Weekend Report - Halloween!

Halloween at CMC:
Some neat costumes at CMC's Halloween party this year. Here are the top 3 as voted by employees:


^ #3 Pirate.


^ #2 Bert and Ernie.


^ #1 Pac-man with Ghosts.

Birthday/Halloween Party:
Fun was had by all at Marc's and Jes's Halloween party. It started as Lincon's 1st Birthday party and mutated into a Halloween potluck party.

I broke out my deep fryer and contributed deep fried wontons to the party.


^ Deep Fried Pork and Shrimp Wontons.

Later in the night, it started snowing, and after alot of shots, a snowman was constructed from the fresh snow (complete with a carrot nose, broccoli eyes, and banana mouth):


^ 1st Snowman of the year.
The snowman fell over later; aka: it "passed out", lol.

Dinner Sunday -> Steak and Veggies.
Had an early dinner, before the Trick or Treaters started showing up:


^ Steak with Veggies.

Halloween:
I got a new record number of kids this year! I got 23 Trick or Treaters! The best costume was a kid dressed up as Bumblebee from the Transformers live action movie.


^ While waiting for Trick or Treaters, I roasted some potatoes and sweet potatoes in the (convection) oven.


^ Snacking on a Sweet Potato.
I snacked on a sweet potato inbetween Trick or Treaters. Eating a hot sweet potato wrapped in newspaper is fun. Would have tasted better if I ate this outside in the cold :).

Useless Idol News:
FYI: If you have the Rogers channel 829 (Japan TV): AKB48 will be performing "Beginner" on Music Japan Monday night (12:10am). The girls talk with Perfume about Halloween before performing. These Beginner outfits with the hoodies are pretty cool and gangster like.
Also downloadable here.
(Credit to ATZ48)

Halloween is Almost Here!

Halloween is coming up on Sunday. I wonder if I will get more than 8 kids this time? This year I'm only handing out Coffee Crisp, as I don't want to be stuck with stuff I don't like.

I still have 2 boxes of Cheetos from last year that I haven't gotten around to eating. The box says it expires Dec 2009. I tried a bag last week, and they tasted bad, like cheesy dust... so I proceeded to eat 4 more bags because I was hungry :P. I'm pretty sure my "#2" was more orange that day :) LOL

My costume for this year: Japanese Festival attire.


^ Japanese Matsuri Attire.
The character on the headband, on the back, and on the fan is "Matsuri". Emi told me that "Matsuri" means Festival or Party. The outfit also comes with a sash, but it's too small (or I'm too big :P).
Maybe with this costume, I can win the CMC Costume Contest on Friday?

More Beginner

Got a package today from CDJapan. It was 2 of my 4 Beginner CDs: Limited Version A and Regular Version A. CDJapan shipped the 1st press promo Rena and Myao photo with them. My B versions from HMV Japan should show up soon.
The only difference between the LTD and the REG versions was the CD Booklet and the Handshake Ticket (which I can't use). If I had known this before I pre-ordered, I would have only got the limited versions. Who am I kidding, I'm a collector. I still would have gotten all versions :P
(Hey Gavin/Emi, if either of you (or Yuto) want my tickets to meet AKB48, let me know and you can have it.)


^ Beginner LTD and REG Version A CDs.

Useless Idol News:


^ Beginner Dance Video - Yuko Version.
Yuko version of the video is pretty good, but it could use more Yuko shots ;) I think it would have been better if the camera didn't jump around so much too.
The neat part is at the beginning, where Takamina hand signals for the Yuko version. Yuko version signal is Team K's hand sign :) (FYI: Yuko part of Team K)

Beginner

Went to a CMC project sponsored hockey game in the CMC corporate box tonight. Marc and I car-pooled as we got a free VALET pass. Valet service is pretty sweet, especially in the rain :)
In the box, there was free food :)


^ Free CMC Corporate Box Food.
The nacho's were good and so were the home-made chips.

