Posts from the ‘Photography’ Category

May 25

Toronto views

The development boom in Toronto sees no signs of stopping. Virtually unaffected by the 2008 economic collapse, Toronto is a city that continues to grow, without apologies. There are more cranes lining the skies of Toronto than any other city in the world. The motto continues to be, “grow, grow, grow!”

There’s a lot to do in this city, so there’s no excuse for being bored. You just need to know where to look and who to enjoy your time with. We have the best bars and restaurants in the country, (sorry Montreal) and the people are friendly, helpful and welcoming. Don’t listen to what small town Canada has to say.

My favourite part about Toronto is how walkable it is. I don’t have a driver’s licence, and I’ve never needed one. Where I can’t go on foot, I just don’t go! Well there’s always the TTC, but public transportation just isn’t my thing.

Toronto Islands

I don’t understand this!

Old seats from the former Maple Leaf Gardens

Maple Leaf Gardens

May 25

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Historic Dineen Building

This weekend is the 14th annual Doors Open in Toronto, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to go behind the doors of over 150 architecturally, historically, culturally and socially significant buildings across our great city.

This year’s theme is entitled ‘Creators, Makers and Innovators‘ and features many older buildings that have been redesigned, re-invented and re-purposed into modern 21st century spaces. One of those buildings is the historic Dineen Building on Yonge Street.

Before its restoration Dineen was home to squatters and in significant disrepair. I was there bright and early this morning to see what all the fuss was about and I was not disappointed.

What a beautiful job they have done. I could go on and on about the building, but if you google it, there are those who have done a much better job than I ever could.

May 25

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A beautiful Toronto day

With all the commotion at City Hall, and our mayor’s apparent drug problems, it’s nice to break away from all the drama and remember what’s really important: THE SKY!

May 25

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My trip to the Dineen Coffee Co.

Located at Yonge and Temperance Streets, Dineen Coffee Co. opened its doors a few weeks ago. Nestled on the bottom floor of the historic Dineen Building — once home to W. and F. Dineen Co., a producer of hats and furs — it’s a welcome addition to a part of Toronto that has curiously gone without a charming coffee joint. This is one facet of a substantive face-lift currently underway at this decadent Toronto landmark.

The open space, combined with its modern, yet rustic flavour, reminded me a lot of Buenos Aires, Argentina coffee establishments. Inside you’ll find luscious high ceilings, marble counter tops, comfy red leather seating, hand-painted tile floors (from South America apparently!) and a chandelier that used to be located at the Royal York Hotel. They’ve pulled out all the stops, creating a unique, historically inspired, rich experience.

If you have the time, go check it out. Actually, make the time!

Dineen Coffee Co.
140 Yonge St

May 18

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Work it!!!

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!

May 17

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My first time at Sweaty Betty’s

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

May 13

Triple A Bar

On Adelaide St. is a bar I used to frequent back in my youth that was then called Laide. From what I have read, the owner had a baby and decided to change things around a little bit, name included. New and improved, Triple A is more open, lighter and sleeker than its former self. I observed a welcoming, comfortable urban bar with a friendly, familiar staff that instills a sense of community. The owner’s young daughter was present, and well-behaved which I appreciated immensely! Patrons were arriving to watch The Toronto Maple Leafs play the Boston Bruins, so there was a feeling of tension in the air as men clung to their pints in hopes that the home team would make it to fight another day. And they did. The Leafs won, forcing game seven in the first rounds of playoffs.

So, if you’re downtown and looking for a drink in a friendly, cozy environment check out Triple A! Chau.

Triple A Bar
138 Adelaide St. E.

May 12

Potato and Zucchini Hash

Page 73. Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day. It’s what kick starts our metabolism and helps regulate our weight. But even more important, breakfast provides us with the energy to get through the day.

Torontonians are busy people, and many of us leave little time in the morning to eat. We usually grab something at Starbucks or the nearest Tim Horton’s, but it’s often unhealthy and high in calories. Just one muffin has over 500 calories if you can believe it. And don’t get me started on donuts. Of course these things don’t hurt if consumed in moderation, but if you’re eating them everyday, well, that’s another story.

