Dirty Thirthy

Today is my dirty 30.  I just got home from an art show with my mom.  I finally bought my first piece of art.  Or should I clarify and say I finally took my mom up on her offer to buy me a piece of art.  She did the same for my brother.  She morbidly describes it as a gift for us to remember her when she's not with us anymore.  o_O  I'll post details later. 

I almost got smashed as a 3rd party to a car accident.  That kind of woke me up.  Maybe next time I'll listen to my gut and not stop in a no stopping zone.

The screen on the razor just died.  So I'm back to squeezing life into the chunky motorola flip phone.  Not sure what my long term solution is going to be.  Just used it this morning with no issue.  I'm still receiving phone calls, just can't see anything.  And thus can't text.  And thus poo.  I swear I took good care of it Sim...I swears.

Nikki is on her way over to kill time before the shin dig tonight.  I'm putting off doing dishes.  I need to go do those now.  More later.  But not tonight.  Because I won't be coherent.  Or maybe I should post later tonight when I'm not coherent.

Snowed In

I finally got around to doing what I've been dreading all weekend.  Although the roads have cleared up nicely, there is still a portion of the city that still has to deal with the driveways, laneways, and street parking spots that are suffering.  It took me 3 attempts to back in this afternoon after I took it for a defrosting cruise.  I hope we can have a few above zero days so it can keep melting.  I took some before and afters.  It doesn't look so intimidating on film, but I had to shovel out around the entire car to be able to get out.  I almost got snow up to my knees.  And I can still feel the burn in my arms.  But at least it's done for tomorrow.

YUMMY - Thai Coconut Red Curry

Red Curry was a COMPLETE success.  I may have had to use more pans than I would normally want to use.  And right after this shot I poured the veg into the soupy mixture and transferred the chicken to the big fry pan for some breathing room.  And yes I was cooking at 10:24 last night.  My schedule all day was a bit off, and I don't mind a good night time cook.

The prepared meal doesn't look all that interesting, more than just a regular stir fry.  But oh boy it was gooood.  Which is good because I have 3 more servings packed up in my fridge.  Next time I will take the advice of the recipe artist and use more than 1/2 tbsp of the paste, to make it a bit spicier.

http://thai.food.com/recipe/scrumptious-thai-coconut-red-curry-214590

Booja

I've readjusted my morning alarm system.  I used to have my phone vibrate at 6, 6:15 and then ring at 6:30 in case I snoozed the first two.  I found, progressively, that I would ignore the first two alarms and roll out of bed at 6:30 and have barely enough time to get into work.  And after getting in trouble for my roll-in time I've adjusted to the first alarm at 6:10, and then I buzz at 6:20, and then again at 6:45 in case I'm a total failure.  Seems to be working better for me.  Now that only thing that can make me late is getting stuck on a one-laned Eglinton behind someone who thinks 40 is super fast.  You wouldn't want to hear me then.  It's not pretty.

I woke up at today at the first buzz of my phone, all excited to see the results of the super storm.  I was pretty disappointed.  Although the roads were covered in white, they looked drivable.  And although the hwy camera footage scared me as a driver, I had this gut feeling the rest of the office would brave it and make me look like a snow-day glut.  And yes, I'm aware that's not an adjective but it is now.  I emailed our group address saying I didn't want to risk it, and boy am I glad.  In the morning I was more worried about making it out of my driveway safely, and then back in.  The snow started to come down more seriously closer to 7am and here we are at 4:40 and it hasn't stopped yet.  When my boss told me the news reported as much as 50cm of potential snow I said I didn't know there could be that much precipitation in the air.  She said something like she wasn't an effin meteorologist she just reports what she hears.  I might have added that f-bomb because it sounds like something she would have said.

I've been slowly getting a few things done around the house.  I cooked up some bacon and had a bacon & tomato sandwich this morning.  I think maybe the bacon wasn't good anymore.  I took a calculated risk.  I haven't been sick....yet.  Tonight I'm fiiiinally going to make Red Curry Chicken.  I picked up the red curry paste ages ago, but I couldn't for the life of me find coconut milk at my grocery store.  A few weeks ago I spotted it.  Last week I looked up a recipe, and last night as the storm was setting in I finally picked up the last of the ingredients I need.  The recipe calls for bamboo shoots.  Which if I recall properly is my favourite ingredient in hot and sour soup.  Now that I'm opening a tin I might try to make both this week (if I ever get out of here).  I told Adam it was time to get my pot back so I could make some soup.  I'd use the one I have but soup usually calls for simmering with the lid on, and since I exploded that lid ages ago, I haven't done any mass simmering since.  I was hoping to get down to the Cherry Beach T&T to pick up the various required Chinese mushrooms.  And I might stop by my mom's house to pick up small amounts of things I don't want to buy the entire bottle.  Peanut oil?  When would I ever use that again....a-never.

The snow on the ledge outside my window is piling up so high, soon I'm going to be trapped.  Not literally but it feels like a bit of a prison.  If I predict correctly, and I'm usually right, my landlord won't shovel and I'll be stuck stomping through feet of snow when it's finally time to escape this house.  The only time he does shovel is when all that's left is mounds of unsalted ice, and it would have been easier to walk on 2cm of snow.  Idiot.

Speaking of, I'm going to get pre-approved for a mortgage before the end of the month.  I can't stand living here any longer, and it doesn't make much sense to pay $1400 a month for a place I can mortgage for 11 or 12.  Since I'm not much into high rises there's not much available for but pretty basements or over-priced condos. Condos that won't fit two couches in the living room.  Thanks but no thanks.  I'm not going to have much of a budget.  I'm not approved for much more than a hole in the wall, and that's if I'm in Mississauga.  I looked at the floor plan for a nice sized placed being built in my hood and it's like $450K or something ridiculous.  Pipe dream.  I've always had enough money for whatever I've wanted, but I guess that's because I've never really wanted anything.  And now I do.  And it sucks.  But I just need to keep looking and hope I find a little gem somewhere.  Until then the assholes downstairs can listen to me slam doors and walk on my heels for the first time in 3 years.  I felt evil as I admitted to my mom that I hope they come to be as miserable as I am.  It's sad but true.  I actually had a dream last night that he shouted up the stairs for me to shut up, and then I shouted back that they had to shut up first.  And he acknowledged that they were wrong.  Lol.  Dreams really do reflect your daily thoughts.  I wonder where the really messed up and obscure ones come from.  Dr. Sim?  Any thoughts?

I haven't been up to much.  I'm trying to read more.  My 3rd annual January long-read was a bust, but I'm hoping to catch up.  Build up some momentum with some smaller books and then dig into a big juicy one.  I finally stopped using my stationary bike as a clothes rack and have started using it again.  Maybe twice a week, but I'm hoping to increase that.  I knit every once in a while working on my scarf but it's not really getting anywhere significant.  I'm still on the first ball of each colour.  I need to find out how to get my hands on a 3rd ball of each colour, since last time it was the last mustard alpaca at the store.  I might try my local at some point.

