Perhaps part of the reason I have wandered from DMB – although by no means do I suggest I stopped listening altogether – is that a lot of their recent work has simply not been their best. This is something Dave himself will admit (now, at least), and even though some of the recent music has been good, it hasn’t had the lasting impact much of their earlier work has had. So I was both eager and nervous about the new album that dropped last week, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.

There’s no way I wasn’t going to buy this album, listen to it, and most likely I was going to enjoy it. But would I love it? The short answer is that I love it. Perhaps there was a bit of extra purpose behind this album as it’s the first the band has made after the tragic death of Leroi Moore, their unbelievably talented sax man, or perhaps the band has simply re-found a certain magic that had drifted on previous albums. All I know is that I can’t get Funny the Way it Is out of my head and each song is more gripping than the next.

I find it a bit ironic that most of my time with DMB has been spent introducing others to their music, and I’ve found that time and again people embrace and really like the music, even want to go to concerts with me. I’ve been more likely to introduce somebody to Sufjan Stevens than DMB lately, but with this latest album it’s like DMB is trying to find me again. The pre-order offer included a bundled live concert 3-cd set from an Alpine Valley show – a place I’ve seen the band perform more than any other – and yesterday Dave Matthews himself sat down for a rare one hour interview, on CBC Radio of all places. The album even debuted at #1 on the charts, which must be a first for the band.

So now I find myself looping a lot of DMB again and it feels awfully darn good. Embedded below are some goodies from the band and their frontman.

Dave Matthews on Q with Jian Ghomeshi, telling a monkey story. It’s a radio show, but they film it and it airs on CBC tv as well. For the full interview you can download the podcast (mp3) or find it on iTunes.

Funny The Way It Is music video. If it doesn’t play for you it’s also on YouTube (where you can also view it full screen.

So it was with great relief that Tuesday night and all of yesterday I felt really darn good. Even after the shot to numb my leg wore off, I wasn’t really experiencing much pain and I’ve been getting around on crutches pretty well. I can get up and down and go to the bathroom all on my own, which is a big help since rIAm is wearing herself out taking care of me while 6 months pregnant! But oh my goodness has she ever been amazing…. even though I have more energy than she does!!

The frustration, though, is that it is bloody hard to do the simplest things. If I just want to re-position my leg, I tend to have to lift it, and darn it, the dead weight that is my leg is bloody heavy! I have some stretches to do, and doing those really underscores just how weak my leg is now. Trying to slide my leg up from laying flat on the bed is simple with my left – my heel goes right to my butt – but with my right, it goes maybe 2 inches. If I try to flex my quads on my left, my thigh gets hard. I try to do the same with my right, I can’t feel my quads at all… they have basically lost all the strength they had a couple days ago.

The pain killers have been useful to help me sleep through the night, and I actually took one this morning, but other than rIAm, the biggest hero the last two days has been Mr. IceMan. Incredible machine.

I’ve still been doing the Morning Brew, and last week I added a review of a great local restaurant, Jamie Kennedy Gardiner. Soon I plan to spend time getting photos uploaded, but first I need to put on some pants and figure out how to go down a flight of stairs so I can get to my first torture physio session.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I sit and write this, at work, I must admit (shhh!), I don’t find it as weird to be at work on Thanksgiving as I thought I would. But it is definitely not a normal feeling to know that I don’t have a giant pile of ads to look through, a leisurely lounge-y morning ahead of me, and a big dinner with family and/or friends tonight. American (real!) Thanksgiving isn’t really acknowledged here, and although I’m sure there are some groups of Americans who get together, plenty more head south of the border. Even some Canadians have their eyes southward, fixed on tomorrow’s big sales.

Even though we could have joined a group like Democrats Abroad tonight for a traditional turkey meal, we went a different direction. We talked about a couple different options, but renée and I (and to be fair, it was my choice as the American) settled on Silver Spoon. We haven’t been in a while, and the dedication to local, organic and/or seasonal seemed all to appropriate for Thanksgiving. Without my knowledge renée contacted Chef Rocco to see if he could do anything Thanksgiving-y; apparently, a pumpkin tart is on the menu and he’ll see what he can do with an amuse or appetizer. We’re looking forward to the meal quite a bit.

I also must admit that even though I love Thanksgiving more than any other holiday, the Canadians have the time of year a little bit better figured out. Since I still think theirs is too early, I think ours should be moved up a bit. The problem, of course, would be the extended Christmas shopping season, but think of the good fresh stuff available in the northern climes a couple weeks ago versus now. But alas, there’s no point in trying to move mountains – or at least, not this one – and I still love Thanksgiving and all its trappings. I love the long weekend, the kick-off of the holiday season, and even the uniquely American tradition of absurd shopping habits on still overly-stuffed stomachs. It doesn’t hurt that, as one blogger I read puts it, Thanksgiving is “the most adored food holiday in all the land.”

