. . .

LJ

2005-08-01T17:01:39Z

i think it's (almost) time.

building character / letting go

2005-06-21T22:17:06Z

oftentimes (though not always) i find that the best decisions
are often laced with great difficulty & some initial reluctance ..

gotta love these homegrown boys:

2005-06-19T08:22:18Z

today's random edible:

2005-06-18T22:40:08Z

Fog

2005-06-15T07:13:53Z

*Fog

There's a little child
Running round this house
And he never leaves
He will never leave
And the fog comes up from the sewers
And glows in the dark

Baby alligators in the sewers grow up fast
Grow up fast
Anything you want it can be done
How did you go bad?
Did you go bad?
Did you go bad?
Somethings will never wash away
Did you go bad?
Did you go bad?

*lyrics/music by Radiohead.

today's random edible:

2005-06-14T20:16:02Z

eh since i had my camera out, here's one for the cheez.

finally--

2005-06-13T21:28:24Z

last night, i finally got around to renting/watching this:

love love love loved it.
peking duck & fatty pork ramen are next up on my hit-list.

thinking before doing helps. a lot.

2005-05-13T08:25:04Z

i just wanted to lick the dinosaur, instead it followed me home.

grooming

2005-04-29T22:52:00Z

March 8 -- IWD

2005-03-08T08:33:47Z

Cheers to International Women's Day--

.
.

"Around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) marks a celebration
of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements for women."

hi

2005-03-02T12:45:51Z

i'd like to conduct a little survey here on my LJ--
(whether or not this will happen is another story, HA.)

WHAT would YOU like to see more/less of on my LJ:

--

a) food porn/food-related entries
b) recipes
c) emotionally raw access into my brain (usually grim)
d) photos (of anything and everything)
e) personal life stories
f) what i actually do with my time on the weekend/weekdays
g) my psychotic, highly visual dreams
h) mini-reviews of anything really, from films to mascara
i) random intardnet findings
j) artistic influences/creative stimulus
k) shameless nekkid pics

update: btw, thanks to those who gave feedback.

tangent: an easy-peasy dinner for two for UNDER $10!

toss the following into a pot/wok & cook for 10-12 minutes (!!)

sliced onions
fresh spinach leaves
a can of lentils
boneless, skinless *chicken thighs
(*marinated in the same ingredients below)
olive oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper
garlic cloves minced
freshly grated ginger
GENEROUS pinch of ground cumin
fresh lemon juice

it's healthy, verrrrrry tasty, cheap and so easy to whip up~
(and for all you crazy vegetarians you can omit the chicken.)

another reason why i envy those damn bay area peoples--

2005-03-01T05:43:27Z

i was watching Ciao America with Mario Batali tonight
and i watched him sink his chops into one of the most
phenomenal-looking hot foccacia meatball sandwiches, EVER.
man, i was salivating like some sort of savage woman in heat.

he went to this historic italian joint in North Beach called
Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store. now i don't know if the locals go here,
but i don't care because that sandwich looked THAT damn good.

"Thinly sliced roasted meatballs, Swiss cheese,
sliced onions and our homemade marinara" for just $6.95!!

damn

2005-02-23T01:20:06Z

so i've recently come to re-discover that
dark grey pinstripe jackets
make me severely weak in the knees.

whether the the damn thing is paired with a..

t-shirt
silk tie
jeans
kilt
brown paper bag

ohh my....

Warning: Iron Chef Geekdom ahead

2005-02-21T22:13:04Z

i freely admit he's a bit of a dork, BUT being the sole participant/rep
for Canada AND humbling Morimoto on his Kitchen Stadium home turf ..

*woooooooooooooooooooooot*

Born Into Brothels

2005-02-21T21:42:19Z

Directors: Zana Briski & Ross Kauffman
2004. USA. 83min.
English and Bengali with English subtitles.

[*taken from: www.kids-with-cameras.org]

Born into Brothels
Calcutta's Red Light Kids

"The most stigmatized people in Calcutta's red light district, are not
the prostitutes, but their children. In the face of abject poverty,
abuse, and despair, these kids have little possibility of escaping
heir mother's fate or for creating another type of life.

