A Day In the Life of Roland

2010-03-19T17:14:00.002-04:00

The Apple Pin

2010-03-16T17:18:00.003-04:00

Knowing my passion for all things Apple, a longtime friend presented me with a special Apple pin commemorating the 2010 Winter Olympics which were held in Vancouver a couple of weeks ago.

Murphy Bed Concept

2010-03-08T15:17:00.007-05:00

In a previous post I talked about getting a Murphy bed for my new space. Since that initial entry, I have been exploring my options about different design concepts. I have settled on a couple of options.

First of all, I have decided that I am going to construct it myself. In addition, the bed will be of the side-mount variety to save space even more. Standard length for a vertical version of this type of bed is typically about 2 metres (about 7 feet). If I go with a double-sized mattress, the depth of this type of bed will be around 1 metre (about 3 feet). That's half!

Second of all, instead of simply folding up the bed when it's not in use, why not do it with some sense of style? The image above illustrates one possible concept, which is not only elegant but would become a piece of wall art.

This story continues.....later.

Getting Prepped for Moving Day

2010-03-08T15:05:00.004-05:00

Even though the actual move-in date isn't until later this month, we began the process of packing away things this past weekend. Every couple days more and more stuff will be readied for moving day. Doing it this way will definitely make it easier once that magic day arrives. Next week I plan to clear out the storage locker downstairs and move all that stuff to the new dwelling.

The Fabulous Weather Continues

2010-03-08T07:59:00.003-05:00

The fabulously warm weather, which started last week and which continued throughout the weekend, is still with us today. This morning I woke up to see clear blue skies and a glorious sun beaming through my apartment window. It feels so wonderful.

Next Weekend: Spring Forward

2010-03-07T15:47:00.001-05:00

At 2 AM on Sunday, March 14, our clocks will officially move ahead one hour for Daylight Savings Time.

Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier

2010-03-06T12:04:00.009-05:00

While a customer dropped off a Mac which was in need of service today, she told me about a provocative documentary on Frontline. Since 1983 this American public affairs series on PBS has a tradition of always being insightful and thought provoking. It explores a wide range of issues with a quality and depth all its own. Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier continues that tradition.

This documentary asks the question: What does it mean to be human in a 21st-century digital world?

Within a single generation, digital media and the World Wide Web have transformed virtually every aspect of modern culture, from the way we learn and work to the ways in which we socialize and even conduct war. But is the technology moving faster than we can adapt to it? And is our 24/7 wired world causing us to lose as much as we've gained?

In Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier, award-winning producer Rachel Dretzin continues a line of investigation she began with the 2008 FRONTLINE report Growing Up Online, where she embarks on a journey to understand the implications of living in a world consumed by technology and the impact that this constant connectivity may have on future generations. "I'm amazed at the things my kids are able to do online, but I'm also a little bit panicked when I realize that no one seems to know where all this technology is taking us, or its long-term effects," says Dretzin.

Visit the PBS web site and check out this fascinating documentary for yourself.

Quote of the Day: Living Life

2010-03-06T10:27:00.006-05:00

On my way to work this morning, I walked by the small card and gift shop, Paperboy, which sells all sorts of really cool merchandise. In their window display I noticed a small rectangular piece of ceramic tile on which was written some truly memorable and inspiring words. I snapped a photo of it so that I could record it here for later.

These memorable and inspiring words go as follows:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

Balloon Dog

2010-03-05T11:47:00.004-05:00

This morning while walking my dogs, Asta, my fox terrier, became entranced by some balloons bobbing in the wind. Not wasting any time, I quickly whipped out my iPhone to record this hilarious event.

Alice In Wonderland Opens Today

2010-03-05T09:56:00.002-05:00

World premiere of Alice In Wonderland in London, England.

New official trailer for this film.

The first-ever film version of Lewis Carroll's tale has recently been restored by the BFI National Archive from severely damaged materials. Made just 37 years after Lewis Carroll wrote his novel and eight years after the birth of cinema, the adaptation was directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow, and was based on Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations. In an act that was to echo more than 100 years later, Hepworth cast his wife as the Red Queen, and he himself appears as the Frog Footman. Even the Cheshire cat is played by a family pet.

With a running time of just 12 minutes (8 of which survive), Alice in Wonderland was the longest film produced in England at that time. Film archivists have been able to restore the film's original colours for the first time in over 100 years.

Spring Is In The Air

2010-03-05T09:49:00.002-05:00

While I know that Spring doesn't officially arrive for another couple of weeks (March 21 to be precise), it certainly feels like it. Over the next several days, the weather promises to be fantastic. So let's celebrate it!

Photoshop Celebrates 20 Years

2010-03-03T17:36:00.005-05:00

In this documentary, the founders of Adobe Photoshop - John Knoll, Thomas Knoll, Russell Brown, and Steve Guttman - tell the story of how an amazing coincidence of circumstances, that came together at just the right time 20 years ago, spawned a cultural paradigm shift unparalleled in our lifetime.

By A Nose, You're Unique

2010-03-03T16:41:00.002-05:00

While I was getting my hair cut this afternoon, I picked up the front section of The Toronto Star. On the third page of the paper, I encountered an interesting article (reproduced below) all about noses.

The nose knows.

Knows who you are, where you've been and, eventually, how nervous you are.
Researchers at two English universities are in the early stages of turning the nose into the ultimate biometric-scan feature: hard to conceal, difficult to change and distinctive from person to person.

"The nose is remarkably good. It lends itself quite well to recognition," Prof. Melvyn Smith, of the University of the West of England in Bristol told the Star.

Smith's team has developed PhotoFace, part of a $1 billion project by the Imperial College, the British Home Office, and General Dynamics, the U.S. defence industry contractor, to create a sophisticated and reliable facial-recognition system.
"Noses are prominent facial features and yet their use as a biometric has been largely unexplored," said Dr. Adrian Evans, of the University of Bath, which took PhotoFace and focused it on the human nose.

"Ears have been looked at in detail. Eyes have been looked at in terms of iris recognition. But the nose has been neglected."
Six main nose types emerged: Roman, Greek, Nubian, hawk, snub and turn-up.
The ridge of the nose – the line running from the spot between the eyes to the nose tip – turns out to be distinctive from person to person, said Smith, who has a Roman nose.

Unlike irises (which can be distorted with drops) or faces (which can wreck complex recognition algorithms simply by smiling), the nose "is largely invariant," said Evans, who has a Greek nose.

"They're also hard to conceal without attracting attention."

With only 40 noses studied in various lighting and aspects, the research is in its early stages.
Work is underway on another 160 noses to push the success factor beyond 50 per cent. But Smith and Evans can envision where the research is going.

"The main goal for the Home Office is to create a database of as many faces as possible," said Smith. "For General Dynamics, their interest is turning this into immigration control and controlled access to buildings."

The larger the database, the more flexibility police would have in matching a face captured by a closed-circuit television camera on the street with a face captured by another camera.

Or, as Evans emphasized, "You could see someone in one part of the airport, capture the nose there, and then see them in another place with a pattern of behaviour that is unusual" and match the two images.

From there, said Smith, work could branch into "mood analysis in security applications. Is a person being misleading? Can it detect deceit?"

PhotoFace works by "taking photos lit by a flash from several different angles so that four images are taken in very rapid succession of every point on the face, each under different controlled lighting conditions," said Smith.

Then, software is used to analyze the shading and works out coordinates for each point on the nose or face.

Future research will not only build up the database but refine the recognition.

A smile or a scowl changes the facial equation.

Scientists also need to know if you really do have your father's nose, according to a computer analysis, and whether your 18-year-old nose and your 62-year-old nose are the same.

"It's far and away nowhere near the success of an iris biometric right now," said Evans. "But the potential is there."

Dancing Inmates

2010-03-03T10:13:00.003-05:00

During my break at the class last night, our Photoshop instructor showed us this amazing video of inmates dancing to Michael Jackson's classic Thriller.

Where in the world can you find “dancing inmates”? Only in the Philippines , or more specifically only in Cebu . The whole concept of discipline and dancing as methods of rehabilitation has never been in the books. It deviates and does not conform to the principles of jail management and penology. But a son of a political scion transcended from his political and landlord roots to do “the very least for his brethren" – turn dregs into human beings.

