French bakeries in Toronto:

In my humble opinion, Bonjour Brioche is the best. However, it is impossible to get in to so what's the point.

Second best and likely soon to be my favourite since I'll be living around the corner from it,

Pain Perdu. I see many croissants in my future - which is not necessarily a good thing. Brunch at my place!

Okay so someone has started publishing an evening free newspaper t.o.night which they are aggressively giving away at the subway stations at rush hour. This isn't a terrible idea really, it is just a terrible newspaper. It does however have this one page called "Shout Outs" which seems to be gaining a cult following on the Go Train. People email in messages to other passengers or about other passengers. It's all quite odd. It's like there is a rush hour Go sub-culture that the rest of us just do not understand. Maybe the air is thinner in the suburbs...

West End Girl

Well more middle really but west of middle. But close to the second best French bakery in the city - since I couldn't find a place near the first best one. The apartment itself is worth the slightly longer commute. Maybe I'll never leave home.

I think I have discovered that brain doesn't have any more room. I'm taking in quite a bit of new information currently but I think it's full now. This might prove to be a problem. I'll keep you posted.

New home and roller derby!

Roller Derby is awesome.

First roller derby experience this past weekend - bachelorette party, arriving at a former airplane hanger in North York in stretch limos. This seemed somehow appropriate in an ironic way. Sure beats taking the TTC! And I had no idea that my friend the bachelorette had been a competitive roller skater growing up. My new quest is to convince her to be a Jammer on one of our teams. It's destiny!!!

I still wish I'd made it to a game in DC since in the States they have actual grown up facilities, though I kinda liked the underground feel of a rink created out of red spike tape in a circle on concrete. Well you all know that I could go punk at any time and if I had any stitch of coordination I'd be skating with the best of them. Ripped fishnets and all.

And after what felt like a really long time, I have finally found an apartment. It is super cute, with a lot of character and is actually a place I think I'll feel truly at home for the first time in ages. Of course the movers are going to hate me since it's up two flights of quite narrow stairs...oops...the current tenants have a bed up there, so it must be possible!

The Kennedy Center called me today for my opinion on something. As I'm just starting week 3 in this new job and am sort of frustrated with the poor organization of the place and not feeling like I'm affecting change quickly enough - this was an awesome call. Of course it also made me miss them and miss DC and wish that I was somehow doing something different with my life.

I'm sure once I find a place to live I'll feel better. I actually saw a nice sized brand new townhouse after work today. It's overpriced but I could likely talk them down.

Anyone have any thoughts on Dundas and Broadview? It's a bit "up and coming" still so I don't know what to think...

Reason to be vegetarian

Clearly it was slaughter day at the abattoir down the road. Four trucks full of pigs passed me on my way to and from the grocery store this morning.

People complain about the slaughterhouse being allowed to remain in the city limits - as it is now surrounded by condos - because the smell is quite pungent. But I think it's important that people remember where their food comes from and maybe make some different choices because of that.

Of course I found the trucks quite distressing, crammed full as they were. They were eerily quiet as they passed me.

Added bonus to the night...a Bones on TV that I didn't see this season. So a little splash of DC.

Tonight I can hear the Man U -Celtics friendly game at the Skydome. If I listen carefully I can even hear the actual cheers. It must be crazy loud inside (though the dome is open - I hope I wouldn't be able to hear it closed....)

The universe sent my tax return!! (well my Dad did but that counts). So since I've been in negative cash flow for quite some time now, this feels like a million dollars. I love the universe!

Now, if it could bring me a handsome, quirky boyfriend and a happy place to live I'm set and will ask for nothing further.

Oh, except those rolly chairs for the office...

Apparently I should ask the universe for a million dollars. In the last couple of days I've been attempting to solicit from friends some much needed furniture and couple of extra computers for the office. We currently work in a situation where when the bookkeeper comes in, I have to stop working as there is only one PC with the accounting software on it. Or if our part timer is in there isn't anywhere for her to be. This is not efficient.

In less then 24 hours, I've been offered 2 new-to-us PCs, a couple of desks and a hairdryer. Pretty awesome, yes? I think so.

I still am looking for a couple of rolly office chairs though :-) oh and a million dollars...

Today started with me breaking my hairdryer. I'm sure it still works perfectly except for the switch to turn it on, which broke off in my hand in the off position. What the universe doesn't understand is that having to figure out a time to buy a new hairdryer is just one too many things to have to do. It might just prove to be the thing that pushes me over the edge. It might just be what does me in. Also Universe, I don't get paid until Friday so I can't afford a new hairdryer until then, not having had a pay cheque since May, even if I could figure out when to get one.

Also Argos fans are way louder than Blue Jays fans. Though I can see the side of the Skydome from this condo, I've never heard a peep during a baseball game, but for the last half hour all I've heard is ARRRRGOOOOOOOS. Football is stupid.

7/11

Free Slurpee Day!!! (Dr. Pepper slurpee check)

In other news...

The octopus was right. And since Toronto is seemingly without a Little Spain, every street is free game for the honking. I actually think it is nice that we get so polarized about soccer here - a representation of how multicultural this city is - though allegiances seem to shift pretty fluidly. I can even hear the vuvuzelas above the "relaxing" (read deafening) tones of the fake lake/waterfall out back. If I were at street level, it would be highly annoying I'm sure.

Fringe over (check). This week, create the first cash flow in the history of the new job (ugh) and perhaps find a place to live. (sigh)

Remind me in future not to start a new job, look for a new place to live, jury a fringe festival and attempt to steer a $4 million capital campaign all in one week. It's a lot.

First days are strange. This one was fine as far as they go, we'll see.

The most exciting thing that happened today though was that I accidently saw the Queen. And she made me late for work. Now, I'm the boss so I wasn't all that worried about being late and quickly gave myself permission to be in order greet her Majesty at the Royal York Hotel. Much fun. I had been kicking myself since I was away on the weekend and missed her at the church. So if nothing else, starting the new job meant that I was up and walking past the Royal York at just the right time, so that's got to be a good thing.

Here she is. Moments after this was taken, she waved, but Mr. RCMP man stepped into my picture so you get the pre-wave shot. Another reason to dislike the RCMP!

Seeing pictures of the 4th of July fireworks in DC from the roof of the KC just makes me wish I was there. The rooftop terrace is really one of my favourite places in the world.

Today is the first day of the new job. I know I should be really happy to have found a job so quickly in this economy. I know it's a good "next stop" job and that it is a place where I can do some good I think. (plus fancy title) But it feels just like a stop on the road. And it isn't the KC.

And I'm still having a little trouble with that adjustment.

Five years ago I bet this condo would have had a terrific view of the fireworks. Tonight I can hear them but can't see a thing. Not even the glow of them, which is a little disappointing.

Note to self

"Business" attire in Toronto is way more casual than business attire at the KC. As I discovered at my first meeting with the hospital foundation folk today. I wore a suit. Others did not.

However, on my way home, this awesome exchange happened. I was approached by a young guy wielding a clipboard (you know the "can you spare a minute for sick kids" type). Except he didn't have the usual line, he started walking beside me and asked, "if you had a super power what would it be?". Now I've actually given some thought to this question so my response was,

"Well, I have always felt that if I had a super power it would be to make people speak in iambic pentameter". It's true and though some people think this is not a cool super power, I disagree and have been so validated today! He stopped in his tracks and said, "oh my god, I love you, that is so awesome. If only I was ten years older". This made my day. I did not correct him that 20 years would be more realistic nor did I sponsor a child from World Vision but still, I applaud his spunk and good taste.