Breakfast of Champions
Yesterday’s Blogger’s Breakfast meet-up was loads of fun. The meet-up was at the Fox and Feather Pub on Elgin Street and bloggers from all over Ottawa came out to enjoy the morning. It was great to finally meet the people behind the words. I can certainly say that the next time one of these happens, I’ll be sure to be there.
What was also great about meeting the people behind the blogs is than now when I read those blogs, I’ll be able to picture the people and hear the voices, which only adds to the experience. I also met some new bloggers that will soon have their works added to my blogroll.
After the breakfast meet-up was over, only then I realized that I didn’t have a chance to snap any pictures of the event itself, which I guess worked out well as some bloggers don’t disclose every detail of their personal lives — including their appearance — which I can totally respect.
I did however get one picture taken as Bunny and I were enjoy lattes at a nearby Starbucks with Jobthingy and Speedy afterward, we saw this driving down Elgin Street…
Turns out that even on weekends, the City of Ottawa was busy delivering the Green Bins that will go into use this coming January. Folks down in my neck of the woods will have to wait until the last week of November for their bins to show up.
Recipe for Best Damn Nachos… Period
Last night, while Ottawa was experiencing its first snow fall of the season, I decided it would be as good a time as any to make my Best Damn Nachos. And why are they called that you might ask? Because if you ever tried them, you would know.
But since I’m banking on the fact a vast majority of people haven’t tried them, I will — for the first time ever — share my somewhat secret recipe. Believe me when I say it took many years of practice to get this right and every time I still find new things I can do. So feel free to be creative if you dare try it yourself.
First, start out with your basic nacho ingredients, which as you can see, can be purchased at any local supermarket. The large round corn chips are perfect. The triangle, or “restaurant style” are good too, but I find most times they have been stacked by some stock clerk who doesn’t care about his job, much less your nachos, so there are many broken chips in those bags. The round ones seem to break less.
Place the corn chips on an over tray, making sure to create one layer of chips overlapping.
Most people make the mistake of using salsa from a jar as the tomato toppings. That makes for soggy nachos and nobody likes getting a corn chip that looks like someone blew their nose in it. Instead, use diced tomatoes. For an added twist, use ones with flavor. Sure, you could dice, drain and season the tomatoes yourself, but for $1.45 go for the stuff in the can. But make sure to drain the juice out using a strainer or else you’re on the road to those soggy nachos.
When it comes to black olives (if you like olives, that is) use the sliced and pitted kind. Again you can go to the trouble of slicing them yourself, but for just over a dollar, why not let the good people at the canning company do the work for you.
Get fancy if you like. Chopped green onions (or scallions, depending where you are from) are better than using white onions. They add color and are easy to work with. I also decided to chop up grilled chicken. But you can use beef or ground turkey if that floats your boat. (Please note the knife to illustrate the fact that I actually did chop something for this recipe.)
Good cheese — and plenty of it — is the key ingredient to nachos. Don’t get cheap here. Get loads of cheese. Personally, I use three kinds. Mozzarella, Cheddar and Monterey Jack. Don’t be a dumb ass and get the Tex Mex pre-shredded crap in a bag or whatever you find in your grocery store fridge. And DON’T use Cheez Whiz.
Shred the cheese. This part is pretty self-explanatory, but since I seem to have a real thing for taking pictures, I give you a photo of shredded cheese.
Next, take all your ingredients and place them on top of the corn chips. Note the fact I didn’t say “dump them on” or something like that. Why? Because you will be making layers.
Take your single layer nachos, place them in your oven that has pre-heated on the high setting of your oven’s Broiler. Place them on the rack and let them cook for about 90 second to one minute. Longer if needed. But what you’re doing here is making sure the cheese has melted. You do NOT want to burn the chips, so keep an eye on them.
Take them out of the oven and repeat the whole layer thing, starting with the corn chips and then add the olives, onions, tomatoes, and cheese. (And chicken if you like.) Then repeat the oven thing, again watching to make sure the second and first layers don’t burn.
You want to avoid having un-melted cheese, which is almost as bad as soggy nachos. These layer-then-melt steps will help make sure each chip is covered with gooey cheese
When you are finished, it will look something like this:
Remember, the trick is layers. Chips, ingredients, oven, then repeat. You can make as many layers as you like, depending on the amount of toppings you have. Don’t go too high though or the bottom half, which after three layers has been in the oven three times already, will start to burn.
I would gladly go on Rogers’ Daytime Ottawa or A Morning and make the nachos live on TV if either show would have me. Think about it; a blogger who makes nachos? The story sells itself!
Enjoy!
Breakfast with Bloggers
This weekend will be my first Bloggers Breakfast meet-up and I’m really looking forward to it. Honestly, it’s actually my first real social outing with local Ottawa people since I moved here — although to Jobthingy’s credit, she has made sure that I’ve been invited to others. Sadly, life always seems to get in the way.
But not this time. This time I have cleared my morning and I’m making sure I’ll be there.
What’s great about this is it’s a chance to meet other Ottawa bloggers face to face. And a chance to talk to, and get to know them. And that’s something I’ve been looking forward to doing since before I moved here. Some of the blogs listed under my blogroll (on the right hand column) will be there and I’m sure after I meet new people, new blogs will be added to that list.
I’ve always felt that one of the reasons behind this blog was to be able to network and connect with people in a new city — and so far it’s working well.
Then of course, it’s back to normality the following week as once again, I’m on the road.
Virgin Radio Ottawa: Good News and Bad News
Having previously worked in the radio biz, I always enjoy when “the book” comes out. “The Book” is the technical nickname for the ratings report — issued four times a year by BBM Canada. For some in the industry, the book can spell certain doom. Failure to generate solid numbers can result in format changes, or worse, firings for announcers or management.
As luck would have it, the most recent “book” for the Ottawa market was released last month. And after taking a look at the numbers, it seems that 106.9 Virgin Radio (formerly The Bear) continues to slip in the ratings. This wouldn’t normally be such a hot blog topic, but one can only imagine that the name change was an attempt to raise ratings — and it doesn’t seem to be working.
For your reading pleasure: the recent breakdown of the Anglo Ottawa market. Click to enlarge.
Here’s the good news: CKQB-FM, Virgin Radio Ottawa, is up from last ratings period. But when you look at 12 months worth of ratings, they are down from where it was this time last year — which interestingly enough, is right before someone had the bright idea to flip The Bear to 106.9 Virgin Radio.
So what does this mean for 106.9 Virgin Radio? Will Ottawans get their Bear back? Well, in my honest opinion, the ratings aren’t horrible enough (yet) to merit a change back their former name, but I’m sure the thought has crossed the minds of the people in charge and their parent company Astral Media.
Personally speaking — because there has to be some sort of personal angle here — I would love to see The Bear come back to Ottawa airwaves. I thought it was a great name for a station and it did a pretty good job of holding its own against main competitors such as CHEZ 106 — which by the way, is also a good station to listen to.
Normally it takes several ratings periods before a station contemplates a format or name change. And while the ratings for the Virgin Radio Ottawa are down, they’re not low enough. It will be interesting to see where they are in a year’s time.
The truth about H1N1
I was going to write a post about how everything is getting out of control concerning this H1N1 scare. I was going to say that people, the media and city officials are really playing the hype card a little too hard and frightening people. I was even going to say that while some people have died from this Swine Flu, it’s still just a flu and flu-related fatalities are a sad reality no matter what the outbreak is.
But it seems I don’t have to write one. Why? Because Jobthingy wrote one that smacks of so much truth, it should be read before the House of Commons. (But maybe with some colorful language omitted.)
In the time that I have known Jobthingy, I have come to learn one thing: she is honest and upfront. Also, she speaks her mind. If she thinks that shirt looks bad on you, she’ll tell you. And if she thinks things are getting out of control with the H1N1 scare, then she will let you know what the deal is.
So when you’re done lining up outside of a community center in the pouring rain for four hours just to be turned away, or tired of reaching for the hand sanitizer every time the nightly news comes on to tell you how bad things are, just hop on over to her blog and read something that will hopefully open your eyes.
