Via Torontoist, I found this sidewalk traffic ticket you can give to dumbass pedestrians. #2 and #3 are particularly irksome.
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I’m sorry…”Steve“??!?!
[tags]sidewalk traffic ticket, internetslacker, harper and bush sittin’ in a tree[/tags]
Category: Toronto
"And like that…[they're] gone"
The Brits have been seen off back to London. We dropped them at the airport this afternoon after spending the day enjoying Ontario. We wandered around Elora for a while, checking out the gorge and a few shops (including Stÿll, which I think is worth making the trip back for) before jumping in the car and heading to a nearby lake. It wasn’t as impressive as we’d hoped; we just drove along it until we found a spot where we could walk down to the shore. It wasn’t the nicest lake, so we just jumped back in the car (but not before I snagged a chocolate milkshake from a walk-up snack bar) and made for a town. We passed through a little rain — as it turned out, the only rain we encountered; pretty lucky as the forecast had been calling for storms — before reaching Orangeville. We poked our heads into an art gallery, a chocolate shop and a restaurant for lunch (it used to be a pub, or so my pub guide said, but it had been replaced by a restaurant…which I think may have made me sick…anyhoo) before getting back in the car and heading south. We arrived at Pearson in good time, got our guests checked in and on their way, looking for a pub on which to watch the footie match (which Germany lost after Italy scored very late in extra time).
We jumped back into the car once more (after I searched frantically for my Blackberry, which I — whew! — found on the floor) and I fought back post-lunch nausea long enough to return the car to a downtown Hertz, squish onto a subway and get home in time for some prime-time chilling. By the way, I like Toronto a lot less when I have to drive in it.
TimmyD blogged the whole affair on The Plummet Onions. It was great to have them here, great to show them a little more of Toronto, and great to know that it wouldn’t be too much longer before we see them again.
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Recent tidbits:
- Jeph’s indietits have gone too far this time: you do not diss the Godspeed.
- Spacing doesn’t like the new Philosopher’s Walk. I haven’t seen it for myself yet; have to check it out soon. It used to be one of my favourite spots in the city.
- The shortlist is out for the Polaris Music Prize; Like Quinn (from From Blown Speakers, a blog which I’ve only recently encountered) I assume Broken Social Scene will win it, but am pulling for Wolf Parade.
- This tornado touched down not far from where my brother lives. My other brother, that is, not the one who just left…but who’ll be visiting this weekend!
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Finally, I’m sad to say that Ash, the tiny-but-fierce cat and companion to our friends CBGB passed away this weekend. She was ancient and storied, like all great legends. I’ll miss her padding around CBGB’s place, I’ll always smile when I think about how she fell asleep on my lap on the way to Collingwood, and I’ll always laugh when I think about poor Ed having to pick her up with hockey gloves. Hopefully the smiles & laughter will come as easily to CBGB as missing her will.
R.I.P., Ash.
[tags]elora, styll, orangeville, indietits, philosopher’s walk. polaris prize, tornado, ash cat[/tags]
Karate Snoopy
OK, where to begin…just after I wrote that last post England lost to Portugal on penalties. Needless to say, the crowd at the Duke of York was mightily pissed. Still, we soldiered on, determined to enjoy Canada Day. However, our nation’s birthday isn’t quite the event that my brother experienced in Ottawa, so there wasn’t really much to do festivities-wise…we walked down St. George, cut through the U of T campus, walked along College and then down University, had a gawk at the new opera house, walked across Queen to city hall, stopped in the weird little waterfall park off of Richmond, walked across to the condo site, and then strolled down to C’est What for a cold beer and the first half of the France/Brazil match. During halftime we made it back up to our apartment, settled in and watched the second half while Nellie had a nap on the floor.
That night, after a few hours of downtime, we all went to Fieramosca. As usual, it was too much great food; we were all stuffed by the time we left. I had a relatively simple penne with chicken, sundried tomato, zucchini, and asparagus; Nellie had gnocchi and TimmyD has a plate of sausage (which I had a bit of; daaaaaaaaamn) and quail. After much limoncello with the hostess, we walked home.
This morning: no rest for the wicked. We all met at half-ten (that’s what the frickin’ British call 10:30) and hit Eggstacy for some breakfast; we left, more than a little bit stuffed but ready for some shopping. Some shoes, some clothes and some books* later and we’d had about enough of Bloor Street.
After all the shopping we spent a few hours on the patio at the Bishop & Belcher, then collected ourselves at our place before heading out to the Auld Spot for dinner. Once again, I was more than impressed with the food (Nellie liked hers a great deal this time). We left, getting home in time for me to write this, check some feeds and pack for tomorrow.
That’s right, I said pack; we’ve decided to spend a night out of the city. We’re visiting our uncle & aunt near Guelph, and from there we’re going up to Elora for the night. It’ll be nice to see…you know, trees. Etc. I’ll post again when we’re back on Tuesday, at which point our visitors should be jetting back to old blighty.
* TimmyD pointed out a book, based on this website, which is quite possibly the most hilarious thing I have ever seen. We laughing hysterically in the stacks at Indigo, and at home I was actually on the floor laughing as I read it. There are pictures. Nellie says she’s never heard (or seen) me laugh that hard. I understand that some people won’t find it that funny. If you don’t find it funny at all, then I can’t be friends with you anymore.
[tags]england, portugal, u of t, toronto opera house, c’est what, fieramosca, eggstacy, bishop & belcher, auld spot, elora, mnftiu[/tags]
Out of whack
The homeless population of Toronto is about three times the population of the town where I went to school. Crazy.
