Turns out Burrito Pie from yesterday was ganked from Mr. Lady.
At first I didn’t know what that is (well, other than who Jimmy James made out with one time on a drunken night in Vancouver).
Turns out it is a Mommy blog? or a Daddy blog? I dunno, other than Coral reads this person’s blog and then I was all… “oh right, I recognize it.”
Burrito Pie was delicious last night. A triumph. So Mr. Lady, you might not have your gender figured out but your cooking is A-O-K.
***
Now I promised BCK over at Radio West that this would not be a “Daddy Blog.” Well, hmmm, I don’t think I promised but he implored that it not “go there.”
So, just a little link on parenting to all those single mamas out there.
*** Twilight continues to dominate the world and soak movie theatre seats across the movieland. Tween Heartthrob Robert Pattinson was on Jay Leno last night and Corj and I checked it out. How wonderfully awkward. I think I want to be a movie star. I am a fairly fugly dude that can barely act with no proven resume of success. I think I need more jaw and less moustache.
Corj and I laughed and laughed and then watched Seal perform… and then really laughed. So Pattinson… you’re alright. Such a hippy that was never meant for worldwide fame. He does a lot of drugs. a lot.
Here is a picture of me looking like a vampire.
whoa ladies, back up… this vampire is taken!
***
In other Twilighty type news, Robert Pattinson does the folk singer thing (which I think the man is far more suited to) and he has teamed up with a singer/folky type from Vancouver named Sam Bradley. On New Year’s Eve, Mr. Bradley will be perforing in North Vancouver and Corj and I were thinking of going. Perhaps you fine Mainlander types that are as equally obsessed with Twilight as my lovely finacee will want to do a field trip with us.
MySpace: Sam Bradley
***
FUCK, I keep splilling coffee on myself. Get it together man.
mmm, Mom and babe are making dinner tonight. How does this sound?
***
Burrito Pie
2 pounds ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 4 oz. can diced green chili peppers
1 10 oz. can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
1 16 oz. jar taco sauce
2 16 oz. cans refried beans
12 8-inch flour tortillas
9 ounces shredded Colby/Jack cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large skillet over medium heat, saute the ground beef for 5 minutes. Add the onion and garlic, and saute for 5 more minutes. Drain any excess fat. Mix in the green chile peppers, tomatoes with green chile peppers, taco sauce, and refried beans. Stir mixture thoroughly, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Spread a thin layer of the meat mixture in the bottom of a 4 quart casserole dish. Cover with a layer of tortillas followed by more meat mixture, then a layer of cheese. Repeat tortilla, meat, cheese pattern until all the tortillas are used, topping off with a layer of meat mixture and cheese. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is slightly brown and bubbly. Yield: 16 servings
But unless you’re Sami Salo, it does not usually go in that easy.
He shoots, and misses the net.
He shoots, and someone dives in front to block his shot.
He shoots, and hits the post! (so close)
He shoots, and with team mates in front screening the goal, it gets deflected by a winger and he settles for an assist and job well done.
***
I don’t think there was really a point to that, I was just thinking about it last night driving home from the Clubhouse at 2:30 AM. It was cold out. There was frost on the ground. I like my drive homes in the early morning after a night of DJing.
We were talking bands last at the Clubhouse. It was pretty slow after the Zone’s Movember fundraiser ended and I stayed till 2AM spinning some rock to the few bar flies remaining. We sat around and shot the shit about fave bands. There was a bizarrely heated debate on what is the best Coldplay album? Swa?… we talked about Kings of Leon. We talked LOTS and LOTS about KOL. I forget just how insanely popular these guys are. People who love them, LOVE them. Apparently, I was the one guy that did not go to Seattle to see them at the Paramount last month. So it was generally decided that I was less a fan. then I blew some minds by getting all scene, “well, i didn’t go because I saw them LAST year in Seattle.” Collective mind destruction and then someone asked the impossible question, “what is your favourite band?”
I listed off dozens… you know how it is, it depends.
But one of my favourites is The National.
***
I started this blog by yapping about goals. And I have a few and this year I am trying to move forward on them. I think that i want to get a University degree. Someone in our little family should have one. University degree’d people generally make more money and I think it would be a good opportunity to set a positive example for Madelyn. Coral is very fortunate because she works for the government. If she can find a way to make her interests in education apply to her role serving the public, then the government helps pay for school. For me, well, Royal Roads is expensive and the reality is that it might be out of reach right now. So I am starting to hunt around for options. Another idea is to finish my certificate in Public Relations. And then part of me wonders? Could I invent my own degree?
Why take any of these McDonald-esque “programs” and maybe I can just pick a bunch of things that interest me. I’ll get a degree in Jeremy Studies.
On my resume I can write “University of Victoria” and “courses include:”
I came to work today and remembered that I had bought some Pizza Pops and left them in the freezer. It was a positive omen.
