Candy & Bird

Dinner today -> Coconut Cream Pie.

Susanna and I went to T&T to get some cooked food. It was around 8pm when we got there, and most of the cooked food displays were empty!!! I couldn't believe it.
We went to Super Store afterwards and the ribs, chicken wings, and potato wedges were not on sale for 50% off yet. So I made due with pie :)


^ Coconut Cream Pie.
Half today, the other half tomorrow.

Useless Christmas News:
Currently accepting pics of your Outdoor Christmas Lights. If you want to show off your lights to the world, send them to me. (NOTE: I'm NOT running an Outdoor Christmas Lights contest poll this year, as I only got 3 entries last year. )

*See Steve, my notes are in italics :P

Useless Idol News:

Voting for "AKB48 Request Hour Setlist Best 100 2011 Concert" ended today. My voting tickets came with my "Beginner" CDs. There is a small preview of every song you can vote for on the voting site. Pretty cool.

I put 2 votes in for Team B's 5th Stage (B5) "Candy". (Kasai's song.)


^ "Candy" @ 2010 Yoyogi Concert.

I also voted twice for A3's "Bird". (Takamina's song.)


^ "Bird" @ 2010 Yoyogi Concert.

Hmmm... I realized care more about this vote, than the last local political election vote... :P

UPDATED: Happy Birthday Susanna!!!

Happy Birthday Susanna!!!

I got you a Giant Yoshi!


^ Giant Yoshi.

UPDATE:
Nothing going on today, so I'll just update this post.
This was Susanna's Birthday Cake. The the Swiss Pastries store in Carlingwood Mall.


^ Strawberry Whipped Cake.

Weekend Report

Will and Thi were visiting this weekend from Boston. They met up with Jeff, Linda, Everett, Ben, and myself for some Hockey Sushi:


^ Hockey Sushi Plates.
As usual, Ben (like my mom at DimSum) kept ordering food nobody wanted to eat. This time was worse as he left early, and it seemed like Will and I had to eat what he didn't eat (especially the white tuna sashimi, tamago, and steak and mushroom rolls). I didn't even get to eat everything I wanted to eat, because I had to stuff my self with his food >:|
Also Ben had to make a "big" order in the beginning. He doesn't seem to understand that this is "all you can eat" and we can order many times?!?! It wasn't that busy, so we didn't need to make this big order.

Stefano is right that lettuce goes bad pretty fast. So I made some more Steak Salads for a couple of meals, to use it up.


^ Steak Salads.

Got a pack of Rainbow Trout from Costco. It'll be transformed into a few meals too.


^ Rainbow Trout.

Grandma Moses Jams

This is the best jam ever! It's "Grandma Moses Sour Cherry" Jam. Only available at the Stitsville Fleamarket building. I also got the "Old Fashion Strawberry" to try out. 3 jars for $10. Ben got something for the 3rd jar.


^ Grandma Moses Jams.

Dinner today -> Butter and Sour Cherry Jam on Toast.
In the mood for jam, so that's what I had :P


^ Butter and Sour Cherry Jam on Toast.
I realized why people put butter on their toast before spreading the jam. It's to prevent the jam from making the toast soggy! It never clued in, until I tried it. I always thought it was to improve the taste, which it does too.

BTW: I'm on vacation this Friday. If your looking me at CMC, you won't see me. If you really need to reach me, try to find me at Canadian Tire, Toys R Us, Best Buy, or T&T :P
Will, Jeff, or Ben: Call or text me the sushi dinner details.

Steak Salad

Dinner today -> Steak Salad.
Salad includes: red onion, 3 types of grape tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, lettuce, Caesar dressing, and 4 cheeses.
The steak was a bottom blade cut, which is kind of chewy, but that's the way I like my steaks. (The tender, "melt in your mouth" steaks are for wimps like Steve :P )


^ Steak Salad.

Useless Japan News:
This year's 2010 Kohaku Uta Gassen lineup is announced. It's the year end music show on NHK where the Red Team (female artist) compete against the White Team (male artist).
This year I'll need to watch : AKB48 (of course), Ikimonogakari, Perfume, Arashi, EXILE, SMAP, and FUNKY MONKEY BABYS.

Useless Idol News:
Morning Musume's new single "Onna To Otoko No Lullaby Game" debuted at #6. It's the first Morning Musume single I didn't pre-order in a long time as I don't think it's that good. I'm surprised it's at #6.
It's also the last single for Kamei Eri, JunJun, and LinLin.

New food product "AKB48 Wafer Choco" available exclusively at 7-11 in Japan. There are 3 wafer types, 1 by each team, and and each wafer comes with a collector card (54 to collect). Maybe one of my Japan sources can get me some... :)
I just noticed that there is an AKB travel mug at 7-11 too. Man, I would be so broke buying all this stuff if in I lived in Japan... :)
(Link credit to IXA Ready Fist On! and 7-11 Japan)

Real 2/4 Giant Spider with Reach?

Steve picked up a bottle of Anti-bacteria Hand Gel for me from Bayshore. It's Japanese Cherry Blossom scented. I totally didn't see those when I was there.


