danistrulytheman

I'm STILL a self confessing, self professing know-it-all, or so I think!

Author Archives: danistrulytheman


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yellow chicken!!

OMG … been meaning to buy/try/give this a go for SOOOOO long!! I have friends in the chicken wholesale business, they’re Chinese and they SWEAR by this bird … say it’s the best bar none (I’m certain it’s more grain fed, more hormone free, more free range than anything available – and judging by the supply/demand AND price, I’m REALLY certain). Limited shipment arrives once a week (Wednesday or Thursday … if at all, some weeks … ZIP BABY!!), and customers are constantly calling (they also do a limited retail business with those in the know … and I know) in anticipation. And come early, in a matter of hours, it’s sold out city!! Unbelievably, today was my lucky day … you should hear it in there, shoppers asking specifically for gender of their choosing (apparently males have a stronger taste, females smoother and sweeter – ain’t that always the way, lol?) … never heard/knew of that in my life … AND, I was told to keep the chicken intact while cooking, to chop off/discard the head and feet AFTERWARDS only … AND this wasn’t negotiable … something about juices/flavour spilling out … if you say so – hell, who am I to argue, lol?! After purchasing … immediately in my mind figured I’d south-western spice rub it, mop it with a killer BBQ sauce to finish … but with time to make a wiser decision … and with my garden overflowing with fresh Italian parsley, 2 types of sage, oregano, thyme, rosemary and oregano, opted instead to go Mediterranean. Didnt stop to pick up groceries (normally, I’m set in case of emergencies – had potatoes and lemon), but when I got home realized I didn’t have tzatziki, keep in mind this meal SCREAMS it – I love tzatziki more than I love my kids … OK OK … it’s a coin flip, lol … and away I went … what’s good for the spuds, is good for the chicken … so important to reinforce flavours  … and later admittedly, was happy fridge was sans tzatziki … best not to bastardize my first attempt at this … and KISS!! Oh, also … didn’t go nuts on crispin’ the skin … my preferred method, not theirs … once again too much flapping lips (do chickens have lips, lol?) … my yellow chicken, potatoes, sweet onions, garlic, lemon and fresh garden herbs oozing in mouthwatering chicken drippin’ creation … enjoy!! 😉

The whole chicken (Tiff K may actually kill me using this platter, lol) …

You can see why it’s called yellow …

Using my disposable BBQ-buddy pan, smart move danistrulytheman …

WOW … looking good (just added the sweet onions) …

An hour (or so) later, we’re done folks …

Soup’s on y’all (with rustic potato bread too … NICE!!) …


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it’s a war inside my head, I take a day off I’ll be dead

a dark black past is my
most valued possession

hindsight is always 20-20
looking back it’s still a bit fuzzy

feeling claustrophobic
like the walls are closing in
blood stains on my hands
and I don’t know where I’ve been

I’m in trouble for the things
I haven’t got to yet
I’m sharpening the ax
and my palms are getting wet
sweating bullets


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labour daze and ribeyez

Ribeye steaks … although at a smidgen over 3 inches thick, perhaps roasts would be appropriate. Haven’t been grilling as much as I’d like too, as much as I should … nothing like a 3 day holiday week-end and a last kick at the summer-can to remedy that. Picked up these 2 Sterling Silver® (premium meat – top 12% of grain fed cattle) beauties at my not so local Sobeys. A few pics (and the omission of beer is purely accidental, rest assured its presence was prominent, lol) … enjoy!!

Pepper rubbed – patiently waiting …

The first kiss of the grill (look how thick they are) …

So far, so good …

Getting their char on – LOVE that …

… I think we’re done folks …

1 steak (perfect medium rare, don’t ya think?) sliced ‘n braided plated …

Grill toasted and garlic buttered French Loaf …

And my plate (served with my grilled baby portabello, sweet onion, poblano medley) …


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I’ll move to Paris, shoot some heroin, fuck with the stars

You man the island and the cocaine and the elegant cars

I’m feeling rough, I’m feeling raw, I’m in the prime of my life

We’ll choke on our vomit and that will be the end
We were fated to pretend
To pretend
We’re fated to pretend
To pretend


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I’m a self-critical glutton!!

