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Ontario League of Justice - Day 3 (late post)

2016-10-16T09:08:00.002-04:00

Our panel did not have to go in front of a judge so I literally received a get out of jail card. No courtroom drama for me!

Ontario League of Justice - Day 2

2016-10-04T15:03:00.000-04:00

Another non-event in the jury selection waiting room. Arrived at 9:30, waited, then told to go home by 12:30 or so. I have to go back again tomorrow.

Sometimes I like looking at the universe with rose coloured glasses, so I am listing the best parts (so far) about my juror experience:

1. I get to sleep in until 6 AM, do my workout, and leave the house at 8:30 AM. Usually, I'm at work by 7 AM-ish... I am loving the extra sleep time and bonus workout hours.

2. The 9 AM subway rush hour crowd is definitely different from the 7 AM crowd. My conclusion: going to work early is best.

3. I am not in meetings ALL THE TIME.

4. I get to respond to urgent emails only. I am not reachable by instant message. I still receive an average of 100-150 emails per day, but whatev, at least I'm not in meetings.

5. I get to delegate a LOT because I am physically not in the office :o)

6. I can re-read books that I've purchased before getting a library card. I am reading "Blackfly Season" by Giles Blunt, one of my favorite authors. He is Canadian and most of his books are set in Algonquin, which we visited in the summer.

7. I am home at a reasonable time which allows me to cook dinner (if I wanted to :o)

8. I have time to do a blog entry!

That's it so far, I will keep thinking about the good parts re. this experience. Day 3 tomorrow!

Notes:

1. I finally found the real food court at the Eaton Centre! I remembered I used to go there all the time when I was young and a punk and thinking I am Jenny from the Block. It's still right off the Dundas entrance at lower level. Below H&M (which used to be Sears). They definitely did a makeover but the oldies are still around (KFC, A&W, Tim's, etc). Some new food joints thrown in but all in all the same. The garbage area is called - get this - "Collection Station" hahaha. I'm going to use that term now every time I need to find the garbage. "Excuse me... do you know where the Collection Station is??"

2. I have concluded that there are subway crazies regardless of what time you're riding the subway, or the line that you are in. Today there was a guy who was walking in the train grunting and doing martial art moves and he STOPPED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME and I closed my eyes and I mentally walked through the self-defense move that I would do in case he decides to bother me, which is to pretty much kick him in the groin and possibly break his windpipe, Jason Bourne style. This was on the Yonge-University-Spadina line.

3. The second crazy was on the Bloor-Danforth line. This dude had a whole joint rolling system on his lap. Rolling joints while rapping at the top of his lungs. I just ignored him, but no lie I was trying to understand if I can recognize the song he was rapping. I didn't, it wasn't 90s hip hop as I would hope, so not only is he a loser, but he also has bad taste in music.

Ontario League of Justice - Day 1

2016-10-03T16:53:00.000-04:00

Oddly, I have been selected to be on a jury selection panel. It starts this week. It's kinda interesting, but at the same time, annoying, since my work will pile up while I'm at the courthouse.

I have romanticized courtrooms and the legal system for so long now. I've been reading John Grisham since I was a rebellious angry teenager, and I have a ton of fave legal (legal-ish?) movies like A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny (ha ha), the Devil's Advocate (of course), The Firm, The Pelican Brief... you name it, I've probably watched it.

I know Canadian courts are not similar to the ones in the US. Do you think I'll get in trouble if I yell out "OBJECTION, YOUR HONOUR!"? Or "DEATH PENALTY!"

Today was just a whole lot of waiting around until your panel gets called. My panel didn't get called yet, so I have to go back tomorrow. The most interesting part of my day was trying to find the food court at the Eaton Centre during lunch hour - which is from 1-2 pm by the way (annoying). They have changed the whole food court setup at the mall! Fuck! Yes they had "healthier" selections and even a Ramen shop, but I can't eat Ramen until Friday.

I ended up buying a salad from Freshii. Oaxaca salad, no rice, and a can of very exotic Fresca.

Anyone reading this blog entry hoping to find helpful hints about being summoned as a juror and what to expect will not find this write up helpful at all. Maybe I'll write something better tomorrow.

I sold my WaterRower in less than 20 hours

2016-01-02T17:30:00.000-05:00

and I am very saaaaaaaaaad about it. I had multiple offers too.

But I'm working out using weights + doing lots of yoga and it's working for me.

That doesn't make me any less depressed.

Here was my ad on Kijiji, now deleted. Congrats to AF for a very good purchase and a super easy transaction.

