May 21
My design skills need work!
I baked these vegan muffins tonight with vegan icing! I love cinnamon, it’s always a welcome treat. I need to confess that I now weight 200 lbs.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups of whole-wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 cup of almond milk
1/4 cup of canola oil
Directions
Mix dry ingredients. Add almond milk and canola and mix until blended. Bake in muffin tin at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Page 107 and 155. I was hesitant to make lasagna because I had eaten store bought this weekend. Well, this recipe was simple to make so I figured I’d give it a go. The zucchini strips replace the pasta noodles, which makes the dish gluten-free. Which is probably why I feel so heavy at the moment. The crumpled tofu adds the protein to the rich tomato sauce. I added a lot of ricotta, because I was afraid that it would taste plastic-y but, the recipe called for it! In the end, it was satisfying.
I’m not always in love with all the meals in this cookbook, but I also figure that in the future I can tweak the recipes a little to suit my needs, and personal tastes.
The best part about today’s selection was the garlic soup pureed with potatoes. Garlic is well-known in its ability to boost immunity and help stave off colds. I didn’t serve it with bread like the book suggests, because I don’t want to gain a ton of weight.
One gripe I have is that the cheese these dishes recommend are expensive, like $50 for one brick. I don’t eat a lot of cheese, but now I’m going to have to, which means I’m also going to have to get a probiotic to deal with the bloating that comes with it. I’ll try to substitute with vegan cheese. We’ll see how that goes.
Life is hard!
May 21
Yesterday afternoon I was walking down Church St. when a group of men driving a truck started laughing at me. I was wearing a pair of green shorts with a tank top, because the weather was hot and that’s what gay guys do.
I knew their look well. It’s what a lot of straight guys do when they’re confronted by gays. It’s that look where they try to convey how silly and repugnant gay people are, and they often throw in a little laugh and sometimes shake their head to signify just how repulsed they are at the freak show before them.
Walking in front of me was an older gay couple holding hands, this is a common occurrence in gay-friendly Toronto. The men in the truck pointed and laughed, while I stared back at them. I wasn’t going to feel intimidated because we don’t adhere to their narrow-minded conventions, so I locked their eyes, but I’m sure as they sped away they muttered about how I was trying to seduce them.
It probably left them secure in the fact that we, meaning gay people, exist to entertain them. We’re so laughable, such a joke in the minds of these men that we can’t possibly be taken seriously as living, breathing human beings. We must know our place as silly nellies.
In retrospect I appreciated their restraint. In the past straight men have actually thrown objects from their moving vehicles at me; once it was a book (how did they know I like to read?), and more than once I’ve had to endure public humiliation by being called a “FAAAAAGGGGOOOOOOTTTTTT” by a group of cowardly men, driving their parents’ car.
So okay, I prefer being laughed at then yelled at. Seriously though, why do guys do this? What’s their problem, and why are they so afraid all of the time? Secure people don’t have to go around trying to make people feel inferior.
On Saturday I was reading a fellow bloggers recent post about an anti-homophobic demonstration in Georgia (the country) that was hijacked by anti-gay clergy who beat and attempted to kill many of the gay-rights supporters. I would link to her post but it appears she has removed it.
Again I beg the question, what are these straight individuals so afraid of? Their fear is so massive that they will kill because of it. They will commit the greatest atrocities to tell gay people that they are worthless, valueless and sick. Their hatred means so much to them that they will violate gay people’s physical autonomy. All of this is perfectly logical in their minds, and worse, they have the support of many people.
I grew up Catholic, and while attending Catholic school I was told several times by teachers that gay people were biological defects, deserved of pity, but not tolerance. The individuals who felt so comfortable expressing these beliefs always cited the book of Leviticus as evidence or justification of their archaic and barbaric reasoning.
Of course, anyone who opened the book of Leviticus and read it for themselves would learn pretty quickly that it lists a whole load of activities humans should not engage in. Among them are not eating shellfish, or wearing two types of fabrics, or shaving their beards. All these “crimes” are considered abominations and punishable by death. Oh yeah, and you’re not supposed to have sex with a woman during her period. But it’s okay to rape her if she’s not putting out when you want her to. After all she’s supposed to submit to the wants and needs of men at all times.
I mean, we all understand that these rules are fallible, and antiquated and well, stupid. But the gay thing stays with us, primarily because people are fixated on what two men do together during sex. I mean, I think that’s the reason. I don’t know about you, but I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about heterosexual sex, and to be honest the very idea gives me the heebie-jeebies, but I live with it!
Perhaps what gets straight men so worked up is that there is a passive recipient in gay sex. Maybe they’re bothered by effeminate gay men because, as well all know, being feminine is considered weak, and why would anyone want to be weak? It does make me laugh to think about how much more pain women endure during their lifetime compared to men, and how high their pain threshold is while men succumb so easily to the common cold.
Considering how corrupted men are, especially when it comes to the whole sex thing, the way that they create boys’ clubs, and actively exclude anyone who is different, how they’re prone to violence, I would argue that it’s straight men who are actually the weakest of all groups.
Straight men. Dear God. Sometimes I can’t believe that I have to exist on the same earth as so many of them. Ladies, don’t let them beguile you with their mediocrity. Trust me when you and your gay bestie are off, they’re talking about how fuckable some lady friend is, and how gross gay men are. Lesbians are okay, because they exist to titillate their sexual fantasies. Let’s not forget that a lesbian’s only purpose, is to give a straight man a boner. They don’t have time for the feminist lesbians though. They’re CRAZY! All this talk about equality, and they don’t even shave their legs. Gross.