It was PHX @ OTT and Gonchar's 1000th career game.
Ottawa won 5-2. Phoenix's Labarbera got pulled after the 1st period for letting in 3 goals. Ottawa's Kovalev turned over the puck so many times in the offensive zone, but still managed to score 2 goals and an assist.

Useless Idol News:
Out today, AKB48's 18th Single, "Beginner".


^ Beginner Poster.
Been listening to the single all day at work today.

Download "Beginner" here and give it a listen.
"Kimi no Tsuite", by AKB48 fictional sub-group Mint, is good too.
(Credit to AikyiTaizne's Journal.)

I'll upload the controversial "Beginner" music video when I get a good quality version of it. It was censored for being too violent.

Onigiri

Dinner today -> Onigiri
After another disappointing Onigiri purchase at T&T (because they keep putting ginger into it, when it doesn't belong), I made my own Salmon Onigiri.


^ Fongpay's Salmon Onigiri.

I made 3 cups of rice in my rice cooker and that was only enough rice to make 9 riceballs!
The filling was a mixture of salmon, relish, wasabi, and Miracle Whip.


^ Fongpay's Salmon Onigiri Cross-section.

Weekend Report - Auction

Susanna, Ben, and I went to an auction on Saturday in Carp. It was really cool. There were alot of furniture, bed room sets, dinning table sets, sofas, jewelry and paintings, but only 2 TVs. The auctioneer was pretty fast, but was good.

The TVs were 42" Samsung Plasma TVs with 3D capability. They only went for $650 and $425! My starting (and ending) bid was $200.


^ 42" Plasma TV.

I also wanted to win one of these Grandfather Clocks.


^ Grandfather Clocks.
I was hoping one might be haunted and give it to Susanna as a house warming gift :P The clocks went for $650 and $850

I also wanted this Precious Metal and Stone Globe. It was worth $400 and went for only $80. I was only willing to go up to $50.


^ Precious Metal and Stone Globe.

Multi-piece sofas, dinning table sets, and bedroom sets went for super cheap.
A wooded dinning table and 6 chair set I was eyeing went for only $650. That less than $100 for each piece! It had a lazy-susan built into the center of the table too.
An 8 chair and wooden table set went for $900

Other items of note:
- large rugs went for about $200,
- limited edition framed prints from Tom Thompson (Group of Seven) about $30-100,
- 3 piece reclining sofa sets for about $1200,
- new queen/king size pillow mattress and box for about $400,
- 7 piece wooden king size bedroom set $1600.

My plan is to hit more auctions. These deals are too awesome. We did win a few items, but I can't reveal them as they will be Christmas presents :)

Will and Thi also dropped by my house on Saturday night. I didn't even know they were in town. They brought me some Lindt chocolate.


^ Lindt Chocolate.

Dinner this weekend -> Roast Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes with meat.
I roasted some normal potatoes and sweet potatoes in the oven. The sweet potatoes turned out really good and perfectly cooked and were sweet. The potatoes were abit under-cooked in the middle.


^ Roast Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes.

I had the potatoes with a Lambchop in 1 meal and sliced steak in another.


^ Potatoes and Meat Meals.

3D Concert

Dinner today -> T&T Stuff
I went to T&T for food and groceries. I got some rice noodles w/ bean sprouts, egg rolls, and soy sauce chicken.


^ T&T Dinner.

I also got this giant green onion. $0.59 for this huge thing.


^ Giant Green Onion.
I'm not sure why I got this. I usually prefer green onions with more white part than green part.

Useless Idol News:
Check out this link and click the 3rd video link for a short AKB48 "Beginner" Commercial. I found the blue monkey guy hilarious. He mumbles along with the song, almost like me in the car. LOL

According to this news here and here, AKB48's Karaoke Tournament/Concert from Oct 4th will be broadcast in Japan on Oct 30. The coolest part is that it will be in 3D! I wonder if it will still work on my computer or will I really need to watch it on a 3D TV?