^ Cherry Blossom Anti-bacteria Gel.
Thanks Steve.

I got a package in the mail today. It was a $100 Future Shop Gift Card I won from 2010 Claymore's Next Top Model Investments. Anthony signed me up for a free stock investment game, and I placed 1st in one of the weeks. That week's prize was $100 from Future Shop.


^ Future Shop Gift Card.
Thanks Anthony.

I noticed this giant Spider outside one of CMC's windows. It's been there for awhile and I finally got around to getting a pic of it today. The body is probably about the size of my thumb! Freaky.


^ Real Giant Spider.

Japanese Fishing Show

Dinner today -> Fongpay's Sweet & Spicy Garlic Wings.
I think it's time to change the oil in my deep fryer. The oil is getting old, so the wings came out really dark.


^ Fongpay's Sweet & Spicy Garlic Wings.

Got my flu shot today at CMC. I am now infected with H1N1, since it was mixed into this year's version of the flu shot ;)
I got the flu shot last year too, but I still caught the flu a few months later... a really bad flu too. Took me down for 3 days.

Useless Japan News:
So I was watching a Fishing Show on Japan TV on the weekend. It's like a normal fishing show, but with one huge difference. At the end of the show the guest fisherman would take one of his live catches (looked like a large red snapper) and slice it up into super fresh sashimi for the host and the cameraman to eat.
It looked so good! I want super fresh sashimi too!
The fisherman also did the same for some small squids he caught. Sliced up the squid, added some soy sauce, and down the hatch...
This looked good too, but I've eaten raw squid before, and it does NOT taste as good as it looks. Though, it might taste different when it's fresh from the ocean?

Useless Idol Info:
Someone translated one of Sasshi's blog entry of her playing/reviewing the new AKB1/48 PSP game:
(Translation credit to blesseddisgrace)

I’ve been sleeping well lately - 2010-11-19 01:09:30
Speaking of which, the changeable jacket and kiss mark stickers that come with the first press limited edition aren’t included in the regular version, so keep that in mind!

Anyway, the game...is different from what I expected it to be!!!!! Honestly...Honestly, I was a little worried how someone like Sashihara, who loves video games, would find it, but!!!!! Playing it today was a lot of fun!!!!!! I got a phone call from Yuko-chan and got super happy!!!!!
…In the game, I mean!!!!!
I start grinning when I play, so I can’t really bring it on the train.

I found this entry amusing. I'd probably be grinning if Yuko called me in the game too :) Is Sasshi is going after Yuko, or was it a sneak attack by a rejected Yuko?

Weekend Report

5 player gaming fun on Friday night: Ticket to Ride: Europe, Bohnanza, and Settlers of Catan.


^ 5 Player Ticket to Ride: Europe and Settlers of Catan.
I got slaughtered in Ticket and both Settlers games, but won Bohnanza.

Weekend meals ->


^ Power Breakfast.


^ Spicy Tofu Pork.
I don't remember the name of this dish in chinese, but I recalled the reciepe from an old episode of AKBingo! I'm not sure if I made this right... it tasted alot like spaghetti sauce. I think I put too much tomato paste in. It was still good on rice.


^ Steak with Snow Pea Leaves.
Snow Pea Leaves tastes just like spinach, but when cooked, it doesn't turn mushy.

I bought some 3yr old cheddar that was on sale at Farmboy. After eating some, it caused me to "cut the cheese" alot more :) Egg ones too :P

Useless Idol Info:
(Mistress) Kasai wants everyone to get a Kasai-cho... I did :)


^ Kasai-cho hanging with the big bots.
(link credit to AKB48 Journal)

"The Real Ghostbusters" on Teletoon Retro.

Dinner today -> Hoisin Roast Chicken Drumsticks.
Marinated some chicken drumsticks in Hoisin Sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder overnight. Then roasted them in the oven. Turned out pretty good.


^ Hoisin Roast Chicken Drumsticks.

Useless Info:
FYI people: "The Real Ghostbusters" cartoon is on Teletoon Retro (Rogers Ch.284) every day at 4:30pm (including weekends). Even though I have the DVD Box Set, I still watch it on TV if it's on.

Happy Birthday Jeff!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFF!!!

^ Itano Tomomi and Kasai Tomomi (aka Tomo-Tomo Combo) wish you Happy Birthday too!

Sponge Bob Squarepants is Asian?

Dinner today -> Salted Chicken Drumsticks cooked in Rice Cooker.

Something simple today. Put rice and chicken in the rice cooker. Sprinkle salt on top. Then press Start. 40mins later, done.


^ Salted Chicken Drumsticks in Rice.

Useless Info:
I read this Tweet the other day: "SpongeBob SquarePants is Asian". Reasons why?

1. He is Yellow,
2. He knows Karate, and
3. He can't Drive.

LOL, that's all so true!!!

AKB x Puccho Arrives

Dinner today -> Lamb with 2 Types of Potatoes.
Just leftover Yoshinoya style lamb with a sweet potato and normal potato.


^ Lamb with 2 Types of Potatoes.

I got a package in the mail today from HMV Japan. I finally got my AKB Puccho. Yay!


^ 2 Boxes of AKB x Puccho.

