I was trying to show Gene a picture if Sisig Fries and of course Xanga is still acting up.  So I'm posting this instead. 

The caption for Sisig fries (I've never heard of this) reads:

Sisig is a "labour of love" dish.  Offal meat (pig's ears and snout) has been boiled, grilled and chopped into fine pieces.  Marinated in lemon, vinegar and spices.  Topped with Lechon Kawali (pork belly), garlic lemon ailoli and crispy fries.

Some time ago, I visited my cousin and had:

Lumpia (spring rolls).  These weren't home made but I couldn't stop eating them.

Pancit Luglug

It's hard to describe the flavour - but it has a rich almost a mild shrimp taste.  The sauce is ladled over rice noodles.  The sauce was made from scratch and apparently it took many hours.  The orange / yellow colour is from Annatto seeds and the sauce has pork / shrimp and some veggies.  I had multiple servings.

The whole dish is then topped with hard boiled eggs, chicharon (pork rinds), lemon, green onions, deep fried garlic and I think fried scallions.  Drizzle with fish sauce to taste.

For dessert, I had this and I thought it was called halo halo.  I Googled it just to see if I got it right but the other halo halo dishes had ice cream.  The one I had didn't.  The base is coconut milk and evaporated milk.  The green and red strips I think are from tapioca?

That's all folks.

@oxygene-08 (Gene)

I step out of my condo on a very bright day.  I put my sunglasses on and walk slowly to the drug store to do some errands.  Even with my Ray-Bans, I had to squint.  Maybe I've been holed up in my condo too long.  As I'm walking along, I gradually notice people looking at me.  I wonder if my zipper is down.  When no one was looking, I discreetly check by pretending to pull up my pants.  But it's zipped up nicely.  I pass more people and I get more stares.  When I reach the drug store, I take off my sunglasses and notice one of the lens in my sunglasses is missing. 

How can that be?  I look around the entrance but I can't find it.  After I pick up my stuff, I retrace my steps to see if I can find it but to no avail.  I still couldn't figure out how I walked in the bright day and not notice.  Eventually (a couple of months afterwards) I find the missing lens in the bottom of my knapsack. 

So next time you see someone walking around and something doesn't look right - it's probably me (especially if you catch me checking my zipper).  Just say hi... I won't bite.

 

 

They sit together in timeless eternity.  They reach out to each other but their hands will feel nothing but air.  This is their fate which they have quietly accept. 

J and I went to the Waterfront Night Market at the T&T Supermarket lot on Saturday night.  It was jammed with people and I don't think the organizers were as prepared as they thought.  I think this is part of the growing pains of an event that has become very popular.  There was a wide array of foods but did we really need several stinky tofu stands?  What happened to Susur Lee's food from a couple of years ago?  What happened to the Bahn Mi Boys from last year? Parents who brought baby carriages had no idea how to maneuver them through the crowds.  Kids walking around and eating from skewers while being bumped would have made a nice but gory photo op.  Thankfully while I heard some children crying, none were injured.  There were rides for kids but I never saw anyone on them.  The folks from Reel Asian were there with a film but there weren't a lot of chairs set up for it.  There were some grandparents there.  I have no idea how they survived.

The parking lot across the street was big although it could have been better organized.  After a few hours, the attendants couldn't be bothered keeping the cars lined up.  Just like last year, there were no lights in the parking lot.  But at least they had several policemen who stopped traffic so the pedestrians could cross.  There were several workers trying to keep the place clean.  They were busy cleaning out the garbage bins which were scattered throughout the area.  They still could have used a few more bins.  I just wished the workers didn't use the supermarket carts to carry out the garbage.  Couldn't they have at least lined it with something?  I hope the organizers cleaned those carts afterwards. There were several outdoor toilets (thank you).  The one I used didn't have any toilet paper & the seat was soaking wet.  One of the portable sinks was clogged and there weren't any paper towels.  A few more attendants to keep it cleaner would have helped.  I thought I would be smart and use the one inside the supermarket.  But the lineup there was longer than the one for the stinky tofu. 

I'd probably go back again next year.  Why?  Because I can't get enough of these things.  I hope they get rid of the rides and the small basketball court to free up some more space so that people can move around easier.   I have mixed feelings about the booths from the sponsors (Campbell and Canada Dry Ginger Ale) - they just didn't seem to fit in.  What happened to the cars you promised?  There were a lot more last year.  Aside from the Subaru BRZ and an old Porsche - there wasn't anything else.  But while I like cars, I think they too can be sacrificed.  I hope the organizers can just focus on a nice night market experience and not worry about trying to do too much. 

