My final night, of two nights, in Calgary was spent at Market on 17th. It was ranked as one of the top restaurants in Canada in 2014, on Vacay Canada, and I agree with their assessment this day. Forgot my camera unfortunately.
I started with their market soup of foraged mushrooms with a mushroom pastry tart, which was delicious and creamy. For a main I had the Pork Royale, which was local pork cooked and deboned, mixed with foie gras and shaved truffles stuffed in a sausage case. With that was cheese curd mashed potatoes, brocolini, carrot salad with a citrus sauce, and a pork reduction around everything. It didn't look large enough when it was served to me but I was feeling very full afterwards. Not full enough to not have three house made chocolates though: burnt caramel, hazelnut, and maple. The chocolate outsides was done using a marbling technique using different colours.
The whole meal was a great way to end my stay in Calgary. I would eat here again in a heartbeat.
Travel, Food, History and Life around Victoria BC, Canada.
Saturday, 11 March 2017
Hapa Izakaya Restaurant
I was looking forward to eating at an Italian place nearby but it was closed for a staff function. I did mark on my map some other places nearby and this place, Hapa Izakaya was closest. I was so happy I did. It was also participating in an event called the Big Taste. It is an event to generate interest in restaurants during this slow season they have special menu options or features.
I started with a vegetable entree: spinach with a peanut sauce, mixed greens with citrus sauce, and eggplant in a rich marinade. So far it was well made but not fantastic, at least that was until...
...the salmon. It was cooked sous-vide in a citrus sauce to perfection, and served with a beefy flavoured barley with enochi mushrooms and some veg. Wonderful.
For desert, another wonderful treat...matcha brulee with raspberries on top.
I would come back here again. 
I started with a vegetable entree: spinach with a peanut sauce, mixed greens with citrus sauce, and eggplant in a rich marinade. So far it was well made but not fantastic, at least that was until...
I would come back here again. 
Mikey's Juke Joint
After arriving in Calgary, I drove to Sentry Box but was hungry for lunch so I went across the street to Mikey's Juke Joint. It has quite the cool decor inside that indicates its blues and jazz roots.
I had their special, chicken gumbo and a sub with chorizo, peppers, cheese and onions. The sub was average but the chicken gumbo was the best I have ever had. Could of had a huge bowl of it. Would stop by again.
Flight to Calgary
I went to Calgary this week for work and the scenery was quite something. Here is just above the South of Vancouver Island.
Over the Rocky Mountains.
Just West of the Rocky mountains and into Alberta.
On final decent into Calgary airport with the downtown area nearby.
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Postcard of the Interwebs - 11 Jan 2017
Parkinson's Passed on By Fecal Bacteria: Interesting study which, with more research, may lead to more attention to the digestive system in overall health.
Extreme Abdominal Pain Decoded: Speaking about digestive health, a handy info graphic on the subject.
If the Planets were as Far Away as the Moon: Another info graphic on relative sizes of objects in our solar system relative to that of the moon.
Device to Sniff for Diseases: Back to the field of medicine, a sniffing Star Trek tricorder!
How to Figure Out your Future: A good method to plan for not just your future but for anything you are planning towards.
Concussion Biomarker: Determining concussions using sound. Cheap, quick, and easy.
Alzheimer's Drug can Fix Your Teeth: A side effect of this drug is to regenerate the dentine on your teeth from the outside in.
Extreme Abdominal Pain Decoded: Speaking about digestive health, a handy info graphic on the subject.
If the Planets were as Far Away as the Moon: Another info graphic on relative sizes of objects in our solar system relative to that of the moon.
Device to Sniff for Diseases: Back to the field of medicine, a sniffing Star Trek tricorder!
How to Figure Out your Future: A good method to plan for not just your future but for anything you are planning towards.
Concussion Biomarker: Determining concussions using sound. Cheap, quick, and easy.
Alzheimer's Drug can Fix Your Teeth: A side effect of this drug is to regenerate the dentine on your teeth from the outside in.
Sunday, 1 January 2017
An end to 2016 and look ahead to 2017
Well, it was an interesting 2016. People dying. USA elections. Opinions as fact and fact as opinions. I will not discuss what is being discussed about what people have experienced, but rather what I have experienced this last year and a look towards the next.
Music
I've purchased quite a few CDs this year, especially used ones in the Maritimes during my trip there. Of the ones I have gotten, there are some standouts. You can listen to them as you read on.
London Grammar - If You Want. The album is masterfully raw in the emotion the singer projects with her voice. The instruments accompanying her accentuate the lyrics and voice rather than overcome it. The best for me this year. Here is one of their songs, Hey Now.
