Poetry, Jazz and Toronto Skyline at Night

Days end and another wonderful day it has been! Spent a good deal of the afternoon sipping beer with a friend on the patio of a pub watching the world walk by on the Queen Street Strip. The Toronto International Film Festival - or TIFF as it is known, started on Thursday and lots of beautiful people are out and about. The TIFF is among the world's foremost film festivals and it is 10 days of glitz, glamour and fun here in the city. I have a list of maybe 20 films I really would like to see - sadly, I suspect I will not get out to more than maybe one.

After my fabulous afternoon, I wandered home with great intentions of working on my novel, but got sidetracked taking some photos and reading my book. LOL... and reading blogs and also writing this one... However it still is not late and so next I spend an hour or three novel planning.




I keep saying this, but at risk of rolling eyes, I will again say how lucky I am for where I live and what I have. Even if now and again, I moan out loud for want of my Prince Charming, I have to admit, life is good.



Tonight I am happily working away in my home office (a recently re-acquired 2nd bedroom which was vacated by my daughter who is happily living not too too far away) enjoying the view to the east. Wish I could bring you as spectacular night picture as my eyes behold, but that is just not possible with my camera and camera skills...



This is the best I can do - it does give you some sense of the of the Toronto night skyline, but of course, you will need to come visit if you really want to experience its beauty!

Poetry and a Love Story

I just finished reading Canadian author Elizabeth Smart's book of poetic prose "By Grand Central Station I sat down and Wept". For the Wiki on this fascinating author go here.

The original was published in 1945. I have a 1966 reissue of the book, with a forward by Brigid Brophy describing it as one of the half dozen masterpieces of poetic prose in the world. Incidently, her preface to the novel provides some excellent insights into Smart's prose. The novel is both an ode and a lament to Smart's utter surrender in love to George Barker, an English Poet. It was written whilst she was "away" to birth the first (of four) illegitimate children he fathered by her. Their affair was to last her lifetime. It is a epic tale of a love so consuming she is driven with it blindly and without control. Somehow, in her prose, Smart is able to marry stanzas of poetic words testament to the heady, passionate and intense love with the very mundane day to day business of living. A slim volume of 112 pages, I devoured it in two short sittings.

Interestingly, it appears that while George Barker was on the receiving end of such searing love for so many decades, he had a very different viewpoint on it. He wrote a counterpoint novel of prose in 1950, The Dead Seagull. I have not read it, but suspect by the title that it was not of the same mood as Smart's novel. Barker, in my mind, is an undeserving recipient of such boundless love. Through research I found he was as much remembered for his numerous love affairs and fifteen children by several different women as for his very large body of poetry. It seems that he was prolific, and not only in the literary sense.

Interestingly, I was able to obtain Smart's book second hand through Amazon for $1.65. Barker's book (also poetic prose) is selling for $116. Both are out of print. I would like to get a copy of Barker's to read - from my research it is a "must read". I will have to check out the library.

I found a quote on The Dead Seagull from an anonymous reviewer on Amazon:

"...these two novels are as convenient as they are breathtaking. As you may probably have guessed, i cannot recommend these novels enough. In fact they would be in the top ten of all novels i would recommend concerning mid 20th century literature."

And now some very wonderful Jazz Music:

I have been captivated by an artist who has been getting air play on CBC's Radio 2. Her name is Melody Gardot. According to Wiki:

Melody Gardot is an American jazz singer, writer and musician who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was disabled at 19 after being struck by a car while riding her bicycle and began writing music after using music to aid her recovery. She has been influenced by such blues and jazz artists as Janis Joplin, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin as well as Latin music artists such as Stan Getz and Caetano Veloso.

This You Tube video includes 3 of her songs and illustrates the range of her repertoire and her utterly sweet yet Jazzy voice. I am enchanted by the first song, Les étoiles.




