Andeles restaurant on Davie Street, Vancouver

Something new to try with my blogging adventures is to review places to eat. More so, the places that Rebecca and I find ourselves exploring. We recently discovered that we’ve been getting into a little bit of a rut, so we’re trying to branch out with new places from time to time.

Andeles on Davie Street in the west end of Vancouver was a pit stop on a long day we had about a week ago. We were searching and searching for someplace to eat, and after plenty of wandering, we stumbled into Andeles.

Recently, someone said there is no good Mexican food in Canada, and it’s something I have attested to but hold hope that somewhere… somehow… I will find it. Gladly, I can say that Andeles has some really good food, not to mention that they throw in some Spanish cuisine as well. And trust me, there is a difference.

Dinner at Andales We both ended up getting the special for that evening, which consisted of two pork enchiladas in a verdes sauce, one (so messy you could only eat it with a fork because it was busting at the seams) beef taco, rice, beans, and a salad. $11.95, and this sucker was enough food to be twice that price. Not to mention, it was tasty.

The only thing that caught the both of us was, and you know we had to try them, the margaritas. It’s one of those rare things that I have become a snob about, and the carbonation in their recipe caught me off guard. I had never tried such a thing, and it very well could have been Fresca that was added in with the drink.

Don’t get me wrong, they did the trick, but I find it curious to have such good food with “odd” margarita concoctions. Won’t stop me from coming back, but the help wanted sign in the window almost persuaded me to apply so I could help fix this, at least in my mind, error. Although, it could be a west coast thing, maybe even a Spanish influence of some sort. Not knocking it, just saying that it caught me by surprise.

Fear not. We’ll be repeat customers.

The Crazy Canucks #35 – GetConnected interview

As I mentioned previously, The Crazy Canucks were invited to the GetConnected radio show over the past weekend to talk about podcasting on their program. Overall, it was a fairly successful event, but there are always things that could have been differently in hindsight.

We had no idea what to expect from the moment we agreed to be there, so we were just as surprised that the interview was over at the time that it ended. Would have been a lot better to get some perspective from Rebecca on the topic, not to mention to talk about non-tech related aspects to the benefits of podcasting. Such is the time constricted venue that is radio. This recording gives you a more behind the scenes look.

This is an out of the ordinary episode of the podcast. We completely step away from all things hockey to have the GetConnected radio show interview a couple of our crew from TCC on April 28th, 2007. For the most part, this episode is pretty geeky and laced with a lot of tech related topics. GetConnected wanted to talk to us about podcasting in general, how to get started, and what to think about when you have a podcast.

We’ll be back with our regularly filled episodes in the very near future. Hopefully you enjoy this behind the scenes look at what goes into creating a podcast like The Crazy Canucks.

24:38 minutes
The Crazy Canucks

Gearing up to get my landed status

Something I’m going to try and start doing in the next few weeks is to talk more about the process of immigrating to Canada that Rebecca and I have been going through. And it really is a conjoined process for the person who is sponsoring someone to immigrate as well as the person who is immigrating. Basic, simple low down to what that means is that you need time, patience, money, and attention to detail. A good lawyer doesn’t hurt either, but there are those that have done okay without.

I have my appointment this week with immigration to finalize the landed status of my permanent residence process. I won’t have citizenship(because that’s another long, somewhat expensive process), but that means that they can’t kick me out of the country unless I really screw the pooch.

One thing I had to get is my own pictures for the PR card I’ll be getting issued this week. Basically, that’s the same as a green card in the U.S., and London Drugs has been a really good resource for getting any official photography done for this entire process.

However, be aware that with all of the madness going on for Canadians applying for passports (mainly due to the new travel restrictions for going to the U.S.) will cause you to deal with slow processing of getting said photos. London Drugs does the passport photos as well, and there must have been ten people in there today going for the same thing. I held up the place with my little PR card photos because the requirements are slightly different than that of passport photos, and they only had one camera at the location I went to.

