Weekend 8.2 - Bruce Peninsula

Fabulous weather over the weekend, highs of 23c in Toronto so we had to take advantage. We've been cooped up for 6 solid months with the cold weather I'll have you know!

We hired a car and drove to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula, which straddles Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. I could go on about the locations like a tourist infomation centre but I won't bore you with it.



Clockwise from top right: Big Tub Lighthouse; pristine waters of the Bruce Peninsula; eerie shoe tree; ice that had yet to melt greeting a seal-like rock; Georgian Bay.

Weekend 8.1 - Billy Joel

Friday afternoon at work.
It's quiet.
I'm bored.
Most of the office have snuck out early like naughty school children because it's wonderfully sunny outside, truly the first sign of spring we've all been longing for for 6 solid months.

Then my friend at work sends out an email to the office: FREE BILLY JOEL TICKETS TONIGHT!

I've always wanted to see Billy Joel in concert! My friend was suppose to do a lottery draw of the two sets of tickets she had, but she gave me a pair cause she likes me tee hee.

Come 4:15pm and I'm told quietly that I could go home since the office is so quiet. It's like the last day of school before the summer holidays - I was freeeeeeeeee! And Billy to boot! Whehayyy!

I get to the Air Canada Centre a minute before Billy started his first song. The crowd was very supportive, we're all really happy to be here, a chance to sing along and reminisce.

One of the first songs he did he said was released in 1978 - I was born in 1978.

He is a very likable personality on stage. He chats a little, makes a joke here and there. He's not a comedian mind you, and he knows that, but we laugh anyway because we're in good spirits and we know he can sing and write music and play the piano.


Billy the Piano Man.

In the middle of the concert he introduces Chainsaw, a bulky roadie from his crew who's been with him for 20 years. Chainsaw wants to do a song, and Billy lets him take centre stage while he gets on the guitar. The lights and sounds erupt as Chainsaw screams into the microphone for the beginning of 'Highway to Hell' by AC/DC. The crowd goes wild. Especially the abundance of women in the two front rows on the floor, who all appear to be in their early 20s.


Inside the ACC, and Billy Joel with his guitar walking around the stage.

When the concert wrapped we still hadn't heard what we all wanted to hear, ‘The Piano Man’. Billy comes back to the stage to the continuing applause and cheers. But he stands there bowing and waving, not making any moves towards the piano. After a minute or so booing begins. He takes a look at the piano, takes a few steps towards it and the crowd is back on his side cheering and applauding. He suddenly turns and begins to walk away from the piano. Booing. Turns back. Cheers. Turns away. Boos. Turns back. Cheers. Boos. Cheers. Boos. Cheers. Finally he sits down and at takes out the harmonica. We cheer loud and hard.

The Piano Man is singing us a song, but we're serenading it right back to him. When he finishes we're all on our feet. A great performance and a stellar night out.

Arabian Night

Moroccan inspired Foundation Room is a great space for a cocktail or two. It's dark and intimate, softly lit by tea lights and Moroccan chandeliers that glitter with coloured glass. Deeply coloured and heavy drapery and fabrics contrasted by mirrored tables makes this subterranean bar/lounge on the corner of Front and Church a retreat into the exotic.

We sipped our sparkling wine cocktails and nibbled on chicken skewers with lemon aioli, mushroom terrine served on pita and phyllo parcels of braised beef.

As usual, it was good catching up with Lorenz. We had met at the hostel here in Toronto. We'd both arrived from Europe, about a week apart, searching for something from this place. We'd meet once every few months and compare notes about how we felt about this city. Our conclusions are the same.

This particular evening as we swapped impressions and experiences about life in general, I noticed half of the bar was reserved, each table had seats on opposite sides, set in a general circular formation. Then came the Singles. One by one they came through the door, chatted to someone at the bar and were handed their name badges. In this harem-esque setting, Singles are preparing to flirt, flatter and fawn upon each other for a night of Speed Dating!

