canadian pastoral

The class of '99...

2007-01-02T19:10:00.000-05:00

...wishes you a very happy new year;

...sends a big thank-you to the Butani brats for their party;

...and assures them that we had a very nice time.

(Back by slight popular demand)

2006-12-27T22:15:00.000-05:00

12 pics of Christmas:

A pastoral union enjoyed greatly by...

2006-08-30T10:12:00.000-04:00

...table five.

Absenteeser

2006-07-20T14:08:00.000-04:00

A motley crew gathered here last weekend to celebrate the birthday of a very special world traveller.

Happy Birthday, traveller,

from (amongst many others) your fellow travellers:
The Australadian and Westeastafricanadian;

The Israelealer and Vulcanadian:

and Canadazzurri.

Leaving the T-dot for the O-town for a little while

2006-05-31T15:07:00.000-04:00

And I don't need a plane to take me far away
on a Sunday Funday, Sunday Funday
The car, the crew, the tapes, the road, the sunny day
Sunday Funday, Sunday Funday

ONE (prize)

TWO (World Wars)

THREE (attempts)

FOUR (people from Montreal)

FIVE (members of Clementine)

SIX (people kindly hosted by Kev and Melanie and Steph)

SEVEN (images from Saturday Phaturday, including a guitar wizard)

EIGHT (Sunday Funday...)

...Sunday Funday
We left here early and we got back late.

I've got a golden ticket!

2006-05-25T19:46:00.000-04:00

Through enthusiastic consumption of [at] Wonka [fully licensed] bars, we won [decided on] a trip to the Wonka factory [Steamwhistle Brewery].

"I've got a golden ticket [pilsner]!"

Mike [Vincent] Teevee [Wong] entertains some Umpa Lumpas [Europeans].

Violet [Another] Beauregarde [girl] was so vain [gluttonous] that she became obsessed with her own image [beer] and met a horrible end [enjoyed the tour].

Willie Wonka [Chloe the tourguide] instructed Charlie [Erin] not to [to definitely] drink the experimental [plain old] soda [beer].

He [she] didn't [did] listen so he [she] flew away.

As I walked out one evening...

2006-05-08T12:04:00.000-04:00

...we saw this on Borden Street.

Social event of the afternoon: Dept. BBQ

2006-04-30T01:10:00.000-04:00

The end of the term has arrived, and in our department this meant one thing: a madly raucous rooftop barbecue in the heart of downtown Toronto*.
*Many parts of this sentence are lies.

In any case, with no further ado, let's say our (premature) adieus...

...to Graduate History Society(GHS) president, and object of the Jen Polk fan club, Jen Polk...

...to the epic battle between Team French and English Europe vs. Team French(ish) and English Canada vs. Team Erin Corber and David Stiles...(advantage obviously goes to whatever team David's on)...

...and to the M.A. cohort, and Paul.

If Rod Stewart's right (and he usually is) and every picture tells a story, this one tells a story of the joy that is Toronto life*:

*pictured here: Steamwhistle and a rape whistle.

Seasonal Sketches

2006-04-20T21:41:00.000-04:00

Firstly, spring, with a markedly summery flavour is here. Unlike their reactions to the onset of winter, Torontonians react uniformly well to the premature arrival of warm weather. Restaurants are lauded for their quick deployment of patio regalia, and children flock healthily into the streets. Of course, since this weather seems like it will last forever, Torontonians are burning their snow shovels en masse (see December 15, 2005 for the havoc this will cause next winter).

Secondly, this is also the season for country music. Last week two urban suburban blondes (one real, one real in spirit), dressed in complimentary hot pink shirts, made a sporting attempt at line dancing. The blondes are not pictured here; without detailed instructions, they were unable to keep up with the quick pace of Nashville North.

SOCIETY PAGE

2006-03-23T12:18:00.000-05:00

by Our Own correspondent:

Higher Education Supplement - Who's Who in Academia Today

Sighted Last Weekend on the Town:
(Future) Drs B. & C. (formerly of Paris and Montreal), as they engaged in deep and (to those outside doctoral society) nearly impenetrable discussion of their academic pursuits and ambitions, at trendy Queen West resto-bar, Czehoski.
Insiders report that the result of the evening's conspirings is a methodologically innovative and theoretically challenging Gallo-hellenic plot to take over the world. Said plot would, friends say, draw inspiration from diverse intellectual traditions - ranging from scholasticism to the beat generation - involve impressive amounts of undiluted coffee, and would commence with a much-needed take-over of the 'Barbarian West' province of Ontario.
Dr C, in classic black, blended well with the unpretentious but energetic crowd, while Dr B, completing her bold ensemble with a pair of dazzlingly metallic strappy heals, brought a continental flash to the normally subdued Toronto scene.

