tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217Mon, 27 May 2019 08:25:46 +0000writingexocrisis bluereviewmechascience fictionfoodHARMedmontonworld buildingjapankaijupublishingfreeAIHalf-lifeInstant RamenMREcalgarycandycomputer gamedronesgundamneo acepokemon goramenrobottoysPeter LokAuthor's site for science fiction, military SF reviews, and technology posts. I also blog about Japanese pop culture at http://www.tokyoexcess.blogspot.comhttp://peterlok.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)Blogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-3229958409524092122Fri, 23 Nov 2018 00:25:00 +00002018-11-22T17:26:14.089-07:00freewritingPublic Domain / Open Access Image LibrariesThere are numerous sources of free images that you are available for use in your projects or blogging.&nbsp; Most of these image banks are for older images (out of copyright, something you would need to check), but something from the 19th century is probably pretty safe.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CetlkRmoFRU/W_dIFbBkOBI/AAAAAAAAn4c/1NVl9PfUOas2vHVf-quQr1UMhEMx9Vb1gCKgBGAs/s1600/9458244847_07c045d088_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="634" data-original-width="640" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CetlkRmoFRU/W_dIFbBkOBI/AAAAAAAAn4c/1NVl9PfUOas2vHVf-quQr1UMhEMx9Vb1gCKgBGAs/s400/9458244847_07c045d088_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons/9458244847/">NASA / Flicker</a>. No known copyright restrictions (no need for attribution either).</td></tr></tbody></table>In some cases you need to attribute the image to the source, but that is a pretty easy restriction to follow for free use.&nbsp; For tech or space images, NASA is a good source too.&nbsp; Searching Flickr with filters for Creative Commons licenses also can work too, but you have to make sure the subjects are not people or owned by someone even if the image is free to use.&nbsp; <b>Before using any image check for yourself to see if you can truly use it or it is public domain, kind of like buyer beware.</b><br /><br />Here is a short list of amazing resource sites.&nbsp; Beware the Internet rabbit hole!<br /><ol><li><a href="https://www.loc.gov/free-to-use/">The Library of Congress digital Free to Use and Reuse Sets.</a>&nbsp; I like the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/collections/japanese-fine-prints-pre-1915/">Japanese fine prints collection</a>, and you could definitely do a lot of creating with the other historical collections.<br />Their <a href="https://www.loc.gov/collections/">main digital collections page</a> with millions of items that are not just images, but you need to be more careful about copyrights and usage.</li><li>The <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/britishlibrary">British Library released over a million images on Flickr</a> that are in the public domain.&nbsp; There are lots of old maps and other images.&nbsp; Search or browse for hours.</li><li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/index.html">NASA and it many projects and divisions</a> have piles of space images.&nbsp; Not all are public domain, so do read the usage policies and restrictions.<br /><a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/spaceimages/">Jet Propulsion Laboratory Images</a> and <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/imagepolicy/">usage policies</a>.<br /><a href="https://asterweb.jpl.nasa.gov/gallerymap.asp">ASTER Satellite Images</a> that require credit.<br /><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasacommons">NASA on The Commons </a>are images that are in the public domain on Flickr.</li><li><a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search#!?searchField=All&amp;showOnly=openAccess&amp;sortBy=relevance&amp;offset=0&amp;pageSize=0">Metropolitan Museum of Art Open Access</a> has 400,000 images online </li><li><a href="http://search.getty.edu/gateway/search?q=&amp;cat=highlight&amp;f=%22Open+Content+Images%22&amp;rows=10&amp;srt=a&amp;dir=s&amp;pg=1">Getty Open Content Images</a>, check their usage policies.</li><li><a href="https://images.nga.gov/en/page/show_home_page.html">National Gallery of Art Open Images</a>, check their usage policies.</li><li><a href="https://www.artic.edu/collection?is_public_domain=1">Art Institute of Chicago</a>, under Creative Commons License, make sure the Open Access Checkbox is on for the search.</li></ol>There are other sources of images too, but this is already a pretty big set.<br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/zs11_4fPAoM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/zs11_4fPAoM/public-domain-open-access-image.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2018/11/public-domain-open-access-image.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-66170252851117016Fri, 28 Sep 2018 20:50:00 +00002018-09-28T14:50:24.475-06:00My Tokyo Introductory Guide Book Is Now Available!<b><span style="font-size: large;">Going to Tokyo?&nbsp; Want a richer experience?</span></b><br />Tokyo Stories provides an introduction to the city by using storytelling and Japanese pop culture in a unique format.&nbsp; Learn about Japanese food, key experiences, sights to see, districts to visit, anime, and why the country’s pop culture is so popular worldwide.&nbsp; Japan has a rich culture and history and is still creating more of it in the 21st century.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs-K_m3oiPY/W6l2s1oH3ZI/AAAAAAAAnX4/vLPCPhV-2AMluExrYto-dUSwvV9kSLScwCKgBGAs/s1600/Tokyo%2BCover%2B6%2Bfinal%2Bsmall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs-K_m3oiPY/W6l2s1oH3ZI/AAAAAAAAnX4/vLPCPhV-2AMluExrYto-dUSwvV9kSLScwCKgBGAs/s400/Tokyo%2BCover%2B6%2Bfinal%2Bsmall.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Learn About Tokyo</b></span><br />This book provides a comprehensive background for any visit on its own and easily complements other guides to the city.&nbsp; Over fifty experiences to have in Tokyo are detailed to allow the visitor to pick what they think is important to them.<br /><br /><b>Key sections in the book are:</b><br /><ul><li>Japanese Pop Culture - Anime and Manga, Idols, Kawaii, Cyberpunk, and Videogames</li><li>Japanese Food - Eating Out In Japan, Casual Restaurants, B-Kyu Food Of Japan, and more</li><li>Tokyo Trip Tips – Planning, Booking, Transportation, Monetary, and Personal</li><li>Core Districts To Visit - Shinjuku, Harajuku, Omotesando, Shibuya, Ginza, and more</li><li>Great Views - Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Tower, Mori Tower, Ginza Six, and more</li><li>Top Tokyo Experiences – Modern Tokyo, Historic Tokyo, Seasonal Events, and Anime Culture</li><li>Descriptions of more than 50 Tokyo Experiences – 100 Yen Store, Akihabara, Depachika, Gardens, Kappabashi Street, Konbini, Meiji Jingu, Odaiba High Tech, Ramen Museums, and more.</li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Stories In Tokyo</b></span> <br />The four short stories in the book gently introduce what it is like to ride the trains, eat a meal, explore some must-visit districts, and have a pop culture adventure at the same time.&nbsp;&nbsp;Stories are remembered, so this is a great way to learn more about the fantastic city of Tokyo.&nbsp; One early reviewer remarked that they felt like they experienced the city through them, and that they loved the introductions to each story.<br /><br /><b>The stories are:</b><br /><ul><li>Neko Astray – you help a lost cat get home with some unexpected help provided.</li><li>Animated in Akiba – you assist a magical girl in Akihabara, the heart of anime culture.</li><li>Print in Time – you meet an ukiyo-e artist who has accidently travelled in time to modern Tokyo.</li><li>Kaiju Knocking – you are a tourist in Tokyo when it is attacked by a giant monster.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ndpESN63o/W6wCPT5Mz2I/AAAAAAAAnY4/RB9yT85ToOsvvqI_8TrpdveniBS3hCW9wCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9665.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m-ndpESN63o/W6wCPT5Mz2I/AAAAAAAAnY4/RB9yT85ToOsvvqI_8TrpdveniBS3hCW9wCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_9665.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />By the time you finish this book you will have an idea about how much there is to see in Tokyo, and what you would like to see and do.&nbsp; However, this book is not a guide to Japanese etiquette, hotels, the restaurants, nightlife, shopping, or things that more typical guide books cover.&nbsp; Knowledge from this book supports planning with other resources, as it is intended to introduce and entertain only.&nbsp; Online sources of information for travel to Tokyo are excellent.&nbsp; You can use Google Maps and reviews, blogs, Youtube, Tripadvisor, Yelp, etc.&nbsp; They will provide you with addresses, exact map locations, and any other details you can think up.&nbsp; This book is like having someone tell you about Tokyo over a coffee with some tall tales sprinkled on top.<br /><br />The author, Peter Lok, has written the novel Neo Ace, and has been blogging about Japanese pop culture and Tokyo since 2009.<br /><br />The e-book is now available on Amazon Canada and USA.<br /><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Stories-Visitors-Introduction-Culture-ebook/dp/B07HR3YZ8N">https://www.amazon.com/Tokyo-Stories-Visitors-Introduction-Culture-ebook/dp/B07HR3YZ8N</a><br /><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Tokyo-Stories-Visitors-Introduction-Culture-ebook/dp/B07HR3YZ8N">https://www.amazon.ca/Tokyo-Stories-Visitors-Introduction-Culture-ebook/dp/B07HR3YZ8N</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.com/p/tokyo-craze-travelogue-complete.html">For more information on Tokyo, visit my travelogue page with this link.</a><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/UwWR0clrOx8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/UwWR0clrOx8/my-tokyo-introductory-guide-book-is-now.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-tokyo-introductory-guide-book-is-now.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-8294135999351594403Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:31:00 +00002018-04-21T13:56:03.721-06:00HARMwritingWriting Mecha Science Fiction and Exocrisis BlueI started out to write my mecha science fiction three or four years ago when I just decided I needed to start writing again.&nbsp; I picked this particular science fiction setting because I felt that I could add to it in an original, more realistic manner, one that was inspired by Japanese anime, particularly Evangelion, Full Metal Panic! and Gundam.&nbsp; I also have a Tokyo / Japanese pop culture blog too, so the focus was kind of natural.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8dMeRPV8dg/UOvCi2PKD8I/AAAAAAAAFrg/MZ27PQI_C04/s1600/HARM%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8dMeRPV8dg/UOvCi2PKD8I/AAAAAAAAFrg/MZ27PQI_C04/s320/HARM%2BCover.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>So, how could I write a more realistic SF story with big combat robots inspired by anime roots?&nbsp; I would have to avoid trying to do something only a Japanese writer would do well, do some creative thinking about the robots, integrate what I knew about modern military systems and tactics, and have a great story with great characters.<br /><br />1) I didn't pretend to be a Japanese writer.<br /><ul><li>I grew up on reading western SF and literature, so that is what I know and will write.&nbsp; I'm not Japanese, but I have a few insights into their mindset, after years of exposure to history books, translated novels, travelogues, anime, movies, and manga.&nbsp; This is enough to write about the Japanese, but not as a Japanese.&nbsp; I do like their creative work and pop culture in general so whatever I write is a tribute to this. </li><li>The stories so far are not set in Japan, but in Canada, America, or in Africa. </li><li>They have primary characters that are not Japanese, but there are Japanese characters. </li><li>My main alliance in the stories is about CAJUN, or the Canada Japan Union that arose after the Alien War.</li><li>Anime fans will recognize certain tropes, but it is all written from a western science fiction perspective (think Bolo or Starship Troopers) for a western audience.&nbsp; This means no shouting out attacks as you enter battle like in a Shonen anime or a Hong Kong Kung Fu movie.</li></ul>2) The HARM robots had to be as realistic as you could get with big robots (I'm actually with the school of thought that big robots = big targets = big missile sponges = unfeasible and expensive).&nbsp; So I pulled a bit of technobabble to solve the problem.<br /><ul><li>Robots are built using reverse-engineered alien technology to leap us ahead.&nbsp;</li><li>They are powered by chemical fusion, a technology that allows massive power generation and blows up real good if ruptured.&nbsp; The power is needed to power weapon systems and defences.</li><li>Survivable, so I equipped them, and their alien counterparts with active molecular armour.&nbsp; This was a lightweight armour plating that has incredible tensile strength and hardness, when it was powered up.&nbsp; This expensive composite also has incredible heat dissipation protperties against lasers.</li><li>Large, as in 2 or 3 stories high, to carry the chemical fusion plants and be giant robotish, but not too big as to be a big target.&nbsp; Basically they mass like a modern main battle tank.</li><li>Nimble, run quickly, to dodge incoming fire, react quickly, and allow the pilots to use their skills.&nbsp;</li><li>Deadly, by firing hypersonic projectiles from coilguns (similar to railguns).</li><li>Advanced AI and neural syncing control technology to move a robots like a human.&nbsp; The AI also acts like a weapons operator and copilot. </li><li>I also added point defences, and complimentary weapons systems like missiles to the robots to make them more lethal. </li></ul>&nbsp;3) The robots fit into a near future miltary structure as the elite front line units that are the pointy tip of the spear.<br /><ul><li>They are expensive and regular military units such as tanks, powered infantry, and artillery still comprise the bulk of the army.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>A HARM mecha is the equivalent of a&nbsp; tank platoon in firepower, but more deadly due to its mobility, agility, and firepower.</li></ul>Finally, I guess I'd say that I started with a short story, HARM, to test out if I could write about combat mechs in action.&nbsp; That story introduced one of my main characters, Joshua Scott, who appears in all the stories.&nbsp; Dr. Janet Chan, the lead engineer on the HARM project, was also introduced in this story and she ends up playing a pivotal role I never anticipated when I was initially outlining the stories.&nbsp; HARM succeeded and I then wrote another story, Raid on Kahamba, about a mission to retrieve an alien artifact.&nbsp; Finally the current novel, follows up from Raid, centered on a new generation of teen mecha pilots (there is a reason they're teens) and the alien artifact.<br /><br />If I've perked your interest, <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/my-publications.html">head over to my publications page for links to Amazon ebooks here</a>.&nbsp; Thanks for dropping by.<br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/zDCn1G0DhuE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/zDCn1G0DhuE/writing-mecha-science-fiction-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/writing-mecha-science-fiction-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-6718445868332213540Thu, 05 Apr 2018 00:48:00 +00002018-04-04T18:51:21.281-06:00edmontonfoodjapanFavourite Japanese Dining Experiences in EdmontonJapanese food is not just sushi.&nbsp; Sushi made it famous worldwide, but there are all kinds of tasty Japanese food to eat.&nbsp; Below, I've listed a number of tasty dishes at some of my favourite restaurants around Edmonton from breakfast to dinner.<br /><br />First up is breakfast.&nbsp; I actually don't know any Japanese places that serve Japanese breakfast in Edmonton, but I ran into a hybrid the other day at Tasty Tom's down on Whyte Avenue.&nbsp; I ordered their breakfast snitzel which turned out to be a fried pork cutlet with panko breading.&nbsp; So western breakfast of fried eggs meets a very well made Japanese tonkatsu.&nbsp; The pan fried potatos were also done with curry powder giving it a bit of a Japanese flair.&nbsp; This was a great meal that was quite filling. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cg4VVUC1LA/Wr_1Gvc4bMI/AAAAAAAAlyc/HJzasanPIDIFwG80zS5gvJ5tJ1FthBDAQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--cg4VVUC1LA/Wr_1Gvc4bMI/AAAAAAAAlyc/HJzasanPIDIFwG80zS5gvJ5tJ1FthBDAQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_2970.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast Snitzel.</td></tr></tbody></table>Lunch and dinner options for Japanese food abound in the city.&nbsp; I Love Sushi does sushi, but they're one of the only places that does a katsudon or oyakudon.&nbsp; This is a real down to earth Japanese dish where you have the katsu cutlet or chunks of chicken in a cooked egg mixture with sauce on rice.&nbsp; Quite tasty.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1FoC9k9FTw/Wr_4Hq5oGnI/AAAAAAAAlzM/idtRCyltfkwInyYUTgCFEqWCHnIF13ITQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J1FoC9k9FTw/Wr_4Hq5oGnI/AAAAAAAAlzM/idtRCyltfkwInyYUTgCFEqWCHnIF13ITQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3007.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katsudon</td></tr></tbody></table>I've eaten at a number of ramen places in town.&nbsp; Tokiwa Ramen is my current favourite.&nbsp; Their long cooked tonkotsu broth is quite good, but their chicken shoyu broth (for their chuka soba) has more flavour according to my taste buds.&nbsp; Their toppings and noodles are good, but their soup is great, so their bowls of ramen really take off.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szyhh5GWG8U/Wr_1wub41ZI/AAAAAAAAlyk/wn8LneXBwvIzJLBL1tkJt-Z7dIcZyBzCQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_8513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szyhh5GWG8U/Wr_1wub41ZI/AAAAAAAAlyk/wn8LneXBwvIzJLBL1tkJt-Z7dIcZyBzCQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_8513.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbMNvWVKIGs/Wr_1wt0oQkI/AAAAAAAAlyk/2UyOVJu2tAgBnXg2b4DswPCL-5uWhN0pQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_8895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wbMNvWVKIGs/Wr_1wt0oQkI/AAAAAAAAlyk/2UyOVJu2tAgBnXg2b4DswPCL-5uWhN0pQCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_8895.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonkotsu Ramen</td></tr></tbody></table>The funnest place to have Japanese food is Dorinku.&nbsp; I've been here for lunch and dinner and it is always a favourite as the food is great and the atmosphere is great.&nbsp; The restaurant has lots of Japanese pop culture loaded into its decor from functioning vending machines, a toy figure collection on the way to the bathrooms, to food models.&nbsp; They even show anime on the big screen.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJQsSyNt38E/Wr_2WQeYQQI/AAAAAAAAlyw/7ba7l1VOwJs1ZXQPjIK2CRmhaiTgZfHrQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VJQsSyNt38E/Wr_2WQeYQQI/AAAAAAAAlyw/7ba7l1VOwJs1ZXQPjIK2CRmhaiTgZfHrQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9062.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izakaya Lanterns out front.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz7e6Xvl_zg/Wr_2WX7qYNI/AAAAAAAAlyw/MfqlH3JDJtcCctuCdRaYCBpxTEGs3VReQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz7e6Xvl_zg/Wr_2WX7qYNI/AAAAAAAAlyw/MfqlH3JDJtcCctuCdRaYCBpxTEGs3VReQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9049.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great display at the front.</td></tr></tbody></table>Dorinku is full of tasty small dishes - like tapas, but Japanese pub style.&nbsp; They do all kinds of sushi, but their cooked dishes are what really stand out for me.&nbsp; They do Japanese curry, shaka shaka fries, karaage, stir fried udon noodles, seared tuna, sashimi salad, this really tasty beef rib, and more.&nbsp; Everything goes great with a beer too!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuoXkYiE8iE/Wr_2WYQ37fI/AAAAAAAAlyw/3wfCAsDeSQADSoldDB8YBifu8CqLI9HswCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UuoXkYiE8iE/Wr_2WYQ37fI/AAAAAAAAlyw/3wfCAsDeSQADSoldDB8YBifu8CqLI9HswCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa0TKqKdCCA/Wr_2WWjrF3I/AAAAAAAAlyw/M2hiM3G8-dg8uSHMgkF8e6mbILG6hz6YgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xa0TKqKdCCA/Wr_2WWjrF3I/AAAAAAAAlyw/M2hiM3G8-dg8uSHMgkF8e6mbILG6hz6YgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9054.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMqFQL0lKMQ/Wr_2Wba9d5I/AAAAAAAAlyw/IB5nX5CnmgQpOsEdRXF7NRZmJrP7etbtgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KMqFQL0lKMQ/Wr_2Wba9d5I/AAAAAAAAlyw/IB5nX5CnmgQpOsEdRXF7NRZmJrP7etbtgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9055.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoomfgLzO1o/Wr_2We3MuMI/AAAAAAAAlyw/e4v1bsVp5TEzg_n4drLXG0dcGkRSN71nQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_8938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QoomfgLzO1o/Wr_2We3MuMI/AAAAAAAAlyw/e4v1bsVp5TEzg_n4drLXG0dcGkRSN71nQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_8938.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V8CR65vCH4/Wr_2WZxg24I/AAAAAAAAlyw/IdYEgpG8zNknMTngF5RMrtp-HhkUt76WQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_8937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V8CR65vCH4/Wr_2WZxg24I/AAAAAAAAlyw/IdYEgpG8zNknMTngF5RMrtp-HhkUt76WQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_8937.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5kwLX6YfBe8/Wr_2WWpX4cI/AAAAAAAAlyw/egQPNjaKJVk5-CxQFLm5z2i9Eke1x_TgACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5kwLX6YfBe8/Wr_2WWpX4cI/AAAAAAAAlyw/egQPNjaKJVk5-CxQFLm5z2i9Eke1x_TgACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_9059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really tasty beef rib.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Another Japanese pub type restaurant is Izakaya Tomo.&nbsp; This is another favourite place.&nbsp; They have more of a variety of small dishes that are more izakaya-ish. Dishes like their daikon salad and kinpura (burdock root) are not very common.&nbsp; They also do a really good takoyaki that isn't deep fried as far as I can tell.&nbsp; I'm mainly eating their cooked dishes here like their Udon Aglio Olio E Peperoncino, gyoza, and karaage, but their sushi is good too.&nbsp; Best of all, it all washes down with a beer. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z7iZ8m3pn8/Wr_4_KkU_aI/AAAAAAAAlzU/_kSe1klAJMc26YQHXAoO-sa3iruB9bqwgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1z7iZ8m3pn8/Wr_4_KkU_aI/AAAAAAAAlzU/_kSe1klAJMc26YQHXAoO-sa3iruB9bqwgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNNq5tEmSDs/Wr_4_IXKhzI/AAAAAAAAlzU/cfCdAMJaOKIYeGLHwHNcI7Z6szpqMD7QgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNNq5tEmSDs/Wr_4_IXKhzI/AAAAAAAAlzU/cfCdAMJaOKIYeGLHwHNcI7Z6szpqMD7QgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_0588.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uv6zgmSQ0oE/Wr_4_L6BhjI/AAAAAAAAlzU/3JrTM6XyD2AmFSaOxa0rd5r8NIpC5TSkACKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uv6zgmSQ0oE/Wr_4_L6BhjI/AAAAAAAAlzU/3JrTM6XyD2AmFSaOxa0rd5r8NIpC5TSkACKgBGAs/s400/IMG_0590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfpEbI8ejp8/Wr_4_HWIf9I/AAAAAAAAlzU/MN7ww0ovwQ4VoW_fi0d3-rHIDwroz-F_gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dfpEbI8ejp8/Wr_4_HWIf9I/AAAAAAAAlzU/MN7ww0ovwQ4VoW_fi0d3-rHIDwroz-F_gCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their cool looking upside down gyoza.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Finally, my favourite sushi place is Sushi Wasabi.&nbsp; I've been eating here for a decade and their sushi doesn't disappoint. Nice large pieces of niguri sushi and good looking tamago.&nbsp; The Japanese family who runs it used to even have a booth at the spring festival down at the Devonian Gardens. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_j5go74HpT0/Wr_5O28jh5I/AAAAAAAAlzY/gvO1qiQpySQ4XJWGRaIMExd7GE20Q0JbgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_j5go74HpT0/Wr_5O28jh5I/AAAAAAAAlzY/gvO1qiQpySQ4XJWGRaIMExd7GE20Q0JbgCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2555.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12Fk5ybuHCk/Wr_5O1CTJwI/AAAAAAAAlzY/6-XOqwO5UTgN3kV1HIH8ThvHhkK5bAB4gCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_2557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12Fk5ybuHCk/Wr_5O1CTJwI/AAAAAAAAlzY/6-XOqwO5UTgN3kV1HIH8ThvHhkK5bAB4gCKgBGAs/s320/IMG_2557.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Finally, coming in 2018 to Edmonton is Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ chain from Japan.&nbsp; I've eaten several times down at their Calgary restaurant and they're expanding up here.&nbsp; You grill all of your own meat at a table top grill in front of you and it is really tasty and again, it goes well with beer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr1GeJ54o9o/Wr_6TASMf_I/AAAAAAAAlzg/_iNRO1NOvzcerMWXnNuqNODhiu1P0Y9wQCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hr1GeJ54o9o/Wr_6TASMf_I/AAAAAAAAlzg/_iNRO1NOvzcerMWXnNuqNODhiu1P0Y9wQCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3346.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XirJGcKjV-M/Wr_6TLQcU1I/AAAAAAAAlzg/KoKzQTUMiNIx0t9X9KjlyPgz9xf5cZcbwCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XirJGcKjV-M/Wr_6TLQcU1I/AAAAAAAAlzg/KoKzQTUMiNIx0t9X9KjlyPgz9xf5cZcbwCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3354.