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MONDAY MUSINGS

They say the holidays are a busy time, but I can’t say that’s the truth for me this year.

Today, I signed a card and chipped in for the gift for my supervisor. Whoops, I hope she’s not reading this.

I also did laundry. Someone gave me a copy of all the season one and season two episodes of The Family Guy on CD. Thanks Heather!

That was the extent of my day. I tried to co-ordinate lunch between friends. The logistics maybe difficult.

I did also find two interesting pieces of news. The first was that the long-delayed opening of the on-campus liquor store is going ahead. With the new construction going on at the Village, a new liquor store was slated to open. The inventory was moved in and the store was ready to go. Then, the wise, wise Campbell provincial government decided to get out of the liquor selling business. The on-campus liquor store was held in stasis, neither completely shut-down nor was it open either. Thousands of dollars was spent on this location, yet it appeared the government was going to let it go to waste, all in the name of “saving money”. I was speaking to Marcia earlier this weekend and the rumour was that Campbell’s sister-in-law wanted the retail space that the liquor store currently occupied.

We were certain that if indeed the liquor store was scrapped, and his sister-in-law moved in, we would have a conflict of interest on our hands. I almost wanted the liquor store to close after hearing that juicy rumour.

However, Marcia informed me today, that in fact, the liquor store will open soon. Oh well, I guess the province has lost an opportunity to oust our premier. We do get an on-campus liquor store though.

The second piece of news I received was that Pittsburgh Penguins forward Kris Beech was in hospital after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. Kris’ brother, Ryan and I are good friends. I met Ryan several years ago while we were living in Hamber at UBC. The Beech family was kind enough to let me attend Kris’ draft into the NHL, where he was taken 7th overall.

It looks like Kris will be okay, but he’ll be out several weeks before he can return to the ice. Let’s hope Kris has a speedy recovery and can join Mario back on PP soon.

LAZY SUNDAY

I woke up at 10am today. This might seem like a reasonable time to get up, but I didn’t fall asleep until 6am. I think I had too much caffeine.

Anyways, I got up for a good reason. Several residents of SJC had planned out a farewell brunch for one of our own. Dr. Richard Townsend has been staying with us for the last three months.

Richard came out of retirement to teach at the Educational Studies department. He’s from Toronto originally and he ventured out west for a change in pace. Richard was a shining light at SJC and could always be depended on to provide a positive and pleasant outlook on things. He was a popular presence around the College, and it was a delight to converse with him. Richard took an active role at SJC, and we were all better for it.

We wish him and his wife well, back in Toronto and back in much deserved retirement.

For Richard’s brunch, we decided to go to Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe on 4th. Sadly, in the five years of undergrad and half year of grad, I have never been to Sophie’s. I’ve heard many good things about it, so I was excited to go.

We lined up for almost half an hour for our table. Once inside, I was able to see the eccletic decor. On the wall next to me was a signed photo of Angela Jolie at Sophie’s. Neat. I even got to meet Sophie herself.

I had two pancakes, two scrambled eggs, and some bacon. It was good, but I’ve had better breakfasts. Denny’s makes better scrambled eggs in opinion. They add butter to theirs, which makes it so good. Over conversation, Arash told me that he’s been to the new IHOP at Lougheed Mall already! He stole my thunder! Arash lives at SJC with me, and he’s originally from Tsawwassen! There’s no way he should have gone to Lougheed Mall! Apparently, someone wanted to go to IHOP, and they drove all the way there. I spent ten minutes grilling him on what it looked like and how good it was. Arash said he lined up for almost 45 minutes for a table. Lineups at IHOP! That’s awful!

Richard came around to speak to us all personally during the brunch, a classy touch.

After we all got home, I slid back into bed and napped from 3pm to 6pm. I woke up pretty groggy.

I’ve done nothing all night. I’m looking forward to adjusting my sleeping schedule to more decent hours.

Alright, have yourselves a good Monday.

COUNTRY STYLE RESPONDS

The following day after I sent my e-mail, Country Style responded. Here is their response:

Erwin: My name is Clark Mechan and I’m the regional manager for Country Style Foods here in western Canada. I can be reach by phone at (604) 535 – xxxx.

I must start of by apologizing on behalf of Country Style Foods and the owner of this franchise for the way you were treated while shopping at our UBC location. All of the incidences that you have mentioned in your e-mail really disturbed us here at head office, as much at it disturbed you. These things should never have had happened.

Country Style Foods prides it’s self on the way our stores are operated. To make sure, the people who buy a franchisee must go through a 6 week training program at our head office in Toronto.

Unfortunately it looks the training that this franchisee was giving was never pass on to the employee that served you.

Erwin I would like to assure you that I will personally visit this location and speak to the owner of this store. I will touch base with him on all of your concerns. I will also make sure that all of the areas that you mentioned in your e-mail are corrected.

I would also like to say again, that I’m sorry for what happened while shopping at this location. I would like you to know that Country Style Foods does value your business and we would appreciate if you would give

us an other opportunity to serve you.

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive on your next visit, I would welcome a call from you.

Regards.

Clark Mechan

Regional Manager / Western Canada

Country Style Foods Inc.

