Yesterday afternoon, I looked out my window – there are a bunch of townhome condos next door to our building – asinine place, it’s like townhouses, only no yards – 2 bedroom condos with 3 bedroom 2 story condos on top of them… anyways, just a short distance from my window are the balconies for the larger condos. In between the balconies, there are small roof sections.

On the roof section out my window?

A very scared puppy.

It seems the owners, rather than properly training the puppy, decided that they’d just leave the puppy on the balcony – so the poor dog is confined to a small space with no social interaction for most of the day every day… they let the kids out on the balcony to play with the puppy, but the puppy doesn’t come inside. They’d left, and the puppy was lonely. They left a cooler at the side of the balcony, so the puppy used the cooler as a stool and climbed off the balcony on to the roof.

One of my neighbors did a spiderman impression, hopping over fences and scaling the building to help the pup back into it’s little balcony home – there were food/water dishes, a dog bed, and the cooler – the dog was smelly and unkempt.

I get the concept of having an outdoor dog that stays outside.

But a small balcony?

Not an acceptable place to keep a dog – let alone a young pup.

Dogs need room to run and play and exercise – they need social interaction, and they need discipline. Daily activities and movement help a dog stay clean, as odd as that may sound – our pup is almost 2, and has never smelled anything other than clean… she gets out to run and play for at least an hour every day, and is very well behaved for the most part.

Yes, it’s a lot of work training a dog to behave properly indoors, but if you’re not willing to put in the work and effort, frankly, you shouldn’t ever have a dog in your family.

What these people are doing is abuse, in it’s most ignorant form…

A well raised dog, educated to behave properly in the house, and socialized with other people and animals grows up to be a wonderful, loving member of the family… this method of raising a puppy won’t result in that kind of family member… it’s going to result in a lonely animal who doesn’t relate to the people it lives with, or understand how to interact with people or other animals… The kind of dog that will strike out and hurt someone.

And the stupid people raising it will blame the dog.

I had some tomato wraps, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, guacamole and cheese, and a package of Yves Mexican Vegetarian Ground (it’s a ground beef-ish thing – not the same, but still good), so I threw it in a frying pan (just the ground) and heated it up. Also not a bad idea to mix in some salsa with the ground in the frying pan for a little extra sauce if you so desire.

one package will make four soft tacos

in the middle of the wrap, put 1/4 package of the hot mexican ground.

Top with cheese, tomato, lettuce, then a heaping spoon of sour cream and guacamole.  Roll it up

eat.

easy and delicious!

of course, you can leave out the cheese and sour cream – still delicious, and also vegan. There are vegan cheese and sour cream substitutes, but I can’t comment on them since I’ve yet to try them, and they tend to be very expensive. The Vegan community would benefit from reasonably priced substitute type foods – a lot of people simply don’t have the resources to afford expensive faux foods, but they demand those foods in their diet. I love cheese, and the real thing is 1/4 the price of the decent vegan alternative… if they want to get people off the foods they love eating, they really, really need to offer comparable foods at the same kinds of prices.

I have to learn to cook all over again, now that I avoid meat 6 days a week, and dairy 3 days a week – but what I’ve discovered is that the meat and dairy free meals are just as delicious, and on average, a lot healthier too (and not lacking in protein, which was a concern when I first decided to give up meat 6 days a week)

That statement kind of loses all meaning without a job – no beginning or end to a work week means there really aren’t any days that stand out.  As far as the job search goes, I have two small, albeit daunting, handicaps. Worst of the two is having no voice – any job that requires verbal communication becomes impossible to lock down… and any job that requires a strong voice to answer phones as well. Being as the voice thing is temporary, that will eventually pass, but for the next few months it’ll be an issue. The second thing is being unilingual – I only read and write English (and sort of speak… whisper really) – granted I do so at a very high level, but a lot of the jobs I find that I am qualified for, and could do with no issues? They require a second language… Korean, Hindi, Farsi… not even French, which, while I don’t understand, I have enough understanding to properly format the text.

Of course, that’s for Graphic Design positions.

In IT, people generally want paper – I have extensive experience, and I can do the job at or beyond the required level, but not having an MSCE or A+ or similar paper certification often gets in the way… also a lot of the positions require verbal communication for consulting, which I’m not currently able to do very well.