Les étoiles

Les étoiles les étoiles les étoiles
Dites-moi étoile, pourquoi je vous regarde?
Les étoiles les étoiles les étoiles
Dites-moi, étoile qui vous regardera?
(scat)
Les étoiles les étoiles
Si seulement je savais
Dites moi étoile de qui obtenez-vous la lumière
Les étoiles les étoiles
Vous qui êtes belle dans les cieux
Dites-moi étoile, qui vous donnera l�'amour?
(scat)
The stars the stars shining up above
Tell me stars who will give you love
The stars the stars lights of white and blue
Tell me stars why I look to you
(scat)


More Air Show Pics:
A previous post included pictures of the Air Show from my viewing last Sunday. I did take some more photos on Monday and caught a pretty good shot of the F/A-22 Raptor which is the United States Air Forces' fifth-generation fighter aircraft. It really looked incredible in the sky - I can't but help post these two which both show the general shape of the aircraft and also how close it was to my condo as it flew by.

Ok, so 2 Blogs are not better than one!

Today I decided to act upon something I had been thinking about for a while. I initially started blogging last January with my blog "Half Way Along Life's Highway" and in late spring decided that some posts had a lot to do with the city I live in and perhaps I should split the posts into 2 blogs by subject matter. I had this vague thought that some people might follow my Toronto blog while others would follow my Life blog. That has not really proven true. While my Life blog does get more hits and does have more followers, many folks do wander from one blog to the other. There is no discrete separation of followers.

Content wise, I might start out with a theme which should point to either the Toronto blog or the other one as its home, truth is, I am inclined to wander between the two opposite goal posts in any given blog.

My blogs about Toronto and the events I attend here are really closely linked with stuff about me and the life I lead and opinions I have with regard to current events and the world around me.

Following the stats, it seems that a lot of folks hop back and forth between the two blogs, and I seldom write in both on any given day, so it is a bit of an inconvenience. So I have combined my blogs into one this one which is named for the city I live in. I will put a link on the other to this blog and in time retire the other one entirely, since I moved all my posts into this one.

Friends who were kind enough to "befriend me" on the other blog are invited to do likewise here. Not that I judge success by the number of followers I have, but it does motivate one to keep writing knowing that there are followers who will be checking back to read content.

I will post this blog as a separate entry and shall resume a twice weekly only posting schedule through the coming months as my NaNoWriMo commitment approaches and I need to claim as much time as possible for novel planning.

Toronto CNE Air Show

Yes, it has been a while. Ok, so I have been noticably absent on the blogsphere, and in truth have been so, so busy (I can see you now reaching for those tiny violins! - give me a break, eh?) ... No matter. I am really excited about today's post.

I had a spectacular day watching the air show from my VIP seats on my balcony with a few great friends, lots of good food and drink and fabulous weather! Could I ask for more? Not one bit! Took tons of pictures and turned all those snaps into a video to share with you folks!

The picture above shows the beach packed with people and a ring of boats lined up around the perimeter of the "no go" zone.

I took some of the best pictures and strung them together into a video.



In case you don't want to do the movie version - here are a couple of the better pics... I am sure that my guests with the great big zoom lense cameras who were click, click, clicking - 3 clicks per second - like a machine gun, got better pictures... but these are mine and I am proud of them none the less!

Tomorrow will do a newsy update blog - but for tonight - goodnight!

The Snow Birds were the best!
After formation flying the Snow Birds would separate and at times flew right over my condo!


This is a close-up of the Blue Angels US Airforce plane.


This is just a pretty picture I took one night last week - the sun was shining so nicely on the sail boats making the sails a brilliant white.

Canadian National Exibition Time

Dawn now comes at about 7:30... whats with that!

Yesterday I blogged about the end of summer and what it always means for me - in my other blog. I guess one of the things which is triggering those thoughts - aside from the earlier nightfall, cooler nights and all the "back to school" sales being advertised in the stores, is the Toronto CNE, which started on Friday. We, in Toronto, fondly call it "The Ex". It is not what it was in my youth - there is Canada's Paramount a short drive away which offers all the thrills you could want in a midway measured in square Kilometers, far surpassing the Ex in size, number and quality of rides. However, it is a Toronto tradition at the end of the summer - as is the fall fairs which will now commence and every small town in Ontario has one.

