Corned Beef House, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at the Corned Beef House (John Street/Adelaide W).  It's our favourite place for corned beef and Montreal smoked meat sandwiches.

We got what we always get ... a gigantic Montreal smoked meat sandwich and a gigantic corned beef sandwich.  And then we gave a half of each.

Book ~ "Picture-Taking for Moms & Dads: Recipes for Great Results with Any Camera" (2001) Ron Nichols

From Goodreads ~ Geared primarily toward beginning photographers who want to capture their family events on film, this book explains the essentials of basic photography. From point and shoot automatics to manual cameras to disposables, this guide discusses how to use any type of camera to create special family photos. 

Basic mechanics, including how to choose and manipulate film and lenses, are discussed as well as more aesthetic topics such as lighting and composition. Parents will learn how to capture a child’s point of view to enhance family history albums with beautiful portraits of their children.

I like reading books about photography to learn more about how to take better photographs and give me fun ideas.

The chapters in this book include:

• Tools of the trade:choosing a camera or film that are right for you
• Better pictures now:  five easy steps to shooting like a pro (angle of view, playtime, get close, don't hit the bulls-eye and slow down, shoot more)
• The right light:  seeing the best light for the best pictures
• Creating treasured memories:  techniques for portraits (simple portraits, pets, etc.)
• Picture-perfect vacations:  how to shoot spectacular scenes (tips for scenics and keeping film safe)
• Using and displaying photos:  how to share and enjoy your images

While this book is dated (it's from 2001 and talks about film), it is a nice beginners book.  While it doesn't tell you how to take a picture (shutter speed, aperture, etc.), it does give tips on how to take a decent picture of your kids.

Book ~ "The Dog Who Saved Me" (2015) Susan Wilson

From Goodreads ~ Cooper Harrison, a member of the Boston K-9 unit, never thought he would ever go back to his hometown, Harmony Farms. But when his faithful canine partner, Argos, is killed in the line of duty, Cooper finds himself mired in grief. Jobless, on the verge of a divorce, and in a self-destructive rut, Cooper has little choice but to accept an offer for the position of animal control officer in Harmony Farms.

And so he finds himself back where he started. Where his father, Bull, was once known as the town drunk. Where his brother, Jimmy, was a delinquent and bully. Where he grew up as "one of those" Harrisons. Forced to face the past while dealing with the present-including his brother's continued involvement in the drug business, Cooper does his job with deliberate detachment, refusing to get emotionally invested in another dog the way he had with Argos. Until he finds himself trying to rescue a wounded and gun-shy yellow Lab gone feral.

Cooper never thought he'd find himself going back in order to move forward, yet Harmony Farms is the one place where Cooper must learn to forgive and, only then, to heal. All with the help of a yellow dog, who has a history - and secrets - that Cooper must uncover.

Cooper was a cop with the K-9 unit in Boston.  His K-9 partner, Argos, is killed in the line of duty and Cooper has a hard time dealing with this.  He resigns from the police force, ends up divorced and heads home to Harmony Farms to take a temporary job as an animal control officer.

His father, Bull, is still in town.  Bull was the former town drunk and despite being on the wagon for 750+ days, Cooper wants nothing to do with him.  His older brother, Jimmy, has just got out of prison for doing time for dealing drugs and Cooper suspects he's back to his old ways.

In addition to catching a runaway donkey and monitoring a crazy cat lady, Cooper captures a feral dog that has been beaten.  He brings the dog back to health again so he can find out who would do such a thing.  Still grieving for Argos, he refuses to get attached to the dog and doesn't even name it.

This is the third book I've read by this author and I thought it was okay. I was attracted to it because it's about a dog (and I love dogs).

I liked the writing style ... I found it was well-paced and moved along well.  It is written from different points of view ... it's first person from Cooper's perspective and third person when it is from everyone else's perspective, including the dog.  The story jumps back and forth from the past to the present but it was obvious what the timeline was.

