July 26th

Hello Tubes!

It has been a wild week and weekend...and I just dont know where to start. I guess I will start on Friday. I took 2 hours off of work, and hit the road to the centre of the universe at 2pm. I was expecting a pretty boring drive, so I got myself a book on tape to listen to whilst driving. I ended up listening to this book called "The DaVinci Code". Previous to this, I had not heard of this novel, and it seemed pretty good for an independant, underground book. I think the author "Dan Brown" did a pretty good job on this book, and if he keeps it up, maybe his next book will get some praise and sell alot of copies.

Anyway, the book lasted the full 4 hours, and that got me right into Toronto's rush hour on Friday night, which was incredible. You really get to like Ottawa after trying to drive around there for a brief amount of time. I guess that is why everyone rides the tube and streetcars.

After I arrived at Erin G's, we decided to go get a chicken at a Porteguese restaurant across the street. This was the best meal I think I have ever eaten....shifting the "Moons Over My Hammy" that I ordered at Denny's in Detroit in 1996 down to #2 on my "best meal" list. This chicken is the bargain price of $9, and it is cooked to perfection. Swiss Chalet could learn a thing or two from this restaurant. I wish I could remember the name...it is on Bloor Street West near Brock Avenue...and there is a picture of a pig on a spit on their sign. You cant miss it!

On Saturday, I loaded up all the Goodman children into my car and headed up north of Newmarket for the Goodman family pool party. As luck would have it, it wasnt the nicest day, but everyone who wanted to got into the pool for a little bit at least. My personal highlight was the trampoline that Erin G's cousins have. I had a great time trying to break my neck on that thing! I think I might get one for my balcony.


Sunday was shopping day! Erin G and I headed down to the shopping district and checked out all of the fine stores that Toronto has to offer. Unfortunately, I could not find a single Giant Tiger among the stores. I picked up a new fishing shirt, and another shirt from some fancy store that had some crazy sale on. I tried one some jeans that were 20% off at this one place...but the 20% off sale price was still going to be $180, so I passed.

I headed back to Ottawa on Monday after lobsterizing in Belleville for the day. It is a 4 day week, so I cant wait for the weekend to come!

Today's Rant topic: Pizza Pizza

Tonight, after a hard fought 8-7 softball victory, I decided to treat myself with some pizza from the Canadian Pizza Chain "Pizza Pizza". I'm sure you have all heard of this place and their "30 minute guarantee". Well, tonight I placed my online order at 6:23pm and waited...and waited...until 6:58 when the pizza finally got there. So I let the dude in, and said "So this is free right? You guaranteed 30 minutes or free". He said "No, it wasnt my fault - it was the previous customer, he slowed me down". I said "Thats not my problem, you have a guarantee...whats the point of the guarantee then?" Anyway...this carried on for about 3 minutes, when I finally got fed up and just gave him the money.

This is an open letter to Pizza Pizza...what is the point of having a guarantee, if you wont honour it? I have a guarantee too, I will NOT being ordering Pizza Pizza ever again! (Let's just see if they can stay in business without my $20 a month!)