My Sweet Cousin

My little cousin Sarah ( not so little anymore) has this fantastic ability to get the most amazing jobs with ease. Largely because she is very intelligent and hugely capable.

Not long after graduating University with the ability to speak in 7 or 8 languages, she fell into a fashion job with Canadian Designers DSquared2 in Milan.

Her next position? A very interesting job for the International Courts in The Hague.

She has just left a coordinating position for a Cancer Charity (no, not the one you're thinking of).

Her new aspiration is journalism and to that end she has just established a Blog ( the link will be permanent on the side panel) based on her love of Fashion. Well, after all, she is a published Photographer and Stylist.

I guess what I'm saying is that she blows my mind with her talent and smarts ( She also happens to be drop dead gorgeous, don't you think? That's her at the top there).

Wanna be blown away too?

Check her out here:

Sense of Sarah

Bento Bliss

I don't have the time and energy to do this myself but I sure as shootin' admire a person who does and can.

Check out this fabulous lady at lunchinabox.net.

The ideas are fabulous, they look marvellous and she even includes recipes and cool ideas. Using an ice cream sandwich maker to press hard boiled egss to get cool shapes for your kids? Awesome!

Just thought you should know.

Like the Wonderous P, I think this isn't quite right.

I'm actually a very modern kinda chick and I like abstract and cubist art quite a bit. Just not the samples they chose for this quiz. Nice description, though, however inaccurate....

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Simple, Progressive, and Sensual

29 Ukiyo-e, 24 Islamic, 10 Impressionist, -28 Cubist, -38 Abstract and 20 Renaissance!

Ukiyo-e (浮世絵, Ukiyo-e), "pictures of the floating world", is a genre of Japaneseand paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries. it mostly featured landscapes, historic tales, theatre, and pleasure. Ukiyo is a rather impetuous urban culture that has bloomed in popularity. Although the Japanese were more strict and had many prohibitions it did not affect the rising merchant class and therefore became a floating art form that did not bind itself to the normal ideals of society.

People that chose Ukiyo-e art tend to be more simplistic yet elegant. They don't care much about new style but are comfortable in creating their own. They like the idea of living for the moment and enjoy giving and receiving pleasure. They may be more agreeable than other people and do not like to argue. They do not mind following traditions but are not afraid to move forward to experience other ideas in life. They tend to enjoy nature and the outdoors. They do not mind being more adventurous in their sexual experiences. They enjoy being popular and like being noticed. They have their own unique style of dress and of presenting themselves. They may also tend to be more business oriented or at the very least interested in money making adventures. They might make good entrepreneurs. They are progressive and adaptable.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Classy? Really?? Cool.

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Carole Lombard

You scored 14% grit, 19% wit, 38% flair, and 43% class!

You're a little bit of a fruitcake, but you always act out in style. You have a good sense of humor, are game for almost anything, but you like to have nice things about you and are attracted to the high life. You're stylish and modern, but you've got a few rough edges that keep you from attaining true sophistication. Your leading men include William Powell, Fredric March, and Clark Gable. Watch out for small planes.

Meme from P

1. Leave a comment saying you would like to be interviewed.
2. I will then respond with 5 questions that quite possibly could be personal—or not, whatever mood I'm in.
3. Then update your LJ (my page is here on blogger... sooo go with whatever site you like) with the questions I've asked
4. Put these same rules (or something that resembles these rules) with your questions
5. When people ask you to interview them, you will ask them five questions.

From P to me... here goes:

1. Who is your favorite 19th century novelist? And what's your favorite novel by that writer?

Mary Shelley... and solely because of Frankenstein. Love Austen and Gaskell, the Brontes (all three) and Ms. Eliot but Shelley rocked my world with Frankenstein. She takes after her Mom (Mary Wollstonecraft, author of that fabulous tome A Vindication of the Rights of Women) even though she never had the chance to meet her mom and Shelley's a fabulous feminist writer. Yes, Frankenstein is a feminist issue and those who don't get that, suck.

2. You have unlimited funds, time and a babysitter. What restaurant do you take J to, and what meal do you have there?

So there's this amazing little restaurant in Beaulieu-sur-Mer about 30 mins. outside Villefranche on the French Riviera right across from the Residences Eiffel. Ya, that guy who built the tower in Paris. It was his summer home and is now a series of rental suites. Gorgeous view and wonderful digs. Anyhoo, the restaurant is run by a small family, has a fantastic view and it's surprisingly very cheap. They make the best pizza and chocolate crepes I have ever had. Plus they are the friendliest folks. Sure, they yelled at me not to stuff myself with appetizers, but they yelled with love like good Jewish parents. We laughed! They made us feel very at home. Loved the meal we had when J and I were on our honeymoon and would love to go back.

