them here.
This article is about a group called the Verdun Memories Project.  At the time it was written they were at the Dawson Community Center - I remember it as the Dawson's Boys and Girls Club.  Spent much time there during my misspent youth. 
The organizer enlisted a filmmaker and shot a 15 minute movie, if you are so inclined.
I don't believe the group is still around, but at least one person in the movie short is in another historical group, Société d'histoire et de généalogie de Verdun. Note the site is in French.
And once again a Hat Tip to LesF from the Verdun Connections group on Multiply.com.

DCA, part 2

Had a few images on my cell phone that I thought I should add.  Taken after our Carthay Dinner.  So if you are reading this post, you should really scroll down to the previous one.  I could have updated the other one...

Simple floral arrangement by day, dramatic
lighting display by night!

More clever wall painted signage, popular circa 1930's

What the 21st century was thought to like like in 1938.

The amazing rock-work at night. The purple light is a waterfall.
The moon, however, is real.

Details, etc.

Directional signs, with style.

And finally... my catch of the day!

 It might be very expensive to go to Disneyland every day, but when you do go you get your money's worth.

The all new Disney California Adventure

Spent the day (and night) in the park with the Lovely Wife™ on a recent Saturday.  The new Carsland area is quite impressive, especially the rock work for the ‘E’ ticket Racers ride.  I really like the new ‘main street’ they have created, called Buena Vista Street. 

I took a few pictures which will follow.  Keep in mind that I went for a different view of the park(s) – you all know the famous images.  If you really want to know the goings on of all things Disney, then go here (http://miceage.micechat.com/) and have fun! They cover Disney like no other.

Early morning arrival for us; a sad departure for others. Either way, blue skies.

Right off the bat we walk into everyone’s favorite mouse, singing.

Breakfast?  I wish, but sadly, no. Granola Bar.

If and when you get to the new DCA and walk through the stores, look around. 
And up. Note the old radio’s, lights – the attention to detail is impressive.

The pict does not really capture the look, no matter how hard I try.

Nice Ride!  Hot Babe!  What’s not to like?

Great signage and window treatments all over the place. 
And this one you really have to look for. The E in Walt E. Disney.

More of the same, this time a billboard. And we just rode the rails, so appropriate for us. 
I wonder if that balcony has an actual room attached to it?

This is the display above the cash register in a  clothing store on BV street.  Very retro and very cool.

You try belting out a rousing, roaring twenties tune before noon, on a hot day, with gloves on!  She rocked.

For Lorraine :)

Really nice ceramic tile artwork on a wall. Not your everyday tiles from Home Depot.

Once again, we are waiting for the train/streetcar.

Not showing off or anything, but the Lovely Wife™ has her picture in the display at Blue Sky Cellars.
Part of there ‘how it was made’ attraction for Carsland.  And yes, she happily signs autographs.

Someone in Imagineering has a great sense of humor.

As you might expect, we have an affinity for Radiator Memorabilia.

More hidden gems.

Good luck trying to get on Radiator Springs Racers.  Bring sunscreen...and patience.

Fast passes run out by 9:00 AM – and the park opens at 8:00.  Hotel guests get in an hour early, get a
FP and then stand in line. That way they get two rides in one day.  At this moment the Wait Time for Racers
was 185 minutes – just over three hours.

Opted to be nice and act like a tourist to a fellow cast member.

Did I mention to always look up?  What is behind the green door?
Note the work on the trim.

More fine work and cool signage.

Yet more hidden wall art.

Pimp my ride! 
Waiting for our first bus ride up Main Street, Disneyland –
we just missed the train, so opted for wheels.

It was very hard for her not to grab the wheel and go.

Our driver – Vern was a great guide.  Say hi on your next visit.

On the way back we took the horse train.

This Cast Member was eyeing a bunch of kids who just couldn’t keep there hands and feet inside the car.  She got absolutely no help from any of said kids parents.

At the Grand Californian Hotel.  To answer your burning question,
yes it worked and I knew how to operate it.  I dialed 0 for operator.

A room with a view.  California Adventure Paradise Pier area;
in the background is Saddleback Mountain (actually a hill, but don’t tell it). 
Now I really see why I can hear the Disney Fireworks most nights.

Turn down service with Chocolate.  How did they know?  More Disney Magic! 
And no, I could not eat it.

Late afternoon snack while prepping for dinner at Carthay Circle Restaurant, DCA.
Thanks for the cheese plate, Marc.

