2010 Audi A5 Coupe

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So, my newest rave is an Audi A5 Coupe. I’ve decided this is a reasonable car to dream about. Currently I drive a VW Jetta, which of course we all know VW owns Audi. But, thats besides the point.

This beast has 354 Hp at 7000rpm, and 325lb-ft of torque at 3500rpm. Nothing else matters. Seriously, 250km/hr? Approx 12.1 L/100km.. Quattro All Wheel drive, with a 6 speed manual transmission. Ok, this car is simple off the hook. German engineering simply will not fail.

The exterior on this car simply looks beautiful with the factory spec 19″ wheels, and the interior looks just as amazing. Navigation system, state of the art sound system. Just looking at the inside of one of these beasts reeks of world class engineering not matched by any other cars in the world.

I’m just waiting for Audi to offer me a test drive in one of these to get the real grease of these beasts!

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Card Speaker

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I’ve been thinking about how I will need to have portable sound sooner than later, when I’m doing this and that, out and about, and when I came across this I was blown away.

I found them at The Ghostly Store, but their made by Idea Design Collection, which if you look at their website, they have a tonne of really cool things on their site. I’m an engineer, and a company like this is where I’d want to work. So much cool stuff, kinda like the apple engineers. Innovating sexy with usefulness.

$75.00 is what they go for at The Ghostly Store, if you find any where cheaper I’d love to be informed! Especially in Canada. Does anybody have these already?

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Richmond Night Market, BC

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The Richmond Night Market is completely what one would expect from a chinese market, except its catered to those folks who go out at night. So, one should expect a slightly more carnival feel to the market.

Upon entering into the market, one feels like they may have just snuck in the back door, but no, its really the entrance. There is no glorious sign exclaiming: “Welcome to the Infamous Richmond Night Market” in bold letters. Instead, you are greeted with the steady glow of excessive lighting, plastic filled stands, and people ever where.

It is very similar to a flea market, except there is no flea’ing. At the flea markets there are usually a few tables with new gadgets, each individually wrapped in their clear plastic shells; stuff you really don’t need, but are oohhh so cool. For instance, they had these tripods, that were mini tripods. Probably no bigger than a foot tall, fully extended. Something like that could really come in handy at times…

The real reason why people go to the market is the food, and let me tell you, it was splendid. I basically turned off all instinct to be thrifty and bought as much as I wanted. I ate squid, octopus tentacles, chicken, and duck neck to name a few. Before I knew it my cash reserves were nearly depleted, and we had to run to the bank machine to get some flow.

Parking was an interesting thing. If you drive right into the market, you can park for 5$ in their parking lots, or you can park before you turn onto the main road where the market is and park for free, but this comes with a walk that some aren’t willing to make. If you arrive after midnight, you can park right along the main street for free. One should be weary though, for this parking is known, and starts to fill up right as the clock strikes 12.

I’m glad that I finally made it to the night market. Although, I must say, I expected something similar to  china town during the new years celebration, but instead, I was greeted with an expensive taste testing event, with random tables filled with random things that I really didn’t need.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, I highly suggest that you do, so that you can say you were at the world renowned Richmond Night Market, and this way you can judge for yourself how much you enjoy it. I would be really interested to hear how all of you find the experience!

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Dragonette – Surrey Canada Day Celebration

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Seeing Dragonette in Surrey for the ‘Biggest outdoor Canada Day Celebration in Western Canada’ was kind of weird.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

To me, it seemed like a lot of the people were there for the fair rides, or decided with the family that it was a good day to go out and socialize at the outdoor party on this particular Thursday.

But, none-the-less, Dragonette made me smile the second they stepped onto the stage, until long after they left.

I have previously reviewed their latest album, Fixin To Thrill, here, which in my mind is absolutely killer.

The guests I brought with me to the free concert in Surrey hadn’t been introduced to Dragonette as of then; needless to say, they left fans.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

The band came out, with the casual splendor a band getting big carries with them, exclaiming: “We’ll start as soon as Martina gets here.” I’m curious if they are starting or have always carried giant ego’s necessary for rock/pop stars… I waited patiently, which wasn’t long.

