SheenaVision

Sunday Thoughts

2009-03-08T19:13:00.002-04:00

Why is it that all of the erstwhile rabid defenders of the US Constitution Second Amendment are flipping out over the First Lady's exercise of these rights?
If it is International Women's Day AND Daylight Savings Day, does that mean my biological clock got moved up an hour?
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it a little unseemly for everyone to be discussing the size of Obama's package.

Hunter Valley Wine Tour Saturday

2009-02-21T23:57:00.012-05:00

Spent my first Saturday in Sydney on a wine tour of the lovely Hunter Valley - about 2 hours outside of the city. Sniffed around the innerdnets for a few days, and settled on these guys.

Morning almost got off to a rocky start. Part of the group (Sheena, couple of Irish couples, some Aussie newlyweds, and assorted Brits) were late because they missed a ferry. The Irish couple flipped out and started pouting that they wanted off the tour. It was then that I began to appreciate the charm, patience and steely seething wit of our guide for the day - Nigel.

The stragglers showed, the tempers soothed.. and off we went.

First stop - the joint complex of Rosemount & Lindemann's. Nothing special wine-wise, but a good place to kick off the day with a tutored tasting and quick tour. Learned a bit about the history of the regions, the brands. They're both owned by Foster's now.

For next year's Xmas party:

Fave stop of the day: Tintilla Estates. Reminded me more of the Niagara family estates. Poured an astounding 11 samples. Some quite nice. Hosts were very indulgent and let us stroll the grounds and play with the recently picked Shiraz.

License Inspector. No fun zone.

Tempus Two winery - has an on premise cheese shop that was good fun. Plenty of free samples of some of the local soft cheeses. Good international selection. Picked up a couple of small blocks of King Island cheeses to hide in the hotel mini bar for snacks during the week.

http://www.huntervalleysmellycheeseshop.com.au/

Lunch stop was at the Blue Tongue Brewery. For 12 bucks Aussie money, a tasting paddle of 6 beers, and you could go back for a pint of the one you liked best. I went for the ginger beer - very distinct ginger aroma and flavour - crisp and yummy.

Last stop of the day was a bit of a rip off. The Golden Grape was a bit of a stunt winery - doing the kind of goofy flavoured sticky wines you'd expect to find from the crazy guy at Niagara's Crown Bench. But I suckered into a Dragon's Breath - a chili flavoured sweet wine (actually Butterscotch schnapps, chilies and rosemary) that I think will make a kick ass lemonade cocktail this summer...

Great day. Met a great bunch of oddballs from across the world brought together for 7 hrs by a shared common love of vino and a sense of adventure. Recommended.

Stirring the Shiraz at Tintilla Estates

2009-02-21T16:02:00.001-05:00

My favourite stop on the Hunter Valley wine tour did this weekend as a day trip out of Sydney.

http://www.tintilla.com.au/

The aroma of 3 day old shiraz being stirred is almost knocked me over. The fermentation just beginning... hard to see but the bubbling and crackling was pretty cool.

Home Sweet Home - for the week.

2009-02-20T14:17:00.002-05:00

SPF 45 on my face, but still burned my legs.

15 Hours of Prison Food in Econoclass Crush

2009-02-20T13:43:00.003-05:00

Sheena's attempt to minimize an already massive Carbon Cuntprint led her to leave directly from Edmonton en route to Sydney Australia, instead of incurring an additional 3 hours flight time BACK to Toronto to enhance chances of an upgradeable Air Canada flight. United shits on Air Canada Elite members when it comes to upgrade priority, so I knew I was taking my back, my neck and my embryonic deep vein thrombosis into my own hands.

After a relaxing couple of hours connecting through the San Francisco Red Carpet Club - easily the nicest RCC I've seen ( and I'm not the only one...) - Sheena poured herself into Row 40-something, seat H on the 747 over to Sydney. Aisle seats are normally my 2nd choice. I can usually only sleep leaned up against the window.

The food quality in United economy class is profoundly shocking. I have a flight attendant friend who states unequivocally that airlines use the same tea as does the prison system, and I wonder if the same holds true for food. If it wasn't so squished in the seats, I would have taken pictures.

The dinner was an artifically hot salisbury steaklike item that would not have been out of place in a McDonald's drive through. It had a red sauce on top that I scraped off to see what I was eating. The side salad was 100% shredded lettuce.

Not my pic - but a very true likeness

Mid flight lunch was a roasted chicken / cheddar sandwich. Actually looked promising. Until bite #1 revealed that it was still partially frozen. I removed the wet cold bun-like substance from my mouth, wrapped it all back up and tried to go back to sleep and pretend it was all just a big bad dream.

Breakfast, at least, provided enough sustenance for me to pull myself out of the pretzelish contortion I had adopted in the 15 hours hence, and drag myself into the warm nourishing sunshine. Edible omelette, some sausages of questionable composition, but fully cooked, so I went for it. Could only bear 1 bite of the sickly sweet fake banana flavoured 'banana bread', but oh well. Maybe I'll do a low carb week...

SuperBowl Sunday in NYC

2009-02-15T09:36:00.006-05:00

Booked an early Sunday flight to NYC to make sure I had time to catch something on Broadway. Sheena has never been disappointed by the TKTS booth in Times Square. Part of the fun is the random nature of what spectacle one will end up seeing. Play? Musical? Serious? Silly? Keeping an open mind right up until it's your turn at the ticket window. Had 3 options in my head. All 3 were still available once the line turned the corner.

Sheena said "Equus". It was a good choice. No, not just because of the hoopla over Harry Potters peen. (Full disclosure: Sheena has never read a Harry Potter book, has never seen a Harry Potter movie, has not purchased any Harry Potter merch, and likely never will).

It was a friggin intense production. Very sparse set, dazzling casting of the horse-men. The 3 leads, Richard Griffiths, Daniel Radcliffe and Kate Mulgrew were fantastic. Especially Griffiths and Radcliffe.

Though I did wonder about just how much psychological damage was done to the legions of pre-teen girls hoping to see their pinup boy hero, and instead being subjected to some head trippy raw sexuality and violence. Their moms must be so proud of themselves.

And now, into the night in search of grub...

Had the BBQ meat platter at Virgil's. Kinda hate to say it, but this yankee joint had some of the best pulled pork EVER.

SuperBowl started while I was eating over in the lounge area. I didn't intend to stay to watch the game, but Sheena got goosebumps watching Jennifer Hudson belt it out... and the entire bar clapped when she was done. I think America likes itself again.

Things I Bought In Winnipeg Junk Shops Over the Holidays

2009-01-25T16:38:00.001-05:00

Die of jealousy. Now.

Holy Fuck Where's the Time Gone

2009-01-25T13:40:00.007-05:00

New Year's Eve retro flashbacks.

Had a kick ass night at Lee's Palace. Great fun after a precarious cab ride from The Grand where The Driver and I had an adequate round of sushi after too much Scream TV and Trius Brut earlier in the evening.

The Stills from the Dirty 'Shwa opened up and Elliott Brood was headliner.

As much as I have adored Elliott Brood since first discovering "Second Son" on the jukebox at the Stinky Duke on Yonge Street a couple of years back, seeing them live for the first time kicked severe ass.

And The Stills cracked me up with their hockey stick bass...

And then oh yeah... forgot about this one.

Sorry Raymi. It was the Sleeman's talkin.

"Way Cooler Than Its Uppity Neighbours"

2009-01-25T08:46:00.003-05:00

Dinner after about an hour of cold wandering around in Manhattan dusk, looking for something interesting - but not expensive... authentic - but where my jeans and layered sweaters would fit in...hearty - without being a chain tourist trap....

The weather scuffed neon sign sucked me in. The no-nonsense menu and "No Credit Cards" handwritten sign made me sit down. The Tribeca Tavern was it.

A neighbourhood hangout that reminded me of some of my favourite Queen W divey spots like Sweaty Bettys or Communist Daughter. 4 generations represented around the bar, comfy broken down couches in the corners for gab fests. Solid wooden chairs and tables with good view of the big screen TV (it was NFL playoff day...)

Fantastic selection of American microbrews and good international mix too. I had a pale ale - don't recall which one. But thoroughly enjoyed the crusty curmudgeon of the day bartender as he lectured a 20-something art student. "No we don't do bloody marys. ever. we're not that kind of bar". I think she said "God Bless you" and ordered a Delerium.

The steak sandwich was good, the fries spectacular. No pictures because I killed my camera battery at the USAirways wreck site.