Read more about this fascinating story at byronfgarcia.com.

Glenn's 46th (Surprise!!!) Birthday Celebration

2010-03-01T10:02:00.006-05:00

Inspired by the imminent release of Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland, my friend Jason, who was the master engineer of this deliciously conceived surprise party for Glenn's 46th birthday, decided that the perfect theme for this party would be based on this new film. Outlandish hats, crazy cups, Chershire cat figurines, and cupcakes sprinkled with jelly beans were all part of this festive landscape.

With a great sense of anticipation, all of us clustered together in Jason's front room waiting for the guest of honour to arrive. Two minutes before his arrival, I turned on the camera to be ready when he crossed the threshold. In the process, it's quite funny to see how people were preparing themselves for that special moment. Once that moment arrived, it was sheer magic!

The birthday boy gets his cupcakes.

Captured for posterity, the camera meanders through Jason's home recording all the delightful people, Glenn's friends and co-workers, who attended.

Vintage Apple

2010-02-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

The Murphy Bed

2010-02-15T14:21:00.009-05:00

The short film above showcases how the Murphy bed has figured in popular culture. When I move into the new place in March, I will be getting my own room. To make the most efficient use of that space, I have one of these beds, which I had the privilege of experiencing firsthand last year, on my wish list. Its elegant design and practicality make it a sure winner for small spaces.

On an episode of CITYLINE, the Murphy bed concept was clearly demonstrated. The video of that show appears below.

Through doing some online research, I have discovered that there is a local source here in Toronto for Murphy beds, B.O.F.F. Wall Beds. One of these days I will personally visit them and check out their showroom.

Photoshop Disasters

2010-02-15T10:45:00.004-05:00

Have you seen a truly awful piece of Photoshop work? Clumsy manipulation, senseless comping, lazy cloning and thoughtless retouching? Well, there's a web site - or, more accurately, a blog, which is devoted to these Photoshop faux pas.

Happy Valentine's Day 2010

2010-02-14T08:43:00.003-05:00

I don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.

Dragon Tattoos

2010-02-13T16:15:00.011-05:00

In my PA post I made reference to getting a tattoo in the not-to-distant future. Since I have always had a fascination for and love of dragons, having a tattoo in the shape of a dragon would simply be a natural expression of this fact. As an interesting side to this story, my family name is actually derived from draco, the Latin word for dragon.

The two tribal dragon designs above, which I discovered online while doing my research on tattoos, were originally in black-and-white. Since both my PA and nipple piercings are teal, I want to continue this colour theme with the tattoos. Consequently, I opened these images in Photoshop and added some colour. Initially, I was simply going to have them in one solid colour, but then I thought that these designs would have more visual impact if I added colour gradients to them. The results of doing so appear in the composite image above.

The dragon profile design on the left, which I am going to do first, I would have tattooed on and have it wrap itself around the entirety of my upper left arm. The dragon face design, which would definitely be more expensive because of its size, would look positively spectacular as a tattoo on my back.

Moving in March

2010-02-13T10:06:00.004-05:00

In March our entire household of three guys, two dogs and one cat will be moving to a new space. Since the new location is just down the street, the move should be a piece of cake and will cost us nothing financially.

It's been 15 years since I have pulled up my roots and moved, but I am looking forward to this. For me, this will be an opportunity to have my own room - my own fortress of solitude, if you will - to which I can retreat when needed. It will allow me to shape that fortress of solitude into something which reflects my own ideas and tastes. I can't wait.
-- Post From My iPhone 3Gs

The Prince Albert Diaries - The Upgrade Arrives

2010-02-12T12:15:00.005-05:00

Early Thursday afternoon I dropped by Exotix to have my PA upgraded - or as they say in the trade, stretched - for the second time. The resident piercer, SIX, who had performed my nipple and PA piercings, told me that the 4-gauge PA, which had arrived two days before, was absolutely gorgeous. When he unpacked the shipment on Tuesday, both he and the delivery guy were simply awestruck by its size and beautiful teal colouring.

Unlike my first stretching back at the beginning of December, this stretching didn't hurt as much. I think this time I was better prepared mentally.

Before I left Exotix, I talked with SIX about getting a tattoo. I showed him the inspiration for a design, a tribal dragon, to get an idea of how long it might take to do and how much it would cost. For now, it will remain on my wish list. This will give me some time to tweak the design to get it just the way I want it.

TIW Course: Designing Mister Melonhead

2010-02-12T12:09:00.002-05:00

This week we began exploring the world of Photoshop and all the wonderful things which it can do. Last night we had to use a variety of techniques to produce the creation you see in the image above.

Are Toronto gays Heartless?

2010-02-11T14:38:00.004-05:00

In the current issue of FAB Magazine, a local gay rag, a story appears in response to "a flood of letters [that] bitched that Toronto gays are cold and unfriendly." The writer, Shawn Hitchins, explores this issue and begins his article with the fundamental question, "Are we really so frigid?"

Recently, my close circle of friends was invaded by a couchsurfer from Montreal who complained ad nauseam about Toronto and its homosexuals. At first, his rants were entertaining, echoing an understanding that Toronto is a “cold” city. But after two months of his berating statements, our guest proved to be an ill-mannered hypocrite and less than sage.

Read the rest of Shawn Hitchins' article at FAB Magazine.

Working It Out: Week 1

2010-02-07T08:19:00.000-05:00

After my first full week of going to the gym, I have noticed that I am feeling more energized. As I continue to improve my routine and technique, I know that my energy levels will increase.

Since reintroducing my excursions to the YMCA, I have been getting up earlier in the morning to make certain that I have enough time to get ready. After showering and dressing, I have an orange juice and a banana to provide that initial boost before heading out. Depending on how I feel in the morning, I either walk or cycle there.

Correct Use of the "F" word

2010-02-05T11:49:00.004-05:00

When is @#$% Acceptable?

There are only eleven times in history where the "F" word has been considered acceptable for use.
They are as follows:

11. "What the @#$% do you mean, we are sinking?"
-- Capt. E.J. Smith of RMS Titanic, 1912

10 . "What the @#$% was that?"
-- Mayor Of Hiroshima , 1945

9. "Where did all those @#$%ing Indians come from?"
-- Custer, 1877

8. "Any @#$%ing idiot could understand that."
-- Einstein, 1938

7. "It does so @#$%ing look like her!"
-- Picasso, 1926

6. "How the @#$% did you work that out?"
-- Pythagoras, 126 BC

5. "You want WHAT on the @#$%ing ceiling?"
-- Michelangelo, 1566

4. "Where the @#$% are we?"
-- Amelia Earhart, 1937

3. "Scattered @#$%ing showers, my ass!"
-- Noah, 4314 BC

2. "Aw c'mon. Who the @#$% is going to find out?"
-- Bill Clinton, 1998

and a drum roll please............!

1. "Geez, I didn't think they'd get this @%#*^ing mad."
-- Saddam Hussein, 2003

A Single Man

2010-02-04T16:14:00.006-05:00

Yesterday afternoon before attending my part-time course at Toronto Image Works, I went to see a film, A Single Man, which several friends insisted that I should go see. It's a great period piece set in the early 1960's, beautifully crafted and well-acted. At times, the film moved me to tears.

Based on the Christopher Isherwood novel of the same name and directed by fashion designer Tom Ford in his directorial debut, this 2009 film stars Colin Firth as the middle-aged protagonist George Falconer, a gay British university professor living in Southern California in 1962. Since the sudden death of his longtime partner, Jim (Matthew Goode), he has struggled to find meaning in his life. Throughout the single day depicted in the film, and narrated from his point of view, George dwells on his past and his seemingly empty future as he prepares for his planned suicide that evening. Before meeting his close friend Charley (Julianne Moore) for dinner, he has unexpected encounters with a Spanish prostitute (Jon Kortajarena) and a young student, Kenny Potter (Nicholas Hoult), who has become fixated on George as a kindred spirit.

The production design was done by the same team that created the production sets in Mad Men, which is also set in the same era.

