Culture & Recreation-January

Rob Ford Watch was in full swing Friday. Kept an ear open to the morning show. Update came at 10:30   Ruling overturned. Alas. Cheaper than a by-election, I suppose. After the kerfuffle, settled into the afternoon with a little Bach. We do seem to take a lot of trouble pronouncing his name whereas we don't bother with anyone else.  Why is that? How many ways can you say Bach?

The only conversation was hockey so I amused myself with the bird that had landed in the tree.  I had been on the hunt for a pheasant and the usual sources no longer carried any kind of game bird.  In fact the young lad at the deli counter had no idea what I was talking about.  "A what?"  Then later, "What was it you called it again?"  Most amusing.  The plump bird in the tree may just have met my needs.  Cumbrae Meats to the rescue, though.  A fine butcher shop and we are fortunate to have one of their three locations right here in Hamilton.  It's unusual to go into raptures about a butcher shop but this one's rather nice.  Beautifully presented product; good quality.

A few cm's of snow fell Friday PM and surprisingly the traffic was moving.  It is customary to travel at top speeds of 60-70kmh when the flakes fall.  Easy to spot those without snow tyres.  Over to the other side of town to get the bird.  I behaved and didn't stop for cappuccino, chocolate dipped spun toffee nor Pad Thai.  However, Chef & Wife did have their mango shrimp on so picked up a portion for the fridge.  Shopping frenzy getting the rest of the menu. Some shelves bare and prices on the rise due to the arctic conditions south of the border.  Expecting a better Niagara Ice Wine harvest this year.

The more you can do towards dinner now the less the next day.  Simple philosophy.   Cafe de Paris prep began in earnest. Opportunity finally presented itself to take down the Xmas tree. I have had my detractors; keeping the tree up has been a bit of a hard sell.  I've enjoyed it.  Thought to tarp it, fully decorated, and drag it out to the shed until December. 
 

 

 

Mysteries of what appears to be complex cooking revealed.  No complexity to it at all.  Simple is good.  On this week's menu:

Aperitif~Cafe de Paris

scallops in white wine

pheasant with chestnut sauce

chocolate pots
cheese plate

Vin~Pouilly Fume
 

Will be posting all the details a little later at:   CAFE DE PARIS

["And for the rest of them, we'll have a large trough of baked beans, garnished with a couple of dead dogs." John Cleese (Fawlty Towers)]

CBC's Ideas for Friday evening.  Artists in Residence at the Glenfiddich distillery in Scotland.  This particular episode focused on Jillian McDonald.  Every year the Distillery pays to have artists in residence and this is one of many that Ms. McDonald  has received.  Her previous projects include a Billy Bob Thornton  which defies description here but I will include the link to do it better justice Valley of the Deer   One distillery past project includes a special batch of single malt that will be aging, I believe, 100 years.  The project is a sort of treasure hunt to actually find where this special batch is hidden.  And even with all this talk of single malt, I failed to raise a glass to Robbie Burns. Tsk. Tsk.

Felt somewhat obligated to pay attention to Canadian politics again with the pending Premiership vote Saturday.  How long did this take?  An agonizing length of time.  So far so good on not focusing on Wynne's sexual orientation.  Think she entertained one question on the subject.

Set off Sunday to clear the gremlin behind the eyes.  Thought to finish the trail but first meandered through farm country. A little overcast and cold.  Found Edwards Cemetery dating from 1853.  It's surrounded by nothing but fields for miles.  Desolation and silence.  Reminded me of the Carol Shields novel Swann.  Things going on in farmhouses and nobody on the outside knows because of the isolation. 

Sinking headstones; a few crumbling ones. A young boy over in the far corner.

 

 

Silence until a little man on a bicycle came along the road collecting tin cans.  Thought it was a kid on a skateboard-it had that sound.  The collector was in fact crushing the cans.  Seemed like an awful lot of cans in the ditches. Cold!  Didn't feel a hike was going to happen.  Off to Haldimand through Blackheath.  Doubled back on Chippewa to Tyneside then #65. 

The middle tree looks vaguely human.  Very Wizard of Oz.

 

 

 

 

Pleasantly surprised to find work continuing on the Unity Road portion of the Chippewa Trail.  The gate was closed and not one, not two, but three earth movers sat idle on the path for the weekend.  Old railway ties were piled up ready for removal.

 

Over to Haldibrook Rd.  The pile of asphalt I mentioned last time has disappeared.  The site looks much better.  Passed by the other side of the Killman Zoo.  The alpacas were feeding; they looked rather comfortable in their coats.

 

 

 

Skaters and hockey players out on the Binbrook ponds.