I had a hard time relating to Cooper.  I know he was grieving the death of his partner and companion but I found him too cold and distant.  I felt bad for the dog.  It has been beaten and had a hard time trusting humans again.

Ipsy Glam Bag - August 2015

I received my August Ipsy Glam Bag today ... the theme is Prep School..

• 4 to 5 beauty products in a collectible makeup bag 
• Monthly videos showing you how to get the Look 
• Win free products in contests and giveaways

Subscriptions are $10US a month or $110US for a year.  Shipping is free in the U.S. and $4.95US per month to Canada.  It works out to $212.85CN for the year ($17.74CN a month).

Here's what was in it:

• Make-up bag
• noyah Natural Lipstick (Desert Rose) - 0.04oz sample - $4.50 value
• Lord & Berry ultimate lipcolor and liner (Nude) - 0.002oz - $9 value
• Albertini Divine Skin Hydrator - 1oz - $1.78 value - works well ... I like it!
• Doll 10 Beauty HydroGel Blush (Flirt) - $? value - can't find the cost
• La Fresh Group Good Night. Night Cream - 0.5oz - $11.76 value

Total value: $27.04US (excluding the bag and blush)

Book ~ "Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Starting to Make the Most of Your Camera or Camera Phone" (2012) Peter Cope

From Goodreads ~ A practical, accessible guide to the ingenious and creative things that can be done with a digital compact or camera phone. 

"Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Starting to make the most of your camera or camera phone" is a chapter from the book "100 Clever Digital Photography Ideas" and provides a variety of simple ideas for getting even more from your camera or camera phone than just a record of those memorable moments. 

Open your eyes to the creative possibilities with your digital photo technology, from using a basic compact camera to the latest smart phone. Whether a novice or a pro, "Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Starting to make the most of your camera or camera phone" will show you how to break out of your comfort zone and try something exciting and new.

I like reading books about photography to learn more about how to take better photographs and give me fun ideas.

The chapters in this book include:

• Clever ways to get started - comparison of cameras, different parts of a camera, improving your auction site pictures, etc.
• Clever ways to keep records - creating a visual inventory of your home, recording a car crash, copying with your camera (ie important documents), etc.
• Clever ways to tackle problems - determining if you remote control is working, seeing around corners, etc.
• Clever ways to carry out surveillance - what's going on in your backyard, burglars, etc.
• Clever ways to boost your memory - creating a manual when you take things apart, remembering a number, etc.
• Clever ways to shoot hobbies and interests - coins, stamps, children and pets, theatre, sporting events, etc.
• Clever ways to improve colour rendition - white balance, etc.
• Clever ways to transform and present your photos - special effects and presenting your photos
• Clever jargon buster

This book doesn't tell you how to take pictures (ie shutter speed, aperture, etc.) ... it's about giving you ideas to try something new and different.

Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival, Toronto, ON

Gord and I went to the fourth annual Roundhouse Craft Beer Festival this afternoon ... it was today and yesterday.  This is the third time we've been to the summer one ... we've also been twice to the winter one.  We met up with our friends, Darlene, Christine and Jennifer, there.

Tickets (which included the tasting mug) were $20 in advance or $25 at the door.   There were about 4,000 people there yesterday (it was sold out) and they were expecting about 2/3 of that today.  It was nice because it never seemed too busy or crowded.



Sample tickets were $1 ... the mug held about nine ounces, which was two tickets. It started at noon, which is when we got there, and ended at 7pm.

They gave out trucker hats when we entered.

Showing off my hat and my beer!

It took place in Roundhouse Park, just south of the CN Tower.  Here are some pictures throughout the afternoon.

Gord

Book ~ "Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Using Your Camera Out and About" (2012) Peter Cope

From Goodreads ~ A practical, accessible guide to the ingenious and creative things that can be done with a digital compact or camera phone. 

"Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Using Your Camera Out and About" is a chapter from the book "100 Clever Digital Photography Ideas" and provides a variety of simple ideas for getting more from your camera or camera phone when you are out and about, beyond your travels and holidays.  Some ideas might be obvious, like tips for shooting landscapes, but many are more obscure and fun, like creating a visual gift list and using your camera as binoculars. 