Lily Allen - Its Not Me, Its You. Such a wonderful contrast between the poppy music and the visceral lyrics that tell it like it is. Refreshing. I prefer this album over her older and newer one. Here is my favorite from the album, Back to the Start.
Muddy Waters - Anthology. I've been more interested in blues music since I picked up a three-string cigar box guitar. I've also picked up Robert Johnson's complete recordings, which are also great, but I prefer this album. It has a greater range of styles and emotion. It also has three CDs. Here is a selection of songs.
Vishten - Mosaik. From Prince Edward Island, they blend Acadien, English and Mi'kmaq languages and musical styles into a lively and foot tapping blend. Here is a live version of their song Tobie Lapierre.
Tafelmusik - Complete Sony Recordings. This was a really good way to get their earlier recordings. 47 CDs for $90 and you will have some of the best examples of early classical music. They still perform and are one of the best Baroque groups in the world. Here is an example, Weiss Allegro from concerto for lute in C major. Its from their Galileo project which I had the pleasure of seeing previously (not included in the CD but worth picking up as well).
Just for fun, a Star Wars bad lip syncing music video, Seagulls (Stop it now!).
Also for fun, Hevisaurus, a Finnish Heavy metal band. A spin on the genre, they dress up in dinosaur outfits and sing for kids. They have lyrics that tell the young kids to stay in school, drink their milk, and obey their parents. They are also insanely popular in Finland with young and old alike. Here is their song Rayh!
I wish to expand my learning of playing the three-string cigar box guitar as well as acoustic guitar. We will see about my progress.
Travel
I've had great trips to NORWESCON in Seattle, the Maritime Provinces in August, Hornby Island for camping in September, Tofino in November, and finally Kelwona for the winter holidays. Stay tuned to more in 2017.
Non-Fiction Books
I've read six non-fiction books this year. The big standout was the Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War. The research the publisher has done on this work (maps, references, research) has made it approachable and easy to comprehend. His explanation of events and errors by all factions and city states brought this area of history to life. I also liked the speeches written in the book and just about every one, with small changes, could have been used by speechwriters today for their effective format and influence on their audience. As a fan of ancient history, in particular Greek history, this was a great companion to the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan, which I read last year as a primer to the internecine conflict in ancient Greece. I will be continuing the history of the Peloponnesian war in 2017 with the Landmark Hellenica by Xenophon.
I also read Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species and Richard Dawkins' Blind Watchmaker. The first was a marvelous work utilizing many different methods of explaining the evolutionary process through pressures on species by the environment or those from outside organisms. The second was a critique against those who do not understand the evolutionary process which, although very well presented and written, it indicates the small flame of combative criticism that would eventually turn into an inferno in his later years.
Other books read were Bulfinch's Mythology: Age of Fable, Dore Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy (Wonderfully evocative art), and DK Publishing's Religion: Big Ideas Simply Explained.All were good books.
Other non-fiction books that I wish to read this year are ones on ancient history, prehistory, philosophy, and Carl Sagan's Demon-Haunted World.
Fiction Books
I read 13 books this year. There were three standouts: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (Wonderful hard boiled writing), Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth (one of the best from one of the best thriller writers. Loved the ending), and Nightmare Abbey by Thomas Love Peacock (Great parody of Gothic romance written in the early 1800's. Was laughing out loud)
Other great books were Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (modern HP Lovecraft kind of creepy. Will finish this trilogy), Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh (Awesome! Will read more by this great sci-fi author), Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald (Dallas on the Moon. It is much better than that description. Will read the other books as they are published), Station 11 by Emily St John Mandel (excellent apocalyptic novel about relationships), and Uprooted by Niomi Novik (superb fantasy that breaks sterotypes).
I will start to read Jane Austin books this year as well as more sci-fi and fantasy.
Comics
Only two collected comics this year were read: Judge Dredd Complete Case Files Vol 4, and Ms Marvel vol 3. The first was pure fun nostalgia and the second was original storytelling in the superhero genre.
I have some more collected comics that I will read to clear space on my shelf.
Magazines
I've started catching up in my National Geographic. I read from February 2013 to September 2014. Also keeping up with my National Geographic History (Oct/Nov 2015 to May/Jun 2016). They make for good reading while eating lunch and gives interesting things to think and talk about.
I will continue to read these two publications.