Deck the haunted halls
This past week has been trying. Bunny has been sick with what she believes is H1N1. While her illness is not the dreaded Swine Flu, it has kept her home from work and in bed most of the time.
After running medicine and hot soup up and down stairs all week, I decided that with Halloween less than 24 hours away, it was time to finally decorate my house. Since this is my first Halloween in Ottawa, and my first Halloween with a house that people can walk up to from the street — my townhouse in Toronto was a garden home in a complex so it was hard for kids to get to — I would go all out. What I did count on was that folks in Barrhaven really take this Halloween thing seriously.
I was thinking a smoke machine, some red lights and some grave stones and I’ll be on the evening news for having the coolest (and creepiest) looking house. Turns out that other people were thinking the same thing. (You should see some of the homes in my neighborhood.)
Much to the joy of the people on my street, I did a ‘test run’ last night, trying out the lighting, the fog and the cemetery set up. I also wanted to see how the wiring would look and how I would lay the cables that run the power to the various machines and lights.
All of this while Bunny is battling an on-going cold so I had to wing it without any assistance. For something I threw together a couple days before the big day, it doesn’t look too bad.
Naturally come Halloween there will be pumpkins and a few added touches to make it look creepy.
Drink it up, Ladies
“It’s an endless parade of horny housewives begging for your meat.”
- Wayne, the Deli manager in The Wrestler
On any given day, I make it a point to never go grocery shopping after 11am. That naturally includes weekends. And my window of shopping isn’t only limited to supermarkets. To that list you can add stores like Walmart, and if possible, large shopping centers too. There are just too many people out there and I hate crowds. (And I may be wrong about this, but I have noticed that crowds and people seem to go hand in hand.)
This past weekend, I made the near-fatal mistake of going to a local grocery store for a few things in the middle of the morning rush. It normally wouldn’t have happened, but I desperately need a few things that just couldn’t wait. I can assure you that will never happen again.
From things being scanned incorrectly, people paying with pennies, coupons and lose pocket lint and the usual pricks taking people’s parking spots, the only highlight was the cashier who looked just like Kelly Clarkson.
So it’s back to early morning shopping hours for me. And because of my schedule, I can make it happen. That just leaves me, the store’s morning start-up crew and… local housewives who are also doing their shopping.
Now, let’s make one thing clear: I will never be confused for Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, that hermaphrodite vampire Edward from the Twilight movies or any of today’s leading heart-throbs. But for someone like me — a descent enough, average looking guy in his mid 30’s — when I walk through the aisles of the supermarket in morning, past all the wives and mothers, I feel like Tom freakin’ Jones. (minus the stuffed crotch, of course)
It’s quite a boost to one’s ego when women within your age bracket — or even those who could be considered cougars — are taking second and third looks as you pass by. And they’re looking for all the right reasons, opposed to staring because your fly is undone or you forget to wipe something off your face before you left the house.
It’s not as if Barrhaven is filled with desperate, lonely housewives who crave attention. But I guess the old saying still stands: even though you’re on a diet, you can still look at the menu.
This of course means I can no longer just roll out of bed and put on whatever I find lying on the floor and head out to the store. Suddenly I’m self-conscious. There’s a whole production that must go on before I even hit the button to my garage door opener.
So I enjoy my little outing, my ego boost and the feeling that I have arrived. It doesn’t make me a better person, but it sure puts a smile on my face. And it sure makes running errands better.
Where would Alanis sit?
Remember that immortal line from You Oughta Know? The one where Ottawa-native Alanis Morissette asks angrily of her ex-lover Dave Coulier’s new flame, “Is she perverted like me? Would she go down on you in a theater?” That has been on my mind for the past 14 years and honestly, it has been somewhat bothersome.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the idea of a leather pants-clad Alanis doing that, I would just hate to sit in that actual seat where the incident took place.
I should also point out that there’s no confirmation that the whole “down on you in a theater” act even happened in Ottawa, but you try and sit comfortably in a cinema and enjoy topping on your popcorn thinking of that.
My friend gave me some comfort by saying given the expansion of megaplexes in the late 90’s, there’s a good chance if the act did happen in Ottawa, the theater it happened in is long gone.
…except for World Exchange Plaza 7, Rideau Center 3, Mayfair and ByTowne which are the oldest, still operational cinemas in the Capital that would have been open when the alleged act could have taken place.
I don’t expect the City to mark the theater seat with a historical plaque but when you think how close Ottawa came to having a Shannon Tweed Day, I wouldn’t be surprised if the motion ever came up before City Council.
Any factual information or rumors (whichever is more interesting) that could help shed some light on this is always appreciated. In the meantime, I’ll be careful where I sit.
Best of Ottawa poll on now
It looks like the folks at Ottawa Express have launched their annual Best of Ottawa poll where they ask readers to pick their favorites in categories ranging from Best Diner to Best Visual Arts Exhibit. Plenty of restaurant are listed, as well as other businesses and even some well kept secrets around town that Express readers happen to know about.
Honestly, it’s newspapers like Express and their readers that find the interesting things in cities like Ottawa. Toronto and Montreal also have similar free papers that also keep tabs on what’s going on — especially in the independent scene.
Last year, before moving here, I asked about “the best of Ottawa” and many readers of this blog offered their opinions and pointed me in the direction of places I probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise.
And while I’m still “new in town” and don’t know of or recognize some of the nominees in listed on the ballot, I will be interested in seeing the results when they are published and taking note of some places I should try.
Voting ends on November 11.
Ottawa Light Rail? Just build it already!
With the budget of the on-again/off-again proposed light rail transit system growing every time someone mentions it, the answer is becoming clear: just build the damn network already and be done with it. Honestly, between that and the moaning about proposed Lansdowne projects, it’s all I ever hear about.
The cost that jumped from 1.4 billion to 2.1 billion (yes, that’s billion with a B) apparently comes in several phases and includes a downtown tunnel that would replace the Transitway on Slater and Albert allowing for fast, uninterrupted travel through the congested downtown core.
As I’ve said before, the Transitway isn’t a bad idea, but it’s not a real rapid transit network. It’s a bus. With a bendy piece in the middle. And this is the National Capital. A city with close to a million people in the area deserves a better rapid transit network.
The way I see it — because you know, the City is just dying to hear what I have to say about this matter — there are a few things that have to be done.
- Light Rail Underground: An LRT line through the downtown would be great, but it’s only going to get backed up because of all the buses that service the downtown area. A tunnel running under the city will allow for smooth travel and less congestion.
- Less Buses Downtown: Have downtown buses connect to the new LRT at various stations outside of the downtown. For example, if you want to catch the Number 3 bus, take the LRT to Lebreton and transfer to the bus there. It may take an extra steps, but it speed things up with less buses crowding downtown.
- Transitway as the Backbone: Let the Transitway (and LRT) be the backbone of the system. Have local buses connect with the the rapid transit buses (94, 95, 96 etc) and have those buses ONLY stop at Transitway stations and don’t pick up any local passangers, for example along Woodroffe. If you live along that road and you want to take the 95, then take a bus to Baseline and transfer to the 95. This might mean building new Transitway only lanes, but it will help move the fast buses faster.
I’m not sure how this figures in, but one has to wonder if the O-Train hadn’t be scrapped and the line had been extended to Barrahevn and throughout the downtown as it was supposed to be, wouldn’t the cost have been less? And even though some maintain that people wouldn’t take the O-Train, I have a feeling that if it actually went somewhere (suburbs to downtown) then people would take it — espcially if some bus routes were redone to connect with the line.
Either way, something needs to be done soon because as time drags on, the price is only going to get higher. And then nobody is going to want to pay for it. And really, it’s kind of embarassing that a city like Ottawa uses buses as its only means of getting around.
But then again, what do I know? I’m just a guy who has lived in cities where subways and streetcars serve as the main network and buses bring people to those lines. It seems to work there, why not here?
I should have been an urban planner.
