FOUR MORE YEARS!

One week to go.  I'm on tenterhooks.
Will the nation do the right thing?

I like Martin Amis' view.  The US has got to think about how the rest of the world would vote; to think about how the US would be perceived with Romney (described by Maureen Dowd as a shape-shifting chucklehead of mind boggling phoniness) at the helm.

The Ginger Restaurant~Niagara on the Lake

Did promise I would write about this restaurant and here we are.  Although, after sending my compliments to the restaurant, I was asked to post on Trip Advisor.  Why do we have go to these sources?  Can we not just take pot luck on something?  I always say it's enough that I've told you about it; you don't need six other opinions.  As with anywhere, you should always take a second trip and then make up your mind.

I was swapping restaurant recommendations recently and the crowd wanted to know where to go in Niagara on the Lake.

I've visited The Ginger on two previous occasions.  It is located at  390 Mary St.  in front of The Orchid Inn.  Heading North down Mississauga Road, turn left at the Tim Horton's and it's just at the bend in the road.

The Ginger is located a few blocks out of the NOTL core. Not a tourist trap. Well patronized by the locals so if you have had enough of battling the crowds, give it a try.

Asian Fusion vein of cooking.  Small menus for starter and mains.  Three desserts; all made from scratch. Vegetarian choice on each menu.

The restaurant is small and reservations are recommended.  I'm pre-theatre so it's always very quiet at 5PM. Tablecloth? Yes.  Cloth napkin? Yes.    Don't like this trend in better restaurants to plastic, picnic table style cloths.  The Trip Advisor pic does nothing for the restaurant.  Don't go by the reviewer photos. (One reviewer had nothing critical to say but did take the place to task about why there were no baskets of bread.  I ask you.  It is not an obligation to present bread baskets.  And this is not the type of restaurant that does bread.  If you have only positive comments don't reach for something that doesn't make sense.)

Black and white photography on the walls; very clean lines.  Service is prompt.  The host checks in on you during dinner but what I like is that you're pretty much left alone to enjoy your meal.  I cannot abide the constant badgering at some places.  How can I comment on the dinner if I haven't had a chance to eat it?  I do not need to be asked, "How is everything?"  each and every ten minutes.  We don't take enough time with our food these days.  Most of us are too busy shovelling it in.  Slow down and enjoy.

First visit went with the spring rolls and the coconut chicken.  Crisp, hot rolls and a very generous curry with lots of chicken and rice.  Very tasty.

Second meal was gazpacho followed by breast of duck with raspberry(no cherries-hurrah!), parsnip puree and roast potatoes.  Delicious.

Scratch desserts include mousse and creme brulee.  There's always room for dessert.  Recommend the mousse.

Menu items change so look upon this as an opportunity to find another favourite dish.  Please consider The Ginger when you're next in the Niagara region.

The Remains of the Day

People, People, People.
Let us not panic.  We have merely experienced a few degrees drop in temperature.
This is not The Rapture.  Repeat, not The Rapture.

Asked someone what they'd done on the weekend.
They replied, "Nothing, it was too cold."
Response to the weekend before that, "Nothing, it was too miserable."

Challenging times, yes.  Sunrise at nearly 7:20 and gone for 19:00.  Should we be hibernating yet?  No.

In this, our second week of Autumn, may I offer some suggestions on taking advantage of this time of year? Capture the dying light of day, the sunrise, the noon hour.  Do this Monday to Friday. Take some time after being cubicalized all day.  Sit outside, take a walk 'round the block.

Mix and match any of the following items and use them to your advantage.  Be smart enough to realize that by adding layers, you can be quite comfortable in October.  As the temperature drops, change from a cold beverage to a hot beverage.

              

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

Find a chair; watch and wait. Note the changing colours in the sky as the sun sets. If you cannot see the sun/sunset anymore, look at the stars.  Listen to night sounds.


Some of the things you may be missing if you close the front door too hastily:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will come a time when you'll make the dash from the car to the house and be grateful to be inside.   But, not yet.

Candy, Gum & Verbal Hot Air in Three Acts

There's always one in the crowd.They've got to pop that piece of gum out of the foil packet.
They do it slowly thinking that no one can hear.
You are only making matters worse.
Contrary to popular belief, the slow pop is not the better option.
There is no better option.
There is no right way to get the gum out of the foil during a show.

Same goes for hard candy.
You've been told but you don't listen.
You don't prepare for the next two or three hours.
You can't wait 'til intermission.
Why?  Why do you do it?  
It is the equivalent to an addict's fix.
Learn from this.

While we're on the subject of noise.
Do you have to discuss your opinions and comment to your partner during the show?
That whisper is not a whisper, you know.  We can hear you one block of seats over.
If only you offered up some thoughtful insight, but, no-you're merely stating the obvious. 
Keep it 'til intermission or the walk back to the car.
You're oblivious to the look your row mates are giving you.
You're oblivious to the SHH; you don't hear the SHUSH! (my favourite).
What is to be done with you?


Is that your cell phone ringing?