The countryside makes me cuss.

Just returned from spending the night somewhere near Bobcaygeon. It wasn't a complete bust because once I got the following off my chest I was able to get some work done and we later spent a little time with some friends playing "murder!" which was, in fact, a lot of fun. It's good to be back though.

From last night:

I am in the country for the night. In an attempt to relax, to focus, to enjoy the scenery and write.

What a motherfucking joke.

Oh, the charms of the country. Nothing relaxes me more than the tickling of a fly crawling across my toes. The sound of the cricket in our room, somewhere in our room, is like an incredibly grating lullaby. Yes, cricket, hello. I heard you the 453rd time.

Shut the fuck up.

The soft breeze blows as the sun sets behind the dilapidated shed to the…North? South? East? West? I don’t even know where the fuck I am! Sorry. The soft breeze blows and the sun sets behind the dilapidated shed…over there.

That would be a relaxing sight were it not for the fact that the mildew smell of our motel room, sorry, the cricket’s motel room, has followed me outside. Did it attach itself to my clothing while I was in there for 10 minutes or is it so powerful that you can actually smell it through the bricks? My bet is on the latter. The mildew smell is so strong it feels like we are staying INSIDE a second hand book. Not a bookstore. An actual 200-year-old, mildew laden book. The bed is on page 34. The bathroom is also on page 34. You do the math.

Hey look, a horse! No, that’s a cow. Stupid cow looks like a horse. What the fuck is that about?

I will say this; the ice cream here is really good. But we have fucking ice cream in the city so who the fuck cares?


In other news:

I'd like to suggest Bruce Weber's article from the July 30th New York Times, discussing A-Rod's recent troubles. An excerpt:
"Through it all, the lack of sympathy has been remarkable. People aren’t exactly angry at the guy, but they seem to feel his troubles serve him right — certainly not the general reaction to those in the throes of a breakdown."

Now Batty for the Yankees

blogiversary

It's your 3rd Birthday tomorrow, Bloggy McBloggerson! You started out 3 years ago when I got tired of emailing everyone I knew with standup comedy gig announcements and look at you now, all grown up and whatnot! As my life and day job have become more demanding in the last few years, my little corner of the internet, which was originally meant to publicize my creative endevours, has become one itself.

Blogger is a fun, easy to use, FREE tool and I am grateful to it for allowing me the opportunity to spread my wings as a writer and a photographer. I am especially pleased that I've been able to connect with my fun little circle or regular readers. Thanks for coming around and for sharing your thoughts, opinions and encouragement. Bloggy McBloggerson and I are both terribly fond of all of you.

Kisses,
misstraceynolan

When the Pre-game beats the living daylights out of the actual game.

A Sunday morning like any other found me at the Starbucks at John and Mercer Streets on my way to the box office at Rogers Centre. Mo and I were meeting up early in hopes of getting tickets for game 4 in the Yankees/Blue Jays series. First things first though, The Sunday New York Times (what can I say, I like a paper it takes all week to read) and a grande cappuccino on my way. I began to dig into the sports section while I waited for the Barista to deliver my capp. Suddenly I hear the cashier yell out "two grande cappuccinos!" and I think to myself, "who are these two people with great taste?". So I turn around and peer over my sports section and what do I see?



Uh huh, none other than Derek Jeter and Jorge Posada. Georgie and the Captain! Only they didn't look like this. Derek was sporting what can be described only as "fancy pants", an incredibly well tailored shirt, a monochromatic shiny orange tie and tasteful sunglasses. He had a tiiiiiny phone in his ear. It was 10:30am. He kind of looked like a stockbroker. Georgie was wearing a white linen shirt, untucked and khakis. His wife probably picked them out. He looked relaxed. He also looked like he wanted to be recognized. He was looking around, scoping out the Starbucks...I'm pretty sure he noticed that I was reading the sports section. Derek looked very focused on staying anonymous and getting his cappuccino unharmed.