Visiting the CHEO Dream Home
The other day I decided to drop in and visit the CHEO Dream Home — which as luck would have it, is right around the corner from where I live. The Dream Home is the grand prize in this year’s CHEO Dream of a Lifetime Lottery. Going to see the house was actually Bunny’s idea because normally I don’t do the whole “lottery” thing on account of my on-going streak of bad luck.
This year’s Dream Home is a Minto Warwick model that has been upgraded and fully furnished and is worth approximately 1.4 million dollars. When you see the home, you’ll understand why. It features luxurious upgrades such as a wine cellar, full bar, home gym, sauna and outdoor kitchen. Read the rest of this entry »
Lady Gaga coming to Ottawa
Even though her double-bill show with Kanye West was canceled, eccentric pop singer Lady Gaga will still be coming to Ottawa on Sunday, November 29 as part of her Monster Ball Tour. The concert tour that was supposed to only start next year at the London O2 Arena, gets underway in Montreal two nights before she hits Ottawa and is being described by Gaga as the first-ever “pop electro opera.” Which means if you’ve ever seen Lady Gaga sing live, you know it’s going to be over-the-top
Lady Gaga is one of the few modern pop stars I actually like. Her songs are catchy, she seems like a genuinely intelligent and nice person and as I said, her live shows are always entertaining. (Just watch her recent performance at the MTV awards or this year’s MuchMusic Video Awards.)
Tickets for the show at Scotiabank Place will go on sale Saturday, October 24 at noon through the usual outlets (The Sens Store at Rideau Centre and Place d’Orleans, any Ottawa Sport Experts location and at the Scotiabank Place box office) as well as on line and via telephone at 613-599-FANS (3267).
Back from Syracuse
Just got back from an extended weekend getaway/business trip to Syracuse. Since before moving to Ottawa I wondered if New York’s other upstate cities could match up to the good times I had in Buffalo. Living in Toronto for seven years meant having a border town like Buffalo — and that was a good thing, considering that growing up in Montreal, our border town was Plattsburgh.
Syracuse is not Buffalo. But after spending four days there, I also know that it’s a nice getaway should I feel so inclined. The downtown is not as exciting as you’d expect it to be, but there is the historic Armory Square featuring some nice shops and restaurants and being passionate about food and cooking, I finally got to visit the massive Smith Housewares and Restaurant Supply warehouse. Read the rest of this entry »
Picture It Downtown launches
Being a photographer myself, I was quite pleased to hear a new web site called Picture It Downtown has launched. It’s a photo contest and promotional site that asks the citizens of Ottawa grab their cameras, capture some great local moments and submit their best shots of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. The photo galleries are divided into not only areas, but as well into themed activities such as Coffee Talk. The site also aims to support and help out local businesses.
In addition to having your pictures on line, there are some pretty cool prizes to be won. Naturally, you can get full contest information and details on the web site where you can also log in and submit your photos of Ottawa.
While this site serves as a great gallery of all things Ottawa, there’s also some helpful and interesting information about upcoming events taking place and local businesses in the various BIAs of the nation’s capital.
And wouldn’t you know it? Making it just that much easier to connect and interact, Picture It Downtown is on the social media scene with a Twitter account, a YouTube channel and a Flickr page.
Water bill
My first water and sewer bill from the City of Ottawa came today. I had been dreading it for weeks now, wondering how bad it could possibly be. I never had to pay a water bill while living in Toronto, so since moving in I’ve been on a saving water kick knowing the bill was coming. Not for the environment’s sake, but more for the sake of my wallet. Thankfully I can now breath a sigh of relief.
So far, based on two months of usage, my average cost (per month) is just under $60. There was also a one-time New Account fee of $62.00 and a monthly Fire Supply charge of $5.30. While “free” would have been nice, I’ll pay the bill and be happy that it wasn’t more.
If this trend keeps up — which I’m hoping it will — my annual water bill will be around $700 a year — a fair bit under the “example of an annual bill” as seen on the City’s web site. And much to the City’s credit, the bills are clear and easy to understand.
There was some comforting information on the City’s web site regarding the charges for my water, helping me understand my bill.
Customers are charged on a ‘user pay’ basis, meaning you only pay for the water you use – the more you use, the higher your water use charge. Unlike most municipal services, which residents pay for through property taxes, sewer and water services are self-financing. This means residents are directly billed for the water they use, as well their share of the costs for transporting clean water to their homes and carrying wastewater away from their homes for treatment and release back into the environment.
On my end of things, there has been “normal” water use at my house. I’ve watered the lawn, washed the car a couple times, taken relaxing baths in the large soaker tub, showered, washed hands, brushed teeth, run the washing machine and flushed toilets. (Not opting for whole the “if it’s yellow, let it mellow/if it’s brown, flush it down” thing.)
Short of beating my clothes against a rock down by the Rideau and only using public washrooms, there really isn’t much more I can do help cut down the cost of water, but I will be comparing it to the water bill that will come in two month’s time.
Kanye’s out, but Taylor Swift is coming to Ottawa
As everyone knows, hip-hop star Kanye West canceled his tour that was slated to come to Ottawa. He was co-headlining the tour with Lady GaGa, who I actually think would have been interesting to see in concert. The show was supposed to make a stop at Scotiabank Place, but now that won’t happen.
Of course nobody at Kanye’s camp is saying his tour cancellation has anything to do with his outburst at the MTV Video Music Awards, but when you put one and one together, it’s pretty easy to figure out.
In an interesting twist, country star Taylor Swift — the young lady who Kanye interrupted at last month’s award show — will be doing a show here next year as well as a show in Toronto.
Taylor’s show will be on May 20, but no venue has been annoucned yet.
1000 Sushi Islands in Barrhaven now open!
After weeks of waiting since I first saw the sign on the side of the building, 1000 Sushi Islands finally opened its doors in Barrhaven this week and Bunny and I decided to check it out. Even though to Bunny’s credit, she was feeling a bit under the weather, she still was supportive of my sushi addiction and came along anyway.
Since moving here and trying various all-you-can-eat sushi places, I found 1000 Sushi Islands to be the best of the bunch, even though parking (at the original location at 1696 Carling Avenue) was terrible and the restaurant itself was always crowded. The food however, was amazing. But distance was a key factor. For someone who lives in the south end of town, it was a little far to drive — even for really good sushi.
The new restaurant — located at 129 Riocan Ave in Barrhaven — is large and modern, replacing the now defunct Barolo Buffet. The giant plasma TVs on the walls (not sure why a sushi restaurant would even want plasma TVs) are still wrapped and the restaurant is decorated with plants and flowers that were gifts celebrating the grand opening.
Like the original location, there is a central sushi bar and a back kitchen area where non-sushi items are made.
The service was very fast and friendly and very attentive — something that several people have complained about in the past when it comes to other all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants.
Bunny and I sampled various things including traditional sushi and sushi rolls and kitchen items such as Teriyaki chicken and dumplings which are good for folks who don’t care for “raw fish on rice.”
And when it came to the actual sushi rolls, we were both pleased to see they were made the way we like them — with the seaweed on the outside of the roll. Believe it or not, I’m picky about the little things like that.
The Sushi Pizza was also perfectly done with just the right amount of sushi and rice bedding (that’s what makes up the ‘pizza’ part.)
Lunch price for two for all-you-can-eat meals was approximately $33.00 and that included green tea. Dinner, which I haven’t tried yet at either location, is slightly more expensive, but features a more extensive menu. Needless to say I’ll be sure to check it out one of these evenings.
I always joked that I would know I had arrived in the place I would call “home” when a good all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant moved in nearby — and now that has happened.
I really want this place to succeed and develop a good client base in Barrhaven. Being a locally owned business going up against big box-stores and national chains in today’s market is not easy. So if you’re a sushi lover (and I know not everyone is) or you know of someone who is, pass along the information.
1000 Sushi Islands – All You Can Eat Sushi
A-129 Riocan Ave
Ottawa, ON K2J 5G4
613-825-3703
Go local Sports Team!