 

 



 

This is a curious house that I often drive by.  Like its shape and the Widow's Walk.

 

Home to defrost.  Got an update on the Cheez Whiz shipment to Silver Screen Suppers . Jars arrived intact and a successful casserole was prepared; recipe provided by Mr. Francis of Caker Cooking  Well done,  everyone.

   

Finished up the day with the first part of Bennet's Smut. Bennet is partial to pheasant, too.

 

 

 

Culture & Recreation-The Xmas Edition

Thinking of taking last Friday's frenzy right through to the New Year.   Never venture to the mall after Nov 30th.  I've been traumatized ever since Canadian Black Friday when I went out for Movember chocolate moustaches. Chaos.  And I wasn't anywhere near the mall.  This time I was sans gloves and you can just imagine what I must have come into contact with.  Was it smart to do this on the eve before a Christmas party?  No. Who in their right mind uses a communal pen at the Post Office and then eats lunch? Tells you something about the state of my mind.

More shopping for Xmas treats.  And before anyone takes exception to my using an X instead of Christ, the X is a perfectly acceptable substitute.  Dust of your Britannica and look it up.  Xmas cakes were on tap this weekend and after perusing the latest Hamilton giving the milk chocolate and sea salt covered bacon a whirl.  Salted bacon? Yes, because clearly bacon needs more salting.  The cakes are a 48 hr project and care and attention must be paid.  Prepped the kitchen, sedated myself with a little Horlicks and somehow lost track of three hours which I still can't account for. Did the martini(s) have anything to do with it?

1. Fry bacon
2. For every pan of bacon, save one slice for yourself for snacking purposes
3. Prepare bacon and eggs while you wait for subsequent batches to cook
4. Drain & cool what's left
5. Melt milk chocolate
6. Drizzle over cooled bacon
7. Sprinkle with sea salt
8. Chill
9. Resist temptation to eat

Saturday. Took a very civilized breakfast; a little pate and baguette to start the day.  Dave had presented Morley with a decorated pear tree; one of my favourite stories.   Took about three hours to mobilize as the cold symptoms had materialized overnight. No choice but to snooze. Eventually left for the downtown core; four hours before dinner. 
 
If you remember my last trip downtown, I was laid low afterwards with some kind of plague. Wanted to do a little reconnaissance.  With one-way systems, no on-street parking and lane closures, a little tour of the neighbourhood is advised if you want to get to dinner on time.  We were headed to Seven Windows at Aberdeen & Dundurn.  I can confirm that there is no sign on the front door; no neon "OPEN" to guide you in off the street nor is there any parking signage  Found a small lot but wanted a back up plan in case it was full come dinner hour.  Seven Windows is a restaurant and lounge located in a converted bank; there is a vault available for private dinners.

Whirlwind tour of the library; took the stairs-only exercise this week.  No fourth or fifth floor anymore.  Well, no books on those floors anymore.  On tap this week are Douglas Coupland's Highly Inappropriate Tales for Young Children, Emma Donoghue's Room and Sarah Selecky's This Cake Is For the Party-short stories.  From last month, I'm recommending Naked by David Sedaris-short stories; funny stuff.  Also, two plays; Marion Bridge by Daniel MacIvor-should take you a couple of bathroom breaks to read (now on dvd if you can't be bothered reading) and Belle Moral by Anne Marie McDonald (at Shaw a few years back).  How to describe this one?  Think it's best if you just read it.       

Usual cast of characters on the drive down.  Most striking was the woman in zebra striped pants and fur coat.  Will I go bold with the wardrobe as I enter the late middle age?  Read a piece the other day which discussed the idea that, never mind age 65, you become invisible at 25.  So most people will think you're just batty and ignore you when you pop to the store in your funky boots and leopard prints. Or, they just won't see you at all.

Had time for a quick visit to the Art Gallery~AGH-Napoleon.  From the first room, painted a regal red, Napoleon comes off as something of a rock star.  Long, flowing tresses and baby face features.  His signet ring, snuff box, watch and hat are on display.  Napoleon controlled every aspect of his reign and I started to think of our beloved Mr. Harper.  (I bet Napoleon's hair didn't move either.)  There's lots on display-paintings, dinner ware, beds, and a very fine gold toothbrush.  Will return when I have a little more leisure.  Runs 'til May.

Finally reached an age when no one calls to ask what you're wearing. Sandwiched myself into something that wasn't a Little Black Dress. Ah, the miracle of Lycra.  Telemarketer at 17:00  At this time of day?