Theater Performance
I've gone to five live performances this year: Handel and his rivals (Opera arias from 18th century England. Not bad but not my thing), Love Makes Me Sing the French Style (Courtly Love Songs from 13-14th Century. Musica Fantastica. Very fun), One Man Dark Knight: A Batman Parody by Charles Ross (hilarious but not as funny as the one man Star Wars or one man Lord of the Rings), Tafelmusik (House of Dream. Always a treat to see them perform), and Collegium Vocale Gent (Tears of St Peter. Interesting and entertaining).
I will continue to see Early Music Society of the Islands performances that I am interested in.
Movie Theatre
Fifteen films were seen. Standouts are Love and Friendship (Jane Austin novella. Hilarious), Deadpool (also hilarious but in a violent immature way), Captain America: Civil War (great storytelling. All the Captain America films are the best of the Marvel series), The Arrival (great sci-fi story and well told), and Hateful Eight (Tarantino hits it out of the ballpark again).
Other noteworthy films seen were: Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Doctor Strange,Jungle Book, Missing Ingredient (documentary about restaurant institutions in NYC), Revenant, Secret Life of Pet, Star Trek Beyond, Star Wars: Force Unleashed (twice), and X-Men: Apocalypse. Not a stinker among them.
Looking forward to Star Wars: Rogue One, Valarian, and other superhero films.
Films in a House
Saw 33 films this year in a house. Standouts are: Blood Simple (early Coen brothers film that harnesses their style of film making in a raw form), Deadpool (twice. Its so fun!), Grand Budapest Hotel (good irrelevant joy), One-Hundred Foot Journey (original and warm-hearted), The Vanishing (1988 European original. Superbly dark), Inside/Out (great Pixar story), and Zootopia (surprising and relevant).
Look forward to seeing films of the past that I've missed.
TV Non-Fiction
Myself and my spouse like learning new things so we watch many many history and documentary programs. Standouts were: Athens: Truth of Democracy, Coast and Coast: Australia, Genius of Castles, India: A Visual Homage, Immortal Egypt, Two-Million Year Old Boy, Wartime Farm.
Will continue to watch programming of these genres.
TV Fiction
I watch a lot of programs, and some with my spouse, because I like to paint models while I watch something. I will be cutting back some programs that do not grab me so much and will be more critical of those that may interest me in the future. This will allow me to watch more documentaries and history programs as well as free open course lectures while I paint.
Some standouts were: Childhood's End miniseries (solid adaption of the novel), Colony season 1 (surprised and happy how good it is), Deadwood Season 1 (great Shakespearean wild-west drama), Downton Abbey season 6 (great season and great end to the series), Expanse Season 1 (wow oh wow is it good!), Sense8 Season 1 (Mind-blowing production. How did they plan filming this?!), Timeless Season 1.0 (imaginative and clever take on time travel).
Other shows I will stick with or watch more of are: Agents of SHIELD season 3 and part of 4 (season 3 getting a little tired but last few episodes were really good. Glad I kept with it as season 4.0 was really solid), Father Brown Season 4 (clever and very British), Flash Season 2 and part of 3 (extremely fun series and great superhero soap opera), Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (excellent adaption of the novel), Justice League Animated Season 1 and 2 (solid storytelling), Justice League Unlimited Season 1 and 2 (more solid storytelling), Leverage Season 1 (fun series), Lucifer season 1 and first part of 2 (very clever and fun), Murdoch Mysteries (simple fun), Supergirl Season 1 and part of 2 (fun and light series that is an excellent role model for girls), Superman Animated complete series (refreshing storytelling).
Music
I've purchased quite a few CDs this year, especially used ones in the Maritimes during my trip there. Of the ones I have gotten, there are some standouts. You can listen to them as you read on.
London Grammar - If You Want. The album is masterfully raw in the emotion the singer projects with her voice. The instruments accompanying her accentuate the lyrics and voice rather than overcome it. The best for me this year. Here is one of their songs, Hey Now.
Lily Allen - Its Not Me, Its You. Such a wonderful contrast between the poppy music and the visceral lyrics that tell it like it is. Refreshing. I prefer this album over her older and newer one. Here is my favorite from the album, Back to the Start.
Muddy Waters - Anthology. I've been more interested in blues music since I picked up a three-string cigar box guitar. I've also picked up Robert Johnson's complete recordings, which are also great, but I prefer this album. It has a greater range of styles and emotion. It also has three CDs. Here is a selection of songs.
Vishten - Mosaik. From Prince Edward Island, they blend Acadien, English and Mi'kmaq languages and musical styles into a lively and foot tapping blend. Here is a live version of their song Tobie Lapierre.
