Last Saturday I attended Lilith Fair with a few friends and it was an evening of dancing and singing in the rain, superb local and international talent, way overpriced beer ($10 for a can of beer? get out!), and memorable moments.

Here’s my video recap of the event:

Continue reading ‘Lilith Fair Toronto’

I love the fact that our temporary roomie is a hip hop artist, even more so now that I’ve listened to a sample of his work:

Catch our lyrical housemate Robert Bolton tomorrow at the Kultura arts Festival where the latest rendering of his project (a book with accompanying audio CD) is to be unveiled – Saturday July 24 @ 167 Augusta, in Kensington Market.

Because I don’t know you anymore,
I don’t recognize this place.
The picture frames have changed and so has your name.
We don’t talk much anymore,
We keep running from the pain,
But what I wouldn’t give to see your face again…

A friend of mine, who lives in Montréal, posted the below video on her facebook wall. Combined with the fact that it’s summer, all sorts of fun things are happening there right now (like the International Jazz Festival which finishes in two days), and given that I have some really amazing friends there I’m missing the city.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s all just an illusion, a case of “the grass is greener” you know? I mean I appreciate all these things here in Toronto too. It’s just sometimes I feel there’s a different vibe there.

This two minute video, aptly titled “Deux minutes de Montréal” (Two minutes of Montreal), gives somewhat of a glimpse of what I’m alluding to.

Whatever the case my Montreal love affair continues…

Then there’s Toronto, my more-than-temporary home. When I first relocated from Sydney I had planned on living here for one year and then in Montreal for the second year. Almost two and a half years later, I’ve spent all but two months here in Toronto (and a few months in Sydney on various trips).

I had a surfer here last weekend and in the brief interlude that I had with her, my busy schedule did not allow much time to spend with her unfortunately, I pinpointed a few places worth seeing on a map of the city (she had two days and wanted to see as much of the city as possible, which really isn’t much with that tight a timeframe!) and I explained that Toronto is not the type of city that hits you over the head on first impression and proclaims arrogantly “this is why I’m awesome!”

Instead it’s a city of subtleties and from my experience beyond the immediate tourist traps (the CN Tower possibly the most famous of them) there is a sub-cultures, communities, and a charm that one can only glimpse at in a week of being here. I’ve heard several different people say last week that the people here are great, hospitable, welcoming. For a big city that’s pretty good feedback.

I’d be interested in other peoples’ thoughts on their experience and perception of Toronto.

Anyways, below is a fantastic video my friend Sai put together of this city and I’m happy to share my experience and his documentary with you all.

TimeLapse Reel 2007/08 from young elephant on Vimeo.

Some day I’d like to spend some considerable amount of time in the other famous Canadian city on the other side of the country – Vancouver. A week there last summer didn’t really give me much of a feel for what it’s like to live there. My friend Gail lived and worked there for a while and does the occasional trek out to B.C so it’s always interesting to read about her views of the city.

Anyway, back to work! Happy Pride for those who are celebrating amongst the millions out parading in this hot and humid 25-degree day and to those south of the border a Happy Independence Day to you!

For posterity sake I had to quote this from the Twitterverse:

@JulieTyios: How ironic that the Pride Parade should fall on Independence Day – Are you listening, America? #PrideTO

Jackie on my keyboard

Originally uploaded by Infuzion Photography

Just in case you’ve been wondering where I disappeared to or why I haven’t been as responsive as I once was on email or facebook it’s because I’m in production mode.

Here are a few things I’m working on, or am about to work on, right now…

1. Moving my friend’s blog from one domain to another (and experiencing some frustration with continual FTP access issues)
2. Creating a test site for YSEC
3. Promoting, marketing, and creating material and structure for my Presentation Sensation workshop that I’ll be running on July 10th
4. Practise my 5 min Ignite Waterloo 3.0 presentation which I will deliver on July 7th in front of 100+ people
5. Update instructional videos for an upcoming Toronto Bollywood flashmob event at Dundas Square
6. Write a July newsletter for My Positive Change
7. Exploring opportunities to be a contributor for Vidafine and Workshifting websites
8. Developing affiliate programs with synergistic businesses (eg. a local yoga studio here in Toronto)

So whilst everyone in Toronto is celebrating Pride week and catching Cindy Lauper’s free concert in Queen’s Park I choose to stay in and work towards achieving my goals.

The decisions we make today determine our results tomorrow.

I’ll have my celebrations soon enough, and they will be much more rewarding!