For Christopher

Mr. Sunshine
You are so Bright
Mr. Sunshine
Light up my life
Mr. Sunshine
Light up my world
Mr. Sunshine
You're not a girl
Mr. Sunshine
My little man
Mr. Sunshine
Black as a pan
Mr. Sunshine
You are so nice
Mr. Sunshine
You play with mice
Mr. Sunshine
You are my wish
Mr. Sunshine
Where is your sis?

TTC - Public Consultation

The Toronto Transit Commission has launched another (un)successful campaign, with the hopes of informing city-dwellers about the serious budget crisis they are currently experiencing.

First, some background information, taken from http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/myttc.html.

In the past 10 years the TTC has grown by over 90 million riders. We’ve been replacing our aging vehicles, expanding our network, and improving our stations. We’ve launched our Transit City plan, a vision for transit that will bring high-speed light rail to Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke.
But that’s where the good news ends. This year, there isn’t enough money to operate the TTC’s service, and the City has been forced to ask for major cuts. We need your help.

Our budget crisis

A decade of underfunding has created a financial crisis for the TTC and the City. While other world cities thrive, Toronto’s reserves are empty and it is struggling to pay for services. We can’t afford to invest in transit or other programs.

The TTC has a plan to keep up with growth, but without a combination of uploaded services, property taxes, and some new taxes like the Land Transfer Tax or the Vehicle Registration Tax, we can’t afford it. City Council delayed its decision to approve new taxes until after the provincial election this fall. Without new revenue, we are forced to find cuts now.
If you haven’t laughed so far, then you’re about to! Now for the advertisement that is appearing in newspapers, and on posters everywhere…

My TTC:

“a safe ride home”

“cleaner air for my kids”

“getting to work before my boss (she drives)”

Hah. Nice try TTC! I would say for the majority of unfortunate riders, a more accurate representation would be something more like:

My TTC:

“puts my life at risk, as I wait for 15 minutes or more at the shadiest bus shelter in Toronto after work”

“does not have air-conditioning, is muggy, and smells of urine, deodorant-less people, and cheap perfume” Okay, so not ALL TTC cars and buses do not have A/C, only about 90% of them.

“means that I will have to call work AGAIN to remind them that I’ll be late”

P.S. I still love you, Toronto. We all have our flaws - yours just happen to be worth billions of dollars.

Goodbye, Precious

to my precious little minniature:

although right now my heart is aching for you to stroll into the room and jump on my lap for some brushies, i know you are in a better place. i feel sooo lucky to have had you as my furry, stinky daughter for most of my university years. i love you so much. i smile whenever i think of your special ways, and i laugh when i imagine your new kitty friends teaching you how to finally purr!

a mother's love

i know you all miss your precious goddaughter more than you admit, so i know none of you would dare to roll your eyes and think to yourselves, "another goddamn post about the goddamn cat!" so what if she is a former dragqueen? we're all family and you love her, so keep reading....

on thursday night, it dawned on me that my ray of sunshine has not been eating. in fact, it had been about 2 weeks since i had filled her food bowl and the only explanation for my oversight was denial. frantically, i called adam at kap's and informed him of my concern.

"please tell me that you've been feeding our daughter!!" i exclaimed.

he hadn't. not since i had been to the dr!

shit. deep down, i've always known i am only deserving of a goldfish, and this confirms it. but i LOVE her, and i feel my heart rate slow as ad reassures me that he'll pay the vet bill.

later this afternoon, i confide to my manager about why i am so preoccupied. then, on my lunch break, i call ad about 14 times until he answers his cell and beg him to buy minn her old food and a can of tuna.

well.....it's no surprise that ad ran out and bought the entire cat food department at shoppers. he phoned me at work to proudly announce that he had completed the task and when i thanked him profusely, he grumbled, "well, she's my daughter, too." awwww.

so, these pictures pretty much speak for themselves. minn devoured her whiskas, and as per my suggestion, proceeded to work off the calories on her alpine scratcher. everything is back to normal, meaning the claws are back out.

Silky Jacket

Who is the girl with the silky coat?
*Minnie Minnie*
Throw her in the water and she will float
*Minnie Minnie*
Who is the girl that we love the most?
*Minnie Minnie*
THAT is the girl with the silky coat

What A View!

All of you are aware that Ad has moved out in pursuit of bigger and better places. Well, it didn't take him long to find the place of MY dreams! His suite is located at one of Toronto's most desired addresses, the prestigious Pantages Towers. The building boasts a 24 hour concierge, impressive gym, equisite martini bar, and a full spa to boot. From the 37th floor, one can admire the magnificent city and imagine that one day this can all be theirs!

Little House on the Thai Restaurant

On occasion, my little lionness and I like to play dress-up. On this day, Minniature is donning a fashionable bonnet inspired by the infamous tv show, "Little House on the Prairie." I love my little English Fold!

Best Steakhouse in TO

Ad and I have recently initiated our latest project which involves searching for Toronto's Best Steakhouse. Once a month, Addy and I are going to visit a steakhouse recommended to us via friends, websites, etc. Criteria will be based upon a number of factors including host/hostess greeting, ambience/atmosphere/environment, extensiveness of wine list, price, service, and, not surprisingly, taste.

The first contestant was Le Biftheque (www.lebiftheque.com). For starters, we ordered the meaty portobello mushrooms served atop a sizable portion of leafy greens. Ad giggled with joy when our appetizer arrived along with his chilled Corona. Immediately, I knew we were off to a great beginning...or so I thought. The frown that quickly appeared across Addy's face when he began to butter his warm dinner roll left me questioning our meal choice. For the butter was cold and barely spreadable, which left Addy slumped deep into his booth until our server appeared with our parmesan-covered caesar salads.

"They're back in the game!" I exclaimed to myself as I watched the young man accross from me gobble up his fresh salad. Amused, I smiled as I quietly finished my own, just as the main attraction arrived at our table. A 24 oz. T-bone and fries for my hungry man, and a more modest New York striploin for myself served alongside a scoop of garlic mashed potatoes. We each had a glass of red wine too; I chose a glass of Santa Carolina Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile, while Ad settled on E&J Gallo (my recommendation). Delicious!! In fact, I even considered that my boyfriend might've briefly been transformed into the Tazmanian Devil! I discreetly had to remind Addy that we try to use our best table manners at nice restaurants. Oh, well. Despite Ad's protests, he agreed to share a slice of tantalizing apple crumble and we nibbled at the dessert as we discussed our experience together. When the bill was dropped off at our table, Ad was too stuffed to remark about having to pay himself. Fortunately, the damage totalled $140....not bad for a nice piece of meat with all the extras!

Stay tuned for next month's visit to Ruth Chris Steakhouse with Kap!

Brendan aka Diva

Brendan really is a fashion diva, which was made apparent by these photos....three different outfits in under an hour! Who is this guy?!?