Tuesday, December 10, 2013

I Met an Honest Iranian (That's Right, an IRANIAN - not a Persian) on the TTC Yesterday

Persia (1501-1935 CE) under Safavid dynasty, Afsharid dynasty, Zand dynasty, Qajar dynasty and Pahlavi dynasty.

There is no such nation state called Persia.  The official empire of Persia ended in 1935, just as the nation state of Burma became Myanmar; Siam became Thailand; and a part of the region that used to be Rome is now Italy.

When I meet an Italian, they state quite proudly that they are Italian.  Same for those who's ancestry can be traced back to Thailand or Myanmar.  They certainly don't claim that they are Roman, Burmese or Siamese.  So why is it that virtually all the Iranians I have ever met insist they are 'Persian' and not Iranian?

Is it shame that for the past 30+ years Iran has been an internationally infamous terrorist state and enemy of all things democratic?  That's the only thing I can think of.  If there might be another reason, I invite any intelligent discourse on this in the comments below.

Yesterday, I met a young man on the subway and we started talking about his jacket.  One thing led to another and he said how he loved growing up in Turkey.  I ask if he was Turkish and he replied that he was ethnically, Iranian.  I didn't realized it until this morning, but that was the first time an Iranian admitted to me he was an Iranian.  No a joke.  I work with Iranians.  I used to roll (Jujistu) with many Iranians.  I deal with Iranians in my personal life.  Not one - yes, not even one in 20 years admitted to me they were Iranian.  They will refer to the country of Iran and talk about Iranian politics, but if someone was to discuss Iranian food, it's always 'Persian' food.  If someone asks what their ethnic background is, it's always 'Persian'.


But, here was this man who said he was Iranian.  And I made no judgement, no thought of evil associations, nothing.  I paid attention to the conversation and his personality and his demeanor.  His statement didn't detract from the topic at hand.  However, had he said he was 'Persian' - that statement would have incited so many thoughts in my mind, I wouldn't have been able to see him clearly.  Why?  Because it doesn't make any sense.  Why is he stating national allegiance to a nation-state that no longer exists?  Is it that he is trying to remove himself from the international image of terrorism?  In my mind, and in my life, I have learned never to trust someone who isn't: 1) honest with others; and 2) honest with him/herself.  This is a guiding principal that has allowed me to avoid distasteful interaction with sneaky, delusional people.  This young Iranian said he keeps his distance from the Iranian community because of its Toronto village mentality (gossip, keeping up with the Tehranis, no privacy/anonymity).  Perhaps this is why this young man was so different than the others.  An independent thinker who also admitted was a world traveller and open to talking to strangers on the ttc!  

I was happy to have met someone who can call a dog's tail, simply a tail - and not a leg.


Monday, December 9, 2013

Our Place in Beijing, China for 2014!!

Pictures of our pad in Beijing, China for 2014!!








Review of Wang Li Si Fang Cai - Northern Chinese/Mongolian Restaurant at First Markham







Dish 1:  Classic Sichuan Spicy Hotpot

What's in it?
- spam (they printed this as "meat" on the menu)
- pig blood jello
- tripe
- intestines
- white fish
- tofu
- bean sprouts

Verdict:  I liked it. It wasn't anything new, but on a cold winter day, this dish hits the spot!

Hardcore authenticity level: 10/10. Come on guys, pig blood jello and intestines?  Ha ha ha, leave the white friends at home for this one.


Dish 2: Chinese Yam with Black Fungus and Chinese Broccoli

What's in it?
- everything in the name of the dish

Verdict:  I didn't like this dish. The Chinese Yam had a slimy texture that reminded me of my trip to Japan where I experienced the dreaded delicacy called, "natto".  Although the yam was nowhere as slimy as Japanese natto, it was still pretty difficult for me to ingest. I felt queasy after.

Hardcore authenticity level: 10/10: Chinese yam is slimy and is definitely an acquired taste.  Because of this, I give it a full grade on the hardcore scale.