I haven't been blogging much lately.  I told Sim writing in my daily quote book (which I did go out straight away in the new year and picked up), it helps takes my mind off of things and I don't feel the same need to write here anymore.  I have about 5-6 days that I haven't written anything.  Not much of a chance of me going back and remembering anything of note so I might just make something up, or try to find an interesting line online.  It's fun, but I think the most fun will be next year when you get a year-over-year comparison for each day.  And then a triple comparison the next year, and so on.

One last thing.  Dana, I came across a really cool quilting website.  This woman's designs are really fresh.  If I had any inclination or skill in sewing this might have piqued my interest.

http://canadianabroad-susan.blogspot.ca/

If I could manage to stop watching back to back to back episodes of How I Met Your Mother I might actually get some stuff done around here.

Julie out.

S-M-R-T

So I started the day with a really stupid email conversation with Sim and Spence.  Definitely worse than spelling marshmallow incorrectly during a game of Balderdash.

~~~~~~~~~~~
Julie:
I just typoed a new word.  Requestion.  Now it just needs a defition.

 

If I had taken two words that meant the same thing and combined them to mean a third word that means the same thing I could be just like Sarah Palin.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sim:

lmao great sarah palin line!

I think requestion is a word... as in... "your honour, I'd like to requestion the witness as new evidence has emerged"

eh? eh?

~~~~~~~~~~~

Julie:

oh yeah. maybe it is a word. I was reading it like, reh-question, as a typo from requested.

I haven't had my coffee yet. I shouldn't speak until I have my coffee.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sim:

This is getting better and better.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spencer:

Julie,

Despite not having had your coffee, I note the clever test of irony you put in your first message by misspelling "definition." Well-played.

:D

~~~~~~~~~~~

Julie: 

You passed what was OBVIOUSLY a test.

 

I think it's about time for a early afternoon shame cry.  If you'll excuse me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Julie:

AN EARLY

 

**Expletive**

~~~~~~~~~~~

Spencer:

Omg lol. I don't know if I can keep up with these tests...

