Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Last Day in the Mission

The famed Sweet Chinito Breakfast Croissant 

I'm chilling in thr Bernal Heights area of the Mission district of San Francisco, eating my Sweet Chinito breakfast croissant for the third day in a row. I could never get tired of this thing. I will miss it. Mike is on a bus returning from Tahoe NV, we will be flying to his home in Seattle tonight.

I had a great time with Matt and ran into enough old friends to make it a really fun short trip. I love San Francisco and I'm lucky to have so many cool friends here.

I want to go to Amoeba Records and find some cool vinyl.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

A spin around Delores Park

It's a big Sunday for us in San Francisco. I'm staying at Matt's place in the Mission. It feels like home I've been here so often. I'm not here for long so we have to make today count.
Sandwich from Sweet Chinito

We went to gamestop to trade in a bunch of Matt's used xbox games. Matt (on impulse) decided to buy  3ds on a whim, something I didn't have the stones for 2 days previous and now regret.

We went to the "pimp suit" store on Mission, between 20th & 19th (I'm such a "local", I knew where we were going with no need for Google). Matt wanted a Leap Day William suit, but after getting fitted they told us it couldn't be ready for Wednesday (Leap Day). It's an expensive joke that will now have to be shelved for another four years.

We picked up sandwiches at Sweet Chinito. It's been over a year since I've had one, and I missed it so much. I got my classic, Turkey, Bacon, and Provolone Cheese on Dutch Crunch Bread.


I love spending time in Delores Park on a Sunday. We ran into Jim and Ashlie, Burner friends from Shadyvil. We sat down and chatted with them for a bit. Matt took this time-lapse video using a GoPro affixed to a Ikea egg-timer on a tripod.




Matt's back was really sore. He scheduled us for Massage in Japantown. I've never been to San Francisco's Japantown before, but I've been to Japan and this is the next best thing. The mall was really cool, I wanted to eat at every restaurant in the place. The massage was my first, it was awesome. It was almost painful but well worth it. She got all the knots out of my shoulder blade.

We met Bobby at Trader Joes and then met up with Mike back in the Mission. We ate some sushi and played Mario Superstar Sluggers.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

In flight blogging

I'm gonna write this with my thumbs on my cellphone. Usually I am lucky enough to grab the isle seat but on these 5 hours i will be sandwichced between two ladies (ideal). I can hit post when I land or when I get to Matt's wifi in the mission.

My last US roaming data adventure cost me an extra 30$ on my rogers bill.

I sure got my moneys worth in the lounge considering it was free.

Air Canada has one of the best PVRs in the entire airline industry. I'm going to watch Tin Tin, even though I should see it on Imax instead of the 7" screen before me.

I almost impulse bought a Nintendo 3ds yesterday. I know now that it would have been a good purchase.

When the food goes by I think im gonna buy an in flight beer and chicken wrap w/cashews. Somehow they comped my beer.

I dozed off and woke about 20 minutes before landing. I spent that time trying not to void my bowels.
I'm back in San Francisco, a quick BART ride and I'm home in the Mission.

Fly Sunny J Class

With only the slightest bit of shmoozing I find myself with complementary Maple Leaf lounge access.
I had my sob story ready but Elizabeth barley heard any of it before giving me the keys to shangrila.
This is my happy place. I love the lounge.
People bitch about Air Canada but i have no complaints.
The hot beef & barley soup warms my belly. A soothing familliar feeling befofe the sudden shock of chilly rye & cokes.
I would have gladly paid for the lounge(normally 35$) but my flight was in the morning. Now that my flight is at 630 it makes sense(booze-wise), but its too late to add the option to the flight.
Earlier I said no complaints, but it does apear they are out of cookies.

Never mind, they have been restocked (as has my beverage).

Looks like its time to fly.


Flight Cancelled, re-booked

I was staying up all night for an early transit ride to Pearson for a 9 am flight to San Francisco. I got a text message from Air Canada at 2:45 am about my flight being cancelled. I quickly hopped on the website to find out if I was screwed. Thankfully it has nothing to do with labour strife and everything to do with inclement  weather. I moved fast to re-book on a later flight. The first flight I selected jammed up but the second time I tried I was successful. I will be getting in at 9pm instead of noon. I was really looking forward to spending a Saturday afternoon in my city by the bay but better that my whole trip wasn't shot to shit.

Since my flight now doesn't leave till 4pm, I wish I had added Maple Leaf Lounge access. I guess I can try and get some rest now that I dont have to be on the first subway out, 

Monday, February 20, 2012

sleepy

I volunteered at the lightbox for "Family Day" today. It wasn't busy at all.

Afterwards I went to see The Secret World of Arrietty(Kari-gurashi no Arietti). I watched it when I was in Japan, but this was the english dub.

I was so tired I passed out at 4:30 and just woke up before midnight to watch some tv.

I don't think the antibiotics are working.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

one was one too many at rex

Con Air at the Tiff Bell Lightbox was brilliantly stupid. Sure, I saw it back in the day, but back then I wore the rose-coloured glasses of a 15 year old desperate for 2 hours of escapism. To see it with a theatre full of shlock connoisseurs was truly an experience to be had. It's was absolutely ridiculous. At first it almost seems tongue-in-cheek, but in reality it's taking itself completely serious. I had such a good time. I hope the lightbox programs more of this type of fare in the future.

After the movie I went to the REX to meet Shawna and some pals for a pint.

The pharmacist at Shoppers Drug Mart had advised me not to consume alcohol while taking my prescribed antibiotics. Next time I will heed his advice. I threw up 5 minutes after getting home.

It was worth it to see Shawna and everyone and hear some good jazz.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

baby steps though blogging

I should try and write a little bit every day. I have to write something everyday. I have been quite ill.

I spent the day volunteering at the Lightbox. It's the "Bell Free Weekend" and wasn't nearly as busy as it was last year, when thousands came for the free Tim Burton Exhibit and movies. They didn't screen any big name family titles that could draw crowds (although the older folks turned up for the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar) Hopefully next year they will have a little more going on for the kids.

It was great to see my friend Lars, who I haven't spoken to since before I went to Japan. He just got a job at the Lightbox, I'm very happy for him (and proud too). He's a film buff and a Jays fan, so we had much to discuss but only spoke a little (he's a responsible employee, after all). I'm headed back there now to meet up with him and watch the Nic Cage classic Con Air.

Friday, February 03, 2012

Kevin Smith announces Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie

Kevin Smith in Toronto

Kevin Smith announces new Jay & Silent Bob cartoon, hopes to premiere at tiff.

Last night Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes returned to the big screen for Kevin Smith: Live from Behind. A one night only live podcast and Q&A recorded at the Scotiabank Theatre in Toronto and simulcast in theatres across North America.

The podcast of Jay & Silent Bob Get Jobs will be available on Smodcast.com soon.

The big announcement of the night was the existence of Jay & Silent Bob's Super Groovy Cartoon Movie, An animated feature with live-action elements. The animation will be produced by Starktoons (of Smodimation fame). Kevin said he hoped to screen it in September at the Toronto International Film Festival during Midnight Madness.

On the subject of Hit Somebody!

Thursday, February 02, 2012

Kevin Smith Live from behind.

I thought the show started at 7 but when I got to the Scotiabank Cineplex i discovered the actual start time was 9:30. Because its close to home I decided to go back instead of waiting. The line is prigressing quickly so it should start on time. It's being simulcast live so it has to be on time.