Fri-Fri

One of a kind show- I adore this show and anxiously await its return in the spring and winter.

Since I was little this has been an exclusive mom and me thing- we go to both shows, every year- just us. We once brought my sister who got cranky mid show and we resolved never to include anyone again unless in the far future I have a very well behaved, artistically inclined daughter- and only MAYBE then.

My husband is defiant and contradictory by nature- if you tell him he cant do something, he wants to thus making the one of a kind show one of his most wanted to do things of ever. For the past 5 years he has asked to join my mom and i- I don’t think he really wants to go, he just hates that we wont invite him or let him come- so every year he pushes and every year my mom and I continue our exclusive trip through the aisles.

Fast forward to now- my mom, for the first time ever, is not in the city and unable to come with me (which is only acceptable since the winter show is so much better than the spring show anyways- if this was winter, I would have kept her here)- anywho, she is away so my husband, for the first time ever has gotten the invite.

I giggle internally because although he has pushed to come along for 5 years straight, I wonder what he will actually think when he gets there tonight. I wonder how he will feel about the multiple fairy and doll booths, about the stained glass and jewellery- will he marvel at the various options of soap carvings or become horrified at the lamp shade booth. Hard to say.

I am pretty excited to see what he thinks about my favorite place in the world. And excited to just go- I have been fantasizing about the sample aisles for weeks- you know, the ones where they let you have tastes of the artisan foods? No dinner necessary.

Anyways, aside from tonight, we are also celebrating my nephew’s first birthday party!!! I cant wait- although seeing him turn one and then looking through my pictures from when he was born makes me realize how fast time goes by- I cant believe all that has happened in a year- mind.blown.

So enjoy your weekend and I hope to have some entertaining stories for you on Monday

Xo

Dont. panic.

Hi friends,

Thank you for reading and hopefully checking out my post and it’s link for the food trucks.
So, without getting too into the nitty gritty, suffice to say that today I am anxious. The about what is irrelevant because what I want to discuss is anxiety and methods to quell it.

I am an anxious person. I was born anxious, I will die anxious. My absolute biggest fears in life are completely absurd and yet cause me sometimes paralyzing fear- like my basement. I totally realize that there is no monster mutant bug (or serial killer) hanging out where I hang my wet clothes to dry or do my laundry- I know that just because something appears to look like a horror movie setting doesn’t mean it is and I realize that going down to my basement for 5 minutes to pick up clean clothes doesn’t warrant a panic attack- I realize that while I shudder at the idea of being trapped in said basement I willingly roam the cemetery at dusk- but I am not scared of ghosts, just monster bugs and serial killers.

But my abnormal neurosis aside, what do you do to combat anxiety when it is so all encompassing. I have been sweating from my palms for like, 3 hours straight and drank one too many coffees resulting in a combi of gut rot and overactive caffeinated plantain.

I think back to the days when I spent a few months seeing a therapist for anxiety and it’s related effects on my person and all I can recall is her telling me to breath.

Well, duh.

I’m nervous, not suicidal for gosh sakes.

And I will tell you this- I have been breathing all day long and don’t feel a stitch better.

So I think to what other people tell me, be in the moment, try to focus on something else, engross yourself in an activity...
Do these things work for other people? Maybe I am doing it all wrong but I am pretty sure that there is not a whole lot that can distract me from this- shit, even chocolate isnt working....

If you have a tip, please share- my sanity will thank you later. 

Food for thought

Hi friends and followers.

Please take a minute to check out this very cool thing that you can do to make sure that we get the wicked awesome food trucks that you drool over on TV.

Due to a few bylaws, we are not allowed to have the food trucks in Toronto- this was not always the case- we once had over 300 trucks serving hot and tasty treats to the great citizens of the Tdot.

Peeps, you know I love food already and food trucks are like my heaven BUT more than a food truck, I LOVE a good petition. You should too- please help me and your fellow Toronto food addicts by checking out this website and filling in a letter to your Councillor.


I will be back later this afternoon with something much less preachy and annoying to write about- unless you don't sign...then you are doomed to have me repeat this a bunch more times.... save yourselves.

