Neighbourhood #17 - West Danforth

This is really going to be a pathetic attempt to summarize a neighbourhood adventure almost 8 months ago.  It was April, I know that it was April.  I think it was April, I think.  Sim and I bundled up and headed out from her place to the nearby West Danforth.  We skipped a few blocks that seemed less than inspiring.  It was just around Pape that we decided to park it and start our walk.

Danforth, Greektown, is not an unfamiliar neighbourhood to me.  I had been on a few different occasions.  Enough to know where I wanted to eat, but not often enough to specifically know any other destinations.  We came across a few really cool interior stores (iQ Living, Moss), and I actually picked up a wooden spoon for my mom, and Sim got something too....I remember her buying something.  There was almost definitely a purchase there....(how am I doing so far??).  We stopped into a used bookstore/music store, but it didn't catch our fancies.  On we walked to Leonidas, an amazing chocolate shop.  Of course sugar was a big NO for Sim so we just looked and drooled and left.

We stopped in for a spectacular meal at Astoria.  We split a plate of fries and a dinner plate and we we both stufffffed.  The servings were huge and the food was delicious.  I would definitely return again.  I recalled the fried cheese from the first trip but it didn't work into our splits, next time I would consider trying that. Across the street we went into a nice cheese shop.  Everything looked super yummy.  I picked up some phyllo dough that I have yet to use (hint hint to myself).  Then it was a stop into Treasure Island Toys were Sim scooped a gift for a friend, and spied on a few possible toys for herself and the little one to be.

Finally our last stop was at a cafe for some coffee and BG.  I got the most amazingly delicious maple latte.  I don't have a note on what the name of the place was, but it was on a corner on the south side of the street, and it was....an Italian Sports bar??  It was a bizarre place, and other than the jaw droppingly good latte, it kind of felt like we were out of place.

And that's all she wrote, about Danforth.  It was one of the more anticipated neighbourhoods for me, but it ended up falling a bit short.  Bloor separates North from South, and creates quite literally a great divide.  All other hoods thus far has been just a bit more quaint, and contained.  But I don't hold that against you Danforth, you're still alright.

Restarting All Over Again

It's Reboot Time!!!  It lines up oddly with Sim sharing a story from Wil Wheaton rebooting his own life, but I had been thinking about my own for a while.  There are a lot of things I want to be doing but I opt for lazing around instead.  I've actually had a really busy summer, and it's time to hunker down for the winter and get some shit in my life in order.  I figured I would start with another 2 or 3 weeks of juicing.  But only for breakfast and lunch.  I've just made up 10 mason jars worth of juice and soup.  It can be slightly annoying how much effort goes into the prep.  At least I'll be good for two days.  We'll see how long I'm able to keep that going.

A summer's worth and no posts to show for it.  I guess the only really amazing news is the new car.  I still love love love it.  More posts to come in the near future.  Including an outstanding neighbourhood write-up.  It has not been forgotten.  Maybe slightly forgotten but hopefully I can do it justice.

I guess in short, I'd like to start my fake new year by doing the following:
1) Finish cleaning my place, and keep it clean.
2) Manage my laundry folding better (a large subsection of part one).
3) Eat healthier.
4) Work out more...or at all.
5) Watch less TV/Netflix
6) Read more.
7) Write more.
8) Play more guitar, and listen to more music.
9) Paint a self portrait and build a house.....just kidding, but maybe knit more.
10) Get back to budgeting.  I've already started over again with my budgeting program with today's receipts.  I feel like I've lost control of my spending.  Not that I ever buy much non-essential stuff, but I need to get a better handle on it all.  I need to focus on building up my savings again, and maybe get back to making more prepayments on the 'gage.

I should track my progress on these ten points and see how I'm doing even a month from now.  Perhaps?  I'm having a follow-up fire inspection on Wednesday to replace my smoke detector.  They are going to charge for it, and I could have replaced it myself but I'm honestly too lazy.  I couldn't be bothered to figure out if it's hardwired or what exactly I would need to screw into the ceiling if I bought a replacement.  For $40 I'll let the fire safety company take care of that.  It's actually a company that we distribute to.  I haven't yet decided if that's weird or awesome.

Doodle-Foo

More doodles and on-the-road journalism.  I take on the tough issues like, omg how much do you LOVE Bill Murray.......ME TOO!!!

And another doodle of Jackie's brother.  I've been meaning to clean it up and send him a copy.

Adventures While On Hold & The Road

On hold with Bell for the second time I got a bit bored.  A crescent inspired a Toad doodle.

