Kevin the Danger Dog

Little Kevin was unwittingly recruited to help raise funds for a Cancer charity last weekend. All he had to do was sit there and look adorable. I gladly threw a few bills into the cup for the priviledge of taking this photo. Like minded readers can do the same here if you wish.

Rubbing Shoulders with Celebs at TIFF

Fun time on Saturday night at the Toronto International Film Festival. I got an invite to a pre-party for the screening of Matt Damon's new film, Running the Sahara. He's one of a growing list of celebrities using his fame to bring awareness to the impoverished regions of the world, and bravo to him. Mr. Damon arrived on the red carpet looking cool and dapper, as befits a superstar, and stayed and mingled with the media and other partiers for a little over an hour. He was very gracious and generous about letting me photograph him, before his wrangler shooed us all away. My general impression is that it must be exhausting to be a celebrity on one of these media junkets. I sincerely wish him lots of luck. The film looks to be very promising.

Not your Garden Variety Mall Rats

On the surface, they looked mean and scary, with piercings and blacker than black spikey hair, but when I approached them (as one must always do) to ask permission to take their photo, they got all giggly and were very happy to ham it up for the camera. Just kids after all. And while you're stopping by, please check out their shoes!

The "Better" Way

For numerous years, the Toronto Transit Commission has used the slogan "The Better Way" in its advertising and marketing. Judged by the facial expressions of the characters riding the College Street streetcar, one might be correct in thinking they should amend it to "is there a Better Way than this?"

Street sign

I cheated a bit on this. I couldn't seem to get inspired by this assignment, so I have recycled one of my recent blog pics, and cropped it in tight to the street sign. Still makes an interesting shot. You can see the whole picture here.
Links to September Theme Day participants Seattle (WA), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - Boston (MA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Mainz, Germany - Evry, France - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Nottingham, UK - Toulouse, France - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Manila, Philippines - Mumbai, India - Montpellier, France - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - Moscow, Russia - Paris, France - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Lyon, France - Stockholm, Sweden - Hyde, UK - Hong Kong, China - Joplin (MO), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Chandler (AZ), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Sydney, Australia - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - San Diego (CA), USA - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Nelson, New Zealand - Quincy (MA), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Bend (OR), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - New Orleans (LA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Detroit (MI), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - Selma (AL), USA - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Arradon, France - Sheki, Azerbaijan - New York City (NY), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - North Bay (ON), Canada - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Tenerife, Spain - Auckland, New Zealand - Forks (WA), USA - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Chateaubriant, France - Madison (WI), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Orlando (FL), USA - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Ajaccio, France - Baltimore (MD), USA - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Budapest, Hungary - Lyon, France - Saarbrücken, Germany - Adelaide (SA), Australia - Le Guilvinec, France - River Falls (WI), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Naples (FL), USA - London, UK - La Antigua, Guatemala - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Montréal (QC), Canada - Paris, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Trujillo, Peru - Haninge, Sweden - Prague, Czech Republic - Oslo, Norway - Grenoble, France - Shanghai, China - Toronto (ON), Canada

Square Foot Exhibit

I recently attented an imaginative art exhibit at the AWOL Galleryon Ossington Avenue in Toronto's West end. There were hundreds of local and international artists who were commissioned to create a piece that was exactly 1 square foot (sorry I don't know how to calculate the metric conversion...anyway, it wouldn't sound nearly as good) The pieces were arranged in a precise grid fashion around the room, and it was fascinating to see the huge range of talent and creativity that this show inspired. Each piece was for sale for a mere $200.Cdn! I walked away with one, that I will pick up at the end of the show and will feature it in an upcoming posting.

Grafitti

Some of the grafitti I see around town just takes my breath away. I would love to know who painted this work of art. I would love to own a piece like this. I happened upon it last weekend on College Street just west of University Ave and stopped dead in my tracks. The colours and subject matter are quite pleasing. And of course the music theme is uber cool! It was painted on a hydro panel cover. Talk about urban beautification!!

Waiting for the Parade

On Sunday August 19th, I stumbled upon an event in Toronto's Little Portugal. I'm not sure if it was a religious or cultural festival, but there were 2 marching bands and houses and streets decorated with flags and banners. Very colourful and festive. These dudes seemed to be taking a break from the excitement to watch from the sidelines.

Drop your coin in the boot

I'm always ready to support whatever the cause our firefighters are raising funds for. And certainly, the imploring look I got from this one was worth the price.

My beloved Leslieville

An underachiever of a neighbourhood if there ever was one, Leslieville (AKA Queen Street East) used to be a working class blight on the city but is now an area where art galleries & restaurants are popping up all over the place. Stroll a few blocks and you will see young artsy types mixing with cool moms in cafes and retro furniture shops. Stay tuned for more pics of this hot and emerging quartier

Happy Weekend!

I loved the look of this little doll face. I hope it sends you all off to a fabulous and stress free weekend!

Girls' night out

I realize it isn't even Friday yet, but it's summertime and the patios are beckoning. What could be more fun than to spend a few idle hours with good friends and some "girlie" cocktails! I know, I know...this doesn't jive with the "holier than thou" oatmeal image that I portrayed in my earlier post, but I just wanted show you that there is another side of me. Truly, life's too short to be so diciplined!

Thrill of the Find

When I've got a chunk of free time on my hands one of my favourite pastimes is to browse the racks of Vintage clothing stores. I'm not successful every time, but once in a while, I do turn up a real treasure. I once found an authenic Hermes scarf, in pristine condition, at Value Village. I have a collection of cashmere coats & sweaters and a few designer gowns that I've been lucky enough to unearth. When I wear them, everyone comments. I'm currently looking for a dress to wear to my friend's daughter's wedding. Didn't turn anything up in this expidition, but I will perservere. However, I'm noticing that now the prices for anything worth having have really skyrocketed.

Breakfast

Somehow, I didn't get the memo about the August 1st breakfast theme, but as it turned out, I happen to have a lovely example of what I eat for breakfast 360 days a year. Good old fashioned home cooked oatmeal with some fruit, nuts and yogurt. And my colon loves me for it!

Eco Friendly

Here is a creative use for a gas guzzling wreck of a car... other than the usual solution of plowing it into a landfill. The Community Vehicular Reclaimation Project turned this one into a garden. Instead of emitting greenhouse gasses, this is actually helping restore the carbon balance. Also, note the liscence plate!

Drum Circle

Yesterday I visited Kensington Market, where it has been a tradition that all Summer long, the streets are closed off to automobile traffic on Sundays (only). Shame the powers that be couldn't see fit to keep the cars away every day, all year round. If you've ever driven through the warren of narrow streets in Kensington Market, I'm sure you've wondered why you even bothered.
Anyway, there were all kinds of events, demonstrations and street performers out in fine form, such as this drum circle pictured above. Anyone who could keep a beat (and a few who couldn't) were invited to borrow a drum and participate. I think this looks like a really fun way to let off a little steam.