3. If money and logistics were no object, where in the world would you most like to live?

Ooooooh... that's a toughie because there are a couple of places... but I think Villefranche-sur-Mer. It's just a nice pace of life, the French lifestyle. I've loved being there for a couple of weeks at a time and I never missed Canadian life when I was there. It's slower, sunnier (though not hot), full of fantastic art and lots of galleries, beautiful architecture, lots of history and all about the food and view. We rush around here too much. I might miss the snow in winter but I could always nip somewhere cold for the holidays, yes?
London comes in a close second, though. Faster pace of life, great theatre, beautiful architecture... that would be tempting too.

4. Within Toronto, where's your favorite place to go in the summer?

The Island... hands down. But not Centre Island... I love to walk around the streets of the community that lives there. The houses are so beautifully quirky and it's so quiet. Pack a picnic lunch, do a lot of walking and finish off the day with ice cream at the place right by the docks. Sigh.

5. You have a couple of hours to kill. Which Sharpe movie do you watch?

I'm all about eking Hagman time, me. John Tams ( I must have a thing for that name when you realize how close Sweetie's name is to that....) is a hunk (minus that disastrous moustache he is sporting these days.) Love the character and his voice. Jason Salkey as Harris ain't no slouch neither so I'd have to go with Sharpe's Gold even though in terms of the plot, it sucks. Let's face it, that whole story is unnaturally contrived but you do get that long-ish segment of Daniel Hagman shooting for Sharpe's honour in that bet with the twinkie Irish chick. Now the only problem for me is that I also have a thing for Nick Rowe ( See side panel) and he actually did a stint in the series too... so it's a tie with Sharpe's Enemy. Better plot for that one too. Plus it has that amazingly wonderful actor Pete Postlethwaite. Yup. That one's good too.

I knew there were reasons why P and I are friends....

Your result for The Fashion Style Test...

Fashion Artist

52% Flamboyance, 62% Originality, 51% Deliberateness, 32% Sexiness

[Flamboyant Original Deliberate Prissy]



To you fashion is not what they think up in Paris or New York. You follow only your instincts and taste and, admit it, they are far from conventional. Clothes are one of the methods of expressing your personality and being interesting is even more important than being attractive. You pay attention to compose such outfits that would express you best. You tend to shock and though many appreciate your style and originality not many follow in your footsteps. Perhaps your flamboyant outfits are partly meant to hide some of your insecurity but be that as it may, few pass you on the street without looking back. Good job.


The opposite style from yours is Sporty Hottie [Tasteful Conventional Random Sexy].




All the categories: Librarian Sporty Hottie Office Master Uptown Girl/ Boy Brainy Student Movie Star Fashionista Glamorous Soul Fashion Enemy Bar Cruiser Kid Next Door Sex Bomb Hippie Kid Fashion Rebel Fashion Artist Catwalk God(ess)

Take The Fashion Style Test at HelloQuizzy

The Family

Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com

My Kid: The Engineer

TVO is a publicly and government funded television channel here in Toronto and they program some fantastic stuff. Meercat Manor narrated by the wondrous Bill Nighy comes to mind or Prehistoric Park (who needs the Crocodile Hunter when you can do this? And safely too!). Like PBS in the States, they are savvy, fun and very educational!

Recently, their afternoon kid's program called The Space, hosted by some wonderful hip adults (who don't really seem like adults... they seem like kids... which makes them so much more fun for the kids) held a contest for kids to design an Eco-mobile for 6 Superheros, The League of Super Citizens. My little guy got all jazzed because he's very environmentally aware AND he loves designing cars... So was this a match made in heaven!?!

Well...

TAAAA DAAAAA!!!!

He designed a vehicle powered by wind. He drew the blueprint you see before you all on his lonesome, and then, with just a wee help from Mommy (I made the podge for the Papier Mache), he put together, papier mache-ed and painted his very own Super Eco-vehicle (complete with seat belts for safety).

Today, I got the call. Wee Monster has won a second prize digital camera!

GO WEE MONSTER!!!!

We, back down here on the farm, sure are proud of our boy.

Can't wait to see what he designs next....

A Love Letter to Sarah Polley.

Sarah, I've just watched your interview on Sunday Morning on CBC and I'm very impressed. Your work has always impressed me in the past. Your current work impresses the hell out of me.

Thank you for being as smart as you are and true to Canadian and Independent roots. Thank you for being open-minded and willing to say 'no' to fame American-style and finally, thank you for standing up against censorship.