And then on the way home....this.  I feel their car decorations a bit schizophrenic.  Including the Jesus Fish, and the Demonic Nissan emblem (somewhat hidden but you can see the horns showing through), and the Transformer?

A Danforth post is in the works.  I'm the worst, I know.

Diary of a 7 Year Old

Thurs, May 24, 1990
Dear Diary,
Today is the day people did skip onthon
i sponsered $1:00 for lois cuase i now her and she is a realy nice person to be with.

Neighbourhood #16 - North Roncesvalles

Ok!  A few months ago Sim and I visited Ronces but decided to cut the neighbourhood in half.  And let me start by saying the Northern half was just as good as the Southern half.  As a whole, it might be just one of the most interesting neighbourhoods in the city!  This has taken me a bit of time to catch up. Because of the rampant increase in local tourism, it has sadly almost become a burden to get in all written up.  But here we are, last one.

There is no good way to get from the East end to the West end, but we settled on cutting through the city on Bloor and away we went.  I always run my navigation decisions by Sim, and she always tells me she doesn't know why I ask her.  I guess I'm just the type to seek approval and affirmations.  Because I'm good enough, smart enough, and gosh darnit, people like me.

We were both hungry, and Sim was in her "food okay" zone, so we immediately gravitated to Sunrise Grill & Crepe.  We actually thought it was Grill & Cafe, but crepe was better, so much better.  It was really quite empty which was disappointing because it was soooooo good.  One of the more enjoyable coffees I've had, in the city (I can't believe I can say that now).  Maybe it was because I accidentally (on purpose) dumped a gallon of cream into it.  No pics, but we split a Berries & Custard crepe and Eggs Benny.  I think there was a twist to the bennies but I forget now!!  They were closing mid-afternoon, so we finished up and moved on.

We stopped into Maggie's Farm, which is this super awesome retro-modern-bohemian-hip kind of a store.  It felt like what I want every store in Kensington to feel like, but even better.  I picked something up that I cannot disclose just yet (secccreetttsssss).  Then it was on to a store called Scout which pretty much had anything you've ever wanted but didn't know you wanted, plus more amazing stuff.  Actually there were a few things they had that I already do have, including the CBC bag pictured above.  And my quote a day book (which I am failing at).  Loved it all, would go back tmrw.

And then it was the first used book store.  I took a bit of time to pick something out.  First of all, I need to kick start my reading.  I've been slacking, lazing, watching endless hours of netflix and not accomplishing anything useful.  I always plan on it, but then couch and pillow, and dozing in and out, etc and so on.  Anyways, picked up a book because I love book stores and I want them to exist forever and ever.  I think the next stop was the other book store where I ended up getting a button that said "Keep Calm and Read On".  I know it's kind of like an over-done over-popularized under-appreciated saying but I love sayings of the Keep Calm and...variety.  I love any good English saying.  When I was going crazy in Calgary at my first job my parents' friend said "Stiff upper lip" to me.  Loooove it.

We swooped into the local Chocolateria, which every neighbourhood seems to have.  Oh yum.  I love a good toffee or turtle like chocolate goodness.  But I resisted, and so did Sim.  She's saving up for the binge.

We almost swung East along Howard over to the Dundas.  But it was freaking cold out, and it was looking doomy and gloomy down that way so we snuck into Coffee And All That Jazz for a latte.  We both got the Maple Latte.  I wasn't a big fan, don't think Sim was writing home about it either, but super cute cafe.  And the obligatory BG match followed.  We were about to start a second when I recommended going home to cuddle with the pups and we folded up and headed out.  We were going to stop and get some cheap ice cream on the way home, but it's a Loblaws there, not a No Frills.  A-durrr.  So much for that business.  I did make a loop before we realized I was wrong.  Then came the long circuitous loopy drive home to explore (re-explore) potential neighbourhoods.

We may have one more weekend before Pips becomes supreme ruler of the H. household.  Maybe one more trip is in the cards before another neighbourhood intermission occurs.

Neighbourhood #15 - Mt Pleasant

I almost labelled this as "aka Davisville", but I'll tell you what.  I think there is more at Yonge and Davis for us to explore so lets mark this down as a separate.  Ironically on our way back from our last neighbourhood (I wonder what tense this is?  Future past?) Sim and I looped through a few hoods.  "Lets check out Davisville" I said enthusiastically.  Maybe we could get some ideas or inspirations for further adventures.  Going up Spadina Rd we turned right at Chaplin and took that past Yonge to Mt Pleasant.  As soon as I saw that intersection I knew we had been there just a few days before.  Which brings me to the present past.  Mt Pleasant adventure time.

