W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> Moi, Toi, et VoI: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Odd Yet True. (And You Thought Four Celebrities Dying in a Week was Weird.)

This morning in the car, SFG said that if I came across the bag of human hair whilst rifling through the trunk, I could throw it out. Rabbits do not like human hair. Eco-tip! They won't touch your garden if you spread it around. I can't say I'm particularly fond of human hair myself. Especially when it is your neighbors' hair from the salon down the street. Or on a piece of soap.

***
Purchasing ugly fruit in Britain has been de-regged.

***
Fight at the Circus today! A pickpocket slugged a guy in the face! Ok, that's not so weird for the Circus, but it's unusual generally speaking.

posted by Oy Vey at 9:55 PM 1 comments

Saturday, June 27, 2009

I Should Play the Lottery...?

Lease is signed! I am committed. It is so freakin' exciting!! Designer M and I took some serious measurements today which means I can submit my application to the health department this week. Gotta get this ball rolling! Yippeeeee!

AND

Rachael Ray's people called me yesterday. One of our brownies is going to be featured in the Best of section of the December issue of the magazine! Let's hope there's no stealing of ideas, unlike some other celebrity chefs and they're unethical methods. Check out You-Know-Who's new cupcake book for some really nice, though credit-less photos of some of The Canary's cupcakes.

This is too much goodness in one day. Now who's gonna die?

posted by Oy Vey at 3:50 PM 2 comments

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Much to Do About Everything.

Ta daa!



Isn't it cute?

The current outdoor space will become an indoor addition within 6 months' time. Yes, that is a community garden right next door.

Lease will be signed and sealed within the next two weeks, godspeed. I've already got anthro-designer friend on the ball with regard to the decor. Oh, it's going to be cute. It is really and truly a dream come true. Ho-lee Krakau!

posted by Oy Vey at 7:54 PM 7 comments

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Yesterday Was Just This Kind of Day.

Last night we tore the place apart trying to find a bag of money that the carpet cleaner appears to have stolen. Then Ernie pooped on the rug. It was sort of a twisted version of Gift of the Magi.

posted by Oy Vey at 4:28 PM 5 comments

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Caught on Film!!

Ernie having his way with Mr. Berzerker.

posted by Oy Vey at 7:21 PM 2 comments

Friday, June 12, 2009

Cafe Diem!

Sorry I haven't called/emailed/faxed/telepathasized. I've been crazed. I am hedging my bets I will be in one of three places in eight weeks' time: cardiac unit, mental unit, or jail.

Canary TOO (Is that what I called it last time?) is starting to morph. The space is in great shape, totally manageable and zoned for cafe use already. Now I'm just trying to run the numbers. I think if I don't take this opportunity, I will be sorely regretting it in a year's time. This is what I've really always wanted to do. And walls! I'll have walls! Real plaster walls on which to hang pictures of canaries and shelving units with mason jars filled with different colored sprinkles. Oh! And maybe even a chalkboard! Or better yet- I'll paint the walls with chalkboard paint!

***
I had jury duty earlier this week. I learned quite a bit about the process, but way more so about Juror #34.* And I heard from a secret source that the prosecutor used one of her throwaways to get rid of me!** This is in part because I told the judge that I could not, would not, put anyone in jail over a minor drug offense. So there. The court crier came by this morning to buy some brownies and tell me that, after I was excused, the judge asked the bailiff if he had my address on file. And his court laughed. Ha ha. Then the crier said they were just kidding. Really, they were kidding. I should say.

***
Last night at wine school, someone brought in a bottle of 1949 St. Emilion that they had found in the basement they just gutted. 1949! And it was alive and kicking and seriously, the single most interesting glass of wine I have ever had - and probably will ever have - in my entire life. How cool is that? Next week is the last class on Pomerol and we will be indulging in a 30 year old bottle of Lafite. This is also way super deluxe awesome, but not quite as charmingly awesome as a found bottle of 60 year old Bordeaux that had been tucked away in a wall of a Philadelphia house for god knows how long.