-----

Reluctantly Selling WaterRower Natural (Ash/Red/Danish Oil)

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My love affair with the WaterRower Classic started in early 2015 after a running injury helped me discover House of Cards. After researching the devastatingly medieval looking exercise equipment, I got my hands on one as soon as possible.

Eight months later, only gently used, it graces my living room tall and proud (moved temporarily to the office/library to make way for the stupid christmas tree). It's an art gallery worthy piece and offers an a** kicking 20 minute work out, even more if you're the over achiever type. It is super silent, perfect for your late night or early morning espionage training. Close your eyes and it's as if you're rowing down the River Thames.

I have the training, caring and exercise DVD to go with it, along with the manual, warranty card and chlorine tab. It also includes the Series 4 performance monitor.

A hip injury is forcing me to break up with my love. Take it from me before I change my mind. WaterRowers retail for atleast $1500 CAD... go ahead and Google it. I won't part with this masterpiece for for less than $1000.

You will need a van or pickup to pick it up. A strong manly man will help you load it into your vehicle.

Dimensions

In Use: Length - 82.25” / 209 cm, Width - 22.25” / 57 cm, Height - 20” / 51 cm

Stored: Depth - 20” / 51 cm, Width - 22.25” / 57 cm, Height - 82.25” / 209 cm

Weight: 66.5 lbs / 30.5 kg (dry), 103.5 lb / 47 kg (17 l of water)

I Left My (Cold Dead) Heart in British Columbia

2015-11-20T22:15:00.001-05:00

The Cat and Greggy with a Darryl Sittler Hat

2015-06-28T15:04:00.002-04:00

Top Ten Toronto Tourist Traps (aka T5)

2015-05-20T20:24:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Blog.to for the list. Sadly, I've visited 8 of the 10 on the list (idiot).

EAT & DRINK

The 10 biggest tourist trap restaurants in Toronto

Posted by Sarah Ratchford / JULY 31, 2013

135 Comments

Tourist trap restaurants in Toronto are, for Torontonians and visitors alike, generally like hell on earth. Unless you have one of those cheesy yet masochistic senses of humour, and/or really enjoy mediocre food and overpriced booze or whatever. Long and short of it is that the fourth largest city in North America attracts its fair share of tourism, and in these ten places, you will find people who fall for the worst gaffes or just go to places they saw an ad for in the inflight magazine on the way in.

Here, 10 places you probably avoid if you live in Toronto.

CN Tower 360
Looking at Toronto without the CN Tower in the picture is a pretty strange experience. The food is a tad overpriced for what it is, but it's nowhere near as bad as you might expect. Meals are basic, with your classic meat or fish and rice or potatoes options, but everything is dressed up enough to make it count. Generally, you have to pay to take in the views from the tower, but with the purchase of a main, it's complimentary. Some people come here because they think it's romantic: don't fall for that. Ain't no romance in waiting an hour for an elevator ride that will make your ears pop and then hollering at one another while the children of tourists crawl on your feet 351 metres in the air. Though the food isn't awful, this is one to avoid. Dill that salmon at home, y'all.

Old Spaghetti Factory
The Old Spaghetti Factory is actually an Old Blacksmith Shop. Despite being filled with tourists and thus, yangy children, there is some undeniable historical value that comes along with paying a visit. The warehouse was built in 1898, and converted into a restaurant in the '70s. On the menu, you'll find quintessential, vanilla, touristy foods like a handful of different spaghetti dishes (forgive the obvious, but really), seafood linguine and penne with chicken.

Tappo
Tappo is an Italian and Mediterranean-themed restaurant in the Distillery District. There's a strong wine focus(PDF) here, and in fact, the restaurant's name means corked in Italian. (This will have bad connotations if you're an actual wine connoisseur. Go with your gut, I say). The Distillery is one of the city's most touristy areas, so places like Tappo are usually cram-jammed, and can get away with charging prices that rival what you'd pay for fine dining, but for less remarkable food.

Big Daddy's
Big Daddy's Bourbon Street Bistro & Oyster Bar, in case you're unfamiliar with the joint, is exactly what it sounds like, only a little less awesome. It's perched on the corner of King and University, perfect receiving position for unsuspecting, fannypack-clad folks roaming around the downtown core. Seafood, clearly, is the specialty here, with the seafood fondue earning rave reviews. Oysters are a major draw as well, and tourists get their fill with the prix fixe menus, which can be had for either $26 or $31. Big Daddy's does its best to take on that Louisiana feel with the decor, too, which harkens back (sort of) to an old school jazz bar vibe.