The Ex is nearly a week late starting because of the way the calendar falls, Labour Day, traditionally the closing day of the CNE is on Sept 7th, the latest day it could possibly be, given that it is the first Monday in September.

Actually, I have not been to the EX - and through all the exhibit buildings (yes, it is about more than just the midway!) in so many years. I might just pop over one evening - I note that there is a reduced rate for attendance after 5 p.m.


There are a few real treats which the Ex offers. Firstly, my personal treat, which is fireworks every night which I can watch from my balcony. Not quite as exquisite as the Nights of Fire - but fireworks none the less and I take joy in them every night as they mark day's end.


The other treat is the Air Show, which is on the last 3 days of the EX and which requires lots of practice in the days ahead as the


various aircraft work on their stunts and aerial manovers in preparation for the event. Yesterday I was treated to the bi-planes doing some sync flying practice, which I managed to catch on camera, as well as a military aircraft doing circuits, which I did not manage to shoot (pun intended!).

In the days ahead there will be lots of planes buzzing overhead and it gets me to thinking about sharing my VIP seats for the airshow with friends and I am preparing my invite list for one or two Air Show afternoon "drop in" parties.

Thoughts swimming in my brain

Funny thing happens to me every year as August draws to a close. I start thinking about how things will change as summer ends and we get back to the serious business of living. When my children were living at home it also marked a very busy time as we got school and fall clubs, classes and lessons organized. Now the habit of thinking of the end of summer sort of like a bookend has become ingrained and the start of September, in my mind is a "New Year" of sorts - time to reflect, reorganize and make resolutions. I have noticed this week that this mood has crept up upon me and I am like a bear preparing for winter, getting my fall organized and at the same time thinking about the changes that are inevitable.

My focus this fall will be "mind and body". I am looking over the evening class brochure that arrived this week and thinking about some Spanish classes - in preparation for the real deal I hope to organize for next year. Plans for a travel/language immersion situation in Cuba are calling me loudly. This might help to temper my appetite and at the same time provide a bit of mental exercise as learning is good for the brain.

As for the body, I really have to take hold of myself and do more exercise and certainly Tai Chi did the trick a couple of years ago when I was fully committed to it. It serves both body and mind as it is a sort of moving meditation. For sure this fall I will get back to that. If I can start hitting my gym a couple of times a week as well that would be good too.

Of course this fall I am going to be very occupied with my novel planning and then in November the NaNoWriMo project will kick into high gear and I expect everything will be thrown aside for that. Which reminds me, I am off to a NaNoWriMo social event tonight. It will be fun to meet a dozen or so other silly people who are committed (or is that should be committed?) to write a novel in the month of November.

I have been hearing the Great Lakes Swimmers getting a lot of air play on my beloved CBC Radio 2 music programs, in particular the song following. The band has a very ethereal sound - wispy and easy and it just makes me want to whirl around and dance slowly with my arms spread. The lyrics from their songs are poetic and srtike a chord with me. In short - I like them a lot.

As you read the lyrics for this song you will agree that they are really poetic and have several layers of meaning. On one level the song is a soothing call to a tree's leaves as they are getting ready for fall (and to fall). On another level it is a summer lover who you know will be gone as the weather turns cold and a lament to an inevitable change in circumstance. I find this song and its lyrics to be quite beautiful, even if also sad.

Great Lake Swimmers
Changing Colours :
You look at me with uncertainty,
You look at me with urgency.
You look at me with fear in your eyes
like you're about to fall away.

But don't be afraid to change your colours now.
I've known you all Summer, and you rose above it all.
I see you hesitate to fall now,
But it's a pretty good view from down here, too.

And when the wind takes you, it takes me, too.
When you change colours, I change mine, too.
Try not to think, and I will try to.
When you let go, I will let go, too.

I knew you when you were green and strong.
You were like a feather on a wing, so long.
You know I will miss you when you are gone,
but don't be afraid if you just can't hang on.

'Cause when the wind takes you, it takes me, too.
When you change colours, I change mine, too.
Try not to think and I will try, too.
And when you let go, I will let go, too.