Honestly don’t know why I do this to myself? Subjecting myself to my over-the-top-analysis – maybe we all do it, I dunno?! Always feel I look like shit in pics (but please … feel free to disagree, lol) … the fuck’s up with the hair, lol?! And am only posting now because I didn’t earlier in my previous post … ooops, my lazy-ass bad. Btw … hello September, goodbye summer … happy Labour Day week-end y’all!! 🙂

Photo (unedited) courtesy: Tiffany K


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thought I was gonna vomit!!

… first walking to my car, then driving home … and that wasn’t the worst of it … nauseousness kept lingering!! Thankfully SS previously prepared me (really reminded me) beforehand of what might happen … IMMEDIATE SENSORY PERCEPTION OVERLOAD is best I can describe throwing on a pair of prescribed glasses for the first time (in my old-man lifetime) …  haven’t been accustomed to sporting them for almost 35 years, ‘nstead choosing wearing contact lenses … goodbye periphery – hello tunnel vision best sums it up!! Was barely able to drive home alone without getting into an accident all you macaulays out there … thankfully any ralphing is waning!! AND big thanks to Cincinnati Melissa, Toronto Perry and TO TJ for quickresolutionofmyphonecallpissedoffness (within a couple of hours too, btw) regarding issues of said headgear … LOVE great customer service, and you guys fucking rock … kudos, and thanks!! 🙂


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twenty years

Was hungry as that proverbial horse today. Normally don’t eat too much for lunch, and honestly, I don’t know how the rest of y’all do it, day after day. Went to my fave BBQ Chinese fast food take out joint (these places are all over the city), and every time I show my mug the owner reminds me that he’s known me for over twenty years. “Twenty years” over and over he keeps yelling as he laughs and smiles. Then I have to remind him, we’re BOTH getting old, lol!! He must be doing something right (look at the pics) … AND look at all the food he gave me – $7 + $1 for water shoulda been the price but it wasn’t, I’m embarrassed to tell ya what he charges me so I won’t … just look at the pics, lol!! 😉

LOVE this – so much to choose from …

BBQ chicken and pork over rice in the ubiquitous styrofoam container …


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enjoying the bounty

… from yesterday’s Junction Farmers Market venture (… and today’s Highland Farms trip)!! Love, LOVE serving/eating food this way … family style … whenever possible. Doesn’t matter if it’s only Tiffany K and I or the whole gang … nothing beats plating the food (and drink, lol … and allowing everyone to enjoy each other’s company), letting people serve themselves at their own pace, everyone relaxed and not rushing – eating a bit at time, invariably going back for more, and more … and more, lol. Sitting/standing … eating/drinking … talking/laughing ( … AND with music playing in the background, at the perfect volume of course – only takes a second of deathly silence to suck the life outta ANY party, lol) … such a fun, festive, social setting don’t ya think?!

Heirlooms, burrata/bocconcini, Acropolis, Maldon & Dark Opal basil …

Pyramid’s succulent sauerkraut heaped on razor thin sliced Ace’s bread …

… btw y’all, shit IS the bomb … fareal!!

Carrafa crushed olives …


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Pyramid Farm and Ferments

… been reading about this place lately …specifically lacto-fermentation and its benefits. I’ve been changing my habits recently trying to incorporate healthier living alternatives … it’s not like I adhere to any one’s principals or beliefs, and you can’t go wrong with good quality foods, this I know. Wanted to go the Junction Farmers Market last week, but spent the day strolling up and down the Danforth feasting on food on sticks ‘nstead, lol!! Couldn’t have picked a better day … picked up a few other things from various vendors (peaches, spelt cookies – sorry, no pics) as well, but really went for Pyramid’s raw sauerkraut – no vinegar, no sugar, no traditional canning … live and cultured food.