A night with the Rural Alberta Advantage et al.

2006-03-11T12:05:00.000-05:00

Featuring:

The RAA (complete with a riveting finale and audience-stirring encore by Nils);

Feats of strength;

Fabulous company;

And a gastronomic finale that didn't disappoint.

Bon appetit, good night, and good morning.

Dupont Vistas...

2006-03-04T11:31:00.000-05:00

...or in this case, Vestas. This is a diner, but really it's only a counter. Their grilled cheese is unparalleled, but many people just come for the pie.
Service on the evening of March 3: as pleasant and friendly as you get.

House [Party]

2006-02-21T18:48:00.000-05:00

A brief tour of the premises:

Dining Room (Delightful People)

Kitchen

Hallway

Bedroom

Stairs

Dining Room (Beautiful People)

Autoshow Days 2 and 3

2006-02-18T23:14:00.000-05:00

Day 2: Torontonians flood to the show; their excitement rises to a level I would characterize as 'moderate;' this moderate level of excitement inspires some moderate levels of vandalism and some moderately crude yet biting harassment (shouted from a window of the skydome hotel at a particularly weary detailer, who was particularly weary from having been confined to the Kia display for a moderately extensive period of time).

Car of the day: Audi A3 3.2 S line quattro
Because: It's the cutest, coolest, prettiest car EVER. And the S stands for fasssst.

Autoshow employee of the day:

Day 3: Torontonians feel the need to flood once again. They display diverse examples of human degeneracy. Examples:
Bad mothering
Mom (to teenage daughter, who is simultaneously talking on a cellphone) - Are you talking to Adam?
Daughter - Yes (hangs up)
Mom - Do you think that if you break up he'll stalk you?
Daughter - Silence (and pained look)
Mom - Because he always stalks you when you're with me
Daughter - He just called to say he's done work
Mom - Creepy smirk.
No sense of humour (stupidity)
Late 20s guy in ill-fitting jeans (to friends) - You should buy this car for Maria
Friends - Unwarranted chuckling
Late 20s guy in ill-fitting jeans - Yeah, a Kia for Maria!
Friends - Raucous laughter
Crazy German-ness
Crazy looking German guy with a very colourful scarf (standing with arms outstretched, smiling madly, beholding a Kia Amanti) - It's just like a Jaguar!

Car of the day: Ford GT
Because: Despite the fact that the GT is perhaps last year's belle, she's still the coolest resurrected vehicle out there. Quite simply, the GT is hot (and hotter in red).

Autoshow employee of the day:

Autoshow Day 1

2006-02-18T22:41:00.000-05:00

Day 1 (Friday): The show opens in our fair city of Toronto; Torontonians get characteristically mildly excited about it, but not excited enough to induce acts of harassment or vandalism.

Car of the day: Volvo C70 T5
Because: It is strikingly beautiful in person; and its animated and metamorphic features make a lovely and entrancing diversion (should one be trapped in the adjacent Kia display for 14 hours).

Autoshow employee of the day:

Coming up this week on the internet: Days 2 and 3 of the car show; and a birthday party photo extravaganza (which most certainly cannot live up to this billing).

Verticalvision

2006-02-07T23:04:00.000-05:00

In the (dis)interest of completing a school project, I have assembled this useful montage, featuring an unrelated selection of photos from the past few weeks.

Glowing people (otherwise known as Clementine at the Speakeasy).

People (Andrea and her food; Clementine's intrepid bassist, Jason, and his bass).

Place (R.I.P. the Budapest restaurant, best Hungarian in Hamilton).

Thing(s my dear friend Paul likes: border sauce and beer).

Circa last weekend: cowboy edition

2006-02-03T18:03:00.000-05:00

Cowboy party # 1 (chez Ted)
Dramatis personae:

(This party proved that the best cowgirls come from Europe).

Cowboy party # 2 (chez Dave)
Dramatis personae:

(See Dave's dramatic transformation, my new favourite photo of Camille (second from bottom), and Anton Change (in red), partying like it's Aberdeen).

Who loves a night out?

2006-01-22T12:34:00.000-05:00

Everyone does, but particularly when it's Mista Mo's birthday...

...and particularly if you're the man himself, Mista Mo;

The girls do, especially when they're reunited with Jackie (fresh from Kenyan and Zanzibari exploits);

The people with moves (or moves of sorts) do;

Almost anyone does, as long as they're with the people (or things) they care about.