And now, I am faced with a moral dilemma. Do I stay silent like the good Canadian I like to think I am? They are, after all, just PEOPLE. They are people like me who just want to get their grande cappuccinos before they go to work. Just because I have spent countless hours cheering them on from the grandstands and the couch and the fetal position on the floor (thank you 2001) does this give me the right to bother them? And besides if I do open my as yet to be caffeinated mouth will I make sense or will I just say something like "EEEEEEEEEE!" and pee my pants? I can't be peeing my pants. I'm going to the game and I do not want to sit in my own urine for the next five hours.

The Barista hands me my grande cappuccino and I think I waited for that look of recognition from Posada. You know that look. The "hey, cool, we ordered the same thing look". I didn't get it. It's do or die. Well, it is then that I clutch my sports section close to me and blurt out "We're going to be rooting for you guys today!". GAH!

Georgie gives me a big, enthusiastic "thanks!" and Derek put his finger on the tiiiiiny phone in his ear, looks over to me and says "sorry, what?" and this time I whisper, as he is clearly on the phone and I am clearly interrupting him and did I mention, my pupils are completely dilated at the point? I look at him and I whisper "we'll be rooting for you today". He smiled and nodded and continued his conversation.

I headed to the box office glad that I didn't play it completely cool and pleased that I didn't make a complete ass out of myself. I also exhaled for the first time in about five minutes. We somehow scored FRONT ROW seats when the game was nearly sold out...things were going our way! As it turns out, save for the fact that Mo caught a foul ball (!) the rest of the afternoon was a bit of a bust. We were trampled by the Jays and there were idiots sitting behind us. What else is new? Ah well, it all started out really nicely. After all, I got to have coffee with two future Hall of Famers.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

Thursday night the Robeau and I scored last minute tickets to the first game of a four game series at Rogers Centre where the Blue Jays would take on The New York Yankees.

The evening started off with the ceremonial first pitch being thrown out by living legend Ed Mirvish, in honour of his 92nd birthday. Ed is pictured here with his son David...aka, best boss ever. Although you didn't hear me say that. Cause I work for CSIS. And I can't talk about my job.


I haven't witnessed a crowd at a Toronto Blue Jays game this revved up since the Jay's took back to back World Series Titles. In fact, I haven't seen the Yankee fans out numbered by hometown fans at Rogers Centre in man a year. Many a year. It was a pleasant change. Even for a dyed in the wool Yankee fan. The crowd was 42,000 strong and really involved in the game. What a treat to not be surrounded by apathy.


Mike Mussina was brilliant over the first five innings, but fell apart in the sixth giving up four runs, aided by Alex Rodriguez's inexplicable throwing error. It was the beginning of the end. Here they are (above) snapped from our perch on the first baseline in happier times, the first inning.

My love for the Yankees is unconditional and permanent. Win or lose. But it hasn't always been exclusive. I loved the Jays back in the early 80's, Alfredo Griffin, Willie Upshaw, Jesse Barfield. Kirby Puckett and the Twins in 87 and 88. Not to mention, I had a wicked crush on the New York Mets in 2000. If they weren't playing my boys in the Series, I would have been rooting for them. They had spunk and grit and determination. They didn't listen when people told them they shouldn't be winning. There's something really appealing about that kind of tenacity.


So appealing I couldn't be upset when Vernon Wells hit that walk off home run in the 11th inning off of Mo (pictured above). They were enjoying the moment so much, I wanted to let them have it. Besides, that's the thing about baseball...there's always tomorrow.

Summerlicious or Duck Fat: A Love Story

Every summer for the past several years, more than 100 of Toronto's top restaurants offer frugal gourmets the opportunity to sample a wide variety of diverse and innovative cuisine through prix fixe menus. Read: folks that can't/don't want to break the bank can go to fancy restaurants. There's also a sister event that takes place during the January deep-freeze called Winterlicious. There's something so pleasing about the way these events always coincide with the most extreme weather of the year. I always find that being too hot or too cold just makes me not want to cook.

In case you're wondering Summerlicious kicked off on July 7, to coincide with the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival opening celebration (which I slept through), and runs until July 23.  You should get out there and eat people.

