Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘life or something like it’ Category

Living in the City >> Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Posted in Dave Babych, life or something like it, neat-O gang, tagged , , , , , , on April 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Today is National Grilled Cheese Day!  Wow.  Actually is Grilled Cheese Month… I am so thankful as a society we have our priorities set.

The grilled cheese sandwich is pretty much a basic staple of our North American culture… but did you know?  people have been eating bread and cheese since the olden tymes?

Its true! Like most things delicious (olives, Russel Crowe, sandals), the grilled cheese sandwich originated in ancient Rome.

The Grilled Cheese we enjoy came about in the good ole USA in the 1920 when two great innovations took place.

Cheap American cheese
and Sliced Bread

The grilled cheese is awesome and something I always play with at home.  I don’t normally hit a restaurant for it… but after watching Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, I have started to appreciate what can be done.  I remember one episode form a season or two ago when Guy hit Portland, Oregon and went to the Blueplate Lunch Counter.  They do up a fine grilled cheese and tomato soup!

Today, I went down to The Black Hat Bistro in downtown Victoria to talk to chef Sam Chalmers.  I asked him how to make the BEST grilled cheese sandwich. Please have a listen.

Soundcloud: Living in the City >> Grilled Cheese Sandwich

and if you like it, maybe you’ll share the link on your blog or facebook/twiiter thing…or like Pinterest?  sure. and thank you.

***


This is from yesterday… but maybe it’ll give you a smile.

NHL Hockey Playoffs started yesterday and to talk all things Canucks… The Playoff Round table.

Host: Jeremy Baker

Panel:

Nick Kypreos, ’94 Stanley Cup Champion
Hakan Loob, ’89 Stanley Cup Champion
Tyrannosaurus Rex, dinosaur

Soundcloud: Playoff Round Table

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Happy Easter

Posted in life or something like it on April 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »


Happy Easter Monday to all my friends and ex-lovers.  I hope you got up to premium adventures.  My weekend was a glorious mix of work, work, a little more work, and some cocktails.

I did get to DJ my first wedding of the season which felt great.  Good people, quality party.  I was at Veneto for cocktails with my wife’s step-brother… so my step-brother-in-Law? Sure.  His name is Evan.  We had a couple Thursday night… then Friday DJ’d what turned out to be a pretty busy Good Friday.  Saturday at Laurel Point for a wedding… then Sunday saw breakfast with Razer and Kelsey at Pluto’s (El Paso Benny… ZOMG! good).  Bob and the boys from Vancouver came over Sunday for Joe’s stag… that was trouble and day drinking at The Strathcona then to Sauce for cocktails.

Madelyn was in Coquitlam having Easter with Grandma and Grandpa and family.  My brother CJ and Caitlin brought her home Sunday evening, so it was beers with my brother and Replacements records on the turntable.  They peaced as Alyx and Evan came over with chicken and pickles for a Easter supper deep-fry!  Mad Men, Game of Thrones… and that was a busy weekend.

I tell ya, it was a weekend of work and an  Easter Sunday of excellent friends/family/and relaxation.


Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Make an Old Fashioned and talking to Tyler Stahl

Posted in Dave Babych, food, life or something like it, tagged , , , , , , on March 22, 2012| 1 Comment »


Yesterday, I was broadcasting my radio show from Sauce Restaurant.  My man Ryan was jocking the bar… so I hopped back there with him and had him explain how to make an Old Fashioned.

Soundcloud >> Living in the City – Old Fashioned

While at Sauce… Victoria Royals defenseman and Carolina Hurricanes’ draft pick, Tyler Stahl stopped by.  So I thought… I got my recorder machine, might as well jam out another episode of Hockey! with Jeremy.

Soundcloud >> Hockey! with Jeremy 10 – Tyler Stahl

Thank you for listening.