Dish 3:  Chinese Curry Chicken

What's in it?
- chicken (but not much meat - think of chicken wings chopped up into four pieces. That would be the size of each morsel)
- potatoes
_ okra (surprisingly, not slimy at all)
-Green pepper

Verdict:  I liked it. It wasn't anything new, but it was one of the best Chinese curry dishes I have had in a long time. My friend's mom makes a chicken curry dish I love. This was on par with that.

Hardcore authenticity level: 7/10
In the end Chinese curry chicken is interpreted so differently by so many different regions and chefs that I don't know what is authentic and what is creative.  The same confusion applies here.


The little Chinese bread sticks were complimentary. Weird. I never ever received any dish as "service" from a Chinese restaurant, but maybe this is the Mongolian hospitality kicking in???  Anyway they were just average.  Nothing special. Glad I didn't pay for them.

Overall would I go back?  Maybe for the curry chicken...but is it worth it for $11.50?  Time will tell.



Wednesday, December 4, 2013

A Happy Wife is a A Happy Life


To those gents who will soon wed, I have one advice.  Keep your wife happy.  A woman can be your best friend or your worst enemy.  Remember this adage (from Lord Shin):  a happy wife is a happy life.  Good luck.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Korean Highschool Girls Fun [English Subtitles]

I was shocked and amazed at the audacity of these teenage girls.  Korea has changed.  These kids are creative and fun-loving in their disrespect toward their teacher.  It should be noted that the subtitles are incorrect:  at no point in the dialog does this teacher swear or curse (using the f-word)...seems the subber took some liberties here.

Enjoy it, guys.  I know I did.

Friday, November 29, 2013

What's the World Coming To? Is This Really News Worthy?

I was going through my local Toronto Star site and with the first few clicks, I came across articles on Rob Ford launching a YouTube Channel, a Porn Queen Judge who won't step down, and a German police officer who killed and ate someone.  Truth really is stranger than fiction.  I couldn't have made this stuff up.  I imagine the Porn Queen Judge will probably become a Law & Order episode (is this show still on?).

Here are the headlines for those of you interested:

Rob Ford and Doug Ford plan comeback on YouTube

Having lost their weekly radio talk show, the Fords are planning to launch a self-produced program. “We’ve done a lot more than the Kardashians,” said Doug Ford.



Porn photo judge Lori Douglas just won’t go away: Mallick
Manitoba judge who was in explicit photos won't quit, and no one can make her go. Meanwhile she’s getting paid hundreds of thousands a year to stay home.
Manitoba Queen’s Bench Justice Lori Douglas is the judiciary’s Rob Ford.
She will not resign, no matter how many hearings are held into her deceits, no matter how angry the public is. Judges across Canada — and ethical lawyers hoping to become judges — must be desperately hoping she’ll just do the decent thing and go away. She will not.
And as the city of Toronto has learned, there is no way to make an unwanted official depart. She clings to the cliff.
At this point, given that Douglas must know she can never again function as a judge, it is grotesque that she has been sitting at home since September 2010 pulling in a not unpleasant salary of $324,100 plus expenses.


Police officer arrested in death of man he met on cannibal website

A German police officer has been arrested on suspicion of killing and chopping up a man he met on the Internet who had long fantasized about being killed and eaten, authorities said Friday

Friday, November 22, 2013

Glory 12 this weekend!!!