Sultan's Tent
If you've never had the...experience of visiting the Sultan's Tent, you may have at least noticed the ads around town for this tourist trap at Front and Church. You will, as the ads promise, be able to catch live belly dancing performances here every night, accompanied by four-course dinners, Moroccan style. Check out their menuhere and you'll get an idea of the cheese factor in this place. While the whole idea is just dripping with fromage, there are somewhat authentic options available, like fekkous and, of course, hummus and olives.

Le Papillon on Front
Le Papillon at Front and Church serves up French and Quebecois fare, and they aim to offer a relaxed approach to fine dining. They opened the city's first creperie in 1974, and you'll also find escargots, French onion soup and a selection of steaks and duck. The class factor is amplified by $5.50 pint specials. The decor is pretty lovely, though and the menu, though slightly overpriced, is decent. Le Papillon is not the most villainous culprit on this list but if you must eat at a Toronto restaurant with this name you'd be better off heading to the other one on Eastern Avenue.

Fred's Not Here
Fred's Not Here has been serving up steaks and seafood to ravenous tourists for a quarter of a century. Located right in the midst of Restaurant Row, Fred's Not Here is ideally situated to soak up the masses that spill from the Lightbox, Rogers Centre and Royal Alexandra. Their lobster and crab soup is a standout dish, as are their jumbo shrimps, which are roughly the size of a small kitten. They're also known for speedy service, even when it comes to groups, in case you need to make it to a show in time.

Wayne Gretzky's
Wayne Gretzky's is a giant web of a sports bar, perfectly positioned on Blue Jays Way so as to swallow up the hoards of jersey-clad folk streaming out of the Rogers Centre. Though this is one of the more obvious tourist traps on the list, diehard hockey fans who live in the city have been known to check it out because it's home to Gretzky's own collection of memorabilia. There's a rooftop patio, too, so that doesn't hurt. The dinner menuincludes just about everything a sports fan could want, from pub food to steaks. That said, beware the cocktail list, which includes gems such as the Gretzky on Ice, made of Polar Ice and Gretzky ice wine. (Also beware patrons whose teams lost the game).

Panorama Lounge
I'd question whether people of any other city love their own skyline quite as much and in as masturbatory a fashion as Toronto. It's no surprise, then, that tourists love it, too, and they come to Panorama, on the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre at Yonge and Bloor, to take it all in. Views are served with tapas-style apps and cocktails, and during the warmer months, people flock to the patios, which the restaurant says are the highest in Canada.

The Bird and the Bee - Tribute to Hall & Oates

2015-05-17T14:54:00.000-04:00

The Bird and The Bee rocks!

I Can't Go For That

Kiss on My List

Sara Smile

One on One

Rich Girl

Maneater!

She's Gone

Private Eyes

Run + Row Log - Week 207

2015-05-17T13:31:00.003-04:00

2015-05-03 Sunday - 40 mins run + Yoga
2015-05-03 Monday - Rest
2015-05-03 Tuesday - Rest
2015-05-03 Wednesday - Rest
2015-05-03 Thursday - Rest
2015-05-03 Friday - Rest
2015-05-03 Saturday - 35 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 206

2015-05-17T13:30:00.001-04:00

2015-04-26 Sunday - Rest
2015-04-27 Monday - Rest
2015-04-28 Tuesday - Rest
2015-04-29 Wednesday - Rest
2015-04-30 Thursday - Stupid awards ceremony at the Hilton Toronto
2015-05-01 Friday - Rest
2015-05-02 Saturday - 30 mins run + Yoga

LAZY - Week 205

2015-05-17T13:28:00.004-04:00

2015-04-19 Sunday - LAZY
2015-04-20 Monday - LAZY
2015-04-21 Tuesday - LAZY
2015-04-22 Wednesday - LAZY
2015-04-23 Thursday - LAZY
2015-04-24 Friday - LAZY
2015-04-25 Saturday - LAZY

Run + Row Log - Week 204

2015-05-17T13:27:00.003-04:00

2015-04-12 Sunday - Rest
2015-04-13 Monday - Rest
2015-04-14 Tuesday - Rest
2015-04-15 Wednesday - Rest
2015-04-16 Thursday - Rest
2015-04-17 Friday - Rest
2015-04-18 Saturday - 70 mins Walk/Run + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 203

2015-05-17T13:26:00.002-04:00

2015-04-05 Sunday - 40 mins row + Yoga
2015-04-06 Monday - Rest
2015-04-07 Tuesday - Rest
2015-04-08 Wednesday - Rest
2015-04-09 Thursday - Rest
2015-04-10 Friday - Rest
2015-04-11 Saturday - 25 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 202

