Merry Christmas

From this big little fluff monster and a super chill kitty to EVERYONE!

Christmas Crack

If you know, you know. If you don't, I'm sorry.

Seasons Change

I get a hankering for chocolate covered pretzels pretty much all the time but only act on it at this time of year. I had a few people do me some huge favors and I figured why not repay them with delicious treats? Exactly. Here is one broken up to see what we're working with.
Now here is a container that is about to be bestowed upon some lucky human being.
Also, who wouldn't want to watch a movie starring Stevie Janoski that was made by Mr. Oizo?

Thank You CFL

I'm sure pretty much everyone has seen the video I posted here, but I still felt the need to post it since it may very well be the greatest thing to happen in CFL history.

I have also recently been called out on my serious lack of ice cream makeage, so I used Grey Cup weekend as a chance to rectify that situation. To all the fans of delicious home made ice cream...I give to you...mint cookies n creme made with coconut milk. Thanks for the motivation.

Lazy Blogging

Terius makes a video for my other favorite song on 1977.

Gangsta Gibbs and Madlib team up for a project and here is the first leak...it just happens to be a good one.

Now go support independent hip hop and grab Doomtree's new record No Kings that came out today. Here's a little taste.

In Case You Forgot

Nothing Promised is having their first drop 11/11/11 so support the homie Robbie Tibbs.

Important Things

Knowledge that makes you money.

Knowledge that Thursday is not the best thing you've ever lived.

Lulled

Updates severely lacking. Reason being.
My two favorite Frank Ocean songs visualized in poorer than great videos.


A banger from The-Dream's latest mixtape that was crack to my ears for a bit...or maybe still is.

Secret(s)

Secret spot, secret food.
I've been to many places in the last two weeks, so it's pretty much your best guess as to where this delicious plate is from. Only thing I'll say is that the green salsa was pretty much the best I've ever had. Not seen are horchata and mandarin Jarritos.

How The Gods Chill

This song seems to get better every time I hear it and it is a relatively fun video.

More actual content of adventures and such upcoming. Patience may be the ultimate virtue.

Soft Launch

It has been rather quiet around here lately due to me being injured and sitting was nowhere near the top of my list of things to do and that got followed up by OT at work since my elongated summer holidays are looming. I will now attempt to make up for the slacking but a long weekend getaway is not going to help me with that. I'm a little late on posting this but Cam recently launched his Pancakes and Skateboards brand, so go buy something.

I have also really been feelin the Soft Kill LP
It isn't something I wouldn't normally be drawn to but they have done it. Really though, can you go wrong with Based Goth? Also, yes the title of this blog was a beautiful combination of both situations contained within the post. Have a great weekend.

Bakesale Success

The bakesale to benefit Japan was held today and it was a great big ol success! This is the only picture I took as I was busy taking people's money and giving them delicious treats.
This table plus some other stuff helped raise just over $1000 in 2 hours!!!! How amazing is that? So many thanks need to handed out now. A big thanks to Sam and The Albert for letting the sale happen in their establishment. Thanks to Scott for designing the poster and Ruben for putting the facebook event together. Thanks to everyone that helped with the online promotion of the event and all of the stores and restaurants that were nice enough to have a flyer on display in their business. A huge thanks goes out to all the people that contributed the baked goods: Tracy, Rachel, Heather, Lorraine, Caitlin and all the people that brought baked goods to the sale of which I didn't catch your name. It was all so very appreciated. Now onto maybe the biggest thanks and that goes out to everyone that dished out their hard earned cash for some treats and to help the people of Japan after a natural disaster. I am done with the excessive thanking for this blog post, but I am just very stoked on what a success the event was. Have a great rest of the weekend.

Live From The Lab

Oh my, what do we have here? Vegan butter tarts fresh from the oven? I do believe that is the case.
That could very well have been the last preview of what's in store for this Saturday. So, if you want to know what else is going to be there or to take part in what you've seen here...make your way down to The Albert between noon and 2pm. This is me thanking you in advance.

One Day Closer

A quick one today. I just finished wrapping up my strawberry white chocolate chip rice krispie treats and here they are.
The info once again, in case you forgot.
Spread the word and help some people in need.

Lastly, why not get some new Hodgy Beats of OFWGKTA fame into your ears?

More Info Plus More Intrigue

Here we are, another day closer to THE EVENT, so tell a friend or all of them with that link if you mess with FB. Onto more visually intriguing things like another teaser of what will be available on Saturday...and that is caramel apple spice cupcakes.
Now, since that is out of the way, let me move onto something that has been infecting my ears for the last week and a half. The Weeknd are pretty much all I listen to lately. They have me completely hooked. Great songs, great cover art and an air of mystery about them.
Do yourself a favor and check them out.

Fundraiser Alert

This Saturday it just happens to be going down. Bad things happen and then good people have to get together to try help others. Here is where you can do that if you live in Winnipeg or feel like making a trip for delicious treats.
Just a little sneak preview of what is going to be available on Saturday. Raspberry chocolate chip blondies.More previews as the week progresses.

