Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Best Buy, DVDs, Football, Future Shop, HMV, Issmi Restaurant, NFL, Samsung, Saturday, Shopping, Sweatpants, toronto, Weekend
Yesterday was SWEATPANTS SATURDAY. A day where you do nothing or everything in a hoodie, sweatpants, and ridiculously comfortable and warm socks. I can’t get enough of it. On top of that, I went on a bit of a crazy shopping spree. I dragged Elena to Future Shop and Best Buy and HMV so I could grab the following:
- A shitload of DVDs from the value bin at HMV
- A combo DVD/VCR player
- A new TV
Ended the day with sushi at Issmi. Still not in love with the idea of sushi, but I enjoyed what we ordered last night.
Watching some football now. Anyone else see the Colts scrape past Baltimore?
Filed under: Kavi | Tags: Advice, Blogging, Career, Commute, Feature, Newspaper, TalenEgg.ca, TONight, toronto, Web 2.0, Writing
Every now and then I volunteer my time and my writing to TalentEgg.ca. They’re a career hub resource for new and current grads seeking guidance on the real world after school. They have a content partnership with Toronto’s newest commuter mag, TONight Newspaper. I’d never really heard of the paper–or seen it for that matter–but a friend alerted me that an article I had written for TalentEgg was featured in Tuesday night’s edition! Sweet!
Cassandra from TalentEgg was kind enough to scan me the feature. Click the photo to enlarge.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Abortion, Accident, Complain, Mondays, Pro Life, Protest, Rant, Rave, Stupid, toronto
I was driving south on Victoria Park Sunday afternoon, and had passed the intersection at Lawrence. I came to a stop on the other side of the intersection due to traffic. Two minutes later a guy rear ends me because he wasn’t paying attention to his driving. You know why he wasn’t paying attention to his driving? Because he was too busy looking at the “Pro-Life” protestors on the side of the road. Richard put it best when he said, “Pro-Life Kills!” I hate protestors. Abortion protestors and distracted drivers kill.
It’s complain Mondays, go ahead and gripe.
Filed under: Interesting | Tags: Alcohol, Cocktails, Drinks, LCBO, Life, Nightlife, Parties, Strongbow, toronto, Wine
Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut. – Ernest Hemingway
There’s something I tend to forget. But this isn’t about my partying shenanigans, it’s about the drink! Nothing like a good drink to end your day or start your night.
People like having a favourite a drink—a signature beverage that each person enjoys and champions as the greatest thing ever. It’s their mark. You can learn a lot about a person from the drink that they associate themselves with.
I drink a lot of wine and I have a favourite wine, but my all time favourite drink has always been a gin and seven. Recentley I’ve shifted to an alternative from beer. I hate how it gets me bloated so a friend from work suggested this: a pint of Strongbow filled to the brim with ice. It’s an acquired taste, but it doesn’t get you bloated and burpy. Unfortunately it’s not a tactic that avoids a gruesome hangover.
The best part that comes with having a favourite drink is hearing the story of why someone chose it. Maybe it was a life defining moment or a tragic tale of romance lost—it’s all interesting.
I was at a house party in high school and a friend of mine asked me if I’d ever had a gin and seven. I said no. He said I was stupid and didn’t know what I was missing out on. I said that I didn’t care. I watched him pour out a generous glass of gin and then a weak amount of 7UP. I watched as the bubbles climbed to the top and as he squirted a carefully sliced lime in the drink. That was it. Purely accidental, and though not crazy, it was how it happened.
What’s your favourite drink?
Filed under: Interesting | Tags: Contests, Facebook, Group, Hobbies, Lenzr.com, Local, Media, photography, Social Network, Summer, toronto, Voting
I see it on Facebook and Flickr all the time; photography keeners sharing their snaps with the rest of the world for validation. I’m not the biggest fan of the amateur photographer and I have stated before that there are very few photogs that I admire, but I figure why not do something for you peeps.
Lenzr.com is a new social photography contest community that’s pretty local—in fact, it’s pretty Toronto-centric. Since you’re all really into uploading your pictures, why not do it for some audience validation and interesting prizes.
Lenzr pits your photos in specialized Toronto contests for “the best picture” with other photogs. Users then vote by thumbing up or down the photo. Most votes with thumbs up wins! You can grab stuff like cell phones, MORE CAMERAS, and—at the moment—a watch. More contests will be appearing monthly with more prizes. It’s a pretty easy shtick if you ask me.
If you want consistent updates through Facebook, join the Lenzr group.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Festival, Food, Harbourfront Centre, Lakeshore, Life, Mexico, Summer, Sunday, toronto, Tourism, Weekend
Dad look in check, the three of us headed down to the lakefront for some prime Sunday hangouts. Coincidentally it was also the Harbourfront Centre’s Mexico Beyond Your Expectations festival. This meant cultural music that middle class yuppies would go ga-ga over, but also super cheap amazing food stalls (3 tacos for $9). You can never go wrong with tacos and beer.