After opening all the packs, I got 2 complete sets of girls #12-22, but none of #1-11 (the main front girls, of which I wanted Yuko, Mariko, Takamina, and Yukirin). That sucks! The boxes are not random at all! It's either the top half or the bottom half. I'm so disappointed.
I did end up with 3 doubles of Kasai, 2 Sasshi, and 2 Rie; and enough Puccho candy to last a long, long time.


^ Opened AKB x Puccho boxes and Set of #12-22 with Kasai-cho.

It's too bad HMV is sold out of these. I would have ordered atleast another box or two to try and get the set.
I found an auction on Yahoo Japan for the whole set. On Monday, the bid was at $19. Today the bid is up to $85+ (as of 11pm Tues) with 2 days left! I guess I won't be bidding on this.

Useless Idol News:
Today is Kasai Tomomi's Birthday!!!


^ Kasai Tomomi with Cake.
(Credit to Kasai Tomomi Blog)
Watch out Kasai! Don't go near Stefano with that cake! He could devour that cake along with your arms without blinking :P lol

Eye-Popping Frog

Went to Bayshore with Susanna tonight. Bought a few little things, and most of it is from the Bath and Body Store (bottom floor):


^ Bayshore Stuff.

The snowflake aroma thingie plugs in the wall and I got a Cinnamon scent and a Japanese Cherry Blossom scent to plug into it. I think it looks pretty cool.


^ Snowflake with Cherry Blossom Scent.

The stress-relief frog lights up; and when sqeezed, it's eyeballs pop out! Awesome! :) From the Calendar Store on the middle floor for $5.


^ Eye-Popping Frog.

Got some 50% off cooked food at SuperStore for dinner. All this food for cheap. What a deal!


^ Veggie Rice ($3) and about 20 BBQ & Sweet Chili Wings ($3.50).

Useless Idol News:
New details of the "AKB 1/48" Game here.
I'm definitely going to need this hint book.

Weekend Report

Friday:
After my lasagna lunch, I had a hot afternoon tea before the weekend started: Roasted Japanese Green Tea in my 3D mug :)

^ Roasted Green Tea in 3D Mug.

Saturday:
Dinner today -> Yoshinoya Style Lamb Bowl with Chinese Greens.
Basically meat and onions in sauce on rice.


^ Yoshinoya Style Lamb Bowl with Chinese Greens.


^ Creme Brule for Dessert.

Sunday:
Dinner today -> 4 Egg Omelet Rice.
Fried up some leftover rice with mixed veggies and chopped BBQ pork. Then wrapped it in a 4 egg omelet. Topped with mushroom sauce, sliced squid, and green onion. Added some leftover Chinese greens as the side.


^ 4 Egg Omelet Rice.
(I repressed the urge to draw a happy face in Ketchup on the omelet rice.)

Anikka's Meat Lasagna

Dinner today -> Anikka's Meat Lasagna.
I got this secret lasagna recipe from Anikka today, and went to Metro to get the ingredients right after work. I really wanted to eat this lasagna for dinner.
During preparation I did some minor tweaks and mishaps:

• Tweak #1: Pre-greased the pan with bacon fat :)
• Tweak #2: Replaced 1 bag of Italiano 4 Cheeses with 3 Cheddar Cheeses Mix
• Mishap #1: Use "normal" lasagna pasta instead of "oven-ready" lasagna. Not because I wanted to, but because I grabbed the pasta box beside the "oven-ready" one, which was NOT an "oven-ready" lasagna. D'oh!
• Mishap #2: I didn't buy enough ground beef. I didn't know how to convert kg to lbs (Metro labels don't show both), and ended up with 1/2lb less meat.

In the end, it all worked out :). The hardest part was trying to spread the Ricotta cheese.


^ Anikka's Meat Lasagna.


^ Lasagna Sectional Views.
Thanks Anikka for the secret recipe,
(and Stefano for typing it out).

Useless Idol Info:
I was reading Sasshi's Blog translation (entry "A change Oita - 2010-11-08 11:20:35") and I think I'll need to try and make Toriten sometime too. It looks good.

Entry "Do you need Sashiharaccho? - 2010-11-10 23:54:30" was funny too. I hope I get a Sasshi Puccho fig.

Useless Gaming Info:
Did you know that in Japan, Settlers of Catan is owned by Capcom? Capcom modified the original Settlers game to take place in the Mega Man universe! Kind of cool.

SQA Lunch Meeting

Went to Rideau Restaurant for a SQA lunch meeting. We got Beef Chow Mein, Schezwan Beef, and Shrimp with Snowpeas. I forgot to take pics, but it was a perfect amount of food for the 3 of us.

Dinner today -> T&T Leftovers.

Combined some T&T leftovers into dinner today: Pork Belly + Fried Chicken Leg + Rice, all covered in Cream of Mushroom Soup.


^ T&T Leftover Combo.

Useless Idol News:

I saw on Yuko's Blog today (link) that she has got a Display Box for her AKB Puccho figs. I didn't even know this was available! Now I need it too @_@.

^ AKB Puccho in Display Box.

(Credit to Oshima Yuko)