Weirdest of all, of course, is that for the first time in my life – and quite sincerely, I hope the last – I will not be with my parents and sister. Although I will be with my (growing) family, not being with the family I grew up with means it won’t be a perfect holiday. rIAm and I don’t know for sure where life will take us, or you, but we are firm in our conviction that we really want to be stateside for future Thanksgivings. Although it did occur to us that it could be great fun for you to come to us sometime, one day, but that’s just an idea and maybe we’ll think more about it some year.

So on this day of Thanksgiving, I’ll share with you that I am vey thankful for many things. I have all I could need and am particularly grateful that I am confident renée and I can weather the economic storm in the face of bringing our first child into the world, which, of course, is what I’m most thankful for: an expanding family, and one that seems to be as healthy (and active!) as possible. I am surrounded in my life by wonderful family and friends, and indeed, what else could a person want?

Lots of love-
Be well,
jft

Preferably, for Obama. But vote.

I find myself extraordinarily nervous today. My guy has the lead in the polls, but how accurate are those things? They certainly have been very convenient for the media… first Obama has a “big” lead, then it narrows, making it a tight race… will this lead in the polls translate to a victory tonight? I’d rather Obama be up than down, but it hasn’t eased my nerves much.

Read a great article on the mood of Obama and his campaign in the dwindling days – hours – of the campaign. Really moving and insightful.

George Will had a great article as well, covering carelessness and finances, and his closing line has stuck with me since I read it.

Callie Shell contributed an amazing photo essay as well.

A few other moments that have stuck with me… of course, the nomination acceptance speech in Denver; the Chicago Tribune endorsement rang true and was momentous in its own way; and, sadly, I still haven’t shook Giuliani and Palin ridiculing – making fun of – community organizers. I was already for Obama, but I lost any respect I had for those characters at that moment.

But I find myself with hope, with a sense of being lifted up, by Obama, and I’m so proud to say I voted for him. Now I’m just hoping my country – from my perspective – doesn’t screw this one up. To not elect Obama would be a wasted opportunity of unbelievable scale, in my opinion.

And there’s no doubt that I’ll feel a whole lot better about bringing a child into the world with Obama as president.

I’m sad, nonetheless, because Studs became intertwined in my love of Chicago. rIAm and I attended his session at the Printer’s Row Book Fair a couple years ago mostly at my insistence (although rIAm heartily agreed), and since then it’s been hard to figure out who is the bigger fan. I will always remember, from that session, Studs answered a question about people living in suburbs instead of cities. “You have to remember,” Studs said, “they [the suburbanites] are people too.”

But it was clear that Terkel was fiercely proud of Chicago, of city life, of the neighborhoods and people who make up the fabric of city, and Chicago life. That pride is one I shared, but Studs’ was contagious. And when I brag about Chicago, one of the reasons I say it’s great is because it’s the home of one Studs Terkel.

Rick Kogan, who was pretty well inseparable from Studs in public appearances lately, has a beautiful obituary published.

This wouldn’t be complete without mention of how and who Studs wrote about. It was the everyman and woman, the ones who aren’t famous – aren’t “important” (Joe the Plumber aside) – but through the voice they are given by Studs become enormously important. One of the finest stage productions I’ve seen in Chicago – indeed, anywhere – was based on Studs’ work Race: What Blacks and Whites Think and Feel About the American Obsession. Some of the books I’m most proud of owning were penned by Studs.

It also broke my heart – and was indeed rIAm’s first utterance after I shared the news of his passing – that Studs will not be around this Tuesday to see the potential election of America’s first black president. But it is in part thanks to Studs and his long legacy that it is even possible for that to happen on Tuesday.

This is the end of an era, and one I’m very sad indeed to see go.

For those of you into neighbourhood goings-on, our traditionally Polish neighbourhood is hosting their traditional Polish Festival. The main street is shut down for 1km+ and there’s all sorts of food, music and fun stuff. I wrote about rIAm’s and my visit this afternoon (before the rain came!) and embedded lots of photos through flickr.

I also paid a visit to the newly opened espresso bar in our neighbourhood, giving a first look for blogTO.

That Canadian election I mentioned? Yeah, broke that story on blogTO. There’s even a click poll so you can see who’s leading amongst blogTO readers.

Call me festival guy; last weekend we visited our friends linda & Dan in their ‘hood for Justin Rutledge at the Junction Arts Festival.

And I’ll plug it again because I like it so much… I did a profile of my current favourite Toronto chef, Rocco Agostino. He tends to my current favourite Toronto restaurant, Silver Spoon.