Can I skip the final exam?  

~~~~~~~~~~~

Julie:

You pass, you all pass.  I'm going home.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sim:

I nominate this to be the thread of the month.

Baby says whaaaat?

Now, to end the year with a party or a quiet night in.  I still have about an hour to decide.  HNY!

Peace out 2012

Another year is coming to an end.  It feels like my year only really began in September when I finally got a job.  It definitely changes everything.  I feel like I haven`t done anything exciting since my Autumn 2010 trip out East.  Probably mostly because there was no money.  But now there issss money.  I`ve always wanted to drive up to Cochrane and take the Polar Bear Express up to Moosonee / Moose Factory.  Maybe that'll be something to do this summer.

Christmas was good.  I drove to my parents' on the 24th and stayed over until late on the 25th.  My mom and I have a new tradition of doing the Globe and Mail super crossword.  Unfortunately since they were out of the country when it was issued their G&M was cancelled so we didn't get it.  So I went online and found their PDF version.  The squares are maybe slightly larger than 2mm each way.  I felt like I should have had a diamond magnifiers on my eye as I entered our answers.  We still haven't gotten through all of the hints yet.  I went through by myself and added all of the obvious ones. and we're slowly working our way through the rest.  I think we're still on Across, but what can you do. This is our third year working on it over Christmas, and it is actually something I look forward to each year.  It's funny that working on it with my mom somehow inspires my genius.  I can be completely stumped and have NO idea on a clue and then I'll ask her and 2 second later blurt out the answer myself.  Hamelin's rat remover (4,5)  I'm like, "Who the eff is Hamelin.  What?  What could this possibly be???  Mooom, what's Hamelin's rat remover, 4 letters and 5 letters........nm, it's Pied Piper."

I went to Georgetown with the fam to visit my cousin's family and her new baby.  Holy moly is that baby cute.  And sooo well behaved.  I'm so awkward holding babies.  I don't know how to pick them up, or set them on my knee, it's just all so foreign.  She sat with me for a while but then squirmed away.  Photo op:

PS to that thought, I gave my cousin the little baby hat, nervous out of my mind that she'd think it was  a sub-par gift (I didn't have the needles small enough to do it on the round so I had an ugly stitch crease running up the back).  It was still cute, and they loved it!

I went to Oakville last night for a birthday party.  Sorry Jackie lol.  You really set me up well to steal your friends should you ever depart Ontario.  I miss you more and most of all whenever I see them.  First I stopped off at the Queensway to see Django Unchained with Adam and a friend of his that is visiting from NY.  I don't think my mouth has ever gaped as much before during a movie.  For some people it's the in your face eye gauging that brings them out to a Tarantino movie.  For me, he can write a script like no other.  I think perhaps he's made his more recent work more accessible.  I loved Inglorious Basterds and Django was a masterpiece.  If he could just tone down the super-violence he'd rocket into my top 10.  On top of the gaping I averted my eyes several times.  Yikey.  After that I stopped by Chapters to return the first book I ever ordered online as I ordered it in FRENCH, go me.  Seems the hardcover was the only EN option, so when I opted for paperback hidden in the details page was the comment it was French.  I should have known something was wrong when the cover photo wasn't available.  I took a stroll through their paper section, because I'm a sucker for their stuff.  I was tempted by a scrabble magnet kit, but taking a feel of what was inside it was just magnet sheet squares which would be hard to arrange and rearrange.  I should get a set from Good Will or something and magnetize them, a la Michaels.  Note to self.  I saw this neat journal type book that was a calendar of thoughts for 5 years.  There were just 365 day pages, but each page was split into 5 blocks.  So you go through a year and each day you write down one comment.  Maybe a funny quote you heard, or a funny thought you had, or anything really.  I thought it was super cute, but I walked away.  And now it's all I can think about.  Yes, I could make one myself, but this is already bound and laid out nicely.  I need to get back there before or close to Jan 1.  My first entry is going to be a retrospective entry from the first moment Adam and I exchanged words after seeing Django.  After almost 3 hrs of seeing bodies exploding with bullet wounds, and listening to a hard (but brilliant) script that threw the realities of slavery in your face with atrocious acts of torture, he looked at me and said, "Tarantino got fat."  Priceless.

Houndstooth Update

I'm less than 5% into this scarf. It is definitely going to take me a while.  Thought I would post a progress shot.  Which also means, I found my charger!!!  The colour of blue in this photo is all wrong but the lighting by my desk is medieval so I'm not surprised.  It's actually a really rich dark turqouise.

I'm so tired.  I've had back to back nights of dinners out which turned into night owl events.  I'm just about off to bed right now but wanted to throw this up here first.  I've got volunteering tomorrow, shopping on Saturday, chauffeuring my parents on Sunday (and taking a power nap).  Then the following week I'll be house sitting in Port Credit.  I'm going to  hop down to Turtle Books some time before they close for good at the end of the month.  I need to get my emissions test.  I'm worried but fingers crossed it should be ok.

I definitely need to take some time soon to recharge or I'm going to fizzle out.  Laters.

Mustard Green Onion Potatoes

I made something very yummy the other day.  I had some potatoes and some green onions, and googled such and came up with this:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/mustard-green-onion-potato-salad-recipe/index.html

And I felt so proud that I had almost all of the remaining ingredients on hand!

In case the link breaks in the future:

Ingredients

• 3 pounds new potatoes, boiled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons whole grain mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Place the warm potatoes and green onions in a large bowl. Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustards, garlic, vinegar and parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the dressing to the potatoes and carefully mix until combined.

Snowmen & Mittens

I went up North with my mom last Saturday.  She came and picked me up at 9am and we headed up the 35/115 towards Bobcaygeon way.  The funeral home which held her parents' funeral 5 years ago has an annual winter remembrance celebration, for anyone that has lost a loved one.  A group of ladies knit a bunch of tiny mittens, and the funeral home decks out their hall with over a hundred snowmen, and it's called the Snowmen & Mittens celebration.  Before hand we stopped at Bigley's shoe store.  I needed some shoes and my mom wanted to chat with some ladies that used to take care of her mom.  It was just a really nice trip.  On the way up we saw the cooooolest sheep farm.  And for whatever reason the entire lot of sheep were all lined up, stretching across a huge field.  On the way back they were spread everywhere, so perhaps it was just a moment in time.  Might never know.  Anyways, I wanted to share a photo of the totally boss shoes I bought.  My mom didn't like them but I luuuurve them.

After work today I stopped by my volunteering to pick up some envelopes to stuff at home.  I was going to ask for 400, but looks like I'm stuck with 1000.  But I have all weekend to get it done.

I've been working on a scarf using some yarn I originally bought to crochet with.  May never use the scarf, but it has been good to practice my stitches.  I wish I could manage continental.  My mom told me that's what her mom used to do, but I'm stuck with the slow English style.

In other news my laptop has been fixed.  HURRAY!  I'm still on the whole sleep deprived but working through it.  Not much else is new.  Going to Sim's for a stitch-n-bitch tomorrow.  Should be fun.  Then I have a ticket to the one of a kind show.  I'm going to sneak off for the late hours tomorrow night.

Time to get stuffin.

Neighbourhood #6: Kensington Market

AKA the triumphant return of neighbourhood adventures, AKA is it about my cube?

I got an enticing email from Sim on Thursday proposing we get back into it and do another neighbourhood.  I almost took a pass because I was near zombie tired, but I really wanted to see Sim and also get back on the neighbourhood train.  The once a month business fell flat fairly quickly.  And I also must say I think it's time we branch out a bit from the downtown core, maybe with a little Junction or Davisville next time.  At any rate this time around it was Kensington Market.  I think the market is a place all Torontonians and GTAers have been to at least once in their life.  I think the market holds on to what Queen St used to be like in the 70s.  I remember visiting Kensington for the first time when I was 14 or 15 and thinking - so this is what being cool is like.

