Last week we went post-bar to U & Me Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. I'd been there before for daytime dim sum, but never at 3am. U & Me is a restaurant that has been dinged with numerous healthy violations over the years but still manages to stay in business. And business was good Saturday night-- the place was full of loud people warding off a Sunday morning hangover with fried noodles and ginger beef. A middle-aged Chinese lady was our server. At first I thought that this nice woman shouldn't be putting up with hungry louts when she could be sleeping. Then I thought of the money the restaurant was raking in and didn't feel bad. Drunk people order enthusiastically and tip well.
This lady put me in mind of another I encountered in Korea. English teachers sated their 3-am hunger at a place called Gimbap Chon-guk, a 24-hour "snack" restaurant near the foreigner bar in downtown Gwangju. You could get spicy kimchi soups and tuna gimbap and rice bowls here for cheap. I believe every after-hours foray I made into this place was attended by the presence of the famous Midnight Gimbap Ajumma. She was a short haired lady, around forty, heavy white face make-up, and a mean countenance. This ajumma took no shit from the drunken waygooks who interrupted her work shift. She'd verbal abuse the men in Korean; however, its possible that this abuse was her way of flirting. She was quite taken with our friend Mike, his blond hair and big blue eyes. She kept coming over to look at him and comment under her breath. After time she might accord to her regulars some grudging respect, especially to those who could speak some Korean.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Snowshoeing
Yesterday I went snowshoeing for the first time. We did an easy 4.5 km route, the Penstock Trail in Peter Lougheed Park, Kananaskis. The tall pines and the snow and the glimpses of mountain peak made the forest path a glittery fairy trail. And then we stepped from the trees into an open area and all went "Ah..." as the entire mountain came into view.
My idea of shoeshoeing from childhood was of giant wooden shoes atop atop deep untouched drifts of snow. The reality was compact aluminum-frame shoes on well-trodden trails. Walking in them was almost the same as walking in boots, so I didn't have to learn any new technique like I would for skiing.
Any new outdoor pursuit makes me apprehensive, as I am naturally wimpy (as I had to endure too many forced excursions in my junior high Outdoor Ed days). Now that I'm an adult now, and it's my choice, it's nice to finally enjoy working up a sweat. Actually I didn't find it very taxing; my quad muscles must be built up from trekking up Cemetery Hill every day to work.
It was a bright warm day, and the snow was all white and shiny. I guess I got my vitamin D.
My idea of shoeshoeing from childhood was of giant wooden shoes atop atop deep untouched drifts of snow. The reality was compact aluminum-frame shoes on well-trodden trails. Walking in them was almost the same as walking in boots, so I didn't have to learn any new technique like I would for skiing.
Any new outdoor pursuit makes me apprehensive, as I am naturally wimpy (as I had to endure too many forced excursions in my junior high Outdoor Ed days). Now that I'm an adult now, and it's my choice, it's nice to finally enjoy working up a sweat. Actually I didn't find it very taxing; my quad muscles must be built up from trekking up Cemetery Hill every day to work.
It was a bright warm day, and the snow was all white and shiny. I guess I got my vitamin D.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Kijiji Addict
I moved into my new apartment two weeks ago. Lacking furniture, I turned to Kijiji. I am now hooked.
Used to be I would turn on my computer and immediately check my email. Then Facebook came along, and I would constantly refresh to check for new messages and wall postings. Usually there wasn't much, some status updates, maybe something in my inbox. But on Kijiji, every minute there are new postings. I am rewarded every time I press F5! I can sit and peruse for--yes--hours. I addicted!
In the past week I've bought stuff from five sellers:
1. Folding wooden chair, some plates, half-full box of Kosher salt - $13
2. Small wooden Ikea table and two matching chairs - $20
3. Four wicker storage boxes and three pillows from India - $55
4. Dark wood bookcase with legs and built-in light - $40
5. Retro Technics audio receiver - $45
Most of the sellers lived downtown, so I could pick up the stuff and carry it home. My brother-in-law and boss helped me move the bookcase/table in their cars. And the receiver I bought from the trunk of a car at Shawnessy LRT station at 9pm. Sketchy!
I'm still looking for a double bed frame and a loveseat.