Despite the earlier reconnaissance, I missed the restaurant and drove 'round the block to double back.  As I said, no signage.  Good vodka martini. Started with the chicken liver pate which was precisely the right temperature; served with crispbreads and onion relish.  Followed this with soup-Indian with apple.  Very tasty.  At last, a restaurant that doesn't serve shrimp cocktail with red seafood sauce! Excellent presentation with everything.

Venison for mains-tender slices served on top of sweet potato, carrot, beet, sprout and chutney.  Everyone enjoyed their mains which varied from halibut to chicken to lamb to filet.   Nearly poached my neighbour's potato-apparently, they don't "do" potato. Theirs came cooked in chicken fat which sounded rather tasty to me.  Seemed a shame to waste them.

Pastry choices were Pavlova, Ice Wine creme brulee, flourless chocolate torte (which met with rave reviews) amongst others.

Now the only fly in the ointment is the service.  Overall, service was fine, but it lacked the full attentiveness you would expect with this kind of restaurant.  Is the water glass empty?  Is the wine glass empty?  A dessert menu that includes digestifs would be nice so you can take your time ruminating over the course and not left guessing at what's behind the bar.  And worse, in one case, having to accompany the server to the bar to have a look at the whiskey choices.  Overall, it deserves a second go 'round to see if this is the norm or were they having an off night?

I had the privilege of chauffeuring the younger crowd back into town.  And where did they pick from all the choices?  Hess Village.  Now apart from lunch a couple of years back, the Village isn't somewhere you'd venture past the age of twenty-five.  It's full of micro skirt /platform shoe clad girls who look identical to one another and men in baggy pants, the occasional woolly hat and loose fitting shirt or hoodie.  They spill out onto the road at 2:15, blood coursing with liquor.  A fight or two ensues, police are called and it starts all over again next weekend.  Time was the village was a good spot for the thirty-five plus crowd.  It was home to the annual Jazz Fest.  Great music, good pubs, good food.  Slowly, the nineteen year olds took over.  Pubs became clubs and it went to pot(no doubt literally in some cases). 

For people watching however, you can't go wrong.  There is a Hortons on the corner and it's a good spot for watching the aftermath if you don't want to venture onto the cobblestones. The fascinating world of the under 25's.  Took our place at the side of the stage of The Lazy Flamingo.  We stood out like the proverbial thumb-dressed in our suits, dress and overcoats. The Great Divide were in mid set.  Divide was a fairly accurate name as two of them looked as if they'd just walked out of an early incarnation of Joy Division and the other two out of a commune, circa 1970.  They split the set between originals and Hendrix, Lynrd Skynrd and so on.  The band did a great job and if anyone knows of a good hearing specialist, drop me a line.

One of our party ventured to the WC but no one else went in after he reported back on the conditions.  As 2 AM approached, panic set in with the natives;  like closing time at Club 54.  There was a woman of about fifty chatting up the guys.  One was mortified that someone of her "advanced" years should choose someone like him.  They have yet to stare to death in the face and think they're going to live forever.  She eventually found herself a "dance partner" who was about twenty years her junior and, once again, we had to get the oxygen out for the young lads.

Sunday. Having gotten home at 3AM, was in no mood to tackle Stage One of "The Cake" and was a little delicate for most of the day.  Listened to Tapestry and a interview with the winner of Most Eloquent Person of the Year.  Oh to be so calm and collected.  Must find her name. Somehow found enough drive to prepare dinner for The Pater.  In my stupor, I neglected to add a critical ingredient and it took about 24hrs to figure out what it was.

Out to another game of minor league hockey with the five year olds.  Had been a few weeks since the last game and there was marked improvement in the skating.  Was that strategy at play? Thought there might have been a gas leak at one point; turns out to have been my seat mate's Bits & Bites snack pack. 

Monday. Challenging day.  In my defence, the whole nation is down with some kind of flu or cold.  Don't think my lack of health had anything to do with Saturday night.  Oh, how the hours dragged.  Cake making, Phase 1,  and then bed.

 

Tuesday. A blur. Cake making, Phase 2. I dosed myself with the juice of three lemons, honey and many cups of herbal tea. 

And finally, Wednesday mid morning tea break. Very pleased with the results. A moist Xmas cake; no doorstops here. Put the recipe in your arsenal. See below.

What’s in the VCR this week?  Xmas chestnuts, of course. Watching them on the portable, I might add.  Oh, the humanity!  Bill Paterson in Comfort and Joy (1984).  A Glaswegian disc jockey finds himself as the go between  of two rival gangs of ice cream merchants.   A Child’s Christmas in Wales with Denholm Eliot (1987 adaptation from Dylan Thomas), A Muppet Christmas with Michael Caine and A Christmas Story-don’t think this one needs any explaining.

Don’t forget to try Soulpepper’s A Christmas Carol.  It’s running until December 29^th.

