Glad I can now return to some sense what is “normal”.  Sickness, work and exams have tied me down for weeks.  I missed great shows at CMW not to mention a few parties along the way.  Oh well.  Earning and living and learning to insure I can continue to do so are worth the sacrifice.  At least I could experience my first lazy Sunday today.  A family adventure to the Ontario Science Centre and the last day of the Titanic exhibit in Toronto were a great choices.  Glad I ventured out there.  I hadn’t been to the Science Centre since grade school and even with some kids bouncing off the walls (as most would during the tail end of March Break) it was still a great time.  The Titanic exhibit I had intended to see soooo long ago and it was worth every penny. I’ll have to book a time back at the Science Centre again for a Jazz concert or an IMAX some flick.  Good to see that an institution like the Ontario Science Centre can survive and improve over the years.

It’s back and hopefully for good. One of GO Transit’s most traveled routes, Lakeshore West, is upgraded starting today, October 28, 2007. Yes that’s right FULL SERVICE to Aldershot on the weekends. A big win for GTA transit riders in the West. If only this could have extended to Hamilton.

Perhaps Hamilton is in the horizon. Maybe GO could create a transit link to Hamilton Airport with train service to Toronto. With increased local and international flights it would be a perfect alternative to Toronto Island or Toronto Pearson. A new shuttle link there is more logical and cost effective Airport-Public Transit link than a bridge to Toronto Island.

A Hamilton link a dream maybe, but at least we can be sure that fewer 905 cars WON’T enter the city on the weekend. The old bus service could barely accomodate one train car worth of people so having a 10 car train roll further Westward is a godsend. Mike Harris cut the service shortly after the NDP put in the stations and every Provincial government since has been flicking the switch on and off. Hopefully its here for good, then taxpayers will actual have the services we pay for (woo hoo a minor win Joe and Jane public!!!)

One of my favourite photographic events to hit the city and now in its 6th year at Brookfield Place, World Press Photo. The exhibit showcases the finest in photojournalism. Art that makes you think, laugh and cry. (There are some disturbing images though they are tactfully displayed and shielded from general public view).

I was interested to hear there is little to no budget for this project and that it survives on sponsorship and donations. Amazing! They have even gone so far as have a Globe & Mail photographer, professors, photo editors and other media professionals providing free lectures for the public. Better yet high school students have had tours of the show as part of their curriculum. I couldn’t think of a better idea. All the sponsors and volunteers should be commended for their efforts. You make Toronto proud!

Well check it out before 6pm today because the exhibition will be on its way to Belgium… That’s right Montreal and Toronto are (or were) the only Canadian stops for this International exhibit.

World Press Photo 2007

7am - 10pm daily - including Sundays
Closes Wednesday, October 24 at 6pm

(Today is the last Day!!!)

Wear blue and head on over to Christie Pits at 1pm for the HUMAN RIVER WALK. The Human River Walk is a free guided tour with different speakers, arts, crafts and music for the whole family. The walk follows the path of Garrison Creek which still flows under the city of Toronto.

As mentioned in my earlier post a great way to spend a sunny Sunday and learn about the environment in your own backyard. There will be an art show and mini reception around 4 to 4:30pm at the end of the walk at Fort York - Blue Barracks.

Human River Walk and Art Show
Sunday October 21st
Starts at 1pm at Christie Pits Park - Pavillion
Ending at Fort York - Blue Barracks

more info: http://www.publicspace.ca/humanriver.htm

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is Canada’s first marble Hindu Temple. An absolute marvel! Built by 2000 volunteers using ancient Vedic techniques the structure spans some 95,000 square feet. The construction methods are astounding considering there was no use nails or steel. The 24,000 pieces of Italian marble and Turkish limestone were precision carved and assembled like a massive puzzle. Even the relief on certain ceilings and doors are hand carved. Best of all this structure is not only a place of Hindu worship, it also houses a museum open to the public. Though 2 years in the making and officially open just over a month the temple is getting a wealth of attention (rightly so!).

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
61 Claireville Drive, Toronto,
ON M9W 5Z7
Tel: 416 798 2277
Fax: 416 798 7798

Mandir and Museum open to visitors from 9am - 6pm daily throughout the year.

Photo by Points North

I blame Flickr.

Have you noticed lately the proliferation of cameras in Toronto? I’m not talking security cams, staring down at us from rectangular prisons or watching cyborg-like from big round houses. I’m talking the little point and shoots, the old film SLRs, the newer digital SLRs, all being carried around and aimed by Torontonians of both genders and almost all ages. No longer can you say for certain that that camera-toting person is a tourist. Now we Torontonians have become tourists, photography tourists, in our own city. It’s fun. It’s neat. And we’re the best thing that’s happened in years to promote tourism to Toronto.

Unless you were under a rock or ducking for cover you would have known Wakestock 2007 hit Toronto this weekend. From Hip Hop to Punk, skateboarding to wakeboarding, Moto X to surf wear to the Reef Girls Bikini contest there was a lot to see.

Saturday probably had the best line up of events and music though today’s Skateboard and Wakeboard finals were no joke. Locals Lee Yankou and Morgan Smith will be among the amateurs competing in the skateboard contest finals today. Hip Hop heavyweights Del and De La Soul were a welcome addition to the list of bands. GTA’s The End had an amazing set on the Indie Stage Saturday. The Deftones had some minor sound trouble at the start of their set but went on with their usual amazing wall of sound. The legendary Chad Muska had the crowd chearing at the Element Skateboard street course. Didn’t get to ask him about what was was like living next door to Paris Hilton a few years back but i digress… Fellow team Element Skateboard teammates Chad Tim Tim and Levi Brown also were tearing it up despite the heat. No body could touch Montreal’s Casey MacDonald on the mini-ramp. He took 1st place handily. Flying Motorcycles, beer, food and the Reef Girls provided distractions from above. Oh yeah there was wakeboarding too.

If you missed out this year don’t make the same mistake next year!

As Jordan Manner’s family leads hundreds of Torontonians in a rally against guns, the police search for the murderer who gunned down Jose Hierro Saez this past Saturday.
(more…)

I used to hang out at this park all the time during high school (well, there and at the back of schools trying to get an ollie down…) and haven’t visited it in a little while now. I have fond memories of it though in all times of year.

(ok, really it is called Thomson Memorial Park…)
(more…)