Blah, Blah, Blah Weekend

Sorry for my dearth of posts lately. It's been a combination of lots of work in the office and very little of interest going on outside of the office. Blah, blah, blah got a new watch band. Blah, blah, blah tried a new restaurant (yay, another place with free refills!). Yesterday, The Boy and I went to the park and the wading pool, while Devoted Husband cleaned up the house in preparation for the arrival of his mom and sister later this week. The Boy loves to run around and pick up sticks and thought it was hilarious to pretend to put the stick on his tongue. I would tell him to stop with the stick and he would grin and laugh, then he would do it again. And again. And again. Man, kids are fun. Once we left the park, I went on a quest for soft-serve ice cream. It's a hot, humid summer day and ice cream is needed. Plus, I don't really have ice cream all that often. Certainly not as often as DH, who considers ice cream a staple. And I do love me the soft-serve. Especially chocolate/vanilla swirl. After going to Licks, Baskin-Robbins and The Carrot Common, I only found hard-packed ice cream. Sure, I did find hemp-based ice cream, but sadly, no soft-serve. So, I went home ice cream-less. In retrospect, I could've walked even further down the street and gone to McDonald's or Dairy Queen. But, even I have my limits. Plus, I just had some of DH's at home. A CANADIAN FACT! Current Canadian Ice Cream consumption is 9.66 litres per person, down from 12.72 litres in 1980, but up from 8.63 in 2000.

A Knight on the Town

While I was waxing nostalgic about my past six months here in Toronto, my parents, The Boy's Memere and Pepere, were up here visiting us, but really visiting The Boy. They had a good trip and spent a lot of time with him. They went to the Riverdale Farm, the beach and the park. Lots of bubbles were blown and Happy Meals purchased. The Boy got two new Happy Meal toys from Pirates of the Caribbean: a plush pirate that I guess is supposed to look like Johnny Depp and a skeleton pirate. I've taught him to say "AAARRRRGHH!' when he plays with them. The real reason that my parents were visiting was to watch The Boy, while Devoted Husband and I went to see Spamalot. For those who may not know, Spamalot is the stage musical version of the classic film, Monty Python & the Holy Grail, a movie, of which, I am quite familiar. We both really liked it a lot, but we especially liked the new parts, that weren't specifically taken from the film. We were big fans of the new female character, The Lady of the Lake. She had some great songs and the play really perked up when she was on stage. All in all, a great show. See it if it comes to your town. As a complete aside, I found this t-shirt on the Internets this morning. I am SO going to have to get it. A CANADIAN FACT! Toronto's theatre district is second only to New York City in North America.

Yet More Likes and Dislikes...

Here it is Friday, and here I am will the final installment of my Canadian Likes and Dislikes... I REALLY LIKE... ...spelt. I know that spelt is some kind of healthier alternative to wheat and I find lots of foods up here are made of the spelt. The yummiest spelt items are Sha Sha Cookies, which I love, and the spelt bread at the Magic Oven, also quite tasty. I REALLY HATE... ...all the maple flavored foods. Not. A. Fan. I REALLY LIKE... ...the smell of the Weston Bakery near my office. Man, nothing is better than the smell of baking bread. I REALLY HATE... ...the smell of garbage in summer. Not specifically a Canadian thing, but disgusting nonetheless. I REALLY LIKE... ...all the free stuff the city provides for kids, like the parks and the wading pools and the drop-in centers. I get a real good feeling about what the city and the province actually do for children. I REALLY HATE... ...how everything is so expensive. Yes, the dirty little secret of Canada. How do you think The Boy gets to use the free park wading pool? Everything is expensive. Both because of taxes and because of shipping products here in the first place. The way Miss Bella, my co-worker, described it to me was thus: imagine you are having a party for 30 people. Now imagine you are having a party for 300 people. If you buy food in bulk for the 300 people and you can get it cheaper per item than for 30 people, right? Now compare 30 million to 300 million. See how that works. Of course, the pharmaceuticals are much cheaper here in Canada, but, fortunately that isn't an issue for me. I REALLY LIKE... ...watching all the Canadian television shows that are "new to me." I like Corner Gas, which is pretty funny with a dry sense of humor and apparently the most popular sitcom in Canada. And History Bites, which is a history-themed sketch comedy show. Liking History Bites, proves once and for all that I am a Grade A Nerd. I REALLY HATE... ...that I don't get VH-1 up here. Man, do I miss my VH-1. That and World Poker Tour. I REALLY LIKE... ...just about everything here in Toronto. I know I sound like a crazy cult member, but I just love it here. We'll see how I feel in another six months, but as it stands today, I'm quite happy. I REALLY HATE... ...that I can't see my LA friends anymore. I instant message them, but it's not the same. So, remember that I miss you guys. A lot.