Martina’s singing was spot on for nearly the entire show, clearly showing that they were a professional well-trained band, which I was very happy to see. Some of the songs, some of the transitions and swings Martina must go through with her voice-box are truly magnificent, which is mainly the reason why I love this band so much. Her body movement on stage is what sets her and her band into a category all in its own. Yes, young pre-teen fellows were all around me, dropping their jaws.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

Martina mentioned at one point that they were going to do a world premier of a song, which was the only song that I didn’t feel she had down perfectly. I think she knew this, and was a bit nervous, which you could hear it in her voice, and see in her movements. Have you ever felt that feeling where you’re a little unsure, so you don’t put forth 100% because your nervous such effort would amplify your errors? The song did have a weird beat, and even weirder transitions, but did have a nice chorus. I am interested to hear it soon on their next album.

In all honesty though, this was the perfect venue to tackle a new song at, most of the people there probably hadn’t heard of her before. I’m happy somebody in the planning of Canada Day has though, it made my Canada Day a great one!

My only regret of the event was that I didn’t get myself a media pass so I could take photographs from sweet locations, they looked stunning up there.

Photo Credit to John Bollwitt

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Chicken Basilica

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Tonights dinner was sliced and fried chicken thighs, or what I like to call Chicken Basletta. It was fried up and placed on a rice field with a few tomatoes to garnish the dish.

Of course extra virgin olive oil is added to the pan.

I sliced up the chicken thighs, and spiced it up with basil, tarragon, curry powder, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, tumeric, and cumin. I vary the amounts depending on my moods, but always go heavy on the tarragon and sesame seeds. This time, due to the balsilica influence, I went heavy on the basil as well. Also, to this basilica chicken, I added two slices of onion and two cloves of garlic.

During this whole process, the rice has already boiled and left to simmer so they will be done at the same time.

When the chicken is about 3/4 done, I then add chopped mushrooms (2 large ones), a chopped carrot, and a cup of broken up broccoli, and let this fry with the chicken.

After this fries for a little longer, and everything is almost done now, I chop up a tomato into cubes and add them to the frying number. I left a few slices to garnish the dish at the end, which I flavored with sea salt and black pepper. This simmers for a little while longer, and is ready to be served.. maybe with a glass of pinot noir?

I would love to hear how it turns out for you, and if you have any suggestions on how to give this dish some extra life!

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Homemade Guacamole

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Its turning into summer, so I thought I’d share with you my homemade guacamole recipe I’ve perfected over the years.

It involves, 2 avocados, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tomato, sea salt, and chips to dip with!

First step is to de-pit the avocado, so your left with the good stuff, into a bowl. Take a spoon or fork to mash it all up, some people enjoy little clumps, I dislike having clumps from the avocado.

Next, finely chop up a clove of garlic, and tomato, and put that into the mix. Your tomato and chop it into small bite sized pieces that are big enough to be seen, but small enough to fit onto the chip without over taking it. Then sprinkle some sea salt into the mix.

I’ll leave the presentation part up to your own creativity, but now all you need is chips and hungry mouths!

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Mignonette by The Avett Brothers

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The album Mignonette by the Avett Brothers is undoubtedly a great album. These guys have amazed me since I first heard A Carolina Jubilee many years ago.

I once heard a quote from these guys: “If we don’t leave the stage covered in sweat, then we haven’t put ourselves into our show.” I’m not sure if they still feel the same since they’ve become bigger, signed by Sony, worked with Rick Ruben, and toured the world a few times by now, but they still give me the same sweet sensation whenever I hear their music.

To me the Avett Brothers signify good music. Layered with banjo, double bass (standup), easy percussions, soulful guitar, and sometimes the piano, this music just…. Yes, is the best thing in the world.

This album, Mignonette, starts off with the cd title track in a sentimental version, which somewhat sets the mood for the whole album. Although it immediately kicks into a somewhat more upbeat song right away with Nothing Short of Thankful, the whole album cuts into very… sentimental corners throughout the entirety.

Songs like Signs ring forever in my ears with Scott and Seth Avett’s harmonies.  It’s just something extraordinary that cannot be faked.

