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Cruising sounds like a great way to spend your vacation.  I’ve never been on one before.   But it sounds like an awesome way to see the world.

Check out this video of a cruise gone wrong.  The Pacific Sun was cruising off the coast of New Zealand when it ran into bad weather.  And the ship was overtaken with a massive wave, sending everything onboard flying — including passengers, furniture and heavy equipment.  Only a few dozen people were injured (none seriously).  And the cruise company offered everyone a 25% discount on future vacations to try and keep everyone happy. 

I bet a few people onboard were a tad seasick!

K

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about this one…

Joan Rivers – A Piece of Work opens in Vancouver later this week.  And tonight, I’m going to check it out at a special screening with Thor and Riaz.

I am a HUGE Joan Rivers fan.  I ran into her on Rodeo Drive when I was in Los Angeles — and was blown away by the amount of paparazzi following her around, as you can see by the incredibly geeky photo my friend took of me.

Michel and I went to see her last October when she performed at River Rock.  And she is by far, the funniest comedian I have ever seen in my entire life.  For being in her late 70’s, this woman is a true professional.  She was running around the stage keeping the crowd entertained with some of the most inappropriate and hilarious humour, I’ve ever heard.

If you EVER get a chance to see her in person — DO IT!

Check out the trailer for her movie here.  It’s getting really good reviews.  And watch BT for the full review on Friday morning!

This is going to be GOLD…!

K

Had the pleasure of spending the morning in Chinatown to promote the upcoming  Chinatown Festival this weekend and to celebrate Chinatown’s 125th Anniversary.  We made Steamed buns and ate a traditional Hong Kong breakfast…yummy! If you can, head to Chinatown this weekend – it’s a FREE family friendly event with food tastings, lion dancing, and kid-friendly activities!

One of my favourite Culinary Experts is Stephanie Yuen shared some of her favourite spots to go in Chinatown (below) and don’t forget to check out her Blog for more of her thoughts and restaurant picks , Beyond Chopsticks

awwww...the Panda doesn't have a name!

Of everything that happened today in the wide world of news, there are two stories that stand out in my mind far more than any others.

First up, the angry flight attendant from JetBlue — who went on a rampage after a passenger stood up to get her luggage before the plane came to a complete stop at JFK Airport in New York City.  After confronting her, he grabbed the intercom and yelled several swear words into it before taking a beer from the beverage cart, and jumping off the plane using an emergency chute.

How many of us who have worked in the service industry have wanted to do something like this before!?  Dealing with customers can be a VERY frustrating and stressful job and clearly this employee just couldn’t take it anymore!

My other favourite story of the day comes from a McDonald’s restaurant in Ohio.  Where a woman came through the Drive Thru and was very upset the store didn’t have any Chicken McNuggets at six o’clock in the morning.  She then goes on a rampage and starts punching the server — and even the manager, before pounding on the glass window and eventually smashing it with a bottle.  You can watch the entire security video here.

I worked at McDonald’s for five years during my high school and college days.  And while I never dealt with anything this extreme — I certainly have some stories about customers “losing their cool” over a burger and fries.

I have nothing but respect for people who work in the service industry.  It is NOT an easy job dealing with customers every single day.

Control your tempers, people!  There are many more important things in life to worry about!

K

So…we all know I love food, and I could casually call myself a “Foodie” but let’s face it, I am a babe in the woods compared to some of the “Foodies” out there. I am speaking about  the Bloggers, the Chefs, and the Sommolier’s in training who continue to educate and excite all off us when it comes to the Lower Mainlands top restaurants!

So at this time, I dedicate today’s blog to Richard Wolak, or Vanfoodster who recently celebrated his 1 Year Anniversary at  Canvas (and incorporated a cover charge that benefitted the Greater Vancouver Food Bank ).

Thor, Richard and I

Here is a montage of raw footage and well wishes taken at the party!

