Just for fun

1 April 2006

A Gulp of Romance

Jim Computers and internet, Just for fun, News and current issues 1

Ok, so I’m a little behind. I missed out on the drink, but now I’ve caught up.

Every year about this time Google comes out with another product or … revelation. This year, it’s Google Romance. That’s right, Google can not only help you find love, it can organize the whole dating process. Check out the main Google Romance page, and don’t miss the Press Release.

Last year it was Google Gulp. That’s right, a drink – and the most technologically advanced drink of all time. Click the bottle to visit Google’s Google Gulp page (wow, say that 5 times fast). Don’t miss the Frequently asked questions, either. I highly recommend Gulp over Romance. Is that because I’m a guy?

More past Google bombshells:

Google’s technology explained

Get a job at the Google Copernicus Center

Google’s new MentelPlex technology

Not one of their annual offerings, but much more functional, try searching Google in Klingon (if you know Klingon) (or even if you know a Klingon)

Thanks to JunglePop for helping me catch up.

28 March 2006

Empanadas

Jim Food, Just for fun, Mexico, Misc 1

Three times in March I made empanadas. Yup, I’m a fan now.

What are they? The term comes from the word empanar, meaning to wrap or coat in bread. You’ll find them in a number of Spanish and Portuguese countries. In Mexico, they can be a variety of things. I made one kind for dessert which was more or less fruit inside a pastry. It was similar to pumpkin pie, baked, but each serving is wrapped separately. These fruit-filled empanadas had plantain, raisins, oranges, and some spices.

I also make some empanadas de viejas ropas. I took a few pictures which you can see below. These are more or less meat mixtures (in this case pork with chillies, onions, etc) wrapped in a corn tortilla. Let me tell you, it smelled like a Mexican restaurant in here. Squeeze on a little lime, dip it in some salsa and I bet you can’t eat just one. Here’s my most recent attempt, from Sunday. Not a professional job, but they still tasted good!

Making tortillas with the tortilla press

Empanadas with filling inside

Frying the empanadas

The finished, hot empanadas
(although you can eat them cold too)

Eating empanadas with Aunt Amy
Enjoying empanadas with Aunt Amy

25 March 2006

World Figure Skating Championships

Jim Just for fun 0

So once again a friend of a friend had some free tickets, so Shari and I went to see the free skate in ice dancing at the World Figure Skating Championships. It was a good day to go – the best skate of the night was by the Canadians – Marie-France Dubreuil and Patrice Lauzon. They had the best performance by a decent margin, and overall became winners of the silver medal. Gold went to the Bulgarians, and Bronze to the Americans.

I’m throwing a few photos online, but our little camera had a hard time getting anything too spectacular. 🙂 Check the ice dancing news news here…

Oops – we just got a phone call from someone else. Sounds like Shari and her sister might be off to the exhibition tomorrow. Nice of people to think of us! 🙂

8 March 2006

A day at the zoo

Jim Family, Just for fun, Video Blogs 2

After seeing the video of the the Poulettes at the Mexico City Zoo, I was inspired to try something similar. It’s not as good, but it’s … it’s ours!

Hannah will guide you through the zoo. Watch for a bear, a gecko, and a Mormon convention.

4 March 2006

The Cow of the Independence

Jim Just for fun, Mexico 4

I just had to laugh when I saw the Poulettes posting pictures of cows in Mexico City. The fiberglass creations represent mainly Mexican culture and were sponsored by local companies.

Of course, here in Calgary we did the same thing (and Calgary wasn’t the only other city – but since Calgary is nicknamed "Cow Town" it perhaps makes the most sense here!).

The cows were displayed all over the city a few years ago and auctioned off to raise money for charity. However, some of the cows are still on display. When we went to the Calgary airport to head to Mexico City and back, we saw one of the cows dutifully painting a mural on an outdoor wall.

So, in yet another illustration of how Calgary and Mexico are alike, I encourage you to go and see some of our cows. Here are some photos of the cows in Calgary, and another set with some even better cows from Calgary.

Now, head on over to see Poulettes’ post about their day in Mexico City, and don’t miss clicking over to their Flickr photos. The "Vaca de la Independencia" (Cow of the Independance) to the right is from their collection, a take-of of a famous monument in Mexico City.

26 February 2006

Nathanael’s playtime

Nathanael Family, Just for fun, Video Blogs 0

[Note from the camera-man: This is a longer video, for serious Nathanael-fans only. This is a few minutes of a random playtime in the evening (when he’s slowed down enough to video!). For some reason, Nathanael likes to put things on his head, pretend they’re party hats and sing Happy Birthday, so watch for that. If you’re up for a challenge, here are two: 1) See how many toys you can see, and how many he actually touches. 2) See If you can hear him say the words below.]

all done * blanket * book * bookmark * cheese * clean * garbage * gate * happy birthday to you * messy * mommy * no * ow * teeter totter * teeth * walk

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