In Born into Brothels, directors Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman
chronicle the amazing transformation of the children they come
to know in the red light district. Briski, a professional photographer,
gives them lessons and cameras, igniting latent sparks of artistic
genius that reside in these children who live in the most sordid
and seemingly hopeless world.

The photographs taken by the children are not merely examples
of remarkable observation and talent; they reflect something
much larger, morally encouraging, and even politically volatile:
art as an immensely liberating and empowering force.

Devoid of sentimentality, Born into Brothels defies the
typical tear-stained tourist snapshot of the global underbelly.
Briski spends years with these kids and becomes part of their
lives. Their photographs are prisms into their souls, rather
than anthropological curiosities or primitive imagery, and a
true testimony of the power of the indelible creative spirit."

so this was a docu-film festival screening that i really wanted to see,
but wasn't able to at the 2004 VIFF & later kicked myself HARD for it.
this past weekend, i came across an article in the paper again about the film,
the directors behind the documentary & their vision put in action-- so incredibly

inspiring.

beautiful lyrics

2005-02-18T07:11:19Z

Gatekeeper

Well it's time to begin as the summer sets in
It's the scene you set for new lovers
You play your part painting in a new start
But each gate will open another

June July and August said
"It's probably hard to plan ahead."
June July and August said
"It's better to bask in each others."

Gatekeeper seasons wait for your nod
Gatekeeper you held your breath
Made the summer go on and on

Well they tried to stay in from the cold and wind
Making love and making their dinner
Only to find that the love that they grew in the summer
Froze

February April said
"Don't be fooled by that summer again."
February April said
"That half of the year, well we'll never be friends."

Gatekeeper seasons wait for your nod
Gatekeeper you held your breath
Made the winter go on and on

Gatekeeper, Gatekeeper, Gatekeeper
Seasons wait for your nod

-- written by Feist/Gonzales (2004/Polydor)

Mushaboom

Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait the babies haven't been born
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups

But in the meantime I've got it hard
Second floor living without a yard
It may be years until the day
My dreams will match up with my pay

Old dirt road knee deep snow
Watching the fire as we grow old

I got a man to stick it out and make a home from a rented house
And we'll collect the moments one by one
I guess that's how the future's done
How many acres how much light tucked in the woods and out of sight
Talk to the neighbours and tip my cap on a little road barely on the map

Old dirt road knee deep snow
Watching the fire as we grow old
Old dirt road rambling rose
Watching the fire as we grow well I'm sold

-- written by Feist (2004/Polydor)

recent local eats:

2005-02-13T09:46:27Z

CHAMBAR 562 Beatty --

'haute' belgian food, curious martinis, a buzzing newbie hipster joint
worth enduring. heavenly braised lamb with honey, figs & cinnamon.
we went for the Dine Out Vancouver, they were booked solid within days.

SHIRU-BAY CHOPSTICK CAFE 1193 Hamilton --

one of several izakaya-type eateries that have recently spawned. Hapa Izakaya
still reigns in my book, but the deep-fried giant ebi with spicy mayo is a MUST.
long ass line-ups, avoid dinner primetime. i've gotta go back for the dessert though,
they had a handful of temptations including nato bean/ice cream, black seasame brulee.

BIN 942 1521 W.Broadway --

best chocolate fondue bargain in the city for only $11 and plenty for two!
dark chocolate ganache with fresh strawberries, bananas, house-made cinnamon
doughnuts, mini marshmellows, cape gooseberries. no elbow room = meh heh heh

NOORU MAHAL 4354 Fraser --

a sri lankan/south indian place that specializes in SUPER-tasty dosas. apparently
this spicy little hole-in-the wall has been there for ages, & i can totally see why..
you could pretty much order anything on the menu and not go wrong. satisfying.

LONG'S NOODLE HOUSE 4853 Main --

a wife/husband team who serve up shanghainese comfort food, she's so sweet!
you can find a half dozen siulongbao order here for less than $4, and man,
the cold 'drunken chicken' is sooooo good here. cheap, tasty and consistent!

RIME 1130 Commercial --

feeling hungry and craving healthier choices? or maybe stuck with *cough*
(pain-in-the-ass) vegan/vegetarian friends for dinner? a bohemian newbie,
they claimed to be turkish in cuisine but i found it more fusion-y.. verrry
fresh, flavourful, casual & friendly, plus you get to pick any table you want!

