Staycation Begins

Whoo Hoo!  Started my staycation today.  What did I do?  I mowed the lawn in the morning, and watched the whole JDrama series "Ando-Lloyd~A.I. knows LOVE".  Stars SMAP's Kimura and AKB48 graduate Oshima Yuko.  Then I did alittle shopping with Susanna at T&T, Target (got DC's "Injustice" game for PS4 for only $10!), and Superstore.

Lunch today -> Garlic Herb Cheese Bread
Melted some garlic and herb cheese on a couple buns.  Added a side of mock chicken and broccoli.

Lunch.

Useless Gaming News:
Got my KickStarted copy of Zombie 15' today.  I had to pay customs of $19.  I think it's the first time I paid customs for a KickStarted game.  Anyways, the game should be fun and fast.

Zombie 15'

Cinnamon Bun Lay's Chips

Dinner today -> Wontons
Boiled some fresh frozen wontons in KNH Broth.  They were good :)  Too bad I burnt my tongue on the 1st spoonful of broth :(

Steaming Hot Wontons.

Useless Food News:
Got a couple new Canadian Lay's Chips flavours: Bacon Poutine and Cinnamon Bun.  Didn't open the Bacon Poutine yet, but I really like the Cinnamon Bun one.  It does taste like cinnamon bun, but the aftertaste is more like a beavertail.  Maybe they should have made a cinnamon-sugar beavertail flavour next time?

2 Canadian Lay's Chips Flavours.

Useless Idol News:
FYI: AKB48's Kojima Haruna did NOT announce her graduation on All Night Nippon tonight.

Hit in the Face

Lunch today -> Frank's #1
Picked it up on Monday when I was on the way back from Comic Book Shoppe.  Got the usual #1.

Useless Softball News:
CMC Strike Fighers double-header vs DRS tonight.
In Game #1, we won 14-12, but we lost Gary in the process.  He got hit in the face on a play at 3rd.  He got a deep cut on his left cheek and his left eyeball was bleeding.  He went to the hospital to get stitches and an x-ray.  The doctor said his glasses prevented more damage to his eye.
I hit 1-for-2 with a single.
In Game #2, we lost 15-11.  Linda, Everett, and Katelyn came out to cheer us on (or play at the park).  Margaret arrived with them to play in Game #2.
I also hit 1-for-2 with a single.
I don't like playing at Whalen Park.  The ball takes too many funny bounces because the infield is bumpy and has lots of large stones.

Useless Running Man News:
Suk Jin did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  Still don't know if Song Ji Hyo did it or not?

Giant Teddy Bear

Dinner today -> Mussels
Made 2.5 pounds of mussels in red pepper paste broth with shitake mushrooms and green beans.  Good stuff.  Still have another 2.5 box of mussels for later this week.

Mussels.

Useless Toy News:
Remember this giant teddy bear I saw posted about from Costco a few weeks back?  Well it was on HLN News the other day, as a couple bought the giant bear and tried to get it home in a corvette.  Someone filmed and has pics.  You can't even see the lady under the bear.  LOL

Useless Transformers News:
Picked up a few blind packs of the new Transformers Figurines.  There are 30 to collect, but I think I only want the G1 versions.  From the 3 packs I bought, I got: Movie Prime, Movie Sentinel Prime, and G1 Megatron.  Megatron looks so neat.

TF Blind Pack Figs.

Wonton-athon: Failed

Food this weekend ->
On Friday, Susanna, Ben and I were planning on making 500 wontons, and I termed it "wonton-aton", but we failed.  We ran out of the meat filling after about 120 wontons.  Susanna and my mom were putting too much meat in the wontons. 
The filling was marinated overnight and was made of pork, green onions, water chestnuts, and garlic chives.  Spiced with soy sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger powder, sesame oil; and held together with a couple eggs and corn starch.  I think the key was the garlic chives.  It gave it a great crunch and garlicy flavour.

Wontons.

The wontons tasted really good.  I bought #15XL from KNH just for the pho broth.  We watered down the broth and added sprouts, pho noodles, and wontons.

Cooked Wontons.

Got some rice noodle wraps from the Chinese grocery store near Arby's.  They were fresh and really good.  I also got some sweet sesame balls (no pic).  Ate those at work, and they were amazing.  The outside was crunchy and had a hint of popcorn-ish flavour.  The filling was a green bean paste.  I need to get some more next weekend.

