... and friend at a Second Cup here in Toronto

Picturing: A Special Television Episode T-shirt

"The City on the Edge of Forever" is one of television's finest hours. It's an episode of Star Trek (1966 - 1969), one of television's finest-ever series.

Now to the T-shirt.

A few years ago, my brother contacted me saying he was going to order a few Trek T-shirts, and asked me if I wanted one... take my pick. I checked the catalogue and was impressed. An artist in the States had produced designs for all 79 Trek episodes, with each being his own unique interpretation of that particular story.

Postscript: No doubt the shirt looks even better when hugging my somewhat Hemanic chest, but I elected to take the picture with the shirt lying flat.

Quote: Lydia Lunch on Her Critics

"Because they don't like reality or fact. They like fiction, tomfoolery, stupidity, mediocrity, crap, garbage, junk."

The fiery-bright lady is right.

Video Clip: Rainfall at the TTC's Spadina Station

During my errands about an hour ago I departed the 'southbound' platform at the TTC's Spadina Station. What a rush of sound that was!

Yes, Toronto is getting drenched.

Snip: A Special Number in Page Views

Minutes ago I decided to check my website's data: the number of "now" views ― views from the last two hours ― sent shivers through me. And I started humming the song, "Ave Satani".

Thankfully the hits keep coming, which quickly obliterated "666". (My account is set up as such that my own clicks don't count in the overall data.)

Thank you, dear readers! In more ways than one.

The Week that was Hot and Humour, But So Cool

Toronto boiled heat and humidity this week. It's Saturday, and temps and water particles will continue to wrap we Torontonians for a few more days, at least.

A bit of humour: On Wednesday, as I walked, strutted, towards a client of mine, his friend said to me: "You have a bit of a Christopher Walken thing happening there."

"Very cool. But cooler."

Picturing: Wile E. Coyote's Arch Enemy

While I strolled in my neighbourhood early this morning, as part of my quest to end up at my local Tim Hortons, something caught my eye: "I spy, with my little eye, something looking 'Warner Brothers'...."

Kendal Avenue is one of many lovely streets here in Toronto's beautiful "Annex". My Canon EOS DSLR ― not my carry-everywhere Canon SX 720 HS, but my EOS ― just happened to be on hand for a needed capture.

Postscript: I looked farther down the asphalt strip to see if I could find a two-dimensional coyote. Nothing. He must have gotten away and is now working on his next scheme....

Picturing: Fix Sign(s) Toronto

While I strolled in my neighbourhood early this morning in a quest to end up at my local Tim Hortons, something caught my eye: "I spy, with my little eye, a bent street sign...."

Walmer Road is one of many lovely streets here in Toronto's beautiful "Annex".

My Canon EOS DSLR ― not my carry-everywhere Canon SX 720 HS, but my EOS ― just happened to be on hand for a needed capture.

Snip: BBC Website Headline on UK Elections Today

Minutes ago I decided to check out the BBC's website (www.bbc.com) in order to see what British media is saying about the UK's federal election. Polls closed in the Isles at 10pm (5pm Toronto, or ET, time).

Rishi Sunak and his royal Conservatives are on the road to being crushed by Keir Starmer and his Labour party.

Before I hit the hay tonight I'll check to see how delicious my sleep will be: sweet dreams of destroyed Conservatives....

Picturing: That Jar of Marmite

I can still picture it, that jar of Marmite that my mother seemed to keep active on an upper kitchen cupboard in our 'Greenwood' (Nova Scotia) PMQ. My five-year-old self could not reach for it, and I was old enough to know that I had no inclination to reach for it... that little glass jar of some disgusting greasy paste. That smell ― yes, that smell ― has lingered in my olfactory memories all these years later.

Two years ago I read an article somewhere, probably a British website or newspaper, about the health (health?) benefits of consuming (please no) Marmite. My English mum would understand the savoury British staple, but why would she spread it on toast for me? Actually, I don't remember on what 'platform' I took that substance, but I've heard that Brits enjoy it on toast.

Reading the article pushed me to ask for it in my local Metro supermarket. A gent in Aisle 2 answered my question with: "No, I haven't seen it for a while. I think there's a supply problem."

Then I forgot all about my quest.

This morning I asked again: the lovely lady in Aisle 3 at Metro was confused at first; a smart blank look: "Is it a candy? What is it, exactly?"

"It's a... yeast extract. Brits like it."

"Oh, that black jar, the little black jar!"

I couldn't contain myself: "That's it!"

"Have a look in Aisle Two. That's where the international foods are kept."

I didn't see anything black outside of Soya and Teriyaki sauces, and....

... a voice from behind me: "I found it!"

Now that I'm back home with my precious little jar (and some sushi), I'll need to read up on the best ways to 'enjoy' Marmite....

Picturing: An RCAF 100th Anniversary Hoodie

Celebrating the RCAF's 100th Anniversary with a hoodie from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada).

Great museum, by the way... this way: https://www.warplane.com/visit/directions-to-museum.aspx

Picturing: Sprouting Green Around a Toronto Church

While getting my coffee this morning, I was taken by a beautiful scene: Walmer Street Church, in "The Annex", Toronto, has planters sprouting green surrounded in green.

A beautiful city has greenery.

Happy Canada Day! 2024

Like many Canadians, I am so grateful to be living in this great country.