Used to be I would turn on my computer and immediately check my email. Then Facebook came along, and I would constantly refresh to check for new messages and wall postings. Usually there wasn't much, some status updates, maybe something in my inbox. But on Kijiji, every minute there are new postings. I am rewarded every time I press F5! I can sit and peruse for--yes--hours. I addicted!
In the past week I've bought stuff from five sellers:
1. Folding wooden chair, some plates, half-full box of Kosher salt - $13
2. Small wooden Ikea table and two matching chairs - $20
3. Four wicker storage boxes and three pillows from India - $55
4. Dark wood bookcase with legs and built-in light - $40
5. Retro Technics audio receiver - $45
Most of the sellers lived downtown, so I could pick up the stuff and carry it home. My brother-in-law and boss helped me move the bookcase/table in their cars. And the receiver I bought from the trunk of a car at Shawnessy LRT station at 9pm. Sketchy!
I'm still looking for a double bed frame and a loveseat.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Plastic Containers
Despite the recent trendiness of inconvenient truths and calls to ban the plastic bag, I still sometimes find my attempts at greenness thwarted.
I like the food at little cafeteria down the block from where I work. I kept my plastic containers from the last time I got take-out there, and brought them with me today. But when I presented them at the counter, the young woman working there was unaccommodating. First she tried to recycle them. Then when I insisted that I wanted to reuse them, she just gave them back to me (so that I could reuse them elsewhere?). Finally I explained that I wanted her to put my food in them, then and there. By that time she wasn't so friendly and I was feeling foolish.
I don't feel mad at her, as working customer service is a drag (at least I always found it to be) and I was making her job more complicated. Plus, as my sister pointed out, restaurants probably have a health code to follow that doesn't allow the reuse of disposable containers.
Everyone has jumped on the plastic bag bandwagon, but I wager that much more plastic and paper is tossed into the dump everyday because of food packaging from take-out and fast food restaurants than from Safeway bags. Styrofoam (again, according to my sister) isn't even recyclable in the city of Calgary. But try to show up with your own Tupperware and you'll get weird looks and little cooperation.
When I lived in Korea, I learned sufficient survival Korean to order food delivered to my apartment. A young man would ride up on his motorcycle, bring the food to my door and collect the money. When I was done eating, I'd put my reusable plastic plates and bowls out in the hallway. A while later, they'd be gone, picked up by the same delivery man. Now, I assume this was done to save money, not the environment, as two motorcycle trips were required, and the food always came in plastic bags. Even so, it demonstrates another possibility.
In Taiwan, according to my friend who taught there, most Taiwanese carry a set of personal collapsible chopsticks around with them in a little pouch. I think this is done because the cleanliness of restaurant chopsticks is always suspect (they're not wrapped in paper like they are here). Still, I've never met anyone who carries her own fork and knife in her handbag.
Is there a way we could make reusable plates, bowls and utensils work for take-out in Canada?
I like the food at little cafeteria down the block from where I work. I kept my plastic containers from the last time I got take-out there, and brought them with me today. But when I presented them at the counter, the young woman working there was unaccommodating. First she tried to recycle them. Then when I insisted that I wanted to reuse them, she just gave them back to me (so that I could reuse them elsewhere?). Finally I explained that I wanted her to put my food in them, then and there. By that time she wasn't so friendly and I was feeling foolish.
I don't feel mad at her, as working customer service is a drag (at least I always found it to be) and I was making her job more complicated. Plus, as my sister pointed out, restaurants probably have a health code to follow that doesn't allow the reuse of disposable containers.
Everyone has jumped on the plastic bag bandwagon, but I wager that much more plastic and paper is tossed into the dump everyday because of food packaging from take-out and fast food restaurants than from Safeway bags. Styrofoam (again, according to my sister) isn't even recyclable in the city of Calgary. But try to show up with your own Tupperware and you'll get weird looks and little cooperation.
When I lived in Korea, I learned sufficient survival Korean to order food delivered to my apartment. A young man would ride up on his motorcycle, bring the food to my door and collect the money. When I was done eating, I'd put my reusable plastic plates and bowls out in the hallway. A while later, they'd be gone, picked up by the same delivery man. Now, I assume this was done to save money, not the environment, as two motorcycle trips were required, and the food always came in plastic bags. Even so, it demonstrates another possibility.