After observing and amusing ourselves with their collective body language (some very forlorn Singles. Out of practice? Or out of touch?) we left them to their 3 min bursts of endorphins. I hope they found what they were looking for.

We ended the evening and we left the Foundation Room on foot. At an intersection I noticed the street sign. We’re on Toronto Street. It's not my final destination and I can't wait to get home.

Seasons

"I tend to have less concern about happiness than I have with contentment. And a contentment is having done all those things you set out to do. But, of course, things are gonna go wrong, and if they didn't, what sort of a life would that be? Sadness is a season and it will pass, but so is happiness."

Bryce Courtenay, http://www.abc.net.au/talkingheads/txt/s1630548.htm

I've been thinking lately about what makes me happy in life, and what I need to do to to achieve it. But this quote from a seminal writer in my growing up which takes and expands on a quote from his earliest book has made me less anxious about "finding happiness". Contentment with one's life, whether it's turned out as one expected, is the key to being stress-free and guilt-free about what you have or haven't achieved.

Situations and circumstances shift our life goals often, so why do we seem surprised each time they shift? I guess as humans we do like some degree of stability, and when what we aim toward suddenly shift, move further away or disappear completely we feel fazed and disorientated. Perhaps Bryce is saying that this is ok, that as long as you tried to get there, then you know your life has been worthwhile.

Happiness can be fleeting, but knowing you've strived for it should give you contentment forever.

Weekend 9 - Pub Fare

Very quiet weekend to report. From studying Frommer's Guide to Toronto discovered Riverdale Farm, a real working farm not far from the downtown core. Had plans of visiting this weekend but thought perhaps a visit later in Spring will guarentee sightings of baby lambs and goats and such...

Was recommended to dine at House on Parliment by a colleague, after hearing me lament the absense of a pub that served a good sunday roast. So the venture was struck.

First impression was good pub atmosphere, down a couple of steps from street level, tartan carpeting, cozy, old tube map on wall, plenty of customers at time of arrival at 2:30pm.

No roast was on the menu which was disappointing, but found good replacements in pies. Mine was a Quebequois interpretation of a shepards pie, his was a traditional steak and (wild) mushroom. The pastry was sound, the filling not dry or runny, served on a good dollop of mash and couple sprigs of asparagus and capsicum (peppers to our English and Canadian friends) for colour.


Parliment Street is perpendicular to Gerrard Street, which extended east to become area known as Little India. Hopes of discovering that part of town were dashed. Without my Frommer's Guide to Toronto at hand, we did not find our way there.

Frommer's Guide to Toronto - damn you!

Break A Plate Or Two

Since living in Toronto, I've pretty much stuck to central Toronto, which is generally agreed to be bordered by Bloor Street to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, Bathurst Street to the west and Jarvis Street to the east. This fact amuses most Torontonians I've told. See the area I refer to (arrow shows where I live, which is in top left quandrant of central Toronto).

East side has a connotation here that it isn't the pretty part of town, nor the right side of the track. But a little further beyond the neighbourhoods becomes vibrant and very livable. One of such note is the Danforth. The Danforth has a large Greek community so it's also called Greektown. You know you'll get good Greek food here. I came for the Saganaki.

Saganaki is basically flaming cheese. A piece of cheese is put onto a hot plate, alcohol (vodka I think) is poured over then the whole thing is set alight, right by your table. Watch your eyebrows! I've never had saganaki before so Kathy and Laywah from work decided to take me for my first taste and first foray beyond Jarvis.

There are numerous restaurants, bars and clubs along the Danforth. During summer the "Taste of the Danforth" food fair attracts thousands for the various delectable outdoor food stalls that line the street. This reminds me of the Manly Food and Wine Festival we used to go to back home.

Saganaki is hot and melted so it's lovely on bread. We also had some grilled mushrooms and deep fried eggplant and zucchini. All tasty snacks to have after work. We strolled a little up and down the Danforth happy that I've push my boundaries just a little further today.