Spock on Spock

2010-02-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

In their first video interview together, Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto break down their 'fascinating' character's iconic ears, famous greeting and infamous fans.

Spock Vs Kirk Dance Off

2010-02-04T10:32:00.001-05:00

An alternate universe where Spock and Kirk settle their differences on the dance floor.

ManCrunch SuperBowl Ad REJECTED: Gay Dating Site Ad Denied By CBS

2010-02-03T19:05:00.001-05:00

TIW: Print Program (Week One)

2010-02-03T16:56:00.040-05:00

A week ago last Thursday night I officially started my part-time course at Toronto Image Works. For our first class, the instructor took us on a tour of the Mac operating system. For the Mac users, like myself, this was somewhat dull and boring, but for those students who came from a PC environment it was an excellent crash course in how Macs work.
On Tuesday night at my second class at Toronto Image Works, my instructor took us on a great adventure into the land of Google. Or to put it another way, everything we wanted to know about Google but didn't know.

First, he demonstrated Google's prowess as a search engine, which includes a wealth of advanced search options, such as boolean operators and advanced operators, that allow you to introduce certain parameters to make your searches more specific and relevant. Beyond its amazing search capabilities he showed us how complex and dynamic Google is with its incredible array of services and tools which, if you know where to look, are right at your fingertips. Some of these services are quite obvious, such as Google maps, Gmail and Blogger. Others are more esoteric, such Google Translator, which can translate words and passages or entire web pages from one language into another, and Google Labs, which focuses on all sorts of cool web-based experiments.

Last Thursday night we extensively explored Bridge CS4, which is a tightly integrated component of the Adobe Creative Suite. Adobe sums it up as, "a powerful, easy-to-use media manager for visual people, letting you easily organise, browse, locate, and view creative assets." After getting down and personal with this application, I can tell you that it is certainly an amazing and dynamic piece of software. I love it!

One of the really cool features we delved into that night was how to create web galleries and PDF presentations. It was incredibly easy to do. At the same time, it revealed how one could create visually powerful statements.

The Colour Test

2010-02-01T20:45:00.006-05:00

The Colour Test is simple...

There are 8 screens, and on each screen you are given a word and two buttons to choose from.

Select the colour of the word, not the word!

By the way, for each screen you only have 4 seconds to complete each task.

So take the plunge and see how well you do on the colour test.

Beer Trivia

2010-02-01T20:19:00.006-05:00

Mind Your P's and Q's

In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts... So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them 'Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down.'

It's where we get the phrase 'mind your P's and Q's'.

Wet Your Whistle

Many years ago in England , pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups.. When they
needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.

Answering Machine All Schools Should Have

2010-02-01T20:16:00.000-05:00

iPad Reviewed by Steve Wozniak

2010-02-01T11:03:00.001-05:00

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, reveals his impressions of Apple's latest technological tour-de-force.

Working It Out: Day 1

2010-01-29T11:44:00.007-05:00

At about 7 AM this morning, I arrived at the YMCA for my first workout. The full workout routine, which basically consists of three sets of cardio exercises punctuated by a series of circuit exercises, could wait until Monday. This morning I simply did a portion of those exercises, two sets of cardio exercises and one set of circuit exercises, to help break the ice. With my iPhone clipped to my shorts and wearing a pair of earphones, I turned on some music to propel me through my exercises. The music worked like a charm. Afterwards, I hit the showers and then the steam room.

After coming out of the steam room, I returned to the showers to refresh myself. As I was showering, my eyes beheld a beautiful sight. Directly across from me was a cute Asian guy with his back turned toward me revealing a gorgeous bubble butt. I must confess that I lingered in the showers for longer than I should have, but I was understandably transfixed by this wonderful spectacle. Eventually, I had to pull my eyes away and leave. It certainly made my day!

After A Strenuous Workout

2010-01-28T14:29:00.001-05:00

Working It Out: My Exercise Routine

2010-01-28T14:07:00.006-05:00

Gravitron Pull Ups

Incline Push Ups

Bent Over Row (Cable)

Bench Press

Squat to Press

Back Extension

Ab Crunches

Leg Lifts for Abs

As part of my gym routine, there are a couple of exercises which specifically focus on the abs: crunches and leg lifts.

These Boots Are Made For Walking

2010-01-28T13:32:00.003-05:00

When I visited Northbound Leather the other day to have my leather pants hemmed, I examined what they had for boots which might compliment the pants. Nothing there thrilled me. So yesterday I went on the prowl for some ankle-high boots. After only a short venture, I found some boots which I really liked and which didn't break the bank either. Once I got home, I put the ensemble together and was very happy.

The Prince Albert Diaries - Upgrading The Ring Again

2010-01-28T07:56:00.002-05:00

On Tuesday I called Exotix, the tattoo and piercing palour where I had my nipples and dangly bits pierced in September 2009. I spoke with my piercer about getting my PA upgraded again. At the beginning of last month I had my PA upgraded from its initial 8 gauge to the next size up, a 6 gauge. Since having that done, I have noticed a tremendous increase in sensitivity. This time I wanted to go to the next increment, a 4 gauge. My piercer explained that he had the 4's in stock, but he didn't have the teal-coloured version I wanted and would therefore have to order one. While I had my heart set on getting the piercing that day, I told him that I could wait the two weeks.

Apple Tablet Announced Today

2010-01-27T15:56:00.004-05:00

Gym Life Begins Again

2010-01-27T11:43:00.004-05:00

Just before 7 AM this morning I arrived at the YMCA for my reintroduction to gym life. I met with one of the trainers to whom I showed my workout program which had been created for me months ago. We spent about 45 minutes reviewing the equipment which I would be using and the exercises in which I would be engaging. Afterwards, we set up an appointment for me to meet with another trainer in two weeks to review my progress. This Friday morning at around 7 AM my exercise routine officially begins, then every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 7 AM thereafter.

Northbound Leather Adventure

2010-01-26T12:34:00.011-05:00

Since I wasn't scheduled to work until 12 noon today, I decided to take the opportunity to visit Northbound Leather, a specialty shop famous in Toronto for its leather clothing and accessories, and finally got the leather pants, which I had inherited several weeks earlier, hemmed. To make certain that the pants fitted properly, I brought a pair of ankle-high boots with me.

My experience at the store was pleasant, professional and quick. After putting on the pants and boots, the female sales clerk took the necessary measurements. Once I had changed back into my street clothes, she went upstairs with the pants. While waiting, I took the brief time that I had to browse. As I did, another member of the sales staff appeared on the floor. Clad in a tight, white T-shirt and black leather pants, his arms adorned with intricately inked tattoos and wearing ear stretchers, this Asian beauty immediately caught my attention and held it for the rest of the time that I was there. He asked me if I needed help. I politely said no, but thanked him just the same. Less than 10 minutes later, she was back with the hemmed pants.

Working It Out

2010-01-23T22:30:00.002-05:00

Since joining the YMCA in April 2009, my attendance at the gym has been abysmal at best. Even though I may have started out with the very best of intentions, such intentions are meaningless unless reinforced by serious commitment. My excuses for not going to the gym have been a litany of lameness with which others can certainly identify. On top of that, each month a certain amount of money is automatically withdrawn from my bank account for my membership, which, since it really isn't being used, is utter wastefulness. So, no more! This past week I visited the Y and set up an appointment for next Wednesday at 7 AM where I can reacquaint myself with the equipment and routines.

Toronto Image Works - Part Time Studies

2010-01-21T15:33:00.012-05:00

I'm really excited. Starting next Thursday night and on every Tuesday and Thursday evening for the next 16 weeks thereafter, I will be attending school at Toronto Image Works, an institution in Toronto's photographic community for many years. Through this intensive course of study I will be introduced to the world of digital publishing. Besides learning the latest version of the Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and Dreamweaver, my studies will focus on:

• Print media basics and offset printing theory
• Creating basic page layouts and graphics using Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign
• File output, collection and preparation
• Preparing files, graphics, text and images for use across different print and web projects
• Converting between file formats
• Scanning, imaging, file size and resolution
• Colour models and file compression
• Creating and editing PDFs for web and print

Once I'm done with that course, I'm hoping to pursue the next module which focuses exclusively on the Web.