***
Daximus and I had a lovely dinner at Little Fish on Wednesday night. One of the best fish meals I've had. I usually find fish at restaurants rather disappointing because good fish is expensive and it is usually served relatively plain, with a lemon wedge and some sauteed spinach or whatnot. But the halibut was tarted up with some truffled fingerlings and fava beans, and the crab and scallop apps were singing.

***
Speaking of singing, I am so freaking excited that Camera Obscura is coming on June 22! Yay yay yay! I was so sorry I missed them last year and now they are back. SFG is coming; I didn't have to twist his arm one single degree, either, which was weird considering his reaction to the Franz show (which, by the way, was really great. Even ancient Turkeyboy loved it ("They're kind of like The Who.")). I'm getting a ticket for Dax as well, with the hopes that I can lure her down the block for a couple of hours of awesomeness. Yay yay yay!

* Divorced, Northeast Philly, Executive Secretary, self-described 'liberal Jewish woman who doesn't know what it's like to be black'; taught line dancing for many years, but found teaching lonely; dumped by best friend for a date on her 40th birthday; always writes a real handwritten letter after using the Internet; feeds the ducks every morning; and espoused her opinions on the following: Iraq: No! Israel: Yes! Michele Obama in sleeveless shirts: Yes! Veal: No! Foie Gras: Of Course Not!

** I shall not identify this source because I doubt it's kosher to do so.

posted by Oy Vey at 4:30 PM 3 comments

Friday, June 05, 2009

What the Deuce!

Still in talks re The Cantankerous Canary DEUCE.* I think it's a go - as long as the landlord keeps his word on being cool and flexible regarding the lease/rent. And I think he will because he has this totally amazing beard that only cool and flexible people can get away with.

This is all very exciting. I've already started spying on the competition. I've never worked in or owned a coffee shop so there is a lot to learn here. Having gone through the process of opening a food establishment in the City of Philadelphia definitely puts me ahead of the curve (still rubbing those battle scars with L&I!), but I plan on going into this with a cool confidence and certainty. Or as my therapist suggests, I should act like I am going into this with a cool confidence and certainty.

I know what I want. Please forgive the following sentence fragments: airy and bright. light lunch fare (a couple of soups and a few cold sandwiches and possibly paninis). throw a bone at the vegans (ha ha) with some fakin bakin or soy-ken salad and whatnot. full espresso bar with syrups, iced and (again the soy!) soy option. Perhaps the shtick will be amazing grilled cheeses...I do love me a rockin' grilled cheese. Besides, the cafe down the street has this peanut butter and jelly thing going on already. Mais oui! The Deuce will have fresh baked scones, cookies, cupcakes, brownies etc. etc. from the famous Cantankerous Canary located several blocks away...It could be great.

Now comes the fun part of visiting every interesting coffee shop I can find and spying on them. What do they serve? Is it good? What equipment do they have? How many choices do they offer? Hours? Location? Positives? Negatives? Vibe? And mais oui! what desserts do they offer?

Fun stuff! Scary stuff. Fun stuff! Scary stuff. Fun stuff wins!

* Do you love CC Deuce? Be honest. I do, though SFG positively ha-ha-hates it. I think it's funky and edgy and funny and an homage to The Philly, yo, and all its jawns. Dig like, man? .22s and 40s (which apparently are also called deuces?) like yo, white girl? wanna come back to my crib for sum wudder and Birds and a stromboli? Har.

posted by Oy Vey at 6:23 PM 7 comments

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Sometimes You Have to Hit the Bottom to Work Your Way Back Up to the Top, Yes?

Within minutes of applying to Pei Wei for an Assistant Manager position, I got a call from a business acquaintance who recently purchased a building and wants me to open Cantankerous Canary TOO in the retail space on the first floor. The location is awesome - in fact, it is within two blocks of the other location that I was looking at in the fall. Within the hospital sprawl, about five blocks from The Canary. He would really like to see me in the space and offered me a pretty sweet offer to get in there. And he doesn't want 1/2 of my business interest like the last person who offered me a space. He just wants to be a regular, normal landlord. And I can be a regular, normal tenant.

