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Switters is a very nice person. She's a biologist considering to go back to school here, in Ottawa: she's very likely to be looking for sharing a place as of January.
Here is more about Switters:
http://switters.dreamwidth.org
http://switterbeet.livejournal.com
This is a signal boost of a post from Jagash... (I know, lots of people are common to both our circles, but one single person may be enough to make the difference!)
http://jagash.livejournal.com/457470.html
At last, I'm back...
Jul. 13th, 2011 05:13 pmHummm... I've been rather busy and tired lately, which translated to being rather lousy on being present, both on the net and in real life: changing jobs, moving son to Montréal and, I'm finally back from some recent travels...
Unfortunately, I had to miss many events in the last two months or so, but many thanks to the ones that kept on inviting me: now that things seem less hectic, I hope I'll get back to normal social life shortly!
:)
Unfortunately, I had to miss many events in the last two months or so, but many thanks to the ones that kept on inviting me: now that things seem less hectic, I hope I'll get back to normal social life shortly!
:)
I have something rather big to purchase at Canadian Tire and for which I will need the assistance of someone with a car. Of course, I will refund any applicable fees (gas, vrtucar or both).
However, it would have to be tomorrow (Tuesday), or worse case scenario Wednesday before tasting, or if someone accepts replace me for hosting just for the time of that pick-up, I could then do it quickly on Wednesday evening.
__________________________________________________________________
UPDATE : YAY! Many thanks to metawidget, who's driven me, and to rottenfruit who accepted to baby sit Oscar while I've borrowed her husband!
:)
However, it would have to be tomorrow (Tuesday), or worse case scenario Wednesday before tasting, or if someone accepts replace me for hosting just for the time of that pick-up, I could then do it quickly on Wednesday evening.
__________________________________________________________________
UPDATE : YAY! Many thanks to metawidget, who's driven me, and to rottenfruit who accepted to baby sit Oscar while I've borrowed her husband!
:)
That's too sad that Allo-Stop has been forced to shut down its offices in Ontario, but there's still a way around for carpooling in-between Ottawa to/from Montréal (or elsewhere in Québec): Amigo Express.
Like Allo-Stop (still working in Québec), Amigo is an other Montréal-based carpool matching service, and bookings can be done either online or over the phone. Unlike other online boards that have ride share sections (kijiji, Craig's List, etc.), it is actually safer to travel with Amigo Express as the drivers backgrounds are checked when they sign up as drivers, and the system keeps track of the drivers with whom a passenger had boarded (which addresses safety concern as for hoping on with a stranger). Also, both drivers and passengers are more reliable as they do not want to be excluded from the service, as opposed to an anonymously booked ride. As Amigo has reached 60,000 members in Aug 2010, there are plenty of ride offers.
However, carpoolers will have to board across the river, like to go on Hull side: most of the pick-up spots are close Portage, and STO & OC Transpo bus routes that cross from Ottawa to Gatineau. Hence, it's transport from a Québec location to an other Québec location, . Unfortunately, that doesn't work for Toronto, unless the pick-up or drop-off location is in the US, like Niagara or Buffalo.
As a former Montrealer now expatriated in Ottawa's region, I travel very often back and forth, and I usually do it through Amigo: meet new people, share the good spots (eating, going out, non-mainstream movies, microbreweries) that we discover in both cities, in addition to having a nicer, quicker and cheaper ride (compared to bus)! Yay!!!
:)
Amigo is easy to use:
So, here are few links for Amigo:
Like Allo-Stop (still working in Québec), Amigo is an other Montréal-based carpool matching service, and bookings can be done either online or over the phone. Unlike other online boards that have ride share sections (kijiji, Craig's List, etc.), it is actually safer to travel with Amigo Express as the drivers backgrounds are checked when they sign up as drivers, and the system keeps track of the drivers with whom a passenger had boarded (which addresses safety concern as for hoping on with a stranger). Also, both drivers and passengers are more reliable as they do not want to be excluded from the service, as opposed to an anonymously booked ride. As Amigo has reached 60,000 members in Aug 2010, there are plenty of ride offers.
However, carpoolers will have to board across the river, like to go on Hull side: most of the pick-up spots are close Portage, and STO & OC Transpo bus routes that cross from Ottawa to Gatineau. Hence, it's transport from a Québec location to an other Québec location, . Unfortunately, that doesn't work for Toronto, unless the pick-up or drop-off location is in the US, like Niagara or Buffalo.
