Telemarketing, Cockpit Rules.

I have just heard, on the radio, that some of the telemarketing companies were circumventing the Canada wide “do not call” prohibition and have now been fined a whole heap of money. There are more companies which are on notice apparently. I know I got a call one time saying my computer was about to go kaput or something. It was 3 in the morning I think, certainly in the middle of the night, and they told me I should get up and turn my computer on. I told them what they could do. Also, the ubiquitous duct cleaning which I think everyone gets now and then. I wish they would just remember we live in an apartment. In fact, if you live in a house, duct cleaning isn’t a bad idea, it gets rid of a lot of dust and debris which you are basically breathing in. But if you contemplate it, use a reliable company.

Following that terrible crash of the German plane which was apparently flown into the mountains on purpose and according to the black box, was done by the co pilot, the pilot having been locked out of the cockpit, Canadian airlines have been told to have two people in the cockpit at all times. A wise precaution. What a terrible experience for the pilot to know they were going to crash and not to be able to do a thing about it. Poor man. I haven’t yet heard any explanation, if there is one of course. The picture is the black box (why black when it’s red or orange?).

We have just had supper – Thursday night – and it occurred to me you might like to try this recipe. I dislike canned tuna, but Matt invented this way of serving it and I love it. To translate, if you French isn’t too good, I called it Tuna Matt’s Way.


Tuna Matt's Façon

1 6 oz can Tuna
3 Tbs capers
1 stick celery, finely chopped
1/2 bell pepper finely chopped
1/4 lge onion, finely chopped
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs mayonnaise
salt and pepper
shredded lettuce

1. Pita Bread
2. Mix well. Cut two Pita breads in half, open each half to make a pocket, line with shredded lettuce and fill with mixture.
3. Serve with tossed salad greens

Servings: 2

Have a great day

Oom Pah Pah, Thanksgiving, Skype

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. It is also the start of Oktoberfest which is the biggest outside Munich, Germany. They kick off on Friday with tapping the keg and beer will flow for a full week with lots of riotous celebrations and gemutilicheit. Lederhosen and Dirndles will appear all over the place in Kitchener and Waterloo and you won't be able to get a hotel room for love or money. We have never been to Oktoberfest despite the fact that we have been assured that it is loads of fun. I do know that a schnitzel or a beer is cheaper today than it will be next week. I believe the instances of drunk driving have been considerably reduced, but one of the biggest drawbacks is Matt cannot stand oom pah music. However, it is a great crowd pleaser and people really flock in to the community which is, of course, excellent for business in this area. I think, personally, that having an election the day after Thanksgiving and in the middle of Oktoberfest (although it is confined to this area) isn't very clever, but that's how it has been arranged. Thanksgiving itself, of course, means turkeys and hams, pumpkin pies and so on. I have frequently cooked a turkey breast which I have bought in the States. Unfortunately I don't have one any more and turkey breasts aren't reasonably priced here, I don't know why, I can get a 7 lb breast in NC for about $10. For two of us we really don't need the whole bird. However, as I have a "fancy" for turkey cooked at home, I might have to break down and get one. Sliced turkey from the deli just isn't the same thing at all. It occurs to me that if I did cook a turkey this weekend, I would then have some left over for sandwiches when we do our stint at the polling booths on Tuesday. Several times I have mentioned Skype which is an internet telephone system through which you can call people, for free, wherever they are in the world, so long as they too have Skype. I had to re-load the programme recently and have just discovered all kinds of friends who have Skype. Yesterday I talked to Glenda Larke in Malaysia and my cousin in Portugal, today I talked to another friend in South Africa. I think modern technology is wonderful. I don't like canned tuna. Having said that, Matt invented the following recipe which is the only way I will eat it. Tuna Matt's Façon 1 6 oz can Tuna (its best made with Tuna in olive oil) 3 Tbs capers 1 stick celery, finely chopped 1/2 bell pepper finely chopped 1/4 lge onion, finely chopped 1 Tbs balsamic vinegar 1 Tbs mayonnaise (Hellman's or home made) salt and pepper shredded lettuce 1 Pita Bread 2 Mix well. Cut two Pita breads in half, open each half to make a pocket, line with shredded lettuce and fill with mixture. 3 Serve with tossed salad greens Servings: 2 Have a great day.