Ladies room scared the bejesus out of me. I don't know if this used to be a subway stairway or they just made it look that way, but I kept expecting to have to slide a token in the slot to get toilet paper.

Manhattan Weekend

2009-01-25T08:19:00.008-05:00

Landed around 3pm at LaGuardia last weekend and jumped into taxi. Destination Financial District in Manhattan. Cabbie had the radio on and suddenly the pieces began to click together in Sheena's head. Battery Park? Hudson River? Throngs of tourists? Crumpled A320? Giddyup.

Less than 10 minute stroll from hotel. Sheena presents the inauguration of USAirways Cruiselines...

Hung around until the light faded and my toes turned cold. Then hoofed it up to Tribeca in search of some grub...

Baptazia

2009-01-07T21:37:00.002-05:00

Must see YouTube channel. Unless you like God. Then please don't look. You know who you are.

http://ca.youtube.com/user/airloaf

Really - just watch one. You'll go back for more...

Sad News From Niagara Wine Country

2009-01-06T21:06:00.002-05:00

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1373110

Sheena credits John Marynissen, and his daughter Sandra, with igniting a passion and respect for good wine - wine made with hard work, with care, with respect for nature and for the labour that goes into it. He taught that wine is made to be shared, with love, with family and friends, with good food and never without inspiring conversation.

It was 1994 and Sheena was on her honeymoon. A Niagara wine tour. We drove and tasted all weekend, keeping notebooks of scribbles and maps and ratings, going back on the very last day to buy the best of the best and drive back home to Ottawa. The cases we bought at Marynissen that weekend formed that foundation of our now-dual cellars to this day. Year after year, we went back, sometimes together, sometimes apart, introducing new friends and visiting family whenever we could. New places popped onto the radar, as incomes rose so did the taste for Aussie and Californian wines, but every single year came back for John's and later Sandra's handiwork. Some of the most beautiful reds in Ontario: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, the Cab-Sauv/Merlot blend by the case as the house red Chez Sheena for so long.

The handwritten scribbler under their tasting counter. You had to be nice and polite at the shop to get on "the list". The special small batches of Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sandra's first solo Baco Noir, the unfiltered experiments that may or may not ever see the light of day...

The 5-year vertical tastings at their anniversary party where only Sheena scored 100% pegging year to the blind samples. I did it because they taught me well - about colour and nose and legs and how they reflected harvest and weather... and it all stuck with me. I started to develop a near photographic memory for wine because of the pictures they painted for me.

Through picnics in the vineyard, to the grouchy mean cats and overly friendly dogs... this place was one of Sheena's happy places among happy places.

Rest in peace, Mr. Marynissen. You touched lives across the continent with your love of nature, family and hard work.

It's been a Year...

2009-01-03T09:54:00.000-05:00

http://sheenavision.blogspot.com/2008/01/bye-my-dear-baba.html

For Your Christmas Viewing Pleasure

2008-12-25T14:32:00.004-05:00

Merry Christmas from Sheena's Sister's Couch in Winnipeg, 3rd mimosa in hand...

http://www.digitalhome.ca/content/view/3152/279/

Not Directed At Anyone. Really. Seriously. No, I'm not lying

2008-12-19T17:29:00.003-05:00

Thanks xkcd.

Elected Senate. Sheena is so there

2008-12-16T21:31:00.002-05:00

Thanks Candace. You're a gem. But why the hell am I only finding out about this 4 days later?

Vote here! http://www.misterpoll.com/polls/372512

Theory of the Carbon Cuntprint

2008-12-13T10:51:00.005-05:00

Sheena has had the phrase "carbon cuntprint" in her head for a few weeks, having first seen it in writing by online adversary and in-person drinking buddy K.

Sheena's definition of the carbon cuntprint: the difference between what someone SAYS they do to be green and what that person actually DOES to be green.

Back in November, I booked a side trip from a work thing in Orlando up to Atlanta for a wonderful weekend of Cheeky goodness

For reasons of cost, airline points whoredom, and desire to keep work and personal expenses separate, I scheduled the travel as an in out through Orlando on my dime, keeping the non-personal ticket untouched.

I just did the math over here: Carbon Footprint Calculator . By doing what I did, I incurred an extra C02 load of .13 tonnes. So my desire to maximize Star Alliance points, and not go through the extra paper work of separating the personal flight change from my non-personal expenses resulted in a 21% higher carbon output than if I would have taken the effort to just do the extra paperwork and figgering. So this is how I now calculate the carbon cuntprint. For that weekend it was .13 tonnes.

Sheena shouts out to all the greenish-yapper hypocrites out there...be self aware. You can put a number to your BS now. What IS your carbon cuntprint?

Vote with Your Wallet

2008-12-08T21:52:00.006-05:00

30 months and counting since I made a conscious choice to ditch the car. Don't make me come over there.

Sheena Changes Wallets and Loses Her Shit

2008-12-07T20:12:00.011-05:00

As mentioned on other parts of the innerdnets a few weeks ago, Sheena has suddenly fallen out of favour with her current black wallet. Said black wallet was a lovely and thoughtful replacement for her baby, the baby that was yes.. violently torn from her breast that fateful September in '05...

But go figure with no warning whatsoever, Sheena and her replacement wallet apparently are at odds relationship-wise. "It's not me, it's you", it says. Suddenly current wallet is jumping out of purses into semi-frozen dirty puddles.. staying back at the hotel and missing parties, and otherwise pissing me right off. So to my rescue comes Raymi who tips me off to Poketo.com. Fun shit. Loads of cute and weird wallets and stuff. Ordered one and it arrived on Friday. Yay.

Not a small task, changing from a largish puffy wallet that hates your guts to a small streamlined one that lives by the same credo that you do. Removing 20 pounds of foreign currency. Czech koruna , British pounds, Swiss francs, Euros, couple of random Aussie coins, a few random US singles, some of that Singapore shit. Likely totals 50 bucks, but takes up half my purse.

Move over the essentials. Credit & bank cards. Drivers license & health insurance. Aeroplan Elite card. Second Cup stamp thingie. Safe Fishy guide (thanks Cheek). Put the B list hotel and airline cards into a separate pouch I'll keep in the purse but not wallet. Lean and mean for '09.

And then I found it. In the stack of old receipts and business cards and random crap stuffed in the back pouch. And even though the man du jour was sitting right there and never saw it coming, Sheena lost her shit. Yep. A big old ball of girlie tears. Don't know where it came from or why. Just had forgotten I couldn't throw it away. And it surprised me.

From the mean streets of Buenos Aires. It was a sunny day after a lovely afternoon and lunch window shopping in La Recoleta we were set upon by a rag tag bunch of preteen girls. They were dancers. They flitted and pirouetted around us, dressed up like wannabe ballerinas. They smiled and whispered and pointed at us. They were fundraising for their dance troupe. For 2 Argentine pesos, we could be a sponsor.

And to show their gratitude, they presented one of us with a gift to give to the other. And when it was given Sheena took it with a smile and a sense of happiness and peacefulness that she's terrified she'll never feel again.

the secret is the love you only find within your heart

In Which Sheena Twists Her Fingers Into Devil Horns and Yells "Yo Bitchez" to Her Fellow Oenophiles

2008-12-06T10:34:00.005-05:00

D'ARENBERG THE DEAD ARM SHIRAZ 2006
VINTAGES 981183 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 55.95
Wine, Red Wine,
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Sugar Content : XD

Made in: South Australia, Australia
By: D'Arenberg Wines

Release Date: Dec 6, 2008

Tasting Note
Opaque ruby. Blackberry and candied cherry on the nose, with suave graphite and anise qualities adding complexity. Deep and rich but also focused, with powerful dark berry preserve flavors and a late kick of iron. There's lots going on here, and this energetic wine is still painfully young. Finishes with mounting sweetness and a strong echo of minerals. Score - 93. (Josh Raynolds, International Wine Cellar, Sept./Oct. 2008)

NOTE: Prices subject to change without notice. Prices include container deposit fees where applicable. All products may not be available in all stores. Select products may be available to customers in limited quantity. Please see store personnel for details.

12 of them sitting on my kitchen table 37 minutes after release. And fucking cocksucking Blogger picture upload giving me the gears.

More Notes on Dead Arm 2006

OK, fixed now:

Why I Love the South Sometimes...