These are the things I think of on a Monday morning, while I sip my slurpee, and wonder what the week will bring.(for anyone wondering, the slurpee is a mix of Coke and Pink Lemonade – rather delicious)

This morning we drove our beloved Pug Karma to the vet, because she was having a rather awful allergic reaction to something – she’s covered in little bumps, and obviously in a lot of discomfort… poor little thing. At least you can explain to a person what hives are, and what not to do to avoid making it worse, but how do you explain that to a pup? You really can’t – so she’s itchy and annoyed and just all around having a bad time – also not eating, and can’t sleep. The vet kept her for the day so they can medicate and see if treatment helps her out.

In other news, I have nothing else to add really – hope everyone in the world is doing well… wish me luck!

The one that shocked me the most (with it’s complete lack of goodness) was Triple O’s – I’ll explain why in a minute.

So here’s my take on burgers in and around Vancouver

Best I’ve had?

Bob’s Burgers and Brew – you have to hop the border for this one… there’s one in Lynden, one at the Birch Bay Outlet mall on the I-5 about 5 minutes south of the border, and one in Sumas, just south of the border (from Abbotsford) – also locations all around Washington. The burgers are thick, juicy and delicious, with a great selection of toppings. With a soft drink, you’re looking at around $30 for two to eat. Also fantastic onion rings, and the portabello mushroom cap meat replacement option is also fantastic.

Jack in the Box has a sirloin steak burger that is better than anything anyone in the lower mainland serves (that I’ve experienced)

I hear people rave about Triple O’s burgers at White Spot, and I don’t get it… it’s not that they’re awful or anything, they’re actually pretty good all around burgers, but they don’t stand out – they’re on par with a McDonald’s Quarter Pounder w/cheese quality wise, and way more expensive. Not that this is a slur – I know from experience that nobody is more fussy about meat quality than McDonald’s, despite rumours to the contrary… the weak link at McDonald’s is bland, not lack of quality. Anyways, White Spot burgers aren’t worth much effort, you’re better off at any other fast food place with reasonable prices. Also, the veggie burger they serve is flavourless to a degree I didn’t think was possible… so bad a dog wouldn’t even eat it, seriously.

Bon’s Off Broadway in Vancouver (on Nanaimo, oddly enough just off Broadway) has one of the most terrifying burgers I’ve ever eaten. When I looked at the menu, I saw how cheap it was and assumed it was going to be very small – I think the double was $4.95… so I went with the double, added cheese, mushrooms and bacon, and when it arrived, it was seriously bigger than my head – thick, juicy patties drooling melted cheese and mushrooms. My stomach hurt for 2 days after this bad boy, because I insisted on finishing it – clearly enough food for 3 meals on one plate. I know better now. It’s a dirty, nasty looking restaurant, and people may be tempted to run, but for burgers, this place can’t be beat in Vancouver.

As far as fast food burgers, I’d suggest Harvey’s – locations in the airport, and Home Depot locations around the lower mainland. It’s the only fast food burger place around that admits their burgers are only around 70% beef – the rest is grain, wheat proteins and other fillers (nothing nasty). They also have a good, if nothing special, veggie burger.

A&W’s Uncle Burger is also fantastic – the sirloin patty is delicious, and it’s topped well. Last time I was there, at the location on Bridgeport in Richmond, they were selling them and supplying cheese and bacon as free add on items – no extra charge.

Fatburger? Don’t bother. They serve a very average burger, on a very average bun, with very average fries or onion rings. Sadly, they do NOT charge average prices – there isn’t a single fast food place anywhere that isn’t at least as good, yet they charge more for just a burger than anyone else does for a combo. Not worth the time or effort. (I’ve tried a few locations, in Canada and the US, and not a single one was worth it). I’d happily go there if I had a coupon for a free meal, and then treat a friend, because at 1/2 price, this place would be priced just about right for what they have to offer. The only place comparably priced for average quality in the “fast food” genre is White Spot, and White spot has better burgers.

Roxy Burger on Granville Street (next door to The Roxy) has fantastic burgers – priced comparably to Fatburger, but something special – thick, juicy, delicious, and served with a large side of fries… highly recommended for anyone who loves a great burger.

anything else I should try? I only eat meat on Sundays, but I’m adventurous on those days – also, I’m looking for a truly great veggie burger.

