A long time ago I was a young lad with wild dreams of becoming the next great Carl Lewis. I believed then and for a long time that I was destined to be the fastest person in the world and one day the Olympic Gold Champion. Yes, all that at the tender age of 6. In every aspect of my life I tried to live and be that dream, whether it be a run down to the local 7/11 or to school, as a runner I had to do it full tilt, always 100%. As the years passed and my dreams grew, I decided one day to join a running club. My first practise was on a sunny Tuesday afternoon around 4:30. My friend Chad and I were to meet up with the distance running group on the meewasin river. Arriving early, he and I sat on the grass and did whatever stretching we knew. Being the same age and good friends I knew then that Chad had only joined to support me, he loved running but not in the same way I did, I would die for it, I wanted to do it all the time. As time passed, we eventually saw out of the corner of the train bridge a group of runners coming our way, led by a tall older fellow with salt and pepper hair. When they arrived our way he motioned to us to join in, (we'd made a mistake and waited at the wrong bridge) and there we have it. Just like that Chad and I stood up and jumped in full bore with the group, no warm up or nothing, just a good old fashioned run. Exhilaration much!!! Fuck me what a ride I was on, I still remember the high I felt then, just being apart of something, even as menial as that. Later on we would stop and get a chance to meet some of the other runners and the old fellow whose name was Tony East, the head distance coach. From that first encounter I remember Tony being extremely witty and full of joie de vie. He and I clicked immediately as we sensed a similar bond for running. His smile and very charismatic way about him always made me feel good. Coming to practice and cracking jokes with him was by far my all time fav, and boy did he have some good ones up his sleeve. Even as my interests changed towards more sprinting versus distance running, Tony and I remained close for a few years. What I'm reminded most of him is his voice yelling at me during track meets in the field house, that deep voice of his still rings clearly in my head to this day. Thinking back on that time in my life, those early years, I'm clearly reminded of how he touched me with his warmth and open heart.
Even though you may be gone and we may have lost touch these past years, may you rest in peace Tony, you made a mark in my life, one that I will never forget.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
What's the deal with Breakfast?
Over and over again I've racked my head around this simple question. The word itself has quite the simple meaning "to break the fast" usually from a nights sleep. Yet as easy an explanation that is, I still find myself vexed at why everyone I know loves it, especially when dining out for brunch. Constantly I find myself running into people who can't stop raving at "how that brunch was today" or "I wish there was someplace serving breakfast at 6pm". Seriously what's with eating eggs, bacon and toast that has people jumping out of bed. Am I missing something or am I just the only one who thinks eating breakfast and going for brunch, dim sum or whatever else is totally overrated? Having worked in various styles of restaurants over the years, I've come to witness people abounding with joy at the greasy slop of food before them as they guzzle down cup after cup of coffee, which to me I find disgusting, 6 cups of coffee buddy, really you need that much?. Ah I feel my inner Jerry Seinfeld coming out at this very moment. My list of questions is as follows.
Why are breakfast joints commonly associated with greasy spoon diners with cheap, oftentimes awful food?
Why do we accept such a low class of food for breakfast yet rarely associate or look for this style of food for dinner?
Not that breakfast food is bad, I'm not saying that, but where did this joy for brunch with family and the kids come from?
I'll continue on...
Walk anywhere at 12pm on a Sunday morning and you'll see flocks of people hoarding themselves in for brunch, driving servers mad with ridiculous requests. "Um excuse me can I have the Eggs Benny soft poached, repeat very soft poached eggs, hollandaise on the side, with lightly buttered toast, and can I get one piece of bacon and one sausage link, oh and can you dump this coffee? I like it nice and hot" Like fuck me!!! You demanding assholes. And kids, fucking kids, why are you allowed out ever!!!! The next time I have to walk by your little brat as he torments neighbouring tables, yelling at the top of his lungs like this is his playground I'm going to freak out. Freak out!!! Babysit your child Mom and Dad, this is not my job. Ohh I got angry there.
Seriously my opinion on this matter might seem hypocritical seeing as I've dined for brunch many a time, but man oh man do I feel all icky inside when I sit amongst all these people. I feel as if I've been transported to another world when I step in a greasy diner. Take for instance Park Cafe on 20th Street. Up until a few months ago I'd never heard so much about the place, yet recently all I hear is "it makes the best brunch, you gotta go". With quotes like these flowing in front of my girl and I, I knew it would only be a matter of time before she decided to drag me out with some of her friends for a group brunch date.
Vomit.