As a former Montrealer now expatriated in Ottawa's region, I travel very often back and forth, and I usually do it through Amigo: meet new people, share the good spots (eating, going out, non-mainstream movies, microbreweries) that we discover in both cities, in addition to having a nicer, quicker and cheaper ride (compared to bus)! Yay!!!
:)
Amigo is easy to use:
- become a member;
- buy reservation credits (I usually get it in bundle in order to save);
- watch the ride offers;
- reserve your seat (or two seats, if you're traveling with a friend); and
- compensate the driver for the posted dollar amount.
So, here are few links for Amigo:
- Ride offers:
- Free membership:
- Communauto members
- students
- otherwise, let me know and I'll send you a custom invitation...
Yummy-Tasty Salads...
May. 15th, 2011 12:51 pmBoth recipes are very tasty, refreshing, healthy, nutritious, high in antioxidant and anticarcinogens, and can be served in vegan versions...
Sunny Salad
Asian Twist Spinach & Sprouts Salad
Sunny Salad
- Mesclun or mixed baby greens
- Mango(s)
- Avocados (2 avocados per mango)
- Tomato(es) (cherry tomatoes cut in halves, or medium-sized tomatoes in wedges)
- Onion or green onion (fine slices)
- Berries (dry cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, pit-less cherries)
- Lime juice
- Garlic (puréed)
- Ginger (puréed)
- Coriander
- Turmeric
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Asian Twist Spinach & Sprouts Salad
- Baby spinach
- Bean sprouts
- Alfalfa or other fresh sprouts
- Onion or green onion (fine slices)
- Mushrooms (raw or grilled)
- Caramelized or glazed nuts (pecans, almond or walnuts, amazing if it can be pan grilled in an olive oil, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar reduction)
- Cashews
- Berries (blackberries, blueberries)
- Optional:
- Cheese: goat or blue (I guess that even feta or bocconcini)
- Tomato(es)
- Black olives (non-marinated)
- Additional proteins:
- smoked salmon, or smoked trout, shrimps or grilled seafood (octopus is amazing, if you dare!); or
- chickpeas or quinoa work as well
- Soy sauce (light and low sodium)
- Garlic (puréed)
- Ginger (puréed)
- Coriander
- Turmeric
- Pepper
- Olive oil
Last Thursday, I shared some bread I had made (with my breadmaker) and the friends seemed to enjoy it... As some asked me to provide them with the recipe, here is the post.
For the ones that haven't tried it, it is a rather dense bread: a sandwich made of this gives a great feeling of satiety. However, it may be rather "heavy" for the preference of the ones that rather like a more fluffy bread...
For the ones that haven't tried it, it is a rather dense bread: a sandwich made of this gives a great feeling of satiety. However, it may be rather "heavy" for the preference of the ones that rather like a more fluffy bread...
Basic Recipe - Whole Wheat: here is my Sis' basic recipe for her basic whole wheat bread...
Put in order:
1-1/3 cup of water
2 tablespoons of oil
2 tablespoons of sugar or honey or molasses
1-1/4 teaspoon of salt
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup of rolled oat
1 teaspoon of breadmaking machine yeast (not to be in contact with the liquid)
Then, set it to "grain" bread, 1-1/2 or 2 pounds loaf, and not too dark (light or regular).
Like any good bread, it can be frozen.
Few notes:
- both my sis and I have Black & Decker breadmaking machines; settings will vary with others makers; and
- I personally use olive oil, and only honey as a sweetener -- hummm, I'll have to try with maple syrup, sometime...
Ginger Variant. For my ginger variant, I add directly in the water (before any other ingredients):
- very finely grated fresh ginger (perhaps a tablespoon?);
- very finely grated fresh turmeric (perhaps a teaspoon?);
- caraway seeds (perhaps a tablespoon or two?);
- black pepper and a pinch of garlic;
- I would have added some rosemary should I had some, I'll probably also try with cardamom;
- I doubled the amount of honey (a total of 4 "big bold" tablespoons);
- I've boosted the rolled oat (up to 3/4 cup) and the yeast (up to 1-1/2 teaspoon); and
- I've selected the 2-1/2 pounds loaf (taking 3:40 for the whole making & baking)...
I like to have my bread the Mediterranean way, simply lightly dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar...
Bon appétit !
