Hello Vancouver

For those of you not in the know, I'm a huge cycling enthusiast. This weekend is rainy so I'm relegated to doing maintenance. Although online bike shops are a great way to get stuff cheap, sometimes the convenience of a local shop can't be beat. Also the whole "experienced bike mechanics" thing they have going for themselves is nice.

The three bike shops that I go to all the time are:

-Mighty riders: These guys are awesome. Not always in the best mood, but they have great bikes for sale and do the job right every time. I go to them when I need serious mechanical work done on any kind of bike. Definitely one of the best shops in the city.

-Super Champion: Also awesome, run by Tyler and a few other people. Very cool shop set up exclusively for fixed gear and single-speed bikes, though a lot of their stuff applies to other bikes as well. Any fixed gear needs, head straight there. Got some new tires there today for a great deal.Publish Post

-La Bicicletta: Stereotypical high-end "pro" bike shop. rows and rows of $4,000+ road bikes. That said, if you need some obscure Italian bike part, or want to drop the cash on some serious roadie gear, they will hook you up pronto. A friend of mine got a top-shelf Cervelo from there and wont shut up about how awesome, fast, and light it is.

In concert news: Blood on the Wall is finally coming back to town. Mark it on your calendars, it will be amazing.

Labels: cycling, fixies

Went to the John Fluevog party tonight that officially-officially launched his new store in Gastown in the old Richard Kidd location, which is amazing. His new line of shoes should be in the stores any day now and are very nice. I'm more of a fashion traditionalist but even I've got my eye on a pair or two in the new lineup. Definately check it out.

Cutting edge hot tunes follow:

Hot Chip - Sensual Seduction

Kris Menace feat. Spooky - Stereophonic

Calvin Harris - Merry Making At My House (Mr Oizo Remix) DOWNLOAD

Young Love - Discotech DOWNLOAD

Benzi & Diplo Present: Paper Route Gangstaz - The mixtape sampler <-- Cant wait for the full mixtape to come out.



Alla som inte dansar är våldtäktman = "everyone who's not dancing is a rapist"

Labels: fashion, mp3s, parties

MIA is hitting Edmonton so my crystal ball says she'll be announcing dates in Vancouver soon.

Didn't get good seats for Kanye in Van? Well guess what? You're fucked!
Aftermarket price for good seats in Edmonton is upwards of $1000/ticket.

Have fun with that!



Metric is also coming to town if you haven't noticed the sidebar. I'm tempted to get tickets but I just really hate the Commodore so much! I've ranted about it before so I'll just give the bullet points of why it's a lame venue:
-Too big
-Soundsystem is boomy and sucks
-People cram up at the front so if you want a decent view you have to stand at the front and elbow people for 4 hours. If i wanted that I take a bus to Richmond!

Here's your mp3 dance music fix:
Edward Graves - Zoinks mix (yousendit)

Labels: commodore, richmond, shows

Labels: nerd shit

Labels: test, twitter

Flux bistro opened in Gastown in 2007 to little fanfare, though I had recently heard a few recommendations from fellow foodies that I should definitely go check it out. This past Friday a friend and I decided to give it a try on those recommendations and the fact that it's probably the only place in Gastown I hadn't visited yet.

As we arrived we noticed that the bar was quite crowded with a gathering from the Vancouver Young Professionals club that was quite reminiscent of an office party where the accounting guy has too much to drink and really 'lets loose'. Thankfully they were confined to the bar area and we made our way past them into the main dining room which is quite nice with a modern feel that incorporates a lot of the Gastown flavor that you'd expect (antique floors, exposed wooden beams etc). The room was reasonably quiet and would be certainly very nice for when a more private and personal setting was preferred.

The menu is a bit different, and took me a few minutes to understand, but they've made it so that any item on the menu can be ordered as either an appetizer or as a main. I think this is a great idea especially for people who have a tough time making up their mind between items. Have both!

I ordered the frisee and goat cheese salad with beets(pictured above) and the chorizo and shrimp linguini special. The salad arrived fairly quickly but I have to say was fairly bland, and the beets burnt. The generous slices of goat cheese lacked much of the sharpness one would expect, and I was quite honestly wondering if they had given me cream cheese by accident. Not a painful experience by any means but for an $8 salad I would tend to expect a bit better.

The linguine came out next and was finished with a light pesto-creme sauce which was quite good. However I found the pairing of the spicy chorizo, creme sauce, and shrimp to be a bit odd by themselves. Again, not bad by any means, but I felt almost as if there was an ingredient missing. I can certainly attest to the attraction to and appeal of simple food but flavors and textures should always be well balanced.

Now before I'm accused of being too nit-picking (it has happened before) I think it's important to consider the competition on the doorstep of Flux. Looking at the other options even on the same block, I don't think it's too harsh to hold Flux to a high standard, although it is far more reasonably priced than other premium restaurants in the area, and that is often a consideration to take to heart.

Flux Bistro

162 Water Street
604.678.8800
Monday - Thursday 11:30am - 10:15pm (last call)
Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 12:45am (last call)
Sunday(w/ brunch special sheet) 11:30am - 4:15 pm (last call)
Closed Sunday nights except for private events.

PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy Stephanie Vacher

Labels: food, restaurant review

LET IT BE KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE LAND

Labels: speakers, woods

Take a look at Slate's Delegate Calculator. Now plug in this little zinger.

Also take into account that Obama has not released his fundraising numbers for Feb which by some inference could exceed a mind-boggling $60 million.

Also many have speculated that Bill Richardson will endorse Obama very soon.

After today, which poses to pretty much be a tie throughout the Ohio + Texas vote, Hillary will have no chance to make up the gap. She certainly gets point for tenacity but I believe we'll be hearing a reluctant concession speech from the Hillary camp sooner rather than later.


Also Crystal Castles got into a car accident or something so they wont be showing up tonight. damnit!

Labels: politics, shows

In east vancouver news: Rumor mill has it that there may be a new deli of some sort opening around the main st. area this spring. That's all I know right now but let it be known I've got the scoop!

New Justice Video!


I can't find the hi-res version but I'll post it when I can.
Justice are of course visiting in March. Lucky you if you have a ticket because that shit sold out quick.

Here's some more sweet mp3s:

Lykke Li - Little Bit

Wiley - "Wearing My Rolex" (DJ Friendly Ikon Refix) <-- 90's pro-click The Touch

"Le Night Dominator" (DJ Assault Remix)

Late Guest At The Party - We Were Young (Franco B Remix) DOWNLOAD




This video reminds me of every underground party I've ever been to.
-Sweet french dance music
-Everything is dark
-No idea what is going on
-Weird but attractive people you have never met bouncing around a foot away from your face.

Labels: east vancouver, new justice video, vancouver, vancouver news