Feast Navidad

I finished up my turkey dinner leftovers on Saturday. BT makes really good potato crack. On Xmas Day, I cooked a 20 pound turkey with stuff, gravy and cranberry sauce. It took 7 hours to cook, not including preparation time, but it turned out delicious. My 4th or 5th turkey to-date. I could be a domestic diva yet.

On Friday, a group of us went to Shabusen downtown for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ and sushi. I tend to not be a huge fan of AYCA because one tends to gorge on low-grade food. But I love social gatherings and I got to meet a friend of a friend from Thailand. After, we went for Japanese crepes at the Japanese grocery on Robson street. We also went to Mondo Gelato a few doors down. I had no room for dessert.

On Saturday evening, I had the pleasure of going to Kino Cafe on Camie and 18th Streets. The food is dull and the service is atrocious, but the live Flamenco dancing and Spanish singing is extraordinary. I think if you only go to Kino Cafe for drinks or Sangria and to see the live show, it would be the perfect combination. The place calls itself a Spanish tapas restaurant, but there are really no tapas on the menu.

We went for Sunday brunch at the Best Western Inn in Coquitlam. For about $22, you can have a brunch buffet with seafood. I thought for the price, the food was good. The service was mediocre at best. Bit of a drive from Vancouver though. I really wanted to try the brunch at the Hilton Metrotown, but it was $29 and you had to make a reservation.

I have uploaded GEoff's Vancouver SantaCon photos to my flickr account.

Listening to: The Bravery Believe

 

Santa, Come Out, Come Out...

Santa, where ever you are...



Listening to: Depeche Mode - Policy of Truth

 

Victoria SantaCon

Victoria is such a beautiful, quaint city. I have not been there for about four years. I went over this past weekend with some friends to participate in Victoria SantaCon.

What an amazing cacophony event. We started at Big Bad John's Bar, went to a string of bars, picked up a Santa flying in at Harbour Air, sang carols, played Twister, Soprano's for karaoke, and Monty's for strippers.



We also tried to go to the Fairmont Empress lounge for a drink, but it could not accommodate our large group of 80 Santas. Lucky's Bar and Hush were also not having Christmas Cheer. Hugo's was a fun stop, but they did not have enough staff to keep Santa merry. Swan was fantastic though with a great live band.

The Jellyfish was very pretentious-pathetic basement chic. Overpriced drinks in a stark, plain white basement room. I think the staff and patrons were terrified of us. But Santa just wanted to drink and be merry.

Santa's Little Elf - Candy Cane (Rendition of Cocaine by Bob Dylan)

 

Santa Loves Victoria

Well, I am off tonight to Victoria for SantaCon. I have never been to Victoria's SantaCon before and I am very excited to partifipate. I have heard great things about it.

I am going over with Fasty, Gia & BT. I love taking the ferry. It brings back fond memories travelling with my family as a kid. It is such a journey. I haven't been to Victoria in years.

I am trying to figure out how I can fit in the Royal BC Museum. I am disappointed I missed the museum's Titanic Exhibit. It ended in October.

Vancouver's SantaCon is next week. So excited! I actually feel festive this year and am going to put up my family's old fake tree. I haven't seen that out of the box since 2001.

Kate Nash - Shit Song

 

Gray Goes Well With Red

8:30 pm: I am ready to go to bed. But it's too early. The sun is long gone from here. I read a few short stories from Margaret Atwood's Good Bones.

Attempted to sleep, but still restless. I go through periods of non-sleep to exhausted sleep. She says I am too eager. Is she right? Does she know me better than I know myself?

It is amazing how so many drifts in the storm can make you so strong-willed. It's good to know which clothes to arm yourself with and what equipment to take on the path with you each day. It ensures your survival.

The snowman reminds us not to throw our discarded Starbucks cups on the ground.

The Rolling Stones - Let It Loose