Thank you.

You have just re-affirmed my hope in youth.

Haiku to you too.

In honour of Valentine's Day, my Sweetie sent a few of his very own creations and they were so much fun that I have to share.

Alone, I'm frightened,
But I can take on the world
With you by my side.

Life with you is like
A great meal; long, leisurely
And so fulfilling.

Your presence completes
My soul is lacking without
You are my best friend.

Why do you love me,
When you know I'm such a mess
I'm confused, but glad.

Ok... and my all time favourite:

Your ears ignite me,
An ecstasy of nipples
I worship your knees

When you have a man this wonderful, who needs chocolates???

Let's talk bus.

Sooooo... it's the middle of August, hot as Hades and I'm riding the 5pm bus across St. Clair with my 6 year old and all his camp gear (the streetcars have taken a little break... they're getting brand new tracks with no cars allowed on'em). The bus is old (read: no air conditioning) and packed to the gills (read: hotter than hotter than Hades because of the extra bodies) and then it happens. Someone vacates a window seat and the person in the corresponding aisle seat does NOT move over to make room for another person. So what happens now is that the seat by the window is empty and everyone on this bus is far too Canadian (read: polite) to ask the Schmuck in the aisle seat to move over.

Now Schmuck gets his own private Idaho of space.

Classic passive aggressive behaviour.

I've noticed that this is a trend and, as I'm sure is evident by now, it pisses me off. Wee Monster and I have had lots of talks about this... he doesn't understand why adults behave so selfishly and frankly, neither do I.

C'mon people. You know that the nice thing to do is take the window seat and make room for the next person. Don't give us The Hairy Eyeball and then make us step over your toes with all our crap and make US apologize!

Move on over, make room for the next person. Be NICE! We're all tired in that hot, stinky bus together!

People even try to bogart space this way on empty buses... like they need the extra space!

Be nice, be adult, suck it up and shift your butt!

'Kay.

I'm done.

HAPPY PRIDE WEEK!!!!

It's that wonderful time of year again.

Time to celebrate love and open-mindedness with strong liquor, lots of dancing and a wild and fun parade! Best parade alongside Caribana, if you ask me!

With a full heart and a lot of support for those people just discovering their sexuality,

HAPPY PRIDE WEEK EVERYONE!!!

Let's @#$!!! talk!!!

So, I regularly watch Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares on Food TV here in Toronto. I'm a foodie. What can I say?

And here's the thing: for all that Gordon swears like a sailor caught in the Doldrums, he's a caring guy who is very honest with the people he's helping out. Dare I say it... he's even gentle.

J and I were watching a recent episode where the Chef was a twinkie of about 21 and clearly not experienced enough to be heading up a kitchen. Hell, the poor kid couldn't even muster together a meal for his own parents and grandparents without burning the croutons for the French Onion Soup and under-baking the Lemon Meringue Pie.

Gordon's first experience with this kid involved eating food that had clearly been rotting in the fridge. The cameras, thankfully, did not follow Gordon out the back kitchen door as he went to throw up.

I would have fired the kid. Pronto. Serving rotten food... to anyone... in a restaurant? He'd have been kicked out on his overconfident ass. I'd have sent him packing back to school with his tail between his legs and with a tapestry of intricately woven obscenities following close behind him.

I don't claim to be worthy of being head chef anywhere but, crap, even I can cook a 4 course meal for 24 on Passover without burning anything.

BUT rather than telling the kid to give up and go back to an Ecole de Cuisine, Gordon spent a week training this kid and even got a respectable full evening's service out of him. Yes, the 'fucks' abounded. But fuck, the kid earned them. I was only watching (with an awed expression) and several 'fucks' were emanating out of my mouth.

Unfortunately, despite Gordon's best efforts, this twinkie of a chef went right on back to his old ways as soon as Gordon left, letting food rot in the fridge and dicking off.

Too bad.

That twinkie had a wonderful opportunity to learn from the Sensei.

Fuck.

Confessions of a SQUEEEEEEE-gier

Alright, I realize my credibility is about to be flushed down the... well, it'll be jeopardized, shall we say.

I am a huge anglophile.

Sigh.

There it is.

I both love and laugh at most things British.

I mean, seriously, how can you not laugh at a culture that actually names one of it's towns "Little Wallop"? (Now, I realize as I write this that I live mere kilometers away from a place called Kapuskasing.)

I have an addiction (shall I call it?) to a bevy of wonderful British actors. ( I'm not including the word 'actress'... as the saying goes "I am an actor not an actress. Have you ever heard of a Doctress??")

