Cool - Mugs That Look Like Disposable Cups

You wouldn't think that such a collection could exist but feast your eyes on my mugs. Well, it's not really a collection but just three cups that I thought were hilarious and I needed to own. My first cup (left) I got from the MoMA online store and it's inspired by the "We Are Happy To Serve You" cups that are found through out New York. It's a piece of crap though because if you ever try to drink hot liquids from it, you will burn your hands so I only use it to drink cold beverages. The middle cup is obviously the iconic Starbucks cup and like I said, the best accessory in the morning will always be a venti Starbucks cup. Too bad it didn't include a sleeve though, otherwise it would be spectacular. Finally, my sister picked me up the "I Am Not A Paper Cup" cup from Urban Outfitters in Edmonton. Thank you Mary for the heads up. It features a silicone lid and is made from two layers of porcelain with a hollow cavity so you won't scorch your hands. Furthermore, the lid makes a seamless seal so it's actually portable but I fear it might break if I venture outside with it so it will stay in my cupboard. Anyways, feel free to let me know if you find any mugs that look like disposable cups and I shall add it to my collection.

Company - David Trinh

When I first started COOP, I wanted a topic devoted purely to my friends and a place to reflect on the company that surrounds me. I just got back from a birthday party and I think there's nobody else more deserving to be profiled for my first "company" blog entry than David Trinh.

Honestly, a guy who cries in front of a group of people and tells them he loves them, now this is a good friend. He may put up a front that makes him appear apathetic and emotionless, but when you get upset over a friend being disrespected or when you think your friends are simply not having fun at your birthday party, you know this guy truly cares for the people in his life. Well, it may be the alcohol speaking since this seems to be a pattern at his parties, but he has emotions that just seem to be released when he's most happy. Forget the negative comments people say and remember the night for what it was, great food, great friends, and a great time all around.

David Trinh has certainly been a puzzle for most people over the years. Just when he started letting people into his life, he pushes them all away and flies away to Vancouver. We don't hear a word from him for a year and suddenly he's back in Calgary, so we all try to enjoy the time we have before he's gone once again. It's a bitter sweet moment for most people because we know time is limited but life was as it was before we all journeyed on different paths after high school. However, David did come back from Vancouver permanently but things get complicated and this time, we are the ones who push him away. I guess that didn't last too long and we realized that the history of our friendships is more valuable than the misuderstandings of the past.

Now you seem to have really found your stride and you managed to find a use for that cold dead face of yours to trick drunk gwai lo's out of their money all while avoiding taxes. I truly wish you found what you have been looking for and I hope you had a great 23rd birthday. Now let's all raise our glass to Trinh Pho and thank God he got rid of that soul patch. Cheers!

Cool - Let Me Google That For You

Have you ever been asked a question on msn or Facebook that could have easily been answered if a person would simply use google? Well, I would like to introduce you to Let Me Google That For You. Next time someone has the audacity to ask you another question online, you can give them a gentle google slap that makes them feel foolish and horrible for wasting your precious time. The website provides an inconspicous link that can be sent to your friend and will show an animation of how to use google to answer all of life's question. The animation will then ask your friend if it was really that hard if you opted to use google before being lazy and relying on others for answers. Anyways, knock yourself out and have fun belittling your friends.

Couture - Jack Spade Merino Moustache Gloves

I love clothes that have a sense of humor and I thought these gloves are very witty. A whimsical mustache is attached to the interior of each index finger in case you ever needed a disguise to get out of an awkward situation. I really appreciate the details so notice how each hand has a different mustache style. It's made from Italian merino wool so they sound extra soft for a cold winter night, but this is not surprising since Jack Spade is known for its quality accessories. Once again, the problem is the price and these gloves retail at a hefty $95 USD, so it's more of a piece to be admired instead of being owned. However, if you have some extra cash lying around for a pair of gloves, you can purchase them from Jack Spade online.

Complete - Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay

I've always been a huge fan of the Olympics but I suppose that comes with growing up in an Olympic host city and witnessing the impact the games had on transforming this sleepy prairie city into the metropolitan it is today. An interesting fact was that I was actually absent during the 1988 Calgary Olympic Games because it was my first trip to Hong Kong. My mom said that there were so many people flying into Calgary during that time but we were the only people trying to leave, so I have never actually been present in a city when it hosted the Olympics. Fascinating, eh?

