Quiet Work Day

Quiet day at work today.  Only about 10 people there as most people took today off to have an extra long Canada weekend.  Since it was so quiet, I got alot done at my own pace.  I also had the AKB48 National Olympic Stadium Concert running in the background.  Other than Yuko, I noticed there was alot of screen time for Kashiwagi :)

Kashiwagi Yuki.

Lunch today -> KNH
Meet up with Ben, Gavin, Emi, and their kids at Kanata Noodle House.  They ordered alot of food, and I think Emi ate more than Gavin, Ben, and the 2 kids combined! 
I got #15 Large.  There is a noticeable less amount of meat from the XL that I normally get.

#15 Large at KNH

Useless Transformers News:
I can't believe this article says that Transformers 4 got a "A-" rating from the critics.  I would agree with Rotten Tomatoes of 17%.  
Picked up new Transformers Generations Tailpipe and Skrapnel (aka Shrapnel) from Walmart today.  Along with Whirl, I think that is all that is new from this latest wave of TF Generations?  Don't want DoubleDealer.

Tailgate and Shrapnel.

Weekend Report: Transformers 4 Totally Sucked

Got a belated birthday present from Gordon.  He got me TF Generations Whirl and Game of Throne's Brienne's autograph.  Thanks Gordon.

Whirl and Brienne.

Food this weekend ->
Judy and Gordon had a special lunch for their new baby, Nathan.

Nathan at 1-Month.

We ate at the New Hong Shing Restaurant by Frank's Catering.  Food was good, but I didn't get to snap a picture of everything.  Our table was missing the lazy-susan, so we manually passed the dishes around.  The dishes included fish maw soup,

Fish Maw Soup.

Lobster,

Ginger and Green Onion Lobster.

Bird's Nest

Bird's Nest with Seafood.

When we ordered drinks, they gave us some cool glass bottles of Ginger Ale and Coke Zero!  Didn't know Coke Zero came in a small glass bottle.

Coke Zero and Ginger Ale Bottles.

Useless Gaming News:
Gavin is in town until Canada Day.  We played some games on my Wii U: Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario Bros U.  Gavin got me Super Mario Bros U as my Christmas Present.

Super Mario Bros U.

We also played some multi-player Magic: the Gathering.  I lost every game because I'm always a threat

3-Player M:tG.

Useless Transformers News:
Took the afternoon off on Friday to go watch Transformers 4 with Julie.  The movie was soooo bad!  The worst one of all the Transformer movies.  This coming from a huge Transformers fan.
WARNING: Some minor spoilers ahead.
Good:
- Walburg was good
- beginning was good and shocking (Ratchet scene, but is he really dead?)
- using the "spark" idea from Beast Wars
- the elevator guy's martial arts was neat
Bad:
- some scenes took too long
- expected scenes were cut ("I'll go cause a diversion" but there was no diversion scene!)
- by midway point of the movie, it felt like they were just setting up for TF5 (ie creators...)
- new Vehicons were stupid.  And because of how they transform, how are they going to sell the toys?
- Grimlock never talked.  I don't think he was even introduced!
- no extra scene after movie credits
- felt like a car commercial.  Every other scene felt like the people were just getting in and out of a different car.
- would have made more sense if Bumblebee wasn't in the movie
- early in the movie, I kept thinking "What is Dr. Frasier Crane doing!?!"
Ugly:
- how did they know the ramp was there when they drove out of the building?  Scene missing to explain this?
- stupid name of the new metal "Transformium"
- how the Dinobots were used and introduced was stupid
- lots of slowing down of scenes to emphasize the 3D effect.  It wasn't needed (We watched it in 2D so it looked even more exaggerated.)
- everything exploded into flames, and sometimes it wasn't needed (ie before battle with Prime, Lockout jumped down and shooting the crossway bridge for no reason).
- What Prime did during the final battle... G1 Prime would NEVER do that.  It's not his character!
- Primes speech at the end, and that he suddenly has a the ability *SPOILER* to fly into space without using his Trailer/Jet Pack.

Bocconcini has no taste?

Lunch today -> Farm Boy Buffet.
Went to Farm Boy again at lunchtime.  Picked up another plate of hot foods: garlic linguini, meatballs, quinoa chili, and bit of mac & cheese.  topped it with abit of veggies from the salad bar: broccoli, mushrooms, and red onions.  Came to about $13 again for this plate.  More than I expected, but I was really full in the end.

Dinner today -> Bread, Pate, Brie, Tomatoes, and Bocconcini Cheese Balls.
A tub of bocconcini balls were on sale at Loblaws for $0.99.  I got one to try it out.  I put some on top of some tomatoes as they don't really have any taste.  I'm not sure how to eat these so that they will taste good.  Are they like tofu and absorb flavours?

Useless Transformers News:
Picked up a couple Dinobots from the new Transformers movie: Slug and Scorn.  Scorn is a pretty good figure in both robot and dino modes.  Slug is so-so, but his robot mode is neat.  Might pick up a few more figs after I watch the movie on Friday.

