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The first Hindi film Sage and I saw in the theatre and one of the best I’ve seen. Very entertaining. Unfortunately the subtitles are just a tiny bit out of sync. Not enough that it ruins the experience though
Archive for July, 2007
30
Jul
07
links for 2007-07-31
30
Jul
07
Perspective
28
Jul
07
July Critical Mass
Despite a forecast on Thursday of a 70% chance of rain for Friday night, it didn’t rain a drop and critical mass went on as scheduled and a great time was had taking over the streets for a couple hours. We even stopped by Jack and Olivia’s house to see if they were home (they weren’t though imagine opening your door to find 250 cyclists waiting for you!). I did bring a camera this time but I am still getting used to it and found it impossible to get the settings right on the fly and so I ended up with a few mediocre shots and about 10 terrible ones. Fortunately people have already taken a few photos and even a video (Thanks to Bike Lane Diary)
One of my favourite points was captured in this photo when traffic was stopped at York and Front streets for a few light cycles as we made our presence known. This happened on a few occasions as compared to last month’s when it didn’t happen at all that I was aware of.
Definitely a good way to recharge after one hell of a month working. Speaking of which, I’m working yet again today.
26
Jul
07
Still here
Apologies in advance for an entry filled with what seems to be the only two things I’m doing right now – cycling and working like a maniac…
As anyone following my (rather boring) updates over at facebook can say, work is extremely busy. In fact, I’m about as busy as I have been in my career – pretty much working 50+ hours/week since early May. Yes, I know, I’m a long way from Karōshi but still it’s been a long time without a decent break. And it looks as if it will be that way until at least the middle of August at which point I will take two weeks off, catch up on life and finally finish that immigration application that I’ve put off for a YEAR. Oh, and not only will I be leaving Toronto for at least three days, those three days will be spent with Kite & Paul in a yurt without electricity. It’ll be weird to get back to that lifestyle for a bit. I’m also thinking of maybe doing a bit more domestic travel though I haven’t decided for sure
Still it hasn’t been all bad. Cycling to work has made a huge difference in my quality of life. When I do that I am always guaranteed an uninterrupted hour at each end of my day of quiet. It’s to the point now that when it rains or I’m out of clean cycling clothes I really miss it. It’s made quite a difference in my health as well. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in, have lost almost 30 lbs and 6 inches off my waist and am in many ways becoming the vegan cyclist that readers of the National Post and Sun love to hate.
I did get a full weekend off last weekend and managed to have quite a bit of fun. Saturday I slept as late as I wanted then lounged around the house until we went to the birthday party for one of Paul’s friends where I had an interesting conversation that has spurred hours of thought that will likely make an entry of its own when I have a few free lucid minutes to put it down.
Sunday morning, having gone without a bike ride for a day or two I was ready for another one and went out for about a 30 km ride that took me, among other places, to the Leslie Spit. I’ve known about it since we got here but only once went out there for a little bit as it is pretty poorly served by transit requiring a bit of a walk from the end of an infrequent bus route. It was a nice ride – and I managed to take a few photos with a new (used) camera I bought to replace the one I drowned a few weeks ago.
The afternoon was spent having a little time out in the world with Sage. We’ve decided to try a new approach to our time out alone together – we take turns doing whatever the other person wants regardless of what their first thought of it is. In other words – it doesn’t matter if you think the other person idea sucks – you’re doing it. So far we’ve done it 3 times (twice for Sage’s choice, once for mine) and it has been very fun. Even when what we were going to see wasn’t particularly good (I won’t hurt anyones’ feelings by mentioning what it was) we had a fun time anyway. We’d originally thought of doing it as a podcast together but the more we thought of it the less it seemed to work. Still, the idea was good and we’ve loved where it has taken us.
My choice last weekend was to take Sage out for Ethiopian food. She has turned her nose up at the idea for as long as we have been together – from even before I had a chance to try it. For almost 16 years I got to listen to why she thought it wouldn’t be her sort of thing whenever I mentioned it. Finally, though, last weekend, with her freedom of choice gone, we went out to Brunch at M and B Yummy, a great little vegan Ethiopian place in Parkdale. A few bites in I had the satisfaction of being asked why I had never invited Sage to go with me for Ethiopian food after all these years. It’s nice to be right – it doesn’t happen often so I appreciate it when it happens. 
The remainder of the day was spent walking along Queen street people watching before heading home to pick up Kite and Paul to head over to Dufferin Grove Park for a performance by the Clay and Paper Theatre of “We Need Help!” described as: “Giant puppets and live jazz animate this outdoor performance about what happens when the road less traveled becomes the highway to hell. A honeymooning couple is stranded in Northern Ontario when the world’s gas tank runs dry.” As usual with Clay and Paper Theatre, it was a fun performance with a strong message delivered in a fun package. I have always loved that style of papier mache puppet theatre since I saw the Bread and Puppet Theatre troupe when I was a kid. If I am not mistaken they came to visit my school. Yup – no doubt about it, my school life determined much of my life – very liberal teachers who weren’t afraid to talk about peace, nonviolence, the more sordid side of the US government, and even a half a year of “Canadian Studies”. It’s hardly surprising looking back that I became who I am today.
Okay – time to get ready for bed – busy day at work coming tomorrow – as usual.
21
Jul
07
links for 2007-07-22
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We spent a whole summer doing little more than listening to this and playing gin.
20
Jul
07
Critical Mass next Friday
Who’s joining me? Details here.
I actually have a weekend off – maybe I’ll write a real entry…
02
Jul
07
links for 2007-07-03
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Online now but watch quickly as it will likely disappear soon
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