A big thanks to Scott for doing the flyer for this event. A big thanks in advance to everyone that is contributing something to the sale. If you have the time, please come out and support the cause.

BINGO!!!!!

It has been a long long time since a real game of bingo has happened and blingo at the triple rock just doesn't really count. I'm pretty certain you can guess what I did tonight from this picture.

The Beast was all over the place at his first real bingo experience, very enjoyable to watch a man bite off more than he can chew.
See you every Monday?

On a completely unrelated side note 5th Column just released their spring line, so go and cop some new tees.

Oh Gala La

Friday marked the Canadian Hemophilia Society - Manitoba Chapter's 8th annual Gala Dinner of Culinary Inspirations. I didn't capture too many pictures myself, only of a few of the courses that were enjoyed, but a bevy should surface soon enough and be posted on the event's website. If you didn't this year, make sure you plan on attending next year as we only plan on getting bigger and better as the years go by. Now onto two of the courses that I snapped pics of. First off is sesame crusted tofu served with asian slaw and tropical salsa.

This could very well be the best dish I have had at any of the gala dinners. The flavors were just damn near perfect in this dish so I couldn't argue with its greatness. It could be because of the whole vegan thing and this was the first year that they incorporated a protein into the dishes to make it more substantial for people who stray from the old meat eating path. I also understand that it isn't going to be a vegan gala dinner and that is fine but I like to see the chefs taking some pride in what they send out and accepting the challenge. The biggest gripe I used to have was getting a fruit plate for dessert but this year that all changed when chocolate ice cream and a mixed berry sauce showed up in front of me. It was a breath of fresh air to have an actual sweet dessert to finish the meal with.

I can't wait to see what magical culinary creations the chefs bring to the table next year!

PS. the lighting in the room is just horrendous in regards to taking nice food related pictures so please offer me a little forgiveness if these photos aren't up to the usual caliber.

PHANTOM

Baby Beast turned me onto this video in regards to my rant about the NBA slam dunk "contest".

This video makes me realize how unreal that dunk actually was as well as provides some new entertainment, read: classic onlooking smile.

More Music

Apparently I just can't get enough of Odd Future and I saw this video today and instantly felt like reblogging it. It also just happens to be the two dudes that are on my favorite track from BLACKENEDWHITE. So...enjoy this video and then DL that record and proceed to enjoy that.

Now let me say that I don't listen to strictly hip hop as the last however many music related videos and songs posted tend to make you believe. Here is an example of a little jam that is also good...although it is merely an interlude off a great record and a promo vid for the homie Jay 5th.

I will get right back on the hip hop train now with some of my all time faves doin it up right and still being amazing/relevant to this day. So stoked on Rae's new record coming out next month and Ghost's record from last year was a surprise banger that let me know he isn't going anywhere. Could have done without Officer Ricky though, but sometimes ya gotta take the bad with the really really good.

Let us now finish it off with some Killa and Vado. Dipset all day!

Burn It Down

Things just happen to be moving along over here. Computer situation is getting right, some delicious meals have been eaten and some pictures have been taken. (un)fortunately today none of the above happened so I'm handing in my late pass on the release of Sims new record "Bad Time Zoo". I've always loved what this Doomtree MC had done in the past and this record is more of the same and then some. Entirely produced by Lazerbeak, amazing producer name, and doing the independent thing. Peep this vid and then show him some love.

A little secret, mildly bummed that I missed his record release show in MPLS on the weekend. Hopefully I'll be fortunate enough to see him in the near future though. More soon.

Sunday Brunch

Now that Sundays happen to be freed up, not sure if I'm glad or just waiting until they are just permanently booked for a portion of the year, I have some time to do such things as make brunch for friends. Oddly enough, that happened today. The recipients of the southwest scramble topped with cilantro lime cashew sour cream and served with guac and fresh fried tortillas aren't pictured, but rest assured that they enjoyed what you are looking at.One day I will recipe out this scramble since it is my go to savory brunch staple but I really just throw a bunch of stuff in and it always tastes great. This was the first time the cilantro lime cashew sour cream made an appearance with it and will not be the last.

On a completely unrelated side note, this right here is why I get enraged at the NBA slam dunk contest.

The last two years DeMar has gotten screwed due to the popularity contest when he had the best dunks. That one right there will go down as an all time great in my book. Mini rant concluded.

Lazy Saturday

This could also be a combination of too much to do on a Saturday as well as actually getting some rest. Let's just say that the laziness is only in regards to this blog post. Here is Kanye's latest video of his phenomenal record, My Dark Twisted Fantasy, and it's for my tied for favorite song on said record. Beware of seizures and boobs.

OFWGKTA

Since I recently posted Tyler, The Creator's new video, I might as well follow suit and post their performance on Fallon from last night.

I can't lie, I was more than impressed for what you can do/get away with on network TV. This just makes me realize that I need to see OFWGKTA live very soon.