Here are some pictures... most are self explanatory.

Lobsters and welk.

Coconuts.  I actually have a pet peeve about this.  Everyone drinks the coconut water and throws the coconut away.  There's still some good coconut meat inside - what a waste.

It's sort of like a steamed flour with various toppings and a spicy broth.  

I think this is sticky rice with peanuts, sugar and coconut on the outside.

Grilled squids

stinky tofu

Oyster Omelet

It's like a very crowded Chinese restaurant... do you want to share a table?

The "car show"... Subaru BRZ. 

The Pinoy community was well represented.  J took an unusual interest in this booth.

Pancit Palabok - I don't think the napa cabbage should be there.  It wasn't that warm and the shrimps were overcooked.  But the taste was still ok and there
 was some chicharon on top. 

When J left my condo, I asked for a goodnight kiss.  He said I smelled like stinky tofu and advised me to take a shower.  I sniffed myself and said I didn't smell that bad. But he wasn't buying any of it and left without giving me a happy ending. 

I went to Pride Parade last Sunday for the first time on a whim.  The following Monday was a holiday and I was able to put off my chores and work stuff for another day. 
The Pride Parade always seemed to be delivering a mixed message to me.  On one hand, it’s the celebration & assertion of gay rights; the recognition of the struggle for freedom and equality and also of the contributions and breadth of the LGBT community.  One the other hand there’s the overt, in your face, sexually charged aspect that attracts most of the attention.  In the past few years, there’s also been a heavier corporate hand making it feel more commercial.   

This year's Pride Parade seemed less corporate.  There were corporate signs but it wasn’t overpowering.  There was some nudity (none in the pictures here) and the usual scantily dressed men and women.  There were quite a few eye candies.  I saw church groups, the military, the first respondents, groups different cultures and school groups.  I left early as I had to meet up with my dad & sis for our weekly dinner.  I know I missed the guys in leather (but I’m not into leather).  The one group that really puzzled me was a handful of folks walking with signs proudly announcing they were asexual.  It was tame for the most part and I liked seeing the broad spectrum of the community and its supporters.  I don’t think the debate about whether or not pride is good for the cause and representative of our community will ever be settled.  But it was good for me to see the LGBT community. 

Here are some of the pictures I took.

The co-Grand Marshals of the parade, the Provincial Education Minister Laurel Broten (on the left) and Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Cheri DiNovo). 

Toronto Gay Gamers - I read that this is the first time they are in the parade.

These guys looked good together.

From our military (the Navy), they were playing Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline when they marched past me.  They had the crowd singing along.

Someone from the Navy with a nice smile. 

I don't know if he was winking intentionally when he saluted.

He wasn't smiling. But then again, it must have been a long walk for him.  He just had this determined look in his face.

I didn't see what group they belonged to.

Rev. Brent Hawkes who has been active in the gay community for a long time.

More of the parade participants:

 

 

Comedian Rick Mercer and Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke.  This is the 3rd year Mr. Burke has marched in the parade in memory of his son.

I like the flag on his cheek.

 

One of the guys from MTV Canada's 1 Girl 5 Gays (I think he is one of the high school students that was in a special edition of that show)

I liked their sign.  (Free Hugs from a PFLAG Mom / Dad)

Despite the crowd, the heat, getting sprayed on and getting bumped all the time, I probably would go back again.

 

It's been some time since I posted some photos.  When I started to play with my camera again, I forgot how to change a lot of the settings again.  It's a bit frustrating because I do enjoy photography.  I just wished my mind could remember all of these things. 

Since I work from home now, I sometimes will go for a quick walk after work.  I can still catch a few rays by the park and walk around a bit before heading back to make dinner.

One weekend, I went out for walk after dinner and heard music by the park.  It was Portugal Day festival.  The neighbourhood has a large Portuguese heritage.  There was a concert (all in Portuguese of course) as well as some rides.  A lot of folks wore the red and green colours. 

A picture of one of the rides (yeah yeah... the guy with the bike is not Portugese).

Since it's the summer, the Farmer's Market (2 in my 'hood!) are on again.  This is in the same park.

I stocked up with some jams, muffins and maple syrup. 

This sign started to appear in the 'hood a couple of years ago around Pride (July 1st in Toronto).  It's a play on the neighbourhood name of Queen St. West.  A lot of the stores have this on display to support Pride week.

