I should have mentioned this when I first read about it on Tuesday (courtesy ), but better late than never. Peace be unto the immortal soul of our dearly departed Momofuku Ando (see left), inventor of that staple of college student cuisine, ramen noodles.

Dead at 96, this man’s creation feeds 100 million people a day, and for my good friend , was the almost exclusive means of sustenance for the majority of the time we roomed together. Rest easy, Edward, knowing that if this man made it close to the century benchmark, your arteries and innards are probably safe from that year of noshing out of styrofoam tubs.

‘s post about the star-studded Toronto premiere of the new Aishwarya Rai film ‘The Guru’ incited me to go online and rent ‘Kuch Naa Kaho’, to get my illicit fix of sweet Bollywood in all its dancing, sari-wearing, marriage-crazed, Ganesh-worshipping, Hindi-and-Tamil-speaking loveliness. I’ll have to wait for to leave the house (she can’t stand the waily singing), then it’s popcorn and shubh raatri! Mei tumsey pyaar karti hu, Aishwarya! Meri Hindi kucch khaas nahi hai.

Yesterday, thoughtfully loaned me her copy of Miriam Toews’ ‘A Complicated Kindness,’ so that I can finally get back into the swing of Book Club. Theoretically, I’m a founding member of said club, which has been active since 2002. In practice, my attendance has been sporadic at best, as reflected by the fact that I haven’t been in queue to select a book since the summer of 2003 and have now been removed from the “choosing” list altogether until I prove my renewed commitment. I intend on coming back with a vengeance! Not WITH vengeance, like in a rain of fiery death or anything. Just, you know, vigorously.

This weekend looks promising. Saturday , , and I will gather to watch ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and eat. Then in the evening, my bar-buddy, legal advisor, construction consultant and articulate debater of all things involving the history and philosophy of science and technology, Captain Matt, is celebrating his birthday at his new bar on Queen West called ‘UNIT’.

“Attempting to recapture the true art ethos of Queen West, Unit features artful touches of Parkdale nostalgia, with old movie sign letters and a vintage roulette wheel where a clock might normally be. And take a close look at that bar counter. Yes, that is indeed wood from an eighty-year-old gym floor.”.

Since 99% of Matt’s friends are hot, single, well-educated men, I’m trying to rustle up some of my many hot, single, well-educated women friends to go take a look-see. Takers? Personally, I’ll have to bow gracefully out of man hunting on this occasion, since:
1) I know Matt and his buddies too well to go there without prejudice – it’s just not the same once you’ve watched hockey, wrestled and raced GoKarts with a group of men, the mystique is gone gone gone, and more importantly,
2) they’re all from Barrie, and I’ve had my fill of men from Barrie.
Still, nothing to stop my ladies from taking advantage.

Sunday I’ll be hiking the Bruce Trail with lovely Sara, and then showing up sweaty (as usual) to ‘s for some fun with my opera peeps.

Namaste, Pipes