Toronto: the jewel of the north

My beautiful wife planned our recent trip to Canada's largest city. Did you know Toronto became Canada's first city with pavement in 1983? Anyways, we took the train out of Windsor and were both shocked by how great train travel is. So, thinking about the rail projects on the horizon here in the midwest makes me very excited. The whole process is so easy. I hope terrorists and drug mules don't know about the complete lack of security involved with train travel. You really just show up, they scream "All aboard," and off you go. The seats recline, you have tons of room, and you get to see all the little towns along the way without having to slow down and worry about getting a speeding ticket.

I was blown away by the size of Toronto. It was really great to be in a city where I knew nothing. Figuring out a city is one of my favorite things. By the end of the week I was able to give directions to two different groups of tourists. This makes me happier than it should. We discovered some very cool restaurants. One was called The Queen and the Beaver Public House. We forgot to take our phones so we have no photos. Tragic error because this place was the absolute coolest. We took a few other photos though. Would you like to see them?

Toronto built this hoping to attract visitors from Seattle. I don't know why but Canadians have a real crush on our Pacific Northwest brothers/sisters.

I made Leah carry all the bags while I tried to get one of those flash mobs started in the train station. I found out the hard way that Canadians hate Footloose. No flash, no mob, just pale stares. All these years I thought they changed the name of ham to honor Kevin.

The best line of the trip was the very last day when the cab dropped us off at the train station. I gave the cabbie the rest of my cash and Leah goes, "Get rid of all that silly fake money."

I call this piece "Milk Math." I had no idea cream was 18%. And check out the French. Don't worry, I ordered Freedom Fries every chance I got.

How cute is she?

I was so busy navigating that I didn't notice this man sprinting past me, impersonating a train.

This is perhaps my new favorite shirt. Timmer "Douglas" Hoffmann just sent this to me in the mail from Chicago. It's the Great Lakes and here I am standing in front of Lake Huron. Full circle.

This pic would make wine-haters second guess their stance.

I ordered the lamb thinking I've had it before. I have not.

But it turns out I really like it.

Here's Leah doing the stanky leg.

Here's me being all awesome.

This was part of the mural at a restaurant called Fred's Not Here. I'm guessing "Fred" is Canadian for underwear.

Seeing this show was definitely one of the highlights. I know some people hate musicals. Those people are dumb. It was a real spectacle seeing how they did the stage changes. I got teary eyed a few times when the kids were singing with Maria. Not sure why. The whole night just really made me happy. A few days away with Leah were what I really needed.

Snuggie Groove

Thanks to Jane Mowery, Columbus' favorite Fremonster, for showing me this video.

Say What You Need to Say

Charlie Matthews, a friend and colleague died this past Saturday after weeks of fighting double pneumonia and its complications. My entire community is at a loss for words. I've been having very frank conversations with God and close friends. I uploaded this video with the thought that perhaps it can help you say what you need to say to God- whatever that may be.

Inuit Art

We went to the Musem of Inuit Art in Toronto. Truly amazing stuff. Leah and I decided that someday when we can afford the farmhouse (a dream we hatched over a cheese plate and British beer at The Queen and Beaver) we're going to have Inuit art sprinkled about our farmrooms. Maybe not this one of mean bear mauling helpless Inuit. But I will say that I appreciate the awareness and honesty this piece brings to onlookers. If you're goin' on a seal hunt keep one eye on the horizon. Lest you want a mongrol like this making himself at home in your liver.

bw

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Train of Thoughts

We're slowing to a stop in London, ON about two hours from Toronto. Ridin' dirty on this train brings back memories of Boston ten years ago. I lived in the Northend two blocks from P.Revere and his trusty steed. I used to walk to Haymarket station and take a series of trains 45 minutes out to Canton for work. I'd rock my Sony discman listening to Macy Gray, Mos Def, Rusted Root and Ben Folds. I'd get coffee at Dunkin Donuts with the same folks yet we never spoke. It was a commute with numerous steps and as I type I realize how much I miss it. I also realize how much has changed. I'm blogging on a device smaller than that discman. I'm playing my brother in chess (he's in Ohio), I'm reading about UC's football team (back then it would've been the basketball team when I got to work) I'm emailing an author I owe book cover to (Seeking forgiveness), and I'm doing all this next to my wife of five years. A lot has changed in ten years. Who knows what I'll be doing in 2019. Maybe riding trains to work with kids listening to Mos Def Jr. on their microscopic Internet machines.

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The Country

Animated poem written by Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States from 2001-2003.

Nat'l Geographic: Lion

This lion is native to Northwest Ohio, specifically Fremont experts believe. He is nature's protector. He protects his bear friend from hearing all that poisonous rap music the kids are listening to. This wild lion is also married, loves Jesus and Timex. And he hates shirts. "They're itchy," he says. Those who have seen him run say he is like a gazelle. A ferociously sexy gazelle. Remain alert, however. He's still 100% lion.

Ladykillers

Dating Montage
by smithy00101

Orbit

Download now or watch on posterous

IMG_0032.MOV (3445 KB)

Testing a video upload from phone.

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Untitled

I'm blogging from my phone this morning. I'm still in beta mode with this process so bear with me. But I wanted to say two very important things. 1. I went to the Grand Canyon once. 2. I'm tired of all the footballers wearing pink. I hate breast cancer and love its survivors as much as the next guy. But as a diabetic I feel cheated. Why can't my people and I have a color? Why can't OchoCinco's chinstrap, gloves, neoprene sleeves, bandaids and towel be lime green for a month in support of my/our survival? Is my slow march to death (caused by my quitter of a pancreas) not flashy enough to deserve a pigment- takeover? Tell that to the lil orphans in big orphanages pricking their fingers and poking needles into their tiny orphan arms. We diabetics don't live in a colorblind world, we live in a colorforgotten world. And that stings red hot.

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