How to Make Dream Tea

2010-01-16T09:03:00.005-05:00

While surfing the Web one day, I encountered an interesting article about how to encourage you to recall your dreams. According to the article, some herbalists suggest that you drink Dream Recall Tea before bed. The herbs are claimed to encourage dreaming and dream recall. Again, a full bladder will probably wake you up during the night and give you a chance to write down essential points from any dreams you've had. Not having much success in remembering my own dreams, I will have to try this concoction to see if it does what it claims.

To make Dream Recall Tea add 1⁄4 cup of dried mugwort to 2 tablespoons of dried rosemary. Add the ingredients to 2 cups of boiling water. Steep for at least 10 minutes before straining. Sweeten with honey if desired.

The Decline and Fall of the Gay Village

2010-01-14T14:18:00.008-05:00

One of the news stories in the current issue of NOW magazine focuses on the state of Toronto's Gay Village and the local businesses which populate it. Increasingly, the familiar spaces and places along the Church Street strip have moved out of the Village, such as Zelda's, or have become or are becoming extinct.

In this article playwright Sky Gilbert opined in one of the dailies recently that it isn’t just Church Street that’s on the wane. “When being gay is the same as being straight, there’s no need for gay anything. Gay culture as we know it will eventually disappear.”

Explore this story in detail at NOW magazine.

Chino Locos

2010-01-12T19:35:00.013-05:00

This evening my friend Lee took me to Chino Locos, a fast food restaurant specialising in burritos, just a couple of doors down from Woody's in Toronto's gay village. Several of the Woody's staff have eaten there and simply rave about this place. Now I had my opportunity to sample it for myself.Since Lee had been there a few times before, I asked her what she recommended. She suggested the "SWEEEEET", a burrito stuffed with slow roast pork, guacamole, tomatoes, edamame beans, red onions, black beans, green peppers, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, chipotle sauce, scallion, and ginger relish. Within minutes of getting back to my place, we sat down and ate them. What can I say, it was absolutely delicioso! I'm definitely going back again.

Toronto Star Reports.....Avatar Stirs Controversy

2010-01-12T11:33:00.005-05:00

Splashed across the front page of this morning's Toronto Star the headline reads:

Is Avatar weighed down by white man's burden? - Blogosphere abuzz with allegations epic is racist, relies on old stereotypes

In my opinion, I didn't perceive it that way. While watching this movie, the elements of race and the colour of someone's skin never entered my mind. That kind of thinking is very myopic and antithetical to me. I found that the main character learns to challenge and eventually transcend his own boundaries, his old beliefs and prejudices and embrace something bigger than himself.

Forbidden Planet

2010-01-12T08:18:00.008-05:00

Last night I flicked on Rogers on Demand to see what was playing and settled on a classic sci-fi film from the 1950s.

Compared to most sci-fi films from that decade, Forbidden Planet was an intelligent, intellectually engaging story. Directed by Fred M. Wilcox and starring Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis and Leslie Nielsen, this 1956 movie, its characters and setting were inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. The plots are very similar.

The movie was filmed in CinemaScope and Metrocolor. It features a number of Oscar-nominated special effects, groundbreaking use of an all-electronic music score, and the first screen appearance of both Robby the Robot and the C-57D flying saucer starship.

Photoshop Yourself Into a Na'vi (Or Just Watch Someone Else Do It)

2010-01-11T20:16:00.002-05:00

Birth of an AVATAR from Peter Ammentorp Lund on Vimeo.

This time lapse Photoshop composition originally appeared on Gizmodo.

Banned Durex Commercial

2010-01-11T19:49:00.000-05:00

The Best Four Banned Commercials!

2010-01-11T19:42:00.001-05:00

Banned French Hyundai Commercial

2010-01-11T19:36:00.003-05:00

This is a French Hyundai commercial (not sure why they banned it, they're pretty liberal) where some interesting things go on in the car.

The Gift of Sharing

2010-01-11T10:04:00.035-05:00

Yesterday Blair and I met in front of Starbucks in the Hudson's Bay Centre. He greeted me with his customary hello, which brought a smile to my face because it had been such a long time since I'd heard it. I gave him a big warm hug. Then we ventured through the underground to the Cumberland Cinemas to see Sherlock Holmes. Once we got there, however, we were greeted by a darkened cinema. One of the staff came outside and explained that there had been a power outage throughout Yorkville since late that morning. For our inconvenience she presented a voucher to each of us. I guess Sherlock Holmes will have to wait until next Sunday.

As we started walking back towards Yonge Street, Blair suggested that we grab a coffee at Starbucks. We stopped by several Starbucks, but each one we visited was full. When we got to the Starbucks on Church Street, which we quickly discovered was also full, Blair said why don't we just go to a pub. Feeling a bit cold and tired of wandering, I agreed.

We ended up at Churchmouse and Firkin, where I normally attend the MLT brunches, just down the street from the Starbucks. We found a comfortable booth, ordered coffees and simply relaxed and chatted for a while. Blair presented me with a belated Christmas gift in the form of a small gift bag stuffed with tissue paper. Inside the bag was a DVD of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which I had seen at the cinema a few months earlier. I smiled and thanked him so much. At one point, the waiter came by our table and gently reminded us that there was a minimum charge. So we took a few moments to glance over the menu. When he returned, we ordered a couple of alcohol-based coffees to warm ourselves a bit more.

While we were drinking our coffees, I announced that I was taking him to dinner at Sambuca's, a restaurant in the heart of the Gay Village where I have had nothing but great dining experiences. Blair immediately voiced his concern about it costing me money which I didn't have. But he didn't break my resolve and I explained that this was my gift to him. Unbeknownst to him, this was only the first part of my gift.

When we arrived at the restaurant, it was mostly empty. We quickly found a table at the back and seated ourselves. After presenting us with menus, the waiter brought us some water and a basket of bread. A few minutes later he returned to take our orders. Blair decided on the tortellini. I decided on a green salad to start followed by lamb chops. To compliment our meal I ordered a half-litre of white wine for us to enjoy.

The whole dining experience with him that night was wonderful. It was unrushed and casual. He commented on the ambience and the food. Sitting together like this brought back fond memories of dinners we had shared together when he was living at his old place. I felt a great sense of warmth and calm inside, but this I didn't share with him.

After dinner we walked up Church Street to Isabella. When we reached the corner, Blair thanked me for a great time and said his goodbyes. Then I explained that there was a second part to his Christmas gift. He would need to accompany me to my place to pick it up. I could tell from his expression that he was saying to himself that you didn't have to do that.

After we arrived, I presented him with his card. He didn't say very much after reading it, but I know that he was touched by the sentiment expressed in the card.

Then the pièce de résistance!

Walking over to the window I picked up his present, which had been sitting by the window for several weeks. It was loosely encased in crinkly transparent plastic wrapping and tied off at the top with a couple of white ribbons. Finally after weeks of waiting, I handed him his Grinch tree, which brought a smile to his face. That in and of itself made me very happy.

Art Is Everywhere

2010-01-10T11:08:00.002-05:00

While I was walking home from my friend Jason's place a couple of days ago, I noticed this beautiful mural on the east wall of the paint store at Wellesley and Ontario Streets. So I pulled out my iPhone and captured the image you see above.

Clash of The Titans

2010-01-09T09:24:00.004-05:00

I have always had a fascination with ancient Greek mythology. In 1981, Clash of The Titans, a classic story of war between humans and gods, hit movie theatres. This version used a time-honoured form of special effects called stop-motion animation, which was pioneered in such films as Lost World (1925) and King Kong (1933).Ray Harryhausen, a master of this film technique, made extensive use of it in this film.
Unlike the 1981 version, the remake of this film, which comes to movie theatres this March, makes extensive use of CGI.

Leather Hand-Me-Downs

2010-01-08T22:21:00.005-05:00

In late December I inherited two items of leather clothing: an absolutely gorgeous pair of leather pants and leather harness. Sadly, the guy in the leather harness was not part of the package.

