Santa Claus and American Thanksgiving

Between writing a novel this month, finals an exhibition and life, there hasn't been much time to spare. I feel as though I keep trying to get things done, but it never happens.

Last week was American Thanksgiving. I went back home to Rochester and took Shannon with me--so he could compare notes between how Canada and the US do days were we are thankful and then proceed to gorge ourselves on too much turkey. It's a holiday that while I love it, I don't quite understand it. We say our thanks by spending it with people we love. All right, I understand that. But we say our thanks by eating too much food and regretting it later?

That....I don't understand.

But, with the holiday over with and my pants tighter than before, we move on to the Christmas Season. Though it seems that Toronto had moved on by November 1st. The Santa Claus parade took place on Bloor a few weeks ago on a November Sunday. I can't remember the date exactly. But, what I have learned is that this Santa Claus parade is not only WELL OVER A MONTH EARLY, it's like a watered down version of Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Oh Santa. You come earlier every year. While I enjoy the month long Christmas celebration, I have a problem that we start getting ready while we're still wearing shorts and flip flops. Let's not jump ahead of the game. I'm already for Christmas come the day after Thanksgiving, but since Fall is littered with holidays, give each of them some space, okay?

But, my opinion didn't matter and Santa marched anyways. Then I went to Rochester and at turkey and thanked the pilgrims. I think. I'm not sure the holiday is even about thanking the pilgrims anymore. I think it's just about thanking the turkey and spending time with family. Either way, it was a great few days at home.

It ended with a return to Toronto with my mother, Shannon and Fran. We celebrated with nothing other than chicken shawarmas. Now, the semester is nearly over with and I still don't understand milk in bags, but I do understand finals. They are looming over my head in the next few days.

We'll see how I survive. Perhaps Wednesday night I will have to go to the LCBO to celebrate.

What a Week it Has Been

Ben left this morning to head back to the District. Yes, the Ben that I once dated and am now really good friends with. It's strange how those things work out. But it was a hell of a lot of fun with him around for over a week. I did have my final presentation on Wednesday, so between preparing for that and hanging out with Ben and Shannon, things have been hectic.

Thankfully, it's already another weekend. Maybe now I can process the past week and get some sleep in the meantime. I've started my project making Ambrotypes. It's great to be back in the darkroom. Strange though to be doing 19th century processes. Though I have to admit, it's all very exciting.

Last Friday Fran had a party at Molly Bloom's, a pub near U of T. There's nothing better than hanging out with the girls and bringing along Ben and Shannon. I'm really thankful for everyone, because they've made Toronto extremely special.

Sadly, that's only four of the fab 5. Nadia didn't come. And once again, with the nose thing. It's a common occurrence after too much beer. And this week with Ben has been anything but short of beer. There's been Bluegrass music live and bar hoping and making several new friends everywhere and anywhere. I can't forget the climbing several firescapes to get to the roof of the silver dollar on Wednesday night. And the fact that Ben's car did get towed Monday night. I'm almost positive that I'm not doing Ben's trip to Canada any justice. But he left loving Toronto. So I feel as though I've done my job.

I don't have a good picture of Shannon, Ben and I to share (at least according to my own vanity they aren't very good) so this is as good as it gets. Molly Bloom's was a good night. One of many in the past seven. I can't say anything about the Bob Dylan concerts Ben went to, but he sounded as pleased as ever. I'm at no loss for not going. Me and Bob aren't as close as Ben and Bob. He's a bit obsessed. There's no way to have a conversation without Bob Dylan coming up at some point.

I've seen more of Toronto in the past week. And what an interesting week in Canada it has been. Not to mention being part of the strangest group dynamic ever. Three friends. Two used to date. Then the one guy introduces the girl to the other guy. Now the other guy and the girl are together. And they're still all friends.

Hey, I NEVER said my life played by the rules. That would be dull. And this is supposed to be an adventure after all. A Canadian one. That requirement is fulfilled by the massive amount of Timmy's that I've had all week. Ben swore he'd never eat at a Tim Horton's (which are huge in Canada, move over Dunkin Dounuts!), but I think it finally grew on him. We had a final breakfast together before he left this morning.

It was such a good week. And I am so tired, that is exactly what I'm going to leave you with. The fact that Canada has already put up most of their Christmas decorations has me slightly disoriented. It is still November, right?

Humor up in Canada

And life in the fast times. It's getting to that point in the semester where I only have time for work and a social life. Blogging seems to come second. And farther down the line, my NANOWRIMO novel, which with almost a week gone, seems to be lacking in words.

But, I'd rather sit around and contemplate the humor in Canada than write a novel. I find myself coming back to the milk in bags phenomenon. Shannon and I spent several minutes ranting about it one evening in the dairy section of a convenience store. I then received this hysterical cartoon about these milk in bags. And I also went on a rant that night about the price of Ben and Jerrys. Nearly seven dollars a pint! I don't care if that's in Canadian dollars, that's still expensive. But I've learned to appreciate other forms of ice cream just as much--partially because I can get more for cheaper.

My next humorous story has do to with the Toronto Police. While walking through Allen gardens at maybe five in the afternoon with Kat when she was visiting, we saw a man passed out by the sidewalk in the grass. Did I mention his pants were down around his ankles? This appeared to have him unaffected as he snored away. Kat and I then had to promptly jump off the sidewalk as a cop car came pulling up. It stopped next to the sleeping man. Kat and I also ceased walking as this bizarre sight had us transfixed.

The police did not get out of the car. Instead, they pulled out a megaphone and began to say "Sir. Sir, do you know your pants are down? Sir, your pants are down." I promptly began to snicker and the cute, young police officer in the drivers seat turned to us. Of course his window was rolled down and he called, "Hey, either of you ladies looking for a date tonight? I've got one right here."

I shook my head and pushed Kat along, "No thanks, "I began, "I like my dates to be conscious." I am sure I heard him laughing as we walked off. It gave Kat and I a good laugh. Strange things always seem to happen in Toronto.

Case and Point. The other afternoon I am letting Ben and Shannon out of o my apartment. As I am saying goodbye, I go to pull the door closed. This is when I see a little, old, stout lady hobble up to my door. She reaches for it as I pull it shut. So I push it back open. She doesn't even look at me as she tries to push past so I reply, "Can I help you?" This seems to have her unaffected so I say, "I'm sorry this is a private residence. I then pull the door shut on her.

She muttered an almost inaudible, "oh." and then hobbled back off in the direction she came. I caught the confused look of Ben and Shannon. I merely shrugged and waved goodbye. Once again, these strange occurrences I can't quite figure out. Oh, Toronto. And that's about all I can say.

I shall never cease to find the humor and weird in this city. I can't really say I want to. It keeps me on my toes.