Preserved Duck Egg

Dinner today -> Pork Congee with Preserved Duck Egg
Made a big pot full of Pork Congee with a couple of Preserved Duck Eggs. I wasn't planning on making so much, but it was too thick so I had to keep adding water to it.
Too bad I didn't have any green onions or any fried bread sticks to finish the dish, as the congee turned out really tasty.


^ Pork Congee with Preserved Duck Egg.
(The above pic does not do the congee justice.)

CMC News:
CMC Electronics acquired an exclusive SmartDeck integrated cockpit from L-3. A small article here and here. That's good news. I hope some of the work will be done in Kanata.

Osaka Residents (Updated)

Dinner today -> Burger King Classic Chicken Sandwich x 4.
Yup, I got 4 of them. It takes alot of chicken to fill up a hungry man like me :)
They're not bad. Abit salty. Good for $1.99.


^ Burger King Classic Chicken Sandwich x 4.
(Actually, I'm saving 2 for lunch on Wednesday.)

Useless Japan News:
Is this really true? Residents of Osaka, Japan will react to getting shot if you walk around with your hand pointing like a gun and saying "Bang". Really? Is this really an unspoken rule in Osaka???
Also, if you pretend to have an invisible sword and slash at Osaka residents, they will pretend to get cut and killed. This is awesome! :)
Below is a cool sub-titled video of a reporter proving it's true! A really must watch video. It's too awesome!


^ Awesome Osaka Residents.
(Emi, your from Osaka. Is this really true???)

UPDATE:
It's been confirmed. I got to try this next time I'm in Osaka!

Milk Glass

My many years of milk drinking has finally paid off. I got a FREE Natrel glass for buying a 2L carton of milk, from Metro.


^ Free Glass and Milk.

Dinner today -> Chicken Rice.
I cooked some salted chicken drumsticks with the rice in my rice cooker. The chicken juices and the salt is soaked up by the rice. Tasty and simple.


^ Chicken Rice.

Dessert was Creme Brulee. I used my mini-blow torch to crystallize the caramel on the top.


^ Creme Brulee.

Weekend Report - Betrayal Errata!

Friday:
Went to Comic Book Shoppe and Toys R Us. Picked up some comics and finally found Transformers: Animated Ironhide and Hotrod (aka Rodimus Minor).


^ Animated Hotrod and Ironhide.

Went to Farmboy just as they were putting out their fresh apple pies. They were still hot, so I had to get one I also got some artisan bread that was still hot.


^ Farmboy Apple Pie.
(I ate the whole pie for lunch after taking this pic ^_^)

Dinner today -> Rainbow Trout with Artisan Bread.


^ Rainbow Trout with Artisan Bread.

Saturday:
Went Zack's 2nd Birthday party for lunch. Lots of kids running around. There were lots of tasty Willy's Pizza to munch on too.


^ Inflatable Climber.

Went to Jeff and Linda's for some 6 player gaming that night. We played some Betrayal at House on the Hill and Bohnanza.
The Betrayal game took forever. I found out why when I got killed... Jeff was playing the traitor wrong! LOL.

There is an errata here.
NOTE: Ben read this:

The Axe, Spear, and Blood Dagger all state, "Roll x additional dice when making a Might attack with this weapon." Does this mean you don't get any bonus when you're defending against someone else's attack while carrying the weapon?
Yes. The bonus is only for attacking.

and this:

Bell, Medical Kit, Mystic Coin, Rabbit's Foot -- Can these items really be used every turn?
Yes.

^ Betrayal and Bohnanza Layouts.

Sunday:
Dinner today -> Steak,Oyster Mushrooms and Artisan Bread.


^ Steak,Oyster Mushrooms and Artisan Bread.

Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Breakfast today -> Nachos with Cheese and Meat Salsa.
The breakfast of champions :)


^ Scoop Nachos + 3 Cheeses + Meat Salsa =


^ Nachos with Cheese and Meat Salsa.