The pants were of fine quality and, much to my amazement, had never been worn. The instant I tried them on they fitted me like a well-lubed glove. I had forgotten how deliciously sensual and erotic a pair of leather pants felt.

While not quite as exciting but nonetheless wonderful, there was a leather harness, which was essentially new and fitted the contours of my body rather well.

Now I must ponder that vexing question: Where do I wear them?

A Cold Morning On Lake Ontario

2010-01-08T13:36:00.004-05:00

Cold Morning from Torontoist on Vimeo.

This story appeared on Midtown Digital's twitter feed today and is courtesy of The Torontoist, a web site devoted to "absolutely everything interesting related to Toronto, including news, arts, events, culture, transit, politics, photography, advertising, street art and graffiti, food, and a whole lot more."

Before the sun rose last Saturday, Torontoist photographer Miles Storey took the day's first ferry out to Ward's Island. He knew, he says, "that the temperature had fallen drastically overnight and that mist would be steaming off the water," and he recorded the three short video clips above "on the south side of the island facing towards the headland of Tommy Thompson Park," a quiet landscape save for the sound of wind and ice.

Says Storey: "You can see how the water vapour curls high up into the sky in the background of the video where the lake is deeper, and the difference in temperature between the water and the air is greater."

The calming, peaceful video is a little less so once you realize the circumstances in which it was recorded. "Although you could see birds swimming and diving quite happily in the water," explains Storey, "the reported temperature that morning with the wind chill was well into the -30s. For the briefest periods my hands were exposed when I was operating the camera"—a Canon 5d with a 17–40 and 200 mm lens—"and the skin on my hands went white and bone dry with the cold. When I got home and warmed up my knuckles were cracked and bleeding. It looked like I had been punching a wall and felt like a hundred tiny paper cuts."

Will Prudish App Guidelines Sink iPhone?

2010-01-08T08:59:00.004-05:00

In the current issue of Xtra!, a local gay news magazine, an article appeared in which the writer criticized Apple's strict guidelines for iPhone apps. Apple markets the iPhone as having "an app for everything" from movie listings to games. But the company does not approve any apps that contain nudity -- a policy that prevents most gay hookup sites from creating apps. In the article he commented that, "[The people at] Apple are a bunch of control freaks. They try to keep all the control with themselves while trying to portray a clean, family-friendly image." The full article can be viewed at Xtra.ca.

Geek Alert! Star Trek Home Theatre

2010-01-07T11:19:00.005-05:00

While searching for other stuff online this morning, I stumbled upon this cool home theatre which is designed for the truly super geeky. Modelled after the Enterprise NCC-1701D from Star Trek: The Next Generation, the home features motion-activated air-lock doors with series sound effects. The system also features "one of the largest Kaleidescape hard-drive based storage systems" ever created, amassing eight servers with 3,816 DVDs.

Spitting Image

2010-01-07T08:35:00.005-05:00

Spitting Image was a British satirical puppet show which ran on the ITV television network from 1984 to 1996. It was produced by Spitting Image Productions for Central. The series was nominated for 10 BAFTA Awards, winning one, for editing, in 1989.

The series featured puppet caricatures of numerous celebrities who were famous during the 1980s and 1990s. The humour was usually strong and bitingly sharp. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, then American president Ronald Reagan, and the British Royal Family were the most prominent targets, although hundreds of other celebrities were targeted in an equally disrespectful manner.

Heavy Snow Hits Much of England

2010-01-05T16:48:00.007-05:00

As reported on BBC News today:

"Heavy snowfall across large parts of England has closed hundreds of schools and caused widespread disruption.

South-east England has the worst snow it has seen for 18 years, causing all London buses to be pulled from service."

Additional information can be found by visiting the BBC web site.

The Commuting Dogs in Moscow

2010-01-04T18:24:00.012-05:00

I received this most interesting email today from an acquaintance of mine. Having a passion for dogs and being a dog owner myself, I was immediately captivated by the story and wanted to share it with others. Even if you aren't a dog lover, I think you'll find the story intriguing. So I have reproduced it here (complete with the images included in that email) for all the world to see.

Stray dogs are commuting to and from a city centre on underground trains in search of food scraps. The clever canines board the Tube each morning. After a hard day scavenging and begging on the streets, they hop back on the train and return to the suburbs where they spend the night. Experts studying the dogs say they even work together to make sure they get off at the right stop - after learning to judge the length of time they need to spend on the train. The mutts choose the quietest carriages at the front and back of the train. They have also developed tactics to hustle humans into giving them more food on the streets of Moscow.

Scientists believe the phenomenon began after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s, and Russia 's new capitalists moved industrial complexes from the city centre to the suburbs. Dr Andrei Poiarkov, of the Moscow Ecology and Evolution Institute, said: "These complexes were used by homeless dogs as shelters, so the dogs had to move together with their houses. Because the best scavenging for food is in the city centre, the dogs had to learn how to travel on the subway - to get to the centre in the morning, then back home in the evening, just like people."
Dr Poiarkov told how the dogs like to play during their daily commute. He said: "They jump on the train seconds before the doors shut, risking their tails getting jammed. They do it for fun. And sometimes they fall asleep and get off at the wrong stop."
The dogs have learned to use traffic lights to cross the road safely, said Dr Poiarkov. And they use cunning tactics to obtain tasty morsels of shawarma, a kebab-like snack popular in Moscow . They sneak up behind people eating shawarmas - then bark loudly to shock them into dropping their food.
With children the dogs "play cute" by putting their heads on youngsters' knees and staring pleadingly into their eyes to win sympathy - and scraps. Dr Poiarkov added: "Dogs are surprisingly good psychologists."

The Moscow mutts are not the first animals to use public transport. In 2006 a Jack Russell in Dunnington, North Yorks , began taking the bus to his local pub in search of sausages. And two years ago passengers in Wolverhampton were stunned when a cat called Macavity started catching the 331 bus to a fish and chip shop.

Rumoured Apple Tablet: To Be Announced This Month?

2010-01-04T17:00:00.006-05:00

The Internet has been abuzz with rumours of an impending new Apple product, which draws its design inspiration from the iPod and iPhone. If transformed from concept into reality, this new product is rumoured to bear the name, iSlate.

In Praise of iPhone Photography

2010-01-04T09:08:00.004-05:00

While visiting the Apple web site this morning, I encountered an article titled, Camera Pro Preaches iPhone Photography. This story describes how New York pro photographer, Chase Jarvis, has added an iPhone to compliment his shooting repertoire.

Winter Comes To The City

2010-01-04T08:16:00.006-05:00

Since winter officially started, the weather has been comparatively mild. The first day of 2010, while snowy, was no exception. However, when the weekend rolled around, winter came back with a vengeance. By Saturday morning temperatures had plunged and bone-chilling winds had kicked up, with windchills in the minus 20s. You could really tell how cold it was outside by observing the slow and gentle motion of steam as it rose from exhaust vents atop apartment buildings. This morning, while it's still cold out there, it is not as brutal.

Julie & Julia

2010-01-03T10:49:00.000-05:00

Last night I sat down to my second helping of the truly delightful and calorie rich film, Julie & Julia, starring Merryl Streep and Amy Adams. Even though this was my second time around watching this film, I enjoyed it all over again. It is, quite simply, superb on all levels.

Contrasting the lives of our two main characters, the film depicts events in the life of chef Julia Child in the early years in her culinary career with those of Julie Powell, who aspires to cook all 524 recipes from Julia Child's cookbook during a single year, which she illustrated in her blog, The Julie/Julia Project.

First Snowfall of 2010

2010-01-01T09:03:00.005-05:00

This morning I awoke to the first snowfall of the new year. When I finally ventured outside with the dogs for their morning walk, there was a resounding silence. Most of the city was still asleep after a night of celebrations. A light dusting of white had already covered the ground. Big fat flakes floated in the air, which eventually and gently descended earthward.

Welcome to 2010

2010-01-01T08:48:00.005-05:00

This year celebrates the 26th anniversary of the release of 2010, the sequel to the 1968 Stanley Kubrick masterpiece, 2001.

Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-31T15:54:00.006-05:00

Wishing you all the peace, joy and prosperity in the coming year!