Rice Noodle Wraps

After Marc and Ed got poutine this week, I really wanted to eat poutine too.  I got medium poutine from Spuds.  I got the Pigs Gone Wild agains but with mushroom gravy.  It was topped with sausage, bacon, and pulled pork.  I bought some buns from FarmBoy this time, to eat the excessive amounts of meat :)

Spuds' Pigs Gone Wild.

Dinner at Anthony's house Sunday night.  I made italian meatballs in red pepper paste broth with garlic, onions, shitake mushrooms, quail eggs, and green beans.  I wanted to add mussels, but I don't think Jeff likes mussels.  Gaming after dinner.

Meatballs, Quail Eggs, Shitake Mushrooms, and Green Beans.

Useless M:tG News:
Picked up the limited set "From the Vault: Annihilation" from Kobold's Korner.  I actually paid the suggested retail price!  I was really surprised it wasn't insanely inflated.  I texted Gordon right afterwards, and he got his copy too.

FTV: Annihilation.

Running Man ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Dinner today -> Duck with Taro Clay Pot.
Re-heated the duck with taro clay pot at my parent's house for dinner.  It was OK.  There was alot of duck in the pot.  The taro was alright, but maybe a touch too much vinegar.  I think the vinegar was there to cut the richness of the dish.

Duck with Taro Clay Pot

Useless Food News:
Got a couple discount Mangosteens from Loblaws.  Never had it before.  The peel was very tough and I made a circular cut before prying it open.

Mangosteen Box.

It's like a mini-duran when cut open.  The pod's flesh was mushy and soft.  I popped a whole pod in my mouth.  The flesh tasted like a tangy banana with a big pit in the middle.  Probably won't get it again.

Mangosteen.

Useless Running Man Info:
5 of the Running Man members did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  Kwang Soo's, Kim Jong Kook's, and HaHa's videos were hilarious.  I wonder if Suk Jin and Song Ji Jyo will do it too?
Lee Kwang Soo:

Kim Jong Kook:

HaHa:

Kang Gary:

Yoo Jae Suk:

Pontegi

Dinner today -> Discount T&T Food.
Picked up some chicken wings, salt & pepper pork, and sausage rolls for dinner.  Because of the rain, there wasn't alot of people at T&T, and today's selection was good.

Discount T&T Food.

Useless Food News:
Searched through some more Name Cokes.  Got Jeff and Anthony each a bottle.  Still can't find mine.

Jeff and Anthony Cokes.

Speaking of Anthony... It's been decided (mainly by me) that Anthony and Ben will eat some tasty pontegi when they are vacationing in South Korea.  I'm sure Jeff agrees with me that they MUST do this, as it's not a real vacation until you sample the local cuisine ~_^  If the HKT48 girls can do it, so can Anthony and Ben.  They say the flavour spreads throughout your whole mourth.

HKT48 ate Pontegi.

Useless Idol News:
After today's AKB48 Group concert (where no one announce their graduation from the group), Akimoto-sensei (creator of AKB48) did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.  Then Mayu did it too!

But they couldn't top Montreal Canadien's PK Subban Ice Bucket Challenge.  PK! PK! PK!

Starting a New Winning Streak.

Lunch today -> Franks
My second Franks #1 was devoured for lunch today.  So much meat :)  Just writing this at this time at night, makes me feel like eating another one...

Franks #1.

Useless Softball News:
Strike Fighters played a late double header tonight against Sportfeasors.  We played from 8-11pm!  Atleast there were no mosquitoes tonight. 
We lost Game #1: 13-8.  It ended closer than we thought, but thier D was playing good and we were hitting right to them.  Our other mistake was sitting both Marc and Jeno in the same inning.  I left a hole in our defence, just like Monday night.
I only hit 1-for-2, with a single.

In Game #2, we won 24-6.  Our offense was hitting all the holes in the field.  We were able to force the relief pitcher to come in.  It was only their homerun hitter we couldn't figure out.
I hit 4-for-4, with 3 singles and a double.

4-Game Winning Streak Broken.

Lunch today -> Franks
Picked up some Franks Sandwiches on Sunday and saved them for lunch this week.  It's been awhile, but so good.  I couldn't fit this sandwich in my mouth so I had to eat it as 4 open-face sandwiches.

Frank's #1.