At this point, I’ve got everything in place for my appointment. This will be the first time I will meet anyone face to face at Canadian Immigration, so there is a tad bit of apprehension. More so, just that nagging feeling that you want to make sure that you have everything you need. The way that immigration works in Canada, which can feel very lazy at times, it might be a couple weeks to a month before you can make another appointment if you forget something. Here’s hoping!

On the radio to talk about podcasting with GetConnected

GetConnected RadioGetConnected contacted The Crazy Canucks about appearing on their radio show this weekend. Well, actually, it’s tomorrow, so you’re getting a completely last minute update about this. Doesn’t help that I’m putting this out late on a Friday night, but something is better than nothing.

I can’t be all to sure as to what they want to talk about or cover, but we’re slated to be on the air around 1:30PM PST. It’s CKNW, AM980 in Vancouver, that runs this program, and they do stream online. Tune into their stream if you can, but I’m taking some recording gear along, of course. We’re hoping to get a copy of the audio to at least archive, if not podcast. That is if the powers that be agree to that being alright. Would hate to get sued, but things like that haven hardly stopped me in the past. At the same time, they podcast the program as well.

Canucks win in Game 2 over DucksLook for myself, Rebecca, and Dave to be on the air tomorrow. About what and for how long, I couldn’t really tell you. It will really help being that the Canucks pulled out a 2-1 win tonight in double overtime. Whew! Truly the “Cardiac Canucks” that we saw earlier this season. Here’s to three more! 🙂

The anti-poverty fight in Vancouver

Let’s be honest. Vancouver, B.C. is one of the best and worst places in the world. The cost of living is among the highest, and Canada’s richest neighborhoods are here. Isn’t that strange how that works? Then it comes as no surprise that the poorest communities are also found here. Mention the Downtown Eastside[wiki] to nearly any Canadian and they’ll have a fairly good idea of what you’re talking about.

It’s an enigma that Rebecca and I haggle over from time to time, trying to understand how things get this way as well as how you could attempt to solve the problem. Often our concerns come to the 2010 games and what that will do to the area. Swept under the rug or dealt with to ensure a better future? We’re hoping for the latter.

There are groups taking the fight to the forefront, staging protests and bringing the subject out to the public. And for all of that, I am really in support of it. There is a certain point where any group that takes action has a line that once crossed, I have a hard time supporting them anymore.

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – After a violent clash with police on Wednesday night, the Anti-Poverty Committee took to the streets again on Thursday to protest in front of Canada Place, where Mayor Sam Sullivan was speaking to Vancouver business leaders. The shouted slogans were a mixed bag, encompassing homelessness, stolen native land, the Olympics, and the need to do away with the NPA, the ruling civic party in Vancouver.

Anita Chupp Kennedy is not an Anti-Poverty Committee member, and she did not attempt to force her way through any police lines, but she did walk proudly behind one of their banners. She said the APC did not represent her, but she feels poverty is a big issue that needs to be dealt with. She said, “I’m just here to help poor people and homeless and the hungry and the hardworking poor.” [news1130]

Over the past few months, there has been a sense of escalation in terms of the demonstrations, protests, and the methods in which anti-poverty groups have been putting out their message. That means it’s working, being that more and more people are taking notice, but I also think that there is a fine line that once crossed, the hope for successful resolution to this problem will be severely hampered.

In a number of incidents, there are reports of various items (i.e. rocks, bottles of urine, or paint filled balloons) that have been found in the possession of protesters. I have not heard of these materials being used, nor can I confirm that these reports are valid. However, having any demonstration escalate into the use of violence damages the credibility of any message, especially if anyone gets hurt. At that point, you’re left screaming upon deaf ears.

I know that I don’t have all the knowledge or know how to give the whole answer to this huge problem, but what is happening is sadly not causing the intended change that is so desperately wanted and needed. This article on NowPublic shows that I’m not the only one considering the perplexity of what’s going on here.

Confused by the front page

Hockey MySpace porn what? It isn’t too often that I pick up a copy of the Metro, and it’s usually while I’m waiting for some take out. Snapped a shot of this the other day as game 7 of the Dallas series was approaching.

At first glance, you tend to wonder what hockey has to do with MySpace. And then porn? Oh, wait… it’s two, completely unrelated things. I get it. I think… wait… Yeah, ok. I see what they’re saying.