Circa last weekend vol. 2:

2006-01-19T23:21:00.000-05:00

Invasion of the Kingstonians, needlessly in black and white, and on the horizontal.

What promised to be a lovely night of Kingstonian reunion and revelry was prefaced by a tour of breathtaking downtown Hamilton, conducted by this woman.

We then descended upon the hustle and bustle of Union to find these two weary but spirited travellers, fresh from the famed Tricolour Express.

A cooperative eating effort followed.

The Kingstonians enjoyed the nighttime offerings of Bloor, wherein it was discovered that historians et al. love Kingstonians.

Circa last weekend vol. I:

2006-01-16T21:03:00.000-05:00

Return of the historians (et al.), in black, white, orange, and on the horizontal.

#1 et al. and Erin mentally prepare for the evening's festivities.

The MA compatriots were reunited with the JenYen power duo. Soon, friendly musings about Vimy and subtle pleas for discourse on the early modern era were flowing freely.

Vince was unable to conceal his excitement upon witnessing pure magic.

What can possibly be so funny? There must've been something fishy in the challah.

500 feet of paradise:

2006-01-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

That's hitting the slopes Ontario style, which is fine for me (above) and my 1997 style shredding, and Lindsay (below) who tested out her new gear and new identity as a snowboarder (with much success).

A big thanks to Mt. St. Louis...MOONSTONE.

Who loves the New Year?

2006-01-01T15:09:00.000-05:00

These people do:

Host #1 (left) with his stylish and classy date;

Host #2 (centre) brandishing her less than classy dates;

Our guests, approximating their reaction to the arrival of 2006.

more to be appended in the near future...

Smooth, clean, crisp...

2005-12-31T21:19:00.000-05:00

Rich...

...on his 25th birthday, surrounded by his wonderful friends and the ambience of Port Credit.

The Drake gets Clementined

2005-12-30T12:09:00.000-05:00

A musical melee...
...starring Paul and his musical friends...

...and featuring some of Paul's many fans and family.

Christmas: Reprise

2005-12-26T23:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome Christmas;
Welcome new camera;
Christmas day will always be
Just so long as we have we.

Below: My brother delighted at our mother's way with a gourd; decadent cashews in our kitchen; and a Christmas cracker past its prime.

Merry Christmas BestFriends4Ever

2005-12-24T12:30:00.000-05:00

Mista Mo invited us all to bring in Christmas with some clubland fun. We obliged and enjoyed a night featuring...

...the man himself, Mista Mo;

...Lieutenant Connolly, who was welcomed back from Afganistan with a barrage of gang signs;

...these radiant folks, who look happy...and happier? (In any case, terribly good looking together);

...the "it" couple and a few hangers on;

...and, of course, my bestfriends4ever

Merry Christmas U of T...

2005-12-21T17:39:00.000-05:00

...and farewell to my invigilation nation.

Merry Christmas Mississauga

2005-12-18T22:02:00.000-05:00

The holidays really do flatter dear old Lorne Park.

Party of all Parties (in full sepiacolour)

2005-12-17T11:26:00.000-05:00

This is Erin. She was the host, or, more accurately, the visionary. Her addition of clementines to the party was unexpected and impossibly brilliant.

Miss Camille B., lately of Paris, and Messrs Ted A. and Dave H., respectively of the East and West of our country, provide a respectable representation of our department.

The guest of honour: Graduate History Society President, J. Polk, B.A., M.A., PhD. cand., P.E.R.S.O.N.A.L.I.T.Y! We were delighted that she decided to attend.

Michael clearly makes people happy. He's also creative with a clementine.

Guess the PhD candidate. Amazing how easy it is to blend back in with the younger riffraff and truly believe you'll be 'friends 4ever.'

Wrap up: Ted and Camille reminisce
Ted: It was a good party, wasn't it?
Camille: Oui.

Erin: It was a good party, wasn't it?
Camille: Oui

Disclaimer: The editor guiltily acknowledges misrepresenting how Camille speaks in conversation.

It snows; Toronto panics

2005-12-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

In a scene repeated yearly, it has snowed; the city is panicking; and, of course, the city is angry. I'm not exactly certain how it is possible to absolutely forget winter on a yearly basis, and then be surprised each December into a state of angry confusion, which apparently makes it impossible to drive. Incidentally, the panicked drivers have decided that my street would be a good shortcut through the annex; gridlock has ensued.

Retrospective: a night in Port Credit

2005-12-11T02:46:00.000-05:00

On this day in 2004.