Green Machine

Happy week everyone,

Miss me yesterday? I had a crazy day but even after I got home totally zonked from a variety of meetings etc, I still was able to drag my ass up (and my husband’s ass too) and go for a run in the cemetery.

I think probably one of my favorite places in the whole world is the cemetery. It is so quiet and pretty and peaceful and I feel absolute serenity there. In the middle is my absolute favorite part, the mausoleum with a really nice pond- if I meditated, it would be there.

Anywho, this was the first time that we have run together (well, that is not entirely accurate- last year when I was much less able to run, we ran together too but this was less a run and more a me having a temper tantrum n the belt line in plain view of all passers by including but not limited to one of my husbands co-workers. Embarrassing- I had to be REALLY sure I was up to the task before asking him to run with me again)...so this was our first real run together and it was really fun to spend that kind of time together. We both felt fab after and it was a great way to get rid of the day and let go of all the stuff burdening us.

So, perfect timing to be really happy and relaxed because we had a night of couch ahead of us and for once, I was actually excited to spend the evening in front of the TV. As I have mentioned, probably many times, I hate TV- however, I do watch a few shows here and there and most of them are on Monday nights- so usually in any give week, we PVR the stuff we want to watch and then we can take smaller 30-60 minute times during the week to watch them which is WAY better than several hours of the tube to me.

But last night we had a special treat awaiting us-Frozen Planet. Now I totes thought that Planet Earth was super famous, like everyone knew about it- I guess I was mistaken because it seems that I have spread the word to a few friends who have never even heard of it let alone seen it- planet earth is this amazing documentary on earth, life, water, nature.... Anyways, it is amazing and SUPER interesting with stunning footage of stuff that you never get to see.

Frozen Planet is its cold counterpart focusing on all things nature in the poles. Northern Canada gets a lot of dap, which is pretty amazing too! We started the series on Sunday night but only got through the first hour so we were anxiously awaiting the second half all day. Loves that shit.

Frozen icicle plants- don’t mind if I do.


So, going backwards, did you have as busy a weekend? Did you celebrate St Patty?
Ug St. Patty. Is there any holiday I dislike more? I don’t mean to be a hater but dear world, you are not Irish, even for a day- even if your skanky sash or party hat or shot necklace or t-shirt say otherwise.

My husband jokes that I am old and probably loved the holiday in the old university days. Wrong. Hated it then too and even more because who needs an excuse at that time in life to drink all day and all night? Not I.

What I dislike about it begins with green beer. I don’t have a problem with food colored beer per say- more the green piles of vomit that litter our streets the morning after as well as drunken losers yammering in your face with green tongues. Festive food can be awesome and fun- this is just gross.

Also, why do people feel the need to become belligerently drunk? It isn't like on this one and only day everyone gets their ID for the first time ever and gets wasted beyond belief at the cowboy club (anyone else? Huh? Huh?) you can drink 365 days of the year- and you can get just as drunk as people choose to get on this one day. Ok, ok so this past Pattys was a Saturday- that gives a bit of merit to the all day all night booze fest and ya, it was nice out- which makes the whole day better so I will let that slide, but a few years ago when we went out (because, St. Pattys is one of my husband’s favorite holidays- opposites attract??) it was a Tuesday. Who on earth is getting piss faced on a Tuesday?? Tuesday are reserved for creepy bar locals and creepy bar locals only.

And finally, the costumes. Urrgrgrgrgr those costumes. Dressing up like an asshole in green does not make you festive- it makes you an asshole in green- the bigger your hat/shades/slogan/accessories, the stupider you are.

And I totes realize what a debby downer I sound like- blah blah blah, I  hate celebrating a drinking day- blah blah blah, green is not my color- I swear I am not- I will drink, I will drink you under the table- I will dance to Celtic music- shit I run to Celtic music every day, I will cheers my fellow tables, smile as I sip, dance, run the streets all a muck- I will do it all- just not with over- cologne douchebags who pile out of their hummers decked out in skank gear and green- I prefer my beer clean and shmuck free.


Hope you had a fabulous Irish celebration. xo

Some thoughts on Foie Gras.

Readers.

It is  Friday and over the course of the day my plan is to bombard you with all the posts I meant to put up this week but then didn’t. My bad.