Clockwise from top left: Grilled mushrooms; Kathy;Eggplant and zucchinis; Laywah.

Birthdays

We've had a couple of work birthdays this year so I thought I'd share some photos.

February 16th was Sonia's and we had Korean BBQ on nearby Yonge Street to celebrate. Cooking, eating, cooking, eating. Korean BBQs always kept you busy.


Clockwise from top left: Sonia looking very happy with her meal; BBQ!; Sonia and Nadia both new mums; Carlton and Sonia; Deeple and Rey; Labrina making funny face.

Kattrin's birthday is on April 15th, but as it's a Sunday we celebrated early and took her out to lunch at Brownstone Bistro. There were concerns of going there but looking at the food presentation and portion it was satisfying lunch.

Clockwise from top left: Enza, Nadia, Rey, Sonia, Kattrin, me; my Californian chicken melt with mango; Smileys; Everyone tucking in.

Weekend 10 - Long, LONG Weekend

As a Canadian public servant I've been privileged to have not only Good Friday off, but also Easter Monday unlike most Canadian workers (I thought in Oz and UK everybody got both days off. Someone confirm?).

Unfortunately I didn't take the opportunity to travel but the long weekend consisted of Deeple and Hellenic's birthdays, April 5th and 6th respectively. Thursday night Deeple and I bonded over pizza and drinks at East Side Mario's (we have inadvertantly ventured back into chain restaurant land!) and had a fabulous time. At the end of the evening Hellenic and Deeple went home to do whatever it is couples do for each other on their birthdays...

Good Friday lunch was spent with Deeple, Hellenic and Steve for all of their very first dim sum experience! Hey no pressure there to wow these critics. I entrusted the choice of restaurant to an usually good street mag and in particular I referred to the Chinese New Year edition which gave this place 3 stars. So that said, I'm ok to announce that the meal did leave all four of our tastebuds wanting.

I was ready to bunker down on Saturday for the weather over the entire weekend was rather bleak. What's better than vegging out in front of the tv feasting on junk food, books and dvds?

My choices of the weekend were:
JUNK FOOD
Cheetos
M&Ms
Leftover pizza (from East Side Mario's)

BOOKS
The Life of Pi
Frommer's Guide to Toronto

DVDS
The Notebook
Raising Victor Vargas
Adaptation

TV MOVIE
Fantastic Four

And I complain about gaining weight...

Come Sunday I was ready to mobilise within an instant of Deeple's phone call. I had been invited for dinner at Ernest and Amar's! If you recall, I spent Thanksgiving with them last year and they are famous for feeding their guests. You are lured by appetisers, swollen with mains, seduced by desserts and corrupted by alcohol. Our meal this time was a vegetarian curry lover's delight - I don't know why tofu repeatedly gets a bad rap in social circles. If tofu was prepared the way they were on Sunday, tofu stock prices would rocket sky high.

As most of the work force returned to the daily grind on Monday, I was happily applying myself and my energies at shopping at Yorkdale. Whilst I had hoped to purchase some lovely new shoes I couldn't quite find a pair that matched my imagination and I came away with a couple of work shirts instead. See, always work on my mind...

So anyway back at work today and have decided to go to Dublin after all since I'll be in London for 10 days why don't do a short jaunt somewhere because when will I have this opportunity again? Logged onto Ryanair and found that prices have already jumped 20 quid so decided this was it no more delay. Have now bought my ticket to go to Dublin on the 21st and back to London on the 23rd. I had looked at some hostels previously and decided to have a quick look again today but still can't decide. Then my brother came online so we chatted for a bit but that only lasted till lunch when I went to have a bite with the girls for our usual chitchat. Afterwards there were personal emails to reply to so I got distracted by that then I remembered I was seeing a movie tonight with Steve so I checked the times and emailed Steve to let him know. Suddenly the day has escaped and it's time to go home. Another working day for Tina.