Onwards and upwards with the holidays; the idea is to have as little to do on “the day” as possible while at the same time maintaining sanity before hand.

(Editor’s Note:  That's what President’s Choice is for. Just give me a great big basket of Black Label goodies.)

And so Dear Reader, a very happy and healthy holiday to you.  Enjoy yourself. 

 

Edible Xmas Cake (good brunch partner)

Apricots, prunes, currants, cherries, figs; chopped to make 2 CUPS

1 CUP sherry, port or other
 

2/3 C unsalted butter

1 C Demerera sugar

2 eggs + 1 yolk
1 TSP vanilla

1C flour
1 TSP baking powder

1 TSP salt

½ TSP cinnamon
½ TSP nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves

1 TSP lemon zest

 

Day One 

Heat sherry; add chopped fruit and simmer 10 mins.  Let stand for 24hrs. 

 

Day Two 

In mixer combine: butter, sugar; add eggs one at a time; add vanilla;  combine dry ingredients and add to egg mixture; add zest & bake 375C for 45 minutes in well buttered and floured loaf pan.

 

The Ballet Comes to Town~Culture & Recreation II

“Oh, so you’re going to Toronto?”  No, the Ballet comes to Hamiltonians, we do not have to go to it. 

Five people in class Saturday morning. The numbers are waning and I see there is no Winter class scheduled as a result. Teen Zumba has replaced it. For those who declined to grace the class with their presence, you missed a fantastic workout. We had a one time replacement instructor and she was good. Very good. The lactic acid built up earlier than usual and at one point I felt I may have to abandon ship. Everyone walked away with the equivalent of a runner’s high.

Off to town to get the tickets. Yes, years after talking about Swan Lake, tickets were finally purchased. Ballet Jorgen were in town this past weekend. There are those who believe ballet is dead, but Jorgen celebrates its 25^th anniversary this year. Jorgen believe in dance for the masses and set out to prove that it’s not an elitist event.

Haven’t walked around town for ages. Delighted to find free parking a stone’s throw away. Three hours worth.  Lots of people getting tickets to William Shatner. Not sure what kind of performance he’s giving. Heard Leonard Nimoy on the radio this week. What was I listening to?  Nimoy was in fine voice-a cult classic. Off to the market which just celebrated 175 years.  Man playing bongos outside one of the exit doors.  He was wearing the most enormous white rimmed sunglasses.

Haven’t been to the market or library since the renovations. Big controversy over stall space and size. It did seem smaller than the old market. More eclectic, though, and very busy.  What is the difference between Ontario leeks at $2 versus $3? I couldn't tell the difference.  The Charging Horsemen clock has been fully restored and can now be found in the market. Looks great.

Not one but two Indian pastry stalls. Stopped at Sensational Samosa.   Realized I hadn’t drunk anything after the workout and so it was probably a good time to stop and rehydrate. The library was equally packed. Both buildings are situated at the back of Jackson Square mall and one wonders how people navigate to York Blvd. The mall has always been a bit of a maze. The location takes people from the “core” (King St) to almost a back road. The Salvation Army has a huge facility across the street and there were some interesting characters(see Bongo-Man). It would be great if the market could spill out onto James North to join the shops, restaurants and cafes.  Picked up The Fry Chronicles by Stephen Fry, a continuation of Moab is My Washpot-excellent autobiography.  Fry is culture in a nutshell.

Fated to not fully shake off the cold, things turned nasty mid-afternoon and took myself to bed where, with furnace blasting and electric blanket cranked, I lay shivering for two hours.  Done in by the samosa?  The Mexican beverage? The self checkout at the library? (there was something nasty on the screen) Took three hours to rally ‘round and doped myself sufficiently to the point where I felt human again.

Back to town and it dawns on me that I haven’t eaten since 1PM.  What to do?  McDonald's for a muffin.  There are not enough bytes for me to describe the urban McDonald’s night time experience.  Don’t think I’d do it justice.  I was owed change and there was a great debate to open the second till.  I think it’s safe to say management won’t mind.

(Editor's note.  Maybe a serialization of the Mcdonald's experience?)

Long line to get in to Hamilton Place.  The doors were replaced with sliding doors a few years back.  Only problem is, operating on a sensor as they do, when the line forms to get in the building or when the smokers take their break, the doors stay open and the cold and smoke are sucked back into the building.  Thus, we all become smokers for the intermission.  There does seem to be some money floating around.  Hamilton Place is undergoing a bit of a face lift.  Confusion, though, as those that wanted the Studio Theatre lined up for Hamilton Place and vice versa.  I think a couple of light bulbs would go a long way to help get people in the right building.  Lots of men in the audience!  Was curious what the mix would be.  A young  man dropped off five women and then got quickly out of Dodge. 

