Picturing: from Toronto's Beautiful "Annex" Streets

On Madison Avenue, looking north from Bernard Avenue, here in Toronto's beautiful "Annex" neighbourhood. On my way to the Gleam & Sip to get a late morning coffee....

Quote: "Archie Bunker" Just Like a Conservative

"No bum that can't speak poifect English oughta stay in this country—oughta be de-exported the hell oughta here!"

The internet has revealed just how many "Archie Bunkers" are out there.

Picturing: On a Music Video Shoot Near Lake Erie

Producer/Director Barry Silverthorn and me.

Barry looks through the Arriflex ST while I hold a light meter.

Me lining up a shot, Jorge Parra with reflector, and crewmember.

* * *

Special thanks to Barry Silverthorn for contacting me and for supplying the above photos, which were taken during a music video shoot near Lake Erie. Beautiful countryside!

Oh, June, 1990. We were so young. I had recently returned from a few weeks in England, and upon my return, found out that my name had been offered to Barry after he asked Jorge: "Do you know anyone who can shoot film and make it look good?" I was flattered. Jorge and I had attended film school together. By the way, two months later we all worked together on another music video: that one was for the Toronto-based ska band, "One". I should mention that Barry is a super-nice and easygoing guy, and he was very easy to work with.

Picturing: Criterion Blu-ray of Desperate Living

A couple of days ago I remembered that Criterion's release of John Waters' 1977 flick Desperate Living has hit the shelves. A quick trip today to Toronto's great Bay Street Video was not exactly an errand of desperation, but one of... satiation. I love John Waters' early films. The man is an original. With each of his pictures, while there are similarities in theme and character-types, one never knows what's on one's plate. Desperate Living is one of my favourite "Waters".

Soon!

Picturing: Church of the Redeemer Sculpture

On my walk back home from an errand today here in the great city of Toronto, I noticed a beautiful bronze sculpture outside the Church of the Redeemer. I did some research minutes ago: it's titled When I Was Sick, by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz.

I'm an atheist, and a former art student, don't get me going about "Early Christian Art", but I absolutely love bronze sculptures and appreciate those of a beautiful place of worship.

Apparently it was unveiled in September of 2023. I must have the habit of walking on the south side of Bloor Street when crossing the Avenue Road / University Avenue intersection.

How could I have not noticed When I Was Sick till an hour ago?

Postscript: years ago I was a fairly regular concertgoer at that lovely church. I would bump into an old college teacher there. It was at the Church of the Redeemer that I attended a performance of a pretty magnificent piece for solo violin composed by Srul Glick, superbly performed by a young woman who was a York University student. I've since forgotten the name of the piece and the violinist, unfortunately. Glick was in attendance. The year would have been 1987 or 1988. I was young. There's nothing stopping me from again being a 'regular'.

Blog Post: Toronto Welcomes More-Bearable Temps

A couple of hours ago I popped out to grab a coffee. Ahh, my skin could breathe again....

That extreme heat and humidity made for an uncomfortable week.

In Toronto right now it's 22 Celsius (72 Fahrenheit), with a projected high today of 24 (75).

Much better.

Athot for the Day: What's Almost in a Name

I just realized that the Toho monster Mothra, in name, is but one vowel change from "Mithra". The original Japanese name is "Mosura". It would seem to me that someone was a crafty translator!

 

Picturing: An Extra Fine Corona Extra on Deck

It's 33 Celsius (91 Fahrenheit) here in Toronto right now... with friend.

Toronto Weather Watch: Already?!

It's only 9:30am and already it's 30 Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) here in Toronto. For some reason I have the urge to pull out those 8mm movie films my dad shot of me frolicking in the cool crisp waters of the Bay of Fundy.

Ah, yes, the beautiful Bay of Fundy....

Happy Canada Day! The Greatest Place on Earth

Weather Watch: the Extreme Temperatures of Toronto

From CP24:

"According to the orange warning issued by the national weather agency for Toronto, temperatures could reach as high as 37 C [99 F] from Tuesday through Friday, possibly stretching into the weekend as well. Humidex values will make it feel like 43 [109] on Tuesday and 44 [111] on Wednesday."

Look, if I want to live on the surface of Venus, I'll watch Der Schweigende Stern.

Athot for the Day: To Affect an Effect

Once one accepts that life is a lost cause, one cannot gain even a modicum of happiness.

Or, as the great modern-day philosopher Allan Konigsberg once said: "Life is divided into the horrible and the miserable."

Sunday Fun: Morning Fun at Paupers Pub, Toronto

The Hand of Orlach

It's becoming a bi-monthly ritual, the third Sunday morning visit since early March. I'm hardly a big beer drinker, but for some strange reason I don't mind having the odd Sunday morning beer.

The breaky was awesome! After nibbling for a couple of minutes I figured I should pop out the Canon and snap a Facebook-style picture.

A visit to Paupers Pub, here in Toronto, I would highly recommend to visitors and denizens alike.

May I suggest?

Picturing: A Shirt for Canada Day (and Year-round)

The T-shirt is ready to go for Canada Day!

Athot for the Day: An Inconvenient Reality

No, it's not "life is what you make it"; it's "you are what life made you".

The Conservative Know-It-All of Today

After some serious research online as to what makes up a real Conservative, I've come to the conclusion that they possess great knowledge on any number of subjects. Just read the comments below any Twitter (X) posting or newspaper article that invites, begs, an angry right-winger to set the record straight, or to reaffirm what was stated in the 'above', and you'll be impressed.

They are experts on, but not limited to, the following....

History
Geography
The Sciences (don't exist)
Botany
Engineering
Technology
Metallurgy
Oceanography
Sociology

Medicine
Economics

Tectonics
Anthropology

Philology

Liberal Arts (as we all know, only Liberals take "Liberal Arts")
Cognition (?!)


Note: I left out Philosophy, as that may invite Semantics... and Pragmatism.

Athot for the Day: The CPC Must Face Its Reality

The Conservative Party of Canada is so desperate right now... they're too far gone. Constant attacks against everything Canada, certainly, will not improve their standing. Their problems are systemic. And problematic: Pierre Poilievre.

Father's Day 2026: H.W. St. Laurent, RCAF / CAF

RAF Bomber Command / Royal Canadian Air Force / Canadian Armed Forces.

Quote: Stanley Kubrick on the Education Trap

"I think the big mistake in schools is trying to teach children anything, and by using fear as the basic motivation. Fear of getting failing grades, fear of not staying with your class, etc. Interest can produce learning on a scale compared to fear as a nuclear explosion to a firecracker."

I first read that quote when I was in elementary school, and I got it.

Quote: W.C. Fields Knew Cooking

"I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food."

Right, guys?!