***
I was scootering to the Zone today, thinking as I do under the raw might of my 49 cc motor and I remembered that last year (or maybe the year before) I had applied to Royal Roads University. I think I am going to finish the application process.
They have a program that allows me to earn a degree in Communications which is increasingly becoming something that I am finding interesting. Most the non-fiction I read has to do with marketing and communications as it is… but I can’t put “avid reader” on my resume. I can however drop a little BA in Communications.
The I got here and two things went down.
One, yes I discovered my Pizza Pops.
Two, I returned a phone call to the The Land Conservancy and they have accepted my application to volunteer in their communications and marketing team. huzzah!
***
Madelyn and I went for a walk this morning to Tim Hortons. We talked to lots of old people. Old poeple really jive on babies.
OK, I better get some actual work done. I am helping Sheldon get some music clips for new Zone “splitters” which is radio jargon for “the interuptions between the songs that tell you that you are rocking the Zone, the most rockingest station EVAR.”
I get it, losing, badly, all.the.time, to ANY team, for years… its not so fun.
I did enjoy running in the election. I learned about Esquimalt. Met some people. Researched. I hoped to place but didn’t really think I would win this time around, but it did sting coming in last.
This is the third time I have run in a municipal election. You do get what you put in. You need time, energy and money to win an election and pretty much energy was the only thing this time around I had to offer. Three years from now, I will be that much more connected to my community and have a more organized and focused message to communicate.
What success I did have, I can thank my boss Johnny for. He encouraged me to run, sent me some campaign money to buy posters. He helped with the platform and debating the ideas till they took some shape. He is a long time resident of Esquimalt and his wisdom and perspective on many of the issues was invaluable. Thank you.
Coral and Madelyn were out there with me hammering up posters and shaking hands and generally being cute to offset my creepy moustache factor. Coral kicked my ass to answer all my emails even when I was tired and didn’t want to. She generally listened to me whine and cry about “unfair” things that the Lizard People were orchestrating to ruin my political campaign and she gave me a Popsicle when I found out I had finished last.
Steve at Metropol gave me a rad rate on posters and Evan did a fantastic job on the design.
Mom sent me $100 to help with costs and Dad said, “fuck Esquimalt if they don’t want to vote for you,” when, uhhh, they didn’t (he might not have said exactly that). Then we went for a nice walk around the E-town waterfront on Sunday morning and ate a sandwich.
A couple of my favourite candidates did win. I liked Ali Gaul (she actually did VERY well and crushed almost everyone) and Meagan Brame (mostly because a Zoner works for her). They placed 2nd and 5th respectively.
I am not going to hang in Losertown for too long. Time to take on some new challenges, as Zone Ranger Ally would say, “I need to peace that scene.”
***
I was researching Root Beer brewing the other day. Did you know that the main ingredient in Root Beer, Sassafras, causes cancer? neat. The root beer we drink from the store today uses artificial sassafras to get the root beer taste. We are so conditioned to this “fake” sassafras that if you tasted “real” root beer, you might not like or recognize it.
Now I want to brew some. sounds dangerous.
I am having a hard time tracking down sassafras, it being a cancer causing controlled substance that is also found in Ecstasy or some dealio. Apparently the stuff grows like a weed back East… in Maple Leaf territory. Sadness.
***
Corj and I went to Port Angeles last week for a little holiday. I had never been so we decided ot hop the ferry. I did take a few pictures, but I have not uploaded them, so maybe I’ll yap about Port Angeles after I get some pictures up.
***
James Sutton sent me a bizarre link today.
James, you’ve only been rocking the Peak in Vancouver for like what? a month? stop smoking marijuana.
Our stroller sold on Used Victoria yesterday so we are off to get a new one. Something considerably smaller. We did love of our Bumbleride, but it was giant and squeaky and drove Coral mental. and a mental Coral means a mental me, so it had to go.
Funny story… it drove Coral to the point of madness on Sunday (the day we listed it) and in her rage she called Bumbleride and left a message… or maybe emailed. On Monday they contacted her back and told her how to fix the squeaks. So I went to Rona and got lubricant and it did a tremendous job reducing the squeaks… but at this point, stroller sold. So yeah. Good story.
***
From the Esquimalt Town Council Front, another letter.
I’ve finally gotten around to giving serious consideration to who I’ll vote for next Saturday.
You’ve stated that you support increased density along Esquimalt Road near the Village
Core and Vic West border. Are you talking about increased building height beyond the
10-story limit set in our Official Community Plan? I sincerely hope not. Since the
Matson Lands have been developed, there is now a great, ugly, box obstructing the
very centre of my view of the Olympic mountains. I would much prefer that infilling,
and secondary suites, not only be allowed, but encouraged through expedited
zoning applications, and reduced fees.
SA
Esquimalt
***
Thank you for the email Ms. A,
I believe that secondary suites and infill are the best way to increase density in our community while maintaining the detached family home charm of many of our neighbourhoods. It is my family’s goal to one day own our own house and having a suite for my fiancée’s mother or to rent will be the only way we’ll be able to afford the mortgage.