I thought Swan Lake was  beautifully done and admired the dexterity of all the performers. If your knowledge of ballet extends to The Black Swan with Natalie Portman, do yourselves a favour and check out the Swan Lake touring schedule for this company and book some tickets.

Ballet Jorgen

 

Very personable dance group and they signed autographs after the show.  I watched the twelve swans and marvelled how anyone can stand still for ten minutes with one foot behind them, the other at ninety degrees to its leg, back somewhat arched and with both arms outstretched. 

Home to chicken soup.  Naturally forgot about the time change and took an extra few hours in bed next morning.  Breakfast in bed was the order of the day.  Three hours of pre US election coverage on CBC. Realize I’ve spent an enormous amount of time on this election.  Barely spent five minutes on the Canadian Liberal debacle.  It’s just that since Grade seven, I’ve always been tremendously bored by Canadian history.  In grade seven I wanted kings and queens of Europe and was handed Quebec in the 13^th century.  Dave surprised Morley with Mexican mint and that coupled with a story on Leacock’s pond, felt inspired to tackle the last of my gardening.  Only problem is that the garden is alive and kicking.
 

 

Spied a nasturtium in bloom on a plant that had been ripped out of its pot two weeks ago.  A blue jay swooped in to munch on the sunflower seeds.  Hollyhocks, Phlox, Gallardia, Livingstone Daisy, Sedum still in flower.
 

 

Took a coffee break in the patio chair and surveyed the “Property”.  Planted bulbs and noticed some of the existing bulbs had already sprouted by an inch. Long wait ‘til March.
 

 

Thinking that it was an hour later than it was, made haste to call it a day.  Wachtel in mid interview so after the brain worked out what the real time was (I blame the drugs) reset the clocks(why do we have to change the clocks in the first place?)and paid a visit to the Stoney Creek Battlefield House-battle ground, in part,  of the War of 1812. The grounds have recently undergone landscaping.  Stoney Creek hosts an annual reenactment in June. 

The back of the house...

The front door... 

 

The Battlefield Monument...

 

 

 

A couple were having Engagement photos taken at the top of the stairs.  The new trend-engagement pics.  I feel the photos need to be taken when you’re in the moment, not weeks or months later and you have to recreate the feeling just so you’ll have a book for guests to sign at the wedding.  If you’re going the picture route, have the photographer on site, hiding in the bushes somewhere with a suitable lens.  Wedding business has gotten way out of hand. 

Thought for the day:  If you took as much time planning your marriage as you did planning the one day party that is your wedding, chances of a successful marriage increase a thousand fold. 

Took the Pater’s advice-single malt to finish the day.  No need for the furnace. 

Like a Drowned Rat-Culture and Recreation

"In The Bleak Midwinter... "

The song will have to wait for another time.  As most Ontarians take an extra dose of Happy Pills, I say, embrace the weather.  It's just a matter of layering and not resigning yourself to complaining about it.  (But we do it anyway.)

Took some pictures of the Niagara Escarpment.  Like the contrast of the dark tree trunks and the yellow branches in the rain.




 

Breathing and vision fully restored by late Friday  evening. Stocked the larder against the coming storm and took a few moments of R & R.  And it was mere moments.  Declined the beer in favour of the martini but ultimately went with a Horlicks.  Comfort food.  As I didn't have a vat of macaroni and cheese waiting for me when I got home, Horlicks was just the thing.  Malt & Barley-very fortifying; like a beer, only no alcohol.  Has a very soporific effect. 

9AM Saturday.  No light in the house and staggered from one room to the next trying to find something suitable to sweat in. Enthusiasm not running high for the workout, but, I went.  Six of us in total.  What were the other ten doing?  Nestled under their respective duvet? Dreaming of the big breakfast fry-up?  The instructor may as well have stayed home.  After two hours sleep she had dragged herself in after a night at the casino.  Self-motivation was key here.

13:00  Opera bound.  The most excruciating drive into town.  Had forgotten that the Ti-Cat game was on. Ticket holders clad in yellow longshoremen slickers and pants.   It's raining so of course everyone is doing 40kmh.  Why? 

The debacle that is the Tiger Cats.    What more can be said about this team? Pages have been devoted to it. The 2013 season is an unknown quantity at this stage.  The old stadium is coming down and they have nowhere to play.  The proposed stadium is smaller than this one, seating is reduced, parking is reduced.  Full exposure to the elements for the fans.  Going to be in the same spot as the existing venue which has proven to not work for the neighbourhood, the fans and the city at large.  One only has to look at the stadium time line of events to see that it is in fact clown suits Council wears and not the traditional shirt and tie.  (Ti-Cat management have been playing dress up also.)