Useless Softball News:
CMC Strike Fighters played Chipworks tonight.  We lost 19-10.  It broke our 4-game winning streak.  Mark was our starting pitcher, but they got to him early and often, but alot of it was our defense unable to complete the plays.  Gary came in to relieve him in the 4th and he shut them down the rest of the way, but we couldn't recover from their big lead.
I hit 2-for-4, with 2 singles.  Denise got out going to 2nd both times I made it to first :( but I did make a good play at home.
2 more games on Tuesday night.  Marc and Jeno will be in the line-up, and they should upgrade our defense significantly.  If Stefano shows up, he'll add D and offense.

Weekend Report: FarmBoy Salad Bar Card

Didn't do much this weekend but work.  But I wasn't alone, so the time went quicker.  I watched/listened to the AKB48 National Olympic Stadium Concert in the background twice too.

Food this weekend ->
Went to the bank on Friday, so I dropped by Farmboy afterwards.  I got stuff from thier hot and cold buffet.  I took mostly meat: butter chicken, korean spiced beef, pulled pork, meatballs, quinoa chili, garlic butter shrimp, and sliced steak..  Also took abit of garlic pasta, broccoli, mushrooms, and onions.  It ended up being $14!!! But I was given the Farmboy Salad Bar card.  (Buy 10 salads over $5 and get the next one free - up to $8).  I wish the gave this to be before.  I'd be up to salad #6 now.

Farmboy Food.

Got some KNH on Saturday night.  The usual #15XL.  There seemed to be way more meat than I remember.  8 large slices of the rare beef, 4 slices of chicken, 4 slices of cooked beef, 4 meatball halves, some chunks of tendon, and a quail egg.  I got a big bag of bean sprouts too.  I was so stuffed after eating this.  I only added 1/2 the broth this time.  If I had used the whole thing, I would have exploded.

KNH #15XL.

Got some ribs from T&T and ate it with some rice and candied salmon.  I wanted to get the "Mid-Autumn Chinese BBQ Platter", but they didn't have any left on Sunday afternoon.  I did pick up the "Taro with Duck" clay pot, which I'll cook later this week.

Ribs and Candied Salmon.

Useless KickStarter News:
I backed this boardgame on KickStarter called "Lift Off!"  I hope it makes it.  It seems really fun and is a modular design.  I can imagine the start where everyone is friendly, but by mid/late-game we are messing over everyone's aliens >:) hehe

Kaiten Yakiniku

Dinner today -> Spaghetti
Made more spaghetti with meat sauce tonight (a have a pile of pre-cooked ground beef in the fridge to use up).  This time I topped it with some crispy fried onions bits from Costco.

Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and Crispy Onion Bits.

Ate some fresh Walnut and Date chewy candy wrapped in rice paper.  I got it last week from T&T and it was abit pricy, but SO GOOD!  Way better than the pre-packaged stuff.

Walnut and Date Candy.

Useless Japan News:
A new kaiten sushi restaurant in Japan, but it offers kaiten yakiniku (article about it here).  The meat comes around on conveyer belts and you cook it on the grill at your table.  I totally want to eat there!!!  I'd grill up some choice cuts, and some intestine, liver, and tongue too.  Hey Gavin bring me!

Limited Edition Franken Berry Cereal

Useless Food News:
Got some cereal from Target... Limited Edition Franken Berry cereal!  I've never had it before.  I wonder if it's good?  They also had Limited Edition Count Chocula, but I'm not a fan of chocolate cereal.

Limited Edition Franken Berry Cereal.

Lunch today -> Indian Food.
Ed and I went to an Indian Grocery story near Burger King.  We found out that the store has a mini-takeout buffet.  Selection varies each day and it was $1.69 per 100gms.  No butter chicken today, but I got alot of lamb chunks, mini-meatballs, roasted veggies, roasted chicken and mushrooms, and abit of rice.  It was pretty good, but I really liked the lamb.  I went back after work and got container full of lamb eventhough the buffet was closed :)

Tasty Indian Food.

Washed down the meal with some Organic Iced Black Tea from Farmboy.  It was sweet, lemony, and refreshing.

Organic Iced Black Tea.

Dinner today -> Spaghetti.
Went to T&T tonight with Susanna, but we went too early and nothing was on discount.  So I made some spaghetti with meat sauce when I got home.

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce.

Useless Transformers News:
Picked up the new animated Batman movie.  It's about the parallel event that lead up to the game Batman: Arkham Asylum.  I like the movie.  It was good, Batman story from the villian's point of view.
I also got the complete Transformers Animated series.  I don't know how the series ended.  I don't remember if they showed the ending on YTV/Teletoon?

Batman and Transformers: Animated.

Useless Idol News:
AKB48 performed and sang live today on FNS.  I missed the streamed performance by 10 minutes this morning (I hit snooze too many times).  "Kokoro no Placard" Live.

Happy Birthday Will!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!!!

Pataphysics

Dinner today -> Mussel Ramen
Re-heated the leftover red pepper broth and added frozen mussels and ramen noodles.

Dessert was a bakers dozen +2 of Krispy Kreme donuts from Costco :)

I also snacked on some thinly sliced smoked octopus tentacle from The Whalesbone.  I got a couple on the weekend.  I really need to eat there, and it's right by my grandparent's place (near bus station on Kent St.).

Useless Magical Girl Info:
This translation article from an NMB48 show explains why magical girls (ie Sailormoon/Pretty Cure) are never attacked while they transform.  Isn't science... pataphysics awesome.

Useless Idol News:
AKB48 performance of "Kokoro no Placard" from last month.  This purely idol song is catching on to me, and Mayu seems perfect at center flanked by Sasshi and Kashiwagi.  I still need to order this CD soon.

More Mussels

RIP Robin Williams.  I learned it on twitter through the AKB tweets.

Sesame Street Tweeted Pic.

Useless Costco News:
Ed and I dropped by Costco at lunchtime.  We were there to get a box of 2 yolk Moon Cakes for $10.88.  Good stuff.  We also got Polish Sausages for lunch.

2 Yolk Moon Cake.

I also saw this giant teddy bear for $200.  Susanna wants it.

Gargantuan Teddy Bear.

Dinner today -> Mussels
Made another batch of Mussels today.  This time I recorded how to make it step by step.
Step 1: Prep the ingredients.  Chopped the garlic, onions, and shitake mushrooms.  Keep the water the mushrooms soaked in.  Washed the green beans and 2lbs of mussels (not seen).  Have the red pepper paste ready.

The fixings.

Step 2: Pan fry the garlic and onions.  Then add mushroom water, hot water and mix in red pepper paste.  Add abit of salt and the chopped mushrooms.

Step 2.

Step 3: Bring to boil and add green beans.

Step 3.

Step 4: Bring to boil and add mussels.

Step 4.

Step 5: Cover for 3 mins (or when all the mussels open).

Step 5.

Step 6: Uncover.

Step 6.

Step 7: Stir and plate.  Makes 2 servings or 1 Fongpay size portion (yep, I ate the whole thing).  Dip bread into the broth or just drink it.  Probably good with rice too.

Eat Time!

OR save the broth for later and mixing in ramen noodles and frozen pre-shucked mussels from Walmart :)

Weekend Report: Optimus Prime Tie

Food this weekend ->
Susanna picked up some JoJo's Pizzas: Jojo's Special and Combination.  It's OK.  Not a big fan of the pizza.  The dough needed to be more firm.

Tried out a new Moon Cake with lotus paste, 2 egg yolks, and abolone!  It was abit expensive because of the abalone, but it was pretty good.  The abalone was dried and chewy, but not bad.  Good for a 1 time treat.  No pic.  By the time I got to it, there were only 2 slices left.

I got some mussels from Farmboy this weekend and made them with some Korean red pepper paste, green beans, garlic, and shitake mushrooms.

Mussels Cooking.

I should have chopped up the shitake mushrooms instead of sliced them so it can get inside of the mussels.  I forgot to add some chopped onions too.  Other than that it was really good.

Mussels, Green Beans, and Shitake Mushrooms in Red Pepper Broth.

I used the leftover broth to make some tofu noodles from T&T.  The tofu noodles are not that good.  It doesn't absorb any broth and doesn't really untangle very well at all.  Won't be buying that again.

Tangled Tofu Noodles in Red Pepper Broth

Useless Gaming News:
Did some gaming at Brian's house on Friday.  We played Lewis & Clark.  It was an OK worker placement game.  Ben won.

Lewis & Clark.

We also played Archer: the Danger Zone Board Game, Get Lucky, and Flash Point.  I was surprised with Archer.  That game turned out to be simple and super fun.  Probably be better if I watched more than 2 episodes of the show.

Archer Game.

Useless Transformers News:
Got another 2 ties from Japan.  These were Optimus Prime ties. 

Optimus Prime Tie.

Got one for me and one for Ben as a belated Birthday present.  I should have gotten a Megatron tie too, but I think they are all sold out now on HLJ.

Prime Close-up.