For those of you who have eaten in a restaurant with me, or–heaven help you–tried to make me dinner, you know that I have a long list of allergies. Surprise! This is no longer a problem. I went to a Chinese touchy-feely doctor who cured me. I am now “block free”.

It’s a miracle.

Debra Gibson is a Chinese medicine doctor, but she also does Korean hand massage, acupuncture, and a whole list of things I don’t fully understand. I had four sessions where I basically rested on her table while she got me to hold different glass vials. Every once in a while she’d move my arm and I’d have to resist against her. The first session I got a head massage.

I really can’t explain any of the medicine behind what’s happened to me, it’s all auto-magical as far as I’m concerned.

Here’s are the major food I can now experience:

– vinegar (used to be a tough one, no salad dressings, most sauces, pickles, olives … there’s vinegar in many, many things)
– fish (shellfish, salt water, fresh water, all of it.)
– beans, lentils, mushrooms

No more incredible stomach pain, vomiting, feeling like death is knocking on the door, hives, and other unpleasantries. I’m block free. NOTHING HAPPENS!

I started my little experiment of re-introducing foods 12 weeks ago. In the first 6 weeks, I ate all different kinds of mushrooms. I like cremini the best so far but I haven’t eaten all types of mushrooms so I still have lots to discover. I ate chilli with beans. I don’t quite like kidney beans. Sandwiches with mayonnaise. I definitely do not like mayo, although I did have chipotle mayo with some yam fries that were sprinkled with balsamic vinegar. Delicious. By week 7 I had vinegar–so far only balsamic, no white vinegar except in other sauces. I also ate a quarter of a scallop. Nice, firm, ok taste. No throat swelling so I thought that was great. Needless to say, the scallop was the scariest item to try. With fish I have an instant reaction, and not a good one.

Today was the big test. James, Scott and I went to Go Fish. A seafood shack at Fisherman’s Wharf near Granville Island. I had a one piece halibut fish and chips. I think James was more concerned than I was with the first bite. My anxiety has been lowered substantially by my other successful experiments. I also have been able to walk by the fish stands in Granville Island Market without any reaction.

The halibut was great. I tried the tartar sauce with dill. That was good. I tried the malt vinegar. That was ok. Everything now is just a matter of taste. Eating is an overwhelming experience. There are so many new flavours. It’s an explosion in my mouth. Sometimes I’m not sure if I like something or not. I have to try it a couple of times. It’s like being a child again.

2007 is the year of adventure.

Now that I’ve had a chance to speak directly with most of my coworkers and other clients, it’s time to loudly and publicly announce that I am leaving corporate life and joining the growing army of entrepreneurs in my midst.

I will join Work Industries as a partner and owner in mid-January.

Work Industries is an internet consultancy focussed on web strategy, online marketing, content creation, outreach and online community building.

The company was founded by James Sherrett, who has been my sweetheart for 10 years. I’m now committed on both a personal front and a business front.

How’s it all going to work? James and I have worked together before and we’re a good match for each other’s energy and enthusiasm. I’m looking forward to it.

And James says he’s tickled. You can read his announcement here.

So Misguided is my labour of love and books are my passion so stick around because this blog is not going away. You can always contact me here at So Misguided, but if you want to talk shop, I can also be reached at monique at i workindustries dot com. Yes there’s an “i” in there. I work at iWorkIndustries.com

Kate tagged me with the five things meme. Here’s what many of you don’t know:

1. I’m originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
2. I have two masters degrees. One in English and one in Publishing.
3. I wrote the memoir of a WWII vet. He was a commando. It’s called “If Truth Be Told”.
4. I started ballet at the age of 3 and still dance weekly.
5. My alternate career would be clock-maker.

Red rover, red rover, I call over James Sherrett, Travis F. Smith, Siobhan, Stefanie–one of my favourite foodies, and My friend with the tragic right hip.

I got an email about a new online tool for price comparisons. A Froogle for the book biz, it seems.

Here’s the price comparison for James’s book. It looks like it’s a better tool if you live in the US. I don’t see Indigo.ca in the list of retailers, and the majority of the other listings are American based.

A number of studies about the publishing industry indicate that price is a major factor in book buying behaviour. The deep discounts provided by stores like Amazon and Indigo have created a consumer expectation for hardcover books that are under $40, often under $30.

The sad thing is that for the domestic publishing industry, who can’t print huge numbers to bring down the unit cost, consumer expectation is out of line with the actual production costs the publisher incurs to print and distribute the book. The margins in publishing are extremely low so I understand wanting to shop around and get a good price on a book, but I also want to support local stores, and independent stores often charge the full price. I’d rather pay the list price and support a local store than price shop and buy from an American giant.

And if you’re American, where are the independents in this BookPrice list? Where’s Powell’s?