Last night marked my first time cheering for the Ottawa Senators as an official citizen of O-Town. And I must admit, it felt really good. What made it even sweeter was that the game was The Battle of Ontario where the Senators played the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Now, I have cheered for the Sens before. During their Stanley Cup appearance against the Anaheim Ducks (who should never have won anything based solely on their name in my opinion) but last night’s game against the Leafs was my first time as a local, rooting for the local team.
During my seven years in Toronto I tried my best to cheer for the Leafs. But they were just so pitiful (much like the Blue Jays, Argos and every so often, the Raptors) it was too painful. Not to mention being originally from Montreal and being (for the most part) a life-long Canadiens fan, it felt wrong to cheer for the Buds.
The next step in my Senators-watching spree will be to see the game at a sports bar and sit among other Sens fans. I’m thinking Local Heroes would be a good place — and as luck would have it, Thursday (the home opener for the Senators against the Islanders) is Fajita Night.
But now that I’m getting on board the Red Army, one has to wonder how things will play out when the Senators face Montreal in regular season action down the line. (It happens next Saturday, by the way.)
Star Wars Concert coming to Scotiabank Place
Ottawa area Star Wars fans can rejoice like the Ewoks at the end of Return of the Jedi (or Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi as all the cool kids are calling it these days) the much hyped Star Wars Concert Tour is coming to Ottawa on November 24 for one night only.
The show that features the music of the Star Wars saga will be set to scenes from the movies shown on a large LED screen behind the orchestra. It will also feature narration by Anthony Daniels, the man who played C-3PO in the films.
You can get your tickets starting this Saturday through Capital Tickets, the Scotiabank Place, and Sports Experts locations. You can also go to the Capital Tickets web site or call 613-599-3267. Ticket prices range from $32.70 to $72.70.
Transitway in Barrhaven
From the looks of things, OC Transpo’s new right-of-way in Barrhaven is nearly finished. Extending south from Fallowfield Station, this new private road looks to be the new projected route for the Transitway network.
Workers have already smoothed out and extended a pathway heading south from Fallowfield
While Route 95 already serves Barrhaven (roughly every second westbound bus continues on to Strandherd and Market Place/Barrhaven Center stations) the path taken is a congested one and adds to the delays on the route.
An Orleans-bound 95 begins its journey north along Greenbank
To access the Strandherd Transitway station, the West/Southbound 95 must exit the Fallowfield station, make its way west along Fallowfield, then south on Greenbank which narrows to one lane in each direction. Right before Strandherd, the 95 turns left and heads into the station. Likewise, it makes the same route, but in reserve, heading north.
Signs promise an expansion of the Transitway network.
The new right-of-way — cutting through fields and behind houses — will help speed up the Route 95 removing it from local service along Greenbank and making into a real rapid transit bus. While I’m no mathematician, I’m guessing the new road will shorten the trip by at least 7-9 minutes.
Looking north from Strandherd station
Also along the new route, but not seen from any major road is what appears to be the construction of a new sub-station that is being built between Fallowfield and Strandherd. This station is located mid-point between the two existing stops and would serve several schools on Longfields as well as the community around Foxfield Park via a footpath.
Work crews tunnel out and lay foundation on what appears to be a new Transitway station.
There’s no set date for the completion of the right-of-way which is similar to the already existing one that runs along Woodroffe from Fallowfield to just south of West Hunt Club, but it will be welcomed when it finally does open.
Just a Friendly Suggestion: OC Transpo and the City of Ottawa might consider an east-west portion of the Transitway running along Strandherd once the extension is finished and have the 95 turn eastward and end its route at Prince of Wales. With the recent development of communities along Strandherd and along the Rideau, this would be a smart move.
The heat is on
When people warned me that Ottawa gets cold, I figured they were just exaggerating. But it seems this recent cold spell that O-Town has been experiencing proved them right. And it forced me to do something I was hoping I could put off until at least next month.
I turned on my heating.
Being that this is a modern townhouse with proper central air and heat, it didn’t take long before the “room temperature” was where it should be. Still, I couldn’t help but get the mental image of Hyrdro Ottawa gleefully rubbing their hands together at the notion of more money being dumped into their wallets at my expense.
I was lucky as August only had a few days when it was really necessary to crank the air conditioning so my electricity bill shouldn’t be too bad. But as we sit here, staring down the barrel of the next six months, that no doubt will be cold, I can only imagine what my heating costs will be.
When I first moved to Toronto, the apartment I lived in rigged their heating. Sure it was included and you could crank the heat as high as you wanted, but it wouldn’t get very warm. It was always about five to ten degrees below the standard “room temperature” requirements. This was because the building owners were cheap. And they were pricks. And for that I hope they burn in hell. (Which when you think about it would be rather ironic.)
UPDATE: Milan was nice enough to pass along this link (also seen in the comments) showing a sign of things to come. I think I’ll invest in some extra sweaters this season.
New cell phone law starts soon
Some drivers are already aware, while it others are blissfully ignorant — or just don’t care. But the much talked about new cell phone law/ban for drivers in Ontario comes into effect on October 26.
Drivers in our province will no longer be allowed to use cell phones will operating a vehicle. If they insist on talking while driving, they have to use a headset or hands free device.
For fun, a few questions and answers regarding cell phones and the people who insist on using them while driving. Read the rest of this entry »
The Elgin Street Diner Experience
I’ve been told so many times that a right of passage for folks in Ottawa is to have a meal at the “famous” Elgin Street Diner. Feeling tired and not in the mood to cook, I decided that now was a good a time as any to make a pilgrimage to the establishment that so many have raved about.
Elgin Street itself is quite lively — even on a Sunday morning — mainly made up of folks who are getting their breakfast fix at one of the many pubs and restaurants. And as expected, the most famous of them all was crowded with a 10 minute wait.
When we were finally seated, Bunny and I found ourselves in the back corner which is the equivalent of the club seats at the Scotiabank Place. From there you get to see all of the action and of course listen in to the nearby conversations. Read the rest of this entry »
Toronto Mayor Miller not seeking 3rd term
I can’t say that I’m shocked by the news. Mayor David Miller, responsible for the bag tax, the car city tax, the garbage tax and in my opinion not only allowing the City workers’ strike to happen but letting it continue for as long as it did, will not be seeking a third term as mayor of Toronto.
Word on the street right now is that George Smitherman, John Tory, Karen Stintz and Jane Pitfield are all possible contenders when the election rolls around.
Having lived in Toronto for seven years — most of David Miller’s tenure as Mayor — I can honestly say this is the smartest move he has made in a long time. All of his taxes coupled with his constant need to make Toronto “green” while allowing the infrastructure to crumble, has made the city a rather unpleasant place to live. Given his fading popularity, I would have been very surprised if Mr. Miller decided to run again — and even more surprised if had won.
For folks in Ottawa, Mayor Larry O’Brien did confirm that he will be seeking a second term as mayor of Capital City, stating that there is still much work that needs to be done.
Still Awesome after all these years
One of the upsides to being back in Montreal is getting to visit all the old familiar haunts, including some places I’ve haven’t been in years. One of those places is Homestyle Bakery in Beaconsfield’s Beaurepaire Village.
Opened about 15 years ago in an old house/shop that once housed the Beaurepaire Market, Homestyle recently underwent a massive face lift including the addition of a second floor. On that second floor is Black Lion Pub – one of Beaconsfield’s only fully-licensed establishments .
One of the staples of the Homestyle bakery (and now also Black Lion Pub) is the Awesome sandwich – a make your own deli treat where you can add up to three fillings (meat or other choices) and as many toppings as you like, all set on the bread of your choice.
The famous Awesome Sandwich seen here with a cookie
First time I had one was in 1995. The second time was this morning. I can’t believe I waited as long as I did. I always promised myself next time I was home visiting family I would walk over and try one again. After years of saying it, I finally did. And I’m happy to report that the sandwich is in fact, still awesome all these years later. (And the price is still as reasonable as it ever was.)
