Wow. Just wow.

Incomparable Ambiance
Originally uploaded by victorpanlilio.

Once a year, Caroline and I make a pilgrimage to River Café for our wedding anniversary dinner. Starting last year, we decided the best way to dine here is to try the current tasting menu, with wine pairings chosen by the cellar manager or sommelier. We did the same thing this year, and we were not disappointed! For details, click on the photo to go to the Flickr photoset.

Ragamuffin

I guess it was only a matter of time before someone used the free Internet access at the Apple Stores to run their own, um, business. Imagine writing a 250-page book for several hours each day, over several months, while standing in high heels in front of an iMac computer on display, until closing time. A petite New York-based model, Isobella Jadeco, has done just that.

Voice Wreck-ognition

Is this an indication of the "updated" user experience we can expect from Windows Vista? I'm totally underwhelmed. Sheesh.

Someday, I'd like to go

Check out TEDTalks and watch some of the videos. There's something for almost every interest. As of this blog entry, I've watched the presentations of Majora Carter (moving and inspiring), David Pogue (entertaining and informative), and Larry Brilliant (totally riveting). In his video introduction, Chris Anderson boldly claims that TED is a foretaste of Heaven. That may be more than a bit presumptuous, but still, I can't help but wonder how marvelous it would be to meet some of the world's smartest, most interesting people, and listen to their ideas for making the world a better place. I can think of few other things I would enjoy more. So, stop reading this blog entry and check it out already. Feed your brain. You can thank me later.

Kidpreneur

Waiting
Originally uploaded by victorpanlilio.

CJ finally got his wish — his very first business, a lemonade stand. No cutting corners, either — freshly-squeezed lemons, not commercially prepared lemon concentrate or powder. About two dozen people bought the product, and everyone liked it. He almost sold out — only two cups' worth was left in the cooler. Not bad for a first day, and he learned about the best spot from a transit worker who bought some and suggested he move his stand closer to the pedestrian bridge at Dalhousie LRT station. Location, location, location...

Bullseye!

Bullseye!
Originally uploaded by victorpanlilio.

Strawberry picking season is upon us – our favourite u-pick place, ServiceBerry Farms, opened for the 2006 season on July 6. We set out on Monday July 10 and were there at 9:30 AM. By 11:30, Caroline had picked seven 4-litre pails with help from CJ. As you can see, the berries are sweet and ripe, and they're a deep, rich red all the way to the centre.

Thirsty?

Thirsty?
Originally uploaded by victorpanlilio.

Summer means, among other things, cooling off at the beach or the pool. For CJ and a friend, it also means trying out some lollipops while chugging down fruit-flavoured water. My late Dad photographed me around this age, sitting in his office chair with my childhood friend Colleen, enjoying each other's company. I thought of doing the same for CJ. Ah, it brings back so many happy memories... of ice cream cones, lemonade, and carefree play during the summer holidays. Oh, to be six years old again...