Must do some Zen-itating on this and get back to you...

posted by Oy Vey at 6:58 PM 1 comments

Monday, June 01, 2009

Two Memes in a Row is a Bit Much, Oy Vey, Dontchya Think?

What is your current obsession?

Jon and Kate no doubt. Who isn't? I'm simply riveted by the Pennsylvania drama, in part because it is a local phenomenon here in PA, in part because they seemed like they had it together. Is she a raving bitch? I'll concede she is, but someone better keep those 8, or 9 if you count Jon, kids in line. I will also concede that Jon is 'greasy' (Thank you, PeopleCat, for the descriptor) but he has pretty green eyes, don't you think? Can't wait to watch TMZ tonight.

What is your weirdest obsession?
I love plaids of all shapes and sizes. Classic tartans, funky spin-off plaids, retro plaids, modern plaids. If I could get away with wearing multiple plaids together, I would. I am also obsessed with good cheeses, mostly goudas, but triple cremes are nice too.

What are you wearing today?

Green scoop neck, floral print skirt from Urban Outfitters circa 2002, black Merrells. I am usually wearing something green (in addition to my green glasses). I love a nice bright, classic rainbow color green. No hunter green though.

What's for dinner?

Dunno. It's 11am.

What would you eat for your last meal?

A 'Fiery Rooster' stromboli SFG brought home last night. I want to die this morning.

What's the last thing you bought?

Excluding the iced coffee this morning...? A pug-wearing-crown keychain from the ArtStar Craft Festival on Penn's Landing yesterday.

What are you listening to right now?

Family Court with Judge Penny and the dryer.

What do you think of the person who tagged you?

Martha is a fabulous human being. Pity she's on the other side of the world. I'd drink wine with her and purchase cute stuff from her shop all the time. xxoo!

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be?

Amsterdam, of course. On the Herengracht or Prisengracht. I'd take the pad they had on America's Next Top Model in a heartbeat.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?

Iceland! I can't get a soul to go with me.

Which language do you want to learn?

I would like to finish learning French. I can pick it up a bit and barely get by whenever I go somewhere Frenchy, but I'd like to have the confidence actually have a conversation with someone that doesn't involve bodily necessities.

What is your favorite colour?

Greens. And blues that are in the wedgwood/grey family.

What is your favorite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?

Oh, it would have to be my Andrea Moore cocktail dress in the most terrific shade of blue-green that I dragged back from New Zealand.

What is your dream job?

One of those people who show brides and grooms around a potential wedding venue. Piece O Cake! Or a recipe tester or food stylist.

What's your favourite magazine?

Harper's. Yes, I'm a nerd.

If you had £100 now, what would you spend it on?

The most adorable black heels I saw at Benjamin Lovell last week. I wish I had a picture.

Describe your personal style?

Sloppy but clean. Downtown clothes worn in an uptown way.

What are you going to do after this?

Clean out the fridge and look for a job.

What are your favourite films?

Oy. Goofdfellas. A Christmas Story. Harold and Kumar. Little Children.

What's your favourite fruit?
Raspberries.

What inspires you?

People who can get up over and over again despite being battered and beaten.

Do you collect anything?

Sick animals. Scotches. Shirazes. A-line skirts with prints.

Your favourite animal?

Cats. I wish I could have a cat farm.

What are you currently reading?

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

Go to your book shelf, take down the first book with a red spine you see, turn to page 26 and type out the first line:

Three years after his father's death, Nusswan married.

By what criteria do you judge a person?

By their chill-ness and ability to get snarkiness.

What skill would you like to acquire immediately?

Sewing a-line skirts.

The rules:
1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.
2. Tag eight other people. Tagging, with love: I don't read 8 other blogs and some bloggers I was going to tag are already tagged, so you'll just have to deal: Monkey and Christine.

I hope I don't have 40 years of bad luck for not tagging 8. And I didn't add an extra question either, rebel I am.

posted by Oy Vey at 12:03 PM 1 comments