Having locally owned businesses is important to a community, especially one like Beaconsfield. That’s why I’ve been trying to support locally owned and run companies in Ottawa. It’s tough being the little guy in a world of big box stores and corporations.
Living in Ottawa means being thismuch closer to Montreal, so there’s no reason to wait another 15 years to have the sandwich again — especially considering Homestyle and the Black Lion is a mere 5 minute walk from my family home.
Love what I’ve done with the place?
In order to make this blog more interesting, I decided (once again) to do a little house cleaning. More importantly, change the look of the blog. Not really sure that will do anything to improve the content, but a flashy exterior is always a pleasant distraction to divert from lack of substance. (It’s worked brilliantly for Megan Fox.)
So if you notice some changes or something doesn’t look right, just work with me and politely ignore it
And I’m on the road again…
Sometimes I think it would have been better for me to have bought an RV and just driven around instead of getting a house in Ottawa. Over the last month and half (my time in O-Town thus far) I have traveled more away from my new home than I care to remember.
Honestly, it’s starting to feel like the life of a professional wrestler where you’re home three or four days a week, then on the road again every weekend, visiting different cities and living out of a suitcase. (Although I must say I’ve gotten really good at packing a suitcase and bringing only the things I need rather than extra stuff I don’t.)
Thankfully this time my destination is Montreal (again) which is always fun to visit as it’s my real home town. My recent trip to Toronto was good and it was nice to be back — and I know there will be more trips there in the coming months — but for now a short drive down the Highway 417 is just about all the excitement I can handle.
So once again I will pack my bags and head out for a few days. One of these weekends it would be nice to just spend some time in Ottawa.
Who says you can’t go home?
Although, technically speaking Toronto isn’t my home. Montreal is. But for the last seven years, Toronto was my make-shift home. And for a while, it did feel like the place where I belonged.
Almost as soon as I got there I remembered all the good things about the city. All the things I missed. All the things I had enjoyed and that had become part of my life. But believe me, it didn’t take too long to remember all the reasons I moved too.
The U2 concert was the primary reason for heading back to Toronto for a few days, but I made the most of my time in Hogtown. Did some shopping, visited some places… even went back and saw my old house. Kind of sad to see it empty although I’m sure in the coming months someone will move in and fill it with new memories. Read the rest of this entry »
Viva Italia in Ottawa
Even though I’m away for a few days this week, I’m really hoping to make it back to Ottawa in time to catch some of La Vendemmia on Preston Street.
For those who don’t know (and if you don’t, then shame on you!) La Vendemmia is Ottawa’s annual celebration of Italian food, wine and culture. And yes, even though Preston Street is still undergoing renovations, the festival will take place. It runs from today (Monday) all week until September 20 with various events and tastings going on throughout the day.
One of the signature attractions that always draws a crowd is the Charity Grape Stomp. It takes place on Sunday, September 20 and runs from 11 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon. You can get more information, including how and where to sign up, on their site.
Even before I moved here, I was always intrigued by Preston Street. So far I’ve only been to one place (Pub Italia) and ordered pizza from Preston Pizza, but I’m looking forward to making Little Italy a regular haunt this fall.
And even though I missed my chance to “catch” Luigi this summer (a promotion the Preston Street BIA was running to encourage people to head down to Little Italy) on account of travel, work and the whole adventure in moving, I’m hoping he’ll be there so I can at least get my picture with “him”.
1000 Sushi Islands comes to Barrhaven
There could be no better welcome home present that finding out that 1000 Sushi Islands (one of my favorite all-you-can-eat sushi restaurants in Ottawa) has finally decided to open shop in Barrhaven. This of course only feeds the theory that Strandheard Drive might very well be the center of the universe. And if not the center, it sure could be the main street.
I was driving past the usual row of stores when out of the corner of my eye I saw the sign. Like a beacon in the night — except it was the middle of the day.
Normally only a food fight between two hot girls wearing sexy satin outfits could cause me to lose control while driving, but seeing that sign and the promise that all you can eat sushi is finally coming to Barrhaven had me doing everything I could to maintain control of car.
I first discovered 1000 Sushi Islands (at their current and original location) thanks to Bunny who made it her mission to find a place as good as our favorite sushi restaurant in Toronto. As you can imagine, that wasn’t easy. But Bunny’s luck prevailed and we found ourselves on Carling one day and decided to stop in.
The Barrhaven restaurant will be their second location that I know of. No word yet on when they will open, but I’m guessing it will be soon as the sign is up and store front looks almost finished.
And for those of you who do not care for sushi whatsoever, I give you two girls in sexy satin outfits having a food fight.
New York Groove
Many years since I was here, on the street I was passin’ my time away
To the left and to the right, buildings towering to the sky
Its outta sight in the dead of night
Here I am, and in this city, with a fistful of dollars
And baby, you’d better believe
I’m back, back in the new york groove
Back in the new york groove, in the new york groove
In the back of my Cadillac
A wicked lady, sittin’ by my side, sayin’ where are we?
Stop at third and forty-three, exit to the night
Its gonna be ecstasy, this place was meant for me
Feels so good tonight, who cares about tomorrow
So baby, you’d better believe
Ah, the only good song to come off those four solo KISS albums… Thanks, Ace Frehley…
My trip to New York City is over and done with. And as always, there are some pictures to show. Unless you’ve been living under a rock since the day you were born, you already know what the city looks like, so I’ll spare you the expected shots of the Empire State Building, or Ground Zero.
Back in Capital City
I made it back from New York in one piece. Now comes the expected period where I have to adjust to being home and of course contemplate another getaway in order to recover from the one I just took.
Thankfully (I think) that will come in the form of a trip to Toronto next week. But more on that later.
Before I get around to uploading all the pictures from the Big Apple, I wanted to pass along some important information about an upcoming event this weekend.
Ottawa-area pet-lovers will surely already know that this weekend is the IAMS Wiggle Waggle Walkathon in support of the Ottawa Humane Society. A lot of adorable animals are not only looking for a home, but counting on your support to help them out.
So if you’re not doing anything this weekend, why not stop by and help raise some money. You can get more information, including pledge forms and location information on their web site. The Wiggle Waggle Walkathon, now in its 21st year, takes place Sunday, September 13.
Start spreading the news…
So anyone want to guess where I’m going for a few days?
My bags are packed and later today I make my way to Montreal and then from there, on to New York City for the rest of the week. Part work related, part much needed vacation, I’ve been looking forward to this trip for some time now.
Strange how I’ve only been in Ottawa for a month now and already I’ve traveled twice with a few more trips on the horizon. (Including a return to Toronto in mid September.)
But a trip like this helps take my mind of the stress of the move and the whole readjustment period which, believe it or not, I am still going through.
Of course once I get back from the Big Apple, the reality will once again set in and I’ll have no choice but to step-up my A-game and make the most of my new life in Ottawa. (Something I very much want to do.)
If all goes well, I may find a little time to blog from the road and maybe share some pictures. If not, then I’ll see you back here next week.
Strandherd construction underway!
One of the selling points when I was looking for a house in Barrhaven was that one day — so I was told — Strandherd Drive would be put through to Prince of Wales Drive and then cross the Rideau via a project known as The Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge. Having been born and raised in Montreal and having spent the last seven years in Toronto, I’ve learned to take such promises with a grain of salt. Then again, as most O-Train fans will tell you, construction plans don’t always work out in Ottawa either.
Much to my surprise, the City of Ottawa has kept their promise. This week the shovels went into the ground and work has officially begun on extending Strandherd eastward. Quite a nice “welcome home” present I must say. (Things with the family are going much better in Montreal, by the way.)
It would appear that work crews have begun flattening out the ground where the concrete will be laid (maintenance holes and sewers seem to already be in place.)
Also, Crestway — the road that Strandherd turned into on account of being unfinished — has had its medians leveled out in anticipation of left turn lanes that will one day carry traffic towards Prince of Wales.
I’m not sure how realistic the Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge is even though it has been approved and optimistic folks are looking at a start date of 2010 with hopes to complete it sometime in 2011 or 2012.