2015-05-17T13:25:00.001-04:00

2015-03-29 Sunday - 35 mins row + Yoga
2015-03-30 Monday - Rest
2015-03-32 Tuesday - Rest
2015-04-01 Wednesday - Rest
2015-04-02 Thursday - Rest
2015-04-03 Friday - Rest
2015-04-04 Saturday - 35 mins run + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 201

2015-05-17T13:23:00.003-04:00

2015-03-22 Sunday - Rest
2015-03-23 Monday - Rest
2015-03-24 Tuesday - Rest
2015-03-25 Wednesday - Rest
2015-03-26 Thursday - Rest
2015-03-27 Friday - Rest
2015-03-28 Saturday - 50 mins run + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 200

2015-05-17T13:22:00.001-04:00

2015-03-15 Sunday - 40 mins row + Yoga
2015-03-16 Monday - Rest
2015-03-17 Tuesday - Rest
2015-03-18 Wednesday - Rest
2015-03-19 Thursday - Rest
2015-03-20 Friday - Rest
2015-03-21 Saturday - 35 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 199

2015-05-17T13:21:00.003-04:00

2015-03-08 Sunday - Montreal > St. Hyacinthe
2015-03-09 Monday - Rest
2015-03-10 Tuesday - Rest
2015-03-11 Wednesday - Rest
2015-03-12 Thursday - Rest
2015-03-13 Friday - Rest
2015-03-14 Saturday - 40 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - week 198

2015-05-17T13:20:00.001-04:00

2015-03-01 Sunday - 60 mins row + Yoga
2015-03-02 Monday - Rest
2015-03-03 Tuesday - Rest
2015-03-04 Wednesday - Rest
2015-03-05 Thursday - Rest
2015-03-06 Friday - Rest
2015-03-07 Saturday - 50 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 197

2015-05-17T13:17:00.004-04:00

2015-02-22 Sunday - 50 mins row + Yoga
2015-02-23 Monday - Rest
2015-02-24 Tuesday - Rest
2015-02-25 Wednesday - Rest
2015-02-26 Thursday - Rest
2015-02-27 Friday - Rest
2015-02-28 Saturday - 60 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 196

2015-05-17T13:16:00.002-04:00

2015-02-15 Sunday - 35 mins row + Yoga
2015-02-16 Monday - Rest
2015-02-17 Tuesday - Rest
2015-02-18 Wednesday - Rest
2015-02-19 Thursday - Rest
2015-02-20 Friday - Rest
2015-02-21 Saturday - 50 mins row + Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 195

2015-02-14T14:44:00.000-05:00

2015-02-08 Sunday - Rest
2015-02-09 Monday - Rest
2015-02-10 Tuesday - Rest
2015-02-11 Wednesday - 40 mins row + yoga
2015-02-12 Thursday - 40 mins row + yoga
2015-02-13 Friday - 35 mins row + yoga
2015-02-14 Saturday - Yoga

Run + Row Log - Week 194

2015-02-14T14:42:00.002-05:00

2015-02-01 Sunday - 50 mins run on Gulf of Mexico beach + yoga
2015-02-02 Monday - 50 mins run Carillon Beach + yoga
2015-02-03 Tuesday - 120 mins walk on Gulf of Mexico beach + yoga
2015-02-04 Wednesday - Yoga
2015-02-05 Thursday - Yoga
2015-02-06 Friday - Yoga
2015-02-07 Saturday - Fly back to Toronto

Run + Row Log - Week 193

2015-02-14T14:39:00.003-05:00

2015-01-25 Sunday - Rest
2015-01-26 Monday - 35 mins Row
2015-01-27 Tuesday - Rest
2015-01-28 Wednesday - Rest
2015-01-29 Thursday - Rest
2015-01-30 Friday - Rest
2015-01-31 Saturday - Off to Panama City Beach

Running Log - Week 192

2015-02-14T14:38:00.000-05:00

2015-01-18 Sunday - Rest
2015-01-19 Monday - Rest
2015-01-20 Tuesday - Rest
2015-01-21 Wednesday - Rest
2015-01-22 Thursday - Rest
2015-01-23 Friday - Rest
2015-01-24 Saturday - 50 mins

Running Log - Week 191

2015-02-14T14:37:00.001-05:00

2015-01-11 Sunday - Rest
2015-01-12 Monday - Rest
2015-01-13 Tuesday - Rest
2015-01-14 Wednesday - Rest
2015-01-15 Thursday - Rest
2015-01-16 Friday - Rest
2015-01-17 Saturday - 55 mins + yoga