.
.

happy eating--
(even though less than 15% of my fellow lj-ers are vancouver locals..)

feisty_arugula @ 2005-02-11T11:57:00

2005-02-11T19:57:35Z

shhh..

because sharing is caring--

2005-01-17T02:25:04Z

---> 15 ways to power up your energy and endurance:
(all of these are nothing new btw, just a good reminder that's all.)

.
.

1. Eat breakfast. This meal sets you up for the whole day.
It replenishes your body's energy supply after a nightlong fast,
providing fuel for your brain as well as your muscles. You need
that energy to stay mentally and physically alert and to enhance
learning and physical performance. It's a critical meal for adults
and children like. Without breakfast, your body is running on empty.

Tip: For a quick breakfast pick-me-up, choose oatmeal with skim milk and
a banana, whole grain toast with peanut butter or an egg and fresh fruit.

2. Don't diet. Eating too little or skipping meals are surefire ways to
rob you of energy. You need to eat enough to sustain a high energy level.

3. Make time for lunch -- even if you're busy. Shut your office door, turn
off the phone and spend a few minutes relaxing while you eat your lunch.
Your afternoon will be easier and more productive as a result. Think of it
as your personal time-out to regroup and get ready for the rest of the day.

4. Eat several small meals and/or snacks throughout the day.
This routine helps keep your blood sugar level steady (you want to avoid a
low blood sugar level, which is one of the common causes of afternoon fatigue).
Skipping meals can have a negative effect on your mood and energy, while
eating very large meals can make you sleepy. If you "forget" to eat
because you get too busy, put a sticky note on your computer or the phone.

5. Don't eat a meal just before bed. A heavy meal takes longer
to digest and, if you eat it late, you'll probably go to bed with a full
stomach. And lying down with a full stomach encourages acids and gastric
juices to flow up into the esophagus, causing uncomfortable heartburn
that will definitely make sleep more challenging.

6. Eat complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates found in whole grain
breads, cereals, lentils, legumes and starchy vegetables provide high-octane
fuel for your brain, muscles and body tissues. They're the fuel of choice
since they're digested gradually and serve as a steady energy supply for
body and brain.

Tip: For a carb-rich midmorning snack, have whole wheat crackers with low-fat
cheese; make a smoothie with fresh fruit, yogurt and milk; or spread half a
piece of pumpernickel bread with peanut butter.

8. Pay attention to the glycemic index (GI) of foods. This refers to
how quickly a particular food is absorbed and, therefore, raises your blood
sugar level. Foods with a high GI, such as white bread, white rice, mashed
potatoes and watermelon, are absorbed relatively quickly and so provide an
immediate source of energy. Foods with a low GI, such as pumpernickel bread,
brown rice, bulgur, lentils, yams, apples, pears and yogurt, are absorbed
more slowly and cause a slower, more gradual rise in blood sugar, which leads
to more consistent energy levels. These lower-GI foods take longer to digest
and can keep you feeling full longer, which may help you manage your weight.

9. Help stave off colds and flus by eating lots of fruits and vegetables.
These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that can
boost your immunity and keep you energized. In the winter months, when
fresh produce is not as readily available, buy frozen fruits and
vegetables; they are usually packed with many important nutrients.

10. Stay hydrated. You need at least two litres of fluid --
whether it's water, juice, milk, sports drinks or soups -- per day to be
properly hydrated and energized. You need even more if you exercise.
Unfortunately, you can't depend on thirst as an indicator of your fluid
needs; you could be mildly dehydrated without knowing it. You should get
in the habit of consuming fluids regularly, even if you aren't active.

11. Go easy on caffeine and alcohol. The caffeine in coffee may
give you a boost to get your day started but too much throughout the day
can overstimulate your system and cause insomnia. Alcohol can also affect
sleep patterns. And, if your sleep is disturbed, so is your energy. Keep
your caffeine intake under 450 milligrams a day (a cup of coffee has
between 120 and 180 milligrams and a cup of tea about 50 milligrams).