Editor's addendum: A Tourist's Guide to Port Credit. PC is one of the social hearts of Mississauga. Once the site of run-down used clothing stores, the smokiest Coffee Time ever, a lot of dead fish on a run-down pier, and the hookers at the Marco Polo Hotel, the area has seen a renaissance in recent years. The used clothing is still there but nobody's buying. Coffee time has given way to Starbucks and its clientele of Lorne Park moms fresh from their Running Room clinics. The old pier finds itself refurbished and crawling with romance, supplemented by the fake lighthouse, the inflated prices of Snug Harbour dining and docking, and some patented City of Mississauga landscaping (a few flowers; a lot of concrete). As for the Marco Polo, it's been turned into overpriced condos, complete with the romance of stories of midnight apparitions of ghostly ladies in patent leather boots. Still, the charm of Old PC lives on in subtle ways; the subtle scent of still-dead fish; and the not so subtle proliferation of mullets and cougars on any given Saturday night.

Mo,pictured here with some amazing hair.

Paul: Contemplating doing something really cool. For example: Steam Whistle brewery; Christie Cookie Factory; Burger King; a really big pitcher.

Jackie (thinking): "AVERY!"
Rich (probably to Paul): "You're an idiot."

Gino's employee: Frantically trying to seize my camera. I thinking she might be wanted by police; otherwise she wouldn't have yelled at me so much for taking her picture. Thank god the pizza was tasty; otherwise I would've had to get unpleasant.

Social event of the season: Dept. wine & cheese

2005-12-11T02:19:00.000-05:00

Last night marked the height of the social year for anyone even remotely associated with our department at U of T.

In this picture ultra-savant Erin celebrates the end of term with our colleague, David. Obviously, in the department, we wear our happiness front and centre.

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT

2005-12-02T17:26:00.000-05:00

by Our Own correspondent
Educational and Institutional Review:
Doctor Christopoulos' Academy of Conversational Etiquette (Toronto)

Pictured here, Academy founder Dr. Christopoulos (Right), instructs a reluctant student on appropriate methods of expressing dissent in social situations. The unidentified student, apparently of northern - or, in etiquette-field jargon, barbarian - heritage, is said to be prone to un-ladylike outbursts and gesticulations in everyday conversation. Christopoulos' approach consists of recognizing problematic behaviour and replacing it with more refined Hellenic methods of communication.

Sessions run Sept-Dec, and Feb-May, and consist of 10 group sessions and bi-weekly private counselling. An end of term luncheon at L'Espresso Cafe (Bloor at St George) allows students to showcase their newly-acquired skills for family and friends.

SOCIETY PAGE

2005-11-26T19:00:00.000-05:00

by Our Own Social correspondent
Sighted this weekend on the town:

The young Toronto couple of Mr. Graham D- (C.A.), and Miss Lindsay D- (Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Fashion and Society), en route to a Saturday soiree at the trendy Academy of Spherical Arts, said to rival Montreal's famed Spheretech in its sphericity. Many in this Dominion see this not only to be a romantic match, but also the cementing of a powerful new relationship between Bajan-Canadian and Irish-Canadian banking families. Miss D- wore a black shimmering skirt coupled with a smart v-neck top with subtle lace detailing, a perfect ensemble to bring in the winter season.

Tonight's view

2005-11-26T00:32:00.000-05:00

The blasted frost has cleared and I can take unobstructed pictures of my neighbours' homes. Okay, as much as I'd like to say I was, I wasn't spying. The street just looks peaceful.

Mon pays, ce n'est pas un pays...

2005-11-24T23:46:00.000-05:00

...c'est l'hiver

My window is looking a little sinister, or perhaps nice. My first instinct was actually nice. In any case, the first snow of the season has arrived. If the current trend holds, I'm looking forward to a winter of battling against wind on Dupont toward Tim Horton's and then, with the wind at my back, enjoying a speedy flight home with coffee safe in hand. It's as if the elements have conspired to improve my already happy relationship with Tim Horton's.

Why I don't hate Ontario:

2005-11-18T00:43:00.000-05:00

Because sometimes it can be quite fetching. This is a thanksgiving Sunday hike in an alfalfa field outside of Hamilton.

Retrospective:

2005-11-15T13:17:00.000-05:00

Fun with sculptures. Art Institute of Chicago, November 2004.

For instance:

2005-11-13T11:52:00.000-05:00

This is one of my favourite places in Lorne Park, looking a little abandoned one evening this past July.

All you need to know...

2005-11-13T11:19:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog. Please dispose of all your expectations. By visiting here you will not get much insight into my life, personality, or much that is important to me. But once in a while I might post a picture that I like or a picture of a place that I like. That is my only intention.