2008-11-30T17:15:00.003-05:00

Not just for the Bacon & Chocolate inspiration, the Penis shaped state capitols, and dollar store baked goodness, but now also for the Sunday Night Special at the Fox and Hounds pub in Atlanta

Yep, ladies and gents, the $1 PBR draft pint and $1 fish taco. A surprisingly sustaining meal as Sheena and The Cheek left a friend's open house and hooked up with the Georgia Peach who looked a little tired and ragged after a tough day of Falcons tail-gating...

Tacos were yummy - have no fricken clue exactly *what* kind of fish it was, but it was perhaps lightly breaded. Maybe it was actually a fish stick taco. I dunno. But Cheek tipped me off to the secret sauce that made it a winner - a lime & cilantro drizzle that I could have easily just sucked back with a straw.

Three of pigged out for less than $20US...

Some More Bare Skin for Your Viewing Pleasure

2008-11-29T15:01:00.003-05:00

Metroliner takeoff part 1:

Metroliner takeoff part 2:

Unfiltered Wine and Unfiltered Conversation - A Perfect Weekend with Cheek and the Peach

2008-11-27T14:00:00.013-05:00

Another getaway estrofest weekend in Fatlanta, gloriously hosted by The Georgia Cheek and The Georgia Peach. (Introducing... the Cheek Man... and special guest star The TallaAussie)
Lovely dinner at the chi-chi hotspot Rathbun's... an Iron Chef winner, this guy knows his way around good old-fashioned South of the Mason Jar Line cuisine. Ce soir Sheena started with the doodle-menu (handwritten daily specials) Pork Belly soft tacos follow by main of Braised Rabbit with squash and gnocchi. Was so wrapped up in catching up with dear friends over gossip and larfs completely forgot to take pictures.

Saturday morning Breakfast #1 was half of the most decadent sugar head rushing donut ever invented. As soon as Cheek returns my text msg I will post details. But not humanly possible to eat a whole one. (OK, she texted - it is Dandy Donuts - can't find a website though...)

Saturday morning Breakfast #2 was a stellar production consisting of Prosecco mimosas - done just right - just a dribble of OJ for colour. 2 x omelettes with mixed cheeses, oyster mushrooms, one with shrimp and one with salmon. Onion, olive foccacia - warmed. Good coffee and fresh fruit. Perfect at 3pm...

Almost forgot - TWO kinds of bacon - maplewood smoked and North Georgian applewood smoked. Between the bacon and the Sunday repeat version of this brunch with farmer's market ham, the Cheek Man was heard to moan from the depths of kitchentude "GRROOAAAANNN... That's sum good pig"...

It was a damn good base for what was to come later that evening. Courtesy of the Georgia Peach, 4 of us slurped through prolly $450 worth of wine - a vertical tasting of the D'Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz.

(Georgia Peach's ill-gotten gains from that suckered wine clerk in our favourite Brisbane likker shop...)

As Cheek Man put it "it seems a shame to compare these wines to each other when any of them would kick any other wine's ass... I'd drag my balls over broken glass for any ONE of them"....

Contestant #1 was the 1998. Rated 96 by Robert Parker This was a dark and inky baby, nicest legs of the bunch.

Contestant #2 was the 1999. Also a Parker 96 - if you care about that sort of thing) The '99 is a special one for Sheena. First time I ever broke the $100 ceiling for a bottle. Picked it up in Sydney on my first trip in 2003. Shared it with some then-dear friends over the course of a fantastic meal. It opened and changed character several times over the 2 hour meal. Magical experience. And brings back wistful memories over friends who disappeared mostly due to assholeoitis. But je digress... '99 still spectacular - the ripest and fullest right from start to finish.

Contestant #3 was the 2000. If pure numbers had to single out a shitty one of the bunch, it would be the 2000 would be it Now this is where Cheek Man's wise observation holds truth: it was still fabulous. Set apart from its brethern by a uniquely bricky red colour compared to inky blackness of the others. But after 3+ hours opened, came into its own and held up comparatively just fine.

Last, but by no means least - the 2001. Parker ranking of wowish 98. I said that out loud on first sip. This is a monster, and technically we shouldna touched it for another couple of years. But relentless swirling brought it out and I think consensus was it was the winner - patience being a virtue. The inky blackness the most opaque of the four.

Heavenly evening, made all the more perfect with the loud story-one-up-womanship that only a 3 chick to 1 guy dynamic could produce. We made the effort to tone it down once we realized just how profoundly wasteful it was to snort a '99 out of ones nose...

My place next time...

Strip Mall Trolling in Orlando.

2008-11-26T18:56:00.002-05:00

Waiting outside for dinner reservations at this fabulous little hole-in-the-wall Italian joint in Florida. Wander down strip mall row and window shop. Yay! Green Dry Cleaning!

Oh Hai! Aren't you cute.

LOLRoach will survive nucular blast. U?

Economic downturn hits red state abortion clinics.

Oh And I Am OFFICIALLY

2008-11-26T13:38:00.001-05:00

Boycotting the Canadian Blog Awards this year since I got rejected in the Best Mommy Blogger Category.

Sheena Is Not Dead. She's Just Having Fun in MeatWorld Right Now

2008-11-23T14:17:00.002-05:00

So in the interim I present for your reading pleasure Sooey Says. It's short story season, and pretty fucking funny/sad stuff.

Separated At Birth: DC Pimps and Whores Edition..

2008-11-01T17:31:00.002-04:00

The DC Madam, who hung herself rather than face sentencing.

The VP Candidate who has been given lots of rope...

SheenaVision: Your One Stop Shop for The Lonely Dictator Lookin' for Action

2008-10-25T11:05:00.003-04:00

Dear Raymi: Saddam has been hanging alone for months now and the time has come to find him an appropriate mate so they can hang together for eternity. You know my favourite girl dictator... Make her the same size.

No. Sheena does not *do* tape measures, so here's Saddam up against a regular piece of paper for proportion.

Way Overdue Nuit Blanche Highlights - Dog Poo Park Parts 1 & 2

2008-10-22T23:54:00.000-04:00

Part 1:

Part 2:

Secret Cricket Hearts

2008-10-22T21:20:00.002-04:00

Out for some mellow fun @ the Starlight Lounge out here on the farm last night with some work chickies. Ron Sexsmith, who has kinda grown on Sheena over the last couple of years. 'Specially since the first time she saw him live, on the Not Really Canada Day, but Please Bear With Us Special concert in Trafalgar Square back in '06.

But what blew us away was the opening act, Meagan Smith, an incredibly talented vocalist with a quirky retro sound perfectly complemented her hubby on geetar and pal on bass fiddle.

Bought the 4-song CD and accompanying DVD with some of her animated videos. For $10, will keep me entertained until her big album launch in January.

One for my 'Murrican Friends

2008-10-18T20:51:00.000-04:00

No.. really.. we're laughing 'with' you...

Beating Cheek to the Punch

2008-10-18T20:40:00.002-04:00

Yes. This actually *is* Sheena's life.

Hat Tip to the Uppity Woman on Front Street

2008-10-17T23:48:00.002-04:00

Belated Nuit Blanche Cheese Party Pics

2008-10-15T20:31:00.007-04:00

Nuit Blanche qua Nuit Blanche was a bit meh, but the pre-party Sheena hosted for various flotsam and jetsam of the Toronto/Ottawa blogoforumsphere was a hit.

Deluxe Suite at the Grand Hotel on Jarvis... a little hot tub action before the guests show, pit stop at the Cheese Boutique and a lovely assortment of nuts.

Went for the previously blogged faves: The lovely Mimolette (very sharp shard-like aged gouda), the eternal love of my life Bouq' Emissaire, the mellow Separatiste Benedictine Bleu.

But Sheena has a rule that she will never leave the Cheese Boutique without trying at least one new thing. The fromage du jour on this visit was over the top whoa baby come here often. A rosemary-olive oil bathed goat cheese that has an amazing deep nutty slightly bitter taste. A keeper.

And I am only getting around to posting this finally as a FU to Raymi because I discovered the flaky faux communion crackers FIRST fcs. They were 2 for 1 that weekend.

Be jealous and hate me for my Crate and Barrel real slate cheese plate for which I spent 2 months sourcing chalk...

No Guts... No Glory

2008-10-12T15:24:00.011-04:00

In honour of Sheena's Ma, please find enclosed the official Thanksgiving Stuffing Recipe of the Innerdnets - 2008 Edition.

Take whatever week old bread, buns, bagels are in the fridge put in a big pile to check for green spots. If you find any, cut them off. Estimate 6-8 slices for a large chicken. Bagels count for 2, just like in carbs.