Spent most of my day today cleaning the house and playing on my iPhone. I'm pretty much done cleaning the basement and the main floor. Most of the upstairs left to clean, and that's where the biggest messes are. I'm also debating weither or not to get an "H2O Mop"? Have people tried it? Does it work well?

Dinner Today -> Hamburger Helper.
The box says "Serves 5", but does it really? I think it serves 2 maybe 3, or 1 hungry person.


^ Hamburger Helper.

Gavin and Emi introduced me to these tasty Dark Chocolate covered Blueberries (available at Costco). They are so good. The dark chocolate perfectly balances the sweetness of the blueberry. I recommend people try it out.


^ Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries.

Useless Idol News:
So it was announced that AKB48's "Beginner" will be heavily edited for content. All of the video gaming action will be removed because it is too violent. I guess national idols can only be cutesy and sexy, but not violent... phssh please, there is more violence on the News than in a 4 minute music video.
I really want to see the original version now. Maybe it'll get leaked...


^ Beginner - AKBingo! Special 6 Version Formation Remix.

Update:
I just watched the re-hashed PV for Beginner on youtube and it isn't very good compared to what it could have been. The above AKBingo version is better than the PV. Atleast the 2 B-Side song's PVs for MINT and DIVA are good.

Frozen Shrimp Rice Rolls.

Dinner today -> Cheese Omelette Sandwiches.
4 Egg Omelette with 2 slices of processed cheese, between toast.


^ Cheese Omelette Sandwiches.

Frozen Shrimp Rice Rolls. These are so good. Abit pricey at $2.49 each, but worth it (Only $0.50 more than at Dim Sum). T&T stopped carrying these for a long time and I was hoarding some packs for emergency snacks. Now they are back for sale, so I can spread the word.


^ Frozen Shrimp Rice Rolls.
(Hey Julie, if your reading this: you can find these at T&T in the "Doored" Freezers closest to the bakery section, on the bottom shelf. There are other dim sum stuff in that freezer too.)

Happy Birthday Emi!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMI!!!

Have a SUPER Birthday.

I hope this doesn't happen to your cake...


^ AKB48 Cake Oops.

BONUS:


^ 6 Camera Angle Version (starts @ 1:40)... LOL

WHAT!!! NO WAY!!!

Lunch/Dinner today -> Rainbow Trout with Veggies
On vacation all this week, and I woke-up at 11am today ^_^ Went out and got some groceries and did some lawn work. So Lunch/Dinner was at 3pm.


^ Rainbow Trout with Veggies.

Useless M:tG News:
I forgot the mention yesterday, that during the 1st few games of Magic, because of my meddling, it cost Gavin about 3 wins :P

So I was browsing an online Magic Store, and I was wondering what my Mox Pearl was worth and maybe I'll buy another Mox...

*Searching Mox Pearl*...
WHAT!!!

*Double Take*

NO WAY!!!
@_@

It's selling for $500!!!
omg, omG, oMG, OMG!!!

And I thought spending $80 on it when I bought it years ago was alot!


^ Mox Pearl.
*Cha-Ching!* $_$

Thanksgiving Weekend Report

Went to Montreal for my Uncle's Birthday and his 60th Wedding Anniversary. As usual there was tons of food at the house, and good food at the restaurant.
Let's checkout the courses at dinner in order:


^ Shrimp with Baby Bok-Choi and Baby King Oyster Mushrooms with Hollow Greens.


^ Fried Fish Paste Cake and Fried Chicken with Shrimp Chips.


^ Lobster and Tender Steak on Greens.


^ Steamed Fish and Dried Scallop Fried Rice.


^ Noodles.


^ IMO, the tastiest part of the lobster -> Lobster Roe (red part) and Liver (green part).

Dessert:


^ Cake, Cake, and More Cakes.

Useless Gaming News:
Gavin, Emi, and baby Yuto were in OTT for the long weekend.
So Gavin, Gordon, Ben, and I played some Magic and a re-released board game "Betrayal at House on the Hill".


^ Betrayal at House on the Hill and Magic Gaming.