The cold air is pushing hard on you.
I know what you're saying; I can feel it, too.
You'll go through changes, and I'll go through them too.
Don't be afraid now, don't be afraid.

'Cause when the wind takes you, it takes me, too.
When you change colours, I change mine, too.
Try not to think and I will try, too.
And when you let go, I will let go, too

A Day at Toronto Island

Yesterday was my birthday. And as birthdays go, it was pretty good. A day to myself and a wonderful dinner with my Son Jeff and his G/F Amanda (More about that in the next blog).

As you start having more birthday's behind you than you can expect ahead of you I guess it stands to reason that you get a bit laid back about them. A couple of things I have come to terms with.


Firstly, I have learned not to expect anything from anybody at this time. As the years march on, well, I have come to understand that what I really value in family and friends is that they are always if I should be in need - and they all seem to be that and more. Don't get me wrong - I am very happy and pleased when I see all those "Happy B-Day Wishes" on my Facebook and when some, if not all of my children remember to call and wish me well, but I just don't get bent out of shape if my birthday is a bit quiet and unremarked.

Secondly, I have learned to make my birthday special for myself and by myself. In these last 3-4 years of "singleness", I have learned to be very self sufficient and to build a birthday that marks the occasion in a way that I find special and to me that is probably more important to me that someone else making it special. I treat myself to something special and I try and do something I would not ordinarily do. While there is no doubt that if "Mr Special" was firmly ensconced in my world, it would be much nicer to do that something special with him, however, that doesn't mean I can't really enjoy my B-Day on my own steam.



I took the day yesterday and went to the Beach at Hanlan's Point on the Toronto Island. I look at that beach every day from my balcony. The day was so very hot and hazy - perfect beach weather! The picture above is the beach as I see it from my balcony. The picture below is the beach as seen from where I sat sunning myself.


From where I sit on my balcony I can see the beach so clearly, but looking back at my condo from the beach? Not so! My condo is so tiny I can hardly make it out! If you click on the picture to get a better look, you can just make out my condo behind the red structure which is the BMO Soccer Field.


I took the ferry boat over and back and it does give a great view of the downtown - from the south rather than from my usual vantage point to the west.


Unfortunately, I got a nasty sunburn - but not as bad as some of the nude sunbathers at the beach I am sure. It is a clothing optional beach. :)


I couldn't resist posting the pic I took of the gorgeous flower by the ferry dock.



Next blog is going to be for the foodies! Some great food was had on Saturday night!

Birthday Dinner at Mildred's Temple Kitchen

A new restaurant opened this winter in Liberty Village - Mildred's Temple Kitchen. It really isn't new - just relocated. Mildred Pierce was the name of the original restaurant (named after the 1945 film classic) and it was just a little bit further north of Liberty Village and had been a well regarded area restaurant for over 17 years. The new restaurant is quite the place and the food is very distinctive and quite delicious!

I was treated to a B-Day dinner here and that was just fabulous since I hadn't tried it out as yet. The decor is smashing - bright and airy and simple yet elegant. The menu has some unique items as you can see following.


I guess my favourite thing had to be the Dungeness crab salad heirloom radishes & Dijon ice cream. Yes, Dijon ice cream! We were instructed to squeeze the lemon over the salad and mix it all up and the ice cream turned into a nice cold chunky quasi dressing for the crab meat and salad greens. It was delicious!


For dinner I had Pork and Beans! No, not your usual. This was one heck of a NY Steak sized pork chop lying in a small bed of mashed topped with green and yellow beans and deep fried pig's ears as the garnish! Very good and I have half the pork chop waiting to take in my lunch tomorrow!

Jeff had the "Classic Mildred Burger" which was for sure a classic. A huge hand formed burger which apparently was fantastic. Amanda had the pickerel and it was served on polenta. Everyone enjoyed their meal!



Amanda's dessert was quite incredible. Tapioca pudding with a hot chili sorbet and garnished with poppers (the candy!)... She said it was quite good!


Next time this is the dessert I will have!