Last night I headed out with some girlfriends to The Strip House which is a steakhouse in the classic sense of the word, conveniently located around the corner from my office. Oh happy day! A few of us had sampled their steak last summer at an event at Steamwhistle Brewery celebrating the local Entertainment District. The memory of that one taste has lived on all this time so we figured a proper meal at long time Toronto restauraneur Fred Luk's latest place was in order.

Here is what we had to choose from once we took our seats:

$35 Dinner
plus taxes and gratuity

APPETIZERS

Calypso Chicken Vegetable Soup
or
Baked Lobster & Crab Soup
or
Strip House Caesar Salad with Grana Padano & Duck Crackling
or
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Fresh Horseradish Cocktail Sauce
or
Strip House Salad with Vegetarian Pot Sticker, Citrus Honey Vinaigrette
or
Bacon Wrapped Roasted Divers Scallop with Chipotle Remoulade
or
The Iceberg Wedge Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Roquefort Dressing

ENTREES

Slow Roasted Alberta “High River” Region Certified Angus Prime Rib of Beef
or
Grilled Alberta “High River’” Region Certified Angus New York Strip Steak
or
Surf & Turf – Roasted Alberta “High River” Region Certified Angus
Filet Mignon with Pan Fried Stuffed Soft Shell Crab & Lemon Hollandaise
or
Lobster Linguine
Roasted East Coast Hard Shell “Canadian” Lobster, Salmon Filet & Deep Sea Scallops, Sauce “Americane”
or
Fancy Mushrooms Ravioli Stuffed with Sautéed King Oyster Mushrooms,
Spinach & Grana Padano Truffle Cream

Choice of Duck Fat Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potato, Baked Potato, Yukon Gold Smashed or Fries with your Meat Entree

DESSERT

Choice of
Chef’s Dessert Selection

My first impression was a favourable one and not just because I was really hungry and had just gulped down a cocktail on an empty stomach. A lot of times the fixed price menu provided for Summerlicious diners is somewhat limiting. We had all kinds of stuff to choose from here and our server was incredibly pleasant. So far so good. The ambiance was relaxed yet sophisticated, with cushy, high back dining chairs. I was comfortable with the room temp but I have to tell you some of the girls were not. They were really cold. All night. That wasn't good. I mean, I know it was hot out, but maybe some kind of happy medium was in order?

Our choices of apps ran the gamut. I chose the Strip House Caesar Salad with Grana Padano & Duck Crackling based on the waitress' recommendation and the fact that I was excited with the whole idea of DUCK CRACKLING! For the uninitiated that basically means that instead of croutons or bacon bits my salad was topped with crispy bits of cooked duck skin. Can you say YUMMY? The Baked Lobster & Crab Soup came with a puff pastry top that won it the award for best presentation. A close second was the Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Fresh Horseradish Cocktail Sauce.



Zee Noixy said that it looked like something someone on WKRP would have ordered. She shouldn't have talked, eating as she was the crazy retro Iceberg Wedge Salad. The classic steakhouse is back indeed.

Once we cleared up our apps and swilled back a perfectly serviceable Australian Shiraz it was time for the main event. We all steered clear of the non-meat options (Hello! We're in a steakhouse here!). I ordered Grilled Alberta “High River’” Region Certified Angus New York Strip Steak with the Duck Fat Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potatoes. Look upon it's beauty and weep.



Now, first things first, the portions were huge. Again, with Summerlicious the portions aren't always what you'd get on a regular night. There was no skimping at The Strip House. I ordered my steak medium rare, a little closer to rare than medium. The kitchen got it just right. Red and bloody, but not blue. Delicious. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case across the board, at least two of the girls getting their orders served not as they had asked. To their credit the worst offense was taken back and cooked longer without any kind of protest from the kitchen.

The highlight of the meal, for me, had to be the Duck Fat Roasted Garlic Rosemary Potatoes. Duck fat, people! I love it. It makes everything delicious! In fact, on Tuesday, October 11, 2005 under an entry titled "Jon Stewart: I Think Winnipeg Knows" on this very blog you'll find this: "...After a scrumptious meal at the new Savoy restaurant on Victoria Street Friday evening (what makes the béarnaise sauce so irresistible? DUCK FAT!)..."