So there we are, all 4 of us camped out in this dreadfully decored little dump in the worst part of the city. Seriously guys, great choice for a restaurant, don't forget to tip the hookers when you take out the trash. Honestly, there wasn't any other spot available in town except this one? Were you out late one night at the old Barry hotel having a few too many, when it dawned on you that all this street needed was a Breakfast diner. Did you foresee in front of your eyes the dream scenario of liquor store, pawn shop, bum, pawn shop,bum and Breakfast diner. Was it yes, yes we'll take it when the landlord said "$50.00 bucks and its yours, oh and the rats only come out at night" Did you go, yeah we found a winner!!!! Oh I trust the food coming out of this place, oh yeah! *Warning: Sarcasm exclaimer.
I don't get it, people flock to this place and many others, oftentimes with very much the same enthusiasm as a 9th grader would when he's about to see his first boobie (my new favorite word by the way). Now I'm not saying I hate breakfast food, which I don't, I love my eggs and french toast as much as the next guy, for me this deals more with the hysteria surrounding the breakfast dining out. Seriously have you ever been to a Chinese Dim Sum restaurant on a Sunday morning? Fuck me what a mad house, my grandfather (who happened to be Chinese) would drag me and my family out for Dim Sum quite often and wow did I never get it. Sitting there with all this extremely greasy food and tripe (if you've never had it, don't, it's awful. It looks similar to thin pasta, but it ain't, I believe it's either cows or pigs stomach. I could be wrong. Who cares...ick!) as large groups of people would devour every last morsel. To be honest I went with some co-workers a few months ago and I believe that my feelings towards Dim Sum food must have dampened the spirits of everyone that morning, as we began to eat, I believe they all could notice that I found this food awful to which I feel they in turn began to realize that it was awful. It's as if people are in some sort of trance when they wake up, they're so hungry that eating anything will satisfy them, regardless if it's good or not. I believe I have it right on this one, why else would anyone pay $3.50 for breakfast and say it was the best meal they'd ever eaten, yet a few hours later buy a pasta special at Chianti's for $8.50 and complain that it was cheap garbage. Do we really need our coffee that much? Are we that asleep, or am I the only one missing the boat on this one. And yes I don't drink coffee if you wanted to know. Call me Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil, I'm the one trying to kill all you zombie breakfast nuts. Wake up!!!
In the end, it really doesn't matter what I write or say, people are still going to go ape shit over eggs, bacon and toast, all 12 of them, cramped together on a group date, Sunday morning, with their glasses on, strong vodka breath, while they all debate who was the drunkest last night, just as Tyler next to them keeps screaming for Daddy as Mom decides that he doesn't exist since this is her time with Aunt Judy. Oh and that water refill you asked for 15 minutes ago, it ain't coming anytime soon. Since your waiter Jimmy is in the back puking, since he and Larry the cook are still drunk from doing shots of Wild Turkey at Bill's bachelor party last night. Larry has yet to wash his hands.
Yes, oh yes, sunday brunch. Can't wait till next time. Mmm good eats.
later.
ps. I do enjoy toast in the morning, me by myself.
Why are breakfast joints commonly associated with greasy spoon diners with cheap, oftentimes awful food?
Why do we accept such a low class of food for breakfast yet rarely associate or look for this style of food for dinner?
Not that breakfast food is bad, I'm not saying that, but where did this joy for brunch with family and the kids come from?
I'll continue on...
Walk anywhere at 12pm on a Sunday morning and you'll see flocks of people hoarding themselves in for brunch, driving servers mad with ridiculous requests. "Um excuse me can I have the Eggs Benny soft poached, repeat very soft poached eggs, hollandaise on the side, with lightly buttered toast, and can I get one piece of bacon and one sausage link, oh and can you dump this coffee? I like it nice and hot" Like fuck me!!! You demanding assholes. And kids, fucking kids, why are you allowed out ever!!!! The next time I have to walk by your little brat as he torments neighbouring tables, yelling at the top of his lungs like this is his playground I'm going to freak out. Freak out!!! Babysit your child Mom and Dad, this is not my job. Ohh I got angry there.
Seriously my opinion on this matter might seem hypocritical seeing as I've dined for brunch many a time, but man oh man do I feel all icky inside when I sit amongst all these people. I feel as if I've been transported to another world when I step in a greasy diner. Take for instance Park Cafe on 20th Street. Up until a few months ago I'd never heard so much about the place, yet recently all I hear is "it makes the best brunch, you gotta go". With quotes like these flowing in front of my girl and I, I knew it would only be a matter of time before she decided to drag me out with some of her friends for a group brunch date.
Vomit.