Come early, stuff sells fast …

Very small and quaint, maybe 15 vendors …

My new friend Alex at his stand …

Kimchi, and Sauerruben along with the Spring Sauerkraut … Pesto too …

And I snagged this basket of heirlooms (Alex mentioned they have over 50 varieties) …


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Altacocker loves his Altbier!!

… lol, maybe I’m not THAT old … thinking up a post title, this made me laugh. Must admit, had a helluva time finally finding the brew, turned into a real beer seeking mission. Luckily the Creemore Crew stepped up and helped a brother out pointing me in the right direction. Saying happy they did is a huge understatement. WOW – first word outta my mouth after my first taste (think I was still swallowing, lol). Great stuff guys – your beers are the best, you never fail to impress … hmmm, how’s that’s for a danistrulytheman quote, lol?!

On the shelf …

Case in hand …

The wait is over …


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doin’ it St. Louis style!!

We used to go for wings back in the day when there was only two places serving up great wings ’round here. And one, Bistro On Avenue was the place that spawned the St. Louis chain. Now, there’s a smörgåsbord of places to pick and choose from, but Tiffany K had her heart set on this venerable girl (the bar & grill … NOT her, lol) and Tuesday was always the day of choice with their half price specials … and was a time we didn’t miss many either … now we rarely go – sure was fun to relive old times!!

A few pics courtesy Tiffany K (and her iPhone 4S camera):

My Suicide order (minus 1 wing + ketchup drenched fries) …

danistrulytheman inhaling a wing. Tiff’s Hot Sweet Asian order …

Fries and tasty dill-dip  …

Rolling Rock Ale, and more dill dipping, lol …

The obligatory bill (pic by moi – and my iPhone 4 camera, lol) …


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Jarlsberg on the cheap!!

Couldn’t believe this while perusing my Highland Farms online flyer … Jarlsberg Cheese half price … $7.99/lb ($17.61/kg)!! Don’t know where you’re from and what y’all normally pay for it … $16/lb is the going rate in these parts … sometimes on sale for ten bucks if you’re lucky, and only if you know and are able to score it that is (lowest price I’ve ever seen btw), AND that’s only precut prepackaged wedges with the skin/rind on … this was available anyway you wanted it sliced (LOL, sorry for the cheesy pun … and again, ooops, lol). It’s one of my favourite go to cheeses, its flavour, texture is distinct … not overpowering, but not too mild either … love it in sandwiches, on crackers … great for any and many uses. And being a long time loyal, friendly, beloved Highland Farms customer … my cheese lady friend sliced off the throwaway bits before weighing & pricing saving me more money (scaled and priced with the rind was almost $45 – with it cut and discarded about $41 – saved $4), AND she vacuum sealed the whole deal for me (a service NOT offered I was told … looks like I AM special, lol). Oh, this was my second trip too … went first day during their one week sale and spent about $25 on smaller pieces … good thing I went back again midway through the week, CLF says they’re almost sold out, only a few wheels remaining … and she’s not sure if they’ll be restocking (or if they’ll give raincheques) before the sale ends … oh well, I got mine, lol!!

Beautiful display …

INCREDIBLE OFFER! … INDEED …

My handbasket, almost 6 lb – $41 worth (deuces are wild, lol) …


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Usain Bolt – Living legend!!

… and HE IS!! And to IOC President Jacques Rogge pooh poohing and disagreeing saying NOPE to that, referring to/giving him credit for icon … but not LEGEND? Bullocks!! What a load of codswallop!! Thankfully JR eventually (days later, pressure presumably by the Olympic Committee … and everybody else for that matter, lol) saw the error of his silly semantics and recanted. Yep, 2 Olympics, 6 events, 6 gold medals, 4 world records … in my books that’s amotherfuckinglegend!! Ya Mon!! 🙂