It was a pretty gnarly day for me that Friday.  I had just heard news from my Aunt that my Great Aunt was preparing to go into palliative care.  She has since passed, RIP you amazing lady.  I was trying to coordinate with my brother to meet in the East end and travel up to Newmarket one last time.  Mid-afternoon my dad and Aunt called.  She was back to being responsive and they officially brought the warning from fire truck red to a cooler pumpkin orange.  We ended up postponing our visit to the next day.  In my haste there were no photos taken, and very poor record of what we actually got up to.  But here goes nothing.

We grabbed a quick and easy parking spot just North of Davisville on Mt Pleasant.  Our first stop was a cool furniture store, Manderley Fine Furniture.  They had some pretty fancy pieces that caught my eye.  Out of my league for sure but nice.  Sometimes I wonder if stores like that get bothered my a pair of looky-loos, but you never know when a look might turn into a buy.  In my case I'm fairly certain it's never but they don't need to know that.  Next we ducked into a cool shop called Jacaranda Tree & Co.  It's kind of an upscale kitch shop if that's not too much of an oxymoron.  Again I quite liked several things, but to be honest I felt like by the time we walked out the front door I hadn't really given it an honest look.

On we went.  We stopped into a candy store and picked up some Tahiti Treat for Spence.  Also a favourite vintage soda of mine.  Yummity yum yum.  It looks like Crush is coming back with a new berry punch type soda.  A quick stop into a Chocolatier but only to tease ourselves.  Just short of Eglinton we crossed back over and headed South. We toured Mabel's Fables in search of children's books about foxes, but those damn stores always sort by author instead of animabetically.

The last stop was into a cute little cafe called Hillside Cafe (Bakeshop & Delicatessen).  I can't remember if we played BG?  My mind was elsewhere I suppose.  We hurried back to the car before the rush hour traffic kicked in.  Or the ticket ran out.  I can't remember that either....woof.

Sim and I have vowed to return to the Longest Yard when we can have a proper beer and pub meal.  We both just loved the name.  We also skipped my namesake store, Jules Cafe and Patisserie, and a fancy looking gelato shop that would be nice in the summer time.  Looking back, it was a fairly good hood.  One more write-up and we'll be all up to date.

Neighbourhood #14 - The Beaches (West)

And now time for one of the most recognizable neighbourhoods in Toronto, the Beaches!  I remember when I was younger the Beaches felt like they were at the edge of the universe.  One time when I was really young my family was docked at Ashbridge's Bay on my parents' boat.  I had forgot one of my bags of luggage for our vacation.  My dad rode our fold up bike into what felt like oblivion to me at the time, but was really just across to the Coxwell and Lakeshore where he caught some sort of transportation back into Mississauga.  I should thank him again for that, see if he actually remembers.

But down to business.  Sim and I knocked off another neighbourhood.  Once we do Parkdale, Beaches (East end) and I guess West Queen West (almost forgot about that one) we'll be done Queen Street!  So we headed down around lunch time, and the first stop was at Hogtown Smoke.  I think I speak for both Sim and I when I said, "Omg, omg, omg."  That food was some of the best in the city.  Holy smokes!!  I ordered the Brisket Ends, Sim ordered the Pork Belly salad, and we shared a start serving of jalapeno bacon wrapped ricotta (+4 cheese) stuffed poppers.  With a most delicious dipping sauce which I sadly only discovered for my second popper half.  The serving was three, and it was $13, and it was worth every single pennnnyyyy.

Next we stopped into the Nutty Chocolatier.  They have one in Port Credit as well but I've never been inside.  It was a very tempting story.  I laughed when I saw the Cadbury imports from the UK, as they have changed their chocolate recipe and the Canadian/American factories now produce the superior chocolate.  Good luck unloading that inventory now.  I spotted a candy wrapper that made me laugh (below).  Squiiiidgy Goodness. Next we ducked into the Brick Street Bakery.  I picked up some croissants for my mom and I to have on Monday morning.  She had been planning on staying over the following Sunday night.  I exhibited magnificent self control by not eating both of them immediately after arriving home.

We walked for a while with nothing really catching our fancy.  Got some keys cut at the hardware store, which all ended up being busts.  None of the four worked.  What a scam.  Not knowing what lay even further we cut our walk in half and turned back towards Woodbine.   We made a stop at a cute cottagey type store called Seagull.  Did a quick browse around.  They had some nice wood type things.  You know, the things.  We had a cafe in mind to end at, but by the time we got there it was all full (6 window bar seats) and nowhere to play backgammon so we scooted off.  We crossed over Woodbine and carried on for a bit.  Just as we were about to quit I saw a place across the street, "What's Wonderland?" I said.  A cafe!!!  A cafe that was closed though.  The operator was sitting in the window working on his laptop but the cafe was closed.  Tease.  We settled on Dufflets, which although it's a chain they are an awesome chain.  I pounded an orange soda and Sim had a...latte probably.  And she picked up some sweet toffee that fit into her carb regiment.  I kind of regret not taking a bite and I'm quite partial to that kind of candy.  But I was all sweeted out at the moment.

