What’s this? Our DVDs that we have bought over the years and even our players may be as useful as our BETA tape players in the next couple of years? This issue of a DVD standard has long been drawn out but it has finally made its presence into the general public. I read an article today in the Toronto Star stating that major Hollywood backers are split between two varying technologies in DVD technology. Both use blue lasers to read the media rather than red lasers, which our current day players are using. With this being said, if either the Blu-ray or HD DVD type becomes an industry standard, this means our DVD collection that we have all laborously collected over the past few years may no longer be compatible. There is no guarantee that these new technologies will be backwards compatable, which means the consumers will be the ones who will be hit the hardest.

The Blu-ray technology holds up to 25 gigs of information on a single layer while the HD DVD can hold up to 15 gigs (current DVDs hold up to 4.7 gigs). Both apparantly have their own advantages and disadvantages, which we will most likely be able to find out for ourselves as of late next year. Blu-ray technology DVD players have a better chance of coming out first as the technology is much simpler than its counterpart. However, heavy-backers like Sony, HP, and Dell are committed to bringing HD DVD to the forefront of DVD technology.

Fittingly, Spiderman 2 was just released today. I was so close to buying it today at Future Shop for $22.99, however opted not to for some reason. I suppose I can just rent it. This movie brings back nice memories of me when I was in Istanbul, Turkey, since that is when I first saw the movie.

I baked a Guinness Chocolate Cake today, which turned out pretty tasty. You can barely taste the beer in it though. As expected, it was a very rich and flavourful cake since it came out of Nigella’s book, Feast. The texture came out just right as it is moist, and perfectly crispy on the outside.

The next cake on my list: Espresso-chocolate cake… or something like that. Anyone dare to taste my inventions? Just come on over and I’ll be happy to give you a plate or two… or three.

I saw the lighting of the Christmas tree in New York City today. It was a touching spectacle. No… not really. But Hilary Duff performed, which was her first performance after her long break in the month of November.

I saw 10 teams count little Ikea stuffed dolls until their brains blew a fuse, or build a desk, which in my opinion seemed like a better task to perform. Afterall, there’s no risk factor involved in assembling an Ikea desk; you know exactly where you went wrong if you did go wrong. But if you miscount the stuffed dolls (and pots and pans), you have no idea where you miscounted so you have to start all over if you get the wrong total. So many people faltered on that task too. It’s a shame.

I ordered my 7 day JR pass today. That’s all for now.

The Domestic Goddess, that is. Nigella Lawson came to town today bringing her a myriad of media attention. The British phenom is the food editor for British Vogue, a regular writer for the London Observer, host of three Food Network television series, author of five cookbooks and the creator of her own Living Kitchen product line.

Waking up at 4am this morning (as rumour had it), she had a full fledged day with interview after interview, one show appearances after another, and autograph signing sessions all over town.

I went to Teatro Verde at Bayview Village Shopping Centre today (that place that I said I wouldn’t go to two days ago). Arriving about 30 minutes prior to 12pm, there was already a lineup of about 20 some-odd people. I bought her latest cookbook, Feast, which is a hefty hardcover book about food that celebrates life. (I think it also celebrates a growth in her wallet as this CAN$55.00 book is one hefty cookbook if I’ve ever seen one.)

I bought it at the store and went in line like every other person there. I was far from the average demographic represented in line. The most common seemed to be around 35-45 year old females with a handful of men in that age range and a trickle of young adults, some younger than myself.

Nigella came fashionably late – about 10 minutes late to be exact. She graced the crowd coming into the store as the people waiting in line clapped with satisfaction. She’s actually a lot slimmer than I had anticipated. She made her home at the rear in the store and sat down by the table where people came and handed her a book to sign. I got my Feast signed and made a light comment on how she was doing a worldwind tour of Toronto since she is here for only one day. She looked at me not knowing how to respond to that so she just gave me my book. She actually seemed a little timid not saying much to the people coming by.

I could have waited to get a picture with her after the line ended, but I decided not to since there were already some people waiting to do that. I was happy with my personally autographed copy of Feast so I merrily went on my way. While I’ve always thought that Nigella was very pretty, now that I’ve seen her, I now know that she is even prettier in person.

Monica, I’ll have a picture up tomorrow… just for you!

I went to Bayview Village Mall today. A mall that I have never been to in my life. It’s a medium sized mall that houses many upper-scale brand name stores. I was wandering around the mall when I came upon Teatro Verde, a home-decor type store much like Pottery Barn. They had a sign boasting that the ever so glamorous Nigella will be dropping by their store for the launch of her newest cooking book, Feast. She’ll be there Tuesday November 16, 2004 from 12pm – 1pm.

Wandering to Chapters I found yet another sign for an autograph session at the Chapters in Manulife Centre on the same day at 7pm. And just a couple days ago I was watching Christine Cushing live when they advertised that the once-voted sexiest women in the U.K. will be a guest on her November 16th show at 6pm.

Isn’t this just great?! Although I would be interested in meeting her, I don’t think I’ll be able to. First of all, Bayview Village is just so far. So is Manulife Centre. Hmf… why can’t she make a house call?