Great prices, good weather and the lake—pretty sick. Unfortunately we missed all the free Mexican wrestling matches. They have a different “world route” each week, and I think next week is Canada. Don’t really know what they’re going to do there.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Comedy, Festival, Jimmy Carr, John Cleese, Just For Laughs, Nightlife, The Second City, Theatre, toronto, Tourism, Yonge & Dundas Square
Summer brings about a lot of great things to Toronto, and the Just for Laughs comedy festival is one of them. There are a lot of great acts performing this year and it’s a shame that you can’t get to them all. In that case, I’ve highlighted some performers that I think are worth seeing and might also be easy on the wallet!
John Cleese
There are a few big names showing face at the festival this year, but the John Cleese is definitely the main draw. The guy is a legend and if you’re one of those people that love to quote Monty Python films, then this show will probably be great.
Being pretty popular, I’m sure this one will sell out fast. He’s hosting one of the main events, so I’d suggest getting on that.
Jimmy Carr
I’ve found Carr to be a great funny man. A Brit with some crazy one liner jokes that really make you think – point is, he’s good. I’d put him on my list for sure.
Dundas Square
The great thing about the festival is that they have free performances at Yonge & Dundas square. Easy on the wallet and a great venue in the heart of “Times Square Lite” to enjoy a summer evening. From past experiences, the place gets packed but there is plenty of room to find a good spot. A lot of people opt to stand across the street near the Sears for the best view – I guess you could get a good view of everything from there.
Second City Toronto
The popular improv troupe that has churned out stars like Michael Keaton and John Candy has a theatre in Toronto. The Toronto stage is playing host to a bunch of various acts, but the real gem here is the in house improv group. I’m not sure if it’s part of the Just for Laughs festival, but their current show, 0% Down, 100% Screwed is a great little sketch show poking fun at all sorts of current events. The prices here are favourable, and if you’re a student you can grab some sweet deals.
*Added bonus: I have two free passes to a Second City Toronto show up for grabs. If you’re interested, respond with your best joke and the winner gets the passes! The joke about the girl with no arms and no legs doesn’t count.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: Cuisine, Dining, Food, Nightlife, Persian, Restaurant, Sultan's Tent, toronto
My cousin, Ashwin was back in town for an impromptu visit a couple of weeks ago and it was suggested we go out for dinner the night before he was heading out. Elena’s friends had suggested the Sultan’s Tent down on Front Street, and we all figured why not?
I’ll tell you now: it’s pricey. Every guest has to order the minimum $40 menu which includes a four course meal. The portions are huge but be careful when ordering. There are set items which amount to $40, and then there are items that say, “Please add $X”. Watch out for those dishes because they tend to add up pretty fast. The key thing to remember is that you’re “paying for an experience”.
The restaurant includes “authentic” tent like atmosphere and a belly dancer—it’s suppose to make you feel like you’re in the desert. I’m going to recommend it but also warn you that it’s one of those one time places to eat. Be careful when ordering drinks—those add up too.
Filed under: Food | Tags: Cuisine, Food, Gerrard Street, India Bazaar, Lahore Tikka House, Life, Little, Nightlife, Pakistani, toronto, Tourism
My parents love getting take out from Lahore Tikka House. It’s a restaurant that sits just on the edge of Gerrard Street and the Little India Bazaar. For years the owners have been renovating the property to create this massive, luxurious looking building that will hold the restaurant, but I don’t think they care too much where people will sit and eat. It’s a pretty dingy place but the food is excellent and spicy. The prices are reasonable too. Service is quick. If you plan on going out later, I suggest bringing a change of clothes—you’ll reek of curry all night.
Last night we all piled into the car and ate there. It’s a great atmosphere, and I’ve never seen that place empty. We ate on paper plates with plastic utensils. The servings are huge so you’ll probably end up taking a lot of it home. If you’re looking for authentic Pakistani cuisine, this is the place to go.
Filed under: the ussh. | Tags: 2009, Auberge du Pommier, Canoe, Food, Food Network, Life, Nightlife, North 44, Restaurants, Summerlicious, toronto
Food is awesome. Food at a better value trumps everything. I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing Winterlicious, but when Elena passed me the 2009 Summerlicious list, I jumped at the chance of securing some reservations. You can’t go wrong with fixed menus and lower than usual prices at some of the classiest restaurants in town.
Reservations opened yesterday, but I’d suggest hopping to it if you want to get a good spot. Elena managed to get reservations at the three restaurants we had picked:
Canoe
Lunch at Canoe should be awesome. I’ve heard good things from people about this place and probably because of the regular prices, I haven’t bothered venturing in there for a bite. Best part is that we’ll be sitting high above Toronto and eating good food.
Auberge du Pommier
Everyone is always talking about how fancy this place is; Ted Rogers use to dine here a lot. It’s not situated in the most ideal location, but my dad has told me it’s a good place. Might as well try it out while it’s cheap.
North 44
I’ve eaten here before and I pretty much fell in love with the place. The prices not so much. Really good food. Although chef/owner McEwan can be a douche (this is based on countless hours of watching Food Network), he cooks good food. This is the last reservation and we managed to get a sweet time. Excited about this one.