There’s this thing that straight men do, that bothers me above all else. Even more than the hating gay people thing and yelling obscenities from their moving cars. The one thing that irks me the most is that they always think they’re an authority on everything. They know it all, even when they’re grossly misinformed.
If there is one topic that I know more than most people, it’s tennis. And every now and again, I like to test a straight men’s inferiority complex by talking about the latest tennis news and what not. Sure enough, each time the straight man, in all his manly knowledge, pretends to know something about the topic, even though I spend most of my time correcting him. But I’m wasting my breath, he’s a MAN, sports is his domain, and I’m a lowly gay. Barf.
To be fair, straight women can be just as bad. I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked, “Who’s the man and who’s the woman in the relationship?” Or the proclamation, “I don’t believe in gay marriage.” Who cares what you believe? Because you’re a bigot, and don’t believe in equality, it means that every gay person must accept legal limitations on their freedom to make you comfortable?
Once I was walking by Massey Hall in Toronto when a group of straight girls drove up to me, and asked “Are you gay?” to which I answered, “Yes.” They crumbled into fits of laughter, saying “He admits he’s a faggot!”
I’m not even going to mention the time that I was chased by a group of women after a Tori Amos concert who proceeded to hurl insults about how ‘girly’ I appeared, and of course, the f-bomb was dropped often.
Oh well, I guess this is my adversity, and one that I’ve been able to overcome so far. It would be nice if straight people weren’t such entitled asses though.
I’ll leave with a quote from Nina Simone: “You don’t have to live next to me, just give me my equality!”
May 18
In case you needed anymore reason to loathe the prevalence of human corruption I encourage you to watch the trailer for The Marketing of Madness. It’s a Scientologist’s dream come true.
The Marketing Of Madness details how the “psychiatric drug industry was born and its powerful and profitable partnership with the drug industry, which has turned psychiatry into an $80 billion drug profit center.”
I refuse to take drugs even for my migraines, and won’t touch antibiotics unless I have no other choice but death. Anyway, I remember many of my friends who were easily prescribed psychiatric drugs for mild depression back in university, and thinking to myself, “It’s okay to be depressed sometimes, you’ll get over it.”
As more and more research is being put into how it operates, I believe that one day psychiatry will be completely debunked as a made up science, which it is.
Go ahead, watch the trailer. You can also stream the movie online.
Hands on hips — a classic. And so natural looking.
I spent all of yesterday with Alexandra. We walked to Leslieville and I learned something about my new favourite neighbourhood that changed my mind about living there: The pubs don’t open until late afternoon / early evening. Deal. Breaker. However, I think it’s a good location to open my vegan bakery.
We walked a lot, with some beer drinking in between that served as little breaks. Alex did take these series of photos of me, in several different… poses.
Hands in pockets. Another classic.
Are you taking a picture of me?
Oh… you are!
Considering that Sweaty Betty’s has been open for ten years, it’s shameful that yesterday was my first venture there. How can I call myself a Torontonian?
Alex, our super server, informed us that Kiefer Sutherland was in the previous night, and Drew Barrymore has also partied there.
I can see why. Sweaty Betty’s has an indescribable vibe. It attracts a mixed group of urban dwellers from all walks of life, not just hipsters, of which there are plenty make no mistake in that.
Whenever I go to a bar, I like to sit at, well, the bar. This way I can talk to the bartender and ask as many questions as I would like. Alex was a friendly gal, and she played an eclectic array of music to appeal to all tastes. I appreciate when bartenders take the time to speak with their patrons, especially if they’re genuine and not looking for a big tip.
The beer on tap is pretty tame, nothing too crazy, I don’t think there was an IPA, and the food menu, though small, is satisfying. They make the meals right there in front of you, so I don’t think you’d be able to order grub during a busy night, they just wouldn’t have the time to make it. But you can always ask, just be prepared to be shot down!
The Ossington area has really sprung up over the last couple of years. It was a decade ago that Alisha used to live in this area and my word, has it progressed. Back then it was a neglected neighbourhood of Toronto, and now it’s flourishing with charm.
I thought Sweaty Betty’s was really swell, and if you’re ever in Toronto and looking for a place to meet interesting and funny people, while drinking some great beer, try this place.
Sweaty Betty’s
13 Ossington Ave
Before the oven
Well I outdid myself. I truly made this recipe work and it left me more satisfied than sex. Well, let’s not go crazy. Actually I kind of screwed up. This cinnamon rolls recipe is supposed to be made with raisins. But I forgot to include them in the 11th hour. Well, it didn’t really matter because I sprinkled them on top, but not before I drizzled the glaze all over these babies. That kind of sounds dirty. Get your minds out of the gutter people!
The best part about this breakfast favourite is that no animals were harmed in making it.
Recipe courtesy of Whipped Baking.
The final product!
Hello I'm Franco. I write about anything that interests me, which includes travel, my dog, my cat, television, radio, movies, music, you name it, I'm into it. I'm an annoyingly proud Canadian who loves to drink too much beer and stare inappropriately and uncomfortably at strangers. Don't get me started on anything political, because I get even more obnoxious.
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I possess great compassion and seek to be of service to others. 