Lyrics - Happy New Year by Abba

No more champagne
And the fireworks are through
Here we are, me and you
Feeling lost and feeling blue
It's the end of the party
And the morning seems so grey
So unlike yesterday
Now's the time for us to say...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Sometimes I see
How the brave new world arrives
And I see how it thrives
In the ashes of our lives
Oh yes, man is a fool
And he thinks he'll be okay
Dragging on, feet of clay
Never knowing he's astray
Keeps on going anyway...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

Seems to me now
That the dreams we had before
Are all dead, nothing more
Than confetti on the floor
It's the end of a decade
In another ten years time
Who can say what we'll find
What lies waiting down the line
In the end of eighty-nine...

Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have a vision now and then
Of a world where every neighbour is a friend
Happy new year
Happy new year
May we all have our hopes, our will to try
If we don't we might as well lay down and die
You and I

The Gift of Jackson-Triggs

2009-12-30T23:56:00.002-05:00

The night before New Year's Eve Jason visited the apartment to drop off a belated Christmas gift: two bottles of Jackson-Triggs wine - a bottle of white wine (Dry Riesling) and a bottle of red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon).

Dad's Cool Christmas Gift

2009-12-30T17:04:00.003-05:00

Emergency Radio generates its own power

Earlier today I visited my dad to check up on him and to pick up a really cool Christmas gift from him.

Basically, the gift is a way to get news and radio programming even when the power fails and your batteries run flat.

Not having an instruction manual of any kind to which to refer, I perused the Web to find out more about this cool gift. In my online travels I managed to locate and download a manual for this radio. Here's what else I found courtesy of The Travel Insider.

The FR-250 radio is branded as an Etón radio in the United States, but is actually manufactured by the German company Grundig, and sold as Grundig in other countries. What a remarkably affected name Etón is, whereas Grundig is a well known and well respected name. The marketeers have made a puzzling choice in discarding the established brand for this new name and we'll continue to refer to it as Grundig.

The Grundig/Eton FR-250 Emergency Crank Radio can run off regular power, normal batteries, its own rechargeable batteries, and - if all else fails - you turn the handle to generate and store some power then listen to the radio that way.
With AM, FM, and short wave bands, this is a great radio for any type of disaster situation, as well as for regular use too.

Here's a clever radio that can use AC power when available, plus, when away from mains power, it has built in rechargeable batteries, normal (single use) batteries for if/when the rechargeable batteries are used up, and a hand crank to manually recharge its rechargeable batteries. Four different power sources!

You can also use this radio to recharge your cell phone.

The radio even has a built in flashlight, and a rather gimmicky emergency siren, too!

The Cemetary Across the Street

2009-12-29T19:00:00.001-05:00

As the day at work began to wind down, I caught sight of a beautiful sunset across the street. I rushed out the door, crossed the street and ran up to the gates of St. Michael's Cemetary. I pulled out my iPhone and managed to squeeze my hand and arm through a space in the fence to capture the beautiful and haunting image above.

Twas The Night Before Christmas

2009-12-25T16:24:00.003-05:00

Clement Clarke Moore (1779 - 1863) wrote this poem Twas the night before Christmas also called “A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1822. It has been a favourite among families and children since that time. I remember when my dad used to read it to me. Since childhood I have treasured that book and bring it out every Christmas. Above is the actual copy of that book.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Merry Christmas 2009

2009-12-25T15:59:00.000-05:00

Based on Charles Dickens' 1860 classic, A Christmas Carol, this story was transformed into a musical called Scrooge. Released in 1970, this film starred Albert Finney as Ebenezer Scrooge and Alec Guiness as Jacob Marley. From the top, two of my favourite numbers from this film, Thank You Very Much and December the 25th, appear above.

The Day I Met Blair

2009-12-25T09:12:00.001-05:00

It was one year ago on this day, Christmas Day, that I met Blair for the first time. I won't say how we met. That is something which will remain our little secret. But what I will say is that it happened in the most unlikely of places. It was beautiful and magical. In one of my first emails to him, I remarked that he was one of the best Christmas gifts that I could have ever received.

For the next few months until the end of July, we dated. For the most part, the time we spent together was truly wonderful. In fact, for me it was one of the best times of my life. At the end of July all of that ended when Blair declared that it was over. In retrospect, I think that it must have been a difficult decision for him to have made, but I have never asked him why. Since that fateful day, our association has been very tenuous and, at times, on the verge of completely collapsing. But even throughout all that has happened, my feelings for him haven't changed. I still care for him very deeply and regard him as one of the most beautiful people I have ever met in my life.

Seeing Avatar

2009-12-24T17:00:00.012-05:00

Last night a group of eight of us ventured to Scotiabank Toronto to catch the 7 o'clock showing of James Cameron's sci-fi spectacle, Avatar, in IMAX 3D. We arrived at the cinema just before 6 pm - an hour before showtime - and waited in line. About 45 minutes later, the line finally began to move. As we we entered the theatre, we collected our special glasses which were required to view the film.
Part of our entourage included my long-time friends, Henry (at left) and Philip (behind him), who posed for the camera with their 3D glasses.
An old ex, Phillip (at left) and a new acquaintance, Graham (at centre), also posed for the camera with their 3d glasses.

Before the main feature started, we were treated to a laser show which demonstrated the power of the IMAX system.

Below is a synopsis of the film as detailed on Wikipedia:

"Avatar is a 2009 American science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron, and starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Stephen Lang. The film is set in the year 2154 on Pandora, a fictional Earth-like moon in a distant planetary system. Humans are engaged in mining Pandora's reserves of a precious mineral, while the Na'vi — the sapient and sentient race of humanoids indigenous to the moon — resist the colonists' expansion, which threatens the continued existence of the Na'vi and the Pandoran ecosystem. The film's title refers to the remotely controlled, genetically engineered human-Na'vi bodies used by the film's human characters to interact with the natives."

More information about Avatar can be found on Wikipedia and at the official web site for Avatar.

Midtown Digital Opens

2009-12-23T15:22:00.007-05:00

In early November I received an email from my former boss informing me that he was opening a new Apple store in midtown Toronto. He asked me if I would be interested in coming on board. Sometime later, I fired off an email indicating that I would, but only in a part-time capacity. I explained that I was going to be persuing other avenues in the new year and needed the flexibility which a full-time position would hinder. In turn, he replied and said that it would not be an issue.

In the intervening weeks, I helped him and a longtime friend of his, who is well-versed in technology and with whom he has collaborated in the past, create the retail space. This was something which I had never done before. But I must say that it was a great learning experience for me as well as being lots of fun. The experience is definitely something to which I can add to my resume.

Prior to opening we had a specialist visit our store. He installed, configured and instructed us on the new point-of-sale system we would be using. Called Lightspeed, it's an amazingly powerful and dynamic piece of software specifically created for retail environments.

At 3pm on December 23, Midtown Digital, an authorised Apple reseller located in the Yonge and St. Clair area of the city, finally opened its doors. Drawing on a rich and established legacy of experience with Apple products, this retailer continues the tradition of not only selling new Apple products, but also buying and selling used. In addition, this retailer is an authorised Apple service centre which services Apple's line of desktops, laptops and displays in-house.

Above is the front section of the store, which houses all the latest and greatest in Apple offerings.

Above is the back section of the store which houses the service depot (pictured at left) as well as used and clearance merchandise.

The 12 Days of Spacemas 2009

2009-12-21T17:43:00.003-05:00

The SPACE channel is currently running a campaign to promote their holiday season movie marathons which they have dubbed, The 12 Days of Spacemas. In one of their STAR WARS marathon promos, Darth Maul invites Darth Vader, Boba Fett and a storm trooper for Christmas dinner. It's truly a comedy of errors and very funny.

Christmas Curios and Wonders

2009-12-21T16:44:00.010-05:00

This year I decided to scour the Web and collect some interesting videos from YouTube which related to the holiday season in some way. The collection is varied, ranging from the very old to the bizzare. As my way of saying the best of the holidays, each day I will send out one video, including a brief overview related to that particular video, to people I know. Presented below is that collection.