Last week on Tuesday I was fired. I won’t give details here, and it had nothing to do with my blog… but better safe than sorry.

What I can tell you is it was an unjustified termination, and I’m fighting for what’s due to me – being severance pay, and a termination paper that says I was released without just cause, so I can receive the benefits that I am rightly entitled to claim (EI benefits)

I don’t miss working nights at all – but I do miss knowing that I have a solid income coming in.

I’ll update this once everything is concluded – in the meantime, I fully intend to spend some time at the beach, while I do have a little spare time for once

I found some alcohol I can drink without getting sick.

Picked up 0-0 and Cherry, and headed down to the Cambie for some social (which sucks with only one vocal chord, I can really only be heard in places with very low ambient noise)… decided to try drinking a Strongbow… now, my last few encounters with alcoholic beverages have all gone terribly wrong – I end up feeling like I got hit by a bus without drinking a whole lot – 1 or 2 ounces, or one or two beers, or whatever.

Strongbow has been one of my favorites for ages, but after my other favorites (Rye, Applekorn, Scotch, Vodka and so on) all made me violently ill for no apparent reason, I’d hesitated to drink Strongbow again – if that betrayed me as well, I’d be forced to concede complete defeat sadly

Well friends, it did not betray me.

So I got to see a wicked band (Stampede Queen), hang with a great friend, and enjoy a couple frosty beverages. All is right with the world!

I suspect a strategy – if the opening band is awful, the headliner sounds even better, right?

A few songs in, they’re definitely helping make Tool sound better, that’s for sure… Nothing more depraved than a vocalist on an ether binge!

And then come Tool… after the first song (Third Eye) Maynard chimed in… “Turns out, everything’s going to be okay”

You never see Maynard except as a shadow in the constantly moving backdrop of shifting colours and images, but even without his person showing, he was pervasive – in the head of everyone in the arena. The music and the video flowed together while the atmosphere in the arena grew more euphoric with every passing moment.

And then Maynard spoke again… “See, told you everything would be okay”

he only spoke once more after that, to ask the crowd…

“Did you ever hear the one about Michael Jackson and the barber shop?”

and Ænema played… and then they left.

And the crowd was pleased.

Thanks Maynard, thanks Tool… great night in the city!

The Daily Boobs!

4 of them

It’s the 4th of July – just had an excellent brunch with Peter, now to prepare for a night at the office – since I last updated I’ve been rather busy – I saw a band (Iron Maiden), I drove back to Vancouver, I turned 38, I’ve worked 4 days after my awesome 10 days off work… I met a wickedly cool speed skater lady (who was exceptionally awesome)

None of that is in order

I also got me a bedroom and a guaranteed underground parking spot too

I also got my voice problem (I lost it) properly diagnosed – now they’re looking for cause, and to check and see if it’s healing properly. I’ve had no voice since March 22nd, 2010, and it’s expected to take 8-10 months to heal… best case scenario, end of December I’ll have a voice again. Have to go later this month and get a CT Scan, because the problem is I blew a nerve, and the right vocal chord is paralyzed.

Now, I work tonight, have two days off (normal) work 2 days, and then off for a week… going to see Tool play on Friday night – they’re incredible live, and I’m utterly thrilled to be going… good way to start the week off work thing.

and that, in a nutshell, is the synopsis of my time since last I wrote.

Is it really July 2010? The last time I looked at the calendar, it was still April of 2008… how time flies

Sit back, enjoy some tea… Don’t even ask me about tires…

For some reason Dilbert is often the highlight of my day – today, not only was it funny, it was a close second to the actual highlight…

hot girl with soccer ball – topless

I went online and discovered that in 2005 the province of Alberta opened all adoption records, so I sent in an application to find out who my birth mother is. The main reason I say mother, rather than parents, is the information we did have told us that my father was “unknown”.

After I got the application downloaded, I was feeling productive so I posted the relevant facts on an adoption registry.

Enter the e-mail I got a few days later…

A gentleman who might be my father sent me an e-mail.

No idea where it’s going from here, but depending on what the government sends me, I may have some answers soon.

Needless to say I’m excited