:)
Frenchzie's Wednesdays : There Was Gaming
Mar. 31st, 2011 10:18 amI've opened the option of a dinner before gaming, and Metawidget & Rottenfruit (& Oscar), Waterspyder & Zenten (& kids), Mattei and Jagash jumped in for a friendly communal dinner!
Before gaming, the guys went "beer shopping" at the dépanneur across the street, so we had some St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (awards here; rating here: gold medal), some Trois Pistoles (awards here; rating here: silver medal) and I believe the other was the Stella Artois.
As for gaming, Mattei invited a friend, Julien. Due to the short notice, I've been pleasantly surprised that we've ended up being enough people to fill two gaming tables (Dominion and Ticket-to-Ride), with one franco per table! It has been an smooth and fun way to be exposed to more French! :)
Unfortunately, Beable and Ilanikhan (and her guest) had to cancel their attendance... :(
I've also been a tad doubtful about the dynamics considering the little ones, but it went well: lots of action during the dinner, but Kayleigh and Oscar fell asleep relatively quickly, and James has been rather busy watching "Mon voisin Totoro" and "Ice Age".
Upcoming:
- Next Wednesday (6th): screening? tasting? else? (polyglot night: speak what you want!)
- Next gaming (in French): Wednesday, 13th of April...
Thanks again to the ones that could make it... and I hope to see more of you (as well as few other friends) next Wednesday! :)
G-Anime - Feb 2011
Jan. 23rd, 2011 04:12 pmAnime convention: downtown, inexpensive and easy to bus to... :)
I can even provide with walking distance parking! ;)
Anyone planning to attend...?
http://ganime.ca/en/
_______________________________________
Edit: Yay! mnv-iii is going to roll games demo for Ludo-Outaouais!
I can even provide with walking distance parking! ;)
Anyone planning to attend...?
http://ganime.ca/en/
_______________________________________
Edit: Yay! mnv-iii is going to roll games demo for Ludo-Outaouais!
Gaming - In French...?
Jan. 15th, 2011 03:54 pmYep, it's not a secret, I enjoy gaming.
Some of you have mentioned an interest in practicing French with me, to either develop or maintain their skills in their second language. Some have mentioned that they had, in the past, either hosted or attended to gaming or RPGs in French.
Hence, I'm considering to host gaming nights as a fun opportunity to get exposed to - or to develop - skills in French oral interaction. Depending on availability and the interest, I guess that we could manage to have at least a "Franco" per table (perhaps such as mattei101, mnv_iii, niall_, myself), or - when not possible - at least some of the friends that are the most skilled in French (possibly such as foms, iclysdale/random, ironphoenix, metawidget, ragnhildr)...
So, here is a survey...
1. Interest. If I were to host such a weekly or bi-weekly gaming night in French, would YOU be interested? Do you think that some other friends or colleagues could be interested by such an activity?
... and for the potential attendants:
2. Formula - Repartition vs. Mixity. For the ones that would be interested, would it be more beneficial and helpful to share that gaming tables by the level of French (beginner vs. advanced), or to mix the players of all levels?
3. Availability. Wednesdays seems to be the evening that would work best with me: would it work with you? Otherwise, which other night(s)?
4. Venue. My place will not be ready to host before a month or so, but as it is at a walking distance from Place du Portage (Old Hull), close to many bus routes (STO and OC Transpo), and has parking spots, that would likely to be the location. Once ready, I expect to be able to accommodate 4 gaming tables; and should it be required, perhaps that some coffee tables could also be turned into additional gaming spots. Unless someone can offer a better location... Any comments...?
Note: this post is currently unlocked, but should I go ahead with the idea, the details and invites should be provided only to the ones that will have expressed some interest...
Some of you have mentioned an interest in practicing French with me, to either develop or maintain their skills in their second language. Some have mentioned that they had, in the past, either hosted or attended to gaming or RPGs in French.
Hence, I'm considering to host gaming nights as a fun opportunity to get exposed to - or to develop - skills in French oral interaction. Depending on availability and the interest, I guess that we could manage to have at least a "Franco" per table (perhaps such as mattei101, mnv_iii, niall_, myself), or - when not possible - at least some of the friends that are the most skilled in French (possibly such as foms, iclysdale/random, ironphoenix, metawidget, ragnhildr)...
So, here is a survey...
1. Interest. If I were to host such a weekly or bi-weekly gaming night in French, would YOU be interested? Do you think that some other friends or colleagues could be interested by such an activity?