Reminder: The Transformers 4 movie is released this Friday.

Useless Idol News:
AKB48 group performances from Thursday:
Heavy Rotation (AKB48), Everyday Kachuusha (AKB48), Flying Get (AKB48), Mirai to wa? (SKE48), Ibiza Girl (NMB48) Free & Easy (NGZK46)
and
Labrador Retriever (AKB48), Melon Juice (HKT48), KFC (AKB48G)

Doritos Crumb Crust Steak

FYI: My shoes are still wet from yesterday.  Wore sandals to work today.

Lunch today -> Steak
Went home for lunch today.  I pan fried some steaks.  I seasoned them with salt, pepper, and Cool Ranch Doritos crumbs.  The Doritos crumbs formed a thin crunchy crust.

Salt, Pepper, and Dorito Steak.

Sliced it up with some bread and tomatoes.

Lunch.

Useless Food News:
Reza brought back some donuts from Suzy Q.  I don't know the flavour I took, but it looks like the one on the card.  I think it was the "Raspberry Cassis"?  They should really put pics of their donuts on the site.  Anyways, it tasted really good.

Suzy Q Donut.

RIP Brian

Went to Brian's Wake tonight.  Lots of past and present CMC friends showed up.

Lunch today -> Farmboy Buffet.
I had to go to the bank at lunchtime, and I dropped by Farmboy afterwards to pick up some lunch.  I got food from their hot food buffet that was paid for by weight ($1.99 per 100grams (I think?)).  I got some garlic linguine, meatballs, butter chicken, General Tao chicken, chicken wings, mac & cheese, and quinoa chili.

The garlic linguine and butter chicken was really good.  The quinoa chili was different, but tasted really good too.  I should have gotten more of the chili, but this plate was $13!  More than I expected, but it was the wings and mac & cheese that weighed the most.

Useless Clothes News:
It was pouring buckets of rain today.  During my brief lunch trip, I discovered that my cheap $17 running shoes from Walmart are NOT water-proof.  When I got back my desk, it felt like I was walking on sponges.  My shoes and socks were soaked and I took them off to dry abit.  I was walking around the office in bare feet all afternoon.

Teaches me for trying to save money and buying cheap shoes.  I wonder how long it will take my shoes to dry?

Ghostbusters Lego

Useless Toy News:
I picked up the new Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Lego set from Play Value Toys on Sunday.  It's a pretty cool set and there are alot of pieces in it.

Ghostbusters Ecto-1 Lego Set.

I slowly built the set over 1.5hrs while watching TV.  Comes with Ecto-1, the 4 Ghostbusters, and a display stand.  Too bad it didn't include a Slimer figure.  Still a great set though.

Completed Ecto-1 and the Ghostbusters.

Weekend Report: Ribfest 2014 and Meat Overload

Food this weekend ->
Ed, Steve, and I went to Baton Rouge on Friday for my belated-birthday lunch.  I got a rib steak with veggies and fries.  It was pretty good.  A little more cooked med-rare than I would like.

Medium Rib Steak.

Steve and Ed both got the ribs.

Baton Rouge Ribs.

2nd Baton Rouge Ribs.

After lunch, Steve had an accident.  He somehow caught his pants on something getting into Ed's car and ripped his pants open!  LOL The hole is huge!  (FYI: It's green.  The underwear.)

Holey Pants.

Saturday morning I went to Ribfest on Sparks Street.  Since Ben and Susanna were busy, I went solo and picked up ribs from Camp31 and pulled pork, ribs, and chicken from Swine Fellows. 

Camp31 Sign.

Swine Fellows Sign.

I was there at 11am, and there were a ton of people there already and long lines.  Waited 1/2hr at both places for the food.

Left = Camp31, Right = Swine Fellows.

Saturday night, Henry was hosting a BBQ dinner as my relatives were in town.  He made a ton of BBQ food.  Steak, salmon, corn, duck wraps, chicken wings, sausages, and ceasar salad.  It was really good, and I was soooo full of meat.

BBQ Feast.

Dessert was watermelon, cherries, lemon meringue pie, and a chocolate whip pie.  We also had vanilla ice cream sundae with chocolate fudge cubes in a cone (not shown).

Desserts.

The lemon meringue pie was from Perkins.  It was so good.

Dessert Plate.

Than on Sunday, we went for Chinese buffet on Merivale.  I forgot my phone at home so there are no pics, but I ate a alot of mussels and seafood.  This lead up to an early dinner at Scores with Julie and Arseni.  I ordered ribs, but I couldn't finish it.  I was on meat overload.  

Useless Gaming News:
At Saturday's BBQ we played some Click Clack Lumberjack.  Fun game that is not easy.

We also play King of Tokyo.

Useless Movie News:
I went to see "How to Train Your Dragon 2" at Centrum with Julie and Arseni.  The movie is good and enjoyable.  Tells a good story with some action, dramatic parts, and funny bits. 