Sheena prefers to grate her bread to make big, unevenly shaped crumbs. Better for texture and interest. Nutty fruity breads are a huge bonus, btw.

Comme ca.

Take a break to smell the flowers. Fixin up the centrepiece...

OK. Now here's the real trick. You gotta have the bird guts. Stuffing without the guts is lame and boring and completely unauthentic. Plus checking for the guts will save you the extreme embarrassment of a guest unwrapping what they think is a chi-chi parchment dish with the holiday dinner.

Sheena exclaimed with joy that she had the extra special 2-hearted Love Chicken for her dinner.

Chop it all up. Except throw away the neck and gizzard. They are useless and gross. Or feed them to someone else's cat. The heart and liver are prized items here for flavour and texture.

Check the bottom of the fridge for whatever random vegetables you can chop up and throw in. Leave Stephen Hawking alone, Sooey.

Chop.

Cut up about 6 strips of bacon in super small bits. Fry bacon, guts, a medium onion and random veggies in olive oil in half decent pan until soft.

Add diced soft brown uneatable fruit too. Apples and pears the best.

OMG is it noon already!!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!!

Fresh herbs means you always win at family dinners. Make the effort to only use your own hand picked bouquet garnie and use a matte eyeshadow with extra smudgy liner to ensure superiority cut eye around other women today.

Sage, thyme and lavender are picks du jour. Walk around smelling your fingers for a bit while pouring glass #3.

Slightly beat one egg and have ready to pour into the bread & herb mix... this holds it together loafy style for later when you try to cut the stuffing.

Sheena likes a bit of crunch in her stuffing as do many others. So grab a handful of nuts. Watch his face to see if you grabbed too hard. If not, run upstairs for a quickie. If yes, continue to next step.

Chop up the nuts and chuck them in the fry pan with onions & bacon and shit. THE ALMONDS FCS. NOT HIS. (unless he failed to deliver the goods in previous.. then carry on)

Have a quarter cup of chicken or beef stock on hand. Today I really didn't need it, but if the mix isn't moist enough to make the bread ever so slightly pasty feeling, sprinkle a bit.

Once all fried to hell, pour into the bread & herb mix. BUT COOL THE FRIED MIXTURE FIRST OTHERWISE YOU WILL SCRAMBLE THE AFOREMENTIONED EGG ALREADY IN BREAD AND HERB BOWL AND IT WILL BE SHITTY.

Open wide baby, this won't hurt a bit. Actually you really can only use your hands. Pack it in. Deep and hard.

The bacon grease already in there should be all the lube necess.

Bake according to weight and crispiness preference. This baby later got a coating of olive oil, garlic salt, rosemary, lime juice and pepper. I can smell it now...

A Night in Sheena's Box

2008-10-12T14:38:00.004-04:00

Sheena's box last night was big enough to accommodate 13 people, though there were only about 7 that came. Big enough for 3 periods. Tried not to spill beer on the carpet... wanted to make sure it still matched the drapes at the end of the night. Only one guy from Toronto scored. One guy from Montreal actually scored twice in 3 hours. Impressive. But then he's French.

Last minute invite out to watch the Habs rip the Leafs a new blower in Saturday night's home opener at the ACC.

Some Tatty Compliment

2008-10-03T00:18:00.005-04:00

Saturday nights not just for fighting...

Oh my baby baby I love you more than I can tell
I don`t think I can live without you
And I know that I never will
Oh my baby baby I want you so it scares me to death
I can`t say anymore than "I love you"
Everything else is a waste of breath
I want you
You`ve had your fun you don`t get well no more
I want you
Your fingernails go dragging down the wall
Be careful darling you might fall
I want you
I woke up and one of us was crying
I want you
You said "Young girl I do believe you`re dying"
I want you
If you need a second opinion as you seem to do these days
I want you
You can look in my eyes and you can count the ways
I want you
Did you mean to tell me but seem to forget
I want you
Just since when were you so generous and inarticulate
I want you
It`s the stupid details that my heart is breaking for
It`s the way your shoulders shake and what they`re shaking for
I want you
it`s knowing that she knows you now after only guessing
It`s the thought of her undressing you or you undressing
I want you tossed some tatty compliment your way
I want you
And you were fool enough to love it when she said
"I want you"
I want you
The truth can`t hurt you it`s just like the dark
It scares you witless
But in time you see things clear and stark
I want you
Go on and hurt me then we`ll let it drop
I want you
I`m afraid I won`t know where to stop
I want you
I`m not ashamed to say I cried for you
I want you
I want to know the things you did that we do too
I want you
I want to hear she pleases you more than I do
I want you
I might as well be useless for all it means to you
I want you
Did you call her name out as she held you down
I want you
Oh no my darling not with that clown
I want you
I want you
You`ve had your fun you don`t get well no more
I want you
No-one who wants you could want you more
I want you
I want you
I want you
Every night when I go off to bed and when I wake up
I want you
I`m going to say it once again `til I instill it
I know I`m going to feel this way until you kill it

Seems to be in the air these days...

2008-09-30T23:10:00.002-04:00

No sleep
I haven't slept for a week
And I'm cold
Yeah I'm so cold
She's right
I should do something with my life
But I'm old, I'm old I'm getting old

Those eyes
She said they don't recognize me
Those lips
They're never calling my name

It feels so heavy
It feels so heavy, heavy
I'm waiting for a Saturday
I'm waiting for a Saturday
And I'm too young to be old

Une fille jolie
Passait tout pres de moi
Elle arretait le temps
Au coin de St. Catherine et St. Laurent

It feels so heavy
It feels so heavy, heavy
I'm waiting for a Saturday
I'm waiting for a Saturday
And I'm too young to be old

Elle me regardait
Et elle souriait
Elle m'a fait penser a rien en ce moment
Mais comme le vent elle s'en allait
Et moi j'suis reveiller
Ouai moi j'suis reveiller

It feels so heavy
It feels so heavy, heavy
I'm waiting for a Saturday
I'm waiting for a Saturday
And I'm too young to be old

It feels so heavy
It feels so heavy, heavy
I'm waiting for a Saturday
I'm waiting for a Saturday
And I'm too young to be old

Cake and Paper Lions

2008-09-27T13:52:00.002-04:00

Hit the road last night to see CAKE in concert at the Hamilton Convention Centre. Shitty venue and sketchy sound, but was a great show and the surprisingly mixed generation audience were all completely into it.

Posting this vid for The Cheek...

Pleasant surprise of the night was the opening band Paper Lions. Formerly known as Chuckie Danger Band, the PEI based group was fantastic. Only got to do a quick set, but the $10 I spent on the CD at the merch stand probably my best music buy of the summer. Check them out. They're playing some more in Ontario over next few weeks. Highly recommended.

Huh. Headlines You Never Thought You'd Ever See.

2008-09-24T23:10:00.002-04:00

Who Woulda Thunk it?

Your Urgent Help Needed - A Must Click...

2008-09-23T19:35:00.001-04:00

http://angrybear.blogspot.com/2008/09/your-urgent-help-needed.html

Hmm... Sheetz, but No Gas?

2008-09-22T01:37:00.003-04:00

Perhaps cut down on the dairy.

Yes, My Mother Taught Me Manners but Doesn't Mean it Stuck...

NEW YORK -- With an estimated 20 percent of the nation’s refinery capacity on hold due to Hurricane Ike, retailers located in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions not affiliated with major gas bands are experiencing gas shortages.

A number of c-store chains with unbranded fuel, including Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz Inc., are refusing to pay inflated wholesale prices that are in some cases $1 higher than those charged to branded affiliates, reported USA Today. "It’s an unfounded price point [oil companies] were putting on it," executive vice president of marketing, Louie Sheetz, told the paper. "They said, ‘How bad do you want it?’ I said, ‘Not that bad.’"

EmoCaching

2008-09-21T17:51:00.002-04:00

New game sweeping the nation.

Download the GPS coordinates to famous breakup sites, faux suicide attempt locations, stores with ripped black skinny jeans and find hidden treasures like bandages, black hair dye and Evanescence CDs.

Close Encounters of the Tacky Kind

2008-09-21T12:21:00.004-04:00

Sheena has long had a fascination with the mysterious cocktail bar up in the tower at LAX. I have no idea why. Maybe in my head years ago I mixed it up with trendy hipster joint SkyBar that is actually at the Mondrian Hotel. With a few hours to kill before the redeye back to Toronto this week, decided to check my bags and go up and look around.