We didn't have much time before the sun would set, but as it was looking like the last decently warm day of the season, Sim and I took to the streets.  We met up at Lettuce Knit on Nassau.  As Sim has provided some motivation to get into knitting, already being somewhat intro crafts I fell right into it.  I've yet to successfully create any pieces, but I've been having fun experimenting with stitches and such.  I picked up a nice mustard and dark blue yarn to attempt my houndstooth.  Between Ravelry and youtube I think I might be able to pull it off.  Sim picked up the perfect ball of black.  The kind woman working at the store wrapped our yarn for us, using some in-house equipment.  She said it was easy to do, but without that wooden umbrella and spooling mechanism, I have a feeling it might be slightly tricky to do at home.  But she said to feel free to come in to have it done there any time.  It was a pretty small spot, but had a really great atmosphere.  One for the books.

After that we headed North up Augusta to check out some boutiquey stores.  First The Blue Banana, followed by the Good Egg.  Not much to write home about from the Blue Banana, but I did very much like the Good Egg.  Lots of cute kitcheny items, and an interesting selection of books.  After that we decided it was time to get a drink.  So back down to Nassau we went to grab a pint at Ronnie's Local 069.  I normally would keep better track of what we drank and if we liked it.  My pint was a Stratford Amber with a weird baby doll head on the tap.  It was alright, but a bit punchy for me.  I think Sim got the Erdinger wheat, but I stopped paying attention after she said wheat beer.  The pub was really cute with an almost hidden back room.  Not really hidden but I didn't see it at first, so I'm going to pretend like it was hidden to make myself feel better.  It was totally hidden.  We sat for a bit while I milked my pint.  Finally wrapped it off in search for some good eats.

We walked back up Augusta (not covering very much ground on this trip I'm realizing) to El Trompo.  We both got the specialty burritos, which I failed to write the name down.  Mine of course was ordered without Coriander so they could be consumed.  We also ordered a bowl of guac to go with our chips.  It was supremely yummy.  About half way through the wraps I thought of adding guac to them, and it was decidely an awesome idea.  Dinner was a success.

Although we didn't cover much ground in the Market, walking around Augusta and Nassau took me away from the original Baldwin and Kensington intersection that has dominated my understanding of what the market has to offer.  Slowly over the years I've added to my Kensington repertoire by visiting Last Temptation, The Boat, Wanda's Pie in the Sky, and most recently The Supermarket.  For such a small stretch of real estate there surely is a ton to do.  And even after this adventure, I went home feeling a little bit cooler.

Beaucoup De Vie

This is my first successful knitting venture.  Sim taught me to knit and purl, and I took some yarn leftover from my crochet venture and pulled this out.  It has no form or use but was a good test.  I failed miserably at the European stitch so I tried out the English stitch and it suits me very well.  I'm actually going to pick up some new yarn, and possibly a pattern to do a houndstooth scarf.  Should be interesting.

I went to see my parents again to celebrate their 40th.  I wanted to get them something ruby related, but instead opted to bake them some cupcakes.  I found a yummy looking red velvet recipe online and gave it a crack.  I think the end result was pretty alright.  I don't bake often, so it was fun.  It was the first time in a long time both my brother and I remembered and came together to celebrate with them.  I also swung by Port Credit on Wednesday to help me mom drop some books off at the local second hand store.  My dad was pressuring her to just trash them, but she put her foot down.  But she couldn't put her foot down alone she needed someone to do the heavy lifting.  When the bookstore only took a handful of books we went next door to the library they said they'd take another box.  And from there my mom has left them out at the side of the road and said they have slowly been picked at.  They also put out a turn of the century cradle.  I'm trying to remember correctly, but I think my great grandma was rocked to sleep in that cradle.  Feels weird to think that we just gave away all of that history, but I don't have any room or use for it.

I just got back from a nice dinner with Ausma on Queen W.  We went to Chococrepe.  Unfortunately my first two choices for crepes were unavailable, so I went for the Pesto.  I wasn't floored with the food, but the hot chocolates were delish.  They darn well better be for $6.  Good thing Ausma had a coupon for a crepe+hot chocolate for $10.  They were only going to let us use one coupon until she had to come back for a second time to tell me my second choice wasn't available.  I shouldn't even complain since Ausma picked up the tab.  She just got back from an awesome sounding trip to New York and DC.  My brother also went to NY recently for a long weekend.  He was telling our family a funny story from that trip.  He was taking a morning walk, I think through Harlem or Spanish Harlem and this car pulls up next to him and this guy says (in your best Joe Pesci voice) "Hey, hey you, put your money away."  Not knowing the guy was even talking to him he kept on, when the guy repeated himself, "Hey, hey, put your money away."  My brother looked down and he had a bill poking out of the top of his pocket.  And he looked back up to the guy in the car who repeated one last time time, "Your money, put it away."  Only in NY?  I love it.

I'm going up to Bobcaygeon with my mom on the weekend.  The parlour that hosted her parents' funeral holds an annual remembrance event.  I haven't been yet but thought I would keep my mom the company.  With my coworker going through some family health event it's bringing up some sad memories.  Even hearing the words palliative care just breaks my heart.

I just found out tonight that someone I know in connection to my volunteering took their life last week.  We only met a few times, but it's still extremely sad.  I don't think it's fully hit me yet.  The director there extended an offer of grief counseling, but I think that will be more important for the people that work there every day. So so sad.

On that unhappy note, I'm off.

Hidden Christmas Gem

While reviewing an old Christmas photo, I came across this gem of an ornament.  Oh hai there dad.

Overheard at Work #3

Sometimes when I'm not paying attention at work out of nowhere I'll hear something like:

"F***** sounds f***** like a f***** Vietnam f***** hitman."

And I don't even bother asking.  They've already apologized in advance for any swearing.

Still Happening As We Speak

I finally got my signed Hip CD off of Adam, and I've been jamming to it in my car on the way to work all this past week.  When Adam handed it to Downie he said, "And who is thiiis for?"  And Adam said, "My sad friend that couldn't make it today."  And Downie just looked back up and said, "No, what's the name?"  So he wrote "Julie's Blues" and they all signed around that.  Love love love.  At first listen I wasn't sure how taken I was, but that happens for me since I already have a hundred thousand favourites of theirs on my must-listen list.  But now I'm quite endeared to several of the new songs.  I actually just had a radio-hip spotting on Bloor this evening.  I swung by Adam's new place to drop off my level and pick up some brooms I had lent him and a passing car was jamming to either their CD or a song on the radio.  Either way it always fills my cockles with joy when I hear someone enjoying their sweet tunes.  Maybe in the sub-cockle region, or the liver, I'm not sure.

I got a nice surprise at work the other day.  My boss came around and passed out gas cards to everyone for having a great month.  $100.  They are just the bomb-diggity.  No other way to explain it.  I think I also bring a certain new fresh dynamic to the office which has had the same 4 employees for the past 10 years.  For example, today this guy calls me to his desk and says, "Look, when I try to open a link from an email it gives me an error."  So I went back to my desk and googled the error and found a microsoft support webpage with a fix on it.  Sent the guy the link, he loaded the fix, rebooted and voila.  It was actually funny, when he went to test it out I rejoiced when it actually worked, and as I turned to walk away he said, "It's not working, it took me back to the fix page."  And I turned around confused for just half a second and then said, "That's because that's the link in the email you just tested."  Cheers all around.  He said he had been trying to get that fixed for a while but everyone else just said they didn't know.  Score one me.

