Camille's Restaurant

Last night was the inaugural night of a little Gastronomic club my wife and I have started. Camille's was the first place chosen and its classic West coast style food that they offer. It's at the corner of Bastion Square and Langley and you have to go down stairs to enter into it. Once inside, the quirky decor will win you over.

My wife had the Winter Mushroom Papardelle (House Smoked Pappardelle, Black Trumpet & Hedgehog Mushrooms, Oyster Fritters) and the Spruce Butter poached Pheasant ("Potato Pave", Quince Mostarda, Maple Vinegar Roasted Winter Squash, Quince Jus). I had the five course tasting menu (Tomato bisque, gizzard mousse, poached cod, lamb and chocolate mousse). The other three had the seafood bisque and either the duck of pheasant.

My wife and I have been here before over the last baker's dozen years and this experience will still keep us coming back for more.

Postcards from the Interwebs - 22 Jan 2013

Its been a while and I've been accumulating web links so here they are:

Lasers used to make insulators conduct like a metal: Yes, its a mouthful and quite the topic to start off with but could be quite revolutionary. Useful for any electronic device.

Rivers on Titan and the remains of one on Mars: Discovering water or the remains of water on other worlds is not only mindbogglingly awesome but important if we want to visit other worlds or discover new life on them (cue Star Trek intro). The Mars rover has also been finding evidence of water in its journey.

Star Wars Wookie Jacket: I want one!

Map of California, for Movie studio shoots: From 1927, it shows where in California people can use to stand in for other parts of the world. Could be a cool road trip or the basis of a documentary.

Using sound for surgery: Not having to clean the tools can be very handy in regular and combat medicine. Unfortunately it could also be handy in combat. Maybe even a way to have light-sabers?

Robert Smalls, Civil war hero: I always get inspired when I read about people of our past who overcome extreme difficulties.

Times Square from above: Just a very cool picture.

Sushi in Victoria

For those of you who like sushi, Victoria has several very good places to satisfy your cravings. I felt that craving last night and treated my wife to supper at Eibizo. Considering the Asian population in Victoria, there is no wonder that there are several Japenese restaurants in Victoria. In order of my best to almost best are:

Sen Sushi is much more traditional and gives you the best feeling of comfort and feeling you expect in a Japanese restaurant.

Eibizo is a small cozy place that my wife and I have been enjoying going to for years. It serves simple, tasty dishes that leave you feeling happy and sated.

Azuma is a larger place that can be a bit noisy but serves excellent dishes.

There are many more and a new one pops up every once in a while.

Winter in Kelwona

As a break from Firestorm Armada articles (and there will be more for the next little while) I'd like to mention what I did over my winter holidays. My wife and I went to the Kelwona area to spend time with her family and traveled there by plane. We tried by car one year and slipping and sliding was not fun on the drive back. In Victoria there is not much snow in the winter months and in past years there has been greener Christmases in Kelwona too. Fortunately not this year and a good time was had by all.

End of 2012 and Beginning of 2013

Well, it was a busy and active year for work. I have another year or so at my current position and then who knows...perhaps Ottawa.

For hobbies, I got much more painted than I thought I would and hope to match my productivity this year. I'll be concentrating on Warmachine with my Cygnar faction and beefing it up with some Mercenaries, including Rhulic models in the Fall and Winter, for playing the three Rhulic Warcasters next year. For Infinity I hope to paint more Combined army as well as Haqqislam. In Malifaux I hope to beef up the Neverborn Lilith gang as well as add Lucius and his friends to the Guild and my Perdita gang. For Firestorm Armada I'll add to the Relthoza and Terran fleets as well as some allies and civilian ships. I also picked up two Dystopian Wars starter fleets (Covenant of Antarctica and Prussian Empire) for cheap on Boxing Day from Quantum Games in Kelwona for a try. There's always terrain as well.

For travel, I hope to be going to France with my wife this Spring and will be doing a little traveling with work throughout the year.

I hope my readers will have a great 2013!

Holidays

I'll be going on holidays and probably won't post till the new year so I hope that you are with at least one of your special someones and have a great 2013!

Postcard of the Interwebs - 09 Dec 2012

I've been busy at work and after work with gatherings and celebrations. I'm also working on two units of Cygnar Arcane Gunners and their UAs. Here's some webpages until I can post pics of some models:

Mine Kafon - Here is an ingenious way to inexpensively get rid of land mines. You need a wind but I like the simplicity and elegance of the idea.

Gift of three hairs for Gimli in LOTR - I was not aware of the history of Galadriel's hair as a gift in the expanded Lord of the Rings series but its a very nice story once you read the background. Also a life lesson that something can be valuable to someone for a completely different reason than others value a thing.

Stem cells from urine - I know, i know...not a traditional conversation starter but if able to be done cheaply and efficiently could end the "religious" side of stem cell research as the current method would be moot.

Mjau - Awfully cute cat and beautiful pictures to go with it.

Creepy Dental Dummy Calender - It has to be seen to be believed. No gore or anything just...creepy.

Mars rover soil samples - I love the fact that we can see images of another planet in our solar system and no special effect studio was required. My wife and I are raw science geeks as well as sci-fi and fantasy fans so this cutting edge exploration is simply awesome.

One Nation, Seven Sins - A group of statisticians and geographers have collaborated data on the seven deadly sins onto a map of the USA. Could be used to prevent certain crimes before they happen or what new self-help businesses could be popping up in stricken areas.

How to pick up a girl at the gym - Just a funny youtube video and not what you think it will be.

How brainscans can better diagnose you - I always thought that if full body scans could be safe and accurate to be done once a year, wouldn't that be great to have as a basis for long term diagnosis and comparison for disease, injury or illnesses?

Terragenesis - For hours and hours of inspiration and fun, for you modellers out there, click on the link. I've been here many times over the years.