Still Unemployed...

...but I've applied for a bunch of jobs, just waiting out the end dates and hopefully I'll get contacted.

I'm still without internet at home, but they're coming next Monday to hook me up, finally, so I won't have to spend so much time at Starbucks anymore! On the plus side, most of the employees know me quite well now and will occasionally give me freebies! :P

I've just re-discovered "Blue Beard" by the amazing Band of Horses, and await IM-patiently for them to come to Edmonton to play. But I would be a liar if I didn't say my new Favorite Song This Moment was "F**k You" by Cee Lo Green. It's just so catchy, and BOTH videos on Youtube are great.

Home from the Adventure!

Hello all, from my neighbourhood Starbucks! (I still don't have internet at my house...)

Well I'm back from my trip and just as I feared, I barely used my blogger. :( Sorry about that! I had a blast, and have brought entirely too many stories and photos back with me. (Also, t-shirts, sunglasses and watches...)

Instead of frantically trying to backdate all my stories and travel happenings, I think I'll just say "screw it" and go back to my normal life blog that I used to run. Sound good? I thought so too!

Anyways, here's my first "Favorite Song This Moment" since I've been home:



Mumford and Sons "The Cave". Awesome.

One More Sleep

Well, it's all come down to this. I've packed, unpacked and re-packed. I've loaded up my iPhone with songs and TV shows. I've laminated my fake student ID (for discounts of course). Now all that's left to do is grab that one last morning Starbucks from the International departures lounge and board my plane. I always feel like I'm forgetting something on the last day before I leave on a trip, but this time the feeling is really hard to shrug off. I think it's because of all the people that I'm leaving behind. They are certainly not forgotten, but definitely will be missed.

So in order to lighten the mood a bit, here's something I haven't done in a while:

My favorite song this moment is Holiday by Vampire Weekend. Fitting, no? :P

More Travel Prep

Today I got my first round of vaccinations for Hep A. This was a step I shouldn't have had to worry about since I got this back in 2006 before my Eurotrip, but lazy 'ol me never went back to get the second required shot a few months later and so my immunity ran out.

(Note to self: DON'T FORGET TO DO THIS AGAIN.)

I also picked up my first batch of meds for E.coli and a prescription for my malaria medication as well. Who would have thought traveling halfway across the world required so much planning? ;)

Another big step was taken this afternoon as well, while doing some internet work at my local Starbucks. (I still don't have internet at home, so besides my iPhone this place is my connectivity hub for the next few months)...I booked my first hostel of the trip!! :O

Since I'll be in Japan during the peak cherry-blossom viewing period, I didn't want to arrive and find I would have to sleep in a city park! Apparently the best spots for viewing are actually around Osaka so I guess I should probably solidify my schedule so I can book those hostel nights as well.

Codename's Consumer Criticisms

Okay I figure it's about time for another one of these. I've taken a little while getting around to posting this critique because I really wanted to be sure my recommendation would be both fair and influence -free. With that in mind, I present my views on Starbucks' new Via instant coffee:


Available in two flavours, Columbian (Medium) & Italian Roast (Extra Bold), this instant coffee comes in convenient little packages that you can take with you anywhere. When these first came out I was skeptical that any crystalized coffee could taste even remotely close to it's freshly ground cousin. After performing the taste test in multiple locations around the city, I came to the conclusion that not only do these little packets taste good, they taste exactly the same as the freshly brewed drip! The only way I could tell them apart was by physically looking at the two cups of competing coffee. (The fresh ground was poured out of the machine and therefore had little bubbles on the surface)

Impressed? Absolutely. Now normally I'm a Cappuchino or Latte kinda guy, but with the despicable quality of coffee available here at work I have started stocking my drawer full of these convenient little life-savers. No longer will I have to suffer the horrible bean-breath and the inevitable stomach pains that come along with the still overpriced "50 cents a cup" canteen brew. Another Starbucks miracle? I think so!

(PS - That last statement may have a touch of prejudice to it :P)

The Dentist Conspiracy!!

Today I went to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, and I just knew I would be disappointed at the end. You see, back in the days of my youth I bought anything and everything that was Root Beer flavoured and my trips to the dentist were no exception. When the inevitable question was asked, "what flavour of fluoride would you like" the only obvious answer was "Root Beer Float". This was my go to flavour for years and years, until one day the hygienist told me they didn't carry it anymore.

"What do you mean, you don't carry it anymore? Why wouldn't you carry The Best flavour?!?"

"I don't know son, how would you like bubblegum? Kids love bubblegum!"

"Psh, bubblegum... if I wanted that flavour I'd have some gum or something..."

"...what was that?"

"Hhhhhhh....nothing...."

Years and years went by, and my love affair for all things Root Beer slowly dwindled away...seemingly brought about by my disappointment in the dental chair that day.

So anyways, flash forward to today and that inevitable question arrises again. I told her, "I know there is no way I'm going to get the flavour I want, but I'll ask for it again anyways. Root Beer, please."

"Root Beer fluoride?? I've been a dental hygienist for 30 years and I've never heard of that."

Had I stumbled upon some strange, unintelligible dental conspiracy? Has the Canadian Dental Association buried this "flavour from the Gods" so deep that the mere mention of it now is met with a blank stare from even the most experienced of Dental professionals? If anyone out there has any information, please let me know!!

PS - I could totally smell Starbucks while she was cleaning my teeth, haha!

They're Back!

Okay okay, so it's not the best specialty flavour at Starbucks, but it is the first of many that come out in the Fall/Winter and that is awesome because they are all rockin'! I stopped off at the nearest SB's today at break and was delighted to see the new posters advertising the Pumpkin Spice Latte, so I ordered my first pumpkin of the season - the girl even announced to the rest of the store that I was the first to order it, haha!

PS - The best specialty flavour is obviously the uber-rare Shortbread Latte which I have only ever found twice. (Second place goes to the Peppermint Twist Latte, naturally.)