12. Combine foods properly for all meals or snacks. The best
combination is complex carbohydrates (bread, grains or pasta) with lean
protein (meat, fish, chicken, cheese, eggs or tofu). Carbohydrates are
easy to digest and give you fuel within a relatively short period of time.
However, if your meal is heavy in carbohydrates, such as a big plate of
pasta with tomato sauce, you may become sleepy afterward. Protein foods
take longer to digest and tend to make you feel more alert.

13. Include iron-rich foods in your diet. Iron-deficiency anemia is
one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in North America. Your body
needs iron to make hemoglobin, the part of the blood that carries oxygen to
all your tissues. If your diet doesn't provide enough iron, your body uses
up its own stores. Fatigue, low energy and even problems with concentration
are all signs of an iron deficiency. The best food sources of iron are red
meats, organ meats such as liver, iron-fortified cereals, whole grain or
enriched breads, dried fruits, green leafy vegetables, beans, blackstrap
molasses, nuts and seeds. However, increasing your iron intake comes with an
important caution: don't take iron supplements unless you're iron deficient
and can't correct it by changing your diet. Too much iron can cause indigestion
and constipation and can even be toxic. If you think that you have an iron
deficiency, check with your physician.

Tip: To help top up your iron stores, have liver pâté on a whole wheat cracker,
whole wheat cereal topped with strawberries, a handful of dried fruit or a
serving of beef stir-fry.

14. Exercise regularly. Getting physical is a good way to keep your
energy levels high. Exercise increases both endurance and strength,
helps you sleep better and is a great stress reliever.

15. Forget about supplements or products labelled with
the word energy. Just because a food has energy on its label
doesn't mean that eating it will make you more energetic.

[Source -- http://www.canadianliving.com]

cheers

2005-01-06T20:56:35Z

"gone fishing."

an unexpected gesture

2004-12-27T04:41:39Z

i hope everyone is enjoying their holidays.
i also hope that everyone is getting nice and JUICY and plump.

*POP*

about an hour ago i came home to open a belated christmas gift that
a friend has passed along to me, but little did i know what i was to find..

it's not very often that i receive a gift that literally ends up giving me the shakes..
leaving me COMPLETELY dumbfounded, squealing like a schoolgirl and STUNNED.

but yep, this just about did it:

**5 DVD WONG KAR-WAI COLLECTION** complete with

Chungking Express (!!!)
Happy Together
Fallen Angels
Days of Being Wild
As Tears Go By

o
m
g

seriously though, i felt like i didn't deserve such a generous gesture.
i wasn't even able to get anything for my friend this christmas.. *sigh*
but man, i'm gonna whip out my apron and cook up a HUGE thank you feast soon.

yesssssssss

2004-12-23T22:36:56Z

approximately 6 hours from now, there will be 9 crazy women in my living room.

i'm gonna have to figure out how the heck 9 CRAZY women (ages ranging from 21-26.75)
will ALL fit in my living room for a nostalgic *girls-only* holiday SLEEPOVAHHH....
(well if all else fails, i guess i could always stack em.)

now TELL ME peoples,
just how AWESOME will it be to wake up under the christmas tree with your closest gfs?

much to do..
much to do..

in other news,
the sistard just broke a personal baking marathon record of baking for *11* HOURS STRAIGHT!!!

included in last night's eatible madness:

> cherry almond grand marnier biscotti
> mint chocolate sandwich cookies
> homemade fig newtons
> two kinds of shortbread
> snowballs
> traditional gingerbread men

on repeat:

2004-12-21T18:13:19Z

writing to reach you :: travis
everything is everything :: phoenix
bossa per due :: nicola conte
soul sista :: bilal
sparks :: royksopp
so easy :: royksopp
someone to watch over me :: roland kirk
don't dream it's over :: sixpence none the richer
talk to me, dance with me :: hot hot heat
boulevard of broken dreams :: green day
christmas song :: the raveonettes

timeless

2004-12-17T04:14:07Z

love & lust

2004-12-15T23:38:54Z

"lust makes us want an experience,
   but love makes us want a person.

   lust makes us want pleasure,
   but love makes us want a person.

   lust makes us want women or men in general,
   but love makes us want a particular woman or man."

   -- Tim Keller.