Had the choice to join the Zombie Walk down at Bayfront Park.  Very tempting, but, went with the hunchback in the three piece suit.

Parked up and joined the queue to feed the meter.  There is no consensus on parking fees.  Think the meter is free on a Saturday.  The lots, no.  No one really knows.  Time was a little man in the green booth took a flat rate fee but now it's all automated.  No one dare risk not feeding the meter.  Fines being what they are.

14:00  Theatre facade under reconstruction and things didn't look good.  Pink rinse set in the seats.  Lots of canes and a poor women who had both feet in therapy boots.  I kept waiting for her to tip sideways and go over the aisle.  A few under 50's.   My seat mate was a "purse rummager"  and in distress.  Her friend was nowhere to be found and she was not pleased that another woman was sitting in her friend's spot.  Friend located at intermission.  This meant that the caned rummager made two round trips to the lobby.  I feared she too would go over the aisle.  Unfortunately, she slept through two thirds of the production, waking only when the soloists hit the high notes.  Do you jab strangers in the ribs to wake them up?  They've paid good money and it's an expensive nap.

Hamilton Place this is not, but Theatre Aquarius has turned into a good venue for Opera Hamilton.  The acoustics do not compare and the pit is hidden.  Traditionally first violin walks on followed by the conductor.  You just can't see anyone in this pit.  Speers did manage to poke his head above the stage, but, I think a step stool would go a long way here.  After all, you want to give the orchestra due credit and they did do a fine job.

This was a modern day Rigoletto set in penthouse boardrooms and karaoke bars.  Great voices.  I had two very chatty seatmates.  If you've lost track of the plot, don't confer with each other; read the program notes.  These two probably talk through movies-you know the type.  I had to shush them.  Someone had to take a stand.  You know everyone wants to take a stand, but, they're paralyzed with fear.  It's only a 'shush'.  I left the theatre a conquering hero.

18:00  The Pater was cooking dinner.  Excruciating drive East.  Who's familiar with The Green Wave?  If you hit the traffic lights right, you can get out of town in about fifteen minutes.  Just maintain 50kmh and you'll hit them just right.  BUT, you're up the proverbial if your timing's off.

Sunday roast beef on a Saturday night.  Mash, roast spuds, sprouts, winner of the World's Biggest Squash award, Yorkshire Pudding, gravy, cheese and biscuits, chocolate pastry.  Just the right elements on such a night.  I'd like to see more restaurants do a cheese and biscuit(crackers, to the uninitiated) course, but, it's still very much an Anglo thing.  Finishes the meal off.

Oblivious to the rain. The Merlot had worked its magic.

Sunday Afternoon.  Rain.  Decide to press on.

13:00  Final day of the Emily Carr exhibit at the AGH.  Here's a picture of the front door to the AGH.  Just want to make it absolutely clear.  There was a time when there wasn't a front door and getting in proved challenging for any visitors.  A front door was probably uppermost on the key players' minds when renovating.

And, the AGH letters are still in place.  One fell off in high wind and had to be re engineered. We'll see what happens with the coming storm.

Enjoyed the Carr exhibit. 

 

Adjacent to this was the Zinedine Zidane exhibit. Seventeen cameras filmed the footballer, exclusively, during a 2005 Real Madrid match. It’s a very intense ninety minutes of video. Close-ups of his head, feet, sweat. Runs ‘til April 28.

Caught the green wave out of town and headed to Walmart.  Mistake.  Hoards of parents looking for last minute Hallowe’en costumes.    Hoards of shoppers.  Can people think of nothing else on a rainy day but shop?  I grabbed my items and waited patiently in the queue.  Got to the car looking like a drowned rat.

15:00 Mohammed Hanif interview on Writers & Company.  Very eloquent man who felt very strongly that we should not be making heroes out of 14 year old Pakistani girls.  They should be doing what every other fourteen year old is doing, not trying to change policy and getting shot in the head for doing so.  Putting “A Case of Exploding Mangoes” on the reading list.

Home to the soothing sounds of Bach's Violin Concerto in A Minor.  Ahhhh.

18:00  Watching junior league (six year olds) hockey.  As their coach puts it, cat herding.  This was their second game, ever, and yes, there were some comic moments.  I give full credit to parents for getting their kids involved and spending every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at practise and games.  It was tough to concentrate on the game at times as three rather (I’ll be polite here) rambunctious children ran amok in the stands.  Whither parental control?? 