In the mean time, I will keep my fingers crossed that Strandherd will at least reach Prince of Wales and be open to traffic before the snow falls.
Off to save the day
It wouldn’t be my life if all of a sudden I didn’t have to pack my bags and head off somewhere to do something. Only this time, a family matter calls.
It’s times such as these I’m glad I liver closer to Montreal. A short car ride and I’m back in my hometown. Not like before where I would spend what felt like forever on the highway.
And then things got interesting. What started out as one family matter turned into two. Imagine heading into something only to find out that there’s another surprise waiting around the corner.
As Lloyd Robertson would say, “That’s the kind of day it’s been…” and it sure has.
So on a weekend when I should be putting the finishing touches on my house and exploring new areas of Ottawa, here I am in Montreal. But as I mentioned, I am glad that I’m closer to home now and of course that everything seems to be okay for now.
I should be back in town soon. Keep an eye on the city for me while I’m gone.
Riding the Transitway
I took my first ride on the OC Transpo Transitway the other day. My first ride in almost ten years. Oh, how things have changed.
Ten years ago I was still living in Montreal and was rather impressed with the bus-as-rapid-transit-network system that OC Transpo has in Ottawa. But after having lived in downtown Montreal and become used to the Metro as well as the past seven years in Toronto where the subway whisks passengers underground (along with streetcars doing the above ground work) and even getting to see the SkyTrain in Vancouver, one has to wonder how O-Town got stuck with buses.
Sure, the idea of the Transitway is great; bus-only lanes that allow regular and articulated buses to travel at high speeds while (mostly) avoiding normal traffic. The long “bendy” buses take the place of subways and follow a subway like route. But like most things in life, there are flaws in the Transitway.
One of those flaws being that no matter how hard Ottawa would like to pretend the Transitway is a rapid transit network, the reality is… it’s just a bus lane. And one has to ask, how can the national capital, the fourth largest city in Canada, be stuck with buses instead of real rapid transit trains? Even Calgary has LRT trains that serve as express service.
Forget the O-Train. While I have yet to ride on it, the idea of going from Greenboro to Bayview doesn’t appeal to me, nor does it make any sense. Even as an alternative to the sometimes congested Bank Street, the O-Train diverts from Bank and takes a westward path so it can connect to Carleton and then end in the middle of nowhere.
And I know that the O-Train was a pilot project that would have brought a real rapid transit network to the Capital, but the powers that be decided to kill the idea before the shovels went in the ground. (We shall discuss this come re-election time, Mr. O’Brien…)
So since the chance of subways and trains coming to town is slim to none, focus on the system you have now. For the Transitway Network to really work you need to step it up a notch — or two or three. And while I’m sure Mayor Larry O’Brien has better things to do than read this blog and take my advice, I figured I would at least lay my findings out for those to see.
- The existing rapid transit network has several main lines (94, 95, 96, 97, as well as the 98, 101, 102 and 106) As much as possible, have these buses ONLY stop at designated TransitWay stations instead of on the road as it does when they leave the bus-only lanes.
- And that being said, build more bus only paths and tunnels.
- Get longer buses. If Ottawans are going to pretend that the Transitway is a real rapid transit network, then at least make it look like one. There are bi-articulated buses out there. Ones that are three sections long instead of just two. Maybe invest in those.
All in all, the Transitway isn’t a bad idea, but for a city that boats over a million people in region, maybe it’s time to upgrade. Just look at the faces of the people riding the Transitway sometime. They all have that look of “Damn, I wish this was a real subway…”
Meeting the neighbors
Like a scene straight out of Desperate Housewives — minus the desperate housewives, that is — my new neighbors came right over to introduce themselves. While no one has shown up at my front door with baked goodies, they have each welcomed me to the area and said if there was anything I need, all I have to do is ask.
Such a change from Toronto. With the exception of the woman who lived next to me during my years in The Apartment from Hell, I never was introduced to anyone I lived next to. But here, within hours, I met almost everyone on the street.
And then I discovered I had a different kind of neighbor who decided to drop in and pay me a visit.
This little fella came out and sat in my yard all evening and was even there the next morning. So far he (or maybe it’s a she) has come by a few times and sits happily on my grass.
Turns out that the Barrhaven area has many critters around. So far I’ve seen two hares (including my friend in the backyard) four chipmunks and a few squirrels.
A funny thing happened…
I decided that it was high time I took a break from unpacking my boxes and bins and felt that I should take a drive and familiarize myself with the area I now call home.
While I was out on my travels, I happened to come across this sign for a furniture store on West Hunt Club Road.
Quite possibly one of the funniest signs I have ever seen in my life, and just another example of something you don’t expect to see when you’re out and about. Thankfully I had my camera.
I’m not sure if it was done intentionally or not, but it was just the kind of laugh I needed after everything I have been through with the move.
Yes, details are on the way. I just have to wait because of certain “legal issues”. (Always a good thing when someone uses the term “legal issues” when talking about a move, isn’t it?)
More on the way…
Still getting settled in and believe me, there is lots to talk about. But posts may be a bit staggered as I adjust to everything. Then of course you can expect the normal slew of random craziness.
Capital City
There’s a swingin’ town I know called… Capital City.
People stop and scream hello in… Capital City.
It’s the kind of place that makes a bum feel like a king.
And it makes a king feel like some nutty, cuckoo, super-king.
It’s against the law to frown in… Capital City.
You’ll caper like a stupid clown when you chance to see…
Fourth Street and ‘D’! Yeah!
Once you get a whiff of it, you’ll never want to roam,
From Capital City, my home sweet, swingin’ home!
- Performed by Tony Bennett, from The Simpsons episode “Dancin’ Homer”
So begins the second chapter…
Now that I’m officially in Ottawa, thus making me an Ottawa Blogger, there has been a little change you may have noticed. The name of the blog is now Capital City: Living in Ottawa. Truthfully, I’ve been waiting a long time to make that change and it feels pretty good.
And with the name change comes a format change. For the last year this blog has focused on the planning and events leading up to the move itself. But as soon as the moving truck unloaded the last of my things, all of that changed.
So begins the new chapter.
Now the blog shifts from the point of view of someone who is moving to Ottawa, over to someone who is finally here and is adjusting to life in O-Town. Truth be told, that’s what I had visualized when I first started it. A sort of fish-out-0f-water social media experiment where I looked at my life and how I was coping with the move. I never imagined that it would happen or that I would have so much fun in the year leading up to moving day.
But with The Big Move behind me now, and The Great Unpacking Adventure underway, I have a fantastic city to explore filled with interesting people.
So join me if you will, as we bid farewell to Capital City: Moving to Ottawa and turn the page, welcoming Capital City: Living in Ottawa.
This is it…
Today is the day. The moving truck is on its way and I’m sitting amidst an ocean of boxes, bins and my worldly possessions. If all goes well, in several hours everything will be loaded and the truck will head down the 401 towards Ottawa.
Most likely I won’t get into my new house until later this week. Probably Thursday, at the latest. I really hope it doesn’t take longer than that because I have appointments with service techs from the phone company, the internet and the cable company as well as the alarm company set up for this weekend.
I always wondered what it would feel like when this day finally came. My life took an interesting turn and now here I am looking back on seven years in Toronto and wondering what things would be like if I had decided to stay. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s almost time
There’s nothing that can really compare, emotionally that is, to walking into your bedroom and seeing everything packed up. A room where you retreat when you are tired or just need a moment to yourself. A place that is your sanctuary has now been reduced to nothing more than a pile of furniture, boxes and bins.
Note: Because the sight of all those boxes and bins in my old place literally makes me sick to my stomach, I have added a “click here” bar. Should you feel the urge to do so, give it a click and see what my place looked like right before the move.
I’ve got the power!
And who says dealing with the utility companies always has to be a headache? The folks down at Hydro Ottawa were downright helpful and pleasant to talk to. And best of all, they set up my account for me.
Of course it’s in their best interest as I’m sure they want to get paid every two months, but that works out nicely because I’d like to have electricity every time I turn on a switch. So as you can see, this benefits everyone.