Oh my.
Encounters was first built in 1961 to commerate the "jet-age". And well... it retains its original charm...

Substantial exterior facelift in progress now...

Didn't order food, but kicked back with a glass of Domaine Chandon (NV you shitheads). Food looked half decent, as I stared at those around me.

The washrooms and the elevators were the best parts of the UFO themed decor. Most of the big giant lava lamps weren't working. Might be cool at night though...

Pink Taco, Where Eating Out Never Tasted So Good

2008-09-21T11:38:00.006-04:00

Lunch last Friday at Pink Taco in LA. Kinda curious to see what all the buzz about a while ago when it first opened up. Owned by Lindsay Lohan's ex, etc etc...

Quick google of various restaurant review sites come up pretty mixed. Sheena actually didn't mind it. House margarita was fine - nothing special, but perfectly adequate for the price. Ordered off the daily specials list - pork carnitas plate that was substantial, tasty, loaded with extras, maybe a bit pricy at $17 bucks but was more than I could finish.

Was somewhat entranced by the decor. Walls loaded with a most interesting juxtaposition of old Mexican religious artifacts, shiny silver hubcaps, wrestling posters and 1950s nekkid girl calendars. Loved it. Kept having Wall of Voodoo go thru my head...

(PS: Sheena's heard a fab cover of that song recently, but hates to out her friends...I'll let him post the link if he sees fit)

Repeat - Cooking with Sheena #14

2008-09-21T11:18:00.002-04:00

Love this time of year, so I'm making this soup again today: Roasted Butternut Squash. Probably do with both pear and apple because both in season. Will take pics along the way this time for my more retarded readers who need illustrations with their recipe instructions.

AIG Karma Baby

2008-09-19T02:29:00.011-04:00

Forgot about this one until tonight. FCS.

http://sheenavision.blogspot.com/2007/08/well-woman.html

This One's for Chucker...

2008-09-19T02:29:00.008-04:00

Really now...

Hungry after just a grazing at the cocktail reception at the Grand Regency Hyatt tonight, so made do as the enterprising bootstrapping Canadian gal I am...

Picked up some Australian Millet Parmesan and toasted crostini from the Ralph's supermarket down the street. No knife in the hotel room, so did what needed to be done.

Sling Shot

2008-09-19T02:29:00.004-04:00

Couple of hours to kill and happened to be across the street from the Raffles Hotel in Singapore so did what any normal red blooded gal would do. Shopping and drinking. Duh.

Ouch Baby... My Buddy Zerb Writes In...

2008-09-14T02:50:00.002-04:00

When you place yourself at the top you have a lot to lose. A man's identity was pretty much formed in social opinion by the behaviour of the woman he was supposedly in control of. So if a wife addressed him too familiarly in public, or wore too much makeup, or drank too much, let alone slept around, a man was emasculated.

Men dug their own hole here.

The rest of it here: Broadsides

But SheenaVision readers should not get the wrong idea. Trust me - I'd still scratch that bitch's eyes out if she ever tells me again that I'll be wearing flats any time soon...

This One's Dedicated to all those Cynical Bastards Out there in Sheenavilletownburgland

2008-09-14T02:12:00.001-04:00

Nothing Wrong With Kickin' It Old School

2008-09-14T01:24:00.002-04:00

[err... "stool" - that's all, eds.]

Random Shopping Mall, Singapore

Descent into SIN

2008-09-14T00:45:00.003-04:00

Drunken Prawns & Chili Shrimp @ East Coast Beach

2008-09-13T23:19:00.006-04:00

Dinner on Thursday on East Coast Beach with Singapore peeps. Sheena had been there once on her previous SIN visit in 2002 and seconded the decision to go back.

Long Beach Seafood one of the larger indoor/outdoor venues on the waterfront. View is that of cargo liner after cargo liner after cargo liner. Very industrial beach but the lights are so damn pretty.

Drunken Prawns:

1. Take large live prawns and put them into a heavy glass dish
2. Tease the squeamish white ladies by having them almost pop out of the dish
3. Pour a cup of booze onto the live prawns
4. Recover the dish, remove from table to respect delicate sensibilities
5. Fry those fuckers like they were retarded juvenile delinquents on Texas death row.
6. Serve in a lovely broth with fried rice and lemon garnished finger bowl.

Other well known specialities include the Chili Crab - rich thick chili sauce over a whole steamed Sri Lankan crab (you can pick your own if so inclined...

and you can have the waitress crack it for you ... which we did...)

The live seafood tanks are as good as visiting Marineland except way cheaper. Monster size Dungeness and Alaskan King crabs and the previously unheard of Sea Mantis. Didn't try them. This time.

40 Hours in SIN...

2008-09-12T10:56:00.002-04:00

In Singapore Thursday & Friday this week. Somewhat blogstipated due to crazy busy schedule and the fact that yet once again I seem to have forgotten to bring my fcs digital camera uploader thingie with me.

To follow soonish. After I do my 3am wakeup for a 6am flight to Hong Kong > Chicago > Toronto.

Remind me to tell you about the durian strudel, cocktails at 70 storeys up, geocaching in a semi-dictatorship state and The Fountain of Wealth.

Web Cams from Inside The Hardon Collider

2008-09-10T17:07:00.001-04:00

http://www.cyriak.co.uk/lhc/lhc-webcams.html

Big Bang indeed.

Drinkgasm

2008-09-10T16:16:00.005-04:00

Quick apres work cocktail at Zeta Bar in Sydney last night.

Ordered the "Reservation"

Woodford Reserve, quince paste, plum garnish.

Yes. Quince paste & Woodford Reserve. Just imagine how I felt...

Was tempted by the scorched pineapple martini, but at minimum $25 a drink, just had one...

Too bad I missed Samantha Ronson by 4 days...

Cootie Free At Last!

2008-09-06T07:01:00.005-04:00

Arrived in Sydney Australia this morning on United connecting from Toronto via LAX. After pulling up at the gate, we were instructed to stay in our seats. Mandatory spraying of the cabin before we were allowed to deplane.

Sheena's been to Australia two other times in the last 4-5 years, and for the life of me could not recall being sprayed before. A Google search confirms this is a practice going back at least to the 1990s. But today I was on United... other trips had always been on Air New Zealand. Was this the diff??

Seems to be some interesting legal battles and health & safety issues specific to United and the flight attendants required to perform the spraying.

Uh oh

Double uh oh

The International Civil Aviation Organization reports that most airlines use permethrin and pyrethroid, both are suspected endocrine disruptors, and permethrin may be a carcinogen.

Jesus! Henry Rollins would be proud...

Sheena wonders if perhaps the practice would be more accepted by the overseas flying public if they could add a little Old Spice to the mix. Take care of Mr. Hippie Pitstain across the aisle who hasn't bathed since he started his sabbatical.

Hot and Sour Cocktails

2008-09-04T23:40:00.003-04:00

Cocktail Du Summer!

Crate and Barrel Jalapeno Lemonade Mix

Sour lemonade with a subtle kick in the nads heat streak that sneaks up on you after the ice freeze leaves your mouth.

Dressed up with a sprig of spearmint from the herb bed and unstingy splash of gin over lotsa ice.

A keeper.

Geocaching North of 51...

2008-09-04T22:10:00.004-04:00

The black tube of fun. Interesting laminated historical explanation of the site enclosed.

Once again, shoes were inappropriate.

Little precious treasure - a trackable geocache coin. On geocaching.com you can track objects like this - a unique serial number that I logged as "taken by Sheena". In my wallet right now, and about to go on one mother of a road trip. This coin started in Spain, made it over to NFLD, Saskatchewan, the Manitoba. Neat.

My sister's first geocache find.

View from X marks the spot.

Better shoes would have made this easier to find.

Oh hai. Hmm. Kind of a grainy pic...

FAIL

2008-09-04T15:11:00.002-04:00

Sheena. Seat 51E.
Humiliation is wearing Holt Renfrew camel shoes today.

They Fucked with the Sanctity of the Super Soft

2008-09-01T17:15:00.002-04:00

Sheena has officially stricken Taco Time off of her list of nostalgia junk food stops on Winnipeg visits. No worries... VJ's, Gondola Pizza and 'Sev still safe.

From junior high up until about a year ago, the Taco Time soft taco ruled supreme on the Saturday mall lunch agenda. Spiced ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato. Dollop of sour cream made it the Super Soft. Taco Time's very own kick ass hot sauce in pour-your-own little cups rounded out the condiments.