I’m glad they’re taking this seriously, but I’m wondering what, if anything, they’ll find when he makes his visit. I hope they report back to me on their findings and what they will change about operating procedures.

They want me to go back to Country Style again, but I assure you I won’t until they tell me they’ve changed things.

Regardless, it was nice to see them respond so quickly.

WHAT TO DO?

There are several people I want to have lunch with during the holidays. Coincidently, they all work in the same general area in Burnaby. Everyone has expressed interest in going to Swiss Chalet with me.

The problem is, I don’t think everyone of these people knows each other. I wonder what I should do. Should I invite everyone to one big lunch so I can see everyone at once? I’d have to keep the conversation kinda general to include everyone. Or, do I have several lunches at Swiss Chalet, so I can personalize each lunch with a specific group/person? This would mean I’d have to make several trips out to Burnaby from UBC though.

What would you do in my situation?

BUSY FRIDAY

I woke up at 12:30pm today and that was a bad thing. The first thing I did was to check my e-mail. One of the new messages was from my supervisor, Dr. Elizabeth Croft. She was reminding everyone in the research group to meet at 11:45am for the Christmas lunch… the lunch that had been planned for weeks.

My heart sank, I knew I forgot something! Since Monday, I’ve told myself I’m done all my responsibilities. Strangely, at the time, I didn’t get a wholehearted “yes” from myself. It was as if some part of me knew I had forgotten something. I had cast aside that sliver of doubt. Stupid me. I’m already not so close with my research group, now they probably think I’m an even bigger bastard.

Undeterred, I decided to continue with my original plans. I went downtown and caught a matinee showing of the latest Bond flick at Capitol 6. I can tell you, with the exception of Tinseltown, downtown Vancouver has the crappiest theatres in the Lower Mainland. The suburbs and their expansive Silvercity complexes are the place to go watch movies. Anyways, I was disappointed with the newest James Bond outing. It was boring at times. Halle Berry was alright, but the whole film lacked punch.

Afterwards, I went and did some shopping, for myself and for others. Again, I went on a crusade for a new pair of shoes. I looked and I looked, but nothing quite came close to my old pair of Roots oxfords. I’m not sure how I’ll resolve this.

Now, I’m home, a bit tired and glad to be dry. Some interesting stuff happened in the news today.

Poor, poor Moby. Weeks after Eninem threatened to punch him on live national television, Moby was actually attacked and maced outside a club yesterday. The motivation for the attack is unknown apparently. It sort of reminds me of an incident years ago in New York with Dan Rather. He was walking along in the street, when some stranger came up to him and said, “What’s the frequency Kenneth?“. He then proceeded to pummel Rather. Weird.

Moby is a well-known pacifist. I think that’s the root of his problem. If you’re going tell people you don’t like fighting, someone’s going to take a free swing at you, knowing you won’t fight back. Those glasses don’t help either.

In sports news, I read that Ted Nolan interviewed for the vacant head coaching position with the Calgary Flames. It’s about damn time in my mind. Nolan, in his rookie season as an NHL coach, led the Buffalo Sabres to a winning season. Nolan himself won the Jack Adams Trophy for the Coach of the Year. His reward for this? He was unceremoniously fired during the summer after his breakthrough season. He hasn’t coach at the NHL level since. I certainly hope it has nothing to do with the fact he has Native Indian roots.

BUSY FRIDAY

Anyways, I was disappointed with the newest James Bond outing. It was boring at times. Halle Berry was alright, but the whole film lacked punch.

Now, I’m home, a bit tired and glad to be dry. Some interesting stuff happened in the news today.

Poor, poor Moby. Weeks after Eninem threatened to punch him on live national television, Moby was actually attacked and maced outside a club yesterday. The motivation for the attack is unknown apparently. Moby is a well-known pacifist. I think that’s the root of his problem. If you’re going tell people you don’t like fighting, someone’s going to take a free swing at you, knowing you won’t fight back. Those glasses don’t help either.

COUNTRY STYLE

My e-mail to Country Style was just sent off. I wonder when they’ll respond.

I was looking on their Contact page for where to send the e-mail. I used their feedback address, but I noticed they list the e-mail addresses for their top level management team. At the last second, I CC’d the mail to Country Style President and CEO Patrick W. Gibbons. I usually don’t do this type of stuff, because I believe in the right e-mails going to the right place. There are many things worthy of attention, but these things don’t need to be attended to by everyone, including CEOs.

I don’t know why I included him at the last second. I hardly think I’m the most important person in the world. Maybe I just thought he’d get things moving faster.

We will see. In the mean time, if you do go to Country Style, make sure they charge you the right amount.

FIRST DAY!

I considered today my first day of freedom and the holidays. Yesterday, I was just a mess. I was so tired. I think my body knew I was on break and it decided it wanted to sleep all day.

Anyways, today was a fun day. I woke up at 10am and went to lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen in a long time. Three days in a row that I got off campus!

After lunch, I came back and just bummed around. I took a nap and woke up at 5pm. Tonight was the St. John’s College formal Christmas dinner. The reception was at 6pm so I got ready for that.