Honestly, even though the phone company, the power company and the water company – while somewhat valuable properties when playing Monopoly – sometimes get a bad rap, I’ve never really had a problem with them at all. In fact, ever since I had my first place back in Montreal, they were very helpful in setting up a new account for me. It’s nice to see that carried over to Ottawa as well, even though they’re different companies I’m now dealing with.
There was an added bonus too. Hydro Ottawa’s Budget Billing Payment Plan was mentioned during the sign up. It’s based on six months of usage, and they work out a payment plan to help prevent spiraling energy costs. The even better news is that they wait six months before signing you up for it so that you get a fair reading based on your consumption.
Jobthingy’s birthday-thingy
I’d like to take a second to wish a very special someone a very happy birthday. Turns out that today is Jobthingy’s birthday. And not just any old birthday, but the big 3-0. It’s not such a bad milestone as some people would make it out to be. I made the leap into the 30’s a few years ago and as long as you adopt the “you’re only as old as you feel” theory, you really can enjoy it.
So what can I say about Jobthingy on her special day? I guess the best place to start would be the beginning. I started getting to know her over a year ago when I started this blog and was on the lookout for other Ottawa area bloggers. Jobthingy, a fellow blogger, was always willing to comment and offer her opinion and helpful suggestions when I needed.
We ended up staying in touch and started to become friends — even without ever meeting. She became a real cheerleader when it came to my pending move, which as many will remember was always “maybe” or “one day”. She never lost faith that one day I would land in Ottawa. Read the rest of this entry »
Making the move lighter
It was around 9:30 on Wednesday night that I had a small panic attack. My biggest fear concerning this move is that the truck will show up and after almost all my stuff has been loaded on, the movers will come back and say there’s not enough room for everything else.
Bunny has assured me that this is NOT MY PROBLEM as many moving estimators/consultants have visited and evaluated my possessions as well as King’s Transfer Van Lines sent one of their people once we decided on the moving company. She said that King’s is well aware of the amount of shit I have and will move everything. Still, even with the reassurance, I worry.
So I did the only thing I could think of. I purged some junk.
And by “purged junk” I mean throwing out several hundred pounds. Maybe even a thousand pounds. (No… I’m not kidding.)
TNA Wrestling in Ottawa?
I stumbled across an interesting comment today where one Ottawa based wrestling fan was asking Jeremy Borash via his Twitter page if there would ever be a TNA Wrestling show in Capital City– preferably at Scotiabank Place. (For those who aren’t fans, “TNA” stands for Total Nonstop Action and Jersey Borash is a member of the TNA Wrestling organization and plays the on-camera role of backstage announcer.)
I for one think this is a great idea. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE ) is already on their way into town to do a house show at The Bank (I recently found out locals call it that) and they have also done episodes of Monday Night Raw, Smackdown and various other shows in the past, which means Ottawa can support wrestling.
Realistically, TNA would probably be best suited in a smaller venue such as the Civic Centre which is centrally located, easily accessible and the perfect place for a show such as that.
TNA Wrestling has been doing a lot of local house shows in the last few years, expanding their fan base and venturing into medium and small markets with a great deal of success. And according to my brother, they DID do a show in the winter of 2007 in Ottawa as part of a tour that included Montreal and Toronto. (The successful Toronto show lead them to host a pay-per-view event there months later.)
I saw TNA No Surrender last year when they were in Oshawa (just outside of Toronto) and that was a fantastic event. The crowd was hot and the action was on the ball, despite a few glitches and a poorly received show according to wrestling reporters.
All this is to say that with a city that boasts over one million people in the region and is the fourth largest city in Canada (not to mention the capital) there’s no reason that a company like TNA can’t bring their six-sided ring into town again.
Here’s hoping that someone in the organization reads this and makes something happen.
1000 Islands Music Festival line-up confirmed
Good news for music lovers in the eastern Ontario area, the 1000 Islands Music Festival is almost here. The event is taking place August 13 – August 15 at The Dingman Farm located at 15 Pykeview Drive in Gananoque. (That’s about an hour and 20 minutes or so out of Ottawa.)
Poised as one of the largest concert festivals of its kind, the 1000 Islands Music Festival features some of the top award winning acts including Simple Plan, Plain White T’s, Akon and one of my personal favorites, Lights as well as The Official Blues Brothers Revue. As an added bonus, Randy and Mr. Lahey from Trailer Park Boys will also be at the show.
The location will house two stages; accommodate over 30,000 people, camping for as many as 4,000, with food vendors, 2 beer gardens, and a VIP LLBO tent near the main stage. If that doesn’t sound like a good enough reason to go, then I don’t know what is.
If you’re interested, tickets can be purchased through www.ticketbreak.ca or by visiting JCS Computers, or Box Office Entertainment in Gananoque. Tickets will also be available at all Tyroute Telus Locations in Belleville, Kingston, and Gananoque. Thursday Day Passes: 29.99, Friday Day Passes: 49.99, Saturday Day Passes: 89.99, Weekend Passes: 139.99. Camping Passes: 20.00 per night or 50.00 per weekend for 2 people. (Tickets are subject to taxes and surcharges.)
Sadly, I missed Bluesfest this year, but I will be in Ottawa by the time 1000 Islands Music Festival gets underway, so it’s possible that I might just take in a day or two if I’m feeling up to it. I figure by then I will have grown tired of unpacking boxes and cartons and be in need of a nice weekend getaway again.
Hookers and Prostitutes who Trash The Dress
Save the concerned emails: there is no such trend in photography. (At least none that I am aware of.) But as of late, I have noticed when I check my stats, a majority of searches for “Trash the Dress” have landed people on my site. Thankfully some of them find what I have to say interesting and bother to come back.
Trash the Dress has in fact finally replaced “Virgin Radio Ottawa” and “Prostitutes” as the most searched words. I guess I should be happy, but probably should do something about it. Maybe set up future Trash the Dress photo shoots in Ottawa this fall so I can at least justify why I would mention it on this blog. (If that happens, I’ll write about it on here.)
Other than that, with nothing else to report today, I figured I would simply share my recent stats – and maybe drum up more hits and visits with such an obscure title.
Now back to your normal – and hopefully more entertaining – blogosphere.
Two Weeks Notice
So the last 14 days are finally here. Hard to believe it’s finally at my doorstep, so to speak. Last year when I started this blog I often wondered if the whole Ottawa move was ever going to happen. But thanks to motivation from friends, the pitiful condition of Toronto, the opportunities that lie ahead and the support from new Ottawa friends like Jobthingy, the wheels finally got rolling.
But here we are. So much to do, so little time to do it in. I know the packing won’t be a problem. I’ve already started and with my One Room A Day plan, I will be done by next week with a few days to spare.
Then comes the “for the last time” moments. Every time I order a pizza from my favorite place or visit a store I like or take a drive down a street I used to travel on, I keep thinking “Well, this is the last time I’ll be doing this…” It’s a bittersweet feeling as I’m glad I get to do it again (for what could be the last time) and I’m also excited about the possibility of what lies ahead.
So many feelings at once, but I know in less than two weeks’ time, I’ll be into something great.
Bye Bye, Buffalo
So this is it: the last weekend trip to Buffalo. My bags are packed and I’m ready to go. I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for a while now as the stress of this move has taken its toll on me.
Since I started this blog over a year ago my moving to Ottawa has become a hot topic among friends and family. And of course, people have asked what I will miss the most about Toronto. In a somewhat tragic and ironic comment on this city’s culture, I have to say “Buffalo”. Yes, Buffalo – the neighboring American border town – is what I will miss most about living in Toronto. Kind of sad, isn’t it?
I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy going to Buffalo for a weekend every so often, and now that I won’t be able to do that any more, the reality of everything is once again setting in. While the trip will be a much needed getaway, it will be bittersweet as it is probably the last time I’ll be visiting.