I do hope those of you out there who have decided to support OHL and local hockey during this silly business with Gary and his pals, will continue to do so if and when the strike comes to an end.  You say you will, but, why is it a challenge getting more than 3,000 of you in the stands during any given game?  The Big Boys can take care of themselves; give the OHL a chance.  You don’t really want to reward the NHL with your instant patronage.  Let us have our own strike.  Enough said about hockey.   

21:00  The Strombo Show and a recommendation for Hallowe’en.  The Devils, directed by Ken Russell.  Took an X-rating back in '71.  Oliver Reed and Vanessa Redgrave star.  Not for the faint of heart.  Enjoy!

People Watching In Toronto-Day 2

After tinkering with the alarm half a dozen times, decide the best course of action is to sleep 'til 9:00

The plan was to get up before the crowds hit the streets and at least enjoy a bit of peace downtown. Decide that breakfast in bed is by far the better option.  You have to admire the coordination of services in such a place.  Should you want breakfast brought to your room, simply hang your menu choices outside your door before 2:00 AM  Presumably a team walks the corridors post 2AM to collect the requests.  Seems like quite the undertaking for a random door tag. 
I indulged in my Market pastry, three cups of coffee and the paper.  Felt sufficiently revived to start the day, proper, at 11:00. The noon checkout is great-that extra hour makes all the difference.  More places should adopt this.

The ten minute walk to the car defeated me and with 35C humid temps, started the walk north feeling less than enthusiastic. UGH. There is no air flow in the downtown.  There is no air space left with all the high rises.

However, amid the scrapers are buildings that have a little character to them.

Off to spend the afternoon with Picasso.  Arrived at the AGO at peak tourist time.  People are sheep and one by one filed into the rooms and viewed the pictures IN ORDER.  It is OK to spread out and have a look around.  See what takes your eye.  It felt more like visiting someone lying in state.

Paintings of note for me are:

~2 Figures in a Forest, Woman in Blue Hat, Woman in Red Chair, Village Dance & Reading

Cubism becoming clearer.

Doesn't matter where you stand to view a piece of art, someone will always come and stand in front of you.  Why?

The AGO is all business-the program, the audio guide, the exhibit-specific gift shop.  Is this necessary?  I think most people visit a gift shop, they don't need it shoved in their face.  In order to access the family friendly cafe, you have to walk through the main gift shop; the children's gift shop is right at the bottom of the stairs.  You can't get away from it.

I do give 10/10 for the muffins.

Other exhibits of note are:

~Berenice Abbot-black & white photography

~Memory Doors

~The European collection

~Ken Thompson collection-love the snuff bottles

Fading fast and took off for Yonge and Dundas-only to get out of the rain.

Finished off the day on Front East.  Conversation with a Japanese student-here for a year working on her English.  She was off to St. James.  Delightful conversation which was interrupted by a lunatic needing $0.80.  He claimed diabetes and, when we refused to engage with him, upped the ante with a brain tumour.  A verbal assault followed and there was a tirade against Dalton McGuinty.  Language one normally only hears in a British independent film.

People Watching In Toronto-Day 1 of 2

For once, the TO bound traffic was flowing.  403 and QEW Niagara at a standstill.
The drive into Toronto has deteriorated over the years.  Why? Because of endless condominium development.  Depressing sight.  The GO bus affords only a view of bricks and mortar.  Note: exit at Lakeshore Blvd. Don't stay on the Gardiner. With the condition of said road, you may very well find yourself squashed under a a chunk of rebar and concrete.

Nice to see the lake, the joggers and what's left of Ontario Place (we're told the people have spoken and we won't see a repeat of the "Lakefront Disaster" at Ontario Place.  We'll see.
No lunatics on the highway this morning so a relaxing drive in, coupled with a view was a good start. Parked on The Esplanade-flat rates, lots of space. Central location.  Don't try to jockey for a spot at the Hockey Hall of Fame-even at the bargain rate of $20.00 per hour. Who parks here?

Key sight around town:  the crane.  UGH.

Saturday and a full crew on this job site.
(And the roads are up.)

Early people watch began with the woman making a B-line for the pub just shy of 11:00; oblivious to all around her.  How did you manage to run into the only other person on the sidewalk?

Priorities being in order, lunch was first on the list.  If you cannot make up your mind, try Spring Rolls-Japanese, Chinese and Thai in one. Located throughout the city, this one's on Front.  There was the sound of a vast kitchen at work, preparing food for the Mongol hoards.  I seemed to be the only one there so wondered if it was a sound track to encourage patronage.

Soup is good.  Service is good.  Very knowledgeable staff.  Patio.  Yes, the place did pick up and I was encouraged by the sight of a full house when I walked past the next day at dinner time.  Beautiful orchid growing in the front window.  Had a hard time convincing the staff that it was real.  Good spot for tourist watching-the crowds are at the half way point and looking for food.

