The Platinum Ticket by David Beynon

The Platinum Ticket by David Beynon
Shortlisted for The Terry Pratchett Anywhere But Here, Anywhen But Now First Novel Prize

Saturday 20 February 2010

Refreshing

Hey.  Take a look at this:



Now, I like Tiger Woods.  I'm more of a Phil Mickelson fan, but Mr Woods and his accomplishments have always been impressive.  With all the recent news of his many affairs and such, I found I wasn't overly interested in peering into golf's most famous son's personal life.  This, however, interests me.

What makes the above clip so interesting and refreshing?

Responsibility and ownership.  Think - when was the last time someone in the public eye - celebrity or politician - actually took responsibility for his or her actions?

In a world where the words "It was entirely my fault" spill from the lips of superstars, I think anything is possible.

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Anticipation

Ever notice how some things build in the anticipation?  For Valentine's Day I wanted to try something new for the family which I figured they would all like.  I thought about it for a while and decided on a delicious, decadent treat.  For me, delicious and decadent equals New York Style Cheesecake.  


I've always been daunted by cheesecake.  The good ones are a real gold standard.  How many eggs?!!  How much cream cheese?!?A 10 inch spring form pan?  How the hell does a spring form pan work?  Well, I soldiered through a recipe and even added a few flavour hints of my own and when I popped the spring on that spring form pan - 


Perfection.  On my first try I made the best damn cheesecake I've ever had.


I also made crumpets this weekend.  You'll notice I'm not talking about them very much...


Speaking of crumpets, the Beynon family is UK bound.  In just a few short weeks we will be heading across the ocean to visit my aunt and uncle and  to discover a number of cousins only known from photos and Christmas phone calls.  We can hardly wait.


Yesterday was Family Day in Ontario and we celebrated by going skating.  I was on skates  - briefly - about six years ago on a friends cleared pond.  Before that it must have been twenty years since I was last on skates.  The skates I borrowed for the pond outing were two sizes too big.  I spent the entire time skating on my ankles.  Yesterday I laced on a brand new pair of CCM's and hit the ice.  It was an experience.  I could barely move and was frightfully unsteady.  I did, however, have excellent ankle support.  I slowly made my way around the rink and completed an entire single lap before I called it quits.  As I pulled the skates from my feet I had a thought.

Man, these things feel a mite dull.


I walked over to the Pro Shop and asked the gent if he could sharpen my skates.  He snickered.

"I'll bet you had an interesting time on the ice today."  He said.

"Why would you say that?" I asked.

"Well, these are chrome plated blades and they still have a layer of rounded chrome on the edges.  Look here."

He lifted the skate and showed me.  Dull as the kid who sat behind me in seventh grade.

After a few minutes of flying sparks he handed them back.  What a difference.  Will the sharpened skates make me a better skater?  Unlikely, but at least I'll be able to get up some speed for a spectacular ass-plant.