i had a lovely dinner tonight -- quite yummy indeed. i assert, however, that the peking duck i've had in edmonton is considerably better: not only do they use the whole duck to make 3 or 4 different courses, but they also carve the the duck for the feature dish right at your table, slicing off much of the meat along with the skin. you get so much more duck essence and goodness in your little hoisin-sauce-filled wraps(otherwise known as 'happy packets') that way.

at the restaurant tonight, they merely put pieces of duck skin -- and only the skin -- on a platter.

it was still delicious and incredibly bad for me, but lacking just a touch of duck essence and goodness.

in other birfday news, S&A got me the first two seasons of the family guy on dvd! although AL unabashedly admits that it was partly a selfish gesture, as she knew she'd be routinely invited over to watch her gift with me.

also, relatives of all sorts sent me cheques. yay for mothers and grandmas-in-law! they'll do wonders toward my $900 2003-year tax burden. oddly enough, i haven't been sent my notice of assessment for yet. perhaps this is a sign i'm about to get audited.