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au-sRvwMlQg/Wr_6TDYIzBI/AAAAAAAAlzg/23NaVTUAUFAYh243fWWhTLA8hvne-0hPgCKgBGAs/s1600/IMG_3351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au-sRvwMlQg/Wr_6TDYIzBI/AAAAAAAAlzg/23NaVTUAUFAYh243fWWhTLA8hvne-0hPgCKgBGAs/s400/IMG_3351.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/rL0WBNc1isk" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/rL0WBNc1isk/favourite-japanese-dining-experiences.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2018/04/favourite-japanese-dining-experiences.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-356277068186572969Tue, 06 Sep 2016 21:03:00 +00002016-09-09T10:57:20.193-06:00calgaryedmontonpokemon goGreat Locations To Play Pokemon Go In Edmonton and Calgary<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toIMRu4072g/V88BE1WLL8I/AAAAAAAAdyw/hyDVcNnkLPs10UYQzq0DDEP9FspjrgQUACPcB/s1600/IMG_4260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toIMRu4072g/V88BE1WLL8I/AAAAAAAAdyw/hyDVcNnkLPs10UYQzq0DDEP9FspjrgQUACPcB/s320/IMG_4260.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poke-Grafitti seen on a wall in downtown Edmonton</td></tr></tbody></table>Pokemon Go took the North American mobile gaming world by storm in July 2016, with the app being the number one app in the Itunes store and more popular than any social media competitors.&nbsp; No longer top dog, it is still a very popular mobile game.<br /><br />I started playing it too and it has been a blast, but after a month of it, my enthusiasm along with that of many others has died down from a fierce bonfire to a nice toasty camp fire.&nbsp; It is a pretty fun game as everyone loves wandering around and capturing pokemon in the real world environment.&nbsp; There is always that thrill of capturing a rare pokemon or desired pokemon with a pokeball, but the trade-off is that there is a massive time investment required to get the full enjoyment out of the game (even if you are getting fit by walking around).&nbsp; It takes a huge amount of time to complete a pokedex or to level up so you can both capture higher-level pokemon and be able to level up your pokemon for gym battles.&nbsp; There is also the monetization aspect of the game which could cost you more than paying for a full Nintendo DS game and you don't get a storyline.&nbsp; Purchased coins can be used to expand your inventory, store more pokemon, obtain lures to draw more pokemon in, and purchase incubators to hatch more eggs (eggs give you stardust, more pokemon, and candies to evolve and level them up).&nbsp; <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtgW3nAwDpw/V88BE8RUeyI/AAAAAAAAdyw/0NwPy6XEqQ0KErg_kklTTbPRTg_Q0VYdACPcB/s1600/IMG_4275.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HtgW3nAwDpw/V88BE8RUeyI/AAAAAAAAdyw/0NwPy6XEqQ0KErg_kklTTbPRTg_Q0VYdACPcB/s400/IMG_4275.PNG" width="223" /></a></div>For most people it is next to impossible to complete a pokedex anyhow due to region specific rares. I'm at the point where I've completed about 85% of my pokedex by capturing or evolving pokemon but it isn't much fun to complete the rest as it is freaking hard to find some of these pokemon unless you live in some really big cities where it is a happy pokemon hunting ground.&nbsp;&nbsp; I've never seen a snorlax either (it has appeared on my radar once and I couldn't find it) and the randomness in the game for encountering rares actually kind of sucks as some people are lucky (they literally stumble over snorlaxes) and others just aren't (the game also doesn't work too well in rural or small town areas).&nbsp; Still, I'll keep playing for now and Niantic is improving the game by changing spawns, fixing the busted poke-radar at some point, etc.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZmiQsf8OCc/V88BE673vQI/AAAAAAAAdyw/87hPeYSh48sjbZlvSq6lpfpt70z5IeS2gCPcB/s1600/IMG_4274%2B%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZmiQsf8OCc/V88BE673vQI/AAAAAAAAdyw/87hPeYSh48sjbZlvSq6lpfpt70z5IeS2gCPcB/s400/IMG_4274%2B%25282%2529.PNG" width="271" /></a></div>To get to the point I'm at,&nbsp; I've been fortunate to be able to hunt in both Calgary and in Edmonton without going out of my way for an out of town poke-expedition.&nbsp; Here are some great hunting grounds in the two cities.&nbsp; When you hunt you need to spend at least a couple of hours looping around, but some lucky people have spent 4 to 6 hours just to get a rare or two.&nbsp; I'm never there when they spawn so my timing is bad.&nbsp; Both Edmonton and Calgary have lots of drowsies, but I have never seen a tauros which is the North American only pokemon.<br /><br /><b>Edmonton Legislature</b><br />The area around the Provincial Legislature building, especially the south grounds is a really good hunting ground as there are numerous pokestops to replenish supplies at and there are four pokestops by the lawn bowling green that are often lured.&nbsp; As of mid-August/early Sept, this place is currently crawling with clefairy and ponyta, the odd water pokemon (like squirtles, horseas, staryu) as of August/early Sept.&nbsp; It was a geodude nest with some growliths (they still show every so often) in early August that switched mainly to Ponyta, and I'm sure it'll switch again in September.&nbsp; There is plenty here that isn't ratatas or pidgeys.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JSac3m1FT4/V88GkY7s35I/AAAAAAAAd1U/nbRwdExKS9AdcUw__RPL7R4tKV7edWfugCPcB/s1600/IMG_4364.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JSac3m1FT4/V88GkY7s35I/AAAAAAAAd1U/nbRwdExKS9AdcUw__RPL7R4tKV7edWfugCPcB/s400/IMG_4364.PNG" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the lured pokestops south of the legislature.</td></tr></tbody></table>Also this is one of the areas that spawns magikarp, dratinis, and even dragonites.&nbsp; I have never been able to capture a dragonite here (missed one by 5 minutes), but I have caught aerodactyls, a lapras, and several dratini.&nbsp; It is almost best to come here in the evenings as it seems like more people, more lures, and the later time of day produces more pokemon.&nbsp; I think this is the best place to hunt pokemon in the city, but parking is hard (all on the road along the east side of the Legislature)&nbsp; and there are no amenities in the area.&nbsp; Public bathrooms are in the Annex building on the north side of the Legislature, and in the SE corner of the south grounds behind the bandstand, but they all close by 10 PM.<br /><br /><b>University of Alberta (Edmonton)</b><br />This place is packed full of pokestops, with a very busy set of four by the University Museum's house in the NW corner of the campus.&nbsp; The main quad which is anchored by the Science building to the north and Student's Union Building (SUB) on the south end is a good hunting ground.&nbsp; You could do a massive loop from the NW corner, head south through the main quad to end up at the south side of SUB then head back north again.&nbsp; The set of four stops by the NW corner are often lured and it was busy in July, but I found it wasn't so busy in August or early Sept.&nbsp; This set of four stops doesn't produce many water/grass/fire pokemon, but there are a ton of pidgeys, bugs, and a scattering of other types.&nbsp; It is a good place for leveling if you don't want to move too much as you can reach all four stops from a stationary position.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHXUNUur39g/V87tjXGl5mI/AAAAAAAAds4/aIPLlybZcI0PRAPjXNryJMTbJaVCy423QCPcB/s1600/IMG_4107%2B%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHXUNUur39g/V87tjXGl5mI/AAAAAAAAds4/aIPLlybZcI0PRAPjXNryJMTbJaVCy423QCPcB/s400/IMG_4107%2B%25282%2529.PNG" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The NW set of four pokestops on Campus.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbE8g5K0Rx4/V88GkQej2RI/AAAAAAAAd1U/LRI4SMPGaZwOAzOHdLskJcsi3EC4WHZUQCPcB/s1600/IMG_4397.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TbE8g5K0Rx4/V88GkQej2RI/AAAAAAAAd1U/LRI4SMPGaZwOAzOHdLskJcsi3EC4WHZUQCPcB/s400/IMG_4397.PNG" width="277" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pokestops down by SUB on campus (SE corner of SUB is the purple stop).&nbsp; Someone lit up like six of them all around SUB the other day and many pokemon showed up including a dratini that I just missed.</td></tr></tbody></table>The spawns in the quad are mainly the same, with some fighting pokemon and other varieties popping up.&nbsp; The pokestops near SUB are pretty interesting as they are partial water spawns as you find squirtles, horseas, psyduck, dratini, magikarp, and even gyrados has shown up.&nbsp; Having lots of lures really help here to liven it up.&nbsp; There does seem to be a squirtle nest here as squirtles spawn in the quad and just NE of SUB.&nbsp; You can always get food, drinks, and seating inside SUB too for a break.<br /><br /><i><b>Update:</b>&nbsp; I played here for 2.5 hours on the morning of Sept. 7 after the students were back for university.&nbsp; There were people playing and some pokestops were lured, but it was mainly busy with students getting educations.&nbsp; In the 2.5 hours, the more significant pokemon I managed to bag were six squirtles, a staryu, an abra, a 1200 CP cloyster, a 800 CP omanyte, a mankey, four evee, a couple of ghastly, a lickitung, a magikarp, three meowth, and a poliwag. &nbsp; A 1400 CP dewgong ran on me and I missed out on another lickitung and an omanyte from what some other players said.&nbsp; So there is plenty of pokemon here as I caught over a hundred without being at active lures most of the time.</i><i>&nbsp; I also managed to hatch a 5 km egg for an ekans.</i><br /><br /><b>Princes Island Park in Calgary</b><br />This is probably the best place to hunt pokemon that I have been to.&nbsp; You can actually do a loop around the lagoon here for variety and there are many amenities nearby (bars / restaurants) to help keep you going.&nbsp; The couple of weekend evenings I was here in August were amazing as there were 500 to 600 people playing the game (more than I have ever seen at the legislature).&nbsp; There were also 5 to 6 million mosquitoes at the time to make things more interesting.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uY9ggs8Hxi0/V88BE9gBuDI/AAAAAAAAdyw/rqFniGoKWbMaNQweZfdrj8BWHzVMZbYNACPcB/s1600/IMG_4171%2B%25282%2529.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uY9ggs8Hxi0/V88BE9gBuDI/AAAAAAAAdyw/rqFniGoKWbMaNQweZfdrj8BWHzVMZbYNACPcB/s400/IMG_4171%2B%25282%2529.PNG" width="242" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ring of pokestops around the Princes Island lagoon.</td></tr></tbody></table>The pokemon the place spawns are probably at least 30% water type, with staryu, slowpoke, magikarp, polywhirls, horseas, etc.&nbsp; It is also a known area for dragonite, dratini, lapras, and dragonair.&nbsp; I caught a dragonair and a few dratini when I was down there.&nbsp; There was a very nice variety of pokemon here and there are tons of lures going when it is busy (the whole lagoon can be lured).&nbsp; Walking through the park is also nice, even if it is a big loop, but the loop works better than the layout at the legislature for moving people.<br /><br />Calgary also has good pokemon spots at Central Memorial Park, and SAIT where there are many pokestops on campus.&nbsp; I'm sure there will be plenty of pokemon when school is back in like at the U of A.<br /><br />That's all for now, so happy pokemon hunting.&nbsp; May your pokedex be complete.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/bkiojgT8vkQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/bkiojgT8vkQ/playing-pokemon-go-in-edmonton-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/09/playing-pokemon-go-in-edmonton-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-6565662322084728581Sun, 19 Jun 2016 22:22:00 +00002016-06-19T21:19:31.246-06:00HARMscience fictionwritingFuture Battlefield, Tanks Versus Aliens, Excerpt From HARM<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:PixelsPerInch>72</o:PixelsPerInch> <o:TargetScreenSize>544x376</o:TargetScreenSize> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/> <w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> 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Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026"/></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout v:ext="edit"> <o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">This is an excerpt from my short story HARM, which is about the first combat use of a HARM </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">(Humanoid Assault Reconnaissance Machine) </span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">mech against the alien Blue Newts.&nbsp; The story is about the final production prototype machine being sent in to support a company of conventional battle tanks and infantry to stop an enemy advance.&nbsp; I have a short story, a novella, and a novel all set in this same Exocrisis Blue universe.&nbsp; For more information, please visit <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/my-publications.html">my Publications Page</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">In this scene I wanted to show how conventional forces could fight advanced alien war machines.&nbsp; The conventional forces are composed of main battle tanks, quadrapedal combat walking robots, and powered infantry.&nbsp; There is no air support as the anti-aircraft lasers used by the aliens have been very effective.&nbsp; In fact, the pilot of the mech which shows up too late to affect the battle was a shot down close air support pilot.&nbsp; I was aiming for realism with extrapolated tech on both sides of the battle. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x1M2K_Sxds/VqVaQpWInoI/AAAAAAAAZtg/FegzQGpcTqI/s1600/7904653490_bb8722c858_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x1M2K_Sxds/VqVaQpWInoI/AAAAAAAAZtg/FegzQGpcTqI/s400/7904653490_bb8722c858_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanegen/" target="_blank">Photo by kanegen.</a>&nbsp; Used under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License.</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">***</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Bravo Company was well dug in along the most likely line of approach to Huntsville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Captain William Ericson had his tanks dug in on a narrow front flanking both sides of a highway overpass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>His ready to eat meal pack was only half eaten, forgotten due to the rapid planning he had been doing with his platoon leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>His three platoons of main battle tanks (MBT), for nine tanks in total, were hull down, only showing their turrets behind tank-sized firing pits dug for them by the combat engineers earlier in the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Each one utilized the natural cover of shrubbery and active camouflage netting to conceal their location from visual and thermal detection.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">His M3A3 tanks were not a match for a spider-mech in a one on one fight even though they had been upgraded to the new 130 mm smoothbore guns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Even their bulky ablative armour add-ons would only take a single hit from the alien beam cannon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The extreme engagement range for the 130 mm gun was about 2500 metres, but he knew the chance of getting a kill on a Black Widow spider-mech were non-existent at that range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They had to get the range down to 1500 metres to get good kills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>On the other hand, the alien beam cannon could kill a tank at 2000 metres with a far longer extreme engagement range that could even engage aircraft.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Ericson wasn’t in the best defensive position, but it would do as the flanking copses of woods and gullies would work for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>At the same time, it wasn’t a likely ambush position, and he was banking the aliens wouldn’t think so either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The tanks were going to be the hammer for the attack, but he would need to guarantee the spider-mechs would enter the anvil. To bait the spider-mechs in he would use one of his two platoons of robot combat walkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When the tanks engaged the aliens they would be the opening hammer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The other walker platoon, concealed in the northerly copse of woods, would to hit the Newts from the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>From the southern side, a platoon of battlesuit infantry would strike at the same time to complete the ambush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The plan looked great, he just hoped it would survive contact with the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Originally, X-14’s long range coilgun was supposed to begin the engagement, but things hadn’t worked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Still, it was good news that X-14 had knocked out two spider-mechs as there were two less to worry about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He knew X-14 was coming in, but he also knew it wouldn’t<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>make it for the opening of the battle in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Its primary weapons would have been a great asset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As it was, the battle ahead was going to be bloody.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Specialist Sam Winston called up to Ericson at his commander’s position from his gunner’s seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“Think the plan’s gonna work?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Ericson looked down at Sam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“I think we got a good chance,” but Sam could tell he was putting the best spin on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>After all the LT couldn’t be a defeatist or it would be game over already.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">“We’ll get ‘em.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’m going to put a sabot round up their butt,” Sam replied with bravado. “They must have butts, right?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Ericson, gave a slight laugh at the half-hearted humour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He pulled out a rumpled picture of his wife and his two daughters from his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>I’ll be back to see you, he promised himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He had not seen them in months, but at least he knew they were safe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">***</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The Blue Newts had sent a trio of moth-like reconnaissance drones ahead of their advance to observe for enemy activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>As the drones approached they managed to see a half dozen combat walkers on the highway scrambling to cover, but that was all they saw. Shoulder launched anti-aircraft missiles from the advance pickets of battlesuit infantry shot them down before further observations could be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The infantry then bounded in powered hops to new concealed firing locations from their old positions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The trap was set and a little luck would not hurt, Ericson thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He suddenly realized his throat was quite dry and took out his canteen for a quick swig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yes, he thought again, a little luck wouldn’t hurt at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“All units.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Prepare to engage according to the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Let’s get these guys.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Now that enemy units had been spotted, the spider-mechs slowed and spread out into a skirmish line that was almost a kilometre wide with seventy metres between each mech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their turrets<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>panned from side to side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They had seen the robot combat walkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The walkers were normally no match for them, but there could be other enemy units nearby.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The command data net had gone passive so units wouldn’t give themselves away via radio emissions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A few furtive reconnaissance RPVs flying low at extreme range provided partial data feeds that his whole command observed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>His own units with good positions could visually observe the advancing alien units to supplement the feeds but kept radio silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Looking through his tank’s periscope Ericson could see that the spider-mechs at the ends of the advancing line were very close to some of the concealed units.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He prayed that they would remain unspotted and that his men kept their cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Half of his unit was made up of green recruits, as casualty rates had been horrendously high, but the newbies had been spread out with the veterans to stiffen them up.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">A great deal of his plan depended on the combat walkers, a military innovation introduced in the 2030s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The walkers were autonomous, quadrupedal robots with a weapons mount on the back of their thick stubby bodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They were approximately the shape and size of a horse with a sensor array where the horse’s neck would be, and stood on narrow legs that allowed them to traverse most rough terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While a tank company had only 10 tanks, including the command tank, they had a swarm of 18 combat walkers to support them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Two special transporter vehicles would both remotely control and transport the walkers. The walkers acted in the hybrid role of a light fighting vehicle and infantry support for the tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Every walker was armed with a machinegun that could be supplemented by either anti-tank missiles or a chain gun.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Sweat was beginning to form on Ericson’s brow and he was sure everyone else was just as tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Watching the tactical display count down the distance between the Newts and the camouflaged tanks was nerve wracking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>While he couldn’t see Lieutenant Nguyen, who commanded the robo-jockeys, he had fought with him before and knew he’d do his job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>When the Newts had advanced within 2000 metres of the tanks the six combat walkers rose up on their legs from their prone positions and each fired an improved anti-tank missile on the same central walker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They then ducked back down, popped smoke and fell back towards the overpass directly behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The missiles were self-homing and contrails of smoke showed them closing the distance as supersonic speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The air was suddenly full of laser flashes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The Newts had data-linked fire control that multiplied the lethality of their machines by synchronizing their weapons to act as a whole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their beam weapons now worked together in an anti-air capacity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Four of the missiles exploded in mid-air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The last two missiles struck the targeted spider-mech dead on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Great balls of flame erupted on its upper, frontal armour where the shaped charges detonated, trying to burn through the molecular armour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Both warheads left great blast marks on the surface, but black smoke only boiled out of one of them, where one warhead had penetrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, the mech looked like it was still quite functional as it and a number of the other walkers returned fire through the smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Their shots hit the empty ground that the walkers had vacated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The advance of the spider-mechs picked up as they tried to close the range on the walkers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Each combat walker had one missile remaining. They continued to run for the cover behind the overpass, their weapon mounts traversing to the rear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Emerging from a depression in the ground they fired again at the same spider-mech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Lasers flashed again at the missiles. Five more exploded in mid-air, the sixth staggered the damaged spider-mech, but it still didn’t go down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The lasers then targeted the escaping walkers which were running flat out at 30 kph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The combat walkers didn’t have much of a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Four out of the six walkers disintegrated into metal flinging fireballs while the fifth and sixth walkers managed to dodge and clear the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">1800 metres…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>1700 metres…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Three more of the combat walkers popped up over the top of the overpass shoulder and fired another barrage of six missiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The damaged spider-mech had already fallen behind and took<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>two more hits. This time it stopped all movement, but continued shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Return fire on the walkers was fierce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>One more walker exploded with a direct hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The last two walkers popped more smoke and ducked back down behind cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>1600 metres… 1500 metres…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The spider-mechs relentlessly closed in.