Until we eat again,

Dawn

Inception continues to blow my mind…

Hans Zimmer, the film’s composer, has revealed the entire score is from one Edith Piaf song!  Check out the article here.

I also found this YouTube video that does a fairly good comparison of the original version of “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien” and the slowed down version that serves as the film’s dramatic score.

BONUS: You may also recall Marion Cotillard (who plays Mal in the movie) won an Oscar for her portrayal of Edith Piaf in “La Vie En Rose”!

WOW!

-Thor

Had an amazing dining experience last night on the School Of Fish Floating Restaurant – simply amazing. 

Imagine being only one of 720 people to ever enjoy dining on a six course meal, wine pairings included,  in a restaurant that only seats 12 people  in False Creek that floats on plastic bottles!  All the materials to build the restaurant and food has donated so all money raised will go towards creating a course for student chefs on the importance of using sustainable seafood throughout their careers.  The School of Fish Foundation is the brainchild of Shannon Ronalds and wholeheartedly supported and endorsed by Chef Robert Clark, a pioneer himself in the education of the public when it comes to the sustainability of the food we eat and buy. 

I will admit, this dinner is pricey at about $225 per person (it’s a communal table for 12, so you can book for 1, 2, 3…any amount – up to 12 people), but when you have an opportunity to experience something  that only a few can…it is priceless. It’s only open until the end of September (so the opportunity is limited) and if you make your reso before the end of July (to dine anytime until end of September) there is a reduced rate.

If you can afford it…it is an experience not to be missed- it truly was magical and memorable - but even if you are cash strapped, it’s still worthwhile learning about how the Floating  Restaurant will benefit all of us as a consumer no matter what restaurant we choose to patronize not only here, but hopefully around the world. (BTW – Shannon is in talks with London to have the restaurant at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games ) . For a behind the scenes video of how this all came together, here it is .

You can learn about the Floating Restaurant , the menu (which is different all the time depending on what is in season, available and of course sustainable) by clicking  here  or  reservations can be made through SOFF web site www.schooloffishfoundation.org or by calling Shannon at 778-997-6977.

 Have a great day!

Dawn

Who doesn’t likea a nice glass of wine with their steak? Well how about your “Steak” having a glass or 2?

Sounds like a pretty good way to ease into the afterlife – get the cow drunk before it ”meats” its inevitable demise. Apparently there is an added benefit of improving the heart health in cattle – I won’t say anything about how this doesn’t necessarily seem like a benefit to the cow given the ultimate outcome.

 The idea behind this is to give the meat better texture, aroma and flavour – but will it be worth it at a 15% higher price?

I think the consumer is prepared to pay for good food and quality and while some budgets will only allow for one of you to imbibe (you or your dinner) – I think there will be a market for this and I look forward to trying it for myself sometime next year when  Kelowna’s Janice Ravndahk of Sezmu Meats hopes to bring her product to select butchers in Vancouver. 

Click here for the complete article from the Vancouver Sun.

Sunshine and Smiles,

Dawn

How cool is this!?

A group of students from UBC is up for an Emmy Award for a great documentary they helped put together which looks at problems with E-Waste.

Check out my interview with Jodie from this morning. And you can find the documentary “Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground”

K

Okay. I love going to the movies just like everyone else. And this weekend, I went with a friend to see Inception — the new flick directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Turns out, many of you also headed to the theatre to check it out as it raked in more than $60 million this weekend.

And, I have to say…meh. I wasn’t really into it. I thought the action and special effects were GREAT. But the plot is so “out there” and super confusing in some spots — you really have to pay attention to what’s going on as it totally makes you think. Plus, I thought it was about 30 minutes too long. And if there’s one thing I can’t stand about movies, it’s movies that are too long.

Thor and Riaz absolutely LOVED it (Thor gave it 5 Hammers). But I’d have to give it a 3.5 out of 5. Not a terrible movie. But definitely not one of my favourites of the year.

Have you seen Inception? If so — your thoughts?
K