The design of the torch for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games had been released quite a while ago but when I first saw it, I was initially unimpressed and thought it was cold and bland. However, as I read more about the design, I have changed my opinion and learned to really love the simplicity and modernity. The torch was designed in collaboration between VANOC and Bombardier (very fitting), and was inspired to resemble the track marks left in snow by winter sports. The details are amazing and I expect no less from Bombardier. You cannot see this in the picture but the air intake of the torch is shaped in a maple leaf and notice that the flame is lit on the side of the torch, which will make the flame appear as a flag that flows in the air as the relayer runs across Canada. The idea is simply genius and very striking.

The uniforms of torchbearers have also been released and unfortunately they're not as inspiring as the torch. I didn't have high expectations for the uniforms since they will need to be practical because Canadian weather is notorious for being unpredictable and extremely cold during the winter. In addition, the uniforms will need to be flattering for all different body types so I understand that designs were probably limited. Thankfully, these uniforms are a huge improvement from the athlete uniforms worn during the Beijing Olympics, which were extremely garish and stereotypical. Apparently, Hudson Bay had hired the same team of designers from Roots that dressed both the Canadian and American team in earlier Olympic Games and created a sensation with their "poorboy" hats. Therefore, I don't understand why the outfits produced by the Bay look so awful but I do have high hopes that the team's uniform will be much better. I do approve of the mittens though.

Royal Bank in one of the official sponsors of the Vancouver Olympics and it will allow thousands of Canadians the opportunity to participate in the torch relay. I've always wanted to take part in the torch run and now everyone has a chance to experience the Olympic spirit by making a pledge to help make Canada a better place. You're able to select from generic pledges but I'm not one to accept mediocrity so this is my pledge:

By visiting more cities and towns in Canada, I will be able to view the many different landscapes of our nation and better understand the varying local cultures that are found throughout Canada. At times, our country can be divided by our regional sentiments but if each Canadian was able to travel throughout the country, then we will discover that we are one country. Our beautiful geography and our multicultural people help form Canada, so I pledge to continue exploring the many treasures spread across our country. Therefore, I hope my contribution will set a precedent for the future and truly make Canada a better place to live for the generations to come.

Man it sounds so corny but hopefully I will get chosen!! The deadline is July 15, 2009 so remember to make your pledge but just try not to pick the Calgary route so I have less competition.

https://www.carrythetorch.com/

Compel - Calgary Transit

I have a real love hate relationship with public transportation, I enjoy the feeling of reducing my carbon footprint and the bus truly is the best place for people watching but I loathe waiting for the bus in -30°C weather and I hate grasping on to the handrail in +30°C weather. I once managed to befriend a Russian man who told me about his experience in jail and I also got coughed on by a guy with really warm and the most disgusting smelling breath, all while I was on the bus. I'm usually an avid user of Calgary Transit since I take it every weekday to school or work, but I do allow myself the luxury of driving on the weekends. The number 20 has been my route of choice to school for the past 5 years and the number 3 is really the only logical option for Calgarians to get to work downtown, but this past semester has been particularly bad since I now drive to the University twice a week because of my 8am audit class. However, I do carpool so I guess it's not as awful and I do manage to reap the benefits of $1.75 parking at the front of lot 32. Still, I am an admitted meat-eating vegetarian because I identify myself as an urbanist but rely way too heavily on cars.

I guess I could blame the fact that North-Central Calgary is in dire need of an LRT, but then again my neighborhood does have excellent transit service since both the number 3 and 301 BRT have one of the highest ridership rates in Calgary. The city also recently released draft versions of Plan It Calgary and there are ambitious plans for higher density development and increase transit service. Most interestingly, there are rumors that the proposed North-Central line may run along Centre Street instead of previous plans to build the line along Edmonton Trail. This is not exactly clear but I have been a strong supporter of the LRT running up Centre Street even though the costs will be astronomical and according to Stephanie Tse, it would apparently destroy all the mom-and pop shops if the train is to run above ground past McKnight (roll my eyes). This plan is 20 years away though and both the West and Southwest lines will be completed before the North-Central line will even see the light of day. However, it brings up the interesting question if the C-train should be designed to serve the greatest amount of people (Centre Street) or should transit-oriented development be constructed once the route is completed (Edmonton Trail)?