My favorite is how they always have songs starting with ‘Pretty Girl from…” or “Pretty Girl at… ”

Please Pardon Yourself is just a meander through a valley with a girl on your arm. Pleasant and pleasing, there is nothing more enjoyable to me than to hear the Avett Brothers pluck those strings and sing this kind of a song. They caress the emotionalism with every bite, and do it good at that. I cannot stress how much they rule.

The Day Marvin Gaye Died is another great song. Really, they are all finger licking good songs if you haven’t got the point yet.

The Avett Brothers play on a never ending loop in my head. They play acoustic songs, that are more empowering than most electrified acts can even dream about. They can stop in an instant and give you the feeling of looking up in the middle of a mosh pit covered in sweat for a few glimpsing moments of bliss, and then just as quickly kick the double bass of Bob Crawford kicks in and gets you hopping around once more like the heat of a bluegrass jubilee.

Check out the record and let me know how you enjoy it!

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Baby Darling Dollface Honey by Band of Skulls

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I had the pleasure of experiencing this dynamic trio, Band of Skulls at the Venue in late April, and what a show it was. This album is all that in a pre-packaged little gem of wonder for me to carry with me everywhere.

Baby Darling Dollface Honey is what new rock has turned into for me. The album epitomizes what its all about. Killer crunching guitar riffs that explode at times, but seek the most soothing lines at others filling up the spaces with rhythm that one wishes they could dream up, or is it that we dream up as it plays, its hard to tell.

The first few songs push you into a three piece galaxy that you’d think was experimental orchestrations with distortion pedals so fat the couldn’t make it through the studio doors so they had to be blasted from outdoors. Russel Marsden is really an amazing guitarist, and seeing him live really proved to me that he loves to play guitar, and has talent more than enough to make it sing.

Then as Fires and Honest come to the speakers, it slows down into melodic numbers that make me want to swirl around my room dancing like I was lost in heaven. I love Emma Richardson singing on Honest, its one of my favorite songs out there.

Soon though, it clicks back into tracks like Hollywood bowl that make you understand that this band is for real, a rock band, with all the love that goes on in it.

Get this album, its a doozie.

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Fixin to Thrill by Dragonette

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So recently I’ve got my hands on Dragonette‘s most recent album, Fixin To Thrill. It has, and will continue to amaze me with its dynamic sound, filled with reverberations of all sorts of genres.


Fixin to Thrill comes packed with punches of grunge, oozing with coolness like a casual saunter through a beautiful but sketchy park.

Throughout the entire album, I found myself constantly saying, wow this is good. Its a side step from a lot of music coming through these doors as of late, that are folk blues artists.

The lead singer, Martina Sorbara completely packs the sexyness and prowess that a flashy rocking band like Dragonette requires, her voice is simply groovy.

Dragonette is a Canadian act, rocking since 2005, according to Wikipedia, and this is their third album out. Second one on their record label Mercury Records, the first being Galore (2007). Their first a self titled EP released in 2005.
Galore is also a great album, but, Fixin to Thrill just steps it up to a whole new level.

There are electronic grooves that keep the songs all pumping, but then fat bass lines sink into the listener, both taking the ears on a grooving roller coaster.

To me this proves that the Synth is very far from dead.

If you have not heard it, check it out.

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Journey Down the Oregon Coast: Highway 101

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The Oregon Coast is one of the most beautiful drives my car wheels have ever rolled me to. Coming down from Canada, I passed through the border cross with actually pleasure. The border crossing guard recommended to me to head to the coast at Kelso-Longview exit, and that is exactly what I did. It seems to me, now that I’ve looked at a map, that that was the best route to take. This way, I was able to drive along the inlet, and go through Astoria, which were both very scenic.

I was lucky that I had nice clear skies for most the route, which allowed me to stop and take pictures at almost every pullout! So many beautiful views of the scenic coastline that made one just want to stop and breathe in to understand the true severity of life on this planet, if that can even be comprehended.

The first night was spent in a little hotel with a stunning view right on the ocean, in Lincoln City. I was mesmerized by the sunset I got.

The next night I rolled into San Francisco late at night, and had booked a hotel with price line, which concluded my trip along the Oregon Coast.

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