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Ericson saw that the range was good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“All units, engage your targets!” His own command tank surged forward to expose the turret over the top of the overpass embankment to add additional firepower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He had also been using the overpass embankment for cover. “Gunner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Fire at will,” he ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">All nine MBTs open fire within a second of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The open woodlands was filled with the roar of 130 mm cannon fire and the pulsing cracks of the enemy beam weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Each of the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>enemy mechs was hit by the initial barrage, brilliant explosive flashes from the impacts lighting up each mech, but they withstood the attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Laser fire began stabbing back at the dug in tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Flashes of light, the explosive vapourization of ablative armour blocks indicated direct hits on several of the tanks, but the ablative armour held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Before the autoloaders on the tanks could complete the loading of the second rounds into the gun breaches, dozens of anti-tank missiles streaked out from both the north and south woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The battlesuit infantry platoon and other combat walker platoon were engaging the spider-mechs from the flanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A second set of 130 mm discarding sabot penetrators fired off just 7 seconds after the first set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They were at the maximum rate of fire for the guns.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The battle became frenetic, with the air filled with laser fire, missiles, and tank shells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>A flanking spider-mech suddenly exploded from either an armour piercing round or a missile hit – no one was sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A tank exploded, multiple heavy lasers burning through the ablative armour and the composite armour underneath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Infantry fired grenades from their launchers and emptied magazines of ammunition into the spider-mechs. More anti-tank missiles fired off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The combat walkers fired off their second wave of missiles then engaged with machineguns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Machine guns had little affect on the spider-mechs, but they could damage sensors, and distract the enemy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Spider-mechs had their primary beam cannon, but they also had a secondary laser for use against softer, non-armoured targets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These rapid fire guns began firing back at the combat walkers and infantry, suppressing and killing them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Another spider-mech exploded, then two more tanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Smoke filled the air from burning wreckage, burning trees and brush, and all of the explosions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Yet another tank exploded, it’s turret hurled up into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>God, that was Zawadski’s tank, Ericson thought to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Zawadski’s wife was now a widow, but he didn’t even have time to think her or even his own wife as events were moving too quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The alien spider-mechs kept coming, attacking, and were breaking out of the ambush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The range was now down to 900 metres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Two more<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>spider-mechs were damaged and limping, but they kept coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Nothing breaks these guys, he thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>We need more firepower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He was strangely calm – beyond fear now that combat was underway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This was a battle the tanks wouldn’t be able to disengage from too easily due to the speed of the alien mechs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The battlesuited infantry might be able to escape as they could use the woods for concealment, but the tanks would win or die on this battlefield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">“Gunner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Target mech right,” he yelled, feeding coordinates at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A spider-mech was targeting them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">His tank rocked from the recoil of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>its main cannon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“Sabot. Away,” the gunner called out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">At the same time, his tank was rocked by a direct hit on the turret from the alien’s main beam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Ablative armour erupted in a incandescent blast cloud, absorbing the high-energy pulse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It suddenly got warm inside the tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Looking through his viewfinder, he could see smoke billowing out of the alien mech from their hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>It fired at them again, but missed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“Driver, back us up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Secondary fire position,” he ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Suddenly, a half-dozen, laser-guided artillery rounds directly struck the spider-mechs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The forward observer had called in the fire mission and infantry with laser designators guided them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Huge explosions from the 155 mm artillery shells knocked the spider-mechs off balance while blowing off legs and sensors. One more spider-mech went down, but it was trying to get back up. The artillery had bought them some time, breaking the enemies momentum, but it would be temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>After firing one salvo, the artillery would need to scoot to a new firing location as the aliens also had counter-battery fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Even now, specialized support spiders further in the rear would be firing off homing missiles to try and kill off the artillery units.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">The two sides were now just over half a kilometre apart – 600 metres – too close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The lasers stabbed out again. Tank guns fired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>More vehicles exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Two more tanks and three of the damaged spiders were destroyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>That left only three tanks and five attacking spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Only two of the spiders were still undamaged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>All the main weapons were very lethal at this range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The tanks had launched smoke grenades and were firing as they backed up into new positions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Ericson’s tank and a couple of re-armed combat walkers were back up on the overpass shoulder trying to provide fire support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Fire from the woods had slackened considerably after being heavily suppressed by enemy fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Both the combat walkers and the infantry had expended their missiles and had taken considerable losses in the fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Even as Ericson watched, a beam burned through the turret armour of another tank which exploded in a brilliant fireball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>His tank fired again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This time one of the damaged spider-mechs blew apart, collapsing down on its now limp legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">His tank was suddenly hit by a hammer blow that knocked the breath out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>A laser blast had blown a hole in the front left of the tank’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The interior filled with thick acrid smoke while the power went dead. A fire suppression system went off filling the lower interior with foam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>“Sam, Evan, you guys okay?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">Sam, the gunner, called back, “I’m okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Think Evan’s dead though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The blast caught him, and there’s blood everywhere. Smoke’s getting thick.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">“We gotta get out,” Ericson replied, “tank’s history.” He turned around and opened the turret hatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>He climbed out and helped to pull his foam soaked gunner out of the burning tank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>They would have to run for cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The battle would be over soon as it was one tank against four mechs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">***</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: &quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;;">I hoped you enjoyed the excerpt from the short story HARM.&nbsp; Please check out my other work on <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/my-publications.html">my Publications Page</a>.&nbsp; I also have a post about <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2016/01/writing-mecha-science-fiction-and.html">writing mecha science fiction here</a>.</span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/rsw0J5FUtrI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/rsw0J5FUtrI/future-battlefield-tanks-versus-aliens.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/future-battlefield-tanks-versus-aliens.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-2592032278958581753Sun, 19 Jun 2016 21:09:00 +00002018-11-22T15:29:33.588-07:00dronesexocrisis bluescience fictionwritingFuture Warfare, Drones Versus Alien Kaiju, An Excerpt From Matters of DestinyI'm working on my next novel to wrap up the Exocrisis Blue main story arc.&nbsp; In Exocrisis, the world has been invaded by the alien Blue Newts and mankind united to fight them to a stalemate.&nbsp; Exocrisis made me extrapolate near future military tech and write something that seems feasible, even if large combat robots are involved.&nbsp; Drones play an important role in Exocrisis Blue too, replacing manned fighters in my future universe.&nbsp; So, after an alien invasion, massive changes to the international order, here is a good chunk of an early chapter involving attack drones against an alien monster from my upcoming novel, Matters of Destiny.&nbsp; <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UV1KddgMpI/Vq6E0m5yUlI/AAAAAAAAZw8/cUfxApVoQJQ/s1600/8023261594_9a1a61024d_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_UV1KddgMpI/Vq6E0m5yUlI/AAAAAAAAZw8/cUfxApVoQJQ/s400/8023261594_9a1a61024d_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Navy drone launch, courtesy of the United States Navy (<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/8023261594/" target="_blank">attribution here</a>).</td></tr></tbody></table>Captain Williams had received the level one alert issued by CINCPAC and was slightly surprised that there was a bogey in the Sky Hope Security Zone.&nbsp; Checking the map display, his air carrier was the closest patrol ship, being some 150 kilometres from the bogey.&nbsp; “All hands to battle stations.&nbsp; All hands to battle stations.&nbsp; This is not a drill.&nbsp; We have an unidentified surface contact in the security zone that is moving slowly towards Sky Hope.&nbsp; Upload target coordinates and launch the ready alert,” he ordered the Carrier Air Group Commander or CAG.&nbsp; An alarm klaxon sounded as if to emphasize the situation even more.<br /><br />The flying air carrier, Lexington, was a twenty thousand ton, bulbous flying wing that was mostly an airship.&nbsp; Without the lift generated from the wings the ship would begin to gently descend to the surface as its helium cells made it just slightly negatively buoyant.&nbsp; Air carriers were mostly constructed from lightweight composites and propelled by turbo fans that were electrically powered by a chemical fusion plants, like those found on heavy combat mechs.&nbsp; At its maximum speed of&nbsp; 250 kilometres per hour, the Lexington wasn’t going to break any speed records, but it could travel completely around the world before refuelling.<br /><br />The super aircraft carriers of the early 21st century were completely obsolete by the end of 2030s, and had been replaced by these new flying carriers.&nbsp; These new carriers were designed from inception as drone carriers.&nbsp; They were smaller, mostly crewed by robots, and stealthy between their active camouflage and radar deflecting construction.&nbsp; These carriers operated without escorts, and delivered their squadrons of supersonic attack drones into battle from a stand-off distance.&nbsp; Human piloted fighter aircraft had been almost completely replaced by unmanned drones due to the advent of laser weapons.&nbsp; The autonomous drones were cheaper, more maneuverable, capable of pulling high-G maneuvers that would incapacitate a human pilot, factors that made them more survivable and expendable at the same time.&nbsp; A drone could still be remotely operated by a human pilot, but a squadron of six drones usually had only one human squadron leader in the kill chain to both guide it and authorize weapons use.<br /><br />The left side drop bay doors flipped opened in the bottom of the carrier.&nbsp; There were two long bays running down each side of the carrier.&nbsp; A squadron of drones hung suspended from their cradles some 10,000 metres above the ocean far below.&nbsp; One squadron of drones, the ready alert, was always ready to launch on immediate notice, while the other five squadrons could be armed and readied within fifteen minutes.&nbsp; On the CAG’s orders, the squadron dropped free from the ship nose down.&nbsp; Their afterburners kicked in during free fall to have the fighter squadron arc back up in a parabolic curve then turn towards the unknown contact at maximum speed, breaking the sound barrier as they went.<br /><br />The carrier’s bridge and combat information centre (CIC) were both in one large room located within an armoured compartment in the middle of the carrier.&nbsp; Automation and integrated workstations had now put control of all of the ships systems in one place.&nbsp; Touch sensitive display consoles that controlled the ship and its weaponry were grouped by related function and organized in a semi-circle in front of the captain and XO’s stations, and all personnel faced forward towards a large set of displays at the front of the bridge.&nbsp; The main display showed the forward view in front of the ship with tactical and strategic displays along side showing the view in front of the shop along with tactical and strategic displays along side it.<br /><br />“Ready alert is away.&nbsp; The Gunslingers report they are fully operational,” the CAG reported to the captain.&nbsp; “Arming and fuelling the White Knights is under way.”&nbsp; In the hangar, robot arms and a small human crew were working quickly to ready the next squadron.<br /><br />***<br /><br />The tactical operations officer notified the captain that a long range reconnaissance drone was coming up on the contact and put a visual up on the main display.&nbsp; The view of the ocean in front of the carrier vanished and was replaced by clouds racing by.&nbsp; The video was being transmitted from a Albatross III reconnaissance drone, one of many wide-winged, solar powered drones that patrolled the security zone for months at a time.&nbsp; The drone descended below the light cloud pocket it had encountered and the bottom of the video feed showed an altitude of 1000 metres, with an airspeed of 300 kph.<br /><br />There were a series of gasps from the bridge crew as the video feed locked in on a strange beast that pulsated and glowed yellow from within.&nbsp; It resembled a crested jellyfish floating above the sea, with a frilly beard around the base and masses of long tentacles below it.&nbsp; A band of dark black eyes seem to circle it around the body’s midpoint.&nbsp; It was hard to get a scale on it until you looked down and saw the waves breaking against the tentacles that reached into the ocean.&nbsp; You could understand it was big and a couple of hundred metres high, but you weren’t sure.<br /><br />“What is that thing?” Williams asked aloud.&nbsp; <br /><br />“Don’t know,” the XO replied.&nbsp; “Sure looks like some kind of weird alien jellyfish to me.&nbsp; The thing is actually floating in the air.&nbsp; Probably some kind of Blue Newt critter.&nbsp; Data has been forwarded to HQ. Maybe the AIs can tell us.”<br /><br />“Drone will be overhead in two minutes,” the tactical officer chimed in.&nbsp; “Gunslingers will intercept in four minutes.”<br /><br />“That thing shouldn’t be possible,” the captain spoke again.&nbsp; “The square-cube law says no living thing could support itself at that size.&nbsp; Is it even organic, or is it some kind of machine?“<br /><br />“Looks organic to me,” the XO replied, “run a full scan of that thing.”<br /><br />The tactical officer spoke again.&nbsp; “Drone indicates that the thing does not return on radar.&nbsp; Ladar is painting it and it looks like it is about three hundred metres high.&nbsp; The main body at the top is about 75 metres high, with a diameter of 50 metres.&nbsp; Thermal indicates the thing is hot, almost 400 degrees celcius.” <br /><br />“That’s crazy.&nbsp; Its hotter than molten lead,” Williams spoke again.&nbsp; “Recheck the instruments.”<br /><br />The picture was suddenly a wall of static, then it restored just a little to see the tentacled beast flailing tentacles in a grainy image.&nbsp; The visual broke up again and restored a little, then broke up again.<br /><br />“Drone reports massive radio interference,” the tactical officer reported.&nbsp; “The thing is doing some type of broad spectrum electromagnetic jamming, almost like an EMP.&nbsp; The body is heating up. It is almost a 1000 degrees now.”<br /><br />Captain Williams was beginning to get a very bad feeling about this.&nbsp; “Order the drone to maintain distance.&nbsp; We’ll have the Gunslingers do a close-in pass of that thing when they arrive.”&nbsp; The picture from the recon drone broke up into static again and then re-established itself as the Albatross began to circle the alien beast.<br /><br />***<br /><br />The Albatross had only made a partial orbit in the next minute when the tactical officer yelled out.&nbsp; “Heat spike!”&nbsp; The picture from the nose camera of the drone showed a bright flash from on of the many eyes on the alien jellyfish and the image violently shuddered, then showed the surface of the ocean.&nbsp; “Albatross is falling.&nbsp; Reports heavy damage, with no response from the tail.&nbsp; It is going down, sir.&nbsp; Looks like it got hit with some kind of directed energy weapon.”<br /><br />“I guess we know it’s hostile.”&nbsp; The XO spoke up.&nbsp; “Orders, captain?”<br /><br />“Weapons free.&nbsp; Take that thing down.&nbsp; Have the Gunslingers hit it with everything they got.”<br /><br />“I suggest we rearm the White Knights for anti-ship, sir, “ the CAG spoke up.&nbsp; “The Gunslingers are primarily armed for air to air.”<br /><br />“Make it so,” Captain Williams replied.&nbsp; “Prep all of the squadrons, anti-ship.&nbsp; That thing is big, but it is going down.”&nbsp; <br /><br />***<br /><br />“Sheriff,” Fast Eddie Wilson, the Gunslingers squadron commander was ready for action.&nbsp; Both he and his assistant commander were already in their flight pod in the Boom Room.&nbsp; The Boom Room housed six virtual reality command pods, each of which commanded a squadron of drones.&nbsp; All of the pods were currently occupied during the alert, with each squadron either in flight or arming.&nbsp; <br /><br />The Gunslingers pilots sat in tandem in their pod, surrounded by a 360 degree view around the lead drone, and control consoles with flight controls in front of them.&nbsp; Both pilots wore&nbsp; helmets with a transparent full face visor that partially obscured their faces when the heads up display (HUD) projected on it.&nbsp; Eddie guided the lead drone, and issued orders, with Roscoe acting as his backup and attack coordinator for their six drones.&nbsp; The AI controlled attack drones could fly and attack completely autonomously, but human pilots commanded them and could fly them as required.&nbsp; A human component was still essential in the kill loop for coordinating tactics, target identification, and weapons release authorization.<br /><br />Eddie was a veteran pilot, unlike his assistant, he was old enough to have flown jet interceptors before the last of them had been decommissioned just over a decade ago.&nbsp; He always felt a little detached when flying drone missions as it didn’t have the same impact as being in a cockpit in the middle of the action.&nbsp; He could still get into the mission, but the thrill wasn’t the same.&nbsp; After watching the recon drone feed and and the shooting down of the drone, he had bad feeling about this mission building in his gut.&nbsp; Maybe it was just the strangeness of the alien monster, but he was glad he wasn’t in a cockpit facing that thing right now.&nbsp; Looking forward he could see the alien monster straight ahead of the lead drone and slightly lower.&nbsp; They were sixty seconds out.<br /><br />“All drones report ready,” Roscoe called over.&nbsp; If he showed any nervousness, it was hidden in the excitement of his voice.&nbsp; This would be his first combat mission.<br /><br />“Let’s do this by the book,” Eddie replied to reassure Roscoe, but it was probably for both of them.&nbsp; “Attack Pattern Alpha.&nbsp; All weapons hot.&nbsp; Select Jackhammers, mass fire.”&nbsp; Eddie wished their drones had been armed with Sea-lance anti-ship missiles, but they only had a mix of air to air missiles and the general purpose Jackhammer missiles.&nbsp; Still, each drone carried four Jackhammers and also had a 25mm gatling cannon that could be used for good effect.<br /><br />“All drones to max combat speed, fire all missiles at 10 km, then break off.&nbsp; We’ll reform at point delta and come in for gun runs if it isn’t dead yet.”&nbsp; <br /><br />The drones confirmed their orders visually on the helmet HUDs.&nbsp; They began to assemble into a dispersed ragged line based on the lead drone, following the designated attack pattern.&nbsp; The drones did not come in directly, but weaved and bobbed in their formation to dodge possible enemy fire.&nbsp; Eddie was not directly piloting the lead drone, but worked with the AI, and both human and computer counted down the seconds till weapons release.