Weird Canada

I'll take a brief break from my week-long tribute to my Toronto Likes and Dislikes to describe some of the weirder things I've seen since my move. Canada doesn't get enough credit for it's weirdness - or it's eccentricity, as it were. I mean, take curling. it is estimated that there are about 1.3 million curlers in Canada, which makes up about 94% of the curlers in the world. When I first moved here, during the Winter Olympics, every curling match was broadcast and then re-broadcast in case you missed it the first time. Curling is, quite frankly, odd and I just can't get my head around it. I was watching a TV sitcom recently and half of the jokes were based upon the viewers knowledge of curling and I could do nothing but stare blankly. Other Weirdness I've seen... ...a woman who walks her Siamese cat on a leash. I don't know how she does this. I know people do it, but as a cat owner, I can't keep my cat in my arms for two minutes, much less strap her into a leash. ...a house in which the front was entirely covered in stuffed animals. When I saw it my mouth actually dropped open. I wish I had a camera. I'll have to go back and get a picture. I can only assume that an insane person lives within. ...training streetcars and buses. I'll admit, this isn't really weird. More cute than anything. You know that it's a training bus because it has "TRAINING" in the spot where they usually put the destination. I guess if you are going to learn how to drive a bus or streetcar, you should have a training vehicle, just like student drivers do. ...poutine. I'm sure Poutine is beloved amongst native Canadians, but I'm not going to touch with with a 10 Foot (or Meter or Metre) pole. Poutine is a delicacy consisting or french fries topped with fresh cheese curds and covered with hot gravy. Hmmm. No thanks. I enjoy my arteries as they are.

Welcome to the World, Baby James!

I would also like to give a shout-out to Baby James, the newborn son of longtime family friend, Sarah. Baby James was born yesterday and mom and baby are both doing well. What a Cutie!

More Likes and Dislikes...

Here we are with Day 2 of The American's Love/Hate List of Toronto. I REALLY LIKE... ...the weird diet sodas (or pop, as they say up here) that every grocery store seems to have: Cranberry, Cranberry/Raspberry, Grapefruit, and the latest, Pomegranate. All yummy. I REALLY HATE... ...not being able to return my soda bottles and cans for deposit. Sigh. I REALLY LIKE... ...that Toronto has two local daily papers, the Toronto Sun, the Toronto Star and two more prominent national daily newspapers, The Globe and Mail and The National Post. There are also two free daily newspapers, Metro and 24 Hours, which I pick up pretty regularly. The free papers are pretty much just the major stories of the day, but not a bad way to get the news that you need. It seems that in most major U.S. cities, newspapers are going the way of 8-track tapes, so I'm glad to see T.O. pick up the slack. I REALLY HATE... ...no coupons in the Sunday paper. I do miss my coupons. I REALLY LIKE... ...winning $100 in the Heart and Stroke Lottery, even though I spent far more than that on tickets in the Heart and Stroke Lottery (not to be confused with the Sick Kids Lottery where I didn't win anything). I REALLY HATE... ...that I have yet to win $75,000 on a World Poker Tour scratch ticket. Lousy scratch tickets.