I put my snow tires on today.  After a strange non-drug-induced moment of insanity when I thought the roads were covered in snow (don't ask), I thought it was a sign to get prepared.  So I asked the guys at work how much I should be paying per tire, as to ensure I wasn't going to get ripped off.  Then one guy mentioned that a neigbouring business does tires and we get neighbour-pricing.  He called them for me to make sure it still applied, and when he said my winters had rims I found out it was just $29.99 for the whole shebang, not per tire.  Since they have been switched off once and switched back on once, the rims have already paid for themselves.  They are massively heavy, since I have R17 sized tires, but still worth it.  And then they said once I got them switched to bring them to the back and they'd store them in the warehouse for me.  I backed my car up to the loading dock, my coworker heaved them up onto a forklift, and I walked back to the front and they took care of the rest for me.  No more rolling them up and down my parents' damn driveway.

I went to see my parents earlier this week.  To check in my mom and I offered to rake the leaves since I don't think either of them should take on the physical challenge.  My dad had already done the front once, and also cleared out the back.  I told him to sit tight and I'd take care of it this time.  He insisted he would help me.  I refused.  He insisted.  And gosh darnit am I happy he's more stubborn than I am.  Half way through both of us working on the front lawn I took a little sit down break.  By the end of it my arms didn't want to lift anymore. I don't know how I used to manage on my own.  Between that and my giant moving-fail with Adam I think I need to focus on getting in to some sort of acceptable shape.  I was going to say better shape than a Sloth, but even a sloth is in better shape than me.  Then I stayed for a really nice roast and a tea by the fireplace.  My parents are planning on moving very soon, so I should take advantage of that house before it's gone.  My dad said to me, "Would you disown us if we moved to Cobourg?"  I just looked at him and said, "No dad, of course I wouldn't.......because I'm already going to disown you as soon as you sell this house."  I'll miss that place for sure.  Since I first left I've lived in six different places, but for 25 years it was always a place I could call home.  For them too, it's the place they've both lived the longest.  I said to them I was almost happy that it's going to be torn down so a monster mansion can be built in its place, because I wouldn't want to think about anyone else living there.  Our old house in Toronto was eventually torn down to make way for a new home as well.  And the house they had before that was on a Toronto renovation show.  I can't remember which one, one of those take this house and sell it shows.  No one is satisfied with used anymore.  We were reminiscing about all the improvements they made themselves on the house.  The back patio used to be this stone monstrosity that tilted on an angle back towards the house and it would be a total nightmare when it rained.  And there was this awful awful porch cover that jutted out from the roof that looked like yellow translucent corrugated hot mess.  If I get torn up when I have to junk a car I've only driven for 6 years, I imagine this is going to be much worse.  Cross that bridge when we come to it.  And my mom is doing great, for the record.  She still has a build up of embarrassing surgery gas which is slowly working its way out.  Otherwise, thumbs up.

After dinner I sat down at my mom's electric keyboard and tried to play Moonlight Sonata.  I used to be able to play the first two pages no problem, eleven hundred years ago.  It was not great, but there's potential there.  It's a really hard piece to sight read because half of the notes fall outside of the normal staff and I was also having trouble remembering to play all the sharps (C# minor).  The fourth sharp is D, D, D Julie, D#.

I'm tired.  I wrote about 400 words for Nanowrimo a few days ago and then stopped.  I'm also halfway through re-reading The Great Gatsby and I want to finish that soon.  It's one of my favourite books.  I lent it out in Calgary and never recouped it before I moved back home.  But I got a new personal copy at BMV the other day for like $3.99.  But I do need to focus on finishing things I start, was my point.  Speaking of, I think I should wrap this up now then.  Full stop.

You Don't Know Me As A Whole Person

I have once again proven to myself how incredibly week I am.  I helped Adam tonight moving a few small pieces that require two people to carry.  He's hoping to finish the single person items tomorrow so when his reinforcements show up in the afternoon it will just be a few key pieces.  So tonight we moved his tv and his keyboard.  He's moving into a cool third story walk up near Christie Pits.  I approve, for the record.  After the tv I was already feeling weak.  Adam carried the keyboard alone and all I had to carry was the keyboard stand and the fold-up stool.  By the time we got from the car to his front door I needed a break.  I told Adam to go up ahead knowing I was going to struggle.  At about 1 1/2 flights I took another break, and only half a flight from the top I asked Adam to come back and take one of the pieces.  I literally couldn't lift both at once!!!  Oh boy.  He's big and strong so he'll be able to handle the rest of it tomorrow alone.

He told me the most hilarious story the other night.  I've lost a bit of the context but a driver exiting a commercial parking lot got pissed at him and honked and then gave him the finger as she drove off.  And he leaned out his window and yelled, "You don't know me as a whole person!"  I just died.  I almost couldn't breathe for 5 seconds and then laughed for a good minute.  Good times.  We've also taken to adding "total bonus important" to things we talk about.  The cherry danish became "Total bonus cherry danish important.  And commenting on the amount of snow Calgary has gotten became "Total bonus big time snow important."  Or as a shortened version, TBBTSI.

I made a big mistake today.  I wanted to use up an egg that I'd had for a while.  I thought it would be ok.  And even though I was using it raw in a salad dressing I paid no heed to my own apprehensions and went ahead and used it.  What I did pay for was that decision.

My mom is having a surgery tomorrow.  So I'll be thinking of her in the morning.  And then my brother and I are going to go see her afterwards with our dad.  I've never been put under, so I don't understand the stress that comes with that.  I can only hope everything works out alright.  More like delude myself into thinking nothing could possibly go wrong, and carry on as usual.

Work is good.  I'm slowly getting used to getting up at 6:15.  Though I often push it to 6:30.  I love my half Fridays, and pretty much everything else.

I just emailed Sim about Nanowrimo.  I think I might actually try this.  I'm not a writer, but I think it would be an interesting challenge.  I may just get stuck at the creative part, ie. the beginning, but I will at least give it a go.

Time for bed

Le fin.

Little Face Mitt

This might be the funniest Mitt prank I've seen all election.
http://littlefacemitt.tumblr.com/

Lazy Girl Falls Off Chair While Reaching For Food

Today we catch up with Julie, who in attempt to grab her lunch bag from a seated position, fell to the ground with the chair still wrapped around her.

"I thought I'd be able to reach the bag no problem," Julie responded in defense of her fall.  "I swear it was just within my reach."  She admits with reservation that she came dangerously close to face planting, all for the sake of a mid-morning snack.

When asked if she would attempt another seated-pick-up Julie just laughed and yes, yes she would.  And she wouldn't be surprised if she continues to fall on her face on a semi-regular basis.

-Dissociated Press-

Overheard at Work #2

I was talking to my boss today and a few funny things came up.  The second of which I actually started laughing and couldn't stop for almost 30 seconds.

Boss: I saw that singer on the National on Sunday
Me: Gord Downie, I saw that too.
Boss: I couldn't understand a fucking word he was saying.

And in reference to someone messing up her tax payments;
Boss: ...I would commit harikari.

Gooood times.

12 Mile Lake Thanksgiving Getaway

Some shots from the weekend:

 The new fireplace.  It kept us warm as long as it was going.

The driveway was a mosaic of autumn colours.  I took another photo and made a puzzle out of it.  - http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/D715D4D106E?z=0

My dad's old hang out, in his hay-day.

I call it Church beach but clearly I'm wrong.  It's also not on Church Rd which I also call it.  This is the beach I will forever remember being stranded on with my canoe when I ended up walking home waist deep around the shoreline.

Once Upon a Midnight Dreary

My mom has for a long time been offering to buy me a piece of original art.  She morbidly says it'll be for me to remember her by.  We've been to many art shows and galleries together looking around for just the right piece.  I've come close a few times, but this past weekend I finally found what will be part one of my deadly gifts.

