Casettes

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Remember when you would listen to the radio and hope that one of your favourite new songs would be played so you can tape it on your blank cassette tape. It was one long and tedious way of collecting new music. But it was summer and you had nothing better to do with your time. The DJ on CKGM would talk over the beginning of the song and ruin or add to the songs recording uniqueness. If you were lucky you would have a walkman so you could listen in private to your mix tape. Or you could put the tape in your brothers hi-fi stereo and hope the tape does not get 'eaten' by his tape player and you get caught trying to get your ruined tape out... He should have used a tape head cleaner on his machine. What's wrong with him?

I did buy music. 45s and Vinyl Albums  but if there were songs no one in the family owned and they were on the radio and we went to all the trouble pressing record after waiting patiently then we earned that song. I am sure concert ticket purchases were soon to follow. The technology did get simpler to make recording whole albums and tapes easier but I was never one to be the first on my block to own the newest equipment. That's what boyfriends did. A mixed tape they made for you was a prized thing.

These days I don't download music without permission. I buy the tune online or at the record store or directly from the artist. Sometimes a tune is given by the artist and I appreciate that too. I did make myself  mixed CD's I can listen to in the car but I paid for all those songs.

What brought this up? I was just listening to ELO and thinking that it's time I bought this tune I once recorded off the radio and pay the Artists for their work.

Long weekend in Montreal

A cheesy stop along the 401 highway.

Centennial Lake DDO

Rue St. Paul

Talented bilingual juggler

Montreal wall art on St. Laurent

Plaza at Place des Arts

Christopher's car

Saw Nile Seguin here

A friend of mine had never been to Montreal so I told her I would be her guide on August long weekend. This weekend is a holiday weekend in Ontario but not in Quebec. The drive was easy going to Montreal and only a little congested coming back.  Highlights for us were: apple pie, hot dogs, smoked meat, spotting rabbits, spotting warblers then a coyote in a graveyard. Going to comedywork, talking to Nile after the show, going to see Inception (in an uncrowded theatre), Buying alcohol at the corner "dep", being  a participant in a juggling act and getting to ride in a pimped up mustang! Meeting Chris who owns that mustang. Going to St Josephs Oratory. and finally buying bagels and cookies to take home. Not all in that order.

PWYC Comedy in Toronto

I went out Monday night to support and enjoy local comedy in Toronto.  I try to get to the 'pay what you can' shows (5$) because that's not totally beyond my entertainment budget. Free shows are even better. I keep my eye out for those too. 

I am looking for a Comedy Buddy in Toronto to go to these shows with once or twice a month. 

Planning a trip back to Montreal

This long weekend coming up I am hopping into my friend Cheryl's car and we are headed east down the 401.

Montreal is a city that Cheryl has never been to.  I am from Montreal but had visited Toronto many times as I was growing up. As a child I thought everyone traveled back and forth on the 401. Since I have moved to Toronto to my surprise I encountered Ontarians that had never been to Quebec at all! I will have to fix that one visitor at a time.
I am really looking forward to showing her around my favourite island.
This trip will include Old Montreal, Mount Royal and Crescent Street.

I am also looking forward to see all my family there! There is no place like home!

It's been a long time

I wanted to just let you know that I am still around. I am still living in Toronto. I still write on the Stroumboulopouli blog. I may get back to the habit of writing here again. I would not be surprised if no one replies.

Currently I am melting in the heat.
Dog sitting.
Looking for  job.
Hoping for a windfall.
Planning to visit Montreal soon.