So there we are, all 4 of us camped out in this dreadfully decored little dump in the worst part of the city. Seriously guys, great choice for a restaurant, don't forget to tip the hookers when you take out the trash. Honestly, there wasn't any other spot available in town except this one? Were you out late one night at the old Barry hotel having a few too many, when it dawned on you that all this street needed was a Breakfast diner. Did you foresee in front of your eyes the dream scenario of liquor store, pawn shop, bum, pawn shop,bum and Breakfast diner. Was it yes, yes we'll take it when the landlord said "$50.00 bucks and its yours, oh and the rats only come out at night" Did you go, yeah we found a winner!!!! Oh I trust the food coming out of this place, oh yeah! *Warning: Sarcasm exclaimer.
I don't get it, people flock to this place and many others, oftentimes with very much the same enthusiasm as a 9th grader would when he's about to see his first boobie (my new favorite word by the way). Now I'm not saying I hate breakfast food, which I don't, I love my eggs and french toast as much as the next guy, for me this deals more with the hysteria surrounding the breakfast dining out. Seriously have you ever been to a Chinese Dim Sum restaurant on a Sunday morning? Fuck me what a mad house, my grandfather (who happened to be Chinese) would drag me and my family out for Dim Sum quite often and wow did I never get it. Sitting there with all this extremely greasy food and tripe (if you've never had it, don't, it's awful. It looks similar to thin pasta, but it ain't, I believe it's either cows or pigs stomach. I could be wrong. Who cares...ick!) as large groups of people would devour every last morsel. To be honest I went with some co-workers a few months ago and I believe that my feelings towards Dim Sum food must have dampened the spirits of everyone that morning, as we began to eat, I believe they all could notice that I found this food awful to which I feel they in turn began to realize that it was awful. It's as if people are in some sort of trance when they wake up, they're so hungry that eating anything will satisfy them, regardless if it's good or not. I believe I have it right on this one, why else would anyone pay $3.50 for breakfast and say it was the best meal they'd ever eaten, yet a few hours later buy a pasta special at Chianti's for $8.50 and complain that it was cheap garbage. Do we really need our coffee that much? Are we that asleep, or am I the only one missing the boat on this one. And yes I don't drink coffee if you wanted to know. Call me Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil, I'm the one trying to kill all you zombie breakfast nuts. Wake up!!!
In the end, it really doesn't matter what I write or say, people are still going to go ape shit over eggs, bacon and toast, all 12 of them, cramped together on a group date, Sunday morning, with their glasses on, strong vodka breath, while they all debate who was the drunkest last night, just as Tyler next to them keeps screaming for Daddy as Mom decides that he doesn't exist since this is her time with Aunt Judy. Oh and that water refill you asked for 15 minutes ago, it ain't coming anytime soon. Since your waiter Jimmy is in the back puking, since he and Larry the cook are still drunk from doing shots of Wild Turkey at Bill's bachelor party last night. Larry has yet to wash his hands.
Yes, oh yes, sunday brunch. Can't wait till next time. Mmm good eats.
later.
ps. I do enjoy toast in the morning, me by myself.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
A Few Thoughts...
A couple things that have caught my attention lately,
- Why is Shaq so mad lately? Got a chance to see the Suns/Magic game last night and boy did the Diesel seem pissed. For the first few minutes, the jostling between he and Howard was getting so physical that at one point I was expecting a punch or two to be thrown. What gives? Seriously, and I highly doubt Howard would be the one to be throwing his size and mouth around, especially around his idol Shaquille. I do however, have an inkling as to why he's been on a tear of late with his game and his mouth, he's starting to see the end. I believe that after the All Star break, with his not being traded to a contender, Shaq saw his basketball mortality flashed before his eyes, he quickly realized that he's stuck on this crappy Suns team for the rest of this season and most likely next and that his likely chance at reaping a 5th title have quickly vanished. I believe his anger and his sudden resurgences is his way of showing the league (and Howard) that "hey fuck you all for not wanting me and disrespecting me, I'm still the man". Which in a way is true to a point, having Shaq in the playoffs for a contender greatly would increase any teams chances, I mean let's face it the man's a beast and you can't teach size, no matter how old. However, I do believe that the way the economy has changed, teams have become reluctant to take on salaries, especially one as big as the Shaquille's. Also I do believe whole heartedly that he wants to return to the Lakers for one last go with Kobe. I sincerely believe that he wants to amend things with his past as he's quickly realized how immature and greedy he'd become back in 04'. Yes, Kobe wanted to be the man, but in reality Dr. Buss was not interested in paying O'Neal 30 mil per for a player who plays 60 or so games a year, is not in great shape and on the decline. It's rather unfortunate the whole Laker saga, if you quickly think about it, had Shaq taken the salary he receives now (20 mil per) and relinquished the reigns to a growing and vastly improving Bryant, I swear that team could have won so many titles. But alas, that was then and this is now, maybe Shaq's current fate is karma that he's reaped upon himself. Who knows really, only time will tell.