It's actually a crow and not a raven.  I guessed wrong, but was corrected by the artist.  We picked it up going on the Haliburton Artisan tour that takes place over the Thanksgiving weekend.  My brother picked up a lady holding a glass, and last year my parents got a three little birdies on a post that goes in the garden.  So that's probably it for us buying from him but it's been well worth it.  The artist is clearly massively talented.  I don't quite have the right spot for this fella' in my current space, but he will eventually find his proper home.  I still have some funds left over to get a painting when I find the right one.

Overheard at Work #1

I have a feeling I am going to have several of these moments in the near future:

Guy 1: *ranting about the NHL lockout*
Guy 2:  Fuck sports, fuck the media, fuck the gov't, fuck everything!
Guy 3: That's it guys, we're going off the grid.

My Music @ Work

I'm extremely grateful Adam got me off my butt and down to the free Hip show last night.  They are still going on today and tomorrow at the Supermarket in Kensington.  I do hate waiting in line for anything, but for them I will make an exception.  Love, love, love.

G10 Fantastico

Let it not be said I've given up on adding photos to posts.  I cleaned my car today.  It was a lot dirtier than I had originally thought.  I was unable to get the sap off my windshield, that shall require a second go.  While I was out back I took a quick snap of the most unused garage in Toronto.    It has been a learning experience having to use a back alley way for parking.  Sometimes it's nice, sometimes sucks hard.  I wish I had this nice big spot to pull into and not worry about a having someone park so close I can only access the car through the back passenger door.  But I digress.  Plenty more photos to come, hopefully.

The Long and Overdue Post

Not a whole heck of a lot has changed since I updated last, except I am now gainfully employed!! I've never wanted anything given to me without me having to try, but my dad set me up with a sweet offer with a wicked recommendation such that they couldn't refuse offering me the job. I work at a company that imports and distributes fire safety equipment (what whaaat). My hours are 7:30-3:30 with Friday afternoons off. I spend most of my spare time these days sleeping to catch up on what little sleep I get each night. Though I am getting better and going to bed at a reasonable time. I'm being trained to take over multiple responsibilities relating to the financial side of the business. Money in, money out, give me money now, you pay now, etc. It's a teeny tiny company, with just 5 other employees, and so far I love it. I actually thought I would die waking up at 6am every morning. Week one was a complete success. Week 2 I faltered to snoozing until 6:30, but this week I've been back on track so far. A huge huge huge huge huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can spend money again, on things I've wanted for a while but have had to do without. I finally got a replacement antenna for my tv and it's total sick-boss-wicked. I just need to mount it on the wall and it picks up like 10+ channels. Not bad for NoBlo.

So what else did I buy. I just bought a new camera off of Sim for a ridiculously good price. I've been meaning to take it out and take some photos, but I've been le-tired. I went to Shoppers and dropped like 2 fiddies on stuff I wanted. Actually most of it was stuff I needed but I picked up some Veet waxing strips. OMG, awesome. They hurt like a mother, and my legs went bright red and itched like an expletive, but the end result was fantastic. Of course I missed some spots cause I'm a buffoon, but next time I get all the hairs! I tend to let myself go for about 9 out of 12 months when I can wear pants and not be judged, but maybe this way is better. Actually I'm pretty sure it is better.

I was just watching The Girl That Player With Fire on Netflix. I kind of stopped half way through. As good as the movies are they make my stomach churn in a really uncomfortable and unnecessary fashion. Rape and torture are really just disgusting, and they aren't even alluded to, it's flat out in your face sexual abuse and physical assault. BARF. Next.

I've been sick for a few weeks now. I don't really want to admit it but I've been feeling worse lately and not better. So hopefully that is about to change, fingers crossed.

OH, and how could I forget, I've been summoned for jury duty. Great timing gov't. I've been sitting on my ass doing nothing for months dying for income and as soon as I get a job you summon me away. I'm hoping that because they had my address wrong I won't qualify for the pool they are pulling for. Here's hoping.

And lastly, a moment of silence for the old blogger layout format thing.

Ciaos.

AMAZING!!!

Straight from Newfoundland. Thank you Adam!

Book Review: Baghdad Express

Baghdad Express, by Joel Turnipseed, was the first Gulf War Memoir I've read. There seem to be mixed reviews. I enjoyed this book. I didn't love it, but it was a solidly acceptable read. I'm not really selling it am I? Joel provided a really interesting perspective to the war. As a part of the Sixth Motor Transport Battalion Turnipseed wasn't in a heavy combat zone and admits to struggling with being considered a hero. The story follows his journey from the US to Saudi Arabia and back to the US. His keen interest in philosophy has his nicknamed Professor, and he adds snippets from philosophy texts he spends most of his spare time reading.

If I took anything from this book, I think I finally understand the ending to Full Metal Jacket. Perhaps there's no connection, but I have a feeling there's a link.

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream

I'm exhausted. I just want to put my head down and sleep, and not be soaked in sweat in a matter of seconds. Without my fan I can't cool down enough to sleep. And with my fan it's too noisy. So I'm screwed. I thought I might as well blog.

Adam is in Newfoundland right now and I'm jealous. Although I don't have the motive or the money to trip out East, a part of me pines for the adventure. I'd want to go back to the Bay of Fundy, and take the hwy through the middle of NB, and tour Southern NS, and Cape Breton, and of course spend more time on PEI. But most of all, I want to visit the Rock. The last province on my list, and the toughest one to get to. My time will come.

My Jackie is leaving me, and I've been mentally avoiding the matter. Now that it's less than a month away, shit is starting to get real. I can only hope that some day we find ourselves living in the same city together. I promise if we do I'll make you as much grilled cheese as you want (for one day).

Hot diggity it's been hot out lately. Today I think it reached a high of "feels like 42/43." I took some recycling down and took a seat outside and I was sweating from doing nothing. NOTHING! It really truly helps to have a fan pointed at your face all day. I don't know what I would do without this fan. Surely surviving would not be it.

I have an interview next week, second round. It's kind of my last hope. If I'm not employed by the end of the month I'm giving my two months notice. My parents have promised me the two adjoined rooms downstairs. One for a living room and one for a bedroom. And I could even use the back door as a private entrance if I wanted. But having slept on the first floor while I lived there previously I know that I'd be waking at least my dad up if I came rolling in after 11. Or to be honest, some nights 9.

So what's new. Took another mother sponsored trip to the Wychwood Barns Farmer's Market. We walked down which was nice. Momma got me some veggies and coffee and paid for a nice lunch at The Rushton. I got stuck on the 401 in dead-stop traffic last week for over 3 hrs because a tractor trailer exploded at Bathurst and 401. Coming from the hwy I chose express thinking I'd flip back over. That decision sealed my fate for the night. The 409 skips the Kipling express-collectors off-ramp, and the Keele off-ramp was closed. Anyone lucky enough to be in collectors was forced to exit at Keele, but that's what I wanted!!! To make matters worse the express lanes closed after the Allen and we all had to bottleneck into the empty collectors, and then bottleneck again into the furthest right lane and pass the fire in a single lane. I say single lane, but some very lovely respectable people thought the paved shoulder was a second lane for their own personal use. I should have rammed them, I really should have. I also wish they had "opened" the Keele offramp and allowed us to exit into the collectors and onto Keele. There was no point to the closure. It wasn't under construction at the time, and the only thing stopping us was a parallel cop car and a few pylons. I'm surprised more people didn't go for it. In the end I had to go all the way to Avenue and double back. Rawr. While we sat and waited I did see a few collector side pickups for family members that for whatever reason couldn't last. And the passenger to the guy ahead of us waited about 2hrs and then grabbed his shoulder bag, hopped the barrier, ran across collectors, hopped that barrier and disappeared into the darkness. I can only imagine he was met by several large fences, but I guess a guy's gotta do. An 11pm airpot pick-up, with a quick McDs stop at the end had me home at 4:30am. I was dead tired, but I knew I needed something in the tummy so I could sleep. The final bit of icing was the fact that McDs was out of fries so we had to have a side salad. It was ok, but not really the point of fast food. Ironically, the pick-up was planned for 7:30pm but the first flight was missed. All that for nothing. Thank goodness I peed before I left my parents' house, though that didn't stop me from thinking about having to go for 5hrs straight.