Tafelmusik - Complete Sony Recordings. This was a really good way to get their earlier recordings. 47 CDs for $90 and you will have some of the best examples of early classical music. They still perform and are one of the best Baroque groups in the world. Here is an example, Weiss Allegro from concerto for lute in C major. Its from their Galileo project which I had the pleasure of seeing previously (not included in the CD but worth picking up as well).
Just for fun, a Star Wars bad lip syncing music video, Seagulls (Stop it now!).
Also for fun, Hevisaurus, a Finnish Heavy metal band. A spin on the genre, they dress up in dinosaur outfits and sing for kids. They have lyrics that tell the young kids to stay in school, drink their milk, and obey their parents. They are also insanely popular in Finland with young and old alike. Here is their song Rayh!
I wish to expand my learning of playing the three-string cigar box guitar as well as acoustic guitar. We will see about my progress.
Travel
I've had great trips to NORWESCON in Seattle, the Maritime Provinces in August, Hornby Island for camping in September, Tofino in November, and finally Kelwona for the winter holidays. Stay tuned to more in 2017.
Non-Fiction Books
I've read six non-fiction books this year. The big standout was the Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War. The research the publisher has done on this work (maps, references, research) has made it approachable and easy to comprehend. His explanation of events and errors by all factions and city states brought this area of history to life. I also liked the speeches written in the book and just about every one, with small changes, could have been used by speechwriters today for their effective format and influence on their audience. As a fan of ancient history, in particular Greek history, this was a great companion to the Peloponnesian War by Donald Kagan, which I read last year as a primer to the internecine conflict in ancient Greece. I will be continuing the history of the Peloponnesian war in 2017 with the Landmark Hellenica by Xenophon.
I also read Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species and Richard Dawkins' Blind Watchmaker. The first was a marvelous work utilizing many different methods of explaining the evolutionary process through pressures on species by the environment or those from outside organisms. The second was a critique against those who do not understand the evolutionary process which, although very well presented and written, it indicates the small flame of combative criticism that would eventually turn into an inferno in his later years.
Other books read were Bulfinch's Mythology: Age of Fable, Dore Illustrations for Dante's Divine Comedy (Wonderfully evocative art), and DK Publishing's Religion: Big Ideas Simply Explained.All were good books.
Other non-fiction books that I wish to read this year are ones on ancient history, prehistory, philosophy, and Carl Sagan's Demon-Haunted World.
Fiction Books
I read 13 books this year. There were three standouts: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler (Wonderful hard boiled writing), Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth (one of the best from one of the best thriller writers. Loved the ending), and Nightmare Abbey by Thomas Love Peacock (Great parody of Gothic romance written in the early 1800's. Was laughing out loud)
Other great books were Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (modern HP Lovecraft kind of creepy. Will finish this trilogy), Downbelow Station by C.J. Cherryh (Awesome! Will read more by this great sci-fi author), Luna: New Moon by Ian McDonald (Dallas on the Moon. It is much better than that description. Will read the other books as they are published), Station 11 by Emily St John Mandel (excellent apocalyptic novel about relationships), and Uprooted by Niomi Novik (superb fantasy that breaks sterotypes).
I will start to read Jane Austin books this year as well as more sci-fi and fantasy.
Comics
Only two collected comics this year were read: Judge Dredd Complete Case Files Vol 4, and Ms Marvel vol 3. The first was pure fun nostalgia and the second was original storytelling in the superhero genre.
I have some more collected comics that I will read to clear space on my shelf.
Magazines
I've started catching up in my National Geographic. I read from February 2013 to September 2014. Also keeping up with my National Geographic History (Oct/Nov 2015 to May/Jun 2016). They make for good reading while eating lunch and gives interesting things to think and talk about.
I will continue to read these two publications.
Theater Performance
I've gone to five live performances this year: Handel and his rivals (Opera arias from 18th century England. Not bad but not my thing), Love Makes Me Sing the French Style (Courtly Love Songs from 13-14th Century. Musica Fantastica. Very fun), One Man Dark Knight: A Batman Parody by Charles Ross (hilarious but not as funny as the one man Star Wars or one man Lord of the Rings), Tafelmusik (House of Dream. Always a treat to see them perform), and Collegium Vocale Gent (Tears of St Peter. Interesting and entertaining).
I will continue to see Early Music Society of the Islands performances that I am interested in.
Movie Theatre
Fifteen films were seen. Standouts are Love and Friendship (Jane Austin novella. Hilarious), Deadpool (also hilarious but in a violent immature way), Captain America: Civil War (great storytelling. All the Captain America films are the best of the Marvel series), The Arrival (great sci-fi story and well told), and Hateful Eight (Tarantino hits it out of the ballpark again).