That was it, back to the car and home to the pups.  Another neighbourhood under our belt.  And really something that's turning into a feeling of great accomplishment.  I've been to most neighbourhoods once or twice before.  But Toronto is starting to feel a bit more like home now.  Even if I don't live there.  I should really start doing this in Mississauga as well.

Neighbourhood #13 - The Junction

Once upon a time, when I used to update regularly....

Sim and I have been hard at work, fitting in as many neighbourhoods as possible before Pippa is born.  We have three more under our belt to review and one more coming up tomorrow afternoon.  On the 13th I drove downtown after work and grabbed some street parking and met up with Sim after an afternoon meeting.  Then we scooted across Lakeshore and up Parkside until we entered the magical realm of The Junction.  I've been several times before.  Sonia used to live out that way, and I went there with Adam once or twice.  Went to A Hole In the Wall with his roommate, and met for lunch at the Purple Onion the day my car got towed.  But I digress.

Our first stop was this cute design store called Mjölk.  The name was subtitled with "Nordic Designs & Japenese Handcrafts" and that pretty much describes it to a tee.  Super cute, clean geometric designs.  A few things that looked rather attractive but if I remember correctly was on the pricier side.  On we went to the Beet Cafe where I ordered a chicken wrap, and Sim ordered a "seasonal latte" which turned out to be a regular latte.  We sat and chatted for a while, and then kept it moving.  I think we both agreed the Cafe was definitely worth another visit next time either of us found ourselves in the hood.

I think the Junction is the next up and coming hipster central.  Even more than St Clair West.  Two of the stores we walked into their was a late 20s bearded guy sitting on a laptop 3/4 of the way through the store.  Stopping what he was doing to welcome us to the store, ask if we had been before, and let us know that everything in the store is made from reclaimed local wood, or was Canadian handcrafted wares.  And there were so many awesome gift type items.  Or even items I could see for myself, and for my brother too.  First was Forever Interiors.  Awesomely awesome handcrafted furniture.  We walked passed a delicious looking restaurant called Cut The Cheese.  It would appear all of the menu items are heavy on the cheese.  And even heavier on the deliciousness.  Not on our list of stops this time, but definitely on the list for next time.

We crossed to the North side of Dundas.  I noted to Sim that Keele and Dundas is one of my least favourite driving intersections in Toronto.  Woof it's a dousy, especially if you're turning East onto Dundas coming south on Keele.  I like to sneak down to Annette whenever possible to avoid that situation.  We stopped into a small Antique store that's going out of business, Mr. Antico.  Weird to think that it thrived as a business for so long and is being edged out for whatever reason.  On we went, to one of my new favourite stores, Pandemonium.  A used bookstore, used vinyl, and some other extra little cool gifts.  I picked up a book for my mom I was meant to get at the library for her the next day.  The cost of convenience.

At this point we were in search of a cafe so we could get some BG time in.  We crossed back to the South side and breezed passed Agora Cafe but it was closed.  Then we hit up the absolute coolest store in the neighbourhood Pekota. I actually think all items in that store were handcrafted with my brother in mind.  I might go back at some point to pick up some prezzies.  Having given up on finding another place for coffee Sim and I resigned to the original end point, Gourmeats.  The plan was to get a fine selection of high end beef cuts for Sim Spence and I to feast on.  We didn't find quite what we were looking for, but landed on a combination of hot sausages and sauerkraut.  Yum yum.  We stood in front of this plain store front as we decided how much time was left before our ticket ran out.  How much time, how much time do we have, hmmmm.  And then I looked down at the sandwich board next to us and we were outside a cafe!!  Full Stop!  We both grabbed a decaf and settled down for a match of BG.  Sim finished up one of the games by forfeiting, and when I refused her forfeit she rolled 66 and then 55 and won the game, figures.

I would say this was one of the more successful adventures.  One of the top few for me, for sure.  Two more to go to get caught up, but I'll make sure it happens.

Neighbourhood #12 - Riverside

Here we are, nearing the execution of a new neighbourhood and I have failed to fulfill my blogging obligations for the most recent one.  Yes, Sim and I have still been up to no good.  Lurking around Toronto, being faux tourists.  Snapping photos by famous street signs (Queen & De Grassi).  Generally getting up to no good.  Walking on the wrong side of the side walk, occasionally loitering.  The works.