Regardless, I really hope I won't be living in the suburbs in 20 years so I guess this may no longer be relevant to me in the future. The purpose of this post really was to advocate for increase use of public transportation and applaud the city's effort to reduce automobile dependence. Afterall, Calgary is a post-war city designed for cars instead of people so it's great to see the city realize the importance of public transportation and we can pride ourselves on having the most successful LRT system in terms of ridership in North America, even more than Vancouver!! Anyways, I hope this post will convince you to pull out the bus pass instead of the car keys next time you leave the house. I promise I will try as well.

Cook - Nutter Butter

I know this technically isn't a recipe but it is food related so it will be my first "cook" post. I want to introduce you to the wonderfulness that is Nutter Butter. My sister just returned from Montana and she brought home my family's favorite snack. Unfortunately, it's only available in the US so if you ever head south of the border, remember to stock up on Nutter Butter at any available Walmarts. It's really delicious with a wafer shell and creamy peanut butter filling, plus it's not overly sweet so it's a perfect snack. In addition, there's no cooking involved and anything with peanut butter gets a thumbs up from me. Bon appétit!

Come - Fashion Central

From the developers who brought us the successful Art Central, Encorp Inc. is developing the highly anticipated Fashion Central on the corner of Stephen Avenue and First Street SW. Fashion Central will use a similar concept as Art Central by leasing prominent store fronts that face the street to established businesses in order to subsidize inner spaces for emerging designers. This project is extremely exciting since it will preserve historic buildings including the Alberta, Hull, and Macnaghten Block while allowing affordable retail options for local talents. Although no retailers have been announced, Stephen Avenue is an amazing location for businesses to bring new stores to Calgary. Only footsteps away from the new Core renovations and the flagship Holt Renfrew, Fashion Central will continue to enhance Stephen Avenue into a pedestrian friendly and upscale retail experience for all Calgarians. It's great to see that the city is focusing on creating downtown destinations and outdoor shopping opportunities away from traditional suburban malls. The one problem I have is the clock feature that resembles a watch, I get what they're trying to but it's really tacky.

http://www.fashioncentral.ca/

Cool - Family Restaurant

Thursday night is always my favorite day for watching TV because of shows like the Office and 30 Rock but there's one show in particular that I always look forward to during the week. Family Restaurant on Food Network Canada follows the Quons who operate the Lingnan which is one of the first Chinese restaurants in Edmonton as well as the popular Chicken for Lunch, which caters to the downtown lunch crowd. I never watched previous seasons of Family Restaurant but I was instantly interested when I learned it would be following a Chinese restaurant in Edmonton since it reminded me of my first job as a bus boy at Eastgate Restaurant when I was 12 years old. Man, I now realize that I was a victim child labour in my youth but I will tell you more about that another time.

The family is extremely charismatic especially Amy (the mother) who is extremely eccentric and very charming towards all of her customers, which explains the huge lineups at Chicken for Lunch while all the other food establishments are virtually empty (thanks to Wayne for pointing that out). Kinman Quon is the experienced father who is resistant to change while his children, Miles, Mandy, and Marty are continually pushing for updates to the business. I enjoy most of the family except for Miles because I find him extremely annoying and I'm pretty sure I hear a hint of a mainlander accent every time he speaks. Actually, the whole family speaks with accents except for Marty, but then again I have many friends who speak like Fobs (Timothy). Anyways, this show presents the great dynamics of a family operated Chinese Restaurant and exploits horrible Asian stereotypes by forcing the family to wear gaudy Chinese costumes when filming commentary. It's also amusing how the restaurant forces waiters to wear a Changshan to create an authentic Chinese atmosphere but they serve Kung Pao chicken and the restaurant is completely devoid of Asian diners!! However, I still think this show is extremely entertaining so watch online episodes here. Oh how I love the Food Network...

Couture - John Varvatos Slip Venetian Shoe

The winter weather has been making me feel quite depressed so I've been really looking forward to summer around the corner and the prospect of convocation. These shoes certainly remind me of sunny summer weather and is a great alternative to my traditional flip-flops. I get to enjoy the benefits of being barefoot but they look much more presentable and less like the footwear of a tourist. However, rest assure that these shoes will never replace my good old flip-flops. I really like the look of a deck shoe and the navy leather is a classic that you will wear again and again in the future. Plus, I think it might even look better with age and some wear and tear, so I will make it a goal to purchase these shoes by the summer. The only problem is that they are a little pricey at $295 but since they are already available, I'm sure they will go on sale just in time for beautiful Calgary weather.