As always, you can stay tuned to my author page for all my blogTO work.

He offered this list as the starting point for a game, along the following rules:
1. Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2. Bold all the items you’ve eaten. (I’ve added a few annotations in italics)
3. Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4. Optional extra: post a comment on Very Good Taste, linking to your results.

My list follows; I am missing 31 items, really all of which I’d be willing to try, although I’ve struck out the ones that I know would require some prodding. Two years ago my list would’ve looked rather different.

Even if you don’t have a blog, play along. My thoughts about the list are below.

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea (I’ve had lots of other herbal/medicinal teas, though)
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp (I can’t say this would be on my 100)
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho (It makes me very happy that Toronto has some Pho that rivals that in Vietnam)
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart (As a Chicago guy, I say this should be from a cart or stand, but I’ve had both)
16. Epoisses (although I’ve had other pungent and/or unpasteurized cheeses)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream (Most recently, I had some from Vijay, who replied “It says, but does not contain” when I asked if the transliteration from Hindi on the container meant pistachio)
21. Heirloom tomatoes (any kind will do quite nicely, but there’s a yellow variety the size and shape of Roma tomatoes we are growing this year that’s super yummy)
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese (for some reason this has always turned me off)
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper (I don’t have anything against raw peppers, though, and I would put money on having eaten a hotter pepper raw in India. It was SUPER small and SUPER hot. Although I was ready for hot, I was not ready for the longevity or increasing intensity. Thai chiles are awfully hot too.)
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters (ahh, memories of Sete)
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda (The Italian in-laws aren’t from Piedmonte)
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl (I’ll pass on the bread bowl, though)
33. Salted lassi (I’ve had seemingly every variety of sweet lassi, and salted buttermilk, so I can imagine.)
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float (I have a real soft spot for these, but I haven’t had one in years)
36. Cognac with a fat cigar (I won’t smoke. Anything. Period.)
37. Clotted cream tea (I’ll take chai – true Indian style – over this anytime, though)
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O (I especially like the ice wine jelly my mother-in-law sometimes makes)
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects (Not sure I can use the plural or not, but there was at least one cricket in Thailand)
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk (Although not straight. But it was straight from the goat into the pan, cooked over a fire with the tea and sugar and served to me fresh)
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more (I don’t think it has to be malt whiskey. I’ve had some premium liquor, although I’m not sure any was to this price level)
46. Fugu (Realistically, not every omnivore will have the chance to eat this one.)
47. Chicken tikka masala (I usually prefer it without the masala)
48. Eel (Unagi!)
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal (But not for a long, long time)
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini (I’m pretty sure, at least. I’m a vodka guy.)
58. Beer above 8% ABV (I’m pretty sure, anyway. I know I’ve had 8% at any rate.)
59. Poutine (This is on a short list of things to eat. Especially now that I’m in Canada. I’ve been holding out for some good stuff to initiate me, though.)
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads (This may be on the shorter list of things I’d like to try.)
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian(The second bite was pretty darn good)
66. Frogs’ legs (I believe frogs are now endangered in France thanks to rIAm’s relatives and the ginormous pile of them foisted upon me to eat).
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis (This is not on my short list)
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini (I’ve had roe, but not “caviar.”)
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill (I can’t say this really is appealing)
76. Baijiu (The Thai and Lao rice whiskey should count)
77. Hostess Fruit Pie (bleh)
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini (but Kir Royale is nice)
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant. (Oh, but which one!)
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse (I had been hoping to try horse in France, but it never happened)
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa (Based on similar things I’ve had, I think I would like this an awful lot.)
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano (mmmmm)
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor (This is a good example of the arbitrary-ness of the list)
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee (I’ll stick to tea)
100. Snake (Once, and probably only once)

The list is as fair as any other would be, I’m sure, but there do seem to be some odd choices. I think a good omnivore should be willing to try a great many things, so in that way, the list makes sense. But I’d probably say toro sashimi over Fugu and I’d make room for fresh sweet corn on the cob. I might have said 100% blue agave tequila instead of cognac, or perhaps a grand cru from Bordeaux (or, for that matter, any grape wine!). I might have also included duck or bison, or perhaps chicken feet or tripe.

I’d also include som tam, although tom yum is good too. Or kesar mangoes. Blueberry pancakes. ceviche or Italian seafood salad. Fresh young herring. Poi.

In any case, there’s my 100. Be sure to include a link to yours in the comments.

Well, all the work that went into finding the best deal and place to do that is now a blogTO post. Enjoy.

And for all you Chicago area readers, we’ll be in town next weekend. We’ll mostly be in Chicago proper, and we’ll be there with m+h, but it would be nice to see you.