I am for increased density in the village core and along Esquimalt Road by the Vic West border. These areas have already been singled out for development in the Official Community Plan and have older apartments along there now. The OCP calls for a maximum height of 10 stories for a condo development and that sounds reasonable to me. As a town councilor I would always vote to uphold the views of the OCP when approached by developers. The benefit of this is two fold. It reflects the views of the community which what the people of Esquimalt want and it is also offers a fair process for developers. They know going into their planning of what is acceptable in Esquimalt. Development along Esquimalt Road will hopefully encourage older buildings to be replaced by more environmentally friendly (see: http://www.cagbc.org ) and ascetically pleasing apartments that improve the image of the township and increase property values for all residents.
Increased density in the village core and along Esquimalt road will add vibrancy to our town, attract a diversity in resident, attract new business, and add efficiencies in services and transit that will benefit the whole community.
I hope my answers have encouraged you to consider me on November 15th for Esquimalt Town Council.
I want to try to hit the streets today and put up some posters and talk to some neighbours and rustle up the votes.
My competition in the election has mail outs and signs and advertising and my campaign has um… posters, ideas and me.
Today is also Coral’s niece’s birthday. McKenna is… hmmm 4 I think. Fun. We are off to Superstore to get a birthday present, some baby stuff Madelyn (you got to feed babies or they won’t grow. I read that on the wikipedia) and I think Coral wants a Caramel Doulce Cheesecake that she saw Galen Westin selling on the TV. See, commercials work.
That is a picture of Corj and I after Jamie and Allie’s Halloween party. I had a good time, all things considered. Everyone from The Zone went to what looked like a rager at Katie and Adrian’s, but Corj and I had been invited to her good friends some time earlier so we went there. To compound my poutyness (Mozilla says Poutyness is not a real word… silly Mozilla)… I drove and stayed stubbornly sober. It was a real, “Dear Diary, Why does God hate me…” sorta moment. But truth be told, I had a good time. Jamie’s friends are real rippers. I don’t party with them very ofter, but each time is a good time.
I watched this tiny girl they call “Pizzle” dominate the beer bongs.
She is the girl standing up. She slayed the bong so fast, that by the time I got my camera ready for a pic she was saying between foam burps, “I win.”
***
I am having a Daddy Daycare night tonight. Just finished watching a pretty good game between the Flames and Kings. Entertaining. I was hoping the Kings would edge out the Flames as that would be good for the ‘nucks… but the Flames held on. Fun to watch, so I’m not complaining.
I am so tuckered out. Coral and I went wandering earlier today. We left our place at 2PM and walked down to Rona for a hammer tack. The wicked machine lets me “hammer” staples into telephone poles. Then I took her to the West Bay Walkway. She had never been and it is a glorious fall walk. We regretted not bringing the camera. next time.
Then on the journey home we began putting up posters. Then after we got home and put Maddy down for a nap, I went back out and put up even more posters. I have almost tacked up my first 200 posters and it seem that I have barely dented the neighbourhoods. A few in West Bay, a few around the High school, a few around Craigflower/Tillicum and a few on Rock Heights. By the time it was all down, it was 7PM… and dogs is tired…
***
Coral went out with her girlfriend and I am home listening to music and surfing the net. Saw this video… made me LOL.
Reminds me why I am not a big city DJ. These guys out of Montreal made the ultimate prank on Sarah Palin. These radio stars form Montreal pretend to be the French President.
Now this is how you make some publicity for your radio show. I should take some notes.
The only thing more fun than listening to the prank call is ready the CBC comment board… where does this ignorant people come from? wow. If I worked at the CBC I would be so sad. it would seem my audience would be all mentally deficient… then I would think, “Am I mentally deficient to attract all these people to my website?”
yeesh… ti was just a joke… and in Sarah Palin’s defense… she handled herself alright considering she thought it was the French President and he was asking bizarre questions. She stayed polite at all times and tried to steer the conversation back to more positive territory. But then you read what people write and its’ like WTF?
She should have figured it out and you know some poor PR flak is getting her ass handed to her right now. But in the end, it was funny.
Some person on the CBC was saying that if they had pranked Obama it would have been a hate crime. Hardly… Obama would have likely picked up on it way sooner and maybe even had some fun with it. He’s a funny guy (actually, McCain is a funny guy too… they should pranked him). That, and generally, people smart enough to pull off such an epic prank, wouldn’t target Obama because they like him.
Here is the kicker from the WaPo story: Obama’s campaign spokesman Robert Gibbs, commenting on the prank, said: “I’m glad we check out our calls before we hand the phone to Barack Obama.”
BAAAZING!
Now… you want to see who has the keys to the planet? this shit is spooky.
This one is from Al Jazeera, so yeah… but an interesting view non the less.
Yikes, and these people have the right to vote! and the right to bare arms! both of them! at the same time!
The Morning After 