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Living in the City >> Bourbon sours, Red Fish Blue Fish and Roche Cove

Posted in food, life or something like it, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 20, 2012| Leave a Comment »


I had so much fun getting up to adventures on the weekend.  And I had so much fun writing about adventures from the weekend.  It only stood to reason… I’d enjoy podcasting the adventures.  Introducing the second installment of Living in the City.  Please have a listen and share.

Soundcloud: Living in the City >> Bourbon sours, Red Fish Blue Fish and Roche Cove

Oh wow, the times we’ll share.

You’ll learn:
1) How to make a bourbon sour from Katie McDonald, Veneto Lounge
2) How to make Malt Vinegar Syrup from Kunal Ghose, Red Fish, Blue Fish & Top Chef Canada
3) How to find Roche Cove Regional Park

***neat, here is an article about Kunal Ghose from the Times Colonist.***

We so excited. I love living in the city!

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

I drank this, I ate that and I went there

Posted in ...this is your father speaking, food, life or something like it, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 19, 2012| 5 Comments »


The weekend was a gem.  And I watched a ton of Jem.

Got up to all sorts of adventures and like many of you, it probably had a bit to do with St. Patrick’s Day.  However, I did not get up to the green beer festivities.

Pol Plastino‘s lady Elea celebrated her birthday on Saturday night.  I was feeling like making cocktails because I see Simon, Josh and Katie make them all the time at Veneto and it seems fun.

Pol said Elea’s favourite cocktail from the bar was the Jenkins.  That one is too hard for me to make, but her next fave is the Bourbon Sour.  You’ll see the instructions above.

I brought a bottle of Baker’s bourbon… a giant bag of lemons, simple syrup (just dissolve equal parts sugar and water), bitters, egg whites (bought the carton from the grocery store, $3-ish)… a shaker, strainer, and juicer thing… and away we went.

I love the ice globes they serve at the fancy cocktail lounges and really REALLY wanted them to drop in the red solo cups (you know, to class it up).  Shawn from Clives Classic Lounge gave me a bag full of ice globes!

I will say, after jamming out cocktails for folk’s at the party… its a lot of work.  And I was only making Bourbon sours, or Bourbon Old Fashions… if I had to know anymore than two, my brain would have exploded.  AND I had Jess helping me.  Good times and great people at Elea’s birthday!


Sunday was sunny… Coral was in a Sunday movie mode, so Mads and I hit the town.  And I’ve got her into fish and chips.  Its turning into a weekend thing to head downtown, and lately our place to go is Red Fish, Blue Fish right on the water.

With the weather cooperating, the line for a fish taco stretched along the wood planks of the wharf.  But it was pleasant and Mads was in a good mood, so we waited and chowed down on Cod Fish and chips (with three dips!  That is important for Madelyn, so we had ketchup, their tartar sauce and then the Malt vinegar syrup) .  And I had the scallop taco and the Pacific Fish taco.  Mmmmm.  I’ll NEED to try the chowder sometime and the poutine.


After fish, and dropping some deep-fried pickles off to Mom… Mads and I hit the trails.

My brother had taken me to Roche Cove before… and I remember us thinking it would be a good place for a little one.  So I went back on Sunday with Madelyn.

I like Roche Cove because you get a lot going on with a fairly easy walk.  Ocean, rivers, lakes, rain forest, easy trails/or/muddy trails.  I also like the drive out to East Sooke.

Drinking with friends, eating fish tacos and hiking with Maddy was the best weekend EVAR.

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

take the power lines back home

Posted in ...this is your father speaking, life or something like it, music, tagged , , , , on February 27, 2012| 2 Comments »


Victoria band The Racoons… moved to Vancouver and changed their name to Jakarta.  But did you know?  There is a place already called Jakarta?  huh.

So change again they did… and got signed to Arts & Crafts… now they are called Gold and Youth.

If you click the link, you can download this song for free!