Giorgio Petrosyan is coming to Glory.  I haven't kept up to date with GP since his k-1 days, but from what I know, he's is an international talent.  How far has he come since those days though?  I will not miss this.  It is with much anticipation that I will be watching his fight.  I hope to see an improved Petrosyan at this fight.  See below for more details.  Article source:  http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/11/21/5129616/glory-12-new-york-live-on-spike-preview-results-discussion-live-fight

Glory 12 New York live on Spike preview, results, discussion, live fight coverage November 23

Giorgio Petrosyan vs Hafid El Boustati, Glory 7 - Ben Pontier/GLORY
Get live fight coverage right here as Glory returns to Spike TV for Glory 12 New York, featuring Giorgio Petrosyan in a lightweight tournament this Saturday November 23. Bloody Elbow has full fight coverage of Glory 12 New York, including results and discussion, right here.
Saturday November 23, Bloody Elbow presents live fight coverage of Glory 12 New York, live on Spike TV. Glory 12 New York airs live on Spike this Saturday, November 23 with a fight time of 9:00 p.m. ET. Bloody Elbow will have live fight coverage, including results and discussion, right here.
Saturday night, I will be live at the event, providing live results and tweets of all the action. Follow along at @FCoffeen for all the updates. And for those interested, yes, this should end before Pacquiao and Rios hit the ring.
This is the second Glory event to be broadcast on Spike, and if the first event was any indication, this one is can't miss. Glory's Spike debut from Chicago was a tremendous event, filled with action-packed fights and a great underdog storyline in the Heavyweight tournament. This time out, you have another tournament taking center stage as the Lightweights see action. This is particularly notable because of one name - Giorgio Petrosyan. Petrosyan is the clear-cut #1 pound for pound kickboxer in the world. He's the sport's Floyd Mayweather, without the massive ego and mouth. Petrosyan is an absolute clinician and a thrill to watch. It will be a treat to see him live on Spike. Looking to take him off his throne will be Andy Ristie, Robin van Roosmalen, and Davit Kiria - all top 5 fighters who bring the action and are know for their explosive fights. This should be a great tournament.
Also on the Spike card is Joe Schilling vs. Wayne Barrett in a quality fight between two of the best from the US, and Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Ben Edwards in one of those Heavyweight slobberknockers that should just be a lot of fun.
Glory is firing on all cylinders right now, with great event after great event. Let's hope they keep the momentum going Saturday night with Glory 12 New York, live from the Theater at Madison Square Garden, and live on Spike TV.
Join us here at Bloody Elbow for Glory 12 New York live on Spike with results, discussion, and live fight coverage this Saturday, November 23.
GLORY 12 NEW YORK FIGHT CARD:
Airing on Spike TV:
Joe Schilling vs. Wayne Barrett
Semi-final: Giorgio Petrosyan vs. Andy Ristie
Semi-final: Robin van Roosmalen vs. Davit Kiria
Final
Reserve: Ky Hollenbeck vs. Warren Stevelmans
Jamal Ben Saddik vs. Ben Edwards
Superfight Series (not airing on Spike):
Paul Marfort vs. Thiago Michel Silva
Artem Vakhitov vs. Nenad Pagonis
Brian Collette vs. Warren Thompson
Igor Jurkovic vs. Jhonata Diniz
Francois Ambang vs. Eddie Walker
Saulo Cavalari vs. Mourad Bouzidi

$100 beer returns to LCBO

I didn't think such a thing existed, but a friend of mine brought this article to my attention.  $100 beer!?!  Are you serious?  See the embedded Toronto Star article below - reprinted with permission.

Samuel Adams Utopias is back at the LCBO.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

L'Occitane En Provence - An Open Commendation Letter to Toronto Head Office

Today I received excellent service at the Wellington (Toronto) L'Occitane location.  I was blown away.  I want to share this commendation note I sent to L'Occitane's head office via the website.