In Taiwan, according to my friend who taught there, most Taiwanese carry a set of personal collapsible chopsticks around with them in a little pouch. I think this is done because the cleanliness of restaurant chopsticks is always suspect (they're not wrapped in paper like they are here). Still, I've never met anyone who carries her own fork and knife in her handbag.
Is there a way we could make reusable plates, bowls and utensils work for take-out in Canada?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Emmylou Harris
Last night I got a call at 6pm from my friend. "What are you doing tonight?" He had an extra ticket to the Emmylou Harris show at the Jack Singer. Row B! And free, 'cause he was writing a review. Hot dog!
I'll never get to see Gram Parsons play, but now I've seen Emmylou up close singing "Return of the Grievous Angel." I'll take it.
I'll never get to see Gram Parsons play, but now I've seen Emmylou up close singing "Return of the Grievous Angel." I'll take it.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Fish Head
My strange nephew wanted to be a fish for Halloween. My niece wanted to be Hannah Montana. I like to think my nephew takes after me and that my niece is exhibiting traits from the other side of the family.
I fashioned a catfish head out of paper mache, sparkly foam and pipe cleaners. I also passed on the "Fish Heads" song to another generation.
I fashioned a catfish head out of paper mache, sparkly foam and pipe cleaners. I also passed on the "Fish Heads" song to another generation.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Just like Susan Sarandon, I lost my Rocky Horror virginity to a sweet transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania.
I'd never seen it before, but I knew enough to be prepared. I made up prop bags of rice, toast, water gun, newspaper and party hats. I left out the toilet paper because I'd rather keep it to use rather than throw it around a movie theatre. When we walked into the Plaza it was packed to the walls. There were men in corsets and lots of wigs. It was a loud crowd too, singing along to the Time Warp, and especally excited when Tim Curry made his first appearance descending from the elevator. Tim Curry, in the corset, and the make-up, and the big hair, and those lips...ah. Delicious.
Come time for the rain scene, we put the newspapers over our heads and squirted away with the water gun. My gun was superior since I procured it from my nephew instead of buying a cheapy one at the theatre. I could squirt much farther than my neighbours. Later on rolls of TP sailed through the air with long papery tails, some achieveing considerable loft. Rolls landed near us so we could take part in the throwing.
There was a group of "actors" who got up onto the stage in front of the screen and interacted with the movie. They would mirror what was going on on screen, or go up to the actor and do suggestive things. There's a shot near the end where the camera rotates around and around in a dizzy whirl. Four actors got up and "pushed" the screen around in a circle. It was effective.
My friend went home with rice in her pants and I am still discovering confetti stars in random places, lie my socks (which is really pokey). I am certainly ready to do the Time Warp again.
I'd never seen it before, but I knew enough to be prepared. I made up prop bags of rice, toast, water gun, newspaper and party hats. I left out the toilet paper because I'd rather keep it to use rather than throw it around a movie theatre. When we walked into the Plaza it was packed to the walls. There were men in corsets and lots of wigs. It was a loud crowd too, singing along to the Time Warp, and especally excited when Tim Curry made his first appearance descending from the elevator. Tim Curry, in the corset, and the make-up, and the big hair, and those lips...ah. Delicious.
Come time for the rain scene, we put the newspapers over our heads and squirted away with the water gun. My gun was superior since I procured it from my nephew instead of buying a cheapy one at the theatre. I could squirt much farther than my neighbours. Later on rolls of TP sailed through the air with long papery tails, some achieveing considerable loft. Rolls landed near us so we could take part in the throwing.
There was a group of "actors" who got up onto the stage in front of the screen and interacted with the movie. They would mirror what was going on on screen, or go up to the actor and do suggestive things. There's a shot near the end where the camera rotates around and around in a dizzy whirl. Four actors got up and "pushed" the screen around in a circle. It was effective.
My friend went home with rice in her pants and I am still discovering confetti stars in random places, lie my socks (which is really pokey). I am certainly ready to do the Time Warp again.
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