There is no longer any Super Soft on the menu. Only regular chicken or beef soft tacos which are not rolled the same way and are shitty and thin more like Taco Bell. WTH happened here? If I look closely at the online menu, what is now called a beef burrito seems to be the closest in composition to the Super Soft, but who knows if it is the same thing or not. Everyone I knew ordered the Super Soft. Sheena calls for a boycott of Taco Time. They only go as far west as Thunder Bay (though website indicates some random straggler locations in Oshawa etc..) Probably fakes.

Child Porn

2008-09-01T17:11:00.003-04:00

Found in the school yard while geo-caching in Manitoba. Snigger. Heh heh. He said dinkie.

Separated At Birth: Red Neck Moms Edition

2008-09-01T14:09:00.002-04:00

First Geo-Caching Expedition

2008-08-27T07:26:00.003-04:00

On the way home from dinner @ Bestial, my new BFF took me on a bit of a round about route back to my hotel and confessed to me her deepest darkest nerdiest secret. She had become a geo-cacher earlier this year. For the uninitiated, Geo-Caching is a global treasure hunt carried on stealthily by GPS aficianados in the back alleys and parks and school playgrounds all around you. Don't get caught, be honest about the finds, and don't fuck with other peoples fun or property.

Our first spot up on a parking garage in downtown Oldenburg seemed to have been Muggled. (ie, somebody fucked with the cache object). Saw some lovely dusky views of the city though. Time well spent.

Then we proceeded to the next treasure spot. She'd already found this one, so with a bit of coaching she let me experience the kid like enthusiasm lost since Hide and Seek became uncool. When I was 20, that is.

Absolutely hilarious coincidence that blog buddy WhiteNoise had his first geo-caching day EXACTLY the same day Sheena did, but a few thousand miles apart.

Yet another thing to add to Sheena's list of things that fuck with my drinking and blogging time. Geo-caching, family, dishes, work, lawn care, bathing....

More Shopping With Sheena aka One of these days I'll probably get deported

2008-08-26T04:49:00.002-04:00

Ummm.....
Yes those 2 stores were across the street from one another.

The Polyester Lounge

2008-08-26T04:25:00.004-04:00

Bar next door to the Oldenburg hotel this week that caught the imagination right from day one. After a few busy days, managed to stick the head in the door on Saturday night. It was before 10, therefore dead and deserted as clearly Sheena was a rookie. NO ONE goes out before 1.... An extreme Sweaty Betty's vibe jacked up x 1000.

All of the furniture and decor was authentic '70s Americano

Music from time to time. Stuck my head in the door again on Sunday night with a work peep and they were showing futball to a few dozen 20-somethings in neatly organized rows of folding chairs. They do cinema too...

Sheena felt very very at home here.

Not a big rum and Coke fan - but a real hand squeezed Cuba Libre is to die for. Good Havana Club dark rum, touch of Coke from a real glass bottle, 2 muddled lime halves, a splash of Rose's lime cordial and ice. Had 3.

So you buy cocktails from the bartender (using only authentic '70s cocktail accoutrements) but you get your beer from this astoundingly still functional model 1.0 cold drink dispenser. Yes, for real.

I thought it was a Univac when I walked in.

Pretty small web presence, but if in northern Germany before you hit all the nothingness before the Danish border, check it out. Tell 'em Sheena sent you.

Yes, you can sit in the chairs in the window ledge. The cool kids do...

Lachstranchen gebraten mit merrettichsauce, reis und gemuse

2008-08-24T11:07:00.003-04:00

Brunch on Saturday at The Loft> a cozy busy bistro/coffee house/bar that was a much needed refuge in the middle of a downpour.

Clientele ranged from singles with nose buried in book or paper (ahem...) to noisy families with mothers rolling eyes at fathers to please get off their ass and give them a break so they could enjoy their wine and cake to beer swilling lugs looking for hair of the dog. Liked it.

Some prosecco while Sheena perused the menu. Went for the chalkboard special: Lachstranchen gebraten mit merrettichsauce, reis und gemuse. Was kinda winging it, to be honest. But all turned out just fine.

Random Market Square Shopping in Germany

2008-08-23T12:52:00.013-04:00

Rainy cool day in Oldenburg, but Sheena has most of Saturday to herself so here it goes:

Kinda weirded out using my bank card here, but wtf. Double click for you weirdos interested in the gayitude of this building's architecture. Sheena has no idea what it is supposed to symbolize.

FCS rain all day long.

Farmer's Market pwned the parking lot!!!!!!!!!!

Oldest drug store in town as specifically pointed out to me by my tour guide. Hmm.
Apres dark is known as "The Party Line" - the main bar / bistro lane on weekends. More to follow...

Yum. Tons of cube sized free samples that Sheena shyly demurred and said no to because there were no more toothpicks left in the sample bins, until she realized that the concept of toothpick samplers did not exist and well, then just dug in with both fists like everyone else. When in Rome yadda yadda yadda...
Beautiful farmer market produce.

Chicken.

CHICKEN.

OK. Now this was just disturbing in a big way. The Marzipan Suckling Pig. Approaches (but did not officially cross) Sheena's far-sighted line of sight on the Good Taste Longitude.

See above disturbovision x 1 million billion trillion.

Marshmallows seem to be big here. Especially as Lego substitutes.

hahahahahhahahaha Dollar Store cum Ikea wanna be = shopping cart kitchen shit holders. Ricky and Julian Design Hause. "We're Really Big in Germany" trademark ....

Card Carrying Member of the Bestial Club

2008-08-21T19:29:00.002-04:00

A most stunning and laughter filled meal at Bestial (ha ha.. I know) with Sheena's new BFF a crazy like minded chickie here in Oldenburg... by far the coziest and most charming city I've visited in Germany. Has the 'I could really live here' vibe 36 hours into the visit and counting...

She recommended some of her favourites, starting with the (Cheekism warning!) foodgasmic warm dates wrapped in bacon and lightly sauteed. Shudder worthy.

She had her usual - crayfish pasta.

Sheena did the lamb pasta with sherry cream sauce topped with argula. Incredible. Wine was adequate - the riesling was German but a tad acidic for our liking. White burgundy a bit blah.

But it was those dates. OMG OMG. Am going to make upon return home. If you're on the guest list bring your own napkins to wipe up the drool and other involuntarily released bodily fluids.

Tongo Titty and the Trifuckta

2008-08-19T19:05:00.005-04:00

Kickoff to Cheek-Peach-Sheena weekend was Mai-Tai night at Trader Vic's @ the Hilton in Atlanta. $4.50 for the world's 2nd best ever Mai-Tai. Uber dark rum makes the diff...

The band rocks...more on that later.
Prawn stirfry pour Sheena

Bananas Foster for dessert. Things on fire just taste better. Go figger.

Tongo Titty.

"During"

Exhibit A.
Shared the seared tuna appetizer.
Peach had the curry with random shit to throw into it.

So. Sheena's fans ask. What the hell do you chicks talk about, anyways. Well, Gentle Readers, this night the topic was "The Trifuckta". A Cheekism that just kinda stuck. The Trifuckta is quite simply the ability to find true and real fuckability. The holy trinity of connection for a chick.

We present:

1. The Mind Fuck - a girl needs a guy who can challenge her intellectually. Who can banter and buzz, who uses words artfully and sexily, who not only pushes the envelope but licks it too...

2. The Body Fuck - Unafraid, unintimidated, unrelenting. Someone who recognizes that skin is the largest sexual organ and can explore and demand in ways that sometimes surprises.

3. The Heart Fuck - someone who burrows under the skin and offers trust, respect and companionship. Who can tolerate a bad day and celebrate the good ones. A guy who will at least pretend he'll always take care of you even if you know you'll never need it. Who'll slip a can of tuna in your purse when your head is turned.

This is the Trifuckta. Does it exist? Have we ever had it? Do we know people who have it today? And then we turn wistful yet hopeful, and order another mai tai, and toast our friendship and acknowledge that sometimes 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

Because It's Never Too Late to Start Wasting Your Life

2008-08-17T11:59:00.004-04:00

Dinner and drinks @ The Vortex in the Little Five Points neighbourhood in Atlanta. Patrons are very clearly apprised of 'the rules' upon entry. They're good ones. Especially the No Whining rule.

Absinthe on the menu. One of my three American pals was up for the experience. He did the full traditional (check out the video below). Sheena somewhat wimped out and had La Fee Verte - absinthe shaken with lime and orange juices. Kinda grew on me after the first few sips. But truth be told, switched to a Flying Dog Doggie Style Pale Ale with dinner.