- Is Dwight Howard the most overrated player in the league or what? The kid can play no doubt, but wow is he ever not a leader, all I see with him is David Robinson re-incarnate. Good kid, plays hard, gets his stats but has no killer or leadership instincts. I guarantee that he'll never lead the Magic to a title, Never! Unless he's lucky and receives a Duncanesque player one day, he'll go down as D. Robinson number 2 rather than Superman Jr. Shaq's a killer, Howard is not.
- Marc Cuban's rant last night was AWESOME!!! He finally gets it, his team sucks and should be totally dismantled. Yes TOTALLY. I say let Kidds contract run out, ship out Howard and Terry and whomever and go get a killer to compliment Dirk. Dirk is like Pau, great number 2 but needs a Kobe to win.
- Buyouts should not be allowed after this season. How San Antonio, Cleveland and Boston reap the awards of stupid owners and crummy teams is beyond me and unfair to all other contending teams. I say you signed him to that stupid deal, you live with that deal.
- Whoever's team has the best record at the end of the season should win the MVP, LBJ and Kobe have both been brilliant all season long, with the both of them performing and leading their clubs flawlessly. I would give it to Kobe right now seeing as his team went 12-1 in February sans Bynum.
that's good for now. later.
- Why is Shaq so mad lately? Got a chance to see the Suns/Magic game last night and boy did the Diesel seem pissed. For the first few minutes, the jostling between he and Howard was getting so physical that at one point I was expecting a punch or two to be thrown. What gives? Seriously, and I highly doubt Howard would be the one to be throwing his size and mouth around, especially around his idol Shaquille. I do however, have an inkling as to why he's been on a tear of late with his game and his mouth, he's starting to see the end. I believe that after the All Star break, with his not being traded to a contender, Shaq saw his basketball mortality flashed before his eyes, he quickly realized that he's stuck on this crappy Suns team for the rest of this season and most likely next and that his likely chance at reaping a 5th title have quickly vanished. I believe his anger and his sudden resurgences is his way of showing the league (and Howard) that "hey fuck you all for not wanting me and disrespecting me, I'm still the man". Which in a way is true to a point, having Shaq in the playoffs for a contender greatly would increase any teams chances, I mean let's face it the man's a beast and you can't teach size, no matter how old. However, I do believe that the way the economy has changed, teams have become reluctant to take on salaries, especially one as big as the Shaquille's. Also I do believe whole heartedly that he wants to return to the Lakers for one last go with Kobe. I sincerely believe that he wants to amend things with his past as he's quickly realized how immature and greedy he'd become back in 04'. Yes, Kobe wanted to be the man, but in reality Dr. Buss was not interested in paying O'Neal 30 mil per for a player who plays 60 or so games a year, is not in great shape and on the decline. It's rather unfortunate the whole Laker saga, if you quickly think about it, had Shaq taken the salary he receives now (20 mil per) and relinquished the reigns to a growing and vastly improving Bryant, I swear that team could have won so many titles. But alas, that was then and this is now, maybe Shaq's current fate is karma that he's reaped upon himself. Who knows really, only time will tell.
- Is Dwight Howard the most overrated player in the league or what? The kid can play no doubt, but wow is he ever not a leader, all I see with him is David Robinson re-incarnate. Good kid, plays hard, gets his stats but has no killer or leadership instincts. I guarantee that he'll never lead the Magic to a title, Never! Unless he's lucky and receives a Duncanesque player one day, he'll go down as D. Robinson number 2 rather than Superman Jr. Shaq's a killer, Howard is not.
- Marc Cuban's rant last night was AWESOME!!! He finally gets it, his team sucks and should be totally dismantled. Yes TOTALLY. I say let Kidds contract run out, ship out Howard and Terry and whomever and go get a killer to compliment Dirk. Dirk is like Pau, great number 2 but needs a Kobe to win.
- Buyouts should not be allowed after this season. How San Antonio, Cleveland and Boston reap the awards of stupid owners and crummy teams is beyond me and unfair to all other contending teams. I say you signed him to that stupid deal, you live with that deal.
- Whoever's team has the best record at the end of the season should win the MVP, LBJ and Kobe have both been brilliant all season long, with the both of them performing and leading their clubs flawlessly. I would give it to Kobe right now seeing as his team went 12-1 in February sans Bynum.
that's good for now. later.
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