Six Months In the Queen City

Hi all. I am really quite a straggler when it comes to this blog. I don't write religiously every day, but I know that I'm worth it. I think that we can all agree that the detailed descriptions of my life are Pulitzer worthy. The proof is in the pudding. Well, this past Saturday was the Six Month Anniversary (Monthiversary?) of our momentous move to Toronto the Good and I decided to celebrate, somewhat with a week-long celebration of what I like and, yes, what I don't like about Canada in general and Toronto specifically. I'll try not to repeat myself from earlier posts, but I can't guarantee anything. I REALLY LIKE... ...the Soup Lunch Special at Tim Horton's - 5 Weight Watchers points, under $4.00, yummy. What more could you ask for. I REALLY HATE... ...that as a rule the restaurants here in T.O. don't give you free soft drink refills. So, kudos to some of the few that do: Jack Astor's, The Muddy Duck, Mr. Greek and Ten Feet Tall. I REALLY LIKE... ...riding in streetcars. It's really just a glorified bus, and I have no such romantic notions about bus riding. I think it's the train tracks. The train tracks make it cool. I REALLY HATE... ...it costs $2.75 each way to ride the streetcar. I REALLY LIKE... ...going to the park and the wading pool with The Boy on sunny days. I REALLY HATE... ...stepping in dog poop. Not specifically a Toronto thing, but come on people! Stoop and Scoop!

Not Putting Down Roots

Despite the fact that it's rainy and gloomy and windy outside, despite the fact that I didn't win anything in the Sick Kids Lottery, despite the fact that I'm using this phrase repeatedly, I am happy. Why, do you ask? Well I'll tell you. First, I just looked at all the fabulous pictures from my friend Sundry's trip back home to Indiana and the Midwest looks so cute. And Second, I am wearing my new pants from Roots. Roots. I always thought of them as the Canadian Gap. But that's not really the case. I had heard of Roots before I moved up here, and had even bought a shirt from the 2002 Winter Olympics from the Roots store in Beverly Hills. But it wasn't until I actually came up here that I truly started to appreciate the beauty that is Roots. A few months ago, I bought a t-shirt (see left) that was produced to promote breast cancer awareness - always a good thing - and I brought it home and all was good. And then I tried it on. Man! It was the best fitting tee that I HAVE EVER OWNED! I love my comfy Roots tee and I can't wait to get some more t-shirts (when they go on sale). A few weeks ago, the Fambly was out in Scarborough, a Toronto suburb and I found the Roots 73 Outlet! I bought the awesome linen/cotton pants that I'm wearing now and an equally awesome linen/cotton flare skirt. Both, so wonderful. The Boy also has some cute Roots t-shirts including one that has an owl (!) on it and says "Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute!" on it. I say all this, because there is a kind of feeling here in Canada that since there are so many U.S. companies that kind of overwhelm the culture that one tends to give Canadian companies lots of points just for trying, so to speak. But I am now a huge fan of the Roots clothes and if anyone out there is thinking of getting me a gift certificate in the future (Christmas, perhaps, wink, wink) Roots would be a great idea. Now, watch as that's all I get for gifts in the future. A CANADIAN FACT! Roots is the official Olympic outfitter for several countries including Canada (from 1998 to 2004), Great Britain, USA and Barbados.

