Dog on Wheels & New Pic Post

Ok, well for all of you who have been waiting so patiently for pics of the trip to Paris & Rome, you’ll have to be a bit more patient. I found out that the link to my old pic site has died a terrible death. I can’t even get into the site anymore to modify stuff, nor can I even change my password. I bet you that if I try to recreate it using the same name, it will say it already exists! Too bad I can’t actually get to it. Oh well, further information to follow once I get the site going. If anyone is really pressed, I can email some.

Ok, that previuos paragraph was done earlier. I've just created the new site with new pics to go up daily!!
Here is the link
The Cool AGE Pics
Enjoy:)

Anyway, I just purchased a Belle & Sebastian CD this weekend based on the few tunes I heard that were on Thomas & Jacob’s computer back in Aussie-land. Man, they really kick ass, so thanks to you two (Thomas & Jacob) for turning me on to them. I got the album “Push Barman to Open Old Wounds”. It’s awesome. It’s a greatest hits package so naturally, I’m likely missing a bunch of great tunes, but it is such an awesome intro to the band’s music. They have such a great sound that’s so real & down to earth. Anyway, thumbs way up (like the friendly giant) on this one. Oh yeah, I've mentioned The Shins before and I'm still loving their album. Take a listen if you can.

Toronto was a hot haze last week, temperatures got to like 38/39C with the humidity, not fun. For those imperialists down south, they can figure out the conversion on your own. Are you ever going to go Metric (See movie Canadian Bacon for funny reference, ok I’ll just give you the line. One guy in the CIA has been investigating the threat of Canada to the US for years and one of the dangers he points out is: “For God sakes the Metric system!!” Too funny, John Candy’s second last movie, then he made Wagon’s West or something to that effect with Matthew Perry from Friends, during which he passed away during the filming). But now we’ve got nicer more appropriate weather for June, unlike Jacob in Nice. Hang in there buddy!

Star Wars Episode III: Well, no complaints that weren’t already expected. Well, maybe the gruesomeness of Anakin with the little jedi. Yikes was all I could say to that one. It was good to get closure on the series, but issues remain, although not unlike the first 2 episodes.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: Haven’t gotten to see it, and now it’s not playing in any theatres downtown, or anywhere with subway access. So I guess I’ll have to rely on my imagination to remember what the book was like. Although, Jocke was telling me that it didn’t follow the book to the extent that Harry Potter did.

So that’s it for now. “If you don’t like my thoughts, I have others” – Groucho Marx

And now, back to reality

What a whirlwind week. We got dumped on under the falls, but not by the falls, but we didn’t let that spoil our experience. The skies did clear up for fudge & lamb burgers at the Shaw Café in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Off to Montreal to see the old port and eat great pasta where the Chivas flowed after some great pasta & Jackson Triggs. The shibbies were quite plentiful and full of excitement as we headed towards this wonderful coffee shop outside the “Place d’Arts” where I had a great latte type thing, I think it was some sort of mint flavoured. Either way it was really good and Jocke got the LARGE coffee. I finally got a menu item that made Mary jealous (it’s usually the other way around).

The next morning we awoke to a toasted breakfast, fresh squeezed orange juice and some coffee to help us tackle the humid day ahead. We checked out the lookout on top of Mont Royal before heading to this huge basilica on top of the mountain. A monstrous lunch at Tutti Fruity helped ease our panic of running near empty before heading to the island (passed in front of the new Montreal Canadiens Arena – highlight as the most winingest team in hockey plays there) which would have been a great place to relax had we actually got gas, which we didn’t and by the time we did we were really close to Olympic Stadium which isn’t very interesting since the Expos aren’t playing there any more anyway, well, even with them playing there, it’s not all that grand.

Then off to see Jocke’s friends Doug & Kelly & the twins, great people, great kids, great scenery in St. Anne de Bellevue just west of Montreal. And then home…5 hours later, what a drive, yikes. Well, the next day we woke up, went for lunch where we had great pasta with some not so great surprises, but still great pasta. Met Mary for coffee & relaxing. Then some book shopping and back home to make some pasta and relax watching Seinfeld episodes all night. Ahh, quality of life moments all over the place.

Again, woke up late, met Mary for lunch & coffee and then off to find Jocke some more great pasta. How could you not at a place called Pasta Perfection? Some more book shopping and then on to dinner at a Morroccan place where they have a belly dancing show while they serve you really great food. I fell in love with this cous cous, some deep fried cigars, not real ones, but with meat in them. Then home to enjoy some more quality of life moments on the balcony with Glen Livet & Bailey’s. I had the Bailey’s to no one’s surprise I suppose.

Friday didn’t get any easier as I had to say goodbye to my buddy Jocke whom I haven’t seen in almost 3 years after only one week. But I did get to enjoy the weekend as Mary & I celebrated her birthday by going up to the 54th floor of the TD tower to eat at Canoe where we had caribou and lamb with some very strong wine & not to mention coffee.

The next day began with another road trip to Ottawa as we visited the country’s capital to see Parliament, stay at Chateau Laurier, and eat beaver tail. The next day the 32C weather made waling around very lethargy inducing, the air conditioning at art gallery was very refreshing although the collection wasn’t. There were a few choice items I enjoyed though. And then across the street is a church, another Notre Dame Cathedral, but this one what it lacks in size makes up in detail. Wow. That’s all, you have to see it and you’ll be left with the same reaction. Then off for home and back to routine, saving money, and TV. Possibly some more blogging, heh heh heh.

Well, I’ve still got to do a write up of our two weeks in Europe, but this one seemed easier as it was a week shorter. Anyways, it was too much fun with you this past week Jocke. Talk to you soon.

The Cool AGE:)