So, nothing like sun to start the end of week off right- just another of the more wonderful effects of this whole weather thing that scares more than delights me with every super sunny day.

I must say though, that it has been a full year since I stopped commuting via car and began my rocket riding commute- never been happier. Even this morning as I emerged from the subway I smiled. I watched a nervous woman try and make a left turn from Bloor while biting her nails and thought to myself “self, you are lucky that isnt you”

I would stand in anyones armpit (ah I hope I didn’t jinx myself to stand in the ultimate BO master’s pit) over driving. Any day.

So first of all, I want to give some dap to a new restaurant I tried Wednesday night for my mom’s birthday. Catch at Rushton and St. Clair- you are yummy. All seafood and fish so if you are not a lover of the waters, don’t go. However, if you are, go- it is really good! I had oysters, scallops, and fish galore! Nom nom nom.great service, pretty space. Overall, two thumbs up by me.

So, the scallops were adorned with foie gras, and this brings me to my rant of the day- I hate foie gras.

For the past few years this menu item has mystified me- I actually had not idea what it was and only assumed that it was something pish posh like caviar but even more classy as to stump even a self proclaimed foodie like myself.  Then, in the past 2 years at some point, I tried it and discovered what it was, liver.

Well la-de-dah for me because I love liver (and any animal part- but liver I have totes grown up on). I don’t remember thinking twice about it when I tried it so I cant say I hated it instantly but I will tell you this- I do now.

The last time I can recall having it was at Colborne Lane for my 9 course dinner- a treat for my hubs and I right after we got married- it was beyond, I gained 20 pounds that night.

Anyways, I hate when I don’t like a food- I want to love everything and in the spirit of my personal motto on life, I have to try everything in order to know about it so with that in mind, I ate the foie gras on one of my 9 plates. And then I barfed in my mouth.

To me, and I am not trying to yuck anybodies yum, it tastes like ground chalk with fat and poop- and yes, that is the most creative way I can describe this “delicacy”- poop.

So then the next time it came into play was shortly thereafter on my plane to Thailand. Bless you first class for providing us with edible food and going the distance to even serve delicacies like foie gras but holy hell who needs that poop when you are flying? I tired it again, to be a good sport, gagged and then hid it under bread.

I haven't seen it since..... Until last night...

I don’t know why I even tried at this point- I have given this crap enough of a taste test to know, for certain, that I hate it. But I did, and not, even this morning I can taste the tiny drop I put in my mouth like it is there, melting, as it does, and filling me with an urge to yak.

So this morning I was sharing my disgust with my co-workers when I learned something new about my food mortal enemy- not only does it taste bad (to me, I’m sorry, I hate when people do that- you know, say something is gross even though it is only gross to them- I really don’t mean to offend you if you eat that poop- wait is calling it poop offensive too? I cant win.)

But it is also really bad- to the animal. Listen, I am no animal rights activist. I will go to hell in a fur coat for sure BUT, to know how unethical the production of this food is just gives me a better reason to hate it other than its poopiness.

So they feed these poor little ducks SO MUCH FOOD- they literally stuff them with fat so that the liver is huge and fatty so that they get the ultimate fatty-bombatiness for their future foie gras. I just picture poor ducks being hose fed food like a creepy horror movie, if ever they were made about ducks being bred to be killed. They don’t, but still....

So, there you go- reason enough to stop being such a poonans and just pass on the next foie gras offering.

Oh, and in case you haven't gotten the gist of the blog, I hate that crap. Ok?

Run for fun

So, this past weekend after my hour run on Saturday, my knees were screaming at me and they were saying, “protect us, please”. Never one to ignore knees, I listened and went in haste to my local Running Room store to get a pair of actual running shoes that are not 3 year old cross trainers- and apparently, there is a difference. Who knew.

Well, the bitch who helped me sure knew.

My first mistake was asking her if I could cross train in my running shoes. She looked at me as if I had asked her if I was able to sky rocket to Mars with my new shoes- like it was THAT dumb a question. I’m sorry, but for the peon runner that I apparently am, how would I know that? If I was a well versed and educated runner, why would I need your help fitting me with a shoe?