Once I move to Ottawa (in just over two weeks from now) going to Buffalo will no longer be an option. Even when I visit Toronto for work or to see friends, the notion of making an extra hour-and-a-half journey just for shopping and wings is ridiculous. On a good day (or weekend) I can just drive from Ottawa to Watertown or Syrcause or any of the smaller border towns that are located along the St. Lawrence Seaway. And I still plan to take my yearly week-long vacation – something I have missed this year because of the move – in the United States. But there was just something fun about Buffalo. Something I am really going to miss.
I’m not one of those hypocritical Canadians who says he hates the States and Americans are stupid, yet loves American TV shows, movies and music. Truth is I like the States and MOST of the Americans I have met are quite smart. But I like the States because of the good memories and good times I’ve had there. Family vacations when I was a kid, weekend trips, fun getaways. I’ve always managed to enjoy myself when visiting our neighbor to the south and since I have my passport I plan to keep going. Just not to Buffalo anymore.
But as I mentioned, the reality is setting in and here at “The End of All Things” (that’s a little Lord of the Rings reference for you) the last trip to Buffalo is about to get underway.
Reminds me of a joke…
Q: What did the momma Buffalo say to her child when he left on his first day of school?
A: Bye-son
Think about it. After a while it becomes funny.
Ghosts in Ottawa?
Even though it gives me the willies, I’m somewhat fascinated with ghosts. Naturally, my so-called fascination has often lead to sleepless nights as I lie awake wondering if what I saw or what I read was actually true or not.
Abandoned buildings – especially old asylums, hospitals and jails – always make for great ghost stories and Toronto has been ripe with them for years. Even a hidden subway station known as Lower Bay is rumored to be haunted by a mysterious Lady in Red who hovers on the platform waiting for a train that will never come.
I’ve heard of a few ghost stories in Ottawa such as the Chateau Laurier, but are there more? Any buildings that left abandoned, or floors in hospitals that people don’t go on, or rooms in hotels that people aren’t allowed in?
I recently found out about Haunted Walks offering tours of Ottawa and Kingston where there are plenty of ghost stories — including a Naughty Ottawa Pub Walk.
Horror movies don’t do it for me. They’re mostly gore and guts. But thrillers or films that hint at something scary are much better. The original Ring movies and Grudge films had touches of that, but were unfortunately ruined by Americanized sequels. The Sixth Sense was another classic. Even though my brother had spoiled the ending for me, I still jumped a couple times during the ghost scenes.
Which brings us to the video below. A seemingly innocent short film shot at night in a family room where a ghost quietly enters and moves the rocking chair ever so slightly. Nothing gross about it, but if you look closely and listen carefully (yes, you will need your speakers turned on) you can hear the creaking. I think you can even hear a cat in the background.
(You will need to press “play”.)
The begining of the begining
My last three weeks of Toronto are finally here. And while almost everything has been taken care of, there is still an unfinished list of things I want to do before I leave. Yes, I know I’ll be back often for work and other events. (U2 concert at the Rogers Center/SkyDome in September, for example.) But as I’ve mentioned there are a few things I still like to experience again before the moving truck arrives.
That being said, there are a buttload of things I can’t wait to do once I get to Ottawa. While the last three weeks here are filled with “Lasts“, the first three months (and onward) in Ottawa will be filled with “Firsts“.
Just a few that come to mind:
- My first ride to work on the TransitWay
- My first Ottawa movie (I already know it will be GI Joe: Rise of Cobra but I’m not sure which cinema I’ll go to.)
- My first Ottawa Senators hockey game
- My first wing night
- My first pizza delivery
- The first restaurant I go out to as an actual resident (that way I can have the pleasure of coming home to my house instead of a hotel room)
- My first pub crawl
- The first meal I cook in my new kitchen in my new house
If you can think of anything else, as a new Ottawan I should experience, then by all means let me know.
Spoon with me
Users of the iPhone will know the name Urban Spoon because of their much loved App that helps folks find local restaurants with the shake of the phone. (See commercial for full demo.)
Well, it turns out they have a full web site and that has become my on line playground. For the past few weeks, I’ve been amusing myself with the web site, adding restaurants that I’ve been to, taking notes on ones I want to try and building a profile for my food-related adventures. So much so that I’ve been awarded the prestigious “Prime” tag meaning that 1) my reviews are trusted and somewhat respected, and 2) I am qualified to lead the Autobots into battle against the Decepticons.
The Ottawa section is slowly being added to each day and I’m looking forward to not only trying new restaurants, but also adding them if they’re not already there.
And yes, my reviews, added restaurants, photos, corrections and votes can be seen on the actual iPhone App when you spin the wheels. Those of you without iPhones can always just read my words of wisdom (or whatever passes for wisdom following a wing-night or sushi outing) by clicking the widget on my sidebar.
OC Transpo to raise fares on Canada Day
Happy Birthday, Canada: I hope you like a nice kick in the junk. According to news reports, OC Transpo has decided that our nation’s birthday would be the perfect time to raise fares for most of their services.
Starting July 1, here are some of the fare changes you can expect from O-Town’s illustrious transit service:
- Monthly Adult Passes will be $84.75
- Monthly Adult Express Pass will be $106.00
- Bus tickets will rise from $1.00 to $1.15
- O-Train tickets will now be $2.50
According to the Ottawa transit committee, the fare hikes are necessary to cover the cost of fuel and labour, as well as expanding the city’s transit service. You know, stuff like the never-to-be-built O-Train expansion to Barrhaven, the proposed downtown “subway” and of course the transit strike that happened last winter.
Geez, I don’t even live there yet and I’m already raggin’ on the transit company. Still, all things considered, OC Transpo is better in many ways than the Toronto Transit Commission.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that on Canada Day, all service after 10PM will be free to riders so that they can enjoy the festiviies in the Capital and get home safe.
Sleepless in Toronto
Last night was another sleepless night. I must have lay away for over an hour, playing out the events of things that haven’t even happened yet. The biggest question on my mind right now is: have I made a mistake?
Probably not the best time to be thinking this, amidst moving quotes, finished paper work, packing a house and uprooting my life. But of course that thought keeps coming back to me. Maybe I just need to get these thoughts out.
I talked to my friend Z about it and she let me ramble on until I finally said something that she was quick to draw attention to. I said, “Well, it would be easier to just stay in Toronto…”
Easier? When is anything in life easier? If things were easier, then people wouldn’t take chances. We would all just sit around and see what happens. And to quote Stewie Griffin “Jim Henson had a ‘wait and see’ attitude and now we have wrong sounding Muppets.”
Some times one has to take risks. But then again, why take the risk if right now everything is staying afloat? It’s not as if Toronto is being bombed – although it is crime ridden and overcrowded. I think back to the first few years I lived here and things were good. I was discovering new things about the city and enjoying it. I was writing a lot and was fueled creatively. Because of the city’s size, there was always somewhere new to go and something new to do.
And I know that moving to Ottawa will give me a chance to do that all over again. But as much as I have had it with Toronto, part of me can’t help but miss all the good times I’ve had. Which I can only assume is normal.
Yes, it’s too late to turn back now. And I don’t have any regrets to speak of, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my doubts. All I know is that I have no choice but to make a go of things.
It’s good to be King
I have chosen a moving company! The lucky folks who will be in charge of moving my worldly goods will be King’s Transfer Van Lines.
It only took a couple weeks and several visits by various moving companies before I was able to make the decision. Frankly, I had become tired of showing my house (sometimes as often as twice a day) so I figured with more than enough estimates giving me roughly the same price range, it would boil down to who could offer the best price and the most service.
While King’s wasn’t the cheapest, they did offer the best service quote and will do the most work. At this point, there’s even a chance my stuff could show up in Ottawa the next day instead of the customary day or so of traveling time.
Montreal Canadiens hockey fans will be happy to know that King’s Transfer Van Lines is the official moving company for The Habs. And being a former Montrealer myself, if this company is good enough to move the 24-time Stanley Cup Champions, then it’s surely good enough for me.
Everything posted on this blog is my personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the views of my employer or its clients. © 2008-2009 All material Capital City Chris