<br /><br />Internal weapons bays opened up on the drones and the Jackhammers dropped out in pairs from each drone.&nbsp; Twenty four missiles burned in at three times the speed of sound.&nbsp; Contrails converged in from the drones wide front into one point where the alien monster was.&nbsp; “Missiles away,” Eddie called out.&nbsp; “Drones breaking off.”<br /><br />Behind the retreating drones, the monster seemed unaware of the missile wave closing in, its tentacles slowly moving in the air and in the water where they touched the ocean.&nbsp; Suddenly, it seemed to realize the danger that was incoming.&nbsp;&nbsp; The mass of tentacles began flailing in the air and the body pulsated with flashes of orange.&nbsp; The temperature of the beast rose as it generated energy.&nbsp; Long duration beams of energy shot from a half dozen of its eyes.&nbsp; The beams swept through the air at the incoming missiles.&nbsp; A half dozen missiles exploded in the air, but the other relentlessly closed in.<br /><br />Jackhammers were designed to engage ground targets like tanks, spider-mechs, the big robotic HARM units, or bunkers.&nbsp; They packed a hundred kilogram explosive warhead shaped to punch through armour while providing a large blast effect.&nbsp; Eighteen of these warheads detonated in rapid succession against the beast’s body.&nbsp; Explosions and big clouds of dark clouds of smoke obscured the beast for a half minute.&nbsp; Tentacles could still be seen flailing through the air, but it did not look like the slowing death throes of an animal.&nbsp; <br /><br />The air began clearing and the pilots and the bridge crew of the carrier gasped.&nbsp; There were a good dozen holes in the side of the creature which was a bright orange now.&nbsp; Yellowish protoplasmic fluid oozed out of the holes in the creature’s thick hide.&nbsp; Even as they watched, the holes could be seen to be shrinking, the creature was healing.&nbsp; Static filled the picture for a moment as more electromagnetic interference burst from the creature.<br /><br />“Holy Crap,” Roscoe exhaled.&nbsp; The thing had taken a beating ad was still going.<br /><br />“That’s not good,” Eddie added.&nbsp; “We’re going to need more missiles, or bigger ones.&nbsp; Let’s try for the eyes on that thing.&nbsp; It’s got to have a weak spot.&nbsp; Drones, Attack Pattern Delta.&nbsp; The things got some kind of energy beams protecting it, but we’re going in with guns.&nbsp; All units to use maximum speed and evasion.” <br /><br />This time, the drones formed into a wide arc and began closing in.&nbsp; They were widely dispersed and randomly dipped and weaved in high-g maneuvers that would have killed a human pilot. The alien monster saw them coming in further out this time and began to fire its beams at them in rapid succession.&nbsp; At first, the drones were successful at evading with the maneuvers designed to counter anti-air lasers, but as the distance dropped, the beast’s accuracy was telling.&nbsp; One drone exploded, then another, but four drones were still on approach.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /><br />At two kilometres, they began to slightly straighten out and begin to fire at the creature’s eyes in long bursts of their cannons.&nbsp; At fifty rounds in a burst, several of the eyes were struck, and they burst open in great gouts of dark fluid.&nbsp; The beast seemed to react as if it were in pain.&nbsp; Tentacles arced high into the air and some seemed to be covering some of its eyes.&nbsp; The drones fired several more bursts to less effect and then passed over the alien monster at high speed.&nbsp; More eye beams burned out and another drone exploded.&nbsp; The remaining Gunslingers did an incredibly tight turn and began another attack run.<br /><br />Beams and cannon tracer rounds blazed through the air.&nbsp; Another drone exploded on the way in and another drone exploded on the way out.&nbsp;&nbsp; Two more eyes on the beast were taken out.&nbsp; Less than a couple of minutes had passed and only one craft from the squadron of multi-million dollar drones had survived.&nbsp; <br /><br />“Gunslingers are withdrawing,” Eddie, “Squadron has suffered heavy losses, 5 drones down..”&nbsp; He looked in the at the receding alien monster through the rear camera on his drone.&nbsp; There were still a couple of dozen of eyes left on the alien thing.&nbsp; “I hope it doesn’t heal as fast from those hits on its eyes.&nbsp; I recommend that we try to hit it at standoff range with anti-ship missiles and multiple squadrons to swamp its defences.” <br /><br />“You did good,” Captain Williams replied back.&nbsp; “That thing is tougher than anyone thought.”&nbsp; The entire bridge crew had seen the action first hand.&nbsp; “We’ll do better next time.&nbsp; We’re already arming for anti-ship and we’ll stage the next one to hit it as hard as we can.”&nbsp; <br /><br />“Yes, sir!” Eddie responded.&nbsp; He then exhaled hard, the intensity of the moment had been greater than he expected.<br /><br />Turning to his XO, the captain then said, “Get CINCPAC on the horn.&nbsp; We might need more firepower.&nbsp; Request railgun cruisers and more carriers.”<br /><br />***<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/57ijmLa47YQ" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/57ijmLa47YQ/future-warfare-drones-versus-alien.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/future-warfare-drones-versus-alien.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-2919416496664008653Sun, 17 Apr 2016 20:19:00 +00002018-04-04T18:55:54.278-06:00foodCool Japanese SnacksJapan produces some of the best snacks and candy.&nbsp; Here are some of the ones I've tried over the years.&nbsp; Their snacks and candy are so popular they are found all over Asia and can even be found in various oriental supermarkets in Canada and the US.<br /><br /><b>Nissin Cup Noodles.</b>&nbsp; Nissin invented the instant noodle in the form of Nissin Chicken Ramen in the 1950s and then they developed the cup noodle in the 1970s.&nbsp; There are many flavours of cup noodles in Japan and in Asia, and they are much better than what you find in typical North American supermarket shelves. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-LW4oeBmqk/UDLmKz1bomI/AAAAAAAAErU/jUm_Y6jMfXI/s1600/P1010493.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-LW4oeBmqk/UDLmKz1bomI/AAAAAAAAErU/jUm_Y6jMfXI/s400/P1010493.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Canned bread.</b>&nbsp; This stuff comes in many flavours and is often branded with an anime series.&nbsp; They aren't bad at all considering it is canned bread and they remind me of those Italian holiday cakes you can buy in a box at Christmas.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXbw84gLMhE/UVhg9EGqYcI/AAAAAAAAIrA/OyT-AF2ZY0U/s1600/P1010933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KXbw84gLMhE/UVhg9EGqYcI/AAAAAAAAIrA/OyT-AF2ZY0U/s400/P1010933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Japanese Kit Kats.</b>&nbsp; These come in an awesome number of flavours.&nbsp; Some are really good, some are kind of so so, but their Kit Kats rock overall.&nbsp; The Green Tea Kit Kats are very common and very tasty.&nbsp; There are regional specialty Kit Kats with exotic flavours like ponzu, red bean, Japanese strawberry, pear, soybean, etc. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtOC0O3xnf8/UbpjEQeqq_I/AAAAAAAAJZY/DYcDBmvSqYs/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtOC0O3xnf8/UbpjEQeqq_I/AAAAAAAAJZY/DYcDBmvSqYs/s400/IMG_5378.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Pocky.</b>&nbsp; These are biscuit sticks covered with chocolate for the basic variety and they have many many varieties like the Kit Kat.&nbsp; There are special dessert Pocki and stubby thick Midi Pocky too.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxJ2gmp-FgA/Ubpi_vo8KFI/AAAAAAAAJY4/dfpyyH5Xw-Y/s1600/IMG_5373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxJ2gmp-FgA/Ubpi_vo8KFI/AAAAAAAAJY4/dfpyyH5Xw-Y/s400/IMG_5373.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Coconut Pocky and tropical Pocky shown below.&nbsp; Like many types of snacks in Japan, there are many limited edition and seasonal Pocky that are available for limited amounts of time.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q3iv7tzQm8/UjTtuyrbIrI/AAAAAAAAKi4/gA7LC1c8lC4/s1600/IMG_5832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_q3iv7tzQm8/UjTtuyrbIrI/AAAAAAAAKi4/gA7LC1c8lC4/s400/IMG_5832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Karipori Candy Sticks.</b>&nbsp; There is cola and ramune flavours on the left, and grape and melon on the right with Pikachu.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiY--Bm4j5Q/VAEaSMSTPII/AAAAAAAANhg/4A545mugnEE/s1600/IMG_6314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wiY--Bm4j5Q/VAEaSMSTPII/AAAAAAAANhg/4A545mugnEE/s400/IMG_6314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Pretz.</b>&nbsp; These are savoury biscuit sticks.&nbsp; The ones below are shoyu flavour, as in soy sauce.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD2cpWiJg20/VAEaUCD4MgI/AAAAAAAANho/tdM1l5RmJp4/s1600/IMG_6315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RD2cpWiJg20/VAEaUCD4MgI/AAAAAAAANho/tdM1l5RmJp4/s400/IMG_6315.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Jagabee Potato Sticks.</b>&nbsp; Many different flavours and eating these reminds me of eating really crispy french fries. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nqZvS6Yp_w/VAEaf3b-0TI/AAAAAAAANiQ/xRDxV_77OkM/s1600/IMG_6320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8nqZvS6Yp_w/VAEaf3b-0TI/AAAAAAAANiQ/xRDxV_77OkM/s400/IMG_6320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><b>Look Chocolate</b> and a couple of other ramune flavoured candies and gum.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh2H8lwiDek/Ub59GuaKuiI/AAAAAAAAJbo/pptMe7NrwDc/s1600/IMG_5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uh2H8lwiDek/Ub59GuaKuiI/AAAAAAAAJbo/pptMe7NrwDc/s400/IMG_5398.JPG" width="400" /></a></b></div><b>Puccho chewy candies and whistle candy.</b>&nbsp; Everyone likes the chewy candies with the little gummy bits embedded within.&nbsp; The whistle candies are fun as you can really blow through the little hole in the middle for a loud shriek and they come with a little toy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rWCPx8-sCU/UiuSgTBrpGI/AAAAAAAAKao/8sltP-hAXIY/s1600/IMG_20130901_122530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rWCPx8-sCU/UiuSgTBrpGI/AAAAAAAAKao/8sltP-hAXIY/s400/IMG_20130901_122530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Various kinds of rice crackers. Very delicious.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPerDGQcHLo/UjTtwkCbMJI/AAAAAAAAKjA/7kPsOa0kAEQ/s1600/IMG_5834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPerDGQcHLo/UjTtwkCbMJI/AAAAAAAAKjA/7kPsOa0kAEQ/s400/IMG_5834.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Different types of potato chips and snacks from Calbee.</b>&nbsp; I really like their curry potato chips.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REbEiy1lUiA/UjTts_4XnNI/AAAAAAAAKiw/1mou4Ss-qI4/s1600/IMG_5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REbEiy1lUiA/UjTts_4XnNI/AAAAAAAAKiw/1mou4Ss-qI4/s400/IMG_5831.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Hard candies and gummy candy</b> that is ramune flavour (a type of Japanese lemon flavour - very nice).&nbsp; The Super Soda candies have a really sour coating.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb18K4gUuAU/Ukdo12w0pHI/AAAAAAAAMy8/frMTUEp9Eng/s1600/IMG_20130928_172959_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb18K4gUuAU/Ukdo12w0pHI/AAAAAAAAMy8/frMTUEp9Eng/s400/IMG_20130928_172959_edit0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Meltykiss chocolates.</b>&nbsp; These are pretty deluxe little chocolates with an intensely flavoured center of green tea and strawberry in the boxes shown below.&nbsp; They come in individually wrapped cubes and are very good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOmP8j9BIyU/Uve1zSX4f6I/AAAAAAAALQc/_Ay9ewRoa80/s1600/IMG_5988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOmP8j9BIyU/Uve1zSX4f6I/AAAAAAAALQc/_Ay9ewRoa80/s400/IMG_5988.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Instant miso soup.</b>&nbsp; You have a dried ingredient pouch and another pouch holding the miso soup paste.&nbsp; Very popular in Japan.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwEUiewryNw/UwpB-yLBzlI/AAAAAAAALVQ/BaX_B724EPM/s1600/IMG_6003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwEUiewryNw/UwpB-yLBzlI/AAAAAAAALVQ/BaX_B724EPM/s400/IMG_6003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is another kind of instant miso soup that is freeze dried.&nbsp; This is from an American company and the little puck rehydrates almost instantly with boiling water.&nbsp; Quite good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvcLFhSKIt0/UwpB5UZaZHI/AAAAAAAALU4/EyIZqyqbwCY/s1600/IMG_6000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvcLFhSKIt0/UwpB5UZaZHI/AAAAAAAALU4/EyIZqyqbwCY/s400/IMG_6000.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The rehydrated miso soup below.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM3Nm9s6vuI/UwpB64rwqeI/AAAAAAAALVA/V_46rrxbNf4/s1600/IMG_6001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qM3Nm9s6vuI/UwpB64rwqeI/AAAAAAAALVA/V_46rrxbNf4/s400/IMG_6001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is a type of summer watermelon gummy candy that is pretty delicious, but available for the summer months mainly.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GozbC2-JKCU/U6tghufr77I/AAAAAAAAMpA/9H-N0nUpZYI/s1600/IMG_6155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GozbC2-JKCU/U6tghufr77I/AAAAAAAAMpA/9H-N0nUpZYI/s400/IMG_6155.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Puccho</b> sour plum flavour chews.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bbl1jEoyPM/U6tgdqJNvkI/AAAAAAAAMow/-tABrfaC5yg/s1600/IMG_6153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4bbl1jEoyPM/U6tgdqJNvkI/AAAAAAAAMow/-tABrfaC5yg/s400/IMG_6153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Ramune soda.</b>&nbsp; These are bottled like sodas were in North America in the early 20th century.&nbsp; The bottles are sealed with a marble under a cap and you have to push the marble in with a special tool that comes with the bottle.&nbsp; There are two notches in the glass on the inside of the bottle to hold the marble back when you sip.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgLwwXELOxQ/U6xT2TxPmpI/AAAAAAAAMq0/8rJXBd0Tfmk/s1600/IMG_20140626_095310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IgLwwXELOxQ/U6xT2TxPmpI/AAAAAAAAMq0/8rJXBd0Tfmk/s400/IMG_20140626_095310.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Takoyaki flavoured corn puffs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfgNe-DPSE/U9p1X3MOkxI/AAAAAAAANDI/NUD7BQxbc3U/s1600/IMG_6234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSfgNe-DPSE/U9p1X3MOkxI/AAAAAAAANDI/NUD7BQxbc3U/s400/IMG_6234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Ramune bubble gum candy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngcpx4LcqRw/U9p1PX5vIkI/AAAAAAAANCo/POlIahevchk/s1600/IMG_6238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngcpx4LcqRw/U9p1PX5vIkI/AAAAAAAANCo/POlIahevchk/s400/IMG_6238.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Summer watermelon candy<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TDUMpn_wo0/U9p1RrTkNbI/AAAAAAAANCw/seBFr2i2Akw/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_TDUMpn_wo0/U9p1RrTkNbI/AAAAAAAANCw/seBFr2i2Akw/s400/IMG_6237.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />More ramune chewy candy.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQEa3KDhr0k/U9p1HBN_uFI/AAAAAAAANCI/5uVYYUnOV3k/s1600/IMG_6242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BQEa3KDhr0k/U9p1HBN_uFI/AAAAAAAANCI/5uVYYUnOV3k/s400/IMG_6242.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Ema hard fruit candies.&nbsp; These are sugarless.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTGYzLBVZSw/U9p1tglLitI/AAAAAAAANEY/nHPlCQbwy10/s1600/IMG_6256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTGYzLBVZSw/U9p1tglLitI/AAAAAAAANEY/nHPlCQbwy10/s400/IMG_6256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />These are good tasting chocolate biscuits with strawberry cream chocolate mushroom tops.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnFmxDc2pC8/VB4mYgNZ44I/AAAAAAAAN3k/PFe1t9tpSNc/s1600/IMG_6387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnFmxDc2pC8/VB4mYgNZ44I/AAAAAAAAN3k/PFe1t9tpSNc/s400/IMG_6387.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tiny potato chips in a long tube.&nbsp; These are chicken flavour.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWuhq4c7AcM/VB4mV_7DjTI/AAAAAAAAN3U/aU5vD2uBfGo/s1600/IMG_6385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWuhq4c7AcM/VB4mV_7DjTI/AAAAAAAAN3U/aU5vD2uBfGo/s400/IMG_6385.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />Hi-Chew chewy candies.&nbsp; This was a big bag available at Costco once upon a time.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tYbaEEhbeo/VBxj0NLZAPI/AAAAAAAAOA8/dCtdL5KrupM/s1600/IMG_20140907_115116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4tYbaEEhbeo/VBxj0NLZAPI/AAAAAAAAOA8/dCtdL5KrupM/s400/IMG_20140907_115116.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These are more Pocky but chocolate and crushed almonds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqmXfqBzxQE/VOpZ3bJnHTI/AAAAAAAAQps/aX6vkmBrR44/s1600/IMG_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jqmXfqBzxQE/VOpZ3bJnHTI/AAAAAAAAQps/aX6vkmBrR44/s400/IMG_0685.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />That's just a few of the hundreds or thousands of Japanese snacks you can get.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/4X-RSyQt3kU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/4X-RSyQt3kU/cool-japanese-snacks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/02/cool-japanese-snacks.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-4362432831080853237Sun, 17 Apr 2016 01:34:00 +00002016-05-06T20:09:14.454-06:00foodA Secret Hankering For Foreign ChipsPotato chips. Crunch. Crunch.&nbsp; That savoury, salty, or otherwise flavoured deep fried wafer of potato.&nbsp; Every country pretty much has their own local type of potato chip.&nbsp; Here in Canada, there are plenty of varieties too, but I still like to try other chips from other countries.<br /><br />First, lets start with Lays Canada.&nbsp; They have been promoting regional flavours of chips, and asking for Canadians to vote for their favourite.&nbsp; I actually liked their butter chicken and more recently, their wasabi ginger flavours.&nbsp; The butter chicken was a pretty good approximation that hit the highlights of the seasoning for it (sans chicken of course), and the wasabi ginger really appealed to tastebuds familiar with wasabi and ginger.&nbsp; The wasabi wasn't too strong though, which was good, and I bought a few bags to munch on before they vanished.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSAcnY7B_YM/VgtCXhFK14I/AAAAAAAAYkM/i2YjB9vlY_kCweH5SAMOeAiubKC3LXCtQCKgB/s1600/IMG_8919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tSAcnY7B_YM/VgtCXhFK14I/AAAAAAAAYkM/i2YjB9vlY_kCweH5SAMOeAiubKC3LXCtQCKgB/s320/IMG_8919.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butter Chicken and more</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cN4Z82w_gE/VtzNh88xpsI/AAAAAAAAZ5Q/uYs3EWWaS8YGb7D-ojNWw8kSX3c9_5sFgCKgB/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_cN4Z82w_gE/VtzNh88xpsI/AAAAAAAAZ5Q/uYs3EWWaS8YGb7D-ojNWw8kSX3c9_5sFgCKgB/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasabi Ginger.&nbsp; It was a nice combination of Asian flavours.</td></tr></tbody></table>Then there are chips from Japan.&nbsp; They have plenty of strange flavours, but they can do a very nice potato chip when they want to.&nbsp; They have every odd flavour you can think of from plain to sour plum or pepsi flavoured, but there are many tasty varieties in between.&nbsp; Here are a few that I've tried.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVPZqJhrNq8/VUVITV17UYI/AAAAAAAARek/zcqbbBWiLxkOgE5cHUExjNLKYxYjjC9UACKgB/s1600/IMG_1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hVPZqJhrNq8/VUVITV17UYI/AAAAAAAARek/zcqbbBWiLxkOgE5cHUExjNLKYxYjjC9UACKgB/s320/IMG_1637.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One time I was in Tokyo at the right time and actually found these limited edition chips in a konbini.&nbsp; They didn't taste like KFC, but there were some similiarities, and they were tasty.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoB-QlFwbps/UxpnamC_O6I/AAAAAAAALh8/duMfhxalGd4JGAXd5GfMHAHubpNwvNRswCKgB/s1600/IMG_6027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoB-QlFwbps/UxpnamC_O6I/AAAAAAAALh8/duMfhxalGd4JGAXd5GfMHAHubpNwvNRswCKgB/s320/IMG_6027.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't actually Japanese, but it could have been.&nbsp; Crispy battered strips of seaweed.&nbsp; Quite tasty.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REbEiy1lUiA/UjTts_4XnNI/AAAAAAAAKiw/XIHumY7uML8ZoFN2iSo5FcELcxm3RSfhACKgB/s1600/IMG_5831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-REbEiy1lUiA/UjTts_4XnNI/AAAAAAAAKiw/XIHumY7uML8ZoFN2iSo5FcELcxm3RSfhACKgB/s320/IMG_5831.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left to right.&nbsp; Here are prawn crackers, lobster bisque flavour, and lobster flavour.&nbsp; They do like seafood flavours.&nbsp; I found the lobster flavours okay, a little fishy, but okay.&nbsp; The shrimp is usually pretty good from any asian country.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiX2oJM274s/U6xw2LCcwbI/AAAAAAAAMrc/f7EphEWAggA4Vf5xxWZLcsnF1Xr2LL9QQCKgB/s1600/IMG_6165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NiX2oJM274s/U6xw2LCcwbI/AAAAAAAAMrc/f7EphEWAggA4Vf5xxWZLcsnF1Xr2LL9QQCKgB/s320/IMG_6165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On of my favourites is on the left.&nbsp; It is curry!&nbsp; Tastes very much like a Japanese curry.&nbsp; The pizza was kind of the generic tomato, cheese flavour, and the one on the right was one I have forgotten I even tried.</td></tr></tbody></table>Last year I went to France and lo and behold, some very tasty French potato chips.&nbsp; I was pretty busy eating normal French food while I was there, but I did pack some back as souvenirs.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3EybtFMBYg/VcBlICiK7sI/AAAAAAAAX8w/fD2haZLXJXoQVTw-01mf9DMSDYO26uzKACKgB/s1600/A%2B%2528861%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B3EybtFMBYg/VcBlICiK7sI/AAAAAAAAX8w/fD2haZLXJXoQVTw-01mf9DMSDYO26uzKACKgB/s320/A%2B%2528861%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lays did an awesome roast chicken chip (actually had chicken in the seasoning).&nbsp; From top left to bottom right.&nbsp; Olive flavoured chips (quite good), cheese chips (so authentically cheesy and good), Soy chips (were okay - kind of salty if I remember right), the amazing roast chicken, ham, and chorizo were okay, but the chorizo were kind of like BBQ flavour.</td></tr></tbody></table>I also like these Greek type snacks, and am fond of the oregano flavoured potato chips from that country.&nbsp; I spent a bunch of time living there and still miss having a good gyro or roast lamb.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PItI7rq0JYg/VY7zKi4jutI/AAAAAAAAWBo/N0mqG1GgSPoiAiM3ubt_fLJlVJtAXAKSgCKgB/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PItI7rq0JYg/VY7zKi4jutI/AAAAAAAAWBo/N0mqG1GgSPoiAiM3ubt_fLJlVJtAXAKSgCKgB/s320/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B13" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistachios, bagel crisps, jam filled croissants, and Tsakiris oregano chips!</td></tr></tbody></table>I think I'll be having a few chips tonight after this post...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/DUYO0MFDcAI" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/DUYO0MFDcAI/a-secret-hankering-for-foreign-chips.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-secret-hankering-for-foreign-chips.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-3440920216784852806Fri, 25 Mar 2016 18:37:00 +00002016-04-07T13:06:53.591-06:00edmontongundamrobotGundams (Giant Robots) Battle It Out In EdmontonWow.&nbsp; Gundams battle it out in Edmonton, the capital city of the Pacific spanning nation state of Arbrau.&nbsp; The news is out thanks to <a href="http://nopybot.com/2016/03/20/gundams-in-edmonton/">Nopybot.com (who does an awesome job of nailing locations from the episode in real life)</a>, and then the Metro newspaper, followed by the Edmonton Journal, and even Forbes magazine.&nbsp; All in a 24 hour period.&nbsp; I'm a big Gundam fan myself, and have gone to Tokyo to see the life-sized 1:1 scale Gundam at the Diver City mall, but I'm pretty stoked about this myself.&nbsp; I'm also working on my second original mecha novel too as you can tell from the other posts on this site.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TME7gk3H6GA/VWDtvFY6pZI/AAAAAAAAVlk/mnAOBxM0b5QpN1yCwXRzMAcXO86BTT_CA/s1600/IMG_2940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TME7gk3H6GA/VWDtvFY6pZI/AAAAAAAAVlk/mnAOBxM0b5QpN1yCwXRzMAcXO86BTT_CA/s400/IMG_2940.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original Gundam RX-78-1 in Tokyo taken on my last trip to Tokyo in 2015.</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2013/02/tokyo-2013-trip-highlights-day-1-giant.html">My first trip to the Giant Gundam in Tokyo at my Tokyoexcess blog.</a></li><li><a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2014/02/the-enduring-gundam-giant-robot.html">All about Gundam at my Tokyoexcess blog</a>. </li></ul>Who knew so many people would write about a medium sized city like Edmonton having Gundam battles.