Came across a great site (actually, they came across me on Twitter after I posted about wanting tacos al pastor) called waz4dinner. It’s deliciously straightforward (haha, see what I did there?) - pictures of what people are eating! Share waz you haz 4 dinner! It’s totally up my alley - whenever anyone mentions being anywhere, I always want to know what they ate.
Tags: food, simon wex, waz4dinner
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In a not-altogether-unsurprising move, and one that seems almost poetic, really, PC Magazine is switching to online only and ditching the print copy.
The move is happening as of February 2009 - subscribers will get the full mag digitally delivered to their inboxes. This move was probably a long time coming - print publication pays beans today. It’s a totally antiquated format - the web allows for instant reporting and immediate gratification. I think that most newspapers should either shut down totally or make the shift entirely to digital. I flip through the Vancouver Sun on my lunch break most weekdays, but the best use I’ve gotten out of that print copy recently was when I used it to protect dishes while packing a few weeks ago. It’s environmentally wasteful and socially redundant. Craigslist and the like have made classified ads largely obsolete, and there’s nothing I can get in print that I can’t get online. This isn’t just self-indulgent ramblings of a bitter and unsuccessful journalist, either. I was the editor of my undergrad university paper for a few years, so I know the game.
I’m staring across Hastings St. at the Vancouver Sun building as I write this critique. That seems almost poetic, too.
Tags: journalism, social commentary
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I’m looking for a killer recipe for Tacos Al Pastor. They are heavenly… and impossible to get north of the 49th Parallel.
I have a bite guard to wear at night because I am so driven by food that I have dreams about eating, which translate to me chomping away all night. I’m sure I’ve had Tacos Al Pastor dreams… who wouldn’t? They’re glorious. The last time I had some was at the Taqueria in Hood River, OR. It seems like an unlikely place for great Mexican food, but damn do they have some. It’s a family affair. Maybe I can coerce some migrant workers in the Okanagan to come with us to Revelstoke. Human rights violation? Maybe. Verdict - DELICOUS.
Tags: food
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Tags: funny, geekologie
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I’m sincerely worried about how Obama is going to function under the pressure of saving the world.
I have a feeling he won’t even make a second term - the world has pinned its hopes on one guy. He must (figuratively, I hope) be pissing his pants at all the pressure. “Yes we can,” he declares. His rhetoric is lovely - he’s a fantastic speaker. I alluded to that in a previous post - I love eloquence and passion in a leader’s speech. However, there is so much focus on him now to save everything - the economy, the American image, the morale of the American people - that he is not going to be able to succeed everywhere that people are hoping he will. There’s no way he can please everyone.
Tags: politics
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Why is the answer to the question of “How are you doing?” or “Hey! What’s up?” always so deferential? “Fine - you?” or “Not much!” are the customary responses, even if things are not fine, or there is a lot that’s up. To be fair, I don’t want to hear a depressing diatribe when I ask those questions - does anyone actually ask expecting to get one? It would be nice to hear honesty though (albeit coupled with brevity).
Today an old friend said “So, what’s new?” and I instantly responded with “Not much. What about you?”
Then I paused.
“Actually,” I typed [haha...I love the digital age!], “Everything is new!” Because really, why the hell not. [No bold though - Facebook chat really lacks heart]
It gave the convo a whole new feel. It was fun. Everything really is new - I just handed in my letter of resignation at work, and am in the throes of packing/moving/getting ready/getting excited about moving to Revelstoke, BC to ski for the winter with Simon Wex and John Brodie.
The letter was no SW work of art though - too bad.
Tags: revelstoke, simon wex, skiing
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Live Broadcasting by Ustream
I have been watching a live stream of six American Eskimo puppies all day yesterday and today. I can’t handle it!
Tags: puppies
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Way to not screw this one up, America.
Tags: politics
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I went to a really well-shot ski movie called “Hand Cut” last night. It was made by two guys — kids, really (both 22, I think?) — who only used a helicopter once during filming (though obviously there’s something to be said for expensive, crazily-shot ski movies too). They hiked for the rest of the shots. I love that dedication! The whole movie was essentially about how amazing it is to earn your turns.
Anyway, we started chatting up the guys who made the film (well, actually it was John who got that ball rolling talking to their pretty friend) and they (along with that very cool friend of theirs who lives in Vancouver) snagged a bunch of beers and came over to our place for an impromptu party. Today is a bit of a struggle at work, but what a fun night! It was completely dominated by skiing. We watched some ski vids and talked snow all night. Good company, definitely. A friend of mine has a sticker that says “my best vacation is your worst nightmare” on a box of climbing gear, but that’s such a great mantra (sidenote–my main skis this year are Volkl Mantras, so even using the word ‘mantra’ makes me giggle). It’s true though — the idea of a multi-day backcountry ski trip makes me lightheaded with excitement, while for most people it sounds absolutely, punishingly awful.
Anyway, check out the trailer. Some of the snow looks absolutely fantastic. Big, big lines.
Tags: revelstoke, skiing, sweetgrass productions
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Don Marquis said that “[p]unctuality is one of the cardinal business virtues: always insist on it in your subordinates.” That line makes me growl a little. An old boss of mine once chastised me by claiming that my chronic lateness showed a sincere disrespect for my position and for the company. Admittedly, the job was uninspiring, unchallenging and underpaid so there certainly was a grain of truth in her statement, but I’m of the opinion that punctuality at work is totally overrated. Namely, it’s because working within a rigid schedule is completely stifling—I think that if I show up a few minutes late, it’s not a big deal if I’m motivated enough to get all my work completed. Actually, I find the whole concept of working an inflexible 40 hours week archaic—workplaces with a more malleable time schedule are infinitely more productive, because people stay to finish what they’re working on rather than rushing out the door at 5:00. Flexible schedules also signify progressiveness to me—a company seems more contemporary when it gives its workers freedom. It’s not that I don’t try to be on time—I really do. But I lack a sense of urgency about it, I suppose. I do need to try harder to be on time for my friends—it is rude to leave the people I care about waiting for me because I can’t get my rear into gear.
My generation often gets slagged as self-indulgent and unrealistic about what we think we deserve when it comes to work. And you know what? We are. I am, definitely. There’s a big clash between baby boomers for whom work is their whole life, and clowns like me for whom work is just to pay for my play. There are completely different sensibilities toward working—wanting an elastic schedule, wanting to be able to work remotely, wanting other perks (like fitness facilities, flex days, a stocked kitchen, etc). A sense of company loyalty really doesn’t exist for so many young workers, but I think that’s much more realistic. Why shouldn’t workplace loyalty be rewarded rather than expected? That’s not how I think outside of the workplace–I’m fiercely loyal to my friends and family and I expect it in return. But why wouldn’t you jump [work] ships for more money and/or freedom?
Tags: work
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Simon’s toes!