The Visit of Santa Claus (1898) Historic Christmas Film by G.A. Smith

This is the first time in which Santa Claus is depicted on film.

The Insects' Christmas (1913) The Original Russian Stop Motion Animation

This fascinating stop motion animated film was produced by the Khanzhonkov Company, Moscow Russia in 1913. Originally a silent film, a modern soundtrack (from the movie, Edward Scissorhands) was added by the poster to enhance its magical, dreamlike quality.

A Christmas Dream (1946) Stop Motion Live Action Animation

Directed and created by a team of two Czech Brothers, Borivoj Zeman and Karel Zeman, this is a vintage Toy Story, so to speak. "Vánoční sen" (its Czech Republic title) was ahead of it's time and still holds up today, over 60 years old, as an impressive achievement in film. Rankin Bass comes to mind when viewing, and I am sure it has inspired many Directors through the years.

The Grinch Song

This is a compilation of excerpts from the classic 1966 animated TV show, "How The Grinch Stole Christmas!", set to the song which appeared in that show, "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch".

12 Farts of Christmas

Originally released in 2002 on JibJab, a web site renown for its satirical perspectives on the world in which we live, is this explosive version of a classic Christmas song.

26,000 LED Christmas Lights Dance To Star Trek Voyager Theme

This Lauderdale.com 26,200 holiday lights display with 80 channels from 5 computerized lighting controllers. You import an MP3 off your CD, and using software, you act as orchestrated, tell the lights when to turn on or off, fade, twinkle, etc. An MP3 player inside the controller plays the music and controls the lights according to your programmed orchestration. We transmit it to people's cars via an unused radio station frequency.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - Christmas Canon Rock

Originally introduced to Trans-Siberian Orchestra after hearing their album, The Lost Christmas Eve, they have become one of my favourite modern rock bands. That album, The Lost Christmas Eve, is now a beloved part of my music collection and is brought out every year to be played.

In the video above, they appear in concert performing Christmas Canon Rock.

The Chocolate Carol (do you love chocolate?)

Titled, The Chocolate Carol, this song is dedicated to all those who love chocolate in all its delicious forms.

The Grinch Tree

2009-12-20T13:47:00.003-05:00

As soon as the holiday season begins, The New Leaf, a florist just around the corner from where I live, puts out all their wonderful Christmas creations, including something called a Grinch tree (see photo above). This fabulous fir is actually a Cypress tree which has been specifically modified as an ornamental tree.

In my travels I pass by this shop many times. This year when I saw these trees displayed in their window I thought that one of them would make a truly wonderful gift. Being acquainted with someone who isn't particularly fond of this time of year and his appreciation for the quirky and the unusual, I knew exactly to whom I could present this gift. So one day I popped into The New Leaf and bought one. Because of his busy schedule, it has been difficult to coordinate with him about when we can get together. I guess it will have to wait until the new year.

Nipple Piercing Gets Infected :(

2009-12-20T07:44:00.000-05:00

In mid-September I had my nipples pierced. For about two months thereafter, I had no issues with the piercings at all. The healing process proceeded without incident. Then in the latter half of November, I noticed that my left nipple had begun to swell. At first I didn't think too much of it. However, as the days progressed, my nipple continued to swell as the fluid, and the associated pressure caused by the fluid, continued to build up in and around it. It soon became painful. Eventually, I decided to resume the nipple soakings with sea salt solution to see if this would alleviate it. While the soakings provided some measure of comfort and some of the fluid discharged during these sessions, they didn't resolve it.

At the beginning of December I decided to pay a visit to the Doctor's Office, a walk-in clinic, just minutes from my apartment. I got there first thing in the morning. Normally quite a busy place, I didn't have to wait too long before I saw a doctor.

After the doctor examined me, he said that I should have come in sooner. He explained that I had two options. The first option was invasive and would involve lancing, draining and packing the infected area. On a daily basis I would have to visit the clinic to have the packing changed. He also explained that the initial procedure would leave a scar. In contrast, the second option was more benign and involved getting a prescription for penicillin. While taking the penicillin at this stage didn't guarantee that the infection would be conquered, I decided to take this course of action first.

A couple of weeks have now passed and the penicillin has, to my great relief, worked its magic. The concentration of fluid in and around my left nipple has decreased substantially. But I am still being very careful. Each day I am taking the time in the shower to wash it gently with Ivory soap and rinse it thoroughly afterwards.

CINEMIX - The Film Music Station

2009-12-15T15:41:00.005-05:00

This month a new acquaintance of mine introduced me to this wonderful online radio station called CINEMIX, which is dedicated to playing soundtracks only. Since adding it to my iTunes library, it has quickly become a favourite of mine. At times, I have found the music to be very inspirational.

"CINEMIX does exactly what its name suggests--it finds the best and most unique soundtracks... and then mixes them all up in a blender. Variety is definitely the name of the game, and given the depth of CINEMIX's musical library, chances are a few of their tracks will leave you pleasantly surprised." (Shoutcastblog)

The Best Years of My Life

2009-12-13T13:12:00.000-05:00

Yesterday afternoon I attended Gary and Dennis' annual Christmas party at their condo, which is just up the street and around the corner from where I live. People who are regular patrons of Java Jive, the neighbourhood cafe, as well as friends and members of Gary's family came by to partake in the festivities. Eugene, my roommate and manager of Java Jive, catered the event and put on a spectacularly lavish little spread. In the early evening after everyone had had their fill of food and drink, the entertainment portion of the party began. This is an excerpt from the last number in that show in which Eugene transformed into his drag alter ego, Angel Summers, and performed a Diana Ross song, The Best Years of My Life, which brought him and the audience to tears.

AGO Celebrates The Return of The King

2009-12-02T14:40:00.070-05:00

Since first opening its doors to the public in 1901, the AGO, Art Gallery of Ontario, has been a vital and integral aspect of Toronto's cultural life, and, in particular, to maintaining a thriving love and appreciation of art in all its forms. Below is a vintage photograph showing the Art Gallery of Ontario as it appeared in 1922.
In 1979, Toronto experienced Tutmania when the Tut exhibition came to the AGO. Unfortunately back then, I missed a golden opportunity to see that exhibition. So when I heard that it was coming back to Toronto, I was determined to see it. Again, it would be gracing the halls of the AGO, which had recently undergone a massive and spectacular renovation (seen in the image below) called Transformation AGO overseen by architect, Frank Gehry.

Knowing someone who volunteers at the AGO, I asked her if it was possible to obtain a ticket. She told me that she would need to investigate and would get back to me as soon as she could. After a couple of weeks of waiting, she presented me with my ticket. I contained my enthusiasm very well, but inside I was absolutely ecstatic and couldn't wait for that special day to arrive.
Finally, it was Wednesday, December 1. I left work at about 3pm that afternoon so that I could go home and get ready for my Egyptian adventure. After showering and getting dressed up, I left. Not being a particularly cold day and still having ample time before my timed entrance, I decided to walk down. Once I reached the corner of Dundas and McCaul, my eyes beheld a truly monumental sight, a life-size statute of Anubis, the Egyptian god of judgment and the dead. For a few moments I simply stood there transfixed by the colossus before me. Then I moved along to the main entrance and went inside.

Once I presented my ticket, I was directed upstairs where I joined a small line of people. Luckily the wait was not too long before we were ushered to the exhibition entrance. Reminiscent of the gates to Jurassic Park, the doors to the exhibition concealed what wonders lay beyond. Video presentations narrated by Harrison Ford played on large monitors above us. Then one of the AGO staff introduced herself and gave us a brief overview of the exhibition we would soon experience for ourselves.
Finally, the moment we had all been waiting for arrived. Once the gates parted, we moved inside. As we did, we picked up our audio sets which we could use to enhance our learning experience.For centuries ancient Egypt has fascinated people. Herodotus of Halicarnassus (c. 484 BC – c. 425 BC) , an ancient Greek historian, was one of the very first to document its long and rich history. In our time, this fascination with ancient Egypt continues. It is embedded in our cultural consciousness in many ways and expresses itself in many forms. Here are some examples.
From the early days of recorded music, ancient Egyptian culture has been popularised. In 1923, a song, Old King Tut, by Billy Jones and Ernest Hare (The Happiness Boys) was released. The song tells the tale of the discovery of King Tut's tomb a year earlier.
In 1994 movie audiences were dazzled by STARGATE, a science fiction film which drew many of its creative ideas from ancient Egyptian culture and mythology.
Modern architecture is another area which has been inspired. One of the best examples of the enduring legacy of the pyramid is the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco.