&nbsp; I woke up on Thursday morning thinking the news in the Metro newspaper was pretty cool, and then realized that my blog post on this same topic would be coming kind of late to the party.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />The battle in Edmonton happens in episode 24 of Gundam, Iron Blooded Orphans, which is also set over 300 years in the future after the Calamity Wars.&nbsp; You can stream the show on Crunchyroll or Daisuki.net.&nbsp; Here, Tekkaden, a child-warrior mercenary company, is escorting the former prime minister of Arbrau to an election being held in the capital.&nbsp; Obviously they're going to have opposition.<br /><br />Hints about Edmonton being in the show were being dropped in episode 22 and I really wondered how much of the city I'm living in would appear in the show.&nbsp; Based on Nopy's blog, it looks like plenty of Edmonton is going to show up, so I'm happy about that.&nbsp; Anime series often use real world locales and plenty of mecha fans will now see Edmonton looking real good before robots smash up parts of it.&nbsp; On a side note, the first Gundam pilot Amuro Ray was also a Canadian!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4itznaUOHOw/VvWD0_ndrAI/AAAAAAAAaHw/nUgK08lNxU46AzOHJNlvgAejyof0zCNcQ/s1600/IMG_1655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4itznaUOHOw/VvWD0_ndrAI/AAAAAAAAaHw/nUgK08lNxU46AzOHJNlvgAejyof0zCNcQ/s400/IMG_1655.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Associated Engineering Building on the left on the corner of 109 St and Jasper Avenue.&nbsp; Just shot this yesterday.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRJzOgLE5fQ/VvWD01KAXqI/AAAAAAAAaHw/9CPecVBgp1sIA-AODhK90rbOYEUBajoJw/s1600/IMG_1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRJzOgLE5fQ/VvWD01KAXqI/AAAAAAAAaHw/9CPecVBgp1sIA-AODhK90rbOYEUBajoJw/s400/IMG_1653.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the corner where the Gundams duke it out.&nbsp; I work on this block so it is a pretty cool coincidence.</td></tr></tbody></table>Iron Blooded Orphans was one of those Gundam shows that I wasn't too sure about at the beginning as it was about child warriors.&nbsp; This concept isn't new to Gundam as many Gundam heroes have been teens, but this show took the concept further in having some mercenary organizations exploiting orphans on Mars and in space.&nbsp; Anyhow, the kids revolt and take over the company.&nbsp; They then meet Martian Princess Kudelia Aina Bernstein who needs their help to get to Earth to negotiate with the Earth power blocks for a better future for Mars.&nbsp; They meet space pirates, interplanetary cartels, and make some arch-enemies on their journey to Earth.&nbsp; They finally cut a deal with the former prime minister of Arbrau who needs their help to get back into power, which is where our story ends.<br /><br />Despite the doubts at the beginning, the story telling was pretty top notch in this series with many great characters, interesting plot developments (like how Kudelia's legend grows), tragic back stories, and you really got to know the kids.&nbsp; I'm looking forward to see the episode on Sunday March 27th.<br /><br />One last thing.&nbsp; Why would Edmonton be the capital of Arbrau?&nbsp; Edmonton is only the capital for the province of Alberta.&nbsp; I would take a guess that the Calamity War must have been pretty devastating and a smaller city like Edmonton would have survived where larger cities were nuked or destroyed in massive battles.&nbsp; Or someone on the production team at Sunrise visited Edmonton in the summer and thought it was a pretty nice place to live!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KdOfqbOiD4g/Vprtd2XmqRI/AAAAAAAAZZs/tjLN_142Um4DcEfGcFcRsriuXZBIsLKLA/s1600/IMG_9157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KdOfqbOiD4g/Vprtd2XmqRI/AAAAAAAAZZs/tjLN_142Um4DcEfGcFcRsriuXZBIsLKLA/s400/IMG_9157.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was the Arbrau Parliament modeled on this old federal building in the city?</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLsgAvKk2PY/VU_iixknBfI/AAAAAAAAWBE/jSxy81zq6EUMzY3Ex8i0AmYe6yzCSi1rQ/s1600/IMG_3834.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLsgAvKk2PY/VU_iixknBfI/AAAAAAAAWBE/jSxy81zq6EUMzY3Ex8i0AmYe6yzCSi1rQ/s320/IMG_3834.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edmonton City Hall.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8IDpc0m3rE/VprueoUB-JI/AAAAAAAAZes/RKlcObeJJ7c7403eU_aO5dlmwVFbZMyNg/s1600/IMG_9326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q8IDpc0m3rE/VprueoUB-JI/AAAAAAAAZes/RKlcObeJJ7c7403eU_aO5dlmwVFbZMyNg/s400/IMG_9326.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The river valley from an light rail transit train (LRT) going over the North Saskatchewan.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcfwbZbc6pk/VdDpY0kGS8I/AAAAAAAAYV4/o6Bp_kaWVWssjLo2QIMUsDIJDiFWKSMeQ/s1600/IMG_8128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zcfwbZbc6pk/VdDpY0kGS8I/AAAAAAAAYV4/o6Bp_kaWVWssjLo2QIMUsDIJDiFWKSMeQ/s400/IMG_8128.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also, if you are train otaku, the historical rail society here has a collection of antique working street trams, including one from Japan.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWtlsZP7zHo/VdDpWdHJoKI/AAAAAAAAYVw/g1o3o9x8Xec4syR6UMT-IFF7rfQRNB_4A/s1600/IMG_8127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LWtlsZP7zHo/VdDpWdHJoKI/AAAAAAAAYVw/g1o3o9x8Xec4syR6UMT-IFF7rfQRNB_4A/s320/IMG_8127.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tram was from Melbourne.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yHfapYRqLM/VdDpUViyJAI/AAAAAAAAYVo/0NMOmqX7DNY8ySOSGd6DGqpH1po7BlvLA/s1600/IMG_8125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2yHfapYRqLM/VdDpUViyJAI/AAAAAAAAYVo/0NMOmqX7DNY8ySOSGd6DGqpH1po7BlvLA/s320/IMG_8125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trams still run across the High Level Bridge in the summer.</td></tr></tbody></table>Here are some posts about Edmonton that I have previously written if you want to know a bit more about the most northerly large city in Canada.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2014/06/a-tokyo-excess-guide-to-edmonton-canada.html">http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2014/06/a-tokyo-excess-guide-to-edmonton-canada.html</a></li><li><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2014/10/using-tokyo-as-future-model-for-edmonton.html">http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2014/10/using-tokyo-as-future-model-for-edmonton.html</a></li></ul><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/zFB-eKIaWFM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/zFB-eKIaWFM/gundams-giant-robots-battle-it-out-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/03/gundams-giant-robots-battle-it-out-in.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-4475027239034618380Thu, 24 Mar 2016 01:03:00 +00002018-04-04T18:57:10.514-06:00foodThe Common For Downtown Dining WeekI managed to get out once for Downtown Dining Week awhile ago and had dinner at The Common on 109 St, a couple of blocks south of Jasper Avenue.&nbsp; They had a pretty good looking menu and I wanted to see if their "hipster" vibe lived up to the hype you read in some of the reviews.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD-3Cz4Uc5c/VvcCIRlLUlI/AAAAAAAAaMI/b5Z8XdaeCmIvsMUfHQ_Gs27yKpCCFkWYgCKgB/s1600/IMG_1483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZD-3Cz4Uc5c/VvcCIRlLUlI/AAAAAAAAaMI/b5Z8XdaeCmIvsMUfHQ_Gs27yKpCCFkWYgCKgB/s400/IMG_1483.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>When we arrived, there was not seating so we had a couple of beers at the bar while waiting for a table.&nbsp; The atmosphere was nice.&nbsp; Casual, the decor was nice, and you could tell the restaurant was full of the after work crowd at 6 PM still.&nbsp; Everyone seemed to be having a good time and soon enough, our table was ready.<br /><br />We had a booth at the back of the restaurant and a big white chandelier hanging there which I hit on the way out of the restaurant with my head.&nbsp; It was pretty funky, but I needed to ducky.&nbsp; We both chose a mushroom risotto to start, followed by the steak frittes, and a dessert of poached pear and lemon pound cake.&nbsp; The risotto was nice and creamy with plenty of mushroom flavour, and the rice wasn't crunchy so it was a really good start to our meal.&nbsp; The main course of steak frittes was a&nbsp; crusted Quebec veal tenderloain with an arugula salad and some nice skinny fries.&nbsp; The veal was nicely done at a juicy medium rare, and dipped into the bernaise sauce if you wanted for a nice creamy hit on top of that, and it went really well with the crispy fries.&nbsp; Finally, there was the dessert of poached pear and lemon pound cake with a creme anglais.&nbsp; This was a tasty dessert with many textures and sweetness.&nbsp; The only thing you had to look out for were the decorative (and harmless) strands of baby corn husk which sure looked like white chocolate shavings in the dim light.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGLWAUud8hM/VvcDTFKLA1I/AAAAAAAAauU/f7Q-RI-_OeU6HS2aFaBMeuv1LgIhmWrbwCKgB/s1600/IMG_1600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iGLWAUud8hM/VvcDTFKLA1I/AAAAAAAAauU/f7Q-RI-_OeU6HS2aFaBMeuv1LgIhmWrbwCKgB/s400/IMG_1600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Risotto</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aT02Kjais4/VvWD0zWPq1I/AAAAAAAAauU/Lq--2kAKrBQLuQ998nPedzfdjpb9yKs7QCKgB/s1600/IMG_1601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aT02Kjais4/VvWD0zWPq1I/AAAAAAAAauU/Lq--2kAKrBQLuQ998nPedzfdjpb9yKs7QCKgB/s400/IMG_1601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak Frittes</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ts50ZJ-2h1I/VvWD09euWTI/AAAAAAAAauU/SHaFowyJ00A2iXr0z-bT332V-Wk7wnAtgCKgB/s1600/IMG_1602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ts50ZJ-2h1I/VvWD09euWTI/AAAAAAAAauU/SHaFowyJ00A2iXr0z-bT332V-Wk7wnAtgCKgB/s400/IMG_1602.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poached Pear and Lemon Pound Cake</td></tr></tbody></table>All in all, this was a great dining experience and I'd go back there again!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/tAzThDT2rYc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/tAzThDT2rYc/the-common-for-downtown-dining-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-common-for-downtown-dining-week.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-7148311483219678619Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:49:00 +00002016-01-23T18:50:21.947-07:00candyfoodjapanSome Japanese Snacks and Candy and More 2016Just sharing some photos about Japanese snacks this time.&nbsp; One of the great things about all things Japanese is the packaging is very pretty and well thought out, even if there is too much of it sometimes.&nbsp; I do like the fact that their snacks are usually packaged in individual portions or in small batches inside the box most of the time so everything doesn't go stale if you don't polish it off in one sitting.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ51CYDfLjo/VobqOeBzJ6I/AAAAAAAAZPQ/0o6Yz5I8qGc/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ51CYDfLjo/VobqOeBzJ6I/AAAAAAAAZPQ/0o6Yz5I8qGc/s400/IMG_0489.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not Japanese, but I thought this was cool with banana flavours for Minions.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UupnA3wmHho/VZAk4maAGlI/AAAAAAAAWKY/M0-3H96sUe4/s1600/IMG_5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UupnA3wmHho/VZAk4maAGlI/AAAAAAAAWKY/M0-3H96sUe4/s400/IMG_5353.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These weren't Japanese either, but tic tacs that look like Minions is genius!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcVlNfnIaQo/VprhCuFjR8I/AAAAAAAAZZM/OC_bqrJ_868/s1600/IMG_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcVlNfnIaQo/VprhCuFjR8I/AAAAAAAAZZM/OC_bqrJ_868/s400/IMG_0497.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberries are a very Japanese thing and Meltykiss chocolates are awesomely good.&nbsp; They are the masters of the strawberry, even if it is an imported cultivar.&nbsp; Strawberries are very important for Valentine's Day over there and they are delicious with intense and sweet berry flavour unlike what you get in the supermarket here.&nbsp; Their strawberries are unique local varieties and are carefully grown and harvested.&nbsp; They aren't cheap, but they taste great.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E2qT9g_rLA/VUU_6QTZOnI/AAAAAAAARCs/d4246saWgfU/s1600/tokyo%2Bapril%2B2015%2B%252814a%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7E2qT9g_rLA/VUU_6QTZOnI/AAAAAAAARCs/d4246saWgfU/s400/tokyo%2Bapril%2B2015%2B%252814a%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese strawberries in the supermarket in Japan.&nbsp; Some of those packages of berries are $14 for 8 deluxe berries.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ezQ1QSB6zQ/VprhCg-LAxI/AAAAAAAAZZM/O1eazQKRB8Y/s1600/IMG_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ezQ1QSB6zQ/VprhCg-LAxI/AAAAAAAAZZM/O1eazQKRB8Y/s400/IMG_0498.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't like Pocky chocolate cream.&nbsp; These midi sticks are shorter and thicker than the regular Pocky.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DREpT6SDBE/VprhChQkQSI/AAAAAAAAZZM/1L9w8V2j4iI/s1600/IMG_0500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4DREpT6SDBE/VprhChQkQSI/AAAAAAAAZZM/1L9w8V2j4iI/s400/IMG_0500.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Strawberry Pocky on chocolate biscuit sticks was really good.&nbsp; They are like $5 a box here (a little more than double what they cost in Japan), but they are at your fingertips.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-feDpSXk0sQI/VprhCroib6I/AAAAAAAAZZM/HMUfU-weFDM/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-feDpSXk0sQI/VprhCroib6I/AAAAAAAAZZM/HMUfU-weFDM/s400/IMG_0502.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggie chips.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyjfZmh47Bk/VprhCvqqOaI/AAAAAAAAZZM/NsyfEvnPY30/s1600/IMG_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iyjfZmh47Bk/VprhCvqqOaI/AAAAAAAAZZM/NsyfEvnPY30/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different types of sweet cakes that go with tea.&nbsp; You have red bean paste fillings and more.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dHB9BLFFWg/VprhCg8vkBI/AAAAAAAAZZM/ucxCc_rN_0g/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--dHB9BLFFWg/VprhCg8vkBI/AAAAAAAAZZM/ucxCc_rN_0g/s400/IMG_0600.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All kinds of hard candies.&nbsp; The one on the left has flavours from various Japanese sodas or juice.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7YWngLSPQE/VprhCmlOnKI/AAAAAAAAZZM/A7Yx3ylqnX4/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7YWngLSPQE/VprhCmlOnKI/AAAAAAAAZZM/A7Yx3ylqnX4/s400/IMG_0601.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More hard candies.&nbsp; The Super Soda ones have a very tart coating on the outside.&nbsp; The lemon type are super sour.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYhA1syRcIg/VprhChR9IrI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Jl9G0WFNv9g/s1600/IMG_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYhA1syRcIg/VprhChR9IrI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Jl9G0WFNv9g/s400/IMG_0602.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This a green tea hard candy that comes in five flavours.&nbsp; Green tea soda, green tea and molasses, green tea and salt, green tea (matcha), and green tea and ponzu.&nbsp; All very nice variants on just matcha flavour.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrPTEH3bdE/VprhCuVK4TI/AAAAAAAAZZM/fjhMJC3MA6o/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlrPTEH3bdE/VprhCuVK4TI/AAAAAAAAZZM/fjhMJC3MA6o/s400/IMG_0603.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite hard candies with ramune and fruit flavours.&nbsp; Ramune is a Japanese lemon flavour that isn't lemon, it is ramune.&nbsp; Unique and I haven't met anyone yet that doesn't like it.&nbsp; I like how the bag is in the shape of a bottle of ramune soda which is where the flavouring first appeared.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNGlSz_yeLQ/VqQP_8M9aUI/AAAAAAAAZqQ/2aje4y1MMWc/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QNGlSz_yeLQ/VqQP_8M9aUI/AAAAAAAAZqQ/2aje4y1MMWc/s400/IMG_0759.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More tasty chocolates filled with fruit cream.&nbsp; I haven't seen these before here or in Japan.&nbsp; Yummers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />You're probably off to the Asian supermarket after this.&nbsp; You'll find tons of snacks at a supermarket like T &amp; T.&nbsp; Good luck!<br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/TdHpT6Nt8JM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/TdHpT6Nt8JM/some-japanese-snacks-and-candy-and-more.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/some-japanese-snacks-and-candy-and-more.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-7419546631669758097Sun, 24 Jan 2016 01:15:00 +00002016-01-23T18:21:01.462-07:00japantoysBB-8, Lego, and Japanese Toys at Xmas Like Yokai WatchChristmas is always one of those really busy times of year.&nbsp; Since I have a big family we went out shopping for toys for the many children after taking a second mortgage out on the house.&nbsp; Plenty of toys, but I was surprised that there weren't as many Star Wars toys out as I expected with the big movie release of Star Wars The Force Awakens.&nbsp; There were lots of Star Wars toys, but I guess I expected twice as much or something as Disney is usually a marketing genius about tie-ins.<br /><br />I'm always interesting in seeing what kinds of Japanese toys there are and saw plenty for Yokai Watch.&nbsp; Yokai Watch is the new Pokemon in Japan and they were trying to launch it here with the new DS game which I own and have to play.&nbsp; I'm going to play through Pokemon Conquest first (which is a cool cross-over with the Japanese strategy game Nobunaga's Ambition from KOEI).&nbsp; Nobunaga's Ambition was one of the games for the original Gameboy that I played in the early days of portable gaming.<br /><br />Anyhow, onto the list of some of the toys I saw. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQzNt7BfgxY/VmUDxpdtKxI/AAAAAAAAZAY/nr3vYWY7w2A/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQzNt7BfgxY/VmUDxpdtKxI/AAAAAAAAZAY/nr3vYWY7w2A/s400/IMG_0107.JPG" width="282" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;I I got one of those Iphone/Android remote controlled BB-8s as a present and it was a pretty neat little robot.&nbsp; The controls work great and it rolls on the hardwood floor real good.&nbsp; It has a number neat little mannerisms and such programmed in, but it is too bad that all sound and stuff comes from your phone and not the robot itself.&nbsp; But the robot does light up a bit and the head bobs around on it pretty good (attached by magnets).</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXkuZ0FPHgg/VndPmCr3xWI/AAAAAAAAZH0/LcX1JIBPZIc/s1600/IMG_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jXkuZ0FPHgg/VndPmCr3xWI/AAAAAAAAZH0/LcX1JIBPZIc/s400/IMG_0193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yokai Watch figures wit the blind bags of plastic discs.&nbsp; You collect these figure or discs to put on your special Yokai collecting watch to get their sound effects and such.&nbsp; There are hundreds of the little discs so I'm not going any where near this collectible.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83kGyzMqQ74/VWDWcpwqWzI/AAAAAAAATSY/Ns0em6GF9xw/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-83kGyzMqQ74/VWDWcpwqWzI/AAAAAAAATSY/Ns0em6GF9xw/s400/IMG_2105.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I caught a bit of an episode of Yokai Watch in my hotel room one morning in Tokyo.&nbsp; Seemed like an interesting little show with the Yokai (spirits) talking, unlike Pokemon where the critters don't really talk.&nbsp; In Yokai Watch, you catch spirits who then help you / become friends as you complete quests and such.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFxFem4aWyY/VndPmOax8kI/AAAAAAAAZH0/RDvCSgzzKfY/s1600/IMG_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WFxFem4aWyY/VndPmOax8kI/AAAAAAAAZH0/RDvCSgzzKfY/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The legendary Yokai Watch itself.&nbsp; This sucker was sold out in Japan last year and there were lineups to get them.&nbsp; I don't think it is quite as popular here yet.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6ark0eOjTA/VndPmPhB0UI/AAAAAAAAZH0/9tJORtFiFYY/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j6ark0eOjTA/VndPmPhB0UI/AAAAAAAAZH0/9tJORtFiFYY/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jibanyan, the main yokai that helps out the protagonist.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtCnAN6CJ2w/VndPmGAfrYI/AAAAAAAAZH0/I2RWt-RXCM0/s1600/IMG_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtCnAN6CJ2w/VndPmGAfrYI/AAAAAAAAZH0/I2RWt-RXCM0/s400/IMG_0204.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like how these yokai look here.&nbsp; Very neat appearance.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tM3Z98047IU/VndPmJDYmOI/AAAAAAAAZHw/H6puQEeye68/s1600/IMG_0194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tM3Z98047IU/VndPmJDYmOI/AAAAAAAAZHw/H6puQEeye68/s400/IMG_0194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought one of these.&nbsp; Dr. Who Tardis Lego set with Daleks!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1cnklqaKo/VndPmOyC9BI/AAAAAAAAZHw/-CnMTqW-qIE/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PR1cnklqaKo/VndPmOyC9BI/AAAAAAAAZHw/-CnMTqW-qIE/s400/IMG_0195.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't believe there is a Big Bang Theory Lego set.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLuDD1XPrFI/VndPmCSkz_I/AAAAAAAAZH0/MyB6M5dMa5I/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tLuDD1XPrFI/VndPmCSkz_I/AAAAAAAAZH0/MyB6M5dMa5I/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And yeah!!! Godzilla.&nbsp; The biggest baddest import from Japan.&nbsp; Not as cuddly as a yokai.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVM7_GT1PAc/VndPmAP62PI/AAAAAAAAZHw/qTUSP-jSXz0/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IVM7_GT1PAc/VndPmAP62PI/AAAAAAAAZHw/qTUSP-jSXz0/s400/IMG_0197.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the Lego Dimensions computer game tie-ins.&nbsp; Very cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3_phRWhsDY/VndPmIE2xSI/AAAAAAAAZHw/7KdD8_0UQU8/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3_phRWhsDY/VndPmIE2xSI/AAAAAAAAZHw/7KdD8_0UQU8/s400/IMG_0198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Dr. Who and K-9.&nbsp; That is too cool.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgWT5KLsc0I/VndPmAFua2I/AAAAAAAAZH0/6ZtB8J-wmAU/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgWT5KLsc0I/VndPmAFua2I/AAAAAAAAZH0/6ZtB8J-wmAU/s400/IMG_0199.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little World of Nintendo Dioramas are cool.&nbsp; I have to play through Zelda Windwalker again one of these days.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iNuzcVDn2Q/VndPmHNBJzI/AAAAAAAAZH0/HjNms4kXzzA/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iNuzcVDn2Q/VndPmHNBJzI/AAAAAAAAZH0/HjNms4kXzzA/s400/IMG_0200.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course there were still Pokemon toys.&nbsp; Mario too in the upper left corner.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BamHcrkEWh0/VndPmGRbWxI/AAAAAAAAZH0/OI_KMYXuI2g/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BamHcrkEWh0/VndPmGRbWxI/AAAAAAAAZH0/OI_KMYXuI2g/s400/IMG_0201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Windwalker diorama section.&nbsp; That boat was fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z87h1XoY9A/VndPmI5T0FI/AAAAAAAAZrA/7DWQ14k9K3U/s1600/IMG_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Z87h1XoY9A/VndPmI5T0FI/AAAAAAAAZrA/7DWQ14k9K3U/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Lego sets are expensive, but who doesn't like the Millenium Falcon.&nbsp; I can't believe the original version of this set years ago was even more complex and goes for even more on eBay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />That's all for now.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/7V0mBdBRSdU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/7V0mBdBRSdU/bb-8-lego-and-japanese-toys-at-xmas.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/bb-8-lego-and-japanese-toys-at-xmas.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-1880718871049994455Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:46:00 +00002016-01-17T12:38:50.506-07:00foodIzakaya Tomo For Beer and Tasty FoodMy accountant originally told me about this place and we had an okay visit the first time we went, but it was awhile before we went again.&nbsp; We have been back several times after that and the food / service has been consistently better than the first visit.&nbsp; I really like this place for the atmosphere, food, beer, and will be back again.&nbsp; The Japanese owner recognizes a Zaku (from Gundam)&nbsp; when he sees one!<br /><br />There is a nice selection of Japanese beers and I don't have a particular favourite, but it all goes good with their dishes, of which there is a nice selection of things you don't find in most Japanese restaurants here.