Some further adventures on the streets of Toronto. Last weekend we checked out Cabbagetown in the rain. It's a very cute area east of where we live. There's a strip of shops and restaurants along Parliament, some gorgeous houses, a couple of nice parks and a graveyard. We spent most of the time following the suggested scenic route through the neighbourhood, but did stop for brunch. There was supposed to be a good food/kitchen store, but for some reason we couldn't find it.
Yesterday was beautiful and sunny and the Distillery District. Cabbagetown was very low key and neighbourhoody; the Distillery District was touristy and much like Granville Island. The old distillery buildings have been repurposed as shops, artisan studios, galleries and restaurants. The streets are all brick and there are no cars. It's a bit more expensive, but has some very cool art, and jewelry. Bitter got herself some new earrings, but reluctantly left the $220 ones behind. The rest of the day was spent on patios with beer. As it should be.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Toronto retards
We met up with some friends from the old county last week - good old Spruce Grove, Alberta. I also went to my first Blue Jays game since we moved here. I'm not really a baseball fan - the number of games I've seen since my dad used to fall asleep in front of the TV on Sunday afternoons (when golf wasn't on) is quite small. But it was a good time, and the Jays won, which apparently doesn't happen more than half the time.
Bitter was unable to go to join the girls for "We Will Rock You" the night before (while we guys were doing the guy thing by going to the game), but we met up with Archie, Veronica and Archie Jr. the next day. Bitter met them in the afternoon and I caught up with them after work. We were able to show our prowess at navigating in Toronto by leading them on a half-hour walk to end up exactly where we were when we started. We're so, so cool.
Bitter was unable to go to join the girls for "We Will Rock You" the night before (while we guys were doing the guy thing by going to the game), but we met up with Archie, Veronica and Archie Jr. the next day. Bitter met them in the afternoon and I caught up with them after work. We were able to show our prowess at navigating in Toronto by leading them on a half-hour walk to end up exactly where we were when we started. We're so, so cool.
If Tim Burton had directed Moulin Rouge...
Saturday night we went down to the Rivoli on Queen West to see Amanda Palmer in concert. Probably the oddest concert we've been to, so far. A significant portion of the audience dressed up - sort of goth, sort of not. She is part of Dresden Dolls who we also hadn't heard of before. I read about her recently as she was involved in a project with Neil Gaiman for her upcoming album and then discovered she was playing here. So, having prepared ourselves by watching a few Youtube videos, we wandered down to check her out.
The opening band was Vermillion Lies which was like an Edward Gorey cartoon brought to life and set to music. Macabre, theatrical and very enjoyable. Two sisters (one of whom wore a coat and tails and had an inked-on moustache) who played a variety of instruments, many of which were regular household objects - toolbox, typewriter, washboard, kazoo, marionette, bells.
Amanda Palmer wasn't quite as bizarre as some of her videos would indicate (she pretty much stayed at her keyboard the whole night), but she is a very dynamic performer. Her style is best described as punk cabaret. She's got some good songs, and her encore was a version of Radiohead's Creep done on the ukulele as she wandered through the crowd.
The opening band was Vermillion Lies which was like an Edward Gorey cartoon brought to life and set to music. Macabre, theatrical and very enjoyable. Two sisters (one of whom wore a coat and tails and had an inked-on moustache) who played a variety of instruments, many of which were regular household objects - toolbox, typewriter, washboard, kazoo, marionette, bells.
Amanda Palmer wasn't quite as bizarre as some of her videos would indicate (she pretty much stayed at her keyboard the whole night), but she is a very dynamic performer. Her style is best described as punk cabaret. She's got some good songs, and her encore was a version of Radiohead's Creep done on the ukulele as she wandered through the crowd.
Who rocks the most?
While out in the country on the long weekend we passed through Rockwood several times. That's an awesome name for a town. Rockwood! It also happens to be very cute.
The next town over is called Eremosa, so the area between them is called Rockmosa. That has to be the best town name ever! Rockmosa!! [makes rock 'n roll devil hand sign]
The next town over is called Eremosa, so the area between them is called Rockmosa. That has to be the best town name ever! Rockmosa!! [makes rock 'n roll devil hand sign]
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Country mouse, city mouse
So, the August long weekend was spent with Bitter's family. During the three days we saw cousins and grandams and uncles and nieces and nephews. A very full weekend. With the cousins we spent some quality time on Friday eating, drinking and hanging out.
Saturday and Sunday involved nieces and nephews: once at Grandma's, once at their own place. Four energetic children between 12 and 6 with nothing to do at Grandma's is not my ideal time, but we survived. The next night at their own place, where they could run and do what they liked, was much better. BBQ, firepit and jumping on the trampoline in the dark. Whee!
Monday saw us venturing to Wiarton - home of Wiarton Willie the groundhog. A six hour round trip and the little bastard didn't even make an appearance. To be fair, he wasn't the reason for the trip, which was beautiful and Wiarton is a nice little town at an inlet.
Guelph and Georgetown are also very beautiful.
Saturday and Sunday involved nieces and nephews: once at Grandma's, once at their own place. Four energetic children between 12 and 6 with nothing to do at Grandma's is not my ideal time, but we survived. The next night at their own place, where they could run and do what they liked, was much better. BBQ, firepit and jumping on the trampoline in the dark. Whee!
Monday saw us venturing to Wiarton - home of Wiarton Willie the groundhog. A six hour round trip and the little bastard didn't even make an appearance. To be fair, he wasn't the reason for the trip, which was beautiful and Wiarton is a nice little town at an inlet.
Guelph and Georgetown are also very beautiful.
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