La Fee Verte...

Backseat drinkers:

Even More...

2008-08-16T13:17:00.000-04:00

... FUH2

Woodstock, Georgia.

YYZ > ATL

2008-08-16T13:14:00.002-04:00

Lunch with the Cheek, the Peach and the Tallahussy

2008-08-16T12:27:00.004-04:00

First time at a Seasons 52 in Atlanta on Friday. A new chain-ish place part of the Olive Garden/Red Lobster conglomerate. Actually pretty decent food. Concept is all about local fresh seasonal menus, always changing specials and surprisingly interesting wine list. Waiter was pleasant, helpful and most importantly - patient with us.

A celebration of girlitude and new beginnings and finding balance.

Tomato flatbread

Sheena picked the bubbly. Selected the Schramsburg. One of my fave stops on the Napa/Sonoma wine tour route. Nothing quite like a little grope and copped feel in the depths of their turn of the century mountainside caves.

Dessert - $2.50 each. Pick & mix & share is the intention.

Cheek-vage

I did the Rocky Road.
Grilled Duck breast salad with dried cranberry, fresh pineapple. Was absolutely wonderful. Presentation was kick ass. Play the video below.

In Which Cheek Issues A Challenge AND an Invitation....

2008-08-11T20:11:00.001-04:00

http://cheekiermesly.blogspot.com/2008/08/bacchanalia-revisited.html

Mendelson Joe @ Kitchener Blues Fest Aug 9 '08

2008-08-10T11:51:00.004-04:00

Sheena squealed with joy a few weeks back when the artist lineup for the Kitchener Blues Festival was unveiled. There he was - right in the middle of Saturday afternoon - the legendary Mendelson Joe.

I'd never seen him in person before. Since he first entered Sheena's consciousness via scurrilous satirical rags in the '90s, and now-slain internet whisper groups 2001-ish, he's been this mythical figure in my head. Buzzing like the king of the gadflys in Canadian arts circles.

And there he was, up on stage, looking like a cross between Santa Claus and Elvis Costello. Decades of antics, of shit-disturbing, of poking sticks in the eyes of those who refuse to see what's going on.

Most of the crowd seemed appreciative - despite the rather colourful misanthropic language of a couple of his better known tunes. Humans Bug Me is one that needs to be added to the collection... $20 here...

I think my 2008 resolution is to acquire an original painting. Wonder what the price range for any of the classic Butt Rushmore series is...

There's a couple of SheenaVision regular readers who know some of the old stories, I hope they cough them up here in the comments section...

And To Think I've Always Had Them Plain...

2008-08-09T16:15:00.002-04:00

Lunch at Saturday's Kitchener Blues Festival was courtesy of local BBQ purveyors @ Hogs Tail BBQ.

Had my hopes up. Sheena loves everything about, related, comparable, kinda like, and adjacent to authentic pulled pork. Not even for the sheer pleasure of ordering it loudly in public.

Looked fabulous. Plentiful, cheap at $4 a plate, meat loaded high, saucy without being uneatable as a sandwich.

But dammit. Kinda bland. Pork was plentiful but almost tasteless. Sauce was nothing special. No zip, no tang, no lip smacking runny mop up that makes you yell for someone to bring you more napkins.

I need to make my own again. Sigh. If you want something done right... and so on and so forth and more of the same.

Benjamin's

2008-08-09T15:49:00.002-04:00

Took some of my favourite work chickies out for din-dins this week a few miles down the road in St. Jacob's village. They wanted to shop, but it being a week night in a God-fearing town, they were S.O.L. Put a few nose prints up against the shop windows until we decided we were hungry enough to find a patio and get the vino flowing.

Not much open on what is clearly theme night "Ghost Town Wednesdays". Except for Benjamin's. Gorgeous bountiful oversized flower baskets everywhere we turned, and even though the patio was off the main street, the lush fragrant decorations lured us in.

Mostly light meals, salads, double appetizers, some pastas and fish. Chick food, I suppose. Decent California red and some VQA whites by the glass.

Uber garlicky and wonderful caesar salad loaded with fresh grated parmesano accompanied by the goat cheese strudel parcel topped with real fresh cranberry compote. Did a Sauvignon Blanc on the side (Chilean, sadly... as the VQA Vineland Estates Riesling I really wanted was the semi sweet, not the citrusy dry j'adore so much).

Would recommend a return visit. Patio was pretty quiet and casual. Inside looked like it could be a little more of a dress up kinda place.

What John McCain Will Be Wearing In January 2009

2008-08-05T23:36:00.002-04:00

Mr. Blackwell questions whether in fact the choice of "If You Can Read This.. The Cunt Fell Off" t-shirt is really in line with protocol...

Click here
or on any of these Google hits to feel ill and wonder why civilization has fallen into a big old assless chaps butt crack.

In Which Sheena Takes A Firm Stand on the Side Of Truth and Proper Temperature

2008-08-04T22:21:00.002-04:00

For the last 3ish years Sheena has been on and on about her undying love for The Cheese Boutique and some annoying voices in the back of her head and also random foodie mommy bloggers keep going on and on about Pusateri's! Pusateri's! Pusateri's!

Oddly... Sheena had every intention of being at the Cheese Boutique at exactly the same minute as Raymi when her driver said, screw the west end, let's go north, visit a friend and you can check out Pusateri's.

It was my first time. And well, I had hoped for more. It was good enough. I mean, not like I'd never do it again. But Sheena longed for what was familiar and good and pure and properly climatized.

Don't get me wrong - the quality of everything at Pusateri's was top notch. But come on folks. The Cheese departments are not even in the same species. Everything at P's was pre cut, refrigerated, not clearly marked, a hovering clerk hanging around in case of a question. NO Bouq Emissaire! The Mimolette (which I bought) coulda been cheddar for all I could tell. NOT aged. Ciel de Charlevoix was cold like the hand of death but thankfully held its own and turned itself out perfectly after a 2 hour car ride on a hot day in a beater with no A/C. Everything seemed a touch more expensive, less cared for, overly Saran-wrapped, and just a bit unloved.

Homesick smells like hockey bag.

Learn Something New Everyday #2

2008-08-04T17:13:00.003-04:00

Today is in fact John Galt Day in Guelph, Ontario.

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/362665

The life of Guelph founder John Galt will be celebrated Monday with
historic games, a parade and canoe hockey.

Galt, a prominent Scottish author, founded Guelph in 1827.
"This founder celebration reflects our heritage and his courage," organizer Bonnie
McDougall said.

John Galt and William "Tiger" Dunlop, a fellow adventurer and
author, will attend the celebration in the form of local actors.
The river races and canoe hockey are part of the tradition.
"In canoe hockey we use a soccer ball and paddles to make contact with the ball," McDougall said.

A parade of local community leaders will travel to St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church, Galt's former parish, to celebrate a non-denominational
service. McDougall said people are encouraged to bring a picnic to the
family-focused event. "There will be historic games including crochet, sack
races, ring toss and stilts," said Katherine McCracken, director of Guelph
Museums. "We will run the games along the river beside the River Run Centre,"
she said. The event is free but participants are asked to bring a donation for
the food bank.

Sheena will celebrate this important day in local history by submitting herself to the fierce intellect of the baggage carrier down at the bus station, legs akimbo among the stacks of empty Red Cap cases in the long, dark, abandoned, granite tunnel of the Grand River Transit terminal, chanting to herself, "You will follow me." As words silently spoken are more a claim of right than a prayer, more a demand than a wish, being followed, she will then move even faster into the darkness, pulse beating rapidly, but unafraid. And then, despite his leashed intensity, the harshness of his lips...down the line of her throat,… leaving a trail of bruises worser than any hickey she ever got in junior high, his elbow knocking her head aside, with her teeth sinking into the flesh of his arm, there will be at last - finally - less a surrender than a worship of him, and then an inevitable wipe up with the Wet Nap left over from last week's Moose Winooskie Wing Night Extravaganza.

Bohunk Days Chez Sheena

2008-08-04T14:29:00.002-04:00

Long weekend Sunday Chez Sheena means Borscht. A leisurely stroll through St. Lawrence Market in Toronto on Saturday, fondling the ripe plentiful bounty of Ontario's farms... strong phallic corn cobs, firm rounded b-cup sized beets, sturdy sensible potatoes and the dill from my very own box.