With so many people owning camera phones these days, there's no excuse not to be taking photographs whilst you are out and about.  All ideas and projects are presented with easy to follow instructions and striking photographs across colourful pages. 

Open your eyes to the creative possibilities with your digital photo technology, from using a basic compact camera to the latest smart phone. Whether a novice or a pro, "Clever Digital Photography Ideas: Using Your Camera Out and About" will show you how to break out of your comfort zone and try something exciting and new.

I like reading books about photography to learn more about how to take better photographs and give me fun ideas.

The chapters in this book include:

• Clever ways to shoot travel pictures - get inspired by postcards, using your sunglasses as a polarizer, shooting at different angles, etc.
• Clever ways to resolve travel problems - taking a picture of your ID in case you lose your camera (the finder will know who it belongs to), taking a picture of where you park your car in a lot (I can't tell you how many times I've "lost" my car!), etc.
• Clever ways to use your camera while travelling - using your smartphone as a photo accessory (downloading apps for weather, GPS, etc.), getting permission (or not) to take pictures in certain areas, turning your camera into a light source (ingenius!), using your camera as binoculars and/or a magnifying glass, etc.
• Clever ways to shop with your camera
• Clever jargon buster

This book doesn't tell you how to take pictures (ie shutter speed, aperture, etc.) ... it's about giving you ideas of different ways your camera can be used.

Toronto Argos 30 - Saskatchewan Roughriders 26, Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON

My pal, Shawna, lives in Regina and is a big Saskatchewan Roughriders fan.  The Riders were playing the Toronto Argos here in Toronto tonight (it was there home opener) so it was a good excuse for she and her friend, Shelli (another Riders fan), to spend a long weekend here.

Shawna asked who wanted to go and Gord and I said "yes".

Here come the Argos ...

Kate Sirls sang the national anthem.

The Wheat Sheaf, Toronto, ON

Before we went to the Toronto Argos football game, we met at the Wheat Sheaf (King Street W/Bathurst), which is one of Toronto's oldest pubs (it opened around 1850) for supper.

I ordered what I always get there ... wings with medium sauce.

Book ~ "A Cat Was Involved" (2012) Spencer Quinn

From Goodreads ~ Spencer Quinn's first original e-short story reveals how everyone's favorite detective duo (Chet the Dog and P.I. Bernie Little) came to meet before their first big case in Dog On It. 

As fans know, Chet first met Bernie on that fateful day when he flunked out of K-9 police school. The details of that day though have always remained a little vague (like so much in Chet's doggy brain). All we know is that Chet had been the best leaper in his K-9 class but for some reason he failed his final leaping test ... and that a cat was involved ... and that there was some blood. But whose? The test, the cat, the blood: all pieces of a puzzle that, when solved, will bring down a dangerous gang of thieves and signal the start of a beautiful friendship. 

This fateful day has been alluded to in every book in the series and now fans of Chet and Bernie will finally get to find out what actually happened. For these two beloved characters, it was something like love at first sight and, for Chet, at first smell, too.

Chet is a police dog in training who has had quite a past.  On his last day of testing, he failed a jumping test and got kicked out of K-9 school.  Yes, there was a cat involved.   This novella tells what happened from Chet's side of the story and how he became Bernie's partner in their P.I. agency.

I liked the writing style ... it's written in first person perspective, from Chet's point of view.  I had read the first in the series, Dog On It, when it came out in 2009 and thought it was cute.  For some reason, I didn't read any more in the series.  I'm going to have to fix that.

Book ~ "The Dog Who Danced" (2012) Susan Wilson

From Goodreads ~ "My name is Justine Meade and in my forty-three years there have only been a handful of people that I have loved. No, that's an exaggeration. Two. Two that I lost because of stupidity and selfishness. One was my son. The other was my dog." 

If there's been a theme in Justine Meade's life, it's loss. Her mother, her home, even her son. The one bright spot in her loss-filled life, the partner she could always count on, was Mack, her gray and black Sheltie; that is, until she is summoned back to her childhood home after more than twenty years away. 