Re:  Commendation for Brittany @ your Toronto, Wellington (TD Tower) location.
I just came back from buying a holiday gift pack from your Toronto, Wellington location.  I am a man.  I do not like shopping, nor do I enjoy walking into a skin care boutique during my lunch hour.  HOWEVER, my wife sent me on an errand, so I went.  And to my surprise, it was one of the most pleasant retail experiences I can remember.  I have to let your corporate office know that the advisor named "Brittany" (name on the receipt) was excellent today.  She was attentive, had excellent listening skills and understood what I wanted and made it happen without drama or fuss.  As much as I don't enjoy shopping, as a consumer, I am faced with it everyday.  Today was the first that I was taken care of with such efficiency and attention.  Everything from her understanding what I needed without confusion, arranging the special gift pack, creating a lovely presentation with the bag and ribbon - and above all, being friendly and amicable to a man who felt uncomfortable in a boutique.  After all was said and done, my male coworker and I left - me with a big smile and he with a look of disbelief.  He literally said "Wow, now that is service".  I am telling all my male friends about this experience and hopefully they can go and buy gifts for their mothers, aunts, wives, sisters, and even mistresses (for those rich enough to have them) this season.  I cannot exclude an honourable mention to the only East Asian girl there who helped Brittany take out the gift bag and put it in a separate small box for me with care and detail (as if it were her own).  She also heard me mentioned I'd be giving the free gift away as a separate gift and was kind enough to offer a separate bag for it.  As I said, I am a man.  We don't like boutiques.  However, this service was so exceptional, I will look for some reason to go back and receive this level of service when I am feeling under the weather. :-)  All kidding aside, you have a wonderful team at the Wellington location (Toronto).  I hope you value these ladies and communicate my sincere appreciation for a job very well done.  I'm recommending L'Occitane En Provence to all my friends.

25 Things to do when you are feeling down

Source:  http://www.buzzfeed.com/hnigatu/things-to-do-when-youre-feeling-down?sub=2093452_993392&s=mobile#993392

1. Be nice to yourself.
Be nice to yourself.
Art by Emily McDowell. Buy print here.

2. Make this your morning routine.

Make this your morning routine.
Tumblr user 2wentysixletters’ take on Kate Nash’s lyrics.

3. Eat well.

Eat well.
“Thug Kitchen” by DarkClinton.

4. Embrace the magical powers of tea.

Embrace the magical powers of tea.

5. Remember to take a break.

Remember to take a break.
Art by Karen Horneffer-Ginter. Buy print here.

6. Write down all the reasons it was worth getting out of bed and look back at these lists.

Write down all the reasons it was worth getting out of bed and look back at these lists.
Art by Anxiety Cat.

7. Put on your emergency tiara in times of stress.

Put on your emergency tiara in times of stress.
Found by Reddit user iamhdbuzz.

8. Surround yourself with inspiring things.

Surround yourself with inspiring things.
Art by Alex Noriega.

9. Make a declaration of intention.

Make a declaration of intention.
Art by Emily McDowell. Buy print and calendar here.

10. Remember that you are awesome in your own right.

Remember that you are awesome in your own right.
Art by Chibird.

11. Leave yourself affirming messages.

Leave yourself affirming messages.

12. Make time for the things that make you feel good.

Make time for the things that make you feel good.
Art by Sad Teen Queer.

13. Enjoy the pleasures of being alone.

Video by filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and poet/singer/songwriter Tanya Davis.

14. Build your own “emergency care wall.”

Build your own "emergency care wall."
Art by Chibird.

15. Remind yourself of all the delightful things in the world you are going to experience.

Remind yourself of all the delightful things in the world you are going to experience.

16. Take out all the toxic things in your life.

Take out all the toxic things in your life.

17. …and remember to appreciate your body for all that it does for you.

...and remember to appreciate your body for all that it does for you.

18. Give a hug. Get a hug.

Give a hug. Get a hug.
Art by Chibird.

19. Get some sleep!

Get some sleep!

20. Disconnect.

Disconnect.
Dan Moynihan
Art by Dan Moynihan.

21. Do some yoga. Seriously, it’ll be good for you!

Do some yoga. Seriously, it'll be good for you!

22. Be reflective. Be courageous.

Be reflective. Be courageous.
Art by Mei Lee. Buy print here.

23. Always prioritize yourself.

Always prioritize yourself.
Art by Dani.

24. Don’t forget to breathe.

25 Things To Do When You're Feeling Down
Art by Chibird.

25. And remember:

And remember:
Art by Emily McDowell. Buy print here.