&nbsp; The restaurant has been around for more than a few years and is a great addition to the Japanese food scene in Edmonton.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3benxobrCo/VprtkkOi_gI/AAAAAAAAZaU/bo110pBEwq8/s1600/IMG_9187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j3benxobrCo/VprtkkOi_gI/AAAAAAAAZaU/bo110pBEwq8/s400/IMG_9187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beers!&nbsp; A couple of the rarer Japanese imports here.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIFhTP-OLO4/Vprtn_q2F9I/AAAAAAAAZak/fkt8q60L5JI/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIFhTP-OLO4/Vprtn_q2F9I/AAAAAAAAZak/fkt8q60L5JI/s400/IMG_9189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simmered pork belly.&nbsp; Savoury goodness at its best.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1XzQqRhX1Q/VprhCo4RYdI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Y5lhW3tcBrQ/s1600/IMG_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o1XzQqRhX1Q/VprhCo4RYdI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Y5lhW3tcBrQ/s400/IMG_0583.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna Yukke with fresh quail egg and tuna tartar.&nbsp; Break the egg, mix it up for creamy goodness.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzqgPKO-zZw/VprhCmDe-WI/AAAAAAAAZZM/-liGBQ8FeNU/s1600/IMG_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AzqgPKO-zZw/VprhCmDe-WI/AAAAAAAAZZM/-liGBQ8FeNU/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinpura, Burdock and Carrot Salad.&nbsp; Quite tasty with plenty of crunch to the two type of roots involved.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qDsgCIHKQU/VprhCu2dK4I/AAAAAAAAZZM/gofAUjRk6Is/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3qDsgCIHKQU/VprhCu2dK4I/AAAAAAAAZZM/gofAUjRk6Is/s400/IMG_0586.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna Tataki.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-H8ERH6qtM/VprhCiROT5I/AAAAAAAAZZM/47Xo1p04MCA/s1600/IMG_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S-H8ERH6qtM/VprhCiROT5I/AAAAAAAAZZM/47Xo1p04MCA/s400/IMG_0587.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takoyaki or octopus balls (double order of 12).&nbsp; This is a real Japanese treat!&nbsp; The takoyaki are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, then covered in sauce, bonito flakes and mayo.&nbsp; Yum!&nbsp; This is one of the dishes I order every time I visit.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSoLjJfT-GU/VprhCh5lIkI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Ug5kcFXwOAY/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSoLjJfT-GU/VprhCh5lIkI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Ug5kcFXwOAY/s400/IMG_0588.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Closeup of the Takoyaki</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1arAbjYGAO4/VprhCk36LZI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Gx_XjAQHuyM/s1600/IMG_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1arAbjYGAO4/VprhCk36LZI/AAAAAAAAZZM/Gx_XjAQHuyM/s400/IMG_0590.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udon Aglio Olio E Peperoncino udon with octopus and squid.&nbsp; I like this simple, yet flavourful take on an Italian dish.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQwNPHKWHg4/VprhCtFV7dI/AAAAAAAAZZM/U82IBJ-MZbY/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LQwNPHKWHg4/VprhCtFV7dI/AAAAAAAAZZM/U82IBJ-MZbY/s400/IMG_0591.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 Gyoza cooked in a pan, flip it over to see your dumplings.&nbsp; Cool presentation.</td></tr></tbody></table>I'm always saying I want to drop in for some takoyaki and a beer and I've never done it, but one of these days... &nbsp; This is a great place to go to sample some Japanese food both traditional and inspired.&nbsp; They also have sushi, but we usually order mainly the cooked dishes with the odd roll to supplement our meal.&nbsp; As Arnie says,&nbsp; "I'll be back."<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPohN91UPo/VprtpyI9PbI/AAAAAAAAZas/PML6Kb6fTv0/s1600/IMG_9190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bJPohN91UPo/VprtpyI9PbI/AAAAAAAAZas/PML6Kb6fTv0/s400/IMG_9190.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More takoyaki.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/YY_wpFTGolc" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/YY_wpFTGolc/izakaya-tomo-for-beer-and-food.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/izakaya-tomo-for-beer-and-food.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-2836147518731959013Sun, 17 Jan 2016 01:08:00 +00002016-01-17T12:36:51.168-07:00foodramenYummy Ramen in Edmonton at Kazoku and Prairie Noodle RestaurantsIn November and December of 2015, two new ramen restaurants opened up in Edmonton.&nbsp; Kazoku was first, followed by Prairie Noodle.&nbsp; I had to try both of these new places as I love ramen and eat lots of it every time I've been to Tokyo.&nbsp; Ramen is basically soup, noodles, and toppings.&nbsp; It is cheap, easy, fast food that could be quickly prepared and quickly eaten.&nbsp; It has become more glamorous these days with chefs and such making it, but it is still one of these things that a hole in the wall can do really well as it isn't exotic (if you know the time consuming prep process to make it).<br /><ul><li><a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2015/08/ramen-street-at-tokyo-station-and.html">A post on yummy ramen from my Tokyo Excess blog about Japanese Pop Culture</a> </li></ul>One of the most important things about ramen is the soup part.&nbsp; To me, the soup needs to grab the attention of your taste buds on its own as it is what warms the soul.&nbsp; I've had ramen with broth like this savoury nectar of the gods in Tokyo.&nbsp; The odd time, I've had really good broth here too in Calgary or Edmonton, but most of the time it is just passable or pretty good.&nbsp; The noodles have to be firm, maybe a little chewy, and definitely not soggy.&nbsp; The toppings, with roasted pork of some sort must be tender and flavourful with lots of umami, and the ramen eggs need yolks that are still soft or a little runny.&nbsp; If you have these things, you have an awesome bowl of noodles.&nbsp; So, onto the restaurants.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Kazoku Ramen</b></span><br />Kazoku is a nice little restaurant way out on Stony Plain Road near West Edmonton Mall.&nbsp; It is a little far for me to go for a ramen fix, unless I'm in the area.&nbsp; The restaurant has free parking which is nice, and has a nicely done interior with the Ramen Rex focus wall.&nbsp; I was there with a large group and we ordered the tonkotsu ramen, the shoyu ramen, and the Kazoku Special Ramen.&nbsp; We also ordered the katsu curry, some tempura, and an order of gyoza.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txZ0SzcVylI/VobqORWoUlI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/Z3GEmwY5ON0/s1600/IMG_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txZ0SzcVylI/VobqORWoUlI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/Z3GEmwY5ON0/s400/IMG_0481.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>&nbsp;The service was okay, and the food was pretty good overall, but we did have a few hiccups on our visit.&nbsp; I'm not sure I like the tempura as much since the batter reminded me more of Chinese deep frying for chicken balls or shrimp rather than a tempura batter.&nbsp; The broccoli batter was still not completely cooked in the middle, but they quickly fried up a fresh one for us.&nbsp; The tonkatsu curry was pretty good, with the curry being tasty with a nicely fried up pork cutlet, and a fluffy egg omelet underneath it; all on top of the rice - very filling.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-5S_jdEdqc/VobqOZ56RNI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/_Qbq87fp04s/s1600/IMG_0483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-5S_jdEdqc/VobqOZ56RNI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/_Qbq87fp04s/s400/IMG_0483.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assorted tempura</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRlHxcETfvE/VobqOcixGeI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/0puCTwy8ZWM/s1600/IMG_0485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRlHxcETfvE/VobqOcixGeI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/0puCTwy8ZWM/s400/IMG_0485.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gyoza</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpcAFtMJ0ws/VobqOd44GOI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/WgDKV8yJ48E/s1600/IMG_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpcAFtMJ0ws/VobqOd44GOI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/WgDKV8yJ48E/s400/IMG_0486.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">katsu curry with a fluffy omelet underneath the cutlet.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W61lbG-9qPc/VobqOVXlZtI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/Ul3CjHSTidc/s1600/IMG_0488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W61lbG-9qPc/VobqOVXlZtI/AAAAAAAAZPQ/Ul3CjHSTidc/s400/IMG_0488.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonkotsu Ramen.&nbsp; You have lots of the traditional things for ramen happening here with naruto, soft boiled egg,&nbsp; the pork belly, green onions, dried seaweed, and pickled bamboo shoots.</td></tr></tbody></table>The ramen soups were pretty good and I was pretty satisfied with my meal.&nbsp; The couple of us who ordered the Tonkotsu ramen enjoyed it the most, with the soup being thicker, more robustly flavoured, and saltier.&nbsp; The Kazoku Ramen was a lighter, thinner tonkotsu broth, but the person who had it said they would have the regular tonkotsu next time as the flavour was more intense.&nbsp; The gyoza weren't piping hot when we got them, but they were good with lots of garlic like I like it for Japanese gyoza.&nbsp; The roast pork belly was pretty tender and tasty, but one edge (the outside edge was on the tougher side and probably should have been trimmed off).<br /><br />Overall, I'd try them again for sure and I'll have the tonkotsu or the katsu curry!&nbsp; It's always great to have another ramen eatery around.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Prairie Noodle</b></span><br />Boy, this place can be hard to get into as it is so busy.&nbsp; They've even sold out of their various types of ramen on particular days.&nbsp; I'm sure the crowds will eventually die down, but they sure were off to a great start after a great social media campaign with popup restaurants and all that.&nbsp; This was the place I was really eager to try after some local food bloggers raved about it.&nbsp; The first time I went it was like a 45 minute wait, and we had to pass on it, but the second time, I walked in the door to get a seat after they had just opened for the day.&nbsp; There were already more than half a dozen customers in front of me.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vC4uZw4Rt8/VprhCs0OCoI/AAAAAAAAZZM/XM4p0wHVor4/s1600/IMG_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8vC4uZw4Rt8/VprhCs0OCoI/AAAAAAAAZZM/XM4p0wHVor4/s400/IMG_0674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Sitting down at the counter I could see them preparing all the food and you can tell they have an eye for detail here.&nbsp; The restaurant is small, but has a nice modern decorated theme to it.&nbsp; I like the fact that they have coat hooks under the bar, like in Japan to hang a bag or your jacket.&nbsp; They are not doing traditional ramen, and I like the fact that they are doing something different with locally sourced ingredients.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scBj7FDy1hg/VprhCjQugWI/AAAAAAAAZZM/kzWXqk_Ukh0/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-scBj7FDy1hg/VprhCjQugWI/AAAAAAAAZZM/kzWXqk_Ukh0/s400/IMG_0675.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tt4vktB0F4/VprhCg2WLAI/AAAAAAAAZZM/9xsQnmZxRoA/s1600/IMG_0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0tt4vktB0F4/VprhCg2WLAI/AAAAAAAAZZM/9xsQnmZxRoA/s400/IMG_0677.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Ramen - nicely presented with a good portion size.</td></tr></tbody></table>I ordered the Pork Ramen here as pork and ramen are like fish and chips for being two peas in a pod.&nbsp; I also want to see what their take on a classic combination was.&nbsp; When the ramen arrived it was very nicely presented with the shredded roast pork, the pork belly, and the crispy pork skin.&nbsp; I tasted the broth first and it was light with a flavourful undertone, but it didn't knock my socks off or anything.&nbsp; The soup was good, but it really shone when I had it with a mouthful of the shredded pork to provide that big kick of umami.&nbsp; The noodles were nicely done by being firm and chewy and went well with the soup.&nbsp; The pork belly was tender and tasty with the umeboshi egg surprising me with its tartness (but there is pickling involved)&nbsp; The egg was done nicely though.&nbsp; Overall, it was a pretty good bowl of noodles.&nbsp; I'll try the chicken ramen next time, and the miso ramen (with cheese - so it should have lots of flavour) after that.&nbsp; I didn't have room for appetizers, but the ones I saw pass by looked pretty good.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGLzuw3cDp8/VprhCslf0_I/AAAAAAAAZZM/gOfvs713cKI/s1600/IMG_0678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pGLzuw3cDp8/VprhCslf0_I/AAAAAAAAZZM/gOfvs713cKI/s400/IMG_0678.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy pork skin on top of the egg in the middle.&nbsp; Lots of green onion and roasted corn.</td></tr></tbody></table>I'll definitely be back to try more of their ramen with the local/regional touch, which is something that is a plus everyone. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/X_3FZmeDegs" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/X_3FZmeDegs/yummy-ramen-in-edmonton-at-kazoku-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2016/01/yummy-ramen-in-edmonton-at-kazoku-and.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-3687629270132490264Sun, 13 Dec 2015 02:55:00 +00002016-01-01T16:08:06.627-07:00foodStarbucks In Different CountriesI enjoy having a grande bold in a venti cup in the morning before I start work.&nbsp; I guess I've been going to Starbucks pretty much since they arrived in Canada years ago and I'd say they've done pretty good to bolster their food offerings along with their coffee.&nbsp; Some people say the coffee tastes burnt, and I'd agree (I avoid the Sumatra myself) in some cases, but I do like my coffee strong, so to each, their own.&nbsp; When I decided to write again, I typed my first short story in 10 years sitting in a Starbucks couch.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b></b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starbucks Japan</b></span><br />I'd have to say my favourite Starbucks are the ones in Japan.&nbsp; Starbucks does know how to pick some premium locations for their shops.&nbsp; The first Starbucks I went to in Japan was the one at the super busy Shibuya Crossing.&nbsp; Their shop is in the Q-Front building there looking across the intersection to Shibuya Station.&nbsp; I ordered my latte and had it by the time I paid and cleared the counter.&nbsp; It was memorable as it was ultra efficient (it felt like I paid and they handed me a latte).&nbsp; You then could go upstairs sit at the window (if you could find a seat) and view the crossing with the thousands of people.&nbsp; They have some nice locations in Ueno Park and <a href="http://tokyoexcess.blogspot.ca/2013/12/my-tokyos.html">my favourite one is one the roof of the Tokyu Plaza in Harajuku</a> with its rooftop garden/deck.&nbsp; The food they have in Tokyo is a cut above North America as I think the coffee shops and bakeries are way more competitive with quality offerings.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2zVI2PqGmI/VWDgjQsTtxI/AAAAAAAAT3k/bl--UqPGO0k/s1600/IMG_2525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2zVI2PqGmI/VWDgjQsTtxI/AAAAAAAAT3k/bl--UqPGO0k/s400/IMG_2525.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caramel Frappucino</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv8BoIosqvo/VWDgd6SbwwI/AAAAAAAAT3M/VEv9z1ILyNo/s1600/IMG_2520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lv8BoIosqvo/VWDgd6SbwwI/AAAAAAAAT3M/VEv9z1ILyNo/s400/IMG_2520.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have different sandwiches and quiche in Tokyo.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyXhb4UWi90/VWDgN-ZVEeI/AAAAAAAAT2M/dneouD4glF4/s1600/IMG_2510.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyXhb4UWi90/VWDgN-ZVEeI/AAAAAAAAT2M/dneouD4glF4/s400/IMG_2510.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiche and cakes!&nbsp; They even have a tasty sakura cake in the spring.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YD0XJ0Mbc/VWDgoQounxI/AAAAAAAAT30/mxuSC-ElG8g/s1600/IMG_2528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38YD0XJ0Mbc/VWDgoQounxI/AAAAAAAAT30/mxuSC-ElG8g/s400/IMG_2528.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles and pastries.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starbucks For Sale </b></span><br />&nbsp;This is the equipment and furnishings for a Starbucks up for sale when the Target stores closed in Canada.&nbsp; I think the bids started at 30 K and the food oven was like 5K or something (it was expensive).<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bugyr5r63yc/VQ9V1CzklqI/AAAAAAAAQy4/4XWghMu_4nA/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bugyr5r63yc/VQ9V1CzklqI/AAAAAAAAQy4/4XWghMu_4nA/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Nx83NaMxI/VQ9V2QpWk4I/AAAAAAAAQzA/ZD8rgKMhpY4/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W1Nx83NaMxI/VQ9V2QpWk4I/AAAAAAAAQzA/ZD8rgKMhpY4/s400/IMG_0717.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starbucks Canada</b></span><br />Where I get my regular fix.&nbsp; Nothing like a hot coffee on a cold morning (not that is is always winter in Canada).&nbsp; Prices keep going up, like everything else these days, but I'm a coffee and not a latte drinker most of the time, so the hit is only half as bad.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4M-FKy_QVg/VQ9WFf1FghI/AAAAAAAAQ0A/fMgMb-vyAaE/s1600/IMG_0741.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4M-FKy_QVg/VQ9WFf1FghI/AAAAAAAAQ0A/fMgMb-vyAaE/s400/IMG_0741.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy day</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xj4ZVQAzwdY/VQ9WHFv79GI/AAAAAAAAQ0I/3bYwDNLu7MM/s1600/IMG_0742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xj4ZVQAzwdY/VQ9WHFv79GI/AAAAAAAAQ0I/3bYwDNLu7MM/s400/IMG_0742.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have added a nice variety of baked goods with their new bakery line.&nbsp; The croissant breakfast sandwiches are pretty darn good, and a good go to for a quick bite.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGoYEIMSBu0/VQ9WIGgPlEI/AAAAAAAAQ0Q/vwlHVzVcI9E/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SGoYEIMSBu0/VQ9WIGgPlEI/AAAAAAAAQ0Q/vwlHVzVcI9E/s400/IMG_0743.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My breakfast one morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jrmfg3404A/VY7zKuJXjiI/AAAAAAAAV_U/EaGMi_bBuHc/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Jrmfg3404A/VY7zKuJXjiI/AAAAAAAAV_U/EaGMi_bBuHc/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B19" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theses savory spinach pastries were okay, but not my favourite.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX_WC1CKHQw/VU_jcRHs2JI/AAAAAAAAR-0/892jOcJTJEE/s1600/IMG_3495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX_WC1CKHQw/VU_jcRHs2JI/AAAAAAAAR-0/892jOcJTJEE/s400/IMG_3495.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their little bento style snack boxes are a good idea.&nbsp; They aren't cheap, but are good in a pinch and pretty healthy.&nbsp; The boiled egg one is probably my favourite of the bunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-yPdQEPgxQ/VU_jec8mzeI/AAAAAAAAR_A/EdpLqxIuvn0/s1600/IMG_3496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-yPdQEPgxQ/VU_jec8mzeI/AAAAAAAAR_A/EdpLqxIuvn0/s400/IMG_3496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pastries.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Starbucks Paris</b></span><br />Starbucks is everywhere.&nbsp; This is their take on the sidewalk cafes of Paris and having a coffee there isn't nearly as affordable as back here in North America.&nbsp; Still, it is great to get a consistent product and service.&nbsp; I haven't been to enough of these to compare anything though.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncNu88p-Zyc/VcBlylIxVRI/AAAAAAAAX_A/fVJId1nldnA/s1600/A%2B%2528879%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ncNu88p-Zyc/VcBlylIxVRI/AAAAAAAAX_A/fVJId1nldnA/s400/A%2B%2528879%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like the sidewalk seating.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iviRalVTyyw/VcBl1IOae_I/AAAAAAAAX_I/i8G31hB_hLY/s1600/A%2B%2528880%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iviRalVTyyw/VcBl1IOae_I/AAAAAAAAX_I/i8G31hB_hLY/s400/A%2B%2528880%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All kinds of baked goodies along with the regular drinks.&nbsp; Some different sandwiches and more.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozzNTTTlaE4/VcBl3RQauaI/AAAAAAAAX_Q/nXeFW2V5mRU/s1600/A%2B%2528881%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ozzNTTTlaE4/VcBl3RQauaI/AAAAAAAAX_Q/nXeFW2V5mRU/s400/A%2B%2528881%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baked goods.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />That's all for now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/oMsoEX00Ngw" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/oMsoEX00Ngw/starbucks-in-different-countries.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/12/starbucks-in-different-countries.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-5284099133949091906Sun, 13 Dec 2015 00:50:00 +00002015-12-12T17:50:25.029-07:00edmontonfoodEdmonton Heritage Festival Fun in the SunThe Edmonton Heritage Festival is a fun event that runs over the three day August long weekend.&nbsp; It has 60 tents/pavilions that cover 85 different cultures, showing the diversity of immigration in Edmonton area.&nbsp; I try to get out to this every year and also eat some ethnic good food.&nbsp; Brought a big donation for the food bank too and took the bus down there from the University of Alberta Campus.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JX7cEMY3D5M/VcacEabsGHI/AAAAAAAAYBY/2DY0V7PUW0Y/s1600/IMG_7463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JX7cEMY3D5M/VcacEabsGHI/AAAAAAAAYBY/2DY0V7PUW0Y/s320/IMG_7463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcN_ZhLSJsw/VcacF-N4IiI/AAAAAAAAYBg/erCECeZDyYQ/s1600/IMG_7465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NcN_ZhLSJsw/VcacF-N4IiI/AAAAAAAAYBg/erCECeZDyYQ/s320/IMG_7465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJ3b6XctOM/VcacHpaXk4I/AAAAAAAAYBo/z-t-ZPi3a5w/s1600/IMG_7466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJ3b6XctOM/VcacHpaXk4I/AAAAAAAAYBo/z-t-ZPi3a5w/s320/IMG_7466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This event is pretty amazing as it takes a ton of volunteer hours to put together and man these pavilions.&nbsp; The pavilions usually have some information about the country or culture and often have crafts for sale and a kitchen that cooks up some regional specialties.&nbsp; You have to buy food/drink tickets at booths on the grounds and you should make sure that if there is a long line, to check the back side of the booth which might have a teeny line.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhgtwN3THS0/VcacMT4coII/AAAAAAAAYBw/nL6nbWnFyjY/s1600/IMG_7467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhgtwN3THS0/VcacMT4coII/AAAAAAAAYBw/nL6nbWnFyjY/s320/IMG_7467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3kklo3sX6Y/VcacZM18scI/AAAAAAAAYCY/SdKZc4w3GqQ/s1600/IMG_7475.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3kklo3sX6Y/VcacZM18scI/AAAAAAAAYCY/SdKZc4w3GqQ/s320/IMG_7475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKUwrgUrrB0/VcacbJLB82I/AAAAAAAAYCg/ysG8_uJsl34/s1600/IMG_7478.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKUwrgUrrB0/VcacbJLB82I/AAAAAAAAYCg/ysG8_uJsl34/s320/IMG_7478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNRxDmbJZg/Vcace94LvII/AAAAAAAAYCw/bkDVkpybpK0/s1600/IMG_7480.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gNRxDmbJZg/Vcace94LvII/AAAAAAAAYCw/bkDVkpybpK0/s320/IMG_7480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j70XrQT1weA/VcacipSxjzI/AAAAAAAAYC4/wYlye7Dtl5M/s1600/IMG_7481.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j70XrQT1weA/VcacipSxjzI/AAAAAAAAYC4/wYlye7Dtl5M/s320/IMG_7481.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGznNxJi-Hc/Vcacmt2hJKI/AAAAAAAAYDI/JnQ_P-V6ARs/s1600/IMG_7483.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nGznNxJi-Hc/Vcacmt2hJKI/AAAAAAAAYDI/JnQ_P-V6ARs/s320/IMG_7483.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Orp1BgDOqiU/VcacqFvatPI/AAAAAAAAYDY/x-fU4Lf6WOA/s1600/IMG_7485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Orp1BgDOqiU/VcacqFvatPI/AAAAAAAAYDY/x-fU4Lf6WOA/s320/IMG_7485.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jej_m0Q9G9w/VcacrorAYAI/AAAAAAAAYDg/fARbzn4-AWY/s1600/IMG_7486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jej_m0Q9G9w/VcacrorAYAI/AAAAAAAAYDg/fARbzn4-AWY/s320/IMG_7486.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fojno5282vY/VcaczBs84SI/AAAAAAAAYEA/RPRG_6kCfp8/s1600/IMG_7491.