Even if you’re too busy in the morning to prepare something big it isn’t hard to eat a bowl of cereal (I prefer Cheerios these days), or some yogurt with blueberries.

The weekend is probably the best time to prepare a more hearty breakfast. This recipe from meatless is an excellent meal to make on a Saturday morning. Or Sunday! I’m not picky.

It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to assemble and cook all the ingredients, but the end result is worth it. I decided to poach the egg, and to include a side of asparagus roasted in a tablespoon of olive oil, but butter would probably be more tasty. Depends on what you prefer, but either way the asparagus is a delicious addition, just note that olive oil is a lot healthier than butter. Sprinkle with some sea salt and fresh ground pepper.

You can find the recipe here. I substituted the russet potatoes with fingerlings, because that’s what I had in my refrigerator. Use what you have, is my motto.

Side note, I’m going to create a separate page on my blog with all the recipes I’ve duplicated from Martha Stewart’s vegetarian cookbook meatless. You’ll be able to find it on the top navigation within a couple of days with links to the posts.

Also, most of these meals can be found on Martha Stewart’s comprehensive website. I’ll also be writing an upcoming post about why I think gay people admire Martha so much. I hope it’s interesting.

Chau.

May 11

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My pets are driving me insane — more so

A confession. Sometimes I wish I didn’t have pets. I mean, they’re a lot of work, and if they’re anything like Maude, really expensive. Truly, I love my pets very much, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them, but they’re constantly in my face needing attention and love. I want to scream.

Maude is a special case. She’s always restless, except when I take her for a walk, where she stands motionless, as if to say, “What the fuck are we doing?” I’m constantly worried about her because she’s always sick.

Beenie on the other hand is the most needy cat on the planet. She purs all the time and I can’t sit down to eat breakfast without her nestling in my lap pressing her head to my hand demanding that I pet her. I always acquiesce but she can never get enough. I just want to eat my breakfast!

I’m sorry, this is all coming from sleep deprivation. I probably slept about four hours last night, Maude was up bright and early pacing back and forth throughout the apartment.

As usual I prepared all her medications; she’s on a strict regiment to control her hypothyroidism and epilepsy. Then I brought her outside to do her “business” and thought while we were at it I might as well take her for a walk so that I could get a coffee and snap some photographs of the tulips in St. James Park.

I shouldn’t be complaining. I get up at the crack of dawn anyway, and never sleep past 7:30 in the morning. Even on weekends, even after I spent the evening binge drinking, which I didn’t do last night by the way.

Anyway, I love my pets, I just wish they would sleep when I do.

May 10

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Pink sky

As I was pet-sitting Maude and Beenie ALL ALONE in this big huge apartment I looked towards my right to see that the sky had turned pink. Luckily my camera was close by and I ran to the balcony to document the scene as it was happening!

Weather report! The temperature in Toronto has been super high for over a week with endless, nourishing sun. This all started on my birthday, April 30, and I took it as a sign that I am the messiah.

Unfortunately, the rain moved in yesterday and it brought a drop in heat, but it’s welcome relief, for now. The next five days are supposed to be cooler with a return to above seasonal temperatures by Wednesday, or something like that.

For those who think that Canada is besieged in snow most of the year I would like to set the record straight. In Toronto, at least, the first snowfall usually occurs in November or December, and with it below zero degree temperatures. Usually February and March are the hardest months because the days are shorter, and of course colder with a snowstorm thrown in here and there for good measure. But we tend to offset this by drinking a lot of alcohol and throwing house parties. April brings Spring showers and by May we’re experiencing summer warmth that lasts well into October.

And then comes Autumn, which is usually the most beautiful time of the year because the leaves change colour and the city is… well… the city is stunning. Not to mention cottage country, which has to be experienced first-hand to be believed.

Nothing better than sitting by the fireplace, getting drunk on cheap beer and passing out naked.

Ahhhh.. Canada. I salute you!

Posts from the ‘Photography’ Category

Toronto views

Historic Dineen Building

A beautiful Toronto day

My trip to the Dineen Coffee Co.

Work it!!!

My first time at Sweaty Betty’s

Triple A Bar

Potato and Zucchini Hash

My pets are driving me insane — more so

Pink sky

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Franco Cignelli

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about.me

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