Around 6:30pm I arrived at the Social Lounge to mingle with the other residents. There was wine and some tasty hor’dourves. The SJC choir then sang four holidays songs for the assembled crowded. The choir was excellent!

Dinner soon followed afterwards. The appetizer was three types of smoked fish with cucumber-yogurt raita. That was really good. The main course was roasted goose breast with sweet sour cherry sauce flavored with port

wine (you can tell I’m copying this from the menu). Anyways, the goose was superb. I’ve had goose a handful of times before and this was the best prepared goose I’ve ever had. Dessert was some sorta lemon mousse thingy in a chocolate cup. It wasn’t that good.

After dinner, there was conversation and rumours of a party in someone’s room. I left the dining hall and changed out of my formal duds. I loaded up Spearhead and then I realized there was a party going on upstairs. What the hell was I doing?

So I followed the music to the party. There was like 20 people packed into one room. There were people spilled out into the hallway. Inside some were dancing up a storm. I saw Kristina there and she was nice enough to let me have one of her beers.

As I mingled I formally introduced myself to one of the residents here. Her name is Laura. “Oh, so you’re Erwin!”, she said. That’s always a good sign. She said she had delivered some sandwiches to my neighbours and they told her to give me some sandwiches too. I wasn’t home at the time, but she remembered the name on my door.

Laura and I got to talking. She’s a very cool person. We talked about the follies of dating and stuff. There was talk about the prairies and Coquitlam. Then I think I must have gone crazy. I was just joking, but in the span of twenty minutes, I called her a “slut”, “the best girl to pick-up”, and “promiscuous”. It was all in jest of course, but even I was surprised at myself. Honestly, I said it in a really funny way, if that’s possible. It would have been understandable had I been drunk at the time, but I was very, very sober.

UPDATE: I was trying to remember the specifics about my conversation with Laura when I was writing this post, but I forgot. Now I remember… here’s one snippet:

ET: Oh, so you lived in residence here during your undergrad too? Where did you live?

LE: I lived at Totem.

ET: Oh, so you were a slut then… ha ha ha…

I laughed at the whole thing and she was a good sport about it. When she gave me the finger and told me to fuck off, I felt it was in good fun too. Then she said she had to get some water and then left.

I think I made a good impression on her. As she walked away I told her I think we’ll be good friends next term. Ha ha ha…

Seriously, though, Laura is one cool gal and it’s nice meeting some new people around SJC. And I don’t think she’s a slut, the best girl to pick-up, or promiscuous. And I know what you’re all thinking, I’m not looking to hook up with Laura. So keep it in your pants.

During further mingling, the most common comment I received was, “Oh, so you’re the blogger!”. This is weird because Richard’s talk about blogs and my blog seems to have expanded its reach beyond what I had expected. People said they were going to read my blog now. This is good and bad in a way. Good in that I always appreciate a growing readership. Bad in that I can’t write about people and not have them read it.

In any case, if Matt Farish and Mitch Gray are reading, here’s a big hello to you both.

MYSTERY

For the last two consecutive days, someone has been calling me at around 8am. Obviously, this person does not know me well, because I’m not an 8am type of guy. I’m too tired to get up and answer it, so I let the voicemail take it.

I haven’t given out my number to that many people, and those who do have it, know very well not to call that early.

What bugs me is that this person hasn’t left a message. Stupid Restel doesn’t have *69 working here, so I can’t find out who it is.

What is the identity of this dark caller? Why would this person be calling?

Tonight, I will be taking measures to prevent this person from waking me up a third time. I will be escorting my phone back to Naboo, it’ll be safer there. No, seriously, I’ll just be turning off the ringer.

Before I end this post, I’d like to say hello to the random surfers who have been visiting from the state of Georgia and also from the University of Kentucky. Thanks for stopping by!

LOUGHEED MALL

I know a lot of people look forward to doing fun things over the holidays. Lame as it is, I’m looking forward to going to Lougheed Mall in Burnaby. Or I guess the proper name is Lougheed Town Centre.

My desire stems from years past when I’d be at UBC for months at a time. During Christmas and the summer, I’d come back for the first time in months and see how the mall has changed. Stores expand, others close, new come and take their place. I’m easily amused.

Well, this year is a special year my hometown mall. They’re been renovating and expanding. A new London Drugs, SportChek, and IHOP will be opening. I wonder if they’ll be done by the time I go back. I’m not really excited about London Drugs and SportChek. After all, you can find those elsewhere, but IHOP? Oh yeah, I can’t wait for that. I’ve discovered I have a fondness for breakfast served at restaurants. Everytime I go to Denny’s, I’m always getting breakfast. I’ve never been to IHOP before and I’m looking forward to it. I told Lindsay about my excitement for IHOP and she told me IHOP is great. A ringing endorsement!

I wonder if I have anyone to go with. I’d hate to go alone. Maybe I can take my sister.

Besides the new stores, the mall has also put in new decor, floors, escalators, and elevators. I wonder if it’ll still have the same Lougheed Mall feel.

Well, I leave you with a breakfast-related picture. It’s a picture of a pan of scrambled eggs and bacon I made a few weeks back. It was yummy!