[tags]homeless[/tags]
"I am not a piece of hash!"
I’m just the tiniest bit sunburned today (due to a less-than-expert application of SPF goodness) after watching the Pride Parade yesterday. CBGB came over and Nellie made us some brunch while we watched England cling to a 1-goal lead to reach the quarter-finals. Afterwards we skipped out to Bloor street to watch the Parade. It was much the same as the other parade we watched: lots of dancing trannies, supersoakers and corporate sponsorship. Nellie’s favourite moment was the Geeks Are Gay Too section, one of whom carried a “Willow & Tara forever” sign. Actually, truth be told her favourite moment was the half-naked firemen, but she totally geeked out when she saw the Buffy reference.
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We also watched two more movies over the weekend, both of which were very good and happened to star Paddy Considine. That was a coincidence though.
In America (imdb | rotten tomatoes) was excellent, a well-worn story (grieving family, new environment, cute kids) that was done so expertly that it felt new. And when I say cute kids, I mean cahyyyyooooote…but not all treacly and showy. Their cuteness actually had something to do with the film, so it worked out. Great acting, uplifting (without being cheesy) story, and well written. Definitely recommended.
Also recommended: 24 Hour Party People (imdb | rotten tomatoes), the story about the rise of the Manchester music scene in the late 70s and early 80s, told from the point of view of Tony Wilson (played by Steve Coogan). I don’t particularly care for music by Joy Division / New Order or the Happy Mondays, but the story’s a great one nonetheless. Just the early scene of the Sex Pistols playing to a crowd of 42, but the impact of that show, and what the attendees would go on to do…it was mildly depressing, since you realize that kind of grassroots music scene just doesn’t happen anymore. These days record executives are waiting in crouch positions with plane tickets and contracts in hand, ready to catch the first flight to whatever city breaks out next, and they own the scene before fans even get into it. Wilson said himself that the only reason the Manchester scene started is because the established radio & TV owners hated punk and new wave, so it grew on its own with a little help from a local TV personality.
I guess we may never see that again. Pity. Then again, if it prevents us from having to listen to anything like “Kinky Afro” ever again, maybe that’s not such a terrible thing.
[tags]pride parade, willow, tara, in america, 24 hour party people, joy division, new order, happy mondays, sex pistols, manchester[/tags]
Spicy!
Whoooeeeeee. I just got some Greg’s ginger ice cream from All The Best…I’ve never had spicy ice cream before. Tastiness, thy name is juxtaposition.
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The Dyke March is getting set to start just down the street from us. The cats apparently do not enjoy music as much as the lesbians. Anyway, we’re getting set to go watch for a bit before the next footie match starts. Gonna have to listen to the music anyway, might as well go see the sights.
[UPDATE] The Dyke March only lasts about 20 minutes, and it’s much less crowded than the Pride Parade (which was good for Nellie, since she’s not often able to see over crowds of any size).
[tags]greg’s ice cream, dyke march, pride toronto[/tags]
T-Bone's on fiyah!!
T-Bone has slain the white whale. She has somehow (I think she has evil South American voodoo running through her veins) gotten us summerlicious reservations at Canoe. And not just Canoe…but Bymark as well. OK, this’ll be our third time at Bymark, but still…she was on fire, no doubt about it. I swear I tried a hundred times yesterday and today. No fire for me.
[tags]summerlicious, canoe, bymark[/tags]
"Children there are breast-fed on such an idea"
As a transplanted Maritimer I find it hilarious when native Torontonians (there are such things, apparently) are surprised to hear that the rest of the country dislikes them. By the way, using broad caricatures like “Maritimer fisherman, artsy Montrealer, Calgarian oil cowboy and Vancouver tree-hugger” probably have something to do with it.
Actually, having lived here for nine years it’s safe to say the rest of the country hates me now too. But at least I’m not surprised by it.
I’ll definitely be seeing this movie.
[tags]toronto, canada, mr. toronto[/tags]
World-class sport, world-class shame
I, like TimmyD, really only care about football when the World Cup or Euro are on, but when it’s on I love it. Toronto turns into a never-ending mobile party (depending on who wins), and I feel no particular anxiety because I haven’t a favourite team. It’s great entertainment.
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Three Guantanamo Bay prisoners commit suicide, and the commanding officer calls it “an act of war”. Let’s get this straight: you invade their country, take them prisoner, deny them their Geneva Convention rights and hold them for as many as four years…and by committing suicide they have committed an act of war against you?
Rear Admiral Harry Harris, you have truly jumped up your own ass.
[tags]fifa, world cup, guantanamo bay, suicide, rear admiral harry harris[/tags]
"I think we can conclude that the Muslim lobby in the U.S. is not as effective as they would like it to be."
How blindingly stupid would you have to be to think that only 1,000 people died in World War II? Jesus.
Anyway, Scott Adams suggests that it would be interesting to make people take a general knowledge test when voting. Nellie’s of the same opinion, but thinks people below a certain score shouldn’t be given a ballot.
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West 8 was announced as the winner of the waterfront redesign contest, so it looks like Toronto’ll be getting a great big maple leaf in our harbour. Nooooooot sure I like that, but any progress is welcome. [from Spacing]
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The Polaris prize: Canada’s answer to the Mercury Prize.
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Asshat see, asshat do. Sorta.
[tags]wwii, west 8, toronto harbourfront, polaris prize, mercury prize, same-sex marriage[/tags]
Skirl | Dan Dickinson 