I find it really odd that people are amazed with chopsticks.

It wasn’t a big deal when I lived in Edmonton. I’m not sure if the reason why is because of the general multicultural company I kept, or that I just hung out with a bunch of punks, hipsters, and nerds, but it was never an issue. Either way, for the most part, the majority of people I ate out with at oriental restaurants knew how to use chopsticks, no matter their cultural background.

Life in Vegreville is different.

Everyone is always telling me how amazing it is that I can use them, and it’s probably because I grew up with them. I’m not really insulted, I”m just having a hard time fathoming why it’s such a big deal. It’s like, I am the master of some sort of mythical force that enables me to put two sticks together in one hand, and it transforms into a power device that can deliver your consumables to the mouth for my eating pleasures.

Vegreville has three Chinese eateries so you’d think they’d know how to use them… oh.. oh wait. I usually have to ask for them specifically. Except at Chin’s, where the lady knows we want chopsticks.

The other crazy thing I have is reusable chopsticks. Yes, you know, they don’t come in a paper wrapper that you can fold into a chopstick holder. And when you are finished, you can wash them, dry them, put them away and reuse them. A cleaning lady at work just about threw mine out because she thought they were disposable. Another co-worker was amazed that there are reusable ones. I find these kinds of things amusing.

Is chopstick use really that astonishing? Maybe to some, but to me, it’s just a part of everyday life.

For Xmas, my family bought me a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. There was a rebate offer with it which I sent in today. Unlike other rebates, this one let me submit it electronically. Kitchenaid gave instructions on how to scan and submit the image file.

I made sure to follow it perfectly.

I can follow directions!

Here are some images taken from my most recent visit to the optometrist.

Over the weekend, I was an extra in a short zombie movie called “H1Z1″. If you are in the Edmonton, Canada area, check out CityTV’s breakfast show this morning (6-9 am). And I got a goofy quote in a Metro article over here!

Here are some photos I took of the exhibition grounds at the Vegreville Exhibition & Country Fair.

My brothers Stan, Sam, friend Marty and I are spending this week in Toronto. Reason: To see Kylie Minogue in concert.

Before I left, Dean and I met up with George and enjoyed a fine dinner at That’s Aroma, Edmonton’s garlic restaurant. The garlic soup is one of my favourite soups of all time. I also ordered a pasta with triple garlic. I was obviously getting ready for my plane ride.

When I got to the airport, I was pretty pissed off that the wifi was expensive and that there was no charging/data stations around. We found plug-ins on pillars but there was no juice going to them.

We flew WestJet to get to Toronto. I absolutely hated it. The plane was really cramped; right full. The entertainment was late night television (ie: mostly infomercials), and generally bad television programming. It didn’t help that the guy next to me was really annoying. At first, he was trying to read a newspaper, then he kept fidgeting around. He wouldn’t put his legs down on the floor. I later realized that he had his stupid dufflebag on the floor so there was no way he was going to be comfortable. Boo.

The shuttlebus we caught to go the the hotel had free wifi AND working power outlets. Edmonton International Airport had neither of these. Yeah, that’s right, the friggin BUS was more advanced than our crappy airport with overpriced internet.

We came across a couple of planters filled with cabbages. Look Marc! 1.8!

Royal Ontario Museum. What a great building.

Photo of me and the boys.

Sam and I. Little self-portrait.

Entrance to the museum gift store. The gift store is really huge. Very nice!

At a distance, we thought these looked like pieces of the Mundare sausage. But they’re just boxing gloves.

We had a great GREAT dinner at the Salad King It was really cheap and absolutely delicious. It’s a Thai food place. They have a total of two, that’s right, TWO salad items on their menu of over 100 things. Best restaurant naming ever.

Sony should work on their corporate branding.

Speaking of rebranding, looks like the Church of Scientology is trying another strategy.

We ended the day with desserts from the basement of the Bay. It was almost a throwback to Japan for me. The department stores over there had food kiosks in the basement, serving fancy desserts, hot foods and fresh deli items.

More to come!

Dean made a little video collage of our our trip to Japan and threw it up on YouTube. Enjoy!

Our worse fears were confirmed as Gilbert’s body was found in the North Saskatchewan River on May 15th.

We are currently planning a celebration of Gilbert’s life.

Date: June 27, 2009
Time: 14:00 (2pm)
Venue: Unitarian Church of Edmonton, 10804 119 Street NW
Facebook page: Celebrating Gilbert Bouchard

Details of this event will be posted as available.

I would like to extend a heart-filled thanks to all of you. Everyone from those that actively tried to comb Edmonton for Gilbert to those that posted a wonderful memory of how Gilbert. Special thanks to everyone that doesn’t know or has met Gilbert, yet still showed their support in various forms to those of us that has.

My sister Suzette has written a biography for Gilbert. I’ve included it after the jump.

Peace.
Steph.

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Hey there! I’m doing some upgrades this weekend and will be starting the blog over again fresh. Posts about Japan and Gilbert coming soon.