I spent a good amount of time cleaning up today. Tomorrow I put away an eternity of unfolded but washed clothes, clean out my closet (not very messy), put away my last moving box from the Nemesis shoot (I know), a more thorough desk tidy up and we're done. I did a surface cleaning for when my mom dropped by last weekend, but now it's time for a thorough one. And if by the end of the month it's time to go, it will be all the easier to pack up. And if I get to stay it will be much nicer to live with.

That's about all. I am kind of wired now. Hoping reading a few more chapters will help me slip into dreamland.

Book Review: Mister Pip

I've been posting the books I've read on the side bar for a while now, but I thought perhaps it was time I try my hand at a review or two. I just finished reading Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. I've noticed lately it takes me a few chapters to get invested in a book, and this novel was no different. Eventually something clicked and it was like I wanted to know more and couldn't help but to pick it up and dig through 50 or 100 pages a sitting.

Young Matilda is growing up an a small war torn island in the South Pacific. Everything seems to be collapsing around her but she finds something to hold on to when "the only white man left on the island" steps in as the teacher and introduces the class to Great Expectations. Perhaps it was because I read Great Expectations in high school, I caught most of the references. And I'm not going to lie, having watched the Ethan Hawke version of the movie helped some too.

It was nice for a change to read a novel with a single narrative. It seems like a lot of writers require telling the story from multiple points of view, which can be alright but also can grow tiresome. It shows commitment to have a single voice, because when you pick that voice it has to be the right one to draw readers in. As I mentioned I wasn't sold off the bat, but I can be like that. TV shows I now consider favourites got a resounding "meh" after the first show or two.

The book took some interesting twists. There was some gruesome behaviour which I could have done without. And also the last 20 pages should have been summarized into one page and been done with.

In looking up the publisher's link for this book I noticed it's been made into a movie, which should be coming out this year. If Hugh Laurie wasn't starring in it I may not have considered watching it, as I'm not sure what a movie could bring to the table that the novel didn't already provide. And there are some scenes I would rather not have a visual for. I'm sure they would be discreet, but still.

Perhaps this has been a lackluster review, but the process needs to start somewhere.

I Am a Rocket Ship, I'm Out of Control

I've been kind of quiet with posting lately. Not much new is going on. I have a phone interview on Wednesday, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that. If it's the one then I can stay in my apt. Otherwise I need to get over it already and give my notice. I'm just not ready yet. I know I'm somewhat of a broken record on the matter, but I just can't get over it.

I got back from a nice solo trip up North. I do get nervous sleeping alone there by myself. I guess it all depends on the situation. I can hear noises outside my window here and not sure if someone is in our "backyard". I use that term extremely loosely. But I got over it. I sat on the deck and took in the breeze, feed the chipmunks, and took the occasional dip in the lake. The water was magnificent. I ate mostly food that was already there, which was nice. I also vegged out on some tv. I should get a new antenna for my tv here. It's such a waste for it to sit in my living room unused. I also use the word living room loosely. Because really, how could you define this space? On Sunday when I had to make a meal, clean all of my dishes and then sweep and vacuum I was missing having a second pair of hands there. But being able to just melt into the deck chairs and not worry about what anyone else thought was pretty brilliant. Lemonade on a hot day is pretty brilliant too.

I wasted almost all of my phone battery taking videos and little photos of the chipmunks. And I liked one of the videos enough that I uploaded my first youtube video ever:

I wanted to name the chipmunks but I only got around to one of them. I called him scarface because he had scarring from a gash on his head, about 1cm long, which was most of his head. Nikki and I had named the stubby tailed chipmunk Quoi de Neuf from that time we were there and the only channel available on tv was an ad for a French quiz show called Quoi de Neuf. What of nine?

I just finished rereading Alias Grace. I heard it was being adapted into a movie and I wanted a refresher. And I just read that Sarah Polley is directing. I am very much looking forward to this. Since the time Jackie pointed it out in a bookstore and I read through it like butter I have been in love with this novel. I even tried to get my mom to pitch it to her book club. They said no, but she's going to read it anyways and try again for next year if she likes it well enough.

Anyhow. That's it for now.

Not Going To Stop

I'm at my parents' house right now. I am for the first time in a VERY LONG time, gainfully employed. I should hold onto this feeling because it will be over on Friday. A week of work is a week of work, so I can't complain. It's something to put on my resume to interrupt this seemingly endless gap. Just in time it seems, as my EI claim has just ended. I guess it's officially do or die time. Unless I want to make this cold lonely basement room my new home. Since I was running out of daytime minutes I thought I would come home so I could take advantage of unlimited minutes (and I'm not complaining about the AC).

What else. I just had 3 cavities filled. Luckily I have a dental insurance program. 100% coverage. It's called "My parents are paying for it." I struggle to accept handouts (except from the gov't), but for dental health I'll take it. Otherwise I wouldn't go twice a year, and I'd have found myself in even more of a mess. Also my dentist gave me a hardcore good deal for his time. And I passed all of the savings onto my insurance providers.

I almost took a walking tour down Oakwood Rd on Saturday for an outdoor arts festival, but the rain kept me inside. I was also going to trip up North this weekend with a few extra days tagged onto the end, but this gig kept me in town. I'm going to try to get away next week for a few days during the week. The one and only thing I detest about tripping up there alone is being alone at night. I know I have neighbours on each side that are always around, but I'm so paranoid. It doesn't help I have been overindulging in crime shows on Youtube for the past few months. One time last year when I was alone up there I was kept up by what I'm going to call hooligans. ATVing off the hwy close to our road. Every rev made my heart flutter, like a gang of 20-somethings were going to know I was alone and come attack. Truth: I left the tv on low all night to keep me company. Moving on.

It's been a while, so I thought I would update. Not too much new going on. Life is still slowly crumbling. The new same old.

If You Can Hear This Say "Heyyy"

I got back yesterday from a nice relaxing 4 day weekend up North with Nikki and her bf. As per the usual routine, on the way up we stopped into Fisher's food store, and then after making a food plan, replenished at a local grocery store. Nikki's bf had brought up some meat from M&Ms shop which was super yummy. I should try stopping in there more often. One night we had butter chicken but BBQed the chicken first. Cooked up some basmati rice. Delish!

When we got there the water hadn't been turned on just yet, so I called up the local contractor that takes care of the property. He came the next morning, and just in time too. I can't say we did much all weekend but lay out, relax and drink. Marc and I even got up the nerve to take a quick dip in the lake. It was fun, but I do look forward to the water warming up in the months to come. We had a fire on Sunday night, and played with taking pictures of ourselves writing our names with Sparklers. The next morning we cooked up some French toast (w/ gluten free bread), and then got ready to clean up. When Nikki and Marc went to the dump to drop off garbage and recyclables I finished the vacuuming and drying the rest of the dishes. With what time I had left before they returned, I baited one of the chipmunks to pose for a photo. Not much baiting required, just a peanut really. One of the chipmunks was significantly more brave than the rest. One afternoon after handing out a handful of peanuts the little guy crawled up my leg and right up the front of my shirt looking for more. Any sudden movement would have caused him to abort immediately but we all got good at staying very still.