So, I'm including on the right, some links to some gorgeous men and women (really... seriously drool-worthy). They are extremely talented yet very under-rated actors whose work is worth checking out if you haven't already done so.

The hottie at the top of this post is Toby Stephens. Do yourself a favour and DON'T rent Die Another Day. Uuuuggggh. Bad writing, though nice view of Toby with a sword. But by all means, check out the current version of Jane Eyre.

Now, I'm not usually a Bronte-aholic... Charlotte and Emily write a little too OTT for me but the screenplay by Sandy Welch is amazing.... She's a talented writer who tends to adapt literature extremely well. Her recent version of North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell is a testament to her skills.

Toby brings a lightness to Rochester most actors ignore. Rochester is written as having a certain twinkle in his eye and Toby plays that wonderfully. Usually, Rochester is portrayed merely as brooding. Nice to see the different interpretation.

Toby can also be seen in another Bronte story, Anne's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Kinda interesting that the closer in age to Branwell the Bronte sister was, the more violent and schmucky the romantic hero in the story. Coincidence? I think not.

Also check out The Chamomile Lawn (gotta love a writer who discovers her ability in her seventies! You go Mary Wesley!) and the latest version of Twelfth Night. Though it is a couple years old, it's star studded and worth the viewing.

I must just be in a ginger phase because I have a major thing going for Damian Lewis right now too. He's the cutie reading the cookbook on the right. Though most North Americans know him from Band of Brothers, check out, if you can get hold of it, Shakespeare Retold and enjoy Much Ado About Nothing. Incidentally, my admiration also extends to his leading lady in that production, Sarah Parish. Firstly, LORD! that woman is sexy! And secondly, wow, what a performance! Maybe it's that kinda Jean Arthur air about her: cynical but fun.

Damian also played the lead in Keane. Now there's a wonderful performance. In many ways it reminded me of Mike Leigh's Naked. Powerful.


So enjoy the pictures here and check out the fansites. These are actors worth following.

And they're yummy too!

Sigh.

SQUEEEEE!!!!!

My Humblest Apologies...

Life lately has looked a little like Ruff Ruffman on the left there.

In between the preparations for Passover, Easter and my Mom's 60th...uh... 25th Birthday Party, this organizer has been busy!
Suffice it to say, Passover was wonderful. We had about 20 people sitting down to a true Sephardi dinner: Hummos, Moroccan Beef Stew and Chicken Cous Cous among other things! Yum! Oh, and we drank a little booze there. But ya just gotta love a holiday that actually demands you drink at least 4 glasses of wine! ( That's a bottle a person, folks!)

Easter followed close behind ( for obvious reasons... Last Supper and all) and was amazing. Yes, the Easter Bunny visited the wee monster and left all sorts of yummy chocolate treats all over the house. ( Someone wanna explain to this Jew how this ties in with Jesus' resurrection? Oh well.)

Then Mom's B-day party was a blast! Instead of the traditional B-day cake, she had a croque-en-bouche beautifully designed by the guys at our local bakery and scrumptious to boot. We have this fantastic French Patisserie around the corner called Pain Perdu ( French Toast) and oh! what wonderful things Christophe can do with sugar. He and his brother Yannick deserve all the success that will surely come their way. ( If you ever find yourself in Toronto... they're on St. Clair near Christie... trust me... it's worth the visit.)

I also got to check in with a couple of artists that my Mom and Dad have known for years. Ton and Rhea Harting. Ton was an engineer, long ago, but has since become a fantastic photographer specializing in black and white imagery. He's hoping to release a book ( that I've had the privilege to view in advance) of photos from the 50's taken while he was travelling in Europe as a student. Keep your eyes out for his published works... he's incredibly talented. Rhea is a textile artist extra-ordinaire... on a par with Kaffe Fasset, I would say. She spins her own yarns, weaves and knits... beautiful colours, beautiful linens and embroidery. She blows my mind!
Great to connect with such interesting and affable people again.

So, here we are. Hale, hearty and waiting for the next big function.

Yup.

What's next?

I'm ready... go on.

Hit me.

We SURVIVED!

Oooh! What a couple months! Sorry it's taken me so long to blog but we've been busy. Not doing anything special... just the regular: work, getting sick, childcare kinda stuff.

M and my trip to Florida was wonderful! Time spent with my grandfather and his fabulous girlfriend was lovely! My little M swam his heart out... made new friends (see picture) and shopped 'till he dropped. KB Toys, you owe me now. We cleaned out every hot wheel in every store in the greater Fort Lauderdale area. Thanks to M, you'll have a banner financial year.

