My brother Kyle introduced me to my new favourite food – salt and vinegar chip nuts. It’s a peanut coated in crispy potato-chip stuff, then dusted with salt and vinegar seasoning. It has the goodness of potato chips combined with the positive health benefits of peanuts – what’s not to like? I usually enjoy mine with a side of pork rinds, a litre of egg nog, and deep-fried Mars bars.Oh yeah, the diet officially starts on January 3rd (I need to give myself a couple of extra days to clear out my stash of chip nuts and chocolate).
Monthly Archives: December 2006
We’re Back
After 7 days and roughly 1,300 kilometres, we’re back home, safe and sound. From Pefferlaw to Kitchener to Ancaster we had a great week visiting grandparents, aunts, Uncle Kyle, and friends. Aidan was pretty impressed that Santa managed to visit four different homes and leave him presents in each one. The boys now have an impressive array of new toys to play with, and Bronwen and I have started the purge of older toys that they have outgrown.We don’t have any real plans for New Year’s Eve. Once upon a time we’d get together with friends for dinner out, drinks at someone’s home, etc. I bet we don’t make it to midnight tonight. We’ll have dinner after the boys go to bed, have a late dinner and movie, and then bed. Kieran’s been getting up around 6:00 am, and he’ll have no sympathy if we’re tired (or hungover.)So, a belated Merry Christmas to you all, and have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve.
Still Haven’t Left
Well, it’s 9:22 am on Saturday and we haven’t left let. If you’ve been reading my posts over the past few weeks, you’ll know that Casa del Dearlove has been overrun with infection, resulting in copious amounts of vomit erupting from my two little angels.Well, it was Bronwen’s turn last night. There’s really nothing like waking up at 2:14 am to the sounds of your spouse retching in the bathroom. And for those of you thinking “Hmm, Bronwen sick in the morning? I wonder if…” I can assure you it’s probably just the flu and not morning sickness. God, I hope Aidan didn’t ask Santa for a new baby sister…
Freezing Rain + Highway 7 = A Change of Plans
As I write this, I should be somewhere around Peterborough with Bronwen and the kids. We’re supposed to begin our Southern Ontario tour at Nana Sue’s house in Pefferlaw.Unfortunately, our plans have been thwarted by a slow-moving disturbance that’s been tracking from Illinois for most of the day. For most of the province it means rain, but us poor schmucks in Ottawa get freezing rain. It began right after work, and now the streets are skating rinks. We’ll try again in the morning.In the meantime, Merry Christmas to all three of my loyal readers (you know who you are). Safe travels and best wishes.
The NACOcast
Nearly a year ago, the NAC launched the first podcast produced by a professional orchestra. The NACOcast is produced a few times a month and provides listeners with information on upcoming concerts, interviews with artists and composers, and discussions with orchestra musicians about their experiences.The NACOcast is hosted by our Principal Bassoon, C Millard. He’s an amazing guy – gifted musician, respected teacher, the chair of the Orchestra Committee, etc. It turns out he’s also a natural behind the microphone, hosting the podcast with apparent ease. He also has a great producer in Maurizio Ortolani, who runs the NAC’s new media department.The last couple of NACOcasts in particular have been really entertaining, and I encourage you to listen to the latest one. Over 30 minutes, Mr. Millard provides a very accessible and well-considered explanation of Handel’s Messiah, complete with about 40 musical excerpts. It’s a great thing to listen to if you’re trapped behind a desk for part of the day.Click here to visit the NACOcast site. You can also subscribe by using the iTunes music store.
