Garden Party Chronicles: Part I

It's not often that I get to go hang out with my old buddy Rachel, so when she throws a garden party i just make time to stop by. With my possie, obviously.
Dave, Dave, Dave. It's good to have you back, we missed your antics.
Here's the birthday girl, pictured with me, and map.

I have no further comment except to say that I promised not to publish the photos of Dave trying to get all up in that Liza.

Rachel's mom's an architect. My mom is an architecture critic. We both grew up with modern furniture. I like that.

An Te Liu: Style and Epoch.

Got up at 9 today because last night I went to bed really early. So I thought to myself, let's bang out some blog posts before I completely forget the wheres, whens and whos that go along with this Canada Day long weekend. Below we see me and An Te Liu, where he opened his show Style and Epoch at the MKG gallery on grand old Ossington Ave. I don't go to art shows without my trusted companion Paul. Not only does Paul's demeaner and style command respect and admiration from those who surround him, he's in the art business, and his advice over the years has proven to be priceless.
And of course, my eccentric sister, (and recently-arrived roomate - sorry about waking you up the other night btw - you know how it is when Dave's in town...) chit-chatting with some of her Berlin friends who were in town. Notice Sputnik handbag. Well done Clara, well done.
The artist himself, deeply immersed in conversation with another Berliner.
Art is fun.

Northern Yonge goes to G-Unit

Sweaty Betty's BBQ

Flowers and Chicks

One of the best parts about living in the west side is the roses and other flowers that really bring out the best in our neighborhood. Here are a few I snapped when we were en route to the beacs for a few drinks.
The best part about it is that the gardens here will only get better and better as the summer goes on. So i'll keep you all posted.
One of our favorites west side ladies, rachel, doing her thang behind the bar at the beacs.
Cameron, me, and sarah.

Eglington West: Alt Title: More Flex

Bicycle Art Show at Studio Gallery PT II

Bicycle Art Show at Studio Gallery

This past Thursday I had the pleasure of attending an art show put on by two of my old friends Avery and Vanessa of Studio Gallery and Agency.

As part of the Bicycle Film Festival, the show celebrated our favorite way to get around the city. The piece above is done by an extremely interesting guy named Ben Schumacher, who posts his work on his awsome blog.
Here's Nick Fox and me in front of the piece he did for the show. Nick helped me out with a lot of the Northern Yonge branding, and we ate tons of vietnamese food while he worked with Studio Agency on some web design projects.
One of my favorite favorite people in the world, Mathieu, AKA Ndeur, and me in front of the piece he did for the show. Mathieu is establishing himself as one of the most accomplished young designers/artists around. His customized pumps and vintage heels are driving the buzz but just you wait until this guy can unleash his full creative energy: this guy paints, draws, designs websites, makes furniture, clothing, anything and everything.

Here we are, Mr. Ben Schumacher and me standing in front of one of his photographs which was shown at Studio Gallery. Nuff said.

COLD AS ICE

West End Sunshine

My Garden

As some of you may know, I have a pretty tight garden. I decided to post this post for anyone and everyone who doesn't have one. These are purple irises, which are really pretty.

These ones smell really nice.

These ones are white peonies, which only bloom with the help of little tiny ants. They also smell really nice, but if you're gonna take them inside you have to shake them upside down.

This is another iris.

Not quite sure what this one is yet, i'll ask mom and get back to you.

Hope you enjoyed the photos.

Leonard Cohen Live in Toronto: Alternate Title: Leonard taught me how to love.

Last night I had the distinct pleasure of attending one of Leonard Cohen's last performances at the center formerly known as hummingbird.The tickets were pretty expensive, but he played for three hours, which ain't bad for a guy who's last concert was 15 years ago (when he was 60).

At the end of his second set (before the encore), we threw him red roses. He was nice enough to pick them up and sing a song with them.

He might be old, he might be frail, but he's still amazing.

There's no need for me to say that last night was pretty tight.

And here's a special treat.

this machine kills fascists.

i really don't care if you get it or not.

believe it or not, toronto actually IS a city

I know it doesn't always feel this way, but sometimes toronto actually feels like a bigger city. by sometimes, i mean only when you're on the 24th floor of a downtown hotel. we just stopped in at a visiting friend's hotel room after we finished upat the symphony. I love sound check. you can take a girl out there (if you can find a decent one in this city), pay six bucks for the tickets, maybe spend a little more for some intermission flutes of champagne, but all in all, it's cheap, it's culture, and it just makes you feel good.
I'm one of those really lucky guys that actually has a wicked sibling. I feel that sometimes people have siblings that aren't fun to hang out with, and there's not much one can do about that. I'm just lucky. I'm not even lying either, check out clara's blog if you don't believe how cool she is.
Paul is one of my closest friends. He is moving back to new york in august. we're all going to miss him. te voy a extranar amigo.
And so i can say, with confidence, that this past weekend was pretty tight.

yeah I'd take her back to my room at the Parkview Arms

We met these guys at an apartment-warming party last week, they were actually good times. I don't 'not' get along with other dudes, but it's nice when you meet folk that don't piss you off, they just chill out and make the party better. Full party points to these guys. If Dylan doesn't "already" have a room at the Parkview Arms, he should get one.
But enough of that monkey business, let's get down to BIZZZZness. Daniella is yet another stunner from Winnipeg (notice how she reps the W). Obviously this photo was taken at sweaty betty's. She's even cooler for actually asking the bartender for one of those save Darfur postcards they mail out for you.
And so we ended up at the beaconsfield to celebrate the birthday of my friend Sarah. Turns out Sarah lives in the blessed side, not a few blocks away from my house. She gets full points for living in the best neighborhood, full party points, and full fitness points.
And I'm always glad to be able to say that, all in all, last weekend was pretty tight.

Winnipeg House Party in Toronto

So I was hanging out with some old and new friends this past weekend, most of them coming from Canada's bread basket - Winnipeg. Now you see, Winnipeg holds a special place in my heart, because that's where my mom's from. I've spent time there over the years, but not much - and I never made a lot of friends there outside of my (huge) family.

So I guess it's not surprising that I met all my Winnipeg friends in Toronto, and they really bring a different energy to the party. If any of you have ever been to the windy corner of portage and main, you'd know that the only way to keep warm (and entertained) is to challenge your liver to a death match of epic proportions.
There's actually many reasons to like Winnipeg, but even more reasons to be fascinated by it. But I digress, just wanted to say that my friends from Winnipeg are entirely awsome, and hanging out with all of them really made my weekend.