Update

Welcome back to the blog after some "ahem" technical problems. Just to let you know I'm still alive and well and heading up to Whistler this weekend. Will post some pics when I get back. Also stay tuned for my review of the Ricky Gervais Simpson's episode and anything else interesting that has happened.

A Tragic Death

It's my sad duty to report that we've had our first death in Vancouver. Yes, Gavin's blog "The Golden Camel" has finally passed away due to starvation and malnutrition. Gavin Hodge is now wanted for murder and is being hunted by the police as you read this. When Gavin first got his blog he looked after it well, giving it words and pictures on a regular basis.

This happy relationship didn't last though and Gavin started to grow neglegant of his blog. Posts grew thinner and thinner until he just stopped completely. If this is how he treats his blog, imagine how'd he treat his pets. The blog police have warned other blog writers to stay away from Gavin if they see him. They are worried he might try and kill other blogs if given the chance.

Gavin is also being investigated for a number of unsolved blog related crimes included intimidation, fraud and genecide.

This man wants your blog to die

Cash Me In

Last night we were hit by a blackout. This led to much frantic searching for my torch in order to "shed some light" on the situation. (I write all my own jokes). After making my way to the electrical panel containing all the flip switches I was soon joined by Aaron and Shuji. Flipping them back and forth seemed to have no effect, which was when we ventured outside.

The entire block was in darkness, we were left helpless and defenceless and so retreated back into the house to join Kate and her boyfriend Mike in the living room. Here we discussed possible courses of action such as looting the shops and running down the street carrying a big screen tv but this was soon dismissed.

So what do you do in a blackout, play poker of course. No limits texas hold em to be precise. With our torches pointed at the table Aaron fetched his poker set and the game began. Shuji was quite worried at this point because he was in the middle of studying for a midterm the next day but he soon relaxed into the poker.

Kate made the early running taking a couple of big pots but was she playing too aggressive from the get go. I took it easy, working my way into the game, not gambling too highly. Suprisingly it was Mike who left the game first. Kate had left him with little chips and a desperate call of "all in" did him no good and he was out.

Aaron had made a few good plays by this point and had moved into the chip lead. Kate was looking less confident as her pile shrank and Shuji was still figuring out how to play. Now all those nights watching "Late Night Poker" while at University finally paid off. Building up a huge pot in the table I took a massive hand and moved into the chip lead. Kate was out, Shuji was hanging on and it was game on.

They taught me well

Over the next few hands Aaron kept picking away at me with some bold moves. (He actually plays poker for real money sometimes. His suggestions of playing for next months rent were quickly dismissed). By this time the power had come back on but we kept on playing.

An artist's impression of the game last night

Aaron folded leaving just me and Shuji in the hand. He had little chips left and moved all in. We both showed our cards. He had a pair of tens but my full house containing a pair of aces and three eights knocked him out. Now it was heads up between me and Aaron. Seeing as Shuji was studing in the living room I thought to myself we better let him have some peace and quiet. Aaron went all in and I followed suit with only a pair of eights. I lost but in the end I think we all won.

As commentator Jesse May on Late Night Poker used to say "Until next time, cash me in".

Tog Returns

Great news everydody, Tog's coming back. He rang me this morning and said that one day this month he's just going to show up and take us all out for one wild night. I told him that nothing could beat the last time we all went out but Toggy replied "Paul, that was just a warm up for the main event". The excitement starts now.

Toggy in a rare quiet moment


Toggy as the party gets going


You wouldn't even believe the story behind this picture. Let's just say it's why we haven't seen Togo Marmaduke IV around Vancouver for a while

And the Oscar Goes To.....

With us being in North America, it presented us with the chance to watch the oscars at a reasonable hour. Instead of lying in bed until 5 in the morning, desperately trying to stay awake, we could watch at our own leisure on a Sunday evening.

But why stop there, when would we get this chance again. So to celebrate the occasion we decided to dress up in our smart gear. This mostly comprised of suits, but as I don't have one, a shirt and tousers had to suffice. Earlier in the day Chris had invited us to lunch as we don't see much of him these days. He usually works to some ungodly hour up at Grouse Mountain. After this I went back home and watched the build up to the oscars and the red carpet coverage. The "E" coverage was based from the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which I stayed at back in June 2001.

When the time came I made my way over to Andy and Ian's batcave and was the only one there to actually witness the start of the oscars and the humorous opening with Jon Stewart and previous hosts of the acadamy awards.

More people came along as time went by and by the end the batcave was at breaking point, full to capacity.

Notice the people who made an effort were all British. You just can't rely on Australians, South Africans, Canadians and Americans. On the sofa from left to right we have Me, Keenie, Gav and then Liz. On the floor we have Jade, Jilly and Laura at the front. Sitting down at the back we have unknown girl, Hannah, unknown guy. And then suited up at the back we have Andy crouching down and Simon standing up

Ian took the last picture, so here he is in his suit looking in his own words "camp as Christmas"

What would the oscars be without Jack Nicholson. Even when he's not nominated or presenting he's still there with his sunglasses. This year they made the brave decision to sit him next to....

...Keira Knightly. Jack was pleased although Andy wasn't. Once again Keira didn't invite him to her 21st birthday party.

Rachel Weisz as one of the token brit winners. Unlike Nick Park for Wallace and Gromitt, she didn't set back British stereotypes for another 50 years

Georgeous Geroge and his oscar