People will probably need to watch this movie before watching Season 3 of Dreamwork's Dragons.  The outcome of this movie will lead into the TV series.  I need to watch Season 1 and Season 2 now.  Hopefully someone has a copy of it and can give it to me.
Reminder: Next Friday is the "Transformers 4" release.

Maleficent

Went to see Maleficent tonight with Julie, Gen, and Jon.  The movie is telling "Sleeping Beauty" from the Evil Queen's side.  I found the movie entertaining.  Some action parts, some funny parts, really good CG, but only a so-so story.  Julie and Gen say it mostly follows the animated Disney version.

Maleficent.

Dinner today -> Chu Shing After 8 Snack
After the movie, we went for a late dinner at Chu Shing and ordered from the Snack menu.  Got a good mix of dishes.  Julie thinks deep fried intestine tastes like old leather shoes?  Gen and I didn't think so :)  The fried radish cake was good.  My favorite is still the congee with fried dough.
I forgot to take a pic of the food before most of it was eaten.  But the bigger mistake was that I forgot to leave a tip when we left!  If Chu Shing employees are reading this, I'm sorry and your service was very good.

Useless TV News:
Neat little "Game of Thrones" TV intro parody using the "Legend of Zelda" theme.

Rice Cooker Pancake

Dinner today -> Lettuce Wrapped Steak.
Made a quick steak today.  Sliced it up and mixed in some "No Limits" BBQ sauce.  This sauce is savoury and smoky.  Really good.  I then ripped some lettuce cups to wrap the steak with.  Good simple combo.

Steak to be Wrapped in Lettuce.

Useless Food News:
I want to try this rice cooker pancake.  They look good and super simple to make.

Paper Cut

Useless Gaming News:
I some how got a small, deep paper cut on my thumb yesterday.  I noticed it is right on the spot where I can best use a Nintendo controller's directional pad.  It's an injury to my "Nintendo Thumb" right before I even breakout my new Wii U.

Paper Cut on my Nintendo Thumb.

Useless Food News:
Picked up some Doritos today.  I got this bag that I think is new: Doritos Roulette.  Some of the doritos inside are randomly really hot!  This is a product I expect to see in Japan, but wouldn't expect to see here.  This is pretty cool.

Doritos Roulette.

Birthday Presents

Useless Birthday Present News:
Another week, another multi-day customer audit.  All this stress now, but come Thursday I'll be done.  And when I'm done, I get to play with my new Wii U!  :)  I bought it for myself for my birthday (and because there was a "no tax" sale this past Saturday at the Superstore).  I got the Mario Kart 8 Wii U bundle.

Mario Kart 8 Wii U Bundle.

Susanna got me a farting brain aka "Brain Fart".  I'll keep it at my desk for these occasions.

Brain Fart.

Becky gave me a CSI Kit

CSI Kit.

Lots of science stuff inside.  Maybe I can figure out who took my last piece of prank gum that turns your mouth blue.

Inside the CSI Kit.

Useless Food News:
Reminder: Ottawa Ribfest starts on Wednesday this week. 
FYI: "Camp31" is my running favorite the past 2 years.

Weekend Report: Happy Birthday to Me!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FONGPAY!!!

BBQ at Jeff & Linda's place.  Anthony, Teresa, and the kids were there too.  We BBQed some bacon wrapped steaks, sausages, and Korean short ribs.  We also had a couple salads, smashed potatoes, and onion rings.

BBQ Birthday Dinner.

Dessert was 2 dozen cupcakes from Beyond the Batter.  We had Red Velvet, Triple Chocolate?, Blueberry Lemonade,

Man Cake (bacon on it), Oreo Cheesecake, and Coconut Cloud. 

My favorite is the Blueberry Lemonade.  It is extremely good.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

For Father's day we went to Fushion Dimsum and Sushi.  The food was good, but it was slow and half our orders never arrived.  The waitress told us to re-order the stuff.  Also the tea didn't show up til 20 minutes after we got seated.  The service on the weekend is really poor.  The weekday service is way better.  Didn't take any pics of the food.
Afterwards we had some Limoncello Frutti Di Basco cake I got from Montreal, and some leftover cupcakes.

Father's Day Desserts.

Margart made this BMW cake for Jeff.  Pretty cool.

BMW Car Cake.

Useless Gaming News:
Jeff's family got me the Smart Ass trivia game for my birthday.  We will give it a shot another day.

Smart Ass Game.

We then proceeded to play Click Clack Lumberjack.  Fun game that is not as easy as it looks.

Click Clack Lumberjack.

Noueni.  Longer game than expected and scoring comes down to the last player's play.  So-so game.

Noueni.

Phantom Society.  Still a fun mine-sweeper type game.

Phantom Society.

Red Dwarf Inn 1.  Fun fantasy drinking game.

Red Dwarf Inn.