... and for the potential attendants:
2. Formula - Repartition vs. Mixity. For the ones that would be interested, would it be more beneficial and helpful to share that gaming tables by the level of French (beginner vs. advanced), or to mix the players of all levels?
3. Availability. Wednesdays seems to be the evening that would work best with me: would it work with you? Otherwise, which other night(s)?
4. Venue. My place will not be ready to host before a month or so, but as it is at a walking distance from Place du Portage (Old Hull), close to many bus routes (STO and OC Transpo), and has parking spots, that would likely to be the location. Once ready, I expect to be able to accommodate 4 gaming tables; and should it be required, perhaps that some coffee tables could also be turned into additional gaming spots. Unless someone can offer a better location... Any comments...?
Note: this post is currently unlocked, but should I go ahead with the idea, the details and invites should be provided only to the ones that will have expressed some interest...
Nice...! :)
Which version is better, stronger...?
Hands?
... or bodies?
______________________________________________________________
Edit: OMG! There's even a male stripper version!!!
Which version is better, stronger...?
Hands?
... or bodies?
______________________________________________________________
Edit: OMG! There's even a male stripper version!!!
Sporadic Posts...
Sep. 3rd, 2010 03:33 pmHummm...
I was already not posting much on LJ ("frenchzie" as well), I'm not sure whether I will be more now that I have an "adds free" Dreamwdith account here...
Well, we'll see...
As the few comments I'll make are likely to be restricted to my circle of friends, feel free to friend me.
I was already not posting much on LJ ("frenchzie" as well), I'm not sure whether I will be more now that I have an "adds free" Dreamwdith account here...
Well, we'll see...
As the few comments I'll make are likely to be restricted to my circle of friends, feel free to friend me.
"Johnny-san", my favorite sushi master, is really hard to catch as he's not really working the nights any longer... It has been many months since I've been trying to catch him on nights, as I have few friends from Montréal that really want to go back when the master is there (best sushi ever)... and I know he will be there next Wednesday!
What makes it so special...? "Johnny-san", from Montréal, opened the "New Generation Sushi" in order to serve a new style of high-quality sushi.
How did it started...? After going to the place a few times, I've noticed that Johnny was very creative and talented... One night I told him: take your time, we have all the night; each time you have an order or take out, make it first. However, what we really want I really want is that you improv and express yours skills, talent and creativity in making non-menu sushi... It paid off!!! That was - back then in 2007 - the best sushi I ever had... And believe me, a sushi affictionado like me has tried many good places in Montréal before I moved to Ottawa, and then in Ottawa, up to when I've found that gem...!
And in the twenty or so times that I went since that very night, Johnny made sure I was not repeating is creation, except for one specific that he new that I especially appreciated... All together, he must have created since over an hundred different and specific sushi for my pleasure and delight (and the one of my friends joining me). Each time that I ask for "Master's Improv", he asks about food restriction so everyone can enjoy it. Also, he manages to accommodate everyone as a group may have some "sushi reluctant" members: for the ones that that would be reluctant to traditional sushi (with raw fish), he can make some sushi with only baked fish, sea food or meat; for the one that could be reluctant to fish and sea food, he would then make some non-sushi items (as tempura or else)...
He masters the balance and contrast of different tastes, textures, temperatures and raw/cooked. One of the very special he made and that my son appreciated overall was the lobster (cooked) and strawberry one... Also, there's Jagash's comment on Ottawa foodies:
http://ottawafoodies.com/vendor/660?comment_id=7718#comment_7718
So, I'll definitely be there next Wednesday night; I can't resist to that pleasure... I've made a reservation so Johnny can know in advance and get some special stuff for that special night: he'll probably procure himself with some food that he would not carry otherwise, just so he can play for our pleasure...
I want to share that special night (and pleasure) with all the interested ones. The only rule: we tell Johnny not to rush so we can have this amazing and unique experience; we can expect to be there all night long...
My reservation and style:
I've "drawn" the board on a huge piece of paper...
As it's son's wish for Christmas, should any one know if/where it can be found here (Ottawa or Montréal), please let me know...
www.chessvariants.com/multiplayer.dir/yalta.html
www.kandadi.com/CM-media.php?cat=5&aut=34
As it's son's wish for Christmas, should any one know if/where it can be found here (Ottawa or Montréal), please let me know...
www.chessvariants.com/multiplayer.dir/yalta.html
www.kandadi.com/CM-media.php?cat=5&aut=34
