Peace and Tranquility

I seemingly vanished from the face of the Earth the last four days. That was because a very wonderful girl took me on a surprise getaway to Whistler. We stayed at the Nita Lake Lodge, an absolutely beautiful place overlooking the water. Time stood still for the weekend as I (more or less) forgot about work and life, and even Restaurant City. On my birthday (June 29) I was treated to a wonderful dinner at the lodge's restaurant, Jordan's Crossing. It was a wonderful complement to a memorable weekend.

Thank you to my baby for taking care of me this weekend.

Break

I have the weekend off to spend with someone who's planned something special. I have no idea what we're doing but whatever it is, I know I'm going to be happy. Don't think about work....don't think about work....don't think about work.

RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009

Flashback to the night of August 31, 1997. I remember I was dealing roulette that night when the dealer supervisor whispered to me "Princess Diana just died". I remember how sad I was that night. I watched the TV report in the breakroom and was in shock.

Today, 12 years later, I felt that same sadness. Yes, for the last few years Michael Jackson was only remembered for a lot of bad things, from his reclusiveness to his strange behaviour to his lawsuit. Maybe as a person he was somebody that wasn't liked.

But I remember Michael Jackson for an album that was released 27 years ago, perhaps the greatest album of all time. Who hasn't danced to Thriller, or any of the other amazing hits? He has influenced so many musicians from his music to his dancing. There shall be no one else like him. His music will live on forever.

RIP Farrah Fawcett 1947-2009

After a long battle with cancer, Farrah Fawcett passed away this morning. Has it really been over 30 years since she first appeared on TV as one of Charlie's Angels? Even though she only appeared for a short time on the show she became a 70's icon. Her relationship with Ryan O'Neal more or less stood the test of time. Once again the world has lost a great person too soon.

The Proposal

We went to Silvercity Metropolis after dinner, thinking that after a week there wouldn't be as much people watching. Boy were we wrong, the theater was almost full (except for the front seats). I was thinking it was probably a good movie then, and it was. Sure most of the story was predictable but there were a few very nice laughs. Betty White was amazing as the Grandma of Ryan Reynold's character. She is ageless. I grew up watching her in the 70's on The Match Game, as well as other game shows. Sandra Bullock was strangely cast as a mean boss but it worked.

Wake Up Fido

I want the new iPhone 3GS but the idiots at Fido won't let me get it at the discounted rate. I have to pay $800+ although I will get a $100 "promotion" discount plus $30 or so in FidoDollars. Big deal. I can also switch to Rogers and get a similar plan to what I am getting but about $10 more/month. Ridiculous Fido, I've been with them for over 10 years and it means absolutely nothing to them. Now I have a decision to make.

Repeat

And so ends another strange week in the life and times of a random guy in the universe. It's amazing how a day can go so well and then suddenly out of nowhere bad things happen... in threes. As a result I had a week of interrupted sleep. But now my week is over and I can relax on my days off.

So why aren't I asleep yet at 1:40 in the morning?

Russell Peters x 5

I haven't missed a Russell Peters show since he became famous and last night I got to see him perform in front of an almost sold-out GM Place audience. He was at his best and managed to put together almost 2 hours of hilarity. While he didn't make as much fun of the "Asians" as usual he was just as funny. No culture was taboo. I guess the only bad part was a little joke about a certain actor from Burnaby. But as usual I had a good time.

Cloverdale Flea Market

This weekend we went to the Cloverdale Flea Market for the first time. It's strange that I spent almost a year working at Fraser Downs and never went to the Flea Market. It was a lot bigger than I thought and there were a number of good deals, but we didn't end up buying anything. We just enjoyed spending time together.

Late Night

I should have been in bed a long time ago but I decided to stay up to watch Jimmy Fallon because tonight the guest was one of my favorite TV stars, Betty White. I don't know how many times I've seen her on TV in my life. I grew up watching her in so many shows (Match Game, Password, etc.). I can't wait to see her in the Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds flick The Proposal.

Up

Amy and I went to see this Pixar cartoon that was done in the new 3-D technology. We got the silly little glasses and enjoyed a surprisingly sad (in the beginning) tale. The effects were pretty cool and there were even some trailers for more 3-D flicks coming up. This was a nice end to yet another wonderful weekend.

Romantique

My latest obsession (and it seems I'm not the only one among my coworkers and friends) is Restaurant City, a highly addictive Facebook application. At first I thought it was a silly little game but now it's gotten to a point where I have to at least check on "my" restaurant whenever I can. Damn you, Facebook and Playfish!

Anyhow, drop by my restaurant and get your free ingredient from me! Meanwhile, I need peas!

Update

Life is good. I've been better, I've been worse. But now there's somebody taking the road with me.