Ed and Alice Parmalee are mourning a loss of their own. Seven years after their daughter was taken from them, they're living separate lives together. Dancing around each other, and their unspeakable heartbreak, unable to bridge the chasm left between them. Fiercely loyal, acutely perceptive and guided by a herd dog's instinct, Mack has a way of bringing out the best in his humans. Whether it's a canine freestyle competition or just the ebb and flow of a family's rhythms, it's as though the little Shetland Sheepdog was born to bring people together.

Justine didn't have a very good childhood.  Her mother had died when she was young and her father married their neighbour, Adele, soon after.  They moved into Adele's house and Justine could do nothing right.  She got married, had a baby and became a single mom while in her early twenties.  Now in her forties, all Justine has is her dog named Mack.  When her stepmother calls her to come home because her father is dying, she can't afford a flight so hitches a ride with a cranky trucker named Artie.  He bails on her along the way.  When he realizes Mack is in the truck, he drops him off in the middle of nowhere.  Justine must make her way to be with her father while trying to track down Artie and Mack.

Alice and Ed are in their sixties and were torn apart seven years ago by a tragedy.  They live in the same house but don't communicate.  They find Mack and take him in, and get attached to him.  Their mutual love for Buddy (aka Mack) may bring them back together.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I was attracted to this book because it's about a dog (and I love dogs).

I liked the writing style ... I found it was well-paced and moved along well.  It is written from different points of view ... it's first person from Justine's perspective and third person when it is from Artie's, Ed's, Alice's and even Mack/Buddy's perspective.  The story jumps back and forth from the past to the present but it was obvious what the timeline was.

I liked the characters. I found their emotions believable. Justine's pain and fear were obvious when she was trying to find out what happened to Mack.  Plus she's dealing with the possible death of her father and having to deal with the feelings from the past.  Alice and Ed were still dealing with the tragedy from seven years ago and not doing a good job of it.

 This was an excellent story and I recommend it!  I look forward to reading more from this author.

Book ~ "A Fall of Marigolds" (2014) Susan Meissner

From Goodreads ~ A beautiful scarf, passed down through the generations, connects two women who learn that the weight of the world is made bearable by the love we give away .... 

September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries …and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. Will what she learns devastate her or free her? 

September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers …the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. Will a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life? 

Clara is a nurse in New York City.  In August 1911, she has fallen in love with Edward, who works in the same building she does.  There is a fire in the building ... Clara is able to escape but Edward dies.  Grieving, Clara gets a job on Ellis Island, taking care of the sick immigrants as they arrived off the boats, never leaving the island.  She gets attached to one immigrant named Andrew from England, who has scarlet fever.  He is newly married and his wife, Lily, had died of scarlet fever on the journey.  The only thing he has left of Lily's is a marigold scarf.  But Clara also finds something from Lily that left for Andrew that will break his heart ... Clara has to decide whether Andrew should know the truth or not.

In September 2001, Taryn was rushing to meet her husband for breakfast to surprise him with the news that she was pregnant.  She got delayed meeting with a elderly client who wanted to find a match to her marigold scarf that had been given to her by her aunt.  The 9/11 attacks happened and Taryn's husband was killed.  Had Taryn not been delayed, she would have been killed also.  Ten years later, she is raising their daughter alone and will have to deal with the tenth anniversary remembrances of the attacks.

This is the first book I've read by this author and for the most part I liked it.  It was an interesting story combined with real events.  I liked the writing style.  It is written in first person perspective in Clara and Taryn's voices (it's obvious whose voice it is as the chapters are labeled).  The story lines bounced back and forth and I was okay with that.

Both women were grieving because of lost loves and doing what they could to survive.  I found Taryn's story was more realistic, though.  She and Kent had been married for a few years and trying to have a baby.  Clara had met Edward in an elevator a couple weeks before the fire and they'd chatted.  They'd never seen each other for more than a few minutes every day and had never gone on a date ... yet Clara loved him and felt sure that he loved her.  Seriously?!  And their lost love was what drove her to the seclusion of Ellis Island to grieve.  Even though it was 1911 and times were different, I wasn't buying it.  She never went out with her friends (who sounded fun) and I think she would have been a drag to be around.

