#toomuchsmokeforme

Posted on August 19, 2010 by

That’s a hashtag, right guys?

Earlier today I was at Breathe fitness working with Edmonton’s premier personal trainer Len Panchuk when, after a gruelling workout, I stepped outside for a breath of fresh air.  Too bad that that’s not what I found.  Instead, the unexpected blanket of smoke nearly made me barf on the Fringe goers feeling their way through the haze for mini-donuts and green onion cakes.  It was pretty gross.

Things have gotten worse throughout the day and I barely made it across the street from my pad before my eyes and lungs begged me to go back indoors.  I had planned to take a dramatic picture of downtown’s skyline from Oliver–a moody blend of silhouetted buildings amidst the warm glow of a markedly obscured sun–but I couldn’t see downtown. It’s nine blocks away and it’s completely indiscernible.  The buildings across the street are barely discernible:

Given the volume of rain we’ve had in Edmonton I guess I was sort of in denial about the whole BC forest fires thing.  In reading an article about the smoke over at the Edmonton Journal Online, I really liked this guys response to the situation:

Well played sir.  That’s a petition I’d gladly sign and Envision wouldn’t even have to pay me to take part.

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Delicious Pizza–and Something About a Fire

Posted on August 18, 2010 by

Well Italian Centre, you have helped me bring one more ridiculous meal to the table.  This afternoon’s pizza was an unbridled success although following Jeff Varsano’s advice and using as hot an oven as possible (in this case, my barbecue with a baking stone) led to a blazing inferno in my my barbecue.  The resulting cloud of smoke was thick enough to rival BCs forest fires and I don’t think the old lady living above me was terribly appreciative.  I should have brought her some of the wicked pizza.

Once the flames died down, we first cooked a pizza margherita and then followed it up with a carmelized onion and blue cheese pie. They were ridiculous.  Honestly, the Italian Centre dough is perfect, easy to handle and delicious–and cheap.

I can’t wait until my next pizza adventure.  I just hope that the crap in the bottom of my barbecue is all burned off so I don’t have to go through the stress of talking Robert down from a panic attack again.  I’m pretty sure he thought I was going to torch the whole building.  But it was fine. What could possibly go wrong?

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That’s a spicy-a meat-a-ball

Posted on August 18, 2010 by

Man, I forgot how awesome the Italian Centre is.  I head down to the Superstore on 51st and Calgary Trail often enough and the Italian Centre is just a block over from there but I somehow never make the short journey.  Yesterday, when I went out to refill my propane tank and buy some bread, I decided to skip Superstore (GASP! to those of you who know how much I love president’s choice) and try my luck with the Italians.  Galen Weston would be crying in his myriad sweaters if he knew I betrayed him. Next time Galen, next time.

I’m always impressed that everything at the Italian Centre is so cheap (my avocados were only 89¢!) and they have the best array of meats and cheeses.  The real surprise of the trip was the frozen pizza dough I discovered.  It’s made there in their own bakery and it’s four bucks for four balls.  You can’t make it for that!

Jennie’s coming by this afternoon and we’re going to make some-a-delicious-a-pizza-pies before heading down to Fringe (where I will be avoiding anything related to Teatro La Quindicina read here and here–they seem crazy and plus I don’t want to get banned from the beer gardens.  They just might try to extend their self-righteous grasp that far.)  Maybe the Teatro is just pissed off because the Next Act is under new ownership and management.  I know I am.  But either way: craaa-zyyyy.

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