Move over Glee, there’s a new Best in Show. Take your Diablo Cody-esque writers and shuffle on down the road. NBC’s Community is the best new comedy I’ve seen since 30 Rock premiered 4 years ago.

I just spent the last 20 or so minutes watching the pilot for the series about a pathological lying sweet talker’s journey into community college. Well, probably more than 20 minutes, because I kept having to rewind to rewatch some of the more brilliant lines.

There’s so much to this show that I love after seeing only one episode. They hit all my buttons; Multi-camera set up , unique ensemble cast of supporting characters (including Chevy Chase, and The Daily Show’s John Oliver), a healthy dose of relevant pop-culture references, and what’s that? A Matt & Kim song in the background? I think I’m in heaven. I’ll admit, I don’t always understand the shows and movies that I watch. I enjoy Mad Men, but hell if I know what’s going on half the time. The point of No Country For Old Men? Point me toward the the nearest Film Studies class please. I like this show because I get this show. It’s a show for people who love quirky, flawed characters, and the inane stupidity that gets them into situation-comedy trouble, mixed in with smart writing that isn’t afraid to through in a quick one-liner that maybe only 10% of the audience will catch.

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Last week, I posted an article highlighting chandeliers made out of wooden and acrylic hangers. Keeping in line with the lighting theme, I chose another design using everyday household items. Though technically not re-purposed like the wooden hangers, these innovate lighting installations are still pretty rad. Seriously, who would want used toothpicks- ewwwwwwww. Created by Japanese designer, Daisuke Hiraiwa, these brilliant creations resemble spiny anteasters, echidnas. Say what? My dad is a really big Discovery / Animal Planet nut and I guess some of that rubbed off.

It’s pretty amazing how Hiraiwa is able to make these straight bristly pointy items into objects that look soft, curvy and fluid. The toothpick chandeliers made their debut at ICFF 2009 and wowed onlookers with their appealing aesthetic.

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A couple of days ago, I had a wicked opportunity to chat with Canada’s favorite dancer, Tara-Jean Popowich. Originally Dan was going to conduct the interview but due to a scheduling conflict, I took over and brushed up on my Tara-Jean trivia.

The 20-something Lethbridge, Alberta native, took the time from her busy schedule to talk about her SYTYCDC experience with yours truly. At the time, Tara-Jean was in Montreal prepping for an upcoming show on Sunday with fellow SYTYCDC alum, Vincent. During our chat, I asked her a few questions sent to me by Dan and a few “hard-hitting” (not really) ones from myself. And by “hard-hitting”, I mean who dropped her the most during rehearsals, what color was her Mazda 3 Sport and other deep and thought-provoking questions like that (wink).

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Oooh, when your boyfriend’s away you’ve got another sexy tool to play with! Now this is handy AND pretty. The Mo-Tool Axe from Brook & Hunter has the following:

- axe blade (for dealing with your wood)
- hand-crafted red oak wood inlay handle (so it feels good when it’s clenched in your fist)
- hammer head (excellent for banging & nailing)
- screw drivers (great for screwing)
- knives with stainless steel alloy blades (if you’re into cut)
- wire cutter (when you’re finished being kinky)
- file (sometimes you want it smooth instead of rough)
- pliers (for those tight places)
- wrench (for your nuts)

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In today’s Province (a Vancouver newspaper staple) the front page story was all about a new high rise development in the downtown West End. And, to no one’s surprise, some long term residents that are YET AGAIN opposing it.

For years, the West End has served as a safe haven for just about anyone. Gay/Straight, Black/White, Old/Young. 30 + years ago the city rezoned many of the streets into a gridded maze, making it pedestrian friendly, and a lovely place to live/shop and enjoy life.

Fast forward to today- it’s swarming with loads of renters/owners in smaller outdated towers. In fact 75% of the West End buildings were built before 1980. 1980!!! Some of our readers weren’t even born yet!

I wouldn’t be shocked if these words came to your mind after all the pleasantries: Outdated. Old. Bed bugs. 1 plug per room.

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After the 7th Pit Stop in the race around the world, 5 Teams remain after The Poker Girls get a bad hand, fold, and get eliminated from the race. The remaining teams include:

The Gay Bros: Dan & Sam
The Globetrotters: Herbert & Nathaniel
The Lovebirds: Meghan & Cheyne
The Dad & Son: Gary & Matt
The Jungle Fevers: Brian and Ericka

The Gay Bros are the 1st to depart to Stockholm, Swedan by plane, then train and finally by ferry to an amusement park, where they will find their next clue. The Lovebirds 2nd to depart, The Globetrotters are 3rd, The Dad & Son 4th, and The Jungle Fevers will be leaving last.

The flights to Stockholm are at 6:55am and 9:25am the next morning. But the airport seems to be deserted and its late in the evening and none of the ticketing counters are open. This is the part of this game that I would hate if I was playing. I can’t deal with the uncertainty of flights etc. Like how could you sleep? The next morning, the first three teams get the first flight, but the last two teams to arrive (The Jungle Fevers and The Dad & Son) have to take the later flight at 9:25am.

Next up is the train, and The Gay Bros and The Love Birds make it onto the first train, with The Globetrotters catching a second train a bit later.

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As everyone knows I am a huge advocate and supporter of The Food Network. Religion really. I worship at the altar of Rachel, Nigella, and Michael. The latter saint, Michael Smith has peaked my interest on something lately that I’ve only briefly looked into before, and that is the concept of the fifth taste.

I was re-familiarized with the concept of taste receptors in my WSET class for wine when we all identified the parts of the tongue that gave us the sensations of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. Michael Smith now though, on two separate shows has mentioned Umami. See, Umami (a.k.a. savoury) is a concept that other cultures in the world have freely accepted, but something that we don’t hear a lot here. I mean sure, we hear about savoury food as in the opposite of sweet am I wrong? Not as in, our body’s innate need for protein. Huh?

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Admittedly, my long time weekend favourite “Saturday Night Live” hasn’t exactly been living up to my expectations of it this year thus far: Gerard Butler was good for the eyes but not exactly the funny bone, Megan Fox filled her dress but not quite the shoes left by last year’s presenters, and Drew Barrymore was about as lack luster as always… Thank god for my girl Taylor though!

Those who know me know that the second this girl comes on the radio I drop everything and become an enamored preteen with all the angst and emo that comes along with it. “Love Story” and “You Belong With Me” basically own my life and I will let anyone know that! So, when I heard that the gorgeous blond was taking over the ambitious task of Host and Musical Guest in one for this Saturday’s SNL episode I was floored. Strongly promoted, people have been waiting for weeks now to see how she and the show would confront the Kanye West debacle, and personally, I think they did a great job.

Click Through to see her Monologue