Book ~ "How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You" (2012) Matthew Inman

From Goodreads ~ If your cat is kneading you, that's not a sign of affection. Your cat is actually checking your internal organs for weakness. If your cat brings you a dead animal, this isn't a gift. It's a warning. 

"How to Tell If Your Cat Is Plotting to Kill You" is an offering of cat comics, facts and instructional guides from the creative wonderland at TheOatmeal.com. 

If you are a cat lover like me, you'll find this book funny.

It's a quick read as it's just graphics.

Some of the topics include:

• The daily antics of the Bobcats at the office
• How to pet a kitty
• How your cat sees you
• Walking a dog versus a cat
• If we treated our cats like they treat us
• How to deal with kitty litter
• How kittens are plotting to take over the world

Here are some examples of the Bobcats:

Happy 7th anniversary, Zomato!

I'd been a member of Urbanspoon for a few years, which was recently purchased by Zomato.

In July, Zomato turned seven.  Congrats!

To share the joy, they sent out a little surprise ... and mine arrived today.

Inside the box there were a water container, two gift certificates for Aroma Espresso, a gift certificate for Real Sports Bar and a fun card.

Thanks, Zomato!

Book ~ "Once Upon a Lie" (2013) Maggie Barbieri

From Goodreads ~ Maeve Conlon's life is coming apart at the seams. Her bakery is barely making ends meet and one of her daughters spends as much time grounded as the other does studying. Her ex-husband has a new wife, a new baby and a look of pity for Maeve that's absolutely infuriating. Her father insists he's still independent but he's slowly and obviously succumbing to Alzheimer's. And now, her cousin Sean Donovan has been found dead, sitting in his car in a public park, shot through the head.

There was never much love lost between Maeve and Sean and she's not exactly devastated by his death but suddenly the police are poking around asking the family questions. It's just one more hassle Maeve doesn't have time for, until she realizes that her father, whose memory and judgment are unreliable at best, is a suspect in the murder. Maeve is determined to clear his name but is she prepared to cope with the dark memories and long-hidden secrets that doing so might dredge up? 

Maeve is a divorced mother of two teenage daughters.  Her ex-husband, Cal, had left her for her best friend and now they have a baby.  Maeve owns a bakery in a small town and her friend, Jo, is her only employee.  Her father, Jack, is a former cop and is now in an assisted-living home suffering from dementia ... some days he can remember things, some days he can't.

Maeve's cousin, Sean, is found murdered.  When Maeve was younger, Sean used to babysit her.  But what no one knew is that he abused her.  Needless to say, Maeve isn't grieving.  The police suspect that it was Jack in one of his lucid moments who killed Sean.  Maeve turns to Cal, who is a lawyer, to help her keep her dad out of jail.

In the meantime, Maeve discovers that a customer and her daughter are getting abused by the husband/father.  Not wanting the daughter to end up emotionally battered like she is, Maeve becomes obsessed with letting him know she is onto him.

This is the first in the Maeve Conlin series and it works as a stand alone. I enjoyed the writing style ... it is written in third person perspective.  I found it started out slow and picked up about halfway through.  As a head's up, there is swearing, adult activity and violence.

I liked Maeve and her dad and their interactions.  He's funny and she has a lot of patience with him.  I found Jo a bit annoying.  She is a slackass at work yet Maeve doesn't chastise her and lets her get away with a lot, despite the fact the bakery is struggling and Maeve is working crazy hours.

This author has also written the Murder 101 series.  I've read most of them and enjoyed them.  I found this one darker and I look forward to reading others in the series.

Happy Simcoe Day!

It's Simoe Day here in Ontario.

It is named for Col. John Graves Simcoe ...

