A Tuesday of random thoughts

i- On the restaurant industry and perfect service. 100 points of great service; things I would want done in my establishment. Notice, point #7. "Do not announce your name. No jokes, no flirting, no cuteness...." Thank-you to the writer for saying this. You're here to eat and relax in the company of friends and companions, not to hear about me. Personal note, I never give my name and never will. Don't worry, I'm there when you need me and am not memorable simply because your dinner was spectacular and your guests were overjoyed.

Also, point #8. "Do not interrupt a conversation." Too much talk, no service.

A ha! Point #26. "Never assume people want their white wine in an ice bucket. Inquire." correct. If I order white Burgundy and you put it in an ice bucket, you're an idiot.

On Calgary growth and urban sprawl

--Daniel Bach for the Calgary Journal--

I’ve always been a curious citizen and witness to Calgary’s booming growth.

Recently, while combing through an archive of books and articles related to Calgary’s contemporary growth and development, looking for a work that would give me a sense of where the city is at today, I was instantly enthralled upon finding a book first published in 1974 to celebrate Calgary’s centenary the following year.

Calgary: a not too solemn look at Calgary’s first 100 years, written by Bob Shiels, a former University of Calgary professor and newspaper columnist, chronicles the city’s growth, from its beginnings as a tiny settlement along the banks of the bow, through the oil boom of the early 20th Century and into the massive refurbishment and infrastructure development years of the late ‘60s and ‘70s.

Thoughts for an autumn evening

Hello, Some things for you to think about over coffee or tea. Keep in touch. D

Feature article shared: Welcome back Polaroid. Perhaps my favourite form of photography.

IMPORTANT sidenote: My love and prayers are with a good friend as she recovers in hospital from one of life's curveballs. A fighter, an inspiration and an amazing woman she truly is...Thinking about you, cups of coffee, laughter and all our amazing conversations, Shannon Bow. Read her story.

i. The UQAM welcome wagon. 172 communications students make a music video to convince students that their college is a good one. Great initiative.

ii. What? Beijing was awarded the Olympics thanks to corrupt IOC and Chinese bureaucrats?... I would have never guessed that one.

iii. We put up a brick wall to stop the Nazis from finding and drinking all the top vintages, and in turn, forgot about the pre-French Revolution Cognacs. Wish I was bidding in this wine auction.

iv. Eat local, yet drink European in... of all places: San Francisco. The Pour.

Snowed-in Wednesday thoughts

Hello,

Hope all is well. A few things I found today, and yesterday, which made me laugh and read a little further.

Best,

D

i - Cuban blogger: One of Time Magazine's most influential people of 2008, barred from accepting journalism prize in NYC

ii - "Let me be clear..." - Obama's go to phrase

iii - Nutini, gravely-voiced Scots singer, rocks it against racism.

iv - Can anyone here speak "Glaswegian?" Hahaha, perhaps something I could easily make money at in the future.

v - Photographing the Beatles - wishing I could pop into the National Portrait Gallery.

vi - Picking, crushing and fermenting grapes for Thanksgiving, and lending a hand to make Nota Bene.