You have heard of hidden Mickey’s?  Find the (not so) hidden me. 
Cathy checking email, perhaps?

That is it.  Show is over.  We had a great dinner at the Carthay Circle Restaurant.  With Cathy’s charm we were able to secure on of  the private dining room’s.  Normally for four or six, but we were only two.  Thanks to Restaurant Manager Jose.

A note on the restaurant – the food was outstanding.  Both in presentation and taste. 

The service, with one or two exceptions, was WAY less than adequate. Especially those at the front reception. If Disney hopes to make this a destination resto, they are going to really have to work on their game.  No pictures from there, however.  Maybe another time.
UPDATE: Just want to clarify that I hold Disney management responsible, not the staff itself.  Where is the lauded Disney training?

Road to... the final edition.

Well, enjoying our last full day.  Here are the photo's from the Farm Market we visited the other day.

This morning I finally got to see the Bald Eagle that has been flying around. The others had all seen it and I was a little envious.  Then just a few minutes ago a lovely Doe came by to say hello and munch on a leaf.  She only stayed a few minutes then continued on her merry way.
In between those two visitors, Cathy and I also saw a dolphin - or something with a fin - swim by. Add that to the Cougar, several local hawks and eagles, etc.  Fun.

Road to... cont'd, part trois.

Yes, we made it to Victoria. We have seen and done much, as the pictures (seen on my Facebook albums) have shown. I only wish I could remember all the wild and crazy things we have done, but it is late as I write this, having had a couple of Rum and Cokes and shared a few bottles of wine.
On this day three of the four of us went back to Victoria to check out the RBCM.  But not before we went to the local Farm Market.
It was awesome.  In the local church back yard, the local farmers, fishermen and sundry other locals shared there wares.  They could not have been nicer, friendlier or more eclectic!  If I did not feel like such an interloper from California, I would have struck up more conversations.  Especially with the (very) elderly gentleman with the jeweled, manicured finger and toe nails.  But I digress...

I promised Miss Wendy, who needed to stay behind to find her ankles, that we would be home before dark!  It get's dark here around 9:30 - we laughed, she did not - (Actually, she needed to rest her aching back :(  - she was feeling much better upon our return).
The museum was cool, as was the IMAX movie. Biggest screen in British Columbia, dontchaknow!
While driving back I needed to pick up breakfast and a light snack.  A Tim Horton's Maple doughnut and a Swiss Chalet Chicken dinner.  They had them both in the same place - Nirvana!  Pictures tomorrow, perhaps.  Alas, all was not perfect.
While preparing to go and locking the car, I reached behind me to close the door.  Little did I know that the genius engineer who designed the front doors put them on a severe angle.  So much so that while it cleared by big butt (bigger while eating on vacation) it did not clear my  tiny little head.  It smacked me so good, Jay turned and said WTF?
Well, it broke the skin and I have a nice souvenir of the TH/SC on my head!  So far, the chicken, fries and gravy appetizer were worth it.  I will let you know how the doughnuts are tomorrow. And if there is any residual pain.  Not a big fan of the teasing I am getting from Cathy, et al, however!

So, to bring you up to speed, here are some other days of images from our trip, but not including today.  I would have done today, but with the grilling, drinking, and following up on all the comments, I can only do today's images another day...

Day 5

Day 6

Day7

Feel free to leave your thoughts.  Or not, eh.

Here is a short video of our rainstorm. 

Road to... cont'd.

Seattle is a great city, so most of you already know everything there is to know about it. Home of the first Starbucks and Nordstroms.  I guess I was not aware how far it is inland from the coast.  There is actually a mountain range between it and the ocean.  It may rain often in Seattle, but not when we were there - two whole days without rain!
I also must say that I was shocked at how little traffic there was, compared to most cities of similar size that I have visited.  Perhaps everyone uses public traffic.
I also thought is was nice of VP Joe Biden to stop by our hotel to say hi. 
Well, I have places to go, people to see, and things to do!  So with that, here are links to two more days worth of boring photo's for those of you not on FB.

Day 3:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151033185099390.448126.721144389&type=1&l=b6aa6111da
Day 4:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151033292829390.448135.721144389&type=1&l=f8f2b4bb44

Road to...

Um, Road to what Glenn?  Oh, sorry.  Just made me think of these.

Let the Hi-jinks begin.  Way late and much more than a dollar short, here are some low lights from the road to Seattle and Victoria via Amtrak (had it been all in Canada, it would have read better - via VIA, but I digress).