I have to mention that this neighbourhood was reco'd by Sim, and it was actually quite thrilling for me.  We started the afternoon off w
ith a mad rush for me to find a mail box and a bank for my work deposit.  As soon as we exited the parking lot behind Dangerous Dan's we were confronted with both.  Et voila!

You'll have to forgive me (or not Sim, I'm really sorry), but my memories of this afternoon are slightly foggy.  We stopped into a wicked wares shop called Studio Pazo that had some cute dishes and the like.  We took a pass on a cool looking Chocolate shop called Ambiance Chocolat.  But if we were in the sweet mood it would have been worth a stop for sure.  We hit up this cool design interior store and perused some really fancy looking fabrics.

Then we snapped our De Grassi shots.  I tried using my new phone to get us in the same shot but it was a big time fail.  Then la pièce de résistance, Bonjour Brioche Bakery.  The reason for our visit to Riverside!  Unfortunately, the reason we went was to eat their most delicious croissants which Sim found rated online as the best in Toronto.  And then who goes ahead and can't feast with me??  I won't name names.  We set up shop and played some BG, but they closed at 4pm??  So we were booted out.  This guy came in and ordered a sit down soup at like 3:55.  "Sir, we close in 5 minutes."  "I know, I'll still take the soup, thank you."  Lol ok buddy.

The walk back to the car involved stepping into the Irish Design House, a teeny tiny gallery (framing store) called Dimensions Framing.  Where we met a very-cute-I-can't-remember-the-breed dog.  A store called Empire which I cannot ascertain from the photo what it is.  A little person's store with cute little people things.  A record shop with other little delightful stuffy stuffs up front, and a record section we ignored at the back.  And possible one or two others?? (ducks and hides in shame).

And then it was back to Sim's to cuddle with the pups and probably save the world with Spence.  A Friday well spent.

I'm Not As Think As You Drunk I Am

I haven't been in much of a mood for posting lately.  Perhaps it's a bad idea to let a certain elixir encourage me to return.  But I'm going to go ahead and not listen to the warning signs and proceed.

Ummmmmm.  Life is kind of stressy.  More stressy than I would like.  I've been talking a lot with Dean at work, which has been nice.  It's something that I've realized I was missing.  He's being really honest about what he's going through, which can be really sad.  But I hope that talking about it is helping him, at least a little.  He told me this story today about a time he and his wife went to Niagara and went all out.  Nice hotel room, few hundy in the pocket to play with.  And they kept hitting the jackpots on their dollar slots and walked away at the end of the night with a few thou in their pockets.  I've never gone into a casino allowing myself to play with more than $40.  Maybe I need to add that to my bucket list?

My mom came by for a visit earlier this week.  She came by after a trip to the dentist and we had dinner.  She offered to take us out but I kind of felt like staying in.  I did a slow roast pork in advance for us to feast on.  But I did it the dumb way and cooked it overnight.  I should have cooked it morning to night so we could have had it fresh.  Lesson learned.  It was still yummy.  We had pulled pork tortilla wraps with an veggie salad on the side.  I always cook better when she's around, and then she leaves and I'll have cereal for dinner the next night.  Her dentist mentioned a possible root canal she might need.  Yet he didn't see the need to take an x-ray to confirm.  Yeah, that sounds totally legit.

I don't really have much to say.  I'm wondering if this will be the year I treat myself to something awesome.  But I did just spend over $150 on some new shoes, so that might be it for the next few months.

Ta-taaaaa.

HNY 2015

I found a list of resolutions for lazy slobs online.

1. At some point in 2015, go get that thing you dropped under the bed.
2. Pick a new hobby, do it one, then forget about it forever.
3. Cook one non-terrible meal this year (I would hope so...)
4. Brush your teeth for a little longer than usual.  You can do this.
5. Go outside sometimes.
6. Take the stairs - maybe.
7. Sleep like nobody's watching.
8. Check your voicemail.
9. Go see a doctor about that thing you've been ignoring.  You know, that thing.
10. Change your sheets.
11. Get out of bed after your first alarm.  Just once.  Just to see what it's like.
12. Consider going for a job.  Really consider it.
13. Don't always eat nutella straight out of the jar.  Put it on toast sometimes.
14. Call your poor grandmother.
15. Hang up your clothes.  Just once in the whole year.  Life's not fair.
16. Wash your hair.  You're an embarrassment.
17. Think about how great it would be if you did things.
18. Imagine what it would be like to have your shit together for once in your life.
19. Give up and order pizza.

I think I should be able to manage at least 3 of these this year.  If you already count that I change my sheets regularly.