Goodnight Born Bad

Well the reason for all those beautiful faces from the last post is now upon us. Born Bad's last show happened on Sunday night and the show was at War On Music/The Death Trap and it's been a while since I have seen a show there and maybe even longer since I've taken pictures at a show. First off we got one of Winnipeg Hardcore's newest bands and that is Isolation. They played a great set, stoked to hear more from them.
So dissonant...
Along with some smiling faces.
The next performing artists were White Wash and there is a familiar face.
The second best sweater of the evening.
Now the reason that this evening was happening, a little send off for Born Bad in the fashion that only Winnipeg Hardcore can do. Again, great gloves.
Stevie Motherfuckin D!
A fitting way to end the evening.
Pretty much a great show all around and good times were had. Even the lengthy delays didn't put too much of a damper on it. Made for quite the late Sunday night and a sleepiness induced haze filled Monday. Goodnight Born Bad.

I was going to wait and use another post to do this but I don't feel like waiting and this way you'll get to bump it quicker. New Das Racist jam for your earholes. Enjoy.

Some People I Saw Last Night

Neighbor Friends.Spencer, just doin him.
Riley, in possibly the best hoodie of the night/all time.
Mike, with an amazing glove on.
The reason for the culmination of these faces soon to follow...

Last Minute Creations

Sometimes you have a potluck at work and don't know what to bring and other times you just plain don't want to be involved with them. I recently had one and was both of the latter statements. I decided however to try an idea out that clicked in my mind and use the people I work with as guinea pigs for said creation. The kinks aren't all worked out yet but it was a pretty good first try. Hopefully the final touch will be put on this soon and I'll even post a recipe so that you can go and get your hands dirty and make some delicious treats. What I made was chocolate orange cupcakes with cream cheese whipped cream cupcakes. I even put melted chocolate in the batter for that extra chocolatey taste.I felt like a little something more could be done to these so they then got dusted with cocoa powder for a little more of a chocolate touch and to cut through the zest of the citrus flavor.
I think one more try should have these where I want them to be. It will also give me another excuse to learn how to pipe icing better. That right there was my second time doing it if I'm not mistaken.

Now it just happens to be time to dust the old camera off and go take some pictures so hopefully tomorrow or the next day there should be some fun here.

Goblin

I'm certain this has been reblogged about a million times today already but I obviously don't care. This shit is yonkers.This is the first track off Tyler The Creater's upcoming record Goblin and it marks the first record from OFWGKTA that won't be free but since they've dropped so much free music it shouldn't be a big problem to actually dish out a few bucks for one record. Mark your calendars since OFWGKTA is playing Jimmy Fallon on Feb 16th backed up by The Roots, should prove to be more than entertaining.

Weekend Expansion

To shed greater light on the last post, I present to you this post. I didn't take any pictures besides the single picture located in the last post at the Call*Response book launch. Luckily, the roomie came out and snapped more than a few. Very quick highlights here since you can just as easily click the link and show homie some love. Riley doin what he does best in Still Fighting and letting people know who is playing next by some silly, free shirt giving away, chance.
This right here is a rare occurrence but I'm making an exception since The ALX hasn't played in two and a half years.
All in all the night was really fun and a huge success and I'm glad I was a part of it.

Now onto Sunday, super bowl Sunday with very little sleep and always running behind in prep for the big dance. Things got kicked of with some cinnamon buns that were french toasted with my coconut milk and banana recipe. No need for syrup or margarine or jam or peanut butter on these when they came off the flat top. Just pure deliciousness.
That was followed up with a nice 6 layer dip. First layer was homemade refried beans topped with a jar of a fire roasted veggie nacho cheese sauce and then taco style ground round followed by some freshly made guac that was then topped with a jar of salsa and FINALLY finished off with some cashew sour cream. This was basically a meal in itself, an unreal meal in itself.
Lesson learned, make this in a wider dish as to not have to hire an excavation specialist to get down to the bottom layers. Oddly enough, it was my first time making a layered dip. The halftime treat didn't make it onto the camera but it was bacon cheeseburger pizza. I sauteed onions, cremini mushrooms and green peppers in worcestershire sauce and cooked them down till they were all nice and soft and then threw in the veggie ground and some locally made tofu bacon and cooked it all together. The pizza dough was rolled thin and then placed on the all too integral pizza pan and topped with pizza sauce, the ketchup on the burger if you will, and then the sautee mixture and topped with both mozza and cheddar Daiya cheese. Turned out so well, so at least you have the idea should you want to fool around with it. Now, onto dessert. Here we have lime coconut cupcakes topped with whipped cream with the essence of coconut.
What better than some homemade real vanilla bean, yeah the one from last post, ice cream to go with that cupcake? Not much!
One of the many treats that didn't get dipped into due to the over indulgence that happened throughout the day were chocolate dipped strawberry marshmallow hearts. They were a tasty treat...but better to be enjoyed when you're not already in the grips of a diabetic coma.
Lastly, Green and Yellow $$$ great game.