Lunch and a Boston Cream Donut

Lunch

Today was work colleague's birthday so a bunch of us girls went to our ususl lunch spot The Bowl where I ordered the Bowl BBQ: grilled chicken, beef and ribs with rice and salad.

YUM.

Boston Cream Donut

After the filling lunch I had a craving for something sweet (us girls always have room for dessert). What could be better than a Boston Cream Donut from Tim Horton's? Sweet chocolate coating, soft donut surround and a light cream filling :)

Happy birthday Deeple, may our friendship last for all our birthdays to come!

Art of Coffee

I've been a coffee drinker for most of my life and as a teenager spent many part time working hours in cafes learning and perfecting the craft of frothing the perfect cappuccino.

For me, a good cup of cappuccino must start with an accurately expressed coffee. In Italian it is called an espresso, a term that is widely adopted across the world. Conversely in Australia we also call it a short black. Here in Canada and the UK, a single short. The espresso must be rich in colour and texture, reminiscent of hot runny honey. I prefer a darker roast with a fuller body and less acidity.

As the roasting process occurs offsite, the only control your local cafe has over your morning cup o' joe is really just the milk, if you're ordering an espresso based drink such as a cappuccino or latte. In Australia we also have a flat white which is a latte with no froth. In the UK I've heard this referred to as a dry latte.

Frothing milk is an art in itself. Too much air and your foam becomes too bubble intense. The foam feels dry and brittle in your mouth, contradicting the experience a warming beverage should give you, which is warmth and softness and delicious wetness. Too little air means little or no foam, which defeats the velvety lightness you receive with good foam. Cappuccinos in my opinion should be quite foamy, but I find the Canadians far too liberal with the airing. The first cappucino I ordered here was presented as a trecherous mountain peak sitting atop the rims of my cup. And to my horror, a standard for this town. The experience left me clinging to the safety of low latte ground. A good cappuccino should encapsulate your mouth with a gentle tide of creamy coffee and not sting you with a hot flat rush that was hidden underneath a floating fortress.

Good coffee, in any language, will always put a smile on my face.

Dedicated to my very good friend Clare, who has forever changed the meaning of coffee for me.

Weekend 11 - It's a Bit, I Dunno...

The weather was a little grey over the weekend, so the motivation to "Get out there and experience Canada!" wasn't quite there. Weekend 11 was probably one of the quieter weekends thus far in all of my countdown days.

That's probably why on Saturday I felt restless and the urge to shop overcame my willpower finally.

I must say it is always a joy shopping at Yorkdale, a large indoor shopping complex a few stops north on the subway line. Reminiscient of shopping complexes in Oz, these large meccas of consumerism makes consuming a breeze. All stores under one roof is often the catch-cry and indeed what could be simpler than having all your heart's desires within the accessibility of one arena?

This also puzzles me, as the "famous" Eatons Centre in the heart of downtown Toronto, effectively consisting of the same stores, in a similarly sized city block, gives me such pains when I am there that I now refuse to enter its doors let alone pass my tight-fisted dollars to its vendors.

Without a detailed examination, I would claim the following defects in no particular order:

1. Poor layout - street level access creates no sense of 'arrival'. The mezzaine-style level shopping makes little impression, with the division and flow of spaces awkward both horizontally and vertically.


2. Lack of direct sunlight - two main floors of shopping are the basement and ground level utilising only artificial lighting.


3. Crowded - due to its central location it attracts a high volume of shoppers thus creating a stressful shopping experience.

Happy with my purchases and experience at Yorkdale I went out with my usual Saturday night friends to Rockwood, the same club we went to for NYE. Unfortunately the sound system gave out a couple of times during the night, and the incessent use of the air horn by the DJ troubled me a little ("More cowbells!" for those who know the Saturday Night Live skit I refer to). However, we were there as support for our friend's promoter friend at this usually fine purveyor of house music and we were given free entry. So to sum, as one of my life mottos declare: free is good.