Oh. and lame-o packaged carrots I found at the back of the fridge and had to use up fast. And an onion.

Slice up the onion & carrot and lightly sautee in some olive oil until a bit tender but not fully cooked.

I had a leftover steak from the other night so threw it in for real beef goodness and so as not to be wasteful.

Pretend you are a Greyhound bus passenger.

Chop beets, potato into 1"ish cubes and throw into the onion & carrot mix. Add the steak. Add about 10 cups of water and enough powered beef stock for the amount of water (depending on what stock mix you use... I am not a powder snob with beef stock, but detest powdered chicken stock). Go figure.

Even threw in the nibletized corn from the 2 leftover cobs from the Rib Fest on Saturday. Was a surprisingly fantastic decision. The sweetness of the corn really nicely matched the beet sweet. Will do this again.

Lots leftover. Call me.

Ribbed for Her Pleasure Too

2008-08-03T18:40:00.003-04:00

Sheena only ever does corn on the cob in the husk now. How she ever ate it growing up with the shit boiled right out of it she'll never know. To do: take off the outer layer of husk and cut or pull the silky tassel crap out. Put them directly on the second layer grill, usually 20 min or so. Turn them a 1/4 turn every few minutes or if and when they catch on fire. Serve with real butter, salt/pepper or lime squeeze.

Side ribs. Marinaded for about an hour in BBQ sauce (just generic Kraft shit) perked up by real local maple syrup, fresh chopped herbs, grated fresh ginger & garlic. The trick with ribs is to do them over a lower heat so the fatty parts don't go all Tower of Inferno when you turn your back to get another grapefruit blueberry vodka cocktail. Cook about 10 min each side (4 turns each) and baste with extra sauce as you flip.

Stoli Blueberry with a bit of white grapefruit juice just for colour, topped up with club soda and fresh berries.

Bring extra napkins.
Asparagus just for the pee conversation entertainment value later. (Grilled in tinfoil on the upper deck for about 10 min with olive oil and 1/2 squeezed lime)

As Noted Per Sooey Says

2008-08-02T23:11:00.004-04:00

I Can Haz Combover?

Ain't Life Grand

2008-08-02T22:15:00.004-04:00

Mill Street Tankhouse fueled evening out @ the Artful Dodger with some of Sheena's favourite Toronto flotsam and jetsam last night.

Crash pad was the elegantly appointed Grand Hotel on Jarvis. What a great spot. Gorgeous and lush surroundings, free wireless, fantastic lounge & restaurant and surprisingly unattended 20th floor rooftop jacuzzi tubs still open after midnight...

Pictures not immediately deleted in the sober sunshine posted here:

Now officially added to the Sheena's Happy Places list.

Dinner. Grilled shrimp & scallop skewers served with wild mushroom ragout spooned over mashed patates à la Dean Martin.

Correction to May 2007 Post

2008-08-02T22:06:00.004-04:00

http://sheenavision.blogspot.com/2007/05/most-boring-washroom-graffiti-in-canada.html

In fact the most boring washroom graffiti in Canada is *NOT* Kitchener, but it's lamer whiter twin city Waterloo.

From the can at The Starlight Lounge the wanna be hipster joint that could barely muster up 100 people for the awesome rude men Scott H Biram and Bob Log III. Slutty drunk groupies and khaki Docker wearing propellerheads don't mix well.

Sigh.

I miss Toronto.

Underrated Chick Music

2008-07-25T22:14:00.004-04:00

Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me

I feel like walking the world
Like walking the world
You can hear she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
She fills up every corner like she's born in black and white
Makes you feel warmer when you're trying to remember
What you heard
She likes to leave you hanging on her word

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me

And she's taller than most
And she's looking at me
I can see her eyes looking from a page in a magazine
Oh she makes me feel like I could be a tower
A big strong tower
She got the power to be
The power to give
The power to see

Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see (Suddenly I see)
Why the hell it means so much to me

Prague to Frankfurt Takeoff

2008-07-22T21:03:00.001-04:00

Lufthansa Airbus 320.

Hey Pat!

2008-07-22T19:24:00.002-04:00

More Prague window shopping on Sunday morning...

Bidet now so Passé....

2008-07-22T13:46:00.003-04:00

Travel Food

2008-07-21T09:28:00.003-04:00

Heretohenceforth whenever Sheena says "Fucking Cheese Sandwich" (FCS) this is what she means. Fist shake at Lufthansa mandatory requirement.

Boiled weiners @ Frankfurt Lufthansa Senator Lounge. Oh yeah. And free champange too.

U Sovy

2008-07-21T06:32:00.003-04:00

Sheena's most favourite meal in Prague was at hole in the wall U Sovy (click here for good pic of interior, didn't take my own)

It was what I thought 'real' Prague should be. Very dark, mostly locals, cigarettes stench hanging in the air. Waitress sat and smoked and drank without ever losing of sight my empty glass of Moravian Sauvignon Blanc. I brought a book and read. Leisurely. Unhurried. Not caring about a clock. Cogniscent of the owl watching my every move. And cleaning my plate so he wouldn't swoop in and steal anything.

Ordered the house special - Owl's Hot Pot. A delish stew like substance chock full of spicy sausage, beef, chicken livers, onions and potatoes in a thick rich broth. Loved it.

Hearty meal, loads of adequate but quaintly local wine and pre-added 10% tip which the waitress refused to let me add to: about 21$.

Oh Hai.

2008-07-20T17:42:00.001-04:00

But no thank u.

Visit to the Communist Museum - Prague

2008-07-20T17:22:00.006-04:00

Love the easy to find directions. For those of you inside Sheena's inner sanctum about to receive postcards very similar to this blog post please stop reading right now. I mean it.

Fuck. No pendants in the museum gift shop.. FCS. Or actually.. CCS. heh heh.

Rock on, Tesla Power!

I think I'll use this one at work next week.

Communism is gay.

Do not get me started on the hair raising creepy crawly parallels this exhibit inspires when thinking about post 2001 USA. The debate has not been Communism v. Capitalism for decades. It is all about new forms of totalitarianism. And new motivations to destroy free speech. Think about it you fuck heads.

Chunk O'Da Wall. Funny that the soundtrack to Pink Floyd was the main stay during dinner in probably the only authentic place I ate in all week. Separate post to follow.

Creepiest thing was the constantly ringing phone. And the wall plaques, that could be date neutral and have immediate and direct relevance today in our own safety zones.

Prague Rock

2008-07-20T16:44:00.003-04:00

Picked up a couple of hard-to-find CDs this aft in a hole in the wall shop not far from the Savoy Cafe.

Ultravox - Collections
Cardigans - Long Before Daylight

Also saw this one.. but didn't buy it. LOL. You know who I'm talkin at...

In Retrospect, It Kind of Looks like Vomit, Doesn't It

2008-07-19T18:40:00.005-04:00

Brunch about an hour into my multi-hour walking tour of Praha.

About 1/2 block from the U Prince Hotel just off the Old Town Square Not physically attached to the hotel, but served the full food, wine and cocktail menu from it.

Very comfy, lovely people-watching rich location. Sun was out, great way to kick off the foot-numbing day.

Had a pivo (duh) and the Roasted Veal Ravioli. Was quite yummy though. Very buttery sauce.

Did Not See Gregor

2008-07-19T18:22:00.004-04:00

Sheena's view of the world while peeing at the Franz Kafka Cafe

The narrow metal quadruple winding staircase down to the washroom was like walking down into a torture chamber. Only one person at a time could fit, probably 2 storeys high.

Had a beer, wrote up a bunch of postcards. Mostly tourists. Meredith Brooks "Bitch" playing in the background. Smiled and relaxed.

Josef Koudelka On Prague 1968 Invasion

2008-07-19T17:47:00.002-04:00

Play this.
http://inmotion.magnumphotos.com/essay/invasion

Having An Existential Time, Wish You Were Here

2008-07-19T15:49:00.008-04:00

God, way to be dramatic, lady.

The Old Jewish Cemetery. Might go back for full tour tomorrow.

Absolutely going there tomorrow. Note the ironical easy to find directions in the lower right corner.

Stopped in and browsed this mini-gallery. Bought a honking big book of black & white 1968 Soviet invasion Josef Koudelka pictures. Stunning.

As always, distracted by shiny objects.

Army surplus sold to drunken stag party tourists

Sigh. Wanted it, but not sure I"m ready for a no-fly list. Make a great pal for Flat Saddam though. Maybe I'll go back...

Yep. On my Sunday to-do list.