The video above exemplifies some of the more bizarre ways in which our culture has been influenced. Taken from the campy 1960s Batman series, this compilation shows the villain, King Tut, who began as Professor William Omaha McElroy, an Egyptologist at Yale University and after a blow on the head believes that he is the reincarnation of King Tut, is set to the classic King Tut song as performed by Steve Martin on Saturday Night Live in April 1978.
In the early 1980s a dance style known as 'Tutting' emerged. Its movements made use of the wrists, elbows and shoulders to create the desired angle, presumably mimicking the angular poses common to ancient Egyptian art. In the video above an AGO staff member demonstrates this style of dance.

Below are some of the artifacts which are showcased at the exhibition itself. Since photography is not permitted at the exhibition, I had to locate some stock photos.
Originally standing 17 feet high, this statute of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten), who ruled Egypt from about 1351 to 1334 BC, was one of the most stunning pieces in this exhibition. Unlike his predecessors, he was the one and only pharaoh to depart from the traditional polytheistic beliefs and replaced them with a monotheistic religion based on Ra, the sun god. After his death, the traditional religion was gradually restored.

Golden cobra collar from King Tut's tomb.

King Tut's golden sandals, which have engraved decoration that replicates woven reeds, were specifically created for the afterlife. They still covered the feet of the boyking when Howard Carter unwrapped his mummy.

This is the funerary mask of Psusennes I. The royal headdress with ureaus cobra and the divine false beard he wears attested to his royal and godly status. The use of gold, considered the flesh of the gods, reaffirmed his divinity in the afterlife.

Before exiting the exhibition, my eyes beheld a truly beautiful sight. Originally standing about 17 feet high, the Colossal Statue of Tutankhamun , bid me adieu.

The Prince Albert Diaries - The Upgrade

2009-12-02T09:08:00.002-05:00

After work today I ventured to Exotix, where I had my nipples pierced and my PA installed back in September. This evening I was going to get my PA upgraded from its current size (gauge 8) to the next size up (gauge 6). Originally, I had been unable to get the PA in the colour which I had wanted. Two weeks earlier I placed an order for my new PA in teal to match the colour of my nipple piercings.

The process of upgrading the PA was simple enough: remove the original ring and pop in the new one. As it turned out, the procedure was a little more complicated than that. While some guys experience very little or no pain during the stretching, I did. But being the professional that my piercer is, he worked quickly and deftly. A few minutes later the upgrade was in and I was no worse for wear. I even got to keep my old PA as a souvenir.

On hiatus

2009-11-25T19:36:00.004-05:00

I know it's been a while since I have posted anything here, but I am currently on hiatus. I will resume posting soon.

-- Post From My iPhone 3Gs

First Twitter Opera Given Premier

2009-10-22T19:11:00.004-04:00

While I was searching online this evening for something else, I encountered this intriguing story. The world's first "Twitter opera" - yes, you heard it right - premiered in early September at London's Royal Opera House. Entitled Twitterdammerung, opera critic Igor Toronyi-Lalic presented his impressions of this performance. What's next, I wonder, Twittero?

The Prince Albert Diaries - Week Three

2009-10-21T09:15:00.002-04:00

This is the third installment in a weekly series which chronicles my experiences after getting my Prince Albert.

It's been three weeks since I ventured to Exotix and received my PA. I am happy to report that all is well. Both responsiveness and sensitivity down there have markedly improved.

Brand New iMacs Released

2009-10-20T16:24:00.005-04:00

A new line of iMacs has been released with the largest screen size to date - 27 inches!

Hallowe'en Costume Concept

2009-10-20T10:59:00.009-04:00

Since I am attending the TNT Men's Hallowe'en Dance, which is a mandatory naked event, I need to be creative in the design of my costume. How does one dress up and still remain naked? Through careful deliberation, the concept for my costume has been gradually coming into focus. Here, I reveal one part of my costume design.

After several iterations of possible designs, a flash of inspiration, elegant and simple in its conception, popped into my mind. Inspired by a Venetian mask (see top image) I had seen online several days before, this mockup (see second image) is fashioned from two paper mache masks purchased from a local costume shop. Once the masks have been carefully cut, the three sections will be aligned, taped together, and then the seams sealed. The exterior of the modified mask will be covered with glue and then liberal amounts of gold glitter will be applied.

Monster Mash

2009-10-20T07:46:00.005-04:00

"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song and the best-known song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett. The song was released as a single on Gary S. Paxton's Garpax Records label in October 1962 along with a full-length LP called The Original Monster Mash, which contained several other monster-themed tunes. The "Monster Mash" single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20 of that year, just in time for Halloween. It has been a perennial holiday favorite ever since.

John Lithgow Born on This Day

2009-10-19T10:51:00.005-04:00

On this day in 1945, one of my favourite American actors, John Lithgow, best known as Doctor Solomon from 3rd Rock from the Sun, was born.

New Home for Zelda's

2009-10-19T09:28:00.004-04:00

Back in September I reported that Zelda's, a very popular place to hang out and dine in the Gay Village, closed its doors after 13 years. While they haven't gone for good, they have simply moved to a new venue, which used to be occupied by Living Well restaurant, at the intersection of Yonge and Isabella, I know that the new Zelda's won't be the same. There was something magical about that section of the Church Street strip. There was a certain energy and vibrancy about it which you didn't feel anywhere else. Over the past couple of years I have noticed that the energy and vibrancy has been diminishing bit by bit with the closures of other popular establishments in the neighbourhood. I know that change is a fundamental foundation of the universe and of life itself, but I wonder if, in this instance, it is a good thing. I guess only time will tell.

Planet In Focus Film Festival

2009-10-19T07:45:00.003-04:00

Running from October 21 to 25, 2009 in Toronto, Planet In Focus, which showcases films and videos of Canadian and international film makers and videographers with specifically environmental themes, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Why So Serious?

2009-10-18T22:03:00.001-04:00

The image above is from LOLCats, an iPhone app designed by and specifically for cat lovers. It is sure to put a smile on your face.
-- Post From My iPhone 3Gs

Toronto Wins World Pride 2014

2009-10-18T12:14:00.009-04:00

Just after 11 AM this morning at The Village Rainbow, a small neighbourhood restaurant in the heart of Toronto's Gay Village, CITY TV witnessed an historic event in the making. Members of Toronto's Pride Committee formally announced that our city, which beat out Stockholm, would be host to World Pride in 2014.

The Prince Albert Diaries - Week Two

2009-10-14T06:36:00.001-04:00

This is the second installment in a weekly series which chronicles my experiences after getting my Prince Albert.

It's been two weeks since I ventured to Exotix and received my PA. Other than some fleeting minor discomforts, it has been doing remarkably well. Over the weekend I started playing with the captive bead ring, which simply involved gently rotating it back and forth. I can report that it didn't hurt at all, which indicates that the healing process is well underway. I have been religiously sticking to the routine of performing the necessary aftercare, which I need to maintain until the end of October.

Yesterday morning, after almost two weeks of not being able to do any kind of erotic digital manipulation, I decided to take my enhanced naughty bits out for a test drive and see if all the plumbing was still working. Well, after some gentle and loving encouragement, I can honestly say that, to quote Young Frankenstein, "It's alive! It's alive! It's alive!".

That, my friends, makes me a very happy man indeed. So for the next couple of weeks, I will continue those gentle and loving encouragement exercises, then graduate to more erotically challenging adventures.

Holy Ponderous Pumpkins!

2009-10-13T09:00:00.005-04:00

While listening to JAZZ FM this morning, I heard this news story about this record-breaking pumpkin thought to be world's largest weighing in at 1,725 pounds.

-- Post From My iPhone 3Gs