• Hero of the American Revolution
• Commanding officer of the Queen's York Rangers
• Founder of Toronto
• First Lt. Governor of Upper Canada
• Builder of Yonge Street
• Abolished slavery in what's now Ontario 30 years before the rest of the British Empire did it and 60 years before Abe Lincoln did it

The Spa at the InterContinental Toronto Centre, Toronto, ON

For our birthdays, Gord and I don't buy each other anything ... we usually take each other to a spa.

My birthday was last Sunday and Gord and I spent the afternoon at the spa at the InterContinental Toronto Centre (Front Street W/Simcoe).

The 8,000 square-foot Spa InterContinental, an AVEDA concept location, offers an essential blend of spa services to refresh your body and mind. Located on the third floor of the InterContinental Toronto Centre Hotel, the spa specializes in massage, body therapy, skin care and aesthetic services. Guests with spa appointments are invited to indulge in this calming oasis and its beautiful solarium, which features 10 treatment rooms and a highly trained, welcoming staff, a 48 foot saline pool, salt hot tub and a scenic terrace.

Gord got us the "Together" package ... a 60 minute side by side massage, a spa lunch and then a 60 minute side by side pedicure.

Here's the ladies' room.  There were two washrooms, two showers with shampoo, conditioner and soap (though one was out of order), a steam room, a vanity with hair dryers, combs, etc., and lockers (you are given a key).

There is a pool, hot tub and loungers ... we got there about 45 minutes to enjoy them.

There is a sundeck where you can lounge.

The CN Tower to the west

Book ~ "Best Friends Forever" (2009) Jennifer Weiner

From Goodreads ~ Following the ups and downs of a long-time friendship between two young girls who grow up to be two very different women. Addie Downs and Valerie Adler were eight when they first met and decided to be best friends forever. But, in the wake of tragedy and betrayal during their teenage years, everything changed. 

Val went on to fame and fortune. Addie stayed behind in their small Midwestern town. Destiny, however, had more in store for these two. And when, twenty-five years later, Val shows up at Addie’s front door with blood on her coat and terror on her face, it is the beginning of a wild adventure for two women joined by love and history who find strength together that they could not find alone.

Addie and Valerie were eight-years-old when Valerie and her newly divorced mom moved across the street from Addie and her family.  Addie was shy and had no friends and they instantly bonded.  Val's family was so different from her own.  Val's mother was a free spirit.  Addie's father had been in Vietnam and suffered from PTSD and her mother was obese.  Addie's popular teenage brother, Jon, was ashamed of them and distance himself.  As Addie and Val grew older, Val became more popular and Addie was left on the sidelines, allowing herself to be used by Val.  When tragedy strikes, everyone including Val turn against Addie, making her life hell.  She eventually balloons to over 350 pounds but starts turning her life around and losing weight.

On the night of their 15th high school graduation, Val shows up at Addie's doorstep, scared and covered in blood.  She had hit someone but didn't know if the person was dead and needed Addie's help.  Not able to find the body, they go on the run to Florida.

I didn't enjoy this book.  I thought the story lines were awful and absurd.  Val had turned her back on Addie back in high school and treated her like crap yet when she knocks on Addie's door  out of the blue 15 years later, she's able to convince Addie to help her.  I don't think so.

I didn't find any of the characters likable.  Addie was pathetic as a child and worse as an adult.  I thought her naïveté at the end was laughable ... there's no way she was that dumb.  I liked Val as a child but she was clueless and conceited as an adult.  It was unbelievable that Jordan was a cop and in charge of finding out what happened when a belt was found in a puddle of blood in the parking lot of the high school reunion.

It's like the author tried to jam every horrible thing she could think of into one book ... PTSD, obesity, rape, emotional eating, cancer, brain damage due to an accident, infidelity, infertility, etc.

I didn't mind the writing style.  It jumps back and forth in time but it was pretty obvious what time period it was.  It is written in first person perspective when it is Addie's voice and third person perspective when the focus is one everyone else.  As a head's up, there is swearing.

This is probably the one and only book I'll read by this author.