 

I was talking with a colleague today about his work.  I don't know him that well but we get along ok.  He is not an employee but rather a contractor.  I asked him if he'll want to come back for another term.  He hesitated and wasn't sure how to respond.  I told him I know he works a lot of long hours and he'll need to take that into consideration if our company decides to extend his contract.  He pointed to the stickers on the cover of his laptop.  He told me his kids put them there. It's his way to remember what is important.  Then he opened up a bit.  He works almost every evening past midnight.  He said it wasn't unusual to be called a couple of times a night.  I told him I could relate a bit to those late night, early morning calls.  Sometimes it's an irate client who will be raising hell to our execs.  It's not easy. 

He also said he tries to play with his 2 kids after dinner but sometimes he just falls asleep.  His kids just walk away when they hear him snoring.  He said he can't help fall asleep.  But he said the worse thing is when he snaps at his kids.  He'll be working and his kids will hang around him wanting to play.  He just feels horrible and very guilty afterwards.  His hands were animated as he was talking.  He looked down to his right as if his kids were right there.  

When he looked back at me he said "I set aside one night for the kids now."   I nodded in sympathy and told him  "Your family and health is more important than this contract."  He smiled.  I told him my dad worked 6 1/2 days a week when I was growing up.  I only saw him on Sunday afternoons.  I could relate to what his kids were going through. 

I hope my colleague makes the right decision.  He's an asset to our company.  But he's a more important asset to his family.

We finished our meeting at 5PM.  He ran off to another meeting while I went back to my cubicle to do more work.  The irony was not lost on me.

 

I don't know what to write about anymore.  I communicate better when I write.  If I have to see a psychiatrist or some counselor, I'll just bring my laptop along and exchange messages.  I wrote a draft entry but deleted it.  I just sound like some 14 yr old emo kid who can't handle life.  But I do feel strangely vulnerable and insecure.  Maybe it's just stress.  My stomach has been acting up today.  I just took a pill so I could sleep.  I'm tired of sleeping between 2 and 3 AM and waking up around 6.  Sometimes it takes me an hour to get out of bed. 

So to help with my writer's block.  What would you like me to write about?  Should I make up a story about you?  Give me some ideas. 

I am behind reading your entries and responding to your comments.  I hope the Xanga gods will understand.

I sometimes roll my eyes when I listen to people at work.  I prefer to keep my vocabulary simple and straightforward.  But I am conversant with my company's corporate language.  Here's an imaginary conversation.

*****

Bob:  Matt, if you want to make these changes then you need to interlock with Mary, Jeff and Mark.  By the way, Jeff is dotted line to Mark. 

translation:  you need to get agreement with Mary, Jeff and Mark.  Jeff doesn't report directly to Mark but takes direction from Mark.  The dotted line is what it would look like in an organizational chart. 

Matt:  That sounds good but as you know getting time on their calendars is not easy. 

Bob:  That's true, what you should do is socialize this with their Jason first.  He works very closely with Mary and Jeff and understand their priorities and should be able to help.

translation:  meet with Jason first to discuss the changes I would like to make.

Matt:  Ok, I'll do that.  By the way, I wanted to let you know that Bill from sales has been driving me nuts on his SAP proposal.  His analysis is incomplete, the presentation is a mess and he simply reused an earlier proposal from a deal he lost.

Bob:  You're not the first to complain about this.  As you know we missed our targets for 2 straight quarters so this drives behaviours that you normally won't see.  Is the value prop clear?

translation:  we're under a lot of pressure for revenue which is why Bill is acting like an idiot.  Value prop is Value Proposition. 

Matt: No it isn't.  I think the client will be very confused.  But Bill doesn't care, he just wants to get it out the door by the end of the week.

Bob:  I'll talk to Bill.  I know the client escalated this issue to the VP.  They wanted this proposal urgently.

translation:  the client complained to the Vice President about the delay in getting the proposal delivered.

Matt: I'll do what I can to help.  Here's the pricing that Bill put together, you'll need to review it.

Bob:  You're right, we need to make some major changes.  The optics is not good.  They've already complained twice about our high prices.

translation: The client will have a very negative view or perspective (optics) on the price in the proposal. 

*****

Is your work like this too?

I want to know more about you.  You can answer as many questions as you want.  Or save it for a future entry.

1.  What makes you happy and how do you stay happy?

2.  Do you think there will be a day when you'll stop blogging altogether?  What would cause that to happen? 

3.  What would you like to do differently to better yourself?

4.  What's something you're really scared of?

5.  What's one thing about you that fellow bloggers may not know?