Five Years Ago Today...
The eastern seaboard of the US and most of southwestern Ontario were plunged into darkness. I just realized that the Blackout of 2003 was a pivotal event in my life (as it surely was for many other people).
I was working at Exclusively Women's Fitness Centre at the time, which refused to shut down, even though the government had asked all non-essential services to close until the power grid could be repaired and rebooted. Morally-minded as I am, I refused to work that day and left. A couple days later, I was fired.
The firing was a good thing, though. I hated my job there (I was responsible for telling women they were fat and that they needed to join a gym- I really wasn't very good at it). I hated the city I was in (Windsor- the arm pit of Ontario). I hated my life (living at my parents). It was Beth that invited to visit her, indefinitely, in Toronto. I packed up my CRV (back then I drove a car, what was I thinking?!?) and headed for the Big Smoke.
This was five years ago. It seems like FOREVER ago... but man, does time fly. I've learned so much since then, experienced so much, and have made so many excellent friends. At the time, I was really upset about being fired. I didn't know what I was going to do. I still didn't know what I was going to do, even when I arrived in Toronto. My never-ending gratitude goes out to Beth, who gave me a place to stay, a shot at a job (which I still have now), and the WILL TO LIVE ON!
Labels: 2003, beth, blackout, toronto, windsor
Lo and Behold
This is why I keep all of my old notebooks.
Here's a poem I found in a notebook from 2006... I don't even remember writing it.
With a newcomer's eyeThe city looks beautifulAnd uncleanAnd UnseenLooking up to see the tops of sky-coloured towersand down to see homeless feet sticking out from beneath pavement-coloured blanketsThe Attractions and DistractionsThe city's full of themThe ride on the streetcarJolting and crampedWonderfulNot annoying as it is to all the regular ridersGetting a crick in the neck from looking outBut not a pain in the neckThe city remains interestingNo matter if seen with fresh or old, rotten eyesAnd the inspiration (the gentleman one seat ahead)Dismounts at PortlandHave a nice nightLOLOL... man, what a difference two years can make.
Labels: poem, streetcar, toronto
Groceries, and How It Pertains To Dirty Dancing
I'm finally doing a bit of preparation for this week's meals. I've always known this was a good idea, I just never thought of it at the right time (ex: directly before going to the grocery store). So, looking at what I have in my cupboards (which isn't much), I found a few recipes that will hopefully utilize the random things I already have, with minimal amount of extra purchases. We'll see what comes of it!
The first dish is
crab quiche. I bought pie shells a few weeks ago, and have some imitation crab meat in the freezer that needs to be used up. So for this dish, I still have to buy eggs and milk (the recipe calls for cream, but I'm just going to use less milk and more... something else... I dunno).
Next will be some pita pizzas... I've got two pitas in my freezer that need eating. So I'm going to hit the deli and get a tiny amount of pepperoni and a couple mushrooms to make my favourite kind of pizza... uhh... that's pepperoni, mushroom and cheese.
Next on the list is some sandwiches. Again the deli will help me out here. I always forget how much I like sandwiches. I'll probably get some thinly sliced chicken breast, and maybe a couple slabs of bologna, so as to kick it old school style (one of my fave things to eat when I was young was bologna, cheese and mustard sandwiches at Lenora's place.... ahhh, good times). The photo above is of a delectable sandwich Eric made for Stef's birthday picnic. Soooo gooooood.
Last on the list is chili. I bought a crap load of beans for a salad that never got made, so I'll use them in a chili instead. I can freeze a bunch and it'll last longer- perfect for lunches.
Anyways... that's what I'm eating this week. Just so you know. LOL.
Another memory from Lenora's place back in Maidstone was watching Dirty Dancing over and over and over and over again. That movie pretty much taught me everything about boys and sex and whatnot. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not! Dad and Shirl are coming to Toronto on July 2nd, and we're going to take in the musical rendition of Dirty Dancing. I've heard the show is spectacular, and with all the good memories I have of the movie, I'm super excited to see it. Even though I've lived in Toronto for almost five years (five years!!?!), I haven't seen a musical since Les Mis, in grade 11 (I think it was 11...).
Labels: dirty dancing, food, musical, toronto
Cross Post Mania: Toronto Condo First To Convert To Interior LED Lights
In an effort to maximize my online presence, I'm going to start cross posting my blogTO articles onto here. Just in case you don't know about blogTO!
Today, I wrote about how the Palace Pier Condo on Lakeshore West is the first large scale residential building to convert their interior lights to energy-efficient MR16 LED lamps. "A step in the right direction, that I hope will set a precedent for Toronto condos."
Here's the link:
http://www.blogto.com/environment/2008/01/toronto_condo_first_to_convert_to_interior_led_lights/Labels: blogto, energy, environment, toronto
Labor Day Fun
Friday: Eric's Birthday Party and Stef's Back Deck.
Saturday: Breakfast at Freshwood Grill on Roncesvalles.
Sunday: Alexei and Joelle's new apartment for pre-drinks, then the The Mod Club, and the James' place.
Monday: Cadillac Lounge for breakfast, and relaxing in Cowan Park.
Phew!! Damn fun weekend! Good thing I've got tomorrow off too, to recover!
Check out the rest of the photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenswift/sets/72157601841906558/I also uploaded photos from the
Medicinal Plant workshop I'm taking at the Brickworks, from
Maria's Free Party at the Duke of Richmond, and from
My Real 30th BirthdayParty (you have to check out Stef's photos to see the surprise party my friends threw for the next night!)
Labels: "weekend update", breakfast, concert, events, labour day, leisure, parkdale, photos, toronto
Weekend Update
Bex's Champagne birthday was on Friday, so we celebrated on Saturday at the Rhino just up the street. Good times were had by all...
We started here at home, and then walked up the street, and then came back, and then some people left again, and then came back. Tyndall is where it's at.
Prior to the party, though, I spent the day getting my hair did. It's did alright!
Sunday we went to the Caddy for the breakfast again, except I asked for a lunch menu item. I just really can't stomach the breakfast there! Runny eggs and weird tasting potatoes. The regular french fries are awesome though, so it's all good.
The best part of the weekend, though, was the fact that Ben was here! Sweet Joseph of Aremethea, I love that man!
More photos from the Rhino and breakfast here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenswift/sets/72157600279161788/And this morning, James,
Stef and I met up for some free pancakes at Nathan Phillips Square.
Bike Week officially kicked off!
See more photos from city hall here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ravenswift/518782912/ Labels: "weekend update", bex, bike, events, nathan phillips square, toronto
Biiiike Weee-eeeek!
Starts tonight. Movies at Dundas Square (ROAM and An Inconvenient Truth), Mass Commute and Pancakes at NPS on Monday, Bike Clinic and BBQ at Bandshell Park on Wednesday, Bike Locker Preview at NPS and Party at Clinton's on Thursday, Ride the Don on Saturday, and a Bike Art Show at the Gladstone on Sunday.
Man, I LOVE Bike Week!!
Check here for more details:
http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/bikeweek/bikeweek_2007.htmI'll be there, will you?!?!
.
Labels: bike, environment, events, leisure, local, movies, nathan phillips square, toronto