Gold & Youth – “Time To Kill”

I’d put money on G&Y playing Rifflandia this year.  The boys are currently on tour of the Eastern US showcasing right now.  Lead singer Matt Lyall posted the top picture of their view from the Brooklyn Bridge.  Gorgeous.

From one bridge to another bridge a bit more local.

***


My little girl Madelyn turned 4 on Friday.  Coral and I took Friday off work for a family day.  It began with breakfast at Spoons with Coral’s family.  Then we bundled up into all our rain coats, gumboots, hats and toques and traveled north to Shawnigan Lake.  Our destination was the Kinsol Trestle.

The Kinsol Trestle is a beautifully restored rail crossing and part of the Trans-Canada trail.  You could ride your bike or hike along this path from Shawnigan Lake to Lake Cowichan if you were into it.

It was an easy and fun hike to take a 4-year-old on and we’ll for sure be heading back in the summer with our bikes and a picnic.

Then back to the city for burgers, hotdogs and ice cream sandwiches from Big Wheel Burger.  The best.

Saturday saw my family taking the ferry to Victoria and a big birthday party at PlayZone in Langford with Mads’ friends from pre-school.  Then dinner at home.

Sunday I hung out with my folks while Coral, Nana and Madelyn left for a holiday to Tofino!  What a busy girl and a busy weekend to turn 4!  I am actually excited to be back at work as this three day holiday was a lot of work!  What a great treat to have so much family in town to celebrate Madelyn being on Planet Earth for four whole years.

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Hurricane Coral

Posted in life or something like it, tagged on January 31, 2012| 2 Comments »

Just flipping through my issue of Coral: The Reef Aquarium Magazine.  Just so much knowledge about creating and maintaining this wonder of the sea in the comfort of your own home.

I thought, Coral… for a name of a magazine, neat. Also the name of a girl.

You guys already know how much I love Coral… and the desert.  I am so happy that if I ever make my way to Dubai I’ll be able stay at the Coral Deira Hotal. Wow, located right in the commercial hub of Dubai… you don’t say?

Travel is fun.  And going to the desert of the Middle East might be alright… but why stay in one spot when I could cruise through the Panama canal on one or two Princess cruise ships built specifically for that purpose? The Coral Princess is that ship.

Coral is organized! (or at least she pretends to be) Coral makes a software to collect data and organize it.  Fun!
OK, not really….

This is also not very interesting.

What is interesting, helpful and Madelyn will enjoy… If Coral is looking a little flustered, a little heated… just cover her in Sea Cucumber poo.  That’s just good science. It helps reduce high acid levels caused by global warming.

Whatever, Global Warming isn’t even real.  What is real?  The undeniable talent of Queer Performance Artist Coral Short!  That’s what’s real.

Coral talks about changing the colour of her hair.  To add some bright colours to the ends BUT that would require bleaching.  Coral bleaching.

I don’t think Coral needs to do that because Coral is the hot new trend in Spring Fashion!  Sort it out Hollywood, Coral has been hot since 1983!

If you find yourself in the Central Nevada region… maybe around Crescent Valley…. look for Coral Gold Resources… they’ll be the folks digging the Au out of the ground in one of the lowest cost-per-ounce operations in the State!

Coral and I went out for her birthday on Saturday.  Coral was on fire, it was as if a Hurricane Coral devastated the boredom and low lying regions of Victoria… it was like Cyclone Iggy blasted across Coral Bay and forced all the campers to flee… in party rock joy! not terror.

So cute!  Nintendo 3DS is gunna come in Coral Pink!

Happy Birthday Coral!

Read Full Post »

When I was young, I didn’t know if I was better off asleep or up.

Posted in life or something like it, music, tagged , on January 3, 2012| 4 Comments »


I’ve been thinking I should write a “new years” post… you know, something to reflect on 2011, or maybe, what I plan and hope for in 2012.  I had some ideas rattling around in my brain the past couple days but in the end decided to try and focus on myself and stay off the internet as best I could.  (well I was on twitter and Instrgram… but for some reason I don’t count them).

