Biographical aspects: Though fictionalized, I wanted to bring many personal and historical elements together. I was born and raised in downtown Toronto as the son of Chinese immigrants. Though a boy at the time, I have vivid memories of this era—the draft dodgers partying on Baldwin St, my hippie teacher, and the FLQ. I lived on Henry St., and went to Orde St. Public School. Many of the names and personalities of the characters are derivatives of actual people. My father really worked as a chef at Lichee Garden. However my mother couldn’t stand alcohol. I was of course a hockey fanatic who worshipped Dave Keon, and I did mail the Toronto Maple Leafs, forgetting both a stamp and a return address.