Off to the Distillery District.  Double bill at Soulpepper today.  David Mamet's Speed The Plow and Neil Simon's The Sunshine Boys.  Coffee first, as a matter of course.  Balzac's cappuccino.  Took refuge in the upper Gallery.  It is actually cooler on the second floor.  There's a rotating collection of art on display, the daily paper and a comfy chair.  Nothing so particular as a coffee drinker.  You can sense their anticipation from the back of the queue.

Crowds not too bad.  Only one wedding today.  Lots of people taking pictures of each other.  Why do you have to stand in front of the object you want to take a picture of?  Why not take a picture of the object for your album?  You can take a picture of your family any time.

Took my seat just shy of 14:00  Wondered how the the woman was going to make it up the aisle in her  shoes.  The heels must have been killing her climbing all the way to Row N.  I wonder if people base their dress for the theatre or opera on Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman?  Everyone's seen it.  But this is not the Met.

Another woman heavily adorned with gold.  Let her know that she was about to lose an earring- "It's OK, I'm allergic to gold."  Torturing yourself out of vanity?  Willing to risk losing precious metals due to skin sensitivities?

Great play-very Mamet.  Not for the sensitive soul.  How do you tell the difference between his comedy and tragedy?  Are they not one and the same? 

Up to Front via The Canadian Opera Company.

The LCBO have set up a new shop alongside the ubiquitous Dollarama.  Curse its reflection in my picture.  Couldn't get the angle right.

Off to the St. Lawrence Market to pick up breakfast.  Yes, it's only 3:30 but nothing like getting ahead of yourself.  As usual, the place was teeming with life.  The pastry shop and kitchen store on the second floor are my favourites.  Finally bought a mortar and pestle. 

Run to the car, drop off the parcels, back to Front, back to the car, and so on.
Finally reach the hotel. 
Booked a humble room at The Royal York.  I think if you occupy one such room, the hotel pretty much leaves you alone.  They know you didn't book through them so you're obviously looking for a deal.  Note the North facing view. 

 

There is a reason to opt for the South rooms.  Wonder if the people in the office buildings "talk" to each other?  They're so close!  Guest was a little pouty-her South room wasn't ready.  But how much time are you going to spend in the room?  Get outside and take in a view.

Bring your own water or be prepared to either drink from the tap or find the dollars for the on-site Spring water.

(The same bottle down the street is  $3.49 )

All told, a good room.  Surprisingly, great water pressure!  You start reading all the signage a little closer.  If I use the bathrobe, is there a charge?  I've opened the cabinet under the TV, has this triggered a sensor?  Does the thought of opening the nuts, cookies or toothpaste warrant a fee?  God help the paranoid.

Once the nose is powdered, off to dinner.  "Summerlicious" is in full swing.  Prix fixe at many restaurants.  Biff's Bistro at #4 Front offers French cuisine in a great setting.

~chilled zucchini soup with lemon olive oil and shrimp
~pickerel with celery root, capers and almonds
~lemon tart

Unfortunately my tart looked like it had been plated with great haste-two blobs of creme fraiche and a dribble of wild berries.  All told, a very nice meal.
Had to abandon coffee as five twenty-somethings walked into the bar complete with baseball caps, basketball shirts and the shorts that fall below the glutials.  Make an effort-at least take the hat off and find a belt. Obviously it was my imagination, but I thought I heard the bartender asking them to leave.  Maybe I wanted a scene?  Things got too loud and I left.  Not the norm for Biffs so don't be put off.  What happened to the dress code?

Caffeine fix came in the form of a Soma truffle.  Soma sells high quality chocolate-this is not something to merely ingest, but, savour.

The Sunshine Boys starred Kenneth Welsh and Eric Peterson. The director sat in on the show-Ted Dykstra. Would have liked to have spoken with him about his one man show last year-The Kreutzer Sonata. Decided to leave him alone. Did the same with Tom McCamus and Mary Haney. Sat next to both of them at one time or another and thought to leave them to enjoy their evening. (Besides, I couldn't remember McCamus' name at the time, or bring to mind the show at Stratford he'd been in-you do need some kind of starting point!) We don't fawn over our stars in this country. Think we should keep it that way.
Excellent play.  You can't go wrong with Welsh and Peterson. 

Exhaustion set in after two round trips from Bay to Cherry. 
Hotel corridors and elevators starting to resemble something out of The Shining.
Started the morning with the last hour of Mike Leigh's Secrets & Lies and an episode of Storage Wars.  Some prefer to end the day with a single malt, I opted for 2% milk.