Hit the road very early on a Saturday morning, being dropped off at the lovely Irvine Rail Station by our 'practically perfect neighbors', the Thorton's.  It being so early, we neglected to photographically record their kindness.

Quick jaunt to Union Station - which should be a tourist stop on everyone's to do list; right across from Olvera street and a famous sandwich restaurant called Philippes - a French Dip legend that I have overlooked and have to correct in the future.

To help set the tone of our trip, on our first leg of the train ride we met a nice family from Colorado Springs, vacationing in California for the first time.  They were on their way to, where else, Disneyland!  Cathy was happy to get them in the mood before they even got there.
After they got off in Anaheim, another family moved into their seats.  This group was from New Zealand on their way to San Francisco.  We were two for two on meeting great people, and that trend has continued on the entire trip - except for some wacko lady we ran into in LA.  This grandmother and granddaughter did get on our car, but luckily we never saw her again until she disembarked somewhere in Washington State.

Well, for the next 36 hours we road the rails.  Won't bore you with the hour-by-hour details, but it was just what we all expected, except for the amount of food they offer you!  With nowhere to go, it seemed like we were always walking to the dinning car - actually, for us Sleeper Car residents we had our own private Parlour Car - La Ti Da...

Anyway, I have some photo's posted in an album on Facebook that show the 35 or so hour trip.  You should be able to see them both here:

Facebook link, day one:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151031856309390.447983.721144389&type=1&l=bec1ee5265
Facebook link, day two:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151031919119390.447995.721144389&type=3&l=9def60ca30

The whole thing makes me think of the Great Canadian, Gordon Lightfoot!

Canada Day - 2012

It is almost Canada Day.  In case I don't get back here, Happy Canada Day.  Enjoy!  Drink up, hosers.

Dateline Sunnyvale, June 2012

So here I am, sitting outside of a Chipotle Mexican Grillnear the San Jose Airport.  Here on business.  They play music at this chain and a song comes on with a familiar melody.

A long, long time ago I used to have the opportunity to listen to almost every ‘single’ released by an artist – at least in Canada.  With my co-workers, we would often try to guess which ones would be ‘hit’ records.  Sometimes we were right, often not.

One simple Disco song came along one day and it was not liked, particularly by one of my friends, Ray L.  I might say he hated it.  I recall picking it for number one.  I don’t know if it ever became #1, but it was certainly a hit – Shame, Shame, Shame by Shirley and Company.

Well do-tell; it has been re-done!  I don’t know by whom, as I could not find the version I heard on YouTube.  But it was the same song, updated with both male and female singers – and it was also good.

Had not thought about that song -  or my old friend, wherever he is – in some time.  Thanks for them memories, Chipotle!

In My Little Town...

This is an old article, but missed it when it came out.  Nice read about the old home town.  While I could never go back - I do miss it.  Normal, I suppose.  Must make a point to walk along Wellington Street on the next visit.  I should put it in my calendar...

Hat tip to Lesf from the Multiply.com social network.  Can't link to it, as it is private, sort of like Facebook, without the hundreds of millions of members.

Disney California Adventure - Cars Land.

On Saturday, June 2nd, we were lucky enough to go to a Disney Family Preview of the new Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. Was not allowed to take pictures inside, so here are a few of other new attractions that have just opened to the public...

Could not crash the gate - needed special access.  I know a girl... rest of photo's here

Memorial Day Weekend - Day 4

Slept in and awoke to Marc creating an egg - bake dish with all the weekend leftovers.  Fantastic.  And it went well with my breakfast Viognier!

Lazy day other than another trek along the beach.  So more beach shots for you.  That is about it for this weekend.  We will be going to dinner shortly, then driving home.  It is going to be a long day tomorrow.

More bluebirds for breakfast.  They are going to be upset tomorrow.

They live - and ride - well down here.

This the way down.

Mosaic along the steps.

They were actually studying.  Nice place to do it, eh?

More lifeguards.

Sea Shells, surfer, surf.  A good walk, period.

Surf's up, continued.

Anybody lose a pair of pink flip-flops, with stone?

They have a Catamaran attached to the stairwell leading to their home.  Sheesh.

Meditation at the beach.

Other end of the beach walk.

This spot is about 100 yards from our cottage.  Very handy.  This little community of Leucadia is very nice.  The trick now is to find a way to live here... Any idea's?

Cheers all.  Thanks for comments.  Hope you enjoyed them.  We shall see you all the next time.  Now, back to face the real world.