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fojno5282vY/VcaczBs84SI/AAAAAAAAYEA/RPRG_6kCfp8/s320/IMG_7491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqWWxp6L6R8/VcadGXZz1tI/AAAAAAAAYFA/UnHUtTFTKN0/s1600/IMG_7501.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqWWxp6L6R8/VcadGXZz1tI/AAAAAAAAYFA/UnHUtTFTKN0/s320/IMG_7501.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PYPAqZXXI4/VcadJc-ZLTI/AAAAAAAAYFQ/UyM3QoeL8Jk/s1600/IMG_7504.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2PYPAqZXXI4/VcadJc-ZLTI/AAAAAAAAYFQ/UyM3QoeL8Jk/s320/IMG_7504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>There are also many folk dances and regional arts performances and one of the things I like the most is the music.&nbsp; It is almost like flipping channels on a global radio station as you walk through the different pavilions as the music shifts.&nbsp; A fun time and anything sausage-like is almost always tasty!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9JAjrYhm0k/VcadMqqUyeI/AAAAAAAAYFg/I6h-GXCH2DY/s1600/IMG_7506.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9JAjrYhm0k/VcadMqqUyeI/AAAAAAAAYFg/I6h-GXCH2DY/s320/IMG_7506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCoRouhgCfs/VcadYmG4-kI/AAAAAAAAYGI/2YLxETgIeLw/s1600/IMG_7512.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hCoRouhgCfs/VcadYmG4-kI/AAAAAAAAYGI/2YLxETgIeLw/s320/IMG_7512.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmQqbM4ImH0/VcadjK1dzmI/AAAAAAAAYGo/UHYYhGQQY4I/s1600/IMG_7517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MmQqbM4ImH0/VcadjK1dzmI/AAAAAAAAYGo/UHYYhGQQY4I/s320/IMG_7517.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4gliWFN8Ek/VcadzkG_mEI/AAAAAAAAYHg/bEwBBpU9iKY/s1600/IMG_7525.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W4gliWFN8Ek/VcadzkG_mEI/AAAAAAAAYHg/bEwBBpU9iKY/s320/IMG_7525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdzxp4V9jgE/VcaiJCo8stI/AAAAAAAAYIE/5YXwu373PpU/s1600/IMG_7529.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zdzxp4V9jgE/VcaiJCo8stI/AAAAAAAAYIE/5YXwu373PpU/s320/IMG_7529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeXXEawO-Vs/VcaiKmfnokI/AAAAAAAAYIM/mzkw4gdB1n8/s1600/IMG_7530.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeXXEawO-Vs/VcaiKmfnokI/AAAAAAAAYIM/mzkw4gdB1n8/s320/IMG_7530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />So learn something about the world, enjoy the diversity in the city, and eat lots!<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/w0AzzFhXHjM" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/w0AzzFhXHjM/the-edmonton-heritage-festival-is-fun.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-edmonton-heritage-festival-is-fun.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-1304304856697656446Wed, 18 Nov 2015 01:33:00 +00002015-11-17T18:33:02.780-07:00freescience fictionwritingFree Science Fiction Anthologies From Microsoft and the Atlantic Council I'm going to be paying for some roof repairs, but I'm going to save a few bucks on some science fiction reading.&nbsp; There are a couple of new SF anthologies just released this fall for free as ebooks.&nbsp; One is sponsored by Microsoft Research and the other by the Atlantic Council, a&nbsp; think tank.&nbsp; Both have some big name authors such as David Brin, Linda Nagata, Ken Liu, Greg Bear, Nancy Kress, etc.&nbsp; These fine writers were commissioned to write and hopefully both educate and entertain you with their future postulations.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FY_g7UTfQgs/Vf3gq-ka70I/AAAAAAAAYcM/c7QF9lBomb4/s1600/IMG_8330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FY_g7UTfQgs/Vf3gq-ka70I/AAAAAAAAYcM/c7QF9lBomb4/s320/IMG_8330.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside of a construction site.&nbsp; The scaffolds go on and on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The first book is War Stories from the Future (created via the Art of Future Warfare Project).&nbsp; This book explores the future of armed conflict and social conflict via science fiction stories instead of essays or papers about how things could be.&nbsp; There is also a bunch of writing up on their project site that is interesting to peruse.<br /><a href="http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/books/war-stories-from-the-future" target="_blank"><br /></a><a href="http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/books/war-stories-from-the-future" target="_blank">Download here: http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/books/war-stories-from-the-future</a><br /><br />The second book is Future Visions: Original Science Fiction Inspired by Microsoft.&nbsp; This book had Microsoft Research invite eight SF writers in to see and then write about their favourite research projects.&nbsp; Some very big name SF authors like Nancy Kress, Robert J. Sawyer, Greg Bear, David Brin, Elizabeth Bear, etc.&nbsp; It might be a bit of a PR effort from Microsoft, but it should be interesting to read about the Microsoft tech in action.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0182NCTWS" target="_blank">Download here from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0182NCTWS</a><br /><br />You may have to select your national Amazon store.&nbsp; I had to change to Canada.&nbsp; On a parting note, Microsoft Singapore release this really cool anime short about the IE Browser as personified by a Browser-Tan cute girl character.&nbsp; Quite entertaining to watch.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BHTUlF7NA2o?rel=0" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/_F3ZcrbIZaE" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/_F3ZcrbIZaE/free-science-fiction-anthologies-from.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/11/free-science-fiction-anthologies-from.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-4497147946289448712Wed, 30 Sep 2015 03:35:00 +00002015-10-24T18:08:28.744-06:00reviewGhost Fleet Review<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mini-review #18</b></span><br /><i><br /></i><i>This is a series of short reviews for military SF and mecha SF. &nbsp;You will not see a review of something I don't like as it isn't worth writing about in that case, but I will tell you what works for me and what doesn't about the stories I did like.&nbsp;</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j99eXswyS8Q/VgtGt1cVdLI/AAAAAAAAY08/SXxGtAtmnPA/s1600/IMG_9091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j99eXswyS8Q/VgtGt1cVdLI/AAAAAAAAY08/SXxGtAtmnPA/s320/IMG_9091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Back in June and July this year, there was suddenly a wave of reviews and some press coverage for the novels Ghost Fleet and Tin Men. Both involve near future extrapolations of current military technology and they are scifi-ish technothrillers.&nbsp; I will say that both novels use future tech in a way that puts a great deal of military SF to shame as they are more advanced in concept than some other writing.&nbsp; I went onto the waiting list at my public library to get this book as I don't buy hardcover fiction and the ebook was awful expensive.&nbsp; So 2 months later, I can now review it!<br /><br />Ghost Fleet in particular is very good at the showing the implications of future tech and the battlespaces in which it operates.&nbsp; I really liked it and it sure didn't hurt that it had a good story behind it as well.&nbsp; Some reviewers have compared it to Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising for the 21st century so far and I would pretty much agree with them.<br /><br />The basis of the book is about a Pearl Harbor 2.0 event for the Americans, who are attacked by China this time (since they're the new Soviets since the end of the Cold War).&nbsp; The Chinese and American perspectives are nicely done and the conflict rages across the Pacific on the surface, in the air, on the ground in Hawaii, and even in space.&nbsp; The American technological advantage in this case works against them as their electronics have component manufactured in China and have been compromised (this was something that was used in David Gerrold's novel, The War Against the Chtorr decades ago).&nbsp; A bit of space war against US military satellites, and extensive cyber warfare neutralizes American military power for awhile.<br /><br />One littoral combat ship escapes from Pearl Harbor and the XO, Jamie Simmons, becomes captain the USS Zumwalt from the Ghost Fleet of mothballed ships in California.&nbsp; The Zumwalt is outfitted as a railgun ship, but everything is experimental on board.&nbsp; So there is plenty of surface action and plenty of engineering work to do below decks (where's Scotty when you need him?).&nbsp; Anyways, without giving any more away, the book is a great read.<br /><br /><b>Does it have a cast of characters listing?</b><br />Nope.&nbsp; But there are Russian spies, plenty of admirals on both side of the Pacific, eccentric billionaires who want to help the war effort, hackers, and of course, the crew of the Zumwalt.&nbsp; Jamie Simmons is a man who is conflicted, but learns to become a great captain with the help of his father, who is also assigned to his ship. The two start with a bad relationship that develops in other directions over the course of the novel, adding some good elements to the story.<br /><b><br /></b><b>What is the scope / scale of the story?</b><br />Ship to ship action, fleet actions with plenty of missiles in the air, naval bombardment, guerrilla action in Hawaii, and even a murder mystery plot all spice things up.&nbsp; There are some good sections set in space and I'll just leave it at that.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Does it have likeable characters?</b><br />You care about a number of the characters, but I found myself liking the Chinese lady engineer on the Zumwalt, Jamie's father, and all of the named Russian characters.&nbsp; The Chinese Generals and Admirals were pretty flat characters, but they move the story along.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Does it have an entertaining story line?</b><br />Very entertaining.&nbsp; I finished the book in one long read.&nbsp; There are multiple groups of characters and they all get some good screen time so to speak.<br /><br /><b>How is the internal consistency / plausibility?</b><br />Wow, this one is a no brainer.&nbsp; I think the authors nailed a pretty good vision of the future high-tech battlefield and all of its implications.&nbsp; It is very well done and plausible.&nbsp; China's reason for war is that is needs room to grow and it needs to remove the American obstacle.&nbsp; The politics were fairly good, but it seems like all of Americas allies abandon her when she needs help the most (Fortress America mentality) and I'm not sure that would really happen since they were the victim of a massive surprise attack. The conflict doesn't go nuclear either, but that would make for a short book.<br /><b><br /></b><b>What cool bonus features are there?</b><br />Little tiny lobster recon / multi-role bots.&nbsp; Extensive use of drones of all sizes.&nbsp; Railguns that work. Old tech vs new tech.&nbsp; Old retired veterans showing young pup sailors how to do their jobs right even if they have all that cool knowledge for the new tech systems and use "Viz" the next gen Google Glass. Plenty of scary mind manipulation and common use of stims for soldiers too.&nbsp; The F-35 showing that it works when its systems aren't compromised (I don't like the plane much myself, but boy has it been getting bad press these days).<br /><div><br /><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/military-science-fiction-mecha-fiction.html"><br /></a><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/military-science-fiction-mecha-fiction.html">More Military SF Reviews</a><br /><br /><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/p-cGrEw_si0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/p-cGrEw_si0/ghost-fleet-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/09/ghost-fleet-review.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-351981195477814602Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:15:00 +00002015-09-20T18:24:50.372-06:00mechareviewReview of Tin Men by Christoper Golden<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Mini-review #17</b></span><br /><i><br /></i><i>This is a series of short reviews for military SF and mecha SF. &nbsp;You will not see a review of something I don't like as it isn't worth writing about in that case, but I will tell you what works for me and what doesn't about the stories I did like.&nbsp;</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvHwCb-zpoY/Vcab-i4-UfI/AAAAAAAAYBA/4N3wpzYZiHU/s1600/IMG_7440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qvHwCb-zpoY/Vcab-i4-UfI/AAAAAAAAYBA/4N3wpzYZiHU/s320/IMG_7440.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />This book was a pretty enjoyable read, but it almost threw me off at the start.&nbsp; The premise of the novel has America being the global peacekeeper in the near future because of they have the Remote Infantry Corps, a war winning technology that no one else has.&nbsp; These Remote Infantry Corps ("Tin Men") are armies of remotely operated humanoid robots (human sized) that are extremely strong, extremely tough, and are faster and more dexterous than an actual human.&nbsp;&nbsp; An American operator basically controls the robot as their surrogate body (like they were in it - aka the Avatar movie) from a base in Germany to any point in the world.&nbsp; This whole peacekeeping aspect (which is a good thing in many ways) and American dominance via tech almost made me stop reading (it was pretty high handed), but it is an integral part of the story in making the Tin Men hated by many enemies around the globe.&nbsp; As the story progresses, something terrible disrupts the entire world and you see the soldiers as human beings and really hope they get out of their fix as they are trapped operating the robots.&nbsp; I recommend this book as a good read.<br /><br /><b>Does it have a cast of characters listing?</b><br />No.&nbsp; It basically operates at a platoon level with three sets of protagonists.&nbsp; One being the soldiers originally in the Middle East, another being the President of the United States and this protection detail, and the base troops for the Tin Men in Germany.&nbsp; <br /><b><br /></b><b>What is the scope / scale of the story?</b><br />Street level combat with squads and platoons within wider battles around the globe.&nbsp; A murky, unknown force is behind the disruption of the world.<br /><b><br /></b><b>Does it have likeable characters?</b><br />PFC Danny Kelso is the main protagonist and you like the guy and quite likable.&nbsp; I like the fact that there are male and female soldiers in the field and you really want them to find a way out of their situation. <br /><b><br /></b><b>Does it have an entertaining story line?</b><br />Yes.&nbsp; The story line moves quickly and shifts between the multiple groups of characters.&nbsp; There are good survival, journey, and political sub-plots to the book.&nbsp; Having some civilians mixed into the Tin Men as they journey across a devastated world was a good touch.<br /><br /><b>How is the internal consistency / plausibility?</b><br />Hmmm, this one is tough one.&nbsp; The tech is internally consistent in the book and it works for the story - I enjoyed the story even if I didn't think the tech was plausible.&nbsp; I'd have to say the plausibility is a no, based on the level of tech that would exist to support the Tin Men (it is near future).&nbsp; SPOILER WARNING : **** <span style="font-size: xx-small;">The plausibility of transferring a consciousness to an artificial brain via a high speed satellite link is a big no.</span> ****&nbsp; The robots are also extremely tough.&nbsp; Something humanoid size wouldn't be resistant to .50 or grenade launchers to the level they are in the book, but they are feared because of this.<br /><b><br /></b><b>What cool bonus features are there?</b><br />The whole concept of remotely operated infantry robots is pretty cool.&nbsp; Since combat is always about getting down and dirty, this is a nice extrapolation from our current drone operators.&nbsp; <br /><div><br /><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/military-science-fiction-mecha-fiction.html"><br /></a><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/military-science-fiction-mecha-fiction.html">More Military SF Reviews</a><br /><br /><br /></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/o4C7GEL6B1s" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/o4C7GEL6B1s/review-of-tin-men-by-christoper-golden.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-of-tin-men-by-christoper-golden.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-3143672252638673348Sun, 20 Sep 2015 21:54:00 +00002015-09-20T15:54:45.785-06:00edmontonfoodEdmonton Eats in the SummerOver the past half year I've done a bit of food consumption in the city.&nbsp; Edmonton always has plenty of good eats both fancy and simple.&nbsp; Now I just have to get cracking on the writing which isn't so simple!&nbsp; But, here is a batch of tasty food pics for now!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMce1CGstZM/VY7zKrWoqQI/AAAAAAAAV50/rbmlQqm2sfc/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B7" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RMce1CGstZM/VY7zKrWoqQI/AAAAAAAAV50/rbmlQqm2sfc/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B7" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some very nice weather earlier in the year and it was pretty nice to have breakfast on the deck.&nbsp; Waffle, strawberries, and bacon!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9H7Q7JOIXA/VY7zKgVxZ5I/AAAAAAAAWAQ/9BUC7GHAcFU/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B11" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9H7Q7JOIXA/VY7zKgVxZ5I/AAAAAAAAWAQ/9BUC7GHAcFU/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B11" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish Tacos from State and Main down at Southgate Mall.&nbsp; Very tasty and they have a nice patio to sit on when the weather is good!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qDgkCgIi0/VZAk4dnwqkI/AAAAAAAAWKw/tYn1_4G62u0/s1600/IMG_5359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0qDgkCgIi0/VZAk4dnwqkI/AAAAAAAAWKw/tYn1_4G62u0/s400/IMG_5359.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak, mashed potatoes, asparagus and a fresh tomato salad on the deck again.&nbsp; Yum!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7KpTnCcglw/VY7zKjSb5tI/AAAAAAAAWCk/CW67H0ujt74/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B23" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U7KpTnCcglw/VY7zKjSb5tI/AAAAAAAAWCk/CW67H0ujt74/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B23" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy's had a pretty nice strawberry chicken salad they offered as a summer special.&nbsp; It didn't last all summer, but it was pretty good while it lasted.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fabx4lTNmvs/VY7zKgQDr4I/AAAAAAAAV9c/Zam4UoFRSeg/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B22" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fabx4lTNmvs/VY7zKgQDr4I/AAAAAAAAV9c/Zam4UoFRSeg/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B22" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wendy's strawberry salad up close.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQZbJ2uxu0Y/VY7zKraI9vI/AAAAAAAAV5A/WMSjUshO2K8/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B54" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQZbJ2uxu0Y/VY7zKraI9vI/AAAAAAAAV5A/WMSjUshO2K8/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B54" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chorizo breakfast bowl with scrambled egges, tomatoes, cheese, etc., from Ricky's.</td></tr></tbody></table>We went for a special pork breakfast one morning down at Zinc, the restaurant in the Art Gallery of Alberta.&nbsp; The food there was pretty good usually and this breakfast was different.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--omCZHSQ_hk/VY7zKsYU3AI/AAAAAAAAV98/FVjVNa1XO74/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B89" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--omCZHSQ_hk/VY7zKsYU3AI/AAAAAAAAV98/FVjVNa1XO74/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B89" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art Gallery of Alberta</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKOWEopC-iU/VY7zKvDhyuI/AAAAAAAAV60/o5vUvby-vQ0/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B50" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vKOWEopC-iU/VY7zKvDhyuI/AAAAAAAAV60/o5vUvby-vQ0/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B50" width="368" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It started with some pastries and tarts all featuring bacon.&nbsp; </td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw5YN020NEI/VY7zKtF9ZlI/AAAAAAAAWGE/244O7ErJFaU/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B49" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="366" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw5YN020NEI/VY7zKtF9ZlI/AAAAAAAAWGE/244O7ErJFaU/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B49" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then there was the main part of breakfast with beans, side meat, and a nicely done egg.&nbsp; This was pretty rich and the serving was generous.&nbsp; We ended up taking some home for tasty leftovers.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdSUd_xyR2U/VY7zKvAHSII/AAAAAAAAV3Y/R25vxjWz5pI/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B48" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MdSUd_xyR2U/VY7zKvAHSII/AAAAAAAAV3Y/R25vxjWz5pI/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B48" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert was a creme brulee with chocolate covered bacon.&nbsp; Was crispy and yummy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sytuy1VzXPo/VY7zKlQiaTI/AAAAAAAAWAg/lo6UWxMpvk8/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B94" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sytuy1VzXPo/VY7zKlQiaTI/AAAAAAAAWAg/lo6UWxMpvk8/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B94" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another time, we headed out to the Hardware Grill for dinner.&nbsp; Had a nice meal there.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwm1IPCa2Fc/VY7zKlfWg9I/AAAAAAAAV6c/vP9CxWp0Vww/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B91" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zwm1IPCa2Fc/VY7zKlfWg9I/AAAAAAAAV6c/vP9CxWp0Vww/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B91" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked salmon appetizer.&nbsp; Very good.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6Lv2u1i5pw/VY7zKqlAg5I/AAAAAAAAV6k/t28xtlacgCg/s1600/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B90" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6Lv2u1i5pw/VY7zKqlAg5I/AAAAAAAAV6k/t28xtlacgCg/s400/2015%2Bearly%2Bsummer%2B-%2B90" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tasty rack of lamb and more.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEN2gDL3FU8/VZCdYh3g4BI/AAAAAAAAWL8/9AmNSCWv1rs/s1600/IMG_5365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NEN2gDL3FU8/VZCdYh3g4BI/AAAAAAAAWL8/9AmNSCWv1rs/s400/IMG_5365.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switching restaurants to Famoso, here is their Capriciossa Neopolitan pizza.&nbsp; Italian ham, roasted mushrooms, artichoke hearts, olives, and romano cheese. One of my faves.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table><br />That's a fair number of pics already, so I guess I'll do another post a little later for the rest.<br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/3M6b3b8BpRU" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/3M6b3b8BpRU/edmonton-eats-in-summer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/09/edmonton-eats-in-summer.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-1538091120039826257Sat, 11 Jul 2015 19:28:00 +00002015-11-22T12:35:26.267-07:00Price Drop on Neo Ace and Summer Sci Fi News<b>UPDATE: The price drop period was only from July 11, 2015 to the end of September 2015.&nbsp;</b> <br />I recently dropped the price on my novel Neo Ace to 99 cents US$.&nbsp; If you're interested in a good a good read, <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/my-publications.html" target="_blank">hit the link and head over to Amazon</a>.&nbsp; I'm also looking for some reviews and if you liked it, please leave one and help me out.<br /><br />It has been a pretty busy summer and work is finally starting to slow down a bit.&nbsp; I'm still plugging away slowly at the concluding novel for Exocrisis Blue.&nbsp; When I get a few chapters done, I'll start posting it up on Wattpad again.&nbsp; Neo Ace is a complete story arc as I wouldn't want to leave anyone hanging (I hate it when it happens to me), so no worries if you want to read Neo Ace.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NLraVRxYM/VU_iSWSTujI/AAAAAAAAR7U/bryis9g1_f8/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8NLraVRxYM/VU_iSWSTujI/AAAAAAAAR7U/bryis9g1_f8/s320/IMG_3827.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edmonton City Hall, or life under the dome if this were an offworld colony.</td></tr></tbody></table>So far, this year has been pretty good for my own science fiction enjoyment.&nbsp; I'm not reading nearly as much as I should, but the mix of anime, sf novels, movies, and comics has been pretty good.