Other noteworthy films seen were: Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, Doctor Strange,Jungle Book, Missing Ingredient (documentary about restaurant institutions in NYC), Revenant, Secret Life of Pet, Star Trek Beyond, Star Wars: Force Unleashed (twice), and X-Men: Apocalypse. Not a stinker among them.
Looking forward to Star Wars: Rogue One, Valarian, and other superhero films.
Films in a House
Saw 33 films this year in a house. Standouts are: Blood Simple (early Coen brothers film that harnesses their style of film making in a raw form), Deadpool (twice. Its so fun!), Grand Budapest Hotel (good irrelevant joy), One-Hundred Foot Journey (original and warm-hearted), The Vanishing (1988 European original. Superbly dark), Inside/Out (great Pixar story), and Zootopia (surprising and relevant).
Look forward to seeing films of the past that I've missed.
TV Non-Fiction
Myself and my spouse like learning new things so we watch many many history and documentary programs. Standouts were: Athens: Truth of Democracy, Coast and Coast: Australia, Genius of Castles, India: A Visual Homage, Immortal Egypt, Two-Million Year Old Boy, Wartime Farm.
Will continue to watch programming of these genres.
TV Fiction
I watch a lot of programs, and some with my spouse, because I like to paint models while I watch something. I will be cutting back some programs that do not grab me so much and will be more critical of those that may interest me in the future. This will allow me to watch more documentaries and history programs as well as free open course lectures while I paint.
Some standouts were: Childhood's End miniseries (solid adaption of the novel), Colony season 1 (surprised and happy how good it is), Deadwood Season 1 (great Shakespearean wild-west drama), Downton Abbey season 6 (great season and great end to the series), Expanse Season 1 (wow oh wow is it good!), Sense8 Season 1 (Mind-blowing production. How did they plan filming this?!), Timeless Season 1.0 (imaginative and clever take on time travel).
Other shows I will stick with or watch more of are: Agents of SHIELD season 3 and part of 4 (season 3 getting a little tired but last few episodes were really good. Glad I kept with it as season 4.0 was really solid), Father Brown Season 4 (clever and very British), Flash Season 2 and part of 3 (extremely fun series and great superhero soap opera), Johnathan Strange and Mr. Norrell (excellent adaption of the novel), Justice League Animated Season 1 and 2 (solid storytelling), Justice League Unlimited Season 1 and 2 (more solid storytelling), Leverage Season 1 (fun series), Lucifer season 1 and first part of 2 (very clever and fun), Murdoch Mysteries (simple fun), Supergirl Season 1 and part of 2 (fun and light series that is an excellent role model for girls), Superman Animated complete series (refreshing storytelling).
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
Postcard of the Interwebs - 7 December 2016
The Richer You Are the less You See of those not Rich: Interesting psychological study.
Sweetgrass an Effective Mosquito Repellant: Used by First Nations people and successfully tested for effectiveness vs DEET.
Inner Life of the Cell: A video on the cell in all its wonder.
BAM (Becoming a Man) program: Looks like an exceptional program to reduce crime and improve grades by teaching how to control harmful impulse behavior. It is also backed by peer review and studies.
Nuclear Waste Batteries: Just make waste into diamonds and add some coating and viola! Energy that can last a bit longer than mankind has recorded history!
Magic Mushrooms Help with Depression: What if a single dose of a medicine could help a person with depression and anxiety for half a year? Its called psilocybin and with two studies it shows it works.
Chocolate Bars with Less Sugar and Same Taste: Nestle is working on chocolate with restructured sugar. This will reduce the amount of sugar by 40%.
Sweetgrass an Effective Mosquito Repellant: Used by First Nations people and successfully tested for effectiveness vs DEET.
Inner Life of the Cell: A video on the cell in all its wonder.
BAM (Becoming a Man) program: Looks like an exceptional program to reduce crime and improve grades by teaching how to control harmful impulse behavior. It is also backed by peer review and studies.
Nuclear Waste Batteries: Just make waste into diamonds and add some coating and viola! Energy that can last a bit longer than mankind has recorded history!
Magic Mushrooms Help with Depression: What if a single dose of a medicine could help a person with depression and anxiety for half a year? Its called psilocybin and with two studies it shows it works.
Chocolate Bars with Less Sugar and Same Taste: Nestle is working on chocolate with restructured sugar. This will reduce the amount of sugar by 40%.
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