My second mistake was asking for something cute. Listen they bother to make different colors and styles of athletic gear, no matter how technical it is. Shit even my husband has a color selection when he looks for tarps to cover his tent- you wear shoes, on your feet. So was asking for something a bit more stylish out of the question? Yes. And I was shamed for doing it.

With a aura of disgust she replied “we don’t sell fashion shoes, we sell running shoes”

oh DO you??? I had absolutely no idea that in a store called Running Room that you carried running shoes- gosh am I stupid.

And, just to finish off that part of my story, the ones I got were cute, without her even trying to find them- they are purple and silver- that was all I was asking for. (even though I was really asking for pink to match my workout wear- I’m big into neon pink right now- but sport is not about fashion at all as I was told- that is why they offer so many different styles and arrays- the difference between neon pink and orange is for sure technical, right bitch?)

So here is the thing that really pisses me off, why does everyone who works at these specialty sports stores always have to be so pretentious and condescending. How can anyone learn to do something when people make them feel like idiots for not knowing everything there is to know about the sport of running.

And it isn't like they have a super elite skill that makes them leaps and bounds better than you average person. It’s running. Anyone with legs can run if they want to- do you really think that you are so special because you have done it for longer or can be faster?

It is extremely discouraging to see that no matter the skill, sport, activity, whatever, there will always be people who judge you and try and make you feel small instead of encouraging you to try harder and praising you for your willingness to try in the first place.

Alls I can say is I am pretty sure my new shoes give me superpowers and if I see that girl in my 10k run, I’m going to make sure all she sees is my well adorned, super cute in lululemon ass.

Back in black

I have a few topics that I wish to discuss beginning with my weekend. I finally took my hub to the Underground Food Market at the Brickworks only to force him to leave but an hour after we arrived. Why? To.damn.cold.
I really, in hindsight, should have anticipated that it would be subarctic- after all, the Brickworks is open air- and, I took my wedding photos there and it isnt like I was toasty that day either.
With the minus 13 temperature on Sunday, it was brutal. Who wants to eat stuff when you cant feel your fingers? Plus, and I really don’t want to offend the hard working chefs who froze their butts off to make us tasty treats but the food we ate, sucked.
Maybe it was that everything was cold by the time it reached our mouths, maybe we didn’t line up for the right things (La Carnita) or, maybe this round of TUM wasn’t so yum. Hard to say really but when I found it painful to walk as a result of frozen toes, I knew that it was time to leave.
Now, I don’t fancy myself an event planner or anything but they may want to consider waiting a few months to resume so that we are not all walking popsicles just trying to find a tasty morsel to shovel our faces with. It just wasn’t good.

Now feeling terrible that my valentines day present was such a bust, I agreed to watch a movie for the remainder of the eve. Movies are not my favorite. Sitting still for 2 hours plus staring at a screen is not my thing nor do I find many things worthy of that much time of my attention (and yes, to those of you wondering, anything Nicholas Sparks IS worthy- to each their own people, to each their own). Anywho, the movie. Martha Marcy May Marlene. I had actually wanted to see this movie but less because of the movie and more because it stars the Olsen sister. Olsens. Is there anything they cant do?
Also, it was about a cult. I don’t love cults in the same way that I love zombies but I have this morbid fascination with stuff like cults- more akin to my love of Intervention than anything.
Anyways, I made it through a whopping 1 whole hour before needing a break (we still managed to finish the movie) and I must say that it was a good movie- it really f-ed with your emotions and made both of us anxious for the whole duration.
Unfortunately, this anxiousness stayed with me through my sleep and caused a seriously bad night with dreams of me being lured into a cult.
Cults- so cray cray.

My final topic on this fine Tuesday, Kiehls.
Ok, so gross admition, I don’t ever wash my face. I was born with really good skin and I have just never needed to take care of it. I realized however that with my deprating youth goes my good skin and its maintance will be necessary if I want to keep it in good health. I had read this article about some fancy cream that I would have never dared to by in my 20s but now seemed totally reasonable. I went to Kiehls.

Oh Kiehls. You are so amazing- I bought a whole lot of face care goodies but by far my absolute favorite is the midnight serum. Smells good, feels good. Love this stuff. I am a new addict.

So? after a week off I am hella boring?

Totes.

I'll do better next time