Sunday Fun: King of Kensington ― Opening

"Larry King", played by one Al Waxman, ran a variety store here in Toronto's famed "Kensington Market" ― hence the show title, King of Kensington.

The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) sitcom ran from 1975 to 1980 and was fairly popular in this country ― and it was syndicated to some U.S. stations. Despite the fact that this sometimes-pompous television critic had decided at a young age that he did not like sitcoms, he did watch some episodes in King's earliest years: I remember taking in a show with my mother and figuring her laughter to be some kind of 'seal of approval'. (She was British.)

King of Kensington's first season was released on DVD. This surprised me. As I found out years ago, attempting to put old CBC shows to home-video is a legal minefield, a nightmare due to a tangling of rights issues. (Actor contracts at the time did not account for the home-video market.)

Those opening titles are pretty wonderful, with a memorable song. By the way, the intersection at the clip's beginning is that of Augusta Avenue and Nassau Street. I live just a few minutes walk from there ― time to take some snaps to illustrate what that intersection looks like now. Kensington Market is where I would do a lot of my grocery shopping (fresh produce!), but, in some of its markets, prices have really gone up over the years. (I first noticed the bump-up around 2010.)

Final note: Al Waxman later co-starred on the CBS drama series Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988). He was very good as the titular characters' big boss.

What a guy.

Picturing: A Special Sunlit Tree in Toronto

On Thursday, in order to get some big steps in, I made my way home from the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) subway station, "St. Clair West". It's been a long time since I last walked down that upper stretch of Spadina Road. My breath had been taken away when I looked up and ahead as I walked, approaching Casa Loma. It was early evening and the scene was a gorgeous green.

The tree seen here stood right out with its vibrant trunk and branches. The sun was cutting low from the West, splashing late day golden rays, revealing riches of chroma.

Postscript: I'm not a fan of enhanced pictures where one boosts the colours to unreal levels. The photo here I posted "as is".

Sunday Magazine: Football in Germany ― Euro 2024

I wish I were in Germany right now, taking in Euro2024. For years this cheap bastard has been meaning to go back to that beautiful country, with such restricted motivations inspiring me to at least hire a 'German' tutor. (Not much is stopping me from going there for a week or two, to soak up the sights, sounds, and... beer & pretzels.)

A client of mine's parents are from Spain, and knowing I'm a big football fan, he gave me a copy of Guia De Oro.

Picturing: A Freshly Fallen Toronto Maple Leaf

Strolling down a freshly minted sidewalk here in Toronto brought me to the above beauty: a freshly fallen maple leaf. (No Toronto Maple Leafs jokes, please... that's my domain. Did you hear about those Maple Leafs strewn about the local golf course?)

I used my smart phone's camera for this one as it was just too handy.

Isn't nature beautiful?

Father's Day 2024

H.W. St. Laurent, RCAF / CAF

Reading: Roger Corman (Gray)

With Roger Corman's passing last month at the age of 98, this big fan of the prolific director and producer went for the bookcase. Sitting among my film & television-themed books sat Roger Corman: an Unauthorized Biography of the Godfather of Indie Filmmaking (Beverly Gray, 2000). While I reread it a few summers ago, it was time to dig back in.

What a brilliant guy. The Intruder (1962) and The Masque of the Red Death (1964) are two favourite films of mine. They illustrate how, as director and Corman alumni member Jonathan Demme once said, that when he wanted to be, Corman was an excellent director. No kidding.

As a producer and studio exec, of his own studio, he kept on going: through many decades, to the day he died.

Gray's book is a warts-and-all telling of her years working for the man. Through extensive interviews with many others who worked for the man at some point in the breadth of years, notes and memories are discussed, compared, and decoded.

"And to all my fellow Roger Corman alumni who've gone on to make a difference in the film industry."

Indeed!

DVD: Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles)

Magical Mystery Tour

Made by

The Beatles

EMI Records Limited

2012

***

A few years ago I found out that my Beatles-fan brother had not yet seen a certain 1967 television opus. I asked why he hadn't sought out that essential slice of Fab Four 'merchandise'.

"I'm afraid I'll be disappointed."

This Beatles fan, if not quite "fanatical", enjoyed the group's foray into filmmaking, Magical Mystery Tour. While it might not be magical, it has its appeal for some of us.

"They're promising to take me away!"

Willingly I went along for the bus ride, sharing the "coach", as they call tour buses in the UK, with a sorting of interesting and odd characters. Through the frequent stops in various towns, villages, and fields, the crowd's buffoonery becomes the scenery. The production involved a lot of made-up shenanigans, and at times it shows. There is that unscripted "let's just have fun" vibe to most of the 53-minute running time. And there are those great Beatles songs to give the picture some solid ground, even if a lyric mentions a walrus and we see a "walrus", and a line speaks of a "fool on the hill" and what we get is Paul McCartney playing not so much a fool, but a bored-looking bloke standing still, on a hill.

Though critics at the time of MMT's original television showing in December of 1967 complained of being bored stiff, today's rearview mirror of some 50+ years rates the flick as an interesting, if not exactly absorbing, artifact. Unique among the telly tableau of the mid-sixties, the Beatles-authored experimental film plays better today... though many fans now still list this creative tour as a rare Fab Four trip.

The DVD contains a few extra features: I'm interested to hear what Magical Mystery Tour booking agent and organizer Paul McCartney has to say....