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>As I'm a Canadian, eh, one item of interest that has stood out is the mini-series comic "We Stand On Guard" from Image Comics.&nbsp; This is written by Brian K. Vaughan, an American married to a Canadian and is about a future war between America and Canada.&nbsp; Canada has basically been overrun by American mechs and we're fighting a guerilla war.&nbsp; In most scenarios we'd be hamburger if attacked by the States, but the first issue was pretty entertaining and I'm interested in the rest. <br /><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/arts/we-stand-on-guard-comic-offers-explosive-look-at-canada-u-s-relations-1.3137480" target="_blank">http://www.cbc.ca/m/news/arts/we-stand-on-guard-comic-offers-explosive-look-at-canada-u-s-relations-1.3137480</a><a href="http://kotaku.com/one-of-comics-best-writers-has-america-and-canada-figh-1716016922" target="_blank">http://kotaku.com/one-of-comics-best-writers-has-america-and-canada-figh-1716016922</a></li><li>The Gate (can be seen on Crunchyroll for free legal streaming).&nbsp; This is about a gate opening up in Tokyo's Ginza that disgorges a fantasy army of goblins, roman-like legionnaires, and flying dragons.&nbsp; The JSDF fights them off, and an otaku army officer helps to save the day.&nbsp; The JSDF invades the other world to secure the gate and has to immediately defeat another massive army of medieval low tech types.&nbsp; Our hero, the otaku (and the JSDF has tried to appeal to them via recruiting campaigns) is now in his dream universe and trying to establish relations with the locals while holding the evil empire at bay.&nbsp; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate_%28novel_series%29" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate_%28novel_series%29</a><br /><span id="goog_379261744"></span></li><li>The movie Chappie, Jupiter Descending, Interstellar, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Jurassic World, etc. Have all been pretty good.&nbsp; Jupiter Descending was kind of lambasted, but I think it is better than some simply because it is a good story (especially when compared to most comics or TV SF) with an original idea.&nbsp; Jurassic World was just fun, and yes, what kind of moron would weaponize raptors?&nbsp; Chappie became a movie with ideas far bigger than the movie in a hurry, but it was enjoyable too.&nbsp; Interstellar had a terrible storyline (probably easier to spend that space program money to genetically engineer something that actively resists or kills the blight), but the ideas about space and time in it were all top notch.&nbsp; Avengers was an awesome superhero movie, not as good as the first one, but it was nice to see some character development for Black Widow, etc.</li><li>I just finished Leviathan Wakes from the Expanse by James Corey and am reading the second book.&nbsp; I wanted to read this as they were making a TV series based on this.&nbsp; It was an enjoyable space opera kind of read with many factions from the belt colonies, Earth, and Mars, plus the obligatory evil megacorporations.&nbsp; The one thing I did find really funny about it was the fact that food was mentioned quite a bit in the book, but I did find it inadequately addressed.&nbsp; In a previous post, I talked about the SF future of food, and my observations stand on this.&nbsp; The book always talked about the food being bad.&nbsp; This situation only could occur if you were in a survival situation or had strict central bad planning over food.&nbsp; The Expanse universe is clearly not any of these situations.&nbsp; <br />Food is easy to grow and it will be tasty simply because food science is already here to deliver it.&nbsp; People will also demand tasty food.&nbsp; With the hundreds of millions of people in space, I would have actually expected Martian, Jovian, and Belter cuisine to have evolved that had its own distinct flavourings and styles that had diverged from their earthly origins.&nbsp; Like airplane food is prepared for low pressure and the dry climate found on planes now.&nbsp; Nothing like a spicy belter roll for zero G with the Jovian moonbugs that pop in your mouth. Also, energy should be cheap with massive solar arrays (continental size in the asteroid belt) or fusion, etc.&nbsp; But energy was not cheap back when the book was written and scarcity still pervades the work.&nbsp; Still, a good read, with a crazy and powerful unknown threat in the background.</li></ul>&nbsp;Anyhow, those were just a few of ramblings, so have a great summer everyone.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/7WW7nhOMwz0" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/7WW7nhOMwz0/price-drop-on-neo-ace-and-summer-sci-fi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/07/price-drop-on-neo-ace-and-summer-sci-fi.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-4412442155241485305Sun, 10 May 2015 21:59:00 +00002015-05-27T14:50:42.452-06:00science fictionworld buildingSci Fi Railguns, Lasers, Drones, Energy, and FoodI haven't posted for awhile, but I'm still reading and writing.&nbsp; I'm about to set a new deadline of a year for my next novel again.&nbsp; It has been about a year since I completely went off track on my fiction writing due to the random nature of life (sometimes you just roll snake eyes).&nbsp; Anyhow, the big news here in Alberta is that hell froze over after the left leaning NDP won the provincial elections against the conservatives this May as it snowed the next day.&nbsp; The NDP had about half the support of the voters, mine included this time, and they are kind of left of center party, but almost all Canadian parties would still be classified as centrist/socialist even if they are right or left wing.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-daKAz3vhxEI/VUVN8Y71L8I/AAAAAAAARy8/_FhUDkexw4I/s1600/tokyo%2Bapril%2B2015%2B%28403%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-daKAz3vhxEI/VUVN8Y71L8I/AAAAAAAARy8/_FhUDkexw4I/s320/tokyo%2Bapril%2B2015%2B(403).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gundam Pods from a Japanese Arcade, but imagine banks of these things with pilots flying attack drones or a squadron of drones.</td></tr></tbody></table>Going back through my various news feeds, there has been a number of interesting articles that have popped up.&nbsp; From some of my previous posts you can tell that I think the science fictional future of a great deal of military SF is pretty near future.&nbsp; Basically, a great deal of the mechanisms, and plot devices that authors use now are going to look really dated as they are obsolete already if they occur in any kind of timeline derived from our present.<br /><br />A long time ago (back in 2000) I wrote an article about <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2012/01/science-fiction-infantry-warfare.html" target="">Science Fiction Infantry Warfare</a>.&nbsp; Most SF writers haven't advanced much beyond the marines from the 1990s described here.&nbsp; If we're lucky they are wearing enclosed combat / powered armour.&nbsp; However, experimental exoskeletons and improved body armour and weaponry are both in the lab and being field tested today so future soldiers are going to be more like Heinlein's mobile infantry than anything else.<br /><br />A few links about some of the tech involved:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2015/superhero-suit.html?sf8883623=1" target="_blank">http://lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2015/superhero-suit.html?sf8883623=1</a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM25_CDTE" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XM25_CDTE</a></li><li><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/27/darpas-steerable-bullet-proves-it-can-hit-moving-targets/" target="_blank">http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/27/darpas-steerable-bullet-proves-it-can-hit-moving-targets </a></li><li><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/16/trackingpoint-smart-rifles-military/" target="_blank">http://www.engadget.com/2014/01/16/trackingpoint-smart-rifles-military/</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blS0I0-IcwA/UuV0k9BO25I/AAAAAAAALNU/9PUgM_hAA0c/s1600/IMG_20140126_125901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-blS0I0-IcwA/UuV0k9BO25I/AAAAAAAALNU/9PUgM_hAA0c/s320/IMG_20140126_125901.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />So here are some of my characteristics of a near future infantryman.&nbsp; I expect the infantryman in a heavy assault configuration to be pretty darn tough after they are suited up.&nbsp; In the far future - infantrymen could be completely obsolete or even tougher. <br /><ul><li>Wears a powered exoskeleton that runs all day on the move to double the weight the soldier can carry at a run.&nbsp; A soldier can lope at a powered run faster than&nbsp; a man can run for an extended period.</li><li>Soldier has head to toe protection from small rounds - impervious to 9mm pistol fire and wears nano-weave armour with ceramic plating to stop rifle rounds.</li><li>Suit is climate controlled for tropics to arctic with the right environmental modules and sealed from gases or toxins with filtered air.</li><li>It is a smart suit that will administer stimulants or antidotes if necessary to keep a soldier functioning.&nbsp; Possibly the nano-weave can contract to tourniquet a limb wound, or offer self-sealing capabilities.</li><li>Suit is a chameleon suit that can blend into the background and be thermally camouflaged for a short period of time. </li><li>A soldier will have a 360 degree view in his helmet for high-situational awareness with thermal, low light, telescopic, and superior hearing / shotgun mike capabilities.&nbsp; This system will integrate with his weapon sights to designate targets and smart-track them.&nbsp; Mapping capabilities with drone / squad mates / live data feeds will vastly reduce the fog of war. &nbsp;</li><li>Will carry a smart rifle and grenade launcher.&nbsp; Smart rifle will auto range and adjust for windage to have a high percentage hit capability at 500 to 1000 metres especially with steerable bullets.&nbsp; Semi-auto grenade launcher with sub-40mm rounds that are guided and smart fuzed to engage defiliaded targets.&nbsp; The exoskeleton allows for a heavier weapon and larger magazine capacity for these weapons.</li><li>Possibility of railgun / coilgun type weapon firing either small or large penetrators and hundreds of light weight projectiles.</li><li>Will be able to carry grenade-size rolling ball robots for recon down hallways or rooms.&nbsp; Will have several toss and fly type drones to scout ahead.</li><li>Suit can be configured to carry anti-tank weaponry or heavy anti-material rifles that link into the suit's helmet for targeting.</li></ul>All that sounds futuristic, but if I think far future, I'm thinking that this is obsolete and the infantryman would be even deadlier, more nimble, and lighter in weight too. I'd be thinking unlimited ammunition, energy weapons, a cloud of nano-bots to protect, jam, hurt enemy combatants, robotic support units, ultralight powered suit with some type of shielding, and smart AI to control all this stuff.&nbsp; It would be a one man army.&nbsp; Then there could be the augmented human body aspect too.<br /><br />After talking about infantry, lets talk about the air force and navy.&nbsp; There will be no more manned fighters as survival in an environment with drones and lasers is too low.&nbsp; Manned fighters would also be like a magnitude of order more expensive to build and wouldn't maneuver was well as a drone.&nbsp; Aircraft carriers are impressive platforms to project air power, but they are also expensive and high-value targets to sink.&nbsp; If you are trying to protect your high-value asset you are probably not getting the maximum use out of it as you will not put it into risky situations or are diverting too many of your forces to protect it.&nbsp; Laser weapons as anti-missile defences also seem to be making big advances too along with railguns for lobbing projectiles to do bombardment.<br /><br />A few links on this topic: <br /><ul><li><a href="http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/05/why-14-billion-aircraft-carriers-are.html" target="_blank">Why 14 Billion Dollar Carriers Are A Bad Idea.&nbsp; http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/05/why-14-billion-aircraft-carriers-are.html</a></li><li><a href="http://sputniknews.com/military/20150417/1020996417.html" target="_blank">End of Top Gun.&nbsp; http://sputniknews.com/military/20150417/1020996417.html </a></li><li><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/toddharrison/2015/04/29/will-the-f-35-be-the-last-manned-fighter-jet-physics-physiology-and-fiscal-facts-suggest-yes/?linkId=13856699" target="_blank">http://www.forbes.com/sites/toddharrison/2015/04/29/will-the-f-35-be-the-last-manned-fighter-jet-physics-physiology-and-fiscal-facts-suggest-yes/?linkId=13856699</a></li><li><a href="http://aviationweek.com/defense/opinion-nearing-laser-tipping-point">http://aviationweek.com/defense/opinion-nearing-laser-tipping-point</a></li><li><a href="http://nationalinterest.org/feature/nuclear-submarines-americas-new-aircraft-carriers-12560" target="_blank">http://nationalinterest.org/feature/nuclear-submarines-americas-new-aircraft-carriers-12560</a></li><li><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2941525/Radical-railgun-fire-shells-mach-6-penetrate-concrete-100-MILES-away-shown-public-Navy.html" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2941525/Radical-railgun-fire-shells-mach-6-penetrate-concrete-100-MILES-away-shown-public-Navy.html</a></li></ul>In my writing, I think of drone carriers, but they are smaller vessels that can mass launch attack drones via a vertical launch system and do a trap and recover on a small deck, or they are like stealthy flying airships that have drop bays to mass launch attack drones.&nbsp; I already use coilguns for my HARM units main weaponry, and I don't have manned fighter aircraft so I'm already ahead in the few items of military SF I've written.<br /><br />Finally, today, let's talk about food and energy!&nbsp; Food is something that isn't imagined too well in SF.&nbsp; Protein bars, ham sandwiches, and odd colored fruit.&nbsp; What is the next exotic breakthrough or food concoction?&nbsp; Just think about the impact of new world crops like potatoes, avocados, tomatoes, corn (as in maize), chocolate, etc., on the world.&nbsp; There was no tomato sauce in Italy.&nbsp; Greek salad with tomatoes didn't exist.&nbsp; Avocado sushi wouldn't be around.&nbsp;&nbsp; No french fries or chocolate cake either.<br />So what kind of food innovation, next great crop, or types of food stuffs will exist in the future.&nbsp; What is the next big thing to replace a hamburger or pizza and will it be of earthly origin?&nbsp; Will we eat meat or think it is barbaric?&nbsp; Will we all eat healthy to boot?<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-are-we-so-bad-at-imagining-the-food-of-the-future/2015/04/17/deb2d296-e3ef-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html" target="_blank">http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-are-we-so-bad-at-imagining-the-food-of-the-future/2015/04/17/deb2d296-e3ef-11e4-b510-962fcfabc310_story.html</a></li><li><a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/1928211/top-secret-food-will-change-way-you-eat" target="_blank">http://www.outsideonline.com/1928211/top-secret-food-will-change-way-you-eat </a></li><li><a href="http://io9.com/8-reasons-future-generations-will-consider-us-barbarian-1699900939" target="_blank">http://io9.com/8-reasons-future-generations-will-consider-us-barbarian-1699900939</a></li></ul>Energy is going to be cheap and renewable.&nbsp; There will be a distributed grid and every building will have its own batteries and solar panels / vertical wind turbines.&nbsp; It is just a matter of decade(s?) for this to happen now.&nbsp; Remember, this is the now, not the future, and you never can get the genie back into the bottle after letting it out.&nbsp; We'll have super-batteries and ultra-efficient solar, with <a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2015/03/beaming-solar-energy-to-earth.html">energy possibly being beamed down from space-based arrays</a>.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.iflscience.com/technology/tesla-battery-heralds-beginning-end-fossil-fuels" target="_blank">http://www.iflscience.com/technology/tesla-battery-heralds-beginning-end-fossil-fuels</a></li><li><a href="http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/07/3656346/hawaiis-green-grid-plans/" target="_blank">http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/07/3656346/hawaiis-green-grid-plans/</a></li><li><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2014/10/military-and-science-developments-for.html">http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/2014/10/military-and-science-developments-for.html </a></li></ul>Everyone have a great day, this post turned out far longer than I expected.<br /><br /><a href="http://peterlok.blogspot.ca/p/sf.html">More SF Posts</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/9Z2UFf8u_t8" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/9Z2UFf8u_t8/sci-fi-railguns-lasers-drones-energy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/05/sci-fi-railguns-lasers-drones-energy.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-2087041676724248483Mon, 16 Mar 2015 04:21:00 +00002015-03-18T20:18:19.992-06:00Beaming Solar Energy to EarthSolar energy is only on when the sun is up or efficient when it isn't cloudy or the collectors are covered in sand or snow.&nbsp; To solve this problem, there was the idea of putting solar collectors into space.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSDl8OWEA8c/VEq15HGs8LI/AAAAAAAAOds/BCJNYEvhCgw/s1600/IMG_20141023_160028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cSDl8OWEA8c/VEq15HGs8LI/AAAAAAAAOds/BCJNYEvhCgw/s1600/IMG_20141023_160028.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an interesting little picture I shot of a partial eclipse in Edmonton in late 2014.&nbsp; The lens flare is the cool part as it shows the partial sun.&nbsp; I was using a pin-hole camera to view the eclipse rather than go blind staring at the sun myself.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D56vRfv71OA?rel=0" width="400"></iframe></div>These big space arrays would be in geostationary orbit above the earth and beam down the collected solar energy in the form of microwaves to collector pads.&nbsp; This method would have the power always on as they are always in the sun and the energy is sent to earth continuously. 24 x 7.&nbsp; Bad weather, sand storms, don't affect it either.&nbsp; Sounds pretty darn good, but then I thought, what if the beam goes off course and you have a big microwave beam gun cooking huge swaths of the earth in its path?&nbsp; Well, it turns out I have nothing to fear if they are using low frequency microwaves as the output is so low.&nbsp; You wouldn't want to live there under the beam, but no streamers of birds or bugs like at some solar facilities.&nbsp; It is an interesting idea and here are a couple of articles about it.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/solar/how-japan-plans-to-build-an-orbital-solar-farm" target="_blank">http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/solar/how-japan-plans-to-build-an-orbital-solar-farm </a></li><li><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/18/tech/innovation/space-based-solar-power/" target="_blank">http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/18/tech/innovation/space-based-solar-power/</a> </li><li><a href="http://gizmodo.com/japanese-scientists-just-beamed-energy-through-the-air-1691291229" target="_blank">http://gizmodo.com/japanese-scientists-just-beamed-energy-through-the-air-1691291229 </a></li></ul><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/XA5eZvdRB-I" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/XA5eZvdRB-I/beaming-solar-energy-to-earth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/03/beaming-solar-energy-to-earth.htmltag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839350270740141217.post-5022091579335382285Sun, 01 Mar 2015 03:11:00 +00002015-02-28T22:30:00.758-07:00AIworld buildingCurrent AI Trends and News About the Coming Revolution<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzCXpQpXJWE/VLyKBk6KgTI/AAAAAAAAQNs/n8ZDGEWsQMc/s1600/Calgary%2BJanuary%2B2015%2B-%2B19" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XzCXpQpXJWE/VLyKBk6KgTI/AAAAAAAAQNs/n8ZDGEWsQMc/s1600/Calgary%2BJanuary%2B2015%2B-%2B19" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manga Iron Man Figure</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Artificial Intelligence seems to be one of those underplayed elements in science fiction.&nbsp; There also seems to be a great deal of recent general interest in this topic.&nbsp; AI is one of those inventions that is making&nbsp; a great many people nervous from Elon Musk to Stephen Hawking too.&nbsp; Just recently, I read some real long blog posts (there first two links below could be a book - exaggeration here, but it was long) about artificial intelligence.<br /><ul><li><a href="http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html" target="_blank">http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-1.html</a></li><li><a href="http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html" target="_blank">http://waitbutwhy.com/2015/01/artificial-intelligence-revolution-2.html&nbsp;</a></li></ul><br /><ul><li><a href="http://gizmodo.com/the-ai-revolution-how-far-away-are-our-robot-overlords-1684199433" target="_blank">http://gizmodo.com/the-ai-revolution-how-far-away-are-our-robot-overlords-1684199433</a></li><li><a href="https://gigaom.com/2015/01/09/artificial-intelligence-is-real-now-and-its-just-getting-started/" target="_blank">https://gigaom.com/2015/01/09/artificial-intelligence-is-real-now-and-its-just-getting-started/</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2015/01/pentagon-wants-real-roadmap-artificial-intelligence/102297/" target="_blank">http://www.nextgov.com/defense/2015/01/pentagon-wants-real-roadmap-artificial-intelligence/102297/</a></li><li><a href="https://isismjpucher.wordpress.com/2014/12/25/the-future-is-machine-learning-not-programs-or-processes/" target="_blank">https://isismjpucher.wordpress.com/2014/12/25/the-future-is-machine-learning-not-programs-or-processes/</a></li><li><a href="http://venturebeat.com/2014/12/22/our-future-of-unlimited-wealth-and-joblessness/" target="_blank">http://venturebeat.com/2014/12/22/our-future-of-unlimited-wealth-and-joblessness/</a></li><li><a href="http://www.shivonzilis.com/machineintelligence" target="_blank">http://www.shivonzilis.com/machineintelligence</a></li><li><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-right-about-dangers-of-ai-but-for-the-wrong-reasons-says-eminent-computer-expert-9908450.html" target="_blank">http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/stephen-hawking-right-about-dangers-of-ai-but-for-the-wrong-reasons-says-eminent-computer-expert-9908450.html</a></li></ul><br />I majored in computer science years ago, but there really wasn't anything like this way back then.&nbsp; So artificial intelligence can be categorized as:<br /><ul><li>artificial narrow intelligence</li><li>artificial general intelligence</li><li>artificial super intelligence </li></ul>Our world today has plenty of artificial narrow intelligence now.&nbsp; Just look at Amazon's recommendation engine, Google's search engine, etc.&nbsp; There are even expert AI's in specific areas of manufacturing, science, and medicine.&nbsp; It is interesting that even this level of AI doesn't seem to exist in most science fiction.&nbsp; The present is more advanced than a great deal of SF.&nbsp; AI just doesn't seem to exist, but in a sufficiently advanced culture, maybe it just works and blends into the background.<br /><br />Artificial general intelligence is when AI's are basically smart like people.&nbsp; AI just isn't here yet, and might not get to this stage for awhile. Artificial super intelligence is basically an AI that is waaay smarter than us and can make itself even smarter.&nbsp; This is probably where AIs should exist in most SF, but don't exist at all usually.&nbsp; It is kind of interesting that there is this blind spot in many ways.&nbsp; Too advanced for story telling?&nbsp; The Star Carrier books actually have a super smart AI that lives on the moon, which was a nice touch.&nbsp; And of course, the people don't know if they should trust it, but it seems to be good...<br /><br />Myself, I worry about AI.&nbsp; Not necessarily even the super AIs, but just the impact of robotics and AI on society.&nbsp; The world is going to change, and we can see it coming, but who knows where it will take us.&nbsp; I kind of suspect it will be a combination of new laws to govern the use of robots in the workplace and society adjusting to how robots are used in the workforce.&nbsp; Jobs are never going to be the same once a tipping point is reached for both blue and white collar.&nbsp; I'm hoping for a good future, but I can definitely understand the Skynet scenario too at one extreme of things.<br /><br />Anyhow, have a great read of the articles.&nbsp; Fascinating reading.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PeterLok/~4/4GgRlSH4wno" height="1" width="1" alt=""/>http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/PeterLok/~3/4GgRlSH4wno/manga-iron-man-figure-artificial.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Tostzilla)0http://peterlok.blogspot.com/2015/02/manga-iron-man-figure-artificial.html
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