Street Un-Fair

There has been off and on thunderstorms today, but we had a lovely weekend, although sad to say not much happened. We went to the Library and picked up some books and had ourselves some lunch at the Tulip. The Boy is in a bit of a pickle yesterday what with his newest tooth making an appearance. It looks like a single molar is coming in on the right top side of his mouth. So, he tends to be a little fussy lately. Yesterday, we decided to go to the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival, which was described to me as quite the humdinger of an affair. Devoted Husband was a little suspicious and asked me if there has ever been a good street fair, ever. Well, point to DH, as this street fair was more than a little underwhelming. I suppose it had to do with the World Cup Finale going on at the exact same time. But, still. For a reasonably nice Sunday afternoon, this alleged "street fair" possessed very little in the way of fun. At any rate, we went to a book store and got out of the house and had a pleasant little trip on the streetcar, so it wasn't a total waste of a day. I haven't mentioned much of the books I've been reading lately, but I've been on quite the streak. Some of the better ones include: the sequel to Molvania: Land of Forgotten Dentistry, Phaic Tan, Tulip Fever, a great, light summer novel about cheating and scheming 17th Century Dutchmen and women, Niagara Falls All Over Again, about a fictional Abbot and Costello-type vaudeville team and their demise, A Changed Man, a novel about a reformed skinhead and Encyclopedia of An Ordinary Life, one woman's life written completely in encyclopedic entries, fiercely peculiar, but good. I guess I really read a lot of weird stuff. A CANADIAN FACT! In addition to the Celebrate Toronto Street Festival, events also taking place this weekend included the Toronto Fiesta, Afrofest, the Molson Indy Street Party, Corso Italia, Beats, Breaks and Culture, the Fringe Festival and Taste of Lawrence. Maybe we should have gone to one of those festivals.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Yesterday was my first Torontonian birthday as I ventured even further into the jungle that is my thirtysomething years. All in all, the day was an embarrassment of riches. Miss Bella, my co-worker, gave me a Chapters (the Canadian Borders) gift card and a birthday Nanaimo bar (As an aside, the Nanaimo Bar recently won the Canadian Confection Election as Canada's favorite homegrown snack. Good for them. My Mom recently had her first bar on her most recent trip to T.O. and she's now a fan.). I also got three e-cards from "Michele with one 'L'," one from Deens, one from the Boss Ladies in L.A., one from my Mom and Dad and one from my friend Shan. I also got a Target gift card from my Mom in Law, my annual birthday card from my friend New York Loretta, who I hardly ever talk to, but she always remembers my birthday, and a phone call from my brother Weethy, who SWEARS that he has a gift in the mail. Finally, I had a tiny little party with Devoted Husband and The Boy. The Boy got me a book of crossword puzzles and DH got me a Kitchen Grill (aka a George Foreman Grill, except it's Hamilton Beach) with the removable grills. It's so awesome. I can't wait to try it out. DH also got me a chocolate birthday cake and we all enjoyed it very much. It was a very happy birthday, but now I have to have another regular day where people don't shower me with gifts and warm congratulations. Ah, the post-birthday let-down. I realized that I left out some of The Boy's newest vocabulary words yesterday. Here are a few more: "Car" - If he's talking about a toy car, he shakes it in his hand. If he's talking about an actual car, he jumps up and down and gets super excited. If he sees the cars from the movie Cars, for some reason, he also gets really excited. "Woof Woof" - aka "dog." I try to get him to say dog, but his first instinct is to say "Woof Woof." He now points to the TV whenever the former Pets.com hand puppet comes on the screen for the stupid 1-800 Bar None commercials. "Hat" - A new one, but a very practical one. A CANADIAN FACT! Some Prominent Canadians born on July 5 include, Carmen Kempt, Miss Canada Universe 1997, Doug Wilson, professional hockey player, and musician Robbie Robertson.

Canada's Day

I hope everyone had a fabulous Independence Day/4th of July. We had an okay Canada Day. I was all excited because there was going to be a Canada Day parade on Saturday and I do love me a parade. Also, Baby Boy (He's not really a Baby anymore so, now he'll be known as "The Boy.")loved big trucks and things that make a lot of noise, so I thought he would especially like it. The joke was on me, however, because the parade was moved to another location. We did see the parade driving to the new starting location. It was just like a parade, only just a little bit faster. The Boy also got his own little Canadian Flag which he couldn't stop waving. Really cute. We decided to hedge our bets and not go to any of the other scheduled Canada Day activities for fear that they may also be moved, perhaps to Montreal or something. Instead we chose to take The Boy to the park's wading pool. Wow! Did he ever love the wading pool! It didn't matter that the water was cold. It didn't matter that he kept falling on his face. It didn't matter that older kids kept running him over. That was one happy Boy! We went there every day all through the long weekend and he loved it every day. He also had huge tantrums every time we had to take him home. That is, until we actually left the gated area and then he stopped fussing. Speaking of The Boy, here are things that he loves based on his current vocabulary: "Mama" - All adults that he enjoys are "Mama" including people who should be properly known as "Daddy." "Dora" - aka Dora the Explorer. The Boy gets so excited whenever he sees Dora and jumps up and down and yells her name. Of course, he really only likes the opening credits and the end of the show. Otherwise, he just plays and ignores the TV. "Wawa" - All beverages are Water. It turns out he likes Mama's lemonade too. "Ball" - Loves balls and will stop at nothing to steal balls from others. "Shoe" - Loves his shoes. Loves to take them off, too. For all you fans of The Boy, here are some more pictures this time from our trip to the Toronto Islands. Toronto Island's Pictures If you need the password, please email me and I'll send it to you.