And now, after a bout with colds and flu, not to mention double pink eye, we are healthy (knock wood it stays that way) and happy!

So all is well.

Yay.

Yum, Damnit!!

I have just had one of the most stressful days of my life.

So, I thought, since I've just lost 70lbs, and for the first time in my life I'm rather pleased with my body shape... that, rather than go upstairs and EAT a gianormous wodge of yummy chocolate, I'd share a couple finds with you.

This place has the yummiest chocolate chili bar I have ever tasted. Going with the notion that if they're good at the chili thing, they're probably good at other stuff, I'm willing to bet that every spice bar they make is a religious experience.

Also check out this site for Chocolate Bark. It's WORTH the drive to Stouffville. (Or like J and I, you can just wait till they show up at the One of A Kind Craft Show here in Toronto.)

And also check out these guys. I purchased a box of their Eclectic Dragee Mix in Gravenhurst (Yes, you read that right... Gravenhurst... don't ask) and it was AMAZING! Problem is, I can't find the damn stuff here in the big smoke.

Oh well. Better for my figure that way.

Big breath.

Repeat mantra: I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate. I do not NEED the chocolate.

I just really WANT the chocolate.

Sigh.

I love when P finds these!

You paid attention during 91% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Have fun!

Whazzup?

Yes, it's been a long time, I know.

And the thing is, I'm really pretty happy right now. Business is good (and I love my work), everyone around me is now, finally, healthy and happy. This year, everyone we know has been getting sick (including the wee monster... Grade 1 kids share nothing but their germs).

It's been a full fall season.

So I guess that's why my body decided to crap out this weekend.

By Friday night, I could've been a double for Kathleen Turner, my voice was so low and scratchy.

We had been invited to T's for a big party. T has a few of these every year and, because we have yet to make it to one, I hear they are fantastic events with wonderful, intelligent people to meet and lots of fun, grown-up conversation. T is a brilliant person. Imagine Noel Coward or Oscar Wilde in Rupert Everett's body and that's my T. He surrounds himself with like minds, so you can imagine what one of these events must be like. But every time we try to go to one of these shindigs, we have some kind of health emergency with M or my parents or the babysitter cancels... something totally sucky happens and we have to drop out at the last minute.

This time, it was my health. And the stinking thing is that for the first time in ages the stars had aligned in just the right way to allow for J and I to go to T's party: My parents, both healthy for the first time in ages, had taken the wee monster for the night, I had no work scheduled for that day so I could rest up and be energetic for T's bash. Yet there I am, Saturday morning, praying that with a little sleep and lots of liquids we could still go.

J laughed. Everytime I opened my mouth it was clear we weren't going anywhere. I finally gave in, towards lunchtime, and called T to let him know.

I'm praying he continues to invite us... we'll make it yet, damnit!

Not with a bang, but a whimper....

So, there I am, nuking broccoli for dinner. It's something I do very often. Broccoli is a staple at our house. We eat it cooked, raw, in the dark, on a train, at our work and on a plane. Thanks, Sam-I-am.

Then, all I hear is 'Pzzzzzzzzt' and the lights go off inside our micro-onde.

Has the power gone out? No. Lights are still on in the house. Let me try re-booting. Unplug. Replug. No dice.

Oh no.

She's dead, Jim.

After 20 years, my cheap $150 microwave has officially bitten the dust. So now we gotta find a new one.

Actually, I'm not griping. This is not a hard task for us because J and I have found probably the best kept secret in Toronto.

Look way up. That's it... way, way up. Past Finch, south of Steeles on the west side. Because there, on Yonge St., is a little appliance store called County Appliances. It's so small, you can easily miss it even though it's covered from door to window frame in appliance adverts.

Once in, you'll feel like you're in a Rare Bookstore. It's cozy, to say the least, and very dusty but the staff are amazing. They know appliances and appliance manufacturers like the backs of their hands. They give honest advice and aren't afraid to tell you which companies do NOT produce the best product. They'll look beyond their selection to find you the right appliance and, deity of your choice rain blessings upon them, they'll even hire people to take apart an appliance and re-assemble it in your basement because your stairway measures a mere 20" across and no known washing machine or dryer is less than 22" across.

Every time we go there, those lovely people chat us up. Not over-chipper, no commissions, just nice, friendly, knowledgeable service.

They don't have a web site and they don't advertise in print or media. They rely on word of mouth. ( They're that good.)

We found a microwave, no problem. It'll be here in two days. Installation no problem and no exorbitant fees.

County, we love you.

We're telling everybody.

Now, everybody, tell your friends.