Give the Metro credit. It catches your eye to see Luongo on the front page with such a big game on the line. Toss the word “porn” and you’ll have more people stopping. Posting this on flickr, I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one. Richard Eriksson left the following comment.

sillygwailo says:

The layout of Metro is always confusing to me. The photos almost never have anything to do with the headline, so the reader–well, speaking for myself–gets the impression that the two are related. At least that’s what I’m used to with other newspapers: a prominent photo has something to do with a headline somewhere on the front page, either next to the photo or underneath it. The Metro goes against this convention. [flickr]

So maybe that cover story was about hockey porn on MySpace?

Lower mainland adventures with my parents

To explain a long story as to why I’ve been a tad MIA in the past week or so, here is my attempt at a photo blog post sort of thing, thanks to my cellphone camera(our digital camera is experiencing battery issues). My parents have been in town for the last week and a half, so we’ve been doing out best to be good hosts and show them how beautiful the lower mainland is. This is a far cry from Iowa, and I think they have really come to love the beauty of B.C.

White Rock walk

Walking along the water in White Rock, B.C.

Dad digs the gelato

Introducing my dad to green tea gelato. Who knew that is could taste so good?

Brockton Point - Stanley Park

Last time they were here, we were only able to drive through the park. This time, we stopped and did a fair share of walking.

My parents on the dock

Road trip to Osoyoos, B.C.

20070420(003).jpg

Vineyards of the Okanagan. We did our fair share of enjoying the fruits of the labor.

And finally, this could potentially bore the pants off you, but I did all the driving this weekend. It was my first time driving through the mountains to that extent, so a huge adventure for me. The trek is not overly stressful when you kinda of know what to expect. Still, there are two words that I keep visualizing in the back of my head: “brake failure”.

The Crazy Canucks on CTV!

Ha! I just saw myself on CTV, and the package on The Crazy Canucks wasn’t that bad. The only thing is that they said that we meet up every game day, and that’s not true. It’s once a week. Other that, pretty cool stuff. If someone recorded that, let us know. We’re hoping to get a copy of it on DVD. Ha!

Update: God bless the internet. Someone put this on YouTube. Thank you, whoever you are.

Gonna wash that horse right out of my hair

Mane n' Tail

I know that it’s good for the health of your hair or something, but this is oddly amusing. When shopping for groceries, it’s good to know that you can also find shampoo for your horse, especially around downtown Vancouver. Making a mental note on that one.

The costs of cellphones in Canada

This is a topic of conversations a lot, and just last night I was saying how I missed being on Verizon back in the states. Sure, it’s a CDMA[wiki] network, but living in Iowa, GSM[wiki] isn’t your best option unless you never travel outside of major population centers or venture away from the interstate highways that crisscross the state.

For me, it was that last point that made Verizon a good deal. The coverage reached where I needed it to, the cost of the package deals were friendly to my income, and the data plans of their “In” network were pretty sweet. There was never hesitation to chat for a long time with friends who were also on Verizon, plus I could send photos to the same people at no charge. They also had a super nice online presence that I could track my account on, all the way down to the last call I received being updated on their website within minutes.

Plans like that simply do not exist here, at least where all of this is included for just $60 a month. In fact, it still boggles my mind that you have to play extra for caller I.D. or voice mail. In fact, I think it’s rare to find the two packaged together. And data plans? It gets worse. Text messaging is just the start.

Below is a chart that Boris made regarding the cost of moving 1 GB of data through the various competitors in the country. This includes things like sending pictures, videos, emails, files, and and anything else you can zip through your wireless phone. Granted that all the data is valid, and I have a lot of faith in Boris that it is, the results are eye opening.

Canadian Mobile Data Rate Costs (1GB)
Photo credit: Boris on Flickr

I hate playing the grumpy American role, but the costs for using a cellphone in Canada should hardly be this expensive. I’ve heard someone tell me before that some of the highest costs in the world of owning and operating a cellphone exists in this country, and this certainly rings true now. I thought I was just being picky.