Parts of 2011 I was not into….  But I feel a little wiser, and a little more excited on some projects.  Mostly it is about starting small… being a contact hitter, getting on base.  I’ll leave the long ball for the guys that….

Today I found a song in an amazing twist and a click.  Reading about the records to look forward to in the winter of 2012 and spied a new album from Nada Surf.

The end of January will feature a record called “The Stars Are Indifferent to Astronomy.”
Have a listen to “When I Was Young.”

Give an email, get a download: Nada Surf dot com

“Came home early, quatre to two. I don’t need more wine, I’m coming for you.”

Magical….

That has to be one of the more romantic lines I’ve heard in a song in quite some time.  Nada Surf always seems to paint landscapes that I want to live in.  I’d imagine if I knew these guys in real life, we’d be friends…probably bitch about the same things and pretend to be into rock climbing together.

Its Day 03 of 2012 and already a few things are coming up Milhouse.  I went snow shoeing on January 1st… and on the 3rd… a fantastic MP3. I wonder what’s up for tomorrow?

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Posted in life or something like it on December 27, 2011| 2 Comments »


Things are slowly rumbling back to life.  I’ve been working so things got real Monday morning at 4:30AM when my alarm went off… but in an amazing twist of fate my WHOLE family came to visit Victoria yesterday. I got to have Christmas again Monday afternoon and dinner at my brother CJ’s place.

All-in-all, things exceeded expectations on what I thought was going to be a more insular Christmas time.

Maybe I got a little spoiled.

Christmas Eve had the house FULL of family at Alyx’s place for a Christmas dinner with Coral’s family.  Nana slept over and we were able to do Christmas morning bright and early with everyone then watched movies.

Monday after work… my family was here and Boxing Day had me and my Mom experimenting with deep-fried pickles. Considering we didn’t know what we were doing, we adapted quickly and did alright.

What a great Christmas…. New Years has me DJing (what else is new) but I might try snow shoeing on January 1st. I am pretty excited to sort that out.  We’ll see how I feel.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Madelyn sings Jingle Bells on the radio.  Download the MP3 >> Maddy Sings

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

Follow These Rules

Posted in life or something like it, tagged on December 16, 2011| 1 Comment »


You ever get that feeling that you’re doing life wrong?  I get that all the time.

I read this great article the other day about how Facebook is making us unhappy. Basically forcing us to confront jealousy everyday we log in and see our friends in awesome places, bragging about awesome jobs, awesome kids and awesome love lives.

You’d think we’d all be awesome being surrounded in awesome all day… but it just makes you hate the word awesome.

I need one of my totem songs right about now…

Tom Petty – “Climb That Hill”

My day is a whirlwind of activity from the moment I wake up… till I can get Maddy to settle into bed.  Then its my time… but by the time I turn to look for Coral, she’s asleep. Then I’m by myself, which ain’t all bad… but not a lot happens at night unless i wanna drink.  Which I do sometimes….  I often wonder what the point is?  Like… what day am I working towards… and what’s scaring me is; there isn’t one.  I’m just plugging holes to keep the whole thing from falling down.  I want to be an adventurer.  If you were to ask me, “what do you wanna be when you grow up?”  I’d say explorer.

I watched a video the other month about the sport of indoor rock climbing. It looked pretty cool.  Fun, athletic, adventurous… the kind of thing I want to do, but just can’t find the time, energy or budget.

BUT!

There is a gym right, like RIGHT by my place. And god bless ’em, they are open late (and reduced rate late at night). Kismet I tells ya.

Today I fought the urge to watch a movie and eat junk (FOUGHT! I wanted and still do want a slurpee so bad… WTF is that?)… I put my pants back on and drove to the gym and signed up for an introduction lesson.  Wish me luck!

Radiohead – “Climbing Up The Walls”

Go with yourself.

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »