Thinking of housing recently, combined with the fortuitous position of owning (well the bank owns most of it) property in an urban core, add on to that the fact the structure is not well built nor brick, i've been toying with the idea of knocking it down and starting over. Building 2 semi-detached in its place, or convincing one (or more) of my neighbours to do the same and build some kinda modern/oldstyle/eco dwelling structure.
My imagination does wander when i consider the possibilities. 2 properties on my street could easily house a 3 home townhome unit, one where the original owners of their properties might (in theory) be able to pay off a good chunk of their mortgage with the profits from the sale of the extra unit.
Now may seem like the wrong time to be thinking of this considering all the work i've put into it. But that type of mentality lacks vision, and i'm very pro-vision. Perhaps not now, but it must always be an option for the future. While it would sadden me to lose some of the charm of these old houses, many things can be rebuilt using old styles (at a price of course), and the practicality gained with new building methods (little drafts, warm walls and floors, cleaner air, better concepts (open anyone??)) certainly outweigh the loss of charm.
Now THAT would be a big project.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
misc springtime a.d.d. babble
I've been recently informed by the dear Aggie, that she would like it if i blogged more. I really should. Here's a start.
I'd blog more if i had an iPhone and an unlimited data plan. Those things are likely quite sweet (never actually played with one, only iTouch, and it is sweet), but apple annoys me. iTunes annoys me. The macbook air is a pretty sweet looking and feeling computer though. I definitely see an additional mac product in my arsenal within the next 2 years (i currently have a first gen iPod mini, that is all).
Similarily i would also blog more if i could do so via SMS or text messages... or perhaps i wouldn't. I've been using twitter here and there, mostly just to get techcrunch's tweets on my cell. They'll send you the tweets of any individual via SMS, and thats pretty sweet. I should really look into more useful tweets, ie for the weather in ottawa or something.
I got a letter from rogers today about their new charges for excessive downloads, my plan will run an extra 2$/GB for all GB's over 60 up to a max of 25$. Apparently my nov and dec were under, but i used ~180GB in januaray, ouch. As of only yesterday i was talking to them to reduce my monthly bill, got 10$ off by giving up tbs (or peachtree, whats up with that). Now i'll likely have another 25$ on it every other month. Ahhh cable monopolys. Is it time to go DSL? Likely yes...
I have work to do tonite, so i was planning on hitting up some dirienzo's sandwiches as they're cheap and easy. But my lunch today consisted of a loeb greek salad and one of their ciabatta demi-bagettes. Its a lot of tasty bread really (and good value too, 1.39 per), i didn't feel like any more. So what did i do? I stopped by sazloves and got some of their chicken souvlaki skewers. I wanted to make a recent recipe i learned from the Urban Element's indian class (an amazing experience i shoud've blogged about), a very high taste to complexity ratio'd basmati rice recipe, but had no basmati rice. I did have reserve minute rice. Which worked great surprisingly enough. I was missing a bunch of other stuff, but in the end the rice was perfect. I bbq'ed outside with no jacket, broke some hard ice away, drank some sleeman, and had a merry old time. When it came to eating, i positioned the rice chicken and taziki (i forgot about the taziki, they recommended it on their label, i fell for it, no regrets), put the leftover chicken in the microwave (not to cook, but so the cats wouldn't hair all over it), and i sat in front of my computer, read local ottawa blogs, eat scrumptiously, and feel very rich for the experience.
I also should say that the spring/summer will be an exciting time, hopefully some reno's, lots of work (its been busy lately), getting my summer tires on (yay!!!), etc..
I have nothing concise to say.
Oh, i do want to get jamie olivers' newish book, i had a peek at it and it talks about skills/notes for growing misc veggies and stuff. The part about the british hunt kinda turned me off, but i think i can look past it into the sometimes vain mr. olivers dreamy pictures of cooking food over an open garden barby. 40$, but i think i'll actually learn something from it.
Here's a misc picture i'm really happy with, but whose tone and attitude totally does NOT jive with that of this posting:
One final thing. I've been going to the gym, and listening to some podcasts, cbc's search engine for one. I may or may not of heard this there, but when i read a blog posting and want to refer to it i say "you should check out so and so's latest blog posting". I don't say "you should check out so and so's latest blog". Am i wrong? I would assume that someone's "latest blog" means they started a new blog with a separate URL and so forth, and it has new/different content than their other blogs. If anyone agrees with me please honk.
I'd blog more if i had an iPhone and an unlimited data plan. Those things are likely quite sweet (never actually played with one, only iTouch, and it is sweet), but apple annoys me. iTunes annoys me. The macbook air is a pretty sweet looking and feeling computer though. I definitely see an additional mac product in my arsenal within the next 2 years (i currently have a first gen iPod mini, that is all).
Similarily i would also blog more if i could do so via SMS or text messages... or perhaps i wouldn't. I've been using twitter here and there, mostly just to get techcrunch's tweets on my cell. They'll send you the tweets of any individual via SMS, and thats pretty sweet. I should really look into more useful tweets, ie for the weather in ottawa or something.
I got a letter from rogers today about their new charges for excessive downloads, my plan will run an extra 2$/GB for all GB's over 60 up to a max of 25$. Apparently my nov and dec were under, but i used ~180GB in januaray, ouch. As of only yesterday i was talking to them to reduce my monthly bill, got 10$ off by giving up tbs (or peachtree, whats up with that). Now i'll likely have another 25$ on it every other month. Ahhh cable monopolys. Is it time to go DSL? Likely yes...
I have work to do tonite, so i was planning on hitting up some dirienzo's sandwiches as they're cheap and easy. But my lunch today consisted of a loeb greek salad and one of their ciabatta demi-bagettes. Its a lot of tasty bread really (and good value too, 1.39 per), i didn't feel like any more. So what did i do? I stopped by sazloves and got some of their chicken souvlaki skewers. I wanted to make a recent recipe i learned from the Urban Element's indian class (an amazing experience i shoud've blogged about), a very high taste to complexity ratio'd basmati rice recipe, but had no basmati rice. I did have reserve minute rice. Which worked great surprisingly enough. I was missing a bunch of other stuff, but in the end the rice was perfect. I bbq'ed outside with no jacket, broke some hard ice away, drank some sleeman, and had a merry old time. When it came to eating, i positioned the rice chicken and taziki (i forgot about the taziki, they recommended it on their label, i fell for it, no regrets), put the leftover chicken in the microwave (not to cook, but so the cats wouldn't hair all over it), and i sat in front of my computer, read local ottawa blogs, eat scrumptiously, and feel very rich for the experience.
I also should say that the spring/summer will be an exciting time, hopefully some reno's, lots of work (its been busy lately), getting my summer tires on (yay!!!), etc..
I have nothing concise to say.
Oh, i do want to get jamie olivers' newish book, i had a peek at it and it talks about skills/notes for growing misc veggies and stuff. The part about the british hunt kinda turned me off, but i think i can look past it into the sometimes vain mr. olivers dreamy pictures of cooking food over an open garden barby. 40$, but i think i'll actually learn something from it.
Here's a misc picture i'm really happy with, but whose tone and attitude totally does NOT jive with that of this posting:
One final thing. I've been going to the gym, and listening to some podcasts, cbc's search engine for one. I may or may not of heard this there, but when i read a blog posting and want to refer to it i say "you should check out so and so's latest blog posting". I don't say "you should check out so and so's latest blog". Am i wrong? I would assume that someone's "latest blog" means they started a new blog with a separate URL and so forth, and it has new/different content than their other blogs. If anyone agrees with me please honk.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
mitten birds
On my way to work today someone drove inappropriately. Shortly thereafter i drove past him and gave him the bird. I don't think he noticed. Then i realized i was wearing mittens. So even if he had noticed, he likely would've thought me weird. Then i laughed about it as what he did was not all that bad, so i was glad i was wearing mittens.
I was just outside breaking ice on top of the drainage grates near my house. I'm practically equidistant from the grates on either side of me which kinda sucks. Hopefully this winter will wash away soon, and i'll do everything in my power to speed the process.
I was just outside breaking ice on top of the drainage grates near my house. I'm practically equidistant from the grates on either side of me which kinda sucks. Hopefully this winter will wash away soon, and i'll do everything in my power to speed the process.
Friday, February 22, 2008
R. I. P. Cam Kong
Just as soon as i mentioned my adoration for #705, an era has come to an end. Why is it all good restaurants must go by the wayside? Hopefully if this is anything like stoneface, the new tenant will be just as good...
To the point, Cam Kong is no longer - it has been replaced by a similar Vietnamese restaurant called "Fuscian" i believe. Apparently the owners retired. We went there a couple nights ago, and were shocked and bewildered for a few minutes before we sat down in a blur and decided to stay.
They do have a hot n sour vietnamese soup, and were very happy to do a veggie variety upon our request. The staff was very helpful, and very accommodating. And the food was pretty darn good. The soup was not quite like a #705, slightly less tangy and oily, not as addiction satisfying, but good nonetheless. They told us that we can ask for extra hot stuff for next time, and i definitely will.
When i was in the Dominican, perhaps even on the day they shut their doors, i had a dream. I had a dream that Cam Kong was closing (i only knew at this point that renovations were occurring), and i actually tried to get a job there in order to learn their secrets. This is how obsessed i was/am. I was desperately in need of that soups power, and was frantically dreaming of the 2nd to worst case scenario. The worst case being, they'd be closed when i go home, no chance to sneak in and steal a peak at their fantastic flavours...
Rest in peace Cam Kong, i'm sure i'll think of you always.
In related news, for lunch i chopped a tomato, an avacado, and a green mango. To them, i added lime juice, and salt and pepper. I then scooped it into tortilla chips and had a splendid time. Thats what i call a goooooooood lunch.
To the point, Cam Kong is no longer - it has been replaced by a similar Vietnamese restaurant called "Fuscian" i believe. Apparently the owners retired. We went there a couple nights ago, and were shocked and bewildered for a few minutes before we sat down in a blur and decided to stay.
They do have a hot n sour vietnamese soup, and were very happy to do a veggie variety upon our request. The staff was very helpful, and very accommodating. And the food was pretty darn good. The soup was not quite like a #705, slightly less tangy and oily, not as addiction satisfying, but good nonetheless. They told us that we can ask for extra hot stuff for next time, and i definitely will.
When i was in the Dominican, perhaps even on the day they shut their doors, i had a dream. I had a dream that Cam Kong was closing (i only knew at this point that renovations were occurring), and i actually tried to get a job there in order to learn their secrets. This is how obsessed i was/am. I was desperately in need of that soups power, and was frantically dreaming of the 2nd to worst case scenario. The worst case being, they'd be closed when i go home, no chance to sneak in and steal a peak at their fantastic flavours...
Rest in peace Cam Kong, i'm sure i'll think of you always.
In related news, for lunch i chopped a tomato, an avacado, and a green mango. To them, i added lime juice, and salt and pepper. I then scooped it into tortilla chips and had a splendid time. Thats what i call a goooooooood lunch.
Blogged with Flock
Tags: foodottawa
Monday, February 18, 2008
pineapple
One thing the dominican left me with was a taste for pineapple. There was an abundance of fresh pineapple down there, and i ate a ton of it. I wasn't a fan until a few years ago when i realized i liked pretty much all foods, and now i can't get enough of it.
I picked up a pineapple for the first time in my life yesterday, a PC organic pineapple for 4.99$. From costa rica i believe. Let me tell you, worth every penny.
I followed this and this about preparing and storing it. Its true what the guy says about the sweet stuff being concentrated at the bottom. Now i understand - in the dominican, i'd learned to eye the sweeter fruit as the fruit that was a brighter, wetter yellow. I cut up this pineapple i bought, very simple, stored all the top rings, and proceeded to make the bottom one very large (almost 2inches). Then i ate it. Damn it was heaven. Then i slurped up all the residual cutting juices - definitely do your cutting on a plate from which you can drink later.
If you want a sweet treat, and some good fruit for a few lunches, treat yourself - for the price of a pint you can have a little chunk of yellow heaven.
I picked up a pineapple for the first time in my life yesterday, a PC organic pineapple for 4.99$. From costa rica i believe. Let me tell you, worth every penny.
I followed this and this about preparing and storing it. Its true what the guy says about the sweet stuff being concentrated at the bottom. Now i understand - in the dominican, i'd learned to eye the sweeter fruit as the fruit that was a brighter, wetter yellow. I cut up this pineapple i bought, very simple, stored all the top rings, and proceeded to make the bottom one very large (almost 2inches). Then i ate it. Damn it was heaven. Then i slurped up all the residual cutting juices - definitely do your cutting on a plate from which you can drink later.
If you want a sweet treat, and some good fruit for a few lunches, treat yourself - for the price of a pint you can have a little chunk of yellow heaven.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
after the beach rush
I'm back from the dominican, once again fully submersed in the canadian winter. My tan is not nearly as good as i was hoping, but i did get some reading in which i am very thankful for.
I've noted my food experiences at the very dormant DCFD blog.
Besides the occasional sudoku and kakuro puzzles, i managed to read Ray Kurzweil's The Singularity Is Near. While some of it is far fetched, if even a quarter of it holds true this century will be very interesting. I recommend and future sci-fi looking folks to take a read of it.
There isn't much more to say about it. We did pretty much nothing except eat, drink, sleep and read, it was great. No activities, no excursions, no thrills, it was perfect. We did catch bits of a few of their entertainment shows, most notable was "Dirty Dancing" where their crew reenacted various scenes and showed bits of the movie. Definitely some talented folks working down at the Sirenis tropical suites resort.
Hopefully the cold will be gone in a few weeks and i can get my spring on. Hoping to do some good reno's this spring, kitchen being one of them, front facade transformation the other (red door anyone!!).
I've noted my food experiences at the very dormant DCFD blog.
Besides the occasional sudoku and kakuro puzzles, i managed to read Ray Kurzweil's The Singularity Is Near. While some of it is far fetched, if even a quarter of it holds true this century will be very interesting. I recommend and future sci-fi looking folks to take a read of it.
There isn't much more to say about it. We did pretty much nothing except eat, drink, sleep and read, it was great. No activities, no excursions, no thrills, it was perfect. We did catch bits of a few of their entertainment shows, most notable was "Dirty Dancing" where their crew reenacted various scenes and showed bits of the movie. Definitely some talented folks working down at the Sirenis tropical suites resort.
Hopefully the cold will be gone in a few weeks and i can get my spring on. Hoping to do some good reno's this spring, kitchen being one of them, front facade transformation the other (red door anyone!!).
Sunday, February 3, 2008
le nordik, and then the beach
Just a quick note to say a couple things.
One, go to le nordik spa in chelsea if you have not been. If you don't like pampering yourself, or are awkward, or don't like people, just get over yourself and go. If you have a job with benefits including massage, its a free trip for you. Just go, and from the moment you walk into that eucalyptus steam bath, you won't regret it.
And two, i'm hitting the beach, for a week, real soon. Down south, where the weather is warm, and there is very little snow. Hopefully there won't be much here when i get back.
Bye for now!!!
One, go to le nordik spa in chelsea if you have not been. If you don't like pampering yourself, or are awkward, or don't like people, just get over yourself and go. If you have a job with benefits including massage, its a free trip for you. Just go, and from the moment you walk into that eucalyptus steam bath, you won't regret it.
And two, i'm hitting the beach, for a week, real soon. Down south, where the weather is warm, and there is very little snow. Hopefully there won't be much here when i get back.
Bye for now!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)