A popular choice at our table was Surf & Turf – Roasted Alberta “High River” Region Certified Angus Filet Mignon with Pan Fried Stuffed Soft Shell Crab & Lemon Hollandaise



The Soft Shell Crab was a big hit. I think that Hollandaise looks to die for. I wonder if there was duck fat involved?

For dessert I opted for the Chocolate Spring Roll simply because it seemed like such a neat idea. Spring Roll wrapper with a chocolate hazelnut filling, served warm. Sadly, it did not live up to its promise.



The chocolate was entirely overwhelmed by what I think was some kind of strawberry coolie that puddled at the bottom of the plate. The top was dusted with chopped fresh mint which frankly, just didn't belong there and the tiny offering of whipped cream came out of a can. Big thumbs down.

It seems that I wouldn't have faired any better with the Mango souffle which was generally received as bland.



So, desserts clearly aren't the forte at The Strip House.

Here they are, the Summerlicious ladies, ready for a brisk walk after all that food. (l-r) Joanne, Angela, Mary, Trish and Zee Noixy:



All in all, I have to say that I was incredibly pleased with the meal and the service and will happily return, even without the Summerlicious menu to aid my pocketbook. Ain't nothin' gonna keep me from that duck fat!
 

Hot enough for you?

I've gone crazy with the heat. Forty two Celsius with the humidex? Forty TWO?! I'm sorry, but why is that necessary?

Well, the Toronto Fringe Festival has wrapped and along with that my duties as stage manager on Kristian Reimer's latest show, "40 Needles". It was a lot of fun getting back on the scene and catching up with old comedy and theatre chums. I was able to catch two other phenomenal shows during the Fest that I'd like to mention because these gems will have a life outside of this Fest, no question. As a matter of fact they are both opening in the Winnipeg Fringe Festival (along with "40 Needles") so if you happen to be in the 'Peg, do yourself a favour and check my incredibly skilled friends out.

Evelyn Reese

The wonderful and talented Susan Fischer brought her superb character piece, The Evelyn Reese Show to the Fest this year and received raves from none other than the Toronto Star. She is the consummate professional and deserves every bit of success she gets. You're good people and you deserve to see her show. Go. Go!

Nile Seguin

If you get the opportunity to see the inimitable Nile Seguin perform either his standup show "Evil is the New Good" or his more theatrical piece "Fear of a Brown Planet" do it now, before he's all over your television and you have to pay the big bucks for the honour. I adore Nile. Even if he won't let me touch his hair. Bastard.

Reimer Reason

Lest we forget, the original charmer, Mr. Calgary himself, Kristian Reimer. All his show dates are here on his myspace account. If you're thinking he lied about his age on his profile, well...that's just information I'm not able to disclose.

Guess I should go do something productive with myself this evening. Like do the dishes. Or work on my script. Or get caught up on CD reviews. The reality? I'm going to sit in front of my television and watch cable news. I know it. You know it. This whole thing in the Mid-East is just so TRAGIC. And all this talk about the Mid-East is making me crave chicken shawarma like you would not believe. No disrespect, just truth. Shawarma, you know you want it. Seriously, how can there be no understanding when there is delicious, delicious shawarma involved? It really makes you wonder.

Mmmmm...Shawarma

These things I know to be true:

Quebec will never separate.
The Cubs will never win the World Series.
There will never be peace in the Middle East.

And I will never get through another edition of Anderson Cooper 360 without getting some take-out shwarma.

Peace, out.

I'm Still Here!

Bloggy McBloggerson! How ARE you? Sorry it's been so long Darling, it's just that my *real* life seems to have gotten in the way of my *cyber* life the last few weeks.

I promise to report back soon with all kinds of show recaps from the Toronto Jazz Festival and The Fringe Theatre Festival. I've got lots of great pictures to show you too. In the meantime, if you are in the T.dot come on down and check out the Fringe show that I'm Stage Managing. It's Kristian Reimer's new one man show.

You'll love him Bloggy McBloggerson, his show is very funny!