It was a bit cold when we got there, but overall one of the warmer Vic weekends we've had in the past few years. I had fun with my camera. I really need to get it fixed though. It's nice when the black dot falls on something inconspicuous, but when it doesn't it's reaaally annoying. Anyhow, here are some of the photos from the weekend:

Neighbourhood #5: Queen West

I'm under a bit of time pressure right now. My ride for a weekend trip up North is on its way, but I didn't want to leave this hanging until Monday. Feeling right back into the exploration grove, and being granted beautiful Spring weather, Sim and I ventured around her hood last Friday. Queen West.

Normally a neighbourhood takes at least an effort of preparation, but QW is so chock-full of great stores we didn't even need to. All I knew was that I wanted to try out Tequila Bookworm, and go into the paper store by Trinity Bellwoods. A lot of what came to follow was req'd by Sim.

First stop was Americo Yarns. If I had a million dollars, I would buy their entire stock of soft yarn and roll around in it all day. But I don't, so it was a nice look around and a quick chat with the owner and we were on our way. Tequila Bookworm was our first stop. We each had trouble understanding what brand the server had recommended to me. If it wasn't local to the region of Sim's cabin we'd still be trying to figure it out. Sim had the Cheshire Red Irish Ale. All together now, Che-shire. ;) Due to our late start we didn't dally too long in case some of the stores were early closers.

Next we found ourselves at Romni Wools. I could have gotten lost in that store. I think on top of picking up crochet I'd like to learn to knit. But I'll definitely leave that one until the money is coming in again. We went downstairs to the discount section and I picked up this cute multi-coloured ball. Based on the size it wasn't a total steal. But I'm sort of just becoming accustomed to the actual price of yarn, so maybe I shouldn't speak to that just yet. I've made several attempts on that baby cap, but I know I'm not counting properly. And extra stitches just wreak havoc as you continue on. This might end up just being a test cap. I might pitch for some super soft yarn for the final. But I am definitely digging the colouration. Next we popped into KolKids. I checked the price on the first little onesie, $75. So we quickly retreated.

On we went to the paper store. I feel sometimes I'm morally against paper because it's so destructive to the environment. But I was in heaven. I could have just stayed and stared at the paper all day. I have no use for decorative paper, but hot damn it was pretty. I also spied a little fabric button maker kit. It got me thinking about the button press Sim linked me to a while back. I still think of that press often. One day. They also had a bunch of cute little toys (ie. Sim's mustache). On the way back we popped into Rotate This. If I was into Vinyl that would be a dream stop. I probably could have looked through a little more thoroughly but Sim is past physical CDs so I thought we should move it along. The last three stops were a ditch effort to find something for my mom for mother's day. We went into Valhalla, Ten Thousand Villages, and Outer Layer. I finally picked up a cute hand drawn card with two little penguins and a heart. And I filled it with a secret note for my mom.

It was really an effortless afternoon. Queen West is really a superior neighbourhood for hanging out and having fun. Cameron House, Shanghai Cowgirl, Tortilla Flats, Java House, Dog's Bullocks, and that's just on the West side of Spadina. We finished up the night with a meal grilled by Spence, and some board/video games w/ Spence and Mike. A great day! And a day with one major revelation. Some things never change:

Sim 2012:

Sim 1998:

Until next time Toronto.

Unionville: Run for Women

My mom and I walked the 5km in a recent Starbucks women's marathon. Most of the 10km runners got in before us. And very few came in after us. But it was still fun, and a nice walk. Unionville is really really cute. I was the only person not decked out in exercise gear. Luckily no one commented on my beer t-shirt.

Neighbourhood #4: Leslieville

We're back! And with a bit of a vengeance. An unfortunate amount of time has passed since our last trip, but we are back. And our most recent conquest: Leslieville!

Leslieville has long been a neighbourhood I've been interested in visiting. Just past the somewhat questionable intersection of Queen & Broadview and before the Beaches (don't even try to call it the Beach), Leslieville is one of the next up and coming neighbourhoods. Sim mentioned it was noticeable how the cityscape was lacking condos. It was nice, to say the least. I even mentioned it would be a place I could see myself living. The only problem I have with gentrifying neighbourhoods is that suddenly the boutique upper class quality of all the stores is beyond my position in life.

We pulled up just past Carlaw and parked the Sebring in an awesome pull-in parking spot. We threw in money for the maximum time (3hrs) and were on our way. First stop was Roy Public House for some good eatin'. Sim and I each decided to order a new-to-us beer. For me that was the Waupoos Cider, and for Sim that was Tennents Lager. I forgot to ask how the lager was, but the cider was yummy. I ordered the Cornbeef sandwich, and Sim went for the Fish & Chips. And surprise surprise she modified the side to be sweet potato fries and garlic aioli dip. I was moderately satisfied with the sandwich. Maybe wouldn't try it again but no real complaints. Sim on the other hand was not satisfied with a key component to her meal. And I'm not talking about the Fish, and I'm not talking about the Chips, I am talking about the garlic aioli. Once again I potentially embarrassed myself by bad talking the meal in ear shot of the server. I'm entitled to my opinion but I'm not the type to intentionally embarrass anyone. The dip had curry powder in it! And I said to Sim, it's not a bad dip by any means, but it's not what you ordered. Regardless of that mini-rant, it was an enjoyable lunch. And if we had been able to keep all of the money the lady beside us kept dropping on the ground it would have been a really enjoyable lunch.

Looking out the front window of the pub we noticed it had started to rain over lunch. We had felt spitting earlier, but it felt like sun rain that wasn't going anywhere. We decided to feel it out and continue on our journey. Next stop was the River Rock Cafe. We dodged around some construction trucks only to find the Cafe was closed. No time to mourn, it was on to the next. We swung into the Leslieville Cheese Market just because I had jotted the name down as a place of interest. To be honest there wasn't much cheese and it was a quick swing.

A friend of mine had mentioned that L-ville was a hot spot for furniture stores. Zenporium was the only one we made it into. There was a lot of hand beaded gift items, and a mixture of wood furniture. It was pleasant enough. A nice break from the continuing rain as well. Deciding that our day was not going to work out, we chose the last few spots to hit up. Six Shooter Records was no longer there. I foolishly forgot to keep going to check out the Yarn store. I don't know when I'll be back out that way so darn. And that is NOT a pun. Darn it (that was). As we realized the store was no longer we also happened to be standing right in front of an awesome artisan barn type store. It was set up to display a variety of different local artisans, specializing in a wide variety of crafts. From photography to leathercraft. Sim could definitely have a setup in that shop, a big setup. And in a small corner I would sell crochet coasters for $2 a pop. I had actually read up on that store previously, probably on BlogTO, so that was a pleasant surprise to happen upon its doorstep.

We crossed the street to stop into another crafty boutique. I wanted to check out to see if they had any cute baby clothes for my soon to be nephew-once-removed (my cousin is preggers). That was the third strike as we were greeted with a "back in 10". Maybe if it had been a pleasant sunny day we could have waited it out. But frustrated and starting to get uncomfortably wet we kept on. We stopped into a promising looking cafe, Te Aro, but it was full so we called it a day. We both had plans for the evening, but there was still a few hours left. And we knew what we had to do. It was time to save the world from complete destruction, care of viral epidemics. We lost the game in a record 2 turns. Go us.

That's it. 4 down, so many to go. Looking forward to many more. And also, for your viewing pleasure, here is a fish smoking a pipe:

On To The Next

I will take better care of my next Moleskin notebook. And I will try not to wash it too.